The 1974 Topps Rookie All-Star Team - Barry Foote

Here they are - the Topps All-Star Rookie Team, selected "by the Youth of America" following the 1974 season and featured in the 1975 Topps set. 

I have completed the run of these up through 2018 Series One, at least all regular issue cards that bear the All-Star Rookie Trophy. 

Topps decided to skip the Trophies on the 1974 Topps Set, but they made a triumphant return in 1975. I wanted to show my appreciation for this expression of good judgement, so for the 1974 Lineup, I will do a separate post for each player. This was a pretty good crop of players, so let's dive in! 

Catcher - Barry Foote

Foote was the #3 Overall Pick in the 1970 MLB draft, selected by the Montreal Expos. Foote made his debut 3 years later, and spent his rookie season as the primary catcher for the Expos. As a rookie, Foote led the National League in Sacrifice Flies, and in addition to a bit of power (11 Home Runs), he displayed a cannon for an arm. He threw out 42 would be base stealers, and was deemed by none other than Lou Brock as one of the toughest catchers to steal against.

He was playing on borrowed time in Montreal however, as a new Kid in town would start to siphon away playing time from Foote. Future Hall of Famer Gary Carter would supplant Foote as the Expos' primary receiver by the end of 1976. He did manage to lead the NL in double plays by a catcher in both 1975 and 76.

Foote was traded to Philadelphia in 1977, but he would see very little playing time for the Phils. He would catch in just 57 games and had just 16 hits.

Image From COMC.

In 1979, Foote was given a greater opportunity, and again he showed his strong throwing arm and capable bat. Now with the Cubs, Foote caught a career high 132 games and blasted a career high 16 home runs. The following season, his playing time was ceded to one of the only players with a more impressive moustache, Tim Blackwell. 

By 1981, Foote was moving on to New York. He was acquired to fill in for an injured Rick Cerone. By the time the player's strike ended, Cerone was healthy again, and Foote would have to wait. His final season in the majors found him sharing time with Cerone and Butch Wynegar. He signed a deal with the Yankees to become a scout, and also had a pair of championship seasons as a minor league manager.