Jim Abbott ‘Fab Five’ – Card #1 – 1991 Upper Deck

Jim Abbott ‘Fab Five’ – Card #1 – 1991 Upper Deck

Now that my Jim Abbott player collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #1 – 1991 Upper Deck

Sure, there may be better looking card designs (even though UD reigned supreme in the early 1990’s).  But the image captured on this card is what makes it earn the top spot in my ‘Fab Five’ list.

As a kid when I pulled this card from a pack of cards, I was mesmerized.  Yes, I knew Abbott’s story, but I never fathomed that he could hit the ball.  I would put this card up against any card issued in the 1990’s as the most memorable card from the decade – here I stand (sitting) in 2012 and I still vividly recall the awe I had as a 16-year old kid when I first saw this card.

As a major leaguer, Abbott had 24 official at-bats.  He collected two hits and 3 RBI.  His professional batting average is .095.

Andre Dawson 1995 Upper Deck SP – Silver

Andre Dawson 1995 Upper Deck SP  – Silver

It is always a good time when you can grab a card that you did not know existed. 

And that is exactly what happened when I found this ‘Silver’ version of Andre Dawson’s 1995 Upper Deck SP baseball card.

I already had the base and die-cut versions of this card in my collection, so adding an alternate version is a nice way to be able to ‘Bulk Up’.

This Silver version makes three!  YES!!

David Wright And Mets Agree To 7-Year Extension Through 2022

From MLB.com

The Mets and third baseman David Wright have come to terms on a seven-year, $122 million extension that will keep the six-time All-Star and face of the franchise in New York, a source confirmed to MLB.com on Friday.

The Mets have not commented on or confirmed the deal, which was first reported by Ed Coleman of WFAN Radio in New York.

Wright, who will turn 30 on Dec. 20, will make $16 million in 2013, the final year of his existing contract. Then he’ll make $122 million over the next seven years. The deal will be the most lucrative in club history. In total, Wright’s new deal will be for $138 million over the next eight years. Johan Santana’s six-year, $137.5 million contract from 2008 had previously been the club’s most expensive deal.

Wright, who could have become a free agent after next season, is in Jacksonville, Fla., to attend teammate Daniel Murphy’s wedding this weekend, according to ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin, who reported that the deal will likely be announced sometime next week after Wright returns to New York for a physical exam.

Wright was drafted by New York with the 38th pick in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, and made his Major League debut in 2004. In his nine-year career in Flushing, he has taken over the franchise lead in hits (1,426), RBIs (818) and walks (616). He hit .306 with 21 homers and 93 RBIs in 156 games for New York in 2012.

The deal enhances the possibility of Wright playing his entire career in a Mets uniform. If he plays out the contract in New York, he will be approaching 38 years old and will have played 17 seasons with the Mets.

With a deal in place for Wright, the Mets will head to next week’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., focused on the future of Music City native and 2012 National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, who can become a free agent after next season.

Eric Davis 1987 Fleer – ‘Dount Card’

Eric Davis 1987 Fleer – ‘Dount Card’

And I was just startin to crave a nice, warm donut too!!!

Eric Davis has one.  Do you?

Happy Birthday Bo Jackson!!!

Happy Birthday Bo Jackson!!!

Bo Jackson turns 50 years old today.

Vincent Edward Jackson was one of the most exciting players to debut in major league baseball during the 1980’s.  A 2-sport athlete that built a strong following at the University of Auburn, Jackson was a star before he made his professional debut.

And although his career was cut short due to a football injury sustained while playing in the NFL, Bo Jackson offered us some incredible highlights while in the big leagues.  An All-star during the 1989 season, Bo was wildly popular for his ability to crush home runs(141 in 8 seasons), chase down everything in the outfield, and his breaking of bats.

Happy Birthday Bo!!!  And thanks for the memories that will last a lifetime!!!

1961 HEADLINE: Cubs’ Billy Williams Earns National League Rookie Of The Year Award

1961 HEADLINE: Cubs’ Billy Williams Earns National League Rookie Of The Year Award

On this day in 1961, Billy Williams was awarded with the Rookie of the Year award in the National League.

In that ’61 campaign, Williams starred in 146 games for the Chicago Cubs.  And once he earned that starting job in left field, he kept it for fourteen years!!!

During his ROY season, Williams hit .278 while collecting 147 hits.  In a display of his all-around offensive skills, ‘Sweet Swinging Billy Williams’ connected for 20 doubles and 25 home runs.  He also scored 75 runs while driving in 86.  And amazingly, as a 23-year old rookie, he only struck out 70 times in 584 plate appearances.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Williams!!!

‘Hall Of Fame Debate’ – The Archives

‘Hall Of Fame Debate’ – The Archives

Some of the most spirited dialogue on this blog has come as a result of the Hall of Fame topics that I have brought up in the past.

So, as I continue to work towards debuting this new weekly series at ’30-YOC’, I thought I would try to get you in the mood for a little ‘Hall Of Fame Debate’.

Here are some of the things that you can expect to see in the coming Thursdays:

1 vote for the Hall of Fame – Bagwell or Biggio???

Chipper Jones May Be The Best 3rd Baseman EVER!!!

Voting For 1: Trevor Hoffman OR Andy Pettitte

Cast Your Vote: What Hat Should Gary Sheffield Wear Into Cooperstown??

Let The Numbers Do The Talking: Maddux VS Johnson VS Clemens

Is Edgar Martinez Hall of Fame Worthy???

I think that is enough to whet your whistle…

The new topics will begin next Thursday so stay tuned.

Frank Robinson 2012 Topps Update ‘Blockbusters’

Frank Robinson 2012 Topps Update ‘Blockbusters’

I love the thought of the ‘Blockbuster’ set that Topps included in their 2012 Update set.  The theme is fantastic and I really like the look of the newspaper theme that Topps used for the cards.

As for the set’s checklist, in my opinion it leaves a little to be desired.  Yes, it showcases some of the biggest moves in baseball history.  But, it also features a few that are probably not worthy of being in the set.

Will I build the whole set?  Time will only tell.

But, in the meantime, I will be happy to add this card of Frank Robinson into my player collection.

YES!!!

Jim Abbott ‘Fab Five’ – Card #2 – 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card

Jim Abbott ‘Fab Five’ – Card #2 – 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card

Now that my Jim Abbott player collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #2 – 1989 Upper Deck

In Upper Deck’s debut set they featured a few of these multi-image baseball cards.  The ones that I am certain of are Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, and this one of Jim Abbott.

The Ryan and Boggs cards make a lot of sense – these guys were established talents in the game.

The Abbott card is a bit more mysterious as it is his rookie season and he had not real MLB following at the time of the release.  But, as we all know, Upper Deck wanted to make revolutionary changes in the hobby (ie Ken Griffey Jr getting the #1 card in their first set).

I think that UD hit is out of the park with this card!!  And I love that old Angels logo too…

Mike Schmidt 1987 Topps

Mike Schmidt 1987 Topps

1987 was the year that I really got into collecting full-time.  And as a 12-year old, I was a pretty ruthless collector.  Topps was my primary target, primarily due to the availability of the packs – found at every supermarket, pharmacy, and gas station in town.

In total, I believe that I built no less than four complete sets.  And I also had all of the subsets separately too.

Of my favorite cards in the set was the Mike Schmidt card.  I like the image, and I had enough of these to fill a bunch of pages.  9 of these beauties on the same page looks great – Trust Me!!