1997 HEADLINE: Renteria’s 11th Inning Hit Clinches The World Series For The Florida Marlins!!!

1997 HEADLINE: Renteria’s 11th Inning Hit Clinches The World Series For The Florida Marlins!!!

On this day in 1997 Edgar Rentaria’s single in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 7 of the World Series was the game winning hit that delivered the Florida Marlins their first ever World Series title!!!

Another boyhood dream was realized when under the ultimate amount of pressure Edgar shined and both he, the team, and the fans of the Florida Marlins reaped the benefits.

I was at Game 1 of this World Series and the atmosphere was incredible.  I could only imagine how much more intense it was on this night when the championship was finally won.

Happy Anniversary Edgar!!!

1996 HEADLINE: Al Leiter Throws A No-Hitter For The Florida Marlins

1996 HEADLINE:  Al Leiter Throws A No-Hitter For The Florida Marlins

On this day in 1996, All Leiter threw a no-hitter for the Florida Marlins!!!

I happened to have been at this game, and it is by far the single greatest sporting event I have ever seen live in person. This game easily trumps being at the World Series, The NBA Conference Finals, and any other baseball, basketball, or wrestling event I have ever been to.

I thought it would be fun to go back and review that original post I wrote over a year ago when I told you about ‘The Greatest Baseball Game I Have Ever Been To’. And then being a bit of a risk taker, I sent the ticket stub from that game along with a baseball card and sent them to Al Leiter in hopes of getting him to sign them for me. That went pretty well too…

Thanks again Mr. Leiter. And Happy Anniversary!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – Sports Illustrated 1997 Florida Marlins World Series Celebration

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – Sports Illustrated 1997 Florida Marlins World Series Celebration

I’ve been wanting to add a few more Marlins commemorative pieces to my collection.  Maybe a few inaugural pieces for both the 1993 and 2012 teams would be fun to go after.  And certainly stuff from the 1997 and 2003 World Series championships would be a blast as well.

Well, a dealer that I have never bought from before had a stack of magazines on his table, and they all appeared to be in pretty solid condition.

Thankfully, the top of the stack featured the November 1, 1997 issue of Sports Illustrated that celebrates the Marlins winning the World Series in walk-off style against the Indians in extra innings of Game 7.

And the issue was mint!!!

 

There was no way that I was not going to bring this home.  I have so many memories of this series, and this team is easily one of my favorites of all-time.

More than 15 years after the event, I still vividly recall this game and exactly where I was and who I was with while watching it all unfold.

A perfect collectible for my collection and a great way to end the card show!!!

1997 HEADLINE: Renteria’s 11th Inning Hit Clinches The World Series For The Florida Marlins!!!

1997 HEADLINE: Renteria’s 11th Inning Hit Clinches The World Series For The Florida Marlins!!!

On this day in 1997 Edgar Rentaria’s single in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 7 of the World Series was the game winning hit that delivered the Florida Marlins their first ever World Series title!!!

Another boyhood dream was realized when under the ultimate amount of pressure Edgar shined and both he, the team, and the fans of the Florida Marlins reaped the benefits.

I was at Game 1 of this World Series and the atmosphere was incredible.  I could only imagine how much more intense it was on this night when the championship was finally won.

Happy Anniversary Edgar!!!

Happy Anniversary Al Leiter!!!

Happy Anniversary Al Leiter!!!

On this day in 1996, All Leiter threw a no-hitter for the Florida Marlins!!!

I happened to have been at this game, and it is by far the single greatest sporting event I have ever seen live in person. This game easily trumps being at the World Series, The NBA Conference Finals, and any other baseball, basketball, or wrestling event I have ever been to.

I thought it would be fun to go back and review that original post I wrote over a year ago when I told you about ‘The Greatest Baseball Game I Have Ever Been To’. And then being a bit of a risk taker, I sent the ticket stub from that game along with a baseball card and sent them to Al Leiter in hopes of getting him to sign them for me. That went pretty well too…

Thanks again Mr. Leiter. And Happy Anniversary!!!

