Mariners Manager : Eric Wedge

Eric Wedge is in his first year as manager of the Seattle Mariners. He was the Cleveland Indians manager from 2003 until 2009. He led the Indians to a division championship in 2007 and was voted AL Manager of the year.

As a player, Wedge played sparingly for the Red Sox from 1991-1992 then was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the expansion draft. He was a late season call up for the Rockies in 1993. Andres Galarraga was having an All Star season for the Rockies during their inaugural year.

Galarraga also represented the Montreal Expos in the 1988 All Star game. '88 was the final year for teammate and 6 time All Star Graig Nettles.

Nettles had his best season playing for the 1977 World Series Champion New York Yankees. Despite putting up career high numbers during the regular season, Nettles hit an anemic .171 in the post season. Fortunately his teammate was Mr. October, Reggie Jackson.

Reggie led the AL with 39 Homers in 1975 while an aging Billy Williams still showed that sweet swing with 22 home runs as DH for the 1975 Oakland A's.

In 1964 Billy Williams and Ron Santo represented the Chicago Cubs in the All Star game.

From Eric Edge to Ron Santo in 5 degrees.

Cubs Manager : Mike Quade

The current manager of the Chicago Cubs is Mike Quade. He took over for Lou Piniella late last season. While he hasn't achieved much, he hasn't had much to work with, despite having the2nd highest payroll in the National League.

 

Quade never made the big leagues as a player but was made a manager at 28 years old. In this card he is a 26 year old player/coach for the 1983 Alexandria Dukes. His teammate is Bobby Bonilla or as he was known as then, "Roberto".

Bonilla came up as a rookie on the 1986 Chicago White Sox where he played with Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk.

Who can forget Fisk waving his home run ball fair during the 1975 World Series? Equally unforgettable is his 1975 Red Sox teammate, Luis Tiant's turn-around delivery.

In 1968 Tiant had an incredible 1.60 ERA which was credited to changing to his trademark delivery. He was teamed with veteran pitcher Stan Williams on the Cleveland Indians.

 

At 6'4" 225 lbs, Williams was an intimidating force on batters and won a World Series game for the L.A. Dodgers in 1959. His teammate was utility infielder Don Zimmer.

Zimmer has a full history with the Cubs as a manger, coach and a player. In 1961 he played for the Cubs alongside Ron Santo.

 

From Quade to Santo in 6 degrees.

Blue Jays Manager : John Farrell

The Toronto Blue Jays new manager for the 2011 season is John Farrell who had previously been the pitching coach of the Boston Red Sox from 2006-2010.

From 1987-1996 he was a pitcher for the Indians, Tigers, and Angel. In 1989 he was bullpen mates with Bud Black in Cleveland. Black is currently the skipper of the San Diego Padres.

Bud Black and Jim Sundberg were battery mates for the World Series winning 1985 Kansas City Royals.

In 1979 Jim Sundberg Caught for Jon Matlack on the Texas Rangers.

In 1975 Matlack was Co-MVP of the All Star Game and teammate with Rusty Staub on the New York Mets.

In 1964 Staub was playing for the Houston Colt .45's along with outfielder Al Spangler.

In 1968 Spangler played on the Cubs with All Star 3rd baseman, Ron Santo.

From 2011 Blue Jays manager, John Farrell to Ron Santo in 6 degrees.

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.