2004 Bowman Heritage Kris Benson

Kris Benson was one of two pitchers acquired by the Mets at the 2004 trading deadline. Then-GM Jim Duquette sent popular utility player Ty Wigginton and minor leaguers Matt Peterson and Jose Bautista to Pittsburgh for Benson and minor leaguer Jeff Keppinger. 

Benson was basically a .500 pitcher for the Pirates, and he pitched with a simillar degree of success in New York. In just under a season and a half with the Mets, Benson compiled a 14-12 record with a 4.23 ERA while averaging just under 6 1/3 innings per start. Not spectacular, but not bad for a midldle-of-the-rotation guy.

I suspect Benson’s career in New York would have lasted a little longer if not for his wife Anna’s propensity for attacting unwanted media attention. In January 2006, Omar Minaya swapped Benson to the Orioles for reliever Jorge Julio and minor leaguer John Maine. Julio was later dealt to Arizona for Orlando Hernandez, so the trade of Benson directly or indirectly led to the acquisition of two pitchers who were keys to the Mets’ success in 2006.

Benson had another respectable year for Baltimore in 2006, but he missed all of 2007 due to injury. He attempted to make a comeback last year, signing a minor league contract with the Phillies. He was released at the end of August, and I’m not sure where his career is headed from there.

I like the design of the 2004 Bowman Heritage cards, which is based on the classic 1955 Bowman set. This card features a nice portrait of Benson, with what looks like a bit of Shea Stadium in the background. It does seem a bit odd to see a Mets player in the newer all-black uniforms on a vintage card design, but if we’re going to get technical, the Mets didn’t even exist in 1955.

Benson’s signature is well-placed, with the blue standing out nicely against the blue-gray sky background. You can even make out most of the letters in his name.