The Cardboard Examiner

INSIDE THE ALBUM: 1987 TOPPS

2012-06-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

THE FIRST PAGE: CLEMENS'* K RECORD CARD DESERVEDLY LEADS OFF SET.

This 946-card set (792 base cards, 132 Traded, 22 All-Star glossies) was overproduced, of course, and it should've had positions on the front, but it has significant appeal to me. It was the first set I collected as an adult. Now, as I attempt to put together my first modern set in 17 years and obtain some '87 mini inserts from 2012 packs, it's a good time to turn the pages of the woodies. Top rookie cards include Barry Larkin (No. 648), Ruben Sierra (No. 261), Barry Bonds* (No. 320), Bo Jackson (No. 17), Rafael Palmeiro* (634), Wally Joyner (No. 80) and Will Clark (No. 420). Last player cards are included for Reggie Jackson (Nos. 300 and 52T), Pete Rose (No. 200), Steve Carlton (Nos. 718 and 19T) and Phil Niekro (No. 694). There's also the rookie card of a still-active player, No. 227 Jamie Moyer, who was just waived by the Rockies but with all the pitching injuries surely isn't finished.

THUMBING THROUGH THE SET

LOVE THE DEMPSEY AND VAN SLYKE CARDS.

BILLBOARD'S No. 1 SONG: Walk Like an Egyptian, Bangles.

NIEVES THREW A NO-HITTER AND WALLY WORLD WAS A HIT IN DISNEYLAND.

SONG I MOST IDENTIFY WITH THIS SET: (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party), Beastie Boys.

THE BO CARD IS MY FAVORITE OF THE SET.

NEWS FLASH: Iraqi missiles kill 37 in attack on U.S. frigate Stark in Persian Gulf on May 17. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein says "my bad'' on May 18.

MANY FORGET DRABEK WAS A YANKEE;
"ONE FLAP DOWN'' LEONARD HAD A SCOWL -- AND AN NLCS -- TO REMEMBER.

NEWS FLASH: Klaus Barbie, 73, a Gestapo wartime chief in Lyon, sentenced to life by French court for war crimes on July 4.

THOSE TURN BACK THE CLOCK CARDS MAKE FOR GOOD READING.

NEWS FLASH: Oliver North tells a Congressional inquiry during July 7-10 higher officials approved his secret Iran-Contra operations.

DAVIS WAS HOT, HOT, HOT IN '87; RICKEY AND DONNIE BASEBALL
WERE PRETTY GOOD THEMSELVES.

NEWS FLASH: President Ronald Reagan says Iran arms-Contra policy went astray and accepts responsibility on Aug. 12.

DUDE'S SURFING POSE IS RADICAL; THOSE PIRATES CAPS
COULD'VE DOUBLED AS AVIARIES.

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: Platoon wins Oscar for Best Picture.

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: Higher Love by Steve Winwood wins Record of the Year.

THESE ALL-STAR CARDS POP.

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: Graceland by Paul Simon wins Album of the Year.

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: thirtysomething debuts on ABC, departing from typical dramas and featuring analytical and self-absorbed babyboomer characters.

THERE'S WHITE (RIP) AND THEN THERE'S WHITE (JIMY).

ENTERTAINMENT FLASH: Wall Street opens on Dec. 11, proving to be slightly ahead of its time. "... The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. ...''

SPORTS FLASH: The Minnesota Twins claim their first World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 in Game 7 on Oct. 25 in which the home team wins every game.

SANTIAGO AND SEITZER HAD MONSTER ROOKIE YEARS.

SPORTS FLASH: The New York Giants defeat the Denver Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI on Jan. 25.

SPORTS FLASH: The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics 106-93 in Game 6 on June 14 to win the NBA title.

LEFTY WAS WASHED UP; HAWK WAS ANYTHING BUT.

SPORTS FLASH: The Edmonton Oilers defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 in Game 7 on May 31 to win the Stanley Cup.

SPORTS FLASH: The University of Miami caps a 12-0 season with a 20-14 Orange Bowl victory over No. 1 Oklahoma and is voted national champion.

MY KIND OF INSERTS.

1978 TOPPS BUCKY DENT

2012-05-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

BUCK WAS SWINGING AWAY IN THE
SEVENTH INNING ON OCT. 2.

IRONIC HIS '78 CARD RECAPPED HIS FIRST SLAM.

THE FRONT PAGE: Red Sox manager Don Zimmer affectionately gave Dent his colorful middle name, Fuckin', after he lifted one over the Green Monster in the '78 one-game playoff to determine the AL East champion. The three-run homer off Mike Torrez capped an incredible Yankee comeback from 14 1/2 games back in July. With the Red Sox cruising 2-0 in the seventh inning, Dent shattered the dreams of New England with one swing. I can understand the angst. It wasn't Reggie, Chambliss, Munson or Nettles who destroyed its season; it was little ol' Dent, the ninth-hole hitter. I remember coming home from high school to watch the game with my dad. I really didn't care for either team, but the game -- and the season -- was pure theater.

THE BACK PAGE: Not a fan of the '78 backs, but when I complete the set, I've made a promise to myself to give the "Play Ball'' game a whirl.

PHOTO PLAY: Bucky shows off his bunting technique, further infuriating Red Sox fans.

