Saturday, December 22, 2012

Jim Rice was just as dominate as Joe DiMaggio

At least Offensively. While DiMaggio was considered the better defensive player, Rice holds his own offensively vs. Joe.  Both had tight 13 year peak careers. I know Joe lost 3 years to the war. I don't count what happened to Rice after 1987.  Both were know for getting a lot of triples. DiMaggio did play in a more offensive time. His career numbers- 361-1537-.325. Joe led the American League in HR, RBI and SLUGGING-  twice.

Jim Rice led the  American League in HR (3 times), RBI (twice), Slugging (twice)  His career numbers were 382-1451-.298

Both finish in the top 5 MVP voting 6 times (though Dimaggio won the MVP 3 times to Rice’s 1). Joe competed against less teams and Rice competed against more sepcialized players.  Put Rice in the late 1930's and 1940's and I think his HR total remains the same but his RBIs and Batting Average go up.

Here is a decent spring training card from the Donruss 1982 set.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Dave Parker Diamond King

One of the Best Daimond Kings from the first year. This card has great detail. Dick Perez went with the different color (white) uniform in the inset. It is a classic action home run/fly ball pose. He used the old time hats and  the yellow/gold We Are Family Pirate Shirt Tops. He also captures Parker's hazel/green eyes and full beard

Thursday, December 13, 2012

In 1982, Danny Ainge was the only NBA player to get a card

I know that it is hard to believe, with some recent years having 50-60 NBA sets made, but it is true. Ainge appeared in Donruss's, Fleer's and Topps baseball set and he was the only NBA player to have a card in 1982.

Topps 1981-82 set came out in the fall of 1981 and was the only NBA set for that season. In 1983, the Star Company made a set with all the players who appeared in the 1983 NBA all-star game(Topps did not produce a set for the 1982-83 season). Technically, it could be considered the only set of the 1982-83 season but it was definitely not made until after the 1983 all-star game.  Danny would not play baseball in 1982 but played for the Boston Celtics in the 1981-82 and 1982-83 NBA seasons.  Thus, Danny Ainge holds the distinctin of being the only NBA player to have a card come out in 1982.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

December 13, 1988.....The Day the Yankees Rised

A long long time ago I can still remember how the news used to make me frown. But that December made me shiver with the paper I picked up off the doorstep, after reading it I could not take one more step.

I can't remember if I cried when I read about that TV deal before my eyes, something touched me deep inside the day that Day the Yankees Rised.

So Bye Bye Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie, I drove my Chevy to the levee and realized that this will be the day the Pirates and Royals die.

Do you know what was revealed the day the Yankees Rised.

Now for twenty five years the Pirates and Royals have been on their own like Brandon Moss growing on a Jeff Stone.

When that Steinbrenner sang to that MSG network in a coat he borrowed from James Dean, Oh later, while the rest of the league was looking down, Jeter stole the MLB crown.

Cause when the baseball players tried to take the field, The Yankees refused to yield.

Do you know what was revealed the day the Yankees Rised.

Since that time Jeter be nimble, Jeter be Quick, Jeters won everywhere except Candlestick, cause TV money is the Devil's only friend.  No California Angel born could break that Steinbrenner spell, I saw Steinbrenner laughing with delight the day the Yannkees Rised.

The three men I admired the most Riveria, Jeter and Rodriguez all caught the Yankee train to the East Coast.

Do you know what was revealed the day the Yankees Rised.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

A couple of Canadian Daimond Kings

These 2 Daimond King Stars of the Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays really emphasize the colors Red White and Blue. Dick Perez got the Expos logo down to a T. Mayberry's Blue Jay logo is also outstanding. In 1982, my cable system had WPXI out of New York and I was able to see some Yankee games. Big John was on that team but he was on the downside of his career. A Classic slugging left handed First Baseman.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

I Don't Want to See Kate Upton Naked (or B J Upton as a matter of fact)

Kate Upton looks so unbelievable in a Bikini that her taking off that top would only be a let down. I don't think that her completely naked would add anything (though I don't doubt there will be topless photos off her at some point floating around) and would probably burst the balloon out of her mystic. If anyone saw her Cat Daddy video on youtube or dance video when she was in the stands at a sporting event would know what I mean.

