JIM ABBOTT
Jim Abbott Born: September 19, 1967Flint, Michigan
He graduated from Flint Central High School where he was a stand-out pitcher and quarterback. He was drafted in
the 36th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1985 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign, instead enrolling at the
University of Michigan.Abbott played for Michigan three years from 1985 to 1988, leading them to two Big Ten
Conference championships. In 1987, he won the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States,
becoming the first baseball player to win the award. Abbott's University of Michigan #31 jersey was retired at the Wolverines
April 18, 2009 home game against Michigan State University. In 2007, he was elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame for his
career at Michigan.
MLB debut April 8, 1989, for the California Angels
Career highlights and awards: Pitched a no-hitter on September 4, 1993 Golden Spikes Award (1987)
Medals: Men's baseball Representing 
United States Olympic Games 
1988 Seoul Team Pan American Games 
1987 Indianapolis Team Baseball World Cup 1988 Rome
Jim Abbott Wantlist
1988 Topps Traded #1, 1988 Bowman #39, 1989 Classic #151, 1989 Donruss #16
1989 Fleer Update #11, 1989 Score RC/T #88, 1989 Topps #573, 1989 Topps Debut #1
1989 Topps Traded #2, 1989 Upper Deck #755, 1990 Bowman # 288, 1990 Classic #40
1990 Fleer #125, 1990 Fleer Update #10, 1990 Leaf #31, 1990 Topps #675,
1991 Bowman #200, 1991 Classic #1, 1991 Classic Collector’s #5, 1991 Donruss #78
1991 Leaf #162, 1991 Score #106, 1991 Studio #22
1991 Upper Deck #554, 1992 Bowman #185 & 572, 1992 Classic Series 1 #1, 1992 Classic Series 2 #1
1992 Fleer #50. 1992 Fleer Smokin’ Heat #12, 1992 OPC Premier #140
1992 Pinnacle #281 & 593, 1992 Pinnacle Rookie Idols #2, 1992 Pinnacle Team #2, 1992 Pinnacle Team 2000 #42,
1992 Score #620, 1992 Score Impact Players #14, 1992 Stadium Club #210, 1992 Topps #406
1992 Upper Deck #78, 86, 1993 Bowman #131, 1993 Classic #1, 1993 Fleer #187, 1993 Flair #244
1993 Fleer Update #242, 1993 Fleer Ultra #5, 1993 Leaf Gold All Stars #18, 1993 OPC #1
1993 OPC Premier #130, 1993 Pinnacle #11, 1993 Pacific Spanish #551, 1993 Score #646, 1993 Score Select #98,
1993 Score Select Update #30, 1993 Studio #29, 1993 Topps Finest #46
1993 Topps Traded #75, 1993 Upper Deck #53, 1993 Upper Deck Fun Packs #204 & 205
1993 Upper Deck On Deck #1, 1994 Donruss #357, 1994 Fleer #224, 1994 Score #127 & 626
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SCOTT ALDRED
Scott Aldred Born: June 12, 1968Flint, Michigan
Aldred was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 16th round of the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft. In his first professional
season, Aldred compiled an 8–7 record with a 3.57 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 110 innings with the Fayetteville Generals in 1987.
Following this performance, he was seen as the best pitching prospect in the organization. Aldred was promoted to the Major
Leagues for the first time in September 1990 after compiling 6–15 mark and 4.90 ERA with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, ranking
third in the International League in strikeouts (133 in 158 innings). He played for the Detroit Tigers through 1992.
