The Iconic Series: 1975-76 Topps Guy Lafleur

This is probably my strangest selection, I really had a hard time finding a card that really stood out and represented “The Flower”. The design on this Topps Hockey set is pretty bland and probably one of the worst designs of any sport in the 1970s.

I think this photo is very personal and shows you Guy’s imperfect look for a player that was smooth as hell on the ice. Guy’s who was a finesse player appear to have had his nose broken a few times. The way his hair is parted you can tell that eventually he was going to lose it. However, it does appear that he has all of his teeth.

The photo appears to be a picture one might take of a brother or cousin, the personal feel of it makes this card stand out more than any other LaFleur card.

2011 Topps Clay Matthews - the card that changed Michael Vick's fate - the 100 million dollar play

I had previously posted that Calvin Johnson's 2011 Score card  showed action from week one of the 2010 NFL season. Well, 2011 Topps Clay Matthews card shows him sacking Kevin Kolb on the play that Kolb got injured in week one of the 2010 NFL season. Michael Vick would then replace Kolb as the starter for the rest of the season (at least until Vick got hurt again). Michael Vick performance led to the trading  of Kolb in the off season and which then led to the Eagles signing Vick to a $100 million dollar contract.

B J Upton is doing it again

In the 2008 post season B J Upton carried the Rays all the way to the World Series. It was thought of at the time that the then 24 year old would develop into a super star. However, B J has been in a 3 year slump that he has finally emerged from this month to possibly carry the Rays into the playoffs this season.

Here is his iconic 2008 Topps and Topps chrome cards. Both card feature the new Rays logo

Bob Babcock #565

All legs and arms, that is the first thought when I see this card. This guy looks long aand he was. He stood 6 foot 5 and weighed 210 pounds. This photograph is from a spring training session.

Also love his name. Say it with me:

                        Bob Babcock

                        Bob Babcock

                        Bob Babcock

                  Bob Babcock 

            Bob Babcock

                    Bob Babcock

         Bob Babcock

     Bob Babcock

Violence on Cards

The card on the right is a 1991 AW card of Dick "Night Train" Lane.
This card is probably the most visually violent card that I have ever seen. It looks like Lane is trying to take the head off of the receiver on this card. This action play shot probably from the late 1950s and probably did not result in a penalty. This card just hurts. I feel for the receiver.

The other card is not visually as violent but what came after the photo probably hurts as well. It looks like Leo Nomelli is about to fold Johnny Unitas in half. This action shot (also AW) holds it own against any card produced in the last 20 years or so.

AW the manufacture of the set, I think produced only one set in 1991, most were of current players I believe but there also contained alot of retired superstars. This was one of the first sets to do this. As you know now this is standard fair for Baseball Cards now.

Richie Zisk #127

 Richie may be posing for this card with his bat on his shoulder or he may have been caught off guard by the photographer (I vote for the latter). I can not make out what is written in the yellow circle that appears to be part of his batting glove.

Back Facts: Became a free agent after the ’77 season and signed a 10 year contract with Texas

Rich Gossage #283

 Rich was on the Michael Kay show today. Here is a shot falling off the mound after his follow through. The amazing thing about this card is Rich’s 1981 statistics. He had a 0.77 ERA and he gave up 4 earned runs all year (though it was a strike shorten year). What is also amazing is that he lost 2 games somehow.

Back Facts: He had an 0.00 ERA for six World Series games.