Potch Wheeler and The Cardboard Heroes

Nominate Your Indians: Fun-Time Baseball Hall

2012-03-11T12:07:00.002-05:00

First, y'all have been great helping me review and ultimately induct Fun-Time Baseball Hall members. Every so often, from any given franchise, a name slips past me thus the nomination process is invaluable.
So, many thanks for playing along. I've enjoyed doing research on both the old-timers and newer generation players. Learning more about the game's history is the whole point of this for me.

But, without a doubt, the FTBH is wholly dependent on you - the world of blogging card collecting nerds.

Hey, that's no way to get votes, fella!

Oops, sorry, but I'm saying I'm a nerd too, so it's OK, right?

Whatever.

Next up, we'll turn our attention back to a more storied franchise - the Cleveland Indians. Perhaps the voting will pick back up after a pretty "meh" response to the San Diego Padres.

In the comments, please provide a few names of players from the Indians history (anyone who's been away from the franchise at least three full seasons - thus no Jim Thome).

Reminder: I'm looking for players who easily should make an All-Star franchise squad - strong players who spent many years with the franchise or perhaps even players who didn't spend many years but made a lasting impact in a short time.

I hold the right to make the final call on whether a player is placed on the ballot. I simply can't include everyone. I will limit the first-year ballot to 12 to 15 and then the top seven players will be elected to the Indians ' Hall given the FTBH's rules based on year of the franchise's formation.

Meanwhile, voting for the Padres has picked up but still trails our previous votes by quite a few. If you haven't had a chance, please vote.

Hit The Road, Potch

2012-03-10T11:21:00.000-06:00

Does anyone know of any decent baseball card shops or regular card shows in Louisville, Nashville, Birmingham, Hattiesburg, MS or, finally, New Orleans?

For that matter, does anyone know of any great flea markets/antique malls along this route known to have cards in stock? I realize I won't be hitting gem mint tobacco-era cards at these - but it might be fun to stop by one. Last year I popped into an antique mall in Georgia and was able to fill up a 500-count box with some cards that were new to me - albeit lots of '90s stuff - for $4.

Yep, I'm taking the Potch Wheeler show on the road very soon for a work trip and an extra day of R&R in the Big Easy. I'm a little burnt out on flying at the moment. Sadly, my family can't make this trip so who knows what kind of chaos will ensue down there.

Only kidding. We got engaged there eight years ago this month - down by the Mississippi River near the French Quarter. I'll probably just go down there to the spot and re-enact the awkwardness.

In other blog news, I'm convinced nobody cares about the Padres. Worst. Voting turnout. Ever. (so far...)

Topps Giveaway, Part II

2012-03-09T22:52:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I presented the one card from the Topps Diamond Giveaway that I didn't much care about receiving - other than it being vintage. And, as it turned out, the card didn't look so hot upon arrival.

But, the rest of the haul was highly satisfactory. I snagged a few missing cards from my team collections - Reds, Tigers and Cubs - and I went deep into the vintage well (more on that tomorrow).

For now, here's what I received from the years 1975 and prior - along with a single 1982 (the newest card from my haul). Here's that one:

My family attended a game once where Mario Soto relieved Bruce Berenyi in the first inning. Soto then went on to pitch a gem. I don't remember all of the details - and I should go do some research - but I do know that years later I was chatting with a co-worker while living in Ohio and I discovered he had attended the same game with his family.

Soto was always a favorite of mine after that game.

Next up, Gary Nolan.

I love this card. It's posed, it's borderline cheesy, the colors clash - yet I love it. Perhaps those are the reasons why I love it.

What else?

Don Gullet seems scared. Perhaps he knew he'd one day end up on the Yankees.

I know that Dan Driessen played 3B but I can only picture him as a 1B.

Andre Thornton was one of those guys I liked as a kid. I only knew him as an Indian by the time I really started collecting but snagging a card of him on the Cubs was a goal.

Next up: My favorite two cards from the giveaway.

Topps Giveaway, First The Bad News

2012-03-08T22:10:00.001-06:00

After three weeks, my shipment from the Topps diamond extravaganza arrived in today's mail.

I'm pleased with seven of the eight cards I received. Thankfully, it's the seven cards I truly wanted.

Soon before requesting shipment, I landed one other card - a 1970 Lew Krausse - and after a couple of attempts to deal it for a Red, Tiger, Cub or White Sock, I gave up and had it shipped. After I read the player was once suspended for "rowdyism" by Charlie Finley, I figured he was worthy of a place in my collection.

Unfortunately, as it turns out, the card looks like crud.

It appears to have been folded in half at one point. It has four other significant creases and half of it apparently fell into a bathtub at one point.

Very little of this appears to show on the scan, other than the whopper across the middle, so you'll have to trust my description.

Lew Krausse Jr. pitched from 1961 to 1974 for the KC/Oakland A's, Brewers, Red Sox, Cardinals and Braves. He finished his career 68-91, 4.00 ERA, with 721 strikeouts. His father, Lew Krausse Sr., pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1931-32.

Oh well, as I believe Mr. Meat Loaf once said, seven out of eight ain't bad. I'll post the magnificent seven pretty soon.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't refer you over to the latest post about my pet project and then ask you to vote in the poll. Many thanks!

Trade: My Sports Obsession

2012-03-08T15:00:00.001-06:00

Recently, I received cool trade mail from Jeff at My Sports Obsession. Jeff and I are regular trading partners and I feel a kinship of sorts to him given that we're both Hoosiers and he's a White Sox fan.

While I don't actively collect White Sox, other than Frank Thomas, I do keep an eye out for Sox from the 1999-2005 era, which is when I enjoyed partial season tickets at Comiskey Park and spent hour upon hour in the Bullpen Bar in the hour before game time and the hour after. It's amazing how many Blue Moons my friends and I could down in those couple of hours (not to mention during the actual game itself). The era was a mini-return to my college days.

Then, finally and mercifully, I met my future wife and calmed myself down.

But this isn't about me, it's about Jeff and our latest trade. Jeff sent me some cards I didn't know existed and, thus, had never seen. They were welcomed additions to my Tigers' collections. I love the old-timers - even on "newish" cards.

Several members of the Fun-Time Hall of Fame, up there.

Jeff sent a handful of other cards, if I recall, including this one.

Naturally, I was curious about the back story. It would be mighty cool if it is authentic. Jeff wrote that someone he encountered/knew had a bunch of cards in albums that she gave to him. The Tanana was in the album of mostly junk wax. Jeff doesn't know if it's real.

Anyone have any thoughts? I did some quick comparisons and it seems like it just might be - but I'm no expert. It would be neat, sure, but either way the trade was great. Jeff just tossed this in for good measure.

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: San Diego Padres

2012-03-07T21:59:00.001-06:00

Ah, the Padres. First-ballot nominations were all over the map.

But, before I continue, some guidelines: First, thanks for voting. Second, try to vote for at least 5 - but less if you wish - and no more than 7.

Full career performance should matter somewhat but the impact while with the featured franchise is of utmost importance. This is a team specific Hall. Steve Carlton has an amazing Phillies career but shouldn't be inducted to the Fun-Time Baseball Hall as a White Sox player. It's your choice whether longevity and counting stats are key factors or if you prefer judging a player's overall franchise impact, even if made in a shorter period.

But back to the Padres.

Several superstars - Rickey Henderson, Robert Alomar (3 seasons), Fred McGriff (3 seasons), etc. - have played for the team, but frankly not long enough to warrant first-year nominations, in my humble opinion. Dave Dravecky's story is certainly a feel-good one but he's probably left to join the balloting in Year Two.

Two other franchise stars - Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez - have not been away from the team for the required three full seasons to be placed on the ballot.

Relief stars Rollie Fingers and Rich Gossage both pitched for the franchise for just four seasons. Gossage was left off the ballot but Fingers included due to having more counting stats (108 saves v. 83 saves) with the franchise but more importantly also winning NL Rolaids relief man of the year three times during his tenure.

Franchise Records
Wins: Eric Show (100), Randy Jones (92), Jake Peavy (92) 
Strikeouts: Peavy (1,348), Andy Benes (1,036), Trevor Hoffman (1,029)
ERA: Hoffman (2.76), Dave Dravecky (3.12), Bruce Hurst (3.27), Peavy (3.29), Jones (3.30)
Saves: Hoffman (552) 
Home Runs: Nate Colbert (163), Adrian Gonzalez (161), Phil Nevin (156), Winfield (154)
Triples: Tony Gwynn (85) 
Doubles: Gwynn (543), Garry Templeton (195)
Hits: Gwynn (3,141), Templeton (1,135), Winfield (1,134)

And so we're left with ...

Nate Colbert (1B)

Nate Colbert played six years with the Padres (1969-74), and was among the NL's best power hitters. Despite never hitting higher than .270, he hit at least 20 home runs five times - 38 in 1970 and 1972. Played for the Astros (1966, 1968), Tigers (1975), Expos (1975, 1976) and A's (1976).

San Diego totals: .253, 163 home runs, 481 RBIs, 780 hits
Career totals: .243, 173 home runs, 520 RBIs, 833 hits
Three-time All Star (1971-73)

His best season came in 1972, when he had a .250 BA, 38 HRs, 111 RBIs, 15 SBs and finished eighth in the NL MVP voting.

Colbert hit 24 homers in his first full season in San Diego, which led the club, and drove in 66 runs while batting .255. Colbert hit five home runs on Aug. 1, 1972, when he slammed 5 home runs and drove in 13 runs in a doubleheader, breaking Stan Musial's record of 11 RBIs in a day.

Trivia: A young Nate had attended the game where Stan originally set the record. Colbert's .508 slugging percentage, 87 runs, 286 total bases, 38 home runs, 111 RBIs, 70 walks, 67 extra-base hits, 14 intentional walks and 14.8 at bats per home run helped him finish eighth in voting for the NL MVP in 1972. He finished second to Johnny Bench (40) in home runs that year.

During his career with the Padres, he often was the only bright spot in a dismal lineup.

After hitting .207 in 1974, he was traded to the Tigers. Back problems forced his retirement at 30. Colbert played on nine consecutive last-place teams, from 1968–76.

Rollie Fingers (RP)

Viva la Moustache

Pitched four seasons for the Padres (1977-80). Pitched nine seasons for the A's (1968-76) and then ended his career with four seasons in Milwaukee (1981-82, 1984-85).

San Diego totals (four seasons): 108 saves, 426 IPs, 319 strikeouts, 34-40, 3.12 ERA, 1.250 WHIP
Career totals (17 seasons): 341 saves, 1,701 IPs, 1,299 strikeouts, 67-61, 2.90 ERA, 1.156 WHIP
Seven-time All Star (1973-76, 1978, 1981-82) - once with Padres.
Three-time World Series champion with A's (1972-74)
1974 World Series MVP
1981 AL MVP
1981 AL Cy Young winner
Three-time NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (1977-78, 1980)
One-time AL Rolaids Relief Man (1981)

Fingers is regarded as a pioneer of modern relief pitching, essentially defining the role of the closer for years to come. As had generally been true in baseball through the 1960s, Fingers was originally moved to the bullpen—and eventually to his role as a closer—because of struggles with starting.

When Fingers reached the majors, the role of relievers was limited, as starters rarely left games while holding a lead; but as team offense increased following the 1968 season, and especially with the AL's introduction of the DH in 1973, managers became more willing to replace starters in the late innings with a lead to help forestall late rallies by opponents.

Both leagues' annual saves leaders tended toward totals of 20–25 saves through the 1960s. Few pitchers remained in the role more than two or three years. But in the 1970s, Fingers' excellence in relief allowed him to gradually increase his annual saves totals past 30. In 1980 he broke Hoyt Wilhelm's record of 227 saves, and eventually finished with 341, a record that stood until Jeff Reardon passed it in 1992. The record has since been shattered.

Fingers became only the second reliever to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992.

Steve Garvey (1B)

Played for the Padres for five years (1983-87). Played for the Dodgers from 1969-82. He was a key cog in the Padres' run to the 1984 World Series. He scored a lot - both during and after his playing career. *Cue rimshot*

San Diego totals (5 seasons): .275, 631 hits, 61 home runs, 316 RBIs
Career totals: .294, 2,599 hits, 272 home runs, 1,308 RBIs
Two-time NLCS MVP (including 1984 with Padres)
Ten-time All Star (including two as a Padre - 1984-85)
Two-time AS MVP (both with Dodgers)
World Series champion with Dodgers (1981)
Four-time Gold Glove winner (all with Dodgers)
1974 (Dodgers) NL MVP

Garvey gained his fame as a Los Angeles Dodger. He was synonymous with the franchise throughout the '70s and early '80s. In 1981, when it looked like he would one day rank among the game's all-time greats, he was included in the book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time.

In Game 4 of the 1984 NLCS, Garvey had four RBIs and critical hits in the third, fifth, and seventh innings, He capped it off with a two-run walk-off home run off Lee Smith. He was met by teammates as he rounded third, who later carried him off the field in celebration. Following the 7–5 Padres victory, fans thronged against stadium barricades chanting Garvey's name. The performance is still considered one of the greatest achievements in team history.

In his first season in San Diego, he broke the NL record for consecutive games played.

Tony Gwynn (OF)

Tony Gwynn played his entire 20-year career (1982-2001) for San Diego. Leads the Padres in career average, hits, runs, RBIs and stolen bases.

Career totals: .338, 3,141 hits, 135 home runs, 1,138 RBIs, 1,383 runs, 319 stolen bases
15-time All Star
Five-time Gold Glove winner
Seven-time Silver Slugger winner
Eight-time NL batting title winner
First-ballot Hall of Famer, garnering 97.6% of the vote.

Gwynn made his name as one of the most consistent contact hitters in the game's history. He hit .338 for his career and won eight National League batting titles.

From 1993 to 1997, he batted at least .353 five seasons in a row and hit .394 over 110 games in the strike-shortened 1994 campaign. He struck out only 434 times in 9,288 career at-bats, and never hit below .309 in any
full season.

Gwynn is, without a doubt, the face of the Padres franchise. By his third year in the league, at just 24, Gwynn won his first batting title and started a run in which he made the All-Star team in 15 of the next 16 seasons, with 1988 being the exception, and he still went on to win a batting title that season.

Trevor Hoffman (RP)

Pitched for the Padres from 1993-2008. Pitched in 2009 and 2010 for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was the first player to reach the 500- and 600-saves milestones, and was the all-time saves leader from 2006 until 2011, when Mariano Rivera surpassed him.

Padres' totals: 552 saves, 902 games pitched, 54-64, 2.76 ERA, 1,029 strikeouts
Career totals: 601 saves, 1,035 games pitched, 61-75 record, 2.87 ERA, 1,133 strikeouts
Seven-time All Star, including six with the Padres.
Twice runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award
Two-time NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year.

The Marlins acquired Hoffman - a converted shortstop - in the 1992 expansion draft, and he pitched in Florida until he was traded to the Padres mid-season in 1993 in a deal that sent Gary Sheffield to the Marlins.

Hoffman recorded 20 saves in 1994 in his first season as Padres closer. he collected at least 30 saves each year for the next 14 seasons, except for 2003 when he missed most of the year recovering from shoulder surgery.

In 1998, he tallied 53 saves with a 1.48 ERA, finishing second in Cy Young voting and seventh in MVP voting.

No disrespect to Hoffman and the Padres, but you never want a relief pitcher to be the second best player in your teams history. That said, Hoffman is one of the best to ever assume the closer's role.

A converted shortstop, Hoffman came over from the Marlins in a 1993 trade and by 1994, he was the teams closer.

Randy Jones (SP)

An all-time great '70s card.

Randy Jones pitched eight seasons with San Diego (1973-80). He then pitched for the Mets (1981-82). Nicknamed "Junkman," he was known for his sinker and the large number of ground-ball outs he induced.

San Diego totals: 92-105, 3.30 ERA, 1.208 WHIP, 1,766 IPs, 677 strikeouts
Career totals: 100-123, 3.42 ERA, 1.251 WHIP, 1,933 IPs, 735 strikeouts
Two-time All Star  NL Cy Young winner (1976)

In 1975, he won 20 games, with a 2.24 ERA and finished second in the National League Cy Young balloting. This followed an 8-22 1974 season.

In 1976, he went 22-14 with a 2.74 ERA and won the NL Cy Young award. He pitched 315.1 innings that year and, amazingly, recorded just 93 strikeouts. That year, he led the NL in wins and starts (40), complete games (25), innings pitched and WHIP (1.027) - winning the award over aces such as Steve Carlton, Don Sutton and Tom Seaver.

He went 35-51 in his next four seasons in San Diego, even though he had a 3.62 ERA. He was the victim of some poor teams.

Jones established the MLB season record for most chances accepted by a pitcher without an error (112 in 1976), tied ML pitchers records for highest season fielding percentage (1.000, 1976) and most assists in an inning (3, 9/28/75 - 3rd inning), and tied the NL pitchers season record for the most double plays with 12 in 1976.

Jones recorded a save for the NL in the 1975 All-Star game and was the starting and winning pitcher the next year. He entered the 1976 All-Star Game with a record of 16-3, an All-Star break win total that no one has equaled.

In his last start of the 1976 season, he injured a nerve in his pitching arm that required exploratory surgery, and he was never quite able to regain his Cy Young form.

Ryan Klesko (OF/1B)

Played for the Padres for seven seasons (2000-2006). Played for the Braves from (1992-99) and the Giants in 2007.

San Diego totals (7 seasons): .279, 133 home runs, 493 RBIs, 786 hits, 60 stolen bases
Career totals (16 seasons): .279, 278 home runs, 987 RBIs, 1,564 hits, 91 stolen bases
All Star (2001)

Hit 26, 30, 29 and 21 home runs in his first four seasons in San Diego.
His most productive year came in 2001, when he hit .286 with 30 home runs and posted career-highs in RBIs (113), runs (105), stolen bases (23) and slugging percentage (.539). In 2002, he hit .300 with 29 home runs and 95 RBIs, and collected career-highs in hits (162) and doubles (39).
Hit at least 21 home runs in eight of his 13 major league seasons, with a high of 34 with the Braves in 1996.
Has a .370 on base percentage with a .500 slugging average, for a .870 OPS. His .525 slugging percentage as a Brave ranks 4th all-time among the team's career leaders.
Klesko became the first player to hit a home run in three consecutive World Series road games when he did so with Atlanta against the Indians in Games 3, 4, and 5 of the 1995 World Series.
Missed nearly the entire 2006 season after major shoulder surgery.

Phil Nevin (1B/C/3B/OF)

Played for the Padres for parts of seven years (1999-2005). Also played for the Astros (1995), the Tigers (1995-97), the Angels (1998), the Rangers (2005-06), the Cubs (2006) and the Twins (2006).

San Diego totals (7 seasons): .288, 156 home runs, 573 RBIs
Career totals: .270, 208 home runs, 743 RBIs
All Star (2001)

Made his break late in his career with the Padres, first appearing in 100 games during the 1999 season. He then had the best offensive years of his career: hitting 31 home runs with a .916 OPS in 2000 and making the NL All-Star team in 2001.

Scuffled along for four seasons - never reaching double-digit home runs - before arriving in San Diego in 1999 and hitting 24, 31 and 41 in his first three seasons.

After two injury-shortened years in 2002 and 2003, he had his third year with more than 100 RBIs in 2004, also hitting 26 home runs. Nevin has been dogged by steroid allegations but has not been named in any official report.

Nevin was the first pick of the 1992 MLB draft by the Astros. Derek Jeter was selected sixth; Hal Newhouser, a scout for Houston, reportedly quit the franchise over the decision not to pick Jeter.

Benito Santiago (C)

Played for San Diego at the start of 20-year career, for seven seasons (1986-92). He then had stints with eight more teams between 1993-2005, including the Reds twice. His longest stop after leaving San Diego occurred with the Giants (2001-03).

San Diego totals: .264, 758 hits, 85 home runs, 375 RBIs, 62 stolen bases
Career totals: .263, 1,830 hits, 217 home runs, 920 RBIs, 91 stolen bases
Five-time All Star including four while in San Diego (1989-92) 
Three-time Silver Slugger (1987, 1988, 1990) 
Three-time Gold Glove winner (1988-90)
NL Rookie of the Year (1987)

In 1987, hit .300, 18 home runs, 79 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and won NL Rookie of the Year and the Silver Slugger.

He hit double-digit home runs each season and won Gold Gloves in four of his six full seasons with the team.

While Santiago first made an impression with his offensive stats, he soon became known for his defense, notably for his strong throwing arm. He was known for his ability to throw out would-be base stealers from a kneeling position.

In 1988, he led NL catchers in assists and runners caught stealing with a 45% average when the league average was 30%. He ended his career with a .987 fielding percentage.

Mentioned in the Mitchell Report.

Eric Show (P)

The mercurial Show pitched for the Padres from 1981-90 and then one final year for the A's (1991).

San Diego totals: 100-87, 3.59 ERA, 1.283 WHIP
Career totals: 101-89, 3.66 ERA, 1.291 WHIP

Leads the franchise in wins (100). Second behind Randy Jones in games started and innings pitched for the club. Fourth in team all-time strikeouts (951) behind Jake Peavy, Andy Benes and Trevor Hoffman.

Show made his debut in late in the 1981 season, and the following year went 10-6 while splitting time between starting and relieving. He won 15 games in 1983. In 1984, he followed with a 15-9 record but struggled in the postseason, going a combined 0-2 with a 12.38 ERA in three games.

In 1985, Show threw the pitch in Cincinnati that Pete Rose lined for a single to break Ty Cobb's career hit record of 4,191. He infamously sat on the mound during the extended celebration. Show died of a drug overdose in a rehabilitation center in 1994.

Won his 100th and final game as a Padre in his team's Oct. 3, 1990 finale against the Dodgers. He finished that season with a 6-8 record and a 5.76 ERA, having pitched in 39 games, including 12 starts.

Garry Templeton (SS)

Played 10 seasons (1982-91) with the Padres. Also played for the Cardinals (1976-81) and Mets (1991).

San Diego totals: .252, 1,135 hits, 43 home runs, 430 runs, 427 RBIs, 101 stolen bases
Career totals: .271, 2,096 hits, 70 home runs, 893 runs, 728 RBIs, 242 stolen bases
Three-time All Star (1977, 1979, 1985 - with Padres)
Two-time Silver Slugger winner (1980, 1984 - with Padres)

Began his career as an unpopular player with the fans in St. Louis, but became arguably one of the most popular players in Padres history.

He was considered an emotional leader on the 1984 NL championship team and was named team captain in 1987, a role he held until he was traded in 1991. Templeton had good batting numbers in an era when shortstops did not provide much offense.

However, his offense dropped markedly after leaving St. Louis. Knee problems likely contributed to the decline.

He hit .305 in six seasons in St. Louis and stole at least 25 bases in every full season. He also recorded 18, 13 and 19 triples in St. Louis between 1977-79.

In San Diego, he hit .252 in 10 seasons, stole more than 20 bases once (his first season) and never again hit double-digit triples.

After the 1981 season, he was traded to the Padres for Ozzie Smith - a (then) a light-hitting defensive ace. Templeton, while not as strong afield, but considered a much better hitter going to a team with a struggling offense. But Smith became a better hitter with the Cardinals.

Dave Winfield (OF)

Played first eight seasons (1973-80) of a 22-year career with San Diego. Played for the Yankees (1981-88, 1990), Angels (1990-91), Blue Jays (1992), Twins (1993-94) and Indians (1995).

San Diego totals: . 284, 154 home runs, 626 RBIs, 599 runs, 133 stolen bases, 179 doubles, 39 triples
Career totals: .283, 465 home runs, 1,833 RBIs, 1,669 runs, 223 stolen bases, 540 doubles, 88 triples
12-time All Star, including four with the Padres (1977-80)
Seven-time Gold Glove winner, including twice with the Padres (1979, 1980)
Six-time Silver Slugger winner (zero as a Padre)
1990 AL Comeback Player of the Year
World Series champion (1992) with Blue Jays

Winfield was the first player to enter Cooperstown wearing a Padres cap. Out of college, he was drafted by the Padres, the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Utah Stars (ABA) and Minnesota Vikings (NFL). He chose baseball and spent a grand total of zero games in the minors before joining the Padres, where he hit .277 BA, 3 HR, 12 RBI in 56 games at age 21. He was a pitcher but the Padres wanted his bat in the lineup and put him in right field, where he could still use his "rifle arm."

