Saturday 25 July 2015

28 - Brooks Kieschnick

Front photo: Posed photo.

Back photo: Seems cropped way too tightly to be from an actual game. I'll really be glad to work my way out of these staged photos.

Better photo?: The bat over both shoulders is a classic pose, especially horizontally.

Ties to my personal collections: No direct ones, but the fact he both pitched and player outfield later

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 15

Wiki-facts: Was one of the inaugural members of the College Baseball Hall of Fame, and has had his number retired by the University of Texas.

Google it: You can follow him on twitter at @kiesch23. It isn't verified, but who the hell would try to impersonate Brooks Kieschnick on twitter?

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Was at AA Orlando. Didn't pitch, but batted .282 with 14 homer runs and 55 RBIs.

Birthday boy: June 6, 1972. One of my favourite names to say in baseball was born that date - Tony Graffanino. A couple short term NBAers, Frankie King and James Scott, were also born that date. A player with a more famous NHL brother in Marko Kiprusoff is a 6-6-72 baby. Outside the pro sports world, Today's Natalie Morales is another one.

It is nice to have a rather busy day in this category.

Up next: 29 - Billy Wagner.

Monday 13 July 2015

27 - Matt Brunson

Front photo: A posed photo in front of a team photo interesting.

Back photo: The position of the ball gives a unique look to the staged photo.

Better photo?: The ball makes it closer than it should be. Still, I love that team shot in the background and give it to the photo on the front.

Ties to my personal collections: Nothing.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: N/A. Doesn't have one.

Wiki-facts: Again, N/A.

Google it: You have to go to the second page to find anything about this Matt Brunson. There's a guitarist from the band Crowbar and someone from Creative Loafing Charlotte ahead of him. First link included the term 'bust'. Yikes.

 How was his strike-shortened 1994? Batted .212 with 1 HR and 31 RBI.

Birthday boy: September 2, 1974. Basketball-reference lists Jason Lawson, who played 17 games with the Orlando Magic as being born that date. And that's it for the *-reference sites. But, wiki gives you an Australian Race Car driver in Steven Johnson, and a star of adult cinema. I'm not giving you the name, you can find out if you so desire.

 Up next: 27 - Brooks Kieschnick. And we're finally back to guys who have wiki entries.

Monday 6 July 2015

26 - Kirk Presley

Front photo: A classic photo with a beautiful view of a minor league park in the background.

Back photo: Generic posed pitching photo.

Better photo?: Not even close. Stadium for the win!

Ties to my personal collections: Is pictured as a Met. I have another card of his in my Mets binder that says was third cousin to Elvis.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: N/A. Doesn't have one. Did have an article in People though. That's probably the first for someone from this set.

Wiki-facts: Again, N/A.

Google it: There's a lawyer in Kansas City named Kirk Presley whose name pops up as well in google searches. Not the same guy, unfortunately.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Spent time at Pittsfield and St. Lucie. Went 6-7 with an ERA of 3.83 in 16 appearances, all starts.

Birthday boy: April 17, 1975. Nobody at any of the *-reference.com sites has that exact birthday. But, he does match up with a Travis Roy, hockey player who was sadly left a quadriplegic 10 seconds into his first shift at Boston University.

Yegads this is a depressing card.

OK. British politician Heidi Alexander was also born that date. She's still in office, so maybe that counts for something.

Up next: 27 - Matt Brunson.