Jim Rice 1989 Upper Deck

Jim Rice 1989 Upper Deck

When Upper Deck made its debut in 1989 with their first baseball card set, it took the hobby by storm.  The set offered up a new kind of card stock, a high-gloss finish, superb images, and unique card backs.

Upper Deck built and executed the perfect recipe in 1989.

And now, almost 25 years later, the ’89 cards still stand out.

Have a look at this card of Jim Rice from the set:

 

The action captured here is perfect.  And the colors work extremely well.  Best of all the now-famous first base line that runs vertically down the right border of the card does not take away from any of the action while still supplying a fantastic baseball scene.

I LOVE IT!!!

Happy Birthday Mark McGwire!!!

Happy Birthday Mark McGwire!!!

Mark McGwire turns 50 years old today.

Simply stated, Mark McGwire is the greatest power hitter of my generation.  Of all of the players that have played the game in the last 25 years, I believe he is the best single-skill player of them all.  Not a good contact hitter,  no speed,  and not the most talented player with the glove, McGwire could do one thing better than anyone else – hit the ball out of the park!!!

McGwire retired from the game with 583 career home runs.  He collected those homers in 6,187 at bats which gives him a home run in every 10.6 at bats over the course of his 16- year career.  One has to wonder how many more dingers a healthy Mark McGwire could have crushed.  4 more years equals 160+ home runs which surpasses the 700 HR Club!!!

Happy Birthday Mr. McGwire!!!

61 in 1961

61 in 1961

On this day in 1961, Roger Maris of the New York Yankees broke the all-time single season home run record by crushing his 61st home run of the season.

In the 163rd, and final game of the season, Maris entered the game with 60 home runs.  At home and in front of more than 23,000 fans, Maris connected for number 61 in the bottom of the 4th inning.  His home run would represent the only run scored in the game, giving the New York Yankees a 1-0 victory.

His home run gave baseball fans something to cheer about, although most would have preferred if it was another Yankee outfielder to be the one rounding the bases for number 61.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Maris – Truly one of baseball’s greatest legends!!!

Happy Birthday Rod Carew!!

Happy Birthday Rod Carew!!

Rod Carew turns 68 years old today.

I consider Rod Carew to be one of the most underrated superstars in baseball history.

Yes, I know he’s a Hall of Famer.  And yes, I know he is an 18-time All-star.  And yes, he was a constant threat to win the league’s MVP award for most of his career.

But when people talk about the greatest hitters in the sport’s history, Carew gets very little credit yet his numbers stack up quite well to the competition.  In 19 seasons, Carew collected 3,053 hits alongside a .320 batting average.  He also managed to score 1,424 runs, drive in 1,015 runs, and steal 353 bases.

The reason that Rod Carew remains under the radar is that he played for very low-profile teams – the Twins and Angels.

Happy Birthday Mr. Carew!!

1932 HEADLINE: Babe Ruth Calls His Shot!!!

1932 HEADLINE: Babe Ruth Calls His Shot!!!

On this day in 1932, one of baseball’s greatest stories was written.

Here is a condensed version of the story as brought to you by Wikipedia:

“Babe Ruth’s called shot was the home run hit by Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, held on October 1, 1932 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. During the at-bat, Ruth made a pointing gesture, which existing film confirms, but the exact nature of his gesture is ambiguous. Although neither fully confirmed nor refuted, the story goes that Ruth pointed to the center field bleachers during the at-bat. It was allegedly a declaration that he would hit a home run to this part of the park. On the next pitch, Ruth hit a home run to center field.”

And the result of that?  An 80+ year old baseball legend that is still fondly talked about today.

Happy Anniversary Babe!!!

October Is Upon Us, And That Means It Is Time To Celebrate ‘Mr. October’ – Reggie Jackson!!!

October Is Upon Us, And That Means It Is Time To Celebrate ‘Mr. October’ – Reggie Jackson!!!

I have been preparing for this for a few months, and I think that it will be pretty enjoyable for anyone that appreciates what Reggie means to the history of this great sport and hobby.

If you have been reading ’30-YOC’ for the last few years, you know that I like to pay tribute to Reggie Jackson, baseball’s ‘Mr. October’, throughout the entire month of October.

In the past, I have featured baseball cards, baseball stories, famous quotes, and anything else I could find that honored Reggie.  Peppered throughout the month of October, my past features have been a fun way to honor and commemorate one of baseball’s most legendary World Series performers and Hall of Famers.

This October, I plan to take that dedication to the next level.  I have stocked up on cards that feature Reggie, and I will show them off to you – EVERY DAY!!!  That’s right, each and every day of the month, Reggie Jackson will be a featured player at 30-Year Old Cardboard.

Here is a sneak peek at what you will be seeing:

OK, that is enough of a hint.

Stay tuned throughout the month of October – I have picked up some fantastic cards of Reggie and I think that I have a little something in there for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks for reading.  And get ready!!!

Austin Kearns & Chris Coghlan 2013 Topps Series 1 – Purple Toys-R-Us Cards!!!

Austin Kearns & Chris Coghlan 2013 Topps Series 1 – Purple Toys-R-Us Cards!!!

Yes, I keep chugging away at this project – the 2013 Topps Series 1 team set, and all of the related parallel colors to go with it.

So far, I have completed the base set (big accomplishment) and the Emerald version.  I have quite a few of the Wal-Mart Blue cards and the Target Red cards.

And now, I finally have my first two Toys-R-Us Purple cards for the set.

Have a look:

 

The cards are of Chris Coghlan and Austin Kearns.

The Purple is a nice treat since I have never scored a Toys-R-Us exclusive card before.  Hopefully I can add a few more of these to my team set and maybe a few of the other parallels as well.  It would be nice to be able to knock off a few more of these before the 2014’s hit…