Years ending in 1.

Have been great for Baseball. Something Great has usually happened or can be associated with Baseball during these years.

1901 - The First year of the American League.

1911- Ty Cobb out duels Joe Jackson for Batting title as both bat over .400

1921 - Maybe Babe Ruth's greatest year 59-171-378.

1931 -Lefty Grove 31-4 and the end of the A's destiny.

1941- .406 and 56

1951 - The shot heard around the world

1961 - Maris and Mantle

1971 - Clemente world series performance

1981 - The Strike

1991- The one year nothing stands out but the 1-0 game 7 world series win by the Twins

2001- Bonds 73 (Maris Redux), games after 9/11

2011- what will it be.

Baseball Price Guide History - 1974 Topps Baseball Set

About once a month Wrigley Wax (check it out) presents the average price of Topps sets (1969-present) sold on ebay.  I have decided to compare that with what price guides have listed the sets for over the years. Second set up is 1974 Topps Baseball Set. (listed by year, source, price)

1982 Renata Galasso                          $110.00
8/1985 Baseball Cards Mag               $68-150.00
11/1988 Baseball Cards Mag             $350.00
10/1996 SportsCards                          $600.00
10/1998 SportsCards                          $550.00
2/2005 Beckett Baseball                    $250-400.00
2/2009 Beckett Baseball                    $200-400.00
11/10 Ebay 12 month average           $209.00 (Wrigley Wax 12 month history through 12/1)

The numbers again are interesting. The 1974  set had been selling at $400.00  less than it listed at 14 years ago. Wow. Note Beckett states there Was a factory set produced in 1974, Which is listed for a higher price.

Dan Petry

A great spring training shot. Look at that American Flag flying in the background. God bless America. Also, check out the 2 palm trees in the background, as Dan posed for this picture.

Dan Petry

A great spring training shot. Look at that American Flag Flying in the Background (God Bless America). A couple of palm trees can be seen on this very blue sky day as Dan posed for this card.

Checklist (post 22)

The first Donruss Checklist (outside of the Diamond King) in the 1982 and in the first 50 players or so -I count 6 hall of fame players -Fingers Winfield, Brett, Carlton, Yaz and Molitor - and a couple of great managers Weaver and Anderson - All the names are regonizable to me except Chris Welsh but I am pretty sure he Was a Padres pitcher.

Jim Wright #490 (P-21)

I have decided to try to post 24 blogs in the next 48 hours. This will give those of you for which the next 2 days are only Friday and Saturday something to enjoy. My other goal is total domination of the Sports Card Blogroll. Yes that is right, about every hour or two (or three) for the next 2 days My blog will be the top  post on the Blogroll. Yes Total Domination of the Sports Card Blogroll will be MINE!!!!!
I present you Jim Wright. (Who?). The back of his card tells it all "Began last year what he hopes to be the longest comebacks in recent years....First Developd arm troubles in Aug. of 1977 and finally had to undergo surgery for a bone defect in his arm in '78.

The last 2 sentenaces got me thinking - in 1982 where did Donruss get the info on Jim Wright. There was no internet at the time, did they go out and buy all 26 year books for all the MLB teams.

Bob Forsch #91 (Post 20)

May the Forsch be with you. This is a great action shot that captures (is that Ken Oberfell in the background?) Bob just after the pitch. The Cards Blue uniform just works great with this card design (the yellow bat and yellow 82). Back Facts: Pitched a 5-0 no hitter against Phillies 4/16/78.

Doug Flynn #427 (Post 19)

I will always remember Doug for being apart of the Tom Seaver deal with the Reds in 1977.  This picture I am pretty sure was taken at Wrigley Field. That has to be Wrigley in the background. Back Stats: Had a disappointing year at the plate last season after turning n one of his best campaigns in '80. Works as a country and Western singer in the off-season.

Steve Dillard #174 (Post 18)

The second Cubbie in a row. I don't think this photo is from the same game as Hector Cruz's card. I am guessing the Cubs are playing the Phillies because there seems to be a guy on the bench wearing a dark red warmup jacket. Back Facts: A valuable utility infielder who can play second, third or shortstop (which is the code phrase for he is not good enough to start).

