1975 Topps Set Card 316/660 – #519 – Jim Todd, Cubs

1975 Topps Set Card 316/660 – #519 – Jim Todd, Cubs

Progress: 316/660

Card Number:  519

Player Name:  Jim Todd

Team:  Chicago Cubs

Position:  Pitcher

Image Style:  Posed Pitching

Years In The Major Leagues: 6 seasons, 1974-79

Notes From His 1975 Season:  Jim Todd pitched in 58 games for the Oakland Athletics in 1975.  By the end of the season, he sported a record of 8-13 with 12 saves.  Todd worked 122 innings in ’75, allowing 104 hits and 40 runs en route to an ERA of 2.29.  In that span, he struck out 50 batters while walking 33.

Notes From Career:  Jim Todd pitched for three different teams during his 6-year major league career.  Primarily used as a relief pitcher, Todd appeared in 270 games over that time.  He has a career record of 25-23 with 24 saves.  In 511 innings, Todd allowed 541 hits and 283 runs.

1976 Headline: Williams Released By The Oakland A’s, Opts For Retirement

1976 Headline: Williams Released By The Oakland A’s, Opts For Retirement

On this day in 1976, Billy Williams was released by the Oakland Athletics, ending his 18-season major league career.

During his 18 years in the big leagues, Williams spent 16 with the Cubs, and his final two with the A’s.  Most known for his incredible left-handed swing, Williams collected 2,711 hits, alongside 434 doubles and 426 home runs.  He was a catalyst to the Cubs’ offense, and finished in 2nd place for the MVP award on two occasions.

Williams was a 6-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year winner, batting champion, and member of the 1987 Hall of Fame class.

Congratulations to Billy Williams on a fantastic career!!!

1989 HEADLINE: Jerome Walton Captures NL Rookie Of The Year Award!

1989 HEADLINE: Jerome Walton Captures NL Rookie Of The Year Award!

What a year 1989 was for Jerome Walton.

Not only did he make his major league debut in 1989 with the Chicago Cubs, but he also won the NL Rookie of the Year award that year while also helping the team capture their division crown!

At 23 years old, Walton had the presence of a veteran at the plate.  And his skills shined brightest in that rookie campaign.  Led by a batting average of .293, Walton collected 139 for the Cubs.  He also stole 24 bases, scored 64 runs, and drove in 46 more.  And he did all of this while patrolling one of the toughest center-field positions in the majors!

Congratulations on a fabulous rookie season Jerome.  Today we celebrate you winning the NL Rookie of the Year award in 1989!!!

1986 Topps Sealed Cello Pack With Andre Dawson Card On Top!

1986 Topps Sealed Cello Pack With Andre Dawson Card On Top!

I am really excited about this pick-up for my ‘Ultimate Dawson’ collection.

Two weeks ago, I found a seller on Ebay that had listed hundreds of sealed cello and rack packs from the 1980’s featuring the game’s top stars and rookies right on top in the pack’s window.

I was able to but three for myself – and all of them feature Andre Dawson as the stand-out card.

The first one I will show off is from the 1986 Topps set release.

Here it is:

 

Pretty neat, huh?!?

While Dawson’s 1986 Topps baseball card is one of my least favorites from the 1980’s, I will let that pass as this is a very cool collectible for my collection.

And for now, it is the oldest, sealed pack of cards in my collection that features an Andre Dawson baseball card as the centerpiece.

I LOVE IT!!

Happy Birthday Fred McGriff!!!

Happy Birthday Fred McGriff!!!

That’s right, the ‘Crime Dog’ turns 51 today!!!

Fred McGriff is arguably one of the most underrated baseball players from the last 20 years.  An extremely consistent hitter over the course of his 19-year career, McGriff added solid hitting and amazing power to the line-up.

Fred McGriff is a 5-time All-Star and winner of 3 Silver Slugger Awards.  He is a lifetime .284 hitter with 2,490 career hits.  Over 19 seasons, McGriff connected for 441 doubles and 493 home runs.  He also scored 1,349 runs while driving in 1,550.

McGriff was a consistent MVP candidate for half of his years in the league.  And he was a fan favorite too.

Happy Birthday to the ‘Crime Dog’!!!

Andre Dawson 2014 Topps ‘Rookie Class Of 1976’ Commemorative Class Ring Card

Andre Dawson 2014 Topps ‘Rookie Class Of 1976’ Commemorative Class Ring Card

When it comes down to it, I guess that I really don’t mind the manufactured relic cards that puzzle so many other collectors.

I find them to be kind of neat, and a nice way to commemorate a player or event.

What does puzzle me about these kinds of cards is how some of them continue to demand top-dollar while others can be had pretty inexpensively.

I have been able to snag a handful of manufactured relic cards over the last few years.  And while I know that the player being featured on the card is what ultimately drives the price and interest level of the public, I have been able to grab some great ones very affordably.

Like this one here of Andre Dawson from the 2014 Topps Series 1 ‘Rookie Class’ set.

 

 

I love it!  The card features a sweet, vintage photo of ‘Hawk’ from his early days in Montreal.  And the ring-looking metal insert is a nice touch for the ‘Class Of’ theme.

It took me a while to grab one of these for my collection, but my patience paid off and I was able to land one for my collection in my price range.

A great addition to my Andre Dawson PC.

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’.

Did You Know…

The first New York Mets third baseman to be selected to represent the team during the MLB All-Star game was Howard Johnson.   Johnson’s first selection came in 1989.

1994 HEADLINE: Greg Maddux Wins Third Straight Cy Young Award

1994 HEADLINE: Greg Maddux Wins Third Straight Cy Young Award

On this day in 1994, Greg Maddux won his third straight Cy Young award.  He was the first pitcher in major league history to earn the award in three consecutive seasons.

Being one of the best pitchers in the sport over that length of time is a major accomplishment.  And when some of your greatest competition is coming from your teammates, I am sure that the pride of being the ‘Ace’ of the staff gave Maddux even more gratification.

Here is a look at Maddux’s numbers from those three seasons:

1992 – 20-11, 2.18 ERA, 9 complete games, All-Star, Gold Glove

1993 – 20-10, 2.36 ERA, 10 complete games, Gold Glove

1994 – 16-6, 1.56 ERA, 10 complete games, All-Star, Gold Glove

Oh, and it should be noted that Maddux went on to win the Cy Young award in 1995 too – setting an all-time record with four consecutive wins!!

Happy Anniversary Mr. Maddux!!!

1993 HEADLINE: Joe Carter’s Dynamic Home Run Captures The World Series For Toronto!!!

1993 HEADLINE: Joe Carter’s Dynamic Home Run Captures The World Series For Toronto!!!

On this day in 1993 Joe Carter hit one of the most recognizable home runs in World Series history.  On baseball’s biggest stage, he rose to the occasion and secured his spot as one of the game’s biggest heroes.

I remember watching this game and seeing the joy in Joe’s eyes, smile, and body language as he rounded the bases after blasting this huge World Series winning home run.  As kids, we all dream of this exact spot that Joe Carter was in on that night in October.  His boyhood dream became reality right in front of our eyes and it was an amazing sight to witness.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Carter!!