Friday, December 23, 2016

1990 Topps Debut 89

In one of the more odd sets put out Topps made a set of players who made their Major League Debuts in 1989 for 1990. 

There are some decent players featured in this set: Ken Griffey Jr, Kevin Appier, Steve Finley, Larry Walker, and Jim Abbott to name a few. 

Of course, my interest is in the guys who didn't quite stick around.. 


His Major League career lasted 29 games between 1989-1990. 
He played in the minors until 1992 when he went to work with his father in law at a pipe fabrication business. 
The Brewers invited him to be a replacement player during the strike, and when the strike ended, he retired back to his job in Houston. 


Blaine pitched in 7 games between 1989-1991 for the Mets. 
After retiring in 1997, he went into coaching, acting as the pitching coach for Bowie since 2013. 


Brian Brady played 2 games for the Angels in 1989. 
He was out of baseball after the 1990 season. 


Dick Scott played in 3 games for Oakland in 1989. 
He finished his career in 1990 with Tacoma and went into coaching. 
He was a minor league manager, a scout, Director of Player Development, and in 2015, Bench Coach for the Mets. 


Jeff Datz played in 7 games for the Tigers in 1989. 
Datz finished his playing career in 1990 with Columbus before going into coaching and is scouting for the Yankees.


Jeff Wetherby played 52 games for the Braves in 1989.
His playing career ended in 1992 with the Calgary Cannons and at last count, was scouting. 


Joe Skalski pitched  in 2 games for the Indians in 1989.
He finished his playing career in 1990 with Colorado Springs. 



Kevin Batiste played in 6 games for the Blue Jays in 1989. 
He finished his career with the Greenville Braves in 1990. 


Larry Arndt played in 2 games for the Athletics in 1989. 
His playing career ended in 1990 with Tacoma. 
Sadly, Arndt passed away in 2014. 


LaVel Freeman played in 2 games for the Brewers in 1989. 
His playing career ended in 1990 with the Toledo Mud Hens. 
A quick look did not bring up anything for his post baseball career.


Marcus Lawton played in 10 games for the Yankees in 1989. 
He finished his career with Memphis in 1992. 
There really isn't much information for his post career, though there is a fair bit for his younger brother Matt.. 


Mickey Weston played in 23 games from 1989-1993 for the Orioles, Jays, Mets, and Phillies. 
He finished his career with the Charlotte Knights in 1996. 
He currently ministers to youth through baseball and serves as the chaplain for the White Sox. 



Pete Dalena played in 5 games for the Indians in 1989. 
His playing career ended in 1990, split between Vancouver and Portland.
Post career, he taught physical education. 


Randy Nosek played in 5 games between 1989-1990 for the Tigers.
His playing career ended in 1991 with the Toledo Mud Hens. 



Tom Magrann played in 9 games for the Indians in 1989.
His playing career ended in 1991, split between New Britain, Carolina, Pawtucket, and Buffalo.
Post playing, he had done some coaching at the collegiate level. 


2 comments:

  1. I prefer getting cards of obscure guys too...While getting superstars is fine, it's the guy who only has one or two cards that is the thrill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed.. I like being able to look these guys up now in the age of Internet.. I remember getting cards when I was younger and wondering who some of these guys were..

      Delete