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.

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)

Freaking at the Freakers' Ball

Mike Walker
Pitcher, Cleveland Indians
1989 Bowman #77

Bowman Fact: Acq: Via Draft
GMT Fact: If Mike Walker's eyes were any closer together, he'd be a cyclops.


Steve Rosenberg
Pitcher, Chicago White Sox
1990 Donruss #253

Donruss Fact: Signed originally by Yankees out of U. of Florida
GMT Fact: Rosenberg's face is comprised of a NASA-developed space age polymer consiting of Play-Doh and Velvetta.

Ron Robinson
Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
1990 Score #495

Score Fact: Before his surgery, he had come within one strike of pitching the first perfect game in Reds' history against the Expos.
GMT Fact: During surgery, as a gag, doctors replaced all of Robinson's teeth with baby teeth. They forgot to include bottom teeth.

Bonus GMT Fact: Embarrassed by almost losing a perfect game to Ron Robinson, the Expos decided to hightail out of Montreal in shame. It took a over 15 years, but they got it done.

GMT Trivia: Where Are They Now?

HHR's GMT caught up with some of our favorite 80's ballplayers recently.

We thought it'd be fun if our readers could test their knowledge on what some of them are now up to.

Match the player with where we found him. Post guesses in comments section. Answers will be revealed later.

Click to enlarge and get a real good look...

1. Kicking your f*ckin' ass every-which-way but Satuday.
2. Sesame Street
3. Polishing his "gun."
4. Looking in your sister's window.
5. Coaching Little League and becoming frustrated that 8-year-olds can't explain to him the infield fly rule.

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Mike Griffin
Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles
1988 Donruss #494

Donruss Fact: Was leading Rochester club in strikeouts and winning pct. (5-1) when recalled by Orioles.
GMT Fact: The Rochester Club is a go-go bar in upstate NY. For $50, dancers will dress up as ballplayers and simulate a 3-inning contest. Griffin still managed to post a loss.

Glen Hubbard
Second Baseman, Oakland Athletics
1989 Bowman #199

Bowman Fact: Born 9-25-57 Hann AFB, Germany
GMT Fact: Signs his name like a 10-year-old school girl.

Bill Scherrer
Pitcher, Detroit Tigers
1987 Topps #98

Topps Fact: Bill graduated from Cardinal O'Hara High School (Tonawanda, N.Y.)
GMT: Just learned how to ties his own shoes...ALL BY HIMSELF!

John Smiley
Pitcher, Minnesota Twins
1992 Upper Deck #785

Upper Deck Fact: Weight: 200 lbs.
GMT Fact: Prefers Hagar to Roth. DO NOT try to debate him on this.

How Does Fred Manrique Reach These Kids?

Fred Manrique
Second Baseman, Chicago White Sox
1989 Bowman #66

Bowman Fact: Acq: Trade With Cardinals, 122-22-86
GMT Fact: Nicknamed "Kimo" by Lou Diamond Phillips, Fred teaches Calcoolis at East L.A.'s James A. Garfield High School. He was famously portrayed by Edward James Olmos in 1988's low-budget hit Stand and Deliver, and parodied recently on South Park by Eric Cartman(ez).

Fred is also a CPA and enjoys Sudoku in his free time.

Sweet Lou Loves Him Some Sweet Lou

Whitaker signed his 1989 Bowman card "Sweet-lou Whitaker" - not only signing the nickname "Sweet," but failing to capitalize his own given first name.

On a side note, I hated these '89 Bowman cards. They didn't fit in any binder sleeves and inevitably all ended up with dinged corners. Not a single "gem mint ten" '89 Bowman exists on the planet today. The only worse set in this regard is the 1989 Topps Big set. More on those at a later time.

Lou Whitaker
Second Baseman, Detroit Tigers
1989 Bowman #103

Topps Fact: Acq: Via Draft
GMT Fact: The nickname "Sweet" was given to "lou" by the Tigers equipment manager in the spring training of Whitaker's rookie year after having washed his unmentionables. Mistakenly, "lou" took this as a term of endearment.