Orioles Card "O" the Day

An intersection of two of my passions: baseball cards and the Baltimore Orioles. Updated daily?

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Jeffrey Hammonds, 1995 Fleer Ultra 2nd Year Standouts #7

This Day in Orioles History: May 23, 1998

Orioles 9, Athletics 1 at Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland, CA

Outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds led an offensive explosion as the Orioles (21-27) attempted to turn around a disappointing start to their season, pummeling the similarly struggling host A's (20-27). The former #1 draft pick from Stanford went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and four driven in. His fourth-inning grand slam against ex-teammate Jimmy Haynes chased the pitcher from the game and turned a 3-0 contest into a 7-0 laugher. A two-run double by Harold Baines put the finishing touches on the game in the sixth inning.

Almost lost in the shuffle was a strong effort by veteran O's starter Doug Drabek. Off to a brutal start in what would be the final season of his 13-year career, he went the distance, allowing four hits and striking out nine. Believe it or not, Jack Voigt drove in the only Oakland run with an eighth-inning double. Sadly, it was Drabek's best performance as an Oriole by far. He missed most the second half with injuries, and his solid career came to an ignominious end with a 6-11 record and a putrid 7.29 ERA.

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