Sunday, February 24, 2013

#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

2 comments:

Brandon said...

Clifford makes that chest protector look like a bib!

Most of the guys who go out to warm up the pitcher while the in game catcher gets ready, don't put the shin guards on. So it's probably safe to say Johnson was playing catcher that day.
Johnson only appeared in 21 games as a catcher and we can safely say this was a home game during the day. Johnson played six games as a catcher at home during the day. April 14/15, May 28, June 18, July 1, and August 2.
Besides Johnson was such a bad ass he probably wouldn't wear gear if he didn't have to.

Jeff said...

I think a "long hit" is any extra base hit.