EXTRA, EXTRA: Dent was batting .140 with no home runs in his previous 20 games before the playoff. Before hitting the homer, he fouled a 1-1 pitch off his left leg. He went to the on-deck circle to receive treatment when on-deck hitter Mickey Rivers noticed his bat was cracked. Dent then received one of Mick's bats. Dent hit the next pitch out, giving the Yankees a lead they wouldn't relinquish in winning 5-4. ... Starter Ron Guidry earned the win, his 25th of his Cy Young season. ... The Yankees beat the Royals in four games in the American League Championship Series and the Dodgers in six games in the World Series, where Dent was named MVP after batting .417 and driving in seven. ... Dent hit 40 homers in his 12-year career and was a three-time All-Star. ... After retiring, Dent managed in the Yankees minor leagues and portions of two seasons in New York, going 18-22 in '89 and 18-31 in '90. Interestingly, he was fired as manager at Fenway Park, the scene of his greatest accomplishment. Karma's a bitch. ... When the Green Monster seats were added in '03, Dent attended the first game and sat in a seat near where his homer landed. Surprisingly, Dent was not caned to death and pushed over the wall. ... Operates the Bucky Dent Baseball School in Delray Beach, Fla.

1975 TOPPS WILLIE HORTON

2012-05-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

PROTOTYPICAL '70s SLUGGER.

WILLIAM WALLISON COULD OPEN A CAN
OF WHUP ASS WITH THE BEST OF 'EM.

THE FRONT PAGE: Horton was and is a tremendously popular player in Detroit. His family moved to Detroit from Virginia when he was 11, and he played sandlot baseball outside Briggs Stadium. He signed with the Tigers at age 18 and ended his career in 1980 with the Mariners with the seventh most home runs by a right-handed hitter (325).

THE BACK PAGE: Willie is fourth all-time on the Tigers' homer list with 262. ... The old-time player in the cartoon looks like he's holding a needle. ... "William Wallison Horton.'' Kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

PHOTO PLAY: A spring training shot, taken at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. ... With that mustache and build, Horton oozed bad-ass.

EXTRA, EXTRA: Horton became a local legend around Detroit when he homered in a high school championship game at Briggs Stadium (renamed Tiger Stadium in '61). Keep in mind Detroit is the site of some famous blasts: Babe Ruth's 700th, Ted Williams' game-winner in the '41 All-Star Game and Reggie Jackson's jack in the '71 All-Star Game. In '59, Horton as a 16-year-old hit one off the base of the light standard on top of the right-center field roof, basically the same place Reggie hit his. "Willie The Wonder'' was just getting started. ... Used to sneak into games as a youth until he was caught by Indians outfield Rocky Colavito, who then helped him get a part-time job in the clubhouse. As fate would have it, a few years later, after Colavito was traded to the Tigers, Horton would replace him. ... Originally signed as a catcher, Horton was switched to the outfield because the Tigers had recently signed Bill Freehan. ... Became an everyday player in '65, the same year both of his parents were killed in an auto accident on New Year's Day. ... Was often fined by the team for throwing baseballs to kids in left field during pregame. ... Finished second in the AL in homers with 36 and was fourth in batting with a .285 average in '68, when the Tigers won the World Series; he hit .305 against the Cardinals. ... However, it was his assist in left field that some cite as the spark that turned the Series Detroit's way after falling behind three games to one. In Game 5, the Cardinals led 3-2 and were threatening to score more. Lou Brock was headed home on a single when Horton gunned him down on a one-hopper. The Tigers rallied to win and then took the final two games. ... In '75, he was selected Designated Hitter of the Year, hitting 25 homers and driving in 92. ... The team traded Horton to Texas for pitcher Steve Foucault in April '77 because he didn't help rookie outfielder Steve Kemp, a charge Horton denied. ... Again won DH of the Year in '79, along with Comeback Player of the Year, with the Mariners (29 HRs, career-high 106 RBI). ... Welcomed back to the Tigers family in 2000, when he had his No. 23 retired and a statue built alongside Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg and Hal Newhouser at Comerica Park. ... Currently a special assistant to GM Dave Dombrowski.

SAVING A LITTLE FOR THE END

2012-05-25T00:03:00.000-04:00

MILES PER HOUR AHEAD OF MOST PITCHERS.

I'm an endurance athlete (competitive cyclist), which makes me completely unqualified to analyze an All-Star major-league pitcher. But I do know a thing or two about the negative split.

When competing in a time-trial event, the aim is to maintain a pace that allows you to surpass your time on each subsequent lap or interval; hence, the negative split. It takes incredible fitness and discipline to do this, fighting the urge not to start too fast.

This brings me to the Tigers' Justin Verlander.

In his last few starts, I've been in jaw-dropped amazement that he's mastered the negative split concept on the mound. He consistently holds something back on his fastball early and dials it up in later innings when needed.

In a 2-1 loss to the Indians Thursday afternoon, he set game-high speeds of 100, 101 and 102 mph while striking out the side in the eighth inning. It wasn't a fluke. He's done it in other games.

You obviously have to have a God-given arm to throw that hard, but to be able to harness it early on and unleash hell when you really need it late, that's a learned skill and something I can appreciate.

Know the feeling of power in reserve.

PRICELESS

2012-05-21T12:56:00.000-04:00

Do you have a card or piece of memorabilia that you consider priceless, an item you'd never sell regardless of what you could get?

Here's mine: a 1970 Orioles team baseball.

I bought this at a mall card show in Tampa in the early '90s. I think I paid $80 for it. The dealer didn't know the year, but I knew it was either '69 or '70. I was really hoping it was the latter, because that's my favorite O's team of all time.

(The only difference is hitting coach Charlie Lau was with the '69 Orioles and was replaced by Jim Frey in '70.)

There were 27 signatures when I purchased this ball. One important one was missing, as far as I was concerned: lefty Mike Cuellar. At first, I didn't let it bother me, but I kept remembering my first game I attended at Memorial Stadium. Cuellar started against the A's and I kept cheering for him, yelling "Come on, Clee-are!!''

