#134 Alan Bannister, White Sox

 

 

Card Front: It is hard to get much out of this card if you are any kind of fan of seeing much. It is great if you want to see the great collared shirts that the SOX would wear during these years. I can't say I'm big on the collars, but I did like the look and simplicity of the uniforms they did wear during this time and would welcome them back.



Card Back: I guess it was important to show us all his stats from his part time 311 games in the big leagues. I do like how Topps detailed his signing bonus and all the players involved in the deal that brought Alan to Chicago. It seems that the fact that he attended Arizona State was just a throw in. I do like that they were able to throw in a recent last season factoid on the sidebar instead of a hundred year old fact.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Alan's last season in Philadelphia in 1975, he played at the Vet with Dick Ruthven. Dick was a guy that was around the game for a very long time and would find his way to Wrigley to be part of the 1985 Chicago Cubs With Shawon Dunston. Shawon was another of those players that would be around for quite a long time. While making a stopover with the 1998 version of the Cleveland Indians, Shawon would team up with Russell Branyan. Russell would make his way tot the dugout in Seattle for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Next Card: #135 Bobby Murcer, Cubs

#128 Ted Martinez, Dodgers

 

 

Card Front: I've always liked the classic look of the Dodgers uniform. Even when they were on the road the grays just looked right. I don't think that Ted's hat perched on top of that big 'ol afro will work though. There is just so much about this card that just screams 1970's.

 

Card Back: Just look at Ted's numbers and you can tell he was not an everyday player. Four teams all saw some type of potential but not enough to have him play consistently. The Dodgers would never afford him that chance with their set infield of four guys.

 

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Ted's final big league season in 1979 we was hooked up with Manny Mota as Dodgers. Manny stayed around for a bit longer to be part of the 1982 squad with a young Alejandro Pena. Alejandro would stay around for many years and would play on the 1995 Boston Red Sox with Eric Gunderson. Eric saw time in 9 games for the Mariners in the forgettable 1992 season.

 

Next Card: #129 Marty Pattin, Royals



#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



#118 Bud Harrelson, Phillies

Card Front: It is nice to see that Topps did their homework and got a picture of a player with his new team and didn't airbrush it. I have to admit that I wasn't a Phils fan back in the 70's and 80's, but I did like the mix of burgundy and baby blue. There is so much going on here. You have to love Bud and his Top Gun aviator glasses. Maybe it's the batting glove that looks like a golf glove, or it could be the choking up on the bat to get the little guy a hit.

Card Back: All you have to do is look at Bud's card and you would have thought he would have been a Met for life. I don't know who really won in the trade, since Bud only did 2 part time seasons in Philly but his trade partner last saw the Majors in 1976 an '77 and was never back up. Obviously Bud had a long career in the big leagues for his defense, because those stats are nothing to write home about. I would assume that he was the typical #8 hitter in front of the pitcher.Hank Aaron was called out for stepping out of the box. You see it quite often today, but it is never called.  

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Bud's long run in the Big Apple, he had many teammates come and go. During the 1973 season, Bud would play with John Milner as Mets. John would find fame and fortune in the Steel City. As a part of the 1982 Pirates, he would play on the other side the state from Philly and another of those Pirates was Junior Ortiz. Junior would catch many games, and was with a handful of teams, but in 1992 he was Cleveland Indian along with Reggie Jefferson. Reggie came to Seattle for the 1994 season with Felix Fermin in the trade that saw the Indians obtain soon to be HOF'er Omar Vizquel. The Mariners let Reggie go before the magical 1995 season.

Blog related to the team: So many Phillies fans out there. One blogger that has been at it for quite a while and does a great job gets the love today. How many of you read The Phillies Room? Jim is one of the authorities on all things Phillies related. He even does his own custom cards for the Phils. How about Twitter for a place to check him out? I say you must go to one or both today and see him, and tell him a ghost form the 1979 season sent you to see him.

Next Card: Don Stanhouse, Orioles

#116 Ozzie Smith, Padres

Card Front: Welcome to the most celebrated Rookie Card of the 1979 set. There are just so many cool things about the front of this card. Just look at Ozzie, he was so bad ass that he made the hat/helmet cocked to the side cool before we see it today. We all know that we wish that was some way we could wear those sideburns and cool like Ozzie instead of looking like a dork. The Padres jerseys of '78, how many other teams have had city and team name on their jerseys?

