He played there? Baseball Edition: Part 4 - The finale

I apologize for the hiatus lately. My family had a little shakeup happen at the end of January. We found out my mom had breast cancer. It's one of those things that you never felt it would happen to someone in your family and then it does. If you hadn't guessed from reading my blog posts, my mom and I are pretty tight, so this diagnosis really hit me hard. I have been supportive thus far and made her some meals to freeze and offered up any help I could give around the house. This past Friday, she had a double mastectomy to remove the cancerous cells. Further testing will reveal if they got everything, but the doctor is pretty certain that she will be ok and cancer free. She made it home on Saturday around 5:30pm with instructions for my dad on how to take care of her until the nurse shows up on Monday. My mom was in pain when I got there to see her with flowers from my boys, but she was glad that I made it over to see her for a bit. So, in the meantime, I will be helping out when I can over at my parents' house with whatever they might need me to do. It definitely had me scared a bit and I know that my mom was definitely scared but determined to do whatever possible to be cancer free, thus having the surgery.

So, now that I have a bit of time, I figured I'd finally finish this post that has been sitting here since the end of January. I hope you all enjoy the last "He played there - Baseball Edition".

In 2008, I was pretty much hanging out with the girlfriend I had at the time, playing ice hockey a few nights a week and also spending time with my friends when I could, so sports weren't always on my mind. This is why I must have missed this transaction. I remember in 2000 when Ken Griffey Jr. went to the Reds. It blew my mind! When I was younger, I would always keep newspapers when anything major would happen in hockey - whether that was a trade, a player milestone, you name it. However, when Ken Griffey Jr. went to the Reds in that huge trade, my dad made sure to keep that newspaper for me. I wish I remembered what the heck I did with all of those. If I had to guess, I lost them in one of my moves or gave them to a neighbor. Junior was always a huge star, and he even had a freaking video game named after him. In 2008, while with the Reds, Junior was dealt yet again, this time to the Chicago White Sox. I would have had no idea of this if it wasn't for my search of cards for these blog posts. I found this guy tucked away in a box. I must not have read the name when I opened the pack that card was in because I would have sleeved it up for sure. I'm sure most of you already knew that he played for Chicago, but of course I was probably paying more attention to hockey those days. Griffey Jr. would play only 41 games in Chicago, batting .260 with 3 Home Runs and 18 RBI's. 

How was he acquired? Ken Griffey Jr. was traded by the Cincinnati Reds with cash to the Chicago White Sox for Nick Masset and Danny Richar on July 31, 2008.

2009 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. #93

I have talked about the Nintendo game Legends of the Diamond before on this blog. My brother and I played this so much growing up. We would have a few players who were "our guys" when we would play against each other. One of "my guys" was Billy Williams. I would always slot him in batting 5th in my lineup. He was solid in that game and could hit like no one's business. I've always associated Billy Williams with the Cubs. When I was at a card show a few years back, I was digging in a $1 bin and found a '75 Topps Billy Williams card. Of course I bought it. Williams was my guy after all. However, I was baffled to see him in another uniform on the card. I remember showing my brother the card and he had no idea he played for the A's either. At one point in time, I did have Williams' rookie card, but I have since sold it (during the COVID card boom). Currently this is the only Williams card I own and it's kinda funky seeing him in an A's hat. Williams actually spent 2 seasons with Oakland (which would be his last in MLB). His last season, which was 1976, he played in 120 games, batted .211, had 11 Home Runs and 41 RBI's. 

How as he acquired? Billy Williams was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Oakland Athletics for Darold Knowles, Bob Locker and Manny Trillo on October 23, 1974. 

1975 Topps Billy Williams #545

This next one is a player I knew played for this team and was in my "maybe" pile, but my oldest son insisted I put it in because the card was "shiny". Randy Johnson "The Big Unit" was always a fun player to watch pitch. He towered over the mound and threw legit heat. The 5-time Cy Young award winner and Hall of Famer actually played for 6 teams in his career. That's pretty wild to me. In 1998, he would spend a half season with the Houston Astros almost without a loss with a record of 10-1! His ERA with Houston...1.28! He had 4 shutouts! Insane stats. I do remember that year and was baffled that Seattle dealt him (even though he was having a tough year with them). So, this one is for my son since he loved this shiny card so much.

