In The Cards: 1981 Edmonton Trappers

The 1981 Edmonton Trappers had plenty of Major League Baseball (MLB) talent on its roster, but the team lacked true star power in its introductory campaign.

Who cares when you look this good though, right? Sporting lids that look like they could melt in the acid rain (it was a thing in the 1980s, you can look it up) and pin-striped uniforms that might just be the sharpest looking pyjamas you’ve ever seen, the Trappers had that Leo Chavalier look of a winner.

Learn more in our latest installment of In The Cards …

Q&A with Harold Reynolds

He’s now a familiar voice on baseball broadcasts and a frequently seen face on MLB Network programming, but long before Harold Reynolds made a name for himself on TV he was another ball player trying to crack a major-league roster.

A second overall selection of the Seattle Mariners on June 3rd of the 1980 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, Reynolds made his big-league debut in 1983. The second baseman bounced between the Triple-A and MLB levels for the next four seasons before becoming a fixture in Seattle.

One of his big stops along the way was with the Calgary Cannons of the Pacific Coast League, where he played 52 games in their inaugural 1985 season and another 29 games in 1986. The two-time American League (AL) All Star and three-time Gold Glove award winner made time for us to chat about his time in Cowtown, how he ended up in the broadcast booth and the time he was almost traded to the San Francisco Giants …

In The Cards: 1990 Calgary Cannons

When you think about the Calgary Cannons, images of red and white uniforms often come to mind, but these blue jerseys and caps look outstanding.

For your viewing pleasure, this edition of In The Cards focuses on the 1990 Cannons, who were led by Pacific Coast League (PCL) All Star first baseman Tino Martinez.

Coles Notes

It was a long and winding road for utility player Darnell Coles, who played 17 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons for eight different teams.

The Californian quickly climbed the ranks of Seattle’s minor-league system after the Mariners made him the sixth overall pick in the 1980 amateur entry draft. Coles had already played in Bellingham, Wausau, Bakersfield, Chattanooga, Salt Lake City and Seattle by the time he was sent to Calgary to play for the city’s new Triple-A franchise in the Pacific Coast League.

That 1985 Cannons team, Coles recalled, was loaded with talent.

Dutch Treat

He wasn’t here for a long time, but Bert Blyleven did appear to have a good time during his brief stay in Alberta.

It was an unlikely pit stop for the Hall of Fame pitcher, who made two starts for the Edmonton Trappers in May of 1992.

The third-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in 1969 was playing his final pro season when he arrived in the provincial capital.

In The Cards: 1992 Edmonton Trappers

There really must be something in the water in Edmonton.

In 1992, “King Fish” Tim Salmon made it rain as a member of the Trappers. The outfielder led the Pacific Coast League (PCL) in home runs (29), total bases (275), runs batted in (105), extra base hits (71), on-base percentage (.469) and slugging percentage (.672).

Salmon’s card from this 1992 Fleer ProCards set – the subject of this edition of In The Cards – was undoubtedly the most sought after of the bunch.

In The Cards: 1997 Calgary Cannons

It seems like all minor league teams – if they stick around long enough – go through a pinstripes phase with their uniforms, and the Calgary Cannons were no exception.

The players and coaches do look sharp in these white uniforms, which take centre stage in this 30-card set from Best Cards, Inc.

Blast From The Past

If patience is a virtue, Russ Parker has a dugout full of it.

Calgary’s “Mr. Baseball” went through the ringer to bring Triple-A baseball to the city, including rumours, a difficult deal and a snowstorm.

On the 35th anniversary of the team’s debut at Foothills Stadium, we take a look back at the road taken to bring the Pacific Coast League team to Calgary.

In The Cards: 1993 Edmonton Trappers

This chapter of our In The Cards series – which profiles Alberta baseball collectibles – comes courtesy of Ross Flats Vintage Apparel, who kindly donated this 1993 set of Edmonton Trappers cards.

The 27-card set was made by Fleer ProCards and it features some fairly static poses, but the images of the pin-striped Trappers are clear. Edmonton’s John Ducey Park can also be seen in the background.

White Lightning

When you look back at those postseason games from the early ’90s, it’s all there.

You can see the threat on the base paths, the ability to come up with timely hits and, of course, the wall-crashing catches in centre field.

Devon White was never the guy for the Toronto Blue Jays during their back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. But you cannot win championships without key contributors like White roaming the outfield and batting at the top of the order.