Hector Cruz #57 (Post 17)

Hector has some dirt on his uniform. The fan in the lower right corner of the card may be wearing a Pirate hat. I remember that Hector hit 13 HR in 1976 to lead the Cardinals, whom as a team hit I think 69 HR, which of course was one less than Mark McGwire hit in 1998 (at the same Busch Staduim). Back Stats Cubs got him from the Reds 12/12/80 for OF Mike Vail.

Mark Bomback #559 Post 16 (24 in 48)

Duh, nice warmup jacket (and hair?). Not much to this card. Back Facts: in a surprise trade was sent from Mets to Blue Jays 4/6/81 for  OF Marvel Wynne and P John Skinner. As a side note Wynne would make splash with the Pirates as a rookie in 1983.

Rufino Linares #310 Post 15

Clouds, Clouds, Clouds, this card has a great shot of a lot of clouds in the background of the cards as Rufino is standing in his classic batting stance baseball card mode. There also appears to be a very strange looking tree to the right of his bat in the photo. I always thought Rufino was a defector from Cuba and started in the majors at a very old age of 26. But I was wrong as the back of the card states he signed with the Braves on 12/30/73.  This is his rookie card.

Tony Bernazard #143 Post 14

I have decided to try to post 24 blogs in the next 48 hours. This will give those of you for which the next 2 days are only Friday and Saturday something to enjoy. My other goal is total domination of the Sports Card Blogroll. Yes that is right, about every hour or two (or three) for the next 2 days My blog will be the top  post on the Blogroll. Yes Total Domination of the Sports Card Blogroll will be MINE!!!!!
Tony looking very stoic standing on the foul area along the first base line at a major league ball partk (I dont think it is Comisky).  This is a pre game shot with all the empty outfield seats in the back ground. A White Sox player appears to be standing on first. One of the White Sox' happiest surpries of '81.

Floyd Bannister #100 Post 13

There is a large shadow on this card the tends to obscure half of Floyd's face. There is a decent shot of the ball in his hand, is he about to throw a curve.  On the back it states...Was the first player in the nation chosen  (by Houston) in the June '76 amatuer draft after sensational collegiate career at Arizona State in which he was 38-6 with 1.88 ERA for 61 games.

Benny Aylala #581 Post 12

Benny is pictured in this photo in his follow through swing. It appears he may have actually hit the ball as his eyes gaze off into the field. There are about 5 Toronto Blue Jays sitting in the dugout watching the action.

Back Stats: Hit .333 in the '79 World Series with a homer and 2 RBI. Orioles use him LF as defensive replacement besides as a pinch hitter.

Bill Campbell #487 Post 11

I don't like this card. It has a strange pink hue background and this shot is very very boring. Bill is wearing some bling around his neck.

Back Stats: Became a free agent for the second time after last season. ERROR - Set a Red Sox club record for saves in '77 when he led the AL with 33. (His statistical stat line for saves in '77 was 31 - so one of these are wrong. )

My Favorite Martin John #343 (Post 10 of 24 in 48)

I have decided to try to post 24 blogs in the next 48 hours. This will give those of you for which the next 2 days are only Friday and Saturday something to enjoy. My other goal is total domination of the Sports Card Blogroll. Yes that is right, about every hour or two (or three) for the next 2 days My blog will be the top  post on the Blogroll. Yes Total Domination of the Sports Card Blogroll will be MINE!!!!!

I have no recollection of this player and I followed baseball intently all my live. I love the huge Cardinal logo prominently displayed on his jersey. I like card designs that features the team logo but this card does not need it.

Back Fact: Did not move into the starting rotation until 5/21 of last year when he beat the Astros 4-1 on a 4 hitter.

My Favorite Martinez Tippy #205 (Post 9)

Tippy is in full windup mode (trust me). Back Stats: Is signed to five year contract through the 1986 season (Wow). Retired 23 consecutive batters 7/23/80 vs. Oakland

My Favorite Martinez Denny #79 (Post 8)

Love that large light tower in the blue sky blackground on this card. Denny was only about 26 years old at the time but looked about 10 years older. On the Back of the card it states the Orioles reward him with a five year contract

My Favorite Martinez Silvio #469 Post 7 (24 in 48)

Silvio is wearing that classic Blue Cardinal Uniform. If you take a good look at his right hand it appears to be that he is about to throw a two finger fastball. This photo I think was taken at Busch Staduim.

