Miami Marlins 2014 Topps Series 1 Team Set – Blue Border Version

Miami Marlins 2014 Topps Series 1 Team Set – Blue Border Version

First, I completed the base team set.

And then, I put together the Red Foil version.

And now, I have also completed the 9-card Blue-bordered version of the 2014 Topps Series 1 Miami Marlins team set.

Have a look:

 

Between ripping through a few blasters of this new product, and securing a few extra cards via trades, I had 6 of the 9 cards needed for the Blue team set.

So, I did a little shopping and it did not take too long for me to find the remaining three cards from the Blue checklist that I needed to call this one ‘Done’.

I quickly scooped them up, in two different transactions, and now the full 9-card beauty is complete!!

The Blue is an excellent complement to the Miami Marlins color scheme and the full set looks great in a 9-pocket page in my Marlins binder.,

Will I go after another colored team set from this release?  The odds are pretty good that I will…  Stay tuned.  And thanks for reading!!!

Jim Palmer 2014 Topps Heritage ‘Baseball Flashbacks’

Jim Palmer 2014 Topps Heritage ‘Baseball Flashbacks’

I was very excited to see that one of my favorite pitchers of all-time, Mr. Jim Palmer, had a card in this year’s Topps Heritage release.

His card is part of the ‘Flashbacks’ subset that honors great moments from 1965 – both baseball and non-baseball.

And Palmer sure did have a great year in 1965!!!  Not only did the 19-year old make his debut in the major leagues in 1965, but in 27 games of action, including 6 starts, Palmer solidified his place in the rotation for the following season.  In his 27 appearances, Palmer went 5-4 in 95 innings of work while amassing an ERA of 3.72.

This card pays homage to Palmer notching his first career win in 1965, a victory over the Yankees.  Palmer hit a home run in the game, the first of his career!

 

I LOVE IT!!!

1975 Topps Set Card 65/660 – #391 – Don DeMola, Expos

1975 Topps Set Card 65/660 – #391 – Don DeMola, Expos

Progress: 65/660

Player Name:  Don DeMola

Card Number:  391

Team:  Montreal Expos

Position:  Pitcher

Image Style:  Posed Pitching

Years In The Major Leagues:  2 seasons, 1974-75

Notes From His 1975 Season:   DeMola appeared in 60 games for the Expos in 1975, closing 27 of them.  In 97 innings of work, DeMola allowed 47 runs while striking out 63 and walking 42.  In those 60 appearances, he recorded 1 save.

Notes From Career:  DeMola’s big league career spanned the 1974 and 1975 baseball seasons.  He pitched in 85 games for the Expos compiling a 5-7 record with 1 save and an ERA of 3.77.  Of his 85 appearances in the majors, only 1 was as a starting pitcher.

Happy Birthday Gil Hodges!!!

Happy Birthday Gil Hodges!!!

Today we celebrate the life of Gil Hodges.  And while he is no longer physically with us, the amazing things he did on the baseball field will live on forever…

Hodges played for 18 seasons in the major leagues, making the All-Star team on eight occasions.  He spent a majority of his time in the field at first base, but also put in innings of work at catcher, third base, and in the outfield.

Offensively, Hodges was extremely productive.  A power hitter, with a knack for run production, he hit 20 or more home runs 11 times, while passing the 40-home run mark twice.  He also drove in 100 or more runs seven times and scored 80 or more runs during eight campaigns.

Hodges spent his playing days with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets.  He is a 3-time Gold Glove winner and finished in the Top 10 for the MVP award three times.

Happy Birthday Mr. Hodges!!

Giancarlo Stanton 2014 Topps Tribute – Base

Giancarlo Stanton 2014 Topps Tribute – Base

Since the base part of the new 2014 Topps Tribute set consists of just two Miami Marlins players, I have no desire to add the cards to my team set project.

Especially since both of the included players are guys that I am actively collecting individually as well.

So, this card of Giancarlo Stanton will make its way into my player collection, and I will focus my attention now on grabbing the base card of Jose Fernandez for that PC.

 

And who knows, if the opportunity presents itself for a few of the serial-numbered, colored parallels to land my way, I will scoop them up to.

Tribute is a fantastic looking product, and I am very happy with the photo selection that Topps made for this card of my right-fielder.

Thank you, Topps.