Did You Know…

Tony Perez had two seasons in which he collected exactly 32 doubles, 6 triples, and 19 home runs while driving in 91 runs - and he did it in back-to-back seasons with different teams.  Perez posted those totals in 1976 with the Cincinnati Reds and matched them the next season following his trade to the Montreal Expos.

**factoid courtesy of ‘Big League Trivia’

My take – I love numerical brain teasers like this one!!!

Happy Birthday Alex Rodriguez!!!

I cannot believe it, but Alex Rodriguez is turning just 35 years old today.

35 is one of those birthdays in which nothing really happens.  But in the world of baseball it usually means that a decline is in the near future.  Had it not been for A-Rod’s recent hip surgery, we would not even be thinking of his decline as a player.  But to be fair, his numbers this season are not A-Rod-esque and his future output as one of the game’s biggest stars may not be what we were probably all thinking we’d be seeing.

At the age of 34, A-Rod has already amassed 599 home runs, 2,600 hits, and 1,750 RBI.  He should have no problem reaching baseball immortality by eclipsing the 700 home run mark, 3,000 hits plateau, and the 2,000 RBI milestones.

Happy Birthday A-Rod.  I wish you years more of baseball excellence and perfect health!!  Go Get ‘Em!!! 

Pictures From Cooperstown!!!

Pictures From Cooperstown!!!

They say that pictures are worth a million words.  I agree!!!

Enjoy.

I’m Going Shopping At Cooperstown!!!

I’m Going Shopping At Cooperstown!!!

The National Baseball Hall of Fame does a fantastic job of securing the latest and greatest collectibles from their new Hall of Fame entrants.

And their philosophy is simple and understandable – they do not sell any of it until the player is actually inducted.  So, while we have known since mid-Januray that Andre Dawson has been elected as a member of the 2010 Hall of Fame class, the Hall of Fame has not released any of their HOF memorabilia featuring ‘The Hawk’ until yesterday in the afternoon.

So now it is time for me to shop.  I have a gift card that I got for Father’s Day from my wife that was to be saved for this specific occasion.  I have done my part and not spent it on anything, and now I am ready to shop!!!

Of course I will be showing off my haul once it arrives.  Stay tuned!!!

1971 Topps – 1970 AL Playoff Highlights – “Palmer Mows ‘Em Down”

1971 Topps – 1970 AL Playoff Highlights – “Palmer Mows ‘Em Down”

This card comes from the 1971 Topps baseball card set.  In that set, Topps designated a few cards to honor the post-season and inparticular the incredible American League Championship match-up between the Baltimore Orioles and the Minnesota Twins.

In that match-up, Palmer was fantastic.  En route to helping Baltimore win its second World Series title in 5 years, Palmer established himself as a major player and one of the sport’s greatest and mist clutch performers.  During the game he pitched against the Twins, Palmer went the distance while giving up 7 hits, allowing 1 run, and striking out an amazing 12 batters.

Not too shabby for a 24-year old!!!

1987 Topps Record Breakers – Card #2 – Jim Deshaies

1987 Topps Record Breakers – Card #2 – Jim Deshaies

Headline – “Deshaies Fans First 8 To Set New Modern Criterion”

Story – Houston, Texas, September 23, 1986.  Jim Deshaies set modern standard by fanning 1st 8 men he faced.  The old mark of 7 was set by White Sox’ Joe Cowley, Mat 28, 1986.  New York’s Hall of Famer Mickey Welck fanned the 1st 9, August 28, 1884.

Showing Off Some Cool Andre Dawson Sets That I Am Working On…

Showing Off Some Cool Andre Dawson Sets That I Am Working On…

I’ve got Andre Dawson on the brain today so I thought it would be fun to show of a few of the multi-card sets that I am working on that feature the newest member of the Hall of Fame.

2005 Upper Deck Diamond Kings

2004 Donruss Elite ‘Pass The Torch’

2004 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia ‘Tools of the Trade;

2004 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic

2001 Upper Deck ‘Retro’

2005 Topps ‘Rookie Cup’

Pretty cool, huh??

I think that I do a pretty good job of showing off the singles that I obtain, but after taking a few minutes to scan these in and show them off, I think I need to do that a bit more often.

And luckily with all of the various sets being issued these days, I know that my next Andre Dawson project/projects are just around the corner.

Thanks for reading!!

Andre Dawson Can Now Call Cooperstown ‘Home’

Andre Dawson Can Now Call Cooperstown ‘Home’

From 1989-1994 I called Chicago my home.  And during part of that time, Andre Dawson played for my ‘home team’.

From 1994-present I call Florida home.  And during part of that time, Andre Dawson played for my ‘home team’.

Today Andre Dawson can officially call Cooperstown home.   And now the baseball world can claim him as he officially suits up for the greatest team.

Congratulations on your induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Andre.  We are all very proud of you!!!

Firmly Glued To The Television!!!

Firmly Glued To The Television!!!

While others may have been looking forward to the series finales of Lost and 24 this year, the television event that I have been waiting for is finally here…

In just a few minutes, the class of 2010 will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame!!!

And while my ultimate goal was to be there in person to pay tribute to Andre Dawson and this incredible event, I am happy to settle for watching it on live television.

I cannot await to see ‘The Hawk’ take to the podium.  I cannot wait to see his family in attendance.  I cannot wait to see the other Hall of Famer’s reaction to his induction.  I cannot wait to see how many fans are in attendance.  I cannot wait to hear that speech.  And lastly, I am dying to finally see that HOF plaque!!!

The show is about to start.  I have been waiting almost 14 years for this!!!  Beat that Seinfeld!!!

Why Andre Dawson???

Why Andre Dawson???

This question, more than any other question, has been asked more of me since I got back into the hobby of baseball card collecting.

So I thought that I would offer up my answer here at ’30-YOC’ for the masses…

Andre Dawson was not the most popular or decorated or talented to player to play the sport during his era.  But the respect he had from both his teammates and opponents may be second to none.  Playing injured, and in pain, for the majority of his playing days, Dawson let his love for the sport and his desire to be the best push him and his talents to All-Star heights.

While others chose more popular players like Cal Ripken and Rickey Henderson and Dave Winfield to cheer for, I stuck with ‘The Hawk’.

Why?  Well, it is quite simple honestly…

I loved watching him swing the bat.

I loved watching him run the bases.

I loved watching roam the outfield.

I loved watching him throw from right field to third base with precision and velocity.

I loved watching him steal bases.

I loved watching him crash into the outfield wall.

I love tuning into games knowing that he’d be in the line-up.

I loved his serious approach to the game.

I loved watching him crush balls out of the ballpark.

I loved watching him get his uniform dirty.

I loved that losing never effected his approach to the game.

I loved watching him scare opposing pitchers.

I loved watching and hearing his teammates stick up for him.

I love his near-perfect signature.

I loved that 1987 baseball season.

I loved watching him run hard to first base.

I loved that he played the game the right way.

Andre Dawson was my favorite baseball player for most of my youth, and he remains at the top of my list today.  We could all probably come up with laundry lists like the one that I did above about our favorite players.

But for me when someone asks ‘Who is your favorite baseball player?’ and I respond quickly with ‘Andre Dawson’ there is no better feeling than the look in their eyes and watching the smile form on their face as I have never found a baseball fan that did not hold Andre Dawson in high regard.

Respect.