Reggie Jackson 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter – Pastime’s Pastime

Reggie Jackson 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter – Pastime’s Pastime

This card is the third of three cards of Reggie Jackson that I scored from the 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball card release.

It is also the first one that I am showing off from the “Pastime’s Pastime” subset.

Have a look:

 

The card’s design is nice, and I really like the print style used on the card, but I don’t know why they made it all so dark?  Maybe to contrast the base set?  For me, it is just dark enough to be a distraction, but not dark enough to make the card horrible – I guess A&G found the sweet-spot…

And I have to say that while the image is far from superb, I am always happy to see a young Reggie Jackson on a modern baseball card!

Dustin Pedroia 2012 Topps Golden Moments

Dustin Pedroia 2012 Topps Golden Moments

As the 2014 baseball season begins to wind down for the teams not in contention for the postseason, I wonder how the players who show ‘Drive’ keep u their level of play.

The ‘Pride Factor’ must set in at some point.  That, combined with the desire to not finish in last place may play a part in what still drives the uber-competitive player.

Evidence of this is in the way that Dustin Pedroia is still playing baseball.

He is playing as if he is 1/2 game behind the division leader and it is the last game of the season.  I love watching this guy on the field, at the plate, and running the bases.

Dustin Pedroia epitomizes what the term ‘Captain’ is all about.  When the Boston Red Sox return to the top of the division, and they will, he will surely be at the center of the action!

1975 Topps Set Card 246/660 – #348 – Tony Muser, White Sox

1975 Topps Set Card 246/660 – #348 – Tony Muser, White Sox

Progress: 246/660

Player Name:  Tony Muser

Team:  Chicago White Sox

Position:  1st Base

Image Style:  Posed Batting

Years In The Major Leagues:  9 seasons, 1969, 1971-78

Notes From His 1975 Season:  Tony Muser played in 123 games over the course of the 1975 baseball season, splitting time between the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles.  Muser hit .275 in 1975, with 53 hits in 193 at-bats.  He scored 22 runs and drove in 17 runs combined between the two clubs.

Notes From Career:  Tony Muser is a career .259 hitter that played for four different clubs during his major league career.  Muser has 329 career hits that includes 41 doubles, 9 triples, and 7 home runs.  He scored 123 runs during his 9-year career and also drove in 117.  In 1,389 plate appearances, Muser struck out just 138 times.

1975 Topps Set Card 245/660 – #288 – Bruce Ellingsen, Indians

1975 Topps Set Card 245/660 – #288 – Bruce Ellingsen, Indians

Progress: 245/660

Player Name:  Bruce Ellingsen

Team:  Cleveland Indians

Position:  Pitching

Image Style:  Posed Portrait

Years In The Major Leagues:  1 season, 1974

Notes From His 1975 Season:  Ellingsen did not play major league baseball in 1975.

Notes From Career:  Bruce Ellingsen’s big league career lasted just one season – 1974.  He appeared in 16 games for the Indians, amassing a record of 1-1.  He pitched in 42 innings, and amassed an ERA of 3.21 by allowing 45 hits and 21 runs.

Happy Birthday Ted Williams!!

Happy Birthday Ted Williams!!

Today is Ted Williams’ birthday.

Arguably the greatest hitter of all-time, any player that collects multiple batting titles or maintains an average close to .350 for a lengthy time is compared to Williams.

Williams is the standard for hitting greatness – yet nobody has come close to eclipsing what he has done in the sport of baseball.  A lifetime, .344 hitter, Williams captured six batting titles during his playing days, and amazing had seven seasons in which he finished with a .350 batting average or better.

Williams was a 17-time All-Star, and a 2-time MVP winner for the Boston Red Sox.

And while he did not make a splash during World Series play, Ted Williams was the rare kind of player that was able to take center-stage while not playing on it.

Happy Birthday to ‘The Splendid Splinter’!!