Jose Bautista & Matt Kemp Win Hank Aaron Award For Offensive Excellence

Jose Bautista & Matt Kemp Win Hank Aaron Award For Offensive Excellence

ARLINGTON, Texas (Reuters) – Jose Bautista
of the Toronto Blue Jays and Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers were named winners Monday of the Hank Aaron Award as the outstanding offensive players in their respective leagues.

Bautista led the majors leagues in home runs (43), slugging percentage (.608)
and walks (132).

Kemp narrowly missed winning the Triple Crown, leading the National League in home runs (39) and runs batted in (126) while finishing third in batting average
(.324).

Bautista was the first American League player since Babe Ruth in 1930 to
record at least 40 home runs, 130 walks and nine stolen bases in the same
year.

The Blue Jays slugger also won the award last year with a breakout 2010
season in which he hammered 54 home runs and batted in 124, and was able to
silence those who did not believe he could follow it up.

“More satisfying to me was just to be able to get on the field and be out
there with my team mates and contribute on a daily basis to try to help the team
win games,” he said.

“It’s not really my goal to prove anybody wrong or to come out and show the
critics wrong.”

Despite Kemp’s offensive fireworks, the Dodgers missed the playoffs after
finishing 82-79.

“Your goal is to make it to the playoffs and to get a chance to make it to
the World Series,” said Kemp. “Unfortunately our team wasn’t as good as some of these other teams that made the playoffs this year, but you want to showcase
your talents.”

“It was just one of those years that didn’t happen. There’s always next
year.”

The winners were selected through a combination of fan vote and a panel of
Hall of Famers, including Roberto Alomar, Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor and
Aaron.

Ken Griffey Jr. Receives Baseball’s Historic Achievement Award

Ken Griffey Jr. Receives Baseball’s Historic Achievement Award

Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas – Ken Griffey Jr. was presented  with the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award on Sunday in an off-field  ceremony before Game 4 of the World Series.

Griffey became just the 12th person to receive the award, which was created in 1998 to recognize achievements and contributions of historical significance.

Griffey was a 13-time All-Star in his 22 major league seasons for the Mariners (1989-99, 2009-10), Reds (2000-08) and White Sox (2008). He hit 630 career home runs, won 10 Gold Gloves and was the 1997 AL MVP.

It was also Griffey who initially had the idea to wear No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.

“He asked my permission to do that, and I of course granted it. It told me a lot, however, about Ken, about how much he understood the history, how much he understood the impact of Jackie Robinson,” Commissioner Bud Selig said. “I’ve often gotten credit for something, but really he made a phone call to me on a Sunday night at home that I’ll never forget. So with Ken leading the way, it began to catch on with other players.”

Now all on-field personnel in baseball wear No. 42 once a season, a tradition Selig said will continue “at least as long as I’m around.”

The Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award was last given in 2007, when Rachel Robinson was honored for her work to preserve the legacy of her late husband, Jackie.

In a statement, Selig said: “Ken Griffey Jr. was a gifted all-around player with a perfect swing, a brilliant glove and a childlike joy for the game. From the time he was just 19, Ken represented Major League Baseball with excellence and grace, and he was one of our sport’s greatest ambassadors not only in Seattle and Cincinnati, but also around the world. I am most appreciative for all of Ken’s contributions to our national pastime.”

The trophy, which stands 12 inches tall, has a sterling silver base with a baseball mounted at the top. The words “Commissioner’s Historic Achievement” are engraved around the base of the trophy with the Major League Baseball silhouetted batter logo above the type.

 

1989 Topps Turn Back The Clock Subset – COMPLETE!!!

1989 Topps Turn Back The Clock Subset – COMPLETE!!!

After just 5 weeks, this set is now complete.  And I have to say that while small in size, just five cards, it was fun going back in time with Topps.

From Dwight Gooden to Lou Brock to Hank Aaron to Gil Hodges to Tony Oliva, it was all good.

And the cards are great to look at!!

Here is a picture of the complete set:

Not a bad $1.00 invbestment if you ask me.

Now on to the next set…

Stay tuned.  And thanks for reading!!!

Reggie Jackson 2007 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts

Reggie Jackson 2007 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts

This card is very nice, but so dark.  Too dark, in fact.

Between the dark Red background behind the picture of Reggie and the overall dark border of the card’s design, I don’t find this card too appealing.

And as for the photo, it’s a shot from Reggie’s second go-around with the A’s.  I like the action, I would just prefer to see more of it!!