Which brings us to B J Upton who signed the third largest contract ever for an outfielder under the age of 28. B J Upton has a great looking 2008 Topps Baseball card.    There is something unintentionally bizarre about it. Which brings us to Upton.s game. He is just so unbelievable in September compare to the rest of the months.

His life time OPS is .758. Here are his Sept. OPS averages .821 (2008), .605 (2009), .847 (2010),  1.038 (2011), .941 (2012). He had a great October in 2009.   He has a .554 Slug % in the post season as opposed to a .422 lifetime Slug %.  The guy is just good when the leaves turn brown.

Friday, November 23, 2012

The 20 Greatest Sports Card Blogs of All Time

This is an updated/revised list from my posts from a year ago in November of 2011.  I have been reading Sports Card Blogs daily since early 2008, First, at Baseball Card Blogs.org and now at Bdj610’s blog roll. As I mentioned last year this fact qualifies me as an expert to create this list.  This is a cumulative list from 2008 to 2012.  All Time is a relative term.

First, I would like to say the number of bloggers and posts have increased substantially over the years which makes putting this list together much much harder. Except for the Number 1 (especially) and Number 2 on this list, the distance between number 3 and the honorable mentions is not great.  I believe in mathematical terms this is called regression to the mean.  As I mentioned last year, to make the list it helps to post regularly, be about cards, cards and more cards and view cards in a way to enlighten all of us. 

Without further Freddy Adu here is the list. (The number in parenthesis is where the blog was rated through last year.)

1. Night Owl Cards (if he did not post for another 10 years, he probably still make this list) (1)
2. Wrigley Wax (2)
3. 30 year old cardboard (More posts than anyone) (5)
4. The Topps Archives (4)
5. Card Board Junkie (Election Night, Wacky Packies, Instant Classic) (3)
6. The Chronicles of Fuji (14)
7. The Phillies Room (17)
8. garvey cey russell lopes (-)
9. Cards on Cards (13)
10. Waxacholic (6)
11. 88 Topps Cards (8) (An old time blog that set the standard)
12. Sports Cards Uncensored (7)
13. My 2008 Topps Blog (18)
14. Condition Poor (12)
15. Voice of the Collector – the Anti Beckett (9)
16. Mint Condition (15)
17. A Card Board Problem (10)
18. Bdj610’s Topps Baseball Card Blog (16)
19.  Puck Junk (No Hockey but part of the Rise of the Hockey Card Blogs) (-)
20. Wax Heaven (It looks like Mario is back) (11)

Honorable Mention(or just missing the list) : Can’t Have Too Many Cards; Thorzul Will Rule; Stale Gum; Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle; All About Cards;  The Baseball Card Blog; Orioles Card “O” the Day; oh my o-pee chee;  Section 36; Two Packs a Day; Mark’s Ephemera; Blue Heaven

Thursday, November 22, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No. 1 1971-72 Topps Hockey

Probably my favorite designed set of all time. The fonts and colors of the team name at the top works great with this set. This just meshes with probably the greatest use of a teams logo ever. This works because just about ever shot in this set contains a players at least waist up wearing his uniform with his team logo on front. It is never perfectly illustrated better than on Tom Webster Red Wing card here. 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No. 2 1989-90 Fleer Basketball

The largest team logo’s that were ever featured on any set that I know of. The team logos on these cards are just huge. The logos are colorful and blend well with a well coordinated design. Here on Charles Oakley's card we have a basketball, a head and a huge basketball Knicks Logo.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No 3. 1990 Fleer Baseball

