1992 Skybox AA, Pat Mahomes

#295 Pat Mahomes

Here's another card that I got signed at the Grand Prairie AirHogs game. It was game one of the American Association championship and Pat pitched for the Sioux Falls Canaries.

These cards look almost exactly like the the 1991 Line Drive cards. There are only a few subtle differences. I don't know if Line Drive was bought by Skybox or what. The picture on this card was even used on Pat's 1991 card. That is why Pat Mahomes is wearing a different jersey than Pat Meares.

I always thought that those were some neat jerseys. They are kind of like the late '90s Angels jerseys (the sleeveless look that wasn't sleeveless) and the '70s Braves jerseys (with the feather on the arms). My American Legion team had jerseys just like this. I thought that they were the most original ones in the state. I still have mine somewhere.

In 1993, the Sun Rays switched affiliation to the Cubs and became the Orlando Cubs. In '97, they switched their names to the Orlando Rays. In '98, they were affiliated with the Mariners and in '99 they were with the Devil Rays. In 2004, they moved to Montgomery and changed their name to the Montgomery Biscuits. They are still affiliated with the Rays.

1992 Skybox AA, Pat Meares

#221 Pat Meares

Here is another card that makes the list as one of my favorites. Pat is one of four Major League ballplayers that's from my hometown, Salina, Kansas. He was the first one to make it to the show during my lifetime (the other one that made it didn't play here in high school). Pat went on to play at Wichita State before being drafted by the Twins.

I always remembered Pat being a light-hitting shortstop. I was surprised when I just looked over his stats. He had double digit home run totals three different times. In 1998, he had 70 RBI. Not bad for a light-hitting shortstop.

I'm not sure what Pat is up to these days. I think that he lives in Wichita. I faced his brother a few times in alumni games when I was playing American Legion. Last summer, I ran into his dad at Target (I didn't know who he was until I got to the car; my buddy was talking to him).

Oh yeah, I got this card signed through the mail after he got called up by the Twins. Also, I like the SunRays jerseys. It's hard to see in this picture, but they were much better than the ones they wore the previous year (don't worry, you'll get to see that one tomorrow).