A couple years after I purchased the ball, Cuellar was appearing at an old-timer's card show that benefited the Baseball Assistance Team. I presented the ball to have him add his long omitted autograph. I remember him taking a lot of time to look it over, convinced he did sign it back in 1970. He then added the signature and my beloved ball was complete.

So what's your priceless sports memorabilia item?

TURN BACK THE CLOCK NIGHT

2012-05-18T14:00:00.000-04:00

As I get older, I'm more sensitive to what I can do vs. what I used to be able to do. So when I see older professional athletes continue to play, I cheer.

While most of you know about the exploits of Jamie Moyer, 49, did you know last night shortstop Omar Vizquel, 45, and reliver Darren Oliver, 41, were in the game at the same time for the Blue Jays?

And it wasn't some sort of old-timer's day event.

Combined they have 43 major-league seasons and played for 13 teams. Then in the eighth inning, with Oliver pitching, Vizquel robbed the Yankees' Robinson Cano, 29, with a catch of a liner.

Makes me want to turn back the clock and resume collecting baseball cards. Wait a minute, I already do that. Maybe I'm not that old after all.

1967 TOPPS THE CHAMPS

2012-05-18T09:58:00.000-04:00

THEIR NAMES SHOULD BE IN YELLOW;
THE BLACK FADES INTO THE BACKGROUND.

THIRD SACKER IS A COOL TERM.

THE FRONT PAGE: The '67 set had a lot of these theme cards, but none was better than this one, celebrating the Orioles' first Series championship the previous season.

THE BACK PAGE: Interesting how Topps forgot to mention Frank won the Triple Crown.

PHOTO PLAY: As most know, this photo and the '68 Bird Belters photo were taken one after the other. The Bird Belters featured only the Robinsons. ... Brooks looks like he could be the bat boy, doesn't he?

EXTRA, EXTRA: Many point to Frank being the missing ingredient that lifted the O's to the title and he definitely was a huge part, but Bauer really doesn't get enough credit. He was a no-nonsense manager who took over after the '63 season. An ex-Marine and former Yankee, Bauer once pinned Whitey Ford to a wall and said "Don't mess with my money,'' referring to postseason money that he thought Ford and Mickey Mantle were jeopardizing with their off-the-field shenanigans. Bauer played on seven World Series championship teams with the Yankees. A career .277 batter, he hit 164 HRs and drove in 703. ... According to Reds owner Bill DeWitt, Frank was "an old 30,'' explaining why he would trade him to the Orioles for pitchers Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun and outfielder Dick Simpson after the '65 season. The rest is history. He hit .316 with 49 HRs and 122 RBI. He also led the lead in runs (122). During that first season in Baltimore, Frank became the first and only player to slam a ball completely out of Memorial Stadium. He hit two homers and drove in three runs in the four-game sweep of the Dodgers in the Series. ... Brooks was the '66 All-Star Game MVP (going 3-for-4, including a triple off Sandy Koufax) and was second to Frank in AL MVP voting, hitting 23 homers and driving in 100. ... The Robinsons set the tone for the '66 Series by homering back-to-back off Don Drysdale, giving the Birds a 3-0 first-inning lead in Game 1, which they eventually won 5-2. Baltimore would never trail in the series and shut out the Dodgers in the final three games, 6-0, 1-0 and 1-0.

1974 TOPPS DAVID CLYDE

2012-05-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

A MILLION-DOLLAR ARM
IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE

MUST'VE BEEN FUN TO WATCH HIM MOW DOWN
ALL THOSE OVERMATCHED HIGH SCHOOLERS.

THE FRONT PAGE: The rookie card of a former phenom who suffered from the actions of a greedy owner who saw a potential cash cow instead of a potential lefty ace who needed time to develop in the minors. What might have been had he been drafted by another franchise.

THE BACK PAGE: As you can obviously deduce, Clyde went straight to the majors from high school, a pretty incredible feat. His numbers really weren't that awful, all things considered. ... Sure did a whole lot of prep hurling. ... Baseball skiing? Did the Kennedys invent that, too, or only football skiing?

PHOTO PLAY: I can't tell if his cap is askew or the logo is off. Maybe a little of both. ... This is Rays closer Fernando Rodney's favorite card.

EXTRA, EXTRA: Nineteen days after graduating from high school and being selected No. 1 in the '73 draft, Clyde, 18, made his Rangers' debut, starting against the Twins at home on June 27. It was owner Bob Short's call, sensing Clyde would guarantee a big gate. The previous year, the Rangers averaged almost 9,000 fans per game and were averaging even fewer in '73. Short got the sellout he was seeking (35,698) and Clyde picked up the victory after throwing five innings, striking out eight, walking seven and giving up only one hit. He won his second start and Short wanted Clyde to remain in the majors, even though his baseball people knew he needed time in the minors. ... He started 3-0 in '74 before finishing 3-9 with a 4.38 ERA. ... Developed arm trouble in '75, when he finally was sent to the minors, staying three seasons before being traded to the Indians. ... He injured his rotator cuff in '79 and was out of baseball by '81. Finished 18-33 with a 4.63 ERA in five big-league seasons. ... First-round picks taken after Clyde in '73 included Robin Yount (third) and Dave Winfield (fourth). ... Worked to guarantee that former players between the years of '47-'79 who didn't satisfy the four-year vesting requirement to earn a pension would receive compensation. ... An instructor at the Houston Miracles, a faith-based baseball and softball academy.

(INSERT MORE BASE CARDS HERE)

2012-05-14T09:55:00.000-04:00

I purposely didn't list the inserts from my Thursday night card grab because I was waiting to see if anyone thought it odd.

After hearing crickets chirping on my blog over the weekend, I got my answer. Regardless, here they are and it's probably the last time I'll look or think about them (except for maybe the '87 minis):

I remember watching Fisk take Darcy deep into the night on TV and my mom and I jumping off the couch and cheering. We weren't Sox fans; this had more to do with our dislike for the Reds. Still, it truly was a great moment in time. As an aside, I'd like to know what jag-off first uttered "walk-off'.'' I guess "game-winning'' wasn't cutesy enough.

All these gold sparkly cards do is distract you from the photos.

This is a reach; I doubt seriously Kimbrel will every be compared to Smoltz. The only thing they'll have in common is they're both right-handed and once pitched for the Braves.

I like these Gold Standard cards. Seaver in the beer league softball White Sox threads. Cool.

This Gold Futures card is OK, I guess. A player's uniform number should never be on the front of a card.

My first DiMaggio card out of a pack. If this was only 1940 ...

I like '87 Topps and think these mini tributes work.

This Golden Moment of Gonzalez setting a Red Sox record for most first-half hits seems much ado about nothing.

Red bordered cards? For the love of God ...

I ran the code through the Topps website and got a coin. Maybe next time I'll get The Quan.

Not really impressed with these inserts, but I'm not an insert collector. I'd rather just have more base cards.

OPENING NIGHT

2012-05-11T11:50:00.000-04:00

HELLACIOUS ACTION SHOT.

THIS HAS A ROY HOBBS VIBE TO IT.

On the way home from work last night, I made a stop at not just any Target, a Super Target. And that can mean only one thing: Yes, I finally bought some new gardening clogs.

Actually, I purchased some new baseball picture cards for the first time in five years. This was done partly because I needed something to write about and partly because I'm on a baseball kick. Like Cold Stone Creamery Cake & Shake milkshakes. Cholesterol never tasted so good.

FROM PERFECT TO PERFECTLY AWFUL.

Back on point, I bought a regular 12-card pack and a 72-card box for ages 6+. I was not carded at checkout even though I'm positive I saw the register flash the sales associate to do so.

The box was interesting. First, the plastic covering was nearly as impenetrable as those plastic shell domes for electronics and such. Then when I got it opened, the cards, packaged smartly like the old cello packs, were housed on one side of a divided box but nothing but air on the other.

THIS WOULD'VE FIT IN NICELY WITH THE '73 SET.

Did I get ripped off? Shouldn't there be something else in the box, like more cards?

Probably not. I've seen this clever packaging before. Makes it seem you're getting more ... only ... not.

HE'LL THROW ANOTHER NO-HITTER.

I was pretty happy with what I got inside. The stock is impressive, slick but not sticky glossy like the wet-paint-like Topps cards from '93-'95, my only real experience with the modern era. The photography is impressive, including No. 136 Casey McGehee, No. 261 Kyle Blanks, No. 130 Asdrubal Cabrera and No. 45 Jhoulys Chacin. Like many have written, the player's position needs to be out front.

I don't know how many League Leader and Active Leader cards there are, but I got a total of eight from the box, including No. 324 featuring The Clean (Jim Thome) surrounded by The Clear (Alex Rodriguez) and The Cream (Jason Giambi).

LET'S PLAY GUESS WHO'S THE REAL MAN.

In the single pack, I got No-No. 250 Jered Weaver, and he pairs nicely with No-No. 254 Philip Humber from the box.

That about covers the highlights of the opening. I'm officially back to the future.

BREW CREW FANS, THIS ONE'S A KEEPER.

I CAN'T STOP LOOKING AT THIS CARD.

COULD THE ROOKIE TROPHY BE ANY SMALLER?

IS THE ITCH IS RETURNING?

2012-05-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

AT LEAST I GOT A FUTURE HALL OF FAMER.

I disconnected from Major League Baseball right about the turn of the century. With the '94 strike still stinging and steroids strafing the game's hallowed records and turning nearly every contest into a fake video game, I'd seen enough.

Until maybe now.

I've been giving MLB 2012 a chance this year, and I'm getting hooked again. I like the offensive regression and the pitching reassertion. I'm watching it on TV, listening on the radio and reading more. I'm even thinking of buying a pack of '12 cards.

I can't believe I said that.

It got me thinking. When did I last purchase a pack of the current year's cards? I actually remembered and found the cards: 2007 Topps. Here is what I got in that single pack five years ago: Tom Glavine, Mark Teixeira, Ryan Howard, Carlos Silva, Tim Hudson, Jason Schmidt, A.J. Burnett, Freddy Sanchez, and Raul Ibanez. Several future Yankees there.

That's nine cards, enough to fill a page, but I think the pack had 10. I need to check the couch cushions. Anyway, looking at these cards now I realize why I didn't bother to buy more.

The last modern-era set I completed was '95 Topps. Might I dip my toes back in the water and put together this year's? Well, let's see if I can actually muster the gumption to buy a pack.

Wonder where's the nearest Target?

LAYING WASTE TO THE BEST LAID PLANS

2012-05-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

MY BIG GET AT THE MAY CARD SHOW.

I believe in having and executing plans. I don't like surprises and don't usually react well to them. All of these character traits/ticks came to the forefront at Saturday's monthly card show.

My plan was to hit my favorite vintage singles dealer hard for '73 high-numbers and begin a push to complete my '78 starter set. Afterward, I'd leisurely check out the rest of the show.

Then I got the biggest surprise of the week when I saw he wasn't there. He has a website and his show calendar had him there. I'm not sure why he wasn't.

I must have looked like an abandoned puppy searching for its mom, circling around dejectedly.

