[zeprock]

I was born on Mt. Desert Island in Maine and except for the two years of 1979 - 1980, I've lived here all of my life. Maine is a mostly quiet and beautiful state, hence our nickname, Vacationland. We're known for our rocky coastline, rolling mountains, forests, sparkling rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and of course our delicious seafood, especially lobster. Many people think that Maine is part of Canada because we are so far north. Did you know that Maine is the only state that is one syllable and the only state that borders only one other state? Trivia to impress your friends there.

Unlike most states, not many MLB players have come from Maine. For today's oddball post, I thought I'd feature nine Maine-born players that made it to the Majors with these cards from my collection.

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1962 Topps #174B Carl Willey w/Cap (I featured a card of Mr. Willey way back in post #153 when I showed you some in-person autographed cards from my collection. Carl was from Cherryfield, Maine and went to the same high school as my grandfather. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves and for the worst New York Mets team of all-time. After his playing days were over, he served as a scout for the Phillies. He passed away in 2009 in the town right next door to where I live.)
1966 Topps #414 Dan Coombs (Danny Coombs was the first player I was aware of that came from Maine when I flipped over his 1971 card after pulling it from a pack and noticed his home was in Brewer, Maine. That was someplace I had been often as it was very close to where I grew up. He was born in Lincoln, Maine, a town known for its paper mill back in the day before all the mills closed down. I was there two days ago shooting a commercial for work. Danny had a nine-year career pitching for the Colt 45's, Astros and Padres.)
1972 Topps #403 John Cumberland (John was born in Westbook in the southern part of the state and went on to play seven years for the Yankees, Giants, Cardinals and Angels. In the 1990s he acted as a pitching coach for the Red Sox and then the Royals.)

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1982 Red Sox Coke #18 Bob Stanley ("The Stanley Steamer" was from Portland, Maine and is probably known as the state's most successful alum when it comes to MLB since he pitched his entire 13-year career with the Red Sox and is a member of the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. To date he is the only Maine-born player to be elected to a MLB All-star game.)
1984 Brewers Gardner's #10 Pete Ladd (Pete Ladd was also born in Portland and pitched for the Astros, Brewers and Mariners. He was originally drafted by the Red Sox and was traded to the Astros for Bob Watson back in 1979.)
1986 Expos Provigo Panels #16 Bert Roberge (Bert is from Lewiston, Maine, a city that my parents lived in and my Dad was executive director of their Rescue Mission back before they both passed. My three sisters still live in the Lewiston area. Bert still lives in neighboring Auburn.)

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1992 Bowman #611 Bill Swift FOIL (Bill Swift is a couple of years younger than I am and was born in Portland. I remember him attending the University of Maine in Orono where he was a standout star who appeared to be headed for a Major League career and in actuality, with regards to Stanley, is the state's most accomplished MLBer. After pitching for the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team, he was a first round draft pick by the Mariners. He would go on to pitch for the Mariners, Giants and Rockies and finished his career just six wins short of 100. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the New England Baseball Hall of Fame. Ironically Swift's career numbers were extremely similar to those of a 1930's pitcher also named Bill Swift.)
2001 Fleer Platinum #17 Matt Kinney (Matt Kinney was born in Bangor, Maine, the town I grew up on the outskirts of and still work in today. Matt went to Bangor High School, the same school my wife graduated from albeit a couple decades prior to Matt. He pitched for the Twins, Brewers, Royals and Giants and then a season in Japan. He gave up Barry Bonds' 660th home run that tied him with Willie Mays.)
2008 Razor Signature Series #35 Ryan Flaherty (Other than Bert Roberge, Ryan is the only other non-pitcher featured in this particular post. Ryan is from Portland as well. Portland is Maine's largest city. He played for the Orioles, Braves and Indians and is currently a coach for the Padres. He is married to the sister of Nick Markakis' wife.)