1994 Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks

Earlier I wrote about the 1993 Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks team set. I think today I will talk about the 1994 Whiskey Jacks team set. The 1994 team went 35-45 for the season, 22-18 for the first half then 13-27 for the second half. 

Pete Kuld was a popular player in Thunder Bay. He started in 1987, playing in Kinston, North Carolina in the Indians system. He was in the Indians system until 1989, when he went to the Oakland Athletics. 1991 was split between Texas and San Diego's systems. His last year in organized minor league baseball was 1992, in Tulsa. 

From 1993-1995, he was Catcher/Third Base for the Whiskey Jacks. In 1993 Kuld played in 38 games for Thunder Bay, hitting .261/.308/.425, 6 HR 26 RBI. 

In 1994, he ended up leading the Northern League in Home runs with 27, had 60 RBI and hit .279/.330/.608

In 1995 he was well on his way to another Home Run crown when he was traded to the Duluth-Superior Dukes. He played there until 1996 when he retired at the age of 30. 

 Trey Forkerway was an infielder for the Whiskey Jacks for 1993 and 1994. He only played in 13 games in 1993. In 1994 he played in 78 games and hit his first professional home run.

In 1995, he was signed by the Cubs to play in their minor league system. From 1995-1998 he played in Single A Daytona and Double A Orlando/West Tennessee. He retired after 1998 at the age of 28.

 T.J. Rosenthal was a First Baseman and Outfielder for the Jacks in 1993-1995. He ended up in Thunder Bay after playing for the Salt Lake Trappers in the 1992 Pioneer League season.

I believe it was during or after the 1995 season he decided to redirect his energy to a band, The Bowery Riots.

During his time in Thunder Bay, he was a fan favourite. The PA announcer would draw out his name with the fans joining in.

 Mark Mammola played from 1991-1995. He spent a little time in the Angels system, playing for Boise and Quad Cities before finding himself in Salt Lake. He joined the Jacks for the 1993 season, and was a member until 1994. In 1995, he played for Mohawk Valley in the Northeast League.

What's a minor league set without the obligatory mascot card??? He wasn't in the first set, but here he is! It's Jack. I mean, there's not much I can say about this one. He's the mascot.. He does Mascot stuff. 

 Kevin Brown. Yes, another one. This one is from Brampton, making him the only Canadian on the roster for 1994.

Prior to going to Thunder Bay, he played for the Giants Arizona Rookie ball team. He was there from 1991-1993. 1994 was his final year in baseball of any kind. He was 22 when he retired.

 Dan Shwam was the manager for the Whiskey Jacks for 1993 and 1994. After a disappointing season in 1994, he went to the Northeast League, managing for Mohawk Valley. He ended up managing different teams until 2009..

He's been managing in the PGCBL.

 Lindsay Foster was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 1986 draft. He played in Medicine Hat, St. Catherines, Myrtle Beach, Dunedin, and Knoxville for the Jays until 1988.

From 1989-1992 he played in the Indians and White Sox organizations.

1994 was his final year in baseball, playing for Thunder Bay.














The final one I will highlight is Pat Tilmon. He played for the Braves from 1987-1990, never making it above Single A Ball.

Timon was with the Whiskey Jacks from 1993-1998, with a short stay in Syracuse, where he was assigned after the Replacement Player Spring Training in 1995. When the Jacks were no longer around, he was on the Sioux City Explorers.

Overall these are typical minor league cards. Local ads on the back. A small write-up on the player, I do like the full-colour photo on the front.