At the time, those Gulls farmed for California's Angels--appropriate for their miraculous reputation--but I know them better as early 1980s stewards for up-and-coming Seattle prospects. Personal favorite Spike Owen first appeared on a baseball card wearing their bright duds.
Caruso treated today's Salt Lake City issue like their other 1975 PCL team sets, with apparent exception of their hand-drawn logo next to Dan's name. That's no disrespect, as I enjoy its primary school charm: we could all use 15 minutes of recess Wiffle-ball at one time or another. Compare it to Phoenix, though, and you assume SLC didn't provide an "official" version in time for card publication.
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| 1980 Topps #352, Dan Briggs |
Dan Briggs started playing pro ball in 1970 at age 17 (!), so owned significantly more experience than your typical 22 year-old by 1975. His ensuing 7-year tour of duty in the majors included a 104-game effort for San Diego in 1979 that stands out as underpowered for someone who played nothing but 1B and OF, with 77 OPS+ and just 8 homers (career stats). He reputedly played through injuries throughout that season and hopefully found it worth the pain. (Most pros choose that path at some point during their careers, a lingering fact of the sporting life.)
Caruso printed 20 cards for this team, including manager (and former Dodger backstop) Norm Sherry. Those with MLB experience are in bold.
- Rusty Torres
- Dave Collins
- John Balaz
- Ron Jackson
- Dan Briggs
- John Doherty
- Frankie George
- Mike Miley
- Darrell Darrow
- Rocky Jordan
- Ike Hampton
- Gary Wheelock
- Charlie Hockenberry
- Gary Ryerson
- Barry Raziano
- Luis Quintana
- Sid Monge
- Charlie Hudson
- Steve Blateric
- Norm Sherry, Manager
Value: This #5 cost $2 at MinorLeagueSingles.com and team sets run $10-20. 1970s & 80s collectors will recognize some of the roster names, but none achieved enough MLB success to drive up its overall price.
Fakes / reprints: Haven't seen any in the marketplace.
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