Dane Iorg had a relatively short but successful career in Major League Baseball that spanned from 1987 to 1995. While he didn’t put up huge offensive numbers overall, Iorg established himself as a reliable defensive catcher and quality leader for several teams. His MLB tenure has been commemorated through baseball cards that collectors still seek out today.
Iorg was drafted by the California Angels in the 6th round of the 1984 amateur draft out of the University of Iowa. He made his big league debut with the Angels in 1987 at age 24. Iorg showed early promise with the glove but struggled at the plate, batting just .209 in 55 games that first season. He drew praise from Angels coaches and scouts for his pitch framing ability and work behind the plate with a young pitching staff.
Iorg’s rookie baseball cards came in 1987 issues from Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. The designs and photography varied between the manufacturers but all captured Iorg in an Angels uniform during his debut campaign. Of the three, his 1987 Topps rookie card is generally the most sought after by collectors today. The simple yet iconic Topps design and larger print run have made it the most available Iorg rookie to find in mint condition. Graded gem mint examples still trade hands regularly for $20-40 depending on the market.
After bouncing between the majors and minors over the next two seasons, Iorg emerged as the Angels’ primary catcher in 1990. He responded by setting career highs with a .245 average, 37 RBI, and 73 games played, establishing himself as a reliable defensive backstop. Iorg’s improvement was reflected in his baseball cards from 1990, which saw him featured more prominently compared to his early issues. The 1990 Donruss and Fleer cards in particular highlight Iorg’s development into a regular MLB contributor for the Angels. Examples from these sets in near-mint or better condition can be acquired for $5-10.
Prior to the 1991 season, Iorg was traded from the Angels to the Chicago Cubs along with outfielder Chris Gwynn in exchange for outfielder George Bell. With the Cubs, Iorg became the backup catcher behind starting All-Star Rick Wilkins but still saw significant playing time with over 300 innings behind the plate. He hit .242 in 67 games for Chicago in 1991. Iorg’s lone Cubs card that year came in the Score brand’s inaugural set. Featuring vibrant photography and team logos, Iorg’s 1991 Score RC is a popular mid-range option for collectors on a budget, trading in the $3-5 range.
In 1992, Iorg posted the best offensive season of his career with a .259 average, 3 home runs, and 26 RBI in 78 games as the Cubs’ primary catcher. His solid all-around contributions were recognized with featured cards in the flagship Topps and Fleer sets that year. The 1992 Topps Traded card, which was issued midseason, also spotlighted Iorg and can be found for under $10. He continued as the Cubs’ starter in 1993 but saw his average dip to .222, and after the season was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Iorg spent parts of the 1994 and 1995 seasons with the Brewers, splitting time with starting catcher Bill Bathe. He posted a .233 average over 80 games combined between the two years. Iorg’s Brewers tenure was highlighted with cards from Upper Deck, Score, and Leaf brands during this period. At age 32 he was released by Milwaukee after 1995 and decided to retire. In total, Iorg played 9 seasons in the majors, hitting .237 with 6 home runs and 123 RBI in 549 career games.
Since hanging up his catcher’s mitt, Iorg has stayed actively involved in baseball through coaching. He spent over a decade as a minor league manager and coach in the Dodgers and Reds systems. Iorg also authored an instructional book titled “The Complete Catcher” in 2001 detailing his techniques and philosophies from behind the plate. Today, Iorg resides in Iowa and continues to give private lessons to up-and-coming young catchers.
As the years pass, Iorg’s baseball cards from his playing days in the late 80s and 90s have grown in demand amongst collectors with a fondness for underrated players from that era. While he wasn’t a superstar, Iorg established himself as a quality defensive backstop and respected veteran presence over nearly a decade in the majors. His rookie cards remain budget-friendly options for Angels collectors, while issues from his peak years with the Cubs in the early 90s are solid mid-tier selections. With a relatively short printed career that spanned multiple teams, Iorg’s complete card collection offers an affordable challenge for dedicated set builders today.