Scott Aldred Wantlist
1990 Bowman, #344, 1990 CMC #379, 1990 Pinnacle Rookies #371, 1990 Topps Debut #3, 1991 Bowman #147, 1991Donruss #422
1991 Line Drive AAA #576, 1991 Pro Cards #86, 1991 Score #740, 1991 Stadium Club #429, 1991 Upper Deck #7
1992 Classic #3 & 75, 1992 Donruss #486, 1992 Fleer #127, 1992 Pinnacle #354, 1992 Score #729, 1992 Stadium Club #762
1993 Donruss #733, 1993 Fleer Ultra #338, 1993 Pacific Spanish #419, 1993 Stadium Club #573, 1993 Topps 63
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STEVE BOROS
Born: September 3, 1936 Flint, Michigan: Boros learned to play baseball on the playgrounds of Flint's North End and attended
Flint Northern High School. He helped Flint Northern win Saginaw Valley League baseball championships in both 1952 and
1953. After playing college baseball for the University of Michigan from 1956 to 1957, Boros signed as a bonus baby with the
Detroit Tigers in June 1957. He remained in the Tigers organization from 1957 to 1962. He was the most valuable player in the
American Association in 1960 and had his best major league season in 1961 despite missing six weeks with a broken collar bone.
Personal note: Steve's family owned Boros Market, located 2 miles from my childhood home. They were one of only three "party
stores" in the area that sold baseball cards. My 1958 Steve Boros card was pulled from a pack of cards I bought at that store. In
the off season Steve worked in the store so I was able to get the card signed. It was the start of a quest to get every 58 Tigers
autographed. Over the years I managed to get cards signed by all but 5 players.
Steve Boros Wantlist
1962 Salada coins #50, 1962 Ford Detroit Tigers Postcards #2, 1964 Transfer-ette Iron-ons, 1978 TCMA #88 , 1988 LA Police, Dodgers Coach
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JEFF HAMILTON
Born: March 19, 1964Flint, Michigan: MLB debut June 28, 1986, for the Los Angeles Dodgers Last MLB appearance
September 28, 1991, for the Los Angeles Dodgers MLB statistics Batting average.234 Home runs 24 Runs batted in 124
Jeff Hamilton Wantlist
1990 Bowman #9
1987 Donruss #464,
Fleer #515, 1990 Fleer #396,
1990 Leaf #306, 1991 Leaf #509,
1992 Score #684
1989 Upper Deck #615
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DAVE HOSKINS
Born: August 3, 1917 Greenwood, Mississippi Died: April 2, 1970 (aged 52) Flint, Michigan
His family moved from Mississippi to Flint, birthplace of General Motors, and Dave found a job at the Chevrolet assembly
plant. He also began making a name for himself as a baseball player. For four seasons in the Flint City League, Hoskins starred
as a left-handed-hitting outfielder and right-handed pitcher. His performance attracted the attention of the Cincinnati
Clowns, who in 1942 signed him to his first professional contract. He also played for the Chicago American Giants, Homestead
Grays and Louisville Buckeyes through 1949. Hoskins was the first African American to play in the minor league Texas
League, pitching for the Double-A Dallas Eagles in 1952. He faced much the same kind of hostility that Jackie Robinson
did when he first broke into the majors five years earlier. Hoskins made the big-leagues with the Indians in 1953,
going 9–3 with a 3.99 ERA. The following year, he had an ERA of 3.04, as the Indians won the American League pennant.
His last MLB appearance was September 21, 1954.
MLB statistics: Win–loss record 9–4 Earned run average 3.81 Innings pitched 139 + 1⁄3
Dave Hoskins Wantlist
1955 Topps Doubleheaders #77-78
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SOPHIE KURYS (May 14, 1925 – February 17, 2013)
A native of Flint, Michigan, Kurys was by far the greatest base stealer in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
history. She was nicknamed Tina Cobb or the Flint Flash for her swiftness in stealing bases, because once she reached base she
was virtually unstoppable. Eighty percent of the time she stole at least one base, averaging 150 steals per season between 1944
and 1950, with a career-high 201 in 1946. She also amassed a World Record with a career 1,114 stolen bases, more than Ty Cobb
(892), and later more than both Lou Brock (938) and Japanese star Yutaka Fukumoto (1,065). A well-rounded athlete, at the
age of 14, Kurys scored a record-setting 4,693 points out of 5,000 in the Mott Pentathlon. That year, she was also Most Valuable
Player of the Michigan State Basketball Tournament at Lansing. Like many of her colleagues, Kurys was relatively unknown
until the 1992 film A League of Their Own by filmmaker Penny Marshall was exhibited for the first time.
