MLB Players from North Dakota Neighboring States Wantlist
Another collection that I enjoy working on is my collection of MLB players that are from my home state of North Dakota and the neighboring states of South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota. Whether they were born in these states or spent significant time of their lives there, I am interested in growing my collection of these players.
With a climate that does not support long baseball seasons, I find it remarkable and am impressed by those players that made the "Bigs" coming from these lower population geographical roots.
Featured Local Hero: Roger Maris
The most notable MLB player from North Dakota was Roger Maris. While he was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, Roger moved to Fargo, North Dakota at an early age and graduated from Fargo Shanley High School. Below, a 19-year old Roger is shown as a member of the Fargo-Moorhead Twins and of course as he hits his 61st home run on October 1st, 1961 - which was ironically my first birthday!
I am interested in ALL Roger Maris Topps baseball cards as well as any and all Roger Maris related memorabalia.
North Dakota
The following list of MLB players were born or spent significant time in North Dakota. I am interested in ALL baseball card and/or memorabilia of any of these players.
Chris Coste (2006-2009) - Now not really from North Dakota but rather from Fargo's border city with Minnesota, Moorhead. Chris also played and coached for the F-M Redhawks from the Northern League, so this classifies him as a North Dakota MLB Hero.
Topps Needs: 2008 (UH93)
Darin Erstad (1996-2009) - A true North Dakota MLB hero with origins in Jamestown, North Dakota. Darin excelled in all sports in high school and went on to Nebraska playing both football and baseball for the Cornhuskers. Darin enjoyed a more than successful major league career.
Topps Needs: 2007, 2009
Jay Gehrke (Minors) - Pitcher Jay Gerhke was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 1999 amateur draft. Gerhke was taken as the 32nd player overall, a supplemental pick given to the Royals for losing Jose Offerman in free agency. Gerhke spent three seasons in the Royals farm system, never rising above A ball level. His time in the minors concluded after the 2001 season, his career totals showing a 6-14 won/loss record to go with 20 saves and a 4.93 ERA .
Topps Needs: Complete
Ken Hunt (1959-1964)
Tim Johnson (1973-1979)
Gary Serum (1977-1979)
Mark Lee (1988-1995)
Rick Helling (1994-2006)
Darin Erstad (1996-2009)
Travis Hafner (2002-2013)
Tim Olson (2004-2005)
Seth Rosin (2014-2015)
Matt Strahm (2016-Active)
Andrew Young (2020-Active)
Minnesota
The following list of MLB players were born or spent significant time in Minnesota. I am interested in ALL baseball card and/or memorabilia of any of these players.
Jim Eisenreich (1982- 1998) - St. Could, Minnesota. Jim had a 15-year career from 1982 to 1984 and 1987 to 1998. He played for the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals of the American League, and the Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League. He played first base, outfield and designated hitter. In 1,422 games over 15 seasons, Eisenreich posted a .290 batting average (1,160-for-3,995) with 492 runs, 221 doubles, 39 triples, 52 home runs, 477 RBI, 105 stolen bases, 324 bases on balls, .341 on-base percentage and .404 slugging percentage. He finished his career with a .988 fielding percentage playing at all three outfield positions and first base. In 20 postseason games, he hit .231 (12-for-52) with 4 runs, 2 home runs, 11 RBI and 7 walks.
Eisenreich has Tourette syndrome, which caused him to go on to the voluntary retirement list between 1984 and 1987 while undergoing treatment. He was replaced on the Twins roster by Kirby Puckett. In 1990, he was the first recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award, which is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who has overcome a significant obstacle.
Topps Needs: 1984-1987 (NC) , 1993 Gold #22, 1995 Cyberstats #326
Paul Giel (1954-1961) - Winona, Minnesota. Paul was an American college football and professional baseball player. He was an All-American in both sports at the University of Minnesota.
Giel attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a star single wing tailback for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team. During his career at Minnesota he rushed for 2,188 yards and had 1,922 yards passing. Giel received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten's most valuable player twice, in 1952 and 1953, was named an All-American twice. In 1953 he was the runner-up to Johnny Lattner of Notre Dame for the Heisman Trophy.
Instead of professional of football, after his collegiate days Giel pitched in the major leagues for the New York / San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, and Kansas City Athletics. He signed with the Giants for a $60,000 bonus, which was their highest ever at the time.