My reaction was to get all pissy and basically cop the attitude that nothing else was worth buying, rationalizing that I wanted to spend money on adding to those two sets and nothing else.

I managed to briefly refocus. So what did I come away with? A 100-count box of Ultra Pro sheets. Super-duper awesome, huh?

Also, I knew beforehand my favorite dealer wasn't going to be back in town until September, further souring my mood. Finishing the '73 set this year was a goal, and when I set goals, I develop tunnel vision. And I don't see the forest for the trees.

Now that I've had more than 24 hours to reflect, I'm depressed I reacted that way. I really look forward to this show and just wished I'd regrouped, took a breath, maybe left for a half hour and came back refocused on just looking around like a wide-eyed new collector without a want-list.

Being organized and having a plan works most days, especially when it comes to your job. Collecting cards is not a job.

Maybe it's time to develop another want-list.

1980 TOPPS WILLIE WILSON

2012-05-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

FIRST BASE WAS USUALLY A TEMPORARY STOP
WHEN WILLIE REACHED.

YOU WOULD'VE THOUGHT HIS 83 STEALS IN '79
WOULD MERIT MENTION.

THE FRONT PAGE: Every time I think "Willie Wilson, 1980,'' I think about him flailing and failing in the World Series, where he set the all-time record for strikeouts with 12 in six games and hit only .154. The Phillies' Ryan Howard got him off the hook and out of the books with 13 in the '09 Series. Wilson's Series performance overshadowed one terrific regular season.

THE BACK PAGE: The '79 season was Wilson's coming-out party. The leadoff hitter definitely excelled on the base paths that year, swiping 83 bases and being caught only 12 times. ... The inside-the-park-HR bullet-point is appropriate; he hit the most inside-the-parkers (13) since 1950. ... Not listing yearly steals bugs me to no end.

PHOTO PLAY: I think this photo is from '77; that's the year Wilson wore No. 32. He began wearing his more famous 6 the next year.

EXTRA, EXTRA: Wilson was a flyer who always had the green light. He followed his 83-steal season with 79 in '80, when he led the league in plate appearances (745), at-bats (705), runs (133), hits (230) and triples (15). He was seventh in hitting (.326), fourth in MVP voting and won a Gold Glove in center and the Silver Slugger. And all I can remember are his Series strikeouts, especially the last one against Tug McGraw that clinched the Phillies' win? I should be ashamed of myself. ... As the six-game whiff-fest proved, he wasn't patient, never walking more than 39 times a season during his 19-year career. Consequently, his lifetime on-base percentage was only .326. ... Wilson's next best season occurred in '82, when he won his only batting crown with a .332 average. He became the first AL switch-hitter to do that since Mickey Mantle in '56. ... It all began going downhill the following season. He was involved in a drug scandal with teammates Willie Aikens, Vida Blue and Jerry Martin, all of whom pleaded guilty to attempting to buy cocaine. They became the first active players to serve time in jail, going to the Big House for 81 days. Looking at it another way, it was a day for every strikeout Wilson had in '80. ... Wilson got the chance to erase his World Series failures in '85 by hitting .367 in the win over the Cardinals. ... With the A's in '92, he tied Lou Brock's record for steals in one postseason with seven against the Blue Jays in the ALCS. ... Wilson, who left the Royals after the '90 season, was elected to the team's Hall of Fame in 2000.

SAID RICKEY HENDERSON

2012-05-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

The only thing more outrageous than Rickey Henderson's talent was his mouth. Along with volumes of records he set on the field, including becoming the all-time stolen base leader 21 years ago yesterday, he authored some of the most hilarious quotes ever. A sampling from the World Wide Web:

"Ten years? Rickey's been playing at least 16, 17 years,'' after bording the Padres' team bus and hearing Steve Finley say "You have tenure; sit wherever you want.''

"I can see The Entire State Building,'' telling a teammate about the view from his New York City condo.

"This is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to play baseball,'' a message left for Padres GM Kevin Towers.

"Well, Rickey's not one of them, so that's 49 percent right there,'' after a reporter asked if Ken Caminiti's estimate that 50 percent of the major-leaguers were taking steroids was correct.

"They kept that shit a secret from me. I wish they had told me. My God, could you imagine Rickey on 'roids? Oh, baby, look out!''

"It gave me no chance He (Nolan Ryan) just blew it by me. But it's an honor. I'll have another paragraph in all the baseball books. I'm already in the books three or four times,'' commenting on being Ryan's 5,000th career strikeout.

"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself, so how can I be talking to myself?''

"Who's he?'' Rickey asked a teammate after he saw reporters running around the Mets clubhouse before a game and was told the team just fired hitting coach Tom Robson.

"Hey, man, where have you been? Haven't seen you in a while,'' upon greeting A's teammate Billy Beane, whose locker was next to Henderson's and was just returning from a six-week demotion to the minors.

"Rickey don't like it when Rickey can't find Rickey's limo.''

"If they're going to pay me like (Mike) Gallego, I'm going to play like Gallego,'' on negotiating with the A's in the early '90s.

"Don't worry, Rickey, you're still the best,'' overheard after walking back to the dugout after a strikeout.

"Let bye-byes be bye-byes,'' after settling a feud with Yankees manager Lou Piniella.

I'M NOT BATS

2012-04-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

AARON SIGNED THIS AT A CARD SHOW IN ATLANTA IN THE '90S.

I used to think autographed bats were the pinnacle of collectibles. Who doesn't love swinging a bat, especially a professional model. It's a little like playing air guitar. Everybody's a rock star -- until you get on stage.

The only thing better than getting my first authentic-model bat was getting it signed.

