The New Fairfield Repack

A trip to Walgreens netted me a repack box and it changed a bit. They didn't list the amount of cards in it so its a random guess. My box got 41 cards with one non-baseball one and a pack of 1990 Fleer.

1985 Topps: Lynn Jones, Doug Rader
1987 Donruss: Steve Crawford, Rick Honeycutt
1987 Fleer: Ron Oester, Dave Parker, Danny Jackson (X2), Jorge Orta
1987 Topps: George Hendrick, Ron Cey (traded and in A's uniform)
1988 Score: Bob Welch
1989 Donruss: Tony Gwynn
1989 Score: John Kruk
1990 Fleer: Bryn Smith, Gary Gaetti, German Gonzalez, Tim Crews,
1990 Upper Deck: Tim Laudner
1991 Upper Deck: Darren Daulton, Sid Bream, Steve Finley
1992 Topps: Brady Anderson
1992 Donruss: Bruce Hurst, Mike Felder
1992 Fleer: Dickie Thon, Jose Lind
1992 Leaf: Juan Samuel, Bobby Ojeda, David Justice
1992 Upper Deck: John Burkett, Bruce Ruffin, Kevin Tapani
1994 Sportflics: Yorkis Perez
1994 Leaf: Andy Benes, Armando Reynoso, Jim Eisenreich
1995 Select: Roberto Kelly (in an Expos uniform)
1995 Pinnacle: C.J. Nitkowski
2003 Upper Deck 40 Man: Pete Walker
Non-baseball: 1991-92 Skybox LA Clippers

The cards I got from 1990 Fleer: Jose Lind, Gene Larkin, Jody Davis, Neal Heaton, Jerry Reed, Ken Dayley, Wade Boggs, Dave Gallagher, Danny Jackson, Otis Nixon, Mike Schooler, Rick Reuschel, Kevin Ritz, Alfredo Griffin, Ben McDonald, sticker w/ Orioles, Reds Sox, White Sox, and Angels logo.

Not sure if every repack box contains 40 cards, half from the 80 cards from they used to put out, and a pack. I wonder what is everyone experiences with the new Fairfield repacks.

2022 Topps Baseball Hanger Box Break

2022 Topps Baseball been out for two weeks. I bought two hanger boxes through Walmart.com. Time to start that yearly set build that will likely not be finished for a year or two mainly I'm too lazy to buy/trade for singles. Here what I pulled for my 134 card starter set.

Hanger Box 1:
Yasmani Grandal, Brandon Crawford, Eduardo Rodriguez, Archie Bradley, NL East Division Smiles/checklist, Charlie Morton (CharMo as I called him), Gio Urshela, Stuart Fairchild, Eduardo Escobar, Kevin Pillar, Emmanuel Rivera, Whit Merrifield, Bo Bichette, Zac Lowther, Minnesota Meetup/checklist, AL Wins Leaders, LAA Angels, Tyler Stephenson, John Means, Greg Holland, Eli Morgan, Josh Naylor (was a miserable prick in AA ball), Taijuan Walker, Matt Manning, Eddie Rosario, Anthony DeSclafani, Kyle Tucker, Kwang-Hyun Kim, Miguel Cabrera, Aaron Ashby, Travis D'Arnaud, Rougned Odor, Josiah Gray, Jake Arrieta, Adam Frazier, Liam Hendricks, Tommy Pham, Jesse Winker, Ty France, Matthew Boyd, Luis Robert, Alex Bregman, Mike Yastrezemski (Topps Quality Control; see picture below), Hanser Alberto (always called Hanser the Answer), Chris Flexen, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Garrett Hampson, Mike Zunino, Cesar Hernandez, Adam Wainwright, Anthony Rizzo, Fernando Tatis Jr., Christian Vazquez, Bryce Harper, Patrick Mazeika, Pedro Severino, Chad Pinder, Jake Cousins, Christian Walker, Michael Conforto

Inserts: Framer Valdez (Royal Blue base Walmart exclusive)
87 Topps: Joey Votto
Stars of MLB: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ke'Bryan Hayes, Luis Robert, Chrisitian Yelich 
Welcome to the Show: Eddie Murray