Back Facts First encountered elbow problems in June of 80 and spent a month of that season trying to shake them. (What?, I could just imagine Silvio walking around the Cards clubhouse for  a month shaking his elbow).

Dave Tobik Post 6 (24 in 48)

I have decided to try to post 24 blogs in the next 48 hours. This will give those of you for which the next 2 days are only Friday and Saturday something to enjoy. My other goal is total domination of the Sports Card Blogroll. Yes that is right, about every hour or two (or three) for the next 2 days My blog will be the top  post on the Blogroll. Yes Total Domination of the Sports Card Blogroll will be MINE!!!!!

Dave has a really sly look on his face. I wonder what he is thinking about.  How he fooled everyone to become a major league pitcher.

My Favorite Martin Jerry Post 5 (24 in 48)

Jerry is at the plate awaiting a pitch. The photo is kind of blurry. As with most Donruss 82 cards the player takes up most of the photo. I can't tell if this was taken at a spring training game or regular season game. Back facts states he was originally signed by the Phillies

My Favorite Martin Renie #238 Post 4

Renie lives in Delaware but I swear I think he is from Canada. He is wearing a cool Royals warmup jacket in this photo. This looks to be a Spring Training shot. The coloring on this card is just great.

Back Facts: Graduated in 1977 from U of Richmond with a degree in finance.

Dave Rozema #259 (Rhymes with Nozema) Post 3

I have decided to try to post 24 blogs in the next 48 hours. This will give those of you for which the next 2 days are only Friday and Saturday something to enjoy. My other goal is total domination of the Sports Card Blogroll. Yes that is right, about every hour or two (or three) for the next 2 days My blog will be the top  post on the Blogroll. Yes Total Domination of the Sports Card Blogroll will be MINE!!!!!

What s there to say about this photo not much. At least Dave was smiling and wearing some kind of gold chain around his neck. Is that Bling. This is a spring training photo that appears to be taken as the sun was setting.

Back Stats: Named Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year in AL (1977, he was 15-7 at age 21)

Phil Niekro Diamond King 24 in 48 Post 2

I have decided to try to post 24 blogs in the next 48 hours. This will give those of you for which the next 2 days are only Friday and Saturday something to enjoy. My other goal is total domination of the Sports Card Blogroll. Yes that is right, about every hour or two (or three) for the next 2 days My blog will be the top  post on the Blogroll. Yes Total Domination of the Sports Card Blogroll will be MINE!!!!!

This larger picture of Niekro really does look like him (the way he looked back in 1982). However, who in the heck is that smaller figure on this card. Tommy Boggs? I really don't know who that is but it is not Phil Niekro.

Tom Burgmeier #361 (The Burger Meister) 24 in 48 Post 1

I have decided to try to post 24 blogs in the next 48 hours. This will give those of you for which the next 2 days are only Friday and Saturday something to enjoy. My other goal is total domination of the Sports Card Blogroll. Yes that is right, about every hour or two (or three) for the next 2 days My blog will be the top  post on the Blogroll. Yes Total Domination of the Sports Card Blogroll will be MINE!!!!!

First up The Burger Meister. This is a spring training shot with a nice shot of a huge telephone poll to Burgy's left. Burgy is staring intently into the camera.

Back Fact: Named to the 1980 All Star team - (No kidding!!!)...Had one of his best seasons in 71 with ROyals when he was 9-7 with a 1.74 ERA and 17 saves. (He was dominating that year)

Why Topps Why

Why did Topps put cards of Jason Heyward, Buster Posey, Austin Jackson etc.... in the Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Set, players who had already received a card in the regular Bowman Set. Why do these players now have 2 Bowman cards with the rookie card logo on it. The BDPP sets between 2006 and 2009 only contained 55 cards(with rookie card logos) instead of the 100 this year and no duplicates (except I think in 2008 there were 2 cards of Joey Votto). My only thought on why they would do this is greed. Making a larger set means you now have to buy more packs in order to complete the set.  Buying more packs means that you have to spend more money. Spending more money on Topps cards means Topps makes more money.

