Tommy Hinzo #576

This week, a speedy running back turned switch hitting 2B who played 85 games in MLB...it's Tommy Hinzo! Hinzo had opportunities to play D1 football, but chose to focus on baseball at University of Arizona. He won a College World Series, got drafted a few times, set a stolen base record, and ended up with Cleveland. He had a quick route to the big leagues, but after a decent rookie season he was back in AAA and only had one more brief MLB appearance. He played 11 seasons total including stints in Mexico and Taiwan. 

Topics: Chula Vista, flights to New York

Listen:

Rocky Childress #643

 

This week, the only Rocky in the 1988 Topps set, Rocky Childress! Childress played parts of 4 MLB seasons and had some eventful years crisscrossing the country from AAA-MLB and back. After a failed trade in 1986, Childress had a successful 1987 for the Astros...only to start 1988 back in AAA. After a few more seasons in the minors, Rocky and his wife moved to Bend, Oregon where they run a plumbing company!

Topics: Rockys, landlord communications, plumbing adverts

Listen:

 

Carlton Fisk #321/385

 

This week is a long one, a Hall of Famer from the Granite State (don't say he's from Vermont)...it's Pudge, Carlton Fisk! He made 11 All Star teams, caught for 24 seasons, and when he retired he held the mark for most games and home runs for a catcher. He's an all time great for the Red and White Sox and has one of the most iconic home runs in baseball history. He's also a bit of a grump...but David still loves him. This episode went on longer than Carlton Fisk's Hall of Fame Speech...barely. 
Topics: Charlestown, Fenway rats, Harry and Piersall, Deion

Listen:

John Shelby #428

 

This week, a quiet contributor to two World Series winners...T-Bone Shelby! John Shelby picked up switch hitting in the minors and was a solid center field defender for over a decade. He came up with the Orioles and was part of the 1983 Orioles Magic. After some ups and downs in Baltimore, he was traded to the Dodgers where he was an important part of the 1988 championship team. He coached for nearly three decades and has now retired to enjoy a quiet life with his wife, kids and grandkids. 

Topics: scary arms, eye bunts, Lexington

Listen: 

Vince Coleman #1/260

 

This week, a college football kicker and record breaking speedster who couldn't outrun the tarp...it's Vince Coleman! Coleman followed his cousin Greg (an NFL punter) to Florida A & M where Vince kicked and played baseball. With his blazing speed, NFL teams wanted him to play wide receiver, so Vince opted for pro baseball. He set a minor league record with 145 steals at AA and in 1985 stole 110 bases on his way to the NL Rookie of the Year. He stole 100+ three straight seasons, setting a record and earning an all red 1988 Topps card. He left St. Louis for New York and a lot went wrong, both on and off the field. 

Topics: fireworks, automatic tarps, none more red, D1AA Football, RBI Corner

Listen:

Mark Davis #482

This week, a Cy Young winner who signed a big deal with Kansas City...and then it all fell apart. We talked about Mark Davis! Davis was a young prospect for the Phillies, compared to Steve Carlton and Sandy Koufax. He was traded to the Giants where he had some difficult seasons before getting traded to the Padres. He took the closer role and made 2 All Star Games and saved 44 games with a 1.85 ERA in 1989, winning the NL Cy Young. A month later he signed with the Royals and everything went wrong. 

Topics: Phillies Franks, living nightmares, terrible comparisons

Listen:

    

Dwayne Murphy #424

This week, six straight gold glove winning centerfielder and early MC Hammer investor Dwayne Murphy! Murphy was part of a talented A's outfield with Rickey Henderson and Tony Armas and he hit behind Rickey, helping Rickey set stolen base records. Murphy had a great eye, 30 home run power, and 25 stolen base speed. A great player in his own right and an all around team player. 

Topics: Taco Bell, Star Trek, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em...just pay them

Listen: