Andre Dawson 2002 Upper Deck – A Piece Of History

Andre Dawson 2002 Upper Deck – A Piece Of History

This card is an absolute GEM!!!

With incredible design features and superb quality, this modern-era card probably ranks in my Top 10 of cards issued of Andre since 2000.

I like how Upper Deck used both B&W and color photography together.  I have seen this done in the past and it doesn’t always work – but this time they hit a home run!!  I also like the timeline element that they added to the card; and I really like how they put it into the card’s design, and not just as a border. 

With a nice, high-gloss finish, this card is a beauty and looks so much better in person than what the scan offers!!

A great addition to my Andre Dawson collection – YES!!!!

‘Same Card, Different Paths’ – Card #44

‘Same Card, Different Paths’ – Card #44

1969 Topps - Card #99 – AKA – ‘The Graig Nettles Rookie Card’

Danny Morris – A 2-year veteran that appeared in just 6 games, Morris had a very brief stint as a major league baseball player.  Used in both starting and relief roles, Morris compiled an 0-2 record with a 2.81 career ERA.  In 16 total innings of work, he struck out 7, walked 8, and allowed 16 hits and 9 runs.

Graig Nettles – Nettles played in the big leagues for 22 seasons.  A veteran of 6 different clubs, his greatest success came as a New York Yankee during the mid-70′s.  Nettles was a 6-time All-star, with 5 of those appearances coming while wearing pinstripes.  His career numbers are impressive – 2,225 hits, 328 doubles, 390 home runs, 1,314 RBI, and 1,193 runs scored.  Nettles played in 5 World Series contests – winning 2 titles in 1977 and 1978 with the Yankees.

1985 Topps Record Breakers – Card #3 – Dwight Gooden

1985 Topps Record Breakers – Card #3 – Dwight Gooden

Headline – “Teenager Gooden Sets Season Strikeout Record For Rookies’

The Story – Montreal, Quebec, September 30, 1984:  Mets’ right-hander Dwight Gooden has completed his first major league campaign with 276 strikeouts.  The total by Gooden, who’ll be 20 on November 16th, represents a new record for rookies.  The former mark of 245 strikeouts by a rookie was set by Indians’ ace Herb Score in 1955.

My added notes – While too young to understand the impact of this remarkable baseball record as s kid, I absolutely felt the impact as a baseball card collector.  Gooden was a very hot commodity when I began collecting.  Everyone wanted his stuff, and since he was a ‘Florida-Boy’, his following down here was probably second to only New York.

Spoils From Super Bowl Sunday!!!

Spoils From Super Bowl Sunday!!!

I teased you a few weeks ago by telling you that ‘Super Bowl Sunday Is A Great Time To Shop On Ebay”.

Well, the wait is over and I am finally able to show off the goodies that I picked up on that night.

The Cards:

1972 Topps Joe Morgan

1972 Topps Willie McCovey

1972 Topps Jim Palmer

1972 Topps Frank Robinson

1974 Topps Lou Brock

1974 Topps Ken Griffey – Rookie Card

1974 Topps Joe Morgan

1975 Topps Bob Gibson

1976 Topps Rod Carew

1976 Topps Joe Morgan

Pretty nice huh??  All great-looking, vintage beauties from the 1970′s.  I was and still am very excited to be adding these cards to my collection.  And so many of them are in close to mint condition too!!!

I accomplished a few things with these pick-ups too.  First, I added another missing card to my Jim Palmer player collection – the 1972 Topps base card.  And I also helped work towards one of my 2010 collecting goals of adding more vintage/Hall of Famers to my collection.  Picking up cards of Willie McCovey, Joe Morgan, Lou Brock, Rod Carew, Bob Gibson, and Frank Robinson are making my tribute to the guys I cheered for and read about as a kid really special for me.

Hmmm….  What is the next big event that may be a great time to ‘steal’ some goodies??  July 4th???  Stay tuned.