He would go on to be a perennial All-Star, and his best season with the Padres came in 1979 when he hit .308 BA, 34 HR, 118 RBI and finished third in MVP voting.

For the next several years, he was an All-Star player in San Diego, gradually increasing his power and hits totals.

In 1977, he appeared in his first All-Star game at New York's Yankee Stadium and he burst into national stardom.

In 1978, he was named Padres team captain and in 1979, he batted .308 with 34 home runs and 118 RBI. He played one more season with the Padres before becoming a free agent.

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Your First-Ballot Orioles

2012-03-07T10:46:00.000-06:00

And, now, introducing, the newest members of the Fun-Time Baseball Hall. Per our rules (see bottom of post at the link in the next paragraph) seven from the Baltimore Orioles/St. Louis Browns are first-ballot inductees.
The seven who will join the Tigers, Angels and Astros in the Hall are:

Stay tuned, coming soon will be an opportunity to vote for the San Diego Padres. Four players from that franchise will join the Hall as first-ballot inductees.
For more about the Orioles, including the full slate of nominees, check out this story.

Here's the voting breakdown:

Paul Blair	6 (30%)
Mike Cuellar	4 (20%)
Mike Flanagan	2 (10%)
Dave McNally	5 (25%)
Eddie Murray	14 (70%)
Mike Mussina	5 (25%)
Jim Palmer	17 (85%)
Boog Powell	8 (40%)
Cal Ripken	15 (75%)
Brooks Robinson	17 (85%)
Frank Robinson	14 (70%)
George Sisler	12 (60%)

Cards That Amuse Me: #1

2012-03-06T23:14:00.000-06:00

Irony.

2011 Clearinghouse: First Up, Gypsy Queen

2012-03-05T16:59:00.002-06:00

I'm seeking to clear out my excess 2011 cards while filling some needs along the way. If you want to trade any cards, let me know. What follows is a list of available cards + needed cards for Gypsy Queen 2011. I'm particularly seeking Green and Bronze GQ framed paper.

Of course, I'm also prowling for Heritage 2011 short prints so if you have an excess of those, let me know - cause, you know, everyone out there is sitting on a stockpile of Heritage short prints, right?

Also, I'm hoping to complete a few of the Allen & Ginter insert sets - so if you have extra World's Most Mysterious Figures, Minds That Made The Future or Uninvited Guests, send me a note or wait to see my list of A&G available/wants - which I expect to publish tomorrow.

Finally, if you're seeking Lineage 2011, click here to look around for what I have and what I need.

Finally (Part Deux): I also have a slew of Bowman 2011 cards to trade so let me know if you're in need.

Without further adieu:

Gypsy Queen Available

9 Scott Rolen

16 Chris Carpenter

22 Barry Larkin

29 Ty Cobb

41 Matt Holliday

51 Alex Rodriguez

54 Frank Thomas

78 Ryne Sandberg

81 Nelson Cruz

93 Victor Martinez

96 Ubaldo Jimenez

98 Aroldis Chapman

100 Nolan Ryan

102 Jorge Posada

103 Magglio Ordonez

114 Chris Coghlan

115 Jeremy Jeffress

116 Jake Peavy

119 Brian Bogusevic

120 Gaby Sanchez

128 Dan Haren

129 Aaron Hill

136 Brett Myers

140 Shaun Marcum

144 Jon Niese

146 Melky Cabrera

157 Ryan Ludwick

159 Ervin Santana

169 Orlando Hudson

171 Manny Ramirez

178 Chone Figgins

189 Mike Aviles

195 Bronson Arroyo

200 John Lackey

201 Travis Snider

203 Brian Matusz

205 Chris Johnson

210 Aaron Rowand

212 Miguel Tejada

216 Angel Pagan

225 Vernon Wells

228 Ryan Kalish

229 Alex Gonzalez

241 Brian Roberts

242 Joba Chamberlain

245 Hank Conger

246 A.J. Burnett

251 Mark Buehrle

255 Barry Zito

256 Wade Davis

259 Aubrey Huff

262 Marco Scutaro

267 Jake Arrieta

268 Wandy Rodriguez

272 Felix Pie

275 Ruben Tejada

279 Josh Thole

283 Rick Ankiel

284 Jed Lowrie

299 Andruw Jones

300 Franklin Gutierrez

325 Jason Castro

332 Ty Wigginton

339 Omar Infante

Checklist 1

Checklist 2

Checklist 4

Green Paper Frame

82 Starlin Castro

Bronze Paper Frame

58 Dale Murphy

Future Stars

FS3 - Yonder Alonso

FS3 - Yonder Alonso
FS3 - Yonder Alonso
FS9 - Starlin Castro

FS19 - Gordon Beckham

Wall Climber

WC1 - Torii Hunter

WC7 - Franklin Gutierrez

WC8 - Michael Brantley

Home Run Heroes

HH7 - Miguel Cabrera
HH7 - Miguel Cabrera

HH8 - Prince Fielder

Great Ones

GO1 - Andre Dawson

GO8 - Jackie Robinson

GO22 - Tom Seaver

GO27 - Cy Young

Sticky Fingers
SF3 -David Eckstein
SF13 - Kevin Youkilis
SF14 - Alcides Escobar

MINIs

23 - Johnny Cueto

117 - Dallas Braden

122 - Derrek Lee

183 - Rafael Furcal

189 - Mike Aviles (red back)

195 - Bronson Arroyo (red back)

222 - Heath Bell

224 - Drew Stubbs

286 - Jason Kubel

319 - Elvis Andrus

346 - Shane Victorino

Gypsy Queen Wants

6 Frank Robinson

34 Sandy Koufax

38 Walter Johnson

60 Rogers Hornsby

64 Josh Hamilton

76 Felix Hernandez

79 Andrew McCutchen

84 Tim Lincecum

87 Clayton Kershaw

90 Derek Jeter

92 Mariano Rivera

94 Buster Posey

135 Ryan Dempster

162 Cliff Lee

166 Gordon Beckham

168 Alex Gordon

172 Ryan Zimmerman

237 Roy Campanella

243 Jim Thome

247 Matt Garza

249 Jacoby Ellsbury

301 Alfonso Soriano

302 Brian McCann

303 Johnny Mize

306 Tommy Hanson

315 Jered Weaver

316 Lou Gehrig

317 Justin Upton

318 Hank Aaron

324 Jay Bruce

328 Brett Anderson  

329 Ian Kennedy  

331 Greg Halman RC

333 Travis Wood

335 Freddie Freeman RC 

336 Domonic Brown  

GREAT ONES

GO4 Brooks Robinson

GO6 Frank Robinson

GO9 Jim Palmer

GO13 Lou Gehrig

GO15 Mickey Mantle

GO17 Pee Wee

GO19 Rogers Hornsby

GO23 Tris Speaker

GO28 Babe Ruth

GO30 Nolan Ryan

FUTURE STARS

FS14 Matt Latos

FS18 Aroldis Champman

HOME RUN HEROES

HH1 Babe Ruth

HH17 Frank Robinson

HH18 Jimmie Foxx

HH20 Johnny Bench

HH23 Mickey Mantle

HH25 Tris Speaker

Various bronze paper and green paper parallels, minis and other variations. Here is what I OWN of the bronze and greens. Anything not listed, I need. Thanks.

Bronze

13 Joey Votto

14 Brooks Robinson

20 Andre Dawson

22 Barry Larkin

27 Roy Oswalt

28 Tony Gwynn

37 Ryan Braun

50 Al Kaline

54 Frank Thomas

58 Dale Murphy

68 Gary Carter

Green

4 Jackie Robinson

11 Zack Greinke

13 Joey Votto

25 Mel Ott

29 Ty Cobb

31 Joe Mauer

32 Carl Crawford

37 Ryan Braun

50 Al Kaline

53 Jimmie Foxx

60 Rogers Hornsby

67 Dave Winfield

81 Nelson Cruz

82 Starlin Castro

85 Frank Robinson

91 Josh Johnson

97 Stan Musial

98 Aroldis Chapman

*whew*

Nominate Your Padres: Fun-Time Baseball Hall

2012-03-01T06:36:00.000-06:00

As voting winds down for the Orioles, it's time to solicit nominations for our next featured team: the San Diego Padres.

If you'd like to nominate a Padre (or several) to possibly be placed on the first-year ballot for the franchise, please leave a comment with the name or names.

Tony Gwynn, anyone.

Remember that the Fun-Time Hall will feature each franchise in 2012 and the number of first-year inductees is based on the age of the franchise. I've spelled out these rules many times before so I'll skip doing so this round.

Meanwhile, if you haven't done so, be sure to get in your votes for the Orioles after taking a peak at this post. Thanks for voting!

Lineage: Six Months Later

2012-02-26T22:39:00.000-06:00

In a few upcoming posts, I'll highlight some cards I have for trade from various recent sets. If you're still looking for anything, shoot me a note.

First up, Lineage.

At the bottom of the trade list, I have a short list of cards I'm still seeking. I should add here that if you have any Reds, Tigers or Cubs 75 minis for trade, I probably would be interested in them.

However, I don't have to trade Lineage for Lineage.

For trade:

2 Derek Jeter
3 Jimmie Foxx
4 Buster Posey
20 Justin Morneau
21 Edinson Volquez
28 Aramis Ramirez
32 Jon Lester
33 Tony Perez
35 Hanley Ramirez
43 Victor Martinez
44 Jay Bruce
51 Hunter Pence
55 Nolan Ryan
59 Duke Snider
65 Josh Johnson
67 Nelson Cruz
72 Rickie Weeks
84 Clayton Kershaw
85 Al Kaline
85 Al Kaline
89 Eddie Murray
98 Evan Longoria
98 Evan Longoria
100 Babe Ruth
101 Madison Bumgarner
106 Cy Young
110 Thurman Munson
112 Johnny Cueto
112 Johnny Cueto
112 Johnny Cueto
115 Chipper Jones
118 Todd Helton
121 Roy Halladay
126 Shin-Soo Choo
132 Nick Markakis
133 Zack Greinke
137 Johnny Bench
143 Miguel Cabrera
145 Adrian Gonzalez
146 Freddie Freeman
148 Aroldis Chapman
148 Aroldis Chapman
149 Kevin Youkilis
152 David DeJesus
153 B.J. Upton
159 Yonder Alonso
159 Yonder Alonso
159 Yonder Alonso
162 Brandon Belt
162 Brandon Belt
169 Cliff Lee
173 Adam Dunn
178 Albert Pujols
183 Brian McCann
184 Josh Hamilton
192 Willie McCovey
195 Chipper Jones

Mini 75s
165 Jose Reyes

Rookies
6 Jake McGee
10 Zach Britton

Here's what I need:

5 Felix Hernandez
13 Cal Ripken Jr.
19 Larry Walker
40 Stan Musial
52 Andre Dawson
76 Roberto Alomar
108 Hank Aaron
158 Monte Irvin

Missspellins

2012-02-25T10:42:00.000-06:00

I posted this card the other day with my descriptions of Orioles nominated for the Fun-Time Hall of Fame but it got me wondering just how common this was in the '70s and if it happens much nowadays.

If you didn't notice, Mike's surname is mispelled.

How pathetic was quality control for Topps during this era (rhetorical). Did they not have even one good copy editor on staff?

Meanwhile, if you missed the post about the Orioles and the Fun-Time Hall, please check it out here and then I'd be thrilled if you'd cast your votes. Feel free to let me know if you vote, or have already.

Venti Votto

2012-02-24T11:46:00.000-06:00

Juuust wanted to show off a cool card sent by my blogging friend Kyle of Juuust a Bit Outside. Shortly before we moved into our new home in December, Kyle added this with some cards from his draft juuust because he's that kind. I believe this is called "box topper" juuust because he's that kind of guy.

I have nothing like this in my collection and I'm thrilled to add it. Votto is one of my top 5-10 current players, with his status as a Red a key factor in that ranking.

I almost feel like I should frame this bad boy. Seriously, maybe I should as I have no idea how to properly store it.

Thanks again, Kyle. You've since sent me a slew of great cards over the months and I'm very grateful for them all.

Meanwhile, if anyone has any oddball Votto cards - non-base, non-goofy inserts - let me know. I honestly don't know if any exist but I might be interested in some if they do.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't interrupt this Votto post and ask you to vote for Orioles in the current Fun-Time Hall of Fame balloting. Check out my last post for more.

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Baltimore Orioles

2012-02-23T12:13:00.000-06:00

Complete rules of the Fun-Time Baseball Hall are at the bottom of this post. This is a franchise specific hall. Please keep in mind a player's body of work for the team and vote for no more than eight - fewer if you wish.

It's your call whether key deciding factors are longevity and counting stats or a player's overall impact, even if accomplished in a relatively short time.

Write-ups on the candidates for the Orioles / St. Louis Browns begin below the franchise records.

Franchise Records

Wins: Jim Palmer (268), Dave McNally (181), Mike Mussina (147), Mike Cuellar (143), Mike Flanagan (141)
Strikeouts: Palmer (2,212), Mussina (1,535), McNally (1,476), Flanagan (1,297), Cuellar (1,011)
Home Runs: Cal Ripken (431), Eddie Murray (343), Boog Powell (303), Brooks Robinson (303)
Triples: George Sisler (145)
Doubles: Ripken (603), B. Robinson (482), Murray (363), Sisler (343)
Hits: Ripken (3,184), B. Robinson (2,848), Sisler (2,295), Murray (2,080)

Paul Blair (OF)

Played for the Orioles from 1964-76. Played for the Yankees from 1977-79, 1980. Spent part of 1979 with the Reds.

Baltimore totals: .254, 126 home runs, 567 RBIs, 1,426 hits and 167 stolen bases
Career totals: .250, 134 home runs, 620 RBIs, 1,513 hits and 171 stolen bases
Two-time All Star (1969, 1973)
Four-time World Series champion (1966 and 1970 with Orioles, 1977-78 with Yankees)
Blair batted .400 in the 1969 ALCS and .474 in the 1970 World Series.
Eight-time Gold Glove winner (1967, 1969-75)
Starting CF for the Orioles when they won two World Series and four AL pennants from 1966-74. Considered one of best defensive players at his position.
Career high .293 batting average in 1967 with 11 home runs and 64 RBIs, along with an AL leading 12 triples. After slumping to .211 in 1968, had perhaps his best season in 1969 when he hit .285 with career highs in home runs (26), RBIs (76) and runs (102).
In 1966 World Series, played major role in Game Three's 1-0 win when he hit a 430-foot home run off Claude Osteen. Again played critical role in Game Four's 1-0 shutout win, robbing Jim Lefebvre of an 8th-inning home run.

Mike Cuellar (SP)

Pitched for the Orioles from 1969-76. Started career in 1959 with the Reds then spent the next five years in the minors and Mexican leagues. He was acquired in 1964 by the Cardinals, where his record was 5–5, primarily as a reliever. Went to the 1964 World Series. Pitched for Houston from 1965-68 and California in 1977.

Baltimore totals: 143-88, 3.18, 2,028 IPs, 1,011 strikeouts
Career totals: 185-130, 3.14, 2,808 IPs, 1,632 strikeouts
Four-time All Star (1967, 1970-71, 1974)
Two-time World Series champion (1964, 1970)
Cy Young winner (1969)
Best years were spent with the Orioles, helping them capture five AL East titles, three consecutive AL pennants and the 1970 World Series. Shared the AL Cy Young award in 1969 and won 20 or more games four times from 1969 to 1974.
Cuellar ranks among Baltimore's top five career leaders in wins (143), strikeouts (1,011), shutouts (30) and IPs(2,028), and trails only Dave McNally among left-handers in wins and shutouts.
In 1974, Cuellar finished 22–10, with a 3.11 ERA, but with just 106 strikeouts. He pitched 20 complete games, including five shutouts, yet earned just sixth place in the Cy Young voting that year.

Mike Flanagan (SP)

Pitched for the Orioles from 1975-87, 1991-92. Pitched for the Blue Jays from 1987-90.

    •    Baltimore totals: 141-116, 3.89 ERA, 2,317 IPs, 1,297 strikeouts
    •    Career totals: 167–143, 3.90 ERA, 2,770 IPs, 1,491 strikeouts
    •    AL Cy Young winner (1979) when he won 23 games with a 3.08 ERA.
    •    All-Star (1978)
    •    World Series champion (1983)
    •    Joined Orioles' starting rotation in 1977, finishing 15-10.
    •    Flanagan suffered two major injuries during his tenure with the Orioles, a knee injury in 1983, and a torn achilles tendon from a pick-up basketball game.
    •    Returned to Baltimore as a free agent and pitched well in 1991 as a reliever. Retired after poor 1992 season.

Dave McNally (SP)

this card, i don't have, but it would be really cool if i did

Pitched for the Orioles from 1962-74. Pitched one more year (1975) for the Expos. He won more than 20 games for 4 consecutive seasons (1968-71)

Baltimore totals: 181-113, 3.18 ERA, 2,652 IPs, 1,476 strikeouts
Career totals: 184-119, 3.24 ERA, 2,730 IPs, 1,512 strikeouts
Three-time All-Star (1969-70, 1972)
Two-time World Series champion (1966, 1970)
Only pitcher other than Roger Clemens to win 12 decisions in a row 3 times, including 17 consecutive at one time. After winning the last 2 decisions of the 1968 season, he opened the 1969 season with a 15-0 record.
Was one of four 20-game winners for the 1971 Orioles (Pat Dobson, Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar were the others.)
Was in the rotation directly behind Jim Palmer for nine seasons. His numbers were similar to Palmer during those years. Both whiffed exactly five batters for every nine innings pitched. McNally actually had a better strikeout-to-walk ratio, 1.83 to 1.69.

Eddie Murray (1B)

Played for the Orioles from 1977-88, 1996. Played for the Dodgers (1989-91, 1997), Mets (1992-93), Indians (1994-96) and Angels (1997).

Baltimore totals (13 seasons): .294, 2,080 hits, 343 home runs, 1,224 RBIs
Career totals: .287, 3,255 hits, 504 home runs, 1,917 RBIs
Between 1977-88, Murray averaged 28 home runs and 99 RBIs and was a perennial candidate for AL MVP, twice finishing second in the voting. His best season was 1983 with the Orioles when he hit .306, 110 RBI and a career-high 33 home runs. Known as one of the most reliable and productive hitters of his era. Is regarded as one of the best switch hitters ever.
His, 1,917 RBIs rank him first among switch-hitters all-time.
Eight-time All-Star, including seven as an Oriole (1978, 1981-86). Last AS appearance came in 1991.
World Series champion (1983)
Three-time Gold Glove (1982-84)
Finished 2nd in AL MVP voting (1982-83). Finished 4th in AL MVP voting (1984). 5th in AL MVP voting (1981, 1985). Three other top 10 finishes.
Three-time Silver Slugger (1983-84, 1990)
1977 AL Rookie of the Year when he hit .283, 27 home runs and 88 RBIs. Played 160 games that season.
Played in three World Series (1979, 1983 - both with Orioles) and (1995 with Indians)

Mike "Funky Cole" Mussina (SP)

Pitched for the Orioles for 10 seasons, from 1991-2000. Pitched for the Yankees from 2001-08.

Baltimore totals: 147-81, 3.53 ERA, 1.175 WHIP, 2,009 IP, 1,535 strikeouts
Career totals: 270-153, 3.68 ERA, 1.192 WHIP, 3,562 IP, 2,813 strikeouts
Five-time All-Star (1992-94, 1997, 1999 - all with Orioles)
Seven-time Gold Glove winner (1996-99, 2001, 2003, 2008)
Mussina, whose actual nickname was Moose (much less original than mine up there), of course spent his entire career in the high-scoring AL East. He won at least 11 games in 17 straight seasons - an AL record. The only other pitchers to match that are Cy Young, Steve Carlton, Warren Spahn, Don Sutton and Greg Maddux.
His early-career arsenal included a four-seam fastball that topped out at 95 mph, a two-seam fastball, slider, change-up and knuckle-curve. He often was compared to Jim Palmer - and he was known for his ability to make in-game adjustments to compensate for off days.
As career went on, he added a splitter and replaced his knuckle-curve with a more conventional curveball. He became more skilled at changing speeds with his breaking pitches and using different arm angles to confuse batters as well as to compensate for the diminishing speed of his fastball.
Placed in the top five of voting for the Cy Young Award six times.
One 20-win season (2008), two 19 win seasons, three 18 win seasons and two 17 win seasons.
Career .638 winning percentage.
Ranks 19th in career strikeouts.
Ranks 33rd all-time in wins with 270.
Ranks 33rd in games started.

Jim Palmer (SP)

Pitched entire career with the Orioles (1965-84).

Career totals: 268-152, 2.86 ERA, 2,212 strikeouts, 521 games started, 211 complete games, 53 shutouts, 3,948 IPs
Six-time All Star (1970-72, 1975, 1977-78)
Three-time World Series champion (1966, 1970, 1983)
Three-time AL Cy Young winner (1973, 1975, 1976)
Four-time Gold Glove winner (1976-79)
Pitched no-hitter on Aug. 13, 1969.
Palmer was a mainstay in the rotation during Baltimore's six pennant-winning teams in the 1960s (1966 & 1969), 1970s (1970, 1971 & 1979) and 1980s (1983).
Only pitcher in MLB history to win World Series games in three decades (1966, 1970–71, 1983). Retired in 1984 as a member of the defending World Champions.
Won 20 games in eight different seasons (1970-73, 1975-78) and in four other seasons went 15-10 (1966), 16-4 (1969), 16-10 (1980) and 15-5 (1982).
He was one of four 20-game winners in the Orioles starting rotation in 1971, only the second rotation in major league history to include four 20-game winners.
He led the AL in wins three times.
Never allowed a grand slam nor did he ever allow back-to-back homers.
Career ERA (2.86) is the third lowest among starting pitchers whose careers began after the advent of the "Live Ball Era" in 1920, behind only Whitey Ford (2.75) and Sandy Koufax (2.75).

John Wesley "Boog" Powell (1B)

Played for the Orioles from 1961-74, then two years with the Indians and one with the Dodgers.

Baltimore totals: .266, 303 home runs, 1,063 RBIs
Career totals: .266, 339 home runs, 1,187 RBIs
Four-time All Star with the Orioles (1968-71)
Two-time World Series champion (1966, 1970)
AL MVP (1970)
Two-tie AL Comeback Player of the Year (1966, 1975)
Besides World Series titles, was with Orioles' AL Champion teams in 1966, 1969, 1970 and 1971, and the American League East Division Champion teams in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1974.
In 1964 posted a .606 slugging percentage to lead the American League. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed, playing first base, outfield and DH.

Cal Ripken (SS/3B)

An Oriole for his entire career (1981-2001)

Career totals: .276, 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, 1,695 RBIs
Two-time AL MVP (1983, 1991)
1982 AL Rookie of the Year
19-time All Star
World Series champion (1983)
Two-time Gold Glove winner
Eight-time Sliver Slugger winner
Best known for breaking Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played, an "unbreakable" record. He hit a home run in the previous night's game that tied Gehrig's record and another home run in his 2,131st record-breaking game. Fans later voted his 2,131st game as Major League Baseball's "Most Memorable Moment" in MLB history.
Played in an additional 501 straight games over the next three years, and his streak ended at 2,632 games when he voluntarily removed his name from the lineup for the final Orioles home game of 1998.
At 6 ft 4 in, 225 lb. Ripken pioneered the way for taller, larger shortstops to be successful. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007, he was a first ballot inductee with the third highest voting percentage (98.53%) in history, behind Tom Seaver (98.84%) and Nolan Ryan (98.79%).