Hanger Box 2:
Yan Gomes, Corey Seager, Ian Happ, Brian Anderson, Alek Manoah, Travis Shaw, Tony Santillan, Wade Milley, Mauricio Dubon, Carlos Rondon, Steven Brault, Ryan McMahon, Double Bath/checklist, NL Wins Leaders, Miami Marlins, Jacob DeGrom, Mike Foltynewicz, Reid Detmers, AL Batting Leaders, Atlanta Braves, Taijuan Walker, Matt Manning, Eddie Rosario, Anthony DeSclafani, Kyle Tucker, Kwang-Hyun Kim, Miguel Cabrera,  Aaron Ashby, Ian Kennedy, Willi Castro, Corbin Burnes, Wander Franco (I might be rich!), Christian Yelich, Jackson Kowar, Shane Bieber, Kyle Seager, Yermin Mercedes, Johnny Cueto, Lucas Giolito, Buster Posey (sunset card), Danny Jansen, Mookie Betts, Bobby Dalbec, Omar Narvaez, Jake Burger (great name!), Ronald Acuna Jr., Avisail Garcia, Riley Adams, Austin Riley, Kyle Higashioka, Jake Rogers, Kyle Gibson, Robbie Grossman, Nick Solak, Will Smith, Alcides Escobar, Trevor Rogers, Alex Kirilloff, Keston Hiura, Kyle Muller

Inserts: Jorge Mateo (rainbow base)
87 Topps: Luis Robert
Stars of MLB: Byron Buxton, Javier Baez, Yadier Molina, Joey Gallo
2021's Greatest Hits: Wander Franco (double Francos in one hanger box)

Out of 134 cards about 8 are repeats. Not a bad starter set from two hanger boxes. Hope there's a blaster box somewhere at Target or Walmart. I don't think I should get a hobby box right now with prices still high. It might go down with the lockout continuing.

A Checkered Past

Al Unser, Jr. was one of my favorite drivers growing up. I remember him driving Galles Racing Valvoline car to Penske Racing Marlboro car dominating in late 80s through early 90s with two CART championships and two Indy 500 victories along 27 wins during that stretch. Late 90s happened with the open wheel split and he was no longer winning and struggling to finish inside the top 5. At twilight of his career he would jump to IRL in 2000 getting three victories in four full time seasons. But during that time news of his personal demons became public. He would call it a career with his final race in 2007 Indy 500.

He wrote his autography and released it late last year. I picked it up and was it a ride to read. Al Jr. exposed his soul throughout the entire book. The first chapter starts off of him at his darkest period contemplating on committing suicide. He would talk about his personal life growing up in a racing family with his famous father (late Al Sr) and uncle (late Bobby), getting into racing, the good and bad times with late ex-wife, the elation of victories and the agony of defeat and disappointments especially not qualifying for 1995 Indy 500. The big one was his alcohol/substance abuse on when he started dabbling it to getting to a point of spiraling out of control and hitting rock bottom. One of his admissions that surprised me was he and his late ex-wife partied for four weeks straight on drugs going into final race at Miami where he had a shot at the CART championship in 1985. He end up runner up in the championship behind his father the late Al Sr. There be times he didn't show up in testing or be hung over if he did. His drinking and partying became open secret in the CART paddock. In his later chapters he talked about alcohol addiction and how difficult to stay sober. He admitted to having a relapse just hours after getting out rehab. The hits kept coming with DUIs arrest as well domestic violence, broken relationship, and suicidal depression. Yet he fighting back his demons spiritually knowing the struggle is still there while he's clean and sober.

It's depressive but informative read. Away from being a race car driver Al Unser, Jr. showed he's a flawed human being just like everyone. Hope he's strong enough to get away from his vices for good. I also hope he's doing fine after losing both his father and uncle last year months apart. If you a race fan its a good pick up.

You can order his book from a link down below.
https://octanepress.com/book/al-unser-jr-checkered-past

Opinions on Recent Hall of Fame Exclusion

I been trying type this out but it kept turning into bunch of non-sense rambles and having to delete. My opinions on recent baseball Hall of Fame exclusions.....

- Barry Bonds SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Roger Clemens SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Curt Schilling SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Mark McGwire SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame
- Pete Rose SHOULD BE in the Hall of Fame

You got the best homerun hitter, one of best pitchers, and the best hitter all of baseball and all of them are not in the baseball hall of fame is a travesty. If the athletes don't kiss enough ass or suck enough sport writers dick they hold it against them. Lose sport writers as Hall of Fame voters. I hope all five of them get in the Hall by committee soon. I hope Alex Rodriguez gets in the hall of fame soon in the upcoming years.

