Joe Charboneau #363 (The Incredible Hulk?)

Photo Front: A full head shot while wearing an Indians cap. Joe looks like Lou Ferrigno without all the green makeup. This photo appears to be taken before a major league game as a few fans can be seen milling around in the background

Back Stats: Had a bitter and unexpected comedown last year from his rookie of the year season of '80 (This is more descriptive langauge than you usually get on a baseball card up to this time - In fact I doubt the words bitter, unexpected and comedown have ever been used more than 5 times ever on the back of a baseball card.

Robert Castillo #236

There were some recent great articles over at SCU and the Basketball Card Blog (live from Rip City) about the state of the Hobby. Check them out.

Photo Front: This action photo was taken at Dodger Staduim. Castillo is in full windup just lifting his left leg off the mound.

Back Facts: (A Classic line) A screwball specialist. He serves as Fernando Valenzula's interpreter for the media.

Cecil Cooper #256 ( vs Mike Schmidt and George Brett)

Between 1979 to 1983 Cecil Cooper may have been the best (offensive) baseball player in the game. Compared to Mike Schmidt and George Brett he stacks up fairly well.

             Hits  HR    RBI  Runs  RP RP Avg  SB   TB     Slug Avg   Bat Avg    BB

Cooper   942   123   535  459   871  .277       41   1522    .517         .320        192

Schmidt 686   199   522  503   826  .274       54   1436    .576         .275        517

Brett      806    99    443  439   783  .289       52   1375    .559         .328        251

Cooper had more hits, RBI, Runs Produced and Total Bases.  The only stat that he is significantly behind both players is Slug Avg.   (Cecil had a great run in the late 1970s and early 1980s - he seemed to lose it all over night around 1984)

Photo Front: This is an in action photo of Cecil as he is bent over awaiting a pitch while at first base. He is wearing a blue and gold wrist band on both wrists.

Back Stats: He finished second to George Brett in the '80 batting race.

Len Barker #6 (Diamond King and the Top 10 Grid Iron QB Kings of all-time)

The top 10 QBs of All-Time. 1. John Elway 2. Joe Montana 3. Terry Bradshaw 4. Brett Farve 5. Tom Brady 6. Steve Young 7. Roger Staubach 8. Peyton Manning 9. Johnny Unitas 10. Bart Starr.

Just Missing the Cut Dan Marino.

The Perfect Game and QB edition.

John Elway is the greatest QB of all time. He had a great arm, was a great athlete and had 

an aura about him. I remember his first game in 1983 at Three Rivers Stadium. The Pittsburgh Paper that day ran an article about him with a picture of him in a cape with a S on his chest. He was 1 out of 8 for 6 yards that game against the Steelers. He did not look like NFL QB much less Superman. However, later that season I saw him go against the Browns, from his own 20 yard line he threw a pass 80 yards into the other end zone (though it was incomplete) and you just had to say WOW.

Joe Montana was the James Bond, Joe Dimaggio, Jedi Knight of QBs, he was just so SMOOTH.

He was not as strong or athletic as Elway and tended to fade during the end of his career. The other great fact about Elway, he went to the Super Bowl in his 4^th season and in his 16^th and last season.

Terry Bradshaw another physical specimen, he was built like a fullback (in fact after his rookie season there was talk of converting him to a full back). He had a powerful arm and was very athletic. He was also the greatest winner as a QB.

Brett Farve – Jokes aside, while not as swift as some QBs, he is/was probably the Strongest to play the game. I remember about 10 years ago, As one pass rusher closed in on him, Brett with his left arm just flicked him away. Even though he only won one Super Bowl, he is the most durable QB ever.

Tom Brady – Joe Montana lite. He seems to do what Joe does but seems to lack Joe Elusiveness. His Jedi powers are not as developed as Joe.

Steve Young – maybe the most athletic QB of all time. When he was coming out of College, he ran the 40 in a faster time than Heisman Trophy Winner Mike Rozier. The only lefty in the top ten.

His 49 yard run vs. the Vikings in the late 1980s was one of the most incredible feats ever performed by a QB (besides his 6 TD passes in a Super Bowl)

Roger Staubach – Roger the Dodger. If you look his career mirrors Steve Young. Both got starting jobs in their late 20, both took over already great teams, though Steve replaced a legend where Roger replaced Craig Morton. Roger was also a great Athlete but not quite Steve Young

Peyton Manning – Brett Farve lite. A big strong guy but not that swift. Peyton game and stats do seem to be helped by the more open passing offense rules of the NFL in the first decade of the 21th century. He was won more MVPs than any other players.

Johnny Unitas – a tough guy to classify, not like any other QB on the list. It is hard to define why he was great but he was. A man for a different time. The John Wayne of QBs.

Bart Starr – Tom Brady lite. If Tom Brady was a QB in the 1960s, he would have been Bart Starr. 

Len Barker #6 (Diamond King)

A Diamond King. On the back mentions that his perfect game on May 15, 1981 was the first PERFECT  game in the majors since 1968 (Catfish Hunter)

Woodie Fryman (The Gumby and Woodie Woodpecker Version)

Side Note: I am Joe the Collector mentions that to correct the Bend in 2010 Topps Chrome card is to put the cards in a penny sleeve and toploader. I am not sure about this Joe. These cards are more bendable than 2008 or 2009 Topps Chrome. The stock on 2008 Topps Chrome seems thickest of all three years. 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects bend more than 2008 or 2009 Topps Chrome but it is nothing like 2010 Topps Chrome which bend like Gumby.

Since we are talking about Gumby, Woodie Fryman always made he think of Woodie Woodpecker

Photo Front: Woodie is standing just to the left of where Bill Lee was standing for his photo on his card. You can see the top of the white building that is also on the spaceman's card

Back Stats: Is the all time major league leader in fielding percentage by a pitcher (.991).

Side Note: I am Joe the Collector mentions that to correct the Bend in 2010 Topps Chrome card is to put the cards in a penny sleeve and toploader. I am not sure about this Joe. These cards are more bendable than 2008 or 2009 Topps Chrome. The stock on 2008 Topps Chrome seems thickest of all three years. 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects bend more than 2008 or 2009 Topps Chrome but it is nothing like 2010 Topps Chrome which bend like Gumby.

Since we are talking about Gumby, Woodie Fryman always made he think of Woodie Woodpecker

Photo Front: Woodie is standing just to the left of where Bill Lee was standing for his photo on his card. You can see the top of the white building that is also on the spaceman's card

Back Stats: Is the all time major league leader in fielding percentage by a pitcher (.991).

 

Von Hayes #237 (Rookie Card)

One of the greatest remarks of all time about Von Hayes came from Pete Rose.  After meeting Von Hayes, Pete stated that he thought Von was black because the Phillies traded five guys to get him. The deal is a bit of a mystery because it is not very often 5 guys are traded for a prospect. It is usually the other way around. (Five prospects for a veteran).

Photo Front: A posed shot of Von with his bat on his shoulder and a big C on his cap. This was taken in spring training as empty bleacher seats can be seen in the background.

Back Stats: Von was playing 3rd base before he was called up by the Indians at the end of 1981. Von Hayes a third baseman?

Breaking News (in with the old and out with the new.

Breaking News from are regularly scheduled Blog Post. Topps brings back the old All Star Rookie Trophy for Topps Chrome. I just got a 2010 Topps Chrome Gordon Beckham and wa la the old Rookie Trophy is back and better than ever (especially over the new one)

Topps must be listening.