Bonus Episode! Live from Oracle Park

 

Co-host David took a trip out west and took in a Giants game with past guest Jeff from the Two Strike Noise podcast! They also opened a fantastic pack of 1988 Topps cards and they recorded some live content remembering some dudes, see the results here:

Listen to the bonus episode: 

Jim Presley #285

 

This week, an All Star third baseman for the 80s Mariners...Jim Presley! Presley was a power hitter with a good glove, and a lot of strikeouts for some interesting, if not successful, Seattle teams. He made the 1986 All Star Game and hit 27 home runs with 107 RBIs, including 2 walk off Grand Slams that season. He also struck out 172 times and rarely walked. He had a long career as hitting coach for, among others, the Marlins, Orioles, and Diamondbacks. 

Listen:

 

 Links:

• Escambia Mascot Riots in 1976 New York Times 
• 2016 Interview with Jim 
• Opening Day Walk Off Grand Slam: 

• 2nd Walk off Grand Slam:

Ken Williams #559

 

This week, a guy who helped the White Sox to the highest highs (and lowest lows)...as a GM. It's Kenny Williams! Kenny grew up connected with leaders in the Black Power movement in the Bay Area, was Stanford's kick returner, and a top prospect for the White Sox. After a decent 1987 rookie season, Ken stuck around MLB for a few years before going into the White Sox front office. He was the architect of the 2005 World Series championship team that ended an 88 year drought! He also spoke eloquently about racial justice and  being the only black GM in 2021.  

Topics: Chili Bun Burger, other Ken Williams, Black Panthers, 2005 Deep Dive

Listen:

 

Links: 
Card 559 on Beckett ⁠
1988 Topps in Sports Illustrated
Leadbelly in Lincoln, NE
Kenny Williams SABR Bio by Bill Pruden
SABR Bio of the other Ken Williams by Joseph Wancho with poem

Base path antics:
⁠

2005 ALCS dropped third strike?⁠

Williams on race and racism in America in 2020:
⁠

Felix Fermin #547

This week, a light hitting, slick fielding shortstop who was almost traded for the greatest reliever in baseball history...it's Felix Fermin! Fermin spent a couple years with the Pirates as a backup before getting traded to Cleveland for Jay Bell. He spent 5 years in Cleveland, hitting .256 with a slugging percentage lower than his OBP. He was sent to Seattle for Omar Vizquel and held the shortstop spot while A-Rod moved through the minors. We was almost traded for Mariano Rivera ahead of the 1996 season...but Steinbrenner's team convinced him otherwise! Fermin has gone on to a long and successful managerial career in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Topics: Alfredo Edmead, Pablo Cruise/Cruz, gifts and food

Listen:

Links: 

Baseball Hall Card Corner about this card! 

Pablo Cruz and the death of Alfredo Edmead 

Mariano for Felix Fermin? 

Felix makes a sweet double play: 
Felix shows great range:

Don Mattingly #2/300/386

 

This week, three cards from probably the biggest name in 80s baseball...Don Mattingly! The Hit Man, Donnie Baseball was the Captain of the Yankees during the time between titles. He was the 1984 AL batting champ, 1985 AL MVP, driving in 145 runs, a 9 time gold glover, 6 time all star, and a star of the Homer at the Bat episode of the Simpsons. There's a lot to talk about and a lot to like about Don Mattingly...sadly, injuries took his power and the sure fire Hall of Famer's numbers dropped after 1989. His Evansville, Indiana restaurant also closed in 1996...the same year he watched from home as his Yankees won their first title since 1978. Mattingly went on to a long coaching and managerial career, and may still one day enter Cooperstown, but it is less certain than it was in 1988 when we first saw these cards!

Topics: A Fever in the Heartland, New Coke, mullet controversy, sideburns, RBI Corner

Listen:

Links:

Base card #300
Record Breakers #2
All Star #386 on eBay
World of Baseball Don Mattingly 
SABR Bio by James Lincoln Ray 
Homer at the Bat Oral History 
Don’s HOF Case at MLB
Don’s 1987 Topps Birthday Mystery 
1989 SI Article 

Don talks about the Hit Man poster:
   
Don and Niekro in a New Coke Ad:

1995 ALDS Home Run:

Moose Haas #606

 

This week, a man named Moose. Moose Haas was in MLB by age 20...and out of it by age 30. He started fast with a lot of innings for Milwaukee, but injuries and overuse limited his effectiveness. He was part of the Brewers World Series run in 1982 and still shows up on the team leaderboard. Despite the evidence on his 1988 Topps card, Moose had some pretty good fun facts too!

Topics: Streets of Baltimore, Mooses and Mules

Listen:
 

Links:

• SABR Bio by Dennis Degenhardt 
• Hall of Fame Card Corner 1981 Moose Haas 
• 1985 UPI Article about Moose
• Game Used Jersey 
• 1982 ALCS Don Baylor Grand Slam 

Charlie O'Brien #566

This week, a 27 year old rookie card for a guy who ended up playing 15 MLB seasons...it's Charlie O'Brien! He was a legend at Wichita State, then joined a crowded field of catchers in Oakland before a trade sent him to Milwaukee. Charlie was a light bat, but showed his value as personal catcher for some of the best pitchers in baseball and caught for 13 Cy Young winners. He won a World Series with Atlanta and helped create and popularize the hockey style catcher mask!

Topics: Tulsa Race Massacre, deer scents, Brian Boru, SI Brawl

Listen:

Links:

• Card 566 on Beckett
• Charlie’s Sabr Bio by Steve West
• Brian Boru and his armor Wiki
• Charlie’s SI Cover ⁠
• Charlie Keeps his career alive at SI ⁠
• Charlie’s Book at Texas A&M Press ⁠
• Popular Mechanics story about Charlie’s mask 
• Puck Junk the evolution of Baseball goalie masks 
• 1995 NLCS Homer: