1974 Topps - Jackie Brown.

Jackie Brown shows up today on what is the worst-looking card I have posted to date from the 1974 Topps set, number 89. I have to wonder what happened. I mean, the Rangers had been in existence since 1972 and Jackie had been with the franchise since 1970. Why the odd angle and airbrush job?

Jackie split his time between the rotation and the bullpen in 1974. He got 26 starts in 35 games. He would complete nine of those starts, two of them were shutouts. In total he would toss 216.2 innings. That was a career high and put him third on the team in innings pitched. His 13-12 record was also third best in the starting rotation.

Jackie's 3.57 ERA was second best in the rotation and was a career low for him to that point. His 1.352 WHIP was also the lowest he had posted to that point. His 134 strikeouts were also the most he had compiled in a season in his Major League career.

All in all Jackie had what appeared to be a breakout year. It seemed that his surge came just in time as the Rangers were looking to finally be a force. Things were looking up for Brown it seemed.

Minor League Monday - Mike Jeffcoat, 1987 ProCards.

By the time Mike Jeffcoat appeared on card number 142 of the 1987 ProCards set he had already been in the Major Leagues for three seasons. Between 1983 and 1985 Mike pitched for the Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants. In December of 1986 he signed with the Rangers as a free agent after spending the 1986 season in the Giants' system.

Jeffcoat would start two games for the Rangers in 1987 but would spend the rest of the season with Triple A Oklahoma City.

Mike would get 24 starts in 26 appearances with the Eighty-Niners and would toss 159.2 innings. He would post a 4.79 ERA and a 1.466 WHIP. Neither number was pretty. Of course neither were the 14 home runs he allowed. Those totals are probably why he spent the majority of the season in OKC.

Mike did strike out 101 batters while walking less than half that number - 41. That showed some promise. As a result, Texas would hold on to him. Mike looked to still have a couple of chances left to get back to the Majors.

Senators Saturday - Bennie Daniels, 1961.

Today we have the Senator's first ever wins leader on card number 368 of the 1961 Topps set. Bennie Daniels was 12-11 for the 1961 season. Not real good but good enough to lead the team in wins. Washington picked Daniels up from the Pirates in a December 1960 trade.

In addition to leading the team in wins in 1961, Bennie tied for the most innings pitching with 212. He also led the team in complete games (12) and strikeouts (110). His 3.44 ERA was the lowest of any season to date (excepting a seven inning stint in 1957). His 1.245 WHIP was also a personal best to that point in his career (again excepting 1957).

Bennie didn't stop at pitching though. His .197 batting average included 15 hits, two of which were home runs.

Overall Daniels had responded well to the transition to the American League. He appeared to be poised to make a new start along with the franchise.

Wantlist - 2002 Absolute Memorabilia.

So with the Upper Deck wantlists all posted, I had to ponder a bit to decide where to go next. Thought I would give the only Absolute Memorabilia set I don't have done a shot. As you can see from Chan Ho Park on card number 141, the 2002 Absolute Memorabilia set doesn't scan all that well. Here's what I need to complete the team set:

2002 Absolute Memorabilia
153 Hank Blalock RP
163 Colby Lewis RP
164 Mark Teixeira RP
187 Travis Hughes RP
188 Kevin Mench RP

Let me know if you have any of these and are willing to part with them. On to the tradelist installment:

Mike Piazza
2002 Donruss #11
2002 Sweet Spot #75 (x2)
2002 Victory #538
2003 Fleer Patchworks #31
2005 Bazooka Comics #23
2005 Fleer Patchworks #59
2005 Fleer Platinum #65
2005 Upper Deck #131

Albert Pujols
2004 Fleer Inscribed #65
2005 Fleer Patchworks #49
2005 Fleer Platinum #66
2007 Turkey Red #25
2007 Turkey Red #48
2008 Topps Opening Day #50
2009 Goudey #178
2009 Topps #UH48
2009 Upper Deck #436
2010 Topps #100
2010 Topps #206
2010 Topps #327

Anybody remember when Mike Piazza was as big as Pujols? Seemed like there was a time when Mike was larger than life. Speakiing of life, it calls. I spent an extra four hours at work today and we have family coming in at any moment so I had better run.

MVP!

Josh Hamilton won the American League MVP. Congratulations Josh!

I ended up getting called back into work just as I sat down to post this so I am running way behind. As such I will leave this short and sweet.

Minor League Monday - Paul Kilgus, 1987 ProCards.

Paul Kilgus, shown here on card number 133 of the 1987 ProCards set, was drafted by the Rangers in 1984. 1987 would be his year to get the call. In fact, Paul would appear in four more games for Texas than he would for Triple A Oklahoma City.

For the Eighty-Niners Kilgus took the hill 21 times in 1987. All of his appearances were in relief. In all he would toss 24.2 innings and post a not very impressive 4.01 ERA. Paul would fan 14 batters while walking 13. Three of those walks were intentional. Paul's WHIP was 1.338.

All told, Paul Kilgus didn't have a very impressive season at Triple A in 1987. However, the Rangers were short on good pitching in 1987 and Paul was a left-hander. Those factors combined to send him to the Major Leagues. Kilgus looked to be on his way.

Senators Saturday - Jim King, 1961.

Jim King shows up today on card number 351 of the 1961 Topps set. Jim's sporting the first posed shot of the team set. Gotta like to look of the on-deck circle behind Jim. Doesn't look much like the ones in the MLB ballparks today. Of course, this picture might be from a minor league park, Jim's last appearance in the Major Leagues before showing up with Washington was in 1958.

The Senators picked King up from the Cleveland Indians in the expansion draft. He would appear in 110 games in 1961, mostly as a back-up outfielder.

In his 306 plate appearances King would post a .270 batting average and a .363 on-base percentage. He would walk 38 times while striking out 45. His 12 doubles and 11 home runs contributed to his .449 slugging percentage. It was Jim's best offensive season in the Majors to that point.

His defensive numbers weren't bad either. His .980 fielding percentage was three points higher than the league average.

All in all Jim King didn't have too bad a year in 1961. The back of this card says that "Jim is determined to win a permanent major league home for himself..." From all appearances he was well on his way to doing just that.

***Late addition to the post. I just realized that this post marks the one year anniversary of Senators Saturday. Hope everyone has enjoyed the run so far.***