My 10 Favorite Wrestling Shots I Took This Year

Another year in the books. Pandemic still going on, but things opened up slowly at start of the year and by mid-year it got little bit back normal. Also back are local independent shows popping up once every month. I been to many shows around the state taking photos, and record matches fan-cam style. Of the thousands of shots I took there are ones I enjoy. I give you my 10 favorite shots from the shows I attended in order of the dates.

From January 16 New Texas Pro Show in Colorado City. This one is a favorite because you have NTPW Lonestar champion the hated Teflon John Bedlam getting booed and thumbs down from a fan in front of him. But behind him are the few fans still cheering for him. It shows even bad guys in wrestling will have a cult following. 

From April 30 Global Wrestling Federation in Halthom City. After sea of masked Nasticos enter the ring to fight Scotty Master Blaster this one pinned him after hitting him with a loaded mask to win GWF Texas title. When this Nasitco unmasked it was revealed to be Ocho Camacho who faked being injured earlier on the show. The sinister laugh with Nastico holding GWF Texas over his head captured that moment as one of my favorites shots. I reminds me when Vince McMahon revealed to be the Higher Power and Jim Ross let out, "Aw son of a bitch!" in response.

From June 5 Adrenalina Lucha Libre show in Odessa. This is their first ever show with them featuring wrestlers from El Paso area. The main event is Skybird and Sayrus vs Minotauro and Utopia in 2/3 falls lucha libre match. The four delivered a solid 20 minute performance. After the match fans in the building show their appreciation and respect to all four wrestlers tossing them money in a ring, a custom in lucha libre feds. This shot capture the moment of a well-deserved reward for their hard work.

From July 17 MPX wrestling show in Bedford. This is Dave Segan. For five years in MPX he found ways to reinvent himself for the weekly Saturday night shows first as The Solution and being a member of Impact Players. Then he became Emo Dave and leader of his group House Segan. He follow it up with Friendly Neighbor Dave and teaming up with Tatum Manning before turning on him and becoming this final MPX incarnation: Living Legend Dave. This his first night showing off this gimmick and its a freakin' hit that I loved it despite him being a heel. This shot showed how wrestling characters should be: larger than life.

From the same MPX show, the main event feature Dexter Hardaway retirement match. His opponent MPX Prospects champion Exodus Prime took Thank You Dexter sign and gave it the Pope treatment ripping it in half. Look at how serious he looks and his focus going into this match complete with shades.

Also from the same MPX show. This is Dexter Hardaway send off after his retirement match and a speech. After over a decade of being on the roads balancing between real-life and weekend warrior to end it on his own terms Big Dex deserves to celebrate in style. This moment captured it.

From August 14 ICW No Holds Barred show in San Antonio. New York-based ICW (run by Danny DeManto) made their tour down in Alamo City for the weekend of deathmatch style mayhem. One of matches feature San Antonio's own "King of the Underground" Scot Summers and Shlak. It was Summers first return to the ring in few years. It almost went bad when Summers got hurt during the match, but he still made it through. I took this shot after his match. It shows Scot Summer in deep thought and reflection after the bloody war he went through against Shlak. This shot is very deep and one of my favorites.

From ICW No Holds Barred show Orin Veidt and Dale Patricks simultaneously smashing light tubes on each other to a puff of smoke and hundreds of shards from the light tubes. It's another night in the deathmatch arena.

From November 20 Squared Circle Pro show in Lubbock. After a chase for the title which began from the first show of the year back in January, Reggie Lincoln achieved his goal defeating Jastin Taylor to win SCP title in their final event of the year. Here, you have half of the locker room coming out and lifting Reggie on their shoulders with promoter Rick Elsey pointing at him as he's the man of the hour in his fed. This captures the blowoff of a year long feud build and the final result is a happy storybook ending.

From December 18 Rampage Wrestling show in Abilene. The former Skip Terrific went on a gimmick change to this character: a 1920s noir-like wrestling detective named Phil Noir. This is my first time watching this gimmick in action. In this is gold momemt Phil Noir takes a drink before entering the ring. It's the over-the-top that sold me on this.

Hope you enjoy my shots from Texas independent wrestling scene. I wish you all a Happy New Year.

Black Friday Pickups

Not much on Black Friday deals. Just pick up a few necessities such as hard drive. I decide I venture off to Entertainmart to check out what they have for sale that day. The place sells second hand DVDs and blu-ray movies, video games, music, and books as well sport cards even though overpriced. I notice its buy one get one free on items with a red sticker. I went through their card grab bag selection despite being poorly handle. Some were wrapped around in rubber band with $8 price tag. I found a grab bag of 2000-01 Pacific Aurora hockey cards with a red sticker that I picked it up. The grab bags contains over 60 cards and as well few baseball, football, and basketball cards on it. One had four Todd Van Poppel cards in penny sleeves. I got the following cards out of the grab bags.

