As the constant flow of Topps Vault images continue, we now have thousands upon thousands of newly seen photos of several generations of players both familiar and obscure. Hall of Famers are in good supply; but so, too, are obscure minor league players, many virtually forgotten, that have seen the light of day for the first time. Some have a single, solitary image for us to see and consider.
Some of the unveilings, by request:
BJ 970 Gene Ross
Acquired from the Pirates for the 1963 season, Ross had losing records in his two seasons in the Twins system before calling it a career. Another career beckoned, however, as he followed up a career as an elite travel team coach has become a guru of proper pitching mechanics working with the Georgia Pitching Academy.
EM 344 John Parker
Pictured in spring of 1971 after finally reaching Triple-A (and garnering a spring invite) in his sixth pro season, images of Parker during his earlier time with the Phillies' system might surface after putting up an 18-4 record in 1967. He was originally a fourth-round pick as a North Carolina high schooler.
EM 086 Gene Holbert
Holbert merited a pair of images since he was a former first-round pick of the Atlanta Braves (1969, 12th overall) out of high school in Pennsylvania -- another one of the prized lefty/switch-hitting catching prospects who never found a way to hit. Holbert, who was one of a streak of five of the Braves' first six first-round picks who never reached the majors, saw his career end at the age of 20 following the 1972 season with a .228 career average.
BK 969 Don Ross
AP 1284
Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels from the Orioles in the expansion draft, Ross' time was limited in their system. After a bouncing around three organizations in 1962, he was back with Los Angeles in '63 for a final go-around, but never reached the Show.