I’ve always been a little bit of a hoarder when it comes to
sports memorabilia. From an early age, I saved newspaper clippings, magazines,
and ticket stubs. I’m not sure why. I just always liked photos I saw of sports
displays – later known as man caves – and figured I’d have one someday. Which I
still don’t.
One of the coolest, most unique items I have are a couple of
minor league lineup cards from my time in high school. I was fortunate enough
to play my high school games in a Double A ballpark, and once in a while one of
the pro teams would leave behind something in the dugout, like a baseball from
BP. However, on three occasions, I found the previous game’s lineup card pinned
in the visitor’s dugout, which we chose as our home dugout each game so the late
afternoon sun wouldn’t be in our eyes. Each time this happened, I snagged it
and put it in my bag.
I’ll share each lineup card, as some certainly had some
future Major Leaguers playing that day. Keep in mind, these are the lineups
posted in the visiting team’s dugout.
Lineup card one:
Norwich Navigators @ Binghamton Mets – April 15, 2001
Final Score: Navs won 5-2
Way back when, the Navigators were the Yankees Double A
affiliate. I found it to be very cool that they used the big league stationary.
To me, that’s a cool touch. When a player walks by and looks at the lineup, he
should be reminded that he’s just two levels away from being a Yankee.
There are a few familiar members of the Yankees who suited
up that day, notable their 4-5-6 hitters: Juan Rivera, Marcus Thames, and Andy
Phillips. All played a decent amount of time in NY, although both Rivera and
Thames really made their marks on other teams; Rivera with the Angels and
Thames with the Tigers. Phillips played a bit for the Yankees in mid-2000s.
I also noticed 3B Andy Morales, who was a big Cuban signing,
but never made it to the Majors. Mike Jerzembeck is a name I remember as well,
and I have a few of his cards. He made a few appearances for the parent clube
in 1998 – so hey, he was part of that amazing 125-win season. I hope he got a
ring.
As for the Mets, I recognize a lot of the names since it was
the hometown team growing up, but I can’t imagine many are household names. I
think the biggest name on the lineup card is likely former reliever Heath Bell.
With a 9.5 WAR in the Majors, Juan Rivera was the best
future Big Leaguer featured here, although one might argue Heath Bell had a
better career as a three-time All-Star.
Lineup card two:
Norwich Navigators @ Binghamton Mets – April
7, 2002
Final Score: Mets won 5-4
We have the same matchup, just one season later. As a
senior, this was my final go-round of high school ball. By this time, scouts
were flocking to the stands to see me. That is a lie. Although there were
scouts from time-to-time to watch a few guys on my team. In one instance, there
was a scout from the Twins watching my buddy pitch. I was playing third, and
completely airmailed a throw to second on a double-play ball. There went my
shot at getting drafted.
Anyways, the Yankees had a few more names I remember,
although gone were the big boppers from the year before. I do remember Kevin
Reese, Mike Vento, and catcher David Parrish, who was a former first round pick
of the Yankees. On the hill that day was Brett Jodie, who made one start for
the Yankees the year before.
On the Mets side, it looks like another uninspiring team in
terms of future impact players. Aaron Heilman got the start, as he was the Mets
prized first rounder out of Notre Dame the year before. It was a big deal that
he started the year in Binghamton. It’s safe to say he never quite lived up to
the expectations of someone drafted in the first round TWICE. I also recognize
Prentice Redman and Esix Snead, both who made it to the Majors.
Unless I’m missing someone on the lineup card, Aaron Heilman
was the most successful Big Leaguer with a 2.1 WAR.
Lineup card three:
Portland Sea Dogs @ Binghtmaon Mets –
5/5/02
Final Score: Mets won 5-1
Ok, a different franchise! This time it’s the Portland Sea
Dogs, then Double A affiliate of Marlins. Now they are home to the Red Sox
Double A team. That’s too bad.
This game definitely featured the best opposing player.
Checkout the 1B for Portland that day – 2000 #1 overall pick Adrian Gonzalez. I
could be wrong, but I don’t see anyone else of note on the Sea Dogs roster. For
the game, Gonzalez did go 0 for 4, but clearly is far and away the best player
on any of the three lineup cards with a 43.7 career WAR. That is good, to say
the least. Maybe he hasn’t been the most dominant 1st overall pick,
but he’s put together a very good career.
The Mets look similar to the last game, even with Heilman on
the mound again. In fact, he threw 7 innings that day, allowing six hits and
striking out 7 for his first win of the year.
So there you have it, three pretty cool pieces of my
childhood that I was lucky enough to snag. I’m glad I’ve kept these over the
years, as I love going back and looking at them. If you recognize any other
names, please let me know!