Jim Palmer 2013 Panini Hometown Heroes – Baltimore

Jim Palmer 2013 Panini Hometown Heroes – Baltimore

I keep chipping away at this set, but I don’t feel like I am making that much progress…

Let me explain a bit more – This set is sweet, and I live the card design.  But, for every base card, like the one below, there are two more versions – a State and a Zip Code parallel.

So, as I mentioned before, I am making progress but it is a slow go as it is taking the parallel cards a lot longer to appear for sale than the base.

I wish that Panini announced the print run of the two parallel versions as this would give us some kind of scale to judge just how rare these added versions may/may not be…

Until then, I will simply hope for the best and continue to try to add more to my collection.

This is the base card of Jim Palmer from the set:

Giancarlo Stanton 2013 Topps Opening Day

Giancarlo Stanton 2013 Topps Opening Day

I already have this baseball card as a part of my 2013 Topps Opening Day Miami Marlins team set, but I needed to add one to my Stanton PC.

Thankfully, I was able to snag one for just $0.18 on Sportlots.com.

 

As for Stanton and his performance on Opening Day in 2013, it was fair.  Stanton went 1-for-4 in a 2-0 loss in Washington to the Nationals.  He connected for a double in the 7th inning off of Strasburg but he was stranded there…

Happy Birthday Bo Jackson!!!

Happy Birthday Bo Jackson!!!

Bo Jackson turns 51 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!!!

2011 Topps Heritage Florida Marlins Team Set

2011 Topps Heritage Florida Marlins Team Set

For as much as I like the 1962 Topps baseball card design, I really am not too impressed with the 2011 version that came with the Heritage set.

Sure, I know that the set pays homage to not just the design but also the kinds of images used in the ’62 set, but I just don’t care for so many cards of the same boring, no-cap wearing photographs.

The wood-grain helps – a lot, but ultimately, this set is just a bit too boring…

Have a look:

 

 

See what I mean.

Can you guess which cards are my favorite?

Yep, the Gaby Sanchez and Mike Stanton cards – just a little action is better than absolutely no action at all.  And yes, that Topps Rookie All-Star trophy helps tremendously!!!

Jose Fernandez 2013 Topps ‘Rookie Debut’ – ROOKIE CARD!!!

Jose Fernandez 2013 Topps ‘Rookie Debut’ – ROOKIE CARD!!!

I’ve been scoring a pretty nice assortment of Jose Fernandez cards as of late.  And I will work to show them off to you over the coming weeks as I inject more posts about Jose and his cards into the blog.

The below card is his ‘Rookie Debut’ card from the 2013 Topps Update set.

Have a look:

 

As for the debut, here are the numbers:

April 7, 2013 – no decision, 5 innings pitched and 19 batters faced, 3 hits allowed, 1 run given up, 8 strikeouts with 1 walk.

Not a bad start to his rookie campaign!!!

2013 Topps Archives ‘Tallboys’ Subset – Cal Ripken, Jr.

2013 Topps Archives ‘Tallboys’ Subset – Cal Ripken, Jr.

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 card of Cal Ripken, Jr. from the set:

 

Cal Ripken is a timeless player.  Of the many players that starred and excelled during the 1980’s, I feel like Ripken is one of the few that could have performed at the same level in other eras.  Ripken was a solid contact hitter, with the ability to deliver with power when needed.  His defense, for a big guy, was superb, and he had decent range while not being known as a speedy player.

Ripken is also known to be a fantastic teammate – and that trait is ageless!!

1976 Headline: Reggie Jackson Is Coming To The Bronx!!!

1976 Headline: Reggie Jackson Is Coming To The Bronx!!!

On this day in 1976, Reggie Jackson signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees.

I only wish that I could have been around to witness this as I am sure that the city of New York and Yankees fans across the country were celebrating this incredible occasion.

By this time in his career, Reggie had established himself as a power hitting slugger that was able to dominate the game offensively.  His knack for driving in runs in timely situations earned him a lot of respect from fans, foes, and teammates.

But with this signing, I am not sure that anyone knew what was to come!!!

How about 144 home runs, 461 RBI, a .281 batting average, 380 runs scored, 5 All-star appearances, and 2 World Series championships!!!

I’d say that the Yankees got a bargain.  Agreed???

Happy Birthday Mariano Rivera!!!

Happy Birthday Mariano Rivera!!!

Mariano Rivera turns 44 years old today!!

Quite possibly the greatest closer of all-time, and certainly the best closer in post season history, Rivera has many reasons to celebrate today!!

Among them would be that he is one of the most highly regarded relief pitchers in World Series history.  His efforts during the post season have helped the new York Yankees nab 5 World Series titles during his reign as the team’s closer.

Mariano capped his major league career in dramatic fashion at the end of the 2013 season.  He was classy each and every step of the way.  And while he still dominated when on the mound, he allowed us a few opportunities to truly take a deep breath and enjoy the moments with him.

His numbers in 2013 were typical Rivera – 64 appearance, 6-2 record, 44 saves, 2.11 ERA, 64 innings pitched with 54 strikeouts and just 9 walks allowed.

Happy Birthday Mr. Rivera!!!  Thank you for the memories…

Attn Card Collectors: Donruss Is Coming Back!!!

Attn Card Collectors: Donruss Is Coming Back!!!

**Hat-tip to reader Matt for sharing this story with me.  Thanks, Bud!!

For the story about Donruss’ re-emergence into the hobby of baseball card production, you’ve got to read this story from Cardboard Connection –

2014 Donruss Baseball Cards

Personally, I think that Donruss issued the best looking cards of the mid-2000’s and I am very eager to see how they are received in 2014 with this release.

I cannot wait!!!