First off, the card must be worth at least $5. This is none other Mike Benjamin we’re talking about, for Christ’s sake. One of the best in the business back in the day, with the peak of his reign as a member of the Red Sox from 1997-98. Just look at the numbers he put up in 1998: .272 average, 4 HRs, and 29 RBIs. Almost as good as the Muddy Chicken.
But Benjamin offered more than just offense. In the previous season, Benjamin worked a perfect inning of relief in a drubbing by the Detroit Tigers.
Benjamin was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1989, playing there for six seasons before joining the Philadelphia Phillies.
He spent two seasons in Boston after one year in Philadelphia.
After Boston, Benjamin signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999, enjoying perhaps one of his best seasons in his career. Benjamin drove in 37 runs to go along with a .247 average.
Benjamin retired after the 2002 season. In his 13 year career, Benjamin batted .229, hit 24 homers, and drove in 169 runs.
As of 2011, Benjamin is an assistant coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils, where his son Michael plays.
Click here for the full Memory Lane Monday archive.
