Single-A teams aren't expected to be All-Star factories, but Cedar Rapids hit the low end of expectations and produced just three future big leaguers in 1979: Rob Deer, John Rabb, and Jeff Stember. (This card calls Rabb an outfielder, but he actually spent more time behind the plate in Iowa and added a handful of games at 3B.)
John's versatility continued in the big leagues, splitting time at C, 1B, and OF across stints with San Francisco, Atlanta, and Seattle. He might've pushed for everyday playing opportunities that didn't exist in SF, as the Giants ultimately dealt Rabb to the Braves for a veteran player with a similar skill set, Alex Trevino.
TCMA included an above-average 32 players in this set, including the aforementioned Rob Deer, whose home run power won over many a Milwaukee fan in the 1980s and 90s. (He's also the only man ever to hit .220 or less and slug more than 220 career homers.)
- Steve Duckhorn
- Jesus Cruz
- Mark Benson
- Jorge Mundroig
- John Rabb
- Robbie Henderson
- Jeff Stadler
- Matt Sutherland
- Francisco Fojas
- Rick Doss
- Bruce Oliver
- Bill Bellomo
- Glen Fisher
- Bud Curran
- Wayne Cato
- Jeff Stember
- Paul Plinski
- Jose Chue
- Rick Mean
- George Torassa
- Ned Raines
- Lou Merietta
- Craig Hedrick
- Kelly Anderson
- Harry Wing
- Juan Oppenheimer
- Ray Cosio
- Rob Deer
- Don Buchheister
- Phil Sutton
- Doug Linduyt
- Bob Cummins
Value: John Rabb cost me $2 at MinorLeagueSingles.com. Rob Deer will run a little extra, at least in Wisconsin.
Fakes / reprints: Cardboard Zoo notes that TCMA reprinted several team sets as "collector kits" in the late 1980s, but I'm not sure about this 1979 set specifically. Founder Mike Aronstein's interview about their Cal Ripken card says a little more about how young stars (and hobby demand) led to minor league fakery.
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