Max Effgen
@maxeffgen

SABR Contributor | U of Michigan | Mariners fan 460+ known pre-1980 MLB players w/o pension. Why? This oversight is not benign. bittercupbaseball.com

 Seattle
effgen.us
Joined July 2008
3,445 Photos and videos
Thank you @gmorgenson for bringing this important MLB MLBPA pension story to life. It is not just the pre-1980 players that have issues. Pension, stipend and benefits are all part of the next CBA and these issues have not been mentioned by either side and are almost entirely ignored by the press. Too many are resigned to the opinion of "waiting for us to die."
gretchen morgenson@gmorgenson
Jul 29
"Waiting for us to die." Ex-MLB stars call out the multi-billion-dollar league on unjust retirement pay. nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fou…
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Max Effgen retweeted
Randy Arozarena
@RandyArozarena
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#TridentsUp
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In 1978 a Mexican MLB outfielder raced a quarter horse from 3rd to home and won. Carlos “Chaflán” López • 27th pick in the Mariners expansion draft • Hit .350/.396/.507 in Triple-A the year he got called up • Still holds the LMP record with 5 steals of home Forgotten 5-tool guy from Mazatlán. Who else remembers him? 🇲🇽 #MLBHistory #BeisbolMexicano #Mariners #Orioles #Angels albat.com/lasmayores/Cuando-…
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Happy 75th to Doug Konieczny. Tigers drafted him. He said no. Astros took him 3rd overall. Two years later he debuted in San Diego in front of 1,413 people. In 1975 he started 29 games next to J.R. Richard and threw a shutout at the Vet.7-18 career. Still made it. #Astros #MLB Card by @wthballs
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#Game162 #gomariners #TridentsUp Holy Smokes Rick Rizz
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Rick Rizz appreciation
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6 Bittercup Sunday including the late Bob Gallagher Impossible Dreamer Joy Foy The Candy Man & Dirty Kurt ⚾️ Immaculate Grid 1274 9/9: Rarity: 5 IMMACULATE! 🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩 Play at: sports-reference.com/immacul… #ImmaculateGrid #MLB #Baseball #BaseballTrivia #SportsTrivia #RarityScore #Grid1274
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Max Effgen retweeted
Howie Rose
@HowieRose
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Congratulations to friends and broadcast brethren Tommy Hutton in Miami, Rick Rizzs in Seattle, Mike Krukow in San Francisco and Buck Martinez in Toronto all of whom are retiring today after brilliant careers in the booth. Also, best wishes for a speedy recovery to the Giants’ Duane Kuiper who is dealing with throat cancer and expects to be back on the job next season. All have left indelible marks on their respective franchises.
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3 bittercuppers in the pitching row Went baseball card favorites in the HR row Went "Firsts" in the All Star row ⚾️ Immaculate Grid 1273 9/9: Rarity: 8 IMMACULATE!
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Godspeed Jeoff Long (1941-2026) Cardinals/White Sox 1B-OF who pinch-hit for Bob Gibson in his 1963 debut, got a hit off Sandy Koufax, and slugged 30 HR in AA. In 1975 the 15-handicap amateur won the first National Open Long Drive title at Butler National (322 yds), beating PGA Tour pros. A power hitter in two sports. #MLB #MLBPA #STLCard #WhiteSox #Golf
Godspeed Jeoff Long (1941-2026) Cardinals/White Sox 1B-OF who pinch-hit for Bob Gibson in his 1963 debut, got a hit off Sandy Koufax, and slugged 30 HR in AA. In 1975 the 15-handicap amateur won the first National Open Long Drive title at Butler National (322 yds), beating PGA Tour pros. A power hitter in two sports.

ALT Godspeed Jeoff Long (1941-2026) Cardinals/White Sox 1B-OF who pinch-hit for Bob Gibson in his 1963 debut, got a hit off Sandy Koufax, and slugged 30 HR in AA. In 1975 the 15-handicap amateur won the first National Open Long Drive title at Butler National (322 yds), beating PGA Tour pros. A power hitter in two sports.

