1990 HEADLINE: Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. Are First Father-Son Combo To Hit Back-To-Back Home Runs

1990 HEADLINE:  Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. Are First Father-Son Combo To Hit Back-To-Back Home Runs

On this day back in 1990, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. became the first ever Father & Son duo to hit back-to-back home runs in the major leagues.

An event that must have been extremely memorable and enjoyable for the duo, the Griffey men certainly had a great evening.

Ken Sr. went 2-for-5 on the day with a home run and 3 RBI.  The younger Griffey went 1-for-4 with his solo home run.  Their combined offensive output was not enough to hold of the Angels as the Mariners lost 7-5.

Still, a very memorable and historic night in Anaheim!!!

Congratulations to 2 class acts!!!

Happy Birthday Bob Horner!!!

Happy Birthday Bob Horner!!!

Bob Horner turns 56 years old today.

“4 home runs in 1 game – 4 home runs in 1 game – 4 home runs in 1 game – 4 home runs in 1 game”

This feat alone mesmerized me.  I remember watching this game as a kid on WTBS back in 1986 as a 10-year old baseball fan.

But Bob Horner was on a path to baseball stardom well before this amazing 1-day accomplishment.  Drafted in 1978 by the Atlanta Braves, Horner went straight from an amazing college baseball career to the major leagues skipping what was normally a routine stop in the minor leagues.

With a .266 batting average while belting 23 home runs, Horner won the Rookie of the Year award in 1978.  In ’79 he followed up his rookie season by hitting .314 while crushing 33 homers.  Horner was on a path to become a dominant offensive threat and star of the Atlanta Braves.

Unfortunately, injuries cost Bob Horner quite a bit of playing time during the course of his career.  Having never played in more than 141 games in a single season while also playing in 4 seasons in which he played in less than 100 games, Horner lost several opportunities to utilize his offensive skills and help his team win.  After 10 major league seasons, Horner finished his career injured while settling with 218 home runs, a .277 batting average, and 1 lone appearance in the All-star game.

Not wanting to give up, Horner took his talents overseas in 1987 and signed on to play for the Yakult Swallows in Japan.  He performed well and hit 31 home runs in his debut season with the team.  Horner returned back to the states in hopes to sign with a major league club for the 1988 season but was released by the St. Louis Cardinals after severely injuring his shoulder.

On July 4, 2006 Bob Horner was elected into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Happy Birthday Mr. Horner!!!

Ken Griffey, Jr. 2014 Topps Archives – Base

Ken Griffey, Jr. 2014 Topps Archives – Base

Well, my shipment of singles from the new 2014 Topps Archives release has arrived and I am ready to start showing off some of the spoils from that shipment.

While I normally try to stick to only nabbing cards that feature the legendary and modern players I actively collect, I let that rule loosen up when it comes to Topps’ Archives brand as I am a sucker for the designs.

Among the cards that I hauled in was this card of ‘The Kid’, Ken Griffey, Jr.

Pretty sweet – gotta love 1980 Topps.

And while the image is far from the best one I have seen used of Griffey in modern releases, I will say that I am happy that he was featured as a Seattle Mariner.

Though I would have really liked to see an image of a very young ‘Kid’.

Maybe next time.

1987 HEADLINE: Ken Griffey Jr. Is 1st Pick In Amateur Draft

1987 HEADLINE: Ken Griffey Jr. Is 1st Pick In Amateur Draft

On this day back in 1987, Ken Griffey Jr. was selected as the 1st pick in baseball’s professional draft. At just 17 years of age, the sky was the limit for ‘The Kid’ that was born to play professional baseball.

Having grown up around big league players and ball parks during his entire youth, Griffey had the rare advantage of knowing what the daily life of a big leaguer was about well before he suited up for one. And even with all eyes on him, Griffey excelled and certainly lived up to the hype of being the first pick in the draft as well as the son of one of the game’s former stars.

Did Griffey accomplished everything that was expected of him? Probably not. But I don’t think anyone can live up to some of the tags thrown at him from such a young age. Still, Griffey Jr. had a brilliant career and should be named amongst the sport’s greatest players of all-time, and certainly of his generation.

Happy Anniversary Ken!!!! See you in Cooperstown.

Happy Birthday Harold Baines!!!

Happy Birthday Harold Baines!!!

Harold Baines turns 54 years old today.

22 magnificent seasons, most of which were not held under the microscope of the big lights in a big city.

While Harold Baines played in some of the largest cities in the baseball world, he managed to escape national attention while still putting on consistent performances.

Baines’ numbers are extremely noteworthy, and his ability to deliver season after season is very evident by his impressive offensive stats.

Baines has a lifetime batting average of .289 alongside 2,866 hits.  He also has scored 1,299 runs, hit 384 home runs, and drove in 1,628 runs.  Baines was a 6-time All-Star and a 1-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Happy Birthday Mr. Baines!!!

Happy Birthday Darryl Strawberry!!!

Happy Birthday Darryl Strawberry!!!

Darryl Strawberry turns 52 years old today.

Darryl Strawberry made an immediate impact on the sport during his debut in 1983.  The league’s Rookie of the Year played like a seasoned veteran and quickly became the centerpiece of the New York Mets and their championship roster.

Equipped with the perfect blend of speed and power, Straw’s talents landed him on 8 consecutive All-star teams while he and the Mets took baseball by storm.  His career home run total of 335 and stolen base count of 221 along with his 1,000 career RBI show just how versatile and steady he was.