I love Topps compared to the Sleazy practices of Upper Deck, but Come on Topps, now. 

Of course my second Why Topps Why questions is why did you release a different baseball set every week AFTER the season was over. But that is a topic for another day,

Larry Parrish #466 (is this Beardy's Father?)

The greatest baseball card photo of a beard. I estimate that Parrish's beard takes up about 22 percent of the photo on this card. We also be the classic Expos colors/logo on this card. What more can you ask for.

Larry Parrish #466 (is this Beardy's Father?)

The greatest baseball card photo of a beard. I estimate that Parrish's beard takes up about 22 percent of the photo on this card. We also be the classic Expos colors/logo on this card. What more can you ask for.

Football Card Mystery - 2003 Topps Ross Tucker #92

In the 1970s Topps football sets were 528 cards. The sets usually contained over 50 cards of offensive lineman. In the 1980s the Topps sets were reduced from 528 to 396.  The sets still contained around 30 or 40 cards of offensive lineman. With the advent of the 1990s, the demographics of Topps football sets changed where by 1996 not one veteran offensive lineman was included except for a couple of high draft picks.

Since the mid 1990s, outside of a few high draft pick cards Topps rarely had more than 2 or 3 veteran offensive lineman in there sets. The 2 or 3 veteran offensive lineman who got cards were usually great player (an all pro or pro bowl player). Though for example, a player like Alan Faneca, an 8 time pro bowl player never had a Topps football card. 

This of course brings us to the 2003 Topps football set. Ross Tucker (who later did some work a few years ago for Comcast sports and is now a host of Football Today on ESPN podcast) got a football card in the 2003 set. There were approx. 150 starting offensive lineman in the NFL in 2002 (including about 5 all pros and 15 probowlers) and none of them I believe got a 2003 Topps football card. Ross got a card after being cut by the Redskins and then being picked up by the Cowboys in October of 2002. On the back of the card it states he replaced all-time great Larry Allen (who never received a Regular Topps Cards) for the final seven games. 

Ross originally played late in the 2001 seasons. This was Ross's rookie card.

Why did Ross Tucker get a card this year. I have one theory. He was born and lived (according to the back of his card in) Wyomossing, Pa, which was about 95 miles from the Duryea, Pa Topps plant. My guess is that some how he obviously knew some one at Topps and they decided to put him on a football card. He was an Ivy leaguer and went to Princeton which is about 125 miles from Duryea.

My guess is that a Topps employee with some pull (probably a Princeton grad, about the same age as Ross and lived in the same area and who knew Ross) put him in their regular set.

I have listened to his podcast on occasion but I don't know if he ever addressed his 2 appearances (Yes, he also appears in the 2004 Topps set) in Topps Football sets. Does anyone out there know or have a theory.

The Answer (No not Allen Iverson)

The answer to my question from my December 4, 2010 post of which position player that played the longest without achieving 300 official total at bats in a season is Jim Dwyer. His baseball card is a classic head shot.

Tom Herr (Potato Chips taste good) #530

Herr's potato chips are one of my favorite. Tommy had a great year in 1982, I think he had over 100 Rbi with 10 hr on the World Champion Cards.

Photo Front: I think this is a spring training photo but I am not sure. Tommy sure did have a wide batting stance.

Back Stats: An excellant bunter, he won one game last year with a suicide squeeze.

Terry Forster #362

Photo Front: Terry is in full windup before unloading a ball. I am guessing this is a spring training shot.

Back Facts: Dodgers signed him as a free agent 11/18/77 after he played out his option with Pirates

Rich Dauer #257 (I know Rich and he ain't no Eddie Murray)

Because of a malware problem I was knocked off the computer for a few weeks. I am now trying to make up for it.

Photo Front: Rich is about to drop his bat on a follow through after hitting the ball.

Back Stats: Oriole Insides will tell you Dauer ranked right up there with Eddie Murray as the MVP of the club last year.

Elias Sosa #466

Photo Front: A great shot of the old Expos logo on his cap. This does appear to be a night game card. A nice shot of his follow through on a throw.

