Spreading The Word About Some New Blogs

Sharing = Caring.

I’ve been very fortunate to be introduced to some new blogs recently and I wanted to do my best to get the word out to others about these great stops in our group of baseball and baseball card related blogs.  Some of these blogs are not new, but they are new to me, while others are still very new and fresh.

When you have a few minutes take some time to check these out.  I think you’ll be as entertained as I have been.

2008 Topps Set Blog - Join ‘Uncle Moe’ as he tries to get the entire 990 card 2008 Topps set autographed.  Yes, I said 990 cards.  He just started last month and is already at #26.  Hey Moe, we need more pics!!!

Bullpen Brian- Any blog with the name Brian in it is going to be great!!  Just kidding, but Brian is another in the long line of Cubs fans that have turned to blogging about his beloved Cubbies.

My Past Time, I Love It- Alfredo is the ultimate South Florida sports fan.  He’s also got an amazing autograph collection that seemingly grows with each new post.

The Voice Of The Yankees Universe - Although this is not a new blog, they have added a new writer.  Jeff, from ‘The Bronx Insider’ has joined the team.  Jeff is a great writer with a love of pinstripes and baseball cards.  He should bring some great content to the Yankees Universe.

OMG Autos - Dan is another autograph collector that deals primarily with baseball cards.  He tends to throw in the occasion Olympian too…

The Intern- Join Natalie as she interns for the Minnesota Twins during Spring Training and then into the minor league season.  This blog is a great read as it provides a females point of view as well as giving us a little insight as to what happens behind the scenes at the ballpark.

Are there any other blogs that you have discoevered that you want to share with us?  If you have, please share.  This is an incredible community of baseball fans and the more the merrier!!!

1983 Topps Super Veteran – Don Sutton

1983 Topps Super Veteran – Don Sutton

Of course a 300+ win pitcher with 23 years of big league experience belongs in the ‘Super Veteran’ subset.  He belongs in the Hall of Fame too…

Don Sutton was elected into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1998.  With a career win-loss record of 324-256, Sutton had double-digit wins in 22 of his 23 seasons.  With 3,574 strikeouts and a career ERA of just 3.26, Sutton was a dominant pitcher in the National League from his rookie season in 1966 through the mid 80′s.

And quiet an amazing head of hair too!!!

Happy Birthday Tom Glavine!!!

Tom Glavine turns 43 years old today!!

As this baseball legend prepares to start his 23rd season as a major league player, I would love to see him have 1 more injury-free season with the Braves.  When it comes to career milestones by a pitcher, Tom Glavine has nothing on the horizon as a goal to strive for during the 2009 season.

So for his birthday, I have come up with a “Glavine Fan’s Goals” birthday wish list.

1. 32+ starts
2. 200+ innings
3. 16+ victories
4. 120+ strikeouts
5. 1 no-hitter

Go Get ‘Em Tom!!!  Happy Birthday!!!

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #7

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #7

Rafael Palmeiro – 1987 Topps

Rafael Palmeiro quietly put together an amazing career as he reached several baseball milestones that define greatness as an offensive player.  While never considered to be the best player in the league, and even on his team at times, Palmerio’s numbers are rare.

No batting titles.  Only 1 season of 200 or more hits.  But, consistency was Palmeiro’s game.  In his 20-season career, Palmerio collected 3,020 hits.  Hitting between 140-170 hits a year is all it took for Palmeiro to become one of the game’s most consistent offensive players.  His career batting average is .288, and he has 6 seasons of hitting .300 or better. 

Palmeiro also had a power game that was rare for such a disciplined contact hitter.  ‘Raffy’ has 569 career home runs which places him in 10th place in baseball history.  Off to a relatively slow start in the beginning of his career, Palmeiro’s power numbers began to take off during the 1991 season.  From 1999-2004, Palmeiro hit at least 22 homers per season with his maximum output being 47 in both the 1999 and 2001 seasons. 

‘Raffy’ has also collected 1,835 RBI and has scored 1,663 runs during his playing days.

Palmeiro has finished in the Top 19 for the MVP award 10 times.  He is a 4-time All-star, a 3-time Gold Glove award winner, and a 2-time Silver Slugger winner.

Palmeiro never made it to the World Series during his 20-year career as a major league baseball player. 

Great Cards From A Loyal Reader And Fellow Blogger

In my time as a blogger I have been asked to provide my mailing address on a handful of occasions.  I have also re-established my joy of trading cards.  When Alfredo, from the blog ‘My Past Time, I Love It’ asked for my address I obliged and was delighted to find these cards in my mailbox last night. 

 Some of my favorite Chicago Cubs’ players – Andre Dawson, Mark Grace, and Mr. Cub himself, Ernie Banks!!  All of these cards are new to my collection.

 A few more random Cubs including former AL MVP George Bell, Ryne Sandberg, and 2 of my favorites: Greg Maddux and Shawon Dunston.

 A slew of Dave Winfield cards going all the way back to 1977.  This little set of Winfield cards shows him playing for 4 of the 5 teams he suited up for during his career.

 And lastly, a trio of 1977 Topps Fergie Jenkins cards.  These cards feature Fergie as a member of the Red Sox, and based on what I have read in Fergie’s book he had some of his ‘most fun’ moments while playing with Boston.

