1974 Topps League Leaders Card Starring Jim Palmer & Tom Seaver
This card celebrates the incredible seasons that both Jim Palmer and Tom Seaver had during the 1973 major league baseball season.
Each player led their leagues in ERA. Palmer led the American League with a low 2.39. And not to be outdone, Tom Seaver led the National League and the majors with a mighty impressive 2.08.
Two of the best pitchers from the 1970’s on one baseball card. And a perfect addition to my Jim Palmer player collection!!!
Oh, and just to close the circle, each of these great pitchers won the Cy Young award in their respective leagues that year. For Palmer, it was his first of three. And for ‘Tom Terrific’, it was his second of three awards.
Categories: Jim Palmer Collection · Stars from the 80's
Tagged: 1966 world series, 1969 world series, 1970 world series, 1983 world series, 300 wins, all-star, baltimore orioles, baseball, baseball cards, chicago white sox, Cincinnati Reds, collection, cy young, cy young award, Hall Of Fame, HOF, jim palmer, Mets, New york mets, new york yankees, orioles, pitcher, reds, Rookie of the Year, ROY, tom seaver, tom terrific, white sox, world series, yankee stadium, yankees
‘Same Card, Different Paths’ – Card #20
1975 Topps - Card #623 – AKA – ‘The Keith Hernandez Rookie Card’
Phil Garner – Garner enjoyed a full, 16-year career as he played for 5 different teams. A 3-time All-star, and member of the 1979 World Champion Orioles, Garner tallied 1,594 career hits including 109 home runs, 738 RBI, and 225 stolen bases.
Keith Hernandez – One of the most underrated players from his era, Keith Hernandez enjoyed a wonderful major league career. Climaxing with the 1979 MVP Award, Hernandez was a 5-time All-star, 11-time Gold Glove Award winner, 2-time Silver Slugger winner, and a 2-time World Series champion. Hernandez finished his stellar career with 2,182 hits, 162 home runs, 1,070 RBI, and 1,124 runs scored.
Bob Sheldon – Sheldon’s career spanned 3 seasons and just 94 games. Primarily used as a designated hitter, Sheldon failed to impress his managers with his offensive skills and was quickly out of baseball. In 94 games, Sheldon managed to amass 67 career hits with 17 RBI, 30 runs scored, and a .256 batting average.
Tom Veryzer - Veryzer played shortstop for 4 big league clubs over the span of 12 years. A fair hitter without a glaring offensive skill, Veryzer became a nice, serviceable player that remained in the big leagues due to his solid play on defense.
Categories: 'Same Cards, Different Paths'
Tagged: 1975 topps, 1982 world series, 1986 world series, all-star, baseball, baseball cards, bob sheldon, Cardinals, first base, gold glove, keith hernandez, Mets, most valuable player, MVP, New york mets, phil garner, rookie, st. louis cardinals, tom verzyer, topps, world series
While at the mall last weekend with my wife and kids, my wife gave me ‘The Nod’. For those of you that are not familiar with ‘The Nod’, let me explain. In my family, ‘The Nod’ means take off, get away, scram, etc…
We were in the Disney store and she spotted something she wanted to get for the boys. My 3-year old is very intrigued when we’re out shopping, and has a knack for finding something he wants wherever we go. This time, my wife gave me ‘The Nod’ so I hightailed it out of there before he could see what she found.
I made my way across the mall’s hallway to the Mounted Memories Factory Outlet. It’s a great store with some great stuff. Some of it is very affordable while some is outrageously high-priced. While I have never made a purchase there, I do enjoy checking out what they have so it was a natural choice for us to burn a few minutes there.
While cruising around the store, I saw a stack of these flyers at the register:
Obviously the headline of the flyer did it’s job as I was instantly intrigued. Bob Feller and Free Autographs sounds like a great time to me. He’ll be at the store next week and I have every intention of being there as well. If you purchase a ball or photo from the store you get a free autograph. If you walk in with your own item to be signed, it’s $20.00.
It sounds like I’ll be adding another signed baseball to my collection!!! Plus, it’s from an in-person appearance!!! And he’s a Hall of Famer!!!
Stay tuned next week as I bring you the results from the Bob Feller signing.
Categories: Autographs
Tagged: all-star, autograph collecting, autographed baseballs, Autographs, baseball, baseball cards, Bob Feller, bob feller museum, cleveland indians, cy young, cy young award, free autographs, Hall Of Fame, HOF, indians, pitcher, sports autographs, starting pitcher
1986 Fleer Superstar Special with Darryl Strawberry & Tim Raines
What can I say, this is a card featuring two of my favorite players from my favorite baseball era – the 1980’s!!
The card’s theme is ‘Instant Offense’ and I don’t know if a better title could have been established for these two All-star players.
Both Strawberry and Raines were multi-faceted players whose offensive skills were some of the best in the league. With blazing speed, home run power, and great control at the plate, there was nothing that these guys couldn’t do to ignite offense!!!
Another great card in my Darryl Strawberry player collection has found a new home!!!
