Baseball Card Memories

Born: 1966 Topps #427 May 30, 1941 Baltimore, Maryland Died: June 5, 2020 (Age 79) Westminster, Maryland Positions: Pitcher Batted: Right Threw Right Teams: Baltimore Orioles (1962-1963, 1965-1967) Key Notes: Playing his entire career with the Orioles, John was part of the 1966 World Series Team although he didn't appear in the series. Accolades: World Series Champ (1966) Cards: Rookie Card (1963 Topps #208) His Last Card (1967 Topps #141)

Born: 1972 Topps #516 February 8, 1946 Long Beach, California Died: June 3, 2020 (Age 74) Carson, California Positions: Outfielder Batted: Right Threw Right Teams: Atlanta Braves (1969-1973) Key Notes: Brother to "Downtown" Ollie Brown, Oscar played with Atlanta Braves greats Hank Aaron, Dusty Baker, and Ralph Garr. Cards: Rookie Card (1971 Topps #52)   His last card (1973 Topps #312)

Bobby's 1965 Topps #324 with a pitcher in his Indians uniform from the early 60's Born: March 3, 1934 Rowes Run, Pennsylvania Died: June 4, 2020 (Age 86) Dunbar, Pennsylvania Positions: Pitcher Batted: Right Threw Right Teams: Cleveland Indians (1959-1961) St. Louis Cardinals (1962) Philadelphia Phillies (1962-1964) Cincinnati Reds (1965) California Angels (1967-1968) Key Notes: Bobby hit a home run in his first game in the "big's". It was his only one of his career as a pitcher. Cards: Rookie Card (1960 Topps #44) My Favorite of his Cards (1961 Topps #537) His Last Card, playing for the Angels (1968 Topps #24)

Born: June 19, 1931 Marshall, Missouri Died: May 29, 2020 (Age 88) Henrico, Virginia Positions: Pitcher Batted: Right Threw Right Teams: Philadelphia Phillies (1958, 1960) Key Notes: Hanks debut came in a blowout lose to the Giants.  His first batter faced.....Willie Mays.  Tough way to start, but something that I'm sure he never forgot. Cards: Rookie Card (1960 Topps #331)

Born: December 6, 1942 Williamsburg, Virginia Died: May 30, 2020 (Age 77) Auburn, Alabama Positions: Pitcher Batted: Right Threw Right Teams: Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1964, 1966) Key Notes: Arnold won his first game as a starter after a September call up in 1964 against Pittsburgh in Milwaukee.  He didn't make it back to the bigs again until 1966 when the Braves had moved to Atlanta. Cards: Rookie Card and only card (1966 Topps #518)

On any given day, I'll log on to Baseball Reference and screen shot the random photos on the main page.  I'll then pick a random baseball card from their career and give you some random facts about that card or player. Today's Random Reference 2009 Upper Deck #91 José Contreras Chicago White Sox Pitcher Bats - Right Throws - Right 1x World Series Champ 1x All-Star José played in the 1996 (Gold Medal) and 2000 (Silver Medal) Olympic games for the Cuban National team. 2007 Topps Chrome #248 Brad Wilkerson Texas Rangers Outfielder Bats - Left Throws - Left Wilkerson is the last player to hit a home run for the Montreal Expos before they relocated to Washington to be known as the Nationals. 1991 1922 American Caramel (E120) Reprint #50 Pete Donahue Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Bats - Right Throws - Right 1x Wins Leader In his obituary, The Sporting News said he was "generally thought  to be the ...

Born: Card from his 1978 All-Star Season (1979 Topps #555) July 25, 1953 Burbank, California Died: May 24, 2020 (Age 66) Duluth, Georgia Positions: Catcher Third Base Batted: Both Threw Right Teams: Atlanta Braves (1975-1984) Key Notes: Biff played his entire career spanning a decade with the Atlanta Braves.  He made the All-Star Team in 1978 after have a good '77 season and a good start in '78.  He once threw out 11 straight base runners during spring training, which was enough for the Braves to give him his chance in the "bigs". Accolades: All-Star (1978) Cards: Rookie Card (1976 Topps #103) My Favorite of his Cards (1978 Topps #296) His Last Card, playing for the Braves (1984 Topps #438)