the 1978 topps lance rautzhan card that should have been

since doug rau was featured yesterday, it makes sense to move on to lance rautzhan today as they will most likely be forever joined in dodger alphabetical order.  rautzhan was featured in the 1978 topps set on a 4-in-1 rookie card (here's one that i had dan schatzeder sign):

that's cool, but in the spirit of the 1978 topps burger king sets, guys like morris, whitaker and trammell made it off of those cards and on to their own.  lance rautzhan deserves nothing less.  so, here is the 1978 topps burger king/update card that should have been:

with a back

the photo is from the 1978 dodgers photo album - the same source for that secondary enzo hernandez card.  after mrmopar turned me on to its existence, i found my own copy of the album.

rautzhan had his best season in 1978.  he appeared in 43 games, posted a 2.93 era and had 4 saves to go along with a 2-1 record.  he appeared in both the nlcs and the world series (as he had in 1977).  he had his first (and only) solo topps card in the 1979 set (which he kindly signed for me along with his 1978 card featured in an earlier link and post)

after his good 1978 campaign, rautzhan was purchased by the brewers in early 1979.  he made a few appearances before heading on to the royals organization although he did not make it back to the majors after leaving milwaukee.

here's to you, 1978 topps burger king/update lance rautzhan card that should have been!