#336 Mike Pagliarulo

About the Front: I assume that Mike Pagliarulo is tracking the flight of a pop-up as he holds up on the basepaths. He looks like he's being tugged in two different directions.

About the Back: If you were listing players with 30-homer seasons, how long would it take you to remember Pags?

Triple Play:

1. In addition to the ALCS homer mentioned on the card back, Pagliarulo also had a go-ahead longball against John Smoltz in the seventh inning of Game Four of the 1991 World Series. However, Atlanta rallied to win that contest.

2. He missed out on the players' strike in 1994, having signed a free agent deal the previous offseason with Japan's Seibu Lions. He batted .263/.362/.418 in 80 games with the Lions, then finished his career back in the majors with the Rangers in 1995.

3. After his playing career ended, Mike had a scouting website known as Baseline Report. He is currently the hitting coach for Pittsburgh's AAA Indianapolis club.

11-Year-Old Kevin Says: Pags was an underrated midseason pickup for my Orioles in 1993, batting .325/.373/.556 with nine doubles, six home runs, and 21 RBI in 33 games down the stretch. I particularly remember his grand slam off of Nolan Ryan.

Bill James Said: "He's a free agent, and I wouldn't touch him with a 20-foot pole."

On This Date in 1993: December 8. President Bill Clinton signs the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law.