Tracking Down Some Tough Signers

My fourth deal with Obed added the index cards from earlier and five additional tough signers on Orioles cards.

Jim Gentile 2004 Maryland Lottery #36
When Gentile made the cross country trip from Los Angeles to Baltimore in 1960, his career skyrocketed. He made three consecutive All-Star games from 1960-1962, and brought a good bit of power to the lineup. 1961 was his best season but unfortunately was forced to compete with two guys named Maris and Mantle. His season was a .302 BA, 46HR, 141 RBI and 96 Runs, a tremendous year. He was traded to the Kansas City Athletics in 1963 and his numbers were never the same.

Dennis Martinez 1982 Donruss #79

Martinez had a great 11 year career in Baltimore from 1975-86, but decided to turn it on once he reached Montreal in 1986. There is a lot of information out there on Denny, but most people do not know that he played baseball with my honeymoon guide. That's right, my Costa Rican, ATV/horse guide, played semi-professional baseball in Nicaragua with Denny Martinez. I was so close to greatness.

Pete Richert 2004 Upper Deck Legends Timeless Teams #48

Richert continues the All-Star trend as Richert was selected to the 1965 & 1966 games as a member of the Washington Senators. His tenure in Baltimore led to 30 wins a sub 3.00 ERA and multiple World Series appearances. He pitched in the 1969, 70 and 71 series', never allowing a single hit, but allowing the game winning run in game four. He inherited two runners, then made a throwing error to first to allow the game ending run to score, never recording an out. Dick Hall took the loss. His career spanned another three years after Baltimore before ending in 1974.

Chris Singleton 2002 Fleer #421

This fleet-footed center fielder played six major league seasons, patrolling Camden Yards during the 2002 campaign. He was always known for speed and defense, taking 21 bases and only committing four errors in Baltimore. Once his career ended he has gone the analyst route, making stops on SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight, giving the player perspective.

Walter Young 2006 Topps Heritage #216

Young's lone major league season lasted 14 games in 2005. He hit over .300 as an Oriole but was selected off waivers by the Padres at seasons end. He has never made it back to the bigs and his 2009 season was played entirely in Sioux City, Iowa of the Independent League. Hopefully his big bat will one day make its way back to the Majors.