#125 Rick Burleson, Red Sox

Card Front: Obviously Rick is at the cage wondering how do I hit ball that far so I can get HR's too. I have to say that the classic look of the Red Sox wearing the red caps is timeless. I love today's navy blue look too but red does make them different from everyone else.

Card Back: How awesome would it have been to be in your second year with Boston and almost win the World Series in 1975? For a shortstop to have 285 putouts in 1977, you have to have pitchers that play to contact and let the defense do the work. I will always Rick more for his time when he was a California Angel since I would see him during the springs.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Rick did have a long career in the majors. Close to the end was a season in 1987 as a part of the Baltimore Orioles. Another man on that Baltimore club was ex-Angel teammate Don Aase. Move on to 1990, and Don would find himself back in So Cal as part of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and would team with Lenny Harris. Lenny would make his rounds through the league, and in 1999 was a Colorado Rockie with Henry Blanco. Henry has been many places and seen many teams including this 2013 version of the Mariners.

Next Card: #126 Doug Bair, Reds



#106 Frank Duffy, Red Sox

Card Front: Here we have Frank in all his posed glory on his swan song card. I would think that for a pitcher seeing him come up to the plate wouldn't all that intimidating. You have to love the simplicity and style of the classic Red Sox uniform including the iconic red hats. I can't tell if this is a Spring Training shot from Florida with two decks, or is it a stadium that I can't quite figure. Does anybody know the answer??

Card Back: I guess these would be the proto-typical numbers of a SS back in the 70's. There was a time when you could get away with that if you could play the field. Nowadays they are big and put up big stats. Frank left Cincy in a trade for a cog in the Big Red Machine in George Foster. He left the Giants with Gaylord Perry to head to Cleveland. Frank saw time in 6 games with only 3 AB's in 1979 before being let go on May 22, 1979 and was done with baseball.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: In the middle of Frank's productive years in Cleveland, one of his teammates during 1975 was Oscar Gamble of Afro fame. As Oscar would continue on in his career, he would team up with Dennis Rasmussen as part of a forgettable 1984 New York Yankees team. Dennis would keep plugging along in his career to be part of the 1995 Kansas City Royals with a September call up at Catcher in Mike Sweeney. Mike would wind down his career in 2009 and part of 2010 with Seattle before a quick stop in Philly, and hanging it up after the 2010 season.

Blog related to the team: It was a rough season for fans of the Sox in 2012. What should have been a celebration with the 100 years of Fenway was a nightmare. But I know that their fans are a proud bunch and never give up on their team. One guy that sometimes is quite a poster, does kind of go into hiding sometimes too. One thing he doesn't hide is his love of Boston sports teams. You might know him as Offy. You might have known and read him as The Sports Syzygy. It's been awhile since we've gotten new stuff from him, so I hope we can bring him out of hiding.

Next Card: #107 Jesus Alou, Astros

#83 Fred Kendall, Red Sox

Card Front: A nice tight close up of Fred in all his Fenway glory. There is so much here that makes me giggle like a school girl. Fred has one his two sizes too small hat, his great looking 70's feathered hair, the big bushy eyebrows and moustache, and his slick gold chain popped out. You wonder if Fred was mesmerized by something on the field or if the cameraman snuck up on him.

Card Back: Fred had many years with the Padres but not much success to show for it. It is cool that he got to see 10 games in their first season. It funny that we have already seen three of the players involved in the trade between the Sox and Indians referenced in the big trade in 1978. Fred was released by the Red Sox after the 1978 season and would be back in San Diego for 1979. How does a first baseman not record a putout in a 9 inning game??

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Since Fred went back to the Padres for his final two seasons of his career he had a slick teammate named "The Wizard". That's right, Fred played with Ozzie Smith in the 1980 version of the Padres. Ozzie would move east and in 1996, he teamed up with Mike Morgan as St. Louis Cardinals. Mike having played for 12 teams went through tons of teammates. Mike was a Mariner in the lower years of 1985-1987 after coming in the Rule 5 draft.

Blog related to the team: I was poking around for more Red Sox fans to give some love and 15 minutes of 1979 fame, and found a blog I didn't know about. George is a fan of the boys from Fenway Park. He also collects Cards of Future Fenway Stars. I have to admit he is posting up a pretty impressive collection of nice cards and plenty of autographs. Give a read, and give him a follow so you can stay up to date.

Next Card: #84 Greg Minton, Giants

#63 Jack Brohamer, Red Sox



Card Front: Here is Jack showing off his prowess as a left handed bat at Fenway Park. I don't know if you can say a .243 hitter has much prowess, but it works for Jack. How can you not love the Pullover jerseys and the classic Sox hat in all it's red beauty. I like that the banner for the Red Sox team name was actually red.

