30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Journeymen Need Love Too!


"BOOOOO!!!!!!"
"What?!?!"
"YIKES!!"
"Unfair!"
"*%@#!!!&#"
"Wow"
"WTF?"
"Gross"
"Wrong!"





Great minds often think alike.  These are the words of fellow collectors, sports fans, and bloggers in response to hearing about the trade that shipped Ichiro to the Yankees.  And truthfully... I agree with them 100%.


I hate to sound like a broken record, but I'll go ahead and say it again.  I have a huge admiration for athletes who spend their entire career with one franchise.  But in the era of "free agency", it's becoming more and more uncommon for athletes to stick with the same team their entire career.  Sometimes they leave for more money or an increased opportunity to win.  Other times, the teams can't or don't want to resign the players.  And of course there's the case of one of my favorite players... the aforementioned Ichiro Suzuki... who was shipped off in a trade.


This got me thinking... "which athletes hold the records for playing for the most franchises?".  After a quick trip to Google, here are the record holders for three of the major sports played in the U.S.:


MLB - Octavio Dotel

Last December, Dotel signed with the Detroit Tigers and made an appearance in the second game of the season to become the first player in MLB history to play for 13 different MLB franchises.


NBA - Chucky Brown, Tony Massenburg, Joe Smith, and Jim Jackson
  


All four of these guys have played for a record 12 different NBA franchises.


NHL - Mike Sillinger


During his 17 year career, Sillinger played for 12 different NHL franchises.  


NFL - ???
  


Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find an official record holder for football.  But my research led me to the following football players.  Deion Sanders and Jeff George each played for five franchises during their careers.  Vinny Testaverde played for seven different teams during his 21 year career.  Jeff Brady, a retired linebacker from the 90's and Tillie Voss a tackle from the 20's each appeared in games for eight different teams.


So there you have it.  Who would have thought that Octavio Dotel, Joe Smith, and Mike Sillinger are all record holders?


Contest time.  Hmmm... I'm having writer's block, so I don't have a question or a challenge for you today.  So... why don't we do this.  


Ask me a sports or hobby related question.


2 Points - Post your question below and I'll try my best to answer honestly.
5 Points - I'll base my next post on 5 of your questions.  If your question is used, I'll award you with 5 points.


I'll set the deadline for Friday at 3pm (PST).  I look forward to reading and responding to your questions.


Happy Wednesday and sayonara!

49 comments:

Nick said...

How did you first decide to collect sports cards, and when?

BA Benny said...

Hey Fuji, what are the three most prized items in your collections? Value does not have to be a factor but can be.

The Dimwit said...

Which is your all time favorite product in each sport you collect?

Spiegel83 said...

What Macfarlene/Starting Line-up figure that you own, least resembles the player it is supposed to look like?

Eric L said...

After Luke Hochevar got ejected for what was essentially a foul ball (I'll have a post about it later today on me blog), should there be instant replay in MLB for decisions such as ejections? (Assuming you believe there is a place for instant replay in MLB).

SpastikMooss said...

Which method do you find best for shipping cards? Could be a nice way for people to share their strategies.

night owl said...

Why aren't there more Oakland A's fans?

Kirk Jacobson said...

What isz the most money you have spent on one single sports related item? Wde have seen a lot of your deals, when did you splurge?

Kirk Jacobson said...

What isz the most money you have spent on one single sports related item? Wde have seen a lot of your deals, when did you splurge?

Ryan G said...

Have you ever inspired any of your students to start collecting cards or sports memorabilia?

The Lost Collector said...

Do you think Reggie Jackson should be wearing an A's hat on his HOF plaque?

Anonymous said...

what MLB pitcher never gave up a grand slam and had at least a win in three different decades he pitched?
nick

Spankee said...

What would have to happen for you to sell off your entire collection?

Dawgbones said...

You've often mentioned giving cards to your students. What is the most memorable card you've given to one of them? Or the most memorable reaction to a card you've given to one of them.
Thanks for the contest Fuji-San,
Have a GReat night!
Dawgbones

Commishbob said...

How much wood would a woodchuck... oh wait....

Who's the only NFL player to have his number retired by two teams?

dayf said...

What is the ugliest card set you've ever seen?

hockey kazi said...

If you could be a professional athlete, what sport would you choose?

Mini Groover said...

Who do you think will do well in the Olympics country wise?

Play at the Plate said...

What in the name of all that's good and holy has gotten in to the A's?

Fuji said...

Great question... and highly debatable. I'm definitely for instant replay in sports. The fact is sports in general evolve/progress over time. Just look at how equipment has changed in sports.

