Sunday, November 17, 2024

Wood vs. Wood #229

Last time it was an 8-0 sweep for 1987. Can 1962 get on the board this time?

Orlando de Jesus McFarlane was usually known as Orlando, but is called Jesus here on his rookie card. Great photo at the old Forbes Field with the big catching glove. Born in Cuba, McFarlane made his MLB debut in 1962 with eight games for the Pirates. He also played for them in '64, the Tigers in '66, and the Angels in '67 and '68. Overall in 124 games he hit .240 with 5 HR and 20 RBI. He died in Puerto Rico in 2007.

Simple headshot of Mike Birkbeck. 1987 was the first baseball set I collected and I'm pretty sure this was one of my first cards. The Brewers had two pitchers whose names were fun to say out loud over and over - Birkbeck and Clutterbuck. (I have to admire someone like Night Owl who seems to remember every card from his childhood in the order he got them.) Birkbeck made his MLB debut in 1986 with seven games for the Brewers. He was a part-time member of their starting rotation through the 1989 season. He also had brief stints with the Mets in '92 and '95. Overall in 54 games (51 starts) he went 12-19 with a 4.86 ERA. In 1997 he joined Kent State as their pitching coach, where he remains to this day. 


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