Fergie Jenkins 2003 Topps Retired Certified Autograph Issue

Fergie Jenkins 2003 Topps Retired Certified Autograph Issue

I’m taking it old-school with this acquisition, for sure!

I picked up this signed card of Fergie Jenkins for a great price.  I have always been a big fan of the 2003 Topps Retired cards, and while I only owned one (Dawson, of course) prior to nabbing this card of Fergie, it was not for lack of effort. 

The cards are great to look at; and I have to guess that I am not alone with that thought as I continue to see them sell for pretty high prices.

I am not sure how scarce they are, but my guess is that they are limited somewhat just by the number that I come across during my daily Ebay searches.

Anyway, time to show it off.

Here is the card:

A fantastic addition to my collection of certified autographs of Ferguson Arthur Jenkins!!!

1976 Headline: Williams Released By Oakland, Opts For Retirement

1976 Headline:  Williams Released By Oakland, Opts For Retirement

On this day in 1976, Billy Williams was released by the Oakland Athletics, ending his 18-season major league career.

During his 18 years in the big leagues, Williams spent 16 with the Cubs, and his final two with the A’s.  Most known for his incredible left-handed swing, Williams collected 2,711 hits, alongside 434 doubles and 426 home runs.  He was a catalyst to the Cubs’ offense, and finished in 2nd place for the MVP award on two occasions. 

Williams was a 6-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year winner, batting champion, and member of the 1987 Hall of Fame class.

Congratulations to Billy Williams on a fantastic career!!!

Celebrity First Pitch – ‘The Top Ten’

Since the begining of July, I have brought you 39 different videos in my ‘Celebrity First Pitch’ series.  In that group, you have seen actors, presidents, singers, as well as former and current professional athletes take their shot at the ceremonial first pitch of a baseball game.

I am going to put this series to rest for a little while, but I thought today would be a perfect time to present the ‘Top 10’ to you for your viewing pleasure.

To get to this list, I conducted  a very non-sceintific analysis by reviewing the comments, page hits, and natural searches to wittle this list of 39 hopefuls to the ‘Top 10’.

So here they are – ‘The 30-Year Old Cardboard Celebrity First Pitch Top 10 Videos’!!!!  Enjoy.

10 – Homer Simpson – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/celebrity-first-pitch-homer-simpson/

9 – King Kong Bundy – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/celebrity-first-pitch-king-kong-bundy/

8 – Pau Gasol – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/celebrity-first-pitch-pau-gasol/

7 – Kevin Garnett – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/celebrity-first-pitch-kevin-garnett/

6 – Darth Vader – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/celebrity-first-pitch-darth-vader/

5 – Rey Mysterio Jr. – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/celebrity-first-pitch-rey-mysterio-jr/

4 – Shaquille O’neal – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/celebrity-first-pitch-%e2%80%93-shaquille-oneal/

3 – President George Bush – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/celebrity-first-pitch-president-george-w-bush/

2 – The Kardashian Ladies – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/celebrity-first-pitch-the-kardashian-ladies/

And now, the video that the readers enjoyed more than any other in this series….

1 – Mark Wahlberg – https://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/celebrity-first-pitch-mark-wahlberg/

Thank you for making this such a fun series.  I look forward to season 2 of ‘Celebrity First Pitch’ which should debut in the coming months!!!

Celebrity First Pitch – Cal Ripken Jr.

Possibly one of the greatest legends in the game.

Imagine showing up to a baseball game and the public address announcer says, “Here to throw out the first pitch in tonight’s game is Hall of Famer and baseball superstar, Cal Ripken, Jr.”.

Now that would be an awesome story to tell!!!

Celebrity First Pitch – Chewbacca

How often are you able to see a 7-foot tall Wookie throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of a baseball game??  That’s what I thought – not often at all!!

So if you get that kind of unique chance, you might as well go all out and see the most famous Wookie of them all…. 

Yep, Chewbacca!!!  Enjoy.

2 notable takes from this video.  #1 – I didn’t know ‘Chewy’ was a southpaw.  #2 – I cannot believe that Hans Solo is still with Princess Leah..  🙂

Celebrity First Pitch – The Michelin Man

 Who knew he had it in him??  And this whole time we thought he was just a cheap rip-off of the ‘Stay Puft Marshmallow Man’!!!

I think I counted 2 bounces before it reached the catcher.  2, maybe 3!!!

Celebrity First Pitch – Shaquille O’Neal

I love Shaq!!!  He is a larger-than-life man with a personality to match!!!

This video is from a Cardinals game earlier in the week, and I have to say that it’s fun to watch Shaq and Albert Pujols genuinely enjoying this moment together.  Here we have the biggest star in baseball with the biggest star, literally and figuratively, the sporting world has ever seen.  And they’re having fun!!!

Instant Classic!!!

Celebrity First Pitch – Rickey Henderson

As part of ‘Rickey Henderson Weekend’ last week in Oakland, the A’s gave the newest member of the Hall of Fame the chance to throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.

Of course Rickey obliged and as usual he thrilled the crowd that was watching!!!

Celebrity First Pitch – Michael Wilbon

You’ve got to love Wilbon!!!  Of course there is his obvious tie to Chicago that I like, but I also find him to be the leader of PTI.  His wit and timing are almost perfect for a show of that type, and I don’t think they would be nearly as successful if he were not a main element of the show.

You’d think that a guy that has spent that much time around a ballpark would be able to reach the catcher without bouncing the ball into the dirt…  Oh Well!

Celebrity First Pitch – 2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics

Why not invite the entire championship roster of the 2008 Boston Celtics out to throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park.  And while they are there, let them party their asses off on the pitching mound too…

What is the Over/Under on the number of intoxicated Celtics at the game???