Back Stats: Got into 2 games in the 1977 World Series for the Dodgers

Don Zimmer the Gerbil #195

According to Wikipedia A gerbil is a small mammal of the order Rodentia. Don is not small but looking at those cheeks it is hard to not mistake him for one. I still remember the battle royal that he had with Pedro Martinez in the 2003 playoffs.   This is a great shot of him wearing the Rangers warm up jacket.

Jim Kern #89 (Captain Caveman)

 I believe Jim was known for eating glass.

Photo Front: Hello Captain Caveman, He has a full beard and lost of curly head hair in this posed shot.

Back Stats: He had assorted injuries in 1980, including a sore elbow, Pinched nerve in neck, a head and mouth injury that was the result of being hit by a ball (of course the glass did not cause a problem at all).

WERTH DEAL IS CRAZY!!!!!!. (Mistakes of the Past)

The Deal that Jason Werth got is crazy. Werth got a 7 year - 126 million dollar deal. First off - Werth was born in 1979, Thus he will be 32 in 2011 and he will be 38 in 2017 at the end of the deal. I doubt he will even be in baseball by then.

Werth is known as a late bloomer, he did not come into his own until 2008, when he was 29. Late bloomers tend to have shorter peak in career performance.  Players that are good at 20-21 years old tend to have long careers think Griffey, Pujols, Williams. Players who are really good for the first time in the late 20s tend to be like Eric Byrnes and Aaron Rowland.

Also, Werth was protected in that Phillies lineup with all those all-stars. This looks like Aaron Rowand all over again.  Rowand made the All-Star team at 30 in 2007. He then signed a huge deal with the Giants. He spent good amount of time on the bench during the World Series.  Here are the Giants,  they waste all this money on Rowand, but they still win the World Series. That does not make any sense and that is REALLY CRAZY. Maybe the Nats are hoping for the same.

Who Am I?

This player in the 1982 Donruss set is the answer to the trivia question of which positional major leaguer played the most seasons (18) without accumulating at least 300 official at bats in one season

Photo Front: A posed head shot with him holding his bat on his left shoulder. This shot was taken at a MLB ball park( Memorial Stadium?)

Back Stats: Signed a 3 year deal with xxxxxxx as a free agent 12/23/80.

Answer at a Future Date.

The Decision

Larry Bird did not win any championships after his seventh season. Magic Johnson won his last championship in his ninth season. It remains to be seen how many championships that Lebron James will win, he is now in his 8^th NBA season He may want to take a queue from  Michael Jordan. Jordan won championships in his seventh, eighth and ninth seasons. He missed a year,  played a partial tenth season, then won championships in his eleventh, twelfth, and thirteen seasons.      

I always liked this 1990-91 Fleer basketball card. I always wonder if the photo was intended to include Magic or that it was by accident. When I first saw the card it did not occur to me that was Magic defending Bird.

Breaking News - Big Ben has a Broken Foot

This just in, Steelers Starting QB Big Ben (I wish I knew how to spell his last name) has a broken bone in his foot. The Steelers have been reporting this as a sprain foot all week but now it does not appear to be. Goodby Super Bowl hope Steelers?

Johnny Grubb #467 (What kind of middle name is Maywood?)

Photo Front : An action shot of Johnny on the follow through of his swing. This would have been a perfect shot for an 2010 Upper Deck baseball card because the team name and Rangers logo on his helmet cannot be seen

Back Stats: Experienced worst year in majors last year. Middle name is Maywood.

Baseball Price Guide History - 1973 Topps Set

About once a month Wrigley Wax (check it out) presents the average price of Topps sets (1969-present) sold on ebay.  I have decided to compare that with what price guides have listed the sets for over the years. First up 1973 Topps Set. (listed by year, source, price)

1982 Renata Galasso                          $135.00
8/1985 Baseball Cards                       $95-210.00
11/1988 Baseball Cards                     $525.00
10/1996 SportsCards                          $950.00
10/1998 SportsCards                          $950.00
2/2005 Beckett Baseball                     Not Listed
2/2009 Beckett Baseball                     $350-700.00
8/10 Ebay 12 month average (WW)   $352.00

The numbers are interesting. The 1973 set had been listed at $170.00  more than it is selling for 22 years later. Wow.

