Player Profile: Allan Anderson

I have 27 cards of Allan Anderson. This one is from 1992 Stadium Club.

Playing Career: Allan Anderson pitched for the Minnesota Twins from 1986 to 1991. He was the American League ERA champ in 1988, with a 2.45 ERA to go with his 16-9 record. The next year he led the team in wins, going 17-10.

Where he is now: He now runs AA Sports, an indoor sports facility and baseball/softball clinic in Ohio.

My memories: I remember being excited that the Yankees signed him as a free agent in 1992. Unfortunately he got hurt and never got to pitch for them.

Interesting stories: In October of 2009 he shared with me his thoughts on baseball cards.

Google Autocomplete results: He is sixth when you type Allan Ande, between Allen Andersson, once-wealthy American backer of deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, and Allan Andes, a Colorado financial advisor. Another prominent Allan Anderson is a poet from Barbados.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Brady Anderson.

Player Profile: Larry Andersen

I have 39 Larry Andersen cards. This one is from 1987 Fleer.

Playing career: Larry Andersen is best known for being traded by the Astros to the Red Sox even up for Jeff Bagwell in 1990, generally considered one of the most lopsided trades of all time. This obscures the fact that he was actually one of the best middle relievers of the 1980s and early 1990s. In seventeen seasons he had a 3.15 ERA.

My memories: I remember him being more well known for his practical jokes, another factor in how the fact that he was a very good reliever was obscured.

Interesting stories: Best known for his practical jokes (most famously the “Mr. Jello” incident) and his belching ability. Nolan Ryan said his fondest memory in baseball was seeing Andersen belch the National Anthem. You can read a bunch of funny Andersen stories in this 1992 LA Times article.

Where he is now: He’s been a Phillies broadcaster since 1998, replacing the late Richie Ashburn.

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when you type Larry Anderse, between Larry Anderson, an actor who was on Knight Rider and Mork & Mindy, and Larry Anderson Snug Harbor, referring to the Director of Performing Arts at the Staten Island cultural center. Another prominent Larry Andersen is the Lead Copywriter for Online Content at Sears Holdings.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Allan Anderson.