Grab bag 1:
Pacific Aurora base: Guy Hebert, Anson Carter, Sergei Samsonov, Joe Thornton, Derek Morris, Rod Brind'Amour, Arturs Irbe (X2), Sami Kapanen, Alex Tanguay, Brendan Morrow, Joe Nieuwendyk (X2), Mike Grier, Bill Guerin, Ray Whitney, Jose Theodore (X2), Patric Kjellberg, Cliff Ronning, Scott Gomez, Mariusz Czerkawski, Jan Hlavac, Brian Leetch, Radek Bonk (X2), Simon Gagne, Shane Doan, Keith Tkachuk, Jan Hrdina, Dallas Drake, Michal Handzus, Jeff Friesen, Patrick Marleau, Steve Shields, Dan Cloutier, Vincent Lecavalier (X2), Nik Antropov, Mats Sundin, Steve Thomas, Andrew Cassels, Adam Oates

Pacific Aurora Pinstripes: Derek Morris, Nik Antopov

Baseball:
- 1990 Upper Deck: Bob Boone
- 1991 Ballstreet: Todd Van Poppel
- 1991 Conlon Collection: Harry Rice, Mel Almada, Rube Marquard, Heine Manush
- 1991 Studio: Todd Van Poppel
-1991 Score: Todd Van Poppel, Randy Myers, Cecil Fielder
- 1991 Upper Deck: Todd Van Poppel (X2)
- 1992 Donruss: Todd Van Poppel
- 1992 Score: Dave Bergman
- 2004 Fleer Platinum: Garrett Anderson
- 2021 Donruss: Rickey Henderson

Football: Jake Plummer (2005 Topps Total), Gus Frerotte (2006 Score)

Basketball: Mark Price (1996-97 Fleer Metal)

Grab bag no. 2:
Pacific Aurora: Andrew Brunette, Jason Allison, Anson Carter, Martin Biron, Valeri Bure, Derek Morris, Marc Savard, Tony Amonte, Steve Sullivan, Jocelyn Thibault, Alexei Zhamnov, Patrick Roy, Brendan Morrow, Chris Chelios, Chris Osgood, Bill Guerin (X2), Doug Weight, Trevor Kidd, Viktor Kozlov, Stephane Fiset, Zigmund Palfy, Jamie Storr, Jeff Hackett (X2), Patric Kjellberg, David Legwand (X2), Patrick Elias, Brad Isbister, Adam Graves, Mark Messier, Shawn McEachern, Vaclav Prospal (X2), Eric Desjardins, John LeClair, Joe Juneau (X2), Keith Tkachuk, Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Martin Straka, Pavol Demitra (X2), Michal Handzus, Pierre Turgeon, Vincnet Damphousse, Owen Nolan, Steve Shields, Mike Johnson, Vincent Lecavalier, Nik Antropov, Tie Domi, Steve Thomas, Andrew Cassels, Steve Kariya (X2), Olalf Kolzig, Chris Simon

1991 Upper Deck baseball: Brook Fordyce, Luis Salzar, Dave Righetti

A good haul for half partial set of 2000-01 Pacific Aurora hockey cards as well getting a Fleer Metal card. Didn't realize Juneau once played for Senators.

Those Prospects from 2001

It's fun going through past programs from minor league teams and listing the top prospects. This one from 2001 Midland Rockhounds program as they preview Texas League teams along top 30 prospects from the affiliate system. It's interesting look at hits, misses, mind baffling list rankings, and what happen to the team afterwards. Let's start out with El Paso Diablos who was Diamondbacks double-A affiliate at the time. Their no. 1 prospect of the year is......

Alex Cintron. He played four seasons before getting flipped to Chicago White Sox playing for two seasons and follow it up with stints as member of Orioles and Nationals. He would take up coaching after his playing career and is currently Astros hitting coach. No. 2 Jack Cust would bounce around the league before finding a home as member of Oakland A's in DH role hitting homeruns. The best two players on the list is Jose Valverde (no. 10) and Brandon Webb (no. 27). Valverde became 3-time All-Star and lead the league in saves three times, all playing with different teams (Diamondbacks, Astros, Tigers). Webb became a Cy Young winner (2006) and 3-time All-Star in his six seasons with the team before injuries ended his career. He attempted a comeback in 2011 playing 4 games with Rangers affiliate Frisco Roughriders. Lyle Overbay (no. 11) finished the season as Diamondbacks minor league player of the year. As for the original El Paso Diablos they moved to Springfield, MO becoming the Cardinals after 2004 season. The new Diablos team played independent ball til they got a new team (El Paso Chihuahuas) as well new stadium becoming Triple-A affiliate of San Diego Padres.