How was he acquired? Randy Johnson was traded by the Seattle Mariners to the Houston Astros for Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen and a player to be named later who ended up being John Halama on July 31, 1998. 

1999 Black Diamond Randy Johnson #39

This next guy played 22 years in the MLB, was a Hall of Famer and won the Cy Young twice (the first to win in both the NL and AL). Any guesses? Gaylord Perry. When I was growing up, I would play catch with anyone who would play with me. Sometimes that person was my Uncle Ralph. Good old Uncle Ralph was a trooper. I would tell him what player I was imagining myself as while we were tossing the ball and Uncle Ralph would always say he was some old school player. One time, Uncle Ralph said he was Gaylord Perry, and he was going to throw me his "spitball" pitch. With me being about 8 years old, I had no idea who this guy was or what the heck a "spitball" pitch was. So, at a card show that year, I picked up the card you will see below. It's the only Perry card I think I own at the moment. Gaylord Perry bounced around a little bit in his career and suited up for 8 teams total. In 1980, one of those stops was a 10-game stint with the New York Yankees after starting the season with the Texas Rangers. It would be the shortest stop of his career. Perry would post a record of 4 wins, 4 losses for the Yankees and was left off their postseason roster. At the end of that season, he would move on yet again and head to Atlanta, then the next season with Seattle before calling it a career in 1983 with the Kansas City Royals.

How was he acquired? Gaylord Perry was traded by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees for Ken Clay and a player to be named later (Marvin Thompson) on August 14, 1980.

1981 Fleer Gaylord Perry #91

The next player on the list in my opinion should be in the Hall of Fame, but I'm just some guy from a suburb in Pennsylvania, what the heck do I know? If you lived in my neighborhood back in the 80's and 90's you certainly heard of Dale Murphy. All my cousins loved him, we would all trade his cards back and forth and even got mad at our younger cousin Jon for putting a Murphy card in his spokes. Not cool man! Murphy was an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove winner, and a 2-time MVP! The Dr. Dirt and Mr. Clean Donruss card from 1991 was used as currency in my neighborhood. We all loved the guy. When he was released in Spring Training in 1993, we all couldn't believe it, but I remember our neighbor Tommy coming running out of his house and up into my parents yard where we were all sitting in the grass and telling us that the Colorado Rockies had signed Dale Murphy. No one could believe it. I thought that it might be cool to see him wear a Purple uniform. The only time I saw him play for the Rockies was on a Cubs broadcast early on in the season. Murphy pinch-hit and struck out. It really seemed like he wasn't the same. I think he struck out in 4 pitches and it was bad. Sadly, Dale hung up the cleats after 26 games with the Rockies. He batted an abysmal .143 and didn't even hit a Home Run in his 42 at bats. He is still a legend though to anyone that lived on my street. 

How was he acquired? Dale Murphy signed a 1-year minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies on April 3, 1993. 

