Dave Winfield 2012 Panini Cooperstown ‘Credentials’

Dave Winfield 2012 Panini Cooperstown ‘Credentials’

I am nearing the end of my collecting of the 2012 Panini Cooperstown set.  Unless something new from the set is revealed to me that peaks my interest, this ‘Credentials’ card of Dave Winfield may be the last one I bring into my collection.

The ‘Credentials’ subset is a nice one.  I like the whole resume feel that the card offers up a nice way to honor a player’s career.

For me, there is just too much missing from the card.  Obviously, you have no player image on the card – and for me that is not good.  But you also do not have any mention of Winfield being a member of the ’3,000 Hits Club’ or a World Series champion on the card as well…

Nice thought, just not a solid execution by Panini on this one.

2001 Fleer Platinum ‘Winning Combinations’ Starring Dave Winfield & Tony Gwynn – “San Diego’s Famers”

2001 Fleer Platinum ‘Winning Combinations’ Starring Dave Winfield & Tony Gwynn – “San Diego’s Famers”

I had never seen 1 of the 40 cards that make up this set, but I am now very intrigued by what 2001 Fleer’s ‘Winning Combinations’ has to offer.

Check out what got me all excited:

Nice, huh?

The card features two of San Diego’s finest players – David Winfield and Anthony Gwynn.  And I am happy to see that the card pays homage to the times that Winfield and Gwynn played for the Padres with their very different uniforms being present.

Tagged as “San Diego’s Famers”, these two players are easily the most accomplished players to come through the San Diego Padres organization.

I love cards like this.  And now, I have to find the checklist!!!

Dave Winfield 2011 Topps ’60 Years Of Topps’ – 1986 Topps Design

Dave Winfield 2011 Topps ’60 Years Of Topps’ – 1986 Topps Design

I’m never going to complain when a baseball card company goes back to its roots and shows off some cardboard from prior eras.  Especially when that era takes me right back to my childhood collecting days.

This card of Dave Winfield is from the 2011 Topps ’60 Years Of Topps’ set.  The card featured is Winfield’s 1986 Topps base card.

Have a look:

I have long said that the 1986 Topps set is a underappreciated one.  Sandwiched between the enormously popular 1985 and 1987 sets, the ’86 set offers us a very clean and classic card design with oversized images.  If the set had a few ‘calling cards’ of its own like the ones from ’85 and ’87, I have no doubt that it would be a more popular one among today’s collectors.

Dave Winfield 2003 Donruss 20th Anniversary – 1983 Donruss Design

Dave Winfield 2003 Donruss 20th Anniversary – 1983 Donruss Design

When I first came across this baseball card, I simply skipped right past it and said ’83 Donruss – cool’ and moved right on by.

I paused for a second and realized that the card was in immaculate condition, and a little shinier than what I recall the original 1983 Donruss cards being.

After looking at the back, I realized what I had.

In 2003, Donruss issued a 20th Anniversary set – and this is the Dave Winfield card from that set.  It is sharp, and it takes me right back to when ‘Big Dave’ was driving in runs for the New York Yankees at a rampant pace!!!

 

As a kid, it was the 1983 Donruss brand that really first got me excited about them making baseball cards.  The 1981 design was very boring, and the ’82 release was pretty dull.  But the glove and bat graphics of the 1983 set made me giddy!!

I love this card!!

Dave Winfield 2005 Donruss Classics – Legend

Dave Winfield 2005 Donruss Classics – Legend

I’ve told you all before, I really like cards of Dave Winfield while wearing his old San Diego Padres uniform.  The reasons are two-fold – (1) I am a big fan of Winfield and while I don’t have any memories of him playing for the Padres, I do know that he established himself as an up and coming superstar with the team (2) I love,and have always loved, those vintage San Diego Padres uniforms.

This card comes from the 2005 Donruss Classics ‘Legend’ set, and as soon as I saw that ‘Big Dave’ was wearing his Padres uniform on the card, I had to scoop it up.

I don’t have too many modern cards of Winfield in his Padres uniform unless it is a re-print card, so this is a very nice addition to my collection.

Oh, it is also serial numbered as 261/1755.

Check it out:

Hopefully 2013 brings some more cards that celebrate Winfield’s time with the Padres.  If so, I will be collecting them – For Sure!!

1980 HEADLINE: Dave Winfield Becomes The Richest Man In Baseball

1980 HEADLINE: Dave Winfield Becomes The Richest Man In Baseball

On this day in 1980, Dave Winfield signed the largest contract in professional baseball’s history.  As a free agent, Winfield signed with the New York Yankees for 10 years and $23 million dollars.  In today’s age the Yankees got a bargain to land a player of Winfield’s ability for just $2.3 million per season.  But, back in the 80′s this was big news!!!

In 1980 the average baseball salary was $143,756.  Now you can see why this was such a big story almost 30 years ago.  In 2002, baseball’s average salary was what Winfield was getting on this contract – $2.3 million.  And for the 2008 season, the average was $2.925 million per year.

It can easily be argued that Winfield was worth the money the Yankees invested in him.  For the next 5 seasons ‘Big Dave’ finished in the Top 12 for the MVP.  He was selected to 8 consecutive All-star teams as a Yankee and won 5 Silver Slugger titles as well.

By comparison, there are 2 players that in 2008 made MORE money than Dave Winfield did over the course of this 10-year contract.  In 2008, Alex Rodriguez earned $28 million dollars and his teammate, Jason Giambi, earned $23.4 million.  Winfield’s deal looks like a steal now doesn’t it???

Dave Winfield 2007 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic – Numbered To 575

Dave Winfield 2007 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic – Numbered To 575

I love me some Dave Winfield card of him wearing his old Padres uniform.

I can kind of compare this card to Macaroni and Cheese.  Macaroni is nice by itself.  And cheese is too.  But together, they are supreme!!!

Well, for this comparison, let’s say that Dave Winfield is the macaroni.  And his vintage Padres uniform is the cheese.  Apart, they are both good.  But together, they are superb!!

Have a look:

I told you – a truly satisfying card!!!

Dave Winfield 2000 Fleer ‘Greats Of The Game’

Dave Winfield 2000 Fleer ‘Greats Of The Game’

For some reason, card companies were issuing cards of Dave Winfield cards in the early 2000′s of him wearing his Blue Jays or Indians uniform.  And while he reached some pretty impressive feats while wearing those uniforms (World Series title and 3,000 hits), I typically only think of Winfield as a Padre or Yankee.

This card from the 2000 Fleer ‘Greats Of The Game’ set got that part right.  He is proudly wearing his pinstripes.

Have a look:

OK, it is a nice card.

But, with the design and color choices for the background and border, how much better would this one look if he were in his Padres uniform?  Probably a lot better, if you ask me…

Dave Winfield 2012 Topps Commemorative Retired Number Patch

Dave Winfield 2012 Topps Commemorative Retired Number Patch

Manufactured or not, I love these cards.  I like the design, I like the prominence of the retired number, and I enjoy the vintage photography that accompanies and matches the patch.

My latest pick-up from the set is the Dave Winfield card.  I am really happy that Winfield was included on the checklist for this set.  That old Padres photo looks awesome next to the Brown and Yellow patch!

Take a look:

YES!!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – The Coolest Dave Winfield Baseball Card Ever Made!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – The Coolest Dave Winfield Baseball Card Ever Made!!!

Sometimes, a baseball cards needs no story; the card simply speaks for itself.

I firmly believe that this is one of those times:

1515/1999