Brooks Robinson (3B)

Played entire 23-year career (1955-77) with the Orioles.

Career totals: .267, 2,848 hits, 268 home runs, 1,357 RBIs
18-time All Star
Two-time World Series champion
16-time Gold Glove winner. 16 consecutive seasons - 1960-75.
1964 AL MVP
1970 World Series MVP
1966 All-Star Game MVP
Widely acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in MLB history.
Had best offensive year in 1964, hitting. 318, 28 home runs and leading the league with 118 RBIs. Received 18 of the 20 first-place votes, with Mickey Mantle finishing second.
In 1970 post-season, hit .583 in ALCS. In World Series, against the Cincinnati Reds, hit .429 with two home runs. But it was his defensive prowess at third base that stood out, making several impressive plays during the series that robbed the Reds of apparent base hits.
Led the AL in fielding percentage a record 11 times, and at the time of his retirement, his .971 career fielding average was the highest ever for a third baseman.
His totals of 2,870 games played at third base, 2,697 putouts, 6,205 assists, 8,902 total chance and 618 double plays, were records for third basemen at the time of his retirement.
His 23 seasons with one team set a new major league record. Only Yastrzemski (3,308), Hank Aaron (3,076) and Stan Musial (3,026) played more games for one franchise.

Frank Robinson (OF)

A superstar for the Cincinnati Reds from 1956-65, Robinson went to the Baltimore Orioles from 1966-71, continuing a stellar career. He ended his career (1972-76) with the Dodgers, Angels and Indians.

Baltimore totals (6 seasons): .300, 179 home runs, 882 hits, 545 RBIs
Career totals: .294, 586 home runs, 2,943 hits, 1,812 RBIs
During his time in Baltimore, averaged 30 home runs, 92 RBIs, a .300 average, a .401 on-base percentage and a .543 slugging mark.
While there, he won a triple crown, a World Series MVP award, a regular season MVP and finished third in two other seasons.
14-time All Star (including five of six seasons while in Baltimore)
Two-time World Series champion (1966, 1970) both as an Oriole.
1956 NL Rookie of the Year (Cincinnati)
1961 NL MVP (Cincinnati)
1966 AL MVP (Baltimore): Became only player to be named MVP in both leagues.
1966 World Series MVP
1971 All-Star Game MVP
Amassed the fourth-most career home runs at the time of his retirement (he is currently ninth).
Was the first African-American hired to serve as manager in MLB history. He managed the Indians during the last two years of his playing career, compiling a 186–189 record. He then managed the Giants (1981-84), Orioles (1988-91) and Expos/Nationals (2002-06).
He won Triple Crown in first year in Baltimore, leading AL with a .316 batting average (the lowest ever by a Triple crown winner), 49 home runs (the most ever by a right-handed Triple crown winner) and 122 RBIs.
On May 8, 1966, he became the only player ever to hit a home run completely out of Memorial Stadium. Until the Orioles' move to Camden Yards in 1991, a flag labeled "HERE" was flown at the spot where the ball left the stadium.

George Sisler (1B)

Played for St. Louis Browns (Orioles' forerunner) from 1915-22, 1924-27. Missed 1923 with severe attack of sinusitis that caused double vision. Played for Washington Senators (1928) and Boston Braves (1928-30). Managed Browns (1924-26).

Career totals: .340, 102 home runs, 2,812 hits, 1,175 RBIs
AL MVP (1922)
AL batting champion (1920, 1922)
Held the MLB record for most hits in a single season from 1920-2004, a mark that stills stands for a 154-game season. (Ichiro had 262 hits in 2004.)
Hit .420 in 1922, including hits in a then-record 41 straight games. Led AL in hits (246), stolen bases (51), triples (18) and was generally considered the best fielding first baseman in the game.
His 1922 season is considered by many historians to be among the best individual all-around single-season performances in baseball history. His average was the third-highest of the 20th century, surpassed only by Rogers Hornsby's .424 in 1924 and Nap Lajoie's .426 in 1901.
Led league in runs in 1922 (134). Led league in hits in 1920 (257) and 1922 (246).
Led league in stolen bases in 1918 (45), 1921 (35), 1922 (51) and 1927 (27)
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939. In 1999, he received the eighth-largest number of first base-category votes in fan balloting for the MLB All-Century team and The Sporting News named him 33rd on their list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players."
In 1920, Sisler played every inning of each game, stole 42 bases, had 257 hits and batted .407. Ended the season by hitting .442 in August and .448 in September. Finished second in the AL in both doubles and triples, and second to Babe Ruth in RBIs and home runs.

More rules of the Fun-Time Baseball Hall (and some background).

The Hall was created to help me build my knowledge of the game's past. All franchises will be featured in 2012. Voting will continue annually. There is built-in exclusivity for first-ballot induction, described below. Percentage voting will come into play in subsequent years.

For first-ballot induction:

For teams in existence since 1920 or before, the top 7 will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1921-1940, the top 6.
For teams established between 1941-1960, the top 5.
For teams established between 1961-1975, the top 4.
For teams established between 1976-1990, the top 3.
For newer expansion teams, ballots will be grouped and the top 3 total will be inducted.
In 2013, a second ballot will be held.
Maximum of three more players will enter the Hall for each team in existence since 1960 or before. Maximum of two more for teams established between 1961 and 1990. Maximum of one more for combined teams established after 1990.

A secondary requirement for future ballots is players must earn at least 65% of the vote.

Numbskull

2012-02-21T15:57:00.001-06:00

My wife has always accused me of being hard-headed, not so much literally actually, but moreso figuratively.

When I was 20, with some college buddies from Indiana University, we spent traveled to Columbus, Ohio one weekend to check out the bar scene there - a change of pace. We had a great time meeting new people. Late that night, around 2 a.m., I walked a girl I met home. My intentions, seriously, were honorable. She had told me her friend had been attacked on campus not long before that night.

While walking her home, and now on a pretty dark street off-campus, five or six guys came the other way heading our way.

I woke up the next day at Ohio State University Medical Center. I heard tell that they brushed up against her, and that I turned around, apparently just a glance and saying nothing, and was then attacked by them. It seems one was carrying a board and used it well. I was knocked out immediately but they kept hitting. She, apparently, screamed and was left alone as some people came out of a house and threatened to call police.

I had a severe concussion and a badly swollen face and bruised mid-section for two months but nothing broken.

So, quite a lead in, right?

Back to the hard head. A couple of weeks ago, I went to bed feeling great and woke up two hours later horribly sick. I thought it must have been food poisoning, but it proved to be a bad stomach flu. I got up to hit the lue and, once inside, fainted.

Head met ceramic tile floor.

I tell you all of this as part of the biggest lead-in to an excuse ever for not posting some swell trades, some amazing trades actually. You see, in the few days I spent going in for some tests, coming home, recovering, seeing visitors, etc., several trade packages came my way. I didn't even think this time to set them aside for later scanning. I opened them, enjoyed and they all got mixed together.

I owe thanks to Juuust A Bit Outside (yet again!), Crinkly Wrappers, Tomahawk Chopping, Cardboard Collections, Play at the Plate, $30 a week habit, and, well, I'm certain there's another here somewhere I'll find to file soon.

Oh, I'm fine, by the way. I came out pretty lucky all things considered. I was back online within a couple of days and back at work pretty quickly too. I even still got out several trade packages and ramped up a couple of fantasy baseball drafts that I run each year and that are going on now.

I'll endeavor to still feature some cards from these trades in upcoming posts - even if it's just one or two key cards - as I can jog my memory of what came from who by reviewing old e-mails - but I just wanted to apologize for anyone who is inadvertently left out. Major apologies too to the two bloggers still waiting on me to get back to them about some cards they've set aside!

Please know I've been thrilled with all of my trades lately and I've been equally thrilled to hear that the recipients have been as well. Trading remains an incredible part of blogging and this hobby.

A couple of new trades have arrived in the past few days, so I'll feature those too. As a matter of fact, here's one now.

Look at this! Would you just look!

My very first Frank Robinson relic. Mr. Robinson is a huge favorite of mine. He's a Tier One player for me. Currently, I have a bead on another Robinson relic. Can't wait. I'm not a huge relic kind of guy overall but ones like these of favorite players, or Hall of Famers in general, are really swell.

This fine card comes from my great blogging friend, Ryan - formerly Reader Ryan and now the proprietor of the truly fine upstart blog, Ryan's Pitch. Ryan featured our trade the other day and mentioned he feels like he got the better end of the deal. Not at all, Ryan. I'm feeling the same way. I guess that's a sign of a great trade.

Ryan sent more cards from teams I like and players I collect (Frank Thomas) and a cool purple Topps Chrome Victor Martinez, as well.

Ryan and I have completed a handful of trades but this was Ryan's first completed deal as a blogger.

Ryan, I'm glad to read I played a role in you jumping into the blogosphere. In your very short time blogging, I'm already thoroughly enjoying your thoughts about the hobby and your collection. Thanks again for the deal.

Collect what makes you smile, everyone.

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Your First-Ballot Astros

2012-02-20T23:52:00.000-06:00

It's time to announce the latest members of the Fun-Time Baseball Hall. Per the rules based on the age of a franchise, four from the Houston Astros were selected as first-ballot inductees.

The four who will join the Tigers and Angels in the Hall are:

Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, J.R. Richard and Nolan Ryan

For more about the winners, as well as the full slate of nominees, check out this story.

And this results mean after featuring just three teams, Mr. Ryan has made the Fun-Time Hall for two MLB teams. Can he make it three? Four?

Here's the voting breakdown:

Jeff Bagwell	13 (76%)
Craig Biggio	14 (82%)
Cesar Cedeno	7 (41%)
Jose Cruz	5 (29%)
Larry Dierker	2 (11%)
Joe Morgan	3 (17%)
Joe Niekro	5 (29%)
J.R. Richard	10 (58%)
Nolan Ryan	10 (58%)
Mike Scott	5 (29%)
Billy Wagner	2 (11%)
Jim Wynn	4 (23%)

Stay tuned, coming soon will be an opportunity to vote for the best Orioles of all-time. Seven players from that franchise will join the Hall as first-ballot inductees.

Rules, etc.:

For teams in existence since 1920 or before, 7 players - the top vote-getters - will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1921-1940, 6 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1941-1960, 5 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1961-1975, 4 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1976-1990, 3 players will be inducted.
For newer expansion teams, the ballots will be grouped and the top three from all of these teams will be inducted.
Roughly one year after a team(s) is featured, a second ballot will be held.
Four more players will enter the Hall for each team in existence since 1940 or before. Three more for teams established between 1941 and 1975. Two more for teams established after 1976. One more total for the combined newer expansion teams.*

* I intend to fully adhere to these rules but I possibly will add a percentage requirement also for second-year induction, which I know for sure I'll implement in subsequent years.

When voting, please keep in mind a player's body of work for the team featured - and not simply the full career. It's your call whether longevity for a franchise and counting stats is the biggest deciding factor or if you prefer judging a player's impact on the franchise - even made possibly in a relatively short time.

Fantasy Baseball: A Rare Opening

2012-02-13T22:14:00.001-06:00

I competed for many years in fantasy baseball leagues - starting in 1991 when I graduated from Indiana University and moved to West Texas. I joined an existing six-team league operating from The Bar in downtown Midland, Texas. My Cross-Dressing Left Fielders won the league and I was hooked.

Today, I still enjoy the hobby. I had pared back my involvement drastically through the years until I was down to a single league that had been around awhile. Unfortunately, it wasn't as competitive as I would have liked. Too many owners who simply never got back about trade proposals or didn't set their lineups and thus skewed the competitive field.

So, three years ago I decided to form a large free league and I went about "interviewing" interested potential owners found on a couple of different good sites. The result was the formation of a 20-team league. I wanted us to go deep into the player pool. I love that kind of competition and challenge.

Once we had everyone in place, I got the idea for a second free league - this one with an MLB franchise hook. We would chose MLB franchises as they existed in 1977 - thus the Montreal Expos for the Nationals - and then chose four players from those franchises (current players of course) plus one "prospect keeper" - a player who has not appeared in an MLB game. We then drafted other players just like any fantasy league.

This free ESPN league has worked great and been hugely popular. This is where you may or may not come in. We lost just two of 20 owners after Year One and, now, it seems we will lose 1 owner before our draft scheduled to start ASAP.

It's an outstanding group of quality guys. The competition is a blast. Very knowledgeable baseball guys - active owners who adjust their rosters daily as needed.

The open team is the Atlanta Braves. Braves on the team are McCann, Hanson, Heyward, Uggla, Hudson, Venters and Teheran. At all times, we must have four players from the MLB franchise - plus 1 "prospect keeper" - on our rosters. That's the gist. There's slightly more to it - but not much more.

Prior to our slow e-mail offline draft, which needs to start immediately, the owner can choose one "prospect keeper" (a Brave who has not appeared in an MLB game) to add to their list of 20 keepers.

It's a head-to-head league. Last year the team finished 6-12 and second to last in the five-team NL West (ahead of the Dodgers). The league champion was the San Diego Padres - a team that finished last in Year One.

If it sounds interesting, then let me know only by e-mailing me at: dw.reds@gmail.com. You'll then see the full slate of rules. Please, only if you are a bit of a fantasy baseball junkie who's been looking for a higher level of competition. Also, be an active owner. I haven't had to do it, but I've promised everyone that if a team goes dormant for a period of time and the owner fails to respond, then I'll find a quick replacement to keep the competition high.

We had intended to start the offline draft - done through the league chat box and/or message board - yesterday but I was holding out for the last guy to rejoin as promised.

2012 Topps: Needs and Availables

2012-02-13T19:40:00.002-06:00

I have updated what I still need and what I have available from 2012 flagship. I'm not collecting the set, but I am seeking certain favorite players and, of course, those on my favorite teams. I'm also looking to finish the Gold Standard inserts.

First, my various needed cards. Below them, my list of available cards. Send me a note or leave a comment if you see something.

Along with the following needs, any gold-ish parallels of Reds, Tigers, Cubs or others perhaps (ask me if you have some) would be swell.

And, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I'm interested in relics for Reds, Tigers and Cubs and, perhaps, others if you have any.

BASE NEEDS
35 Eric Hosmer
54 Jhonny Peralta
65 Delmon Young
69 Dee Gordon RCup
149 Chris Sale

200 Miguel Cabrera

205 Justin Masterson

GOLD STANDARD NEEDS
GS-2 Stan Musial
GS-15 Ty Cobb
GS-16 John Smoltz
GS-19 Andre Dawson
GS-21 Chipper Jones
GS-22 Nolan Ryan
GS-23 Tom Seaver
GS-24 Mickey Mantle
GS-25 Willie Mays

GOLD FUTURES NEEDS
GF-1 Michael Pineda
GF-3 Brandon Belt
GF-4 Freddie Freeman
GF-13 Anthony Rizzo
GF-17 Dee Gordon

GOLDEN MOMENTS NEEDS
GM-1 Tom Seaver
GM-8 Andre Dawson
GM-20 Ryne Sandberg

GM-35 Frank Thomas

GM-42 Al Kaline

MINIS
TM-2 Mike Stanton
TM-6 Dustin Ackley
TM-7 Joey Votto
TM-9 Jason Heyward
TM-14 Ichiro Seattle
TM-19 Lance Berkman
TM-40 Andrew McCutchen
TM-43 Mat Latos
TM-44 Troy Tulowitzki
TM-47 Starlin Castro

AVAILABLE BASE
1, 1, 1, 4, 4, 19, 21, 22, 22, 41, 46, 56, 57, 66, 66, 82, 89, 93, 107, 110, 114, 121, 121, 124, 125, 125, 135, 135, 135, 136, 142, 142, 142, 143, 143, 146, 151, 151, 151, 169, 176, 179, 195, 196, 197, 206, 208, 210, 213, 220, 220, 221, 222, 226, 255, 255, 262, 262, 265, 268, 268, 270, 272, 272, 282, 287-walmart blue, 293, 294, 299, 306, 308, 326, 326, 327,

AVAILABLE GOLDEN GREATS
GG-41

AVAILABLE GOLDEN MOMENTS
GM-18

AVAILABLE GOLD FUTURES
GF-8, GF-15

AVAILABLE MINIS
TM-31, TM-31

Nominate Your Orioles: The Fun-Time Baseball Hall

2012-02-11T17:56:00.000-06:00

First, just two days left to vote Astros into The Fun-Time Baseball Hall. Who's going to join the seven Detroit Tigers and four members of the Angels' franchise. See inductees so far here.

Meanwhile, it's time to start nominating past members of the Orioles franchise, which includes the St. Louis Browns dating back to 1902. In the comments, please provide a few names of players from the franchise's past that you think should be put up on the first-year ballot.

Reminder about the Hall: I'm looking for players who surely would make an All-Star squad for the franchise in question or strong players who spent many years with the franchise (and thus have the counting stats) or even players who didn't spend many years but made a lasting impact with the team (perhaps in a relative short period). It's your call who you nominate and, later, how you vote.

Thank you for the help.

New Blog Alert

2012-02-06T12:32:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite trading friends - Ryan L. - took the plunge last week and opened up a blog. I wanted to do my little part in making sure you find him.

Go visit Ryan's Pitch when you get a chance.

Meanwhile, if you haven't voted for the Fun-Time Baseball Hall's Astros, please take a look at this post and then cast your votes in the poll. Much obliged and have a great week.

Cardboard Hero: Joe Morgan 1981

2012-02-03T08:38:00.002-06:00

See that up there? The one on the right?

I loved that card. That very card. You can tell I'm not exaggerating. Look at it! That wear and tear across the front came courtesy of this guy. I'm pointing my thumbs at myself.

It was these very same thumbs (considerably less aged) that caused the damage. At 12, I was crazy for Joe Morgan and the way he played the game. I didn't even mind that he had left my beloved Reds. To this day, he is still an all-time favorite firmly ensconced in my Tier One Player Collection.

But, beyond the actual player and his unique talents for a second basemen in that era, I loved the card itself.

I don't know what happened moments before this picture was taken. Maybe a double to shallow right-center field. Just a guess. Doesn't matter really. To me, the card sums up how Morgan played the game - an engine ready to go full boar. A "sparkplug" is probably more apt to describe Morgan. The point is, he's all fired up.

That's just how this card always struck me.

I love the Houston uniform in this shot - not too gaudy, but just gaudy enough. I love the big star - that kind of sums up Morgan's career. I love the traditional high pants. I love the bold orange hat.

I loved the shot itself with the blurry background helping to isolate Morgan. If there was one flaw to my card it was this. Too dark. I could never really see Morgan's expression.

And that's where Kyle from the fine Juuust A Bit Outside (JABO) blog comes in. JABO sent me the card on the left and, oh, I don't know, dozens and dozens more. Soon, I'll post some of the favorites from that trade package. Suffice to say, JABO knocked healthy chunks off of both my 1981 list and my 1983 list. He is, most decidedly, the man!

I had no idea that there were lighter versions of the '81 Morgan. It's nice to have a fresh copy in hand for my 1981 box that one day will go into a binder.

As for my original copy, it stays in my Morgan binder.

It is, after all, one of my cardboard heroes.

Note: And a new sign-off is born!!!!! No? Sigh.

Note II (Return of the Note): Thus begins Cardboard Heroes, a new blog feature looking at the favorite cards in my collection. One of these days, when I've done enough of these, I may just rank my 100 favorite, or 200, or 1,000. Nah, probably not 1,000.

Note III: Insert obligatory Fun-Time reminder here.

Note IV: Rest assured, my true heroes are people I actually know, mostly linked to me by blood. Except for Buddy Biancalana.

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Houston Colt .45s/Astros

2012-02-02T13:36:00.003-06:00

Try to vote for at least 5 - but less if you wish - and no more than 7. Based on our rules related to franchise age, 4 will win first-year induction. The Colt .45s began play in 1962 and became the Astros in 1965.

Full career performance should matter somewhat but the impact on the specific franchise up for vote is of utmost importance. This is a team specific Hall. Example: Steve Carlton has an amazing Phillies career but shouldn't be inducted to the Fun-Time Baseball Hall as a White Sox player.

It's your choice whether longevity and counting stats are key deciding factors or if you prefer judging a player's overall franchise impact, even if made in a shorter period. Thanks for voting.

Franchise Leaders
Games: Craig Biggio (2,850), Jeff Bagwell (2,150), Jose Cruz (1,870)
Hits: Biggio (3.060)
Home Runs: Bagwell (449), Lance Berkman (326), Biggio (291), Jim Wynn (223)
Wins: Joe Niekro (144), Roy Oswalt (143), Larry Dierker (137)
Saves: Billy Wagner (225)

Note: Berkman and Oswalt will be eligible three full seasons after their last appearance as an Astro.

Jeff Bagwell (1B)

Played his entire 15-year career (1991-2005) with the Astros.
Four-time All-Star (1994, 1996, 1997, 1999)
NL MVP (1994)
NL Rookie of the Year (1991)
Gold Glove winner (1994)
Three-time Silver Slugger (1994, 1997, 1999)
Had nine seasons with more than 30 home runs, eight seasons with 100 or more RBI and nine seasons with over 100 runs scored. In six consecutive years, from 1996 through 2001, he reached all three marks in every season. He drew at least 100 walks for seven straight seasons, and had six seasons with a .300 batting average.
Compiled a career .993 fielding percentage and was considered strong fielder through bulk of career until an arthritic condition in his shoulder developed.
Had above-average speed and baserunning skills for a first baseman, stealing 202 bases during his career, including two seasons (1997, 1999) when he stole at least 30 bases, and five seasons (1994, 1996–99) when he stole at least 15.
Astros career leader in home runs (449), RBIs (1,529), Walks (1,401) and Intentional Walks (155).
Holds franchise season records for average (.368 in 1994), on-base percentage (.454 in 1999), slugging percentage (.750 in 1994), OPS (1.201 in 1994), runs (152 in 2000), total bases (363 in 2000), home runs (47 in 2000), walks (149 in 1999) and at-bats per home run (10.3 in 1994)
Unique batting stance made him vulnerable to inside pitches. His left hand was broken by pitches in 1993, 1994, and 1995. He began wearing a heavily-padded protective batting glove. Stance allowed him to shrink his strike zone and walk more often.

