Sports Cards

Sorry about the lack of posts this week. Things got hectic on the family and job fronts and time ran out. Too bad to since Texas won several this week. Not last night though, a loss to the Tigers. Time for a Senators break.Following his dismal 1962 season it was a minor miracle that Joe McClain appeared on card number 311 of the Topps set. Perhaps because they couldn't find Joe, Topps used the same picture on this card as the year before.McClain might have been hard to find in 1963. He was certainly no longer on the Senators radar, or even in their organization. I wasn't able to find out how it occurred, but he ended up in the Yankees farm system playing for the Triple A Richmond Virginians.The change of scenery wasn't enough to revive Joe's career. After just ten innings his season ended. That old minor league injury caught up with him at last.

Barry Larkin Year: 2002 Brand: Upper Deck Vintage Card number: 254 The Upper Deck Vintage line is one of my favorites sets from the early 00s. I don't care that Upper Deck ripped off old Topps designs - I just happen to like the old time cardboard (and no foil)! This particular card is one of my favorite Larkins, at least on the front of the card. The back of the card could have used a better image - one where Larkin's face wasn't obscured by his hat and sunglasses perhaps? Even so, the cards a beauty - one of the few instances where the horizontal layout really works...even if it looks like garbage in a 9 pocket page (which is how I store my Larkin collection).

The 1977 Salt Lake Gulls were the Angels AAA team in the Pacific Coast League. The Gulls were affiliated with the Angels from 1975-1981.Of the 4 teams in the PCL East Division in 1977 the Gulls went 74-65 behind manager Jimy Williams, finishing 6.5 games behind the Phoenix Giants.Some of the bigger names on the Gulls were Willie Aikens, Ken Landreaux, Rance Mulliniks, and Dickie Thon.Gene Fullmer "The West Jordan Mauler" was a local legend. He was a middle weight boxer from 1951-1964, winning the World Middleweight Title in 1957 from Sugar Ray Robinson. Fullmer's career record was 55 wins (24 by KO), 6 losses, and 3 draws.It appears his restaurant, advertised here, closed up in the mid 80's.Derks Field opened in 1947 and housed the Gulls until 1984 when the franchise (now a part of the Mariners system) moved to Calgary and became the Cannons. Derks Field was closed down in 1993.

Happy Birthday Reginald Martinez Jackson!!! You may know him as Reggie or as Mr. October or as 1 of the greatest World Series heroes in baseball history. However you know him, Reginald Martinez Jackson turns 67 years old today!! I unquestionably consider Reggie Jackson as being one of the most dynamic players to ever play the game of professional baseball. On the very short list, I think that Reggie during his prime was one player that was worth the price of admission alone. His persona and ability were head and shoulders above most of his teammates and competitors and when Reggie got the chance to shine, he took full advantage… The result is one of the most impressive careers in baseball for a player playing in a major market city. Quite simply, Reggie Jackson lived up to the hype he built for himself and not too many players can do that. For his birthday, I would like to give Reggie a hidden microphone and let him coach a high-profile game. Maybe the All-star game. Maybe the ‘Home Run Derby’. Something good but not too serious. Let Reggie have fun, and I am sure that hilarity would ensue… Happy Birthday ‘Mr. October’!!!

Congrats to Gregory Zakwin on being the lucky winner of the Steve Young 1986 Topps #374 RC.  Once Gregory Zakwin sends me their mailing address, I will ship this card ASAP.  Thanks! Filed under: contest

The Topps 2013 set contains this card of Adam Greenberg.Including him in the set was clearly a sentimental choice, not one based on baseball reality. Greenberg had only one at bat and he's not going to ever get another. But I like that Topps did this.I also think that Topps missed another sentimental opportunity. One year ago today, Kerry Wood pitched in his final major league game. Coming on in relief in the 8th inning against the White Sox, he struck out Dayan Viciedo. He was then taken out of the game and received a rousing standing ovation from the Wrigley faithful as he walked back to the dugout.Just before getting to the dugout, little Justin Wood rushed out and gave his dad a huge hug. It was a wonderfully sentimental moment, a moment that should be captured on cardboard.So here it is, my sentimental favorite card from Topps 2013.

Carroll Hardy, who played halfback for one season with the San Francisco 49ers, is celebrating his 80th birthday today. Hardy made the most of his opportunities to handle the football: on 12 pass receptions, he gained 338 yards and scored 4 touchdowns. He is pictured here, in a great pose, on his 1955 49ers team issue photo. Hardy is better known as a baseball player. After his stint with the 49ers, he played major league baseball for the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Houston Colt .45s, and Minnesota Twins. I don’t have his baseball cards, but you can see lots of them on eBay. According to oldestlivingproplayers.com, Hardy is the 494th oldest living professional American football player. Happy birthday, Mr. Hardy!

Name: Kurt Stillwell Team: Cincinnati Reds Position: Shortstop Value of card: This 1986 Topps Kurt Stillwell card is worth as much as two other 1986 Topps Kurt Stillwell cards. Why? Because they're all worthless Key 1985 stat: 4,213 Blood gang members who owned this jacket It's time for a blinding-red pop quiz: How could there be more red on this card? (A) Stillwell could be a forever-cursed full ginger rather than a forever-cursed half ginger (B) The whites of Stillwell's eyes could be red, just like the whites of the eyes of all who looked at this card (C) Stillwell could have been exposed as a Soviet spy 10 seconds before this photo was taken (D) More zits. (E) All of the above.

Born on this date, Rich Garces. "His best tool is his fork." - NL scout

Happy Birthday Brooks Robinson!!! The man considered to be the greatest defensive third baseman in baseball history turns 76 years old today!! The resume of Brooks Robinson is more incredible each and every time I take a peek at it. I’ve always known him to be a great defensive ball player, but his offensive and team success during his 23-year career cannot be denied. While Mike Schmidt may be the more explosive, and Chipper Jones may be the better pure hitter of the bunch, Brooks can certainly hold his own in the conversation ranking the best third basemen in baseball history. Robinson is known for his glove first, and with 16 consecutive years of Gold Glove level performance it is clear to see why. On offense he has collected 2,848 hits, 268 home runs, 1,357 RBI, 1,232 runs scored, and a lifetime average of .267. And the Orioles teams he played for did well too. He is a member of the 1966 and 1970 World Series championship teams. Happy Birthday Mr. Robinson!!!