Take a look:

Wade Boggs 2011 Topps – 60 Years Of Topps

Wade Boggs 2011 Topps – 60 Years Of Topps

Is that Wade Boggs’ 1992 Topps baseball card?  Nah, it is from the 2011 Topps ’60 Years Of Topps’ set.

And it looks great!

And by great, I mean a great photo.  Just look at Boggs’ eyes.  You can tell he just connected for a long drive.  And while he is pumping his arms and taking off towards first base, I am thinking that he is already wondering if he can stretch the hit into a triple.

Have a look:

Dwight Gooden 1993 Bowman

Dwight Gooden 1993 Bowman

While this baseball card is just average at best, I do like one little thing that jumped out at me!

Check out Doc’s jersey number.  64.  Yes, 64!! 

As we all know, Gooden sported #16 for the Mets during the duration of his time with the Mets.  So, what this means is that this photo was taken during Spring Training, and Gooden obviously wore #64.  At least one time…

The funny part for me is that a jersey number that high is usually reserved for a rookie, not a veteran that had already been an established as a full-time MLB’er.  But when you zoom in, it is clear that this picture is not from Doc’s rookie season…  

Kind of cool.  A nice way to spice up an otherwise fair baseball card!!

Happy Anniversary Greg Maddux!!

Happy Anniversary Greg Maddux!!

On this day in 1994, Greg Maddux won his third straight Cy Young award.  He was the first pitcher in major league history to earn the award in three consecutive seasons.

Being one of the best pitchers in the sport over that length of time is a major accomplishment.  And when some of your greatest competition is coming from your teammates, I am sure that the pride of being the ‘Ace’ of the staff gave Maddux even more gratification.

Here is a look at Maddux’s numbers from those three seasons:

1992 – 20-11, 2.18 ERA, 9 complete games, All-Star, Gold Glove  

1993 – 20-10, 2.36 ERA, 10 complete games, Gold Glove

1994 – 16-6, 1.56 ERA, 10 complete games, All-Star, Gold Glove

Oh, and it should be noted that Maddux went on to win the Cy Young award in 1995 too – setting an all-time record with four consecutive wins!!

Happy Anniversary Mr. Maddux!!!

’30-YOC Top Ten’ – Top 10 Denzel Washington Movies

’30-YOC Top Ten’ – Top 10 Denzel Washington Movies

While flipping through the channels just the other night, I ran across two different Denzel Washington movies being aired at the same time.

I took that as inspiration for tonight’s ‘Top Ten List.’

So, here are my Top 10 Denzel Washington Movies:

Honorable Mention – Unstoppable, Taking of Pelham 123, Out Of Time, Antoine Fisher, Bone Collector, Courage Under Fire, Malcolm X, Philadelphia, and The Pelican Brief.

10 – He Got Game.

9 – Training Day.

8 – Deja Vu.

7 – Inside Man.

6 – Book Of Eli.

5 – The Hurricane.

4 – Remember The Titans.

3 – Glory.

2 – Man On Fire.

1 – John Q.

And there you have it.  And if you have not seen ‘John Q’ please rent it – Trust Me!!  As for the movies that occupy 2-5, these could easily be mixed and changed as depending on my mood, my taste in movies changes.  But ‘John Q’ is without a doubt the best acting performance I have seen out of Denzel.

Did I miss anything?  When you think of Denzel Washington and his brilliant career, what is the first movie that you think of?

Thanks for reading!

Reggie Jackson 2004 Fleer Greats – Base & Blue

Reggie Jackson 2004 Fleer Greats – Base & Blue

I love cards that are issued in multiple variations.  And it can get a little annoying when it comes to the inability to complete a multi-colored set featuring several parallel versions, I like the hunt!

So far, I have yet to complete a rainbow – but I do like the thought of being able to do so.

I picked up both of these cards of Reggie Jackson from the Fleer 2004 Greats set.

Here they are:

Known as the Base and Blue versions, I love the look of these cards.  The frame that holds the picture of Reggie is very classic looking – and Fleer’s photo choice is superb!!!

Great cards!!!

Oh, and the Blue one is serial numbered to 500.  Mine is #154 - YIPPEE!!!

Happy Anniversary Joe Carter!!!

Happy Anniversary Joe Carter!!!

On this day in 1993 Joe Carter hit one of the most recognizable home runs in World Series history.  On baseball’s biggest stage, he rose to the occasion and secured his spot as one of the game’s biggest heroes.

I remember watching this game and seeing the joy in Joe’s eyes, smile, and body language as he rounded the bases after blasting this huge World Series winning home run.  As kids, we all dream of this exact spot that Joe Carter was in on that night in October.  His boyhood dream became reality right in front of our eyes and it was an amazing sight to witness.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Carter!!