Career totals (15 seasons): .297, 449 home runs, 1,529 RBIs, 1,517 runs, 202 stolen bases

Craig Biggio (2B/C)

Played entire 20-year career with the Astros (1988-2007).
3,060 career hits and ninth player in the 3,000 hit club to get them all with same team. First player in franchise history to get 3,000 hits
Seven-time All-Star (1991-92, 1994-98).
Four-time Gold Glove winner
Five-time Silver Slugger winner
Became starting catcher in 1989. Because he was fast, team management was concerned catching would sap his speed. Biggio finally converted to second base in 1992 - an extremely rare position conversion in MLB history.
Holds NL record for most home runs (50) to lead off a game.
Ended career with 668 doubles, fifth on all-time MLB list. Holds record for doubles by a right-handed hitter. Only player in MLB history with 3,000 hits, 600 doubles, 400 stolen bases and 250 home runs.
Biggio fell nine home runs short of joining the career 300-300 club (300 homers and 300 stolen bases). He would have become only the seventh player to achieve the feat. This also caused him to fall short of the 3,000 hits, 300 homers and 300 stolen bases mark. He would have been only the second player (Willie Mays being the first) in history to reach that club.
Played 1,800 games without a trip to the DL until August 2000, when he tore MCL and ACL in left leg.
Career totals: .281, 291 home runs, 1,175 RBIs, 414 stolen bases
Cesar Cedeno (OF)
- Played for the Astros from 1970-81. Played for the Reds, Cardinals and Dodgers from 1982-86.
- Four-time All-Star (1972-74, 1976). Beat out Robert Clemente for starting NL spot in 1972.
- Five-time Gold Glove winner (1972-76).
- His 550 stolen bases rank him 27th on the all-time MLB list. The 487 steals he had with the Astros ranks him first on the franchise's all-time leader list.
- Hit for cycle in 1972 and 1976.
- Batted .310 in his rookie season (1970) and .320 in both 1972 and 1973. A five-tool player that his manager Leo Durocher once suggested would become the "next Willie Mays." His aggressive playing style, in part, may have cut his career well short of realizing that.
- He possessed a combination of great speed, power and good defense. Became the second player in MLB history (after Lou Brock) to hit 20 home runs and steal 50 bases in one season.
- Accomplished that feat three straight seasons (1972-74).
- Also stole 50-plus bases next three seasons (1975-77).
- Twice led league in doubles.
Houston totals (12 seasons): .289, 163 home runs, 343 doubles, 778 RBIs, 890 runs, 487 SBs 
Career totals (17 seasons): .285, 199 home runs, 436 double, 976 RBIs, 1,084 runs, 550 SBs
Jose Cruz (OF)

Played for Houston from 1975-87. Began his career with the Cardinals (1970-74) and then finished with one season (1988) with the Yankees.
- Two-time All-Star (1980, 1985)
- Two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1983, 1984)
- Finished 3rd in NL MVP voting in 1980 when he hit (.302, 11 home runs, 91 RBIs, 36 SBs), 6th in 1983 and 8th in 1984.
- Consistently put up double-digit home runs (high mark 17 home runs), with 80 or more RBIs. Classic multi-tool threat.
- Had played in more games than any player in the history of the franchise (1,870) before Craig Biggio passed him. In 2000, Cruz coached from first base as Biggio passed many of his other long-standing franchise records, including at-bats, hits and total bases.
- Eighty triples remains an Astros' record.
- Stole 20 or more bases eight times during his 13 seasons in Houston, including five seasons with 30 or more.
- Involved with all nine of Houston's postseason appearances, three as a player (1980, 81 and 86) and six as a coach (1997–99, 01, 04-05).
- He hit .400 in the five-game series against Philadelphia in the 1980 NLCS.
Houston totals (13 seasons): .292, 1,937 hits, 335 doubles, 80 triples, 138 home runs, 942 RBIs, 288 stolen bases
Career totals (19 seasons): .284, 2,251 hits, 165 home runs, 1,077 RBIs, 317 stolen bases

Larry Dierker (P)

Drafted by the Colt .45s at age 17. Made his MLB debut on his 18th birthday – and struck out Willie Mays in the first inning.
- Two-time All-Star (1969, 1971)
- In 1969, went 20-13, 2.33 ERA, his best statistical season, becoming the Astros' first 20-game winner. Pitched 20 complete games that season.
- 15 Wins Seasons: 3 (1969, 1970, 1972)
- Pitched no-hitter against the Expos on July, 9, 1976.
- Returned to manage the Astros from 1997-2001. 1998 NL Manager of the Year.
- In 1971, only 25 but a 7-year veteran with 1,250 innings, he developed a sore arm the first of several ailments. After a 10-1 start that earned him a spot on the 1971 All-Star team, he finished 12-6 that year.
- In 1972, recuperated, he made 31 starts, completing 12 and winning 15, pitching 214 innings. Shoulder problems flared up in 1973, limiting him to three starts. He again recovered and in 1974 pitched 224 innings with a 2.89 ERA, earning his 100th career win.
- His career quickly trailed off at age 28 and he retired at 30.
  
  Houston totals (13 seasons): 137-117, 3.28 ERA, 1.214 WHIP, 2,294 IP, 1,487 Ks
  Career totals (14 seasons): 139-123, 3.31 ERA, 1.217 WHIP, 2,333 IP, 1,493 Ks
Joe Morgan (2B)

Played 10 seasons (1963-71, 1980) with Houston but achieved greatest fame and numbers as a member of the Big Red Machine (1972-79) in Cincinnati. Ended his career (1981-84) with Giants, Phillies, Athletics. Widely ranked as one of the top second basemen in MLB history.
Ten-time All-Star including two times (1966, 1970) in Houston. All-Star Game (1972) MVP.
Two-time World Series champ in Cincinnati. Two-time NL MVP in Cincinnati.
Five-time Gold Glove winner (all during Cincinnati years.
NL Comeback Player of the Year (1982) as a Giant.

Houston totals: .261, 972 hits, 72 home runs, 327 RBIs, 219 stolen bases
Career totals: .271, 2,517 hits, 268 home runs, 1,133 RBIs, 689 stolen bases

Joe Niekro (P)

Pitched for Houston from 1975-85. Pitched for Cubs, Padres, Tigers and Braves before Houston; Yankees and Twins after. His career spanned 1967-88.

One-time All-Star (1979). Named TSN NL Pitcher of Year (1979)
His 221 career wins make him one of the most successful knuckleball pitchers ever. He and brother, Phil, combined for 539 total wins, making them the most successful brother combination of pitchers in MLB history.
Became a dominant pitcher in Houston after perfected his knuckleball. Went 21-11 in 1979 and 20-12 in 1980, to became the first Astros pitcher to win 20 games in consecutive seasons. In 1979, led the league in wins and shutouts (5) and finished second in Cy Young voting behind Bruce Sutter.
In 1980, Houston played the Dodgers in a one-game playoff. Niekro allowed six hits in a 7–1 Houston win that led the Astros to their first postseason. He then pitched 10 shutout innings in Game 3 of the NLCS and the Astros won 1–0, though they lost the series to the Phillies.
World Series champ in with Minnesota in 1987. Set a record for the longest period of time between a major league debut and a first appearance in World Series.
Trivia: On May 29, 1976, Niekro hit the only big league home run of his career (973 lifetime at bats), and it came against his brother Phil.

Houston totals: 144-116, 3.22 ERA, 1.264 WHIP, 2,270 IP, 1,178 Ks
Career totals: 221-204, 3.59, 1.319 WHIP, 3,584 IP, 1,747 Ks

J.R. Richard (P)

Pitched his entire career (1971-80) with the Astros.
Premier MLB pitcher from 1976-80, twice leading the NL in strikeout, once in ERA and three times in hits allowed per nine innings. He won at least 18 games each year.
From 1971-75, had a limited role on the team, throwing no more than 72 innings in a season.
His 313 strikeouts in 1979 is a franchise record. Had 303 in 1978.
Suffered a stroke on July 30, 1980, collapsing while playing catch before a game. Condition brought a sudden end to his career at age 30. Record to that date was 10-4, 1.90 ERA.
Comeback attempt failed as stroke slowed his reaction time and harmed his depth perception. Scuttled in Astros minor leagues before being released in 1984.

Career totals (10 seasons): 107-71, 3.15 ERA, 1.243 WHIP, 1,606 IPs, 1,493 strikeouts

Nolan Ryan (P)

Recently inducted into the Fun-Time Baseball Hall as a California Angel, Ryan is again on the ballot. By the time he arrived in Houston in 1980, he was already a big-leaguer since 1966.
Pitched nine seasons (1980-88) in Houston (eight with the Angels and five each with the Mets and Rangers). Eight-time All-Star, including twice while in Houston (1981, 1985).
Finished in top 10 of Cy Young balloting three times during his years in Houston.
Pitched one of his seven no-hit games as a member of the Astros, Sept. 26, 1981 against the Dodgers. Pitched four during his eight years with the Angels.
5,714 career strikeouts (MLB record)
After leading the AL in strikeouts seven out of his eight seasons in California, led NL in strikeouts twice during his eight seasons in Houston (his final two seasons there, 1987, 1988). In 1987, at age 40, he led the majors in both ERA (2.76) and strikeouts (270) —but finished 8–16 because of poor run support. Despite his .333 winning percentage, he tied for 5th place in the 1987 Cy Young voting.
World Series champion (1969): Ryan saved Game 3 as a New York Met, pitching 2.1 shutout innings against the Orioles. The Game 3 win gave the Mets a 2–1 lead in the Series, which they went on to win in five games. It would be Ryan's only World Series appearance.
MLB All-Century team

Houston totals: 106-94, 3.13 ERA, 1.206 WHIP, 1,854 IP, 1,866 Ks
Career totals: 324-292, 3.19 ERA, 1.247 WHIP, 5,386 IP, 5,714 Ks

Mike Scott (P)

Pitched for Houston from 1983-91. Began his career with the New York Mets (1979-82).

NL Cy Young award winner (1986)
Three-time All-Star (1986, 1987, 1989). Started 1987 game.
NL TSN Pitcher of the Year (1986)
NLCS MVP (1986) - first time in NLCS history that a member of the losing team was so honored.
Scott is part of a small group of pitchers who have thrown a no-hitter and struck out 300 in the same season.
In 1986, he went 18-10, 2.22 ERA, 306 strikeouts (led league). Threw his no-hitter on Sept. 25 against the Giants.
The Astros lost the NLCS 4-2 to the Mets. The two Houston wins were a result of Scott's starting pitching in Games 1 and 4.
In Game 1, Scott allowed just five hits and walked one while striking out 14 in a complete-game effort as the host Astros prevailed 1–0. (Dwight Gooden allowed one run in his seven innings.)
In Game 4, Scott pitched a complete game three-hitter in a 3-1 win.
Scott struggled with the Mets and in his first two seasons with the Astros, when he went 15-17. His career turned around in 1985 when pitching coach Roger Craig taught him the split-finger fastball. Scott won 18 games in 1985.
Finished seventh in Cy Young voting in 1987.
Scott won 20 games and finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting in 1989, behind reliever Mark Davis of the Padres. Injuries began to plague him soon afterwards and he retired in 1991.
Houston totals (nine seasons): 110-81, 3.30 ERA, 1.144 WHIP, 1,704 IP, 1,318 Ks
Career totals (13 seasons): 124-108, 3.54 ERA, 1.201 WHIP, 2,068 IP, 1,469 Ks

Billy Wagner (P)

Pitched for Houston (1995–2003), then for the Phillies (2004-05), Mets (2006-09, Red Sox (2009) and Braves (2010).
Seven-time All-Star, including first three on the list as an Astro (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010)
Franchise all-time saves leader (225)
Recorded 30 or more saves nine times in career, including five times in Houston
In 1999, finished fourth in Cy Young balloting when he saved 39 games and recorded 124 strikeouts in 74 innings.
Fifth on all-time saves list (422).

Houston totals (nine seasons): 26-29, 2.53 ERA, 1.039 WHIP, 504 IP, 694 Ks, 225 Saves
Career totals (16 seasons): 47-40, 2.31 ERA, 0.998 WHIP, 903 IP, 1,196 Ks, 422 Saves

Jimmy Wynn (OF)

Played for the Astros from 1963-73, then two years with the Dodgers before finishing his final two seasons with the Braves, Yankees and Brewers.
A shortstop primarily during his debut year, he struggled with the position and was moved to center field.
Three-time All-Star (1967 with Astros, then 1974, 75 with Dodgers)
NL Comeback Player of the Year (1974, Dodgers) when he hit .271, 32 home runs, 108 RBIs
Fixture in Astros OF for 11 seasons. He was a power hitter who likely lost many home runs to the spacious Astrodome. Hit career high 37 home runs in 1967, two behind Hank Aaron (who commented that he considered Wynn the season's home run champion.
Two-time NL Bases on Balls Leader (1969 & 1976)
20-Home Runs Seasons: 8 (1965, 1967-1970 & 1972-1974)
30-Home Runs Seasons: 3 (1967, 1969 & 1974)
100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1967 & 1974)
100 Runs Scored Seasons: 4 (1967, 1969, 1972 & 1974)
He was traded to a competitive team for the 1974 season, and his performance (he was 5th in the MVP voting) helped the Dodgers win the pennant. Teammate Steve Garvey was NL MVP that year, but Wynn had a higher on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
His 1,224 walks put him #46 on the all-time list, and his 1,427 strikeouts put him # 52 on the all-time list.

Houston totals: .255, 223 home runs, 719 RBIs, 180 stolen bases
Career totals: .250, 291 home runs, 964 RBIs, 225 stolen bases

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Your First-Ballot Angels

2012-02-01T23:10:00.001-06:00

It's time again to announce the latest members of the Fun-Time Baseball Hall. Per the rules based on the age of a franchise, four Angels were selected as first-ballot inductees. There were a couple of players I thought would make it who did not.

The four Angels who will join these Tigers in the Hall are:

Nolan Ryan, Tim Salmon, Rod Carew and Garrett Anderson.

Here's the breakdown:

Jim Abbott	8 (40%)
Garrett Anderson	12 (60%)
Bob Boone	4 (20%)
Rod Carew	13 (65%)
Dean Chance	5 (25%)
Brian Downing	9 (45%)
Chuck Finley	4 (20%)
Jim Fregosi	7 (35%)
Bob Grich	10 (50%)
Wally Joyner	7 (35%)
Troy Percival	6 (30%)
Francisco Rodriguez	3 (15%)
Nolan Ryan	19 (95%)
Tim Salmon	15 (75%)
Frank Tanana	4 (20%)

Nolan Ryan (P)

Pitched for the Angels from 1972-79. Corresponding K totals (329, 383, 367, 186, 327, 341, 260, 223).

Threw four no-hitters as an Angel. Seven for his career (three more than anyone in history).
5,714 career strikeouts (MLB record)
Eight-time All-Star (1972-73, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989).
World Series champion (1969): Ryan saved Game 3 as a New York Met, pitching 2.1 shutout innings against the Orioles. The Game 3 win gave the Mets a 2–1 lead in the Series, which they went on to win in five games. It would be Ryan's only World Series appearance.
MLB All-Century team
Led the league in Ks 7 of 8 seasons while in California but also led the league in walks in six of those years, and finished second the other two seasons. Aside from Bob Feller in 1938, Ryan is the only man since 1900 to walk 200 batters in a season, which he did twice during his Angels' years.
Ranks high on the list for four "negative" records: first all-time in walks allowed (2,795), first in wild pitches (277), third in losses (292—most in the post-1920 live-ball era), and ninth in hit batters (158).
Traded from Mets in 1971 in a deal bringing Jim Fregosi to the Mets. Fregosi had been an All-Star in six of seven seasons. The deal was not controversial at the time.
Ryan had a league-leading 329 Ks in his first season with the Angels, nearly a third more than the runnerup, and to that point, the fourth-highest total of the 20th century. Within five seasons, it would only be Ryan's fourth-highest K total. He also set a still-standing Major League record by allowing only 5.26 hits per nine innings, and posted a 2.28 ERA, to date the second-lowest in franchise history, trailing only Dean Chance's 1.65 in 1964.
Angels' totals: 138-121, 2,181 IPs, 2,416 strikeouts, 3.07 ERA, 1.294 WHIP
Career totals: 324-292, 5,386 IPs, 5,714 strikeouts, 3.19 ERA, 1,247 WHIP

Tim Salmon (OF)

Played entire career (1992-2004, 2006) with Angels. Known as King Fish and Mr. Angel.

Held status as one of the AL's elite power-hitting OFs throughout the decade. He finished seventh in MVP voting for the first time in 1995, when he finished third in AL with a .330 average, 34 home runs, 105, RBIs and posted an OPS above 1.000. Seventh in MVP voting again in 1997 (.296, 33 home runs, 129 RBIs.)
AL Rookie of the Year (1993)
Silver Slugger award (1995)
World Series champion (2002): Crucial part of the team's playoff and World Series run, hitting two key home runs in Game 2 of the World Series against the Giants and batting .346 with a 1.067 OPS in the series overall.
AL Comeback Player of the Year (2002) after career lows in 2001.
Despite franchise record for home runs (299) and finishing with more than 1,000 RBIs, he was never selected an All-Star. Career HR total is the highest for any player (who played most of his career after the first All-Star game in 1933) to have never been selected to appear in an All-Star game.
From 1993 to 2000 he only had two OPS lines below .900 and he never finished below .860.
Career totals: .282, 299 home runs, 1,016 RBIs, 986 runs scored.

Garret Anderson (OF)

Played most of his career (1994-2008) with the Angels (appearing with the team under all three of its recent names - California/Anaheim/Los Angeles).

Played with Braves (2009) and Dodgers (2010).
Due to longevity, Angels' franchise leader in GPs, ABs, hits, total bases, singles, doubles, grand slams, extra-base hits, career RBIs, single-game RBIs, and consecutive games (12) with an RBI. Classic "counting stats vs. rate stats" case.
Three-time All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005). 2003 All-Star Game MVP (Potch was there!). 2003 Home Run Derby Winner.
World Series champion (2002). Hit a key bases-clearing double in Game 7.
Two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2002-03)
In 2002, finished fourth in AL MVP voting after hitting .306, 29 home runs, 123 RBIs. Scored career-high 93 runs. Never scored 100 or more in a season, hinting at his main weakness as a player: an inability to take walks and thus a low OBP.
On August 21, 2007, he drove in a team-record 10 runs, including a grand slam and a three-run homer, in an 18-9 win over the Yankees. He became the 13th player in history to have 10 RBIs in a game.
Began experiencing chronic ailments, including arthritis and plantar fasciitis in his feet, in 2004 that limited his playing time/production.

Angels' totals: .296, 272 home runs, 2,368 hits, 1,292 RBIs, 1,024 runs
Career totals: .293, 287 home runs, 2,529 hits, 1,365 RBIs, 1,084 runs

Rod Carew (1B/2B)

Played for the California Angels from 1979-85. Played for the Minnesota Twins from 1967-78. Had seven good seasons in California after a phenomenal run in Minnesota.

18-time All-Star - every year of his career except his last. With Twins won the AL MVP (1977); AL Rookie of the Year (1967). A second basemen until late 1975, Carew moved to first base for his final 10 years in the league. In 1991, Carew became only the 23rd player elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Achieved greatest success, by far, as a Twin. In 12 seasons, had 200 or more hits four times and batted .334. Finished top 10 in AL MVP voting six times. Won 7 batting titles.
In 7 seasons as an Angel, highest hit total was 179 and batted .314. Hit better than .300 five times. Highest MVP voting was 26th. Did not win a batting title in California. After 8 straight years in Minnesota playing 140 or more games, his totals in California were: 110, 144, 93, 138, 129, 93, 127.
As a Twin, Carew won the AL batting title in 1972 (.318) without hitting a single home run. Carew batted .388 in 1977 (his MVP season), the highest since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941.

Minnesota totals: .334, 74 home runs, 733 RBIs, 950 runs, 271 SBs.
California totals: .314, 18 home runs, 282 RBIs, 474 runs, 82 SBs.
Career: .328, 3,053 hits, 1,015 RBIs, 1,424 runs scored, 353 SBs.

Note: Vladimir Guerrero was not eligible until next year based on our Hall's requirement that a player must be three full seasons removed from suiting up for the team in question. A couple of borderline candidates who did not make the first-year ballot - Don Baylor, who won the AL MVP as an Angel, and Mike Witt, who threw a perfect game with the club and had some solid Angels counting stats, likely will join the ballot for Year Two.

Rules, etc.:
As always, when voting, please keep in mind a player's body of work for the team featured. It's your call whether longevity for a team and counting stats is a key deciding factor or if you prefer judging a player's impact on the franchise made possibly in a relatively short time.

First-year balloting will differ from subsequent years, when percentage voting will come into play.

For teams in existence since 1920 or before, 7 players - the top vote-getters - will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1921-1940, 6 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1941-1960, 5 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1961-1975, 4 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1976-1990, 3 players will be inducted.
For newer expansion teams, the ballots will be grouped and the top three from all of these teams will be inducted.
Roughly one year after a team(s) is featured, a second ballot will be held.
Four more players will enter the Hall for each team in existence since 1940 or before. Three more for teams established between 1941 and 1975. Two more for teams established after 1976. One more total for the combined newer expansion teams.*

* I intend to fully adhere to these rules but I possibly will add a percentage requirement also for second-year induction, which I know for sure I'll implement in subsequent years.

Nostalgic Wax: 1981, The High Point

2012-02-01T15:08:00.001-06:00

When Fleer and Donruss returned to the baseball card scene in 1981, I was annoyed. They were cheap imitators - never mind that I never actually bought a pack of either.

At 12, I wasn't quite paying attention. I had pre-pubescent things on my mind by this time. Don't ask. I knew nothing of card company court cases and monopolies. I think I mostly feared that Topps would go away and, to me, Topps was (ahem) tops.

I cherished my 1981 Topps. They were, well, groovy.

I loved the hat with the team name, position and team colors within it. I thought the photography was an improvement, certainly from the year prior.

I still love 1981 Topps. Even the still shots - and there are plenty.

In 1981, I was at the zenith of my childhood obsession with baseball cards. I collected for two more years but my interest was likely never higher than in 1981. I turned 13 that summer. Girls had hit my radar. By 1984, I was out of the hobby - returning only briefly with random pack purchases in 1988, 1989 and 1994 before coming back full steam last year.

In 1981, I spent countless hours toting around baseball cards, studying them. I was still concocting elaborate games - sort of my own private Strat-o-matic - using my cards. I'm certain that my 1981s spent more time in my hands than any other set. I know this because while 99.9% of the cards I collected as a youngster are in the best possible condition one could expect, several of my '81s show much wear and tear.

Clearly the cards directly above were among my most loved/most frequently used in my various games. No, I wouldn't mind crisp, clean versions of those cards - although I'll of course always hold these exact cards dear to me.

Stay tuned, in the next day or so I'll highlight a recent trade involving a fine shipment to help my growing '81 set collection. I'm still dozens and dozens and dozens away but considerable progress was made this week and I'm grateful for that.

1981 is currently my number three priority set to chase and once I find the final dozen 1976 cards I need, '81 will move to number three. At that point, 1978 will move into the top spot.

2012 Flagship: A Change of Heart

2012-01-31T23:27:00.002-06:00

Well, by pure happenstance, I found myself tonight with a hangar box of the much talked about 2012 flagship. A friend thanked me for a favor. It was a very, very nice gesture. Yes, recently I wrote all about my plans to not buy any 2012 flagship but after poring over the latest release I can tell you that...

...I'm still not buying it. (Yeah, not really a change of heart. I'm such a tease.)

It just doesn't speak to me much. It seems like a middling art student came up with the design. It's just not impressive, particularly when compared to 2011 flagship's design, which I consider somewhat sleek and sophisticated.

One particular sore point for me this year is the absence of each player's position on the front of the card. That's always irked me.

I'm also meh on the mini '87s. I didn't collect this set so there's no emotional tie for me.

Finally, no legend short prints - a gimmick in recent flagship releases but one I definitely got behind. The legends are being replaced as short prints by photos of dugout tomfoolery, mascots and what not.

So, I won't be collecting the set - other than the upcoming breaks I couldn't stop myself from joining. But to each his own and I credit those of you who are going all-in. New releases are a blast. It just so happens I can't get behind this one.

I don't want to be entirely negative so allow me to state some positives. The photography seems pretty strong. I just might dig the Gold Standard inserts. And maybe the Gold Futures. But then again I might be thinking about it only because of the cards I pulled.

Yep, two Cubs (the third team I softly collect behind my beloved Reds and Tigers) and not just two Cubs but two Cubs I specifically collect.

What follows are the remaining cards I pulled. All of these scans, accept for the last couple as noted, show cards that are available for trade. I'm seeking all forms of Reds and Tigers and some Cubs and any players I collect - as noted on the front of my blog.

A Nyjer Morgan hot box! If you want the gold, I'd love one back or an insert of a player or team I collect, perhaps.

I'm sort of a bigger fan of the next batch due to players featured or uniqueness. Same for same would be ideal.

I'm a huge fan of the next batch of cards. I don't really want to deal these but, well never say never.

And, finally, the only base cards I pulled of the three teams I collect.

If you want to strike a deal, let me know.

Not About 2012 Topps Or Squirrels

2012-01-31T13:02:00.000-06:00

With one day left to vote in the Fun-Time Baseball Hall's Angels edition, I don't want to give too much away but, well, suffice to say that this guy is going to be a first-ballot inductee.

But who else? Vladimir Guerrero? No, he doesn't qualify per rules until next year. Mike Trout? Slow down, prospector. Tom Seaver? Um, no, never an Angel. Michael Landon? Could be.

