Player Profile: Steve Bedrosian

I have 78 cards of Steve Bedrosian. This one is from 1985 Fleer.

Playing career: Steve Bedrosian was one of the best relievers of the 1980s, serving as a consistent closer for the Braves, Phillies and Giants, saving 184 games. His best season was 1987, when he was a surprise Cy Young Award winner, saving a league-leading 40 games. Finger numbness caused by too much chewing tobacco and caffeine led to his retirement after the 1991 season. His fingers impoved and he returned to pitch for the Braves again from 1993-1995.

My memories: I remember him as a star pitcher in the late 1980s, but nothing really specific.

Where he is now: He spent time as a youth baseball coach and served as president of the Coweta, GA school board. He is now retired.

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Steve Bed, ahead of Steve Bedair, owner of Bedair Machine Works. There do not appear to be any other prominent Steve Bedrosians.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Matt Beech.

Player Profile: Cam Bedrosian

I have one card of Cam Bedrosian, from 2011 Topps Pro Debut.

Playing career: Cam Bedrosian was the #1 pick of the Angels in 2010 and signed for over a million dollars. Then he immediately got hurt and needed Tommy John surgery, missing all of 2010 and most of 2011. He returned in 2012 and got bombed at Class-A Cedar Rapids, going 3-11 with a 6.31 ERA in 21 starts.

Where he is now: He moved to the bullpen at Class-A Burlington in 2013, going 1-5 with 7 saves and a 5.30 ERA. In 54.1 innings he struck out 69 and walked 22. He didn’t turn 22 until after the season. It’s too early to call him a bust yet.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Interesting facts: He is the son of former major leaguer Steve Bedrosian, who was known by the nickname “Bedrock”. Cam’s full name is Cameron Rock Bedrosian.

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when you type Cam Be, between Cam Bearing Tool and Cam Bearings, both of which have to do with auto parts. There do not appear to be any other prominent Cam Bedrosians.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Steve Bedrosian.

Player Profile: Erik Bedard

I have fifteen cards of Erik Bedard. This one is from 2009 Topps.

Playing career: Erik Bedard originally came up with the Orioles in 2002. He slowly became an important piece of the Orioles starting rotation. He had a career year in 2007, going 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA, finishing fifth in the Cy Young Award voting. After the season Baltimore traded him to Seattle for Adam Jones. Jones became a big star in helping the Orioles become a winning team again, while Bedard struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in Seattle.

Where he is now: He pitched for the Astros in 2013, his fourth team in the last three years. In 32 games (26 starts) he went 4-12 with a 4.59 ERA.

My memories: For some reason I thought he was very wild. Actually his control is not his problems, injuries are. I think I was confusing him with Daniel Cabrera, another Orioles pitcher from the same time who was also highly touted but ultimately a disappointment.

Interesting facts: He is from Ontario but is French-Canadian and grew up speaking only French.

Google Autocomplete results: He is tenth when you type Erik , after Erik Kuselias, co-host of the NBC show Pro Football Talk. There do not appear to be any other prominent Erik Bedards.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Cam Bedrosian.

Player Profile: Joe Beckwith

I have eleven cards of Joe Beckwith. This one is from 1985 Fleer.

Playing career: Joe Beckwith pitched for the Dodgers and Royals from 1979 to 1986. In 229 games he went 18-19 with 7 saves and a 3.54 ERA. A fuller account of his career can be found at the 1985 Topps blog.

My memories: He is from before my time. Only know him from his card.

Where he is now: After his retirement he has spent over 25 years in the ready mix concrete business.

Google Autocomplete results: He is eighth when you type Joe Bec, between Joe Becwar, an executive coach, and Joe Beck Mafia, referring to a narcotics trafficker. Another prominent Joe Beckwith is a movie production accountant.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Erik Bedard.

Player Profile: Gordon Beckham

I have four cards of Gordon Beckham. This one is from 2011 Gypsy Queen.

Playing career: Gordon Beckham came up with the White Sox in 2009 and made an immediate impact, hitting .270 with 14 HR and 63 RBI in 103 games, placing fifth in the Rookie-of-the-Year voting. He has not been able to live up to that start, however. Though he is the White Sox’ starting second baseman, he has failed to hit much over .250 or provide any real power.

