#153 Dennis Lamp, Cubs

 

Card Front: For a card with a posed shot there is so much right and so much wrong here. You have to love the simplicity and beauty of the Cubs hat and the always appealing look of pinstripes and a V-neck pullover of the 70's. The red of the Cubs banner goes well with the color scheme. I do have to admit though that the large moustache is a bit of a scary thing to most women and children. I don't know about you but when I see Dennis' glasses I think of Kelly Leak fro the Bad News Bears.

 

Card Back: Dennis is definitely an example of the tale of the tortoise and the hare. For him getting to the big leagues was definitely a story of slow and steady wins the race. Drafted in 1971 and finally six years later he finally got his shot. I love how in 1906 Jack Coombs could pitch all 24 innings of a game. If that was today he would be lucky to go 7 or 8 innings with today's pitch counts.

 

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Dennis was a guy who would last a long time and see many cities in his time. Dennis would be up north in Toronto with the Blue Jays in 1984 with Mitch Webster. It wasn't the other Mitch Webster that Toronto fans would love in 1993, but yet the extra outfielder Mitch. In that same season of 1993 Mitch had moved and was with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After seeing time in only two games the year before, Pedro Martinez was a member of that Dodgers team also. Pedro as we all know had a long career and was part of those winning Red Sox teams. But, in 2009 he was in Philadelphia with the Phillies. Another young pitcher in the city of Brotherly Love was J.A. Happ. While he hasn't seen a game yet in Seattle, he was part of a trade that just brought him to town and will be part of the 2015 Mariners.

 

Next Card: #154 Jim Gantner, Brewers

#135 Bobby Murcer, Cubs

 

Card Front: A kind of creepy looking card for Bobby in 1979. I do like the relaxing sight of the palm trees in Mesa to relax you. The blue pinstripes and stirrups of the classic Cubs look is very pleasing to the eyes. The posed on one knee looks a little overdone, but it could be worse I suppose. Maybe Bobby was smiling knowing he would be back in the Bronx later in the 1979 season to finish his career.

Card Back: While Bobby's numbers were not eye popping, this is what a long career looks like. After auditions in '65 and '66, it took a few more years to catch on in 1969. Bobby went put west after1974 for Bobby Bonds. The Giants sent Bobby to Chicago for mostly Bill Madlock. Sadly, bobby came back to New York in time to lose his friend in Thurman Munson.  It is amazing that 1892 they didn't care if a shortstop was left handed in Willie Keeler. That wouldn't happen nowadays.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Bobby would shut down his playing career after the 1983 season in New York. During the 1982 version of the Yankees, Bobby was along side Jay Howell. Jay was around for quite a long time, including a stint with the 1994 Texas Rangers. Another of those Rangers in 1994 was a younger Darren Oliver. Yes Darren was still pitching at age 43 for Toronto in 2013. While a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as originally the California Angels in 2009, Darren was an Angel along with Kendrys Morales. Kendrys was signed to be a big hitter for the Mariners in 2013 and failed. They did offer him another shot for 2014, but money will be a factor in him not coming back.

Next Card: #136 Jim Kaat, Phillies

#98 Ray Burris, Cubs

Card Front: I can't decide if Ray is more happy to be at spring training or playing for the Cubs. It is great to see a player that can have a smile for there card. I'm really not sure how Topps expects to believe he is going to throw with no ball in his hand though. I do like the fact that the Cubs have kept the hats and uniforms simple and classic looking after all these years.

Card Back: These stats would almost sum up Ray's career with the Cubbies. In May of 1979, he was dealt to the Yankees. Ray would not see another season of 10+ wins except for his 1984 season in Oakland. I would have to agree with Ray that it would be a thrill to make the majors in your second season. Ray have been a pitching coach for the Erie Seawolves for the past five seasons.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Ray's breakout 1975 season, he would share the Wrigley mound with Rick Reuschel. Rick would make his way all the way to the 1991 San Francisco Giants to play with Royce Clayton. Royce would find himself in the thin air of Denver to be a 2004 teammate of Denny Stark. Denny spent a brief stint in 1999 and 2001 with the Mariners. He would return for a brief time in 2009 before deciding to hang it up from baseball.

Blog related to the team: There are many Cubs fans out there. I feel there pain of continuing to watch losing baseball. I think it would great to see the North Side be relevant again baseball. There is a blog that's been around for a bit but is newer to me and I like that he is keeping the faith. When you were younger, how many of you had a Blue Batting Helmet? I'm sure Sirrahh who writes the blog did, and probably does still have one. I like his ever expansive things to write about and keep us coming back for more. Keep up the good writing, and go give him a look.

