Rollie Fingers 1974 Topps Baseball Card

Rollie Fingers 1974 Topps Baseball Card

It has been roughly six weeks since I last featured a baseball card of Rollie Fingers on the blog.

It is not because I do not want to, it is because my at-home supply of cards that feature Mr. Fingers has been exhausted.

I am getting very close to completing the collection I am building of Fingers that honors his fantastic career.

I am left chasing a few of his early-issue cards from the 1970′s.  And the chase is rather fun too.

My most recent purchase has landed me his base card from the 1974 Topps set.

Check it out:

I am just a few cards from the finish line – but they are the tougher ones.

Wish me luck as I continue on this journey!!

Happy Birthday John Smoltz!!!

Happy Birthday John Smoltz!!!

John Smoltz turns 46 years old today!!!

One of the most versatile and team-oriented players to play the game in the last 20 years, John Smoltz is a rare breed. A player that is willing to accept any role that the team wants him to perform in, Smoltz personified what the ‘Team-First’ mentality is all about.

Smoltz has 213 career wins alongside 154 saves. Had he not spent 4 seasons in the bullpen during his days with the Atlanta Braves, Smoltz could have been in line to win 300 career games. Instead, he did what was asked of him and saved an incredible 154 games in 4 years for the ‘Bravos’.

Happy Birthday Smoltzy!!!

Dennis Eckersley 2002 Topps Archives Reserve – 1993 Topps Design

Dennis Eckersley 2002 Topps Archives Reserve – 1993 Topps Design

I haven’t picked up too many cards of Dennis Eckersley since I completed my player collection of him several months ago.

It is not for a lack of interest, I just would not know where to start.

Actually, I do.  I would only go after cards of him wearing his A’s uniform.  That is the ‘Eck’ that I know; and that is the ‘Eck’ that more than likely landed him in the Hall of Fame.

I was able to pick up this card of Dennis Eckerlsey for just fifty cents.

And I would say that it was well spent!!

Rollie Fingers 1970 Topps

Rollie Fingers 1970 Topps

It has been more than a month since I last showed off a baseball card of Rollie Fingers from my collection.

It has not due to lack of organization or time or desire.  It has more to do with availability…

You see, I am very close to completing my collection of every major-brand release of Rollie Fingers baseball cards from his playing days.  I’m just having a little bit of a hard time securing the remaining cards of him that I need for my collection in the condition that I seek and at a price that I am willing to pay.

So, it may take me a little time to knock out the remaining cards for my Rollie Fingers PC, but I am in no rush.

In the meantime, here is his 1970 Topps baseball card – a little off-centered, but still a very nice card.

Enjoy.

1987 HEADLINE: Dennis Eckersley Traded To Oakland A’s

1987 HEADLINE: Dennis Eckersley Traded To Oakland A’s

On this day in 1987, the Chicago Cubs traded future Hall of Famer, Dennis Eckersley to the Oakland Athletics.

As part of a 5-player, 2-team trade, Eckersely and Dan Rohn were shipped to the Oakland A’s in exchange for Brian Guinn, Dave Wilder, and Mark Leonette.

Now I don’t know about you, but I would have to say that the A’s got the better end of that deal… You agree, right??

2012 Topps ‘Mound Dominance’ Subset – Card #MD-14 – John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves

2012 Topps ‘Mound Dominance’ Subset – Card #MD-14  – John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves

I really like the ‘Mound Dominance’ subset that Topps included in their 2012 base set.  The cards are sharp, the graphics are solid, and I am a sucker for cards that pay homage to a historic baseball event.

The ‘Mound Dominance’ set recalls 15 amazing pitching performances in major league history.

This is card#14 – John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves

The Dominant Day – October 17, 1991.  In Game 7 of the NLCS, John Smoltz pitched his best postseason game of his career.  He threw a complete game shutout while striking out 8 batters and allowing just 6 hits.  Smoltz threw 123 pitches in the contest and was the leader of the Braves as they advanced to the 1991 World Series.

Progress – 14/15

Rollie Fingers 1981 Topps Traded – 1st Milwaukee Brewers Card

Rollie Fingers 1981 Topps Traded – 1st Milwaukee Brewers Card

Rollie Fingers had a crazy offseason in between the 1980 and 1981 baseball seasons.

Actually, to narrow that down even further, he had one really wild week…

On December 8, 1980, Rollie Fingers was traded from the San Diego Padres to the St. Louis Cardinals.  And then just five days later, on the 12th of Decemeber, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.

This is Fingers’ card from the 1981 Topps Traded set:

Wouldn’t it have been cool to see a card of him with an air-brushed Cardinals uniform as well??

 I think so…

Rollie Fingers 1973 Topps

Rollie Fingers 1973 Topps

If you look very closely at this 1973 Topps baseball card of Rollie Fingers, you will see that he has yet to fully adopt the handle-bar mustache as part of his grooming style.

The length of the mustache is starting to come in, but it is not yet ready to start being curled in the manner that we have become accustomed to over the last 30+ years.

I’ve got to check out his 1974 Topps card to track the growth…

And yes, this card is a fantastic addition to my growing collection that honors Fingers’ career.

1982 Topps – 1981 ‘Leading Relievers’ With Bruce Sutter and Rollie Fingers

1982 Topps – 1981 ‘Leading Relievers’ With Bruce Sutter and Rollie Fingers

Jeez, look at all of the hair on this card!!!

WHOA!!!  From the top of the head through the mustache and to the beard, this has to be one of the hairiest (is that a word) baseball cards in the 1982 Topps set.

At least these guys brought something else to the card too – Power Pitching!!

At the end of the 1981 baseball season, it was Bruce Sutter and Rollie Fingers that paced their respective leagues in saves.  Sutter paced the National League with 25 saves, and Rollie Fingers led the AL, and all of baseball, with 28.

Not too shabby.  Just very, very hairy!!!

1978 Topps – 1977 Leading Firemen Starring Rollie Fingers & Bill Campbell

1978 Topps – 1977 Leading Firemen Starring Rollie Fingers & Bill Campbell

By the time the 1977 baseball season was underway, Rollie Fingers already had a reputation for being one of the best closers in the sport from his time with the 3-time World Series championship winning Oakland A’s.

Fingers signed with the San Diego Padres during the offseason between the 1976 and 1977 baseball seasons.

And he quickly asserting his dominance against his National League foes.

Fingers led the league, and the majors, with 35 saves in 1977.  Bill Campbell, of the Boston Red Sox, paced the AL with 31 saves.

This card from the 1978 Topps set celebrates both guys.