Minor auto.

Not much news today out of Spring Training. Decided with the recent roster cuts it might be a good idea to post a minor league autograph.

Got this signed 1995 Classic Four Sport card of catcher Kevin Brown as part of an autograph lot off Ebay a couple of years ago. Kevin's not quite to the minor league level in this picture, probably college but maybe high school. Hard to tell exactly since Classic airbrushed these sets to avoid paying for the use of school and club logos.

In addition to the airbrushed uniform and cap, you gotta like the throw-down home plate and the padding piled in the dugout. Definitely a far cry from the Majors.

1995 Classic Four Sport #178

1995 Classic Four Sport #178

1995 Classic Four Sport #178

1995 Classic Four Sport #178

1995 Classic Four Sport #178

1995 Classic Four Sport #178

1995 Classic Four Sport #178

1995 Classic Four Sport #178

1989 Classic - Rafael Palmeiro.

Not much going on today. The Rangers are prepping for their first exhibition game, against the Royals. Mike Young is predicting a big offensive season. Pretty safe prediction there.

Seeing as things are slow on the baseball front, I thought some Classic trivia might be in order. Today's questions come from card number 163 in the 1989 Classic set, Rafael Palmeiro.

1. (T-F) Bobby Valentine started the 1989 season as manager of the Rangers.
2. Who was sometimes referred to as "the Mahatma"?
3. What playing manager led the league in hitting?
4. What pitcher lost the most games in a season?
5. A home run with the bases loaded is called what?

Got a couple of easy questions along with some that I know I would have no chance of getting correct. Anyone willing to take up the challenge please post your answers in the comments. Good luck!

1988 Classic - Pete Incaviglia.

Still not a whole lot going on in Major League Baseball. Still a lot of significant free agents out there with only a few days left until Spring Training kicks off. Things could get interesting.

Seeing as it is a somewhat slow day, I have decided to give Classic trivia another whirl. Today's questions come from card number 177 in the 1988 set, Pete Incaviglia. Here they are:
1. (T-F) Dwight Gooden led the Mets in wins in 1987?
2. What Hall of Famer was referred to as "Rube"?
3. Who holds the MLB record for career RBI?
4. What was Hank Aaron's last year in the Majors?
5. (T-F) The Texas Rangers are in the N.L.?

Ok, got some pretty easy ones this time. Please feel free to post your answers as comments.

Where did the time go?

My sincere apologies for this past week's shortage of posts. With getting a dental crown on Tuesday and having relatives in for Thanksgiving, it seemed that time just got away from me. In addition, I am having writer's block so I think that I will settle for a Classic trivia day.

Today's questions are provided by Ruben Sierra on card number 180 in the 1988 Classic set. Please feel free to take a shot at the answers in the comments. Ok, here we go:

1. (T-F) Mike Whitt led the Angels in losses in 1987?
2. What Hall of Famer was referred to as "Big D"?
3. Who holds the M.L. record for most relief losses in a season?
4. Who holds the second longest hitting streak in the A.L.?
5. The Cincinnati Reds are in the N.L.?

Well, looks like number five is a giveaway but a couple of the others might be a little more challenging. Looking forward to seeing everyone's guesses.

1987 Classic - Pete Incaviglia

Nothing much happening on the free agent front today so I decided to fall back on Classic trivia. Today's questions come from card number 16 in Classic's 1987 offering.

I picked this card up off Sportlots awhile back as I started trying to fill some holes in my collection. I must say, I like the card. I knew that Inky was strong but it takes real power to vaporize the ball. Looks like Pete has done just that. Wonder what the umpire's call was?

Ok, on to the questions.
1. (T-F) Ty Cobb holds the single season record for the highest batting average?
2. Who was nicknamed "The Iron Horse"?
3. Who tied Mike Schmidt for the N.L. home run crown in 1984?
4. Who was the first third baseman to hit over 500 career home runs?
5. What is the nickname of the Cincinnati N.L. team?
Got some pretty easy ones this time. Feel free to post your answers or thoughts on Inky's powder power.

1986 Classic - Scott Fletcher

Sorry about not posting yesterday. I had three of my wisdom teeth out in the morning and was feeling too miserable to do much of anything the rest of the day. Still hurting quite a bit today but thought I should at least put something up.

Here is card number 118 in the Classic set. Scott Fletcher is the last card in the team set from that year for the Rangers. This marks the first time a complete set has been posted on this blog. Well, here are the trivia questions from today's card:
1. (T-F) A mule was once a M.L. Team's mascot?
2. Who was the first black umpire in the M.L.?
3. Who was the first player to win the MVP award unanimously?
4. What team led the N.L. in batting average in 1986?
5. Who holds the record for most hits lifetime?

1986 Classic - Oddibe McDowell

Kind of a hectic day today. Haven't had time to come up with a decent post so I'll fall back on some Classic trivia. Today's questions are provided by Oddibe McDowell on his 1986 Classic card, number 115. I'll probably leave these questions open until Tuesday since I am going to be gone over the weekend. Ok, here we go.

1. (T-F) Ron Bloombert was the first designated hitter in baseball?
2. Who was the last N.L. pitcher to win 30 games in one season?
3. What Cubs pitcher won the Cy Young Award in 1979?
4. Who was the first switch-hitter to get 100 hits both ways in the same year?
5. Who's record for most home runs in a career did Hank Aaron break?

1992 Classic Game - Ivan Rodriguez

Hey hey, it's Monday again! Here's Pudge! Today's card is his 1992 Classic Game card, numbered 159 in the set.

