Alright Boys, Act Like Catchers

Whats more beautiful, the way in which they squat down and take pride in their position, or the sweet smell of spring training in the background?

Love how with the exception of Berryhill, none bothers to put on their equipment. Here's hoping they were sans cup and opened themselves up to a Vin di Bona smorgasbord.

Damon Berryhill
Catcher, Chicago Cubs
1990 Bowman #33

Bill Schroeder
Catcher, Milwaukee Brewers
1989 Topps # 563

Jim Sundberg
Catcher, Texas Rangers
1989 Topps #78

Jody Davis
Catcher, Chicago Cubs ("Now With Braves")
1989 Topps #115

Scott Bradley
Catcher, Seattle Mariners
1990 Bowman #483

Future Star of What?

Darts?

Steve Searcy
Pitcher, Detroit Tigers
1989 Topps #167

Topps Fact: Steve was signed for Tigers by Scout Jax Robertson,
GMT Fact: Steve likes the way his sateen jacket feels against his freshly shorn chest.

Ooooh Billy!

Billy Beane
Outfielder, Minnesota Twins
1987 Topps #114

Topps Fact: Billy's sister, Chris, was member of Cal.-San Diego's 1981-82 Division III Volleyball Championship Team.
GMT Fact: Billy actually saw Chris' inability to "get to second base" a positive when evaluating siblings. They challenged each other to see who could screw more baseball players. Billy won when he became Oakland's GM.

1988 Topps Billy Bean via 88topps.blogspot.com

Billy Bean
Outfielder, Detroit Tigers
1988 Topps #267

Topps Fact: Billy signed as a 4th round draft selection with the Detroit Tigers, June 12, 1986 by Scout Rick Arnold.
GMT Fact: Questions immediately surfaced regarding Arnold's sexuality. The Topps card only listed Bean as having hit from the left side.

Bill Bene
Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
1989 Topps #84

Topps Fact: Primarily a basketball player in high school, Bill was originally an outfielder.
GMT Fact: After Bean released "Going the Other Way: Lessons from a life in and out of Major League Baseball," Bene was mistakenly called upon quite often to appear on the talk show circuit. Despite reiterating each time that his name was pronounced "Ben-ay," the calls persisted and he decided to embark on a nationwide "Not a gay? Drop the 'A'" speaking tour.

Bonus GMT Fact: The '89 Topps card lists Bene as having a 10-7 record and 5.62 ERA during his collegiate career. Yet, the Dodgers chose to expend a 1st round draft pick on him. He never made it to the Bigs. Dodger Blues lists Robin Ventura, Jim Abbott, Tino Martinez, Royce Clayton, Jim Edmonds, Alex Fernandez, Charles Nagy, Marquis Grissom and Luis Gonzalez as having been drafted after him.

MLB Goes Hollywood

Back before multimillion dollar multi-year contracts, ball players were just like you and me. At times they needed to find second jobs to make ends meet. Here are a few players in their most popular roles.

Steve Jeltz in "What's Happening!!"


Dan Driessen in "Benson"


Charlie O'Brien in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

Jamie Quirk in "History of the World Part I"


Unfortunatley, some players didn't have that "Hollywood" look.

"Chuck McElroy" is a pseudonym of notorious Harlem heroin kingpin LeRoy "Nicky" Barnes.

McElroy/Barnes, however, was portrayed in 2007's "American Gangster" by Cuba Gooding, Jr. He also published a fantastic autobiography, "Mr. Untouchable," which was also made into a DVD documentary. Take that, Hollywood.

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Steve Jeltz
Shortstop, Philadelphia Phillies
1988 Topps #126

Topps Fact: Steve signed as a 9th round Draft selection with the Phila. Phillies, June 7, 1980 by scout Don Williams.
GMT Fact: Soon after Steve signed as a 9th round Draft selection with the Phila. Phillies, June 7, 1980, scout Don Williams was taken behind a shed and beaten within an inch of his life.

Dan Driessen
First Baseman, Montreal Expos
1985 Topps #285

Topps Fact: Dan is married to the former Bonnie Gray.
GMT Fact: Dan is said to do a lovely soft-shoe.

Charlie O'Brien
Cather, Milwaukee Brewers
1989 Topps #214

Topps Fact: GW-RBI (Career): 0
GMT Fact: Spends off-seasons in day salons with Gary Carter.

Jamie Quirk
Cather-First Baseman, Kansas City Royals
1987 Topps #354

Topps Fact: (None Listed)
GMT Fact: Hates cats. Blogs about it.

Chuck McElroy
Pitcher, Chicago Cubs
1992 O-Pee-Chee Premier #85

O-Pee-Chee Fact: Acquired: Trade, 4/7/91
GMT Fact: Hobbies include pocket pool.

Mirabella: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Milwaukee

Paul Mirabella
Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers
1989 Topps #192

Topps Fact: He earned 1st major league Win 7-28-78.
GMT Fact: His country send him to United States to play for the Beer team. Please, come and watch play. If it not success, he will be execute.