Where he is now: In 103 games in 2013 he hit .267 with 5 HR and 24 RBI.

My memories: I had not heard of the name Beckham until the soccer player David became famous, then all of a sudden there was a hotshot White Sox rookie and the Rays also had a high-profile prospect with the name. Seemed like he would be a big start but I guess not.

Interesting facts: His Out of the Park Foundation has raised over $120,000 for the National Parkinson Foundation.

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Gordon B, between Gordon Brown, the former UK Prime Minister, and Gordon Bennett, a restaurant in Brooklyn. There do not appear to be any other prominent Gordon Beckhams.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Joe Beckwith.

Player Profile: Robbie Beckett

I have four cards of Robbie Beckett. This one is from 1994 Classic.

Playing career: Robbie Beckett was the number one draft choice of the Padres in 1990. He had a live arm but terrible control. In 857 minor league innings he struck out 947 batters but walked 846. His record was 34-62 with a 6.13 ERA. He did pitch in seven major league games for the Rockies in 1996 and 1997, and went 0-0 with an 11.57 ERA. In seven innings he struck out eight but walked ten. A fuller account of his career can be found at Smed’s Baseball Card Blog.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Where he is now: Anyone know where Robbie Beckett is now?

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Robbie Bec, between Robbie Beck and Robbie Beck Memorial, both of which deal with a biker who died earlier this year. Another prominent Robbie Beckett is an Australian rugby player.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Gordon Beckham.

Player Profile: Josh Beckett

I have 28 cards of Josh Beckett. This one is from 2011 Topps Heritage.

Playing career: Josh Beckett came up with the Marlins in 2001 and emerged as one of the best young pitchers in baseball. In 2005 the Marlins traded him to Boston for Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez, and he solidified his standing as one of the best pitchers in the game, particularly in 2007 when he helped Boston to a world championship with a 20-win season. His performance and, supposedly, his attitude declined in the early 2010’s and he was shipped off to the Dodgers in the middle of the 2012 season as part of a bold blockbuster deal that has helped both teams.

Where his is now: His 2013 season ended in May with surgery that included having a rib removed. For the season he went 0-5 in eight starts with a 5.19 ERA.

My memories: As a Yankee fan I don’t have any love for Beckett. My clearest memory of him is his shutting down of the Yankees in the 2003 World Series, particularly the series-ending shutout in Game 6. The Yankees had some success against him when he was with Boston. He is best remembered as a Red Sox not for his success but as being a key part of the “chicken and beer” pitching staff that got blamed for the team’s 2011 collapse.

Interesting facts: The Josh Beckett Foundation is considered one of the poorest-run baseball player charities, donating just 37% of revenues to charity. The minimum accepted giving percentage for charities is 65%-75%.

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when you type Josh B, between Josh Brolin and Josh Blaylock, both actors. There do not appear to be any other prominent Josh Becketts.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Robbie Beckett.

Tim Delgado on baseball cards

Tim Delgado pitched four seasons in the Cubs organization, reaching as high as AA before injuries sidelined his career. In 130 games he went 23-24 with 9 saves and a 3.45 ERA. Now President of Read King Medical Development in Houston, he kindly answered my questions about baseball cards.

"Attached are a few of my favorite cards.  The first is an All-Star card from my time with the Cubs, the second is from my first season in Asia, and the last card is just one of many Cubs cards…but I liked the way it was framed a bit off-center and caught me after a follow-through on a pitch in the bullpen (a bit different that most of my other cards).

 

I was in the Cubs organization from 1990-1994, then to Asia for a year, and then back to sign a split contract with the Cleveland Indians in 1995 where I started the season in AAA Buffalo but was sidelined for the season with the first of my three elbow surgeries over the next five years.

I was paid by the Indians through 2000 (when I retired), but also jumped back to Asia in 1997 and 1999 while I was recovering from additional elbow surgeries.  I can’t complain though, as there were many players with a ton of talent that were knocked out of the game even sooner that I was.  I got paid to play a game for 11 years…..even though my right arm was in a sling for much of the last five seasons!  lol.

