Mario Soto Attacks Wrigley Vendor

On this day in 1984 Mario Soto is suspended for five days for his role in a 32-minute melee during the Reds-Cubs game on May 27. After shoving third base umpire Steve Rippley, who had signaled that Ron Cey's long fly ball was a three-run home run (it was later ruled foul), a bat-wielding Soto then tried to attack a park vendor who had thrown a bag of ice at him. Today I get to link him to Ron Santo and show off some cool cards.

Soto's 1984 Cincinnati Reds teammate was former MVP and seven-time all star Dave Parker.

Parker shared the outfield with Richie Zisk on the 1975 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Zisk spent one memorable season with Jim Spencer and the Southside Hitmen, the 1977 Chicago White Sox.

Spencer was on the 1972 California Angels with Jeff Torborg who caught no-hitters from Sandy Koufax, Bill Singer and Nolan Ryan. 

Jeff was teamed with Paul Popovich on the 1968 Los Angeles Dodgers.

By 1970 Popovich was sharing the field with Ron Santo.

Mario Soto to Ron Santo in 6 Degrees.

Harmon Killebrew - June 29, 1936 – May 17, 2011

In honor of Harmon (Killer) Killebrew's passing, I am posting a tribute to the Hall of Famer. This time every player leading up to Ron Santo is a fellow Hall of Famer. (Some may argue that Santo should be included in the Hall of Fame but I will leave that argument up the the many other blogs on that subject.)

Harmon played with Whitey Herzog on the 1958 Washington Senators.

Herzog played for the 1962 Baltimore Orioles with another future Hall of Fame Manager, Dick Williams.

 Williams managed the pennant winning 1967 Boston Red Sox and Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrezemski.

Yaz was teamed up with Fergie Jenkins on the 1977 Boston Red Sox.

Fergie was Ron Santo's teammate many including the 1968 Chicago Cubs. Santo and Jenkin's numbers have both been retired by the Cubbies.

From the late great Harmon Killebrew to the late great Ron Santo in 5 degrees. 

First Post : Mike Stanton

Ok, we all get the concept. It's the classic Kevin Bacon game with a baseball twist. Not just baseball but baseball cards. I just randomly chose Topps 2011 #135 which happened to be Mike Stanton of the Florida Marlins. I linked him to his 2011 teammate Wes Helms.

In 2002 Helms played for Bobby Cox on the Braves.

In 1969 Cox played alongside Joe Pepitone on the Yankees.

And Pepitone was a member of the 1971 Cubs along with Ron Santo.

Mike Stanton to Ron Santo in 4 degrees of separation.

Leave player suggestions in the comments. All I ask is that they appear on a modern era baseball card. 1950 or more recent.