Cards from Scott Crawford

Got some great cards in a trade with Scott Crawford. They were all from late-90s to early-00s Fleer. The scariest one was definitely Zombie Brooks Robinson.

The Yankees will be playing that scary Baltimore team in the playoffs. Let's hope the Yankees can avoid those zombie Orioles, while catching some of that World Series Fever from Bernie Williams.

Player Profile: Brian Bannister

I have three cards of Brian Bannister. This one is from 2007 Topps.

Playing career: A self-described “prototype #4 starter,” Brian Bannister had an excellent rookie season for the Royals in 2007, going 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA. Unfortunately, he followed that up with three seasons of sub-.500 records and high ERAs, and retired before the 2011 season.

Where he is now: He is an avid interest in photography, and owns Loft 19 Studios in Phoenix.

My memories: I remember him with the Mets; was surprised to see he only pitched six games for them. I thought he was there for a couple of seasons. I also remember how he was considered to be one of the smarter players in the game, one who paid attention to his own statistics.

Interesting facts: Son of former major league pitcher Floyd Bannister.

Google Autocomplete results: He is first when you type Brian Ban, ahead of Brian Banks NFL, referring to the football player. Another prominent Brian Bannister is an anesthesiologist in Syracuse, NY.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Floyd Bannister.

Cards from Night Owl

Got a bunch of cards in a trade with Night Owl. I was just expected some hits to my Stadium Club want lists, and got a bunch of really nice looking cards from those sets.

 

However, he surprised me and sent a bunch of random Yankees too! Here are a couple of those that he sent me that really caught my eye:

Babe looks so awkward and uncomfortable. And who's that guy behind him? Thanks, Night Owl!

Luis Alicea on baseball cards

Luis Alicea played thirteen seasons in the major leagues, coming up with the Cardinals in 1988, and last playing with the Royals in 2002. Now the Director of Baseball Operations at the Elev|8 Sports Institute in Delray Beach, FL, he kindly answered my questions about baseball cards.

"I don't have any particular stories about any cards, but I always have a preference for the action cards. I like the cards that were taken during actual play, specially when I am jumping over a player as he is trying to break a double play. I like to collect cards, especially Roberto Clemente. I have several of him as well as other former MLB players. I am actually starting to look for some of my old cards, so I can give my younger son, he is 4 years old and the other day he was so happy when he got his first set of baseball cards not knowing that his father has cards of his own. When I showed him my cards, his faced lit up and he took them to school so he could show his school teachers."

Thanks! You can find his work address in the link above if you want to send him any cards you might have. I am going to.

Brian Barton on baseball cards

Outfielder Brian Barton has played professionally since 2005, reaching the major leagues with both the Cardinals and the Braves. This year he played for the Southern Maryland Blue Claws, hitting .311 with 7 HR, 58 RBI, and 23 SB. He founded the (XY)∞ Foundation (boys and girls times infinity) to expose inner city youth to travel, business ownership, public speaking and community action. He has recently written a motivational book called Mindset, and also has a blog where he discusses various political and intellectual topics. He kindly answered my questions about baseball cards.

- Do you have any stories about cards of yourself or of other players?

Well, a funny story is that when I was with the Cardinals there was a guy named Brian Barden on my team, so when I got my first rookie card I was like "Hey, this is not my signature." Turns out they switched my signature with Brian Barden's signature so all of my rookie cards that have replica signatures printed are not my signatures.

 

- Do you have a favorite card of yourself or of another player?

I definitely think my card with the Braves was my favorite, because even though I was there for one day it was a reminder of my return to the big leagues.

- Do you collect baseball cards?

I used to collect cards when I was younger so I have a collection of a few thousand baseball cards. 

Thanks! I don't have those cards, but here is one I do have from 2008 Stadium Club.

Paul Wilmet on baseball cards

Paul Wilmet pitched nine seasons of professional baseball, 50-43 with 88 saves and a 3.02 ERA. He pitched three games in the major leagues for Texas in 1989. He is now a successful country/pop/r&b singer in Nashville. You can download his new album, Reality, on his website, PaulWilmet.com.  He kindly answered my questions about baseball cards.

"The only story of cards is that when I took my last baseball card picture in 1990,  I dressed in catcher's gear just to have some fun.  The photographer wasn't real pleased!"

Thanks! I don't have that card, but here is one I do have, from 1990 Topps Debut.

Player Profile: Alan Bannister

I have eighteen cards of Alan Bannister. This one is from 1983 Donruss.

Playing career: Infielder Alan Bannister played for five teams from 1974 to 1985, mostly the White Sox and Indians. A lifetime .270 hitter, he led the American League with eleven sacrifice flies in 1977, more than double the number he hit in any other season.

Where he is now: He worked in real estate in Arizona for many years but is now apparently retired.

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

Google Autocomplete results: He is second when you type Alan Ban, between Alan Bankhalter, VP at Healthsearch Group, and Alan Bandes, VP at UE Systems. Another prominent Alan Bannister played for the Utah Jazz.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Brian Bannister.

 

Baseball card stories from Vito Chiaravalloti

First baseman Vito Chiaravalloti played in the Blue Jays organization from 2003 to 2006, winning the New York-Penn League triple crown in 2003. Now a social studies teacher and baseball coach at Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey, he kindly shared with me some baseball card stories. Some of the stories refer to mentions of him in an interview I did last year with photographer Mike Janes.

