#143 Tony Scott, Cardinals

 

 

 

Card Front: Welcome to a spring training road game in Florida. It is cool to think back to the times before MLB was all about a money making business, and guys would wear normal unis in spring. I think that the Cardinals were one of the few teams that could make the blue roads look awesome. Tony was very color coordinated with his hat, sleeves, and batting gloves.

 

Card Back: It is always cool to see a 42nd round draft pick make it all the way to the show. While Tony never really got the chance in Montreal, he was average in St. Louis. Tony would make average into a fairly long career though. Tony was much more of a defensive guy than his offensive numbers.

 

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Tony's farewell season, he would find his way back to where he began in Montreal. One of his Expos teammates was Gary Lucas. Gary would pack up and two years later, he would be helping the California Angels to the ALCS in 1986 with Jack Howell. Jack was another of the traveling type. During the 1999 season, Jack was in Houston with the Astros. After signing as a free agent before that season, Matt Mieske would make into 24 games for the Mariners. In mid-June of that year, the Mariners traded Matt to Houston for Kevin Hodges allowing Matt and Jack to play as Astros together.

 

Next Card: #144 Sandy Alomar, Rangers

#111 Roger Freed, Cardinals

Card Front: Roger is relaxed and ready. He is hanging out before a day game on the road. He must know that he has life pretty good to be playing in the big leagues. I get kind of worried that Roger's eyebrows might swallow his face though. I know that the Cards did a throwback to the powder blues last year at home, but I would love to see them do it more often, I'm such a sucker for some of the old uniforms.

Card Back: It really does amaze me that Topps decided that even though Roger won the player of the year in 1970 we don't get any of his stats in the minors. When I was young and saw this I thought guys took a year off like Roger might have in 1973 and '75 since he didn't play in the majors. Now that I'm older I understand but I didn't back then. The Phils saw something in '71 but that was the only time Roger had really gotten a chance until this point.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During what would be Roger's penultimate season in 1978, Roger was in St. Louis with Tony Scott. Tony would make his swan song season in 1984 north of the border in Montreal. One of Tony's Expos teammates that year was Tim Raines. Rock would take his talents to the south side of Chicago, and in 1993 wore White Sox with Joey Cora. Joey would sign with Seattle in 1995 to be part of the magical playoff run for the Mariners. Joey was also a finalist for the manager's job that is currently held by Eric Wedge.

Blog related to the team: I have to admit there are many fans of the Redbirds out there. I know that some are more passionate than others, but they all love their team just the same. One of the younger bloggers out there loves his team from the banks of the mighty Mississippi River in St. Louis. I'm sure you all have made a Fantastic Catch in your time. Well, Weston does it every time he puts up one of his posts. Whether he is posting about his favorite players, or working on group breaks he has it working. I'm hoping he doesn't lose his interest in the hobby like most younger collectors do, go on over and hit him up!!

Next Card: #112 Philadelphia Phillies, Danny Ozark

#87 Pete Falcone, Cardinals

Card Front: There is so little that can be said about this card. Topps got so close that Pete's head fill up almost the whole card. I can't tell if Pete is unhappy or if it's one of those glamour pics look away poses. I don't think they could get his hat to sit much higher off his head, but the little redbird at the top of his jersey makes up for all the deficiencies.

Card Back: Pete is a traveling man. A little Northwest, some California, head to the Midwest in the majors and the minors, and why not go east and play in the Big Apple? It had to feel special to Pete to be able to come close to home in Brooklyn to play in Queens for his local team. Pete was already traded to Mets in December of 1978 long before these came out to us kids in 1979. The game was different in 1912, but 36 triples in a season?! Most guys don't get that many in a career in today's game.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Pete's time in a Mets uniform, he spent time in 1981 playing with Ray Searage. Ray would move on to play on the West Coast in 1990. Another player on the Los Angeles Dodgers roster in 1990 was Darren Holmes. Darren had a tendency to move to many other teams, and finished his career in Atlanta in 2003 as a Brave with Horacio Ramirez. Ho-Ram was part of a STUPID trade that sent Rafeal Soriano to Atlanta and Horacio spent the 2007 season in Seattle en route to a 8-7 record with a 7.16 ERA.

Blog related to the team: Ahh, Cards fans are everywhere. Whenever one comes up on this blog I know I can find a blog to love on. I recently found our future in the collecting world in a young man that is running a fantastic blog! You must go over and check out Andrew's Baseball Cards. He recently just held a contest, and loves his Redbirds. Since he is a teenager, let's help him out and load him up with readers, and maybe send him some cards to keep him in our great hobby.

Next Card: #88 Bob Molinaro, White Sox

#59 John Denny, Cardinals

Card Front: I can't tell where this is, Chicago maybe or is it a Spring game? John doesn't look happy and really wants the batboy to take his shirt so he can get on the mound. I do remember those blue pullover shirts the Cards had with the classic Redbirds on the bat. Some things stay the same through time just as they should.

Card Back: I guess Topps found that all the information they gave us on the bottom of John's card about the no hitter, the ERA title and going to junior college was super necessary. They took away all of his minor league stats and left us with big leagu numbers. It is always good to see the college name and I always thought SIU had a cool mascot name in the Salukies.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: After John left the Cards, he was part of the 1981 Cleveland Indians. John would play that season with Von Hayes. Von would make it big in Philadelphia as a Phillie. One of Von's 1990 Phillie teammates was Chuck McElroy. Chuck came out west to be part of the Anaheim Angels in 1997. That year was the first  for Shigetoshi Hasagawa, who came over from the Orix BlueWave in Japan. Shiggy would be part of the M's bullpen from 2002-2005.

Blog related to the team: I did get a few requests to be put on the Cardinals list when I begged for more blogs. One blogger that stepped up and asked has gotten pretty popular in the blog world. I read him, and you should too. I'm sure you all know Matt. He runs the blog that is known to carry the Tenets of Wilson. I wish I could remember who Wilson is, I'm sure he's a cool dude.

Next Card: #60 Mickey Rivers, Yankees

#32 Jerry Mumphrey, Cardinals

Card Front: A nice card from Florida in the spring. It must have been in the early part of camp since Jerry is sporting the long sleeves. The palm trees in the background give it a relaxing look. You can tell it is the 70's with the big afro, and high hat. Jerry seems to be waiting for a wild pitch from somewhere, or there is a hot chick floating in the sky.

Card Back: Jerry took the slow and steady route to the big leagues. After a 5th round pick in '71, it would take some time for a September call up in 1974. Obviously the Cards saw something in his '75 call up because he stuck around full time after that. It is nice to see that he never moved too far from home by being born, and still living in Tyler at the time.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: After 1979, Jerry would play in San Diego, New York, Houston, and Chicago until 1988. As a Cub in his final season, another 1988 Cub was Dave Martinez. Dave would move tot he south side of town and be part of the 1997 White Sox with Robin Ventura. Robin would find his way to be part of the 2003 Dodgers with Adrian Beltre. In 2005, Adrian would sign on as a Mariner and would play 5 seasons in Seattle.

Blog related to the team: There are many Cardinals fans out there. They should be loud and proud this year after winning their 11th World Series. One man that is an unabashed Cards fan is just down the road from me. Kerry(aka madding) is the man behind the legendary Cards on Cards. He has been at this for a long time, he has some great features including Airbrushed Fridays. Head over and read up, I'm sure he is still giddy from the championship!

Next Card: #33 Dave Rozema, Tigers