Scott McGregor #419

 

This week, a soft tossing lefty 20 game winner for the 1980 Orioles who won the decisive game in the 1983 World Series...it's Scott McGregor! McGregor was a Yankee prospect before getting shipped to Baltimore in a 10 player deal. That trade sent the Orioles three future team Hall of Famers. McGregor would play 13 seasons in Baltimore and remains on the team's pitching leaderboard. In retirement he was a youth pastor before returning to baseball as a pitching coach. 

Topics: Mariano Duncan breaking news, Ronald Reagan interruptions, Rob Roy

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Mariano Duncan #481

 

"We play today, we win today, das it!"

This week,  a shortstop who Baseball Boogied, rapped in Reds Hot, AND coined a Yankees motto...it's Mariano Duncan! Duncan earned NL ROY votes in 1985 but by 1988 was back in AAA. He missed the World Series and the next year was traded to Cincinnati. He would end up starting every 1990 postseason game for the Reds, winning his first ring. After helping the Phillies make the 1993 World Series he was an All Star in 1994 before helping the Yankees to the 1996 title. He has been a coach for various teams for the past 25 years and recently joined the Mets big league coaching staff.

Topics: Rays Mascots, other Marianos, bunting for a double, Baseball Boogie, RIP Benzinger

 

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Luis Rivera #94T

 

This week, we looked for an easy Expo and found a guy who spent a decade in the majors and a lifetime in baseball...it's Luis Rivera! Rivera was a light hitting shortstop with a good glove who proved a valuable asset to the Red Sox for 5 seasons, including a very good 1991. He played until the late 90s and had a long coaching career, retiring in 2023 after more than a decade as the Blue Jays Third Base Coach.

Topics: Pope communications, big glasses, aging well, Montreal

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Mike Birkbeck #692

 

This week, a college two-way star who spent a few years in the MLB before a trip to Japan...it's Mike Birkbeck! Birkbeck had a decent 1988 in Milwaukee but then spent 1990-95 in AAA aside from one game for the Mets in 1992. He earned a call up in 1995 and after 4 solid starts got a chance to play in NPB. Sadly, his NPB experience was limited by a line drive that broke his leg. After his playing career ended he joined Kent State's coaching staff, as pitching coach and later Associate Head Coach. He has been with the Golden Flashes for nearly 30 years, winning the 2012 National Assistant Coach of the Year award and sending many players to the pros!

Topics: bulkbags and bluetoots, SULLY, Johnny Appleseed

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Mickey Tettleton #120T/143

 

This week, a catcher who went from backup to All Star after a move from Oakland to Baltimore...it's Mickey Tettleton! His 1989 power surge may have come from Froot Loops or maybe he did some weight training, who can say!? After helping the "Why Not?" Orioles in 1989, Mickey was traded to Detroit where he joined Cecil Fielder for some 3 true outcomes offense. In his career he had a great on base percentage, good power, and was great in the clubhouse. He was later an important addition to the Rangers, helping them to their first playoff appearance in 1996. Mickey had a fun nickname, interesting stats, and a great stance!

Topics: Maya Angelou's Froot Loops, Detroit and Camden big homers, OSU Legends

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Dwight Evans #470

 

This week, not Louie or Newie, but Dewey! We talked about Red Sox legend, Dwight Evans! Evans was one of the best right fielders in baseball with a great OBP...then in the 80s he had the most home runs in the AL. He played the 2nd most games in Red Sox history and is in the MLB top 100 all time in games, runs, doubles, home runs, walks, RBIs, and many other categories. He finished his career with 8 gold gloves and 3 all star appearances. Despite putting up some impressive numbers, Dwight fell off the Hall of Fame ballot after just 3 years. He was considered on the 2020 Contemporary Baseball Era ballot and fell short of induction. Hopefully, Dewey gets another shot at the Hall soon. 