1993 Upper Deck Dale Murphy #706

Anytime I hear the soothing tones of Enrico Pallazzo, I always make sure I sit down to watch my TV screen. Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, is a movie that my brother and I loved as kids and still do to this day. I own almost all of Leslie Nielsen's comedy movies on DVD (even Dracula Dead and Loving It). In the Naked Gun movie, Reggie Jackson who was playing for the Angels was programmed to kill Queen Elizabeth II. The whole movie is awesome and probably my favorite of the Naked Gun Trilogy. Jackson even had a cameo in my favorite show of all time (Malcolm in the Middle). Yep, the Hall of Famer has gotten around a little bit in show biz. This is just a few of his many credits in TV shows and movies. However, this is about his baseball career, so we'll get back to that now. Jackson is known mostly for his time with the A's, Yankees and Angels, but in 1976, he spent a lone season with the Baltimore Orioles. I kinda rememered this when I was a kid, but I never actually had a card depicting Jackson with the O's. Reggie played for the Orioles because he refused to sign a contract with the A's and with free agency imminent after the 1976 season, he expected a higher salary than the A's frotn office was willing to pay, so the A's shipped him to the O's. Reggie refused to sign his contract with Baltimore initially and threatened to sit out the entire season. He didn't end up taking a plate appearance with the Orioles until May 2nd that year. His year wasn't bad by any means. He played 134 games, hit 27 Home Runs, batted in 91 and had an average of .277. However, at the end of that year, he would sign with the Yankees and never looked back. The card I have of Reggie as an Oriole was actually from a Fairfield re-pack a while back. I don't think I actually knew it was him until I looked through stacks of cards for this blog. He looks weird in that jersey for sure.

How was he acquired? Reggie Jackson was traded by the Oakland Athletics along with Ken Holtzman and Bill VanBommell to the Baltimore Orioles for Don Baylor, Mike Torrez and Paul Mitchell on April 2, 1976.

1988 Score A Salute to Reggie Jackson #2 of 5  #501

Rickey Henderson was one of my favorite players as a kid. All the kids I played baseball with wanted to steal bases just like him. We all couldn't wait to get to Little League so we could start stealing bases. Lucky for me, I made the Instructional League All-Star team, and they allowed us to steal in that game. I got to pluck my first stolen base ever in that game in the 2nd inning. It was so exhilarating! We all know the career Rickey had, I don't have to tell you he was a 10-time All-Star, 2-time World Series Champ and a Hall of Famer, you guys are smart, you know all that stuff. Do you know how many teams this guy played for off the top of your head though? What if I told you, it was 10! It's crazy, but yep, 10 teams. When Rickey came to PNC Park to play the Pirates while with San Diego in 2001, he was in the outfield stretching with Phil Nevin. I talked a little bit with the two of them and I asked Rickey when he was walking away if he wanted a Jolly Rancher. He shook his head. I launched a Jolly Rancher in his direction and the wind took it a bit and it landed right next to him. Wouldn't you know it, he actually picked it up and put it in his back pocket! That's my 1 Rickey Henderson story that I have. I wish now that I would've had something for him to sign, but I was no autograph hound as a 19-year-old kid and just wanted to see some baseball while having a few dips of Cherry Skoal. Back to Henderson, in his final year in 2003 at age 44, Rickey would play in 30 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers. That final season, he would only steal 3 more bases to increase his total to 1,406. He batted .208 and hit his last 2 Home Runs of his career. This past year near Christmas time, Henderson would pass away at the age of 65. 5 days before Christmas and also his 66th birthday. RIP to a legend.

How was he acquired? Rickey Henderson signed a 1-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 14, 2003. 

2003 Donruss Rickey Henderson #65

The next player is another legend from my childhood. Will Clark was awesome! Any time the Giants were playing the Pirates; I made sure to watch with my dad. When Will Clark was up, I'd get up off the couch and mimic his batting stance because I knew it so well. When he went to the Texas Rangers, I didn't really follow him much and that sucks. As Clark's career wound down, he had a 51-game stint with the St. Louis Cardinals, and he was tearing the cover off the ball. however, at the end of that season in the year 2000, at the age of 36, Clark retired. It was crazy to me that he retired, but he wanted to spend time with his family. Now that I'm a parent, I get it, and I don't blame the guy. Even when I was on work trips, I missed out on a lot when I wasn't at home and hearing about things you miss out on when your kids are little definitely sucks. Back to Clark, in the 51 games with the Cards, he hit 12 Home Runs with 42 RBI's and batted an insane .345!

How was he acquired? Will Clark was traded by the Baltimore Orioles with cash to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jose Leon July 31, 2000.

