Happy Birthday Rod Carew!!

Happy Birthday Rod Carew!!

Rod Carew turns 69 years old today.

I consider Rod Carew to be one of the most underrated superstars in baseball history.

Yes, I know he’s a Hall of Famer.  And yes, I know he is an 18-time All-star.  And yes, he was a constant threat to win the league’s MVP award for most of his career.

But when people talk about the greatest hitters in the sport’s history, Carew gets very little credit yet his numbers stack up quite well to the competition.  In 19 seasons, Carew collected 3,053 hits alongside a .320 batting average.  He also managed to score 1,424 runs, drive in 1,015 runs, and steal 353 bases.

The reason that Rod Carew remains under the radar is that he played for very low-profile teams – the Twins and Angels.

Happy Birthday Mr. Carew!!

Rod Carew 2014 Topps Archives – Major Mustache Alert!!!

Rod Carew 2014 Topps Archives

I could talk about Rod Carew and him being one of the best hitters in major league baseball history, and you would probably be OK with that.

I could tell you how much I enjoy the 1989 Topps baseball card design, and you would probably be OK with that.

But let’s get right down to it – LOOK AT THAT MUSTACHE!!!

 

 

A true work of art!  Thank you, Topps.

Baseball Card Show Purchase #3 – Rod Carew 2005 Topps Pristine ‘The Legendary Years’

Baseball Card Show Purchase #3 – Rod Carew 2005 Topps Pristine ‘The Legendary Years’

I have a very small selection of cards from this set.  But, the 2005 Topps Pristine ‘The Legendary Years’ set is really, really nice.

I’ve got Dawson cards from the set.  And Jenkins, too.  And I have a Reggie Jackson card as well.

And now, I have a great-looking Rod Carew card too.

Have a look:

 

What’s not to like?  One of the best hitter of all-time.  A sweet afro.  A great-looking old-school Twins cap and jersey.  And a card finish that is both stunning and unique.

Not bad for ten cents.

1991 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, And Rod Carew Voted Into National Baseball Hall Of Fame

1991 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, And Rod Carew Voted Into National Baseball Hall Of Fame

Fergie Jenkins was a 4-time All-Star that amassed 284 wins as a starting pitcher.  Owner of seven 20-win seasons, a no-hitter, and a Cy Young award, Jenkins was one of the best and most consistent performers in the 1970s.

Gaylord Perry is a member of the ‘300 Wins Club’ with 314 major league victories.  During his 22 years as a pro, Perry collected 3,534 strikeouts, with eight seasons of 200 or more.  Perry was a 5-time All-Star and a 2-time Cy Young Award winner.

Rod Carew is one of the greatest hitters in major league history.  A member of the ‘3,000 Hits Club’, Carew amassed 3,053 hits in 19 major league seasons.  Carew was an 18-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, MVP, and 7-time batting champion.

Jenkins was voted into the Hall of Fame on his third ballot in which he collected 334 of 443 votes cast.

Perry was voted into the Hall of Fame on his third ballot in which he collected 342 of 443 votes cast.

Carew was voted into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot in which he collected 401 of 443 votes cast.

1967 HEADLINE: Rod Carew Captures The American League’s Rookie Of The Year Award

1967 HEADLINE: Rod Carew Captures The American League’s Rookie Of The Year Award

On this day in 1967, Rod Carew captured the 1967 American League Rookie of the Year Award.  The voting was far from close as Carew captured 19 of 20 first-place votes, good for a 95% tally.

And the numbers certainly back up his prize – 150 hits, .292 batting average, 22 doubles, 7 triples, 8 home runs, 66 runs scored, 59 RBI, and an amazingly low 91 strikeouts in 561 plate appearances.

Not too bad for a 21-year old kid, huh??

Congratulations Mr. Carew.  Certainly a great start to a fantastic and brilliant career!!

Happy Birthday Rod Carew!!

Happy Birthday Rod Carew!!

Rod Carew turns 68 years old today.

