#132 Rowland Office, Braves

 

 Card Front: There is nothing more classic than the spring training pose with the bat outside the dugout. It is hard to tell if Rowland is enjoying his photo shoot or if he wants to look crazy so he can get in the clubhouse to get some of the afternoon food spread.

Card Back: It is unusual to see that only one year or so of minor league stats weren't included. I guess 5 pinch hits and a Carolina League All Star info is necessary. If you've ever seen the movie Major League you would know that the Indians win over the Red Sox for the 1948 pennant would be their last until the team regained their prominence in the 1990's.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Rowland's first full season in Atlanta during 1974, another Brave was Jamie Easterly. Jamie would make his way to another Native American team while being part of the 1987 version of the Cleveland Indians with a very young Julio Franco. Julio would stay around for many years with many teams only to return to Atlanta in 2007 with Rafael Soriano. Rafael was with the Mariners from 2002-2006 when the Mariners made the god awful move to send Rafael to the Braves for Horacio Ramirez.

Next Card: #133 Bill Castro, Brewers

#105 Rick Camp, Braves

Card Front: Does this card just scream 70's or what? There is just so many things to laugh at. Between Rick's high top mesh cap to the longer hair, even the fans in the background look like turn back the clock. I wish I could remember the Braves wearing the pinstripes, I think they look good but I like the cleaner look of today' uniforms. Why is Rick looking off to his left? Is there some kind of rare West Palm Beach bird he sees?

Card Back: How about that? Grow up in Georgia, go to college in Georgia, and then your hometown team selects you in the draft. That is what dreams are made of boys and girls. Two full seasons in the minors and you get a late call up. Rick would spend his whole career with the Braves through 1985 before being released in 1986. Sadly, he was convicted to 3 years in a Federal Prison in 2005 for conspiring to steal $2 million. He did hit a game tying home run in the early hours of July 5, 1985 only to see the Braves eventually lose, but it is the one few memorable hits he had.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Rick's 1977 season in Atlanta, he was a Brave along with Eddie Solomon. Eddie would than takes his talents to Pittsburgh, and in 1980 be a Pirate with young Tony Pena. Tony would move around quite a bit, but would be part of the 1997 Chicago White Sox with Magglio Ordonez. In 2011, Doug Fister was traded to the Detroit Tigers and was a teammate with Magglio. Doug spent 2 1/2 seasons from 2009-2011 with the M's before a bad trade that got us nothing, but got Doug to the World Series in 2012.

Blog related to the team: I love teams like the Braves. How could we all not be some kind of Braves fans back in 1980's. We were all starting to get the SuperStation WTBS in our homes and watching baseball every day. One guy that isn't too far away from me geographically, is a big Braves fan. He does a great break down of cards with his tomahawk on The Card Chop. Give a west coast Braves some love and go over and read up!!

Next Card: #106 Frank Duffy, Red Sox

#85 Gary Matthews, Braves

Card Front: Here is Gary in all his pinstripe glory. I'm still not sure I think that was the right way to go for the Braves. While I liked the "softball" uniforms with the feather on the sleeve, I don't think they look right in stripes. You have to love how Gary is giving the camera guy the mean mug with his multi colored batting glove and his big ol' chew.

Card Back: It is pretty easy to see that after a brief stint in San Francisco in 1972, it was full throttle for Gary from there. You can see from the numbers why he won the ROY in 1973. It is fascinating to wonder why they let him go as a free agent while putting up such good numbers. While there might not have been great power numbers, I would take a guy that almost hits.300 any day.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: As you may or may not know, Sarge's final stop was Seattle for a couple months in 1987. Did you know though that while Gary was a member of the 1984 Chicago Cubs, he would play with Lee Smith? Lee would turn around and play with the Baltimore Orioles in 1994 with Mark McLemore. Mark would spend 4 seasons in Seattle from 2000-2003 and was quite a fan favorite here.

Blog related to the team: There are so many Braves bloggers I don't know if we can plug them all. I will give one of them a little fame here and now though. One guy that's been around the block you all might know. Let me introduce to you Colby(aka Flywheels). Colby runs the great Cardboard Collections. He is a die hard Braves fan, he also gives us a monthly group break of affordable cards, and will always have a wonderful Sunday verse. Go over and see him, send him some Braves, or sign up for a group break, and watch the fortunes come to you and him.

Next Card: #86 Rodney Scott, Cubs

#39 Dale Murphy, Braves

Card Front: Here is a young Dale sporting the pinstripes. I don't think it is At Fulton County Stadium, but you definitely tell they are playing against the Montreal Expos. I don't think the Braves were meant to wear stripes, but I would love them to go back to the old look with the feathers and two tone with the little a.

Card Back: Dale was a #1 pick in the 1974 draft. He made a fairly quick but natural progression. Who would have known that a catcher would end up as a 2 time MVP as an outfielder. I think at 6'4", he might have been too tall to catch. How about Cy Young throwing a 20 inning complete game back in 1905??!!

Six degrees or less to Seattle: In all his time in Atlanta, Dale had many teammates. In 1989, Dale was a Brave with Kent Mercker. Kent would be around a long time, playing with Bill Bray who were members of the 2008 Cincinnati Reds. Two years later in 2010, Willie Bloomquist would team with Bill in the Queen City. Wille was a kind of do it all for the Mariners from 2002 through the 2008 season.

Blog related to the team: There are many fans of the feathers out there. I felt I had to start with the Godfather. While he might go off the deep end sometimes with ponies, you have to think Dayf of Cardboard Junkie is amongst the tops of bloggers. I know that his was one of the first blogs I read. Thanks for the inspiration Dayf.

Next Card: #40, Dennis Eckersley, Red Sox

#9 Dave Campbell, Braves

Card Front: Dave's trying his best to look like a tough reliever with his long sleeves and his chaw in his left cheek. I'm guessing from the look of the gray road unis and the stadium, this picture was taken at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Hard to believe that with Topps' new star guys first mentality, in 1979 little known Dave would be the first solo player card in the set.

Card Back: Little did we know that this would be Dave's complete Major League stats before 1979 even started. Dave was sent by the Braves to the Expos at the end of spring in '79 for Pepe Frias. He would spend three seasons with the AAA Denver Bears before retiring. August 3, 1889 was before my time. HOF'er Tim Keefe pitches his 394th CONSECUTIVE game! This dude pitched 535 innings in 1886, and 619 in 1883! Of his 600 games pitched, 554 of them were complete games!! Different from today's pitch counts and inning limits.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Dave's last season in 1978 was spent with Jerry Royster as a Brave. Jerry would hang out with Al Leiter as a Yankee in 1987, but Al turned into a Marlin in 2005 along with Jason Vargas. Jason was on the staff in 2011 with new Mariner Blake Beavan.

Next Card: #10 Lee May, Orioles