A couple days ago, John Cochrane informed me in a comment on a past article about APBA’s fake names from the 1990s that I had a name missing on the list. Thanks John! That reminded me that I’d hadn’t posted this list in a while. It’s worth doing so since new fans to the game are probably a little confused when they run across a card like Andy Gabriel’s above and do a double take.
Long story short: APBA couldn’t get licensing rights to some non-union players due to the 1994 strike and they had to use fake names on the cards.
APBA certainly regretted doing it, I’m sure but their hands were tied. Fortunately, there weren’t too many and a key was circulated soon after by fans.
Thanks again to John Cochrane! I’ve updated this list with Rich Robertson’s name and also updated the original post, too.
| Replacement Player | Fake Name on APBA Card |
| Alex Ramirez | Doug Mast |
| Angel Echevarria | Andy Gabriel |
| Benny Agbayani | Brian Hiller |
| Brian Daubach | Jack Harten |
| Brian Tollberg | Norm Heffner |
| Bronswell Patrick | Charles Dempsey |
| Charles Gipson | Fred Rivers |
| Chris Latham | Joey Laker |
| Chris Truby | Sonny Young |
| Chuck Smith | Tom Keaton |
| Cory Lidle | Fuller Starr |
| Damian Miller | Don Cross |
| Frank Menechino | Jerry Legler |
| Jamie Walker | Rey Clark |
| Jason Hardtke | Robbie Miller |
| Jeff Tam | Todd Pearl |
| Joe Crawford | Randy Gaynes |
| Joe Slusarsky | Bob Bleacher |
| Joe Strong | Dan Ruth |
| Joel Adamson | Levi Atwater |
| Keith Osik | Rollie Thomas |
| Kerry Ligtenberg | Lee Grove |
| Kevin Millar | Mike Butcher |
| Lou Merloni | Joey DePalma |
| Mandy Romero | Barry Armand |
| Matt Herges | Keith Shetter |
| Pep Harris | Lancaster St. James |
| Rich Loiselle | Frankie Nina |
| Rick Reed | Alan Hunt |
| Ron Mahay | Red Crestwood |
| Scarborough Green | Rey Clem |
| Shane Spencer | Jimmy Ladd |
| Tom Martin | Eddie Chamura |
| Tony Barron | Jim Ripp |
| Rich Robertson | Dee Sunday |
| Steve Sinclair | Lew Queen |
| Dave Stieb | Carl Rhoads |
| Sean Maloney | Roger Wilson |
| Osvaldo Fernandez | Nelson Sanders |
If anyone finds any other additions, please let me know!
This was during my time away from the game. Can someone explain why this happened?
If they were not part of the players union then how can the union prevent anyone from doing what they want so long as they pay the royalties and treat the union members appropriately.
Sorry if this is obvious to everyone else.
Found another one. Real name Sean Maloney went by the fake name “Roger Wilson.”
In response to Scott, this was a requirement of the MLBPA, the players union (from whom APBA and its competitors were, in those days, required to have a license in order to use the players’ names), that the names of those players who crossed the “picket line” in the 1994-95 lockout, the so-called “replacement players,” not have their names (or likenesses) used alongside players who supported the union.
OK. Thanks for clearing that up.
Two more–Real life Steve Sinclair carded as “Lew Queen” and real life Dave Stieb (after his prime, at age 40) as “Carl Rhoads.”
Thanks John! I’ve added all three.
Think I remember seeing Lew Queen. That name sticks out.
Found another–real life Osvaldo Fernandez was carded as “Nelson Sanders.”
Thanks as always, John! He’s been added.
Tom
Found one final one. Real life Alex Hernandez was carded as “Joel Shreiner.” I’ve now gone through every card, whether regular, XB or XC, for all the years (1997-2001, inclusive) which had this problem, so I’m likely done bugging you with this. Many thanks for your kind words throughout.