2012 Topps ‘Timeless Talents’ Starring Johnny Bench & Brian McCann

2012 Topps ‘Timeless Talents’ Starring Johnny Bench & Brian McCann

Some of the duos that Topps pairs together for these kinds of cards makes little to no sense.

And some of them are almost perfect fits.

This duo of Johnny Bench and Brian McCann are closer to the ‘perfect fit’ side than the opposite.

Here is the card:

Johnny Bench is often called the greatest catcher to have ever played the game.  And while I feel that he has a few challengers to that top spot, he certainly does deserve to be ranked at number one.

As for McCann, he is truly the leader of the Atlanta Braves team.  He is a solid defender, perennial All-Star, and one of the better offensive catchers in the game today.

While McCann is no Johnny Bench, he is among the elite catchers in the sport today.

Great job, Topps!!

2005 Playoff Prestige Connections Starring Hall of Famers Tom Seaver & Johnny Bench

2005 Playoff Prestige Connections Starring Hall of Famers Tom Seaver & Johnny Bench

Wow, another work of art.

And a card that I have never seen before buying it…

Take a look at this sweet piece of cardboard:

Two of the best players of the 1970’s captured together on one card.

And the fact that they both called the Cincinnati Reds their team, and at the same time as well, is simply icing on the cake.

Are there any other ‘Connections’ cards out there that are this nice???

Johnny Bench 2005 Upper Deck Classics – PERFECT!!!

Johnny Bench 2005 Upper Deck Classics – PERFECT!!!

Now this is how you represent a baseball great on a piece of cardboard.

Have a look:

Upper Deck did it right with their 2005 Classics release.  From the simple design to the great choice of player to the perfect photos.

And for this one, they did something to really make that Red coloring pop – it looks fantastic!!!

1982 Fleer ‘Dynamic Duos’ Starring Johnny Bench & Tom Seaver

1982 Fleer ‘Dynamic Duos’ Starring Johnny Bench & Tom Seaver

These two baseball players dominated their positions and leagues for many, many years.

It’s just a shame that the card is not more appealing to look at.

Here it is:

And since I have yet to declare myself a Tom Seaver collector, this one will happily rest in my Johnny Bench collection.

You know, looking at the card does make me wonder what these two were up to when this photo was taken…

A few options:

• press conference
• Q&A session with the fans
• Karaoke

Hmmmm…..

Johnny Bench 1981 Fleer

Johnny Bench 1981 Fleer

This is Johnny Bench’s card from the debut Fleer set of 1981.

And while the card is far from ‘beautiful’, I have to say that there are many more cards in this same Fleer set that are not as appealing.

Something tells me that Bench held this same pose as an 8-year old Little Leaguer in Oklahoma….  🙂

Johnny Bench 2001 Topps Archives

Johnny Bench 2001 Topps Archives

I am a big, big fan of the 1983 Topps baseball card set.  Hell, I don’t know too many people who don’t cherish this issue from 1983.

So, when a modern card is issued using the same design as that one that was created almost thirty years ago, I always take a second glance.

And if during that second glance I see a player that I like, or collect, I almost always go after it.

And that is how this card of Johnny Bench from the 2001 Topps Archives set landed in my collection.

And I am glad that it did.  Very glad, indeed!

Johnny Bench 1982 Donruss Diamond Kings

Johnny Bench 1982 Donruss Diamond Kings

While some of the Diamond Kings baseball cards issued by Donruss leave me wanting to grab a ‘barf-bag’, there are some (few) that I actually like.

And this is one of them – Hell, I would go even further and say that this Diamond Kings baseball card of Johnny Bench from the 1982 Donruss set is the best one of that year’s release!!!

Johnny Bench 1984 Fleer

Johnny Bench 1984 Fleer

Very far from spectacular, this card from the 1984 Fleer baseball card set does Johnny Bench no justice at all.

And while Bench did not make an appearance during the 1984 baseball season, it amazes me that they would select a picture like this for their set when the guy still offered us quite a bit to watch and enjoy on the ball field during the 1983 season.

Bench’s numbers from the 1983 baseball season include:  79 hits, 15 doubles, 12 home runs, 54 RBI, and 32 runs scored.  And he had 58 putouts at catcher too!

So, instead of giving us one more glimpse of the great Johnny Bench, we get this: 

😦

Johnny Bench 2001 Upper Deck – ‘The National Pastime’

Johnny Bench 2001 Upper Deck – ‘The National Pastime’

I really, really like the theme of this baseball card set, I just wish that the execution of the design was more to my liking…

Johnny Bench is often mentioned as being the greatest catcher in major league history, and he may very well be.  So, when honoring ‘The National Pastime’ with a card that features one of its greatest players of all-time, I guess I just want more.

Here is the card:

If you had to rank the greatest catchers of all-time, how would that list look???

I know for a fact that my top two wound be Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra.  Selecting the #1 player out of those two would be tough, but I think Berra gets the nod for his lengthier consistency, and postseason success.

The #3 spot goes to Mike LaValliere – LMAO!!! 

🙂

Baseball Card Show Purchase #12 – Pair Of Two 1971 Topps League Leaders Cards Starring Johnny Bench

Baseball Card Show Purchase #12 – Pair Of Two 1971 Topps League Leaders Cards Starring Johnny Bench

This was by far the BEST $1.00 I spent at the card show.  Yes, I paid $1.00 for both of these cards.

And while I already owned each of these for both my Billy Williams and Tony Perez collections, these two fill voids in my Johnny Bench collection!!!

And they are both in Excellent condition.

Have a look:

I am a big fan of League Leader baseball cards – I find them to be a very nice way to celebrate seasons that have passed while also paying homage to some incredible feats.

These three guys really dominated the NL in 1971!!!