Tim Hulett, 1994 Stadium Club #430

Boring explanation: Tim Hulett is calling off Cal Ripken or another Oriole infielder on a pop-up. "I got it!"

More satisfying explanation: What look like flecks of dust from my scanner are actually rain drops falling from the sky, and Tim is taking a carefree run through the elements, arms flung wide in exultation.

Completely insane explanation: There is a sperm whale free-falling from miles above the stadium, and Tim Hulett has just noticed it and is frantically trying to call time out and warn everyone to run for cover. "VERY BIG WHALE!", Tim shouts. "We've got to get the hell out of here!"

"That's a good name - ground!", the sperm whale thinks. "I wonder if it will be friends with me? Hello ground!"

Tim Hulett, 1991 Topps #468

Did you have any idea that Tim Hulett started 69 games for the Orioles in 1993? I could tell you off the top of my head that the utility infielder batted .300 that year, but I wasn't aware that he was on the field so often. But it makes some sense when you consider that 65 of those starts came at third base, where presumptive starter Leo Gomez spent much of the season injured and/or terrible (.197/.295/.348). Hulett may not have provided much power (15 doubles and 2 home runs in 260 at-bats), but he hit for average and drew a few walks. His on-base percentage that year was a personal-best .361. Of course, both his average and his OBP appear to be luck-based, as his average on balls in play was a quite-high .373, but them's the breaks. He was also just a winner: the Birds were 38-31 in his starts, and 47-38 when he played at all...I said, tongue firmly placed in cheek.

If you think that I just opened up Tim Hulett's Baseball Reference page because it's been a slow news day/month/offseason for the O's...you're right. Have a cookie.

Tim Hulett, 1993 Topps Gold #327

If you've been wondering what would become of the Hulett family name in the annals of Major League Baseball (and really, why wouldn't you be?), wonder no more. Tim Hulett, Jr., a.k.a. "Tug", made his big league debut in 2008 for the Seattle Mariners. The 2004 14th-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers didn't turn many heads with his .224 average in 49 at-bats, but he did hit his first career home run off of Cleveland's Anthony Reyes on August 30, sparking a 4-3 win for Seattle.

It really is great to see positive things happening for the Huletts. Tim was a valuable utility player for the O's for six years, and is currently managing in the Rangers organization. His Spokane Indians just won the Northwest League crown in his second year at the helm. Many Baltimore fans remember him as a quiet, classy guy who had to overcome personal tragedy in 1992, when his son (and Tug's younger brother) Sam was struck by a car and killed. Sam was only six years old. Though he never had a chance to follow his brother and father into the family business, or even to blaze his own trail, I'm sure he would be proud to see what his loved ones have acheived.