1973 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins Traded To The Texas Rangers

1973 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins Traded To The Texas Rangers

On this date in 1973, Fergie Jenkins was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Texas Rangers, of the American League.

The trade was a 2-for-1 deal with Jenkins going to the Rangers in exchange for Bill Madlock and Vic Harris.  At this point, the Cubs were in a major re-building phase as Ernie Banks was retired and their core of Billy Williams, Ron Santo, and Jenkins were all considered as being ‘too old’.

Fergie Jenkins 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter – Mini Black Border Parallel

Fergie Jenkins 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter – Mini Black Border Parallel

Nothing exceptional here, just showing off my latest and final card of Fergie Jenkins that I will be getting from the 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter set.

Unless one of the more rare versions of this card falls into my lap at an unbelievable price, I am done going after Jenkins and his remaining A&G cards.

Too boring for me…

 

Sorry Fergie, it is not your fault!

1983 HEADLINE: Ferguson Jenkins Captures Final Win Of His Career, #284

1983 HEADLINE: Ferguson Jenkins Captures Final Win Of His Career, #284

On this day in 1983, Fergie Jenkins recorded the final win of his 19-year major league career.

The win, #284 of his career and #6 of the 1983 baseball season, came in a 7-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

Jenkins entered the game in a relief role and blew the save allowing two runs to the Pirates in the top of the seventh inning giving the Bucs the lead.  But, the Cubs scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning giving the Cubs the lead and putting Jenkins on track for the win.

On the night, Jenkins threw 1.2 innings allowing 2 hits and 2 runs while walking 2 batters and striking out 2 others.  He lasted long enough to secure the victory, with Lee Smith picking up the save.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Jenkins!!!

1965 HEADLINE: Ferguson Jenkins Makes His Major League Debut

1965 HEADLINE:  Ferguson Jenkins Makes His Major League Debut

On this day in 1965, Ferguson Arthur Jenkins made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The appearance came in at home and in a relief effort as the Phillies hosted the St. Louis Cardinals and their pitching ace, Bob Gibson.

Jenkins entered the game in relief of Phillies starter Jim Bunning.  He entered the game with the score tied 4-4 and worked 4+ innings helping the team capture a victory in the bottom of the 12th inning.

Jenkins’ line looked like this: 4.1 inning pitched, 15 batters faced, 2 hits allowed, 0 runs, 1 strikeout, 0 walks, and his first of 284 major league wins!!!

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Jenkins!!!

1972 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins Captures 20th Win In Sixth Consecutive Season

1972 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins Captures 20th Win In Sixth Consecutive Season

On this day in 1972, Fergie Jenkins recorded his 20th win of the baseball season.  This victory gave Fergie 20 wins, or more, in 6 consecutive seasons and solidified him as one of the most dominant and consistent pitchers of his era.

Here is a quick look at Fergie’s amazing 6-year run:

Year	Wins	Losses	Win %
1967	20	13	61%
1968	20	15	57%
1969	21	15	58%
1970	22	16	58%
1971	24	13	65%
1972	20	12	63%
Totals	127	84	60%

Not a bad run at all!!!

I was trying to find out how many 1-run games Fergie lost during that time.  I know that I have heard the number before, but I don’t want to mis-quote it.  I have searched around a bit but have not come up with an easy way to find that number.  If I recall correctly, it was somewhere in the neighborhood if 15 or so…

Happy Anniversary to my favorite pitcher of all-time, Mr. Ferguson Arthur Jenkins!!!

Fergie Jenkins 2013 Topps ‘Million Dollar Chase’ Certified Autograph Baseball Card

Fergie Jenkins 2013 Topps ‘Million Dollar Chase’ Certified Autograph Baseball Card

When I tell that I have tracked this card for more than a year, I don’t believe that I am stretching my estimation of the time.  I know that when I first saw versions of this card hitting Ebay that I was going to end up bringing one into my collection of Fergie Jenkins autographs.  I have a good collection of Topps certified signed cards of Fergie, and this one is a great complement to the lot.