1975 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #208 – 1970 MVP’s w/Johnny Bench

1975 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #208 – 1970 MVP’s w/Johnny Bench

1975 was the 25th anniversary of Topps baseball cards.  And in the set that year they issued cards to commemorate the MVP performances from that time.  As you could imagine, there are several Cincinnati Reds players featured in this little set, and Johnny Bench is honored twice.

This is the first of 2 cards featuring Johnny Bench and his amazing MVP campaigns.

In 1970, Bench won the MVP award capturing 22 of 24 first place votes.  He also was an All-star and Gold Glove winner in that season.  During the 1970 campaign, Bench hit .293 while collecting 177 hits.  He also compiled 45 home runs, 148 RBI while scoring 97 runs.

Darryl Strawberry 1984 Fleer Rookie Card

Darryl Strawberry 1984 Fleer Rookie Card

There’s not much to not like about this baseball card…

Taken prior to the start of a game, with few people in the stands, it was just Darryl and the photographer.  And judging by the big smile no Darryl’s face, he had yet to harden his personality when it came to doing things like this.  Oddly enough, most of the images you get like this are taken from Spring Training. But based on the background of the shot, I am going to guess that this photo was taken prior to the start of a regular season game.

And since I always like to add a little commentary about design, the 1984 Fleer design was very bland, even by standards of the 1980′s.  But it works, and is a nice, clean product!!!

Did You Know…

On October 2, 1947, Yogi Berra hit the first home run by a pinch hitter in World Series history.

**factoid courtesy of ‘Armchair Reader – Grand Slam Baseball’

My take – Just another World Series feat that Berra can claim!!

Gerad Sends Over An Awesome Andre Dawson Autograph For My Collection!!!

Gerad Sends Over An Awesome Andre Dawson Autograph For My Collection!!!

The generosity of readers and bloggers never gets old!!  In fact, it seems to just get better as time goes by.

And the latest treat come courtesy of Gerad, a longtime reader and commentor of ’30-YOC’.

Gerad sent over a pristine 1994 Upper Deck Collector’s Choice card signed by ‘The Hawk’.  Andre never disappoints when it comes to autographs, and this one looks great!!!  This is the first non-certified autograph of Andre in his Red Sox uniform that I have obtained.  All I have left now is a Marlins card…

Thanks again Gerad.  I’ve got a special package headed your way…

2000 Fleer – “Club 3,000″ – Nolan Ryan

2000 Fleer – “Club 3,000″ – Nolan Ryan

Date of entry into “Club 3,000″ – July 4, 1980

The Story – On our country’s Independence Day, Nolan Ryan took the hill for the Houston Astros on the road against the Cincinnati Reds.  The fans that bought tickets for tis game months in advance were expecting fireworks after the contest was complete, but they would have reason to celebrate prior to the finish as well.  Ryan recorded his 3,000th strikeout during this game, and he accomplished this feat in just his 14th major league season.  For the game, Ryan pitched just 4 1/3 of an inning in a 8-1 loss, but he did record 6 strikeouts before leaving.

Baseball History – The game’s all-time strikeout king holds a record that is likely to be safe for decades to come.  The picture of consistency, Ryan struck out 200 or more batters 15 times during his 27-year career.  And he did it 5 times after the age of 40 – Truly Amazing!!!

Jim Palmer 1975 Topps

Jim Palmer 1975 Topps

This beauty comes from that 2-toned set that some of us love and some of us not so much…

While I have stated several times during the last 18 months that I don’t particularly care for the 1975 Topps design, this card of Jim Palmer stands out as one that Topps did right.

While the picture leaves a lot to be desired, Topps did incorporate the Baltimore Orioles team colors into the equation.  Normally this set contains bright Purples, Pinks, Greens, and Yellows, but Topps went with Brown and Orange for this one and they compliment the team theme perfectly.

Now the picture on the other hand…

‘Hey Jim!!!’

Still.  A great addition to my Jim Palmer player collection!!