Fergie Jenkins 2011 Topps Triple Threads Game-Used Jersey Card w/Pinstripe!!!

Fergie Jenkins 2011 Topps Triple Threads Game-Used Jersey Card w/Pinstripe!!!

For some reason the Jenkins cards from this year’s Triple Threads release are selling like wild-fire.  And while I like the cards (I am partial to all cards that feature Fergie), I just don’t know why this one is the one that attracting all of the extra loot.

Still, I was able to manage my emotions and I waited until one fell into the price range that I prefer.

And here it is:

I am liking the card and it’s design.  But I am loving that pinstripe!!!

Oh, and the card is XX/XX.

Dave Winfield 2004 Upper Deck Legends ‘Timeless Teams’

Dave Winfield 2004 Upper Deck Legends ‘Timeless Teams’

When I think of Dave Winfield, I think Yankees and Padres.  And I don’t believe that I am alone with that thought process.

But, when it comes to championships, it was the Toronto Blue Jays with which Winfield tasted his lone success.

And this card celebrates that.  The headline reads, ‘Key Double Gives Blue Jays First Title’.  Winfield’s hit in the 11th inning of Game 6 is the one that clinched the championship for the Jays.  And to this day, I remember being so happy watching him celebrate – I am certain that he played that exact moment out on his head thousands of times as a kid!!

Kirby Puckett 1986 Donruss Highlights

Kirby Puckett 1986 Donruss Highlights

What d0 you think about this beauty? 

Ok, so maybe she is not that foxy of a baseball card, but what the card represents is solid!!

During the first month of the 1986 baseball season, Kirby Puckett dominated the American League – and he rightfully won the ‘Player of the Month’ award for his efforts.

What I like most about this little factoid, and baseball card, is that he started off the season with a bang.  Coming off of his rookie season, I love that you can see that he continued to work – not just satisfied to have made it in the big leagues, but always working on staying and making an impact.

Atta Boy Kirby!!!

Did You Know…

The starting pitcher with the most wins in the post-1900 era to not have appeared in a World Series is Phil Niekro.  The Hall of Famer won 318 games during his career, but never reached the ‘Fall Classic’.

Andre Dawson Certified Autograph RAINBOW!!! Oh, Yeah!!!!

Andre Dawson Certified Autograph RAINBOW!!!  Oh, Yeah!!!!

I never thought that this day would come, but I can now proudly boast that I have completed a baseball card parallel rainbow!!!

And while the set of cards I have conquered contains just three alternate versions, a rainbow is a rainbow and it is time for me to celebrate!!!

SO, without further ado, here is the trio:

Bronze:

Silver:

Gold:

Trio:

NICE!!!!

I never really made this set a priority, hell it took me more than two years to gather these three cards up.  But, I always wanted to add the Gold version – and when I did a few weeks ago, it completed the gorgeous set you see above.

Thanks for reading – and stay tuned, maybe there are a few more rainbows headed your way….

Ozzie Smith 1997 Upper Deck – Season Highlights

Ozzie Smith 1997 Upper Deck – Season Highlights

It’s kind of fun to score a card that features three of your favorite players.

This one, courtesy of 1997′s Upper Deck set, features Andre Dawson, Ozzie Smith, and Kirby Puckett.  The card honors their careers, and more specifically the retirement of these three fantastic ball players and Hall of Famers.

For the record, I already owned this card for my Dawson collection (you probably guessed that already) and I now have it in my Ozzie Smith set.  I need just one more to round out the trio…

Bo Jackson 1990 Score ‘Young Superstars’

Bo Jackson 1990 Score ‘Young Superstars’

Bo Jackson definitely belonged in the group tagged as ‘Young Superstars’ during the early years of his career in the majors.

And while he may not have had the true baseball gifts of a Barry Bonds or Barry Larkin, he was without a doubt the best athlete of the bunch.

But being a super athlete does not always guarantee baseball success – but Bo certainly had the foundation of speed, power, hand/eye coordination, and desire to give it a shot!!!

And I have to say, he built a pretty solid legacy as a result!!!

Happy Birthday Joe DiMaggio!!!

Happy Birthday Joe DiMaggio!!!

The power of Joe DiMaggio’s name still carries an incredible amount of weight with it 59 years after his retirement from the game.  “Joe D” personified what baseball and specifically what baseball in New York was all about during the 1930′s and 1940′s.

Amazingly DiMaggio’s legendary status was built on just 13 seasons as a major leaguer.  Joe missed 3 seasons during the prime of his career due to his commitment to serve his country.  Many players from his era fought in the war and it always makes me wonder what we as fans missed during those years when these guys were away from the game.

In 13 seasons, ‘The Yankee Clipper’ finished in the Top 12 for the MVP in 11 seasons.  The numbers are pretty impressive:  (3) 1st place finishes, (2) 2nd place finishes.  Along with these honors, Joe DiMaggio compiled 2,214 career hits with 361 home runs and 1,537 RBI.  Joe also made the All-Star team in each of his 13 years in the majors.  WoW!!!  The Gold Glove was not awarded during Joe’s playing days, but if it had been he would own quite a few as his range in the outfield was unparalleled back then.

One of the main factors of DiMaggio’s fame was due to his incredible World Series accomplishments.  Joe played in 10 World Series contests, and won 9 championships!!!

And then, there is a little thing known as baseball’s grandest milestone – “The Streak”.  In 1941, DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games.  Since then, only 1 player has hit safely in 40+ games and nobody has come close to 50 again.

Joe DiMaggio is a true legend in the game of baseball and today we salute him for his amazing career and desire to be the best player in the game.

Happy Birthday Mr. DiMaggio!!!

My Jim Palmer Player Collection Is Finally Complete!!! YES!!!

My Jim Palmer Player Collection Is Finally Complete!!!  YES!!!

After more than two years, and a lot of outbid auctions, I can proudly say that I have completed my Jim Palmer player collection.

In this set of cards that pays homage to Palmer’s magnificent Hall of Fame career, I have collected every major brand release from his playing days, 1966-1984.

And I have to say, the collection looks fantastic.  And to be perfectly honest, part of the reason that this particular set looks so good is that Palmer is sporting his Orioles uniform in each and every card – 18 seasons with the same team, gotta love that!!!

Here is a look at the full collection:

And you all know what comes next.  Starting Monday, I will unveil my ‘Fab Five’ cards from this set.  Can you guess which one takes the ‘Cake’???  We’ll see…

Thanks for reading!!!

Andre Dawson 2011 Topps Update – Kimball Champions mini

Andre Dawson 2011 Topps Update – Kimball Champions mini

I nabbed the card of Dawson from Series 1 a few months ago so of course I was going to go after the second one issued in Series 2.

Here it is:

And if you were wondering, my preference is the Expos version.  While I like the Cubs’ action part of the card better, I have to say that the overall card that appeals the most to me is the one from Andre’s earlier part of his career with Montreal…

If you have never seen that card before, you can click here to check it out.

Enjoy.