Andre Dawson Card #997 – 2003 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Game-Used Bat Card

Andre Dawson Card #997 – 2003 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Game-Used Bat Card

I have been drooling over this specific baseball card for years.

And while I have no idea of how scarce it may actually be, the fact of the matter is that very few make their way to Ebay.  And of the ones that do, some come with a price tag that I am simply not willing to meet.

But, my persistence and patience has paid off – I finally scored one!!!

And she is a beauty – Have a look:

My guess is that the photo used of this card was taken during the very early days of Andre’s tenure as a member of the Cubs.

Heck, it may have been taken during the same time that his 1987 Topps Traded card image was shot.

A great addition to my ‘Ultimate Dawson’ collection!!!

1968 Topps Game – Rich Allen

1968 Topps Game – Rich Allen

Rich Allen, also known as Richie or Dick Allen, had a solid 15-year major league baseball career.

A true slugger, Allen connected for 351 home runs during his playing days, including seven seasons of at least 25 or more.

But Allen was not limited to just home run hitting.  Allen has a career batting average of .292, with seven seasons of .300+ on is resume. 

Allen was the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1964 and the American League’s MVP in 1972.  He was a 7-time All-Star. 

Progress – 24/33

Ernie Banks 2004 Fleer Greats

Ernie Banks 2004 Fleer Greats

At first glance, I did not think that it was Ernie Banks that was featured on this card from the 2004 Fleer Greats set.

The picture, and style, the uniform – it all just seems very old.

A closer look reveals that the featured player is indeed Ernie Banks, and was taken sometime during the late 1950’s.

Here is the card:

My fascination with the stars of the Chicago Cubs starts with the 1961 rookie seasons of Billy Williams and Ron Santo.  I don’t know that much about the history of the team and their uniforms prior to 1961, but the uniform Banks is wearing looks like a throwback to a time earlier than his debut in 1955.

Great card, true vintage!!!

Jim Abbott 1990 Score

Jim Abbott 1990 Score

Talk about a match made in heaven, right???

The border and frame colors of the 1990 Score baseball card design work perfectly with the team colors of the California Angels.

In particular, the Yellow of the frame that surrounds the image of Jim Abbott really allows for the halo of the Angels’ logo stand out!

Check it out:

Happy Anniversary Kevin Brown!!!

Happy Anniversary Kevin Brown!!!

On this day in 1997, Florida Marlins starting pitcher Kevin Brown threw a no-hitter!

On the road in San Francisco to take on the Giants, Brown and his teammates suited up to play in front of a small crowd of just over 10,000 spectators.  But for those in attendance that stayed throughout the duration of the ballgame, history was witnessed.

In a battle of a 1st place team(the Giants) and a 2nd place team(the Marlins), it was 1 player that dominated the action from start to finish.

Throughout the night, Brown was amazing.  He needed just 98 pitches to complete the game, allowing no hits in the process.  Brown struck out 7 batters on the night while pitching almost flawlessly.  He walked nobody, and faced just 28 batters.

The Marlins gave Brown all of the offensive support that he needed to remain confident on the hill.  Tallying 9 runs, Edgar Renteria, Charles Johnson, and Moises Alou provided the firepower enabling Brown to remain calm during the course of the game.

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary Mr. Brown!!!

I have watched parts of a handful of no-hitters on television.  This is the first one that I can recall watching the entire game.

Loyal Reader ‘Q’ Offers Up 5 Cards From The 2012 Topps Archives Set – 4 Marlins & Jim Palmer

Loyal Reader ‘Q’ Offers Up 5 Cards From The 2012 Topps Archives Set – 4 Marlins & Jim Palmer

The readers of this blog are amazing – and I feel very fortunate as this forum has provided me with friendships that I never would have known.

And trade partners too.

I sent ‘Q’ a nice stack of Starlin Castro baseball cards that I had been holding onto.

As for the cards that I got in return?

How about 4 Marlins:

And a Jim Palmer ‘floater’:

5 great cards for my collection.

Thanks Q!!!  I’ll be sure to hold all future Castro cards for you!!