The Quest For The Autographed Multi-Player Card

As many of you saw a few short weeks ago I completed my first ever 2-player autographed baseball card.  If you missed that, or would like to see it again, click here.  Special thanks go out to Ron Cey and Steve Trout for making this happen for me!!! 

So that brings up the question as to what other multi-player cards are out there that would look great signed.  After some quick Ebay work, I have found a few that although they would be very hard to complete, they would certainly mean quite a bit to this nostalgic 1980′s collector.

Check ‘em out:

Rickey Henderson & Don Mattingly

Mark McGwire & Jose Canseco

Barry Bonds & Bobby Bonilla

Gary Carter & Darryl Strawberry

Look, one can dream can’t he?  After several months of playing in the autograph game, I fully understand that getting any of the above cards completed is a complete shot in the dark.  But there are several team-type cards from the 80′s that Topps put in every set.  It looks like I’ve got to do some homework as this may be a nice challenge for this TTM collector.

Wish me luck!!!

Will Clark Autograph TTM Success!!!

63 days and well worth the wait.  I just got this Will Clark autographed card back in the mail. 

Clark has a classic swing, one of the greatest that I have ever seen.  He also has a classic signature… 

One of the brightest stars from the late-80′s, Clark was an offensive machine.  With the rare ability to hit for a high average as well as deliver the long ball, Clark was a fan-favorite during his playing days with the San Francisco Giants. 

In 1989, I remember watching him put on an amazing show in the playoffs against my Cubs.  In that 5-game series, Clark hit an amazing .650 as he collected 13 hits in 20 at-bats.  Clark’s totals for that series was – 13 hits, 8 runs scored, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 8 RBI, and an ass-kicking that us Cubs fans still remember vividly 20 years later.

 As great as this autograph would look in my collection, I think I know someone that may enjoy it a little more than me…

My Second Andre Dawson Jersey & Bat Game Used Memorabilia Card!!

Amazing, I stole this for just 99 cents on Ebay.  I cannot believe it!!  What a great addition to my Dawson collection.  And it’s limited to just 125 prints…

If anyone else has some of these that they want to sell for 99 cents, email me!!!

What Ever Happened To Tom Browning???

Tom Browning put together a very solid 12-year professional baseball career.  11 of his 12 years were played with the Cincinnati Reds and he tallied 123 wins and 90 losses.  Browning’s career was capped by 3 very special moments:

1 – During his first full season in 1985, Browning finished in 2nd place for the Rookie of the Year award and in 6th place for the Cy Young award.  In that ’85 season, Tom started 38 games while winning 20 and losing just 9.  His ERA that year was 3.81 and he struck out 155 batters.

2 – Tom Browning is a member of the Cincinnati Reds’ World Series championship team from 1990.  In that 4-game sweep of the Oakland A’s, Browning picked up a win helping the team win the title and make history with one of the greatest upsets in World Series history.

3 – Tom Browning threw a perfect game on September 16, 1988.  No hits, no walks, no base runners.  Browning was indeed perfect and I still remember watching the highlights of that game some 20+ years later.

Since retiring from the game, Browning has authored a book appropriately titled – ‘Tom Browning’s Tales From the Reds’ Dugout’.  He has also been hired on to be a pitching coach for the Carolina Mudcats, a AA affiliate of Cincinnati Reds.

In late-March of 2009,  Tom Browning was arrested for missing child support payments. 

Hanley Ramirez Looks Pretty Comfortable In The #3 Spot!!!

 In a move that was questioned by most Florida Marlins fans and baseball enthusiasts, Hanley Ramirez has been nothing short of awesome batting third for the Marlins!!!

Having a player of Ramirez’s caliber in the 3-spot allows the team to extend more innings of offensive play.  It also allow Hanley the opportunity to drive in runs and see pitches he would never see while hitting lead-off.

Through 6 games, Hanley is hitting .348 with 2 home runs, 9 RBI, 4 runs scored and 0 steals.  So, is the trade off from #1 to #3 worth it?  Well, if Emilio Bonifacio keep producing as the lead-off hitter, then YES!!!  Ramirez is well on his way to having his first 100 RBI season which would be a great compliment to his possible .300+, 30HR+, 30SB+, 100 runs scored 2009 season!