After his retirement from baseball, Giel was a color commentator on Minnesota Vikings radio broadcasts from 1962 to 1969, and served as the University of Minnesota's Director of Athletics from 1971 to 1989. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
Topps Needs: 1958 #308, 1960 #526, 1961 #374,
Greg Olson (1989-1993) - Marshall, Minnesota. Greg played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1989 to 1993 for the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves. Olson was selected to the 1990 National League All-Star team and appeared in the 1991 World Series with the Braves.
Olson was born in Marshall, Minnesota and attended Edina High School. He later attended the University of Minnesota and was drafted in the 7th round of the 1982 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets. In 1992, Olson was having a career year until a collision with Ken Caminiti of the Houston Astros broke his right leg. Olson played one more year for Atlanta before being released in the off season to make room for rising prospect Javy López. Olson signed with the New York Mets for the 1994 season but was released following spring training, leading to his retirement.
Topps Needs: 1990 Topps Major League Debut #93, 1994 Gold, 346,
Montana
The following list of MLB players were born or spent significant time in Montana. I am interested in ALL baseball card and/or memorabilia of any of these players.
Jeff Ballard (1987- 1994) - Billings Montana. Jeff was born in Billings, Montana. He earned a Degree in Geophysics from Stanford University.
Topps Needs: 1988 (RC) #782, 1991 #546, 1992 #104,
Dave McNally (1962-1975) - Billings Montana. Born in Billings, Montana, McNally was raised by his mother after his father died in the Battle of Okinawa. He was signed by the Orioles out of high school in 1960 and made his major league debut two years later, throwing a shutout in his first game in the major leagues. Most notably, Dave was a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that won four American League pennants and two World Series championships between 1966 and 1971. A three-time All-Star, McNally won 20 or more games for four consecutive seasons from 1968 through 1971. He was one of four 20-game winners for the 1971 Orioles (Pat Dobson, Jim Palmer, and Mike Cuellar were the other three), the last team as of 2025 to have four 20-win pitchers on the same roster. Thinking he needed a change of scenery, McNally requested a trade after the 1974 season; the Orioles obliged, sending him to the Montreal Expos, with whom he played one final year before retiring halfway through 1975, citing an inability to throw the fastball. After the 1975 season, he added his name to a grievance filed against the reserve clause, which resulted in the historic Seitz decision that created free agency in baseball. McNally returned to his hometown Billings and worked as a car dealer until his death from cancer in 2002. A member of the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame, he is among the franchise's leaders in many statistical categories.
Topps Needs: 1967 #382, 1968 #478, 1970 #20, 1973 #600, 1974 #235
South Dakota
The following list of MLB players were born or spent significant time in South Dakota. I am interested in ALL baseball card and/or memorabilia of any of these players.
Floyd Bannister (1977- 1992) - Pierre, South Dakota. Floyd Bannister actually grew up in the state of Washington, however, he was born in 1955 in Pierre, South Dakota. Bannister attended Arizona State University, where he was named college player of the year by The Sporting News as a junior. The Houston Astros selected Bannister as the first overall pick of the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.
This left-handed pitcher played for the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, California Angels, and Texas Rangers. He also played for the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball in 1990.
Bannister compiled a 134–143 major league record with a 4.06 ERA in 431 games.
Topps Needs: 1977 #306, 1980 #699, 1981 #166, 1982 #468, 1983 #543, 1983 #T7, 1984 #280, 1988 #T8, 1990 #116,
Floyd Bannister (1977- 1992) - Pierre, South Dakota. Floyd Bannister actually grew up in the state of Washington, however, he was born in 1955 in Pierre, South Dakota. Bannister attended Arizona State University, where he was named college player of the year by The Sporting News as a junior. The Houston Astros selected Bannister as the first overall pick of the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.
This left-handed pitcher played for the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, California Angels, and Texas Rangers. He also played for the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball in 1990.
Bannister compiled a 134–143 major league record with a 4.06 ERA in 431 games.
Topps Needs: 1977 #306, 1980 #699, 1981 #166, 1982 #468, 1983 #543, 1983 #T7, 1984 #280, 1988 #T8, 1990 #116,
Floyd Bannister (1977- 1992) - Pierre, South Dakota. Floyd Bannister actually grew up in the state of Washington, however, he was born in 1955 in Pierre, South Dakota. Bannister attended Arizona State University, where he was named college player of the year by The Sporting News as a junior. The Houston Astros selected Bannister as the first overall pick of the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.
