Bam-Bam Takes The Helm (Again)

     Twice in as many seasons, the Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan winter league have parted ways with their manager as the playoff drive gets underway. Finding the team in last place with a 15-27 record, team vice-president, Tobías Enrique Carrero,  relieved manager Don Baylor of his duties, in what is described as a "mutual decision" (sure it was).

Baylor cesa funciones en Bravos

     Also twice in as many seasons, the Bravos have handed the reins over to hitting coach Hensley Meulens. One has to wonder if the team might have just appointed Bam-Bam as manager for the season were he not potentially tied up with the Giants in the playoffs this year.

Getting to be a habit.

     In any case, congratulations, once again, Mr. Meulens. I wish you well!

1982 Topps Seattle Mariners (Before They Were) Future Stars

      It would probably be no surprise to learn that players on the same team on a Future Stars card would be on the same team in the minor leagues.  What was slightly more surprising, however, was to find that I actually had all three players on their own cards from that very minor league team.  So here you have them...Before They Were (Future) Stars all playing for the Spokane Indians, then the AAA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, featured here on their 1980 TCMA cards:

      Interesting how the region's teams clung to the Seattle Pilots team colors for so long....

1987 ProCards Modesto A's #285 Dann Howitt

     By 1987, the minor league baseball card market had expanded enough that Modesto actually had a second team set.  For some reason, ProCards always numbered their cards as part of the master set that included all of the team sets they issued each year, so if seeing a #285 in a team set of 20-30 cards seems odd, that would be why.  ProCards issued over 100 team sets in 1987, so some of the cards are numbered in the 2000s.  The 1987 design was nearly identical to the 1986 design, both front and back.  And while Dann played yet another season with Modesto in 1988, neither of the 1988 Modesto team sets were produced by ProCards.

     1987 wasn't just a season of struggle for Howitt, as mentioned in my last post on him, but was a poor season for the whole San Jose Bees ball club who were on their way to the worst record in California League history (33-109).  The August 9th edition of the Modesto Bee described an uncharacteristically good day for Howitt.  In addition to driving in four runs on a single and double, after having sat out the previous three games, from deep right field he gunned down a runner attepting to score, sending San Jose packing with a 7-5 loss and snapping an 8-game losing streak for Modesto.  That would be one of Dann's 13 assists from the outfield that season, which put him in a 4-way tie for 3rd in the league in assists.

1986 Baseball Cards Magazine Index

Baseball Cards, April 1986, Issue #15, Volume 6, No. 1
Cover: Vince Coleman
Articles:
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen, Tom Seaver interview
"What's New" by Steve Ellingboe and Vic Knight. pp22-23, 42, 44, 46.  Sets referenced: 1986 Fleer; 1986 Topps; 1986 Donruss; 1986 Donruss All-Stars and Pop-Ups; 1985 Fleer Update; 1985 Topps Traded; 1985 Donruss Highlights; 1985 7-Up Chicago Cubs; 1985 Minnesota Twins Fire Safety; 1985 Toronto Blue Jays Fire Safety; 1985 Kondritz Vince Coleman; 1985 Mother's Cookies; 1985 Star Company; 1985 Hostess Atlanta Braves; 1986 Sportflics; 1985 Topps Football; 1986 Donruss, Topps and Fleer box bottom cards; 1986 Fleer Star Stickers, 1986 Topps Pete Rose set.
"Eddie Mathews" by Paul Green.  pp24-29.
"Stand-out Stand-ups" by Robert L. Parker. pp30-31.  Johnny Pro Orioles and Phillies.
"The hottest cards of '86: Checkin' up on Coleman collectibles". pp32-34. Vince Coleman rookie cards.
"Autograph Addresses" by Tom Owens. pp 50-52.  The Sport Americana Baseball Address List.
"Liz & Dick cover for Mantle & Maris". p56. 1962 Post Life Magazine inserts.
"Spring training autograph tips" by Dave Miedema. pp 70-72.
"The complete Tom Seaver cover checklist". p76.  Checklist of publications with Tom Seaver on the cover.
"Baseball & baseball cards in 1969: Celebrating a centennial" by Tom LaMarre. pp78-84. 1969 Topps issues.
"Do you remember these?" by Stewart Jones. pp86-91. 1940-1965 regional and food issues, Glendale Meats, Kahn's Weiners, Wheaties, collectible tickets, pins, Seattle Ranier items, Leaf, Sugardale Meats, Bell Brand Chips