I never did collect cards, as I was always moving and didn’t have many possessions other than a couple big duffle bags of clothes and baseball gear during those days!  lol"

Thanks!

Baseball card story from Dave Therneau

Dave Therneau pitched five seasons in the Reds organization, reaching the AAA-level in 1999, a year in which he went 14-5 across three levels. Unfortunately he got hurt, needed Tommy John surgery and did not make it to the major leagues. Now the Pitching Coach and Academic Enhancement Coordinator at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he kindly shared this baseball card story.

"I actually do have a kind of funny, interesting story I guess.  In 1999 I moved through the system quickly going from high A in my first full season to AAA and had a great year.  So, in 2000 they came out with a top prospects set made by the Just2K company or something like that.  Well, I was getting people and fans sending me these cards like crazy to sign for them to complete their sets I guess.  And a lot of fans had them to sign in spring training.  Well, obviously my career got derailed because of injury and I phased out of the game after a few more years, 2004 being my last year playing.  In 2008 I believe one of my close friends that has no real interest in baseball and is not a card collector came across somebody by accident selling my card for 2 bucks plus 5 bucks shipping, or something close to those numbers.  So my buddy, again not a collector, nor does he have any interest in my card collections bought it as a joke because the shipping was more than the card.  He didn’t tell me until we met up one time for dinner and said he had a surprise for me.  He had bought my card with my original signature on it for well under what it cost to ship it to him.  I found it very amusing and so did he.  We had a good laugh about it.  That is probably my favorite card of the ones of me I guess and I used to collect cards when I was younger and have a ton of them, but don’t collect anymore."

Thanks!

Player Profile: Rich Becker

I have 22 cards of Rich Becker. This one is from 2001 Topps.

Playing career: Outfielder Rich Becker spent eight years in the major leagues. He could hit for a little bit of power and had a little bit of speed but struck out a ton. His first five seasons were all spent with the Twins. The last three seasons were divided up among the Mets, Orioles, Brewers, A’s and Tigers.

My memories: I remember him on those bad Twins teams in the mid-1990’s. I had forgotten about his time with all those other different teams.

Where he is now: A firefighter in North Fort Myers, FL.

Google Autocomplete Results: He is first when you type Rich Bec, ahead of Rich Beckert, Chief Financial Officer of CA Technologies. Another prominent Rich Becker is Managing of Development Communications for the Albany Medical Center.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Josh Beckett.

Player Profile: Gregory Becker

I have one card of Gregory Becker, from 1987 ProCards.

Playing career: Gregory Becker pitched in the Cardinals organization from 1986 to 1989. He put up great numbers – 18-7, 37 saves, 2.53 ERA. I don’t know what happened to him – injuries?

Where he is now: Coaching American Legion baseball in Erie, PA.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Gregory Bec, between Gregory Beck, an architect, and Gregory Beck Attorney, a lawyer in Florida. There are no references to the ballplayer on the first page of Google results; the first is for the CEO of Silicon Valley Bank.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Rick Becker.

Player Profile: David Becker

I have one card of David Becker, from 1993 Classic Draft Picks.

Playing career: Catcher-1B David Becker played three seasons in the Blue Jays organization, never getting higher than Rookie League ball. In 99 games he hit .213 with 0 HR, 19 RBI and 15 SB.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Where he is now: Anyone know where David Becker is now?

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type David Becker, ahead of David Becker MD, a dermatologist in Manhattan. There are no references to the ballplayer on the first page of results. Another prominent David Becker is the former General Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Gregory Becker.

Player Profile: Rod Beck

I have 48 cards of Rod Beck. This one is from 1994 Collector's Choice.

Playing career: Rod Beck pitched in 704 major league games, all in relief, compiling 286 saves. He became nationally prominent in the Giants’ surprising 1993 season, with a larger-than-life personality that was a throwback to many past closers. He saved at least 20 games in a season seven times and had over 45 saves in a season twice. He was dismal in the postseason, however, with a 7.64 ERA and no saves in six appearances, including allowing a walk-off home run to Bernie Williams in the 1999 ALCS.

