99 - Alex Fernandez

99 - Alex Fernandez

Front photo: Generic pitching photo.

Back photo: Generic pitching photo.

Better photo?: Double ZZZZZZ.

Ties to my personal collections: None.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 5

Wiki-facts: "Alex Fernandez was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame on September 13, 2008."

Google it: He's the second Alex Fernandez to appear, following actor Alex Fernandez (Commander in Chief, Without a Trace)

How was his strike shortened 1994? 11-7 with a 3.86 ERA.

Birthday boy: August 13, 1969. Nobody in the *-reference.com was born that date. Staying in the world of athletics though, figure skater Midori Ito was born that date. There was also a ticker tape parade in New York City that date, not for the arrival of Alex or Midori, but for the Apollo 11 astronauts.

Up Next: #100 - Cecil Fielder

98 - Jeff Fassero

Front photo: Pitching.

Back photo: Pitching.

Better photo?: It may have been from the same pitch. I guess the horizontal photo wind.

Ties to my personal collections: An Expo!

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 12

Wiki-facts: Fassero is the current pitching coach for the (AAA Louisville) Bats.

Google it: In 2015, you could have bought his place!

https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/former-mlb-pitcher-jeff-fassero-cuts-price-az-mansion/

How was his strike shortened 1994? He went 8-6 with a 2.99 ERA.

Birthday boy: January 5, 1963. Baseball-wise, he shares it with John Davis, who spent time in the majors from 1987-1990. Rogers Hornsby passed away on 1/5/63. NFLer Robert Ducksworth and NHLer Kevin Maguire were also born that day.

Up Next: Alex Fernandez

97 - Rikkert Faneyte

Front photo: Looks like he's enjoying some chaw.

Back photo: Posing.

Better photo?: The second has Dodger Stadium visible. While that would be perfect for a Dodger card, it is still OK for a Giants one.

Ties to my personal collections: None.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 1.

Wiki-facts: "He was a member of the Dutch National Team which finished in fifth position at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia."

Google it: Had his number retired by the Amsterdam Pirates.

How was his strike shortened 1994? 26 AB with 3 hits for a .115 average. But they were all doubles and plated 4 runs. Efficiency!

Birthday boy: Born: May 31, 1969. Fellow MLBer Tim Van Egmond was also born that date. Mike Mooney, who played one more game in the NFL than  myself is a 5/31/69 baby. Keith Owens was a little more successful with his NBA career, playing in 20 games for the Lakers. The most successful of the lot was probably NHL enforcer Jeff Odgers, who played 821 games, and spent over 2300 minutes in the sin bin.

Up Next: Jeff Fassero

96 - Scott Erickson

Front photo: Looking super-casual during a visit to Oakland.

Back photo: Discussing something w/ Lenny Webster.

Better photo?: I love cards where the stadium also features prominently - the front.

Silver Signature:

Almost lost against the background of that jacket.

Ties to my personal collections: Pitched two games for the Mets in 2004, but never got a card for it. (0-1, 7.88)

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 11.

Wiki-facts: Middle name is Gavin! And yes, he's sorta already a greatest Gavin.

Google it: Watch him put the final touch on a no-hitter.

How was his strike shortened 1994? That no-hitter was 1 of his 8 wins to go alongside 11 losses. The ERA was 5.44.

Birthday boy: February 2, 1968. Sean Elliott, a former NBA champion whose number was retired by the San Antonio Spurs was born that day as well. Also, NFLer Huey Richardson and NHLers Ed Courtenay & Jean-Marc Rothier were 2-2-68 babies.

Up Next: Rikkert Faneyte

95 - Doug Drabek

Front photo: Happy about something.

Back photo: Pitching at Wrigley.

Better photo?: While the ivy doesn't look to be out in full force, I have to vote for the Wrigley photo.

Ties to my personal collections: Not directly, but his son Kyle would play for the Jays at one point.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 8. Seems low.

Wiki-facts: "He is the pitching coach for the Double A Jackson Generals."

Google it: Punked!

How was his strike shortened 1994? 12-6 with an ERA of 2.84. Was an all-star.

Birthday boy: July 25, 1962. Longtime Indianapolis Colts kicker Dean Biasucci shares a birthday with Drabek.

Up Next: Scott Erickson

94 - Gary Di Sarcina

Front photo: An easy throw to second base.

Back photo: Holding the mask.

Better photo?: I'm really wondering why he's got the mask, but none of the other catcher's gear. The puzzling back photo gets my vote, especially since I don't think he ever actually caught a MLB game.

Ties to my personal collections: Current bench coach for the Mets.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 12

Wiki-facts: "A DiSarcina fly ball was caught by Texas Ranger Rusty Greer for the final out of Kenny Rogers' perfect game on July 28, 1994."

Google it: "I’ve learned real quickly in this game as a staff member, never doubt somebody when they say they’re injured."

