1993 Upper Deck ‘Cy Clones’ Starring Cy Young, Fergie Jenkins, and Whitey Ford

1993 Upper Deck ‘Cy Clones’ Starring Cy Young, Fergie Jenkins, and Whitey Ford

This could be one of the coolest cards I have picked up since going after the modern issues of Fergie Jenkins.

Issued in 1993 by Upper Deck, I really don’t know the history of this baseball card.  But regardless of what it is, this card appears to be celebrating some of the greatest pitchers of all-time, and I am just thrilled to see Fergie being put on the same playing field with these other legendary hurlers.

Check out this beauty:

I told you that it was great… 

Johnny Bench 1981 Topps All-Star

Johnny Bench 1981 Topps All-Star

After 13 seasons as the Cincinnati Reds full-time catcher, the 1981 baseball season is the first in Johnny Bench’s career in which he missed an extended period of time.

Bench played in just 52 contests during that year.  And still, he produced.  Amassing a batting average of .309, Bench collected 55 hits in 178 at-bats.  And he also rung up 8 doubles and 8 home runs.

Dwight Gooden 1988 Donruss

Dwight Gooden 1988 Donruss

My favorite stat of Gooden’s from the 1988 baseball season?

10

Doc started 34 games for the New York Mets in 1988.  And within those starts, he threw 10 complete games!!

Atta Boy Doc!!!

Did You Know…

Former Dodgers’ great Sandy Koufax pitched 323 innings in 1966 and didn’t hit a single batter.  He set a National League record for most innings pitched without hitting a batter.

1 Month Into The Baseball Season, And Look Whose Fantasy Team Is In 1st Place!!!

1 Month Into The Baseball Season, And Look Whose Fantasy Team Is In 1st Place!!!

I’m off to a great start, we’ll see how long it can last… 

Wade Boggs 1992 Score Superstars

Wade Boggs 1992 Score Superstars

Perfect photo!

Perfect Swing! 

Wade Boggs had a flawless technique at the plate.  And here, on his 1992 Score Superstars baseball card, we get to see how Boggs’ follow-through allowed him to hit so many baseballs as hard as he did.

Head is down, weight is balanced, bat is level, and foot is pivoted!!

Excellent work, Wade!!

Darryl Strawberry 2004 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts

Darryl Strawberry 2004 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts

Just trying to rack up a few modern issues of ‘Straw’ now that my PC is complete.  And as long as the cards have him wearing a Mets’ uniform I am good to go.

And it doesn’t hurt at all that the card just happens to look like this…

TOO SWEET!!!

My First Time – Luis Gonzalez – September 4, 1990

My First Time – Luis Gonzalez – September 4, 1990

The setting - Dodger Stadium.  Los Angeles, California.

From Gonzalez – “Glen Davis did the coolest thing.  He told me to ride with him in the cab to Dodger Stadium.  He had the cabbie drop us off near center field coming in through the center field gate.  We walked in, right on the center field grass, which I had seen so many times on TV.  Davis said, “Remember this moment.  Hopefully you’ll be on fields like this for a long, long time.” 

The boxscore – Astros 10, Dodgers 8.  Gonzalez goes 0-for-1 with a strikeout.

Happy Birthday Luis Aparicio!!!

Happy Birthday Luis Aparicio!!!

Luis Aparicio turns 77 years old today.

Number 11 enjoyed a magnificent 18-season major league career.  One of the best defensive shortstops in the history of the game, Aparicio was dazzling fans with his glove work decades before anyone ever heard of Ozzie Smith.

At the age of 22, Aparicio won the 1956 AL Rookie Of The Year award.  He followed up his remarkable debut by making the All-Star team 10 times and capturing the Gold Glove Award 9 times.

A dynamic offensive player, Aparicio had a knack for stealing bases and scoring runs.  He has collected 506 career stolen bases, while leading the league in steals from 1956-1964.  He also scored 1,335 runs during his playing days, including 10 seasons of scoring at least 70 times.

A fantastic player and a Chicago legend, Happy Birthday Mr. Aparicio!!!

Ozzie Smith 1981 Fleer

Ozzie Smith 1981 Fleer

We’re going old school tonight!!  I cannot believe that this card is now 30 years old…  WHEW!!

But what a great flashback it provides!

For starters, we have a very young Ozzie Smith just as he was getting ready to cement his place in baseball as the best defensive infielder of all-time.

And then we have that San Diego Padres uniform.  Man, what a thrill to see that old ‘uni’ again!  From the hat to the colors to the ‘SD’ logo – I LOVE IT ALL!!!

Nice ‘Fro’ Ozzie…