#77 Dan Briggs, Indians

Card Front: I could be wrong on this one, but does it not look like Dan might be airbrushed into his Indians logo? It is hard to believe that Topps would get a photographer to Cleveland in September to get a shot of Dan in his Tribe uniform. I think with all the controversy the Indians have had with the Chief Wahoo logo they could have gone back to this old wishbone C instead.

Card Back: It is hard to believe that a guy with such little big league time got a low number card. Do all Indians fans remember Dan's great 15 game history? Those were his only games in Cleveland. On March 31, 1979 the Indians and the Padres got a deal done that sent Dan to San Diego to be Friar. How about BIG Frank Howard with 10 homers in six games?!

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Dan's last season in 1977 with the California Angels, Dan played with Sid Monge in Anaheim. While Sid would also eventually move down Interstate 5 to San Diego to be a Padre also it wasn't at the same time. Sid was a part of the 1983 Padres with a guy named Tony Gwynn. Mr. Padre would spend his whole career in Padre colors and be with Roberto Petagine in San Diego in 1995. Roberto spent a blink of an eye with the 2006 version of the Mariners. He went 5 for 27 with 1 HR and 10 K's for a .185 average before the Mariners let him go.

Blog related to the team: I really thought that a team with a long and rich history would have many more fans out there blogging. I decided to go in a different direction for a change. Dan didn't have too many cards in his career, but he did have back to back cards with this one, and a spot in the great 1980 Topps set. Dean Family just recently got to Dan's 1980 beauty in Padres colors and posted it. If you like this set and the set from 1980 go and read up on his posts on that set.

Next Card: #78, Elias Sosa, A's

#76 Warren Cromartie, Expos

Card Front: A nice close up of Warren hanging out at the batting cage. I do remember the days of the satin jackets and always wishing I could own one as a kid. One thing I do miss about the Expos is the colorfulness of the uniforms. I loved the Red, White, and Blue caps, trying to decipher exactly what the logo was, and the classy powder blue road unis. Warren looks like he's contemplating where to go for dinner later...

Card Back: The beginnings of Warren's storied career. Did you know that the Expos were the fourth time he had been drafted from June of 1971 through January of 1973. Warren would stay in Montreal until the end of 1983 before doing the unheard of and signing with the Yomiuri Giants and spending 6 seasons in Japan. He was so good over there learning from manager Sadaharu Oh he would be the 1989 MVP. Warren would come back to be a Royal in 1991, but hung it up after the season.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: In Warren's first season North of the border in 1977, Warren had a big name teammate behind the plate in Gary Carter. Fifteen years later, in 1992 Gary would be back in Montreal with the Expos and play with Marquis Grissom. Marquis would move around quite a bit and be a member of the 2004 San Francisco Giants with pitcher David Aardsma. For the 2009 and 2010 seasons the DA was the closer for the M's. David had Tommy John surgery for 2011 and is in the Yankees system now.

Blog related to the team: I don't know if it is because they have left Montreal, played in Puerto Rico, and eventually became the Nationals, but where are all the Expos fans?? I have decided to try and tie and tie Nationals fans to the team because they are the history of the team. One blogger that I know of that is happy to pick up the shattered team from Montreal is Kirk. He has a couple blogs, but his that is dedicated to the modern day Expos is called Curly W Cards. I'm sure if you talk to Kirk he has a loving for the history of his now hometown team. Hook him up with some Expos love!

Next Card: #77 Dan Briggs, Indians

#75 Steve Yeager, Dodgers

Card Front: We can tell that it is Steve by his #7. Other than that I'm not really sure there is anything that distinguishes that it is Steve. While I appreciate an in game action shot, couldn't Topps of done a little better job on photo selection? Another thing that gets me and I know many have questioned it, why did the Dodgers get pink on their cards for many years?? If you are any kind of baseball fan, you have to love the beauty and simplicity that the Dodgers uniforms have held to through out the years.

Card Back: We see the beginnings of a long and steady career as the Dodgers backstop. I remember as a kid thinking Yeager was awesome because he was the catcher. Steve would spend nearly his entire career wearing Dodger Blue. Obviously it was a slow progression from being drafted in 1967 to spot duty for two tears to split time, to being the full time guy in 1975.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: As any Dodger fan knows, Steve tarnished his legacy as a Dodger lifer when he got traded to the Mariners. Steve would play in 50 forgettable games as a Mariner in 1986 before retiring. In Steve's last season in LA in 1985, he played with Mariano Duncan. Mr. Duncan would move to that other coast and play with the Bronx Bombers in 1996. Another of those Bombers would be Ruben Sierra. In all Ruben played for 9 teams including a stint as the Mariners left fielder and DH in 2002.

Blog related to the team: Oh Dem Bums! so many fans, so many bloggers that love them. One fan that has been out there for a while and keeps us wanting cards likes to steal home. He is the writer of All Trade Bait, All The Time. As the header on his blog says he is a "card collecting, die hard Dodgers fan." It is simple to give some love to a blogger who spells it out that plainly for us. Go check him out because he always has great stuff up for trade.

Next Card: #76 Warren Cromartie, Expos

#74 Shane Rawley, Mariners

Card Front: Oh the beauty of the original Mariner uniforms. I really do like the look and the simplicity of those duds. Another of those pictures that was taken at Tempe's Diablo Stadium. The M's called it home through 1992 only to have it renovated to become the Angels current Spring home. I wonder if Shane has a ball in his hand, but I would bet he doesn't.