Tom Lasorda #110 (2008 Topps Kevin Millwood 26 years later)

Unbelievable, but it appears that Kevin Millwood on his 2008 Topps card is standing almost in the same location as Tom Lasorda on his 1982 Donruss card. Compare the light tower and the green outfield wall. They both look like it is the same background and both were standing in the same spots.

While I never really liked this guy and kind of thought of him as a phony, this card is a beauty. Tom is posed looking off to the Big Blue Dodger in the Sky. There is a large light post just off his shoulder in this classic spring training shot. The back of  the card mentions that Tom reached the pinnacle of his career last October when he piloted the Dodgers to a six game triumph over

the Yankees.

Reggie Smith #488

Another of those underrated 1970s players whose stats were diminished because of the 1970s pitching era. This guy has a full head of hair against an all blue background. Reggie has a prominent afro in this photo.

Back Stats: He was unable to play the outfield or throw the ball. He had 35 at bats in 40 games in the 1981 season (a year in which the Dodgers won the World Series

Mike Lum #300

When I was a kid, Mike Lum was the first person that I knew of that was Hawaiian. Then I saw that 3-part Hawaiian vacation episodes of the Brady Bunch and Don Ho became the second person that I knew of that was

Hawaiian. In 2008, Barack Obama became the 3^rd person that I knew who was Hawaiian.

Photo Front: Looks like a between inning shot from Wrigley Field.

Back Stats:  He hit 3 Home Runs in one game (7/3/70) vs. Padres while playing for Braves. He was the First Hawaiian to make the majors since Hawaii achieved Statehood.

Baseball Card Mystery - Ryan Theriot

The 2008 Topps Chrome Card of Ryan Theriot has a rookie card logo on it. That would be ok if not for the fact that Ryan was not a rookie. His rookie logo cards are from 2006. It appears that he was on 2 cards in 2006, with the rookie card logo (Fleer Ultra and Topps 1952 rookies). Is it possible that Topps forgot in 2008 that Ryan already had a rookie card. Ryan did not appear in the regular Topps or Topps Chrome sets in 2006 and 2007. He did appear in the 2008 Topps set but without the rookie card logo. I checked the internet and could not find any answer to the reason why his 2008 chrome card had the rookie card logo on it. Was this just a mistake and or did Topps just forget that Theriot was not a rookie..

The other odd fact about 2008 Topps Chrome was that all cards numbered 192-220 were rookie cards except card 194 of Adam Jones. I am assuming that some rookie card was pulled at number 194 and Adam Jones was inserted in his place. Was Theriot supposed to be card 194 instead of card 172 or was it someone else.   The Mystery remains…………

Terry Crowley #383

Photo Front: Terry looks about to be 57  years old (actually 34 years old at the time). This is a definitive spring training shot as you can see a palm tree sprouting through the bleacher section

Back Facts: Ranks 6th all time on the pinch hit list - is signed through '83.

Love in the NBA

Kevin Love's father, Stan, played for the Baltimore Bullets in the early 1970s. Around that time, Stan wrote a book about his travels in the NBA, called "Love in the NBA". Stan also, I believe was a brother to a couple of Beach Boys.

Kevin Love last night had the first 30 point and 30 rebound game in 28 years. I would say at this point that Kevin is already a better player than his father. It is hard to say where Kevin stands in the NBA pantheon. Could he develope into one of the top 10 players in the league. If he was a better shot blocker maybe. Could he turn into a great number 2 guy (Like Scottie Pippin) for a super star player, that is a better possibility

2009-10 Bowman 48 was one of the best basketball sets in the last 20 years. Its simple design, non gloss finish and sturdy old fashion card stock gave it a look and feel unlike any recent card set. Plus, it has 3 autographs per box for the hit collectors.

Gorman Thomas Klingon (Cardassians vs. Kardashians)

I always thought Gorman Thomas looked like a Klingon. I was a big fan of Star Trek, I watched the syndicated show in the 1970s but it was Star Trek The Next Generation that took me over the top. I really did not get into it, its first year which premiered in the fall of 1987. However, in the late fall of 1988, the second season, I caught an episode called Where Silence has No Lease and I was hooked.  Then after that there was just one great episodes after another. Its 2nd season was its best - it was during this seasons that they introduced the Borg (the Federations greatest adversary). There was a prelude episode to the Borg in Season One, however, you have to watch it to figure it out.