(2 heads are better than 1) At Number 3 is 1990 Fleer baseball.  It was this set that made me decide to do this series. This set was produced during the junk wax era. The design is ok. However, when I ever think of baseball team logos, this set pops into my head. It is similar to 1989 Fleer baseball but because the team logos are on a white background they just stand out more. The Indians logo is just amazing (though not politically correct). Here Doug Jones looks like the man with 2 heads.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No. 4 - 1972-73 Topps Hockey

In some ways the 1972-73 Topps Hockey set was a fore runner to 1987 Topps baseball design.  These brownish border cards have one large team logo at the bottom of the card. It is interesting here that on this Greg Polis card that the Pens logo is in black and gold. They would not adopt the black and gold colors for their uniforms until 1980.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No.5 1987 Topps Baseball

Everybody loves Topps 1987 wood grain baseball card design. However what truly made this set look like a classic was the large team logo on the top of the card. Here on Neil Allen’s card one can see the absolute beauty of the set. A pure double team logo look here.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No. 6 1990 Fleer Football

In 1990 Fleer came back an used the NFL Helmet like Topps did in 1982 but added a nice coordinated color design on the card and then added a little sparkle to the design (just like the 2011 Topps Short Printed Baseball Cards). I would say the team helmet is just a tad smaller on this card set than 1982 Topps but the overall team coordinated colors look better than that set. This set is classy looking design that also incorporates Topps 1970 circular design look. 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No. 7. 1989 Fleer Baseball

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Fleer made great use of a sports team logo and 1989 Fleer baseball was another great look. A decent sized team logo on the top left of the card was prominent with the added slanted line above and below the player photo gives an enhanced look to the design.

There is Something About Jill Kelley

With the revelation that the FBI agent who was sent to investigate threatening emails that Jill Kelley received, sent her emails/text of himself partially clothed (in what turns out to be  US Generals sex scandel).  This reminds me of the movie Something About Mary.

This situation reminds me of the character Matt Dillon was playing in the movie. He was investigating Mary for Ben Stiller's character and in the process falls for her. This would eventually lead to the suprise appearance of Brett Favre at the end of the movie. Brett Fave at the end of his football career would be investigated for sending nude pictures of himself through emails/texts to a female Fox Sportscaster.

What irony.

Monday, November 12, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No. 8. 1979-80 Topps Hockey

In 1979-80 Topps made great use of the NHL’s logo in this blue border set. In some of the photos you get to get the double team logo look. Here the Canadians logo in prominent on Jarvis’s jersey and on the card design. The logos are of a decent size on these cards.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No. 9. 1982 Topps Football

This is the NFL helmet design set. Remember going to the store as a kid and putting a quarter in one of the red and glass machines and out popped an plastic replica NFL helmet. Well that is what this set design reminds me of.  I would wish the helmet was made even larger  on the card but it is still cool looking. 2011 Score Football used a similar design a long the lines of the helmet but smaller with a color coded the background. 2011 Score Football just missed this list.

I don't know who Jennifer Korbin is, but I love her, This is why we serve. Happy Veterans Day (and 4th of July)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

The Top 10 logo-centric set designs of all time – No. 10. 2000 Fleer Focus Baseball

This and upcoming posts are about the tops 10 greatest set designs that makes use of a sports team logo. At Number 10 we have the 2000 Fleer Focus Baseball set. It is a simple design that makes absolute great use of the teams hats. You get to all MLB  teams hats in this 220 card set. I only wish the hats would appear larger portion on the card.

1982 Donruss Diamond Kings made Dave Kingman look presentable

When I think of Dave Kingman the words shaggy and haggard come to mind. He was never a pleasure to the eye.  However, this card seems to smooth out the rough edges of Kingman and have him come across as a nice glowing guy. As opposed to the baseball player who sent a dead rat in an enclosed box to a sports writer during his playing days.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

The M&M boys are back in LA

Mark McGwire joins Don Mattingly's coaching staff in Los Angeles. These M&M boys hit 805 lifetime home runs. They came up short of topping the lifetime total of the original M&M boys Mantle and Maris whom hit 811 home runs combined.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The Electoral College, Fantasy Baseball, Moneyball, and The Greek God of Walks

Keith Youkilis was known as the Greek God of Walks (even though he is Jewish and is married to Tom Brady's sister) in Moneyball. Moneyball was about finding value in under valued players. You allocate your resources to acquire the under value players and not allocate your resources in over priced players. Thus, you need to know how and where to correctly allocate your resources.