Card Back: You always have to love cards that have more minor league stats than big league ones. How can you not love Quebec City, Denver, and West Palm Beach. Shane would make the most of 1978 as he would spend 4 seasons with Seattle before being traded away. Shane played 12 seasons with the M's, Yankees, Phillies, and Twins. Could the A's manager not decide on a 2nd baseman using 6 in a 15 inning game??

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Obviously Shane was, and is shown as a Mariner. Let's tie Shane to a more recent Mariner though. As part of the 1988 Philadelphia Phillies, Shane played with Kevin Gross in the city of Brotherly Love. Kevin would be part of the 1995 version of the Texas Rangers with ageless wonder Darren Oliver. Darren is still around today as a part of the 2012 Toronto Blue Jays with former Mariner Brandon Morrow.

Blog related to the team: I sometimes think I bite off a lot more than I can keep up with. One blog that I try to update once in awhile but not quite often enough is about the history of Mariner baseball. One of my side projects is at Ride of the Ancient Mariner. Since I'm pumping it up, I guess I will need to get some posts on it more often than I do. Did you know Shane owns his own restaurant in Sarasota, FL called Shaner's Pizzeria which looks like a fun place to hang out.

Next Card: #75 Steve Yeager, Dodgers

#73 Ken Henderson, Reds



Card Front: Ken is showing off his new duds as a Red in San Francisco in 1978. This must have been taken not long after Ken came to the Reds either in June or it could be from late September in 1978. Ken does not appear to be happy at all and just wants to get this over with. I remember how the Reds jerseys in those days didn't have much room for a long last name.

Card Back: It is hard to figure out Ken's playing time through the years. Some years he would play everyday, and some years were hit and miss. It looked as though he would stick with the Giants, but then bounced around to many teams. Ken would spend part of 1979 in Cincinnati before being traded to the Cubs only to be released and retire midway through the 1980 season.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Ken's first season in Cincinnati, another of those 1978 Reds was Dan Driessen. Dan would move to be part of the 1985 San Francisco Giants with a young Chili Davis. During Chili's time as a 1997 Kansas City Royal one of his teammates was Hector Carrasco. Hector would be part of the inaugural season of the 2005 Washington Nationals with Brad Wilkerson. Brad made it nearly a month as the Mariner DH in 2008 before being released.

Blog related tot he team: There are few fans of the Redlegs out there. I would think with their long rich history there would be more. One fan that is out there should be in a rock band. Doesn't his blog sound like a band with a name like Potch Wheeler and the Cardboard Heroes. Go over and show him some love, maybe you can work out a trade for some good stuff you both need.

Next Card: #74 Shane Rawley, Mariners

#72 Steve Mingori, Royals

Card Front: Steve is giving us the classic I just threw a pitch off flat ground look. I've never seen a pitcher throw from right field towards the stands, but whatever works. I really do still love the classic Royals powder blue road uniforms. We do have to wonder was this taken in Oakland in 1978 or was it a recycled picture from Topps? I still think KC has one of the most awesome ballparks around.

Card Back: These would be the next to last stats for Steve. He would be released by the Royals after the 1979 season and never pitch again. Steve did spend some time as a minor league pitching coach in the Blue Jays system. It must have been a huge thrill to be traded to, and play for your hometown team. Could you imagine playing for 7 seasons in front of your family? Sadly, Steve passed away in 2008 at the age of 64 due to natural causes.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Steve's final season with the 1979 Royals, he would play with the great Frank White. Frank spent many years in KC including the 1990 season teaming with Jeff Conine. Jeff would move around to many teams, while making a stop in Cincinnati. Jeff would be a part of the 2007 Reds with some guy that was in Seattle for a bit named Ken Griffey Jr. I think he spent nearly 12 seasons in the Emerald City.

Blog related to the team: It always surprises me how many Royals bloggers there are out there. One of those bloggers isn't quite right because he is A Hair Off Square.  He has written for quite a while now and does pretty cool customs of his beloved Royals. If you want to see his handy work making cards head over and let him know I sent you.

Next Card: #73 Ken Henderson, Reds

#71 Brain Downing, Angels



 Card Front: Brian is showing us the classic down on one knee with a bat pose. You have to admire the awesomeness of the aviator glasses that really have no tint to them. I still love the classic look of the Angels uniforms back in the day with the Haloed A and the simplicity of the whole thing. I feel a kinship to this card being that the photo was taken when the Angels were in my hometown for spring training of Palm Springs, CA thank to owner Gene Autry.

Card Back: We see the beginnings of what would end up being a 20 year career. Brian could not get full playing time while in Chicago, and I'm sure was more than happy to be traded to his hometown Angels. It seems that the players the Angels gave up to get Brain along with Chris Knapp and Dave Frost worked to the Halos benefit. Brian spent 13 seasons in Anaheim and would eventually be inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 2009.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: While Brian would spend his last season as an Angel in 1990, he would team up with Dante Bichette. Dante would eventually move to be a part of the 2001 Boston Red Sox along side Manny Ramirez. Manny would find a short stint as a member of the 2011 Tampa Bay Rays. One of Manny's fellow Rays was now 2012 Mariner John Jaso.

Blog related to the team: It is surprising that are so few fans of the Halos. Maybe it has something to do with that darn Rally Monkey. One blogger that went dormant for a long time but pops up every once in awhile is Lance of the Angels Master Set. Lance is a man after my own heart owning nearly every Angels card made, except I'm trying to do it with my lowly Mariners. Go over and check him out and let's see if we can get him back to the blog world full time for some Halos posts.

Next Card: #72 Steve Mingori, Royals