Pete Harnisch, 1989 Score Rookies and Traded #110T

Today the Orioles all wore #42 to honor Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color line in 1947. It seemed to suit them, as Miguel Gonzalez teamed with Zach Britton and Tommy Hunter to shut out the Rays on six hits. The 3-0 final brings the O's back to .500 with a 7-7 record as they head to Boston.

I also posted a Pete Harnisch card on my 1993 Topps blog today. I'll keep plugging it whenever I get the chance because more people read this blog than that one right now.

Steve Finley, 1989 Score Rookies & Traded #95T

I love the angle of this photograph. Steve Finley, not exactly known for his power hitting early in his career, is following through on a swing. He's deep in concentration, watching the flight of the ball he's just struck. Is it a shallow pop? A warning track fly? A drive into the gap? Or even - dare we dream it - a home run?

Well, there's no way to be sure exactly what the result of this play was, but I am going to be a bit of a wet blanket. Steve hit just two home runs in his rookie season of 1989, and both came on the road. So no, this one didn't clear the fence at Memorial Stadium. There's always next year.