Frank Thomas 1990 Topps – ROOKIE CARD!!!!

Frank Thomas 1990 Topps – ROOKIE CARD!!!

Anytime you can grab a card of a future Hall of Famer and member of the ’500 HR Club’ you have to consider it.

And when that card happens to be a rookie card, you should consider it even more.

And if said card happens to have a price tag of ninety-nine cents with FREE shipping, it is time to STRIKE!!!

So, I did!!!

And now I am the proud owner of this bad-boy:

Amazingly enough, this is the first rookie card of Frank Thomas that I have picked up since getting back into the hobby almost three years ago.

As a kid growing up in Chicago, I liked Thomas even though he played for the ‘other team’ in the city.

Nowadays, I value Thomas even more.  I cannot wait to he his induction speech!!!

Willie McCovey 2005 Upper Deck Legendary All-Stars

Willie McCovey 2005 Upper Deck Legendary All-Stars

When I think legends, I certainly think Willie McCovey.  He was a hell of a player, and put up some amazing statistics during his 22-year career.

It really surprised me to find out that ‘Stretch’ only appeared in six All-Star games during his career.  Sure the competition for roster space was tough in the National League at first base and in the outfield as well, but this is Willie McCovey…

I’ve got to go do some homework.  I need to know who beat out Mc in those seasons…

Until then, check out this card:

Dennis Eckersley 1981 Donruss

Dennis Eckersley 1981 Donruss

Hey, let’s shoot another portrait of ‘Eck’ staring off into space!!

If I had to count, I think that is number 4…

Did You Know…

The first team to field four players to hit thirty home runs in the same season was the 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers.

In ’77 Steve Garvey hit 33 home runs, with Reggie Smith hitting 32 and both Ron Cey and Dusty Baker crushing 30.

Did You See What David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz Said About ’30-Year Old Cardboard’???

Did You See What David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz Said About ’30-Year Old Cardboard’???

Andre Dawson 2011 In The Game (ITG) ‘Heroes and Prospects Memorabilia’

Andre Dawson 2011 In The Game (ITG) ‘Heroes and Prospects Memorabilia’

Man, way back in March I was able to grab the Tim Raines card from this set.  You can see that card here.  At the time the seller also had the Andre Dawson card, but I got outbid on it within the last few seconds of the auction’s end.

This time around, I would have none of that…  Bidding higher than I normally would for a ‘base’ relic card, I scooped this one up for a respectable price.

And I am thrilled to have it.  The card looks fantastic in person – and next to the Raines card, they are a solid, solid team!!!

Check it out:

Joe Morgan 1967 Topps – Vintage Greatness!!!

Joe Morgan 1967 Topps – Vintage Greatness!!!

Oh yeah, Baby!!!  Some great vintage stuff right here.

We’re taking you all the way back to 1967 folks.  Back to when life was simple.  Back to when records were on vinyl and milk cost you a quarter.

And back to when one of my favorite baseball players of all-time was a member of the Houston Astros!!!

The 1967 Topps design is a very basic, but very classic one.  With just the player name and position in the header and the team name in the footer, the main attraction to the card is able to take center-stage.  And what a picture it is!!

Kirby Puckett 1989 Topps All-Star

Kirby Puckett 1989 Topps All-Star

Now this is an All-Star card!!

I always liked the All-Star cards from the 1989 Topps set.  With a great headline that immediately draws your eye, there is no mistaking what this card is all about – and the guys deserve the extra attention!!

As for Kirby Puckett, he was fantastic in ’89.  My favorite stat from that season?  .339.  .339 is what Kirby hit over the course of the year – and for his amazing efforts, he was awarded with hist first and only batting title!!

Way to go KP!!!

My First Time – Trevor Hoffman – April 6, 1993

My First Time – Trevor Hoffman – April 6, 1993

The Setting – Joe Robbie Stadium.  Miami, Florida.

From Hoffman – ‘I made the team out of Spring Training, but I didn’t get into a game until Game 3.  I was the last guy out of the bullpen to see action.  My mom, my dad, my brothers were all there – and of all teams to open up with, it was my hometown Dodgers’.

The box score – Dodgers 4, Marlins 2.  Hoffman faced just one batter with two outs and the bases loaded.  He struck out Eric Davis.

 

1979 Headline – ‘Rickey Henderson Debuts For The A’s’

1979 Headline – ‘Rickey Henderson Debuts For The A’s’

It all started on this day 32 years ago…

Rickey Henderson’s debut with the Oakland A’s on June 24, 1979 is when it all began.  In the game, Henderson’s A’s team took on the Texas Rangers in Oakland, CA.  The A’s lost the game 5-1, but Rickey gave us a glimpse of what was to come..

In the game Henderson batted lead-off and went 2-for-4 with a single and a double.  He also picked up the first stolen base of his career, which as we all know was just the start of his amazing run as the game’s greatest lead-off hitter!!

Happy Anniversary Rickey!!!