50 - Ken Griffey Jr. (Promotional Card)

I figured that since zistle lists this as part of the main set, I might as well include it in this.

50 (Promotional Card) - Ken Griffey Jr.

Front photo: Close-up.

Back photo: Jay Buhner Fan Club!

Better photo?: Is it any competition? The back photo wins easily. But, that front photo might be seen again. Probably in 2019 at this rate. I'd love a reason as to why the back card photo was never seen in other portions of the set.

Ties to my personal collections: Nothing direct.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 58

Wiki-facts: "Griffey was named an American Public Diplomacy Envoy by then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on November 18, 2008."

Google it: Attempted suicide in 1988. Wow.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Batted .323, with his 40 HR leading the AL.

Birthday boy: November 21, 1969. No other MLBers were born that date. In fact, nobody at any of the reference sites was born that day. Even on

wikipedia's November 21st entry, nobody else is listed that date. Strangely appropriate for a player of Griffey's abilities.

Up Next: #50 - Jason Bere

49 - Rod Beck

Front photo: Pitching photo

Back photo: The same.

Better photo?: The back of the card is more mullet-tastic than the front, and that's enough for me.

Parallel: Silver signature. There seem to be way more first half loops that you expect in a name like Rod Beck

Ties to my personal collections: See Google it.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 12

Wiki-facts: Was an all-star this season. Googling was far more interesting.

Google it: Helped start a (now annual) AIDS related event, "Until There's a Cure Day" with the Giants. A member of my 2/14 collection, Candice Wiggins, has appeared in ads for this organization. Her father, former MLBer Alan, died of AIDS.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Really good, with 28 saves, and no blown saves. ERA was 2.77.

Rest in Peace: Passed away on June 23, 2007.

Birthday boy: I won't be doing this portion of the write-up for those that have passed on at the time I write their card up.

Up Next: #50 - Ken Griffey Jr Promotional Card

48 - Kim Batiste

48 - Kim Batiste

Front photo: Pop-up on the infield!

Back photo: Ground ball, complete with a cameo from an anonymous base runner.

Better photo?: The front, for both uniqueness of the shot and the Mets logo in the background.

Ties to my personal collections: Nothing direct.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 3

Wiki-facts: "Batiste went on to play in the independent Atlantic League, batting .233 in 12 games in 2003 for the Atlantic City Surf in his final professional season."

Google it: On the first page, there is a video of him going from goat to hero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK513xQFLFo on the first page of the results, as he went from a throwing error to a walk-off winning hit.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Went .234 with 1 HR and 13 and RBI over 64 games.

Birthday boy: March 15, 1968. Nobody listed at the *-reference.com was born that date, but he does share it with TV host and singer Mark McGrath.

Up Next: #49 - Rod Beck