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Jim Gideon in 1975: 17-0, 1.80 ERA, no-hitter, College World Series champion for Texas. Rangers took him 17th overall. His entire MLB career: one start. No pension. No benefits. No stipend. statesman.com/story/sports/c… One of the greatest college pitchers you’ve never heard of. 🤘 #HookEm #MLBHistory #AllForTX
Jim Gideon in 1975: 17-0, 1.80 ERA, no-hitter, College World Series champion for Texas. Rangers took him 17th overall. His entire MLB career: one start. One of the greatest college pitchers you’ve never heard of. #HookEm #MLBHistory

ALT Jim Gideon in 1975: 17-0, 1.80 ERA, no-hitter, College World Series champion for Texas. Rangers took him 17th overall. His entire MLB career: one start. One of the greatest college pitchers you’ve never heard of. #HookEm #MLBHistory

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Bill “Bugs” Moran turns 74 The 6'4" righty from Portsmouth, VA with a very Chicago nickname, got called up by the 1974 White Sox after a Rule 5 draft from Boston. In 15 games (5 starts) he went 1-3 with a 4.66 ERA… but that one win came against the three-peat World Series champion Oakland A’s on May 18 at Comiskey. He threw 5 innings of 2-run ball and Terry Forster closed it out. Later scouted for the South Side Sox. Solid baseball life. #whitesox #baseball #MLB #BaseballHistory #thehobby #BaseballTwitter #SupportThePlayers
Bill “Bugs” Moran turns 74 The 6'4" righty from Portsmouth, VA with a very Chicago nickname, got called up by the 1974 White Sox after a Rule 5 draft from Boston. In 15 games (5 starts) he went 1-3 with a 4.66 ERA… but that one win came against the three-peat World Series champion Oakland A’s on May 18 at Comiskey. He threw 5 innings of 2-run ball and Terry Forster closed it out. Later scouted for the South Side Sox. Solid baseball life.

ALT Bill “Bugs” Moran turns 74 The 6'4" righty from Portsmouth, VA with a very Chicago nickname, got called up by the 1974 White Sox after a Rule 5 draft from Boston. In 15 games (5 starts) he went 1-3 with a 4.66 ERA… but that one win came against the three-peat World Series champion Oakland A’s on May 18 at Comiskey. He threw 5 innings of 2-run ball and Terry Forster closed it out. Later scouted for the South Side Sox. Solid baseball life.

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Bobby Shantz turns 101. Last living Philadelphia Athletic. Last living player who debuted in the 1940s. Last man Connie Mack ever managed. 8 straight Gold Gloves. 1951 US All Star Tour of Japan. 1958 World Series champ. 5-foot-6, 139 pounds. 24-7, AL MVP in 1952 (beat Mantle and Berra). Struck out Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial in the same All-Star inning. A "Mighty Mite" in a small package. Happy 101, Bobby. #MLB #BaseballHistory @Athletics @Yankees #Athletics #RepBX sabr.org/journal/article/joe… sabr.org/bioproj/person/bobb…
Bobby Shantz turns 101. Last living Philadelphia Athletic. Last living player who debuted in the 1940s. Last man Connie Mack ever managed. 8 straight Gold Gloves. 1951 US All Star Tour of Japan. 1958 World Series champ.

ALT Bobby Shantz turns 101. Last living Philadelphia Athletic. Last living player who debuted in the 1940s. Last man Connie Mack ever managed. 8 straight Gold Gloves. 1951 US All Star Tour of Japan. 1958 World Series champ.

Bobby Shantz turns 101. Last living Philadelphia Athletic. Last living player who debuted in the 1940s. Last man Connie Mack ever managed. 8 straight Gold Gloves. 1951 US All Star Tour of Japan. 1958 World Series champ.

ALT Bobby Shantz turns 101. Last living Philadelphia Athletic. Last living player who debuted in the 1940s. Last man Connie Mack ever managed. 8 straight Gold Gloves. 1951 US All Star Tour of Japan. 1958 World Series champ.