Over time the Kligons look evolved on Star Trek. Gorman looks more fitting in the first series as opposed to 75 years into the future, on the second series. Someone once explained to me that between the First and Second Series, the Kligons look changed because they were evolving.

The Cardassians were introduced around 1990 or 1991 on Star Trek TNG. I did not know what to make of them as they appeared to be a second rate species. They were featured more in the third Star Trek Series Deep Space Nine.

The First time I heard the word Kardashians was in 1994, during the OJ Simpson freeway chase. I don't watch much reality TV but I have caught some episodes of this show and it is kind of funny.

However, I wonder  who would win - the Cardassians or the Kardashians (I am including Bruce Jenner and Scott Disick on this team). It would be a galactic battle with Repercussions throughout the Galaxy but I think the Gorman Thomas Klingons would kick both of their butts.
  

Gorman Thomas #26

Since these are the first year of the  Diamond Kings, Donruss tended to select the Best Player on each team for the honor. This diamond king set had I believe the best player selection of any year that these cards were part of the base set. At this time Milwaukee had a lot of greatplayers but they chose Thomas, which should give you an idea about how good people thought he was in 1981-1982 time period.

Back Stats: Stormin Gorman Thomas is one of baseball's most exciting performers. (Nuff said)

1982 Donruss vs. 1982 Topps

The 1982 Donruss set consisted of 660 cards but it was somewhat dwarfed by the 1982 Topps set which was 792 cards. Upon further inspection the break down of individual player cards is a lot closer. Donruss had 375 cards of batters and 221 cards of pitchers vs. Topps which had 419 (batters) and 244 (pitchers).

A breakdown of the sets

Donruss

Batters              375
Pitchers             221
Diamond Kings 26
Managers          19
Checklist             7
Coaches              7
Combo                4
Chicken               1

Topps

Batters               419
Pitchers              244
In Action              38
Team Leaders      26
Trio Rookies        24
All Stars               22
League Leaders    7
Checklist               7
Highlights               6

Topps had 20 percent more cards than Donruss but only 11 percent more on individual cards (663 to 596). Credit Topps though - the trio rookies increase the number of individual players of getting cards an extra 72 players.

Lee May #570

One of my favorite players when I was growing up. I used to look in awe at the back of his 1972 Topps cards and see his home run stats 34 HR in 1970 and 38 HR in 1971. He did not receive a Donruss card in the 1981 set

Photo Front: One of the worst photos of all time, it is incredibly dark of May in the batter's box after a follow through.

Back Stats: Given a new one-year contract by Royals last fall after a productive if limited '81 campaign for them. Averaged 95 Rbis per season for nine straight years 1969-1977.

Monday Morning QB (Top Ten Edition)

In honor of the NFL Networks list of the greatest of all –time – here are the best players in the NFL today. 1. Big Ben 7#, 2. Clay Mathews 3. Ray Rice 4. Chris Johnson 5. Desean Jackson

6. Darrel Revis 7. Troy Palomula 8. Peyton Manning 9. DeMarcus Ware 10. Joe Thomas

Big Ben is the best talent in the game today and with another Super Bowl could probably vault him into one of the best QBs ever.

Clay Mathews is having the best first two years for a defensive player since Lawrence Taylor in 1981 and 1982. He looks like LT. Last year he ripped a football out of Adrian Peterson’s hands and took it for a TD. Yesterday, he took INT home for a 62 yard TD.

Rice is the best runner and receiver in the NFL today.

CJ has great speed and strength and in today’s passing game is one of the few running backs that can dominate like running backs from the 1960s and 1970s.

Desean Jackson may vault to being the best player in the NFL by the end of the season. Jackson has a big play ability that can only be matched by Chris Johnson. He is making life for Michael Vick a lot easier.

Calvin Johnson caught one pass yesterday on Revis Island.

Troy is a 2-time Super Bowl, if he is injured, the Steelers can’t make the playoffs.

