Manny Machado 2014 Bowman Platinum

Manny Machado 2014 Bowman Platinum

I picked up this card of Manny Machado for just $0.18 on Sportlots two weeks ago when shopping for modern cards from the new 2014 Bowman Platinum release.

The set is really starting to grow on me and may take the crown as the ‘Best Looking Baseball Card Product of 2014’.

I picked up a decent stack of cards from the set for my PC’s and Marlins team set, and all look just as good as this!

 

N-I-C-E!!!

1975 Topps Set Card 241/660 – #154 – Mike Lum, Braves

1975 Topps Set Card 241/660 – #154 – Mike Lum, Braves

Progress: 241/660

Player Name:  Mike Lum

Team:  Atlanta Braves

Position:  Outfield, 1st Base

Image Style:  Posed Hitting

Years In The Major Leagues:  15 seasons, 1967-81

Notes From His 1975 Season:  Mike Lum played in 124 games for the Atlanta Braves during the 1975 baseball season.  Lum collected 83 hits over the course of the season including 8 doubles, 2 triples, and 8 home runs.  He hit .228 on the year, while also accounting for 32 runs and 36 RBI.

Notes From Career:  Mike Lum suited up for three different teams during his 15-year major league career.  He is a lifetime .247 hitter with 877 career hits.  In 1,517 career games, Lum scored 404 runs, drove in 431 runs, and struck out 506 times.

1975 Topps Set Card 240/660 – #387 – Jim Spencer, Rangers

1975 Topps Set Card 240/660 – #387 – Jim Spencer, Rangers

Progress: 240/660

Player Name:  Jim Spencer

Team:  Texas Rangers

Position:  1st Base

Image Style:  Posed Hitting

Years In The Major Leagues:  15 seasons, 1968-82

Notes From His 1975 Season:  Jim Spencer played in 132 games for the Texas Rangers in 1975.  In 403 at-bats, Spencer connected for 107 hits en route to a .266 batting average.  Of his 107 hits, Spencer collected 18 doubles and 11 home runs.  He drove in 47 runs for the Rangers in ’75, while also scoring 50 times.

Notes From Career:  Jim Spencer played for five different major league clubs during his professional career.  An All-Star and 2-time Gold Glove winner, Spencer appeared in 1,553 games during his playing days.  He is a lifetime .250 hitter with 1,227 career hits.  Spencer is a member of the 1978 World Series championship winning New York Yankees.

1978 HEADLINE: Joe Morgan Becomes The 1st Member Of The ‘200/500 Club’

1978 HEADLINE: Joe Morgan Becomes The 1st Member Of The ‘200/500 Club’

On this day in 1978, Joe Morgan of the Cincinnati Reds hit the 200th home run of his incredible baseball career.

And while the 200-HR plateau had been accomplished by hundreds of players prior to Morgan, he was the first to accomplish that feat with 500 stolen bases to his credit as well.

Displaying an all-around offensive arsenal, Morgan was a rare player that could beat his opposition with his speed and ability to hit for power and average.

Only three players have accomplished the same feat since – Rickey Henderson, Paul Molitor, and Barry Bonds.  But Morgan was the first, and he set the trend!!

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to Joe Morgan!!!

What Is The Best Way To Proceed With A Cal Ripken Jr. Player Collection???

What Is The Best Way To Proceed With A Cal Ripken Jr. Player Collection???

If you missed it, I made it official the other night – I am going to become a Cal Ripken collector.

I’m excited about the prospect of obtain both old and new cards of Cal for my collection and I think it will be a great way for me to reconnect to another great baseball hero from my childhood.  Certainly, there is no mistaking the impact Cal left on the game, or the hobby.

But, as the title of this post alludes to, I simply do not know where to begin.

I’ve considered starting with his oldest cards.

I’ve considered starting with his newest cards.

And I have considered quite a bit in between both too.

I have to imagine that out of all of the newly crowned Hall of Famers that starred during the 1980’s and 1990’s, Ripken is near the top of the list when it comes to the number of cards made that bear his name and image.

So, where do I start?

What would you do?

I’d love some input on this.  Please comment below.  Thank you.