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Vintage Seattle Player O The Week goes to Enrique Romo. He was a Mariner from 1977-1978 before being traded for none other than Mario Mendoza. So, you could call Romo an “enabler.” He pitched just six years in the majors before failing to show up for spring training with the Pirates in 1983. After failed attempts to locate him, he was released. As the Romo Phone Home Blog (Pirate fan site) asks… where are you Enrique Romo?

Enrique Romo, Seattle Mariners, Pitcher, Topps, 1978.

Vintage Seattle Player O The Week Jerry Don Gleaton is back from the 1982 season showing us that it’s ok for major league ballplayers to go ahead and use that middle name. Jerry Don was only with the M’s from 1981-1982 and after retiring from playing in 1992 he went on to scout for the Detroit Tigers. He is currently coaching at Howard Payne University and still has the ’stache.

Jerry Don Gleaton, Seattle Mariners, Pitcher, Topps, 1982.

Fetching Vintage Seattle Player O The Week honors this week is Seattle born Tom House. He pitched for our M’s in ‘77 and ‘78, which were also his last two seasons in the majors. What’s so special about House, you ask? Well, he has admitted to using steroids in the 1970’s, has a PhD in Psychology, and was born in Seattle. Isn’t that enough to nab Player O The Week? Sure it is. Click on Tom.

Tom House, Seattle Mariners, Pitcher, Topps, 1979.

Let’s get away from the past few days of dilapidation and concentrate on something brighter — 1970’s Mariner baby blue bright. Player O The Week is Dave Collins, who holds the distinction of being the first Mariner ever to step up to the plate. Though he only spent one season in Seattle, Collins enjoyed a 16 year career in the majors as a utility player. Click on Dave for a full view.

Dave Collins, Seattle Mariners, Outfield, Topps, 1978.

This is a slight change to the Player O The Week Feature, this time getting to know an old Mariner’s coach. Del Crandall was not with our club for long (just 83-84), but also enjoyed success as a player from the late 40’s until late 60’s. Crandall coached the Brewers from 72-75 and between this and his Mariners coaching career, spent time as a door-to-door salesman selling tooth cleanings, fillings, and root canals in Southern California. As an “old school” manager, Crandall did not permit his players to wear beards and required ties to be worn on the road. Stylish eyewear, however, was just fine. Here are some candid shots from the ‘84 season.

Del Crandall striking a pose on the diamond, 1984.

Crandall picks up some lumber during Mariners practice.

Coaching during a spring training game, 1984.

We’ve seen Spencer, we’ve seen Shea. Now it’s Raymond’s time to be crowned Vintage Seattle Player O The Week. This 1910 American Tobacco Company issued baseball card shows the young’ish looking player holding some lumber. The popped collar has enjoyed a resurgence in the past few years — will 3/4 length sleeves be next? Click on the thumbnails for higher-res versions.

Front: Raymond, Seattle, N.W.L. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Back: Obak Mouthpiece Cigarettes. “Distinctive.” Base Ball Series 175 Subjects Selected From Pacific Coast And Northwestern Leagues. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

This is a very special edition of Vintage Seattle Player O The Week. Getting the honors this week is the legendary Mario Mendoza. I’ve mentioned the “Mendoza Line” before, so now you get a look at the man himself. You may note that he did hit above .200 during a few seasons, so the “Mendoza Line” is more of a rough euphemism for “hitting poorly.” Click on Mario for a closer look at his glasses (which have evolved).

Mario Mendoza, Seattle Mariners, Shortstop, Topps, 1981.

Just about a month and a half until baseball season starts! To tide us over until March 31st when the M’s take on the Rangers, I dug up this 1979 Mariners program feature on the Kingdome. Just in case you were dying to know where injured fans (who cheered too hard) were to be taken, how many men’s restrooms there were (15), and whether or not the facility was used for a circus (yes) — well, it’s all here. Go Mariners. Click on the images to investigate.

Kingdome and game information. 1979 Mariners Official Program & Souvenir Magazine.

Kingdome: Home Of The Mariners. 1979 Mariners Official Program & Souvenir Magazine.