Card Back: It seems that the only time Jack was a full time player was his first year in 1972. Only three other years would he see 100 games, most years seeing platoon duty in the infield. I guess the Indians thought Larvell Blanks was a better infielder than Jack here. It is nice to see the Indians take a home state kid in the 32nd round of the draft.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Jack would not have a long career in Boston with being purchased by the Indians in mid 1980. One of the players that would spend time with Jack as part of the 1980 Red Sox was Reid Nichols. Reid would change the color of his Sox and be part of the 1986 Chicago White Sox. One of Reid's teammates was Jack Perconte who would spend the 1984 and 1985 seasons as the Mariners second baseman.

Blog related to the team: We all know that there are many fans and blogs that love the Red Sox. One guy that will tell where to sit if you love the boys from Beantown is Ron. Ron is the sole provider of the great blog Section 36. Ron is always coming up with informative and great posts about his team. Head on over and take a seat in his section, and tell him I sent you.

Next Card: #64 Tom Underwood, Blue Jays

#40 Dennis Eckersley, Red Sox

Card Front: Here is Dennis in with his flowing parted down the middle hair. Between that and the little moustache going, that was the fashion in the 70's. I remember when we all wanted a satin jacket like that back in the day. I don't think any of us would be caught dead in one nowadays.

Card Back: The early makings of a Hall of Fame career. While we know that Cleveland didn't have very good teams back in those days, they gave up what would be a 20 game winner in his first year in Beantown. It seems like the Sox gave up alot but got the better end of the deal. I find it odd that Topps can't spell out Ohio for his home.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Dennis played with many teams and many guys in all his years. While a member of the 1980 Red Sox, Dennis shared the mound with Steve Renko. Earlier in in Steve's career he was a teammate of Richie Zisk's as part of the 1977 Chicago White Sox. Richie would spend his final three years with the Mariners as their primary DH from 1981 to 1983.

Blog related to the team: We all know there are about a million Red Sox collectors. Most of them have blogs too. One of them is a bloody good chap to read, and to trade with too. If you haven't done it, head over to read Jack's work at Pursuit of Red Sox. It may cost a little extra to send a trade across the pond, but he's definitely worth it!

Next Card: #41 Minnesota Twins Team Card

#12 Dick Drago, Red Sox



Card Front: The first of many classic posed shots from Spring Training. I personally still like the look of the classic red Red Sox hats. You have to wonder who the blurry player is over Dick's right shoulder.

Card Back: Just a look at Dick's stats and you can tell he was a fairly consistent pitcher. Obviously he made the switch to the bullpen starting in 1975. Interesting that he would head back to the Red Sox so quickly after the '77 season. I like the home of Land O' Lakes, but isn't that a brand of butter?

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Of course Dick would finish his career in Seattle in 1981 after being traded for Manny Sarmiento. But he can also be linked to Tom Wilhelmsen. In 2011, Tom teamed with crazy man Milton Bradley. Milton was an Expo in 2000 along side Charlie O' Brien. Charlie spent time in Oakland in 1985 with former Mariner Bruce Bochte. Bruce and Dick played together as California Angels in 1977.

Blog related to the Team: I thought of a new add on to these posts, adding a blog of the team related to the card. If you would like to be linked to a team, let me know. While there are many Red Sox centered blogs, my first link will go to Adam of Thoughts and Sox.

Next Card: #13 Paul Dade, Indians

#3 1978 RBI Leaders

Card Front: Once again we see the same players from card #2. It is obvious who the power hitters were in 1978. It looks like the picture was taken the same day as the one on the previous card, just put a bat in their hands.

Card Back: Once again we see guys in the Hall of Fame. I guess you can expect it on a 33 year old card. There is a nice mix of teams for both leagues. Pittsburgh and Los Angeles dominated the NL in '78. A 38 year old Rico Carty would be with two teams and still get nearly 100 RBI's-nice work old man.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: While most guys can find a link to the Mariners, I decided to dig deeper this time. AL #3 Larry Hisle would play with Bob McClure in 1979 with Milwaukee, McClure would team up with Jamie Moyer in St. Louis in 1991, and Jamie would play with Jaime Bubela in Seattle in 2005. At the bottom of the NL list is "the Penguin" Ron Cey. Ron would spend 1986 in Chicago with Cubs teammate Rafael Palmiero. Palmiero would team with Erik Bedard in Baltimore in 2004, and Erik spent a little time in 2011 with Dustin Ackley in Seattle before getting shipped to Boston last year.

Next Card: #4 Stolen Base Leaders

#2 1978 Home Run Leaders

Card Front: The big boppers for 1978 looking tough. Jim Rice with the classic red Boston hat. George is giving his best mean mug as the two time NL homer champ.

Card Back: There is guys in the hall all over these lists. In all there are 6 HOF'ers. Jim Rice would lead all players with 46 bombs in 1978. George's power numbers dropped from 1977 when he hit 52 homers. In a period from 1966-1989, George was the only player to hit more than 50 in a season. The steroid era would obliterate those numbers.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Doug DeCinces would play with Dennis Martinez in Baltimore in 1978. Dennis would play for the Mariners in 1997. He also spent time with Gary Roenicke in Charm City. Gary would play with his brother Ron on the San Bernadino Pride in 1990. Ron would spend the 1983 season with the M's.

Next Card: #3 Runs Batted In Leaders