If you haven't voted, I'd love to have you join the fun. Take a gander at the earlier write-up and then check out the poll at the top of the page.

Next up for the Fun-Time Baseball Hall: The Houston Colt .45s/Astros. Nominees are still being accepted in the comments of this post.

Trade Post and Home Stretch For Chrome

2012-01-30T11:37:00.002-06:00

Just two posts ago I reflected on my first year as a card blogger and how I handled my collecting during that year - which officially ends in February. While I'm not giving up entirely on the new (I still get a kick out of opening packs and I want to collect Heritage 2012) I talked about my shift to vintage after going hog wild on new in 2011.

Topps Chrome is one of the new releases I enjoyed a lot in 2011. I originally began the set by chasing favorite players and players on favorite teams, but eventually I found that I was well on my way to collecting this set - especially since I'm not worries about completing all of the various parallels.

My goal was to complete the base set and pick up the parallels of my favorite players.

Reader Brad, currently residing in my old Northside Chicago stomping grounds, just helped me significantly with this quest. His generosity in our newly completed trade also has me adding another mini-goal to this set: Complete the Vintage Chrome insert collection.

In full, Brad sent me more than five dozen Topps Chrome cards, including a nice stack of the Vintage Chrome. I'm not going to show any specific VC cards that Brad sent, rather I'll show three dupes that I've had for trade.

Below is my full list of wants and cards available for trade. Let me know if you see a match. Also, if you missed my A&G post from last week and need or have available various cards from the set, take a look. Finally, send me a note if you need some 2011 Lineage. I need to update that list today or tomorrow but I have some cards (and need a few).

Thanks again, Brad, for all of the help!

Now, my Topps Chrome 2011 needs/available list.

Base Cards Needed

58, 100, 108, 112, 122, 128, 146, 149, 161, 173, 174, 176, 190, 191, 199, 220

Base Cards Available
2, 10, 12, 16, 19, 21, 21, 23, 30, 36, 37, 39, 39, 40, 40, 43, 44, 45, 50, 53, 56, 64, 69, 85, 93, 94, 97, 113, 113, 123, 123, 130, 134, 135, 136, 138, 143, 147, 147, 155, 155, 155, 167, 167, 168, 182, 184, 196, 197, 212

Refractors Needed
Reds, Tigers, Starlin Castro, Prince Fielder, Lance Berkman, Eric Hosmer, Jeremy Hellickson

Refractors Available
15, 42, 43, 45, 103, 125, 146, 172, 187, 194, 199

Atomic Refractors Needed
Reds, Tigers, Starlin Castro, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman, Eric Hosmer, Jeremy Hellickson

Atomic Refractors Available
79, 119, 131, 144, 165, 215

Purple Refractors Needed
Reds, Tigers, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman, Eric Hosmer, Felix Hernandez, Jeremy Hellickson

Purple Refractors Available
45, 117

Orange Refractors Needed
Reds, Tigers, Starlin Castro, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman, Eric Hosmer, Jeremy Hellicksson

Orange Refractors Available
18, 27, 32, 36, 42, 45, 52, 57, 58, 84, 113, 123, 134, 136, 142, 147, 148, 152, 161, 165, 166, 177, 180

Vintage Chrome Needed
VC2-VC8, VC10, VC13, VC16, VC19-21, VC26, VC30-31, VC33, VC36, VC38, VC42-44, VC46-47, VC50

Vintage Chrome Available
VC14, VC17, VC25, VC34, VC49

Reader Brad of Chicago sent me this lovely purple refractor of my favorite Cub. Love it!

Nominate Your Astros: The Fun-Time Baseball Hall

2012-01-29T23:06:00.000-06:00

First, just 2.5 days left to vote for Angels in The Fun-Time Baseball Hall. This franchise has a much shorter history, of course, than our first team featured (Detroit Tigers) and thus per rules just four will become first-ballot inductees.

Click here for the write-up on the Angels. Then please vote in the poll. Check out Fun-Time Baseball Hall tab on the front page, then scroll down, for some history on the Hall, including rules.

And with that, it's time to start nominating past members of the Astros franchise. In the comments, please provide a few names of players from that franchise's past that you think should be put up on the first-year ballot.

Reminder about the Hall: I'm looking for players who surely would make an All-Star squad for the franchise in question or strong players who spent many years with the franchise (and thus have the counting stats) or even players who didn't spend many years but made a lasting impact with the team (perhaps in a relative short period). It's your call who you nominate and, later, how you vote.

Will this '70s Houston star make the list? Yes, my sources say.

Potch Wheeler Turns One

2012-01-28T06:54:00.001-06:00

Back in my card-collecting prime of 1978 to 1983, pre-teen me of course never imagined the cards in my hands would be some of the same cards 43-year-old me would be writing about on a blog well into the 21st Century.

We didn't know a "blog" from a cog or an "internet" from a hairnet. We only knew that by 2012 we'd be getting around in flying cars and have robots cleaning our homes. Baseball cards, of course, would be holograms that could talk with you, answer baseball questions and teach you how to drop the perfect bunt or throw a devastating curve ball.

I'm glad I rediscovered baseball cards. I'm glad I rekindled the passion. I don't know if I'll eventually burn out on the blog and wander off into the ether, but I'm pretty sure that baseball cards will always be a part of my life. Going forward, I see myself building my pre-76 "vintage" collection, which is anemic right now, and completing the sets I collected as a youngster ('76-'83) and surely chasing the yearly Heritage offering.

February will mark my first anniversary of coming back to the hobby. Last year I sampled (sometimes heavily) everything released. I enjoyed it, mostly, but I plan to stay focused going forward. My random spending has left me with some great cards I certainly want - but an awful lot of trade bait too.

I won't collect the 2012 base set, but I did sign up for a couple of breaks just to get ahead on my favorite teams and maybe get a little bit of trade bait. I do plan to buy Heritage in March and April while it's still around.

I really don't plan to buy much else but I'm sure the lure of opening packs means I'll be picking up some here and there. I'll also admit that I'm concerned Gypsy Queen will hook me - but I'm going to do my best to resist.

As for the blog, I have a couple of periodic series: Hoosiers on Cardboard and, my pet project, the Fun-Time Baseball Hall. "Hoosiers" is a nice way for me to acquaint myself over time with players from my home state. The Fun-Time Hall is my way of getting closer to the game's history by examining the best players from each franchise. You've already helped me induct the first-year Tigers and now we're wrapping up voting for the Angels.

In February, as my way of celebrating a year with the blog, I'm going to debut "Cardboard Heroes" - a series with brief write-ups on the favorite cards in my collection. Many of you have done this, of course, so this isn't breaking new ground.

But, I like to think that keeping a record will be nice to refer to over time and, frankly, will be a good way for my young daughter - who looks to be the eventual owner of my favorite cards - to know precisely which cards meant the most to me - and why. I'll even indulge the thought that a future grandchild of mine will inherit my old favorite cards and get to know a bit about why I held them dear.

Will this card make the list? It's a fair Gamble. (Well, actually, it's a sweet Gamble.)

This one seems to be on many such lists. I love mine but I'm willing to, ahem, bet it won't make the Heroes list.

These cardboard heroes (and the phrase has always meant as tongue in cheek as I only have a few true heroes and I know them all quite well) won't necessarily be cards that are the most valuable dollar-wise (although a few might be); but they'll be the cards most valuable to me.

They likely will be pulled heavily from my prime collecting years as so many of those cards take me back to a very innocent time in my life, but I expect there also will be some pulled from cards I've chased down this year - including vintage acquisitions.

I'm a list kind of guy so eventually I'll surely select a top 100 or top 111 or top 726 - who knows. I'm a bit of an oddball, so we'll see where I go with that.

Whatever happens here on the blog, it's been a fun first year. Trading with literally dozens of fellow bloggers and readers has been an amazing way to build and improve and winnow my collection.

Of course reading the great blogs out there also has been phenomenal. I've learned a lot about the hobby from these fine blogs and not just from the blogs widely considered to be the best around.

Everyone seems to have their place, their unique perspective. It's been a blast discovering my own private cardboard nation.

Allen & Ginter 2011 - Are You Needy? I Am, Sorta

2012-01-25T08:31:00.003-06:00

I'm doing some housekeeping in the baseball picture card room and I'd like to tie up some loose Allen & Ginter 2011 ends. I tried to get behind this release but could never fully buy into it.

If you're in search of cards to complete your sets, then please peruse the available list here.

Meanwhile, I'd really love to complete these subsets: Uninvited Guests, Minds That Made The Future and World's Most Mysterious Figures.

Meanwhile, meanwhile, if you haven't already please take a look at the second entry in the Fun-Time Baseball Hall and vote up top for your choice Angels.

Allen & Ginter Available (red means cards now scheduled to come/go in trade)

Base
4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 16, 18, 26, 31, 35, 53, 54, 54, 54, 58, 63, 68, 68, 75, 81, 91, 94, 94, 97, 114, 130, 143, 144, 146, 180, 181, 182, 182, 196, 197, 212, 216, 217, 241, 243, 246, 254, 255, 256, 258, 259, 260, 269, 269, 271, 274, 285, 289, 291, 300, 304, 312(SP), 312(SP), 314(SP), 317(SP), 342 (SP)

Minis
199, 279 (black parallel), 321

Hometown Heroes
12, 22, 29, 79, 94

Baseball Highlight Sketches
3, 5, 9, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 21, 23

Minds That Made The Future
6, 10, 20, 23, 32, 40

A&G Needs

Uninvited Guests
4, 5

Minds That Made The Future
2, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 28, 29, 33, 36, 38

Base Set
82, 100, 140, 147, 198, 223, 293, 299, 343(SP)

World's Most Mysterious Figures
1, 4, 8, 10

Hometown Heroes
8, 25, 77, 93

Minis
select Reds, Tigers and star players

Of Tides

2012-01-24T15:48:00.001-06:00

Gonna look good in a Tigers uniform.

A favorite player heads to favorite team. Send me your Fielders!

In other news, don't forget to read up on your Angels and vote in the Fun-Time Baseball Hall poll up top. Thanks.

Hoosiers on Cardboard, Part 3

2012-01-24T11:05:00.001-06:00

It's hard to imagine what Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown was thinking on Oct. 8, 1908, clutching a half-dozen death threat notes inside his coat pocket, and entering the game for his Chicago Cubs in a pennant-deciding final regular season contest against Christy Mathewson and the New York Giants.

Not to mention, he surely was completely unaware that a century later he'd still have arguably the best nickname in baseball history. That alone could have broken his concentration.

The native Hoosier was clear on the message of the notes, what with being death threat notes and all: We’ll kill you if you pitch and beat the Giants. A black handprint marked each note, the signature of the Italian Mafia.
Brown, early in the game, relieved the starter, and then held the Giants in check as the Cubs won 4-2, and the pennant. The Cubs went on to win their second consecutive World Series championship, their last to date. Yes, last to date.

On the plus side for fans of the Cubs, nobody killed "Three Finger" Mordecai Brown.

Sadly, this card is not part of my collection. Now, off to find Mordecai reprints.

Mordecai Peter Centennial was named after his father, his uncle and the year of his birth - 1876. He was born in a small West Central Indiana farming outpost called Nyesville.

At age seven, while feeding material into the farm's feed chopper, he slipped and his hand was mangled by the knives, severing much of his index finger and damaging the others.

A doctor did the best he could but, while the injuries were healing, young Mordecai fell, and broke several finger bones in the same hand. He kept quiet about the fall and the fingers were not re-set properly, with the middle finger terribly bent.

And, with that, eventually, came one of "the most devastating" - Ty Cobb once said - curve balls in Major League Baseball history. The extra topspin from his unusual grip made it difficult for batters to connect. In short, he "threw ground balls." Interestingly, he also had a deceptive fast ball and change-up.

Legendary New York Giants manager John McGraw regarded Mathewson and Brown as the two best pitchers in the National League. Brown, in fact, often defeated Mathewson in competition, holding a slim career 13-11 edge, with one no-decision in their 25 classic pitching matchups.

Mathewson v. Mordecai Brown. Oh, to have witnessed one of those games.

Nostalgic Wax: Pa

2012-01-23T09:58:00.001-06:00

My grandpa turned 89 on Saturday and we had a family party for him.

I bring this up on the blog because "Pa" is probably the biggest baseball fan in the family. Well, I'm surely tied with him at this point - but he's been one for much longer. He used to talk a lot about listening to the Cubs in the World Series in 1945. That was about the time he left the Pacific and World War II and returned to Arkansas. Waiting for him there was his wife, my grandma, and his two-year-old son, aka "my Dad."

Pa has listened to or watched probably thousands of Cub games in the past 70-plus years. In his youth, growing up outside the tiny town of Amity, Ark., he remembers hearing the New York Giants, New York Yankees and Cubs and the radio. He gravitated to the Cubs - which worked out pretty well when the family moved to nearby Indiana for work in the late 40s.

In case you're wondering, yes, I'm a lifelong Reds fan - and a near lifelong Tigers fan. Why am I not a rabid Cub fan? Because in the '70s, my formative baseball years, my Dad was sick and tired of the Cubs and so we headed to Riverfront Stadium and Tiger Stadium instead. Dad moved to Arizona a few years ago and really isn't much of a baseball fan. He lightly cheers for the Cubs (and the Diamondbacks).

But I don't think Pa ever wavered.

Last month, my family of three moved out of Pa's house, where we lived for several months after selling our Chicago home and heading close to extended family in Indiana (not far from Ohio). It was nice as I got a chance to watch a lot of baseball with him. We watched plenty of Cubs - but also a lot of Reds and Tigers (as the local cable picked up all of the games for both teams). We stayed up until, I think it was 12:30 a.m., watching Game 6 of the World Series. Pa will sit and watch entire games but nowadays unfortunately doesn't remember who won the game a few minutes after it's over.

The Cubs will always hold a special place for me because of Pa. I plan to get my daughter to Wrigley a few times (although Great American Ballpark will be her first big league venue). I cheer for the Cubs, except when they're playing the Reds and I'd love to see them finally win a World Series. I wish Pa would have been able to see them win one too - when he was still aware enough to fully enjoy it, remember it and talk about it for weeks.

But, as I've been reminded in a very harsh way in the past few days, life just doesn't always work out as planned. I've heard this one before, but it hits home: "You make plans; God laughs."

The Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Cal/Ana/LA Angels

2012-01-22T10:19:00.001-06:00

Some housekeeping before the candidates are presented.

First, for the Angels, try to vote for at least 6 and no more than 8. Based on the Fun-Time Baseball Hall's rules (see at the bottom of this post), four Angels will win first-year induction.

Second, Vladimir Guerrero will not be eligible until next year based on our Hall's requirement that a player must be three seasons removed from suiting up for the team in question. A couple of borderline candidates did not make the first-year ballot. Don Baylor won the AL MVP as an Angel and surely will be up for a vote in Year Two. Mike Witt threw a perfect game with the club and had some solid counting stats.

Third, when voting, please keep in mind a player's body of work for the team featured. It's your call whether longevity for a team and counting stats is a key deciding factor or if you prefer judging a player's overall impact on the franchise, if even made in a relatively short time.

Jim Abbott (P)

Pitched for the Angels from 1989-92, 1995-96. Also pitched for the Yankees, White Sox and Brewers through 1999.

Joined Angels starting rotation as a rookie without playing a major league game. He went 12-12 with a 3.92 ERA, finishing fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.
Abbott won 18 games in 1991, with an ERA of 2.89, finishing third in the AL Cy Young race.
In 1992, had a 2.77 ERA, but record fell to 7-15.
Pitched a no-hitter in 1993 with the Yankees.
Born without a right hand. After releasing the ball, he would quickly slip his hand into the glove, ready to field. He then would remove the glove by securing it between his right forearm and torso, slip his hand out of the glove, and remove the ball from the glove, usually in time to throw out the runner and often even start double plays. Teams throughout his baseball career tried to exploit his fielding disadvantage by repeatedly bunting to him; a tactic was never effective.
Won the Tony Conigliaro Award (1992) given annually by the Red Sox to a player who overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the "attributes of spirit, determination and courage."

Angels totals: 54-74, 4.07 ERA, 1,073 IPs, 607 strikeouts
Career totals: 87-108, 4.25 ERA, 1,674 IPs, 888 strikeouts

Garret Anderson (OF)

Played most of his career (1994-2008) with the Angels (appearing with the team under all three of its recent names - California/Anaheim/Los Angeles).

Played with Braves (2009) and Dodgers (2010).
Due to longevity, Angels' franchise leader in GPs, ABs, hits, total bases, singles, doubles, grand slams, extra-base hits, career RBIs, single-game RBIs, and consecutive games (12) with an RBI. Classic "counting stats vs. rate stats" case.
Three-time All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005). 2003 All-Star Game MVP (Potch was there!). 2003 Home Run Derby Winner.
World Series champion (2002). Hit a key bases-clearing double in Game 7.
Two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2002-03)
In 2002, finished fourth in AL MVP voting after hitting .306, 29 home runs, 123 RBIs. Scored career-high 93 runs. Never scored 100 or more in a season, hinting at his main weakness as a player: an inability to take walks and thus a low OBP.
On August 21, 2007, he drove in a team-record 10 runs, including a grand slam and a three-run homer, in an 18-9 win over the Yankees. He became the 13th player in history to have 10 RBIs in a game.
Began experiencing chronic ailments, including arthritis and plantar fasciitis in his feet, in 2004 that limited his playing time/production.

Angels' totals: .296, 272 home runs, 2,368 hits, 1,292 RBIs, 1,024 runs
Career totals: .293, 287 home runs, 2,529 hits, 1,365 RBIs, 1,084 runs

Bob Boone (C)

Catcher for California Angels from 1982-88, considered crucial factor in team's division titles (1982, 1986). Caught for Phillies (1972-81) and Royals (1989-90).

Considered one of top defensive catchers of his era.
Won seven Gold Glove awards, including four during his Angels' years - 1982, 1986-1988).
Caught 2,225 games in a 19-year career, a record which was later broken by Carlton Fisk.
Four-time All-Star, including one season with Angels (1976, 1978-79, 1983).
World Series Champion with Phillies (1980)

Angels totals: .245, 39 home runs, 318 RBIs
Career totals: .254, 105 home runs, 826 RBIs

Rod Carew (1B/2B)

Played for the California Angels from 1979-85. Played for the Minnesota Twins from 1967-78. Had seven good seasons in California after a phenomenal run in Minnesota.

18-time All-Star - every year of his career except his last. With Twins won the AL MVP (1977); AL Rookie of the Year (1967). A second basemen until late 1975, Carew moved to first base for his final 10 years in the league. In 1991, Carew became only the 23rd player elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Achieved greatest success, by far, as a Twin. In 12 seasons, had 200 or more hits four times and batted .334. Finished top 10 in AL MVP voting six times. Won 7 batting titles.
In 7 seasons as an Angel, highest hit total was 179 and batted .314. Hit better than .300 five times. Highest MVP voting was 26th. Did not win a batting title in California. After 8 straight years in Minnesota playing 140 or more games, his totals in California were: 110, 144, 93, 138, 129, 93, 127.
As a Twin, Carew won the AL batting title in 1972 (.318) without hitting a single home run. Carew batted .388 in 1977 (his MVP season), the highest since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941.

Minnesota totals: .334, 74 home runs, 733 RBIs, 950 runs, 271 SBs.
California totals: .314, 18 home runs, 282 RBIs, 474 runs, 82 SBs.
Career: .328, 3,053 hits, 1,015 RBIs, 1,424 runs scored, 353 SBs.

Dean Chance (P)

Pitched for Angels from 1961-66. Pitched for Twins, Indians, Mets, Tigers from 1967-71.

First Angels ace in the '60s, throwing 11 shutouts with a 1.65 ERA in 1964. Won the team’s first Cy Young Award that year.
Two-time All-Star (1964, 1967). Cy Young winner (1964), AL Comeback Player of Year (1967).
Chance won 14 games with an ERA of 2.96 during rookie season (1962) and finished tied for third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. That year, Chance and fellow phenom Bo Belinsky would team on both the mound and in the Hollywood social circles, much to the chagrin of Angels' management and front office.
After 1964 Cy Young season, Chance would go 15–10 (1965) and 12–17 record (1966), despite an ERA of 3.08. He was sent to Minnesota after that season and won 20 games in 1967. Career fell off quickly after 1968 season after suffering a back injury.
Had habit of never looking at home plate once he received the sign from his catcher. He would turn his back fully towards the hitter in mid-windup before spinning and unleashing a good fastball, sinker, or sidearm curveball.

Angels' totals: 74-66, 2.83 ERA, 1,236 IP, 857 Ks, 1.266 WHIP
Career totals: 128-115, 2.92 ERA, 2,147 IP, 1,534 Ks, 1.212 WHIP

Brian Downing (C/OF)

Played for the Angels from 1978-90 after starting career with White Sox (1973-77) and ending with Rangers (1991-92).

His 1978 season was uninspiring (.255, 7 HR, 46 RBI), much like his years with the White Sox. But, in 1979, after weight training in the previous offseason, and changing his batting stance, he hit .326 (third in AL), 12 home runs, 75 RBIs, 81 runs.
All-Star (1979)
Best power-hitting seasons came in 1982 when he hit .281, 28 home runs, 84 RBIs, 109 runs; and 1987 when he hit .272, 29 home runs, 95 RBIs, 110 runs and an AL leading 106 walks.
A broken ankle in 1980 forced him to move from catcher to OF beginning in 1981 because his offense was so valuable. While his range was not great, he played the entire 1982 season without making an error. He hit 20+ home runs in six of the seven seasons (all with the Angels) from 1982-88. Hit 19 in the off year (1983).
When he played his last game for the Angels after 13 seasons, he was team's career leader in games, ABs, runs, hits, total bases, doubles, home runs, RBIs, and walks.
Trivia: In 1985 Downing played himself when Louise Jefferson snuck into the Angels' locker-room looking for Reggie Jackson in an episode of "The Jeffersons."

Angels' totals: .271, 222 home runs, 846 RBIs, 889 runs, 866 walks
Career totals: .267, 275 home runs, 1,073 RBIs, 1,188 runs, 1,197 walks

Chuck Finley (P)

Pitched for the Angels from 1986-1999. Pitched 2000-02 for the Indians and Cardinals.

Won more than 15 games six times.
Best season (1990): 18-9, 2.40 ERA - the lowest ERA by an Angel lefthander since Frank Tanana's 2.43 in 1976.
Holds all-time Angels' record for wins (165). And losses (140). Also IPs and GS.
Five-time All-Star (1989-90, 1995-96, 2000)
While he never won a Cy Young, he was twice second in the league in ERA. He is the only player to have multiple four-strikeout innings, with three total (twice as an Angel). This was due to a top split-finger pitch as his strikeout weapon. The pitch would often end up in the dirt, eluding both batter and catcher.

Angels totals: 165-140, 3.72 ERA, 1.369 WHIP, 2,675 IPs, 2,151 strikeouts
Career totals: 200-173, 3.85 ERA, 1.376 WHIP, 3,197 IPs, 2,610 strikeouts

Jim Fregosi (SS/1B/3B)

Angel shortstop for the first 11 years of their existence, until 1971.

Regarded as the league's top-hitting shortstop, leading the AL in triples (13) in 1968, and was named an All-Star every season from 1966 to 1970.
Managed Angels to first divisional title in 1979.
Played for Mets, Rangers and Pirates from 1972-78. Career trailed off drastically after being dealt from Angels due to injuries.
Six-time All-Star with Angels (1964, 1966-70)
Gold Glove winner (1967). Seventh in AL MVP voting (1967).
Rated by Bill James as the 15th best SS in MLB history.
Led AL in double plays twice. When he left Angels, ranked ninth in AL history with 818 double plays.
Holds franchise record for triples (70). Several of his other team records - career games (1,429), hits (1,408), doubles (219), runs (691) and RBIs (546) - were broken by Brian Downing between 1986-89.
On July 28, 1964, first Angel to hit for cycle, and did so again on May 20, 1968.
Sidelined during 1971 season when tumor was discovered in his foot. The Angels traded him to the Mets that December in a deal that brought Nolan Ryan to California. (Fregosi would later manage Ryan in 1978 and 1979, Ryan's last two years as an Angel.)