I purchased an Adirondack Brooks Robinson model from a mail-order memorabilia dealer in the early '90s with the expressed purpose of getting my idol to sign it at an upcoming card show. After pulling the bat out of the shipping tube, I took a few practice swings and thought, ''So this is how the bat felt in Brooks' hands.'' I felt a connection to him in a weird sort of way.

KNOWN MORE FOR HIS GLOVE.

CAL TOOK INTEREST
IN THIS RARE
PIECE OF LUMBER.

I probably swung that bat a hundred times before the day came to have it autographed. Then a funny thing happened: I forgot about it. I also forgot about the Hank Aaron and Cal Ripken Jr. bats I later bought and had autographed in person.

I just recently dug out those bats, along with an '84 USA Olympic Team bat I bought already autographed. Locating them was like a treasure hunt. When I found them, each had the barrels protected with athletic socks (classy, huh?) and were tucked away among a jumble of stuff in seldom used bedroom. Could I have disrespected them any more? I'm surprised I didn't find them in the garage between the rake and the post-hole digger.

How did four valuable items I treasured, albeit for about a day each, become as unimportant as empty boxes and folded shopping bags?

I think it's because unlike cards and baseballs, bats are cumbersome to display properly. I've seen some of those nice displays for sale; they're not cheap and they look like they would take a degree in engineering to hang them on the wall. Let's face it, unless you store them right, bats tend to fall down, bang against each other and roll around. Then you're tripping over them, looking like Max Patkin. One week you're carrying your prized possession you just got signed and the next week you're being carried to the ER because you tripped over it.

Finally, there's an interesting story about my Ripken bat. I had him sign it one spring training. As you can see, it's an ash Louisville Slugger. Ripken used an ash P72 model early in his career before switching to a black P72. When he saw my bat, he asked how and where I got it. I had the feeling he thought I stole it or something. I told him from a mail-order memorabilia company but I couldn't remember the name. He took a close look at it, slid his hands down and around the barrel and took a quick practice swing. He said he hadn't seen his ash model in a long time. Then he signed it.

I was kind of hoping he would offer a trade for one of his used bats. Alas, it probably would've wound up disregarded like my others.

I BOUGHT THIS AT A DISCOUNT FROM THE HOME SHOPPING OUTLET STORE IN BRANDON, FLA.

1988 DONRUSS RIPKEN BASEBALL FAMILY

2012-04-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

THE FIRST FAMILY OF BALTIMORE.

THESE BACKS ARE JUST PLAIN, UM, PLAIN.

THE FRONT PAGE: I remember getting this card from a pack in '88 and being instantly smitten. This card reminded me you can sometimes pull surprises from packs.

THE BACK PAGE: It took Donruss a long time to finally dress up the backs of their cards, and certainly in '88 it still considered the reverse to be unimportant. ... The write-up is decent, and Senior is still the only field boss to manage two sons in the majors at the same time.

PHOTO PLAY: This card reminds me of the 1967 Topps The Champs card. If Donruss copied that idea, then Topps copied Donruss' hideous design two years later.

THE WORST OF TIMES.

EXTRA, EXTRA: Senior, who took over in '87 after Earl Weaver's second stint as manager, got a raw deal in '88, getting fired after an 0-6 start. Six games in and you fire your manager, a loyal foot soldier who gave his soul to the organization and spent 13 years managing in the minors? What the hell? I still can't wrap my head around that move. The firing really motivated the Birds: They went on to lose the next 15. When they reached 0-14, they established a major-league record for consecutive losses to start a season. ... To show what a class company man he was, Senior remained with O's, becoming the third-base coach. ... However painful the firing of his dad must have been to Junior, I think the O's averted a total meltdown of their franchise player by making Frank Robinson the manager, a Hall of Famer whom Junior respected. I think had the team brought in anyone else, he would've eventually bolted as a free agent. ... Senior had very little talent to work with, especially on the mound, and he compiled a 68-101 record. He was a big part of teaching "The Oriole Way'' brand of baseball that was so successful for so long. All told, he spent 36 years in the organization that also included stints as a player and scout. ... Senior's career came to an end when he was fired as third-base coach after the '92 season. ... I think everyone knows about the career Junior had, establishing a consecutive-games played streak at 2,632 that won't be broken, among other notable batting and fielding accomplishments. In '87, he hit 27 homers and drove in 98. ... Billy had few on-the-field highlights but he will be remembered for a couple of things. One, a certain '89 Fleer "Fuck Face'' error card and the May 2, 1988, Sports Illustrated cover photo. ... Billy was a good-field, no-hit second baseman. In his 12-year career, he hit .247 and got on base only 29.4 percent of the time. In his first year in '87, Billy hit .308 in 234 at-bats with two homers and 20 RBI. ... When I'd go to Sarasota in the '90s to watch the Orioles train for the first couple of weeks at Twin Lakes Park, I'd always see Senior walking with purpose to and from all the fields, carrying a fungo bat in one hand and cupping a butt in the other. Dude was all business all the time. I never saw him smile. If my dad would've been a baseball lifer, I think he would've operated the same way. ... The pathetic '88 season actually brought me closer to my favorite team. I felt sorry for the players and city and wanted to show my undying support. I wore my authentic white-paneled O's cap just about everywhere that year. When they were amid the streak, numerous people would point and laugh at me. That just toughened my resolve, and it certainly made the pennant chase of '89 much sweeter.

TWENTY-ONE YEARS BEFORE ...

1994 TOPPS BRETT BUTLER

2012-04-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, NA, GNATMAN!

THE BACK MIGHT BE BETTER LOOKING THAN THE FRONT.

