70 - Brett Butler

70 - Brett Butler

Front photo: Against the Wrigley ivy.

Back photo: Doing the running man.

Better photo?: Close, but the ivy is always a good tie-breaker. Both also give a nice look at the '52' memorial patch for former Dodger Tim Crews.

Ties to my personal collections: Would go on to play for the Mets.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 19.

Wiki-facts: In May 1996, Butler learned that he was suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils, a type of cancer which only rarely involves the tonsils. (...) he returned to the Dodgers' lineup in September of the same year—defying the predictions of those who had speculated he would never be able to play again.

Google it: 9 out of the 10 results on the first page refer to the comedienne. I don't think the baseball Butler ever allegedly said Walt Disney's last words were "Whatever you do, don't let the Jews get the place."

How was his stike shortened 1994?

Birthday boy: June 15, 1957. Nobody in baseball history matches up, although Wade Boggs would arrive in this world exactly one year later. The only person in the *-reference world to share that birthdate with Brett Butler is Frank Pollard, a running back for the Steelers in the 1980s.

Up Next: 71 - Rob Butler

69 - Jeromy Burnitz

69 - Jeromy Burnitz

Front photo: Casually fielding a ball.

Back photo: At the plate.

Better photo?: A rather bland competition. I guess the relaxed fielding photo is somewhat rarer.

Parallel: Silver Signature

Ties to my personal collections: Is a Met. Had an autograph in a recent Archives Fan Favorites set, but was a Brewer there.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 6

Wiki-facts: During a slump in May 2006, he held an interview in order to apologize for failing to run out a grounder, then joked about the challenges that his team would face during the rest of the season, saying, "I'm your Highest-Paid Free Agent. That, in and of itself, should tell you the big picture that the team's in.". I must say, if it were May and I heard a player on a team say that, it wouldn't inspire me to buy tickets the rest of the way through the season.

Google it: Hit a walk-off homer in the first interleague game at County Stadium in Milwaukee.

How was his stike shortened 1994? Batted .238 with 3 HR and 15 RBI over 45 games. He'd be off to Cleveland for 1995, but return to the Mets in 2002.

Birthday boy: April 15, 1969. No other MLB alum were born that date. In hockey, Jimmy "Let's trade Hasek" Waite was. In the NFL, Mike Jones was born that date. He's best known as the guy who made the game-saving tackle of Kevin Dyson to give the game to the Rams, and is forever immortalized in the famous photo(s) of the Dyson's failed stretch to the end zone.

Up Next: 70 - Brett Butler

68 - John Burkett

68 - John Burkett

Front photo: Pitching.

Back photo: Pitching.

Better photo?: It looks like he's smiling in the front photo, so I'll vote for that one.

Ties to my personal collections: Was once part of a trade that included Ryan Dempster, who makes numerous appearances in my CanCon collection.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 3

Wiki-facts: "Burkett is also a part-time professional bowler, and has 12 perfect games to his credit." His bowling acumen was also featured on a 1992 Pinnacle card.

Google it: His twitter avatar is that 1992 Pinnacle card.

How was his strike shortened 1994? Went 6-8, but his ERA was a respectable 3.62, down .03 from the 1993 when he picked up 22 wins.

Birthday boy: November 28, 1964. Craig Wilson (the Cardinals guy, not the Pirates early 00's OFer) was born that date. NBAer Roy Tarpley, who sadly had basketball career derailed by drug and alcohol addiction, before his death in Jan 2015 was born that date as well. No NFL or NHLers were born 11/28/64. Outside the sporting world, the Mariner 4 spacecraft was launched on its way to Mars.

Up Next: Jeromy Burnitz