1997 HEADLINE: Renteria’s 11th Inning Hit Clinches The World Series For The Florida Marlins!!!

1997 HEADLINE: Renteria’s 11th Inning Hit Clinches The World Series For The Florida Marlins!!!

On this day in 1997 Edgar Rentaria’s single in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 7 of the World Series was the game winning hit that delivered the Florida Marlins their first ever World Series title!!!

Another boyhood dream was realized when under the ultimate amount of pressure Edgar shined and both he, the team, and the fans of the Florida Marlins reaped the benefits.

I was at Game 1 of this World Series and the atmosphere was incredible.  I could only imagine how much more intense it was on this night when the championship was finally won.

Happy Anniversary Edgar!!!

Edgar Renteria 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes

Edgar Renteria 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes

Yes, yet another ‘shout-out’ to one of my favorite sets from the 2000’s.

And while I have yet to declare my desire to scoop up the entire set of cards from this 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes set, I am not at all interested in halting my desire to grab a few more either…

My most recent haul from this issue brought me a lot of cards of the guys that I vividly recall doing great things in the World Series.

Guys like Gary Carter.  And Livan Hernandez.  And Kirby Puckett as well.

And my latest addition?  Edgar Renteria!!!

Here is the card:

How sweet is that, huh??

Many recall Edgar’s more recent World Series success as he led the Giants to the 2010 title.  But for this fan and collector, Edgar Renteria is a Marlin.  And his hit in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the 1997 World Series is a baseball memory I will never forget!!!

Thanks for the memories Edgar!!!

Happy Anniversary Al Leiter!!!

Happy Anniversary Al Leiter!!!

On this day in 1996, All Leiter threw a no-hitter for the Florida Marlins!!!

I happened to have been at this game, and it is by far the single greatest sporting event I have ever seen live in person.  This game easily trumps being at the World Series, The NBA Conference Finals, and any other baseball, basketball, or wrestling event I have ever been to.

I thought it would be fun to go back and review that original post I wrote over a year ago when I told you about ‘The Greatest Baseball Game I Have Ever Been To’.  And then being a bit of a risk taker, I sent the ticket stub from that game along with a baseball card and sent them to Al Leiter in hopes of getting him to sign them for me.  That went pretty well too…

Thanks again Mr. Leiter.  And Happy Anniversary!!!

My Al Leiter Collection Commemorating His ‘No-Hitter’ Is Now Complete!!!

My Al Leiter Collection Commemorating His ‘No-Hitter’ Is Now Complete!!!

I have stated it many times on this blog – the best sporting event I have ever been to was the game in which I saw Al Leiter throw a no-hitter!!  I have been to World Series games, NBA conference Finals, and some extremely exciting events during my time, but no game captured the ‘edge of your seat’ feeling like watching a no-hitter going down right in front of your eyes.

A few years ago I sent my ticket stub to Mr. Leiter along with a few cards in hope of nabbing a few autographs.

And then just last week, I got my baseball back from a signing he was doing in conjunction with the Major League Alumni Marketing team.

And now, my collection is complete – and it looks G-R-E-A-T!!!

Have a look:

Thank you for the memories, Mr. Leiter!!!

Signing Results – Al Leiter & Steve Garvey!!!

Signing Results – Al Leiter & Steve Garvey!!!

Way back in 2011, MLAM (Major League Alumni Marketing was holding a signing with more than 40 former stars.  And after perusing that list, I found three players to go after, affordably.

Well, two of the three players have done their deeds, and one remains unsigned.

I will unveil player #3 to you when it arrives back to me, but for now, I am happy to present to you the two baseballs that are now back in my collection.

Ball #1 – Former Florida Marlin, Al Leiter, with the no-hitter inscription that I was seeking:

Ball #2 was signed for me by Steve Garvey

Here is a picture:

And he too included my requested inscription:

And an added bonus inscription too:

Two great autographs for my collection – 1 of a player that enjoyed watching as a kid, and 1 of my favorite Marlins of all-time!!!

Thank you gentlemen, and thank you MLAM!!!