Happy Birthday Darryl Strawberry!!!

Happy Birthday Darryl Strawberry!!!

Darryl Strawberry turns 51 years old today.

Darryl Strawberry made an immediate impact on the sport during his debut in 1983.  The league’s Rookie of the Year played like a seasoned veteran and quickly became the centerpiece of the New York Mets and their championship roster.

Equipped with the perfect blend of speed and power, Straw’s talents landed him on 8 consecutive All-star teams while he and the Mets took baseball by storm.  His career home run total of 335 and stolen base count of 221 along with his 1,000 career RBI show just how versatile and steady he was.

Strawberry had his share of setbacks during his career that didn’t allow him to become the MVP that he had the talent to be.  Yet he still found himself as a member of 3 World Series Championship teams!!!

Happy Birthday ‘Straw’!!!

Darryl Strawberry 2012 Topps Archives – 1986 Topps Design

Darryl Strawberry 2012 Topps Archives – 1986 Topps Design

As the 1986 baseball season unfolded, the New York Mets were being led by a strong mixture of veteran and young talent.  And that combination worked well enough to earn them their second World Series championship in team history.

On the side of youth was Darryl Strawberry.  And while his experience may not have been a match for the team’s veteran players, his offfense certainly was.

Strawberry was just 24 years old during the 1986 season, but he was talented enough to finish 2nd on the team in doubles, 2nd in triples, 1st in home runs, 2nd in RBI, 2nd in stolen bases, and 2nd in total bases.

Atta Boy Darryl!!!

Darryl Strawberry 2012 Topps Archives – 1980 Topps Design

Darryl Strawberry 2012 Topps Archives – 1980 Topps Design

Topps did it again.  They have produced magic!!!

Have a look:

As you see, this card is of Darryl Strawberry and the 1980 Topps baseball card design.

Sure, Darryl did not play in 1980; he made his debut with the Mets in 1983.

But, he was drafted in 1980 by the Mets.  He was the number one draft pick, right out of high school, and just 18 years old!!

Great card by Topps – and they paired him up with the perfect ‘Archive’ design.

Happy Birthday Darryl Strawberry!!!

Happy Birthday Darryl Strawberry!!!

Darryl Strawberry turns 50 years old today.

Darryl Strawberry made an immediate impact on the sport during his debut in 1983.  The league’s Rookie of the Year played like a seasoned veteran and quickly became the centerpiece of the New York Mets and their championship roster.

Equipped with the perfect blend of speed and power, Straw’s talents landed him on 8 consecutive All-star teams while he and the Mets took baseball by storm.  His career home run total of 335 and stolen base count of 221 along with his 1,000 career RBI show just how versatile and steady he was.

Strawberry had his share of setbacks during his career that didn’t allow him to become the MVP that he had the talent to be.  Yet he still found himself as a member of 3 World Series Championship teams!!!

Happy Birthday ‘Straw’!!!

Darryl Strawberry 2010 Topps ‘Cards Your Mom Threw Out’

Darryl Strawberry 2010 Topps ‘Cards Your Mom Threw Out’

I completed my Darryl Strawberry player collection in the summer of 2010.  And after completing it, I showed you my favorite five cards from the set as part of my ‘Fab Five’ series.

Well, if I had to choose card number six, it would have been this one:

This card is the re-print verion of Darryls 1988 Topps baseball card.  And I think that it looks great!

You have no idea how close the battle was between the 1988 Topps and 1989 Topps cards for that coveted fifth spot on my countdown…

TRUST.

Darryl Strawberry 2005 Donruss Greats

Darryl Strawberry 2005 Donruss Greats

Man, Oh Man – What a great looking baseball card we have here!

Starring the one and only Darryl Strawberry, this card looks great.

I like all of the subtle shades of Grey used throughout the card’s design.  And the Silver lettering and logos on the bottom look superb.

If I could add just one thing to the card it would be to show off the Orange on Darryl’s uniform and helmet.  Something tells me that it would look unreal on a card like this that is lacking any strong color.

Your thoughts??

Darryl Strawberry 2005 Topps ‘Rookie Cup’ – Base

Darryl Strawberry 2005 Topps ‘Rookie Cup’ – Base

I love these cards – Topps did a great job picking players for the set.

I have a bunch of the Dawsons, a few of the Santos, and now a Strawberry for the bunch!

Issued in 2005, Topps’ ‘Rookie Cup’ is a hallmark of the hobby; one that is reserved for the best rookies.

And in 1983, that was Darryl Strawberry!!!

Here’s the card:

Nice, huh?  Yeah, I like it too!!!

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!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #3 – 2004 Donruss Elite – Elite Team – New York Mets

Baseball Card Show Purchase #3 – 2004 Donruss Elite – Elite Team – New York Mets

I love cards that celebrate team success – and this card does exactly that…

And of all of the teams that I enjoyed watching during my youth, the first one that actually won something was the 1986 New York Mets.

So when I saw this card, I had to grab it!!  Not only does it celebrate that same team that I have so many memories of watching as a kid.  But it also features my three favorite Mets, and three guys that I have built player collections of – Gary Carter, Darryl Strawberry, and Dwight Gooden!

Oh, and the card is numbered 871/1500…

Darryl Strawberry 2008 Topps 50th Anniversary ‘All Rookie Team’

Darryl Strawberry 2008 Topps 50th Anniversary ‘All Rookie Team’

What a great looking set, and a spectacular card of ‘Straw’.

The coloring of the card is perfect, and I really like how Topps brought back some of their original design elements when celebrating their 50th anniversary of their ‘All Rookie Team’. 

From the bold Green background, to the oval design that contains the player’s info, to that beautiful trophy.  All of it screams vintage, and that makes this collector very happy!

Here’s the card:

I think it’s time that I consider putting this entire set together..  Time to do a little homework…