Don't have a lot of information about today's card or the player pictured thereon. Tommy Joe Shimp has no number on this card. I got it years ago as part of a team set and none of the cards are numbered.The card is made of a pretty thin stock and so has kind of a minor league feel to it. Having the name Tommy Joe Shimp doesn't help. If he had made it to the majors he would have probably shortened it to T.J. Shimp.
I like the design though and you have to love the Eighty Niners logo on the lower left. You also have to wonder if Tommy was trying to replicate the mascot or if it was modeled on him what with the mustache he is sporting.
On the back of the card we find all I know about Shimp. He played in 1985 for Oklahoma City and appeared in 24 games. His win-lose record stood even at 5-5 although he carried a 2.67 ERA in 105 innings of work. With no complete games and one save you have to think he was long relief. Tommy was 6-2 and weighed in at 185. He was born in August, 1957 and lived in Del City, Oklahoma at the time this card was made. That about sums up what all we know about Tommy. I could turn up no minor or major league records so it may be safe to assume that he was nearing the end of his career and never got the call.
11 comments:
Looking at the grip in the photo I wonder if he was a knuckle baller. If he had made the bigs he probably would have made some peoples funny name collection.
He might well have been a knuckleball pitcher. I noticed the grip when scanning the card and then forgot to mention it. Thanks for bringing it up.
I just caught that his name is Shimp and not Shrimp on the comment page.
I have not forgot about your Topps Big Cards I was going to send you. I just have not received the sets yet from the seller.
I keep thinking it is Shrimp as well. Thanks for the update on the Topps Big cards. I think I emailed you but I sent some Reds your way yesterday.
I went to school with Tommy...he did a short stint with the Expos...This is from /thebaseballcube.com
Tommy Joe Shimp | -
Born:
Height: Weight: Bats: Throws:
High School: -
College: Rose State College
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Drafted: Selected by Montreal Expos in 21st Round (516th overall) of 1977 amateur entry draft (June-Reg)
Thanks for the comment Dazz. Neat that you know someone I posted about. I double-checked and it looks like the highest Tommy ever got was AAA ball.
I knew Tommy. I called him Tommy-not Tommy Joe. He was a two sport star at Del City High School-basketball and baseball-graduating in 75. Went to Junior College for a year or two and then to pro baseball. Never got past triple a.
Was a non roster invitee one spring to the Expos Spring Training.
I have lost contact, but he was a good guy when I knew him.
He also pitched in the Mexican League, with los Saraperos de Saltillo in 1987. He was 0-4 with 8.89 ERA. Forgettable.
Tommy Joe Shimp was a substitue teacher in the off season at Del City High School in 1986-87. He is currently a baseball coach at McCurtain High School.
Shimp has the nastiest knuckle ball and the funniest bullpen tricks best coach ever he coaches in mccurtain now
Shimp was one of four fringe pitchers whom the Rangers encouraged to focus on the knuckleball as part of an organized effort led by pitching coach Tom House.
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