Thursday 25 December 2014

#9 - Shawn Green

Front photo: This is definitely a BP photo.

Back photo: N/A..

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 41. More if you want to count bullet lists.

Wiki-facts:  Following up Alex Gonzalez, who had a guest appearance on the CBC show The Newsroom, Shawn appeared on episodes of Numb3rs and the Nick Cannon show during his days with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Baseball miscellany: Got a World Series ring for 1993, despite only 3 games and 6 plate appearances. Would get the Topps Rookie trophy on his card, but would have to wait until 1996 for that. Is one of 16 players with 4 home runs in a game, and the second so far in this set, following Carlos Delgado.

How was his strike-shortened 1994?: Hit his first RBI over 14 games.

Birthday boy: Born November 10, 1972. Shares a birthdate with former big leaguer Greg LaRocca, and former NFLer Isaac Bruce. Bruce was the last Los Angeles Rams alumni to retire. No other people at the various *-reference sites share that birthday.

Ties to my Personal Collections: Would play with the Mets as well as Toronto.

Next up: #10 - Butch Huskey

Thursday 18 December 2014

#8 - Alex Gonzalez

Front photo: Might be an in-game shot, might be a spring training shot. Don't really know. Toronto is the first team to appear more than once in this set.

Back photo: N/A..

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 7

Wiki-facts: Appeared on an episode of The Newsroom. Not the HBO one - the one that was on CBC in the 90s.Is one of 3 Alex Gonzalezes at wiki, the others being the one that started with the Marlins, and the other being a Rangers prospect. The Rangers guy only has a paragraph under Texas Rangers minor leaguers.

How was his strike-shortened 1994?: Made his big league debut, batting .151 over 15 games. Would have to wait until 1995 for his first HR.

Birthday boy: Born April 8, 1973. Also born on that day was actress Emma Caulfield of Buffy The Vampire Slayer fame. Pablo Picasso died on that date. Nobody else at any of the other *-reference sites was born on that date.

Ties to my Personal Collections: Would play in Montreal as well as the Blue Jays.

Next up: #8 - Shawn Green

Thursday 11 December 2014

#7 - Cliff Floyd

Front photo: An actual game shot, even though the angle of the dugout top in the background makes it look like the camera is at an angle.

Back photo: N/A..

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 13

Wiki-facts:  Clifford is actually his middle name. His real first name is Cornelius (his father's name). His adoptive sister dies of cancer, and her 2 children are now living with him and his family.

How was his strike-shortened 1994?: Of those featured so far, Cliff saw the most action in 1994, batting .281 over 100 games. Was 5th in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Birthday boy: Born December 5, 1972. Two more major leaguers were born that date, Mike Mahoney and Felix Rodriguez.

Ties to my Personal Collections: Played for the Expos, and would go on to play for the Mets.

Next up: #8 - Alex Gonzalez

Friday 5 December 2014

#6 - Carl Everett

Front photo: An in game shot from the basepaths.

Back photo: N/A..

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 18

 Wiki-facts: Lettered in football, baseball and track in high school. Has never seen a dinosaur, and also questions the validity of the moon landing. Final sentences are: "In 2011, Everett was arrested at his home in Tampa on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with a witness. Everett reportedly held a handgun to the head of his wife of 18 years". Ho boy.

 How was his strike-shortened 1994?: Played in 16 games. Hit 2 home runs, but only .216 over 54 AB.

Birthday boy: Born June 3, 1971. Also born on that date was  John Hodgman, the PC counterpart to the Mac in the commercials. Other baseballers born that date was Aaron Ledesma and Izzy Molina.

Ties to my Personal Collections: Played for both the Mets and Expos.

Next up: #7 - Cliff Floyd