Card Back: That's what a RC should look like on the back. One line of minors, and one of majors. You can tell the Padres saw something out of this kid coming out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. One year in short season rookie ball, and the the next year he makes the team as a NRI. Who would have thought is would lead to a Hall of Fame career that would last through the 1996 season. I would say it safe to say Ozzie was the star in Walla Walla in '77 since only he and three other guys would make the majors, but none with his impact.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Ozzie only would ever have two homes, one in San Diego and the bulk of it being in St. Louis. During his swan song season of 1996, Ozzie was a Redbird with Mike Difelice. Mike would make his way to the Motor City, and be a member of the 2004 Detroit Tigers with Ryan Raburn. Ryan would stay in Detroit, only to be a part of the 2009 Tigers with Ramon Santiago. Ramon had been a Tiger before coming to Seattle in 2004 for Carlos Guillen. After seeing time in 27 games in '04 and '05 he was released and went back to the comforts of being in Detroit City.

Blog related to the team: Where have all the Friars fans come from lately? There used to be two Padres bloggers but not much else. Now there are five that I know of, and maybe more that I haven't found yet. One of the guys that has burst on the scene since last year is Marcus. He was a guy that grew up with the Padres only to find himself in Texas. He writes about the All the Way to the Backstop Cards. He is always putting out good posts, and if you've never done a trade with him you are missing out. He's heading on trip but give him some love and catch up on some great Swingin' Friars!!

Next Card: #117 Grant Jackson, Pirates

#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

#95 Robin Yount, Brewers

Card Front: Nothing like a young skinny Robin in his road Blues in Oakland in a photo from 1978. He definitely doesn't looked like the grizzled veteran that he was at the end of his HOF career. How can you not love the intertwined MB that the Brewers used to have for the caps?

Card Back: All the makings of a long productive 3000+ hit career. What makes me love it more is that Yount was one of those guys that did it all while playing for only one team, and not bouncing around trying to hang on. Playing outfield briefly in 1976 would only be a foreshadowing to where Robin would play later in his career.

Six Degrees or less to Seattle: Robin spent 20 seasons playing in Wisconsin. During the strike shortened season of 1981, another Brewer would Frank DiPino. Fast forward to the 1993 version of the Kansas City Royals to find Frank playing with Rico Rossy. Rico would spend another five years in the minors only to make a short 37 game appearance with the Mariners during the 1998 season.

Blog related to the team: Where are the guys or gals that collect Brewers cards and blog? I would think with big names like Prince and Braun there would be more than two. One I did find that is mostly news based is The Brewers Bar.

Next Card: #96 Cleveland Indians, Jeff Torborg

#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

#67 Jim Mason, Rangers

Card Front: Here is Jim with his tall Rangers hat on and acting like he is swinging his bat. It a nice look to have the ads from the wall at the Rangers old spring facility in Pompano Beach, FL. This is another card where Topps put together the next year's set before deals were made in the off season. Jim was traded on December 8, 1978 and spent 1979 with the Montreal Expos for his last season in the big leagues. As kids back then, we thought he was playing for the Rangers in 1979 since we didn't have the mighty Internet.

Card Back: So many cool things on the back. Research shows Jim played in the last official game of the 1971 Senators. The last game of the season was forfeited to the Yankees when fans stormed the field. Jim also made the very first game in Blue Jays history on April &, 1977 coming in to a snowy game at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto as a PH for Hector Torres in the 4th inning. Jim barely hit the Mendoza Line for his career at .203, and had 105 errors for a .958 career fielding percentage. Only one season saw him see more than 100 games in a season.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Jim saw only those three games at RFK before the Senators left Washington to move to Texas. One of his Senators teammates in 1971 was Larry Biitner. Larry would eventually find his way to the North side of Chicago as part of the 1980 Chicago Cubs squad. Larry would play with Lee Smith that year. Lee would move north and be part of the Montreal Expos for the 1997 season. Another player on the Expos in 1997 was Jose Vidro. Jose would come to Seattle to be our DH in 2007 and 2008 but fizzled out for the Mariners in those two years.

Blog related to the team: I'm still really surprised with their recent success and superstar players that there aren't more Rangers fans with blogs nowadays. One guy that's been around for awhile is BigD. He is a fan of all things Dallas and he does some great work on custom cards. He will even tell you Hey, That's Mine! Go over and give him a read. He also has gotten his kids into collecting, so maybe you can send something to them too.

Next Card: #68 Joe Niekro, Astros

#65 Mark Belanger, Orioles

Card Front: Here is Mark showing young kids what a proper batting stance looks like. For a skinny guy, Mark definitely has big hands, and those serious eyes, but all the while still smiling. I wonder if he could hear the footsteps of the next shortstop behind him? I am very happy to see the Orioles go back to uniforms very similar to these this year, I really missed the cartoon bird.

Card Back: These are the cards that grab at my sentimental side. I love the sight of one team over and over on a veteran player's card. Obviously, Mark would be there until the end of 1981 when #7 would give way to some hotshot #8 at shortstop. If only Mark would have hung it up after '81 and not been a Dodger he would have been another of those whole career with one team guys. I really don't understand the 445 foot throw from August 1, 1957 and its relevance.

