Mike Devereaux, 1992 Pinnacle #165

I don't care what anybody says, it takes an awful lot of dexterity and athletic talent to punch yourself in the butt while running to first base.

Mike Mussina, 1992 Pinnacle #204

The Orioles are having an unexpectedly rough series in Kansas City, so I'm reduced to fashion criticism. One of my uniform pet peeves is when players leave their jerseys unbuttoned halfway to their belts. I'm surprised to see someone as strait-laced as Mike Mussina sporting this haphazard look. I'm sure there's a rational explanation. Maybe he had rookie jitters and forgot to finish buttoning up? Or maybe the sheer force of his delivery has caused his top to pop open...ladies.

Bob Milacki, 1992 Pinnacle #339

Here's something you don't see on a baseball card very often: Bob Milacki is giving you the finger. You're just lucky that he doesn't know which finger to use. People must be kinder and gentler in his hometown of...let's see here...Trenton, NJ? Well, if you say so.

Sam Horn, 1992 Pinnacle #221

Whoops! Somehow in all the July 4 hub-bub, I forgot to post a card. It probably had something to do with the fact that my girlfriend and I left my house at 2:30 AM to drive to the beach...something about beating the holiday traffic. We spent the morning and afternoon homeless in Ocean City, and then passed out cold after finally checking in at the hotel. We woke up in time for fireworks, and that about did it for the day.

As a belated Independence Day post, here's (Uncle) Sam Horn. It was really just a happy accident that one of the cards I pre-scanned for the week was this one. This morning I read about Night Owl's all-Sam team and decided to piggyback on his idea. So there you have it!

Arthur Rhodes, 1992 Pinnacle #251

When it comes to baseball cards, there's really nothing as consistently entertaining as an action shot of a pitcher in mid-throw. The sheer concentration and exertion involved in hurling a baseball at speeds of 80-100 miles per hour can cause some pretty ridiculous facial expressions, as it so happens. Former Orioles lefty Arthur Rhodes is responsible for some of the funniest faces in my collection.

Though Arthur was considered a prospect in 1992, he spent his first five years in the major leagues floundering in the O's starting rotation and battling injuries. His won-lost record was 17-24, and his ERA 5.70. Still, he had a powerful left arm, a valuable commodity in baseball. In 1993, he was even considered the centerpiece of a potential trade with the Padres for slugging first baseman Fred McGriff.

When Davey Johnson took over as manager in 1996, one important decision he made was to use Rhodes solely as a reliever. In a middle-innings "vulture" role, the pitcher thrived. He won 9 games against a single loss for the Wild Card winning Orioles. In 53 innings he struck out 62 batters. Rhodes was even better the following year, going 10-3 with a 3.02 ERA and 1.05 WHIP and striking out 100 batters for the only time in his career. Arthur even received minor consideration in the MVP voting due to the vital role he played for a Baltimore team that led the American League East from Opening Day on through the end of the season. Though the Birds once again fell short of a World Series, you couldn't blame Arthur Rhodes, who did not allow a run in his three postseason appearances.

Rhodes has had a lengthy and often successful career as a reliever, although it looks like the end may be near. He struggled with the Phillies in 2006 (5.32 ERA), and missed all of last season with Tommy John surgery. Arthur is now in camp with the Seattle Mariners on a minor-league contract. At age 38, he might be running out of chances.

But in baseball, anything is possible.