And The Winner Is…

Jon is the winner.  He chose 30 runs and is now able to select 2 of these 9 autographed baseball cards as his prize.

Congratulations Jon!!!!  Please send me an email with your picks so I can get these cards mailed out to you.

Thanks to all that participated in my second contest of the 2009 baseball season.  Stay tuned to ’30-Year Old Cardboard’ as I have many more contests planned throughout the season.

I Know 28 People Keeping A Close Eye On Today’s Red Sox/Mets Game….

Today’s game will determine the winner of the contest.  And with so many people in contention for the prize, I have a feeling that there will be a few more people checking ESPN or the Internet for scores of this game.

You’ve got to love this game!!!

Only Albert!!!

Watch closely to see where the ball lands…

1983 Topps Super Veteran – Kent Tekulve

1983 Topps Super Veteran – Kent Tekulve

Super isn’t a word I would use to summarize Kent Tekulve’s 16-year career.  ‘Tek’ was a nice pitcher and he put up some very solid numbers, but not enough to garner the label of super. 

As a relief pitcher, ‘Tek’ had some every successful seasons as he collected 14 or more saves 7 different times.  He also helped dig his team out of losing games as he had 4 seasons with double digit wins(all in relief appearances).  Still, with a lifetime record of 94-90 with 184 career saves he doesn’t really make the cut in the ‘Super’ group. 

Kent Tekulve was a serviceable pitcher, and part of the Pittsburg Pirates 1979 World Series championship team.  He was a 1-time All-star and finished in 5th place for the Cy Young award two time in his career.

Kent Tekulve is the kind of pitcher that every team needs.  He is that guy that bales you out when your starter can’t get out of trouble.  He is that guy that gets no credit.  He is that guy who works hard to get his team back into position to win games.  Every team needs a Kent Tekulve!!!

Did You Know…

Ty Cobb hit over .300 in 23 consecutive seasons, the longest such run by any major-leaguer.

**factoid from ‘Armchair Reader – Grand Slam Baseball’

My comments – This is truly amazing and realy puts into perspective how amazing Cobb’s career was.   Of course I had to do a little research to see how some of the other great hitters in baseball history compared to Cobb’s feat.  And as I expected, none were close.  Pete Rose(16), Tony Gwynn(19), Wade Boggs(15), Rod Carew(15), and Ichiro(still active with 9) all gave a great effort, but Cobb is in a class by himself.

I Really, Really Want to Bid On This!!!!

I don’t know what to do.  With one click of my mouse I could increase the size of my Andre Dawson collection with a single purchase.  I have been waiting for an auction like this to come along for quite some time and now I don’t know if I should act on it or hold off.

What a predicament I’m in, huh????

 

Say It Ain’t Nolasc-So!!!!

After finishing the 2008 season with a 15-8 record and the tag of ‘Ace’ attached to his role in the Marlins’ roster, it appeared that the future was bright for 26-year old Ricky Nolasco.

Nolasco earned the Opening Day start for the Marlins this year, and let’s just say that he has not been able to come close to matching last season’s output…

In 9 games, Ricky is 2-5 and he owns a 9.07 ERA.  The tag of ‘Ace’ has now been replaced with ‘AAA’ as the Marlins sent Nolasco down to the minors after Friday’s 2-inning, 8-run, loss to the Rays.

Good Luck Ricky.  Get your stuff right as we will welcome anyone back that can do for us what you accomplished in ’08.  And please tell Cameron that the team  at ’30-YOC’ says ‘Hi’.

Randy Johnson’s Countdown To 300 Wins – Part 3

Tonight ‘The Big Unit’ goes for #299 again.  This will be his second attempt at #299 as he tries to get one step closer to the legend-making number of #300.  When he takes the mound tonight he will be facing the Seattle Mariners during MLB’s ‘Inter-League Weekend’. 

It’s kind of fitting that Johnson tries to inch one step closer to immortality in a ballpark that he called home for 10 seasons. 

Go Get ‘Em Randy!!!

New Feature Coming To ’30-Year Old Cardboard – ‘Now That’s A Book I’d Read’

As you have seen of late, I enjoy reading.  I’ll read almost anything but lately my focus has been our beloved past-time.  I am mid-way through a 600-page book called ‘Grand Slam Baseball’.  And I have 1 more book in my queue waiting for me.

I have read some great biographies, autobiographies, and accounts of baseball history.  But no matter how many books I find, I always wonder what certain books would be like if they were written and published for us to enjoy.  So, that is what this new feature on ’30-Year Old Cardboard’ is about.  I will develop my own books, with appropriate titles, and offer them up to you for your critiques.  No, I will not be penning any of these any time soon, but I just want to test the interest of the readers of this blog to see if my thoughts gel with what you find entertaining about the sport of baseball.

I’ve got some great ideas, at least I think so, and I cannot wait to share them with you.  Look for the first book next week as I bring you ‘Now That’s A Book I’d Read’.

The Field Is Set – Let’s Go!!!

Alright, the 3-game series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets begins tonight.  Below is a list of the players and the number of runs that they have selected for the series.

# of Runs	Player
13	White Sox Cards
14	Rod
15	Andy
16	Ortega
17	Matt R
18	Johnny
19	John W
20	Matt
21	Gritz76
22	ZMan40
23	Beardy
24	Don
25	Paul
26	Uncle Moe
27	Deal
28	Steve
29	Mark A
30	Jon
31	Night Owl
32	Gerad
33	Jeff
34	Chris Fernandez
35	Peter
36	Ben
37	Dan
38	Joe Pascone
40	Dan

 

And the prizes, you are eligible to win – 2 of these beauties!!!

Good Luck!!!