I have 1994 Ted Williams #97 and am awaiting a Battle Creek Belles 1946 Women's All Star Baseball Player Panel
WANT LIST ?
I've seen photos of AAGBL / A League Of Their Own #14 1943 Maykol Chopins #2 but have not been able to locate either?
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RICK LEACH
Born in 1957 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Leach attended Southwestern High School in Flint and graduated in 1975.
As a senior, he was selected as the first-team all-state quarterback by the Detroit Free Press. He broke every passing record
in the Saginaw Valley League and was also an all-conference player in baseball and basketball. Leach enrolled at the
University of Michigan in 1975. A left-hander, he was the Wolverines' starting quarterback from 1975 through 1978 under head
coach Bo Schembechler. As an 18-year-old true freshman, Leach started 11 of 12 games and led the Wolverines to an 8–2–2 record
and #8 ranking in the final AP poll. He was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the first round (13th overall) of the 1979 Major
League Baseball Draft. A month earlier at the NFL draft, he was taken in the fifth round (132nd overall) by the
Denver Broncos, but opted for a career in baseball. He signed with the Tigers in June 1979 and received a $150,000 signing
bonus. He spent the 1979 season with the Tigers' Class A farm club in Lakeland, Florida, appeared in 48 games and
compiled a .304 batting average. 402 on-base percentage and had 23 RBIs in 168 at bats. After batting .386 for Evansville
during April 1981, he was promoted to the Tigers' roster, making his major league debut in late April 1981.
Rick Leach Wantlist
1982 Donruss #583, 1982 Fleer #272, 1983 Donruss #81, 1984 Fleer #84, 1984 Fleer Update #71, 1985 Fleer #112
1986 Topps Traded #63, 1987 Donruss #567, 1987 Fleer #234, 1987 Fleer Update #63, 1988 Donruss #518, 1988 Score #257,
1989 Bowman #234, 1989 Donruss #638, 1989 Fleer #237, 1989 Upper Deck #554,
1990 Leaf #436, 1990 Topps #27, 1990 Upper Deck #640
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JOE MAYS
Born: December 10, 1975Flint, Michigan: MLB debut April 7, 1999, for the Minnesota Twins. Last MLB appearance
July 22, 2006, for the Cincinnati Reds MLB statistics Win–loss record 48–70 Earned run average 5.05 Strikeouts512
Teams: Minnesota Twins (1999–2003, 2005) Kansas City Royals (2006) Cincinnati Reds (2006)
Career highlights and awardsAll-Star (2001)
Joe Mays Wantlist
BOWMAN: 2001 Bowman Heritage #103, 2002 Bowman #16, 2002 Bowman Heritage #275
DONRUSS: 2001 Donruss Class of 2001 #50, 2001 Diamond Aces #9, 2001 Signature Series #99, 2001 Studio #150,
2002 Donruss #32, 2002 Diamond Kings #94, 2002 Fan Club #51, 2002 Studio #47, 2003 Donruss Champions #154
FLEER: 1999 Fleer Update #62, 2000 Fleer Tradition #198, 2002 Fleer #199, 2002 Fleer Tradition #343, 2002 Ultra #41,
2003 Fleer Tradition #376 LEAF 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars #54, 2001 Limited #62, 2002 Leaf #31, 2003 Leaf Certified #106
MLB SHOWDOWN: 2000 #255, 2002 #193 PACIFIC: 2000 Pacific #250, 1999 Skybox Premium #236, 2000 Skybox #117
TOPPS: 2001 Topps Heritage #46, 2002 Topps Heritage #280, 2002 Topps Total #216, 2003 Topps #525
2003 Total #216, 2004 Bazooka #133, 2004 Heritage #422, 2004 Total #612, 2005 Total #407
UPPER DECK 2000 MVP #195, 2000 Victory #300, 2001 MVP #128, 2001 Victory #215, 2002 MVP #113,
2002 Vintage #277, 2002 UD 40-Man #370 & 1164, 2003 Upper Deck #353, 2003 MVP #275, 2003 UD 40-Man #285,
2004 Upper Deck #384, 2004 Vintage #144, 2006 UD Epic #117
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Andrew Warren "Bud" Messenger
Born: February 1, 1898 Grand Blanc, Michigan Died: November 4, 1971)
Messenger played for the Cleveland Indians in 1924. In 5 career games, he had a 2–0 record, with a 4.32 ERA.