Post-playing career: Beck had difficulty adjusting to post-baseball life after his career ended in 2004, eventually turning to drugs. He died of a cocaine overdose on June 23, 2007, leaving behind a wife and two children.

My memories: I was certainly familiar with him as a prominent closer with a flair for showmanship, very demonstrative on the mound. He had a reputation as one of baseball’s “good guys” but that surface apparently hid some very major personal problems.

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Rod B, between Rod Building, referring to the making of fishing poles, and Rod Barton, an artist in London. Another prominent Rod Beck was a state senator in Idaho.

Coming up next: The next profile will be David Becker.

Player Profile: Steve Bechler

I have two cards of Steve Bechler. This one is from 2002 Topps Traded.

Playing career: Steve Bechler pitched in three games for the Orioles in 2002. He was 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA.

Death: Bechler died of heatstroke in spring training of 2003. A bottle of Ephedra was found in his locker and traces of the weight-loss drug were found in his system during the autopsy, leading to a public outcry that forced the banning of the drug by the FDA. However, it was never conclusively proven that it was the Ephedra that killed him – there were many other factors involved. He was working out in extremely hot and humid weather without having eaten for two days. He was listed by the Orioles as 249 pounds at the time of death but the autopsy indicated that he was actually at 320 pounds – severely overweight. He also had both a personal and family history of heatstroke – Bechler had suffered it in high school, and a half-brother died from a heat-related aneurysm while playing baseball.

My memories: I had never heard of him when he died. After his death he became very famous, but you only ever heard that he died because of Ephedra. You never heard about all the other factors that contributed to his death.

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Steve Bec, between Steve Becker, a photographer, and Steve Beck, a movie director. There do not appear to be any other prominent Steve Bechlers.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Rod Beck.

Player Profile: Mark Beavers

I have one card of Mark Beavers, from 1989 Best.

Playing career: Mark Beavers pitched in the A’s, Brewers and Padres organizations from 1986 to 1989. In 77 games he went 20-22 with a 3.49 ERA.

Where he is now: A dentist in Hawaii.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Mark Beav, between Mark Beaven AAM, referring to a CEO, and Mark Beaver NASCAR, owner of a motorsports company. Another prominent Mark Beavers is Director, Business Development at CNNMoney.com.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Steve Bechler.

Baseball card story from Jake Patterson

First baseman Jake Patterson played in the Twins organization from 1993 to 1997. His best season was 1994, when he hit .268 with 18 HR and 53 RBI in only 63 games. Now a Correctional Youth Officer at the Colorado Division of Youth Corrections, he kindly shared this great baseball card story.

"I actually do have a favorite baseball card story. In 1995 while playing for the Ft. Wayne Wizards, one of the "Diamond Girls" who I had become friends with told me that she was making herself a sandwich earlier that day for lunch and found a baseball card of me in it. I thought she was just kidding but she brought the card to show me the next day and sure enough she was not playing. I had forgotten about signing a release earlier in the year from the Holsum bread company giving permission for them to create a card and put them in loaves of bread as a promotion, well I was selected as the representative for the Wizards but was unaware. So I went to the store and bought $100 dollars worth of bread to get cards for myself, friends and family but soon found I had wasted the money as 2 weeks later I received a box of 100 of my cards from Holsum, but I was not lacking for sandwiches or toast for a while so I guess it wasn't a waste of money after all."

Thanks!

Player Profile: Blake Beavan

I have one card of Blake Beavan, from 2011 Topps Update.

Playing career: Blake Beavan came up with the Mariners in 2011 and put up some decent numbers in 2012 as a part of their starting rotation, going 11-11 with a 4.43 ERA, though he struck out just 67 batters in 152.1 innings.

Where he is now: He struggled in 2013, going 0-2 with a 6.13 ERA in twelve games (two starts). He spent most of the season in the minors.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is fourth when you type Blake Be, between Blake Beatty, Director of Development at Hudson River Park, and Blake Bell Rivals, referring to the quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners. There do not appear to be any other prominent Blake Beavans.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Mark Beavers.

