Player Profile: Rafael Belliard

I have 49 cards of Rafael Belliard. This one is from 1990 Donruss.

Playing career: Shortstop Rafael Belliard played seventeen years in the major leagues, and was a true good-field-no-hit infielder. He was a terrific fielder, most notably making a game-saving play in the ninth inning of Game 6 of the 1995 World Series. However, the 5-foot-6-inch Belliard was one of the worst hitters of his era, with a slash line of .221/.270/.259 in 2,301 at bats. He hit only two home runs, and those were hit ten years apart.

My memories: I remember him hitting that home run against the Mets in 1997. There was a pretty big deal made about it. It was noted at the time that both 1987 and the late-1990s were known for their juiced ball, with his home runs listed as prime evidence.

Where he is now: He was the first base coach for the Tigers in 2013, but was replaced by Omar Vizquel for 2014 by new manager Brad Ausmus. I don’t know if he is still in the Tigers organization.

Interesting facts: The Tigers give physicals to players and coaches at the end of each season. At his 2012-end physical, doctors found that Belliard had prostate cancer, even though Belliard felt fine and had no systems. The cancer was found early enough that he had successful surgery in January 2013.

His cousin is former major leaguer Ron Belliard.

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Rafael B, between Rafael Benitez, a Spanish soccer manager, and Rafael Bienvenido Cruz, father of US senator Ted Cruz. Another prominent Rafael Belliard is a doctor in Florida.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Ron Belliard.

Player Profile: Mark Bellhorn

I have twelve cards of Mark Bellhorn. This one is from 1996 Topps.

Playing career: Mark Bellhorn was a switch-hitting second baseman with some pop who played ten years in the major leagues for seven teams. He hit 27 home runs for the Cubs but is best known for hitting home runs against the Yankees in games 6 and 7 of the 2004 ALCS for Boston. A fuller account of his career can be found at Padrographs.

My memories: After struggling mightily in 2005 he was released by the Red Sox and signed with the Yankees, the first of a few attempts (Embree, Mientkiewicz, eventually Johnny Damon) by the Bombers to steal some mojo from those damn Red Sox of 2004.

Where he is now: Owns several Dunkin Donuts franchises in the Boston area.

Google Autocomplete results: He is ninth when you type Mark Be, between Mark Belanger, the former Orioles shortstop, and Mark Bernes, a WWII-era Russian singer. There do not appear to be any other prominent Mark Bellhorns.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Rafael Belliard.

Mark Knudson on baseball cards

Mark Knudson pitched eight seasons in the major leagues, mostly for the Brewers, going 24-29 with a 4.72 ERA. Now the General Manager of KREL ESPN 1580 AM in Colorado Springs, he kindly answered my questions about baseball cards.

"I’ve never been much of a card collector, even as a child. It was certainly a thrill when the first card of me came out. Drove around all night looking for a store than had the new package I was in.
   I guess my favorite cards are the 1991 Upper Deck or the 1991 Topps. There were certainly a lot of card companies producing cards back then."

Thanks!

 

Trade with In The Ballpark

Got a bunch of cards in a trade with In The Ballpark. He collects A-Rod cards so if you want to get rid of yours he's your man. Here are a few highlights from what he sent me:

I like cards where the player takes up very little of the actual picture.

 Nice mid-80's Rickey.

 When Darren Holmes had this picture taken, he didn't know he would be drafted after the season by a National League, and that bat would come in handy.

 Unlike a pitcher batting, position players almost never pitch, so it's even rarer to see a card with a position player posing on the mound.

Player Profile: Albert Belle

I have 105 cards of Albert Belle. This one is from 1990 Upper Deck.

Playing career: Albert Belle was one of the best power hitters of the 1990s. In a career cut short to twelve seasons due to a hip injury, he hit 381 home runs and drove in 1239 runs. In his last ten major league seasons, he never hit fewer than 23 home runs or drove in fewer than 95 runs.

Interesting facts: Belle would probably be in the Hall of Fame if it weren’t for his terrible personality. He was fined, suspended, demoted etc. many times for various outbursts of temper. Most significant were a domestic violence incident in 1998, in which an ex-girlfriend received an order of protection against Belle, and 2006, when he was sentenced to 90 days in jail after being convicted of felony stalking another former girlfriend. In 1998, a book called Don’t Call Me Joey:The Wit and Wisdom of Albert Belle was published, detailing many of his disgraceful actions on and off the field. (Albert Jojuan Belle used to be called Joey but changed his preference to Albert after a rehab stint early in his career. That is why, for the first couple of seasons of his career, Belle’s cards call him Joey instead of Albert.)