First Game: 07-31-1924 Last Game: 08-28-1924
Given that Bud was only active in the Bigs for 28 days I was unable to create a Wantlist for him.
On the other hand the next Flintstone was only around for 21 days and has a minimum of 10 cards available.
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LARRY MITCHELL Born:October 16, 1971Flint, Michigan
MLB debut August 11, 1996, Last MLB appearance September 2, 1996, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics Games played 7 Innings pitched 12 Earned runs 6
Larry Mitchell Wantlist
1992 Classic Best Martinsville Phillies #1 1992 Fleer ProCards #3053 1992 Front Row Draft Picks #22
1993 Classic Best Spartanburg Phillies #18 1993 Fleer ProCards #1053 1993 Stadium Club Murphy #39
1994 Bowman #664 1994 Bowman #664 1994 Fleer ProCards #2059 1996 Best Reading Phillies #9
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Robert Leroy Powell
Born: October 17, 1933 in Flint Michigan
A graduate of Michigan State University, he signed a $36,000 "bonus baby" contract with the Chicago White Sox in 1955. An
outfielder when he signed, Powell was kept on the ChiSox' Major League roster for 1955, 1956 and part of 1957 under the
Bonus Rule of the time. He appeared in only two Major League Baseball games as a pinch runner — both times against the
Kansas City Athletics. On September 16, 1955, he ran for slow-footed White Sox pinch hitter Ron Northey, who had singled, and
was erased on a force play at second base on the first pitch to the next hitter, Minnie Miñoso. On April 20, 1957, he ran for
another pinch hitter, Walt Dropo, advanced to second base on a hit by Luis Aparicio and then scored his only MLB run on a single
by Nellie Fox. Bob Powell never did get to bat in the major leagues, but he did have his own baseball card--No. 144 in
Topps' 1956 set. "People still send me the card to get it autographed," he said. "My wife tells me, "At least you're not forgotten.'"
But there are a couple of oddities: First, the name on the card is Robert Leroy Powell. Leroy is Powell's middle name.
"I don't know why Topps did that," he said. "I have never gone by the name Leroy. Never."
There was something else: Those '56 cards featured a head shot of the player plus a smaller action shot of him--almost all taken
at Yankee Stadium, Ebbets Field or the Polo Grounds. (Topps was based in Brooklyn.) Powell's card has a head shot, all right, but
because he played his only 1955 game in Kansas City, the action shot presented a problem. Topps' solution was to use a 1954
picture of Chico Carrasquel, wearing Sox uniform No. 17, sliding into second base at Yankee Stadium. Powell's number was 21.
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RON PRUIT Born: October 21, 1951Flint, Michigan
MLB debutJune 25, 1975, for the Texas Rangers Last MLB appearance April 9, 1983, for the San Francisco Giants.
After attending Flint Central High School, Pruitt was drafted out of Michigan State University by the Rangers in 1972.