Just a whole lot of Just cards

I picked up a huge box of cards from a guy who was moving and looking to get rid of them. Fortunately I didn't pay anything for them. There were some cards I need from 1999 and 2000 Just Minors. The problem is there were so many duplicates! Each of the piles below are of the same cards. Some of these stacks are 50, 60, 70 and more of the same card. The largest pile is Matt White - 137 cards from 2000 Just for the first draft pick in Devil Rays history. There are some fairly big names in the set - any Jayson Werth supercollectors interested in 85 cards of his 2000 Just which misspells his name Jason?

There were also ten sets of 1991 Front Row Draft Picks, all of them missing the Manny Ramirez card.  I have doubts of the tradeability of any of these cards - but you are welcome to prove me wrong! And as this box is really just taking up space, I'd be happy to give the whole thing away for free to someone willing to meet in Manhattan or Long Island.

Player Profile: Kash Beauchamp

I have one card of Kash Beauchamp, from 1989 ProCards. 

Playing career: Outfielder Kash Beauchamp, the Blue Jays first round draft pick in 1982, played 14 years in the minor leagues. In exactly 1000 games, he hit .282 with 74 HR and 414 RBI. A full account of his career and a detailed interview can be found at The Greatest 21 Days.

Interesting facts: Son of the late former major leaguer Jim Beauchamp, he played for his father on the 1989 International League champion Richmond Braves.

Where he is now: Hitting instructor at Perfect Practice Athletic Center in Oklahoma.

My memories: He shared some baseball card stories with this blog in 2010.

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when type Kash B, between Kash Best Thing I Never Had, referring to a ringtone of a Beyonce song, and Kash Boutique, a clothing shop in Texas. There do not appear to be any other prominent Kash Beauchamps.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Blake Beavan.

Player Profile: Blaine Beatty

I have seven cards of Blaine Beatty. This one is from 1989 ProCards.

Playing career: Blaine Beatty pitched eleven seasons of professional baseball, making the major leagues with the Mets in 1989 and 1991. He put up excellent numbers in both the minors (121-69, 3.26 ERA) and majors (2.25 ERA in 16 innings) but constant struggles with injuries prevented him from achieving more. A fuller account of his career can be found at The Amazing Shea Stadium Autograph Project.

Where he is now: A minor league pitching coach in the Orioles organization.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Blaine Be, between Blaine Bell, a scientist, and Blaine Beach, a park in Minnesota. Another prominent Blaine Beatty is a realtor in Minnesota.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Kash Beauchamp.

Player Profile: Jim Beattie

I have 21 cards of Jim Beattie. This one is from 1979 Topps.

Playing career: Jim Beattie pitched nine seasons in the major leagues for the Yankees and Mariners. He had a complete game victory in game five of the 1978 World Series for the Yankees against the Dodgers. A fuller account of his career can be found at the 1980 Topps blog.

Where he is now: After his playing career, he has become a baseball executive. The General Manager of the Expos from 1995 to 2001 and the Orioles from 2003 to 2005, he is currently a Major League Scout for the Toronto Blue Jays.

My memories: His playing career was from before my time, but I was very interested in the 1978 Yankees as when I was growing up they were the most recent World Champion Yankee team. I would often read about Beattie’s regular season struggles and how he turned it around in the postseason.

Interesting stories: He shared a baseball card story with this blog in 2010.

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Jim Beat, ahead of Jim Beatty Ohio State, a physics professor. Another prominent Jim Beattie founded the band Primal Scream.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Blaine Beatty.

Player Profile: Chris Beasley

I have four cards of Chris Beasley. This one is from 1992 Topps Debut.

Playing career: Chris Beasley pitched in 22 games for the Angels in 1991. He went 0-1 with a 3.37 ERA. A fuller account of his career can be found at The Greatest 21 Days.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Where he is now: Anyone know where Chris Beasley is now?

Google Autocomplete Results: He is first when you type Chris Beas, ahead of Chris Beason, a realtor in Iowa. The first entry when you Google Chris Beasley is not the ballplayer but a math professor at Northeastern University.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Jim Beattie.

Player Profile: Andy Beasley

I have one card of Andy Beasley, from 1992 Classic Best.