Strawberry had his share of setbacks during his career that didn’t allow him to become the MVP that he had the talent to be.  Yet he still found himself as a member of 3 World Series Championship teams!!!

Happy Birthday ‘Straw’!!!

Ken Griffey Jr. 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter – Base

Ken Griffey Jr. 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter – Base

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I completed a nice purchase of 2013 Allen & Ginter base card singles that would add a little A&G bulk to my collection.

Of the cards I bought, all were legends – either current or sure to be Hall of Famers!

First, I showed you the Johnny Bench card.

I also showed off the Joe Morgan mini no-number card.

And then I showed you the Eddie Murray card.

Three Hall Of Famers – and three ’30-YOC’ favorites!!!

Well, now it is time to feature the card of a future HOFer – Ken Griffey, Jr.

Have a look:

I like the card.  The Blue tones from the card’s border and text are nice complements to the Navy Blue of the Seattle Mariners uniform.

I just wish that Topps chose a better image to offer – this one makes me yawn a bit.  And that is tough when the player was one of the most exciting from his, or any, era.

Maybe next time!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #6 – Ken Griffey. Jr. 2013 Bowman Sapphire Rookie Re-Print

Baseball Card Show Purchase #6 – Ken Griffey. Jr. 2013 Bowman Sapphire Rookie Re-Print

Wow, talk about a card that stands out, this one is the shiniest card that I spotted at the show.

 

This card is from the 2013 Bowman Sapphire Rookie Re-print set, and it features his famous 1989 Bowman rookie card.

The shine is unreal – between the shade of Blue chosen and the high-gloss finish, the card actually reflects light!

I paid $1.00 for the card – not sure if that was over or under-paying, but I was not going to simply pass this one by.

Finally, I Have Landed A ‘Holy Grail’ Baseball Card – The 1989 Upper Deck, Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card!!!

Finally, I Have Landed A ‘Holy Grail’ Baseball Card – The 1989 Upper Deck, Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card!!!

That’s right, baby, I have finally brought one home.

One of the most iconic, and collected, baseball cards of all-time – the 1989 Upper Deck, Ken Griffey Jr. rookie baseball card.

Check it out:

 

I’ve seen it a million times on the web, and in print, but it has been more than 20 years since I have held one in my hands and called one my own.

But, things have changed – and I am now a proud owner if this fantastic, and historic, baseball card.

Back when the 1989 Upper Deck set debuted, this card was HOT!  As an avid collector, I built the full set so I was able to nab one Griffey that way.  And over time, I know that I ha at least 2 more in my collection.

But, that was a long time ago and those cards are unfortunately long gone.

Of all of the cards that I got rid of when I trimmed down my collection from tens of thousands to less than fifty, and of the cards that were spared, this is definitely one that I welcome back with open arms!!

HIGH FIVE!!!

Happy Birthday Ken Griffey Jr!!!!

Happy Birthday Ken Griffey Jr!!!!

Ken Griffey Jr. turns 44 years old today.

I have never seen a player enter the league with the fanfare that Ken Griffey Jr. had.  A hobby legend before he even took a swing in the major leagues, Junior was destined for greatness.  He may not reach each and every lofty goal that fans and experts pegged him for at the young age of 18, but ‘The Kid’ has had a brilliant career.

Where do you start?  With a swing that is comparable to the most skilled hitters of all-time or the brilliance of a defensive genius?  Let’s change it up a little and go defense first this time.

At a young age, Griffey was found on highlight reels for his remarkable play in the field.  Never tagged as one of the fastest guys in the game, Griffey had a nose for the ball and was able to make unbelievable catches look common.  His arm strength was good but it was his ability to get to the ball and create outs, which would have been hits or home runs otherwise, is what made Griffey stand alone.  A winner of 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards, beginning with his second year in the league, Griffey dominated center field for a decade with the Seattle Mariners.  Making impossible catch after impossible catch, Griffey played defense superbly and made it his mission to make outs of of possible hits.

Offensively, Griffey is dynamic.  Through the 2008 season, Griffey had already eclipsed the baseball milestone of 600 home runs.  Today he stands at 611 and if he can remain healthy and has a desire to play for another 4 years, 700 is not improbable.  In addition to his power hitting, Griffey is a very good contact hitter.  With a career batting averge of .288, with 2,680 total hits, Griffey has hit .300 or better in 8 seasons.  And along with the hits, the RBI pour in.  Junior has 1,772 RBI and has also scored 1,612 runs.  He was also a base stealing threat during the first 10 years of his career.  To date, he has 184 stolen bases on his resume.

Ken Griffey, Jr. won 1 MVP award while placing in the Top 10 6 other times.  In his MVP season of 1997, Griffey hit .304 while smacking 56 home runs and collecting 147 RBI.  In that season, he also stole 15 bases and scored 125 runs.

As  mentioned prior, ‘The Kid’ has won 10 Gold Gloves.    He is also the winner of 7 Silver Slugger awards and is a 13-time All-star.

Ken Griffey, Jr. has never played in a World Series.  In his limited post-season experience, just 18 games in 20 years, ‘The Kid’ has been phenomenal.  With a .290 average, Griffey has crushed 6 home runs while collecting 11 RBI and scoring 12 runs.

Happy Birthday Mr. Griffey!!!