THE FRONT PAGE: Before having success as a stand-up comic, Brett Butler worked as a cocktail waitress. She was the star of the ABC television show Grace Under Fire from 1993-98 but was dismissed for erratic behavior stemming from ... Hold on, wrong Brett Butler. Damn Wikipedia listed the actress first. ... A nice action shot of one of the true nice guys to play the game. He put together some impressive seasons as a quintessential leadoff hitter. ... The autograph came in the mid-'90s in spring training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach. ... The '94 set continues to grow on me.

THE BACK PAGE: Sharp and colorful design, one of Topps' better efforts. Clean typeface that's pleasing to the eye, and the red league-leader notation is cool.

PHOTO PLAY: This photo screams "slap hitter,'' which of course little Brett was. He was the epitome of an annoying buzzing insect to pitchers. He also was an exceptional bunter.

EXTRA, EXTRA: How appropriate that a player named Brett Butler would be drafted by the Atlanta Braves? ... Butler played a major role in the Braves' '82 NL West championship, in which they started the season 13-0. ... Traded to the Indians in '83 in a package deal that netted Len Barker. ... The Giants signed him as a free agent for '88, and the next year he helped lead them to the World Series. ... Signed with the Dodgers after the '90 season and had his best season in '91, making his first and only All-Star team and finishing seventh in MVP voting. ... He stole 38 bases in '91 but his success rate was only 58 percent after being caught 28 times. ... Hit a career-high .314 in the strike-shortened '94 season. ... He would play in Toronto and with the Mets in '95 before returning to the Dodgers later that season. ... Butler receive a major heath scare in May 1996 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that affects the tonsils. After surgery and treatment, he returned to the Dodgers' lineup in September. ... Played his last game in '97, retiring with a .290 average, 2,375 hits, 558 steals and a .377 on-base percentage. ... Butler was a minor-league manager for a time before he suffered a "mild'' stroke in '07. ... I can't remember the exact year I got the card autographed, but I do remember how incredibly nice he was to fans, posing for pictures, talking and actually listening. I also remember how small he was, not a whole hell of lot bigger than me.

1973 TOPPS WORLD SERIES GAME No. 2

2012-04-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

THE BEAUTY OF BASEBALL.

I LIKE FIELDING STATS AND ALL,
JUST NOT IN MY BOXSCORE.

THE FRONT PAGE: I can't think of a World Series card I like better. What an action shot! I also like the baseball logo.

THE BACK PAGE: Boxscores are always cool on cards, but I'm not sure why Topps decided it was more important to publish fielding stats at the expense RBI. It's just not right. And when you digest the box, your eyes are drawn to Tony Perez's line; it looks like he had 11 RBI, but that's where Topps decided putouts would be a better stat. Can't understand that. No boxscore I ever saw is laid out this way. Boo, Topps.

PHOTO PLAY: As a fan who loves second-base action photography, this is simply an awesome shot, and the fact the photographer got the relay to first is everything you'd want in a baseball image. And I dig the shadows at first base. ... The photographer must've taken this photo on an elevated platform of some sort or the stands to get this angle. ... However, you could say Topps f'ed-up again here by not featuring Joe Rudi on the card. After all, he homered and made a game-saving catch against the left-field wall on a Denis Menke drive in the ninth in the A's' 2-1 victory. Now a card photo of that catch would've been perfect, but I still can't gripe. Yay, Topps.

EXTRA, EXTRA: For those scoring at home, the play occurred in the bottom of the sixth inning, with the Reds down 2-0. Johnny Bench led off with a walk off Catfish Hunter. Tony Perez then grounded to third baseman Sal Bando, who forced Bench at second. Dick Green's throw to Mike Hegan was late, as you could probably guess. Looks like Bench took out Green pretty good. ... Played at Riverfront Stadium, Game 2 is notable for another reason: Jackie Robinson made his final public appearance, throwing out the first pitch; he would die nine days later of a heart attack. He made a brief speech, expressing hope a black manager someday would be hired. Frank Robinson would do what Robinson did 28 years earlier, breaking the (managerial) color barrier with Cleveland in '75. ... The A's would defeat the Reds in seven games and win their first World Series in 42 years. Of course, this was the beginning of a dynasty, with them winning the next two years. ... This Series is memorable for me because I vividly remember yapping about it with my Little League teammates the next spring. We tried to recreate Rudi's catch in practice and marveled at Tenace's Game 1 homers. What I wanted to recreate and discuss more was another play, this one from Game 3. I took great joy ribbing the numerous Reds fans about Bench being struck out on a trick play. With a runner on second in the eighth, the A's up by a run and a full count, Tenace signaled for an intentional walk only to at the last minute crouch back behind the dish, which Rollie Fingers painted with a fastball on the corner for strike three. Even now, I smile recalling it.

1982 TOPPS REGGIE SMITH

2012-04-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

WHAT A BASEBALL CARD SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

THESE PEA SOUP BACKS KILL MY APPETITE.

THE FRONT PAGE: Awesome card of an underrated ballplayer. Smith was a seven-time All-Star who hit 314 homers, including six in 73 World Series at-bats. He ranks fourth all-time in home runs by a "switcher.''

THE BACK PAGE: Topps came up a little short under Smith's batting record. I'm assuming it forgot the stat blurb that's on a lot of the other '82 cards. Too bad. Smith certainly had a lot of numbers to choose from.

PHOTO PLAY: Where to begin? The blue Vero Beach sky is perfect. The autograph is artsy. You have a background of players in spring training. And I don't think it was an accident Reggie turned the barrel of the bat to get the Louisville Slugger logo in the frame. This card's a hit. No, it's a home run.

