Check out my new blog : Cards That Never Were

I am having fun creating my version of cards and there are so many Non-Santo-Related cards I want to make. This is my new outlet. Being a Chicago guy there will definately be a Chicago slant to it.  As a collector, I collect Chicago players and especially like to see stars in Chicago uniforms. I also collect Hall of Famers, Negro League Stars and award winners; Cy Young, MVP, ROY, World Series MVP and All Star MVP. All of these will eventially make their way into my other blog just as they have already crept into this one. So please check out http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/ . 

Braves Manager : Fredi Gonzalez

The Braves have a new manager this year. Fredi Gonzalez has taken the helm after 21 years with Bobby Cox. Gonzalez was the manager of the Florida Marlins from 2007-2010

Fredi Gonzalez doesn't have a MLB card as he never made it past AA. He appeared on a regional card for the Greensboro Hornets in 1983 where he played with future big leaguer Roberto Kelly.

 

In 1992 Kelly was an All Star for the New York Yankees. Also in 1992 fellow Yankee, Steve Howe was banned for life (only to be reinstated) for substance abuse.

 

Coming off his Rookie of the Year season, Howe and bullpen mate Jerry Reuss were part of the 1981 World Series Champion Dodgers.

Ten years earlier Reuss pitched for the 1971 St. Louis Cardinals where Joe Torre was having an MVP season.

In 1962 a young Joe Torre caught for the veteran pitcher Lew Burdette on the Milwaukee Braves.

In 1965 Burdette made 7 appearances for the Cubs before being dealt to the Phillies. During that time he was teammates with Ron Santo.

From Fredi Gonzalez to Ron Santo in 6 degrees after a short stint in the minors.

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.

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.