Fernando Valenzuela Autograph Through The Mail Success!!!

How nice does this signed card look??  Although Fernando only signed 1 of the cards I sent to him, he returned them all to me in just 10 days.  I am thrilled to add this autographed card to my collection.

I’m guilty – I admit it – I caught onto ‘Fernando-Mania’ when I was younger.  I am not sure what did it as I was living on the other side of the country in Florida when Valenzuela reached the height of his popularity but there is something undeniably exciting about watching him pitch.  My guess is that he doesn’t look like a guy that can dominate in professional sports, yet he had an incredible 10-season stint with the Dodgers and due to his Mexican heritage, and playing in LA, he became an instant hit. 

It’s really cool to add this Cy Young winner, Rookie of the Year winner, and World Series winning, no-hitter throwing pitcher’s autograph to my collection!!! 

Whitey Herzog Autograph Through The Mail Success!!!

 In just 10 short days, Whitey Herzog returned these beautifully signed cards to me.

Not often rememberred for his 8-year career as a player in the big leagues, Whitey Herzog is best known as one of the faces of the St. Luois Cardinals franchise.  With a career win/loss record of 1,281/1,125, Herzog and his famous crew-cut hairstyle led the St. Louis Cardinals for the entire decade during the 1980′s.  In his crowning moment, the team won the World Series during the 1982 playoffs.

Herzog is still a very popular face in the St. Louis area and can be found quite often around the current team and their functions.

 Thanks Whitey!!

Happy Birthday Bob Uecker!!!

Yep, Bob Uecker turns 74 today!!!

Not too often is a player remembered or more famous for what they did off of the playing field than what they accomplished on it.  But for Uecker, that is exactly the case.  After leaving the game of baseball with just 6 seasons under his belt, Bob Uecker became better known as a comedian/actor.

Who could ever forget his role in the Miller Lite commercials that dominated the air waves in the 80′s and 90′s.  And then you have Mr. Belvedere in which ‘Uecker’ starred for 5 seasons.  You certainly cannot forget the countless appearances Uecker made during late night television as he hung out with Johnny Carson.  And you have to remember him as the radio announcer in the Major League Trilogy…

One of my favorite Uecker commercials… 

Happy Birthday Mr. Uecker!!!

“31 in 31″ – The 1970′s – Card #6

 ”31 in 31″ – The 1970′s – Card #6

Ozzie Smith – 1979 Topps – #116

It’s not often that a player with 19 seasons of big league service would have his defensive skills admired more than his offensive ones.  But, Ozzie Smith is not the common baseball player.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ is considered by most baseball fans as being the greatest defensive player in baseball’s history.  With an unlimited amount of range, body control, and arm strength Ozzie made playing defense cool.  When all the rage was about getting your turn at bat, kids all of a sudden practiced their defense with dreams of making plays the way Ozzie made them.  Smith won the Gold Glove 13 consecutive seasons as the leagues best shortstop.  His reputation was so powerful that batters playing against his team would often change their approach at the plate as anything hit his way was sure to be an out.  Now that is respect!!

Offensively Smith was a singles hitter with a knack for getting on base and generating runs.  With 2,460 career hits, 1,961 of them were singles.  But when on base, Smith made the most of his opportunities.  Ozzie has 580 stolen bases and has scored 1,257 runs. 

Smith’s brilliance on defense and his keen base running skills earned him 6 Top 22 finishes for the MVP award.

Smith played in 3 World Series match-ups with the Cardinals and won his lone title in 1982.  Ozzie Smith was voted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Attention Team Collectors!!!

As many of you know I recently won 20 packs of baseball cards from a  contest on the Autographed Cards blog.  Since I am more of a player/team collector, I have offered up most of the cards pulled from these packs to other team collectors.

I still have quite a bit left and would be happy to offer these cards up to any blogger or reader out there that collects these teams.  If interested, please leave a comment on this post and I will get in touch with you.  This offer is on a first come, first served basis.  If you collect more than 1 of the teams I have remaining you can ask for both but please rank them based on your preference in case someone comes in later and asks for a team that you have already chosen.  If that does occur, the person who claims the team first will be awarded those cards.