Categories: Darryl Strawberry Collection · Stars from the 80's
Tagged: Mets, ROY, Rookie of the Year, all-star, world series, dodgers, los angeles dodgers, New york mets, yankees, silver slugger, new york yankees, darryl strawberry, 1986 world series, 1996 world series, 1999 world series
Pudge Rodriguez turns 38 years old today.
Still a favorite of all Florida Marlins fans, Pudge Rodriguez should go down as one of the greatest players from his era!!
With a resume that includes 1 Most Valuable Player Award, 7 Silver Slugger awards, 13 Gold Gloves, and 14 All-star games, one has to wonder where Pudge ranks in the conversation about the game’s greatest catchers.
Through the 2009 baseball season, Rodriguez has tallied 2,711 hits, 1,308 runs scored, 305 home runs, 1,264 RBI, and he even has 125 stolen bases to his credit.
As he continues to climb towards a few more baseball milestones, it seems like his election into baseball’s Hall of Fame is inevitable. One thing is for certain: He has my vote!!!
Happy Birthday Pudge!!!
Categories: Birthdays & Anniversaries
Tagged: all-star, baseball cards, basebll, catcher, Florida Marlins, gold glove, ivan rodriguez, Marlins, pudge rodriguez, rangers, texas rangers
Just days after major league baseball named its American League MVP, I received a signed baseball from the 1988 winner.
Jose Canseco’s popularity and stranglehold on the hobby were at an all-time high in 1988. The MVP was part of the most dynamic offensive team in baseball and his 40+ home runs and 40+ stolen bases during that 1988 campaign put him into elite status.
So when I read about the signing at www.sportsgraphing.com, I jumped at the chance to get his autograph and decided to go with an inscription that was as rare as his incredible feat. Now seeing the ball in person, I know that I made the right decision!!!
Pretty sweet huh???
Another great autograph added to my growing signed baseball collection. And if you’re keeping track at home, this signed Canseco ball is #17.
Categories: Autographs · Stars from the 80's
Tagged: 1990 world series, 2000 world series, A’s, Athletics, authentic, autograph collecting, autograph hunting, autographed baseball cards, autographed baseballs, Autographs, autographs through the mail, baseball, baseball cards, bash brothers, gold glove, jose canseco, most valuable player, MVP, oakland A’s, Oakland Athletics, Rookie of the Year, ROY, silver slugger, sports autographs, TTM, ttm autographs, world series
1988 Topps Eddie Murray
This one may be a contender for my ‘Fab 5′ when I complete my Eddie Murray player collection!!
I have always enjoyed the 1988 design. A little on the bland side, the overall look of the card has a vintage feel to it. While not being heavy on the graphic element, Topps did a very nice job of making the card’s design elements flow. Starting with the color schemes used, they added the team colors into the card’s headline and banner in the lower right corners. When adding the player photos, they put them on top of the graphic which makes the player’s image really pop off of the card.
1988 was a solid year for Murray. He played in all but one game and managed to hit .284 while collecting 171 hits. He was also able to crush 27 doubles, 28 home runs, and drive in 84 runs. Murray’s amazing ‘batting eye’ was once again on display in ‘88 as he struck out just 78 times in 681 plate appearances.
Categories: Eddie Murray Collection · Stars from the 80's
Tagged: 3000 hits, 3000 hits club, 500 home runs, 500 HR club, 500 hrs, all-star, baltimore orioles, baseball, baseball cards, baseball history, baseball milestones, eddie murray, Hall Of Fame, HOF, orioles, switch hitter
In modern baseball, Jim Kaat’s career, from 1959 to ‘83, spanned the most presidential administrations: seven, from Dwight D. Eisenhower through Ronald Reagan.
**factoid courtesy of ‘Armchair Reader – Grand Slam Baseball’
Categories: Did You Know....
Tagged: 1982 world series, 1983 topps, 1983 topps super veterans, all-star, baseball, baseball cards, baseball trivia, Cardinals, Did You Know...., gold glove, jim kaat, minnesota twins, senators, sports trivia, st. louis cardinals, super veterans, twins, washington senators, world series
I bring you the sixth and final pack of 1991 Upper Deck baseball cards that I ripped through this morning…
Notable – Harold Reynolds, Kevin Mitchell, Fernando Valenzuela, Mark Langston, and a ‘1917 Revisited’ Chicago White Sox team card.
Pick Of The Pack – Bert Blyleven – easily the happiset baseball card I have ever seen!!!
Categories: Pack / Box Breaks
Tagged: 1991 upper deck, baseball, baseball cards, bert blyleven, box break, collecting, collection, Fernando Valenzuela, Harold Reynolds, hobbies, hobby, kevin mitchell, mark langston, pack break, upper deck
I bring you the fifth of six packs of 1991 Upper Deck baseball cards that I ripped through this morning…
Notable – Jose Oquendo, Darren Daulton, Mike LaValliere, Gary Sheffield, Charlie Hayes, Jack Morris – Team Checklist
Pick Of The Pack – Barry Bonds – Team checklist
Categories: Pack / Box Breaks
Tagged: 1991 upper deck, barry bonds, baseball, baseball cards, box break, Charlie Hayes, collecting, collection, Darren Daulton, gary sheffield, hobbies, hobby, jack morris, Jose Oquendo, Mike LaValliere, pack break, upper deck
