#114 Cliff Johnson, Yankees

Card Front: There is so much I like about this one. I can't tell if Cliff is warming someone up between innings or actually in a game. I don't see a helmet, but warm ups don't have all the gear. I fondly remember the Yankees catchers wearing the orange knees and chest protectors and wondered why when they had no orange anywhere in their scheme. Sadly you can't see Cliff's Afro that would get bigger through the years.

Card Back: There was a slow progression to the bigs for Cliff. Drafted in 1966 and only saw almost no time in 72 and 73.  Cliff was a regular in 1975 and 76 but was part of a 3 for 1 deal in mid 1977 to the Yankees to win two rings and see himself sent to Cleveland in the middle of the 1979 season and then bounce around five times amongst four teams in seven years. I'm making the assumption that a Long Hit is the same as a Homer?? Did you know that Cliff's brother in-law is Mike Easler, who also had a 14 year MLB career?

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Cliff would see many teams towards the later parts of his career. During the 1982 season in Oakland, Cliff teamed up with Tony Phillips as an Athletic. Tony was no stranger to the parade of teams, and finally in 1997 Tony was a member of the Anaheim Angels. Another of those Angels that year was Matt Perisho. Matt was on five teams in 8 years, and one of the last stops was the Florida Marlins in 2005. A rookie with the Marlins in 2005 was Robert Andino. Robert came to the Mariners this past off season in a trade for Trayvon Robinson after four season with the Baltimore Orioles.

Blog related to the team: Ahh Yankees fans. Very proud people, but also very vocal to let you know that the game revolves around their team and everyone else is wanting to be like them. Then there are the bloggers that love the Yankees and they are some of the best people out there. One blogger who's work I really like is ready to get it fired up again and impress us. I'm sure most of you know Jordan and his customs from Mint Condition. Spring has sprung and he is back to bring us some of his awesome customs. I've seen his Mariners ones and want them on cardboard someday. Go see what's new for 2013 now!!

Next Card: #115 Nolan Ryan, Angels

#91 Terry Crowley, Orioles

Card Front: It is always good to see a player that is all smiles. I don't know if Terry is just happy to be wearing the Orioles colors or if something caught his eye. It seems as though it is a nice sunny day in Charm City. I must say I'm very proud of the O's for going back to tradition this year and bringing back the cartoon bird for their uniforms. As we all know, this logo is much more happy and playful than the correct looking bird just standing on the front of a cap.

Card Back: As you can tell, Terry is the defensive replacement extraordinaire. While Terry never really was a full time starter, Earl Weaver and other managers found a spot for him. Terry even has a World Series ring to show for his big league career. Since Terry retired in 1983, he spent three years ad a hitting coach in Baltimore. He then moved to Minnesota for the same job from 1991-98, and came back the Birds from 1999-2010 to help Orioles hitters. Not bad for a career .250 hitter.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Terry's season with the 1975 Big Red Machine, he would play along with Dan Driessen. Fast forward to 1985, and Dan has moved on to Les Expos in Montreal to team with and teach a young Andres Galarraga. Near the end of the run in Montreal, the Big Cat would call Brad Wilkerson an Expo teammate. Brad would spend a very forgetful April in 2008 as the Mariners DH being released at the end of the month for getting 13 hits in 68 AB's with no homers.

Blog related to the team: I hope with their new success that Orioles fans will start to come back to the blog world. There are a few that are loud and proud of the Orange and Black. One that I must say I'm jealous of the amount of success that William has on his autograph adventures. William is a lover of the great Foul Bunt, or should I say that's his blog. Go over and check how well he does with obtaining them, and his minor league adventures.

Next Card: #92 Jim Bibby, Pirates 

#42 Ron Blomberg, White Sox

Card Front: Here is Ron doing his best to look like a menacing hitter. It looks as though it was a nice sunny day in Sarasota, FL during the spring. I assume it was a little chilly since Ron's sporting the nylon windbreaker. How cool would it be to see the Sox go back to these old navy blue threads?

Card Back: As you can see, Ron didn't have the making of a great hitter. While his averages were high, the number of at bats are not very high. I like the historical fact Ron was the American League's first DH back in 1973. I think that Brooklyn's Karl Spooner started pretty well fanning 6 straight in his first MLB start. This card was Ron's last, since he was released on March 30 before the 1979 season.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Most all of Ron's teammates would be Yankees. As part of the 1974 Yankees, Ron played with Rick Dempsey. Rick would be one the catchers to catch John Wetteland as part of the 1990 Dodgers. John would make his name and spend time on the same mound as Mike Gardiner for the 1993 Montreal Expos. Mike broke into the Majors for 5 games as a part of the 1990 Mariners team.

Blog related to the team: I think we all know the White Sox. One of the more well known teams. They never get the love that their city mates from the north get, but they have their devoted fans. One of them that was been blogging for a long time is Steve of White Sox Cards. He always has a card of the day, and I'm really looking forward to his season pass cards for 2012 since last year's were pretty cool.

Next Card: Wayne Twitchell, Expos