Is This A Robin Yount Baseball Card OR A George Brett Baseball Card???

Is This A Robin Yount Baseball Card OR A George Brett Baseball Card???

A very simple question – or so you thought…

I picked up this card a few weeks ago and am having a little trouble deciding how to organize it into my collection.  I am not a ‘collector’ of either of these Hall of Famers at the present moment, so as it relates to my collection, I have no preference.

Let me show you the conundrum that I am in.

Issued by Upper Deck in 1992, the card pays tribute to both players collecting the 3,o00th hits of their major league careers.

Designed with a very attractive background, the front of the card looks like this:

And, now here is the back:

See the pickle that I am in???

What would you do???

Robin Yount 2011 Topps ’60 Years Of Topps’

Robin Yount 2011 Topps ’60 Years Of Topps’

Wow, would you look at those curly, curly locks on the top of Yount’s head.  If it entertains me, I have to wonder what the Hall of Famer thinks when he sees pictures of his hair from his early playing days…

Just 1 of the many reason that I love these reprint cards – Memories!!

Happy Birthday Barry Larkin!!!

Happy Birthday Barry Larkin!!!

Barry Larkin turns 48 years old today!

One of the most respected players from his era, Larkin was as classy of a player in the league as there was during the 1980’s, 1990’s, and into the 2000’s.  A 19-year veteran who spent his entire career in Cincinnati, Larkin was the centerpiece of the Reds’ team and their lone constant.

Larkin’s abilities were endless.  Solid hitter, great defender, base stealer, home run hitter…  Larkin excelled at each and every aspect of the game.  In his best season in 1995, he won the MVP award.  In that season, Larkin hit .319 while collecting 158 hits, 98 runs, 51 stolen bases, 66 RBI, 15 home runs and the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

Barry is up for round number 3 of voting for his election into Baseball’s Hall of Fame this year, and for his birthday I give him my vote!  I don’t think any other gift would be as fitting!!!

Happy Birthday Mr. Larkin!!! 

Steve Carlton 2004 Fleer Greats

Steve Carlton 2004 Fleer Greats

There are not too many cards out there of Steve Carlton wearing his St. Louis Cardinals uniform.  Heck, there’s not too many collectors out there that know Carlton started his big league career in St. Louis.

But that is one of the things that I love most about collecting – the memories a baseball card will bring back!!!

There are some legendary players in this sport that are synonymous with being on a single team.  But that is just not the case…  Lou Brock, Ryne Sandberg, and of course Steve Carlton!!  This card offers up a great glimpse of baseball history!!!

Roger Clemens 2006 Allen & Ginter

Roger Clemens 2006 Allen & Ginter

I don’t collect Roger Clemens baseball cards.   I don’t plan on starting a Clemens collection either.  But that doesn’t mean that I don’t respect what he did on the mound during his major league baseball career.

Easily one of the greatest pitchers of my generation, Clemens had an incredible career.

And when I saw this card from the 2006 Allen & Ginter set, all of those memories of watching Clemens pitch for the Sox in the 1980’s and into the 1990’s came flooding back into my memory – he was AWESOME!!!

A&G, Thanks for the memories!!!

Mike Schmidt 2000 Fleer ‘Greats Of The Game’

Mike Schmidt 2000 Fleer ‘Greats Of The Game’

A very sweet looking card from a very under-appreciated set…

This card, from the 200 Fleer issue titled ‘Greats Of The Game’, is a beauty!  The photo shows Schmidt watching the ball fly off his bat, and it makes me wonder if he connected for one of his legendary longballs on this very swing.

One of the great elements of the card is the strong border color.  And while not an exact match for the Burgundy of the Phillies’ uniform, it is still a very nice complimentary color.

And while the scan may not show you all of the details, the Fleer GOTG logo in the upper left-hand corner of the card is pretty sweet too!!

Enjoy!

1989 Headline: Abbott Makes Major League Debut!!!

1989 Headline:  Abbott Makes Major League Debut!!!

On this day in 1989 Jim Abbott made his major league debut with the California Angels.

Prior to this day, Abbott had already conquered Little League, High School baseball, Collegiate Baseball, and even The Olympics.  Yet this day stands alone.  On this day he stood toe to toe with the best baseball players in the world and was their peer.  Disability or not, he made it to the major leagues defying odds and hurdling obstacle after obstacle that was thrown his way.

On the day, and in front of more than 46,000 fans in attendance, Abbott got hit pretty hard by the Mariners.  Going just 4 2/3 innings, he allowed 6 hits and 6 runs.  He took a loss and the team lost the game 7-0. 

Mr. Jim Abbott – A true baseball hero and icon!!!!