That list brings back some painful memories.

Brien Taylor, what a bust. I remember him(with Scott Boras) holding out for "Todd Van Poppel" money. Tears his labrum in a bar fight and becomes only the second number one pick to never even make it to the Majors for atleast one game. His picture might be in the dictionary next to "unfulfilled potential". George Steinbrenner was serving a MLB suspension during the Brien Taylor negotiations but was quoted saying that Yankees officials should "be shot" if they let Taylor get away. Despite the suspension, atleast Steinbrenner made it clear where he stood.

In the era you are focusing on, Todd Van Poppel could be # 11 on your list. He was the next Nolan Ryan. He almost had Sidd Finch hype.

For you Chris, I offer the Gregg Olson Factoid File. He established a then record for saves by a rookie. On July 13, 1991, Gregg Olson was one of four Oriole pitchers that combined for a no hitter against the Athletics. As a D-Back(he was an inaugural Diamondback), Olson was once ordered by Manager Buck Showalter to intentionally walk Barry Bonds with the bases loaded to get to the next batter. Olson's roomate at Auburn was former Orioles pitcher Stacy Jones. Gregg Olson was in Jones' wedding along with.....Jim Abbott(who threw his own no hitter September 4, 1993). Stacy Jones, Olson, Bo Jackson and Frank Thomas were featured as Auburn Alums on the "Tiger Tandems" card #701 in the 1992 Fleer set. But I digress, do not want to start the "Seven Degrees" of Gregg Olson, as tempting as it is.

There seems to be some collectors still building those Wild Card striped cards sets. Whatever gets you through the night.

Always liked those Sportflics...............

Remember "The Boz"?

Dave,
I agree. For some reason Wild Card cards still are holding value for the stripe cards... I blew a lot of money on those too... The best one I ever got was a Rick Fox 1000 stripe card... LOL... Good memories.

Nader,
Great list. I have to back you up on Brien Taylor. When I saw the subject of your list, he's the first name that popped into my head, while Todd Van Poppel and Ryan Anderson are the other "can't miss" pitchers who came to mind. As for Wild Card cards, I still remember trying to explain the concept to a older collector at the National in the early 1990s while I was at the SCD booth. I spent 5 minutes explaining it to him and he just shook his head and said, "Yeah, but it's just a card. Who cares if the value on the card is a 1,000 stripe?" I have to agree with him. Collecting doesn't have to be difficult. Keep it simple. Thanks for the memories, guys.