The World Series champion with the poorest regular season record was the St. Louis Cardinals, who finished just 83-78.
**factoid courtesy of ‘Armchair Reader – Grand Slam Baseball’
My take – I just thought it was time for a little World Series factoid as we prepare for the ‘Fall Classic’!! And while this fact is interesting, it is also meaningless. The Cardinals roared through the 2006 playoffs and played better than any team that they faced.
My collection has really started to take shape over the last few months. And if you had asked me 1 year ago what I collected and why, I would not have been able to supply you with a good answer.
But now, things have changed quite a bit. My answer is simple – ‘I am a player collector’. And I am proud of it!!! I choose to pay homage to the guys that mean something to me. While some were the sport’s biggest stars, that doesn’t matter to me. Give me the guys that made an impact on me during my youth. Give me the guys I heard stories about while growing up that still remain in an elevated status in my heart. I’ll take the hustler that would stretch a double into a triple. I want the guys that will get back on the mound with the same fire and energy when their team is trailing as if they were winning.
Since starting this blog and getting back into the hobby I have completed 3 player collections – Andre Dawson, Rickey Henderson, and Dave Winfield. My Fergie Jenkins collection is just 3 cards away from joining that group as well. And my Eddie Murray, Darryl Strawberry, Greg Maddux, Billy Williams, and Jim Palmer collections are coming along very nicely!!!
Oh, and I am also a lover of the autograph. And while my technique may not be conventional, it works for me!! I enjoy the entire TTM process and look to get back into that part of the hobby very shortly. And my autographed baseball collection has grown by leaps and bounds too – now sitting at 15 great-looking pieces!!!
Lastly, I have gotten back into reading about this sport and it’s great players. While doing so I have become a follower of the book tour. And in the last year, I have picked up signed books by Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins(2), Darryl Strawberry, Johnny Bench, and Ron Santo.
Here is what my entire collection looks like today:
While nowhere close to the size of many of my fellow collectors, quantity is not my goal. I want and hope to obtain a very specific and concise collection.
I hope you agree that I am well on my way!!!! Thanks.
Posted in Andre Dawson Collection, Billy Williams Collection, Darryl Strawberry Collection, Dave Winfield Collection, Eddie Murray Collection, Fergie Jenkins Collection, Greg Maddux Collection, Jim Palmer Collection, Rickey Henderson Collection
Tagged 1983 topps super veterans, 2006 greats of the game, 30-year old cardboard, all-star, Andre Dawson, Andre Dawson Collection, baseball cards, Billy Williams, Billy Williams Collection, collecting, collection, cy young, dave winfield, Dave Winfield Collection, donruss, eddie murray, Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Fergie Jenkins Collection, fleer, greg maddux, Hall Of Fame, hobbies, hobby, HOF, mark grace, most valuable player, MVP, reggie jackson, rickey henderson, Rickey Henderson Collection, topps, TTM, ttm success
Andre Dawson 2005 Donruss Classics – Stars Of Summer
From the 2005 Donruss Classics set, this card is numbered 5/1000 and comes from the ‘Stars of Summer’ subset.
This picture is a common one used by Donruss featuring Andre in his old-school Expos uniform. And the card’s design is well-thought-out. I am just not sure that I care for all of the blank space throughout the center. While I do like the effect of adding the Expos logo in front of Andre and his killer swing, there is just not enough going on in this card’s design for me.
Show me another picture of Andre. Give me one of him sliding into second base or of him making a play in the outfield. Something…
Ichiro turns 36 years old today!!
Arguably the best hitter of the decade, Ichiro Suzuki has proven to be an extremely talented contact hitter, maybe one of the best ever.
In just 9 professional seasons in major league baseball, Ichiro has collected 2,030 hits. In just nine years he has accumulated 200 or more hits in aech of those seasons. His ability to get on base has not diminished since his debut season, and he seems to just be getting better.
For his birthday, I wish Ichiro perfect health. And I want that health to hold until he gets into the 3,000 hits club. Based on his average he will need just 4 more years to accomplish that task. And while that means he will be 40 years old when that time comes, I do believe that he is conditioned to reach that mark with relative ease!!
Happy Birthday Ichiro!!!
