Andrew McCutchen 2014 Donruss – Base

Andrew McCutchen 2014 Donruss – Base

By now, you know that I am not a huge fan of the new 2014 Donruss release.  I find the base set to be a bore as it simply borrowed elements from prior issues and duct-taped them together.

Still, as a collector of a few modern players, I grabbed a few singles from the base set for my player collections.

I paid just $0.18 for this card of reigning NL MVP, Andrew McCutchen:

 

I like the image that Donruss used.  While there are no logos since Donruss/Panini does not have an MLB license, the card gives you great action while not giving you the feeling of hiding Pirates logos.

Not too bad…

1975 Topps Set Card 81/660 – #396 – Fred Norman, Reds

1975 Topps Set Card 81/660 – #396 – Fred Norman, Reds

Progress: 81/660

Player Name:  Fred Norman

Card Number:  396

Team:  Cincinnati Reds

Position:  Pitcher

Image Style:  Posed Action

Years In The Major Leagues:  16 seasons, 1962-64, 1966-67, 1970-80

Notes From His 1975 Season:  Norman went 12-4 in 26 starts for the Reds in 1975.  He also had 2 complete games thrown during that season.  In 188 innings of work, Norman achieved an ERA of 3.73 with 119 strikeouts thrown while walking 84 batters.

Notes From Career:  A journey-man, Norman suited up for 7 teams during his 16 year major league career.  He has a lifetime record of 104-103 with 56 complete games, 15 shutouts, and 8 saves.  Norman was a member of the ‘Big Red Machine’ pitching staff and won World Series titles in both 1975 and 1976 with the club.

1965 HEADLINE: Ferguson Jenkins Notches First Win As A Cub & Connects For Home Run!!!

1965 HEADLINE: Ferguson Jenkins Notches First Win As A Cub & Connects For Home Run!!!

On this day in 1965, Fergie Jenkins made his second start for the Cubs.  The team was at home to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in front of a crowd of just 6,974 fans.

The ones that were at the ballpark, were in for a treat!!

Fergie took over in relief during the third inning of the game for Bob Hendley.  He then threw five plus innings allowing four hits and zero runs while striking out three batters.  During that stretch, the Cubs scored two run to take a lead and secure victory.

And it was Fergie Jenkins that supplied the offense!!!  Jenkins went 2-for-3 on the day including a 2-run home run that would account for all of the runs needed to secure victory for the Cubs and Fergie.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Jenkins!!!

1954 HEADLINE: Henry Aaron Hits First Big League Homer!!

1954 HEADLINE: Henry Aaron Hits First Big League Homer!!

On this day in 1954, Henry ‘Hank’ Aaron crushed the first home run of his major league career.

On the road, and playing against the St. Louis Cardinals, Hank Aaron and the Milwaukee Braves battled the Cards in a 4-hour marathon. In total, the game consisted of 25 hits and 12 runs.

And for Aaron, this game was where his historic start as one of the game’s greatest power hitters took off. In the top of the 6th inning, Aaron belted a solo homer off of Cardinals’ pitcher Vic Raschi. On the day, Aaron went 3-for-7, while collecting 2 RBI, scoring 2 runs, and connecting for his first home run as a major league player.

And as they say, the rest was history…

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Aaron!!!

Happy Birthday Warren Spahn!!!

Happy Birthday Warren Spahn!!!

Today we celebrate Warren Spahn’s birthday.

A 21-year big league veteran, Warren Spahn was solidifying his spot as one of the game’s greatest pitchers way before the likes of Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, and Bob Gibson.

Over the course of his playing days, Spahn collected 363 wins – including 13 seasons of at least 20!! A truly amazing and durable hurler, Spahn started 665 contests during his career, and finished way more than half(382 to be exact) including 63 shutouts.

Warren Spahn was a 15-time All-Star and the 1957 Cy Young Award winner. He was a member of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves World Series championship winning team in which he started 2 games, going 1-1.

Happy Birthday Mr. Spahn!

Albert Pujols: Welcome To “Club 500”

Albert Pujols:  Welcome To “Club 500”

From USAToday.com

WASHINGTON – Albert Pujols’ 500th home run is a milestone, but it’s also a significant marker for the Los Angeles Angels and the investment they made in one of baseball’s premier hitters.

Pujols became the 26th player and third-youngest to hit No. 500 when he connected for his second of Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals.

Pujols’ 500th, off Washington’s Taylor Jordan, went into the seats in left-center field at Nationals Park with Mike Trout on first base, giving Pujols five RBI for the night and the Angels a 6-2 lead. They wound up winning 7-2.

Pujols’ homers were his seventh and eighth this season to give him the major league lead a season after he hit a career-low 17. His five RBI give him 18 in his past 13 games.

That’s as promising a return as Pujols has given the Angels since 2012, the first year of the 10-year, $240 million contract he signed. He’s making $23 million this season, a number that grows by a million each year through 2021.

Pujols hit 30 homers and drove in 105 runs in 2012 but was limited by injuries – most notably plantar fasciitis – to 99 games last season. In his 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, he led the National League twice in homers and topped 40 six times, including a career-high 49 in 2006.

Only Alex Rodriguez and Jimmie Foxx got to 500 sooner than Pujols, who is 34 years and 96 days old. Rodriguez was 32 years, 8 days when he got to 500 in 2007. Foxx was 32 years, 338 days when he got there in 1940.

Pujols hit No. 499 to stake the Angels to a 3-0 lead three batters into the game against Jordan, a line drive just inside the left-field foul pole. He’s the first player to hit Nos. 499 and 500 in the same game.

Pujols is the first player in five seasons to reach 500. When Gary Sheffield, the most recent new member of the club got his on April 17, 2009, he capped a stretch in which eight players got to 500 in a span of six seasons.

He becomes the 12th player with 500 career homers, 500 doubles and 1,500 RBI, joining Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Eddie Murray, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson,Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Manny Ramirez and Rodriguez.

Million Dollar Question – Carlos Gomez: Love OR Loathe??

Million Dollar Question – Carlos Gomez:  Love OR Loathe??

By now, you have to have an opinion on this guy.  He has been involved in far too many ‘fiery’ incidents and has gained way too much attention for his antics.

First, it was against the Braves last year:

And then it was this past weekend in Pittsburgh:

So, tell me – Carlos Gomez:  Love OR Loathe??

Since I don’t know the guy personally I will not go in that direction.  Instead, I will say that he is an immature player with a lot of talent.  Ultimately, a veteran on the Brewers needs to sit him down and set him straight.  I just don’t know if they have someone on the team that will/can do that.  And if someone does, will he listen?  That remains to be seen.

Ultimately, I lean towards ‘Loathe’.  This guy is going to tick off the wrong guy really soon.  And when that happens, and the right guy is on the mound, he is going to get plunked.  This needs to happen.  I don’t want him hurt, and I don’t want him injured.  But he needs to be put on his back.

But, the last thing that needs to happen is another brawl.  I would hate to see a teammate or opponent get hurt in a fight because of this guys antics.

How about you?  Where do you stand on this?  Is it even possible to be neutral in this conversation??

Let me hear it!!