#144 Sandy Alomar, Rangers

 

 

 



Card Front: This is the look of  a player that has seen his time in the big leagues with the classic look away pose. Sandy did know how to make it look good and natural. There is something of the look of the Rangers in the late 70's through the 80's. I wonder why most teams have gone away from the two tone caps, is it because they aren't cool or don't sell to the kids?

Card Back: This is what it looks like when you've been around for awhile. What is strange that Sandy only was in 24 games during 1978 and had already left the game and wasn't even around for the 1979 season. Sandy did spend most of his time as an Angel, but also did the New York double dip with both the Mets and Yankees.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Sandy's last season on the south side of Chicago with the White Sox in 1969, he would play with the legendary Tommy John. After a famous surgery, Tommy would last for a long time making it all the way to be part of the 1987 New York Yankees. Another of those Bronx Bombers was Al Leiter. A man of many teams in many seasons saw Al be part of the 2001 New York Mets with Desi Relaford. While Desi was originally drafted by Seattle in 1991, he would see time in Seattle until being a Mariner in 2002.

Next Card: #145 Rick Rhoden, Dodgers

#120 Jim Sundberg, Rangers

Card Front: There is just so much I love about the front of this card. There is no doubt that it is such a posed card from spring training. It is obvious that the Rangers played in a big park in spring if it is 350' down the left field line. Have you ever noticed how many guys would wear the mesh back hats during spring, but you would never see that in a real game? I know it all about being cool nowadays, but you have to love the style of the pullover jersey and the double snap pants with no belt. I miss the looks of the 70's.

Card Back: Back in the old days there was two drafts in January and in June. Jim was drafted in the Rangers first year in Texas. He would spent the 1973 season in AA Pittsfield, MA and burst on to the scene as the regular catcher in 1974. It was the start of a long career that would include a World Series with KC in 1985 only to come back and finish in Arlington in 1989. Jim was obviously a great defensive catcher to make it that long. He would be part of the Rangers first HOF class in 2003, and has been a Senior Executive VP of Baseball since 2008 with the Rangers.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Jim was around for a long time. Today we can trace him to a player that was a Seattle Mariner without even leaving the state of Texas even though the Mariners are in Washington. During the 1978 season in Arlington, Jim was the catcher that would commonly catch Danny Darwin as the Rangers were in action. If you move ahead in time 10 years to 1988, Danny would move across the state and be a part of the Houston Astros. During that 1988 season, a 22 year old rookie was called up from the AAA Tucson Toros named Craig Biggio. Craig would be on the path to a long soon to be HOF career, and in 2006 would share Enron Field with Charlton Jimerson. Charlton spent parts of the 2007 and 2008 seasons in Seattle before being released and bouncing around. After not seeing the big leagues again, Charlton retired from baseball after the 2010 season.

Blog related to the team: It must be a great feeling to have your team go to back to back World Series. I know it has to hurt to lose both, but it's closer than my team's ever been to the series. I know that Rangers fans are a proud group and aren't afraid to be vocal about how they feel when their stars leave. One guy that is newer to the blog world, but is doing great and loves the Rangers is out there. If you haven't sat in it, you need to check out the Waxcaptain's Dugout. He is doing some great work, and loves his gunslingers from the Lone Star State. See if you can help him out with some cards or anything else Rangers.

Next Card: #121 Checklist 1-121

#94 Len Barker, Rangers

Card Front: I'm not too sure Len was ready for his picture here. Couldn't Topps find a better shot of Len? I hate to say it but with Len's long hair, and 1970's moustache, he really looks like he might have just got done smoking a big fatty. I guess it's better to have a pitcher that is stoned instead of on the juice. I honestly don't remember Len being a Ranger, Indian and Brave yes, but Ranger no.

Card Back: How can you not just love cards that have as many if not more minor league stats than big league stats. Len had started to see the country having made his way up the ladder. I would have to believe that a guy who could throw 96 back then must have been thought to be the next Nolan Ryan. A nice note to Jim Bagby for hitting a homer in the 1920 World Series. Funny that Len was traded in October of 1978 to the Indians, but is still shown in Texas colors.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: After Len made a short stop in Cleveland, Len was a part of the 1983 Atlanta Braves and would play with a young Brook Jacoby. Brook would make his way to Cleveland just like Len, and would be a part of the 1991 Indians with a 20 year old rookie named Jim Thome. Fast forward to the 2007 version of the Chicago White Sox to find Jim playing with Scott Podsednik. Scott only saw time in 19 games in 2000 and 2001 before being waived by the Mariners.

Blog related to the team: In May of 1981 Len would throw the 10th perfect game as his Indians defeated the Blue Jays 3-0. That accomplishment would give Len the honor of receiving the first Donruss Diamond King in their 1982 set. A blogger that lives a couple hundred miles down the road from me is Kevin. Kevin is dedicated to The Diamond King with his blog. He can definitely tell about the greats as they were portrayed on those cards. Head over and tell him I sent you.

Next Card: #95 Robin Yount, Brewers

#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

#44 Kurt Bevacqua, Rangers

Card Front: The only thing I find interesting about this one is the Rangers whites. I'm amused by the on one knee with a bat and glove pose like a 7 year old in Little League. It is strange that they list him as an OF when he only was out there for 14 games in his 2 years in Texas. Kurt was an infielder. He is most famous for being part of Tommy Lasorda's rant in 1982(see below).

Card Back: As you can see from the stats on the back, no one really took a big liking to Kurt. He would bounce around quite a bit, but always seeming to end up back in San Diego in his last six seasons. What Topps fails to tell us is that Kurt was traded to San Diego in October of 1978 and never saw the Rangers in the 1979 season.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Kurt was supposed to be an original Mariner in 1977. He was purchased in October of 1976 from Milwaukee, but never made it out of camp in 1977 being released by Seattle in late March of 1977. Nearly 30 years later there would be another very short time Mariner by the name of T.J. Bohn. T.J. only lasted for 14 games with Seattle before being shipped out of town.

Blog related to the team: There are many Rangers fans. They have much to be proud of having been tot the World Series the last two years. One man that loves his Rangers and doesn't gloat about their success is Spiff. Spiff runs the great Texas Rangers Cards that has been a round for a long time. Read up on a team that has had many good guys in their time.

Next Card: #45 Al Hrabosky, Royals

http://youtu.be/fzjWQF1oP2M
I don't know why I can't get the video to embed, but click on it. It's funny, but definitely NSFW!!

#22 Mike Jorgensen, Rangers

Card Front: Good thing Topps didn't make cards that required 3D glasses in '79 or that bat would hit you in the head. How can you not love the classic no belt snap pants of the '70s. Mike is a fashion maven with his yellow batting gloves, long hair, and mesh back trucker hat.

Card Back: Mike has been around by this time in his career. Being with his fourth team in 11 seasons. While obviously not a high average guy, he was serviceable. Pretty awesome that after six seasons with the Expos, he makes his home up in Canada. How about Bob Feller striking out 17 at age 17.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Mike was a guy who got around. While playing as a Met in 1980, Mike worked with Juan Berenguer. Juan was a member of the Kansas City Royals in 1982 with Rico Rossy. Rico spent a very brief time in 1998 with Ken Cloude as they wore Mariners colors together. 

Blog related to the team: I know there are plenty of fans of the two time defending AL Champions. One of the most well known and always writing bloggers is Brian of the great Play at the Plate. He is always writing informative posts, and always has his monthly contests. Even I won one once! Read the blog of one of the greats....

Next Card: #23 Terry Forster, Dodgers