Jim Abbott 1991 Score
I have always liked the 1991 Score baseball card set.
While the graphic details were minimal at best, it was the large action photography that sets this set apart from some of the other releases from ’91.
And this card of Jim Abbott is no exception. In fact, it just confirms my stance.
Have a look:
I told you!
Great colors and a great backdrop.
Great work by Score on this one. And a very nice addition to my Jim Abbott player collection.
SWEET!!!
Jim Abbott 1992 Topps Stadium Club
Looks like Abbott is rearing back to fire out another 96 MPH fastball.
A few Jim Abbott strikeout factoids:
Jim Abbott 1990 Topps – ‘Major League Debut’
As a kid collecting baseball cards in the mid-1980′s and into the mid-1990′s, I was pretty active as it relates to staying on top of and collecting new releases.
But for some reason, this card is not one that I recall. In fact, I have never seen a card issued by Topps that was tagged with a ‘Major League Debut’ headline.
Don’t get me wrong, the card is very cool. I just don’t recall ever seeing these back then.
Have a look:
Is it an oddball? How were these dispensed to the public? I’m very curious to know if there were more of these than the ones issued with the 1990 Topps design.
Anyone out there that can help with this??
Thanks.
Jim Abbott Is As Classy As They Come!!!
This story is absolutely worth sharing with you. It goes something like this:
I found out roughly two months ago that Jim Abbott ( a 30-YOC favorite) was releasing a biography. That book would have a promotional tour attached to it, and if you know me ( as many of you do) that means a chance to grab a signed copy.
As soon as the book signing dates were announced, I went to work. The first store was not willing to take my request for the book to be personalized, so I moved on – STRIKE ONE!
The next store took my order with no problem and told me that the personalization would not be a problem either. They told me that they would call me the day after the event to arrange for payment and get shipping details.
True to their word, they called me the afternoon after the signing and I was ready to charge my credit card. Then they told me that the book was not personalized as the crowds were too large to accommodate all of the mail orders. I thanked them and said that I would try another signing – STRIKE TWO!
Here is where the story gets really good…
While surfing on Twitter one afternoon while playing on my I-phone, I saw a Tweet come across from Mr. Abbott. I have been following him for a while, so I sent him a direct message telling him of my inability to get a signed copy with personalization and that I was looking for a few tips.
Minutes passed by and he replied directly to me asking for my mailing address and that he would send me a signed sticker that can be applied to the inside of the cover of the book.
What do you think that I did???
I game him my address of course!!
Now, this is where the story gets really, really good…
Just four days later there are two envelopes in my mailbox and each has a return address with Mr. Abbott’s address on it.
Very curious, I carefully ripped open the smaller envelope and here is what was inside:
This is the sticker that he was talking about – and I am so thankful that he sent it over as quickly as he did.
But what about envelope #2???
Well, that contained a pretty cool piece as well.
Check it out:
This is a signed and personalized promotional postcard that features the front cover of the book on one side and the back cover on the other.
SWEET!!! And it is personalized to me too – 2X SWEETT!!!!
I cannot wait to start reading this book. I have just under 80 pages left in the book that I am currently reading about Bob Gibson and then I am jumping right into ‘Imperfect’.
Here is my book:
And here it is with the signed sticker applied to the inside-front cover:
Thank you again Mr. Abbott!!!
You made this fan’s day!!!
Posted in Autographs, Jim Abbott Collection
Tagged baseball cards, baseball, pitcher, jim abbott, california angels, 1988 Olympics, gold medal, olympics, gold medalist, summer olympics, university of michigan, michigan wolverines, wolverines, anels, disabled, disability, baseball hero, baseball icon, book signing, baseball autographs, signed book, book tour
Jim Abbott 1991 Fleer Ultra
Wow, even twenty years later, the photos used for the Fleer Ultra line of baseball cards is impressive.
And it all started with Upper Deck and their debut set in 1989.
From there, both Fleer and Topps issued higher end product, respectively titled Ultra and Stadium Club.
And as you can see from this card of Jim Abbott from the 1991 Fleer Ultra set, the image quality was supreme!!!
Jim Abbott 1993 Bowman Gold
Kind of a fun one here.
And while not on my original list of Jim Abbott cards that I wanted for my player collection, I found it interesting enough to purchase for my PC.
Have a look:
The card comes from the 1993 Bowman Gold set, and it is an exact reprint of the base card from the same set, just with the added element of the Gold-colored border.
And I have to say, I like this version a lot more than the base. And I am not really a ‘Gold’ guy….
Jim Abbott 1992 Topps
This is a nice one of Jim Abbott, but it is a little too dark for my liking.
While the picture appears to have been taken during a day game, the top area, especially from Abbott’s shoulders and up is just too dark…
Let me know what you think.
Here is the card:
Jim Abbott 1989 Donruss Baseball’s Best
From what I have been able to see, not too many players made it into the ‘Baseballs Best’ set issued by Donruss in their first big league seasons – and the set was pretty large too.
But, Jim Abbott such a reputation before hitting the majors that he deserved the added attention given to him by the major card companies.
From the Olympic success and the collegiate dominance, Abbott was indeed one of ‘Baseballs Best’!!!!
It’s too bad that the photo cannot be classified that way….
Posted in Jim Abbott Collection
Tagged authentic, autograph collecting, autographs through the mail, baseball, college baseball, gold medal, gold medalist, jim abbott, michigan wolverines, new york yankees, no hitter, olympics, pitcher, sports autographs, TTM, ttm autographs, ttm success, university of michigan, wolverines, yankee stadium, yankees
Happy Anniversary Jim Abbott!!!
On this day in 1989 Jim Abbott made his major league debut with the California Angels.
Prior to his big league debut, Abbott had already conquered Little League, High School baseball, Collegiate Baseball, and even The Olympics. Yet this day stands alone. On this day Jim Abbott stood toe to toe with the best baseball players in the world and was their peer. Disability or not, he made it to the major leagues defying odds and hurdling obstacle after obstacle that was thrown his way.
On this day, we salute you Mr. Abbott!! A true baseball hero and icon!!!!
Posted in Birthdays & Anniversaries, Jim Abbott Collection
Tagged authentic, autograph collecting, autographs through the mail, baseball, college baseball, gold medal, gold medalist, jim abbott, michigan wolverines, new york yankees, no hitter, olympics, pitcher, sports autographs, TTM, ttm autographs, ttm success, university of michigan, wolverines, yankee stadium, yankees
Jim Abbott 1990 Donruss
Jim Abbott allowed more hits than any pitcher in the American League during the 1990 baseball season. In 211 innings of work, Abbott allowed 246 hits.
Surely, not something that he is proud of…