The Moneyball concept works well in winning a national election with the Electoral College and Fantasy Baseball.  In Fantasy Baseball you need to win specific catagories such as Home Run. If you win the Home Run Catagory by 1 home run  you get the same amount of points if you win it by 50 home runs. There is no need to win a catagory by that much so you try to balance your team with other players who can help you win or do well in other categories.

With the Electoral College, Presidential Candidates allocate resources to states that they can win by small amounts. They usually don't allocate resources to States where they know they are going to win or not win. It is the small number of states that it is uncertain who will win where they allocate there resources. Thus using the Moneyball concept you allocate your resources where you can get your best value in Presidential Elections and Fanstasy Baseball. .

Saturday, November 3, 2012

The Greatest Black Field Goal Kicker of All-Time: Gene Mingo

I just saw an article that stated Justin Medlock of the Carolina Panthers was the first Black field goal kicker to be drafted by the NFL. He was drafted a few years ago but he has finally got a chance to play with the Panthers. He kicked 5 field goals last week.

The Buccaneers had Donald Igwaubee (sp?) a few years ago. He is the only other Black Kicker that I know of. In 1962, Gene Mingo kicked 27 field goals shattering Lou Groza record of 23 field goals in 1953

Dave Winfield

This photo shows you the great length of WInfield who was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Vikings but ended up playing baseball. I never thought Winfield was a great player but he was very very good. This photo is very well center and just a nice card

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Recent Baseball Card Price Guide History - 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Buster Posey autograph

With the Pending World Series victory and up coming MVP award going to Buster Posey,  Buster has had one of the greatest starts to his career than anyone in recent memory. In the last month on  ebay, 46 non graded, non refractor 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Autos were sold for average about $139.   In Beckett Baseball March 2011, the card was listed in the range of $75-$150.

Friday, October 26, 2012

1970s Television Mystery - What ever happened to Richie Cunningham's big brother Chuck on Happy Days

When Happy Day first appeared in 1974, The Cunninghams had 3 children. Richie, Joanie and Chuck. Chuck was the oldest child. He was not seen very often in that first season. In the second season of the show, it was said that Chuck was off to college, though I don't think he ever appeared before the camera.

By the third season, there was never any mention of Chuck anymore and seasons thereafter. He just disappeared without any mention of what happened to him.

 On the Final Episode of Happy Days in 1984, Tom Bosley, (Howard Cunningham) would address the camera and thank every one for allowing his family (the Cunninghams - Ron Howard returned after leaving the show years before and other characters), into our homes. While Tom talked about his family (the Cunninghams) there was no mention (or sight of) Chuck. What did happen to Chuck.

Was he abducted by aliens who brainwashed the minds of all the characters to make them forget of his existence. Is he hanging out with Jim Morrison and Elvis.  Did he die of a drug over dose.  No. What happened to Chuck was the Fonz.

Henry Winklers character became such an overwhelming aspect of the series that there was no need for Richie to have a big brother anymore. Heck after, Ron Howard left the series, the Fonz took over as he had been the star of the show for the many previous years/seasons.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Rick Wise #170 - The greatest game by a Baseball Player

Back Facts: On 6/23/71 pitched a no-hitter for Phillies v. Reds and hit two homers in his own support.

This has to be the greatest performance by a baseball player. A completely dominant defensive performance and an outstanding offensive performance. I think the closest anyone has come to this performance is Sean Green's 4 hr and 20 total base game in 2003.  The only performace I think that could top Wise is a five home run game or someone throwing a perfect game and hitting 2 home runs.

