Friday 20 November 2015

38 - Eric Anthony

38 - Eric Anthony

Front photo: A sliding catch, complete with a backup dancer.

Back photo: On the basepaths. There's also a flashback to the presence of cigarette ads on outfield walls.

Better photo?: Everything seems perfectly aligned with the sliding catch, as well as some other Astro helping out just in case he misses it. The Marlboro ad makes the back somewhat of an oddball, but the photo on the front is too nice.

Ties to my personal collections: Was once traded for future Met Mike Hampton.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 9

Wiki-facts: This paragraph might be my favourite one so far.

In 1986 Anthony was an 18-year-old Sharpstown High School dropout working on an assembly line at a Houston plastics company. He talked his way into an Astros tryout in 1986 and impressed scouts with his power (...) Subsequently, he was drafted by the Astros in the 34th round of the 1986 MLB amateur draft.

Google it: There are lots of other Eric Anthonys (Anthonies?) out there. I'll assume the baseball one isn't the musician in Utah.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? The aforementioned Hampton trade took him to Seattle in late 1993. He hit 10 HR with 30 RBI and a .237 average. He shows up later in this set as a Mariner on card #411.

Birthday boy: November 8, 1967. There's another tie to my Expos PC there, as Henry Rodriguez was also born that date. The only other person listed at the *-reference sites is former Cardinal/Chief cornerback Jay Taylor. Actress Courtney Thorne-Smith (Melrose Place, According to Jim) was also born that date.

Up next: 39 - Luis Aquino.

Thursday 5 November 2015

37 - Rich Amaral

Front photo: Full extended horizontal swing photo.

Back photo: Infield throwing practice shot.

Better photo?: The latter seems most Collector's Choice-y, but the front is a solid choice among a frequent motif. I'll go against my usual grain and opt for for the first one.

Ties to my personal collections: Nothing.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 5

Wiki-facts: Amaral's son Beau ... was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and in 2014 played with High Class-A affiliate in the California League, the Bakersfield Blaze. Beau has autograph cards in 2015 Bowman. His father is referenced on the reverse of his card.

Google it: Has a baseball camp, although the site is hosted by tripod and hasn't been updated since 2013. So maybe "had".

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Batted .263 with 4 home runs and 18 RBI.

Birthday boy: April 1, 1962. No other *-reference people match up with this April Fool, but he does match up with the current Leader of the British House of Commons, Chris Grayling.

Up next: 38 - Eric Anthony.