 

Here is a list of the remaining team cards that I am offering up:

Kansas City Royals -

Altanta Braves – Ben(1988 Score blog)

St, Louis Cardinals – claimed by Ike’s Cards

Minnesota Twins – Claimed by Sam

Pittsburgh Pirates – Claimed by Jeffrey Wolfe

Montreal Expos -

Toronto Blue Jays – claimed by Duane

Texas Rangers -

Cleveland Indians – claimed by Bill Jordan

Seattle Mariners – Claimed by Larry

Houston Astros -

Want any of these team lots?  Just post a comment and they’re yours!!!

Searching Through A Pack Of 1989 Topps – pack 1

I received 2 packs of 1989 Topps in the contest I won on the Autographed Cards blog.

Here are the results from Pack #1

 Moose Stubing, Jim Gantner, Jack Clark, Gerald Perry, Bobby Valentine, Rene Gonzalez, Les Lancaster, Dennis Eckersley, Houston Astros Team Leader, Ken Phelps, John Morris, Richard Dotson, Curt Young, Jose Rijo, and Mike Dunne.

Nothing too impressive here…  a few manager cards, Gerald Perry, and ‘The Eck’!!!

“31 in 31″ – The 1970′s – Card #7

 ”31 in 31″ – The 1970′s – Card #7

Dave Winfield – 1974 Topps – #456

Dave Winfield is another prime example of a ’5-tool player’.  With his amazing offensive and defensive skills, Winfield shined as a major leaguer for 22 seasons.  Winfield was a monster of a man.  Standing at 6 foot, 6 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds during his playing days, Winfield was physically imposing as he got in his batting stance.  And he wreaked havoc on opposing pitchers for more than 2 decades.  With a career batting average of .283, Winfield collected 3,110 hits during his career.  Add to that his impressive 465 home runs and 1,833 RBI, and you have an incredible power hitter.  But, the amazing thing about Winfield was his athletic ability.  Not too many guys his size were fast.  But Winfield was, and he proved it over and over again as he amassed 223 stolen bases during his career.  And in the field, he was brilliant!!  With his speed and an arm that launched baseballs like a cannon, Winfield was often recognized as one of the best arms in all of baseball.  Dave Winfield finished in the Top 12 for the MVP award 9 times.  He was a 12-time All-star, a 6-time Silver Slugger winner, and a 7-time Gold Glove winner. 

Dave Winfield played in 2 World Series contests – 1 in 1981 as a member of the New York Yankees, and 1 in 1992 with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Winfield ended up winning 1 championship ring in ’92 with the Blue Jays. 

Dave Winfield was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Ripping Open A Pack Of 2003 Topps Opening Day

I received 1 pack of 2003 Topps Opening Day in the contest I won on the Autographed Cards blog.

Here are the results from that pack.

 Kevin Millwood, Andruw Jones, Jose Cruz Jr., Mo Vaughn, Magglio Ordonez, Adam Dunn, and a Pat Burrell mini.

This pack was full of stars or formaer stars.  For me the biggest hit in the pack is of Ordonez!!!

Ripping Through A Pack Of 2007 Topps Series 2 – Pack #2

 I received 4 packs of 2007 Topps Series 2 in the contest I won on the Autographed Cards blog.

Here are the results from Pack #2

 Alex Gonzalez, Gerald Laird, Checklist, Hanley Ramirez, Mickey Mantle, Eric Bedard, and Devan Hansack

Again, another card of ‘The Mick’ is a niec pull and that Hanley Ramirez card really looks great!

Tearing Into A Pack Of 1990 Donruss – Pack 2

I received 4 packs of 1990 Donruss in the contest I won on the Autographed Cards blog.

Here are the results from Pack #2

Greg Briley, Chris Carpenter, Ed Whiston, Mike Fitzgerald, Dave West, Mike Scioscia, Alejandro Pena, Paul Molitor, Dwight Smith, Danny Tartabull, Tim Leary, Howard Johnson, Norm Charlton,  Eric Hetzel, Gary Thurman, and a Diamond King Checklist.

I was thrilled to see a Dwight Smith card hiding in this pack.  It’s been a long time since his successful debut with the Cubs in 1989!!!