Angels totals: .268, 1,408 hits, 115 home runs, 691 runs, 546 RBIs, 70 triples, 219 doubles, 71 SBs.
Career totals: .265, 1,726 hits, 151 home runs, 844 runs, 706 RBIs, 78 triples, 76 SBs.

Bobby Grich (2B)

Played for the California Angels from 1977-86. Played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1970-76. Solidified the 2B position in California and considered one of the biggest factors in the team reaching respectability during that period.

Six-time All-Star ('72, '74, '76, 1979-80, '82).
Four-time Gold Glove (1973-76)
Twice Top 10 MVP (1974, 1979)
First second baseman to lead AL in home runs since Nap Lajoie (1901) and in either league since Rogers Hornsby (1929).
First player elected to Angels' Hall of Fame (1996)
In 1979, Grich hit .294, 30 home runs, 101 RBIs. Had his best hitting season in strike-shortened 1981 when he tied league lead in home runs (22), led in slugging average (.543) and hit career high (.304).
Widely considered excellent fielder with good range, soft hands and a solid arm. With Baltimore in 1973, he set an all-time fielding record (.995 percentage) and 12 seasons later (in 1985 with Angels) he broke the record again (.997).

Angels' totals: .269, 154 home runs, 557 RBIs, 601, runs, 1,103 hits.
Career totals: .266, 224 home runs, 864 RBIs, 1,033 runs, 1,833 hits.

Wally Joyner (1B)

Wally Joyner played for the California Angels from 1986-91 and returned with the then-Anaheim Angels in 2001. In between, from 1991-2000, he played for the Royals, Padres and Braves.

All-Star selection (1986). Voted starting 1B for the game, becoming the first rookie to be selected by fans. He never made another All-Star game.
Home Run Derby co-winner (1986)
Joyner and the Angels advanced to the 1986 ALCS, where they came within one strike of the franchise's first World Series.
Was the runner-up in the voting for Rookie of the Year (1986), losing to Jose Canseco.g65≈ß
He was a member of the pennant-winning 1998 San Diego Padres.
Angels totals: .286, 117 home runs, 532 RBIs
Career totals: .289, 204 home runs, 1,106 RBIs

Troy Percival (RP)

Pitched for the California/Anaheim Angels from 1995-2004. Then with Detroit, St. Louis and Tampa Bay through 2009.

Four-time All-Star (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001).
World Series champion (2002). Top closer on team.
His 355 saves put him at 8th on MLB all-time list.
He became the regular closer for the Angels (1996) and had 36 saves with 100 strikeouts in 74 innings.
He had a career-high 42 saves in 1998, and enjoyed his best season in 2002 with a 4-1 record, 40 saves, 68 strikeouts, and a 1.92 ERA.
Suffered serious arm injury in 2005 and missed 2006.
Angels totals (10 seasons): 316 saves, 29-38, 2.99 ERA, 1.101 WHIP, 586.2 IPs, 680 strikeouts
Career totals: 358 saves, 35-43, 3.17 ERA, 1.108 WHIP, 708.2 IPs, 781 strikeouts.

Francisco Rodriguez (RP)

Pitched for the Angels from 2002-08. Has since pitched for the Mets and Brewers (active).

Four-time All-Star (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009).
World Series Champion (2002)
Three-time AL saves champion with Angels (2005, 2006, 2008)
Two-time Rolaids Relief Man of the Year (2006, 2008)
Holds MLB record for most saves (62) in a season (2008)
MLB.com Setup Man of the Year (2004)
Became full-time closer in 2005 when incumbent Troy Percival left as a free agent. Saved 45 games that year followed by 47, 40 and 62. In 2006, became the youngest closer in history (age 24) to accumulate 100 career saves.
Since leaving Angels, save totals have fallen to 35, 25, 23.
Angels totals (7 seasons): 208 saves, 23-17, 2.35 ERA, 1.114 WHIP, 451 IP, 587 strikeouts
Career totals: 291 saves, 36-27, 2.51 ERA, 1.158 WHIP, 648 IP, 806 strikeouts

Nolan Ryan (P)

Pitched for the Angels from 1972-79. Corresponding K totals (329, 383, 367, 186, 327, 341, 260, 223).

Threw four no-hitters as an Angel. Seven for his career (three more than anyone in history).
5,714 career strikeouts (MLB record)
Eight-time All-Star (1972-73, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989).
World Series champion (1969): Ryan saved Game 3 as a New York Met, pitching 2.1 shutout innings against the Orioles. The Game 3 win gave the Mets a 2–1 lead in the Series, which they went on to win in five games. It would be Ryan's only World Series appearance.
MLB All-Century team
Led the league in Ks 7 of 8 seasons while in California but also led the league in walks in six of those years, and finished second the other two seasons. Aside from Bob Feller in 1938, Ryan is the only man since 1900 to walk 200 batters in a season, which he did twice during his Angels' years.
Ranks high on the list for four "negative" records: first all-time in walks allowed (2,795), first in wild pitches (277), third in losses (292—most in the post-1920 live-ball era), and ninth in hit batters (158).
Traded from Mets in 1971 in a deal bringing Jim Fregosi to the Mets. Fregosi had been an All-Star in six of seven seasons. The deal was not controversial at the time.
Ryan had a league-leading 329 Ks in his first season with the Angels, nearly a third more than the runnerup, and to that point, the fourth-highest total of the 20th century. Within five seasons, it would only be Ryan's fourth-highest K total. He also set a still-standing Major League record by allowing only 5.26 hits per nine innings, and posted a 2.28 ERA, to date the second-lowest in franchise history, trailing only Dean Chance's 1.65 in 1964.
Angels' totals: 138-121, 2,181 IPs, 2,416 strikeouts, 3.07 ERA, 1.294 WHIP
Career totals: 324-292, 5,386 IPs, 5,714 strikeouts, 3.19 ERA, 1,247 WHIP

Tim Salmon (OF)

Played entire career (1992-2004, 2006) with Angels. Known as King Fish and Mr. Angel.

Held status as one of the AL's elite power-hitting OFs throughout the decade. He finished seventh in MVP voting for the first time in 1995, when he finished third in AL with a .330 average, 34 home runs, 105, RBIs and posted an OPS above 1.000. Seventh in MVP voting again in 1997 (.296, 33 home runs, 129 RBIs.)
AL Rookie of the Year (1993)
Silver Slugger award (1995)
World Series champion (2002): Crucial part of the team's playoff and World Series run, hitting two key home runs in Game 2 of the World Series against the Giants and batting .346 with a 1.067 OPS in the series overall.
AL Comeback Player of the Year (2002) after career lows in 2001.
Despite franchise record for home runs (299) and finishing with more than 1,000 RBIs, he was never selected an All-Star. Career HR total is the highest for any player (who played most of his career after the first All-Star game in 1933) to have never been selected to appear in an All-Star game.
From 1993 to 2000 he only had two OPS lines below .900 and he never finished below .860.
Career totals: .282, 299 home runs, 1,016 RBIs, 986 runs scored.

Frank Tanana (P)

Pitched for Angels from 1973-80. Pitched 13 more seasons with the Red Sox, Rangers, Tigers, Mets and Yankees.

Appeared in three consecutive All-Star games with Angels from 1976-78.
With Angels, led league in strikeouts (269) in 1975, ERA (2.54) and shutouts (7) in 1977. Had 34 career shutouts, 4,000 IPs and nearly 3,000 strikeouts.
On June 21, 1975, Tanana struck out 17 batters.
TSN AL Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 1974. Notched the first of three straight 200-strikeout seasons in 1975.
Was known for a 100 MPH fastball, which he abruptly lost when he injured his arm at age 25 in 1979. He then developed several off-speed pitches (including a superb curveball) to extend his career as a successful junk-baller - and became a mainstay of the Tigers rotation from 1985-92.
Angels totals: 102-78, 3.08 ERA, 1,615 IP, 1,233 Ks, 1.166 WHIP
Career totals: 233-221, 3.62 ERA, 4,005 IP, 2,669 Ks, 1.266 WHIP
Trivia: Tanana is one of two pitchers (along with Rick Reuschel) to have given up a home run to both Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds.

Rules:

First-year balloting will differ from subsequent years, when percentage voting will come into play.

For teams in existence since 1920 or before, 7 players - the top vote-getters - will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1921-1940, 6 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1941-1960, 5 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1961-1975, 4 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1976-1990, 3 players will be inducted.
For newer expansion teams, the ballots will be grouped and the top three from all of these teams will be inducted.
Roughly one year after a team(s) is featured, a second ballot will be held.
Four more players will enter the Hall for each team in existence since 1940 or before. Three more for teams established between 1941 and 1975. Two more for teams established after 1976. One more total for the combined newer expansion teams.*

* I intend to fully adhere to these rules but I possibly will add a percentage requirement also for second-year induction, which I know for sure I'll implement in subsequent years.

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Your First-Ballot Tigers!

2012-01-20T08:18:00.000-06:00

Ty Cobb, Al Kaline and Hank Greenberg were the top three vote-getters in the Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Tigers Edition. They are joined as first-ballot inductees by Alan Trammell, Sam Crawford, Charlie Gehringer and Lou Whitaker. (See the end of this post for exact totals as well as a link about induction rules.) Thank you to everyone who voted.

Are there any Sam Crawford cards out there of any sort? I'd like one or three!

I greatly enjoyed seeing how this would shake out and I learned a bit about baseball history along the way. Up next: Angels. There will be four first-ballot Angels inducted, per previously set forth rules related to a team's year of establishment.

A little more about some of the inductees beyond what's included in the initial link (found below).

Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford, aka the "Georgia Peach" and "Wahoo Sam", were contemporaries, teammates for parts of 13 seasons. They led Detroit to three straight AL pennants in 1907, 1908 and 1909, but both slumped in their World Series appearances, as the Tigers lost all three World Series. Crawford hit for a .243 average in three World Series, and Cobb hit an uncharacteristic .200 in the 1907 World Series and .231 in the 1909 classic.

Cobb and Crawford, a Wahoo, Neb. native, played beside each other in right and center field, and Crawford followed Cobb in the batting order year after year. Initially, they had a student-teacher relationship. Crawford was an established star when Cobb arrived, and Cobb sought his advice.

That relationship gradually changed to one of jealous rivals. Plenty of unflattering comments were made publicly about each other.

But, after Cobb died, a reporter found letters showing Cobb had written to influential people, lobbying for Crawford’s induction into the Hall of Fame. Crawford was reportedly unaware of Cobb’s efforts until after Cobb had died. At one point, Cobb was quoted as saying he'd always remember Crawford's kindness.

Whitaker and Trammell also are linked forever, of course. They both made their major league debuts at Fenway Park, during the second game of a double-header on September 9, 1977. It was the first of 19 seasons together. Their stats are remarkably similar.

Whitaker is currently ineligible for the Hall of Fame. He did not receive the required five percent of the votes to stay on the ballot in his first (and only) year of eligibility in 2001. This surprised many observers, including baseball stats guru Bill James, who named Whitaker the 13th-best 2B ever. Whitaker is now ineligible for baseball's highest honor until 2015. Trammell is still on the ballot but failed to gain induction in the recent voting.

Gehringer, aka the "Mechanical Man," is ranked by most baseball historians as a top 10 second baseman of all time. The nickname was attached because he was not flashy, and reportedly had no discernible personality, but just went about consistently doing his job better than most of his peers.

For more about the inductees, as well as those who did not win first-year induction, see this post. Stay tuned roughly one year from now for second-ballot voting. Will Norm Cash get in?

Who will join the remaining names on the ballot? Mark Fidrych? Willie Hernandez? How soon before Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera are on the ballot? Answer, per rules: Three seasons after their last Tiger season (so it'll be awhile.)

Thanks to the 22 who voted (not a bad total to start this thing off with.) As a reminder, I had asked everyone to choose up to 7 but no more than 10.

Here are the totals:

Norm Cash	7 (31%)
Ty Cobb	20 (90%)
Sam Crawford	12 (54%)
Cecil Fielder	1 (4%)
Bill Freehan	3 (13%)
Charlie Gehringer	12 (54%)
Kirk Gibson	5 (22%)
Hank Greenberg	19 (86%)
Harry Heilmann	4 (18%)
Willie Horton	1 (4%)
Al Kaline	19 (86%)
George Kell	7 (31%)
Mickey Lolich	6 (27%)
Denny McLain	5 (22%)
Jack Morris	5 (22%)
Hal Newhouser	4 (18%)
Lance Parrish	2 (9%)
Alan Trammell	15 (68%)
Lou Whitaker	11 (50%)

Site Blackout and The Time My Two Loves Collided: An Exercise In Overly Long and Somewhat Misleading Headline Writing

2012-01-18T15:35:00.001-06:00

So, this Pippen Soap Bill sure is a load of poop, amiright? On the plus side, if somehow my blog gets a shut down, it would have zero impact on all of you and I'd get to read an extra book here and there with my extra time.

Speaking of which, wow, I love to read. Anyone ever read "A Prayer for Owen Meany"? You must. Great stuff. An all-time fave. Let me know if you've read it.

Speaking of which (part two), I met John Irving once. We were all set to go to a White Sox game after work when my wife (fiancee at the time) heard he was giving a speech at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago's Loop. We went to a lot of games so we skipped it and headed to the library. It was even my birthday. Bought his latest at the time "Until I Found You" and had him sign it. Cool guy.

I don't know what this is but it has "John Irving" and "baseball" in it so there ya go. Wrong John Irving? Whatevs.

Oh yeah, baseball. How about we talk about The Fun-Time Baseball Hall? Just a couple of days left to vote in the poll up top for the Detroit Tigers and then we'll turn our attention to the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angeles.

I wonder if Nolan Ryan will make the nomination cut, hmmm.

Spoiler: He will.

Topps 2011 Flagship Exchange

2012-01-15T13:01:00.003-06:00

There's no doubt I'm horribly biased, but as I near my one-year anniversary of returning to baseball card collecting, and have now had ample opportunity to pick up some of the flagship cards from the past two decades, I still think the 2011 flagship set is the best looking flagship set in a very long time.

Scroll down to see my needs and be advised I have a boatload of available cards for 2011 flagship from Series 1, 2 and Update. If you're in need of some, send me a note or direct me to your wants. I've yet to catalog my dupes.

Love this card from Update. If you have other Hosmer cards collecting dust, let me know.

With flagship, all of the pertinent information is on the front (name, position, team) and the team logos on the baseballs still wow me. The back has what I want, as well - a full bio, small write-up and stats. If I must pick one quibble, it would be the repeat of the front picture in the close-up shot.

I'm closing in on completing the set. It is likely the last flagship set I'll chase short of another stellar design. I plan to turn my focus to vintage, finishing the sets of my youth (1976, 1978-83), chasing the yearly Heritage set and snagging favorite players, or even a prospect or two to gamble on. But that's it - unless Gypsy Queen casts a spell on me.

Before I get to my needs for 2011 flagship, next on my to-do list is to catalog my Topps Chrome (available/needs). If you're in search of 2011 Topps Chrome, jot me a note.

But for now, here's what I need for 2011 flagship. And, remember, I have a ton of dupes from Series 1, Series 2 and Update if you need help.

US20, US121, US188, US262, US277, US294

If you missed it, and because blogger won't allow me to fix the poll to create the proper heading, I'll link again to this post about the Fun-Time Baseball Hall so you know what the poll is all about. Also, see my last post to nominate Angels.

Nominate Your Angels: The Fun-Time Baseball Hall

2012-01-13T18:50:00.002-06:00

With Potch's Fun-Time Baseball Hall in full swing and poll votes flying fast and furious for the Detroit Tigers, I'd like to request nominees for the franchise known as the Angels. In the comments to this post, please provide a few names of players from that franchise's past that you think should be put up on the first-year ballot.

Reminder: I'm looking for players who might make an All-Star Angels squad or strong players who spent many years with the franchise or even players who didn't spend many years but made a lasting impact with the team.

I reserve the right to make the final call on whether a player is placed on the ballot but I greatly appreciate your expertise. I will limit the first-year ballot to 12 as only 4 players will be elected to the Angels' Hall given the year of the franchise's formation. (See rules at the start and end of the post with the hot links above.)

How many team's Fun-Time Hall's will Nolan Ryan make? Two? Three? Four? Twenty? Well, probably not twenty.

Meanwhile, yes, I'm fickle. The "Hall of Potch" just wasn't working for me. I'm trying out a new name that I think I'll stick with that better reflects the spirit of this goofy little project.

I'd like to thank reader DominicFDNY for his contribution. Dominic: I'd like to send you some cards. A collection of Red Sox, perhaps? Any particular set your chasing?

Thanks to everyone who has voted for the Tigers thus far. Not bad for just a couple of days, but my reach seems fairly limited so far. Any help with getting the word out would be swell and appreciated.

I Like Blogging and Meeting Friends and Trading and Drafting and So Forth

2012-01-12T10:25:00.004-06:00

One of my biggest kicks out of running my humble little Internet outpost is the chance to virtually meet other like-minded folks.

You see, when I first rediscovered the cards-my-mom-almost-threw-out and brought them to my home, I got a real thrill out of ...

Pssst. Hey, you there, it's me Botch - no not Crotch, let's keep it clean - Feeler. Before Potch starts rambling, have you checked out this fun post and voted in the first edition of the ultra-neat Hall of Potch? When it's all said and done, there will be a book!* You could be in it. Make comments, for cripe sake!

* There will not be a book. At most, there will be a paragraph in Potch's memoirs that he prints out and stashes in his Trapper Keeper.

... poring over my 1978s (my first) and then digging through the 1976s that Gramps bought for me at a garage sale long ago.

But was I alone in this? Was I just a little off? Soon, some Internet poking-around revealed the closeted world of 40-something collectors rediscovering their youth (and even 50-somethings and 60-somethings!) And, of course, the whippersnappers (anyone younger than my current age).

So I embraced my baseball cards (not literally, that would be weird) and began sorting and staring and pawing and trading and annoying my wife. And, with the trading, I began new friendships. I have met some seemingly great bloggers and, heck, one day it wouldn't even be so bad to meet some of you.

One new blogging friend is Kyle over at Juuust A Bit Outside. Kyle stormed onto the scene in the second half of 2011. He seems like a good soul. I took part in a break he ran earlier and then joined a card draft he held. (Or was it the draft and then the break?)

Without further adieu, here are some cards I snagged in his cool draft.

"Without further adieu" indeed. It took you five long graphs just to get to the point, William Faulkner.

I believe these guys lasted several rounds into the draft. I was happy to get them. While I have no love for either team, I have mad love for vintage of all sorts - particularly quality vintage. I've renewed my focus for 2012 and plan to spend more on vintage and less on new stuff (until Heritage or Gypsy Queen wows me, I'm sure).

Bobby Richardson played for the Yankees from 1955-66 and was an eight-time All-Star selection. He won five Gold Gloves; three World Series title and was actually the MVP of the 1960 World Series.

Post-game trivia: He ran for Congress (Bobby Richardson-R) from South Carolina's 5th Congressional District in 1976. He lost as the Democrats came marching in with James Earl Carter win.

In retrospect, Mr. Richardson deserved his own private scan. But hold on, Bob Allison was no slouch either! To wit:

Allison played for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins from 1958-70. He hit 256 career home runs, was a three-time All Star and was named 1959 AL Rookie of the Year.

Allison deserved his own scan, too!

Here are a few (but not all) more cards I snagged in the JABO draft. They include my beloved '81s and '83s (I had a couple but needed upgrades); sparkly cards from teams I collect; a much-desired mini from the Lineage collection; and more!

The Greenberg below is for trade. I'm seeking another 2011 legend SP (doesn't have to be diamond) for it.

A Big Pile of Free Cards and Vultures

2012-01-11T15:14:00.000-06:00

In the craziness that was my end-of-year 2011, Josh over at Royals and Randoms was kind enough to randomly choose me to participate in his grab-bag-free-cards-steal-from-others-athon (otherwise known as The Big Pile Contest).

Before I continue, please visit my last post about The Hall of Potch - read at your leisure - and then vote in the poll. I'd be eternally grateful. (I may or may not be overstating my potential gratitude.)

So, anyway, The Big Pile Contest. So my name came up #1 in the randomizer, which meant I received first choice of 20 cards and could protect three from being stolen by others - and steal...others...did! So, it was a yay-boo kind of contest - but 95% yay since, again, these were free cards!

If memory serves, I protected these fine cards from the vultures salivating behind me:


Loving the miscut to this swell action shot.

I believe I just saw the mini version posted yesterday on some obscure blog. I'll link to it here to help the poor fella out with his readership.

Finally, the third baseball picture card I protected is next. I always enjoyed watching Mr. Cey - despite my Cincinnati Reds affinity. I couldn't resist adding this one to my collection.

I don't go out of my way to collect Carlton Fisk, Reggie Jackson and Ron Cey but I couldn't resist those three cards.

Here are a few other cards I picked up in the giveaway.


He really and truly is The Word.

Speaking of Mark Fidrych, he did not make the cut of nominees for the launch of The Hall of Potch. He did get a nomination but ultimately I decided not to include him on the first ballot. Speaking of this new fun-time feature, if you skipped ahead and didn't read the second paragraph, I'd love for you to read my Tigers Edition post linked here and then vote in the poll!

Lemme see here, what else did I get from The Big Pile. Oh yes, a personal favorite of mine. Quietly, I collect this great guy. I'll likely need to catalog my Berkman collection soon and officially add him to my PC. Perhaps Ryan Braun will be removed, or even Starlin Castro or some other alleged ne'er-do-well.

Frank Thomas is definitely among my PCs. I believe I grabbed four of him with my initial picks in this contest but the vultures took four from me. Just mean, I tell ya.

Two of my all-time favorites above here. I've seen this set often through the years but don't really know what it is. Regardless, couldn't resist those two guys.

I used to despise this set, what with the out-of-focus shots, but now it just cracks me up. And, another Dodger, hmmm...I realize I've grabbed Dodgers from the '70s and early '80s often in giveaways such as these. Could I be a closeted Dodger fan!?

Ah, a vital Big Red Machine cog. That's much better.

The Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Detroit Tigers

2012-01-10T11:20:00.010-06:00

The Fun-Time Baseball Hall was created for pure fun and to help me build my knowledge of my favorite sport. All teams will be featured throughout the year, along with an ample voting period. There will be built-in exclusivity for induction, described below, and voting will continue each year.

Please vote in the poll after you review the player write-ups. Try to vote for at least 7 and no more than 10 - even if arguably everyone here deserves it. For more information, scroll down to the bottom of this post.

Lady and Gentlemen, Your Detroit Tigers:

Norm Cash (1B)

Began his career with the Chicago White Sox, playing somewhat sparingly in 1958 and 1959. Was traded in the off-season to Cleveland and then to Detroit.
Played for the Tigers from 1960-1974, the rest of his career, filling the middle of the batting order for the bulk of his career.
Five-time All-Star
Was considered one of the better defensive first baseman of the 1960s, leading the league in putouts (1961), fielding percentage (1964, 1967) and assists (1965–67).
World Series champion (1968) and hit .385 (10-26) with one home run in the series.
1961 AL batting title, hitting .361, the highest average of any player in the 1960s.
In 1961, hit 41 home runs (6th in the AL), 132 RBIs (4th), 119 runs (4th), 124 walks (2nd), .488 on base percentage (1st), and 354 total bases (2nd). Season was overshadowed by the 61 home runs of Roger Maris.
Two-time AL Comeback Player of the Year (1965, 1971)
Career totals: .271, 377 home runs, 1,103 RBIs

Ty Cobb (OF)

22 seasons (1905-1926) as a Tiger before finishing his career with two seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics.
12 batting titles including 9 straight from 1907-1915
Held all-time records for hits, runs, stolen bases, games played, at bats - until they were broken in the 70s/80s.
Hit more than .400 three times.
1911 AL MVP
Second on baseball's all-time triples list between Tigers teammate Sam Crawford.
Career totals: .367 average, 4,191 hits, 1,939 RBIs, 892 stolen bases (third all-time), 2,245 runs
Played in World Series in 1907, 1908, 1909. Never a champion.
In 1936, Cobb earned the highest percentage of votes in the first Hall of Fame election.

