Hanging Out With All-Star Cliff Floyd!!!

Hanging Out With All-Star Cliff Floyd!!!

Cliff Floyd, former NL All-Star and member of the 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins, hosts a radio show on one of the local sports radio channels.  And today they were doing a meet and great just 20 minutes from my house.  I had to go since this was their first time coming North to Broward. 

So, since my wife and I already had plans with our kids in the area, we made a quick detour so I could meet Cliff and grab a couple of autographs in the process to.

First, I had him sign the Marlins helmet I have been working on for almost two years.

Cliff’s signature on the helmet brings this baby up to 32 autographs now!!!

When I found out about the signing, I tore through my cards and couldn’t find a single card of Cliff.  So on the way we detoured so I could run into the only card shop in the area.  The owner of the shop had a 5,000-ct. box full of Marlins.  But with limited time, I only rescued 5 cards of Floyd.  And they were all the same issue…

Still, Cliff had no problem signing them, and when he obliged I offered one to him to keep – and he said he would give it to his son.

Here are the cards:

All in all, it was a pretty quick and easy event, and I got to see my son high-five a World Series champion!!!

Good times!!!

Brooks Robinson 1970 Topps

Brooks Robinson 1970 Topps

In 1970, and at 33 years of age, Brooks Robinson was on top of his game as a professional baseball player.  A constant All-star and Gold Glove Award winner, Brooks was as solid of a big leaguer as there was.

In 1970, Brooks had another well-rounded year.  He hit .276 while collecting 168 hits, 31 doubles, and 18 home runs.   He also scored 84 runs while driving in an additional 94.

Brooks was a machine in the playoffs that year too – leading his team to the World Series title.  In 5 games, he hit .429 while going 9-for-21.  He smashed 2 home runs, scored 5 times, and drove in 6 to help his team with the title 4 games to 1.  His amazing efforts led to his being named the 1970 World Series MVP.

And now I have a great card in my collection to commemorate that amazing year for Brooks!

Take a look… 

Ozzie Smith 2001 Topps Stadium Club – POP QUIZ TIME!!!!

Ozzie Smith 2001 Topps Stadium Club

Such a funny picture to feature on a baseball card.  And since I enjoy these kinds of fun-loving moments, I thought it would be fun to try to guess what ‘The Wizard’ is laughing at.

Here we go:

1. Terry Pendleton trying to un-stick the donut from his bat
2. Willie McGee impersonating Whitey Herzog
3. Jose Oquendo lighting Tommy Herr’s shoelaces on fire
4. Bruce Sutter grooming his beard like a chimpanzee
5. Tom Brunansky running around the dugout with his pants pulled up to his chest

Your thoughts?  What do you think could be making Ozzie laugh this hard!!!

Did You Know…

Lefty Grove is the only pitcher to win 30 games in a season and have more wins than games started.  Grove started 30 games and worked relief in 11 others for the 1931 Philadelphia A’s, compiling a record of 31-4 with a 2.06 ERA.

 

**factoid courtesy of ‘Big League Trivia’

My take – Man, they don’t make them like that anymore!!!