Go Fish!!! 

3 Andre Dawson Cards From The 2001 Topps Archives Set

I had never heard of this Topps Archives set, but once I saw a few of the cards they offered I was hooked.  I was able to grab these 3 Andre Dawson cards for pretty low prices.

Of the 3, the 1977 re-do is my favorite.  It’s a blown up version of Andre’s rookie card that he shared with 3 other players.  You can see that card here.  It’s cool how Topps did this.  I’d like to see more of this in the future.  It would be neat to own cards like this of Dale Murphy, Paul Molitor, Gary Carter, and Alan Trammell.

Who knows, with my knowledge of modern-day cards, it’s very possible that they already have issued them.  If so, I’ll find ‘em!!

Ricky Nolasco Autograph TTM Sucess!!!

These 2 beautifully signed cards were sent back to me by Ricky Nolasco in just 49 days.

The ‘ace’ of the Marlins’ picthing staff last year is off to another great start and will be a solid contributor for the team this season.  I had the chance to grab a few of his autographs in person as I traveled to Spring Training over the last few months and Ricky is a very fan-friendly guy.  We ALL expect big things from him this season, and I cannot wait to see how he does!!

Thanks for the great autographs Ricky!!! 

Happy Anniversary Reggie Jackson!!

On this date in 1972 Reggie Jackson wore a mustache to a baseball game.  Happy Anniversary Reggie!!!

Wait a minute, what is so special about that you ask?  Let me tell you.  Reggie’s mustache was the first one to make it onto a professional baseball field for a game since 1914.  Yes, 1914.  For 58 years no player was seen on the field until Reggie brought his mustache to the game on April 15, 1972. 

What’s special about this is that if there were no Reggie Jackson and his mustache, their would have been no…

… Rollie Fingers and his famous handle-bar mustache or…

…Rich ‘Goose’ Gossage and his bushy, walrus-esque mustache or…

… Eddie Murray and his 1970′s inspired facial hair.

So again, I say ‘Happy Anniversary Reggie Jackson’!!!!

Come On Fredi, Give The Kid A Little Consistency…

As you know by now I am documenting Cameron Maybin’s 2009 season via the feature ‘The Maybin-Meter’.  You can find a link to this page on my site on the banner of my home page or by clicking this link.

The Marlins have been incredibly successful 6 games into the season(they’re 5-1) so I don’t want to start questioning management’s moves.  But I am very curious as to why they have been alternating Cameron Maybin’s batting position.  He’s been switching between the #2 and #8 spots and has been unable to develop a consistent approach at the plate.

Batting 2nd, and in front of Hanley Ramirez is going to give Maybin a much different pitching style to face than he will when batting 8th and in front of a pitcher.  As the #2 hitter, he’s making decent contact and fouling off the ball very hard.  In the 8-hole, he is striking out more because the pitcters don’t have to throw him anything decent.  He’s still young and undisciplined enough at the plate so he’s committing to swing very early. 

What’s funny about this is that for most of the off-season and deep into Spring Training Maybin was slotted to be the lead-off hitter.  The team released Dallas McPherson and gave the 3rd base job and lead-off role to Emilio Bonifacio.  Since Bonifacio has gotten off to an amazing start he will likely keep that job until he is unable to produce.

So what’s the deal Fredi?  Maybin need to play every day to develop his skills.  But you cannot keep changing his role on the team.  Give the kid a chance.  Keep him at #8.  Let him learn how to be a more patient hitter.  Let him make mistakes.  Make him learn.  But please, please, I beg of you STOP switching up his role!!!

1983 Topps Super Veteran – Rod Carew

1983 Topps Super Veteran – Rod Carew

What can you say about Rod Carew?  I am not sure that ‘Super Veteran’ is an expressive enough tag for a player like him.  Something more along the lines of ‘Super Bad-Ass Veteran’ seems more fitting to me.

While probably one of the quietest players in the sport, Carew was a superstar!  After 19-successful seasons in the major leagues, Carew left the game with a very impressive list of accomplishments.  Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, 3,000 hits, .328 career batting average, 353 stolen bases, 18-time All-star.  WOW!!!

So again I say ‘Super Veteran’ – NO, ‘Super Bad-Ass Veteran’ – YES!!!!