Sam Crawford (OF)

Wahoo Sam played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1899-1902 and then the Tigers from 1903-1917.
One of the greatest sluggers of the dead-ball era. Still holds MLB records for career triples (309) and inside-the-park home runs in a season (12).
He has the second best all-time record for most inside-the-park home runs in a career (51). He became first player to lead both the AL and the NL in home runs (1901 and 1908).
309 career triples tops the MLB record book.
In 1911, he hit a career-high .378 with 115 RBIs and 57 extra base hits. From 1913-1915, he played in 472 consecutive games for the Tigers. He was among the AL leaders in hits, RBIs, extra base hits, slugging percentage and total bases every year from 1905-1915.
Considered an excellent fielder in his prime. In 1905, he led all AL outfielders with a .988 fielding percentage – 35 points higher than the league average.
Led AL in runs in 1907 with 102.
Led NL in triples in 1902 and 1903 and the AL in 1910 and 1913-1915.
Led AL in RBIs in 1910, 1914, and 1915.
Career totals: .309, 2,961 hits, 97 home runs, 1,525 RBIs

Cecil "Big Daddy" Fielder (1B/DH)

With the Tigers from 1990-96. Before then, Toronto Blue Jays (1985-88); Hanshin Tigers in Japan (1989). New York Yankees (1996-97); Both the Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians (1998).
Hit 51 HRs and had 132 RBIs in 1990. Eleventh player in ML history to reach 50. Previous high was 14 with Toronto in 1987.
No player in Detroit history had hit as many over a six-year period (219), and no major league player had more home runs between 1990–95.
Made All-Star Team in 1990, 1991, and 1993.
One of only four players to homer over the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium (joining Harmon Killebrew, Frank Howard and Mark McGwire). Hit only HR ever hit out of Milwaukee County Stadium—during both the Braves' Milwaukee history (1953–65) and Brewers' park history (1970–2000).
Career totals: .255, 319 HRs, 1008 RBI, 2 SB

Bill Freehan (C)

A Tiger for his entire career (1961-1976).
An All-Star in each of the 11 seasons when he caught at least 75 games. His 11 appearances are the most by any eligible player who is not in the Hall of Fame.
Freehan caught more games as a catcher than any other player in Tigers' team history and, he ranked ninth in major league history in games caught (1,581) at the end of his career.
Five-time Gold Glove winner. He held the record for highest career fielding percentage at his position until 2002, when Dan Wilson broke the record.
He ranked sixth in AL history with 114 times being hit by a pitch.
Career totals of 200 home runs and 2,502 total bases placed him behind only Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey among AL catchers when he retired. Career .262 average, 758 RBIs.
His .412 slugging average and totals of 1,591 hits, 706 runs and 476 extra base hits all put him among the top five AL catchers to that time.

Charlie Gehringer (2B)

"The Mechanical Man," a second baseman, played his entire 19-year career (1924-1942) with the Tigers.
6-time All-Star (1933-38)
Won AL MVP in 1937 with 209 hits, 133 runs, 96 RBIs and a league high .371 batting average.
Helped lead the Tiger to 3 AL pennants in 1934, 1935 (WS title), 1940
The Tigers retired his #2 in 1983. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1949.
He had the highest fielding percentage and the most assists by a second baseman seven times in his career.
Lifetime .320 average ranks sixth on the Tigers' all-time list. Ranks high for the Tigers in most offensive categories: .398 on-base percentage (fourth), 2,839 hits (third), 574 doubles (second), 1,774 runs (second), 146 triples (third), 1,427 RBI’s (fourth) and 181 steals (ninth). He ranks third in at-bats and total bases, and fourth in games played.
Career totals: .320 average, 2,839 hits, 1,774 runs, 184 home runs, 1,427 RBIs

Kirk Gibson (OF)

Played with Detroit from 1979-87 and 1993-95. Played with the Dodgers, Royals and Pirates in between those years.
Regular right-fielder for the Tigers from 1983-87
World Series champion (1984) with Tigers. Won another World Series with the Dodgers in 1988.
ALCS MVP (1984)
Named to the All-Star team twice, once as a Tiger, but declined both invitations.
He finished in the top 10 in home runs 3 times in his career and ranked in the top 10 in stolen bases 4 times. He fell one home run short of becoming the first Tiger in the 30-30 club in 1985.
Career totals: .268, 255 home runs, 870 RBIs

Hank Greenberg (1B)

"Hammerin' Hank" played with Tigers in 1930, 1933-41 and 1945-46 before finishing his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1947.
5-time All-Star
2-time AL MVP ('1935, 1940)
Won two World Series with Tigers in 1935, 1945
Hit 58 home runs in 1938, two shy of Babe Ruth's record, and a team record.
His 183 RBIs in 1937 remains one of the best season totals ever.
From 1934-1941, after multiple seasons at or near the top of every major batting statistic, his career was interrupted by serving in World War II. His 45 months served was the longest by any player.
Homered in his first game back after the war in the summer of 1945, without any spring training. He clinched the AL pennant for the Tigers that season, with a grand slam, in the dark, in the ninth inning of the last game of the year.
Career totals: .313 batting average, 1,628 hits, 331 home runs, 1,051 runs, 1,276 RBIs
The Tigers retired his #5 in 1983. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1956.

Harry Heilmann (OF/1B)

Heilmann was one of the top hitters in the 1920s. He played for the Tigers in 1914 and from 1916 to 1929. He finished his career with the Cincinnati Reds (two seasons).
Heilmann led the AL in batting average four times, hitting more than .300 each time with a high of .403 in 1923.
Missed some playing time during the 1918 season as he joined the U.S. Navy during World War I.
Had four seasons of 200-plus hits, eight seasons of 100-plus RBIs and four seasons of 100-plus runs.
Called play-by-play for Tigers radio broadcasts from 1934 to 1950.
Career totals: .342 average, 2,660 hits, 183 homers, 1,291 runs and 1,539 RBIs.
In 1952, he was elected to the HOF.

Willie Horton (OF/DH)

Willie Horton played for the Tigers from 1963-77. He went on to play for five more teams from 1977-80 (Texas, Cleveland, Oakland, Toronto and Seattle).
Horton had double-digit home run totals in 12 regular seasons from 1965–76. He hit 20 or more home runs seven times. He had a career-high 36 home runs in 1968, a pitcher's year in which Detroit won the World Series.
He finished second that year in the AL to Frank Howard in home runs, slugging and total bases. Carl Yastrzemski won the batting title that year with a .301 mark and the league average was .230. Horton hit .285, good for fourth in the AL.
Finished fourth in the AL MVP voting in 1968.
Batted .304 in the 1968 World Series.
Four-time All-Star with the Tigers (1965, 1968, 1970, 1973)
Ranked sixth among AL right-handed hitters in career home runs (325) when he retired.
In the later years of his career, he was twice named the AL's top designated hitter, and was the AL Comeback Player of the Year in 1979 with the Seattle Mariners.
Career totals: .273, 325 home runs, 1,163 RBIs

Al Kaline (OF)

Mr. Tiger spent his entire 22-year career (1953-74) with the Tigers playing mostly outfield and some first base.
15-time All-Star - including 13 straight, 10-time Gold Glove winner.
Finished in top 10 of AL MVP voting nine times; twice the runner-up.
Skipped the minor leagues and debuted at age 18.
Youngest to win the AL batting title, hitting .340 at age 20 in 1955.
Youngest player to hit three home runs in a game and accumulate 200 hits in one season.
On Detroit's 1968 World Series championship team, hitting .379, 2 home runs and 8 RBIs.
Career totals: .297 batting average, 3,0007 hits, 399 home runs, 1,622 runs, 1,583 RBIs
The Tigers retired his #6. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980, becoming the 10th player in history to be inducted in his first year of eligibility.

George Kell (3B)

Played 5 full seasons and parts of 2 others for the Tigers (1946-52). Had his best years for the team, and played their longer than with any other team. He also played for the Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles.
Played in the All-Star game as a third baseman every season he was with the Tigers, and played in 10 total.
Best season took place in 1950, when he hit .340 and led the league with 218 hits and 56 doubles, along with 114 runs and 101 RBIs
Fourth place finish in the AL MVP voting in 1950.
Career totals: .306, 2,054 hits, 385 doubles, 881 runs and 870 RBIs.
Called play-by-play for Tigers telecasts from 1959 to 1996 - along with Al Kaline for most of those years (1975-1996). Voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1983.

Mickey Lolich (SP)

Pitched 13 seasons for the Tigers and holds many team records, including games started (459), shutouts (39) and strikeouts (2,679).
He ranks third in career strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher, behind only Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson. He struck out 200 or more batters seven times.
Finished his career with three seasons for the New York Mets and San Diego Padres.
Three-time All-Star (1969, 1971, 1972)
World Series Champion (1968)
World Series MVP (1968): He pitched three World Series victories (all complete games) in that seven-game series, becoming the 12th pitcher to win three WS games and he remains the last to win three complete games. He pitched game seven against Bob Gibson on two days rest.
Lolich was a model of consistency, winning 14 or more games for 10 consecutive seasons, including 1971 when he led the AL with 25 victories (a total no subsequent Tiger pitcher has reached) and 22 in 1972. He struck out a career-high 308 batters in 1972, helping the Tigers to the AL East Championship that season while finishing runner-up in the Cy Young balloting.
Never won the Cy Young award.
Lolich was deemed to be right-handed, but a tricycle accident that occurred while he was young forced him to adapt to using his left hand. This would come to include baseball, once he began to play it. Although he became a left-handed pitcher, Lolich batted right-handed and still writes right-handed.
2,679 strikeouts is #1 on the Tigers all-time list
39 shutouts is #1 on the Tigers all-time list
459 games started is #1 on the Tigers all-time list
Career totals: 217-191, 3.44 ERA, 2,832 strikeouts

Denny McLain (SP)

Pitched for the Tigers from 1963-70. Pitched two more seasons for the Washington Senators (1971) and Oakland A's and Atlanta Braves (1972).
On September 14, 1968, at Tiger Stadium, McLain pitched a 5-4 victory over the Oakland A's to become the first 30-game winner since 1934. Dizzy Dean, the last man to have won 30 games, was on hand to congratulate him. Finished season 31-6.
Only 13 players in 20th Century have won 30 games. He was the first pitcher in the history of the AL to win the MVP Award and Cy Young Award in the same season.
Three-time All-Star (1966, 1968, 1969)
Two-time Cy Young winner (1968, 1969); AL MVP (1968)
World Series champion (1968)
Had a 13-4 record at mid-year 1966 to earn the starting pitching nod in that year's All-Star game, where he retired all nine batters he faced with 28 pitches. He finished the season with a 20–14 record with a 3.92 earned run average.
Led AL in home runs allowed for three consecutive years between 1966 and 1968.
Career totals: 131-91, 1,886 IPs, 1,282 strikeouts, 3.39 ERA

Jack Morris (SP)

Pitched for the Tigers from 1977-90. Made the rotation in 1979, posting a 17-7 record and a 3.29 ERA and establishing himself as the staff ace.
Won a World Series with the Tigers in 1984. Won three more in 1991 (with the Twins and was named WS MVP) 1992 (Blue Jays) and 1993 (Blue Jays).
Known for his competitive spirit, he was a five-time All-Star (including four seasons as a Tiger).
Gave up the most hits, earned runs and home runs of any pitcher in the 1980s. Also started the most games, pitched the most innings and was the winningest pitcher of the decade with 162 victories.
AL Wins leader (1981, 1992); AL strikeout leader (1983); AL shutouts leader (1986).
Hold record for consecutive opening day starts with 14 (1980-1993).
Ranks #8 on the all-time MLB list for wild pitches with 206.
Ranks No. 1 in team history for wild pitches (155) and balks (23).
Career totals: 254-186, 3.90 ERA, 2,478 strikeouts.

Hal Newhouser (SP)

Pitched for the Tigers for 15 seasons from 1939-53, before finishing off his career with the Cleveland Indians for two seasons.
7-time All-Star.
Only pitcher to ever win back-to-back MVP awards: (1944) 25-9, 1.81 ERA, 212 Ks - league leader in all categories - the pitcher's Triple Crown; (1945) 26-9, 1.94 ERA, 275 Ks - leader in wins and ERA.
In 1943, he went 29-9 with a 2.22 ERA.
In 1945, led the league in IPs, games started, complete games and shutouts. Won 2 games to help lead the Tigers to the 1945 World Series title, including earning the win in Game 7.
Widely noted as the top pitcher of the World War II era.
Career totals: 207-150, 3.06 ERA, 1,796 Ks
The Tigers retired his #16 in 1997. He was inducted into HOF in 1992 by Veteran's Committee.

Lance Parrish (C)

Played for the Tigers from 1977-86, then with six more teams between 1987-95.
8-time All-Star, including six times as a Tiger.
Won three Gold Glove Awards (1983-85) and six Silver Slugger Awards, given to the best offensive player at each position.
Ranks fifth in MLB history for home runs as a catcher with 299, 10th among catchers in total bases with 3,113, and 11th in RBIs with 1070.
Parrish was a key member of the 1984 World Series champion team. As the clean-up hitter, he had 33 home runs and 98 RBIs.
Drafted as a third basemen and converted to catcher in the minors.
In 1982, he set the AL record for home runs by a catcher (32), surpassing the mark set by Yogi Berra and Gus Triandos, then surpassed his own mark two years later.
Career totals: .252 average, 324 home runs, 1,070 RBIs.

Alan Trammell (SS)

Played 19 seasons with the Tigers, his entire career (1977-96), highlighted by a World Series championship in 1984 and an AL East division title in 1987. Managed the team from 2003-05.
1984 World Series MVP.
Six-time All Star, four-time Gold Glove winner; three-time Silver Slugger winner.
Made MLB debut together with Lou Whitaker on Sept. 9, 1977. The two played 19 seasons together, the longest continuous double-play combination in baseball history.
In 1985, Trammell became only the second player in team history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. Kirk Gibson with the other; Curtis Granderson later joined the group. Trammell also set a career-high that year with 75 RBIs.
In 1987, he became the first Tiger to collect 200 hits and 100 RBIs in the same season since Al Kaline did it in 1955. That year, Trammell appeared among the league leaders in most AL offensive categories: third in batting average (.343), tenth in RBI (105), third in hits (205), tied for fifth in runs (109), fourth in total bases (329), fifth in on base percentage (.402). He narrowly finished second to Toronto's George Bell in the MVP voting.
Career totals: .285, 2,365 hits, 185 home runs, 1,003 RBIs.

Lou Whitaker (2B)

Five-time All-Star (1983-87); three-time Gold Glove winner; four-time Silver Slugger winner
1978 Rookie of the Year
World Series champion (1984)
Had perhaps his best season in 1983, hitting .320, 12 home runs, 72 RBIs and 94 runs.
Made MLB debut together with Alan Trammell on Sept. 9, 1977. The two played 19 seasons together, the longest continuous double-play combination in baseball history.
Currently ineligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame, after not receiving the required five percent of the votes in his first (and only) year of eligibility (2001). Has statistics compare to other second basemen in the Hall of Fame (including contemporary Ryne Sandberg, a third-year inductee. Whitaker is ineligible for baseball's highest honor until 2015.
Career totals: .276, 2,369 hits, 244 home runs (sixth in team history), 1,084 RBIs, 1,386 runs (fourth in team history), 143 stolen bases.

When voting, please keep in mind a player's body of work for the team featured. It's your call whether longevity for a team and counting stats is your critical deciding factor or if you prefer judging a player's overall impact on the team, if even made in a relatively short time.
Whether you want to dig deep into the past or whether you prefer casting votes for players you have heard of, that's also your call. Part of the beauty of this project for me is to see how you fellas (and one lady) vote. It's your Hall too! Oh, and in case you noticed, players currently on the team are not included. To be listed, players must be away from a team for at least three years.

First-year balloting will differ from subsequent years, when percentage voting will come into play.

For teams in existence since 1920 or before, 7 players - the top vote-getters - will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1921-1940, 6 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1941-1960, 5 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1961-1975, 4 players will win first-ballot induction.
For teams established between 1976-1990, 3 players will be inducted.
For newer expansion teams, the ballots will be grouped and the top three from all of these teams will be inducted.
Roughly one year after a team(s) is featured, a second ballot will be held.
Four more players will enter the Hall for each team in existence since 1940 or before. Three more for teams established between 1941 and 1975. Two more for teams established after 1976. One more total for the combined newer expansion teams.*

* I intend to fully adhere to these rules but I possibly will add a percentage requirement also for second-year induction, which I know for sure I'll implement in subsequent years.

Fantasy Leagues

2012-01-08T18:15:00.000-06:00

My cardboard chasing (or at least blogging about said efforts) has suffered greatly lately but I expect to turn that around soon.

Meanwhile, I'm a bit of a fantasy baseball junkie. I run four leagues (two pay and two free). The two pay are salary cap leagues entering their second years each - one roto and one H2H. The roto league is $50 on CBSSportsline; the H2H league is $30 on ESPN. 12 and 16 teams respectively.

(If the above is a foreign language to you, my apologies.)

In short, I need two new owners for each pay league. If you're a fantasy baseball junkie, if you're interested in learning more, let me know in the comments or e-mail me. Both leagues are just full of swell guys and are great fun.

Also, if you're interested in a free league. I have two openings in one of my free leagues and two well-known bloggers are already in it. It's a deep league - H2H play and 20 total teams. I'd love to continue adding bloggers as openings come up. FYI: In this particular league, I'm gradually turning over Commish duties to a very good friend of mine who does an amazing job running leagues. (I'm simply paring down to concentrate on my pay leagues.)

And so, there you go. I'm a supreme dork. It's out there now for the world to mock me if the world hasn't already been doing so.

Give me your best, World!

Up next for the blog: Hall of Potch, Tiger Edition

The Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Tiger Nominees Sought

2011-12-30T17:54:00.002-06:00

Gents (and two ladies):

First, the move went well. We've been out and about with the holidays since getting into our home 10 days ago, but slowly settling in. Thanks for the well wishes.

Second, a month ago I discussed my plans to build my own little Hall of Fame. Over time, I'd like to first seek nominations for each team, followed by a post discussing the nominees and referring to a poll. Yes, I swiped this general concept from White Sox Cards but my plan is to go beyond just one team and circle the entire league.

This is my way of getting familiar with each team's history by forcing me to do some research. I also simply think it will be fun to see how my readers vote. This will be your Hall as well as my blog's Hall.

I discussed the general rules - such as considering a player's body of work for the particular team - and I will lay out the full rules for induction when I kick things off in a couple of days.

First up will be the Tigers.

For now, if anyone has a Tiger to nominate, go ahead and do that here. I believe I have all of the big names, but if you have a lesser known Tiger you think should be on the ballot, let me know (and feel free to list your big names too, just in case.)

See Ya, Latos: My New Favorite Red!

2011-12-17T12:55:00.002-06:00

Send me your Mat Latos's'es's (Lati?) cards!

Just picked up a Yonder Alonso auto - despite knowing he might not be a Red for long. Oh well, I still dig it and will root for him.

Latos, however, is awesome and I think has a strong chance of being dominating for years (despite the hitter-friendly park).

I had grown weary of Edinson Volquez, as well.

In short, a lot to give up but I'm a fan of the deal for Cincinnati. Yay!

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7362616/san-diego-padres-trade-mat-latos-cincinnati-reds-edinson-volquez-yonder-alonso-two-prospects

Discounted Blasters

2011-12-17T09:45:00.000-06:00

While shopping for cleaning supplies at Walmart, preparing for our move tomorrow through Tuesday, I found two blasters discounted 25% - a Topps Chrome and an A&G 2011.

I didn't buy one but I was surprised to see the markdowns already. I expect that next year. Is anyone else seeing this?

Should I buy one?

Don't make me buy A&G!

Speaking of which, I'm still looking to trade plenty of my A&G for other needs.

Speaking of which, part deux, my cards are packed and unlikely to be available for four or five days, but rest assured I'll still be looking to: finish Kimball Champions, acquire more GQ paper frames, find more Heritage 2011 short prints and see what I need from Topps Chrome (once cards from an upcoming break arrive). In short, I'll be ready to deal again in another week or so.

If I owe you an e-mail, and I know of at least one blogger who asked about some cards, bear with me.

Life Happens

2011-12-13T12:06:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update here for my blogger friends. If all goes well, we'll close on our new house on Friday and be moving Monday and Tuesday - and of course be preoccupied settling in (including getting a last-minute tree up for our daughter's sake) - and then immediately doing some light traveling around the holidays to visit family.

In other words, in another day or perhaps two I'll be closing up my card boxes to prep for the move. I wanted to apologize to anyone I'm talking trade with at the moment because if we don't wrap up those deals very soon, then they'll probably have to wait awhile.

It's been a scattered existence for awhile since we sold our home in June and have been in ohsocramped temporary quarters - and it's been more crazy as of late - so if anyone happens to be waiting on something from me, please let me know. I think I have all my bases (so to speak) covered but I just want to be sure.

In fact, even if we've just been talking trade, send me a reminder. I know I have a couple of pending deals and I do believe I have them properly logged, but it wouldn't hurt at this point to remind me just in case.

Meanwhile, my P.O. Box will be open and checked for another four months so if anyone is in the process of sending me cards, you're good. I'll get word out about the new address once we're officially in the place.

Enjoy the holidays.

Poll Reminder and a New Card Draft

2011-12-10T23:24:00.000-06:00

Just a reminder to vote in the poll for a name for my upcoming team-by-team Hall of Fame thingamajig. I'm still ironing out some final details for the series but I think it will be fun to do.

Meanwhile, in the past couple of weeks, I've now wrapped drafts hosted by two bloggers featuring an array of cards from their personal collections. Now, I've signed up with a third over at Cardboard Heaven for $15. There aren't many spots left, so don't delay.

Card Show Find: The Main Spark

2011-12-10T11:30:00.004-06:00

I had a chance to pop in on my old favorite regular card show while traveling over Thanksgiving and found a few good buys, including some great shape 1978s as a chip away at my first childhood set. I also found a nice $1 box and grabbed a heapin' handful - and was thus discounted.

I'll feature a few of these over time, although posting may be sporadic or nil during our pre-holiday move to our new home.

One card I had actually never seen before features one of my all-time favorite baseball men. I had nearly named this blog after him in some way. This card is so generic, yet I love it. The non-descript hat, the scowl, the white sideburn...

This one is a bit rough but that seems to fit the man.

Sparky Anderson managed my favorite team during the time that I first found my love of baseball cards. (Click that there link for a bit more about that time of my life.)

Sparky was the king of baseball to me. As a whippersnapper, I read his autobiography, "The Main Spark". Sparky won a couple of World Series, of course, while he was in Cincinnati.

A few years later, Sparky ended up in Detroit, and won another World Series.

My family had always gone to Cincinnati when I was young, to see the Reds. That's how I became a lifelong fan. Later, in my teens, my Dad and I made the trip up to Detroit many times. Sparky was still king in my book.

Dad and I used to hang out after the games at Tiger Stadium where the visiting team would walk out to their bus. I had a few encounters with big league players as a result. Dave Stieb smiled. Jim Rice scowled.

But what I most remember is the night that Sparky Anderson drove by and gave us a nice wave.

When Sparky passed away last year, it was - well - it was just a particularly sad one to absorb.

George Anderson, not much of a player, but a heckuva leader. I picked this card up last spring.

Deck The Hall

2011-12-09T14:33:00.003-06:00

Editor's Note: I've reworked the poll to give more choices. Thanks for the early input. Please vote again - the quick two of you who voted. You may vote for more than one choice.

