Cards That Never Were: 1969 Topps Checklist

Here is a list of the cards I made for this blog. I made this checklist now because I've gotten a bit bored with the original idea for this blog. It sounded like a cool concept when I started but it really wasn't as challenging as I first thought. 

Along the way, I started making my own Ron Santo cards, and because I enjoyed that, I started another blog, Card That Never Were, and pursued that interest further. I may come back to this blog from time to time. I plan to continue with some of the ideas started on this blog, like the player manager cards or using football card formats on baseball cards. But most of my future creations will be posted on my other site.

Thanks for checking out my blog.

Giants Manager : Bruce Bochy

Bruce Bochy is the manager of the defending champions, the San francisco Giants. This is his 5th season in San Francisco. The Giants signed him in 2007 following 12 seasons as the skipper of the Padres. 

Bochy spent most of his playing career as a back up catcher for the Mets, Padres and Astros. In 1979 he was teamed up with Jesus Alou on the Houston Astros.

In 1964 Jesus was on the San Francisco Giants along with his brother Matty Alou. 

In 1961 Matty played with another Alou in San Francisco, his other brother Felipe.

In 1965 Felipe played for the Milwaukee Braves along with knuckleballer, Phil Niekro.

Phil shared the mound in Atlanta with his brother Joe Niekro in 1974.

Joe Niekro played for the 1969 Cubs along with Ron Santo.

From Bruce Bochy to Ron Santo in 6 Degrees and 5 brothers.

Nationals Manager : Davey Johnson

Today Davey Johnson becomes the 3rd Washington National's manager of the season. He has managed 4 other teams including the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets. His most recent stint was for the L.A. Dodgers in 2000.

He was an all star member of the World Series champion 1970 Baltimore Orioles. His teammate Boog Powell was voted AL MVP.

In 1976 Powell played for player/manager Frank Robinson on the Cleveland Indians.

Hall of Famer, Robinson spent the first part of the 1974 season with the California Angels before being dealt to the Indians. While on the Angels his teammate was Mike Epstein who was released by the Angels in May.

1969 was Epstein's best year hitting 30 homers with a batting .278, 34 points higher than his career average of .244. I'd like to think this card had something to do with that. His teammate, Frank "Hondo" Howard, hit a career high 48 dingers for the Washington Senators that year.

1964 was Howard's last year on the L.A. Dodgers and Jim Brewer's first.

In 1962 Brewer spend most of the year in Salt Lake City playing AAA ball but joined the Cubs long enough to get on this card and have a cup of coffee with Ron Santo.

From the 3rd Nationals manager this season to Ron Santo in 6 degrees.

Athletics Interim Manager : Bob Melvin

Last Friday Bob Melvin took over as the new A’s manager. His last stint as skipper was for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009. He also managed the Mariners 2003-2004.

Melvin was teammates in 1987 with Bob Brenly on the San Francisco Giants. Brenly managed the Diamondbacks to their only World Series title in 2001.

Before retiring in a Giants uniform in 1989, Brenly played briefly on the Toronto Blue Jays along with pitcher Mike Flanagan.

Flanagan was the 1979 Cy young award winner for the Baltimore Orioles. His teammate Tippy Martinez had the distinction of picking 3 runners off first base in one inning.

Tippy played for the New York Yankees in 1976 along with Lou Piniella,

Piniella, who managed the Seattle Mariners prior to Bob Melvin in 2003, was playing for the Kansas City Royals in 1971 with side-arm closer Ted Abernathy.

Abernathy pitched relief for the 1969 Cubs and their All Star 3rd baseman, Ron Santo.

From new manager Bob Melvin to old Cubbie Ron Santo in 6 degrees.

Another Day Another Near-Perfect Game

June 3rd 1995, Pedro Martinez pitched 9 perfect innings with no run support from his fellow Montreal Expos. In the top of the 10th the Expos finally broke the tie, but Pedro gives up a leadoff double to San Diego Padres left fielder Bip Roberts and Mel Rojas closes the game.

Pedro's 1995 teammate, Roberto Kelly ruined Dave Stieb's 1989 bid for a perfect game with a double of his own with 2 outs in the 9th.

 In 1989 Kelly played for the Yankees along with Hall of Famer Dave Winfield who once got the better of No-Hit-King Nolan Ryan who made sure it never would happen again. Just ask Robin Ventura.

In 1980 Winfield played with Gene Tenace on the San Diego Padres. Tenace caught a 1970 no hitter from Vida Blue and in 1975 caught 6 innings of another Oakland A's no hitter in which 4 pitchers contributed.

In 1973 Tenace caught for Ken Holtzman. In 1976 Holtzman had his 3rd no hit bid broken up with 2 outs in the 9th.

In 1969 Holtzman pitched his 1st no hitter for the Chicago Cubs. His 3rd baseman? Ron Santo.

Pedro Martinez to Ron Santo in 5 degrees.