How was his strike shortened 1994? .260 BA with 3 Hr and 33 RBI over 421 AB.

Birthday boy: November 19, 1967. Not too much in the sporting world, but CNN journalist Randi Kaye was born that date. TVB, the first wireless TV station in Hong Kong, also hit the air that day.

Up Next: Doug Drabek

93 - Rob Dibble

Front photo: The wind-up.

Back photo: And the pitch.

Better photo?: The angle for the photo on the front seems odd. Odd is good.

Ties to my personal collections: None.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 14

Wiki-facts: "Dibble is one of 41 pitchers in Major League history to accomplish the nine-pitch/three-strikeout half-inning, a feat known as an immaculate inning."

Google it: The first video that comes up has him fighting in the clubhouse w/ Lou Piniella.

How was his strike shortened 1994? Did not pitch due to surgery.

Birthday boy: January 24, 1964. He shares it with former NFL running back Timmy Smith, who still has the record for most rushing yards in a Super Bowl with 204.

Up Next: Gary Di Sarcina (And yes, on the actual card it is spelled that way)

92 - Delino DeShields

Front photo: Looking casual.

Back photo: Sliding into third, or back to first, safely.

Better photo?: When in doubt, take the more Collector's Choice-ish one of the two. The front.

Ties to my personal collections:  An Expo.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 8 (not counting the list of Highlights)

Wiki-facts: "nicknamed "Bop""

Google it: If you search "Delino DeShields", without specifying Sr or Jr, only 2 of the first 10 results give you this DeShields.

How was his strike shortened 1994? He was traded to Los Angeles (for some guy named Pedro Martinez) and batted .250 with 2 HR and 33 RBI.

Birthday boy: January 15, 1969. A couple former NFLers, Leonard Wheeler and Chris Thome were also born on 1/15/69, along with NHLer Adam Burt.

The Soviet Union launched Soyuz 5 on that date as well.

Up Next: Rob Dibble

91 - Jim DeShaies

Front photo: Pitching.

Back photo: Jogging? Standing still?

Better photo?: A bland draw.

Silver Sig Parallel:

Ties to my personal collections:  None.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 9.

Wiki-facts: "In 2001, Deshaies ran a tongue-in-cheek campaign urging Baseball Writers Association of America voters to elect him to the Baseball Hall of Fame, even though he knew that he was not qualified for the honor. His goal was to get one vote in the Hall of Fame election, which succeeded when Houston Chronicle writer John Lopez voted for him."

Google it: Watch him start a game with 8 straight strike outs:

How was his stike shortened 1994? 6-12 with a 7.39 ERA with the Twins. Lead the league in ERA and HR allowed. Ouch. But, he also lead the league with 25 starts with the Twins.

Birthday boy: June 23, 1960. Another former MLBer, John Rabb, was also born that day. Doug Rogers, who bounced around the NFL in the early/mid 90s, also claims that day. Finally, on 6/23/1960, Enovid, the first oral contraceptive (aka: the Pill) hit the market. That's quite a contrast to this section of the recap.

Up Next: 92 - Delino DeShields

90 - Rob Deer

Front photo: Standing there.

Back photo: Diving.

Better photo?: Considering he was more known for his slugging capabilities, the second photo is better. Since they both appear to be from the same game, due to the outfield wall, there's chance that this, like the previous card are both from the same sequence.

Ties to my personal collections:  None.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 6

Wiki-facts: "Deer held the American League record for strikeouts in a season (186 strikeouts in 1987) until being passed by Jack Cust in 2008"

Google it: Has a baseball camp.

How was his stike shortened 1994? Played with the Hanshin Tigers.

Birthday boy: September 29, 1960. Also born that date was John Paxson, who picked up a trio of NBA Championships in the early 90s with the Bulls. The world of wrestling can claim David Sammartino.

Up Next: 91 - Jim Deshaies

89 - Darry Darwin

Front photo: The wind-up.

Back photo: The pitch.

Better photo?: Pretty much a draw, but if the back photo is a continuation of the first, that's a pretty cool draw.

Ties to my personal collections: Future Toronto Blue Jay for part of the 1995 season.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 16

Wiki-facts: "Darwin was nicknamed "Doctor Death" by Houston Astros teammate Nolan Ryan because of how tough Darwin was and all the fights he had purportedly won."

Google it: His jersey was retired by his high school in Bonham, TX.

How was his stike shortened 1994? A respectable 7-5, but with a 6.30 ERA.

Birthday boy: October 25, 1955. He shares that baseball birthday with 9-season MLBer Tommy Boggs. Around the sporting world, NHLer Terry Martin and the awesomely nicknamed Dirt (Dennis) Winston from the NFL were also born that date. Also laying claim to 10/25/55 are trombonist Robin Eubanks and actress Glynis Barber.

Up Next: 90 - Rob Deer