So I don't see anything wrong with instant replay, as long as it's not abused and overused to the extent where they're reviewing every other play.

As for the Hochevar ejection... it's the ump's call. If it were me, I'd change the call to a foul ball, have Trout stay in the box, and give Hochevar a warning.

However, I didn't see the game. If this were a retaliation or intentional... then I'd eject Hochevar regardless if it was a foul ball or an actual HBP. It's not that I'm personally against this... but if I'm an umpire, it's my job to enforce rules and keep players safe.

I've never seen anyone ejected for a foul ball, but I've seen a pitcher ejected for throwing behind the batter w/o actually hitting them.

Fuji said...

I think there are plenty of A's fans, but not all of them are willing to drive out to the Coliseum to watch a team that isn't built to win. When the A's are winning, fans come out.

I'm one of those fans. When they A's are in contention, I'll attend 10+ games... because it's fun and worth the money.

But the past few years, I've averaged only 3 or 4 games each season. Why? Well... for me it's a long drive and a lot of traffic... so I'm not as motivated to attend.

Am I a bad fan? Well... that's for you to decided. I support the A's through thick and thin by purchasing their apparel, memorabilia, and their baseball cards. I will always cheer for the Oakland Athletics... even if they're fighting for the worst record in baseball.

Fuji said...

It's hard to say if any of my students have continued to collect outside of my classroom/school atmosphere, because I've never seen them at any of the card shows or card shops.

But I know they love receiving free cards and will do almost anything for them. It's fairly common for the students to throw out the line, "I love collecting cards", but I take it with a grain of salt.

There have been students who have brought in their binders to trade and own cards outside of the ones I've given them. But did I inspire them? I'm not sure if I can take credit for that.

Even though I don't have proof or evidence, I'd like to think that over the years... there's at least one or two that still collect because of the free cards I've given out.

Fuji said...

Most definitely... he played more games, hit more home runs, and won more championships in an A's uniform than for any other ball club. But unfortunately, it's not my call.

Reggie wanted to be embossed in bronze as a Yankee... and he'll forever be remembered as Mr. October, because of his feats as a Yankee.

Fuji said...

Jim Palmer - However, if I'm right... I must admit, I had no clue. I looked it up on the internet and Palmer's name popped up.

Fuji said...

I guess if I ever needed money... either for myself or my family. It would definitely be one of the last things I sold though... and there would be certain cards I'd do anything to hold onto, before selling them.

Fuji said...

Well... it's actually one specific card that I've given out to tons of students.

You're all familiar with the trading card I give out with trades and blog related packages (if not, see my avatar... it's the 2008 Topps card with the Southpark image of me).

Anyways... when I put that order in, I also purchased a different card to give out to my students. You'd be surprised at how popular they are. I usually give them out to students who do random acts of kindness or something particularly special... and as soon as I do, you should see how kindness starts spreading around the classroom.

Every now and then, I see them on the front cover of their binder... and I feel like a celebrity ;-)

I'm planning on creating a new one as soon as my inventory runs out... with me either dressed up as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or as Russel from Up.

In terms of most valuable... probably $10 to $20 book value. I've given out a ton of 49ers, Giants, A's, Warriors, and Sharks autographs as prizes. No Willie Mays or Joe Montana... just commons and some minor stars.

Fuji said...

Damn... I should have known this, since he was one of my favorites from the 90's.

Anyways... had to use the internet, since I had no clue. But after some research... I discovered it was Reggie White.

Joe Montana and Jerry Rice were the two that originally popped into my head.

Fuji said...

This is going to sound crazy... but I'd say golf. Now, before people start giving me a hard time, let me explain.

I love watching football on television. I e watching hockey at the arena. I enjoy playing a pickup game of basketball with my students. And I'm trying to put together a staff softball team at my school.

But the sport I love to play and would love to get paid to do it is golf. Plus you don't have to worry about 100mph fastballs/pucks to the dome, elbows to the nose, or a 250lb linebacker lighting you up.

Fuji said...

I'll go with the United States of America and China. They seem to always be at the top of the medal count.

Fuji said...

Heart, passion, and soul. I'm going to enjoy this run, while it lasts ;-)

Anonymous said...

Are SEC Football fans really that ignorant, or do they all suffer from some sort of mental handicap?

Wilson said...

Who do you think is the worst team ever to win a championship? Hockey seems the be the most likely candidate for this with over half the teams in the playoffs, but baseball's had some weak division winners make the playoffs as well.

Josh D. said...