My memories: I remember always hearing about Belle being in trouble. Some incidents, like chasing vandals who were egging his home on Halloween, I can muster sympathy for. Others, like the domestic violence, there is no excuse.

Where he is now: A self-proclaimed “Mr. Mom” who stays home with his wife and four daughters. He walks with a limp due to the hip surgery that ended his career.

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Albert B, between Albert Bandura, a psychology professor at Stanford, and Albert Bierstadt, a 19^th-century painter. Another prominent Albert Belle is a winemaker in France.

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

Player Profile: Terry Bell

I have one card of Terry Bell, from 1989 Star.

Playing career: Catcher Terry Bell played in eight games for the 1986 Royals, going 0-3 with 2 walks. He had one at bat for the 1987 Braves and struck out.

Where he is now: With his wife LeAnn, invented the “Coach’s Seat”, a special seat designed to help athletes and others reduce knee and back strain, which is now used by Olympic teams. LeAnn Bell later wrote a book on the experience of inventing called Make Your Idea Happen. He was a longtime catching coach at the University of Dayton but appears to have recently left.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is fourth when you type Terry Bel, between Terry Bellefleur Dies, referring to a character on the TV show True Blood, and Terry Belton JP Morgan, the bank’s Head of Fixed Income Strategy. The first entry when you google Terry Bell is not the ballplayer but the President of CTG Lighting Design Studio.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Albert Belle.

Player Profile: Rob Bell

I have seven cards of Rob Bell. This one is from 2001 Topps.

Playing career: Rob Bell was a mediocre starting pitcher for the Reds, Rangers and Devil Rays, who was unable to keep his ERA under 5.00 for any of these teams. In 2005, he was particularly bad for Tampa Bay, losing his starting job after three starts and posting an 8.28 ERA. That season he was diagnosed with anxiety attacks which he blamed on a bad breakup with his girlfriend and conflicts with manager Lou Piniella. He came back with Baltimore as a reliever in 2007 but did not pitch well there either, putting up a 5.94 ERA.

Where he is now: He is back in the Rays’ organization as Director of Corporate Sales for the Hudson Valley Renegades. He is also an Instructor for Baseball Miracles, which runs baseball camps in foreign countries, including recent camps in Kenya and Ireland.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when you type Rob B, between Rob Brezsny, an astrologer, and Rob Brown, an actor. There are no references to the ballplayer on the first page of google results; most results refer to a celebrity pastor.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Terry Bell.

Player Profile: Mike J. Bell

I have seven cards of Mike Bell. This one is from 1994 Topps Gold.

Playing career: A career minor leaguer (13 seasons), Mike Bell played in 19 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2000, hitting .222 with 2 HR and 4 RBI.

Where he is now: Director of Player Development for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Interesting facts: David Bell’s brother, Buddy Bell’s son, and Gus Bell’s grandson.

Google Autocomplete results: Mike Bell Diamondbacks is third when you type Mike Bell D, between Mike Bell DJ, a wedding DJ in Maryland, and Mike Bell Death Mad Dog, referring to the late wrestler Mike “Mad Dog” Bell.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Rob Bell.

Player Profile; Mike A. Bell

I have five cards of this Mike Bell. Pictured is his card from 1992 Fleer.

Playing career: First baseman Mike Bell played in 53 games for the Braves in 1990 and 1991, hitting .200 with 2 HR and 6 RBI.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Where he is now: Anyone know where Mike Bell is now?

Google Autocomplete results: He is fourth when you type Mike Bel, between Mike Belfiore, a pitcher for the Orioles, and Mike Bell Running Back, who played for several NFL teams. There are no references to a baseball player in the first page of results.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Mike J. Bell.

Player Profile: Kevin Bell

I have five cards of Kevin Bell. This one is from 1978 Topps.

Playing career: Third baseman Kevin Bell played in 293 games over five seasons for the White Sox from 1976 to 1980. The perennial backup hit .220 with 13 HR and 64 RBI in 717 at bats for the Chisox. He also played in four games for the 1982 A’s.

