Jeff McKnight, 1991 Topps #319

I just learned that Jeff McKnight has died of leukemia at age 52, which is a really unfortunate occasion for posting my first card of the former utility player. According to his family, Jeff had been battling the disease for the past decade. The Arkansas native played 45 games for the Orioles between the 1990 and 1991 seasons, seeing time at first base, second base, shortstop, left field, right field, and DH. On September 12, 1990, he hit his first big league home run at a very opportune time. In the bottom of the eighth inning, he led off at Memorial Stadium with a game-tying blast off of Jack Morris, breaking the Detroit starter's shutout. Later in the inning, Cal Ripken delivered the winning run with a bases-loaded single.