A Pair of Cubbie Starters from 1975.

The 1975 Cubs had a very stable starting rotation. Ray Burris, Rick Reuschel, Bill Bonham and Steve Stone started 86% or 140 of the Cubs game during the season. Unfortunately, the Cubs only won 75 games while losing 87 during season. There were only five other pitchers that started a game for the Cubs in 1975 (Geoff Zahn – 10, Tom Dettore – 5, Willie Prall – 3, Burt Hooten – 3 and Donnie Moore – 1).

Bill Bonham was card #85 in the 1975 Topps set. Bonham had a solid ten year career in the majors with the Cubs and the Reds. As a Cub, he won 53 games and lost 70 games with a 4.31 ERA. After seven years with the Cubs, he was traded to the Reds for Bill Caudill and Woody Fryman. Bonham’s career ended when he was released by the Reds in August 1981.

Rick Reuschel appeared on card #153 in the 1975 Topps Baseball set. Rick Reuschel played MLB for 19 seasons with four different teams. Reuschel played in 12 seasons with the Cubs. Reuschel appeared in 358 games as a Cub. He won 135 games and lost 127 with an ERA of 3.50. He played with the Cubs from 1972 to 1981 and was then traded to the Yankees. He was not effective during his one year stay with the Yankees and was released. He signed with the Cubs in 1983 and appeared in 23 games during 1983 and 1984. His career ended in 1991 after playing for the Pirates and Giants. Overall in his 19 seasons, Reuschel won 214 games and lost 191 with a career ERA of 3.37.