Rickey Henderson 1988 Topps Glossy All-Star

Rickey Henderson 1988 Topps Glossy All-Star

As a card-collecting kid in the 1980’s, I loved these ‘extra’ cards that Topps gave us that extended beyond their base products.

These 1987 All-Star cards were offered up as a bonus card inside of all 1988 Topps rack packs.

For player collectors, it gave us the ability to add another card to our collections – and for me personally, I not only built the complete sets but always made sure that I grabbed enough singles for my PC’s too.

This is the card of Rickey Henderson from the 1988 set.

 

I love that swing!!!  So much power coming from his legs – a true driver of the ball!

Andrew McCutchen 2012 Topps ‘Golden Moments’

Andrew McCutchen 2012 Topps ‘Golden Moments’

Even while hurt since being hit in the ribs a month ago, Andrew McCutchen has still put together a fantastic performance in 2014 after his MVP-winning 2013 season.

‘Cutch’ can do it all – and all well above average (closer to elite).

He is a player that the Pirates will continue to build around, and as long as his health is in tact, they will continue to thrive with him as their leader.  I’d love to see Pittsburgh develop their young pitching into stars – both Cole & Tailon appear to have the skills to help ensure wins.

And with #22 leading the offense, I would like to see the Pirates remain playoff-relevant for years to come…

1975 Topps Set Card 258/660 – #66 – Willie Horton, Tigers

1975 Topps Set Card 258/660 – #66 – Willie Horton, Tigers

Progress: 258/660

Card Number:  66

Player Name:  Willie Horton

Team:  Detroit Tigers

Position:  Outfield

Image Style:  Posed Hitting

Years In The Major Leagues:  18 seasons, 1963-80

Notes From His 1975 Season:  Willie Horton played in 159 games for the Detroit Tigers during the 1975 baseball season.  Horton hit .275 on the year with 169 hits in 615 at-bats.  Of his 169 hits, Horton connected for 13 doubles and 25 home runs.  He also scored 62 runs for the Tigers in 1975, while driving in 92.

Notes From Career:  Willie Horton is a 4-time All-Star that starred for six different teams during his 18-year major league career.  Horton is a career .273 hitter with 1,993 lifetime hits in 2,028 games played.  He has 284 doubles and 325 home runs on his career resume along with 873 runs scored and 1,163 RBI.  Horton is a member of the 1968 World Series championship winning Detroit Tigers.

4,192

4,192

I want this to be the number on my paycheck.  I want this to be the number of Andre Dawson baseball cards that I own.  Hell, I would even take this number as a lottery prize.

Instead, I count this number as the single greatest individual accomplishment in baseball!!!

On this day in 1985, Pete Rose broke the Major League record for most career hits with 4,192.

I remember watching this game live on TV with my dad when I was just 9 years old.  Before the Internet and before Sportscenter became a mainstream media outlet, people tuned into games like this to witness history.  Both my dad and I joined the packed stadium and gave Rose a standing ovation as he became the greatest hitter baseball had ever seen.

Happy Anniversary to ‘Charlie Hustle’!!!

1976 HEADLINE: Andre Dawson Makes His Major League Debut

1976 HEADLINE: Andre Dawson Makes His Major League Debut

On this day in 1976, Andre Nolan Dawson made his major league debut.

On the road with his teammates, the Expos were in Pittsburgh to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Dawson got the start in right field for the Expos and batted eighth in the lineup.

He went hitless in his debut, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout and being pulled in the top of the seventh inning for a pinch-hitter.

It may not have been the start he had wished for, but it was a start in the big leagues!!!

Happy Anniversary ‘Hawk’!!!

Dave Winfield 1994 Topps Gold

Dave Winfield 1994 Topps Gold

Just like the Wade Boggs card that I showed you yesterday, to this point my Dave Winfield player collection has contained cards just from his Padres and Yankees days.  When I first began the collection, I did it as a way to pay homage to the time I recall Winfield’s career the most.

But, that has all changed now as I look to build a complete career-retrospective of Dave Winfield baseball cards.  And because his career extended well past the Padres and Yankees days, this is going to be very involved – and a lot of fun.

This new mission has allowed me the opportunity to bring in cards I otherwise would never get to experience.

Like this one from the 1994 Topps Gold set.

Have a look:

 

Sure, his time with the Twins was not as legendary as with other teams, but this is a very neat card.  It looks like ‘Big Dave’ is helping a pitcher warm-up his arm in the outfield.

Someone should tell him that he’s using the wrong mitt…