This is a shadowy type of card. It looks like that is the 2nd base umpire in the background.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Best Bond Girl: Ursula Andress (best Bond character name Pussy Galore

When Ursula Andress came out of the sea in Dr. No (50 years ago) the Bond Girl was born. However, I don't think any Bond girl has topped her. The first Bond girl was the best.  There are few women who could top her looking like this in any movie.

The great thing about Bond movies is its sly humor. Bond was the first King of the one liners (long before Arnold, Clint etc....).

Pussy Galore: Hi, my name is Pussy Galore

Bond: I must be dreaming

Pussy Galore character was in Gold Finger that came out in 1964. How that got by the censors at that time is unbelievable. But the what the Bond movies are all about - the unbelievable.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

The Best James Bond Movie Theme Song: Live and Let Die.

Live and Let Die just edges Godlfinger as the best Bond monvie theme song. I am not a Beatles fan and this is probably the only Paul McCartny song  I like. It is hard hitting with a ruthless philosphy. In this ever changing world that we live in...... Sean Connery is the best Bond but eveyone knows that. Though it was Roger Moore who starred in the Movie.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Yogi Berra #387, Sparky Anderson #29, Lou Pinella #135, Kirk Gibson #407

It is October and these 4 players/managers have figured prominately in the World Series. Yogi Berra is near the top of all World Series Records. This is a very cool looking card.

Sparky Anderson, manager of the Big Red Machine and a great 1984 Tigers team looks very smart in this pose. Another great shot for this set.

Lou Pinella would help the Yankees win the World Series in 1977 and 1978 and he would lead the Reds to the World Series in 1990, where they won it all.

Gibson was a Michigan State star receiver in the late 1970s. He hit the big Home Run in the 1988 World Series. He has yet to lead the D-Backs to the World Series but that could be coming.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Baseball Card Mystery: The 1984 Bench, Yaz (and Perry) tribute cards

Back in 1984, Topps, Fleer and Donruss were competing against each other for the baseball card market. Each of the manufacturers were trying to differentiate themselves from each other. In 1981, Topps added a traded set. In 1982, Donruss add the diamond king subset. In 1983, Fleer went with nonwhite borders and firmly established it superstar special  subset cards.

Then in 1984, all three manufacturers did the same thing. They created tribute cards to Carl Yazstremski and Johnny Bench (and Gaylord Perry) who retired after the 1983. Was this a coincidence. I dont think so.

Here is what I think happened. Fleer which had been taking its superstar specials cards at the All Star game, got one of Yaz and Bench. I think Topps got wind of that Fleer had a shot of Yaz and Bench from the game. Topps could not issue thier own superstar special cards because that would be stealing the idea from Fleer (of course Fleer stole the idea of the superstar special cards from Topps  cards in the 1950s and 1960s). Topps came up with the idea of highlight cards to get  a card of Yaz and Bench (and Perry) together.

I think Donruss was late to the game on this type of tribute card. I think they got wind too late of Fleer and Topps plan to include a tribute card as part of their regular set. So Donruss came up with the first limited edition insert cards of Bench and Yaz (and Fingers and Perry). Though it is questionable how limited the living legends cards were to the regular set.
I defininetly believe that Donruss produced the living legends cards after they found out about the tribute cards of Bench, Yaz (and Perry) that would appear in the Fleer and Topps sets.  It was very odd that never again would all three manufactures produce tribute cards of the same retiring player.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Hey Topps, Whats up with the Double 0 cards


Topps photoshopping took a turn for the bizzare on some of its rookie cards. A few of the cards have photoshopped  numbers. Obviously these photos were from the players college days. I am assuming that the player had a college number that was already occupied by the team drafting them. Thus Topps may not have wanted to offend the NFL player on that team who already had the number

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The 10 greatest football cards of the 1980s - No 1 - 1982 Topps Terry Bradshaw (IA)

