#464 Ron Piche

If you're especially sharp-eyed, you should be able to see that Ron Piche is wearing a Braves jersey. Topps got a little sloppy with their photo cropping, it seems.

Fun facts about Ron Piche:

-Hailing from Verdun in the Canadian province of Quebec, Ron signed with the Braves in 1955.

-Steadily climbed the minor-league ladder, posting double digits in wins in each of his first four years and compiling earned run averages under 3.00 at every stop.

-Debuted in Milwaukee in 1960, appearing in 37 games (all in relief) and pitching to a 3.56 ERA. His nine saves were one off of the team lead.

-Spent significant portions of the 1961 and 1962 seasons in his native Canada. Unfortunately, he was there on business, pitching for the Braves' AAA teams in Vancouver and Toronto. He was more than up to the challenge, going a combined 23-11.

-Returned to the majors for a full year in 1963 and was again an effective reliever, with a 3.40 ERA.

-Made the most of a full season at AAA Toronto in 1964, leading the International League in win percentage (14-3, .824) and putting up a 2.98 ERA.

-Was traded to the Angels in 1965, but suffered his worst season, with a 6.86 ERA in just 14 games.

-Bounced around several other organizations (Twins, Cardinals, Cubs, Expos) during the final five years of his career, with a 20-game stint in St. Louis in 1966 (4.26 ERA, 2 SV) serving as his last exposure to big league batters. In six major league seasons, Ron was 10-16 with a 4.19 ERA and 12 saves.

-Bill Mazeroski had his number. Not known for his power, the slick-fielding Pirates second baseman hit four home runs in 14 career at-bats against Piche, racking up a 1.214 slugging percentage!

-He coached for the Expos' big league club in 1976, but also spent many years with the organization as a minor league instructor and a community relations man.