Playing career: Catcher Andy Beasley played four seasons in the Cardinals organization. His best season was 1991, when he hit .284 with 12 HR and 60 RBI at Springfield.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Where he is now: Anyone know where Andy Beasley is now?

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Andy Beas, ahead of Andy Beast, a character from Monster High. The first entry when you Google Andy Beasley is not the ballplayer but a realtor in Tennessee.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Chris Beasley.

Player Profile: Kevin Bearse

I have five cards of Kevin Bearse. This one is from 1989 Best.

Playing career: Kevin Bearse made three starts for the 1990 Indians. He went 0-2 with a 12.91 ERA.

Where he is now: Physical education teacher at Marlboro Memorial Middle School in New Jersey and an instructor at Frozen Ropes.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is sixth when you type Kevin Be, between Kevin Beasley Artist, a sculptor, and Kevin Bewersdorf, an actor. There do not appear to be any other prominent Kevin Bearses.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Andy Beasley.

Player Profile: Gary Beare

I have one card of Gary Beare, from 1978 Topps.

Playing career: Gary Beare pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976 and 1977. In 23 games (11 starts) he went 5-6 with a 5.15 ERA. A fuller account of his career can be found at Cardboard Gods.

Where he is now: Account Manager at the San Diego Union Tribune and a Varsity Pitching Coach at Westview High School.

My memories: He is from before my time. Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Gary Beare, ahead of Gary Linker Torch Bearer, a UK soccer player who carried the Olympic torch. There do not appear to be any other prominent Gary Beares.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Kevin Bearse.

Player Profile: Dave Beard

I have eleven cards of Dave Beard. This one is from 1984 Fleer.

Playing career: Dave Beard pitched for the A’s, Mariners, Cubs and Tigers from 1980 to 1989. His best season was 1982, when he went 10-9 with 11 saves and a 3.44 ERA for Oakland.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Where he is now: Anyone know where Dave Beard is now?

Google Autocomplete results: He is fourth when you type Dave Bea, between Dave Beatrice, referring to the Princess of York and her boyfriend, and Dave Beauchamp, a fishery professor at the University of Washington. Another prominent Dave Beard is Director of Digital Content at the Washington Post.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Gary Beare.

Player Profile: Billy Beane

I have four cards of Billy Beane. This one is from 1987 Fleer.

Playing career: Outfielder Billy Beane played for the Mets, Twins, Tigers and A’s from 1984 to 1989. In 148 games he hit .219 with 3 HR and 29 RBI.

Where he is now: The General Manager of the Oakland A’s since October 1997, he is the reigning AL Executive of the Year.

Interesting facts: He was played by Brad Pitt in the movie Moneyball, based on the book of the same name which detailed Beane’s revolutionary use of statistics in player analysis.

He is on the board of directors of NetSuite, a $300 million publicly-traded software company.

His Danville, CA was recently up for sale. Click the link to see photos of the $1.8M mansion.

In a recent interview with Maxim magazine, the reporter showed Beane his 1987 Fleer card (pictured above). “I think this is at the old Cleveland Stadium,” said Beane. “You know, you take these when you’re 22, and you don’t think you’re going to be immortalized for the rest of your life, and you sure wish you’d shaved that day.” I’m not sure if it is actually Cleveland; looks more like Anaheim to me. What do you think?

My memories: Like Billy Bean, Billy Beane was a mostly obscure guy from my late-1980s baseball cards who became more prominent for his post-playing career.

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when you type Billy, between Billy Joel, a singer, and Billy Crystal, a famous actor and Yankee fan. There do not appear to be any other prominent Billy Beanes.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Dave Beard.

Player Profile: Billy Bean

I have four cards of Billy Bean. This one is from 1989 Score Rising Stars.

Playing career: Outfielder Billy Bean played in 272 games for the Tigers, Dodgers and Padres from 1987 to 1995. He hit .226 with 5 HR and 53 RBI in 478 at bats.