Way back, probably 9-10 months ago, I saw one sell for just $4.99.  And ever since that time I’ve been waiting.  Waiting for the next bargain to hit.  Waiting for the next ‘deal’ to cross my plate.

Well, that wait took us until August of 2014.

And while I did not pay as low as $4.99, I did nab this beauty for just $5.95.  Yes – $5.95!

And I am thrilled.   The card is serial numbered to just 300 total copies and mine is stamped as #143/300.

Have a look:

 

I am so excited to finally bring this card into my ‘Ultimate Jenkins’ collection.

And now, I can turn my attention to the next hunt!  Fingers crossed that I can find another sweet deal like this one…

Wish me luck!

1974 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins Captures Career Strikeout #2,000!!!!

1974 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins Captures Career Strikeout #2,000!!!!

On this day in 1974, the Texas Rangers were hosting the Cleveland Indians in what would be a landmark game for Rangers’ starting pitcher Ferguson Jenkins.

In front of a crowd that was 14,800 fans deep, Jenkins collected career strikeout #2,000 when he struck out George Hendrick for the final out of the game.  It was his 9th strikeout of the evening.

The Rangers won the game 2-0, and Fergie also captured his 20th win of the season, his first with the Rangers.

His line from the game  Win, Complete Game, Shutout, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Runs Allowed, 0 Walks Allowed, 9 Strikeouts, and just 29 batters faced.

One heck of a night for Mr. Jenkins – HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Fergie Jenkins 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter – Mini Base

Fergie Jenkins 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter – Mini Base

Last week I showed you the base card of Fergie Jenkins that I picked up from the new 2014 Allen & Ginter release.

And today, I have the mini version of that same card.

Have a look:

 

The minis are neat, but I am still not that happy with the card as a whole.  The image is tired and has been used in way too many recent issues to get me going.

Still, as a Fergie Jenkins collector, I will try to grab a few more A&G singles as I can.  If the feature image was different, and unique, I would certainly be more excited about the hunt ahead of me, but I have to be thankful that Mr. Jenkins’ name was included in the checklist to begin with…

On to the next!

And Now For Your Viewing Pleasure, My Fergie Jenkins 2014 Topps Archives Rainbow…

And Now For Your Viewing Pleasure, My Fergie Jenkins 2014 Topps Archives Rainbow…

While certainly not the biggest ‘Baseball Card Rainbow’ I have ever put together, I prefer to celebrate all of the ‘little’ ones I complete as I keep my eyes glued on taking the player collection to the next level.

Ferguson Jenkins was featured on four different cards in this year’s Topps Archives product, and it was not terribly hard or expensive to grab each one with the goal of nabbing all four.

So, I did just that.  And now, the rainbow is complete.

Here is a peek.  From left to right, and top to bottom – Base, Gold Foil Parallel, Silver Foil Parallel, 1987 Topps Glossy All-Star.

 

 

Nice.  And now I am already on to the next!!

Fergie Jenkins 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter – Base – Too Much Of The Same Old, Same Old…

Fergie Jenkins 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter – Base

Well, just like the Reggie Jackson card that I just posted earlier this afternoon, this card of Fergie Jenkins from the 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter set is far from exciting.

And to be honest, this one is actually quite boring.

 

It’s boring because I feel like I have seen this EXACT card before – just with a different border style from another brand that Topps issues annually.

Fergie pitched in the major leagues for 19 seasons – but you would never know if by looking at his most recent cards issued by Topps.

Here is his card from another 2014 release, Archives:

And here is the same image used in the 2012 Topps Five Star brand:

And I am fairly certain that I can find more if I really wanted to…

But, I don’t.  So, I may just buy a few of the ‘easy’ ones from the A&G release, but I just don’t feel like hunting what feels like has already been caught numerous times…

Sorry, Fergie.  It is not your fault.