1983 Topps Oakland A’s Team Leader w/Rickey Henderson

1983 Topps Oakland A’s Team Leader w/Rickey Henderson

I know I’ve got some work cut out for me as I try to get closer to the end of this collection of cards.  With the announcement that Rickey will be enshrined at Cooperstown this summer, his cards have seen a spike in demand and prices and I still have several cards to try to grab.  I am going to try to get the older stuff first as I know that the cards issued in the late 1980’s are still easy to find in great shape.

Wish me luck as I continue on this journey… 

Happy Birthday Ernie Banks!!!

Amazingly, Ernie Banks is turning 78 years old today.  I have seen recent pictures of Ernie at various Cubs and baseball related events and he looks great!!

‘Mr. Cub’ will always be the most popular and respected player from the Chicago Cubs organization.  His 19-seasons of perfection in a Cubs uniform still remain as fond and vibrant memories for the ‘North Siders’.  Banks’ 512 career home runs and season after season of MVP caliber baseball earned him a Hall of Fame induction in 1977 on the first ballot.

Unfortunately Banks never played 1 single inning, never batted 1 time, never took the field 1 time in the playoffs.  For someone that means so much the sport of baseball and specifically to the city of Chicago, it would have been great to see Ernie Banks play when the games counted the most! 

Happy Birthday Nolan Ryan!!!

Yep, Nolan Ryan turns 62 years old today.

It’s hard to believe that we will soon be entering the 16th season since ‘The Ryan Express’ derailed his baseball career.  For any collector and baseball fan in general that was active in the 1980’s, we all have a Nolan Ryan moment ingrained in our heads.  For me, it was the speech I did in 10th grade about Ryan’s incredible feat of 5,000 K’s.  I actually had the game taped and used the strikeout of Rickey Henderson as the ‘ice breaker’.  It was pretty cool and I believe I got an A for the speech.  I remember saying something along the lines of ‘Nolan Ryan has done this 5,000 times.  Nolan Ryan did this 1,500 times before any of us were born.’

Anyways, ‘Happy Birthday’ to one of the game’s ultimate competitors!!!  Nolan Ryan is and will always be remembered as the guy that was unbelievably dominant yet was never rewarded with an individual honor for his pitching performances. 

“31 in 31” – The 1970’s – Card #1

“31 in 31” – The 1970’s – Card #1

Eddie Murray – 1978 Topps – #36

I have chosen Eddie Murray as the rookie that debuted in the 1970’s as the most complete baseball player while also having a significance in the hobby of collecting baseball cards.

Where do you start with this baseball superstar? 

Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003, Murray is one of the most deadly hitters the game of baseball has ever seen.   As a switch-hitter, Murray was indefensible.  He can be described as the perfect combination of power and control at the plate.  Murray is a member of the very small 3,000 hit & 500 home run club.  In the history of baseball, only 4 players have ever accomplished this spectacular feat and Murray is one of them(the others being Aaron, Mays, and Palmeiro).  With 3,255 hits and 504 homers Murray has distinguished himself as the best all-around hitter to debut during the 1970’s.  In addition to his incredible hits and home run numbers, Murray was also a key source of run production.  With 1,917 RBI and 1,627 runs scored over the course of his career, Murray was a constant force at the plate.

The awards and accolades on Murray’s resume are impressive – Rookie of the Year, 3-time Gold Glove winner, 3-time Silver Slugger winner, and an 8-time All-star.  And while Murray was never able to capture the MVP award, he did finish in the Top 10 in 8 times.

Eddie Murray played in 3 World Series contests and won 1 championship title with the 1983 Baltimore Orioles.

Congratulations go out to Eddie Murray who is ’30-Year Old Cardboard’s’ choice as the Top Rookie from the 1970’s!!!!