52 - Dante Bichette

52 - Dante Bichette

Front photo: Generic shot stepping into the batter's box.

Back photo: Arriving in safe at the bag.

Better photo?: An easy win for the action photo on the back.

Ties to my personal collections: Came to Colorado in a trade that sent Kevin Reimer, a member of my CanCon PC, to Milwaukee.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 10

Wiki-facts: Hit both the first home run in franchise history, and the first home run in Coors Field history, both off the Mets. Sounds about right for mid 90s Mets. Bret Saberhagen was the victim for first one in team history.

Google it: Here's video of the Coors Field shot, of which further googling lead to Mike Remlinger being the victim

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Was an All-Star, hitting 27/95 with a .304 average.

Birthday boy: November 18, 1963. Former Washington Redskin Todd Bowles was also born on that date. The late Len Bias was born that date as well, and according to wikipedia, the first push button phone went into use that day.

Up Next: #53 - Jeff Blauser

51 - Sean Berry

51 - Sean Berry

Front photo: Running the bases.

Back photo: Swinging.

Better photo?: While most running photos with the player running towards the camera have the player staring straight ahead, I really like the sideways glance as the reminder that he has to keep an eye on the batter as well.

Ties to my personal collections: Is an Expo here.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 4

Wiki-facts: "He was a member of the Houston Astros' original "Killer B's", along with Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Derek Bell.". Despite the last name, I never would have considered anyone other than Bagwell and Biggio to be Killer B's.

Google it: Despite being fired by Houston in 2010, his coach page with them is still on the front page of google results.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Respectable. Batted .278 with 11 HR and 41 RBI with the division-leading Expos.

Birthday boy: March 22, 1966. Brian Shaw, who picked up 3 NBA Championship rings as a player, and 2 more as an assistant coach, was born on that date. NFLer Brad Edwards was also born that date, and on a sadder note, so was the late Todd Ewen, a former NHLer and children's book author/illustrator. Depression is a bastard.

Up Next: #52 - Dante Bichette

50 - Jason Bere

Front photo: Pretty generic pitching photo.

Back photo: Ditto.

Better photo?: If I had to pick between these two rather blah options, I'd select the back just for the visible patch.

Ties to my personal collections: Nothing.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 7

Wiki-facts: "Bere and his high school sweetheart, Dinelle (née Erwin), were married in November 1994"

Google it: He's now the bullpen coach in Cleveland, the team he played his last games for.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Really good. Was an all-star, finishing with a 12-2 record and a 3.81 ERA. Then the injuries hit, and for the next 3 years with the White Sox, he had only 12 more wins.

Birthday boy: May 26, 1971. I can find a tie to my personal collections here, as he shares the day with Kitchener Rangers alum Steven Rice. Also born that date was Matt Stone of South Park fame.

Up Next: #51 - Sean Berry