Terry certainly thinks so. I think this is the first sports card to capture an athlete giving the number 1 salute.  The great thing about the 1982 set. Topps was able to unleash the logos on their football cards and give the cards some personalty. This card shows the joy of the game and unihibited behavior on part of the athlete. This type of card is routinely scene in Topps Baseball issues now a days (pictures of players celebrating). Looking at this card made me think if there were any football cards that showed a player doing a touchdown dance.. I think there probably is one out there from the last few years.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

The 10 greatest football cards of the 1980s - No. 2 - 1982 Topps Wes Chandler (IA)

This photo was taken from the November 8, 1981 game between Cincinnati and San Diego at San Diego and not the 1981 playoff game in sub zero weather in Cincinnati between the same 2 teams. There are cards that have tried to duplicate this type of shot (1997 Michael Irvin Collectors Choice, and a couple of recent Topps cards involving Darrel Revis and Larry Fitzgerald) but this still seems to be the master.  It is poetry in motion. Chandler seems to be 36-40 inches off the ground with an incredible vertical leap. The added plus of this card is the touchdown marker as a point of reference. I still 30 years later look at this card in awe and I don't think I have seen a football card action shot top this since.

The 10 greatest football cards of the 1980s - No 3 - 1987 Topps Jerry Rice

The game from the photo on this card took place October 12, 1986 in Candlestick Park. The 49ers lost to the Vikings in overtime. On the end around Jerry Rice was given the ball to throw a pass. It was not complete. I think this is the first football card to show this type of wide receiver end a round passing play. Just a unique looking action card.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

The 10 greatest football cards of the 1980s - No 4 - 1982 Topps Walter Payton (IA)

1982 Topps football in action cards just crushed the 1982 Topps Baseball in action verisons. I might have made this card number one but I have seen this type of photo too often mostly from Sports Illustrated. In fact I bet this photo did come from Sports Illustrated. One thing for sure, a photo like this was never seen before on a football card (even on Fleer football action)

The 10 Greatest Football Cards of the 1980s No 5 - 1982 Topps Jan Stenerud (IA)

You don't see these types of shots on football cards today because you don't get kicker cards. However, this one has a great angle to the shot.  It is also great because the forground is blurred but the background is not. Similar to Topps 1981-82 Larry Bird. Jan to me will always be remembered as a Kansas City Chief.

Friday, October 5, 2012

The 10 greatest Football Cards of the 1980s - No. 6 - 1984 Topps Nesby Glasgow

First off 1984 Topps football was one great design. Second, the photo on this card gives Nesby a slightly three D look, as he stands out over a blurred back ground, Third, his name is Nesby Glasgow , and he is standing proud with a protruding chin. A great card design, great photo, great name = A greatest of the 80s.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

The 10 greatest Football Cards of the 1980s - No 7 - 1980 Topps '79 AFC Championship Game

Don't knock the Rock. Rocky Bleier runs through the middle of the Oilers defense on this field level action shot. Rocky is running slightly slanted to the left as he was making his cut. There goes Mike Webster in the background watching Bleier going through the hole. No 54 for the Oilers is Gregg Bingham, I believe. This was a rare great action shot that Topps blotting out the Oilers logo on their helmets does not distract from the card.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The 10 greatest Football Cards of the 1980s - No 8 - 1980 Topps Paul Hofer

Through 6 games of the 1980 football season Paul Hofer was leading the league in receiving and was on pace to catch over 100 passes. He was also one of the top rushing leaders in the NFL. However, during that 6th game he hurt his knee and was never the same player again. He probably did benefit from Bill Walsh's new West Coast offense lead by first year starter Joe Montana.

I vaguely remember a mention about Hofer's rookie card in The Sporting News. It was most sought after. Sort of like before the 1981 Fleer Fernando Valenuezala rookie card (which got a mention in SI back in 1981).

I remember buying a lot of 1980 Topps football back then but I could not get this card. A few people in the neighborhood did not have it either. I still look upon this card fondly. I had never heard of him before but it was cool there was a rookie football card of him (but I could not get it).   The card looks kind of cool too with the white 49er uniform.