Oriole # 724- Rick Helling

Although Rick briefly pitched for the Orioles in early 2003, he is another player whom I identify more as a member of other teams, specifically the Rangers and Marlins. I was very into baseball for most of the 1990's and he was a Ranger from 1994-96 and again from 1997-2001, while he spent parts of 1996-97 with the Marlins, so it would make sense that I identify him as a member of those franchises.

As I mentioned the other day in my Jose Morban post, I'm not too familiar with the Orioles teams in the early 2000s. It doesn't help that just under 100 different players debuted for the team between 2000-04 and many of them didn't stick around for more than a season or two. At least I recognize Helling's name, whereas I would have had no clue who Jose Morban was if he hadn't played for the O's, and I barely do even though he did.

Rick made his Orioles on April 3, 2003 and became the 724th different player to don the Oriole uniform.

After Rick's early years spent in Texas and Florida, he went on to pitch for the Diamondbacks, O's, Marlins again, and Brewers before calling it a career after the 2006 season. While there are quite a few of his autographs out there, he only has a few Orioles cards, and it took me awhile to get this one signed. Luckily I came across a private signing last fall and was able to scratch his name off of my list. On this wonderful orange uniform card nonetheless.

The Time is Right

Today seemed like an appropriate time to show off the three remaining autographs in my collection that picture players wearing Cardinals or Rangers uniforms.

I need to start with Orlando Sanchez since this is the only Orioles card of the trio and because I'm rooting for the Cardinals to come back and win the series.

I guess no one thought to get a picture of Orlando in an Orioles uniform during his four game stint with the O's in 1984. He played parts of the 1981-83 seasons for the Cardinals and saw his last big league action in Baltimore; he appeared in 73 total games over his four years in the Majors.

Rick Helling spent eight of his 12 MLB seasons with the Rangers, and is one of only three players to have won 20 games in a season for them, which he accomplished in 1998 when he went 20-7.

He spent part of the 2003 season with the Orioles and was largely unsuccessful pitching for the Birds, but certainly wasn't the only pitcher from that period of time who couldn't find success in Baltimore. He is pictured on a few cards as an Oriole, so I'm hoping to upgrade to one of those some day soon.

Last up is Fernando Tatis, who began his big league career with the Rangers in the late '90s. He is best remembered for being the only player to hit two grand slams in one inning, a feat he accomplished off of Chan Ho Park during his time with the Cardinals in 1999. He appropriately also holds the record for most RBI in one inning.

Tatis played for the Orioles in 2006 and also was featured on a card in an Orioles uniform, so one day I would like to upgrade this signature as well.