41 - René Arocha

Front photo: That pitch is coming right at you!

Back photo: Pitcher at the plate! Second straight card with that on the inverse.

Better photo?: I really like that front photo, but I can't have two straight cards with a pitcher at the plate on the reverse and not select that as my favourite photo.

Ties to my personal collections: Shared his 1993 Topps rookie card with then-Blue Jays prospect Tim Crabtree. I also like getting cards of players who defected from Cuba, and he's one of them!

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 7

Wiki-facts: In 1991, (...) Arocha defected, opting for a life in the United States and the chance at playing in the Major Leagues.

Google it: A pretty interesting article about his popularity when the Marlins hosted the St. Louis Cardinals in 1993.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? 4-4 over 45 apeearances, with a 4.01 ERA.

Birthday boy: February 24, 1966. Rod Brewer was also born that date. The two were teammates in St. Louis over the 1993 season, which is something that probably didn't happen too often in MLB history. Kevin MacDonald, who played one game for the Ottawa Senators in their 1993-94 season, was also born on 2-24-1996. Actor Billy Zane (Titanic) was born that day. And at least one website thinks 2-24-66 was also Ghana's Day of Shame.

Up next: 42 - Rich Aude

40 - Jack Armstrong

Front photo: Brought to you by the fine folks at David Sunflower Seeds.

Back photo: Pitcher at the plate!

Better photo?: This is easily the toughest battle so far, since both photos are not typical and both very Collector's Choice-y. I'll give a very slight nod to the front, since it really is out there in terms of photo choice.

Ties to my personal collections: Shares his name with Toronto Raptors broadcaster Jack Armstrong. That's about it.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 4

Wiki-facts: "A torn rotator cuff helped end his career at the age of 27." Helped isn't really the word I'd opt for.

Google it: Probably more of a google.ca thing, but it takes until the third page for this Jack Armstrong to get a page of his own, not counting the wikipedia disambiguation page. He's lower than someone who is a member of the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame, and is sandwiched between some cosmic artist (I don't know or care) and his denial of rape allegations.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Went 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in 2 starts with Texas as his career drew to a close.

Birthday boy: March 7, 1965. Only the NFL has other alumni, but it has an interesting pair of players. Steve Beuerlein, a journeyman QB who picked up a Super Bowl ring as a Dallas Cowboys backup in '92, and the great nickname of Willie "Flipper" Anderson was also born that date. He  picked up a Super Bowl championship in his final game in the league as a member of the Broncos. Going along with the World Series team Armstrong was a part of with the Reds, that's eventual 3 world champion team members born that date. Golfer Jesper Parnevik was also born that day, making it a really good day for future sports stars to be born.

Up next: 41 - Rene Arocha

39 - Luis Aquino

Front photo: A pitcher in a catcher's crouch. I said crOUch.

Back photo: Generic pitching photo.

Better photo?: Both very teal, but the front is more different.

Ties to my personal collections: Made his debut as a Toronto Blue Jay, landing cards in 1987 Topps and Donruss. Was also a Montreal Expo, but never got any cards while in Montreal for 1995.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 5

Wiki-facts: Apparently, he's #80 on the list of the greatest Kansas City Royals of all-time.

Google it: There is a trumpeter by that name as well. That's relevant, since this is what appears when you google "Luis Aquino".

Spoiler alert. They're not the same guy. The second photo is a shot of him as an Expo, looking exactly like someone who'd have to notify the neighbours when he moves to town. I'm no longer mock the Royals or him for being #80 on that list.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Went 6-8 for the Marlins with an ERA of 3.42. Not too bad for a reliever on an expansion team.

Birthday boy: May 19, 1964 via baseball-reference, but 1965 on the card and via wikipedia. Majority rules and I'll say 1965. One season NFLer Troy Stedman was born on that date. 2 season Boston Celtic Michael Smith was also born that day. That's tie #2 to one of my PCs. Outside the sporting world, 1987 Miss Universe Cecilia Bolocco is another 5-19-64 baby.

Up next: 40 - Jack Armstrong

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.

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.

36 - Wilson Alvarez

Front photo: I'd call this an autograph shot, but there's no sign of a pen, or ink on the ball. I'll call this more of a "show off a grip" photo.

Back photo: Pitching close-up.

Better photo?:  The photo on the front is more Collector's Choice-y, so I'll vote for that. It is also the photo so far that could conceivably show up as "Exhibit A" at some point.

Ties to my personal collections: No direct ones, but I still hunted down some of his early Donruss cards. His first game, and his only game of the 1989 season, saw him fail to record an out, and get an ERA of infinity. As for his second start, read on.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 8

Wiki-facts: "Alvarez provided one of the highlights of the 1991 Chicago White Sox season on August 11, by pitching a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles at Memorial Stadium in only his second Major League start."

Google it: At the bottom of the first page, you can see this video of a diving catch by Lance Johnson to save that no-hitter.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Pretty good. 12-8 with an ERA of 3.45.

Birthday boy: March 24, 1970. No other MLBer was born that date. One season NBAer Marques Bragg was. Also, Mike Vanderjagt, former "idiot kicker" (tm: Peyton Manning) was born that day.

Up next: 37 - Rich Amaral.

35 - Moises Alou

Front photo:  A great dugout photo with Alou rocking the Oakleys.

 Back photo: Standard at the plate photo, but it is enhanced by the Wrigley bricks.

Better photo?:  It is an easy win for the photo on the front. The only way this could be any better is if the photographer was visible in it.

Ties to my personal collections: Is an Expo and a future Met.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 17.

Wiki-facts: "Moises Alou revealed that during baseball season he urinates on his hands to toughen them up." There is nothing I could say that would enhance that sentence, so I'll leave it there in all its glory.

Google it: It isn't until the 10th entry that anything Steve Bartman related comes up, although that is #1 when you search for video. #3 is a nasty injury on the turf at Busch Stadium.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Really good. Picked up a Silver Slugger and was an all-star as well as he hit .339 with 14 HR and 58 RBI.

Birthday boy: July 3, 1966. In another tie to my PC, former Ottawa Senator Jarmo Kekalainen was also born that date. Neil O'Donnell, who played for 13 seasons in the NFL is another 7/3/66 baby.

Up Next: 36 - Wilson Alvarez.