#33 Dave Rozema, Tigers

Card Front: Here is Dave after the release of a pitch. It appears to be an early spring game at Yankee Stadium in New York. Maybe Dave just preferred long sleeves, I'm not too sure. You have to love the old pants with no belt, and the striped stirrups. Where have you gone stirrups in favor pajama pants?

Card Back: Dave didn't spend too much time in the minors before debuting with the Tigers in 1977. He had a good year in his rookie season, and his numbers were similar in '78 but obviously the Tigers couldn't win for him. I think it would cool for him to be from Grand Rapids and play for his hometown Tigers.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Dave would bounce around during his career. In 1985, Dave was a member of the Texas Rangers. One of his mound mates was Frank Tanana. All the way back in 1974, Frank and Bruce Bochte would play for the California Angels. Bruce would come to Mariners and be an All Star in 1979.

Blog related to the team: There are many Tigers fans that blog out there. One of my favorites and Trade partners lives right in Michigan. He is also one of the biggest Michigan Wolverines(GO BLUE!) fans I know. Everyone needs to go over and read up on Dennis at Too Many Verlanders. He always has good posts, and will hook you up trade wise.

Next Card: #34 Rob Andrews, Giants

#32 Jerry Mumphrey, Cardinals

Card Front: A nice card from Florida in the spring. It must have been in the early part of camp since Jerry is sporting the long sleeves. The palm trees in the background give it a relaxing look. You can tell it is the 70's with the big afro, and high hat. Jerry seems to be waiting for a wild pitch from somewhere, or there is a hot chick floating in the sky.

Card Back: Jerry took the slow and steady route to the big leagues. After a 5th round pick in '71, it would take some time for a September call up in 1974. Obviously the Cards saw something in his '75 call up because he stuck around full time after that. It is nice to see that he never moved too far from home by being born, and still living in Tyler at the time.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: After 1979, Jerry would play in San Diego, New York, Houston, and Chicago until 1988. As a Cub in his final season, another 1988 Cub was Dave Martinez. Dave would move tot he south side of town and be part of the 1997 White Sox with Robin Ventura. Robin would find his way to be part of the 2003 Dodgers with Adrian Beltre. In 2005, Adrian would sign on as a Mariner and would play 5 seasons in Seattle.

Blog related to the team: There are many Cardinals fans out there. They should be loud and proud this year after winning their 11th World Series. One man that is an unabashed Cards fan is just down the road from me. Kerry(aka madding) is the man behind the legendary Cards on Cards. He has been at this for a long time, he has some great features including Airbrushed Fridays. Head over and read up, I'm sure he is still giddy from the championship!

Next Card: #33 Dave Rozema, Tigers

#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

#30 Dave Winfield, Padres

Card Front: A nice close up of an always smiling Dave. I know that most people want to always make fun of the Padres uniforms from the 70's, but I liked this look. Dave wore the old flapless helmet, which makes me wonder who was last player allowed to wear one. I think the Padres were one of the only teams to have the city and team both on the front of their jerseys.

Card Back: The beginnings of the start of a long, HOF career. Nothing like going 2 for 2 in the 1977 All Star game. Dave would get to be the Padres representative for the '78 game in San Diego. Getting drafted in '73 and getting into 56 games is no easy feat. One hit per game is a darn good average.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Dave would spend plenty of time hurting the Mariners as a hitter in the AL. As a member of these 1979 Padres, Dave would play with Jay Johnstone. In the year before in 1978, Jay would team with Todd Cruz as 1978 Philadelphia Phillies. Todd would play Shortstop as a Mariner in 1982 and '83 before heading off to Baltimore.

Blog related to the team: There are some classic Padres blogs out there. I had to flip a coin to decide to who got the honor of the first blog push. The winner go to Rod of Padrographs. He is a wealth of knowledge on many subjects including baseball and books. I don't think there are many autographs of Padres players or execs he doesn't have. Give him a read, it's Swinging Friar-alicious!!

Next Card: #31 Tom House, Mariners

#29 Rick Langford, A's

Card Front: I love the look of the old kelly green hats and pullover shirts of the Athletics. When you add in the green grass and background, it really starts to get washed out. Rick needs to trim down the 'stache, and take a weed wacker to that chest hair. It's good that the high hats of the day are long gone.

Card Back: It seems that the Pirates thought of Rick as a reliever. The A's felt he would make a better starter. While "Scrap Iron" Garner was a big name for the Pirates, it's hard to tell who really did better in a 6 for 3 player trade. How about Rich Reese with not only his 3rd grand slam, but they all were of the pinch hit variety.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: In Rick's final year in 1986, Rick was an Athletic with Jose Rijo. Jose would go from Oakland to play with Bruce Chen as Cincinnati Reds in 2002. Bruce and former Mariner Yuniesky Betancourt would team up in the 2009 version of the Kansas City Royals.

Blog related to the team: It is sad that there are very few blogs that are Oakland A's fans. When they are at the height of playing good, everybody loves them(early 1970's, mid 1980's), and these days no one claims them. One blogger that I know is with them through thick and thin is Mark of the Chronicles of Fuji. The San Jose Fuji may soon have the A's playing in his town if they move like owners Lew Wolff and John Fisher have their way and move south.

Next Card: #30 Dave Winfield, Padres

#28 Steve Brye, Pirates

Card Front: We see Steve and his long 70's style hair. He is really rockin the moustache everybody had to have in those days. How could you not have the Pirates without the pillbox hats of the late 70's? The pinstripe jeresy is the first of many combinations for the Buccos. It funny that in November of '78 he was released, and signed with San Diego in 1979.

Card Back: Steve had spent his time in Minnesota. It still intrigues me that players were bought and sold so much easier back in the day. After a year in Milwaukee, he came to Pittsburgh. As you can see, he got a hit about 25% of the time. Not much power, but singles and doubles do the trick. Steve would spend '79 at AAA Hawaii and retire at age 30.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: In Steve's one season in Steel Town in 1978, he would play along side John Candelaria. John would move around a bit near his end. For the 1990 season, the Candy Man was a Toronto Blue Jay with Pat Borders. Pat would eventually come and go as a Mariner 3 times from 2001 through the 2005 season.

Blog related to the team: I know the Bucs have been down for many years. There should still be more Pirates fans out there because they have a long rich history. One man that isn't afraid to fly the Jolly Roger is the Real DFG. He is a fan of all teams Pittsburgh. I think he is in for a good ride on the Pirates bandwagon this year.

Next Card: #29 Rick Langford, A's

#27 Dave Goltz, Twins

Card Front: Hey Mr. photographer, is this a serious enough look? I know many people hate the powder blue road uniforms that many teams wore in the 70's and 80's, but I like them. I wonder who the Twin is lurking in the background here at the Big A...

Card Back: Dave had spent his whole career with the hometown Twins through the 1979 season. In 1977 he would win 20 games for Minnesota. After the '79 season, Dave would move on to play for both teams in his new home in LA, playing for the Dodgers and the Angels.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Dave would have many teammates in his time in the Twin Cities. In 1974 he would play with Rod Carew. Rod would team up with a young Devon White in the 1985 version of the California Angels. Devo would spend part of his 17th and final season with the Brewers. One of his Brewers teammates would be future Mariner Richie Sexson.

Blog related to the team: While I don't know of too many Tins blogs off the top of my head, one comes to mind. e rayhahn, rayhahn is run the by Rhubarb Runner. He is a die hard Twins fan that is always looking to expand his enormous Minnesota collection. Stop by and show him how much we all love the Twin Cities.

Next Card: #28 Steve Brye, Pirates