Topics: mustache, RBI Corner, Neurofibromatosis

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Mark Marquess #65T

 

This week, we take a deep dive into NCAA baseball to talk about Team USA Head Coach, Mark Marquess! Marquess was an All American at Stanford, then spent 5 years in the minors and at 28 was hired as Head Coach at his alma mater in 1977. He won back to back College World Series titles in 1987 and 88, followed up by an Olympic Gold Medal in Seoul. He coached 240+ professional players and left a legacy of success at Stanford. Mark passed away in early 2026.

RIP Mark Marquess 1947-2026

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Chuck Jackson #94

 

This week, one of the best looking cards in the set...it's Chuck Jackson! Chuck went from Seattle to Hawaii to the pros, spending a decade in the minors, performing at a high level in AAA. He spent parts of 3 seasons in the big leagues before a long career in executive recruiting. Chuck is now retired and traveling the world!

Topics: Other Chucks Jackson, Louvre It or Leavre It, health care call up

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Steve Peters #84T

 

This week, we discussed a lefty reliever who went from saving games to saving lives....Steve Peters! Peters set a record at University of Oklahoma with a 14-0 mark in 1985, then moved through the Cardinals system and had a quick start to his career with a 1.80 ERA in 1987. He couldn't replicate that in 1988 and by 1991 he moved into a second career as a firefighter. Steve dealt with personal tragedy when his son passed away. His firefighting family and twins born when he was 45 helped him through the pain. 

Topics: Moore OK, lying about height

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Greg Gagne #343

 

This week, a guy who overcame a rebellious childhood to have a 15 year MLB career...it's Greg Gagne! Gagne was the starting shortstop for the Twins from 1985-92, helping them win 2 World Series titles with his excellent defense and decent bat. He drove in the go ahead run in Game 7 of the 1987 World Series on an infield hit and homered in Game 1 of the 1991 Series. He was named to the 50 Greatest Twins list and inducted in the Twins Hall of Fame in 2010. 

Topics: Fall River, Valley Girl speak, other Gagnes

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Frank Williams #773

This week, a great reliever with a sad story...it's Frank Williams. Frank Williams and his twin brother were orphaned at birth, they found an identity through baseball. Frank used a sidearm delivery and a slurve to baffle batters and had a great run in 1986-87 with the Giants and Reds. He discovered his First Nations family and was a role model for indigenous youth in Canada. His career was cut short by a car accident, after which his life fell to pieces. He dealt with homelessness, drugs, and alcohol, ultimately passing away at 50. 

Topics: Craig vs Herzog, baseball card IDs, other Frank Williamses

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Pittsburgh Trip Bonus Pod!

David and Matt and some packs at PNC!

David and Matt and the Great One!

Tim from Pittsburgh Sports Memories Podcast (Left) and Justin of 1992 Pirates (Right)

This week, a bonus...we talk about a weekend in Pittsburgh! We met some great people, saw some sights, watched some baseball, ate a lot of carbs, and ripped some packs! If you want to hear us give a Rick Steves style tour of Pittsburgh and then rip some packs as a waitress delivers kielbasa soup...give it a listen! We had a great trip and we hope you enjoy this recap! 

This was partially funded by our "buy me a coffee" contributors, if you are interested, you can throw us some $$$ here for future beers and coffee. 

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Robbie Wine #119

This week, a 2nd generation big leaguer who was a top prospect and a long time college coach...it's Robbie Wine! Robbie's dad Bobby was a Gold Glove shortstop for the Phillies and later a coach. Robbie went to Oklahoma State where he was Sporting News Player of the Year and a 1st round draft pick. His bat never caught up to big league pitching and he spent most of his 8 seasons in baseball in the minors. He then coached for OK State and was Penn State's head coach before opening his own academy in Amarillo. 