Peyton Manning, a 4 time MVP is still a functionary offense machine.

Ware is on a really bad team right night but he is a complete Linebacker.

Peyton Hillis (who) ran for over 180 yards yesterday. The Browns have no offensive skill players of note but are dangerous because Joe Thomas is a man among boys on the field

Gary Roenicke #509

Photo Front: Gary is standing in exactly the same spot as Terry Bulling #612 was standing for his card. Both cards have the same background

of this unknown staduim.

Back Facts: (A classic line) Is the right-handed half of the Orioles leftfield platoon.

Topps Marketing Mistake

Topps made a major marketing mistake by releasing Topps Chrome Baseball, Topps Update, Bowman Chrome and Topps Chrome Football all within a matter of weeks (and all at or after the Baseball Season). I realize they are trying to make a profit but here is what they should do.

Here is a proposed Calendar for Topps in 2011. The idea is to maximize exclusiveness of the product while cutting down on the shear numbers of sets produced

January – Topps Series 1 (Will include Rookies from previous Sept call up)

February – Topps Heritage (this set looks like it will be around a while)

March – A nostalgic set such as T206, Allen Ginter or Whatever

April – Bowman (it may only include rookies from the previous Sept – prospect AFL stars).

May – Topps Series 2 – (includes rookies on Opening Day rosters)

June – An experimental set like Unique, Finest, Platinum.

July – Topps Chrome

August – Bowman Chrome

September – A Super High Set of whatever you want to call it

October – Topps Update Set

November – Bowman Draft Pick Set (updated rookies – draft picks)

December  - Topps Chrome Update set/ Holiday or End of Year Topps Factory Set

I would create a Topps Chrome Update Set (this could also be a factory set of say 110 cards – with an auto or relic) for December. I would also offer Topps Update in factory form for December.

You could possibly interchange the sets from June (experimental) and September (Super Premium).

I think if they had a set schedule, collectors could set there budgets to buy cards and Topps can avoid having 3 set coming out at the same time Topps Update, Topps Chrome, and Bowman Chrome (and competing with Football Cards).  

Bert Blyeven #111

First off I don't think Bert is a Hall of Famer. He was never great and he was never really a dominant winning pitcher. He pitched in an era with a lot good pitching.

He was a great strikeout pitcher. It looks like he will be elected next year. It is no longer the Hall of Fame but the Hall of Good.

Photo Front: Bert is on the mound in full wind up as he is lifting is his left leg. I can't tell if this is from an actual game or practice but the odd photo angle makes me think

this could be some sort of warm up.

Back Stats: Pirates traded him after he criticized manager Chuck Tanner for not giving him enough work. (Donruss 1982 was the first set that offered this real life write ups on the back of them)

Breaking News - Topps Factory is now Willy Wonka's Place

See Ball Card Mania Blog for more info. This may be the most ultimate Hobby Contest ever devised

Billy Gardner #591

Photo Front: First Manager card - a head shot of Garnder with puffy cheeks (does he have tobacco in there?). He is wearing his Twins cap but does not
appear to be wearing his uniform only a black shirt.

Back Stats: Was originally hired as a third base coach on Dec 7, 1980 - he became Twins manager on May 22, 1981.

Baseball Card Mystery - 1940 Play Ball Joe Jackson

In 1920, Joe Jackson was banned from Major League Baseball for fixing the 1919 World Series. He appeared on cards at this time and prior to the banning. However, in 1940 he appears the Play Ball baseball card set. The question that I ask is if he was banned from the game, why was he allowed to appear in a set with current major league players (such as Joe Dimaggio and Ted Williams). The 1940 set did include some retired players but why did they pick Joe.

I know today that Joe appears in some unlicensed Upper Deck and Donruss sets. He also appeared in Renata Galasso sets from the late 1970s and Pacific trading card sets from the late 1980s. But the fundamental question to ask is if he was banned from baseball why was PlayBall allowed to include him in their set. I did notice that the front of the card obscures any indication that the photo was taken of him as a White Sox or Indian. The back of the card mentions that he stopped playing with the White Sox after 1920 but does not give a reason why. The mystery remains......

Election Eve

In honor of the upcoming election tomorrow, a former Washington Senator