Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #10 – 1977 Topps Design

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #10 – 1977 Topps Design

One of my 2013 collecting goals was to complete the 1999 Topps Nolan Ryan Commemorative baseball card set. The set features a re-print of each of Ryan’s base cards issued by Topps from his rookie season to his final season.

This is the 10th card in the set, a re-print of Ryan’s 1977 Topps baseball card:

Nolan Ryan worked his tail off in 1977.  He threw 299 innings in 37 starts for the Angels.  He compiled a record of 19-16 on the year with 22 complete games and four shutouts.  He had an ERA of 2.77 and finished the season with a league-leading 341 strikeouts and a K:9 Innings ratio of 10.3:1.

 

Unclemoe Sends Over 2 Sweet Andre McCutchen Cards For The New PC!!!

Unclemoe Sends Over 2 Sweet Andre McCutchen Cards For The New PC!!!

While still not official, when I posted my haul of Andrew McCutchen cards from a recent baseball card show that I attended, one of my favorite baseball/baseball card bloggers ‘Unlcemoe‘ offered up a few more cards to help build up my collection.

I thanked him kindly for his generosity, and he had the cards in the mail to me very quickly.

Here are the two beauties that he sent:

 

I am really liking that Topps ‘All-Star Rookie’ trophy on the Heritage card.  I’m very happy to see that Topps sticks to their roots when replicating designs with their Heritage brand as that same trophy was presented in the original 1961 Topps set.

Moe, Thank you for the great cards.  I appreciate your generosity.  I’ll be looking out for a way to re-pay the kindness!!

Hank Aaron 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter – Base

Hank Aaron 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter – Base

I am still shipping away at singles from the 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter set for my player collections.  And while I am seeking some of the more rare cards from the set like the ‘Black-bordered mini’ and the ‘No-number mini’, I still need a few base cards too.

Like this one of Hank Aaron.

 

I like the card, but it is a but bland.  Maybe including the bat in the shot would be enough to change it a bit?  I will say that the Braves uniform that Aaron is wearing for this shot is one of my favorites –  I love that cap!!!

Reggie Jackson 1994 Upper Deck Heroes Of Baseball

Reggie Jackson 1994 Upper Deck Heroes Of Baseball

Many collectors do not realize that the Upper Deck ‘Heroes Of Baseball’ set goes back to the 1990’s.  I believe that the first issue was released in 1991.

And then this one came out a few years later in 1994…

The card features Reggie playing in what appears to be some kind of legends game.  As you can see by the backdrop, Upper Deck must have been a sponsor of the event.

My favorite part of the card??   It’s got to be that great cameo of Reggie in the lower-left side of the card.  I love those sunglasses!!!

Vince Coleman 1988 Score – PERFECTION!!!!

Vince Coleman 1988 Score

Every once in a while you come across a baseball card that is executed to perfection.

For me, that means a large action-filled image, perfectly cropped, graphics that don’t take away from the centerpiece of the card, all on a nice sturdy piece of cardboard.  And the card needs to take you back to a memory of the player and the action being showcased.

Score Achieved this with their 1988 card of Vince Coleman.

See for yourself:

In ’30-YOC’ world, this is called a piece of art.

The only thing missing is a Cardinals logo.  But it is not needed this time around…

Thank you Score!!!

1994 HEADLINE: Greg Maddux Wins Third Straight Cy Young Award

1994 HEADLINE: Greg Maddux Wins Third Straight Cy Young Award

On this day in 1994, Greg Maddux won his third straight Cy Young award.  He was the first pitcher in major league history to earn the award in three consecutive seasons.

Being one of the best pitchers in the sport over that length of time is a major accomplishment.  And when some of your greatest competition is coming from your teammates, I am sure that the pride of being the ‘Ace’ of the staff gave Maddux even more gratification.

Here is a look at Maddux’s numbers from those three seasons:

1992 – 20-11, 2.18 ERA, 9 complete games, All-Star, Gold Glove

1993 – 20-10, 2.36 ERA, 10 complete games, Gold Glove

1994 – 16-6, 1.56 ERA, 10 complete games, All-Star, Gold Glove

Oh, and it should be noted that Maddux went on to win the Cy Young award in 1995 too – setting an all-time record with four consecutive wins!!

Happy Anniversary Mr. Maddux!!!

2013 Topps Archives ‘Tallboys’ Subset – Derek Jeter

2013 Topps Archives ‘Tallboys’ Subset – Derek Jeter

With the new 2013 Topps Archives baseball card set release, the ‘Mini Tallboys’ subset is easily one of the best parts of the issue.

The cards from this subset offer a very basic, but throwback feel that screams vintage. The set is 40 cards deep and offers a nice mixture of current players, stars from the 1980′s, and Hall of Fame legends.

This is the Derek Jeter card from the set:

 

I opened up two retail blasters of 2013 Topps Archives this year.  And in them, my best pull from the Tallboy subset was the Derek Jeter card.

Jeter had a forgettable 2013 baseball season.  Chuck full of injuries and rehab stints, Jeter only appeared in 17 games with the Yankees.  Still, he collected 12 hits helping him climb the ladder on the all-time career hits list.

I’m really hoping that he can bounce back in 2014 and put on a huge show.  He will it 40 during the season, but I would love to see him continue his climb on the all-time hits rank.  He is tenth on the all-time list as of right now, but with a solid campaign he could get all the way up to six if he stays healthy.

Go Get ‘Em Jeet!!!