Cards That Never Were #48

1982 Fleer - Dwight Bernard

Middle relievers have the worst track record for cardboard immortalization. They are the unloved players in the hobby.

Dwight was drafted by the Mets in 1974 and made the team in 1978. He was traded to the Brewers at the end of the 1979 season. Bernard made it back to the majors at the tail end of the 1981 season, but it would be 1982 where he would make the most impact.

In 1982, Dwight pitched in a career high seventy-nine innings, finished nineteen games and saved six. He was one of the many reasons why the 1982 Brewers made it to the World Series that year. Bernard pitched in each of the three playoff series in 1982, culminating with an appearance in Game six of the World Series in St. Louis.

Dwight struck out David Green looking to start the eighth. A throwing error by Robin Yount allowed Ken Oberkfell to reach first base. He then got Keith Hernandez to fly out to right field, paving the way for George Hendrick to ground to short and force out Oberkfell at second base. Even though Bernard pitched a scoreless inning, the Brewers were down by thirteen runs at that point and a Game 7 was inevitable.

In 1983, Dwight had cards come out in Donruss, Fleer and Topps. It was too late by then. Bernard was cut from the team in Spring Training and that World Series appearance would be his last in the majors.