When Round Rock Express was Double-A team and affiliated with Astros. They got it right with Roy Oswalt at no. 1  as he became the ace of the Astros pitching staff most of 2000s. I still wonder to this day how Brad Lidge was perfect all regular season and the playoffs (All-Star game don't count) in his first season with Philadelphia Phillies helping them to World Series championship. Adam Everett (no. 6), Morgan Ensberg (no. 15), and Jason Lane (no. 22) become regular starters on the field for the Astros. J-Lane would take up pitching and return to the league as one. Chad Qualls (no. 19) had long journeyman career playing in the majors from 2004-2017. Round Rock moved up to Triple-A and end up being Texas Rangers affiliate.

San Antonio Missions is still around which included a single season stint as Triple-A team. This is first year they became Mariners affiliate. In a strange twist how the hell did they rank Ryan Anderson no. 1 over ICHIRO, who went on to be one of greatest hitters ever? Anderson never made it to the majors as he battled injuries. Ichiro accomplishment would take forever so let's say automatic Hall of Fame selection. Outside of him Joel Pineiro (no. 4), Willie Bloomquist (no. 7), and Shin-Soo Choo (no. 14) went on to have long careers. Pineiro spent 13 years in the majors which include brief stop with Red Sox, three years with Cardinals, and two with Angels. Bloomquist played 15 years as utility player most of them with Mariners. Choo would get shipped to Indians playing 6 1/2 with them then spent a season with Reds via trade. He signed with Rangers where he shone. For Missions they are currently Padres AA-affiliate. I seen the talent Padres crank out throughout the years. They should have kept some instead going for broke and blowing it up in their face like this year.

Arkansas Travelers is another team that is still around to the day. 2001 is the first season as Angels affiliate. Another baffling no. 1 with Joe Torres on top over K-Rod. Torres played 13 seasons AND never made it. I even got his autograph at a game back in 2011 as a member of Rangers affiliate Frisco Roughriders. K-Rod and John Lackey would become big part of 2002 Angels World Series championship. K-Rod became a 6-time All-Star and holds the record with most saves in a season at 62. Lackey became very reliable starter led the AL in ERA in 2007. Fireballer Bobby Jenks (no. 25) signed with White Sox after Angels released him where he became their closer and as well being part of 2005 World Series Championship team. There was another Johan Santana except he played three seasons making it high at A-ball. Travelers is currently Mariners AA-affiliate.

Shreveport baseball sure changed. Originally called Captains they changed their name to Swamp Dragons in 2001. I still remember their hideous looking green jerseys. They were Giants affiliate at the time and talk about weak system. Jerome Williams took the no. 1 spot and would have journeyman career. Kurt Ainsworth didn't fare much better and neither than Tony Torcato and Lance Niekro. Ryan Vogelsong (no. 5) and Pedro Feliz (no. 8) are the two from the top 10 that have decent career. Vogelsong struggled in his first part of his career he plied his trade in Japan for few years before returning to play. He would become a reliable pitcher and contributor of Giants 2012 and 2014 World Series championship. For Shreveport team it was sad saga. With very small attendance (on one box score clipping they reported 400 in the crowd) their team would be sold and moved to Frisco becoming Roughriders after 2002 season. Shreveport got another baseball team playing in the independent American Association league, first as Sports then changed to Captains, from 2003-2011. Like previous team the team got sold and moved.