I consider Rod Carew to be one of the most underrated superstars in baseball history.

Yes, I know he’s a Hall of Famer.  And yes, I know he is an 18-time All-star.  And yes, he was a constant threat to win the league’s MVP award for most of his career.

But when people talk about the greatest hitters in the sport’s history, Carew gets very little credit yet his numbers stack up quite well to the competition.  In 19 seasons, Carew collected 3,053 hits alongside a .320 batting average.  He also managed to score 1,424 runs, drive in 1,015 runs, and steal 353 bases.

The reason that Rod Carew remains under the radar is that he played for very low-profile teams – the Twins and Angels.

Happy Birthday Mr. Carew!!

Rod Carew 2013 Topps Archives – 1990 Topps Design

Rod Carew 2013 Topps Archives – 1990 Topps Design

I am so happy that for Rod Carew’s baseball card in the 2013 Archives set that Topps went with the 1990 Topps card design.

Why?

Well, two reasons:
(1) Of the four card designs that are part of the 2013 set, the only one that he did not appear on in the regular set was the 1990 set
(2) For some reason, in my opinion, teams with a Red, White, and Blue color scheme look really good with the 1990 Topps graphic design

Have a look:

The card looks great!

And I really, really like the oversize image that they used of Mr. Carew for this card.

Great job, Topps!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #5 – Bob Gibson, Rod Carew, and Dennis Eckersley 2012 Panini Cooperstown Cards

Baseball Card Show Purchase #5 – Bob Gibson, Rod Carew, and Dennis Eckersley 2012 Panini Cooperstown Cards

It was nice to find a seller with a small bin of the cards from the 2012 Panini Cooperstown set.  By the looks of the size of the stack he was attempting to sell, he must have picked up a blaster box.

After sifting through the cards, I pulled out three for myself and I paid the man $1.00.

Here are the three:

You can’t go wrong with any of these guys – Bob Gibson, Dennis Eckersley, and Rod Carew!!

I still have not decided if I want to collect the entire set or not.  But it was a no-brainer to grab these three as they are of players that I actively collect…

1991 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, And Rod Carew Voted Into National Baseball Hall Of Fame

1991 HEADLINE: Fergie Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, And Rod Carew Voted Into National Baseball Hall Of Fame

Fergie Jenkins was a 4-time All-Star that amassed 284 wins as a starting pitcher.  Owner of seven 20-win seasons, a no-hitter, and a Cy Young award, Jenkins was one of the best and most consistent performers in the 1970s.

Gaylord Perry is a member of the ‘300 Wins Club’ with 314 major league victories.  During his 22 years as a pro, Perry collected 3,534 strikeouts, with eight seasons of 200 or more.  Perry was a 5-time All-Star and a 2-time Cy Young Award winner.

Rod Carew is one of the greatest hitters in major league history.  A member of the ‘3,000 Hits Club’, Carew amassed 3,053 hits in 19 major league seasons.  Carew was an 18-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, MVP, and 7-time batting champion.

Jenkins was voted into the Hall of Fame on his third ballot in which he collected 334 of 443 votes cast.

Perry was voted into the Hall of Fame on his third ballot in which he collected 342 of 443 votes cast.

Carew was voted into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot in which he collected 401 of 443 votes cast.

1967 HEADLINE: Rod Carew Captures The American League’s Rookie Of The Year Award

1967 HEADLINE: Rod Carew Captures The American League’s Rookie Of The Year Award

On this day in 1967, Rod Carew captured the 1967 American League Rookie of the Year Award.  The voting was far from close as Carew captured 19 of 20 first-place votes, good for a 95% tally.

And the numbers certainly back up his prize – 150 hits, .292 batting average, 22 doubles, 7 triples, 8 home runs, 66 runs scored, 59 RBI, and an amazingly low 91 strikeouts in 561 plate appearances.

Not too bad for a 21-year old kid, huh??

Congratulations Mr. Carew.  Certainly a great start to a fantastic and brilliant career!!