Baseball Cards, June 1986, Issue #16, Volume 6, No.2
Cover: Rare Topps proof cards
Articles:
"What's New" by Steve Ellingboe and Vic Knight. pp20-22. Sets referenced: 1986 Topps Mini Leaders, 1986 Topps Glossy All Stars and Glossy Send-Ins, 1986 Fleer Limited Edition, 1986 Fleer League Leaders, 1986 Fleer Classic Miniatures, 1986 Donruss All-Stars and Pop-Ups, 1986 Quaker Granola Bars, 1986 Fleer inserts.
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen. pp24-26,48,50. Don Sutton interview.
"Those great Fleer 'Greats'" by William Warren. pp 28-30. 1960 Fleer Baseball Greats set.
"1953 Bowman: Color Them Hot" by Ted Zanidakis. pp32-36.  1953 Bowman set.
"Autographs: Who signs, who snubs" by Dave Miedema and Chris Burleson. pp38-44.  Signing habits by league.
"1961: Maris-mania" by Paul Green. pp70-72. Roger Maris' 1961 season and Topps cards.
"The '$20,000 Garage Find'" by Keith Olbermann. pp76-81.  Rare Topps proof from 1960-1985.
"Joe Rudi" by Paul Green. pp82-87.  Joe Rudi interview.
"Collect Your Favorite Team: Philadelphia A's" by Ted Taylor. pp88-92.  Philadelphia A's collectibles.

Baseball Cards, August 1986, Issue #17, Volume 6, No.3
Cover: Dwight Gooden
Articles:
"What's New" by Steve Ellingboe and Vic Knight. pp20-22.  Sets referenced: 1986 Topps Woolworth's; 1986 Drake's; 1986 Fleer Walgreen's; 1986 Leaf; 1986 Kay Bee; 1986 O-Pee-Chee; 1986 Topps stickers; 1986 Topps Super; 1986 Topps bronze and aluminum miniatures: 1986 Big League Chew Home Run Legends: 1986 True Value: 1986 New York Mets fan club issue: 1986 Kansas City Royals National Photo: 1986 Cain's, Kitty Clover, Kas and Jays photo chips discs; 1986 Dorman's Cheese.
"Rookie cards: a close-up look" by Bob Lemke, pp24-30.  Lemke's rookie card investment recommendations.
"BBM Interviews: Tom Lasorda" by Paul Green. pp32-38. Tommy Lasorda interview.
"1986 rookie card line-up". p40.  List of 1986 rookie cards.
"Solo Rookie Cards" by J.R. Green. pp42-46. 
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen. pp60-62. Reggie Jackson interview.
"Autographs: Who signs, who snubs; Part 2" by Dave Miedema and Chris Burleson. pp 63-65. Signing habits of players by league.
"5¢ today, $5 tomorrow: Successful rookie card speculation" by Robert L. Parker. pp66-71.  Tips and tactics for evaluating rookies for investment.
"Collecting Topps "trophy cards," the 1960-1978 All-Star Rookies" by Dave Steidel. pp72-81.  Profile and checklist of Topps All-Star Rookie cards.

Baseball Cards, October 1986, Issue #18, Volume 6, No.4
Cover: ??
Articles:

Baseball Cards, December 1986, Issue #19, Volume 6, No.5
Cover: Wally Joyner
Articles:
"New Issues Gallery" by Steve Ellingboe and Vic Knight. pp22-28. Sets referenced: 1986 Topps Traded, 1986 Fleer Update. 1986-87 Fleer Basketball, 1986 Star Company sets, 1986 Donruss Rookies, 1986 Fleer Baseball's Best, 1986 Fleer Classic Miniatures, 1986 Houston Astros Police, 1986 Provigo Montreal Expos, 1986 Burger King All-Pro, 1986 Sportflics, 1986 Milwaukee Brewers Police, 1986 Los Angeles Dodgers Police, 1986 Lite Beer Houston Astros, 1986 Gatorade Chicago Cubs, 1986 Beatrice Foods, 1986 Mother's Cookies, 1986 Toronto Blue Jays Fire Safety, 1986 Topps Football, 1986 Coca-Cola Chicago White Sox, 1986 ProCards, 1986 Smokey the Bear.
"On The Baseball Beat" by Irwin Cohen. pp30-32,64-65. Wally Joyner Interview.
"Non-Topps proof cards are a non-stop challenge" by Keith Olbermann. pp34-39.  Proof cards for tobacco, Bowman, Donruss, Fleer, Goudey, Hostess, Kelloggs issues.
"Those Great Fleer Greats" by Tom LaMarre. pp40-42,76.  1961 Fleer Baseball Greats set.
"1951: The real Topps rookie cards" by Bob Lemke. pp66-70. Profile of 1951 Topps sets.
"Tug McGraw" by Paul Green. pp71-75. Tug McGraw interview.
"The "forgotten" set: 1974 Topps" by Jeff Zeigler. pp78-82.  Profile of 1974 Topps set.
"Autograph inquiries" by Dave Miedema. pp84-85. Answers to common autograph questions.