124 - Erik Hanson

 Posting two of these in a single month?! What's wrong with me?

Front: Releasing the pitch at Yankee Stadium

Back: On its way.

Better side: If the two photos are sequential, then it has to be a draw. If not, then I'll take the back due to the framing of the ball right at the top of the screen.

Ties to my personal collections: Signed with the Jays in 1996. Finished 1 season and 2 part seasons with a 13-20 record and a 5.68 ERA. Ouch.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 3.

Wiki-facts: He attended Wake Forest University.

Google it: There's an artist with the same name.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? Was with the Reds, going 5-5 with a 4.11 ERA. 

Birthday boy: May 18, 1965. Former NFLers Greg Rakoczy and Rufus Porter were born that date, with the latter having a 10-year career despite going undrafted. Outside the sporting world, Israeli spy Eli Cohen was hanged in Syria on that date.

Next up: Gene Harris

132 - Jeffrey Hammonds

Front: Super casual dugout photo.

Back: At the plate.

Silver Parallel

Better side: That front picture wouldn't look out of place in a Studio set. Just filer it B&W filter it and voila! Easily the front.

Ties to my personal collections: Was drafted by Toronto in 1989, but didn't sign.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 20.

Wiki-facts: Picked up a bronze during the 1991 Pan-Am Games.

Google it: Currently works for the MLBPA as a Special Assistant in Player Programs and Initiatives.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? He finished 6th in the AL ROY voting after going .296 with 8 HR and 31 RBI.

Birthday boy: March 5, 1971. He shares that with quite a few MLB alum, such as Brian Hunter (card #659 in this set), Chad Fonville, Brian Lesher and Jose Mercedes. The rest of the *-reference world only provides former NHLer Scott Thomas, who had his time with Buffalo end in 1994 after 39 games, only to journey through the minors and return in 00-01 for 24 more games with LA.

Next up: Erik Hanson