Go ahead, just try to say his name fast. Vintage Seattle Player O The Week is none other than former Seahawk defensive tackle Manu Tuiasosopo. He played in Seattle from ‘79 to ‘83 and then went down to San Francisco from ‘84 to ‘86. In addition to getting over his fear of high-water pants Manu has had three sons that have played professional or near-professional sports — Jets quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo, Buccaneers fullback Zach Tuiasosopo, and Mariners minor leaguer Matt Tuiasosopo. Go ahead, just try to say their names fast. Quite a family dynasty! Click on the image for higher res.

Manu Tuiasosopo, Seattle Seahawks, Defensive Tackle, Topps, 1980.

Player O The Week is going to Seattle’s own Shea from the 1910 Northwestern League ball club. Unlike the 1911 Spencer card Obak Cigarettes had not gotten around to profiles that year, so we can’t really know what kind of player Shea was. So let’s just assume that he also infused plenty of pepper into the game. Deal? Deal. Click on the images for larger versions.

Front: Shea, Seattle, N.W.L. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Back: Obak Mouthpiece Cigarettes. “They Please.” Base Ball Series 175 Subjects Selected From Pacific Coast And Northwestern Leagues. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

If you read this blog regularly, you probably know that I’m a little obsessed with sports uniforms from the past. Check out these circa 1910 images of Seattle’s Lincoln High Basketball team and faculty team. The Junior and Second Team’s uni’s are especially simple — white tank top, white shorts (some shorter than others), white shoes. At just six players, there wasn’t much room for getting winded either. Give them a click for larger images.

Junior and Second Basket Ball Team, Lincoln High School, 1910.

Faculty Basket Ball Team, Lincoln High School, 1910.

I know it’s pretty much sacrilege not giving the Player O The Week nod to a Seahawk this week as we head to Green Bay, but I have to return to the early 80’s Mariners baby blue uni’s. You see, the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals have recently announced they’ll return to their vintage baby blue’s for certain games this coming season. I’ve been calling for them here so let’s hope our Mariners get with the program. Not everyone thinks it’s a great idea, however. Former Blue Jay Lloyd Moseby remarked “the uniform sucked” but he’s OK with it since this decade they’re wearing belted pants. Vintage Seattle Player O The Week is Leon Roberts (with Seattle from 78-80) showing off his stylish blue uni from his 1980 Topps card. Did you know that Roberts led the 1978 Mariners with a .301 batting average and his first hit that year was a grand slam? Now you do. Check out the card and give it a click.

Leon Roberts, Seattle Mariners, Outfield, Topps, 1980.

Player O The Week awards are going to our Mariners’ Larry Milbourne. He was with the M’s from 1977-1980 and again in 1984. When not playing shortstop or second bag for them, he was with New York in ‘81 helping the Yanks win the pennant and with Philly in ‘83 doing the same. Milbourne became just the 18th player in MLB history to smash a homer from both sides of the plate in the same game when he did it with Seattle in 1978. Here’s the Topps card from 1980 so you can scope out that facial hair and vintage pullover. When are the Mariners going to bring these uni’s back? And when are Mariners players going to bring back those sideburns? If you can’t get enough Larry, then you may want to point yourself to this site where you can pick up some Milbourne merch. Click on the images for more res.

Larry Milbourne, Seattle Mariners, SS-2B, Topps, 1980.

Vintage Seattle Player O The Week award goes to Seahawks punter Rick Engles. In 1976, the Hawks used two third-round picks on Engles and kicker Don Bitterlich. During college he was 2nd in the nation with a 46.6 average punt at the University of Tulsa. Though he only lasted three seasons in the NFL, he was known for his cannon-foot and could really launch the ball. As you can see from his 1977 Topps card, he also had a pretty nice mustache. These days, Engles can be found back in Tulsa as president of Machinery Resources, Inc. Click on the image for higher-res.

Rick Engles, Seattle Seahawks, Punter, Topps, 1977.

Vintage Seattle Player O The Week goes to none other than “The Cruzer,” Julio Cruz. He played second bag for the Mariners from 1977 through 1983 while stealing 40 bags six seasons in a row. “The Cruzer” for sure. Ichiro Suzuki is just about to take this Mariners all-time leading base stealing record from him, however. Here is his 1980 Topps card and just look at that sweet vintage M’s pullover jersey with pitchfork logo. Anyone see him play when he was still a Mariner? Click on the image for full resolution.

Julio Cruz, Seattle Mariners, 2nd Base, Topps, 1980.