#115 Nolan Ryan, Angels

Card Front: How can you throw a pitch if you don't have a ball in your hand?? I personally would be scared to stand in the box against this guy even if he doesn't have a ball. Just look at the look on his face and tell me Nolan isn't just a bad ass. He has the stare down, he is rocking the classic Angels jersey and hat, and almost looks like he is an angel floating in the air. Topps definitely got it right with this one in 1979, I think it is one of the best cards we've seen so far!

Card Back: The back of this card is the stuff legends are made of. Little did we know that we would have The Express be around for another 15 seasons. If you look at his stats as of 1978, he was only part way to some of the staggering stats he would finish with. He was only half way on the win total, ONLY 2700 strikeouts so far and only about 3000 to go, and the four no hitters so far and on his was to 7 for his career. If you were a right handed pitcher back in those days, I hope you wanted to be like Nolan when you grew up.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: If you know your history, you know that Nolan's final pitch was in the Kingdome in Seattle. He came out of the game in the 1st inning after going 3-1 on Dave Magadan, and giving up a grand slam to Dann Howitt on September 22, 1993. Before that fateful day, while Nolan was a member of the 1983 Houston Astros, he played with Mike LaCoss. Mike would eventually make his way out west and and in 1991 would play in Candlestick Park as a part of the San Francisco Giants. Another of those 1991 Giants was closer Rod Beck. Rod would continue to pitch and in 2003, he was down the coast as a part of the San Diego Padres. One guys that played three games as a Friar before being traded in 2003 was Jason Bay. Fast Forward 10 years to spring training 2013, and Jason Bay is trying to make this year's Mariners squad.

Blog related to the team: It surprises me with the long sustained success of the Angels franchise that there aren't tons of people blogging about the Halos. One that I know has been out there for a long time gets his name from a player I remember well.  James is a dyed in the wool, unapologetic Angels fan and writes the great True Grich. I like to pop over and see what he is thinking about his team on regular basis. The Angels have always had a soft spot in my heart since they spent half their springs in my hometown of Palm Springs for spring training and I would watch Angel broadcasts so I could see them play my M's.

Next Card: #116 Ozzie Smith, Padres

#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

#48 Merv Rettenmund, Angels

Card Front: Here is Merv showing off to the camera. I may not be big and strong, but I can get the job done. I really dig the two tone batting glove with the little velcro loop belt to tighten it on the left hand. The most awesome is the old California Angels logo on the arm, since now they name 15 different cities in their title.

Card Back: Merv did do some bouncing around, except for a few years in the NL he's all AL baby. It is hard to comprehend a guy that doesn't have much offense, but was a good outfielder won two rings in the 70's. While he lost with the Orioles in the '69 and '71 series, he won in 1970 with the Birds, and again in 1975 with the Reds.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Merv spent a little time in the Brown and Gold of the Padres. Another member of the 1977 Swingin' Friars was Dave Winfield. Dave would eventually move on and be part of the 1995 Cleveland Indians that would beat the Mariners in the ALCS. Also on that Indians team, was a young Manny Ramirez. Last year before being suspended, Manny was part of the Tampa Bay Rays with John Jaso. John is going to be the backup catcher in 2012 for the Mariners.

Blog related to the team: Friends of the Halo are hard to come by. I have a feeling with Albert being there now though, the fans will hit the Internet. One site that's been around for awhile is Halos Heaven. If you are an Angels fan, it is a very informative site for news and notes.

Next Card: #49 Vern Ruhle, Astros

#18 Tony Solaita, Angels

Card Front: Tony making his pose during the 1978 season at the Big A in Anaheim. It is funny to see Tony as an Angel on a 1979 card since he was nowhere near the Angels for the '79 season having been sold to the Expos in the off season. Tony would be a trade deadline guy, going the Blue Jays in the middle of '79. Nice work to see all of Canada in one season.

Card Back: The one token AB for the Yankees stands out, and then nearly 6 seasons before making it back to the big leagues. Three years in KC, three in Anaheim, 1979 would see Tony in both Canadian cities in Montreal and Toronto. He would spend the next four seasons in Japan. He is the only player to ever be born in American Samoa to play in the Majors. He would tragically be murdered in his home on February 10, 1990 at the age of 43 over a land dispute.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: While splitting time in Canada in '79, Tony teamed up with Larry Parrish in Montreal in 1979. Larry would be on the 1988 Texas Rangers with future 1B Pete O'Brien. Pete would also spend 1990 with short time guy Gary Eave in Seattle.

Blog related to the team: There aren't too many Angel blogs out there. One of the best is The Angels, in Order. Tom does an excellent job of chronicaling the history of the Halos, and showing off many different historical things Angel related. If you have extra Angels cards, hit him up because he does awesome trades too.

Next Card: #19 Larry Gura, Royals

#6 1978 Strikeout Leaders

Card Front: Even at a younger age, the look on Nolan's face would scare me if I was in the batter's box. While J.R. looks nice and pleasant, he was a beast on the mound. Who would think that this card is a foreshadowing of teammates in 1980 in Houston. Sadly, J.R.'s career would end that year due to a stroke at the age of 30. The Astros could have really good if they could have stayed together.

Card Back: Talk about strikeout numbers all over the board. Amongst all the Hall of Famers and big names, the separation between #1 and #10 is anywhere between 120 to 150 K's. Back in these days, guys didn't have the 'roids to bump their numbers so they had to adjust and play small ball, or take a seat on the bench after whiffing.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Most people know that Nolan's last game was on September 22, 1993 in Seattle. Steve Dreyer would finish the at bat against Dave Magadan in the bottom of the 1st inning. As far as hooking him to a Mariner, it's not too hard. Nolan had some time with Matt Whiteside in Teaxas in that '93 season, Matt was a Blue Jay in 2005 with Guillermo Quiroz, and Q has been in and out of the Mariners system three times, including this upcoming year. NL leader J.R. spent the 1972 season with Ken Forsch as an Astro, Ken would move on to play with the Angels and Dick Schofield in 1983. Dick would hang with Chan Ho Park as a Dodger in 1995, and Chan would hook up with Jeff Clement, as a former Mariner in Pittsburgh in 2010. As a side note, some of the names in the first round drafted after Clement: Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki, Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Matt Garza. Thank goodness Bill Bavasi isn't making draft decisions anymore and Jackie Z has a mind for good prospects.

Next Card: #7 1978 ERA Leaders

#1 1978 Batting Leaders

This is the first card in the set of 726 cards. Unlike the modern cards that have the top three from each league, back in these days it was one card. The good thing with that meant more cards for players to be on.

Card Front: On the left is AL batting champ Rod Carew of the Twins. Rod would not play for the Twins in 1979, being traded to the Angels in February of '79. Rod led the AL hitting .333 in 1978. On the right is the NL champ in "the Cobra," Dave Parker. Dave would win the NL batting title at .334, and the NL MVP in '78 despite a facial injury in June.

Card Back: Do you like deep green? I hope so because you will see lots of it for the next 725 cards. The list of the top 10 for each league has three guys that are in the Hall of Fame. One that will be on Lou Piniella, and one that could be in Pete Rose. Many household names amongst all 20 players.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: The easy one is Leon Roberts. He was a Mariner. Obviously Lou managed in Seattle. Jose Cruz would have his son play in Seattle. Jeff Burroughs would also spend 1981 in Seattle.

Next Card: #2 Home Run Leaders