Orioles Card "O" the Day

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

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Adam Stern, 2010 Topps Jewish Major Leaguers #23

This is the true centerpiece of my recent Amazon purchase - a card that I never knew existed until I started surfing the storefront of Your Favorite Team Sets and Singles. As a team collector, I delight in the obscure, and it doesn't get better than this. Though they didn't put their branding all over it, Topps did indeed produce a set of 50 cards featuring past and present major leaguers of the Jewish faith. Not only does Adam Stern (lifetime batting line of .116/.156/.209 in 45 plate appearances) make the cut, but he does so while wearing the Orioles' orange and black. If you remember Adam at all, it's probably from his brief stints in Boston in 2005 and 2006. He had come to Beantown as a Rule 5 draft pick from the Braves, who had drafted him in the third round of the 2001 draft out of the University of Nebraska. In August 2006, the O's traded catcher Javy Lopez to the Red Sox for a player to be named later. In October, Adam Stern became said player. His career with the Birds was as follows:

April 16, 2007: Was recalled from AAA Norfolk when Corey Patterson went on bereavement leave. Entered the Orioles' 9-7 win over Tampa Bay as a ninth-inning defensive replacement, taking over in center field for Freddie Bynum(!), who shifted to left field to replace Jay Gibbons. He recorded no putouts, and had no plate appearances.

April 17, 2007: Entered the Orioles' 6-4 loss vs. Tampa Bay as an eighth-inning defensive replacement, taking over in center field after Jon Knott pinch hit for Freddie Bynum. (How about that organizational depth? It's like a blueprint for a 93-loss team.) He recorded no putouts, and had no plate appearances.

April 18, 2007: Was optioned back to AAA Norfolk when Corey Patterson returned from bereavement leave.

That's all, folks. And wonder of wonders, I have an Adam Stern O's card.

5 comments:

Commishbob said...

I immediately went to find the Koufax. They have the 'Gold' version. $150

Interesting set though.

deal said...

Stern had a big game in the first World Baseball Classic for Canada v US. I think he had an In the park HR and made a big catch on a long fly by Chase Utley.

Zach said...

Kevin, you're such a mensch. Im yirtzeh Hashem this card didn't cost much? Either way, baruch Hashem that the gantseh machers at Topps put him in an O's uniform so a goy such as yourself could add it to his collection!

Kevin said...

Bob - Yikes. If I'm paying $150 for Koufax, it better be vintage.

Deal - That sounds familiar. I believe Stubby Clapp was on that Canadian team too. Mostly, I just wanted an excuse to say 'Stubby Clapp'.

Zach - L'chaim!

PeteLevin said...

Looked this up on ebay and saw that there's an earlier version of this same set that was produced by Fleer/Skybox.