My memories: Before my time. Only know him from his card.

Where he is now: Anyone know where Kevin Bell is now?

Google Autocomplete results: He is tenth when you type Kevin Be, behind Kevin Behan, a Connecticut dog trainer. The first entry when you google Kevin Bell is not the ballplayer but an Irish immigrant who was run over and killed in the Bronx after passing out drunk in the middle of a street.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Mike A. Bell.

Player Profile: Juan Bell

I have 33 cards of Juan Bell. This one is from 1992 Topps.

Playing career: Shortstop Juan Bell played 329 major league games for the Orioles, Phillies, Brewers, Expos and Red Sox from 1989 to 1995. He hit .212 with 10 HR and 71 RBI. A fuller account of his career can be found at The Greatest 21 Days.

My memories: I remember him as a big-time prospect who was going to push Cal Ripken to third base. Of course, he didn’t hit nearly well enough to threaten Ripken’s job.

Interesting facts: Brother of former Blue Jays star George Bell.

Where he is now: A baseball instructor in the Dominican Republic who works with MLB.

Google Autocomplete results: He is seventh when you type Juan Bel, between Juan Bellu, a mortgage lender in New Jersey, and Juan Beltran Photography, a fashion photographer in Brooklyn. Another prominent Juan Bell is a Senior Marketing Manager at Gatorade.

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

Player Profile: Jay Bell

I have 111 cards of Jay Bell. This one is from 1998 Fleer Tradition.

Playing career: Shortstop Jay Bell played eighteen years in the major leagues for the Indians, Pirates, Royals, Diamondbacks and Mets. In the beginning of his career he was known primarily for his defense. In his first nine seasons he only reached double figures in home runs one time. However, his power increased dramatically in the late 1990s as home run totals surged throughout the league, with seven seasons with double-digit home runs and one huge season in 1999, when he hit .289 with 38 HR and 112 RBI for the Diamondbacks.

My memories: I went to a Pirates-Mets game in 1989 and have a memory of Bell being a big star in that game; at least, I remember him distinctly playing in that game, the first time he really stood out to me. However, looking at the box score I see he went 0-6, so I’m not sure now why I remember him specifically from that game.

Where he is now: Hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Jay Be, ahead of Jay Bernstein, a philosophy professor at The New School. Another prominent Jay Bell is an author.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Juan Bell.

Player Profile: Heath Bell

I have one card of Heath Bell. This one is from 2010 Upper Deck.

Playing career: Heath Bell was a mediocre middle reliever for the Mets and Padres from 2003 to 2008. After the 2008 season, Bell lost 25 pounds playing Wii Fit and became one of the league’s leading closers, saving over 40 games with ERAs under 3 for three straight seasons, leading the National League with 42 in 2009. However, Bell’s success may have been inflated by the pitcher-friendly Petco Park and the low pressure of playing in San Diego. He signed a big free agent contract with the Marlins for 2012 but had a terrible season, posting an ERA of 5.09 and losing his closer role. Bell whined about manager Ozzie Guillen removing him from the closer role (despite Guillen’s support of the pitcher through difficulties earlier in the season) and whined that fans were picking on him instead of his teammates Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Reyes. "The funny thing is they never really talked about Giancarlo," Bell said to Fox Sports Florida. "He had a horrible April. They never talked about Jose the full season. He struggled (early).” Way to throw your teammates under the bus, Heath. Part of being a closer is that your struggles are magnified, especially compared to those of a position player. 

Where he is now: He was traded to the Diamondbacks for the 2013 season, and took over as closer when J.J. Putz got hurt. His numbers were better than what he did for Miami but nowhere near his San Diego numbers – 5-2 with 15 saves and a 4.11 ERA. He was traded to the Rays earlier this month.

My memories: He pitched 81 games for the Mets over three seasons, but living in New York I never heard of him until he became a star for the Padres. He always seemed to be perennial trade bait but the Padres never pulled the trigger.

Interesting facts: In September he sued an agent with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance, claiming that he was given insufficient advice and was rushed into signing paperwork. Seems like in general he is a guy who tries to blame others for his mistakes beyond just in baseball. He should know better than to sign something without looking at it first.

His cousin Drake Bell is the star of Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh. 

