The Quest

The Baltimore Orioles have been in town since '54 and have had over 900 men don their uniform. My goal is to obtain a signed card of each player. If you have something I need, or see something you want, don't be shy, we can make a deal.

Collection Statistics

Total Players 877/977 = 89.25%
1991 Orioles Crown Set
Total Players 309/465 = 66.45%
Alive Players 274/369 = 74.25

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Cut From a Different Cloth Revisited

In the interest of full disclosure I must admit that I had no idea any of the following guys played for the Orioles at all. I fancy myself a devout fan, but even the most devout must have a few lapses in memory.

Winston Abreu 1999 Just #151
In his professional baseball career Abreu has been with 11 different clubs, and the Rays twice. His debut season was in 2006 witht he Orioles and lasted seven games. He is currently fighting for a spot on the Rays roster during spring training.

Greg Aquino 2003 Donruss The Rookies #14

Aquino makes Abreu look like a platoon player by registering nine games as an "O" in 2008. Aquino made the roster breaking camp but was sent back down to the minors after poor performances in April. He surfaced again before the All-Star break for another three game stint but his elevated ERA sent him down again. He finished his season with club before being picked up by the Cleveland Indians and having a decent year in relief.

Danny Ardoin 2007 Round Rock Express Team Card #9

Ardoin has the distinction of being drafted in three consecutive years, moving from the 41st to the 5th round with the Oakland A's. In 2006 he appeared in only five games here as a catcher after being claimed off waivers in August. Since Baltimore, he has been moved more than a few times, last appearing with the Dodgers in 2008.

Ryan Bukvich 2003 Upper Deck 40-Man #248

Keeping with the short timer trend, Bukvich pitched in only four games during June and July of 2008. His ERA hovered above 6.00 and the minor leagues came calling again. His stint in Baltimore was his last in the bigs.

Terry Clark 1989 Topps #129

The longest tenured Oriole of the group, he tallied a staggering 38 games for the Birds in 1995. He was signed in June to strengthen the bullpen for the stretch run and was up to the task. He registered a 3.46 ERA at the back end of the bullpen. After the season he was released, finishing his career as a Ranger, amid three other big league stops.

Ken Huckaby 2004 Oklahoma Redhawks Team Set #12

Huckaby was behind the plate for eight games in 2004, after being claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers. He didn't hit well at all while he was here and was released just two months later, only to be picked back up by the Rangers.

Jon Leicester 2003 Leaf Second Edition #247

Ten of his career 48 appearances came donning the orange and black in 2007. His record and ERA weren't superb but he did manage a complete game victory in the mix of it all. Once leaving Baltimore he has been unable to crack another major league roster.

Ramon Nivar 2003 Playoff Prestige #210

Nivar breaks today's trend of pitchers and catchers, having only played center-field in June of 2005. In his seven games he hit over .300 but never had a chance to play consistently with veteran stalwarts in place. Nivar continues to play professionally, spending last season in the Dodger organization.

All told, eight autographs and 79 collective games, now that's what I call short timers.

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