Vintage Fridays: Dave Duncan, 1976 Topps #49

Random thoughts about this card:

-The picture was clearly taken in Spring Training. Palm trees are wonderful, especially when there's a chance of MORE SNOW in the last week of March here in the Mid-Atlantic, but I'll be glad to see games that count in the standings. No more ties, split squad games, or lack of TV coverage.

-I kind of wish that Dave Duncan's head was tilted to the side, so that he was mimicking the Oriole Bird on his cap.

-I'm also picturing Matt Wieters with Duncan's floppy hairstyle. It's not a good look.

Vintage Fridays: Dave Duncan, 1975 SSPC #383

Tonight the Orioles had a pitching performance worthy of longtime pitching guru (and onetime O's catcher) Dave Duncan. Chris Tillman earned his seventh win by working around four walks in six scoreless innings. He limited the Red Sox to three hits, and this season's Big Three relievers (Darren O'Day, Tommy Hunter, and Jim Johnson) faced nine batters and got nine outs. Throw in another Chris Davis home run and a run-scoring infield single by Adam Jones, and you've got all the ingredients for a 2-0 Baltimore win. The last time the Orioles blanked Boston was September 13, 2006, when Erik Bedard, Todd Williams, and Chris Ray combined for a 4-0 shutout. Tonight was a great night to be at Camden Yards, and the topper was a lively fireworks display after the game.

One and a half games out of first place.