One way I like to "remember my roots" is by collecting cards of pro athletes who went to my high school-- "Guys From Granite", as I call that part of my collection.
One sidequest I had since the beginning was to acquire an autograph of every Guy From Granite who made the major leagues (currently totalling 8 players), and I'm pleased to announce I've just recently met that goal, finally. To celebrate, let's run down the list chronologically.
#1 Mike Reinbach
MLB debut: 1974
The original Guy From Granite, Mike got a cup of coffee with the Orioles in '74, then had greater success playing in Japan. A few years after his playing days, he was tragically killed in a car wreck. Maybe someday I'll find an autographed card, but for now I've got to make due with a pair of signed index cards.
See also: The Harrowing Tale of Mike Reinbach, Setting the Mike Reinbach story straight, and Mike Reinbach apocalypse.
#2 Chris Jones
MLB debut: 1985
Chris D. Jones briefly appeared with the Astros in '85 and the Giants in '86. He was the last guy I needed an autograph from. His common name makes it hard to search for his cards/autographs (there are a lot of people named Chris Jones in the world), but thanks to Padrographs Rod and an autograph dealer buddy of his, I was finally able to track down a signed minor league card. I've also got his mailing address now and I plan to try a TTM attempt with a custom or two soon.
See also: Chris Jones, but not that Chris Jones
#3 Brian Giles
MLB debut: 1995
Brian Giles had the longest, most successful baseball career of the guys to come out of Granite Hills High, and so it's no surprise he easily had the most cards produced of the players on this list. He was still active after the next 4 guys on this list had come and gone.
See also: Brian Giles was a narc at my school and My Brian Giles PC
#4 Tom Fordham
MLB debut: 1997
Tom is currently the only pitcher to ever make it to the bigs out of Granite Hills. He got into 36 games (6 of them starts) with the White Sox in '97 and '98. He got some cardboard love back in the day, mainly from Bowman and Best.
See also: Tom Fordham went to my high school
#5 Shane Spencer
MLB debut: 1998
Brian Giles may have had the longest career of the guys on this list, but Shane had the good fortune of being a part of the turn-of-the-millenium Yankees dynasty and picked up 3 rings in his relatively short career, highlighted by some clutch home runs in the fall of 1998.
See also: Yankee hero Shane Spencer went to my high school
#6 John Barnes
MLB debut: 2000
Now we're entering my time at Granite. John was a big man on campus when I was a freshman/sophomore while he was a junior/senior. He came up through the Red Sox organization before being traded to the Twins where he got a few dozen MLB at-bats in 2000-2001. Later attempted a comeback as a pitcher, though didn't make it past AAA.
See also: I went to school with John Barnes and he played in the majors
#7 Marcus Giles
MLB debut: 2001
As I've mentioned several times in the past on this blog, I was in the same grade as Marcus, going to school with him from elementary school all the way up through community college. Sure was a thrill to watch him rise through the minors and become an NL All-Star in 2003.
See also: My classmate the All-Star
#8 Travis Taijeron
MLB debut: 2017
After an extended dry spell, it was great to see another Guy From Granite finally crack the majors near the end of the 2017 season. It looks like Travis recently signed a minor league deal with the Mets, returning to his original organization after a year on the Dodgers' Triple A squad. Wishing him the best of luck in the upcoming 2019 season.
See also: Better Call Up Taijeron! and Superfractor auto pickup!
That wraps it up. Here's to another 10 great years up here in the Pacific Northwest, though I'll always keep my hometown in my heart and in my collection.
I was expecting a list of your favorite bars to get craft beer in Portland after that intro.
ReplyDeleteSidenote, how long until you give up and start collecting Portland atheletes?
Well, I am planning on having a San Diego beer (Stone IPA) and a Portland beer (Rogue Hazelnut Brown) tonight in celebration.
DeleteAs for Portland getting more attention in my collection.. I'm likely waiting till we get a MLB franchise.
I wish I could have a similar collection, but alas 3 high schools for me. No super connections other than the one with the last 2 years. A few FBers, that I never knew or heard of, and 1 pitcher in the Majors. College, different story, 3 MLBer's and only 1 NFLer, but didn't know or go to school with them either. I am glad for you, I actually envy this collection a little bit. It is a super cool one!
ReplyDeleteGreat addition to the collection
ReplyDeleteAh, so that's why the customs you sent me included a Taijeron! I always thought he got a bit of a raw deal from the Mets...he got a starting spot due to injuries, but then they signed Nori Aoki. Since they were long past having any chance to make the playoffs, I don't know why they didn't just give Taijeron the shot!
ReplyDeleteWho knows... maybe ten years from now I'll be heading up north to the Portland area. It's definitely one of my favorite places to visit every summer.
ReplyDeletei'd forgotten Shane Spencer. He was hot stuff and a bit of trouble too, if I recall correctly. quite the unique collection, gav!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!
ReplyDelete