In The Cards: 1986 Edmonton Trappers

As a team, the Edmonton Trappers didn’t accomplish a great deal in 1986.

The Triple-A Pacific Coast League (PCL) squad went 68-73 in front of 229,682 fans at John Ducey Park that season, falling short of a postseason berth.

That said, the primary purpose of minor-league baseball teams has never been about winning championships. Player development and converting young athletes into Major League Baseball (MLB) talent has always been the underlying goal of these feeder squads. In that regard, this Trappers team had plenty of success stories.

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 …

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: 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.

In The Cards: 1985 Edmonton Trappers

We venture to the provincial capital for this edition of In The Cards.

The overall look and feel of the set gives it a big league feel, reminiscent of something Topps might have created.

On the field, the Trappers were the defending champs, having won their first PCL title in 1984.

In The Cards: Joe’s All Stars

Baseball cards weren’t just a collectible from my childhood, they provided hours upon hours of entertainment.

Having only three channels to pick from on the family farm, my exposure to actual baseball games was pretty limited. So I had to get creative.

I set up a game on my bedroom floor and that was the first thing I thought of when coming up with my All Star selections.

Alberta’s AL Dugout Connections

Major League Baseball (MLB) may feel like it is far removed from the ball diamonds of Alberta, but if you play a quick game of six dugouts of separation you’ll discover there are plenty of coaching connections between the majors and our province.

In our first of a two-part series exploring those connections, we look at the American League squads who have former Alberta players on the payroll.

World Series ring fit for former Trappers catcher

20 years after A.J. Hinch played a major part in the Edmonton Trappers’ second-straight PCL title, he helped bring a World Series championship to Houston.