#145 Rick Rhoden, Dodgers

 

 

 

Card Front: As the old movie line went, "I'm ready or my close up Mr. DeMille." Even though it is a fairly close up of a young Rick, it is a very timeless and classic look. There is just something about the Dodgers uniforms. It is sad to know that the Dodgers left their long time home of Dodger Town as a complex in Vero Beach to get some nice new digs in Arizona.

 

Card Back: I guess it's safe to say that in Topps' mind the only real significant season that Rick has had was in 1977. I think that 2 hit performance is noteworthy, but I think you could do better than a relief appearance in the playoffs. I wouldn't mind being Gene Tenace and homering in what would be the start of a three-peat in the World Series.

 

Six degrees or less to Seattle: I know that some lovers of the Dodger blue might disagree with me, but I think Rick is most known for his time in the Steel City. While Rick was with the Pirates during the 1986 campaign, another of those Buccos was Rich Sauveur. Rich wasn't much of a big league guy seeing time in 34 games in six spread out seasons with six teams from 1986-2000. Rich's final season was with Oakland in 2000, and another of those Athletics was Omar Olivares. Omar came to Seattle in July of 1997 with Felipe Lira for the playoff run of 1997. Omar started 12 games and relieved another and wasn't great but did help the M's make the post season.

 

Next Card: #146 Duane Kuiper, Indians

#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



#104 Johnny Oates, Dodgers

Card Front: It is always good to see the back up guys get their own cards. Johnny may have on the old school catcher's gear, but it looks good. From the simple but effective chest protector, to the flowing hair and moustache coming from under his backwards helmet it screams 70's. He definitely looks like a ball player, and not some robot that we see on some catchers today.

Card Back: Eight years in the big leagues and you have seen four teams. Sadly two seasons saw less than 10 games, and only one time did Johnny play more than 100 games in a season. Topps says he was 6 feet tall, but when he was a manager, my wife and I both remember him as "little Johnny Oates." In 1915, a 41 year old Honus Wagner hit a "Grand Slammer", I like how the name has slowly changed in the baseball community.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: In what would be John's first full season in the big leagues with the Orioles in 1972, Johnny would spend time with Don Baylor. Later, before both players would manage, Don moved on to be part of the Boston Red Sox in 1986, another of those Sox was a young Roger Clemens. Toward the end of his tainted career, Roger played on the 2007 version of the New York Yankees. Another part of that Yankees team, with his high price tag, and checkered past was Alex Rodriguez. Alex gained fame in Seattle, and saw time from short stints in 1994 and '95, thorough the end of the 2000 season before heading to Texas for the big money.

Blog related to the team: If you have ever read a few blogs about baseball collectibles, cards, or any other good stuff you know there are lots of Dodgers fans. I know of one that writes his blog about his True Blue love affair. He can show you autographs, stuff you didn't know about, or his specialty-- DodgerBobble. I know he has been around for a long time, and he will travel to just about anywhere in Southern California to get his bobble head, or autos and I love reading about the successes. Go look for  yourself.

Next Card: #105 Rick Camp, Braves

#75 Steve Yeager, Dodgers

Card Front: We can tell that it is Steve by his #7. Other than that I'm not really sure there is anything that distinguishes that it is Steve. While I appreciate an in game action shot, couldn't Topps of done a little better job on photo selection? Another thing that gets me and I know many have questioned it, why did the Dodgers get pink on their cards for many years?? If you are any kind of baseball fan, you have to love the beauty and simplicity that the Dodgers uniforms have held to through out the years.

Card Back: We see the beginnings of a long and steady career as the Dodgers backstop. I remember as a kid thinking Yeager was awesome because he was the catcher. Steve would spend nearly his entire career wearing Dodger Blue. Obviously it was a slow progression from being drafted in 1967 to spot duty for two tears to split time, to being the full time guy in 1975.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: As any Dodger fan knows, Steve tarnished his legacy as a Dodger lifer when he got traded to the Mariners. Steve would play in 50 forgettable games as a Mariner in 1986 before retiring. In Steve's last season in LA in 1985, he played with Mariano Duncan. Mr. Duncan would move to that other coast and play with the Bronx Bombers in 1996. Another of those Bombers would be Ruben Sierra. In all Ruben played for 9 teams including a stint as the Mariners left fielder and DH in 2002.

Blog related to the team: Oh Dem Bums! so many fans, so many bloggers that love them. One fan that has been out there for a while and keeps us wanting cards likes to steal home. He is the writer of All Trade Bait, All The Time. As the header on his blog says he is a "card collecting, die hard Dodgers fan." It is simple to give some love to a blogger who spells it out that plainly for us. Go check him out because he always has great stuff up for trade.

Next Card: #76 Warren Cromartie, Expos

#50 Steve Garvey, Dodgers

Card Front: Here we see Steve in the box against the hated Giants and catcher Marc Hill. It seems like Marc isn't sure what pitch to call and has to look to the dugout for guidance. I know that people have troubles with the colors associated with teams, but I wish Topps would go back to the All Star banners of old.

Card Back: Steve would get a taste in '69 and '70 before seeing good time for the next two years. By 1973 he took over full time. Mr. Garvey would continue to shine year in and year out for the boys in blue. When he would eventually leave and head down south to the Padres it just never seemed right to me.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Steve would only play for two teams in his career. He would play some of the great players of the 70's and 80's. During the 1980 season, Steve played with a young Steve Howe. Mr. Howe would have his share of drug troubles and would be in and out of the game many times. Howe would be part of the 1996 New York Yankees with Jeff Nelson. Jeff spent time with the Mariners on 3 different tours with the team.

Blog related to the team: We all know there are many fans that have their blood run Dodger Blue. One blogger has Steve right in his name. I'm sure you all know Jim from Garvey Cey Russell Lopes. He has been at this blog thing a long time is one of the greats, the granddaddies of card blogging. I applaud him for helping me remember my grandma's favorite infield in my youth.

Next Card: #51 Ray Fosse, Brewers

#23 Terry Forster, Dodgers

Card Front: Terry is in the follow through of either warm ups or playing catch with a teammate. The position of the fingers is hard to tell what he was throwing. I think from looking at the carpet in the background and the green wall, this was probably Philadelphia...

Card Back: Terry was an effective left handed reliever. High strikeouts, low walks but chances to get touched up. While Richie Zisk was good, I think the White Sox got hosed in the trade with the Pirates. I don't really remember Terry's days with the Dodgers. I more remember him as a Brave later on on WTBS.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: As a Dodger in the Championship season of 1981, Terry shared the bullpen with Ted Power. Ted would spend the last two months of 1993 with the just above .500 Seattle Mariners.

Blog related to the team: This is tough, does anybody know of any Dodger blogs??? I've heard there is some guy out there named Greg who runs Night Owl Cards. Can't say I've ever heard of it. Honestly though, he has one of the all-time greatest blogs out there. If you haven't read yesterday's post, it is an Instant Classic!!

Next Card: #24 Paul Molitor, Brewers