Lets Get Fitshaced

If you look closely at this card, Charlie Kerfeld, who looks like the derelict woodsman son of Wayne Newton, is sporting an awesome mullet and stud earring.

Charlie Kerfeld
Pitcher, Houston Astros
1988 Topps #608

Topps Fact: Was South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year in 1983.
GMT Fact: He will never go down as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, but he gave one of the league's most unforgettable interviews.

GMT Hall of Fame Inductee: Rance Mulliniks

Today we are honored to induct the first ever member into the Gem Mint Ten Hall of Fame.

It is our pleasure to announce the inclusion of the great Steven Rance Mulliniks into this esteemed institution.

He had the look. He had the name. Most of all, he had the glasses, the mustache and the general awkwardness of an IT guy living in his parents' basement.

When Rance Mulliniks stepped to the plate, kids across America (and Canada) thought to themselves, "If this guy can make it to the Big Leagues, why the hell can't I?"

According to the end-all, be-all Wikipedia, Rance:

• Batted over .300 three times (1984, 1987 and 1988) and demonstrated great patience at the plate
• Was named to Sports Illustrated's Dream Team as a utility infielder in 1984.
• Is the west coast colour commentator for Rogers Sportsnet's Blue Jays coverage, and starting in 2007, he is also a colour commentator alongside Jim Hughson and Jesse Barfield on CBC Sports, broadcasting Blue Jays baseball.

But best of all:

A fielding play where Mulliniks missed the ball was once described as "Rance does a dance, but no chance."

Today, we salute you, Rance. And thank you for the hope and laughs you brought us throughout your career.


Clockwise from Top Left:

• 1989 Donruss #87
• 1992 Fleer #337
• 1989 Fleer #242
• 1991 Donruss #663
• 1991 Topps #229
• 1988 Topps #167

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.

What's Thats Smell?

Greg Minton
Pitcher, California Angels
1988 Topps #129

Topps Fact: Acq: Free Agent, 6-2-87
GMT Fact: Where you ever asked the question, "What crawled up your ass and died?" The correct answer is "Greg Minton."

Sons of Andy Etchebarren

(1967 Topps #457)

While the majority of my card span the 1970-80s, I salvaged some earlier cards from my grandmother's flooded basement that belonged to my father and uncles. Among them were a Roger Marris, Johnny Unitas, Brian Piccolo (Rookie) and a 1967 Andy Etchebarren.

Who? You might ask.

Well, only the Johnny Appleseed of 60's ballplayers.

Etchebarren was known to have father several offspring who later went on to become MLB "stars" in the 1980's, all united by the "Etchebarren brow."


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Jeff Montgomery
Pitcher, Kansas City Royals
1989 Donruss #440

Donruss Fact: Emerged as a key member of the KC bullpen last year, ranking 4th on the team in ERA and 2nd in appearances.
GMT Fact: Montgomery's "Angry Face" was strikingly similar to his "Smiley Face" (pictured above).

Sammy Stewart
Cleveland Indians
1988 Topp #701

Topps Fact: Sammy pitched a 7-inning 1-0 no-hitter for Miami for Winter Haven, July 20, 1976.
GMT Fact: Sammy Stewart wasn't Mr. and Mrs. Stewart's favorite player.

Frank Tanana
Pitcher, Detroit Tigers
1987 Donruss #152

Donruss Fact: Had lowest ERA among Texas starters in '84.
GMT Fact: Teammates were so relentless in tormenting Tanana about his Etchebarren brow that he spent the entire 1990's wearing over-sized shades before realizing he could simply tweeze.

1991 Upper Deck #369
Bonus GMT Fact: His little game of "Find Tanana's Banana" had few takers over the years.

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.