George Foster 2005 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts ‘Glory Days’

George Foster 2005 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts ‘Glory Days’

Quiet off the field, but a monster on it, there is no doubting that the greatest and most glorious times of George Foster’s career came during his time in Cincinnati.

While with the Reds, Foster won 2 World Series titles, an MVP award, and was an All-Star on five occasions.

As for the card, it is cool.  I have a small stack of these of the guys that I like.  But this one, framed in Red, is my first one that features a player from the Reds.  And that added Red frame is just awesome – it gives the card incredible life!!

Oh, and it’s numbered to just 399 issues as well!!!

Wade Boggs 1992 Bowman

Wade Boggs 1992 Bowman

WHOA!!

Check out that follow-through!!!

Great work by the photographer on this one! 

And I love Wade’s low-top Nike spikes too.  I think I had those when I was playing as well. 

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #514 – Dan Driessen

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Teams Set – Card #514 – Dan Driessen

Dan Driessen’s big league career last for 15 seasons.  Not surprisingly, his most successful run came during his years in Cincinnati.  From 1973-84, Driessen called Riverfront Stadium home as he patrolled the corners of the infield and outfield for the Reds.

A utility player, and solid athlete, Driessen used his skills to get himself on the field.  A great reserve, he offered the team a role player that was able to play 4 of 8 defensive positions.

Offensively, Driessen was serviceable. A lifetime .267 hitter, Driessen’s greatest gift was his speed.  In 15 seasons, he stole 154 bases en route to scoring 746 career runs.

Driessen was a part of the 1975 & 1976 World Series championship winning teams in Cincy.  In 6 games, he went 7-for-16 with a home run.

Mariano Rivera Marks 1,000th Game With New York Yankees

Mariano Rivera Marks 1,000th Game With New York Yankees

Mariano Rivera hadn’t pitched in a week, so manager Joe Girardi used him in a non-save situation this afternoon to close out a 7-3 victory over the Blue Jays, and the appearance was the 1,000th of Rivera’s amazing career.

He becomes the 15th pitcher in baseball history with at least 1,000 appearances and, not surprisingly, Rivera’s adjusted ERA+ is the best of the bunch by a huge margin.

Jesse Orosco is the all-time leader with 1,252 appearances and Jose Mesa has the honor of being the worst pitcher to ever appear in 1,000 games, by virtue of his career adjusted ERA+ barely being above the average mark of 100. And just to put Rivera’s dominance in perspective, consider that the difference between his ERA+ (205) and second-ranked Hoyt Wilhelm’s ERA+ (147) is bigger than the difference between Wilhelm (147) and Mesa (101).

Andre Dawson 2011 Topps Dual Game-Used Jersey Card #d to 99

Andre Dawson 2011 Topps Dual Game-Used Jersey Card #d to 99

I have the version numbered to 75. 

So, I may as well add the one numbered to 99 as well…

Now, I just have to go find the ones numbered to 50, 20, and 1.  Wish me luck!

Dennis Eckersley 1981 Topps

Dennis Eckersley 1981 Topps

Forget the card.

Forget the man.

Forget the Hall of Fame.

Forget the Cy Young award.

Forget the saves.

JUST LOOK AT THAT HAIR!!!!

Roberto Alomar 2011 Topps – ’60 Years Of Topps’

Roberto Alomar 2011 Topps – ’60 Years Of Topps’

Hey, there’s the future Hall of Famer doing what he did best!  While incredible at the plate as well, I would have to say that Roberto Alomar is one of the most stellar defenders that I have ever seen at second base.

A 10-time Gold Glove winner, Alomar held rank as the best defensive second baseman for 10 out of 11 seasons.  From 1991-2001, there was nobody better!!  Except for in ’97 when Robbie only appeared in 112 games and the award went to Chuck Knoblauch.  But that doesn’t really count… 

As for the card, it is a reprint of Alomar’s 1991 Topps baseball card, and it looks fantastic!!

Ozzie Smith 1993 Donruss – Pop Quiz Time!!!

Ozzie Smith 1993 Donruss

Simply stated, this card sucks!

You have no idea what is going on, only that Ozzie is hustling.

So, I guess that means it is time for another ’30-YOC’ Pop-Quiz!!!

What is Ozzie Smith doing in the picture featured on his 1993 Donruss baseball card?

1. Beating out an infield single?
2. Running away from the Philly Phanatic?
3. Chasing Morganna the Kissing Bandit?
4. Trying to score from 2nd on a single?

Go ahead, take your guess.  But, truth be told, we will never know…

Bad, Bad, Donruss.

Dwight Gooden 1991 Score

Dwight Gooden 1991 Score

With Blues that are a perfect match, the 1991 Score baseball card design works very well with the Mets’ team colors.

As a matter of fact, I would have to guess that the colors also work well with the Cubs and Expos and Brewers and Braves and so on and so on…

Nice Nikes, Doc!!

Barry Bonds Shows He Has Heart.

Barry Bonds Shows He Has Heart.

By Lori Preuitt

The lawyer who now represents Bryan Stow’s family in a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Dodgers gave a new detail on a former Giants generosity to Stow’s two young children.

Stow family attorney Thomas Girardi said that former slugger Barry Bonds has donated to pay for their college education. He said the family has talked about turning other donations back to the fans if this suit is successful, but said the gift of a college of education is something they treasure and will keep.

Bryan is a single father. He has a son and a daughter who are both in grade school.

Bonds visited Stow on April 22, while he was still in a Southern California hospital.

Sources close to Stow told NBC that Bonds also spent an hour in Stow’s room and left a signed baseball bat for Stow’s children.  At the time, there was no mention of a donation to a college fund.

Bonds is not the only member of the Giant organization who have reached out to Stow and his family. Several members of the current team have visited Stow and the family. Pitcher Tim Lincecum also dug into his personal bank account and gave a $25,000 donation to the Stow family fund.

The lawyer was talking to reporters on Tuesday to inform them about a new lawsuit filed on behalf of Stow. Stow’s family is suing the LA Dodgers and owner Frank McCourt. The suit was filed Tuesday in the Los Angeles Superior Court.

It alleges that the Dodgers have “shown a total disregard for public safety” and seeks an undisclosed amount of money.

Girardi said the medical expenses alone are massive.

“This is not a case where the family quote ‘wants money,’ this is a case where they want to take care of him and make sure those kids are taken care of,” Girardi said.