Wikipedia is saying JT O'Sullivan has the record, and shares it with Dave Rayner.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._T._O'Sullivan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Rayner

If you want to go back to the olden times...Tillie Voss also played on 11 teams.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillie_Voss

Baseball Nut said...

Why do you collect? (Seems like an overly simplified question but since you have committed to answering it as honestly as possible, it could be a very interesting answer.)

Fuji said...

Thanks for doing the legwork. I saw O'Sullivan's name before, but according to football reference, he only physically played in NFL games for 4 different teams. Football is tough to gauge, since some backups never see the field, but are signed to contracts.

Fuji said...

Okay... I have to go with the first thing that popped into my head and say "I have no clue".

When it comes to college football, I follow four teams: SJSU (my alma mater), CAL & Stanford (local schools), and University of Hawaii (my mom's & a bunch of my cousin's alma mater).

And even then... last season I could name two college football players: Andrew Luck & Coby Fleener.

I know... I'm kinda lame.

Fuji said...

Wow... let's see. The 2012 New York Giants? I'm not saying they're terrible. They're the champs and they earned it. I just never thought they'd pull it off with Eli Manning (again). I would have bet on Green Bay or New Orleans... any day of the week.

Speaking of Green Bay... I was happy, but I'm sure they surprised a lot of people the year before.

I also remember I was shocked when the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Yankees a few years back... and of course the Arizona Cardinals, when they beat the Steelers.

And finally and I'm a little biased... BUT I was totally floored when the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Oakland A's in 1988. Watching Gibson's home run off of Eck is one of the greatest and most painful sports memories I've ever witnessed.

jacobmrley said...

Which substance is more flammable, a kerosene soaked crate of dynamite left out in the desert sun next to a magnifying glass or the 2012 New York Mets bullpen?

Ryan G said...

Perhaps you encouraged a few to collect, and if nothing more might have made some sports fans or strengthened their interests in sports. I'd like to think we have made some kind of impact on our students. (But then there are teachers I certainly don't even remember having.)

Fuji said...

I hope there are at least a few. Sports is definitely a big part of my connection with students, since my classroom is decorated & students can't help but comment.

But hopefully, I have an even bigger impact on my students lives & encourage them to value their education, make wiser decisions, and to learn from their mistakes.

Martyn said...

What have a world series & a bear on the pill got in common?

No, the real one

If you could meet either Kurt Suzuki or Tony Gwynn, which one would you choose & Why?

Fuji said...

Ouch... out of respect to Mets fans, I'll go with the kerosene. As a proud A's and Padres fan, I don't have the right to talk.

Fuji said...

Hey Martyn...

Love that joke. I forgot who said it, but I'm pretty sure someone was taking a shot at Da Cubs.

As for the real question... wow that's a hard one. I'd like to meet both of them for different reasons.

I'd love to ask Kurt Suzuki if he remembers my cousin from H/S... and then tell him we share the same middle name.

But if I had to choose between the two, I'd have to go with Gwynn. #19 is the reason I'm a Padres fan. He was loyal to the Padres for 20 years and was my favorite player for eighteen of them (since 1984). I can't even think of any questions I'd ask him, but I know for sure I'd love to be able to thank him for sticking with the Padres when he easily could have left for more money.

arpsmith said...

Have you ever been tempted to switch your baseball allegiance to the team across the bay? Did you actively cheer for the Giants to with the series?

Fuji said...

That thought has never crossed my mind. The Oakland A's were the first franchise (in any sport) I ever rooted for. I'll be loyal to them as long as they're in the MLB.

As for cheering for the Giants... I actually did cheer for them in 2010. However, I didn't root for them in 2002. I've mellowed out with age. There was a time when I really disliked the Giants. I still won't cheer them on unless:

A. A Giants win will help the A's or Padres.

B. The Giants are in the playoffs and the A's and/or the Padres are not.

C. History is in the making. Example: I was pretty excited about Cain's perfect game.

Fuji said...

Here's the answer you seek:

http://sanjosefuji.blogspot.com/2012/07/are-you-ready.html

Fuji said...

Hey Spiegel... sorry about the delay. I thought I had answered this already, but I guess I never hit publish.

After checking shelves there were a bunch that didn't resemble the player they were suppose to be. But the one that stood out was the 1998 Kobe Bryant, because by 1998 they had already started improving the head sculptures... but they totally missed on Kobe.

Fuji said...

Here's my response to your question:

http://sanjosefuji.blogspot.com/2012/07/if-you-cant-say-something-nice.html

Fuji said...

Here's the response to your question:

http://sanjosefuji.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-chosen-ones.html