In 9 seasons he played in 341 games and had 795 at bats, 88 runs scored, 214 hits, 28 doubles, 4 triples, 12 home runs, 92 RBI, 8
stolen bases, 94 walks (7 intentional), a .269 batting average, a .345 on-base percentage, a .360 slugging percentage, 286 total
bases, 7 sacrifice hits, and 7 sacrifice flies.
Ron Pruitt Want list
TOPPS 1979 #226, 1980 #13, 1990 Senior League #74 KEEBLER TEXAS RANGERS 1993 #299 PACIFIC Senior League #103
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Mervin Weldon Rettenmund born June 6, 1943 in Flint, Michigan
Rettenmund attended Flint Southwestern High School, where he played baseball and football. In the summer after his senior
year, he played as a catcher for the Buick Colts of the Michigan American Legion, contributing to the team winning the city
and state championships. He turned down a contract offer from the Detroit Tigers. He accepted a football scholarship
from Ball State University, so the school could sign more baseball players. He lettered in baseball and football, receiving all-
league honors in both sports. Rettenmund was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 19th round (257th overall) of the 1965 NFL
Draft. In 1968, he received the Minor League Player-of-the-Year award. He helped the Orioles win the 1969 and 1971
American League pennant, the 1970 World Series (including hitting a home run in the deciding Game 5 over the
Cincinnati Reds) and the 1973 AL Eastern Division, Reds win the 1975 World Series and the Angels win the 1979 AL Western
1972 Kellogg's #11 1972 1972 O-Pee-Chee #235 1972 1972 O-Pee-Chee #86 (1971 A.L. Batting Leaders) 1973 O-Pee-Chee #56
1974 O-Pee-Chee #585 1975 O-Pee-Chee #369 1975 Topps #369 1975 Topps Mini #369 1976 O-Pee- Chee #283 1979 1980
Mother's Cookies Padres #28 (San Diego Padres Coaches Card (Checklist)
2004 Topps All Time Favorites # 42 & 64
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MICKEY WESTON Born: March 26, 1961Flint, Michigan
MLB debut June 18, 1989, for the Baltimore Orioles Last MLB appearance May 9, 1993, for the New York Mets.
Mickey Weston Want List
1989 Topps Major League Debut #137 1990 O-Pee-Chee #377 (Rookie Card) 1990 Topps Tiffany #377 (Rookie Card)
1990 Upper Deck #60, 683,700 1991 Crown/Coke Orioles #481 1991 Classic Best #521
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HERBERT LEE WASHINGTON was born in Belzoni, Mississippi, November 16, 1951
Washington's family moved to Flint, Michigan, when Washington was an infant. He attended Flint Northern High School
until 10th grade, when it was discovered that he lived outside of the school's boundaries. Losing a semester of athletic
eligibility, Washington was forced to transfer to a rival school, Flint Central High School. There he ran the 100-yard dash in
9.4 seconds, attracting numerous college scholarship offers. Washington chose Michigan State University because he
knew that there were a number of black athletes at the school. At Michigan State, the four-time all-American won a
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title, seven Big Ten titles, and tied or broke the world record in the 50- and
60-yard dashes several times. Despite having no professional baseball experience, and having last played baseball in high
school, Washington was tapped by Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley in 1974 to become the team's "designated runner". Finley
worked out a one-year $45,000 contract with a $20,000 signing bonus. Though Washington's teammates recognized his
speed, he received a mixed reception from them because of his unusual background. Reggie Jackson said, "He's a great
athlete, but he's not a baseball player." Pitcher Rollie Fingers said that he thought the idea was "a little crazy" but that
Washington "could run like crazy". Bert Campaneris said that the team could count on Washington to steal a base
when needed.
Wikipedi states that "Washington's 1975 Topps baseball card is the only baseball card ever released that uses the "pinch runner"
position label." Actually my research reveals that 1975 Topps baseball cards are Washington's only baseball cards ever released
period!
Want List
Topps Mini 1975 #407 1975 O-Pee-Chee #407