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when you type Heath B, between Heath Bar and Heath Bar Cake, both of which refer to a candy. There do not appear to be any other prominent Heath Bells.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Jay Bell.

Player Profile: George Bell

 

I have 114 cards of George Bell. This one is from 1993 Upper Deck.

Playing career: George Bell was a part of the Blue Jays outfield of the mid-1980s that was considered one of the best-hitting outfields of all time. He drove in 85+ runs for nine straight seasons, and was the AL MVP in 1987, hitting .308 with 47 HR and 134 RBI. He probably didn’t deserve the award, considering that in the 7-game losing streak Toronto ended the season with to blow what seemed like a sure division title, Bell went just 3-27 (all singles) with 1 RBI. The next spring he got into a feud with manager Jimy Williams over Williams’s attempt to make Bell a DH. He later signed a big free agent contract with the Cubs, the same year they signed Danny Jackson and Dave Smith in an ill-fated attempt to buy a title in 1991. All three players were busts for Chicago.

Interesting facts: Bell was well-known for his temper, though teammates said it was a byproduct of his win-at-all-costs mentality. An in-depth Sports Illustrated piece in 1990 also indicated that fierce arguments were a part of Bell’s Dominican culture.

Early baseball cards called him “Jorge Bell” instead of George Bell. However, his birth name is George, not Jorge. His family came to the Dominican from British and Dutch colonies.

His temper is probably most famously captured in the 1985 incident when he charged the mound against Red Sox pitcher Bruce Kison and attempted a weak karate kick at him.

My memories: I remember him as a player with a dangerous bat but one that did not get the kind of respect that other stars did because of his contentious relationship with the media.

Where he is now: He lives in the Dominican Republic, where his family owns gas stations. He also occasionally works with players on that country’s national baseball team.

Google Autocomplete results: He is seventh when you type George Be, between George Bellows, a painter, and George Bell Basketball, a former Harlem Globetrotter who at 7’8” is considered the tallest man in America. Another prominent George Bell is CEO of Jumptap. 

Coming up next: The next profile will be Heath Bell.

Player Profile: Eric Bell

I have ten cards of Eric Bell. This one is from 1987 Fleer Update.

Playing career: Eric Bell pitched six seasons in the major leagues for the Orioles, Indians and Astros. His one full major league season was 1987, when he went 10-13 with a 5.45 ERA in 29 starts for Baltimore. A fuller account of his career can be found at The Greatest 21 Days.

Where he is now: The owner of Bell Sports Gear, he is also the Arizona Tournament Director for USSSA.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is fifth when you type Eric Bel, between Eric Belanger, a hockey player, and Eric Bellinger I Don’t Want Her, referring to a singer and song. The first entry when you google Eric Bell is not the ballplayer but the guitarist for Thin Lizzy.

Coming up next: The next profile will be George Bell.

Player Profile: Derek Bell

I have 85 cards of Derek Bell. This one is from 2001 Fleer Platinum.

Playing career: Outfielder Derek Bell played eleven seasons in the major leagues for the Blue Jays, Padres, Astros, Mets and Pirates. He had his best seasons with the Astros, where he was part of the “Killer B’s” along with Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, twice driving in over 100 runs. A fuller account of his career can be found at The Greatest 21 Days.

My memories: He came up with a ton of hype with Toronto, with his rookie cards being very hot at one time. He never lived up to that potential though he had some pretty good seasons. Of course, as soon as I hear the name “Derek Bell” I immediately think “Operation Shutdown”. After having a terrible 2001 with the Pirates, hitting just .173, he was surprised to learn that he would have to compete for an outfield spot in 2002, telling reporters, "If there is competition, somebody better let me know. If there is competition, they better eliminate me out of the race and go ahead and do what they're going to do with me. I ain't never hit in spring training and I never will. If it ain't settled with me out there, then they can trade me. I ain't going out there to hurt myself in spring training battling for a job. If it is (a competition), then I'm going into 'Operation Shutdown.' Tell them exactly what I said. I haven't competed for a job since 1991." Bell never played in the major leagues again, literally sailing away from Pirates camp in his yacht.

