#141 Tom Paciorek, Mariners

 

 

Card Front: Tell how can you not love the Mariners road jersey of the early days? I know people weren't always hip on powder blue but I always thought they were great. I don't know why Tom has a red shirt on under his jersey unless it was a lucky shirt he brought with him to Seattle. Whatever he is watching go on, he is definitely focused on it.

 

Card Back: Tom could never really get consistent playing time while with the Dodgers. I guess it is hard when they have some other good outfielders. The Braves thought he would be a good fit in 1976 letting him play quite a bit. I guess one season wasn't enough as they would give him less and suddenly would let him go. His brother was Houston Colt .45, I still love the name and look of the team even though they've gone away from the look.

 

Six degrees or less to Seattle: After the Mariner traded Tom to the Chicago White Sox, one of his 1983 teammates was Joel Skinner. Joel was a man that couldn't be held down, and in 1991 he found his way to Cleveland. While with the Indians he would be part of the Tribe with Rudy Seanez. Rudy was another of those players that would just keep hanging around no matter how you tried to get rid of him. As you fast forward to 2008 in Philadelphia, Rudy was part of that Phillies team with Greg Dobbs. Greg stared his career with the Mariners, playing in parts of seasons between 2004 and 2006. He was waived and has been in Philly and Miami since leaving.

 

Next Card: #142 Charlie Williams, Giants

#103 Jim Todd, Mariners

Card Front: Here we have Jim doing his best to show off the beauty of the Mariners road blues from the 1978 season. With the sunny day in Oakland, you kind of lose where Jim is, and the sky. I do have to say that the big bushy moustache, and long wispy hair coming from that super high pitchfork hat just screams late 70's. If the teammate over his left shoulder isn't careful Jim may take a throw to the back of the head.

Card Back: You know you are trade fodder when the back of your card tells more about your trades and moves to other teams than there is stats for your big league carer. Because Topps used to create these cards so far in advance and there was no Update set like today, you would never know that Jim was released in February of 1979, only to go back to the A's and be there in 1979. The Royals must have been awful lousy to use 27 guys in a nine inning game back in 1969!!

Six degrees or less to Seattle: When Jim first got to the show with the Cubs in 1974, there was a young 3rd baseman named Bill Madlock who played with him. Before Bill got to Pittsburgh fame, he was a part of the 1977 San Francisco Giants. Another of those Giants from that year was Marc Hill. After spending his time in Orange and Black, Marc would move to the south side of Chicago to play for the White Sox with Bobby Thigpen in 1986. Bobby would ride off into the sunset in 1994 with the Mariners, seeing 7 2/3 innings in 7 games and going 0-2 to finish his big league career.

Blog related to the team: I can honestly say it is lonely being a Mariners fan. Not many people will admit to being able to root for this team. We have been pretty bad for a long time. One man that may not root for them, but I'm sure has picked up his fair of Mariners cards buys his Sportscards From The Dollar Store. While it is a newer blog, I have totally fallen in love with the cards that he is finding in the cheap stores and showing off to us. Go head over to see what can be found on the cheap. and maybe you should head out and get some inexpensive cards of your own!!

Next Card: #104 Johnny Oates, Dodgers

#74 Shane Rawley, Mariners

Card Front: Oh the beauty of the original Mariner uniforms. I really do like the look and the simplicity of those duds. Another of those pictures that was taken at Tempe's Diablo Stadium. The M's called it home through 1992 only to have it renovated to become the Angels current Spring home. I wonder if Shane has a ball in his hand, but I would bet he doesn't.

Card Back: You always have to love cards that have more minor league stats than big league ones. How can you not love Quebec City, Denver, and West Palm Beach. Shane would make the most of 1978 as he would spend 4 seasons with Seattle before being traded away. Shane played 12 seasons with the M's, Yankees, Phillies, and Twins. Could the A's manager not decide on a 2nd baseman using 6 in a 15 inning game??

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Obviously Shane was, and is shown as a Mariner. Let's tie Shane to a more recent Mariner though. As part of the 1988 Philadelphia Phillies, Shane played with Kevin Gross in the city of Brotherly Love. Kevin would be part of the 1995 version of the Texas Rangers with ageless wonder Darren Oliver. Darren is still around today as a part of the 2012 Toronto Blue Jays with former Mariner Brandon Morrow.

Blog related to the team: I sometimes think I bite off a lot more than I can keep up with. One blog that I try to update once in awhile but not quite often enough is about the history of Mariner baseball. One of my side projects is at Ride of the Ancient Mariner. Since I'm pumping it up, I guess I will need to get some posts on it more often than I do. Did you know Shane owns his own restaurant in Sarasota, FL called Shaner's Pizzeria which looks like a fun place to hang out.

Next Card: #75 Steve Yeager, Dodgers

#56 John Hale, Mariners

Card Front: Here is John making it look like he is in the batter's box. Too bad he doesn't have a helmet on in the on deck circle at Diablo Stadium in Tempe. I'm amazed that the Angels still play there every spring to this day. It must be a cool day in Arizona with the long sleeves. I really miss the old Trident M on the hats.

Card Back: It took John a few years to get from the draft to the Dodgers. I know it was hard to find playing time in their outfield in those days. While you could say John found a home in Seattle playing everyday, he would leave after the 1979 season and would spend the next 2 seasons in AAA before retiring. By doing my research, the Indians and Red Sox scored 19 runs in that 8th inning.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Of course John was a Mariner. Why can't we dig a little deeper do tie him to another Mariner player? When John came up in 1974 he was a Dodger with Charlie Hough. Charlie would be part of the 1991 Chicago White Sox, playing with Roberto Hernandez. Roberto would move on to be a member of the 2006 Pittsburgh Pirates along with Jack Wilson. Jack come to Seattle in 2009 and be shipped out in the 2011 season.

Blog related to the team: There is a man who spent many a day in Seattle. He might be far away and in Massachusetts but he still loves my team. He also has a great feeling for the #5. That is the basis for some of his collection. That great blogger is Matthew of the Number 5 Type Collection. He has a vast array of old cards from all over and is always willing to share. Tell him I sent you to see him.

Next Card: #57 Eric Rasmussen, Padres



#31 Tom House, Mariners

Card Front: Here is Tom showing us the follow through of a four seam fastball coming toward you. I love seeing the old time Mariners uniforms coming back to life.  Obviously from the blues skies and home whites, this had to be taken in Tempe in March and not the Kingdome.

Card Back: Surprisingly, this card would show his entire career stats on it. Tom would be released before the 1979 season. I wonder what the Mariners had to pay the Red Sox for House's services. While Tom was born in Seattle, he would graduate from Nogales High in La Puente, CA and head for USC.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: As you see, Tom is a Mariner so six degrees isn't needed. Let's do a little history on Tom. After being released in '79, he went back to USC and got his second masters in 1981 in Performance Psychology. After a brief attempt with AAA Hawaii in 1983 to return to baseball, he became Dr. House with a Ph.D in psychology in 1984. Tom has worked as a pitching coach in Houston, San Diego, Texas and at USC.

Blog related to the team: I can't plug my blog all the time, because I don't post enough to be entertaining. Dr. House is a man of history, catching Hank Aaron's 715th HR in the bullpen in Atlanta. He also has a website of his own. Head on over and visit Tom House.

Next Card: #32 Jerry Mumphrey, Cardinals