16 - Manny Ramirez

Front photo: A nice in game photo from a home game, with the old Cleveland Stadium's blue walls in the background.

Back photo: N/A.

Ties to my personal collections: Nothing direct, but was part of a three-team trade that sent CanCon collection member Jason Bay to Boston. Might be the only person in the set with a regular base card last year as an active player, making an appearance in Topps Heritage Minor League as a player/coach with the Iowa Cubs. Shares a birthday with former Blue Jay Scott Eyre.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 66.

Wiki-facts:Full name is Manuel Arístides Ramírez Onelcida. Was a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays as a youngster.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? One of the better ones so far among the rookies, as he finished 2nd in the AL ROY balloting behind Bob Hamelin. Batted .269 with 17 HR and 60 RBI.

Birthday boy: May 30, 1972. Only other MLBer to be born that date was Scott Eyre. In the NFL, there were Anthony Cook and Allen Aldridge. It was also the day of the Lod Airport Massacre.

 Next up: #17 - Johnny Ruffin.

#15 - Luis Ortiz.

Front photo: Not in game, obviously, but it is kinda nice to see those tarp like jackets make an appearance.

Back photo: N/A.

Ties to my personal collections: Nothing direct. Was part of a trade in which the others involved were future Blue Jays (and an Expo) Otis Nixon and Jose Canseco. Said trade sent Ortiz to the Rangers. Also shares an exact birthday with an Expos alumni in Joey Eischen. Would also end up in the Expos system, although without reaching the big club, later in his career.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 4.

Wiki-facts: Has a book on hitting available. He's currently in the Padres system as the field and hitting coordinator.

How was his strike-shortened 1994?: 7 games with a BA of .167.

Birthday boy:  May 25, 1970. The aforementioned Joey Eischen is the only one from the big 4 sports born that date. Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer (The Help) and comedian Jamie Kennedy were also born that date.

Next up: #15 - Manny Ramirez.