This left-handed pitcher played for the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, California Angels, and Texas Rangers. He also played for the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball in 1990.
Bannister compiled a 134–143 major league record with a 4.06 ERA in 431 games.
Topps Needs: 1977 #306, 1980 #699, 1981 #166, 1982 #468, 1983 #543, 1983 #T7, 1984 #280, 1988 #T8, 1990 #116,
South Dakota
The following list of MLB players were born or spent significant time in South Dakota. I am interested in ALL baseball card and/or memorabilia of any of these players.
Floyd Bannister (1977- 1992) - Pierre, South Dakota. Floyd Bannister actually grew up in the state of Washington, however, he was born in 1955 in Pierre, South Dakota. Bannister attended Arizona State University, where he was named college player of the year by The Sporting News as a junior. The Houston Astros selected Bannister as the first overall pick of the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.
This left-handed pitcher played for the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, California Angels, and Texas Rangers. He also played for the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball in 1990.
Bannister compiled a 134–143 major league record with a 4.06 ERA in 431 games.
Topps Needs: 1977 #306, 1980 #699, 1981 #166, 1982 #468, 1983 #543, 1983 #T7, 1984 #280, 1988 #T8, 1990 #116,
Floyd Bannister (1977- 1992) - Pierre, South Dakota. Floyd Bannister actually grew up in the state of Washington, however, he was born in 1955 in Pierre, South Dakota. Bannister attended Arizona State University, where he was named college player of the year by The Sporting News as a junior. The Houston Astros selected Bannister as the first overall pick of the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.
This left-handed pitcher played for the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, California Angels, and Texas Rangers. He also played for the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball in 1990.
Bannister compiled a 134–143 major league record with a 4.06 ERA in 431 games.
Topps Needs: 1977 #306, 1980 #699, 1981 #166, 1982 #468, 1983 #543, 1983 #T7, 1984 #280, 1988 #T8, 1990 #116,
Dave Collins (1975- 1990) - Rapid City, South Dakota. Dave Collins was born October 20, 1952 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Collins is one of three players that made the major leagues who played for the Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball program in Rapid City, South Dakota. The other two are Kelvin Torve and Mark Ellis. All three were graduates of Stevens High School in Rapid City.
As a minor leaguer, Dave was labeled the "fastest white man in baseball" because he ran the 100-yard dash in 9.6 seconds and had high stolen base totals.
In the major leagues, Dave played for 9 different teams in a 16-year career. In 1701 games over 16 seasons, he compiled a .272 batting average with 667 runs, 187 doubles, 52 triples, 32 home runs, 373 RBI, and 395 stolen bases.
Topps Needs: 1983 #359, 1984 #733. 1985 #T25
Terry Forster (1971- 1986) - Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Terry Forster was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on January 14th, 1952 however, Forster grew up in California and attended Santana High School in Santee, California. Forster was a second round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 1970 MLB Amateur Draft.
Forster was a left-handed relief pitcher who played for 16 seasons in the Major Leagues. He played for five teams in his career and recorded 127 saves during his time in the majors
Topps Needs: 1977 #271, 1983 #583, 1983 #33,
Tito Francona (1954 - 1970) - Aberdeen, South Dakota. John Patsy Francona was born in November 4,1933 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, As a child, he was nicknamed "Tito" by his father. His connection to Aberdeen came before son Terry's birth, when he played for the minor-league Aberdeen Pheasants during the 1953 season.
Tito was an outfielder and first baseman for nine teams during his MLB career. His career spanned 15 seasons with a career batting average of .272, 125 home runs and 656 RBIs. He had a son, Terry, who also played and managed in the major leagues.
Tito died on February 13, 2018 at the age of 84 in New Brighton, Pennsylvania.
Topps Needs: 1957 #184, 1958 #316, 1959 #268, 1961 #503, 1964 #583, 1965 #256, 1966 #163, 1968 #527, 1969 #398,
Terry Francona (Player: 1981 - 1990, Manager: 1997-Current ) - Aberdeen, South Dakota. Terry, son of Tito Francona was born on April 22nd, 1959 in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He grew up in New Brighton, Pennsylvania.
