1976 Topps, Jim Colborn

#521 Jim Colborn

Here is the third installment of my Topps Million Card Giveaway TTM project. Just like yesterdays post, I had sent this card to Jim without realizing that he had a no-hitter on his resume. But, the worst part about it is that Jim had his no-hitter while playing with my favorite team and I had no clue.

Jim was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cubs in the late '60s. He only played in a handful of games with them before being dealt to the Brewers before the '72 season. He pitched for the Brew Crew for five seasons and he had his best season with them in 1972. That season, Jim was a 20-game winner and he had career bests in wins, ERA (3.11), and strikeouts (135). He also made his lone All Star team that season.

After the '76 season, Jim was traded to the Royals and he quickly impressed his new fans and teammates by throwing his no-no at home against the Rangers in an early May game. The no-hitter was the third in Royals history and Jim was the second pitcher to throw one (Steve Busby had the first two). It was also the first no-no thrown by a Royal at home. Jim finished the season with 18 wins, the second most of his career, and yet he only went on to pitch just one more season and it was with the Mariners.

I don't send out Sharpies when I send out my TTM requests, so Jim picked red for me. I'm more of a blue kind of guy, but the red looks pretty good on this card. Good choice, Jim.

I sent this card out on January 15 and I got it back a month later on February 17.