Interesting facts: Living on a yacht was only part of Bell’s lavish lifestyle. A 2000 profile of Bell in Sports Illustrated detailed more extravagant purchases: “Such as hip-hop CDs (he owns nearly 2,000). And DVDs (100-plus). And games for his Sony PlayStation and Sega Dreamcast (300-plus). And alligator shoes (100-plus pairs). And aqua suits and green suits and beige suits and fruit-punch-colored suits and canary-yellow suits (each of which he wears once and men gives to friends). And the gold-and-diamond baseball pendant that dangles from his beanstalk neck. And sparkling diamond studs, one for each ear. And a six-bedroom house in Tampa, his hometown. And his five vehicles—three trucks, a 2000 Mercedes-Benz $500 and a 2000 Bentley Azure. "The Rolls is fresh," says Bell. " Florida State maroon, with a sweet interior, yo."”

Where he is now: Bell has had a difficult post-baseball life, being arrested for drugs in both 2006 and 2008 and trying unsuccessfully to sell his World Series ring in 2009.

Google Autocomplete results: He is third when you type Derek B, between Derek Bloogaard, a hockey player who died of a drug overdose, and Derek Bell Racing Driver, a British auto racer. The driver is the first entry when you google Derek Bell.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Eric Bell.

Player Profile: David Bell

I have 22 cards of David Bell. This one is from 1991 Classic Best.

Playing career: Third baseman David Bell played twelve years in the major leagues, mostly for the Cardinals, Mariners and Phillies. He was not the defensive third baseman his father Buddy Bell was, nor the hitter (a little more power, a little less patience), though he was respectable at both. He had much better luck than his dad, who had one of the longest playoff-less careers in history, making the playoffs three times hitting .282 with 3 HR and 13 RBI in 35 games.

My memories: He always played for good teams so I was always aware of him, but he was always just one of the bland regulars overshadowed by bigger stars.

Where he is now: Third base coach for the Chicago Cubs.

Interesting facts: He was listed in the Mitchell Report for buying pregnancy hormone that is used to counteract the effects of steroid use on testosterone.

Google Autocomplete results: David Bell Baseball is seventh when you google David Bell , between David Bell Gyro, referring to the chairman of an advertising agency, and David Bell Studio, a film studio. The first entry when you google David Bell is not the ballplayer but a marketing professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Derek Bell.

Trade with Jaybarkerfan's Junk

Here are some cards I got in a recent trade with Jaybarkerfan's Junk.

A Yankee jersey piece, off of Nick Johnson's clothing.
 
A near complete 2008 Yankees team set (the ones with NYY next to the number). Just missing the Derek Jeter card. Did get this card of Miguel Cabrera's new drinking-and-driving buddy.
 
My first ever card from Ziploc's very brief foray into baseball card making.

Also got some early 80's Topps and Fleer which are up for trade, including this Kirk Gibson rookie.

Player Profile: Buddy Bell

I have 42 cards of Buddy Bell. This one is from 1988 Fleer.

Playing career: Buddy Bell played eighteen years in the major leagues for the Indians, Rangers, Reds and Astros. A five time all-star, he was a contact hitter, walking more than he struck out. He had moderate power – twelve seasons of 10-20 home runs, but never more. Once Brooks Robinson retired, he was the best defensive third baseman in the American League, winning six straight Gold Gloves from 1979 to 1984. Stuck on bad teams his whole career, he played in 2,405 regular season games but zero postseason games.

Where he is now: After he retired he spent some time in the White Sox front office, then became the the first base coach for the Indians in 1994 and 1995. He then managed nine seasons for the Tigers, Rockies and Royals, never finishing better than 82-80. That was interspersed with a couple of stints as Indians bench coach in the mid-2000s. Since 2009 he has been Head of Player Development for the White Sox. So, in 32 years as an on-field player, coach, and manager, he has only reached the postseason once (1995 Indians).

My memories: I remember him as a manager of second-division teams more than I do as a player for one. Nothing really specific though.

Interesting facts: Son of former major leaguer Gus Bell, father of former major leaguers David Bell and Mike Bell. Another son, Ricky Bell, also played in the minor leagues.

Google Autocomplete results: He is sixth when you type Buddy B, between Buddy Bump, referring to a maternity app, and Buddy Ball, a sports complex in Orangeburg, NY. Another prominent Buddy Bell is a pastor in Oklahoma.