Six Degrees or less to Seattle: Most all of Mark's teammates were Orioles at one time. As a member of the 1975 squad in Charm City, Mark played with a young Doug DeCinces. Doug would pack up his game and head out west to the California Angels. While playing third as an Angel in 1987, Doug played with Chuck Finley in Anaheim. Chuck would move to Cleveland and receive a beat down from his wife in 2002, but would also share the mound with a young Cliff Lee. Cliff would be in Seattle for half the 2010 season before being dealt to the Texas Rangers.

Blog related to the team: I know there are happy O's fans right now being ahead of the Yankees and Red Sox in the standings. I think it is great to see new teams at the top. One man that is a happy Birds fan is Ryan. Ryan writes and runs the aptly named O No!!! Another Orioles Blog. Not only is Ryan an Orioles fan, he is also a man who loves that #8 guy, somebody named Cal Ripken Jr but I've never heard of him. Go over and say hi to Ryan and the Birds.

Next Card: #66 Detroit Tigers Team Card

#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

#24 Paul Molitor, Brewers

Card Front: A very young picture of a future Hall of Famer. Who knew he was a SS, I remember some time at 3B but mostly DH. While this isn't considered his RC, it is his first solo card. You have to love the pinstripes and the white front of the old Brewers unis. Is County Stadium still standing or did it get torn down?

Card Back: Topps doesn't tell us he was originally drafted by the Card in the 28th round in 1974. The 3 years at Minnesota would raise him to the 3rd pick in 1977 and a summer with the Burlington Bees in A ball. That was all it took for Paul to start his long career. How about the walk off homer by Maz in 1960. 

Six degrees or less to Seattle: While Paul was a Mariner killer in his career, he is linked to newer Mariners too. As Paul was winding down with his hometown Twins in 1998, he would teach to former Mariner farmhand David Ortiz. In 2007 when the Sox won their second championship, Papi reamed with Wily Mo Pena. Last year, Wily Mo spent a short stay in the Emerald City.

Blog related to the team: I think you all know who the first Brewers link goes to. One of the big dogs of blogging is Bill of Thorzul Will Rule. He has posts that will make you laugh, some that will teach, and plenty of great group breaks. He should be on the blogger's Rushmore with Night Owl, and DayF, Big Daddy J, and Play at the Plate.

Next Card: #25 Steve Carlton, Phillies

#16 Fred Stanley, Yankees

Card Front: Fred is at home in Yankee Stadium show an unusual bunting stance. I don't know if it was for fashion or he just lost a batting glove, but you have to love the two different colored gloves. It looks as though by the powder blue unis and the vague caps, they were playing the Twins in this game.

Card Back: Wow, 10 seasons in the majors and you only have 246 hits? No wonder the guy is shown bunting on the front. Not much power to speak of either, with only 34 extra base hits for a career. It seems the glove was more important than plate presence.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Fred was a member of the original Seattle team with the Pilots in 1969. Fred can be linked to short time 1991 Mariner Pat Rice. Another Pat in Patrick Lennon was also on that '91 team. Mr. Lennon was a Blue Jay in 1998 with Tony Phillips. Tony spent Fred's last season in 1982 as members of the Oakland Athletics.

Blog related to the team: While there are quite a few Yankee centered blogs, I know who gets highlighted first. I'm sure most of you know AJ of The Lost Collector  by now. He does great work about a team I don't like as a Mariner fan. His redeeming quality is that he is a Tino Martinez fan, and Tino was a Mariner to start his Career.

Next Card: #17 Donnie Moore, Cubs

#14 Rafael Landestoy, Astros



Card Front: Rafael showing off the great looking Astros uniforms of old. While he doesn't have the huge afro working, he wears his hat high on his head. I wonder what is off in the distance to his left that has him so intrigued?

Card Back: Rafael was a September call up for the Dodgers in '77 and saw the World Series. It seems that the Astros used him after acquiring him as a PTBNL in a trade in 1978. He would still play until the end of '84. You look at the June 15, 1925 game that in ended as a 17-15 game, and it sounds like a game from the mid 90's on steroids not a dead ball era game.

Six Degrees or less to Seattle: Rafael had a teammate in Houston in Jose Cruz. Jose's son was a Mariner in 1997 with Norm Charlton. Norm was a Cincinnati Red in 1988 with Eddie Milner. Eddie spent part of the 1981 season as a Red with Rafael.

Blog related to the team: One of the newer blogs to the world. I know that Trey of Rants, reviews, and fandom is an Astros fan. He does some great work and should try and look him up.

Next Card: #15 Ross Grimsley, Expos