Rick Mahler's Dating Advice

Rick Mahler
Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
1989 Donruss #222

Donruss Fact: Led Braves in wins, strikeouts and ERA among starters in '88.
GMT Fact: Mahler was known as a clubhouse leader - always willing to dole out words of wisdom, solicited or otherwise. His dating advise to younger Bravos was as legendary as it was simple...

Click Here to Heed Rick's Advice.

GMT Bonus Fact: Tried out as a member of both the Fabulous Freebirds and the Rock n' Roll Express with Ted Turner's NWA/WCW during his time in Atlanta.

Milwaukee's Holy Diver

Charlie Moore
Catcher, Milwaukee Brewers
1987 Donruss #372

Donruss Fact: Had 13 OF assists in '82.
GMT Fact: This would be impressive had he not been a catcher. These antics very much frustrated the Brew Crew's pitching staff, namely their "enforcer" Mark Clear who is said to have beaten the tar out of Charlie in an incident in which he ripped his mustache off with his bare hands.

Mark Clear
Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers
1989 Donruss #528

Donurss Fact: Lead Brewers in appearances in '87.
GMT Fact: Undefeated in clubhouse staring contests in '87. Looking into Clear's eyes is said to be equivalent to seeing the devil himself. Once ran sound checks for Ronnie James Dio.

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

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.

You Know What They Say About Guys With Big Glasses...

Actually, we were hoping you did, because we don't.

Craig McMurtry
Pitcher, Texas Rangers
1990 Topps #294

Topps Fact: Craig was 1981 Southern League All-Star at Savannah.
GMT Fact: Craig found success post-baseball career with breakout role as Kip Dynamite. Loves technology.


Scott Garrelts
Pitcher, San Francisco Giants
1987 Topps #475

Topps Fact: Scott had a 16-4 career record at Buckley-Loda (Ill.) High School. He's fond of playing pool.
GMT Fact: Scott is illegally blind.


Tom Brookens
Third Baseman, Detroit Tigers
1989 Donruss #508

Donruss Fact: Played collegiate baseball at Mansfield (Pa.) St.
GMT Fact: Legally changed his name to "Theodore Kaczynski" in 1992.


Tom Hume
Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies
1987 Topps #719

Topps Fact: Tom was named the top baseball player in the country at Northeast (St. Petersburg, Fla.) High School.
GMT Fact: Tom was immortalized as the highly coveted collectible ring announcer (#162) in the popular 1980's toy action figure set M.U.S.C.L.E.S.

John Lowenstein
Outfielder, Baltimore Orioles
1982 Fleer #169

Fleer Fact: Born in Wolf Point, Mont.
GMT Fact: Lowenstein, an Irish-Catholic, is rumored to be enigmatic singer-songwriter Leon Redbone.

About Our Banner

The cards featured in our banner were (amazingly in our eyes) all pulled from the same foot-long box of trading cards. In addition to learning that the 1987 Donruss set featured the ugliest set of portraits ever shot, the box was also the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back in starting this site.

About the lucky banner models...

LaMarr Hoyt
Pitcher, San Diego Padres
1987 Topps #275

Topps Fact: LaMarr's father Dewey, once pitched in the minors.
GMT Fact: Hoytt looks like a mustachioed Buddy Hackett. Is a white guy named "LaMarr."


Danny Frisella
Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
1974 Topps #71

Topps Fact: Learned to throw fork ball from Deigo Segui in Venezuelan Loop.
GMT Fact: Once made me a large pie at Papa's Pizza in Trenton; could be a Mario Bro.



Roy Smalley
Infielder, Minnesota Twins
1987 Donruss #443

Donruss Fact: Set Yankee club record for most HR by a SS (20) in '82.
GMT Fact: Looks functionally retarded. Resembles Wal-Mart greater.

John Candaleria
Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates
1983 Topps #755

Topps Fact: July 2, 1982: Scored 2 runs with RBI in win vs. Expos.
GMT Fact: Is a Mexican ninja. Sang back-up for the Commodores.


Jerry Remy
Second Base, Boston Red Sox
1985 Topps #761

Topps Fact: Jerry was All-League pick at Somerset (Mass.) High School twice at shortstop as prep player.
GMT Fact: Remy blames game 6 on Calvin Shiraldi.


Ron Washington
Infielder, Cleveland Indians
1989 Donruss #468

Donruss Fact: Got a new lease on life as an Indian in '88, taking over as their regular SS two months into the season.
GMT Fact: Got a new lease on life pushing a shopping cart collecting cans.