Rangers had a long affiliation with Tulsa Drillers. Carlos Pena was no. 1 on that year list getting time in majors later that season with future All-Star flashed all over him. His career path took a strange twist as he got traded to Oakland A's (A's would part with few prospects that will be mention later on) months before 2002 season where it took 40 games for them to unload him to Detroit Tigers where he played for 3 1/2 seasons. After a trying 2006 season playing in Yankees AAA club and 18 game stint with Red Sox he signed with Tampa Bay Rays in 2007. It was there he unleashed all of his All-Star potential with comeback player of the year (2007) and All-Star nod in 2009 when he should have made in 2007 and 2008. His career lasted to 2014 as he played his final season with Rangers coming full circle. Few of the pitchers went on to journeyman career such as Joaquin Benoit (no. 5) , Colby Lewis (no. 6), and Danny Kolb (no. 24). After struggling early in his career and cast aside Lewis spent two seasons in Japan before returning and going full circle playing with Rangers as he became a reliable starter. Kolb got All-Star nod in 2005 as member of Brewers. Kevin Mench (no. 4) and Hank Blalock (no. 10) became regular starters for Rangers as they provided the offense. Travis Hafner (no. 12) gets shipped to Indians (along with Aaron Myette) where he had four straight seasons with 100 RBIs as well hitting homeruns. This is kinda of same thing with Rangers minor league system through the decades: Produce hitters, not pitchers. If they do the pitchers are long journeyman playing multiple teams. Rangers drop Tulsa as their double-A affiliate after 2002 season and signed on with newly rechristen Frisco Roughriders (formerly Shreveport Captains/Swamp Dragons). Don't blame them since its a 45 minute to hour drive from Arlington to Frisco. Tulsa would become Rockies double-A affiliate til 2014 when Dodgers bought part of the Drillers and became their double-A club in 2015.

Wichita Wranglers was Kansas City Royals double-A affiliate. Talk about yikes when I look at the list. Royals minor league system was rough during this time. No. 1 Chris George had very bad four seasons with Royals. Dee Brown (no. 2) only had one season (out of 8 in the majors) where he played over 100 games. Mike MacDougal (no.3) had a journeyman career as did Jeremy Affeldt (no. 16). Jimmy Gobble (no. 4) switched to relief to where he one good season then back to ERA over four. Alexis Gomez (no. 9) spent his career bouncing between majors and minors, mostly in the minors. Mike Tonis (no. 14) and Byron Gettis (no. 29) had cup of coffee in the majors. Two top players on the list had very short careers. Angel Berroa won rookie of the year in 2003 and that was his peak. He forgot how to hit the next following years and was out of the league after 2009 season along multiple stints in the minors. Ken Harvey had a good first half in 2004 being Royals lone All-Star representative. Then he collided with teammate Jason Grimsley on a play. He wasn't the same afterwards and was out of the league after 2005 season. While still as Royals double-A club Wichita Wranglers relocated to Springdale, AK becoming Northwest Arkansas Naturals after 2007 season. Independent team Wingnuts replaced them playing til Wichita got a new minor league team (also double-A) known as Wind Surge.

Off to Oakland A's as their no. 1 prospect of 2001 is........

Jose Ortiz who I never heard of. After researching he was one of three players (one of them also a prospect) traded to Rockies for Jermaine Dye later that season. 2002 was his final season in the majors as he spent most of his career in Japan. Interesting look at potential 2004 A's lineup where seven of players listed no longer on the time when it came time three years later. The remaining nine prospects....

... and yeah. Call it all-trade prospect team. Only two remain in the A's system when 2005 season started and one remained after the season ended. Jason Hart, Ryan Ludwick, and Mario Ramos (along with Gerald Laird) got sent to the Rangers in the Carlos Pena (and Mike Venafro) trade. All three made it with the Rangers. Only one had a longer career. Hart career got cut short for cancer. Ramos spent two weeks with Rangers til he DFA and A's picked him up where he spent remainder of his career in the minors. Ludwick played for six teams in 14 years. His best years with Cardinals which included a 2008 All-Star selection. Mario Encarncion was part of the Jermaine Dye. Like Ortiz he was out of the league after 2002 season. Justin Miller got sent to Blue Jays in Billy Koch trade after 2001 season. He played for 4 teams in 7 years also yoyo-ing between the majors and minors. Berroa was no longer on the team and already ranked no. 6 in Royals prospect list. Fast Freddie Bynum got September call up in 2005 and got sent to Cubs in a three-way trade after the season 2005. Chad Harville get shipped to Astros early of 2004 season. Eric Byrnes got a call up for 14 game stint between May through July then return in the September call up in 2001. He spent first month of 2002 in the minors but getting called up in May where he remained as every day starter til he got traded middle of 2005 season to the Rockies only to gets shipped to Orioles two weeks later. For Midland Rockhounds they still remain as A's double-A affiliate over 22 years and going.

A good look at teams top prospects from a good two decades. I'm still baffled Ichiro wasn't no. 1 on Mariners top prospects list of 2001.