The 2002 Upper Deck Vintage set is one of my favorites. And I have been looking got add some Russell Branyan autographs to my collection since I had to toss a couple due to smearing. I saw this card…and while I overpaid…I am happy I got it.
Russell Branyan was a very well thought of prospect when he was coming up through the minors. In 1999 he was Cleveland’s #1 prospect, and was through to be the premier power hitter in all of minor league baseball. While he struck out a ton, and he was at best an average defender, his power rivaled that of Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez. So you could live with the strike outs.
Branyan would end up spending 14 seasons in the majors, playing for 10 different clubs. While he certainly had the power to play in the majors, his platoon splits and health held him back from every finding consistant at bats with any team. Only once, in 2009 in Seattle, did he get more than 400 at bats in a season. But that season he was very good, hitting a career high 31 HR with a 130 OPS+.
Branyan would retire with 194 career homeruns and a solid 113 OPS+.
Fun note: When Cleveland traded him away in 2002, they got IF Ben Broussard from the Brewers. Broussard would have some very solid seasons with Cleveland. When Cleveland traded Broussard in 2006, they got OF Shin-Soo Choo, who would turn into one of the best outfielders in baseball. When Cleveland traded away Choo in 2012, part the return the got was SP Trevor Bauer and RP Bryan Shaw. Both would have nice careers in Cleveland. And when Cleveland traded away Bauer in 2019, part of the return package was DH Franmil Reyes. Of course, that is where the thread dies, since Franmil was released in 2022. Fun while is lasted.