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Go Mariners #tridentsup
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Don Rose is the only bittercupper today. The infamous @Mets trade that sent Nolan Ryan to the Angels also included pitcher Don Rose. Rose didn’t become a legend like Ryan, but in 1972 he hit a HOME RUN on the VERY FIRST PITCH of his first MLB at-bat — only the 3rd pitcher EVER! (And earned his lone win that same game.) Kenny Lofton should be in HOF Gary Carter play from the uni don't look right file Welcome back Kaplan Chris Iannetta featured prominently in Jim Collins' acclaimed book The Last Best League Jamie Moyer, ageless and peerless Fergie and Lee Smith for the Cubs Hoyt Wilhelm for the White Sox 📷 Immaculate Grid 1272 9/9: Rarity: 25 IMMACULATE! 📷📷📷 📷📷📷 📷📷📷 Play at: sports-reference.com/immacul…
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Ichiro completes a decade of 200-hit seasons baseballhall.org/discover/ic…
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In spring 1973 the Cardinals handed the shortstop job to 24-year-old Ray Busse after he led the club in RBI. He made an error on the first ball hit to him on Opening Day, hit .143 with 11 errors in 24 games, got booed at Busch, and was traded back to Houston in June. His two career homers both came that year with St. Louis (April 14 vs. Cubs, May 10 at Giants). Career line: 68 G, .148, 2 HR, 9 RBI, –0.9 WAR. Turns 78 on Sept. 25. Card by @wthballs
In spring 1973 the Cardinals handed the shortstop job to 24-year-old Ray Busse after he led the club in RBI. He made an error on the first ball hit to him on Opening Day, hit .143 with 11 errors in 24 games, got booed at Busch, and was traded back to Houston in June. His two career homers both came that year with St. Louis (April 14 vs. Cubs, May 10 at Giants). Career line: 68 G, .148, 2 HR, 9 RBI, –0.9 WAR.

ALT In spring 1973 the Cardinals handed the shortstop job to 24-year-old Ray Busse after he led the club in RBI. He made an error on the first ball hit to him on Opening Day, hit .143 with 11 errors in 24 games, got booed at Busch, and was traded back to Houston in June. His two career homers both came that year with St. Louis (April 14 vs. Cubs, May 10 at Giants). Career line: 68 G, .148, 2 HR, 9 RBI, –0.9 WAR.

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Happy 73rd birthday to Ed Putman (Sept. 25). Two-time College World Series champion at USC (1973–74) with Fred Lynn and Steve Kemp. #Cubs 1st-round pick (3rd overall, 1975 January draft). Played 43 MLB games for the Cubs and Tigers, .239/.316/.366 with 2 HR. Classic “what if” prospect story. Cubs, Tigers, or USC fans remember him? #Cubs #Tigers #FightOn #MLBHistory Card by @wthballs
Happy 73rd birthday to Ed Putman (Sept. 25). Two-time College World Series champion at USC (1973–74) with Fred Lynn and Steve Kemp.

ALT Happy 73rd birthday to Ed Putman (Sept. 25). Two-time College World Series champion at USC (1973–74) with Fred Lynn and Steve Kemp.

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Jim Wessinger turns 71. Utica kid → Notre Dame HS → Le Moyne College. First Dolphin ever to reach the majors. 6th-round Braves pick in 1976. Hit .266 over 524 minor-league games with two AAA All-Star nods. Then 10 games in Atlanta in 1979: 0-for-7, 2 runs scored. His last MLB appearance was Sept. 24 — the day before his 24th birthday.
Jim Wessinger turns 71. Utica kid → Notre Dame HS → Le Moyne College. First Dolphin ever to reach the majors. 6th-round Braves pick in 1976. Hit .266 over 524 minor-league games with two AAA All-Star nods. Then 10 games in Atlanta in 1979: 0-for-7, 2 runs scored.

ALT Jim Wessinger turns 71. Utica kid → Notre Dame HS → Le Moyne College. First Dolphin ever to reach the majors. 6th-round Braves pick in 1976. Hit .266 over 524 minor-league games with two AAA All-Star nods. Then 10 games in Atlanta in 1979: 0-for-7, 2 runs scored.

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“Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.” That line made Johnny Sain famous as a pitcher. His real masterpiece came after he retired. As a pitching coach he produced 16 seasons of 20-game winners: Whitey Ford’s first 20-win years + Cy Young, Denny McLain’s 31-win season, Jim Kaat, Wilbur Wood, Mudcat Grant, Jim Bouton…5 AL pennant staffs in the 1960s. 6 World Series rings total. Last pitcher to face Babe Ruth. First to face Jackie Robinson. Jim Bouton: “the greatest pitching coach who ever lived.” MLB Born #OTD
“Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.” That line made Johnny Sain famous as a pitcher. His real masterpiece came after he retired.

ALT “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.” That line made Johnny Sain famous as a pitcher. His real masterpiece came after he retired.

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