Only two pitchers have won 240 games without the benefit of a 20-win season. Dennis Martinez compiled a record of 245-193 from 1976 to 1998, ending his career with exactly 4,000 innings pitched. Frank Tanana won 240 and lost 236 games from 1973 to 1993. His best season was 19-10 with the Angels in 1976.
**factoid courtesy of ‘Big League Trivia’
1997 Headline: “Don Mattingly Retires From Baseball”
On this day in 1997 the above headline, or something very close to it, appeared on every sports page across America. Don Mattingly, ‘Donnie Baseball’, was retiring from the country’s national past-time.
Don Mattingly gave us 14 years. 14 wonderful years. 14 years of memories that will last and be passed down from generation to generation. Never the most talented player on his team, Mattingly was without question the leader of his New York Yankees team. His incredible vision and skill as a contact hitter were remarkable. And for a few years in the mid-1980′s he thrilled us at the plate as his batting average hovered close to .350 season after season.
But Mattingly was not a 1-dimensional player. When needed, he was able to hit for power and do it well. Mattingly blasted 222 home runs in his career and hit 30 or more homers 3 times. And then there was the 8-game streak in 1987 in which Mattingly launched a homer in each game. A truly amazing feat by this great competitor!!
And to round out his play, Mattingly was a dominant defender at 1st base. A 9-time Gold Glove winner, ‘Donnie Baseball’ could do no wrong when taking the field. In 1,634 career games at 1st base, Mattingly committed just 64 errors. That’s just 1 error per 25 games played and just 6 per year. INCREDIBLE!!!
The Hall of Fame debate about Mattingly always makes for interesting conversation. He won the MVP award one time, and finished in the Top 10 for the award 3 more times. He has been to 6 All-star games, won 3 Silver Slugger awards, and has 9 Gold Gloves to his credit. Whether he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame is an argument that could go on forever, but he will certainly go down as one of the best, if not the best, 1st baseman to play baseball in the 1980′s.
A Handful Of Cody Ross Cards For My Little Guy!!!
Back in Aust of 2009, I took my family to an autograph appearance that featured one of my favorite Florida Marlins – Cody Ross.
With my wife, and two young sons in tow, we had a great time, got some great autographs, and saw the birth of my 2 1/2 year old son’s love for baseball form right before our eyes. Cody was great with all of the fans that he encountered but the impact he had on my young son was remarkable. I don’t know if it was the high-fives that they shared, or the autographs that we brought home, but that meeting has left Cody as his favorite baseball player.
When I talk Andre, he talks Cody!!
It was a baseball-filled weekend as I took him to his fist big league game the very next day. The whole time we looked for and watched Cody both in the field and at the plate. He has now been to 4 Marlins games, and each time he tunes in to see one specific player.
Now, 18 months later, the love that he has for Cody Ross has not faded one bit. So I took that as a sign – a sign to start a collection of cards for him.
And here is the start:
Plenty more to come for this collection!!!
How am I going to explain the uniform change to a 4-year old??? Oh, man…
Fergie Jenkins 2002 Topps American Pie – ‘PERSEVERANCE’
Would you like to share a slice of American Pie with Fergie Jenkins?? LOL
The card is nice, and I love the ‘Perseverance’ theme.
And since Fergie has certainly persevered both during his baseball life and afterwards, it is nice to see that he was included in this set.
But, man I wish that Topps used a better picture…
Posted in Chicago Cubs, Fergie Jenkins Collection
Tagged all-star, american pie, baseball, baseball cards, bob gibson, Chicago Cubs, Cubs, cy young, cy young award, donruss, Fergie Jenkins, Fergie Jenkins Collection, fleer, Hall Of Fame, HOF, philadelphia phillies, phillies, pitcher, rangers, rookie, rookie card, texas rangers, tom seaver, topps, topps american pie
1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #283 – Merv Rettenmund
Rettenmund played 2 years for the Cincinnati Reds – 1974 & 1975.
An outfielder, he had a tough time breaking into the everyday line-up of ‘The Big Red Machine’. During his 2 years with the club, Rettenmund played in 173 games. He compiled a .227 batting average during that time. Other notable stats from his brief career in Cincy include 90 hits, 54 runs scored, 47 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 8 home runs.
Rettenmund played in 3 World Series matchups over the span of his playing days. His lone victory came in 1975 with the Reds!!
1976 Topps Stolen Base League Leaders Card Featuring Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan ruled the baseball world during the 1975 and 1976 seasons. Heck, he has two trophies in his possession that state he was the best player in the National League during that time.
And then there is this card below.
From the 1976 Topps baseball card set, this cad pays homage to the top three base stealers from the 1975 season. And there is Joe, rounding out his incredible offensive resume as he lays claim to 67 stolen bases – good for second place.
A great addition to my Joe Morgan collection!!!
Posted in Joe Morgan Collection
Tagged 1975 world series, 1976 world series, all-star, baseball, baseball cards, big red machine, Cincinnati Reds, dave lopes, davey lopes, gold glove, Hall Of Fame, HOF, joe morgan, lou brock, most valuable player, MVP, reds, rookie card, second base, topps, world series
2008 Upper Deck Heroes: Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson, & Mike Schmidt – Triple Game-Used Relic Card!!
Oh, Hell Yeah!!!
One of the greatest baseball cards that I have added into my collection since the birth of ’30-YOC’!!!
I am thrilled to add this one to my Ernie Banks rainbow!!!
Posted in 2008 Upper Deck Heroes Ernie Banks Rainbow, Game Used/Memorabilia Cards
Tagged 2008 UD heroes, 2008 upper deck, 500 home run club, 500 home runs, 500 HR, 500 HR club, all-star, american league, baltimore orioles, baseball, baseball cards, baseball history, baseball milestones, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, collecting a rainbow, Cubs, Ernie Banks, ernie banks rainbow, frank robinson, Hall Of Fame, HOF, jersey card, memorabilia card, memorial stadium, mike schmidt, most valuable player, Mr. Cub, MVP, National League, orioles, philadelphia phillies, phillies, reds, relic card, triple relic card, upper deck heroes, upper deck heroes rainbow, Wrigley Field
Johnny Bench 2010 Topps ‘Cards Your Mom Threw Out’ – 1970 Topps
Cards of catchers are fantastic because they often offer you an image that you would not see another position player captured in.
And that is exactly what you get with this replica of Johnny Bench’s 1970 Topps baseball card.
See for yourself:
Pretty nice, huh?
Topps has really done a perfect job of keeping this collector interested in modern-era issues.
Mission accomplished!!!
‘My First Time’ – Josh Beckett – September 4, 2001
The setting – Pro Player Stadium, Miami, FL
From Beckett – “I had 15 or so people come in from Texas – my dad, mom, grandparents, and a few friends. Preston Wilson hit a three-run homer and Kevin Millar hit a Grand Slam in that game, so I was set for run support. I had as many hits as I gave up, because I doubled later against Jon Leiber. Yeah, that’s a pretty good way to get yourself going.”
Boxscore - Marlins 8, Cubs 1. Beckett threw six innings while allowing just 1 hit and collecting his first major league victory. He also went 1-for-2 at the plate and scored one run.
Tony Perez 1985 Topps
Ah, 1985 Topps – the first set that I ever collected!!
And I have to say that I love the combination of Red & Grey that Topps used in the banner and border of the card. As you can see, it perfectly compliments Perez’s Reds uniform.
Oh, and at 43 years of age back in 1985, it really looks like Perez could still swing the old lumber pretty well!! A true baseball great!!!
