1992 Orioles Debuts, #513-523

Rolling along with the debut posts because that's my main blogging focus for now, today I'm covering the new O's of 1992. Here are the previous years, if you missed them (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993).

1992 had the relatively low number of just 11 players making their Orioles debuts during the season, but I don't know why that was, can anyone out there offer any insight? Alan Mills was the only new O to go on the have much of a career with the Birds, but Rick Sutcliffe, who made the first ever start at the brand new Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and Manny Alexander, who had lots of hype, but couldn't back it up, were also notable names around Birdland in '92. 

Rick Sutcliffe #513, 4/6/92 (1992-93)

Mark McLemore #514, 4/8/92 (1992-94)

Alan Mills #515, 4/20/92 (1992-98, 2000-01)

Pat Clements #516, 7/11/92 (1992)

Pat was a relief pitcher for eight seasons between 1985-92 and played for the Angels, Pirates, Yankees, and Padres, in addition to the O's. He spent his last MLB season in the Orioles 'pen and had a very respectable 3.28 ERA over 23 appearances. 

In a strange coincidence, his high school baseball coach was the brother of former Orioles catcher, Clay Dalrymple.

Tommy Shields #517, 7/25/92 (1992)

Mark Parent #518, 7/31/92 (1992-93, 96)

Richie Lewis #519, 7/31/92 (1992, 98)

Jack Voigt #520, 8/3/92 (1992-95)

Jack played parts of four seasons in Baltimore before moving on to play for the Rangers, Brewers, and A's. 

He has stayed active around baseball after his playing career ended, serving as a minor league instructor, coach, and manager; which included a stint with the O's hi-A affiliate Frederick Keys in 2001-02 and as the Orioles base-running and outfield coordinator in 2003, a title that he currently holds in the Mets organization. 

Craig Lefferts #521, 9/6/92 (1992)

Steve Scarsone #522, 9/8/92 (1992)

It's pretty easy to forgot that a guy like Steve played for the Orioles considering that his entire tenure in black and orange was a brief 11 game stint at the tail-end of the '92 season. But it was enough for him to be immortalized on cardboard as an O in the 93 Donruss set; ah the '90s were a great time to find your players on a card as a member of your favorite team. 

Steve also played briefly for the Phillies, Cardinals, and Royals but is likely best remembered for the four seasons he spent with the Giants. Like Voigt, he has also stayed active in baseball after hanging up his spikes and is currently the manager of the A's AA Texas League team, the Midland RockHounds. 

Manny Alexander #523, 9/18/92 (1992-96)

Earthquake!

I experienced my first earthquake today as the Baltimore area was shook by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter was located just outside Richmond, Virginia, something like 120 miles away.

It was slightly scary as it felt like I was surfing on the floor of my 5th floor office, but I didn't see any damage in my immediate vicinity, so I guess no harm no foul. My building was evacuated for about 20 minutes to make sure no structural damage occurred, and then it was back to business as usual.

Once I confirmed that my family and friends were all safe and accounted for, my mind turned back to baseball, specifically the earthquake that disrupted the 1989 World Series between the A's & Giants. Many former or future Orioles played in that World Series and a few others were on the A's coaching staff.

It just happens that I have scans of two Orioles players who were involved with that series that I haven't posted before today. And it works out that one was a Giant and the other an Athletic.

 

Craig Lefferts pitched in relief during games two, three, and four of the Series. Overall, he pitched 2.2 innings and allowed two hits and one earned run while walking two and striking out one.

 

Storm Davis was the scheduled game three starter for the A's, but the earthquake occurred prior to that game and the Series was delayed for 10 days. So Tony LaRussa reused his game one and two starters for games three and four to complete the sweep of the Giants and Storm didn't get a chance to appear. Apparently he was pissed. 

Does anyone else out there have any earthquake stories from today? Or from any other quake over the years? I'm sure that my ordeal was mild by some of your experiences (especially if you live on the Left Coast), but it was still strange day for a Mid-Atlantic guy like me.

I'm Halfway there!!

Today is a great day for my little blog; it is the day that I was able to push past the 50% mark for my project! I'm sure that the 434 Orioles player autographs I have now were the easy ones, so this next part will be the real challenge. And of course it doesn't help me that the Orioles seem to add 10-15 new players every season, but that's not going to bother me today. It's all downhill from here!!!

I was able to push past the 50% mark with a nice trade with Tom T. who I met through the Yahoo autograph collection group I'm in. If you didn't get a chance to check it out the last time I linked it and you collect autographs, you are missing out. I have come across a few great collectors who have been able to help me and I was able to return the favor more often than not.
So check it out! And thanks again Tom.

Also, I am going to be on vacation for the next week so won't be posting again until Sunday or Monday. I am going on a family trip but will be checking out two Minor League games en route; tonight's Aberdeen Ironbirds vs. Staten Island Yankees game in Aberdeen (with added bonus of a crab feast) and Saturday's Northwest Arkansas Naturals vs Arkansas Travelers game in Springdale, Arkansas(with added bonus of a Vance Wilson bobblehead). I hope to have many pictures and autographs to share when I'm back.

Here are the cards Tom sent me:

Ed Farmer 1977

Pat Hentgen 2001-03

Craig Lefferts 1992


Gary Matthews Jr. 02-03


Derrick May 1999


Bob Molinaro 1979


Matt Nokes 1995


Roy Smith 1991


Ron Washington 1987


Ernie Whitt 1991


Esteban Yan 1996-97

Funny time on the Yan auto, I just got a TTM I sent to him back last week.

Have a nice week everyone, I will be blogging again soon.