Thank you Alfredo.  Thanks for the great cards.  These are great additions to my collection and I am extremely appreciative for your act of kindness.  Go Marlins!!!

1989 Bowman Rickey Henderson

1989 Bowman Rickey Henderson

 This is not the typical picture you would find of Rickey Henderson during the late 1980′s.  Most of the cards of that era show Henderson either at the plate in his crouch awaiting the pitch from 60 feet away or running on the base paths.  I don’t mind posed portraits on my baseball cards, but surely the people at Bowman could have done better than this…

Rick Vandenhurk Autograph TTM Success!!!

Fresh off of his amazing performance playing for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, Rick Vandenhurk of the Florida Marlins delivered these signed cards to me.

In just a little over a month, 33 days to be exact, I got these cards back.  I was pretty suprised to get them so quickly once Rick got back to the team.  I have a few more cards out to other guys that played in the WBC.  Hopefully they will follow suit and return some great autographs to me as well.

Thanks Rick!!! 

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #8

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #8

Tony Gwynn – 1983 Donruss

A true student of the game, Tony Gwynn studied the game with such fire and energy he was bound to succeed.  Gwynn is categorized with the greatest hitters to ever suit up for a major league baseball team.  His hitting was dominant, but Gwynn was more well-rounded that given credit for during his playing days.

Tony Gwynn has won 8 batting titles during his 20 year career as a member of the San Diego Padres.  With a career average of .338, Gwynn mastered his craft and left others behind as he topped the batting charts year after year.  In 20 seasons, the lowest Gwynn batted for a full season was .289(during his rookie season).  For the next 19 years, Gwynn remained above .300.  In his best statistical season in 1994, Gwynn flirted with .400 only to fall 6 points shy and end the year at .394.  Tony Gwynn retired with 3,141 career hits and (5) 200-hit seasons.

Although Gwynn was known as a contact hitter, he did offer a little power at times.  For his career, Gwynn has hit 135 home runs with the highest single-season tally being 17.  He also has 319 stolen bases on his resume along with 1,383 runs scored and 1,138 RBI.

Tony Gwynn is a 15-time All-star.  He has finished in the Top 20 for the MVP award 10 times.   He also won 7 Silver Slugger awards along with 5 Gold Glove trophies.

Gwynn has played in 2 World Series match-ups and lost both.  In 9 career games during World Series play, Gwynn hit .371 as he collected 13 hits.  He has also accounted for 3 runs scored, 3 RBI, and 1 home run during the ‘Fall Classic’.

Gifts From Mario & Dave…

The generosity of bloggers and their readers is a unique trait.  It’s one that I am still surprised by each time it occurs, so you could imagine my shock as Mario hands a stack of baseball cards to me as we’re hovering under the canopy of the concession stand as it rains heavily around us.

As always, Mario went above and beyond as he provided me with a nice assortment of my 2 favorite Florida Marlins players: Cameron Maybin & Dan Uggla.

First the Maybin cards… 

 And then the Ugglas…

 And then Dave turns to me and hands me a top-loader that was loaded with brilliance!!! 

These guys are both really good guys.  It’s times like this when you really are appreciative for the people you’ve connected with.  When stuff like this happens to me, I always think back to how 10 years ago stuff like this just didn’t happen.  Some random guy living in North Carolina makes vacation plans with his wife and wants to include me in them?  Wow!!  And then both of these 2 ‘super-collectors’ are standing there handing me cards because they thought of me when they came across the cards? 

The internet is a wonderful thing and I cannot wait to see what awaits us all in the next 10 years…

Thanks again to both Mario and Dave!!!!

The Three Amigos Go To Spring Training!!!

The plan fell in place about a month ago.  Dave of Fielder’s Choice fame and his wife, Rebecca, were headed to Florida for a week long vacation.  His goal was to catch a little Spring Training action and her goal was to enjoy the Walt Disney World experience.

Dave emailed both Mario from the #1 sportscard blog Wax Heaven and I about possibly meeting up to see the Rays take on our local Orioles in Ft. Lauderdale.  The game was on Saturday, the 21st, and we agreed to all meet at the stadium.  Prior to his trip, I provided Dave with a few tips about my successes with meeting players and getting autographs during games at the stadium and we all agreed that General Admission tickets were the best bet.

When I tell you that it rained from the time I left my house at 11:15 in the morning until the 15 minutes before the game was to start(1:05) I would not be exaggerating.  The 4 of us patiently stood by the concession stand as we tried to do our best to stay dry.  As soon as it let up a little bit, one of would say something like, ‘Finally’ and then it would just open up again.  Right around 12:45 the rain stopped so we headed for the field in hopes of seeing the players warm up and maybe get a few autographs.  Then we heard the message being passed around, “The game has been canceled’.  What?  didn’t they know that Dave and Rebecca drove from NC all the way to FL just to see this game?  Didn’t they know that Mario and I both left our wives and kids at home so we could enjoy a day at the ballpark??  Canceled??  Yes, canceled.  The worst part of it was that as soon as it was indeed game-time, the skies opened up and it bacame a nice day.

Dave still has some good stories to share and I will let him do that when he returns from his trip.  For me, my memories of the day are: 1. great conversation with 2 of the guys that have inspired this blog.  2. a voucher I can send to the Orioles organization requesting a refund.  3. a picture of the ‘Three Amigos’.