73 - Cris Carpenter

73 - Cris Carpenter

Front photo: Pitching.

Back photo: Pitching.

Better photo?: Pretty much a draw here. But if they are from the exact same pitch, that's an interesting pairing.

Ties to my personal collections: None.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 4

Wiki-facts: "Cris Carpenter now works at Gainesville High School, in Gainesville, Georgia as a social studies teacher."

Google it: Only one of the options on the first page refer to fellow Cardinals alum Chris Carpenter.

How was his stike shortened 1994? Went 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA. Would not play in the majors in 1995, but would finish his career in 1996 with a one month stint in Milwaukee.

Birthday boy:  April 5, 1965. Nobody at any of the *-reference was born on that date. The only person at wikipedia's April 5th entry that was born that date was Turkish soccer player/manager Aykut Kocaman.

Up Next: 74 - Vinny Castilla

72 - Ken Caminiti

Front photo: Sliding in, dirt flying, and beating the tag with the ball visible at the side of the photo.

Back photo: Casually throwing the ball.

Better photo?: Beautiful framing on the front to getthe baseball visible - an easy victory for the front.

Ties to my personal collections: None.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 15

Wiki-facts: Died the same day as actor Christopher Reeve.

Google it: I'm going to link to a video of this defensive gem, since the rest of the stuff on the first page dealt with his death.

How was his stike shortened 1994? 18 HR and 75 RBI with a .283 average. He'd be off to San Diego for the next season.

Birthday boy: I don't write this up for players who have passed away.

Up Next: 73 - Cris Carpenter

71 - Rob Butler

71 - Rob Butler

Front photo: Heading towards first.

Back photo: The follow-through of a swing.

Better photo?: Nothing too spectacular for back-to-back posts, although both give the vibe of coming from the exact same plate appearance. A slight nod do the front photo.

Ties to my personal collections: Pictured as a Blue Jay - would also fit into my mini-collection of MLB Canadians.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 8

Wiki-facts: Spent 5 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Inter-County baseball league's Toronto Maple Leafs.

Google it: Runs a baseball academy in Ajax, Ontario. That's just a little bit east down the 401 from Toronto.

How was his stike shortened 1994? Batted .176 with 5 RBI over 41 games. Those were his last games with the Jays until 1999.

Birthday boy: April 10, 1970. That wasn't a good day for Beatles fans, as Paul McCartney left the group, effectively breaking up the band. NFLers J.J. McCleskey and Sean Gilbert were born that date as well. No NBAers were born that date, but NHL tough guy Enrico Ciccone was.

Up Next: 72 - Ken Caminiti