Next Card: #99 John Wathan, Royals

#86 Rodney Scott, Cubs

Card Front: Rodney is looking as bad as bad can be in his pose. With his I'm gonna knock you out sucka look to his big time afro. I never realized the Cubs had such a big blue snap belt on their uniforms back then. I'm happy to see that Topps could send someone to Wrigley Field to take Rodney's picture during the 1978 season. How could you not love the ivy and the green grass? That is one stadium on my list of must sees.

Card Back: I guess Rodney really couldn't impress the Royals to stay with them after a few years in the minors. He got a handful of games north of the border and stuck with the A's. In all his travels, Rodney even was a Ranger for 11 days in the spring of 1977. Rodney was part of three different deals with players that had Mariners ties. How in the world did Ed Herrmann participate in 8 double plays in one game as a catcher??

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Rodney's one and only season in 1975 with Kansas City, he played with a young George Brett. George would spend part of the 1992 season as a Royal teammate of Tom "Flash" Gordon. The Flash would also make it to the 2007 version of the Philadelphia Phillies with Freddy Garcia. The "Chief" would come to Seattle as part of the Randy Johnson deal and spend from 1999 thorugh midway through 2004 wearing Mariners colors.

Blog related to the team: There are so many poor Cubs fans. They have waited so long for a champoinship to come their way. There are also many of them that blog about cards. One of the better and long time bloggers give us good stuff everyday. I'm sure if you have read any blogs you have heard of Hackenbush. He is the man that always tells us you Can't Have Too Many Cards. He can hit you with Birthdays, Cubs knowledge, or just about anything in general. Go read up, GO NOW!!

Next Card: #87 Pete Falcone, Cardinals

#53 Mick Kelleher, Cubs

Card Front: Mick has great form when it comes to laying down the bunt. I'm not too sure on the high hat and that awesome moustache, but I'm loving the uniform. What did the Cubs do with the tight unis with the blue cuffs on the jersey and what happen to the bear on the sleeve??

Card Back: As you can see, Mick is usually one of the bench guys that can play the infield. The Cubs gave him a shot for the year in 1976 but obviously didn't think he was the best. Mick would leave the Windy City after 1980 spending 1981 in Detroit, and splitting the next year with Detroit and California before hanging it up.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: As you see Mick was a Seattle kid, even attending Shoreline HS. But for the Mariners sake, Mick was part of the 1981 Tigers along side a rookie named Kirk Gibson. Gibby would be part of the 1993 Tigers with David Wells. Boomer was a member of the 2007 San Diego Padres with Hiram Bocachica. Hiram was a part of the 2004 version of the Mariners.

Blog related to the team: As we all know if you like baseball, there are many fans that love the Cubbies. There are just about as many that blog about them too. One man that has done it for a long time and keeps himself very busy keeping us informed is JayBee. Not only does he keep us up to date with the Blogroll, he also runs bdj610's Topps Baseball Card Blog. He is one of the handful of blogs that inspired me to start mine.

Next Card: #54 Dell Alston, A's

#17 Donnie Moore, Cubs

Card Front: Donnie is showing the classic posed picture for pitchers from spring training. Show the glove, lean forward, and look above the camera. This picture would be from the last years in Scottsdale before the Cubs would move back to Mesa and HoHoKam Park. Donnie is still known more as an Angel, and that one missed pitch in 1986.

Card Back: After being drafted in 1973, Donnie would make it quick to the Cubs in '75. A little more seasoning in the minors, and he was destined to stick in the Majors. Donnie would make it almost another 10 years in the big leagues. Dave Johnson with 2 pinch grand slams in a season, that is not easy to do.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: While Donnie has been gone since that fateful day in July of 1989,  he is linked to the 2009 Mariners and new Cub Ryan Rowland-Smith. Ryan and Jarrod Washburn shared the mound in Seattle. Jarrod was part of the Joyner part II time in Anaheim in 2001 with Wally Joyner. Wally spent his first go around with the Halos in 1988 before Donnie would leave the Angels.

Blog related to the team: As we all know there are tons of fans of the Lovable Losers. There are also several bloggers that love their Cubs. The first we give some love to names himself after the stadium. You should all know and read Wrigley Wax. If you ever want to know about Cubs cards, I think he has them all.

Next Card: #18 Tony Solaita, Angels