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

Player Profile: Tim Belk

I have four cards of Tim Belk. This one is from 1994 Classic. 

Playing career: First baseman Tim Belk played nine seasons of professional baseball. He made the major leagues with the 1996 Reds, hitting three singles in fifteen at-bats. 

Where he is now: Owns the Belk Baseball Academy in Houston.

My memories: Only know him from his card.

Google Autocomplete results: He is seventh when you type Tim Bel, between Tim Belden, the mastermind behind the Enron scam, and Tim Bell Artist, a painter. The first entry when you google Tim Belk is not the ballplayer but the CEO of Belk clothing stores.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Buddy Bell.

Japanese baseball cards from Bobby Scales

Last month I interviewed Bobby Scales, who played in both the American and Japanese major leagues and is now Director of Player Development for the Angels. I had mentioned in that post I had mentioned that I could not find a photo online of any of his Japanese cards. Well, he kindly sent me an autographed copy of his most recent Japanese card!

He also enclosed this nice note, in which he mentioned that he doesn't actually know what the cards says.

Are any of you readers able to translate the back?

Player Profile: Matt Belisle

I have eight cards of Matt Belisle. This one is from 2006 Upper Deck.

Playing career: Matt Belisle came up with the Reds in 2003 and pitched regularly both as a starter and reliever. He signed with the Rockies after the 2008 season, and after a rough 2009, has pitched very well in middle relief over the last four years. In 2012 he led the National League in appearances.

Where he is now: In 2013 he made 72 appearances, going 5-7 with a 4.32 ERA, his highest since 2009.

My memories: Ten years in the major leagues and I’d never heard of him; that’s what happens when you’re a middle reliever for Cincinnati and Colorado when they are second division teams.

Google Autocomplete results: He is sixth when you type Matt Bel, between Matt Bellassai, a BuzzFeed editor, and Matt Bellamy Twitter, referring to the frontman for the band Muse. There do not appear to be any other prominent Matt Belisles.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Tim Belk.

Player Profile: Stan Belinda

I have 41 cards of Stan Belinda. This one is from 1992 Leaf.

Playing career: Stan Belinda pitched in 585 major league games, all in relief. He was a key member of the bullpen for the National League East champion Pirates of 1990-1992, saving 42 games for those teams. After leaving Pittsburgh he had some up and down seasons. Most impressively, he put up a 3.23 ERA in 40 games for the Reds in 1998 despite being diagnosed with MS in May of that year. He continued to pitch for two years after the diagnosis. A fuller account of his career can be found at The Greatest 21 Days.

Where he is now: Belinda is best known for giving up a walk-off single to Francisco Cabrera in Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS. Following that game he got numerous death threats and kept a low profile during and after his playing career. A recent CBS Sports article portrayed him as an angry lone farmer disliked by the residents of the rural Pennsylvania town where he lives: “Anti-social, dirt farmer at heart, even ranting and raving during his playing days about efforts to keep people off of his property back home.” Sounds like a harsh assessment by a writer annoyed that he couldn’t get an interview. Belinda does do at least some youth coaching in the area.

My memories: I remember him as the Pirates closer, though I didn’t think of him as a big playoff goat like Donnie Moore or Calvin Schiraldi. Forgot about all the other teams he pitched for.

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Stan Be, ahead of Stan Bergman, CEO of Henry Schein. There do not appear to be any other prominent Stan Belindas.

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

Randy Ruiz on baseball cards

First baseman Randy Ruiz has been playing professionally for fourteen years, including time in the major leagues with Minnesota and Toronto. In 2013 he played for the Yankees' AAA team in Scranton Wilkes-Barre, hitting .274 with 17 HR and 42 RBI. He kindly answered my questions about baseball cards.

"Well it's kind of tough to pick a favorite card of me. One thing I like to say is having a baseball card of myself in an MLB uniform is an honor, my dream came true."

Thanks!

Trade with Johnny's Trading Depot

Got some great cards from a trade with Johnny's Trading Depot. If you haven't traded with him yet, now is a great time to do so, as he has a trade-based contest going on. Here are some highlights:

Andy Pettitte rookie!

 David Cone eating a baseball.

 Bill Hall baseball heroes numbered 006/299. The card mentions that he hit a home run with a pink bat two years in a row on Mother's Day. Yet the photo shows him swinging a black bat.