Cal Ripken And His 1982 Rookie Of The Year Award

Cal Ripken And His 1982 Rookie Of The Year Award

Cal did a little bit of everything during his first big league season…

Offensively, he established himself as a solid hitter that was able to deliver power and run production that was uncommon from the shortstop position during the 1980′s.  During his debut campaign, Cal notched 32 doubles and 28 home runs.  In the process, he scored 90 times and drove in 93 runs. 

Defensively, Cal spilt time between shortstop and third base.  Overall, he amassed a .972 fielding percentage but tallied up 19 errors.  13 of those errors came at short, but he also handled twice as many plays there in comparison to playing at third base.

Cal Ripken easily won the American League’s Rookie Of The Year award in 1982.  He collected 24/28 first place votes outdistancing Kent Hrbek of the Twins by a great margin.

Happy Birthday Cal Ripken, Jr!!!!

Cal Ripken Jr. turns ‘The Big 5-0′ today.

One of baseball’s most recognizable figures, Ripken built an incredible resume during his 21 years in the majors.  While Cal will probably be most remembered for his consecutive games played streak of 2,632, he also accomplished some amazing baseball feats.

With 3,184 hit and 431 home runs, Ripken is one of only 8 players in the elite 3,000/400 club.  Being in such an elite and limited group of the game’s greatest players solidifies Cal as one of the greatest of his era.

And the individual achievements that Cal conquered during his playing days makes him one of the game’s most decorated superstars - A Rookie of the Year winner, 2-time MVP, 19-time All-star selection, 8 Silver Slugger awards, and 2 Gold Glove trophies.

As a toke of our love and appreciation for Cal and what he means to the game of baseball, we will be dedicating a full day’s worth of posts to his amazing career!!  Stay tuned all day long…

Happy Birthday to one of the game’s classiest players!! 

Andre Dawson 2004 Sweet Spot Patch Card – ’8 Gold Gloves’

Andre Dawson 2004 Sweet Spot Patch Card – ’8 Gold Gloves’

I have a small handful of relic/patch cards featuring Andre from this 2004 Sweet Spot set.  And what quickly went from 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 has quickly evolved into 5.

My latest addition is the one below – honoring Andre’s defensive dominance and 8 Gold Glove awards.

Serial numbered 111/150, I love that Upper Deck really put some time, thought, and effort into designing this card for ‘The Hawk’.  In fact, of the 5 cards that I have from this series, this one is without a doubt the most unique!!!

I wonder how many more versions there are of this card…  Time to do a little research…

Dale Murphy 1989 Donruss

Dale Murphy 1989 Donruss

On the ‘Murphy-Scale’ this one is a ’0.5′.  Meaning that you get a half of Murphy with this card.

For from flattering and far from great, the 1989 Donruss base card of Dale Murphy is a nice card.  A bit on the dark side, with the Black and Purple framing and Murphy’s Navy Blue long sleves, the picture is centered very well and is clearly focused.  I like the uniform that he’s wearing in the picture, and the addition of ‘Chief Knock-A-Homa’ in the upper left hand corner is a nice way to finish off the card.

1987 Topps Record Breakers – Card #6 – Ruben Sierra

1987 Topps Record Breakers – Card #6 – Ruben Sierra

Headline – ‘Sierra Slugs From Each Side At The Youngest Age’

The Story – Minneapolis, Minn.  September 13, 1986:  Rangers’ Ruben Sierra became the youngest player to belt homers both lefty and righty in the same game.  Orioles’ Eddie Murray was 21 years, 5 months, 10 days old when he achieved the feat on August 3, 1977.  Sierra turns 21 on October 6, 1986.

Happy Anniversary Barry Bonds!!!

Happy Anniversary Barry Bonds!!!

On this day in 1998, Barry Bonds stole the 400th base of his major league career!!  And in the process, he became the first and only member of the “400/400 club”.

There was no question prior, but this moment in baseball history solidified Bonds as one of the greatest offensive weapons that the sport has ever seen.  A dynamic player at the plate and on the base paths, Bonds was able to take over game and win with his amazing array of baseball talents!

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary, Mr. Bonds!!

Happy Anniversary Dennis Eckersley!!!

Happy Anniversary Dennis Eckersley!!!

On this day in 1992, Dennis Eckersley recorded his 40th save of the 1992 baseball season.

And while there was nothing extra-special about this particular game or the circumstance of the save, ‘Eck’ made history with this closing appearance.  This save gave Eckersley 40 or more saves in four different seasons – a major league record!!

The first player to ever accomplish this feat, ‘Eck’ tallied 45 saves in 1988, 48 in 1990, 43 in 1991, and 52 in 1992.  And with 33 saves during the 1989 season, Eckersley capped that 5-year span with 221 total saves.

Truly dominant and a great competitor.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Eckersley!!!

Tony Perez 1982 Topps ‘In Action’

Tony Perez 1982 Topps ‘In Action’

While the photo used for this 1982 Topps baseball card can be classified as an action shot, I have to say that it is a pretty terrible photo.

Taken from a different angle, or side of the field for that matter, this shot would be great if Perez’s photographer was in a better spot!

In the shot, we have Perez following through on a swing in which he looks to have made solid contact.  An outstanding hitter, Tony Perez had great balance and swing speed during his prime.  And since we are seeing his batting helmet fly off in the process, it is safe to also assume that this was a mighty hack that Perez took.

‘In Action’ – Yes.  But it could have been so much better too… 

Happy Anniversary Nolan Ryan!!!

On this day in 1989 Nolan Ryan recorded the 5,000th strikeout of his professional baseball career.

During a game in Arlington Stadium in front of 42,000+ fans, Nolan Ryan became the first player to ever eclipse the 5,000 strikeout mark.  And to do this in front of his home fans in the state he grew up in was especially monumental!!

In the top of the 5th inning with his team trailing 1-0, Ryan struck out All-star Rickey Henderson to capture #5,000!

Amazingly Ryan struck out 13 batters in this game.  And although his team lost 2-0, this was Ryan’s night.  Oh, and he was 42 years old at the time and still dominant as ever!!

Happy Anniversary Nolan Ryan!!!

Happy Birthday Paul Molitor!!!

Paul Molitor turns 53 years old today.

Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004, Paul Molitor had a brilliant 21-year career.  Never getting the opportunity to showcase his talents in front of a consistently large crowd, Molitor spent most of his career as an unheralded superstar.

With 3,316 career hits and a lifetime batting average of .306 Paul Molitor is one of the greatest hitters of the last 40 years.  For a player that was not classified as a ‘power hitter’ Molitor quietly bashed 234 home runs.  And while also never being classified as a ‘speedster’, Paul also accumulated 504 stolen bases.  This multi-dimensional player was a 7-time All-star, and he won 4 Silver Slugger awards as well.  Molitor finished in the Top 20 for the MVP award 9 times over the course of his career where his highest finish was coming in at 2nd place in 1993.

Happy Birthday Mr. Molitor!!!