"Great interview with Mike, but I'd like to maybe make it more accurate if you don't mind.  First off, I feel bad if he thinks I wasn't thrilled about the "Three bat" card that he took.  I know I wasn't smiling, but I love that card and I probably was just going through a "don't smile and look tough in pictures" phase. lol.

Second, I did not sit the last game of the season that year to win the triple crown.  I insisted on playing because I did not want it to appear as if I was ducking the game or afraid of losing the batting title.  I bargained with my manager, and we reached a compromise that I would get 2 at bats.  I hit a double in my first ab, which guaranteed me the batting title no matter what Nyjer Morgan did in his game (who I think did sit his final game, but not sure).  Anyway, just wanted that to be accurate because I made a point of not sitting that game.

As for baseball cards...great questions.  I have so many stories about cards, since I collected them avidly growing up.  There was nothing cooler than when I saw my first official Topps card (which ironically Mike took the shot for).  That is a moment I will never forget, because as most ball players will tell you, they always dreamed of having their own baseball card.  But the story that sticks out most in my mind is so bizarre it almost seems made up. It was either late spring training or early season 2004 and a box of cards showed up that I needed to sign.  When I opened the box, I realized I was not the only player on the card.  It was a dual player card and I literally couldn't believe that the other player was my college teammate Tim Stauffer!  I think it was a 2004 Bowman.  I then thought they made the connection that we both went to the University of Richmond, and that's why they put us together.  But there was NO mention of Richmond on the card, so it seemed to be just a crazy coincidence.  I took a picture and texted Tim right away (not sure if I could have texted him the picture because this was 04, but I may have emailed it to him).  We had a good laugh about it, and I told him that he would be signing them next.  That moment has always stuck out in my mind.  Tim has now gone on to have a successful big league career, so unfortunately I am bringing down the value of that card.

I'm not sure if I have a favorite card of my own.  Of course the Stauffer/Bowman card with me on it is a unique one. But If I had to pick, I would say between the Cracker Jack card and the 04 Topps Chrome just because they are both different.  You would probably get a better answer from my buddy Matt Titko, though, who is an avid card/memorabilia collector.  Matt has collected every card that I ever had, even ones I never knew existed!  And he insisted on buying them all!  I was always like, "Matt, I can probably get you these cards, you don't have to buy them."  I'll ask Matt and see which one he likes the best.

My favorite card all-time though would have to be the 1987 Topps Gary Carter card, for so many reasons.  First, I was a huge Mets fan and Gary Carter was my favorite player/idol.  I collected every single one of his cards and he was probably one of the single greatest influences on why I wanted to be a professional baseball player.  But the 87 card sticks out to me because it brings me back to a moment in my life.  With the "wooden" frame, those cards are so distinct and recognizable, and any kid who grew up in the 80's and knows cards always talks about that one.  When I see an 87 Topps, especially the Carter card, I'm immediately thrown back in time. It's like I'm 7 years old again, organizing all my cards in my basement at my parents house - it just takes me back to a place and time in my life.  Plus, it's one of the first cards I ever collected, so it will always have a fond place in my memory.  On a side note, in my last season of playing professionally I got to meet my hero.  I was playing in the Atlantic League and Gary was managing for the Long Island Ducks.  We wound up building a great relationship that year, and although I never made it to the bigs, it made playing all those years worth it.  He was one of the nicest guys I ever met in the game and I was so proud that he was and will always be my favorite player."

 
Thanks!

Player Profile: Willie Banks

I have 37 cards of Willie Banks. This one is from 1992 Upper Deck.

Playing career: Willie Banks pitched for the Twins, Cubs, Dodgers, Marlins, Yankees, Diamondbacks and Red Sox between 1991 and 2002, going 33-39 with a 4.75 ERA.

Where he is now: Baseball Instructor at the Toms RiverSports Academy in New Jersey.

My memories: I remember his brief stint with the Yankees, well publicized because he was local. He was in a lot of the pictures from David Wells’s perfect game as he was one of the players who carried him off the field.

Interesting stories: Banks had a rough childhood in a Jersey City housing project. When he was a small child, he was sitting in his mother’s cousin’s lap when she was shot and killed by her husband.

Google Autocomplete results: He is eighth when you type Willie B, between Willie Bloomquist, infielder for the Diamondbacks, and Willie Banks Olympic Athlete, a track star.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Alan Bannister.

Josh Banks on baseball cards

Yesterday I profiled Josh Banks, who pitched four seasons in the major leagues, winning four games for the Padres in 2008 and 2009.  In doing my research on him I saw that he was now the General Manager of the Greater Severna Park Athletic Association. I emailed him there about his baseball card experiences and he kindly answered my questions:

- Do you have any stories about cards of yourself or of other players?

As much as I wish I had some neat story about a certain card I do not have any juicy details.
- Do you have a favorite card of yourself or of another player?

My favorite card of me is a panoramic picture of me pitching in SD and you can see the ball mid-flight towards homeplate. (Photo was shot in 08' home game in SD)
- Do you collect baseball cards? 

I use to collect cards by the boxes (Fleer, Donruss, Topps whole sets) as a kid and then as I got older I seemed to stop somewhere along the way for no particular reason.

Thanks!