Gentlemen (and one lady):

A few days ago I mentioned I would be stea...er, borrowing, an idea from another blogger. White Sox Cards provided my inspiration.

I'd like to create my blog's own little Hall of Fame. (And, before I continue, please vote now in the poll for a name for this Hall. And, if you have a better idea, let me know. If I choose it, I'll send you a small prize.)

The reason for my Hall: Fun, of course, but also to force myself to learn more about the history of other teams - not just those I'm fairly intimately familiar with (Reds, Tigers, Cubs).

Over the course of a year, I will cover each team, running down a short list of achievements of the best players to ever suit up for said team. I will then ask for your votes.

I'd like to create exclusivity for induction.

* For teams in existence for 50 or more years, 5 players - the top vote-getters - will win first-ballot induction. For teams in existence 30-49 years, 3 players will be inducted. For all other teams, the ballots will be grouped and the top four will be inducted. In all cases, players must have received at least 75% of the vote to be inducted. So, if only one player for any given teams gets more than 75% of the vote, then only one player will be inducted. Thus, the percentage rule overrules the top vote-getter rule.

* Roughly one year after any given team is featured, a second-ballot will be held. Three more players will enter the Hall for each team more than 50 or more years old. Two more for teams 30-49 years old. One more for the newer expansion teams.

* In subsequent years, we'll probably go with a percentage for induction.

I will ask voters to consider a player's entire body of work for the specific team featured. If a player had a HOF career but played just 3 seasons with the team in question - perhaps they don't deserve induction to the team's Hall. Your call.

No baseball card element involved - strictly baseball and baseball-related activities.

I'm starting with the Tigers, one of my two favorite teams. They rank just a smidge behind my beloved Reds. I asked for nominations the other day. I'll be adding those names to others I've gathered. If you'd like to add anyone, let me know here.

And, if anyone has read this far and sees a rule tweak or two or inherent problem, feel free to let me know. Enjoy.

Unknown Origin: Robert Moses Grove

2011-12-07T22:26:00.000-06:00

Two days after Thanksgiving, while traveling, I was able to dart by a card show outside of Chicago. It's the one I attended about three times between February, when I returned to collecting, and June, when we moved. I picked up some fun stuff, which I hope to share before too long.

And I got the below card. It was marked $1 but I technically got it for less as it was part of a larger gathering that the dealer cut me a break on. I like the look and the simplicity of this card.

Does anyone know anything about it? Set? Year? What not? Thanks in advance.

The Grass Is Always Greener With Vintage

2011-12-06T12:23:00.000-06:00

Gaining focus.

It's one of my top collecting goals moving forward. This year, I jumped all over the map after returning to the hobby following a three-decade nap. I sampled bits and pieces of nearly everything new.

I couldn't focus. I couldn't find my collecting wheelhouse.

The year wore on and I struggled to complete sets I liked. I changed my mind a few times about what I liked. I got a bit disorganized.

I waffled on Heritage before buying all-in and truly falling for it. I sort of liked Lineage but couldn't get past the simpleton backs. Still, I went full force collecting the retired guys in Lineage.

I had to cut corners somewhere so I soon backed away from the much beloved Allen & Ginter. I hung on to a few favorite players and chased inserts - many that I love. I still have plenty of A&G for trade.

Topps Chrome came along and I was hooked again. The feel of these cards lured me in but not so next year. Too expensive. I have other thoughts about where to allocate my collecting dollars.

To sum up the year: Series 1 (yay), Heritage (YAY!), Gypsy Queen (paper frames!), Series 2 (looks familiar but sure), Lineage (boo), A&G (meh), Kimball Champions (YAY!), sampling Bowman (ick), Topps Chrome (yay), Update (hey, it's cheap)... on and on it went.

But at some point, it occurred to me that while I enjoy many new baseball cards - I get a bigger thrill out of and working on completing the sets of my youth (1976-83) and finding baseball cards pre-dating those years - specifically quality vintage cards from my player and team collections.

This is where the ever-generous SewingMachineGuy comes into the picture. Look at what he included just for the heck of it - with a few cards I had requested!

James Raymond Greengrass (born Oct. 24, 1927) played five seasons, from 1952 until 1956, for the Reds (known as the Redlegs for part of his tenure) and Phillies. He hit a lifetime .269, 69 home runs and 282 RBIs.

Glorious vintage Cincinnati Red! This is a friggin' 1953 baseball card! In terms of vintage, it is like nothing I've owned before.

SewingMachineGuy again demonstrated extreme generosity. Just a few months ago, he threw in a George Kell autographed card, for cripe sake! Mr. Greengrass capped an already great packet of cards - that including three short prints to help me move closer on the Upper Deck Masterpieces '08 set

Mr. Greengrass came at just the right time. (Is there ever a wrong time for glorious vintage?)

He came to wake me up to what I knew all along. Vintage is king. Fact is, I just feel better when I spend money on quality old cards. That speaks volumes.

He came to slap me around and remind me about the importance of focus. Thanks Mr. Greengrass and, oh yes, Mr. French.

The Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Nominees For Tigers, Reds Sought

2011-12-05T13:40:00.001-06:00

The Hall of Fame news today, and a recent post from White Sox Cards, have led me to undertake a new venture on this here blog. I shall call it the "The Hall of Potch" or "The Potch Hall of Fame" or if anyone has a more creative name - and that shant be hard - please include in the comments.

In short, I'd like to solicit Hall votes from the sports card blogosphere. I will choose a team, solicit Hall nominees from said team and then feature short write-ups about the nominees - followed by a voting period. This is about baseball and baseball-related activities (announcing, for example). For each team's first ballot, the Potch Hall will induct the top 5 vote getters; then (six months later) another 5, then six months later, those getting 75% of the vote will be inducted. At that point, it will be an annual event.

NOTE: I'm still considering how to handle this for expansion teams. The induction process will be drastically different for these relatively new teams and they'll be combined in some form as well.

Please nominate players in the comments. Players must have been away from said team for at least five years. Players can include anyone from the team in question's long history.

To start, I'm seeking nominees for the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds. I realize that there are some obvious names you might not want to run through (Cobb, Bench, etc.) so don't necessarily worry about naming everyone. Those big names will obviously make the ballot. But, if there's a player you think might be lesser known/unsung, feel free to name that player.

Mainly, I thought this project would prompt me to look up some details - and learn more - about the great players to suit up for my favorite baseball teams - and perhaps my not-so-favorites. It's a labour of love, as UB40 might say, thus I apologize if this is something others have done before me. Please consider it flattery.

More will follow about the voting process once we have a slate of nominees.

Fantasy Basketball: Owner(s) Needed

2011-11-28T16:49:00.001-06:00

I run a couple of fun, free fantasy basketball leagues - each entering Year Three. We are recruiting an owner in each league. One is a very casual group - 14 teams, 14 keepers; the other is somewhat more hardcore - 16 teams, 16 keepers.

If you've played fantasy sports and are always frustrated by the owner turnover, dormant teams, etc. then never fear. I worked hard to recruit active owners and if anyone ever falls off the radar, well, they're replaced. I really work hard to keep things competitive.

Here's the league's link to the more laidback group

Here's the somewhat more intense group

I'll have a chat box open soon in the second league to allow owners to chat as needed.

If you join, you may end up inheriting a rebuilding effort if you're up for the challenge. Or, you may get a pretty solid team, depending on how it shakes down. If you're not up for a possible rebuild, then it's probably not for you. Just letting you know.

So, if fantasy basketball speaks to you and you'll be active on a near-daily basis, then let me know. Thanks.

Juust a Bit Outside Needs Drafters

2011-11-27T08:10:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I took part in a very fun draft over at Tomahawk Chopping, where Mr. Chopping opened up a gallery of some 500 cards and allowed drafters to pick from them. For $15 we got to choose from a great selection of some 30 cards.

Well, Juust a Bit Outside (JABO) is holding a very similar type draft. Kyle, the proprietor of JABO, took part in Tomahawk Chopping's draft with me and eight others.

Now, he's looking for three more participants. If this is your thing, go sign up and tell him, please, that Potch sent you.

Enjoy.

When I Was 7 + 3, It Was A Very Good Year

2011-11-23T11:33:00.002-06:00

When I get around to posting about my 100 favorite cards of all time - and make no mistake, it's. going. to. happen. - inevitably several cards from the first Topps set I collected will make the list.

1978 Topps takes me back to my childhood like no other set. This was the first set I actively collected. My parents got me started by bringing me home a stack of wax packs at the time.

One of the cards that will always mean the most to me is this very card - the '78 Johnny Bench. I treated this with such kid gloves even then, that it's still in fairly good shape. Johnny Bench wasn't my favorite member of the Big Red Machine at that time, it was Mr. Rose (although no longer), but I still thought a lot of Bench - whom I once met down by the dugout at Riverfront Stadium.

Years ago, as a kid, many of my '78s were destroyed when our basement flooded. When I returned to collecting earlier this year, I discovered I no longer had many cards from the set. One of my key collecting goals is to build it back up and eventually complete it.

Jeff - my new trading friend and proprietor of Cardboard Catastrophes - gave me a big assist in a trade we just completed. He just posted about it here. Jeff sent me a nice-sized stack of '78s as he ended up with quite a few dupes from a lot he had once purchased. He also shipped over some 2011 Series 2 and much-coveted Kimball Champions.

Desperate to keep organized in our current living arrangement, I filed everything away right away, so that's it for the images, but I truly greatly appreciate the help.

My Kimballs for the Update Series are coming along pretty nicely, with more promised to be on the way, but my '78s - well - it likely will be a few years before I complete this set but complete it I shall.

My Take On The CBA

2011-11-23T07:44:00.001-06:00

Taking the cue from Mr. Play At The Plate, here are my thoughts on the CBA:

I understand why it folded, what with the NBA Developmental League in place, still with its long history - starting in 1946 - it's a shame.

Oh, wait, he's talking about baseball.

OK, here are some of the highlights of the new CBA:

1. Houston Astros move from the National League Central to the American League West in 2013. I know a lot of baseball fans are up in arms over this but it doesn't much matter to me. On one hand, I hate to see Houston's tradition in the NL shot; on the other hand, at least it should create a great in-state rivalry (which no doubt will be a lopsided affair for several seasons at least, but still...). I don't think it's a big deal to move the NL out of Texas given the fact interleague play will be prevalent now.

On a highly personal level, I see the point of the desire some had to move Milwaukee back to the AL and I wouldn't have minded that given four of my favorite six teams are in the NL Central. But, really, moving Milwaukee to the AL West makes no geographic sense.

2. Two more Wild Card teams will be added to the playoff mix as early as next season. The Wild Card teams in each league would most likely face each other in a one-game playoff to advance to the Division Series. MLB now has until March 1 to determine whether the playoffs will be expanded for the coming season. I love this plan. It restores value to actually winning the division - including by putting wild card teams at an added disadvantage of having their rotations screwed up.

3. Blood testing for HGH with a 50-game suspension for a first failed test, 100 games for a second and lifetime ban with the right to seek reinstatement for the third. Highly in favor.

4. A raise in the minimum salary from $414,000 this year to $480,000 in 2012, and ultimately to more than $500,000. Meh.

5. A luxury tax on teams that spend above an aggregate figure for players signed through the annual First-Year Player Draft and the near elimination of Draft-pick compensation for the signing of free agents. I have zero cents to add here as well. Honestly, for better or worse, I purposefully try to ignore this stuff for the most part and focus on the game.

6. Subject to MLB discussions with the umpires' union, the expansion of instant replay to include fair and foul calls on balls hit down the line in addition to others trapped by fielders. Replay has been used only to review home runs -- fair or foul, in or out of the park. I'm not too concerned about this slowing down the game but I realize many won't like it. I just think it's important to get some of those tough calls right and worth the time.

7. Restrictions for the first time on the use of smokeless tobacco on the field or in dugouts. Players are still allowed to chew, but while they're in an area where they can be picked up by a television camera, the protocol now is for them not to have pouches or tins of tobacco visible in their uniform back pockets. Part of me wants to say "leave 'em alone" - and, really, "leave 'em alone" - but yet I'm in favor of this given the hero worship factor for little kids.

In fact, I'm also in favor of banning open spitting of said chew. Or get the players to at least turn their back to the playing field when they spit. Yes, I realize this is ridiculous and won't happen but I had several family members and friends this year tell me that they can't actually stomach watching baseball games any more due to the incessant spitting. It got me to paying more attention to that aspect of the game and it seriously is a constant. Can't imagine it's drawing in fans.

Contest Winners Revealed

2011-11-22T13:22:00.001-06:00

Randomization is done. I apologize as I attempted to do a full screen capture but it would only let me scroll down so far on the screen so I could not get the time stamp.

You'll have to trust that I'm presenting these in order of randomization.

I truly hope I have not violated some cardinal rule of contest blogs. I thought about starting over but I just felt it was better to go with what came up the first three times rather than start over.

But, as random would have it, I'm in the middle of preparing thank you posts involving two of the four winners.

So here we go. And, as previously announced, the third time is the charm.

Here's the first random:

Here's #2:

And, finally, the winning randomization:

Thanks to everyone who entered this much-delayed first contest celebrating my 100th post a month ago.

Congrats to Robert! Congrats to Hackenbush! Congrats to A2 Wolverine! Congrats to Jeff Laws!

#1 - first choice goes to Robert
#2 - second choice goes to Hackenbush
#3 - third choice goes to A2 Wolverine
#4 - fourth choice goes to Jeff Laws
#5 - Robert gets to choose another prize
#6 - Hackenbush
#7 - A2 Wolverine
#8 - Jeff Laws

Trading of picks or prizes is allowed. Both parties should notify me though. Taking into account the holidays, I hope to have this wrapped up with prizes going out a week from today.

Below are the prize choices. As you can see, I picked up a few mini and/or traded sets recently.

1. Signed 8x10 of the somewhat troubled Dwayne Jarrett. I won this at The National in August.

2. Leon Durham autographed card. Back in August I wrote about how several players, including Durham, signed a couple of cards for me at The National. Sorry I didn't get this certified or anything.

3. 1989 Fleer record-breakers from the below year (full set)

CLAIMED BY HACKENBUSH 4. The below card set from the 2011 National

CLAIMED BY A2WOLVERINE 5. Michael Pineda, Heritage (numbered to 300). This card was only available as a redemption giveaway at The National in Chicago in August. Bonus: It was touched by a Topps official representative - who handed it to yours truly. What? That's not a bonus? Well, it happened.

6. Complete set of 1987 (the wood grains) Topps minis (77 cards)

7. Fleer 1987 All-Stars (full set). Here's a sample...

8. Complete set Kmart Dream Team.

9. Fleer 1989 Update set (regular size).

CLAIMED BY JEFF 10. Choice of three relics from this modest grouping (if three are taken, the other three cannot be selected, sorry)

CLAIMED BY ROBERT 11. The lovely 2008 UD Masterpieces featured here two posts ago. This prize will include 65 cards of the 90-card base set. A nice starter set for anyone who missed these great cards.

12. Set of 1986 Fleer Minis

13. Set of 1987 Fleer Minis

14. Auto racing card set distributed at The National. For some reason, mine included 9 of the 10 card set but not card #1. Be advised

15. 1987 Fleer Baseball Award Winners Set

16. 1987 Fleer Baseball All Stars

17. 15 minis from my available GQ and Allen&Ginter 2011 lists

Gypsy Queen minis
23 - Johnny Cueto
114 - Chris Coghlan
117 - Dallas Braden
122 - Derrek Lee
124 - JJ Hardy
129 - Aaron Hill
135 - Ryan Dempster
137 - Ricky Romero
146 - Melky Cabrera (red back)
169 - Orlando Hudson
173 - Adam Dunn
183 - Rafael Furcal
189 - Mike Aviles (red back)
193 - Carlos Beltran
195 - Bronson Arroyo (red back)
220 - Tyler Colvin
222 - Heath Bell
224 - Drew Stubbs
227 - Cameron Maybin
241 - Brian Roberts
267 - Jake Arrieta (red back)
281 - Juan Pierre
299 - Andruw Jones
319 - Elvis Andrus
346 - Shane Victorino
347 - Konrad Schmidt

Allen & Ginter 2011 Minis
94
279 (black parallel)
310
321
331

18. Skip selecting a prize and instead claim two additional entries for my next contest, planned for my one-year anniversary in February.

19. 1988 Fleer Baseball Superstars set

Contest Time: This. Is. Happening.

2011-11-17T18:30:00.003-06:00

Is it just me or are one-word-sentences-for-impact kind of douchey? Yet, I still insist on trotting them out every so often.

I guess that says a lot about who you are, fella.

So, I've been taking names and checking them ... oh, I'm lying, I haven't really checked them yet but I will - and, hey, I just made you think of Santa Claus, so some lies are good amiright?

So, thanks again to those of you who entered my first contest a couple of weeks ago. I'm finally getting back to it.

Yes, the long-awaited, but probably really not all that interesting 100th blog post contest here at Potch Wheeler and The Cardboard Heroes will finally get started ... soon.

I've been busy. Trying to buy a house, traveling for work, taking on extra work, what not - but enough excuses.

At the moment, there's at least one other contest wrapping up at the moment here in our nerdy corner of the blogosphere CLICK HERE!, so I don't want to steal her thunder but in the next day or so I'll tally the entries and hit the ol' randomizer.

But first, I'll offer one more - no two more - ways to enter. You folks who managed to get past the ridiculousness up top are in luck!

In the comments, and your answers can be short, please let me know:

1) Your age when you first start collecting? Who got you started and how?
2) Your favorite MLB team(s)?
3) Your favorite set or insert set? You are welcome to provide more than one answer.
4) List your favorite players (past or present). List up to 10.

You must answer at least three of the above questions to get an entry into the contest. Answer all four and you get two entries. By the way, I'd love to have everyone post their age as I'm interested in the demographics of this hobby. However, you aren't required to do so for entry.

Once I tally the final entries, including the entries that came in a few weeks back, I will do three randoms. The third will determine the winners. I will send eight prize packages to four people. If a repeat name comes up in the top four, then I will move down the list.

#1 - first choice
#2 - second choice
#3 - third choice
#4 - fourth choice
#1 - will get to choose another (fifth choice)
#2 - will get to choose another (sixth choice)
#3 - will get to choose another (seventh choice)
#4 - will get to choose another (eighth choice)

In the randomizer post that will come in the next couple of days, I will list the full set of prizes. Here's a peek at a couple of them.

1) Leon Durham autographed card. Back in August I wrote about how several players, including Durham, signed a couple of cards for me at The National. Sorry I didn't get this certified or anything.

2) 1989 Fleer record-breakers from the below year (full set)

3) The below card set available exclusively at The National in August.

4) Michael Pineda, Heritage (numbered to 300). This card was only available as a redemption giveaway at The National in Chicago in August. Bonus: It was touched by a Topps official representative - who handed it to yours truly. What? That's not a bonus? Well, it happened.

5) Complete set of 1987 (the wood grains) Topps minis (77 cards)

6) Fleer 1987 All-Stars (full set). Here's a sample...

7) Complete set 25-year Kmart oddball collection.

8) Fleer 1989 Update set.

9) Choice of three relics from a small grouping. No HOFers or anything.

10) The lovely 2008 UD Masterpieces featured in my previous post. This prize will include 65 cards of the 90-card base set. A nice starter set for anyone who missed these great cards.

I expect to have up to 20 choices total so stay tuned for the other choices. I'll also likely add some cards from your favorite team(s), unless you tell me not to do that.

I'm committed to wrapping this up and getting packages out before Thanksgiving.

2008 Masterpieces Theatre

2011-11-16T19:32:00.002-06:00

Editor's Note: This post has been updated with current needs. Thanks Sewing Machine Guy!

I was late to the game when it came to this sharp set. My 20-year card collecting sabbatical meant these cards were fresh and new to me.

I found the set after dropping into various dollar stores: General, Tree and so on. I kept buying them as I just really love 'em. But like I've oft discovered since returning to this hobby early this year, finding the short prints can be a nightmare.

And, so, I call out to the blog world to see if anyone has any of the short prints collecting dust. I suspect not - but why not try, right?

Here's what I need still: 93, 95-102, 104-110, 112-114, 117, 118

In short, plenty.

Below are a few more images for the uninitiated. Speaking of which, I have dozens of dupes among cards 1-90 should anyone wish to start their own Masterpiece collection. Just ask.

Great News: Wilson Ramos

2011-11-11T21:25:00.000-06:00

I was getting a bad feeling about this one. Great to see this:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7222317/wilson-ramos-washington-nationals-found-alive-well-kidnapping

Potch Wheeler and The Cardboard Heroes

Nominate Your Indians: Fun-Time Baseball Hall

Hit The Road, Potch

Topps Giveaway, Part II

Topps Giveaway, First The Bad News

Trade: My Sports Obsession

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: San Diego Padres

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Your First-Ballot Orioles

Cards That Amuse Me: #1

2011 Clearinghouse: First Up, Gypsy Queen

Nominate Your Padres: Fun-Time Baseball Hall

Lineage: Six Months Later

Missspellins

Venti Votto

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Baltimore Orioles

Numbskull

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Your First-Ballot Astros

Fantasy Baseball: A Rare Opening

2012 Topps: Needs and Availables

Nominate Your Orioles: The Fun-Time Baseball Hall

New Blog Alert

Cardboard Hero: Joe Morgan 1981

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Houston Colt .45s/Astros

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Your First-Ballot Angels

Nostalgic Wax: 1981, The High Point

2012 Flagship: A Change of Heart

Not About 2012 Topps Or Squirrels

Trade Post and Home Stretch For Chrome

Nominate Your Astros: The Fun-Time Baseball Hall

Potch Wheeler Turns One

Allen & Ginter 2011 - Are You Needy? I Am, Sorta

Baseball Highlight Sketches 3, 5, 9, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 21, 23

Minds That Made The Future6, 10, 20, 23, 32, 40

A&G Needs Uninvited Guests4, 5

Minds That Made The Future 2, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 28, 29, 33, 36, 38 Base Set82, 100, 140, 147, 198, 223, 293, 299, 343(SP)World's Most Mysterious Figures 1, 4, 8, 10Hometown Heroes8, 25, 77, 93

Minisselect Reds, Tigers and star players

Of Tides

Hoosiers on Cardboard, Part 3

Nostalgic Wax: Pa

The Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Cal/Ana/LA Angels

Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Your First-Ballot Tigers!

Site Blackout and The Time My Two Loves Collided: An Exercise In Overly Long and Somewhat Misleading Headline Writing

Topps 2011 Flagship Exchange

Nominate Your Angels: The Fun-Time Baseball Hall

I Like Blogging and Meeting Friends and Trading and Drafting and So Forth

A Big Pile of Free Cards and Vultures

The Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Detroit Tigers

Fantasy Leagues

The Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Tiger Nominees Sought

See Ya, Latos: My New Favorite Red!

Discounted Blasters

Life Happens

Poll Reminder and a New Card Draft

Card Show Find: The Main Spark

Deck The Hall

Unknown Origin: Robert Moses Grove

The Grass Is Always Greener With Vintage

The Fun-Time Baseball Hall: Nominees For Tigers, Reds Sought

Fantasy Basketball: Owner(s) Needed

Juust a Bit Outside Needs Drafters

When I Was 7 + 3, It Was A Very Good Year

My Take On The CBA

Contest Winners Revealed

Contest Time: This. Is. Happening.

2008 Masterpieces Theatre

Great News: Wilson Ramos

Baseball Highlight Sketches
3, 5, 9, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 21, 23

Minds That Made The Future
6, 10, 20, 23, 32, 40

A&G Needs

Uninvited Guests
4, 5

Minds That Made The Future
2, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 28, 29, 33, 36, 38

Base Set
82, 100, 140, 147, 198, 223, 293, 299, 343(SP)

World's Most Mysterious Figures
1, 4, 8, 10

Hometown Heroes
8, 25, 77, 93

Minis
select Reds, Tigers and star players