Milestones To Look Forward To During The 2011 Major League Baseball Season

Milestones To Look Forward To During The 2011 Major League Baseball Season

I had a great time doing this prior to the start of the 2010 baseball season, so I thought I would give it another go as we prepare for the start of this upcoming one too.

And away we go….

Derek Jeter needs 74 hits to reach the magical number of 3,000 for his career.

Jim Thome needs 11 home runs to join the 600 HR club.

Mariano Rivera needs 41 saves to become just the second pitcher to reach 600.

If Ichiro collects 200 or more hits, he has 11 200-hit seasons on his resume – a MLB record!!!

If Dan Uggla can amass 30 or more home runs with the Braves, he will continue his record-setting as the game’s greatest slugging second baseman.

Mark Teixeira needs just 25 blasts to reach number 300 of his career.

Can Albert Pujols hit 30+ home runs and drive in 100+ RBI for the 11th straight season and build on baseball history?

Adam Dunn needs 46 home runs to reach 400.  Can his new home in Chicago become his latest launching pad?

Alex Rodriguez is preparing to hit 30+ home runs and 100+ RBI for the 14th consecutive season and 15th overall.  Can he do it again???

So there you have it – These are some of the baseball milestones that I will be tracking as the 2011 season gets under way.

What are you going to be watching for this year??

Baseball Card Show Purchase #11 – Hank Aaron 2005 Donruss Champions

Baseball Card Show Purchase #11 – Hank Aaron 2005 Donruss Champions

For this baseball card, I have found that most collectors either love the design or hate it.  Very little middle ground for this issue by Donruss.

For me, it is a love thing – For Sure!!!

From the matching team colors, to the flags waving in the background, to the space made for an autograph, I love this card.

Nice, huh??

Now I just need to add a card from Aaron’s playing days to my collection!  A man can dream, can’t he??

Baseball Card Show Purchase #10 – (9)1990 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. Cards

Baseball Card Show Purchase #10 – (9)1990 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. Cards

While I am not a Griffey collector, I absolutely admire and value what he brought to the sport during his amazing career.

So you have to imagine my surprise when I found nine 1990 Fleer baseball cards of Griffey Jr. a dime bin.  And what did I do with the nine?  I scooped them up, paid my ninety cents, and brought them home!!!

Welcome to the ’30-YOC’ collection Mr. Griffey!!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #9 – Jose Canseco 1986 Topps Traded ROOKIE CARD!!!

Andre Dawson was recently being interviewed on the local sports radio station.  The topic of the conversation was the very young, and very talented Florida Marlins outfield.

Dawson was excited to work with the guys, and I have to imagine that having one of the best defensive outfielders from the 1980′s as your mentor is a pretty sweet feeling for Logan Morrison, Chris Coghlan, and Mike Stanton.

When discussing Stanton, Dawson was asked what player was he reminded of most while watching Stanton play.  The answer?  Jose Canseco.

According to Dawson, Stanton, like Canseco can take the game to another level.  Extraordinary athleticism with dynamic power – the sky is the limit.

Just like it was for Jose Canseco…  I have so many wonderful memories of watching the original member of the ’40/40 Club’ while suiting up for the A’s.

Such a great card – and sweet addition to the collection as well!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – Barry Larkin 1987 Fleer ROOKIE CARD!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – Barry Larkin 1987 Fleer ROOKIE CARD!!!

Of all of the players that are eligible to be members of the Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2012, I expect that Barry Larkin will get the highest number of votes.

And with no true contender for the ‘first ballott’ title eligible in 2012, Larkin may be the headliner as well…

I like Larkin, I always have.  You have to respect a player of his abilities that stayed loyal to a single franchise throughout a very lengthy career – a career that saw salaries and free agency boom.

I am very happy to have found this card.  And, hey, is that Wrigley Field in the background??

Baseball Card Show Purchase #7 – A New Fergie Jenkins Card For The PC!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #7 – A New Fergie Jenkins Card For The PC!!!

While attending these monthly card shows, I am always on the look out for new Andre Dawson or Fergie Jenkins cards.

And while most of those journeys result in nothing new for the PC, this time I was able to find a card for my Fergie Jenkins collection that I did not have.

From the 2005 Upper Deck Classics set, one of my favorites, this card is the Silver parallel to the base version that I already had.

Numbered as 221/399, I am thrilled to have found a new Fergie at this show!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #6 – A Pair Of Chipper Jones Rookie Cards!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #6 – A Pair Of Chipper Jones Rookie Cards!!

Chipper Jones rookie cards in a dime bin?  You bet your ass – and I scooped up both of them!!

I expect a ton of offensive production out of Chipper this season – and if all goes according to plan, he will be on pace to reach some major milestones within the next 24-36 months.

But it starts with the 2011 baseball season - coming back from a major injury at his age will be tough – but if you know anything about Chipper, if he plans to play he expects that he can deliver.  I’m looking forward to finding out…

Let’s go back to 1991 for a moment, shall we…

Baseball Card Show Purchase #5 – 1982 Topps Nolan Ryan & Pete Rose

Baseball Card Show Purchase #5 – 1982 Topps Nolan Ryan & Pete Rose

I love vintage - and while I am not quite certain that a baseball card issued in 1982 would qualify, the uniforms that these two baseball superstars are wearing definitely fit the bill…

And I am a sucker for those old Astros’ uniforms.  Just check out Nolan’s uni!!!

And look at how well the complimentary colors that Topps used on these cards works with both the Astros and Phillies team colors.

Good stuff!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #4 – Ryne Sandberg 2010 Obak

Baseball Card Show Purchase #4 – Ryne Sandberg 2010 Obak

I don’t have too many Obak baseball cards – and for good reason.  I just don’t care for them too much…

But when I saw this card of ‘Ryno’ something caught my eye…  Do you know what it was??

Here, take a look:

Well? 

Look at that chain hanging from Ryne’s neck.  He would have fit right in at the ‘Jersey Shore’.  LOL

Baseball Card Show Purchase #3 – 2004 Donruss Elite – Elite Team – New York Mets

Baseball Card Show Purchase #3 – 2004 Donruss Elite – Elite Team – New York Mets

I love cards that celebrate team success – and this card does exactly that…

And of all of the teams that I enjoyed watching during my youth, the first one that actually won something was the 1986 New York Mets.

So when I saw this card, I had to grab it!!  Not only does it celebrate that same team that I have so many memories of watching as a kid.  But it also features my three favorite Mets, and three guys that I have built player collections of – Gary Carter, Darryl Strawberry, and Dwight Gooden!

Oh, and the card is numbered 871/1500…