El Polonia

Luis Polonia
Outfielder, California Angels
1992 Fleer Ultra #29

Fleer Ultra Fact: Born 10-12-64
GMT Fact: When not busy trying to bed underage girls, Polonia spent ample time doing his hair in a style he coined the "'El Polonia'...high and tight on the sides, El Dabarge on top."

Macho Man

Here's a name Tribe fans can remember and laugh at...

Ernie "Macho" Camacho
Pitcher, Cleveland Indians
1986 Topps #509
1987 Topps #353
1987 Donruss #350


jdbaseball at MLBlog's "The Game" retells some Camacho tales from a 1995 Sporting News article by Sheldon Ocker:

Mesa is the most effective relief pitcher the Indians have had, but he is not the most memorable in my 15 seasons covering, the team. That distinction belongs to Ernie Camacho, who saved games for the Indians from 1983 through '87.

Click here to read his bizarre, and anything but macho, escapades.

Letting His Soul Glow

Jose Bautista
Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles
1989 Bowman #3

Bowman Fact: Acq: Drafted from Mets 12-7-87
GMT Fact: The title role in the "Jose Bautista Story" was the only real noteworthy performance (besides The Color of Money) in the career of fat, cockeyed actor Forrest Whitaker.

The Ace of Spades

Hi. Johnnie's phone here. Johnnie's not going to answer. Because Johnnie's a dillweed.

John Wetteland
Musician, Montreal Expos
1992 Pinnacle #593

Pinnacle Fact: Music and baseball have been two constants for John, who plays the guitar, the saxophone and the clarinet.
GMT Fact: Yet, he can't seem to figure out the whammy bar on Guitar Hero.

Punch Out!

Ozzie Canseco
Designated Hitter-Outfielder, Oakland Athletics
1991 Topps #162

Topps Fact: Pitched in 52 games as a minor leaguer between 1983-85.
GMT Fact: Heard some Mexican news anchor was knocking Canseco boys on their asses for a paycheck and wants to know where he signs up.

Sid Bream Raised Arizona

Sid Bream
First Baseman, Atlanta Braves
1992 Pinnacle #446

Pinnacle Fact: Gimpy knees and all, Sid remains an offensive threat and a stabilizing force in the infield and in the clubhouse.
GMT Fact: Bream once gave Bobby Cox a "Roman war helmet" - his threatening and offensive behavior knew no bounds.

Da Meat is Off Da Hook!

Photographer: "Ok, Dmitri, for this shot just look like a silly bastard. Perfect."

Dmitri Young
Third Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals
1993 Upper Deck #428

Upper Deck Fact: "...scouts believe he can be a Terry Pendleton type when he fully develops."
GMT Fact: Translation: "Fat Third Baseman."

Simpler Times

I think this is a post that most Phillie fans in their late 20's-early 30's can appreciate.

I found this old program, and it flat-out made me smile.

First, it is from the magical 1993 season.

Second, it features autographs from Kyle Abbott and Ruben Amaro, Jr. - the two players the Phillies acquired when they rid themselves of the posterboy from the dreadful mid-to-late 80's teams, Von Hayes.

Third - I actually kept score. I can't remember the last time I did that.

Four, it was a victory over the division rival Braves, who threw John Smoltz that day.

And, finally, while he will tell you it really wasn't him who hit that homerun, Dutch Daulton had a round tripper that afternoon.

The Onion: A-Rod Channels His Inner Tommy Wheatley

A-Rod Checks Beckett Baseball Card Monthly To See If Rookie Card Went Up

Back on Topps

The Sklar brothers, creators of HHR favorite Cheap Seats (available cheap on iTunes), have a new web-only series coming out called Back on Topps, about...well you guessed it...Topps.

The Riverfront Times caught up with the twins this week to discuss the project. See this interview here.

H/T: Sports Collectors Daily

Punk Rock Scott

A few weeks back, I posted Scott Radinsky's 1992 Topps card and proceeded to have some fun at his expense.

After I did, commenters pointed out Scott other career ask a skatepunk singer.

I was able to get in touch with Radinsky, now Cleveland's Triple A Bisons' pitching coach in addition to being the lead singer of the band Pulley and owner a skatepark in Southern Cal.

Via email we talk a little about baseball and a lot about juggling his various passions.

See complete interview here.

Your Crap

Reader Jeff the Greek passed along two of his most cherished collectibles. The first is the Cory Snyder autographed rookie card. What makes this piece so special is not the card itself, but rather the totally legitimate looking certificate of authenticity that DOES NOT look like it was printed on the office laser jet.


The second is this Jeff Montgomery sig. On the surface it looks ordinary. However, it was encased in "hard plastic" with a sales sticker on it that read "35.00 EA".

The Greek will neither confirm nor deny paying 35 bones for this beaut.

Major Deer

Rob Deer has the distinction of not only being one of my least favorite players of the 80's, but also as having starred in one of my least favorite sitcoms of the 80's. Despite bashing 230 HR's in his career, including 20+ in 8 seasons, his finished his career a paltry .220 hitter with 1409 Ks (led league 4 times, runner-up twice).

Major Dad just sucked.

He did have a sweet stache, though.

Rob Deer
Outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers
1989 Bowman #146

Bowman Fact: (Listed as) 6'3"
GMT Fact (In heels)

Buddy Cop Dramady

Most cards we display here feature players who just look the part of the stereotypical 70-80s-early 90s ballplayer. George Fraizer, on the other hand, looks like an extra from the Barney Miller cast.



Someone call Fish.



George Fraizer
Pitcher, Minnesota Twins
1987 Topps #207

Topps Fact: George volunteered his time to work with the March of Dimes and the Special Olympics groups.
GMT Fact: Quit when they refused to let him compete.

Sabbatical

Posting over the next few days will be sporadic as Mrs. McCromack will soon be in labor. Hopefully, Fat Willard and the chief can hold things down at HHR. In the meantime, here's come good reading for you GMT fans.

HHR friend Eric Angevine from Storming the Floor has stared a column for ESPN: The Magazine's online site that will focus on sports memorabilia and collecting. Check out the first installment:

The Auction Block: Profiles in Internet Sales Courage

Tiger Tandems

Bo Knows...you've got to be kidding him.

Bo is Bo. Frank Thomas could be one of the best hitters of his generation. But those clowns from the Orioles? Olson was a bust and who's even heard of Stacy Jones (6 career games)?

Stacy Jones, Bo Jackson, Gregg Olson, Frank Thomas
Auburn Tigers
1992 Fleer Super Star Specials #701