W.S. Winners, 1980-89: First to play for the franchise

[ian2813]

Here's one that might be fun. From the ten World Series winners in the 1980's, can you name the first player to play for the franchise? To use an example that's not on the list, let's say you were trying to answer this question for the 1939 Yankees. The answer I'd be looking for is Lou Gehrig, who played in his first Yankee game on June 15, 1923, earlier than anyone else who played for the 1939 Yankees.

No looking up the answers. When you make a guess, specify which team you're guessing for. The 1980 Phillies actually had two players make their Phillie debuts on the same day, so I'm looking for two from that team. In my opinion, the hardest one to get will be the 1984 Tigers.

1980 Philadelphia Phillies (2): Larry Bowa & Tim McCarver (4/7/1970)
1981 Los Angeles Dodgers: Bill Russell (4/7/1969)
1982 St. Louis Cardinals: Bob Forsch (7/7/1974)
1983 Baltimore Orioles: Jim Palmer (4/17/1965)
1984 Detroit Tigers: Dave Rozema (4/11/1977)
1985 Kansas City Royals: Hal McRae (4/6/1973)
1986 New York Mets: Lee Mazzilli (9/7/1976)
1987 Minnesota Twins: Bert Blyleven (6/5/1970)
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers: Don Sutton (4/14/1966)
1989 Oakland Athletics: Rickey Henderson (6/24/1979)

Good luck!

[SamtheBravesFan]

I'm sure some of these guesses weren't even on the teams at the time, but that's why they're guesses.

1980 Phillies: Steve Carlton, Mike Schmidt
1981 Dodgers: Bill Russell
1982 Cardinals: Keith Hernandez
1983 Orioles: Jim Palmer
1984 Detroit Tigers: Willie Horton
1985 Kansas City Royals: Paul Splittorff
1986 New York Mets: Lee Mazzilli
1987 Minnesota Twins: Bert Blyleven
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers: Bill Russell
1989 Oakland A's: Carney Lansford

[ian2813]

I'm sure some of these guesses weren't even on the teams at the time, but that's why they're guesses.

1980 Phillies: Steve Carlton, Mike Schmidt
1981 Dodgers: Bill Russell
1982 Cardinals: Keith Hernandez
1983 Orioles: Jim Palmer
1984 Detroit Tigers: Willie Horton
1985 Kansas City Royals: Paul Splittorff
1986 New York Mets: Lee Mazzilli
1987 Minnesota Twins: Bert Blyleven
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers: Bill Russell
1989 Oakland A's: Carney Lansford

Russell (1981), Palmer, Mazzilli and Blyleven are correct!

[Spindlebrook]

1982 St. Louis Cardinals: Bob Forsch
1984 Detroit Tigers: Dave Rozema
1985 Kansas City Royals: Frank White
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers: Don Sutton

[ian2813]

1982 St. Louis Cardinals: Bob Forsch
1984 Detroit Tigers: Dave Rozema
1985 Kansas City Royals: Frank White
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers: Don Sutton

Wow, nice job! 3 out of 4. The only one that's wrong is Frank White. I'm surprised you got Dave Rozema, as he's definitely the most obscure player in this list.

[Ben Grimm]

One of the '80 Phillies has to be Bowa. Not sure of the other. Possibly Luzinski though Carlton may have been in Philly by then ('72).

[ian2813]

One of the '80 Phillies has to be Bowa. Not sure of the other. Possibly Luzinski though Carlton may have been in Philly by then ('72).

Correct! Larry Bowa is one of the two. The other didn't have a very big role with the 1980 team, so he might be harder to get.

[Ben Grimm]

Correct! Larry Bowa is one of the two. The other didn't have a very big role with the 1980 team, so he might be harder to get.

I think you may have given it to me. Is he relevant to the 2012 NLCS? And was he brought to Philly to reunite with a former teammate (one who's been mentioned)? Ironically, one of the most remembered visuals from that '80 series was from a play made between his partner and Rose on a foul pop to the dugout.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Could the 1985 Royals guy just be George Brett?

The 1989 A's player... just a wild guess, Rickey Henderson. Maybe he was back with the team by then.

[ian2813]

Could the 1985 Royals guy just be George Brett?

The 1989 A's player... just a wild guess, Rickey Henderson. Maybe he was back with the team by then.

Incorrect on Brett, but correct on Henderson!

I think you may have given it to me. Is he relevant to the 2012 NLCS? And was he brought to Philly to reunite with a former teammate (one who's been mentioned)? Ironically, one of the most remembered visuals from that '80 series was from a play made between his partner and Rose on a foul pop to the dugout.

Yes, he is relevant to the NLCS. I think you know who it is. Go ahead and guess him.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Paul Splittorff might be the Royals pick.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

The other Phillie would have to be Greg Luzinski. Boone started in 1972 and Del Unser played with em in the early 70's too but but not before 1972. I know he was there in 1973 because I have his baseball card. Dick Ruthven and Larry Chistenson both started around 73 and Ruthven left for the Braves for a few years before coming back. I know Maddox came in 1975. Trillo came from the Cubs in 1979. McGraw came in 1975. Ron Reed I think came in 1975 too. Bake McBride came from the Cardinals in midseason 1977.

Thinking about it now but I doubt he counts though. Tim McCarver played on the 1980 team but he wasn't part of the WS team. I can't remember if he played with the Phillies before Carlton got there though.

[Gee Walker]

Is the KC Royal Hal McRae?

[ian2813]

The other Phillie would have to be Greg Luzinski. Boone started in 1972 and Del Unser played with em in the early 70's too but but not before 1972. I know he was there in 1973 because I have his baseball card. Dick Ruthven and Larry Chistenson both started around 73 and Ruthven left for the Braves for a few years before coming back. I know Maddox came in 1975. Trillo came from the Cubs in 1979. McGraw came in 1975. Ron Reed I think came in 1975 too. Bake McBride came from the Cardinals in midseason 1977.

Thinking about it now but I doubt he counts though. Tim McCarver played on the 1980 team but he wasn't part of the WS team. I can't remember if he played with the Phillies before Carlton got there though.

You've got the right answer somewhere in this post. I just need a clear guess. Just so you know, the players under consideration are not just those who were on the World Series roster, but anyone who got into a game during the season for the team.

Is the KC Royal Hal McRae?

Yes it is! Very good!

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Well Ben Grimm actually knew the answer from what it sounded like but Tim McCarver would have to be the right answer.