Jeffrey Hammonds, 1994 Collector's Choice #123

If you look closely at this photo, you will see that the name engraved on the bat is "Jeff Hammonds". That is literally the first time I can recall seeing his name shortened. Was it his choice, or did the bat company just goof? Maybe it was a space-saving measure. I wonder if Jeff Hammonds would have had a more successful career than Jeffrey Hammonds. What about J. B. Hammonds? Eh, I don't like that. It sounds too much like an investment firm. Ultimately, I think Jeffrey was the right call. It just has a ring to it...not a World Series ring, unfortunately, but what's done is done.

Rafael Palmeiro, 1994 Collector's Choice #605

Wow. I don't quite remember Rafael Palmeiro having such a formidable mullet. It looks like birds could comfortably nest in that thing. Teaming up that mullet with his trademark mustache just seems like overkill, if you ask me.

Cal Ripken, Jr., 1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice #240

This has long been one of my favorite Cal Ripken, Jr. cards, and finally the truth behind the photo is known. ESPN.com's Jim Caple featured the card in an entertaining article about "The Weird, the Bad, and the Ugly" of baseball cards. He went straight to the source, and Cal explained that it was general manager Roland Hemond's phone, and that even in 1993 it was comically oversized. The Iron Man picked up the phone mockingly, and Upper Deck's photographer was in the right place at the right time. A few other great O's cards made the cut, though Caple has no further details on them. But I'd recommend giving it a read. You'll also get some insight into other collector favorites, like Lowell Palmer's sunglasses and Orel Hershiser's chunk of sod. What more could you want?

Mike Pagliarulo, 1994 Collector's Choice #224

From the "Way Out of Left Field" Department:

Last year, Major League Baseball did away with the Hall of Fame Game, an annual midsummer exhibition between two teams at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY. Sure, it was probably neat for folks to check out the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and pop next door to catch a game between big leaguers, but teams weren't going to risk injuries to their highly paid stars in a meaningless game. When Toronto actually let Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci take the field for their exhibition against the Orioles two years ago, that was probably the final nail in the coffin.

But the Hall of Fame had a fairly neat idea: the Hall of Fame Classic, featuring retired players. Apparently they had trouble gathering enough interested (and able) Hall of Famers to field two teams. Only five participants are actually enshrined in Cooperstown: Bob Feller, Fergie Jenkins, Phil Niekro, Paul Molitor, and Brooks Robinson. There are some other familiar names, though, including Jim Kaat, Bobby Grich, Lee Smith, George Foster, and Bill "Spaceman" Lee. But then there's a sharp drop-off. Thought Mike Pagliarulo is a random choice, even he is a stronger selection than the likes of Kevin Maas, John Doherty, former Oriole Anthony Telford, or B. J. Surhoff's brother Rich. B. J.'s older brother was a big league pitcher? It was news to me, too.

Hopefully the most recently-retired players (Mike Timlin, Jeff Kent) will take it easy on some of the old-timers. I'm sure the Hall of Fame doesn't want to be held responsible for any serious injuries. If anything disappoints me about the roster of players, it's that Rollie Fingers is nowhere to be found. He usually takes part in the celebrity softball games at the All-Star Break, and he's pretty entertaining to watch. He even still has the handlebar mustache. So, which retired player would you like to see toe the rubber or swing the bat one more time?

Chris Sabo, 1994 Collector's Choice #485

Pitchers and catchers reported to the Orioles' Spring Training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida today...not a moment too soon. I hate - hate hate hate - winter. Maybe it's because I was born in August. Maybe I have Seasonal Affective Disorder; who knows? But the miserable freezing rain that tripled my commute time home last night sure isn't doing anything to dissuade me. Spring is coming. Soon we'll have more daylight, warmer weather, blooming trees and flowers, and of course, baseball. I've pulled out a card featuring Chris Sabo in all his Rec-Specs glory, going through the paces of a Spring workout in 1994. I'm also going to take this opportunity to post the rather fitting lyrics of the song "Spring", by one of my favorite musicians, folk singer Richard Shindell:

The day will begin like any other
Another sunrise in the east
It will reach across and touch you like a lover
It will tease you from a dream

And opening your eyes you will surrender
To the light that fills the room
And the hope that you have carried since September
You will offer up to June

Maybe will be certain
You can take it as a vow
Winter’s just the curtain
Spring will take the bow

Looking out your window you will wonder
At the blooming in your yard
And every opening flower will be a mirror
Of the quickening in your heart

Maybe will be certain
You can take it as a vow
Winter’s just the curtain
Spring will take the bow

The day will begin like any other
Another sunrise in the east
It will reach across and touch you like a lover
It will tease you from a dream
You won’t remember

Maybe will be certain
You can take it as a vow
Winter’s just the curtain
Spring will take the bow