What's This? A Baseball Success?

Just when I was about to be converted to a football collector I received a sign to stay the baseball course. Two signs actually, one of the 1994 Bowman variety and another of the religious kind.

Joel Bennett 1994 Bowman #287


My second success of the month of November took nearly three months to make its way back and came at the best time. Bennett was a 22nd round pick by the Red Sox, from East Stroudsburg University, in the 1991 draft. After seven seasons in the minors he got his break with the Orioles and it was brief. He mopped up in two games in July of that year before returning to the minors, only allowing one run. At seasons end he was signed by the Phillies where he appeared in five games during the 1999 season recording his only two major league wins.

After '99 he pitched in the minors and independent leagues until 2007. He was a winner at every level but A ball, posting multiple 10 win seasons. After baseball Joel has stayed active, as a middle school Physical Education teacher and I am guessing baseball coach.

THE RELIGIOUS SIGN


This is my religious sign, literally. On the reverse of this card, as with a lot of ballplayers, is the story of Joel's relationship with God. Normally I would keep the major issue card and put an oddball issue into the tradeable pile, but the signature is so much better than the Bowman. I wasn't able to track down a different card of his so the dark Bowman was all I could send. It shows pretty well on the scan, but in person is quite dark. If anyone is looking to add him to their collection he is available.