I like the design of the card ok. The picture that they chose to use is another matter. Why Ivan awkwardly fouling off a bunt attempt? If you are going to use a picture like this of a player at least let the ball get out of the shot. Kind of makes you wonder if Classic only allowed their photographers one chance to get the final cut photo.

Flipping the card over we see one line of stats from 1991 and the familiar Classic trivia questions. Here they are:
1. (T-F) Gaylord Perry lost at least 100 games in both leagues.
2. I was the only man to get 1,000 RBI during the 70's. Who am I?
3. What AL player was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1988?
4. Name the missing half of the '77 Dodgers battery that included Don Sutton.
5. During a regular MLB game, how many umpires are there in the field?

Give them your best shot. No fair looking up the answers before you post. Also, if there are any last minute thoughts on going to a page at a time on Mondays rather than just one card, now is the time to speak up.

1986 Classic - Pete O'Brien

In the middle of a 12-hour shift today and running on about four hours of sleep so I am going to let Pete O'Brien handle the post today. He appears here on card 138 of the 1986 Classic set. The questions on the back of his card are another nice mix of easy and pretty hard. I will post the answers on Monday. If anyone wants to take a shot feel free to do so in the comments section.

1. (T-F) For most of his career Ernie Banks played shortstop.
2. My #5 was retired by the Orioles. Who am I?
3. Who was named Manager of the Year for 1986 in the NL?
4. What Royals pitcher is the all time leader in wins through 1986?
5. Is the batter out if he interferes with a fielder?

1986 Classic - Ed Correa

I am determined to keep the trivia going every so often. Guess I am stubborn. Today's questions come from card number 143 in Classic's 1986 offering. I will post the answers on Monday so be sure and offer your take in the comments section before then. Fairly nice cross section of easier and harder questions this time.

1. (T-F) The Kansas City Althletics became the Oakland A's?
2. I am the Tigers' all time leader in home runs through 1986. Who am I?
3. In 1986, who became only the 11th player to hit 4 home runs in one game?
4. What pitcher set a MLB record in 1986 for the most home runs allowed?
5. (T-F) A runner is out when he is tagged with the ball on a force play.

1986 Classic - Ruben Sierra

Listening to Texas attempt to beat Kansas City. Since I live 500 miles from The Ballpark in Arlington and am too cheap to subscribe to MLB's broadcasts I only get to hear them when they play the Royals.

As such we'll have another round of trivia today, courtesy of Classic. Feel free to sound off with your answer in the comments section. I'll give it several days (depending on response) and post the answers. Remember, the year is 1986 for the purpose of the questions.

1. (T-F) Reggie Jackson has struck out more times than Mickey Mantle.
2. I am the Astros all time leader in HR's through 1986. Who am I?
3. What team led the A.L. in hitting in 1986?
4. What Expos pitcher is the club's all time win leader through 1986?
5. What position does Glenn Davis play?

Triva time!

Time for some more trivia courtesy of the Classic Baseball game. These questions come from card number 146 in the 1986 set, Jerry Browne. Give them your best shot in the comments and I will post the answers on Monday.

1. T-F. The N.Y. Giants became the San Francisco Giants.
2. I am the Phillies all time leader in HR's through 1986. Who am I?
3. Who was voted the A.L. Outstanding Designated Hitter in 1986?
4. What Cubs pitcher is the club's all time leader in wins through 1986?
5. What position does (did) Don Mattingly play?

1986 Classic - Pete Incaviglia

Inky puts in another appearance on this early Classic card. I kind of like the design on these cards and didn't feel up to writing a lot after working in the yard most of the afternoon. The nice thing about these Classic cards is the trivia questions on the back. Here they are for your enjoyment.
Post your answers if you want to take a shot.

1. (T-F) Stan Musial never led the league in home runs?
2. Who was nicknamed the "Commerce Comet"?
3. What position did Willie McCovey play?
4. Where did the AL Philadelphia team move to in 1955?
5. (T-F) Bluffing a pitch to a batter, then throwing to first base to catch a runner is a balk?

1991 Classic III - Ivan Rodriguez

Ivan on Monday again. Today we have card number T78 in the 1991 Classic III series. This card is glossy compared to last week's card. I like the photo better but I'm not sure I care for the border color. On the back we are once again advised that Pudge had "No major league record" at the time the card was issued. We also get five more trivia questions. These are not as difficult as last week's. If anyone wants to give them a shot post your answers in the comments section and I'll let you know what the card says are correct. No fair looking the answers up.

1. (T-F) Craig Biggio plays first base.
2. Which team did George Brett hit his "pine tar" home run against?
3. I was the first Rookie of the Year Award winner. Who am I?
4. What pitcher threw back to back no-hitters in 1938?
5. What does the statistic SB stand for?

Since nobody braved last week's questions here are the answers:
1. False
2. Willie McCovey
3. 6
4. Ted Turner

1991 Classic II - Ivan Rodriguez

Card number T82 in the 1991 Classic set is today's Ivan on Monday card.

Here we have another card with no stats; just a note stating "No Major League Record." Not sure what to think of this card. I don't care for the border but it is an early Pudge. Kind of an odd aspect - there is a spot on the back of the card for an autograph. I guess if I was going to get the card signed it would be on the front.

These cards were initially issued as part of a trivia game and this one has some interesting questions on the back. A couple of them made me scratch my head. See what you know without looking up the answers.

1. (T-F) Babe Ruth hit the most grand-slam HRs in history.
2. Which Giant first baseman hit the most grand-slam HRs in the N.L.?
3. What was Mickey Mantle's uniform number when he was first called up to the Yankees?
4. Who was the Major League owner who was fined for managing his team for one game?