109 - Bernard Gilkey

Front photo: Safe at second.

Back photo: Looks like he's on his way to first at Wrigley.

SilverSig Parallel: First time scanning one of these in a bit.

Better photo?: It is hard to vote against the bricks of Wrigley Field.

Ties to my personal collections: Gilkey would go on to play the Mets.

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 8

Wiki-facts: Includes a heading Gilkey had a small role in the 1997 film Men in Black (...) Gilkey appeared in his real-life role as a Mets outfielder. Gilkey was distracted by a massive spacecraft above Shea Stadium (...)and was hit on the head by a fly ball.

Google it: He's in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

How was his strike shortened 1994? 6 HR, 45 RBI with a .253 BA.

Birthday boy: September 24, 1966. A busy day for MLB alum, as Chris George and Kevin Koslofski were also born that day. The NBA has Morlon Wiley, while the NFL had Tim Worley and Willie Bouver,

Up Next: 110 - Chris Gomez

41 - René Arocha

Front photo: That pitch is coming right at you!

Back photo: Pitcher at the plate! Second straight card with that on the inverse.

Better photo?: I really like that front photo, but I can't have two straight cards with a pitcher at the plate on the reverse and not select that as my favourite photo.

Ties to my personal collections: Shared his 1993 Topps rookie card with then-Blue Jays prospect Tim Crabtree. I also like getting cards of players who defected from Cuba, and he's one of them!

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 7

Wiki-facts: In 1991, (...) Arocha defected, opting for a life in the United States and the chance at playing in the Major Leagues.

Google it: A pretty interesting article about his popularity when the Marlins hosted the St. Louis Cardinals in 1993.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? 4-4 over 45 apeearances, with a 4.01 ERA.

Birthday boy: February 24, 1966. Rod Brewer was also born that date. The two were teammates in St. Louis over the 1993 season, which is something that probably didn't happen too often in MLB history. Kevin MacDonald, who played one game for the Ottawa Senators in their 1993-94 season, was also born on 2-24-1996. Actor Billy Zane (Titanic) was born that day. And at least one website thinks 2-24-66 was also Ghana's Day of Shame.

Up next: 42 - Rich Aude

32 - Luis Alicea

Front photo: Turning two!

Back photo: Just a standard shot from the field.

Better photo?: While the back does include the Wrigley ivy, it is hard to vote against the double play flip, even if it isn't as urgent a throw as most.

Ties to my personal collections: A future Met! Albeit as a coach during the 2009

Paragraphs in wikipedia entry: 17..

Wiki-facts: Full name is Luis René Alicea de Jesús.

Google it: He's now the Executive Director of the Elev8 Baseball Academy. Former Boston Red Sox member Alejandro Machado is also on the staff. Machado also had a cup of coffee with the Mets, as per his bio at the Elev8 site.

How was his strike-shortened 1994? 4 HR and 29 RBI over 242 AB.

Birthday boy: July 29, 1965. Only people on the *-reference are a a pair of NFLers with 4 games between them, Scott Urch and Ray Brown. .

Up next: 32 - Roberto Alomar.