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O ne of the bigger named players to pass away in 2025 was former Boston Red Sox Outfielder Mike Greenwell. Passing at a way too young age of 62, Greenwell came up at the same time baseball card rookie cards exploded on the scene. I remember buying as many 1987 Greenwell cards as I could as he was one of the many hot rookies of the time. I would buy his cards along with Billy Jo Robidoux, Mark Funderburk, BJ Surhoff and of course Jose Canseco. Although he was never a Hall of F

I was a diehard Milwaukee Brewers fan from the mid 1970s to the mid 1990s. Being that they were in the American League and the Phillies were in the National League, I felt it was okay to be a fan of both teams. In 1982, the Brewers made the World Series. It was a dream come true! One of the players on that 1982 American League Championship Team was Marshall Edwards. He didn't hit for power like Gorman Thomas and he didn't hit for average like Paul Molitor, but he filled a ro

W e have lost so many former major leaguers in 2025 but one of them that I missed was former Baltimore Orioles starting second baseman Rich Dauer. Dauer started for the Orioles for eight seasons from 1977 to 1984, which is a pretty impressive number. He had little power and never hit for a high average, His solid glove kept him in the lineup despite Lenny Sakata breathing down his neck. In 1985, the Orioles decided to go with Alan Wiggins at second base and kept Dauer as a ut

A s I'm sure you know, we lost way too many former major leaguers in 2025. One of those was 15 year veteran Joe Coleman. Coleman pitched for seven teams in his career but was best known (at least to me) as a Tiger. His 1975 Topps card is one of my favorites. Between the chew in his cheek and picturing him having a catch with another player, along with the amazing 1975 Topps card, you just can't beat the card. For those that don't remember him, Coleman won 142 games in his car

W e remember another original Toronto Blue Jay who passed away recently with Jim Clancy, who made 13 starts for the expansion Blue Jays. More than 10 years later, he was still there, the last of the original Jays still in Toronto. Clancy won 128 games for some really bad Blue Jays' teams which by itself is impressive. He would spend a couple forgotten seasons in Houston near the end and the farewell tour would take place in Atlanta, for 24 games out of the Braves' bullpen in

W e continue remember players that we lost in 2025 with a pitcher who had a bried stay in the major legues who most of you probably do not remember, Jeff Bittiger. Bittiger had less than 100 innings pitched in four seasons with the Phillies, Twins and White Sox. Even though I was a Phillies fan and in the area in 1986, I don't remember his brief stay there. What I remember is a buddy from college in 1987-1988 knew him and always talked about him. I don't remember the connecti

W e lost another player from my favorite baseball card set ever, the 1975 Topps set. Journeyman starter/reliever Steve Hargan passed away at age 83 on October 30, 2025. I don't remember watching him pitch as I was quite young when he was an active player, but I do remember his baseball card. This happens a lot when players of his era pass. I don't remember them personally, but I remember collecting their baseball cards back in the day. Hargan played for six teams during an im

R ecently we lost another player from my childhood, former San Diego Padres ace Randy Jones. Jones had a very short peak but what a peak it was! Coming off a 22 loss season in 1974, Jones won 20 games and led the league with a 2.24 ERA. What a crazy season out of nowhere for the 25 year old southpaw. He would follow that with a Cy Young win in 1976 going 22-14 with a 2.74 ERA. Unfortunately for Jones, he would never have a winning record again and injuries would end his caree