Monday, October 5, 2015

MISSING IN ACTION- 1972 MARK BALLINGER

Here's a "missing" 1972 card for a guy that I'll admit barely makes my informal requirements for such a creation: former Cleveland Indians pitcher Mark Ballinger:


Ballinger played his only Major League action during the 1971 season, really only a month between the middle of August to the middle of September, appearing in 18 games for the Tribe, posting a 1-2 record with a 4.67 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 34.2 innings of work.
That would be it for him on a Major League mound, as he'd toil in the Minor Leagues up until 1979 pitching for the Angels and Royals double and triple-A teams.
But it sure is fun creating cards for players with such brief careers like this! Many more to follow in the coming months!