Dustin Pedroia 2014 Topps – 1989 Mini Die-Cut

Dustin Pedroia 2014 Topps – 1989 Mini Die-Cut

Wow, you almost don’t recognize the guy without the beard….

 

It’s kind of funny how there are certain cards that simply get more collecting love than others – even when there is not a ‘standout’ feature like an autograph or chunk of game-used something embedded into it.

This card of Dustin Pedroia is one of them (at least for me).  The card is from a 2014 Topps Series 1 subset of 1989 Mini Die-Cuts.

And it took me quite a long time to bring one home.  Yes, I was thrifty with how much I would pay, but I got outbid a lot on this one – more than 5-6 cards sold at higher prices that I was willing to dish out.

But, as usual, the patience paid off and I was able to score the card for just $0.99 with FREE shipping.

And now, I have just one more ’89 Die-Cut Mini to go after.  Hopefully, nabbing the McCutchen is not as tough…

1975 Topps Set Card 70/660 – #330 – Mike Marshall, Dodgers

1975 Topps Set Card 70/660 – #330 – Mike Marshall, Dodgers

Progress: 70/660

Player Name:  Mike Marshall

Card Number:  330

Team:  Los Angeles Dodgers

Position:  Pitcher

Image Style:  In-Game Action

Years In The Major Leagues:  14 seasons, 1967, 1969-81

Notes From His 1975 Season:  After leading the league in appearance in three straight seasons, Mike Marshall appeared in 58 games in 1975.  He compiled a 9-14 record with 18 saves.  In 109 innings of work, Marshall had a 3.20 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 39 walks.

Notes From Career:  Mike Marshall pitched in the big leagues for 14 seasons.  He was a relief pitcher who had a knack for getting into a lot of ballgames.  During his 14-year career, Marshall pitched in 724 games.  He led the league in appearances during four different seasons.  He has a lifetime record of 97-112 with 188 saves and an ERA of 31.4.  Marshall was a 2-time All-Star and the winner of the 1974 NL CY Young Award.  He played in the 1974 World Series, but ultimately lost to the Oakland Athletics.

Happy Birthday Bret Saberhagen!!!

Happy Birthday Bret Saberhagen!!!

Bret Saberhagen turns 50 years old today.

Bret Saberhagen put together a nice 16-season career for himself.  If it were not for his playing for so many losing teams, who knows what he could have accomplished.  The individual accomplishments that Bret achieved rival those of some of the greatest pitchers from the 1980’s and 90’s.  A 2-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP, many would love to have his resume.

Saberhagen’s career record of  167-117 doesn’t do justice for some of the finest single seasons by any pitcher in the 80’s.  As a member of the Kansas City Royals in 1985, Bret won his first Cy Young award as he finished the season with a 20-6 record while striking out 158 batters and walking just 38.  The dominance continued into the post-season in ’85 as his Royals went on to win the World Series behind Bret’s MVP performance.  In the ’85 match-up he pitched 2 complete games, earning the win in each, while allowing just 1 run in 18 innings.  A few seasons later in 1989, Saberhagen again had a monstrous year as he went 23-6, with a 2.16 ERA and he struck out 193 batters while allowing just 43 walks.  These amazing stats earned Bret his 2nd Cy Young  Award in 5 seasons.

After 8 amazing seasons with the Royals, Bret went on to play for the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and the Boston Red Sox.  Although he did compile 3 more 10+ win seasons during his last 8 years in the big leagues, he was unable to recapture his amazing from his days in Kansas City.

It should be noted that Saberhagen has an incredible K:walk ratio.  For his career, he has 1,715 strikeouts while giving up just 471 walks – good for a 3.64:1 K:walk ratio which ranks him at #10 in major league history.

Happy Birthday Mr. Saberhagen!!!

A Special Shipment Headed To Hall OF Famer, Fergie Jenkins!!!!

A Special Shipment Headed To Hall OF Famer,  Fergie Jenkins!!!!

On the way in to work this morning, I made a quick stop at my local USPS building so I could drop a very special package in the mail.

One of my collecting goals for 2014 is to add some bulk to my ‘Ultimate Jenkins’ collection.  So, I am taking a few steps towards making that happen.

This very special package is headed to Mr. Jenkins this morning!!!

As soon as it is returned back to me, I will unveil the goodies inside!!

Dissecting The Horrible Product That Is 2014 Donruss

Dissecting The Horrible Product That Is 2014 Donruss

It took me some time to put it all together, but I have finally figured out the true origins of the 2014 Donruss Baseball product that was released a few months ago.

And while I, like many other collectors, was excited about the idea of a new Donruss product to collect in 2014, I have to say that this set fails, and it fails miserably.

But, I was really not sure why I did not like it as much as I actually did.

So, being the ‘numbers guy’ that I am, I took out my ‘thinking cap’ and dug in to truly analyze the set and it’s design.

And what I found is that many of the main attractions from the 2014 Donruss set are simply pieces of other card sets merged into one – a morph, if you will.

First, let me show you the card by itself.  Then, I will explain my findings further.

Here is the base card of my main-man, Giancarlo Stanton.

Not a bad card when standing alone.  Sure, there are no team name or logos on the card, but it is what it is.  And to be honest, I don’t think a Marlins logo or banner would drastically affect my opinion of the finished product.

Now, on to the breakdown…

For comparisons’ sake, I have pulled a few cards from my collection to match up to the 2014 Donruss design.

First, the ‘New’ Donruss logo is the same as the ‘Old’ Donruss logo featured on their 1981 design – just enlarged with a slight splash of color.

From there, Donruss gave us the same border design as they did in 1987 with their base set product.

Almost identical!

And if that was not bad enough, Donruss also stole from their competitor, Topps.  Yep, right from the people they are competing with.  Donruss stole the team banner design from the 1978 Topps set.

Pretty blatant if you ask me…

And friends, that is why this product fails.  A true stinker!  Nothing original.  Nothing new.  And nothing to look forward too.