Trading Up North

Friends. Unless you've been under a rock for the last couple weeks, you may have noticed that I've been under a rock for the last couple weeks. Crazy work and home schedules have kept me from blogging again. Keeping up has been tough, but I didn't want to delay any longer in acknowledging the great trade package from Sportscards from the Dollar Store!

Take a look at this sweet 1975 O-Pee-Chee! Roof may seem a little off-center, but the card is otherwise pack fresh. Underwhelming at the plate, Roof was tremendous behind it. Most of his career was spent as a backup, though he was the number one catcher for the Brewers in 1970.  Phil became a manager after his playing days, spending over a decade with the Twins' triple A Affiliates, finishing with over 1,000 wins.

More minor league greatness! The Twins have a good problem on their hands in the minors, as several young arms are making their case to join the big league club, despite a bit of a logjam already at the top once Ervin Santana returns.

Even more Twins from all over the map. I read recently that Topps renewed its exclusive license with MLB, so there will be a tougher road for start ups like Honus Bonus, but I hope the non-Topps card companies don't give up.

Norm Green gave up on the State of Hockey and moved the North Stars to Dallas, and I'm still "not mad" about it. The Minnesota Wild were better this past season than they've been in a while, so there's hope for the future. And who doesn't love a name like Nino Niederreiter?

Douglas sent some hits, too! Tyler Duffey is in that mix with several other pitchers at AAA trying to make a case for a big league job. He might be there now if the Twins hadn't invested in so many free agent arms this winter.

Max Murphy was a 9th Round selection by the Twins, and was Player of the Year in Low-A Elizabethton. He made yearly promotions, but was injured in late 2016. This spring he signed up with the independent Northern League Saint Paul Saints, staying close to his home of Robbinsdale.

Maxx Williams is another Minnesota native, son of New York Giants' Center Brian Williams (member of the Super Bowl XXV champs). His grandfather was a Quarterback at Notre Dame.

Maxx was also sidelined by injury in 2016, and found himself fighting for a spot on the Ravens' roster in 2017. He will again be in a battle this season, as Baltimore drafted another TE high in the draft.

Thanks for the cards, Douglas!