2000 Upper Deck Will Clark #174

Jim Thome has 612 career Home Runs. How is this guy so underappreciated? I don't get it. When I do think of Jim Thome though, I think of him in an Indians uniform, White Sox uni or a Phillies jersey. When I actually dug deeper, I saw that he moved around quite a bit in his 22-year Hall of Fame career. Thome had stops in Cleveland, Philadelphia, Chicago with the White Sox, Minnesota, Baltimore and Los Angeles. Yes, you heard that correctly, the Dodgers. Thome spent 17 games back in 2009 with the Dodgers. It is the only team he didn't hit ANY of his 612 Home Runs with. Those 17 games he spent with that team was really unforgettable. He batted .235 in 17 plate appearances (obviously as a DH) with 4 hits (all singles). This is one stop that I don't remember Thome having. I'm sure all the baseball guys who read these blogs will remember it, but not me.

How was he acquired? Jim Thome was traded by the Chicago White Sox with cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Justin Fuller on August 31, 2009. 

2010 Topps Jim Thome #323

What is with all these Hall of Fame players and moving around from team to team? This next guy was a 12-time All-Star and World Series Champ. He's also in the 3,000 hit club and played on 6 teams in his career. It's Dave Winfield! This is one that I do remember. My oldest son wanted me to include this one because this card was also "shiny". As Winfield's Hall of Fame career was coming to an end, he squeaked out one last season where he batted .191 over 130 games in 1995 for the Cleveland Indians. I found this card at the old card shop I used to frequent in the 90's with my mom for 25 cents. Sure, I'll take a parallel of a Hall of Famer for a quarter! 

How was he acquired? Dave Winfield was sold to the Cleveland Indians from the Minnesota Twins on August 31, 1994 where he then signed a 1-year contract with Cleveland on April 5, 1995.

1995 Topps Cyberstats Dave Winfield #38

Fernando Valenzuela was a pitcher my dad used to mimic while we threw the ball around in the yard. He would do that same wind-up just like him. It always cracked me up. El Toro was awesome. A World Series winner, Cy Young Winner, 6-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year. If you think of Valenzuela, you probably remember him as a Dodger or even a Philadelphia Phillie. However, his career had a few other stops like the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres and his final season in 1997 with the St. Louis Cardinals...wait, what? Valenzuela finished his career that year by suiting up for 5 games with the Cardinals going winless (0-4) with an ERA of 5.56. It looked like he knew it was time to go. This past year, Valenzuela passed away in October at the age of 63. RIP Fernando.

How was he acquired? Fernando Valenzuela was traded by the San Diego Padres with Scott Livingstone and Phil Plantier to the St. Louis Cardinals for Rich Batchelor, Danny Jackson and Mark Sweeney on June 13, 1997.

1997 Upper Deck Fernando Valenzuela Final Tribute #204

I'm ending this series with one for my own amusement. Juan Gonzalez was a legend with all the kids I played Little League ball with in the 90's. One kid named C.J. used to use his batting stance when he was on my team. He did it terribly by rarely ever getting a hit. About a month ago, I bought some packs from the 90's and early 00's from a guy on Twitter. One of the packs was a 2000 Skybox Impact pack. I flipped through the pack looking at each card for a few seconds remembering all the names and then I came to Juan Gonzalez. and I flipped to the next card and then did a double take. Wait....Juan Gone? Tigers? What?? Confused I immediately looked up Gonzalez's stats and saw that he had played 1 season with the Detroit Tigers, so I figured, "eh, what the hell?" Here you go.

How was he acquired? Juan Gonzalez was traded by the Texas Rangers with Danny Patterson and Gregg Zaun to the Detroit Tigers for Frank Catalanotto, Francisco Cordero, Bill Haselman, Gabe Kapler, Justin Thompson and Alan Webb November 2, 1999.

2000 Skybox Impact Juan Gonzalez #146

I hope everyone enjoyed these. I'm going to spread it out and do all 4 sports eventually when time permits. If you liked it, drop a comment. If you hated it, drop a comment. 

As usual, thanks for reading.