Interesting facts: In 1999 Bean came out as homosexual, and he is still the only living baseball player to do so. Like many gay men, he had married a woman because he felt that was what he was supposed to do, but later divorced her as he realized his homosexuality. In 1993 he moved in with a man named Sam, who became ill with HIV and later AIDS. (Bean tested negative.) On April 23, 1995 Bean was with Sam when he died in the hospital. Still feeling forced to hide his identity, he played baseball later that day.  He quit baseball after that season, unable to continue leading a double life. Tragedy continued to haunt Bean’s relationships in later years. In 2008 he ended his thirteen-year relationship with Miami restaurant owner Efrain Veiga after Veiga invited a younger man to his apartment for a sexual encounter and the man died from complications from a date rape drug.

Bean’s celebrity as the only former major leaguer to come out has led to his appearances in numerous TV shows, including acting roles on Arli$$ and Frasier. He also posed nude for Blue Magazine. In 2004 he wrote an autobiography, Going the Other Way.

Where he is now: Bean is a Realtor for Laluxe Group and Keller Williams in Los Angeles. He has a website, BillyBean.com, and a blog, Just Sayin. Earlier this year he was named Vice Chairman of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, an anti-bullying organization.

My memories: I remember him vaguely in the late 1980s when there were two players with almost the same name. I do remember him coming out in 1999, turning an obscure ex-ballplayer into a more prominent public position. It is amazing that fourteen years later there has not been another ex-ballplayer to come out.

Google Autocomplete results: He is ninth when you type Billy Be, between Billy Beane Salary, referring to the compensation of the A’s general manager, and Billy Beach Café, a restaurant in Long Beach, NY. Another prominent Billy Bean was an English comedian.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Billy Beane.

Player Profile: Mike Beams

I have two cards of Mike Beams. This one is from 1988 ProCards.

Playing career: Outfielder Mike Beams played in the Astros and Red Sox organizations from 1986 to 1993. In 631 games he hit .233 with 49 HR and 300 RBI.

Where he is now: Owner of Underdog Seafood in Oviedo, FL.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Mike Beams, ahead of Mike Beams San Jose State, a former football player at the school. Another prominent Mike Beams is the singer and guitarist for the band Mortuous.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Billy Bean.

Player Profile: Trey Beamon

I have 21 cards of Trey Beamon. This one is from 1997 Topps.

Playing career: Outfielder Trey Beamon played for the 1996 Pirates, 1997 Padres and 1998 Tigers. In 95 games he hit .253 with 0 HR and 15 RBI.

Where he is now: An instructor for the North Texas Spartans.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is sixth when you type Trey Be, between Trey Burke, point guard for the Utah Jazz, and Trey Bell Scouting Report Baseball, referring to Trey Ball, the Red Sox’ first round draft pick in 2013. Another prominent Trey Beamon is a high school football prospect in Nebraska.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Mike Beams.

Player Profile: Charlie Beamon

I have one card of Charlie Beamon, from 1980 Topps. He shares the card with Rodney Craig, who was murdered a few weeks ago in Los Angeles.

Playing career: First baseman Charlie Beamon played in 45 games for the Mariners and Blue Jays from 1978 to 1981. He hit .196 with 0 HR, 0 RBI and one stolen base.

My memories: He is from before my time. Only know him from his card.

Where he is now: Anyone know where Charlie Beamon is now?

Interesting facts: His father, Charlie Beamon Sr., pitched for the Orioles from 1956 to 1958.

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Charlie Beam, ahead of Charlie Beamin, a recording engineer. Another prominent Charlie Beamon was a jazz singer.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Trey Beamon.

Player Profile: T.J. Beam

I have four cards of T.J. Beam. This one is from the 2005 Topps Yankees Prospects set.

Playing career: T.J. Beam pitched for the Yankees in 2006 and the Pirates in 2008. In 52 games, all in relief, he went 4-2 with a save and a 5.37 ERA.

My memories: I remember him vaguely coming up with the Yankees, but he only pitched in 20 games for the team, all in middle relief, so I can’t say I remember any specifics.

Where he is now: A coach at Chad Moeller Baseball in Scottsdale, AZ.

Google Autocomplete results: He is seventh when you type T.J. Be, between T.J. Berden, a marketing producer, and T.J. Berry Missouri State Rep, referring to a Republican from the Kansas City area.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Charlie Beamon.