Thursday, January 28, 2021

1981 Topps Mariners Future Stars

 

This is a rather sad card - two of the three men died in very unfortunate circumstances.

Rick Anderson

The player: Rick Anderson pitched for the Yankees for one game in 1979 and the Mariners for five games in 1980, going 0-0 with a 3.75 ERA.

The man: In 1989 Anderson was found dead in a boatyard trailer he was living in near Los Angeles at the age of 35. The cause of death was arteriosclerosis due to obesity. At the time of death he weighed over 400 pounds.

My collection: This is my only card of Anderson. I would be interested in trading for 1979 TCMA Columbus Clippers #21.

Greg Biercevicz

The player: Greg Biercevicz was drafted by the Mariners in 1977 and immediately made a big splash at Class-A Bellingham, going 11-1 with a 0.90 ERA. The next season he was promoted to AAA, a level he would pitch at for eight years without ever making the major leagues. Overall, in 200 minor league games (173 at AAA), he went 69-58 with a 3.93 ERA.

The man: Biercevicz has kept a low profile since his playing career ended.

My collection: I have two cards of Biercevicz, 1979 and 1981 Topps. I would be interested in trading for 1985 TCMA Rochester Red Wings #30.

Rodney Craig

The player: Rodney Craig had stints with the Mariners in 1979/80, the Indians in 1982 and the White Sox in 1986. In 145 games he hit .256 with 3 HR and 27 RBI.

The man: Craig struggled with mental illness throughout his life and was homeless for most of the years after his mothers death in 2001. He was stabbed to death in a fight at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles in 2013.

My collection: I have five of his cards, from 1980 to 1983. I would be interested in trading for 1983 TCMA Charleston Charlies #15.

2 comments:

  1. Sad endings to both Anderson and Criag.

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  2. man what a sad card in retrospect. biercevicz is the winner of this group even though he is the one who never made it to the show.

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