‘Same Card, Different Paths’ – Card #12
1966 Topps - Card #254 – AKA – ‘The Ferguson Jenkins Rookie Card’
Ferguson Jenkins – One of the greatest pitchers from the 1970′s, Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins had an amazing career. With 284 lifetime wins, alongside (7)20-win seasons, Fergie was a consistently dominant pitcher during his 19-year career. One of only two pitchers in baseball history to strikeout 3,000 batters while not allowing more than 1,000 walks, Fergie was the picture of both power and control while on the mound. Career achievements include the 1971 Cy Young award and being a 3-time All-star.
Bill Sorrell – Sorrell played just 3 seasons in the big leagues and he played for three different teams in that time. Getting into just 85 games, Sorrell was unable to earn steady work in the majors. With a career batting average of .267, Sorrell managed to collect 44 hits, 5 home runs, and 17 RBI.
1983 Topps Jim Palmer
Ah, good old ’83 Topps – A truly classic baseball card!!!
And why not feature a great action photo on this Orioles themed card? Topps did just that – A truly great shot of Palmer in mid-windup as he gets set to fire one towards home plate!!!
During the 1983 baseball season, Jim Palmer only played in 14 games. With a record of just 5-4, Palmer was at the tail-end of his unbelievable career and was hanging on for just a few more shots at dominating the sport like he had in prior seasons. Luckily, he and his teammates were on a great team and the Orioles ended the season by winning the World Series with Palmer collecting a win in the process!!!
Seriously. While there are a million things out there that seem to be a better investment of my $11.00, I am not sure that any will be as enjoyable…
Your thoughts? Should I take the plunge or pass??? I like chocolate bars. And while peanut butter and roasted peanuts is not my first choice when staring through the glass of a vending machine, it’s not my last one either.
Hmmm… Decisions, decisions.
Posted in Reggie Jackson - Mr. October
Tagged 500 home run club, 500 home runs, 500 HR, 500 HR club, 500 hrs, A’s, all-star, angels, Athletics, baseball, baseball cards, california angels, candy bar, collection, Hall Of Fame, HOF, home run, mr. october, mustache, new york yankees, oakland A’s, Oakland Athletics, reggie jackson, Reggie Jackson – Mr. October, reggie jackson candy bar, world series, world series MVP, yankee stadium, yankees
As a Marlins fan, it pains me to watch the baseball playoffs and not see my beloved guys in Teal & Black not playing. The realist in me knows that the Marlins don’t have the weapons to compete with the Dodgers or the Phillies though…
So as I sit here and watch playoff baseball(I’ve been watching a ton of it), I try to see the differences between the team I cheer for and the teams that are playing now. And even though they play in the same division, I will admit that I am envious of the Phillies. This team is for real, and appears to have no weaknesses.
And of all of their stars, none has shined brighter in the 2009 playoffs like Ryan Howard!! This guy has been the absolute picture of consistency and his ability to drive in runs has been unmatched. Going into tonight’s Game 5, Howard has knocked in at least one or more runs in 8 straight playoff games. This feat ties an MLB record and if Howard has his way, he will soon be the lone record holder. While not playing selfishly, he and his Phillies teammates look to win the series tonight and if Howard continues with his hot streak, it’s a very strong possibility that after tonight he owns the record for consecutive games in the playoffs with an RBI. And he and his teammates will also be celebrating their second year in a row playing in the World Series!!!
Do I dare say ‘Go Phils’???
On August 6, 1930, Gene Rye of Waco in the Texas League launched three home runs in one inning.
**factoid courtesy of ‘Armchair Reader – Grand Slam Baseball’
My take – No matter the era, this is an amazing feat!! I cannot recall the last time a modern-day player even made 3 plate appearances in one inning during the same game. All stars were aligned for Mr. Rye on that day!!!
Posted in Did You Know....
Tagged baseball, baseball cards, baseball trivia, Did You Know...., gene rye, sports trivia, texas, Texas league, waco, waco texas
Today is Mickey Mantle’s birthday.
And while I am way to young to opass around first-hand stories about watching ‘The Mick’ roam around center field for the New York Yankees, I do have the next best thing. You see, my dad is from the Bronx and spent much of his youth with his older brother in and around Yankee Stadium. Back when baseball was the sport of choice for America’s youth, my dad and uncle and thousands of other kids around the New York area worshiped Mickey Mantle.
The stories that have been shared with me are priceless. Sneaking into the stadium or ditching classes early to catch playoff games on the radio. And the players that they got to see and follow are as historic as they get, with Mickey Mantle leading the way!!!
So on this day, the entire ’30-YOC’ family wishes Mr. Mickey Mantle a Happy Birthday!!!
