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.

The Wrong Sport

I have been bitten by the Football bug. With a nip in the air and smash mouth football each weekend, I have been wooed away from my baseball autograph collection, momentarily. The last few weeks I have been developing a comprehensive list of all Washington Redskins to play since my birth (1980) and that has led to little baseball progress. Coupling the time commitment with a lack of TTM requests (40 waiting returns), blogging just hasn't made since. Until today.

I completed my first trade for a football autograph that showed up this afternoon. I know I am different from most Orioles fans by liking the Redskins, but I hope you can still enjoy this new endeavor.

Sultan McCullough 2003 Playoff Contenders Season Ticket #168

McCullough was a speed back from the University of Southern California, regarded as the fastest player in school history before becoming a Redskin. His career spanned one game, a 21-14 loss at the Dallas Cowboys on November 2, 2003. He carried the ball once for 9 yards and recorded three receptions for 13 yards. That equates to 2.5 fantasy points for those that can't separate fantasy from reality. Since his brief stint with the Skins he has played for the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL and appeared on the Cleveland Browns practice squad.

A 13 Day Major League Career

Tom Dodd was the 7ht overall pick in the 1980 draft by the New York Yankees, but didn't make his major league debut until 1986. He grinded it out with four minor league organizations and a second stint with the Yankees, until being called up by the Orioles on July 25.

His career spanned eight games and 13 at-bats during his short stint in Baltimore. He registered his two RBI's on his lone home run in 7-3 win versus the Texas Rangers. That game was the only he started, mainly making pinch hitting appearances for Jim Traber and Larry Sheets. After four more seasons in the minors Dodd called it quits.

Tom Dodd 1991 Orioles Crown #110

After his big league career Dodd moved back to Portland Oregon where he signs autograph requests in three weeks. Much appreciated.