Eddie Milner #677

 

This week, a very good centerfielder for the Reds...it's Eddie Milner! Eddie had great speed, was one of the best defensive centerfielders, and was an on base machine. He also had a cocaine addiction. That addiction led to a suspension and an early end to his career. In retirement, he bounced from job to job, became an ordained minister, and used his experience to help other addicts. Sadly, he passed away in 2015 at the age of 60. 

RIP Eddie Milner (1955-2015)

Listen:

 

 

On a lighter note, we got some gifts in the mail. So much to be thankful for over here!

Thank you Wayback Sports Cards for the 1988 Gallery of Champions! 

Look at those aluminum beauties.

A trio of MLB Bros (MLBros?) from listener Justin! 

Bretts, Niekros, and Reuschels! Love them all!

Links: 

Eddie’s SABR Bio by John Wickline

Columbus Dispatch memories of Eddie Milner

Reds Facebook post honoring Eddie.

88 Topps Blog post about the card

SI Article about Mike Murphy

One hitter facts on The Hardball Times

Grandma’s Scorebook about Eddie’s debut

Eddie’s First homer:

Eddie throws out Ozzie -

Eddie Breaks Up a no-hitter at Wrigley:

Larry Parrish #490

This week, a slugger with a dad named BEEF...it's Larry Parrish! Larry came up as a 20 year old with the Expos, put up decent numbers, and then broke out in 1979 with 30 homers for the 95 win Expos. Injured wrists limited him the next few years and he was traded to the Rangers. With the Rangers from 1982-87 he averaged 24 home runs and hit .271. He then went to Japan and led NPB with 42 home runs in 1989! He was a long time manager for the Toledo Mud Hens and briefly managed the Tigers in 1998-99. 

Topics - Winter Haven, Quebec City, Warren Cromartie

Listen: 

Links:

Card #490 on ⁠Beckett⁠

SABR Bio by ⁠Norm King⁠

Card #490 on ⁠88 Topps Blog⁠

⁠Beard⁠

Larry retires from the ⁠Mud Hens⁠

⁠Pictures of Larry set to Elvis Costello, sure why not! ⁠

Larry inducted into ⁠International League HOF:

Fernando Valenzuela #780 and #489

 

This week, one of the biggest names in 1980s baseball, Fernando Valenzuela! Fernando came from a big family in a small town in Mexico, and before he was 21 he was a phenomenon! His 8-0 start in 1981 included 7 complete games, 5 of them shutouts, sparking Fernandomania! He won the NL Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award, and led the Dodgers to the World Series. He would go on to play in 6 All Star Games, win 2 Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove, and appeared in RBI Baseball. He won 141 games in his 11 seasons with the Dodgers. He played 17 MLB seasons and in 2003 joined the Dodgers broadcast team. Sadly, in October 2024, Fernando passed away shortly before the Dodgers won the World Series. 

RIP Fernando Valenzuela

Listen:

Card 780 on ⁠Beckett⁠

Card 487 on ⁠Beckett⁠

⁠NY Times⁠ Obituary

Obituary by ⁠Jay Jaffe⁠ for Fangraphs

LAist story about ⁠Chavez Ravine

⁠SABR⁠ Article about Fernandomania

The Baseball Project - "Fernando":

⁠Screwball⁠ science:

"El Pitcher Valenzuela" ⁠song:⁠

Vin and Fernando thro⁠w out the first pitch: ⁠

Mike Scioscia speaks at ⁠Fernando's funeral:⁠