Terry played for five different teams in the Major Leagues from 1981 to 1990. After playing, Terry became a manager and in 2004 led Boston to their first World Series championship since 1918. He led them once more to a World Series title in 2007. He currently manages the Cincinnati Reds, and has tallied over 2,000 career victories at a .536 winning percentage.
Topps Needs: Player: 1985 #578, 1986 #38T, 1987 #34T Manager: 2002 (NC), 2003 (NC), 2008 #123, 2009 #8, 2010 -2026 (NC)
Dick Green (Player: 1963-1974) - Rapid City, South Dakota. Dick Green was born April 21,1941 in Sioux City, Iowa and was raised in Yankton and Mitchell, South Dakota, where his ability as a baseball player was developed.
Green played his entire career with the Oakland Athletics where he was part of the 1972-1974 World Series championship teams.
Before the 1975 season, Green was released by the A's but decided to retire to run the family moving business in Rapid City, thus ending his 12-year career in the majors. He finished his career with a .240 lifetime batting average, 960 hits, 80 home runs, 422 RBIs and 427 runs scored.
Topps Needs: Player: 1964 #466, 1966 #545, 1972 #780, 1975 #91
Jason Kubel (Player: 2004-2014) - Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Jason was born in Belle Fourche, South Dakota on May 25, 1982. His family moved to Palmdale, California, where he played baseball at Highland High School in Palmdale, California.
Jason played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Cleveland Indians. He played in 1,063 games hitting 140 home runs and ending his career with a .262 batting average.
Kubel is the brother-in-law of Michael Tonkin. They briefly played together for the Twins in 2014. At the conclusion of his career as a professional baseball player, Kubel became a Little League coach.
Topps Needs: Player: 2003 #T193, 2004-2005 (NC), 2011 #4, 2012 #581, 2013 #486, 2014 #405
Chad McConnell (Player: 2004-2014) - Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Chad was born October 13, 1970. A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, McConnell attended O'Gorman Catholic High School.
The Philadelphia Phillies selected McConnell in the first round, with the 13th overall selection, of the 1992 Major League Baseball draft. While never getting the call up to the majors, he played for the Phillies minor league organization primarily with Reading until 1996. He also played for the United States national baseball team in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
After McConnell retired from professional baseball, he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg in 1999 and he became a probation officer for Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Topps Needs: Player: 1993 Gold #161
Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks
The following list of MLB players played for Fargo, North Dakota's North League baseball team, the F-M Redhawks.
Jeff Bittiger (1986- 1989) - Jeff was originally from Jersey City, New Jersey and had a fairly short stint in the major leagues. He was a relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball during his 4-year career. He was the player-personnel consultant for the independent league Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, as of 2016.
He compiled a 4-6 MLB record in 94.1 innings pitched with an ERA of 50.40 and 53 strikeouts.
Jeff passed away died from cancer on July 19, 2025 at his home in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. He was 63.
Topps Needs: 1988 (RC) #782, 1991 #546, 1992 #104,
South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana
The following is my "I Have" list...
Ballard, Jeff - Billings, Montana
1990, 1992 Gold
Bannister, Floyd - Pierre, South Dakota
1978, 1985, 1985 #1 Draft Pick
Collins, Dave - Rapid City, South Dakota
1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1986T, 1987
Eisenreich, Jim - St. Cloud, Minnesota
1983, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1992 Gold, 1993, 1994, 1994 Gold, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Forster, Terry - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1986T, 1987
Francona, Tito - Aberdeen, South Dakota
1960, 1962, 1963, 1967
Francona, Terry - Aberdeen, South Dakota
1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Giel, Paul - Winona, Minnesota
1959
Green, Dick - Rapid City, South Dakota
1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974
Jason Kubel - Belle Fourche, South Dakota
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Chad McConnell - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
1993, 1993T
McNally, Dave - Billings, Montana
1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969. 197, 1972, 1972 Boyhood Photo, 1975
Olson, Greg - Marshall, Minnesota
1990T, 1991, 1992, 1992 Gold, 1993, 1993 Gold, 1994
Perkins, Glen - Stillwater, Minnesota
2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013,2015, 2016, 2017
Steinbach, Terry - New Ulm, Minnesota
1987T, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1992 Gold, 1993, 1993 Gold, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000
Darryl Motley - Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks
1982, 1985, 1986, 1987
Varland, Louie - Maplewood, Minnesota
2022