1979 Topps

The starting catcher for the world champion 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, Ott played eight seasons in the big leagues, almost exclusively for the Pirates, from 1974-1981. He appeared in just 39 games during the first three years of that run, but saw action in 104 games in 1977. He hit .269 with a career-high nine home runs in 112 games in 1978. He caught 116 games in 1979, hitting .273 with seven home runs and 51 RBIs. Ott remained Pittsburgh’s starting catcher through 1980 when he was traded to the California Angels to make room for Tony Peña. Ott played in 75 games for the Halos before a rotator cuff injury ended his season and eventually his career.

Ott appeared in three games of the 1979 World Series. He hit .333 with four RBIs and three runs scored, helping Pittsburgh defeat the Baltimore Orioles in seven games.

We featured Ott’s cribbage partner Phil Garner a few weeks ago.

The 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates seem particularly good about responding to our letters. In addition to Garner and Ott, Don Robinson made an appearance last week.

Ed Ott – career stats