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Joaquín Andújar #47

 

This week, a 4 time All Star who was a 1982 World Series hero for the Cardinals...Joaquin Andujar! Joaquin was signed at 16 by the Reds but after 6 up and down seasons in the minors he was traded to the Astros. He had two all star appearances for Houston, but didn't put together a full great season there. The Cardinals, with manager Whitey Herzog and coach Hub Kittle thought they could fix him...and they did! he put together two 20 win seasons and a fantastic 1982 World Series. He showed guts coming back after a bone bruise knocked him out of Game 3, coming back to win Game 7 and the title. He later was implicated in the Pittsburgh Drug Trials and was thrown out of 1985 World Series Game 7. He was a colorful character, called a "hot dog" by Jim Gantner and Tom Seaver and every other announcer. But he had some great seasons and memorable moments. 

Sadly, Joaquin passed away on September 8, 2015, at his home in San Pedro de Macorís, from complications of diabetes at the age of 62. 

Topics: Suds Series, Cocaine, interesting hitting strategies

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Scott Fletcher #345

This week, a guy who inspired a presidential dog name and had a sneaky good career...it's Scott Fletcher! Fletcher was a key part of the 1983 Winning Ugly White Sox before getting traded to the Rangers. While in Texas, George W. Bush bought the team and named a puppy "Spot Fetcher" after the team's shortstop. Scott was quietly one of the best shortstops in baseball during his career, with a solid bat, good eye, and great glove. He had a 15 year MLB career and was also part of the trade that sent Sammy Sosa out of Texas. 

Topics: Kittle nuptials, W's worst decisions, Scott the dad

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Vicente Palacios #322

 

This week, a guy who taught himself a new pitch, became a top prospect, and then played forever...it's Vicente Palacios! Palacios was a White Sox minor leaguer bouncing between the US and his native Mexico, then he taught himself a "knorkle ball" and became a part of the Pirates team that won 3 straight NL East titles. He pitched extensively in the Mexican winter league, and after an injury returned to the Mexican League to work back to MLB. He came back for the Cardinals in the mid 90s and pitched until the 2000s in Mexico despite 4 shoulder surgeries. 

Topics: Mexican stats from Adam, weird shadows and a painted cap

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Lance Parrish #95/669

 

This week, an All Star catcher, leader of the 1984 Champion Tigers, and one time Tina Turner bodyguard...it's Lance Parrish! Parrish was a Tigers first round pick, would play in 8 All Star games, win 3 Gold Gloves, 6 Silver Sluggers, and help Mr. Drummond coach little league on Diff'rent Strokes. Collusion forced him out of Detroit, he struggled in Philadelphia, and then turned it around with the Angels. After 19 seasons, he went into coaching and still serves as a Tigers Ambassador.

Topics: Bodyguards, Lances, Rico Suave

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Kal Daniels #622

 

This week, one of the best hitters in the set never played in an All Star Game and sadly, couldn't stay on the field...it's Kal Daniels! Daniels had great speed, an amazing eye and could flat out hit, but his knees were a constant problem. His is another "what-if" scenario for the 80s Reds and Daniels was traded to the Dodgers. His career only lasted 7 seasons and he has since kept a low profile coaching youngsters in  Georgia. 

Topics: Warner Robins, Great Ones, Kalvoski

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Walt Weiss #126T

This week, the 1988 AL Rookie of the Year, 1989 World Series Champ, a smaller Bash Bro and current (as of 2026) Atlanta manager...Walt Weiss! Walt was recently in the news for a professional takedown on the field. Walt had a good glove and solid OBP over 14 years in MLB. He made his first All Star Game in 1998 at 34 years old, while his young son was dealing with a serious health scare. Walt went on to a coaching and managerial career in Colorado and Atlanta. 

Topics: Cotto Catch, tuxedos, Soler takedowns, e.coli

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Ed Lynch #336

 

This week, a big, soft-tossing future lawyer...it's Ed Lynch! Ed was a college basketball recruit at South Carolina before switching to baseball. He was drafted by the Rangers and traded to the Mets where he moved through the minors. He became big league swingman and pitched 1 inning for the 1986 Mets before landing on the injured list. When he returned, the Mets traded him Chicago where he pitched a couple seasons for the Cubs. He then went to law school and had a front office career, including serving as Cubs GM. 
Topics: Kellys and Kippers, unflattering photos, law school

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