#147 Dave Hamilton, Pirates

 

 

 

Card Front: Another of your standard pitcher looking like he is on the mound poses. While we can tell Dave is near the dugout, There is just so much that looks great with him. I know many people liked to frown on the Pirates and their stripes in the 70's, but I liked the look almost as much as the black and gold interchangeables. I don't know if a young lady caught his eye, but Dave doesn't seem too interested in the photographer.

 

Card Back: Sadly, Dave was just one of those guys that was more of the situational lefties out of the bullpen. There is nothing in his stats that jump out and say WOW! You do have to give the guy some credit though, he did earn three World Series rings with the A's in his first three seasons in the big leagues. I would say a HR in the 18th inning to win 1-0 classifies as a pitcher's duel.

 

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Yes Dave went to Edmonds-Woodway HS north of Seattle, but he was never a Mariner. During his first season on the south side of Chicago, Dave played with Chet Lemon on those 1975 White Sox. Chet was a man that stayed around for quite awhile and was part of the champion 1984 Detroit tigers with Carl Willis. Carl would find himself slightly west as a part of the 1995 Minnesota Twins with a young LaTroy Hawkins. While LaTroy has been a man of many hats, during the 2010 season he would don a Milwaukee Brewers hat along with Corey Hart. Mr. Sunglasses at Night is expected to DH and platoon at 1B and OF for the Mariners in the upcoming 2014 season.

 

Next Card: #148 Bruce Bosclair, Mets

#146 Duane Kuiper, Indians

 

Card Front: There are so many things going on with this card that catch my eye. One of the things that you didn't see much of in the 70's was black batting gloves. Duane's look like the infamous OJ Simpson black gloves, but I'm sure Kuip is a much nicer guy. My other issue is with Topps using a pic of a uniform that was last worn in the 1977 season. With all the flack the Tribe has caught for Chief Wahoo, this would be a good compromise look to bring back full time.

Card Back: I don't think you could say these are any kind of eye popping stats, but they are definitely solid. Duane definitely was no power hitter with only one HR, but sometimes you need guys to get on base and Kuip did that. It looks like George Hall was able to get hit more homers in one game in 1876 than Duane could in five seasons.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Duane would eventually move on to be with the San Francisco Giants, a team that he continues to be with today as a broadcaster. During his time in Candlestick, one of his 1983 teammates was Atlee Hammaker. Atlee would spend time in the 1995 season on the south side of Chicago as a White Sox with Roberto Hernandez. Roberto would be part of the 2006 Pittsburgh Pirates with Oliver Perez. Both Oliver and Roberto would be traded together to the New York Mets during that season. Before the 2012 season, Oliver signed with the Mariners and spent two seasons in the M's bullpen before being let go to find a new team for 2014.

Next Card: #147 Dave Hamilton, Pirates

#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

#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

#143 Tony Scott, Cardinals

 

 

 

Card Front: Welcome to a spring training road game in Florida. It is cool to think back to the times before MLB was all about a money making business, and guys would wear normal unis in spring. I think that the Cardinals were one of the few teams that could make the blue roads look awesome. Tony was very color coordinated with his hat, sleeves, and batting gloves.

 

Card Back: It is always cool to see a 42nd round draft pick make it all the way to the show. While Tony never really got the chance in Montreal, he was average in St. Louis. Tony would make average into a fairly long career though. Tony was much more of a defensive guy than his offensive numbers.

 

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Tony's farewell season, he would find his way back to where he began in Montreal. One of his Expos teammates was Gary Lucas. Gary would pack up and two years later, he would be helping the California Angels to the ALCS in 1986 with Jack Howell. Jack was another of the traveling type. During the 1999 season, Jack was in Houston with the Astros. After signing as a free agent before that season, Matt Mieske would make into 24 games for the Mariners. In mid-June of that year, the Mariners traded Matt to Houston for Kevin Hodges allowing Matt and Jack to play as Astros together.

 

Next Card: #144 Sandy Alomar, Rangers

#142 Charlie Williams, Giants

 

 

 



 Card Front: I can't tell if Charlie is excited to have his picture done for a card or if he is genuinely disinterested. I know that no matter what time of year, you can tell it is Candlestick Park with the vinyl sleeves under his jersey. I've never been too hip on the orange bill of the Giants cap, but I sometimes wish they would bring back the script pullover tops.

Card Back: I can't really see any stats that jump out and get your attention. I guess when you are a situational reliever you won't stand out. I think that I would be happy to be able to tell my kids and grand kids that I was traded to San Francisco for a Hall of Famer in Willie Mays. I know that is something I would let everyone know about!

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Charlie's fourth season in the Bay in 1975, Charlie was partnered up with Garry Maddox. Take yourself to the 1979 season, and Garry would be in St. Louis as a Cardinal with Lonnie Smith. It would take another 11 years, but during the 1990 season in Atlanta, Lonnie was a Brave. Another of those Braves was Jim Presley. Jimmy had come to Atlanta after the 1989 season when the Mariners had traded him for Ken Pennington and Gary Eave. Jim had been a starting All Star 3rd Baseman for the Mariners from 1984 through the 1989 season.

Next Card: #143 Tony Scott, Cardinals

#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