EXTRA, EXTRA: In 8,050 career plate appearances, Smith had an on-base average plus slugging percentage (a sabermetric measurement of batting production) of 137, which equates to him being 37 percent better than his league's averages. His lifetime on-base percentage was .366, and his slugging percentage .489. Only one switch-hitter in history ranks higher in OPS+, Mickey Mantle. ... Smith was a lifetime .287 hitter and finished with 1,092 RBI. ... Had an outstanding arm and in '70 had 15 outfield assists. ... Reggie was the unwitting subject of the famous '78 clubhouse scuffle between Steve Garvey and Don Sutton, who said, among other things, Smith was more valuable to the Dodgers than Garvey. By the way, Garvey's OPS+ was 116. ... '82 was Smith's final year in the majors, and he spent it with the Giants, hitting .284 with 18 HRs and 56 RBI. He played his final two years in Japan. ... Played his first seven full seasons in Boston, which back in the day was not the most friendliest of cities to black players. Despite this, he hit 149 HRs and drove in 536. ... He was traded in October 1973 to the Cardinals along with Ken Tatum for Bernie Carbo and Rick Wise. In June 1976, he landed with the Dodgers in a trade involving Joe Ferguson and two others. ... Worked as a technical consultant on Billy Crystal's movie 61 about the '61 home run record chase between Roger Maris and Mantle. ... Smith played at least 70 games in 13 seasons and each team finished with a winning record and he played in four World Series, winning in '81 with L.A. ... Currently operates Reggie Smith Baseball Centers in Encino, Calif., which provides individual and group instruction for players of all ages and skill levels.

AUTOGRAPH MEMORIES: JOE DiMAGGIO

2012-04-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING AUTOGRAPHS AROUND.

I got Joe DiMaggio's autograph at a 1989 charity golf tournament in Tampa. On that beautiful March morning, I also got Tampa native and fellow Hall of Famer Al Lopez.

But I had come for DiMaggio. To me, he was Gordon Gekko and I Bud Fox, determined to bag the elephant. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch Wall Street.

Anyway, after snagging Lopez on the putting green, I saw two other autograph seekers scurrying near the clubhouse door that led to a covered porch right in front of the putting green. The door opens. It's DiMaggio looking solemn but dapper and carrying golf shoes. He sat down on a bench and proceeded to slowly put on his spikes, making sure they were tied just so.

As the two approached, I got behind them. When DiMaggio was done fussing with his shoes, one asked if he had time to sign. DiMaggio looked past him and the other guy and sternly at me.

"Anyone gets behind you, tell them I'm not signing anymore.''

Great. He picks me to be his autograph bouncer. Maybe his three-autograph limit at golf tournaments was a universally known DiMaggio fact because nobody else joined us.

So he proceeded to sign for the three of us. For the first two, he asked who to make the autograph out to. Hmm, I thought, I hope he doesn't ask me. I want a single-signed non-personalized ball.

My turn.

"Who do you want this made out to?''

I almost chickened out but held my ground.

"Could you just sign your name?''

He shot daggers at me, an icy stare I can still remember and compare to a teacher who caught you cheating. I didn't say anything more and neither did he. I was pretty sure I'd blown the chance to get an American icon's autograph -- and send him pissed off to the first tee to boot. However, he looked down at the ball and reluctantly signed on the sweet spot.

I'm not sure my heart ever pounded as hard as it did then. I mean, this was The Yankee Clipper, the man who hit in 56 consecutive games, swatted 361 homers but struck out only 369 times and got it on with the most famous sex symbol of all time. He also allegedly was one of the world's worst tippers, tossing nickels around like manhole covers, but nobody's perfect.

I wish he would've been a little less curt, but it was still cool to be in his presence and get him to do something he didn't want to do, which pretty much never happened, from what I've read. My wife and I also got him at the '90 tournament (on a book and a lithograph); that time he signed from his golf cart and seemed in a slightly better mood. Maybe he liked his foursome better.

Funny how he wanted to personalize autographs; yet, he was probably one of the most distant human beings ever. I know. He didn't want schleps making money off his signature. Well, mine's not for sale.

To Joe DiMaggio: Thanks. Sincerely, Dean Yobbi.

STUCK ON STICKERS

2012-04-15T20:18:00.000-04:00

COVER BOY PETE'S FINEST MOMENT.

I was always better at collecting than applying stickers. Going back to the era of Have a Nice Day smiley faces, Harley-Davidson No. 1 logos and Wacky Packages, I never could get them on straight. Or they wouldn't stick right. Or they'd have air bubbles or a crease. Then I'd end up peeling them in frustration.

Despite this handicap -- which goes hand in hand with not being able to draw a straight line, color inside the borders or create anything remotely cool with an Etch A Sketch -- I bought an '86 Topps Baseball Sticker Yearbook a long time ago with the thought of filling the album. Of course, I never did, thinking drawing Winky would've been easier.

Until now.

THIS YEARBOOK IS LIKE CRACK FOR STAT GEEKS LIKE ME.

THOUGHT ABOUT LEAVING A BIG SPACE IN BETWEEN THE ROSE STICKER HALVES
AS A HOMAGE TO TERRANCE AND PHILLIP.

I dug out that album and actually found the stickers. For the past week I've been immersed in this sports-card scrapbook project, doing my best to get them in the album right side up. I'll tell you, this is a lot of work. No wonder I put this off for 25 years. I wouldn't have had the patience back when and probably would've stuck the whole thing in the garbage.

I'M THE CLOSET TO FINISHING OFF THE EXPOS PAGE.

How I passed kindergarten arts and crafts I'll never know. This much is certain: I'm a lot better filling nine-pocket pages with picture cards.

On the one hand, it's good these stickers aren't too sticky; this allows third and fourth tries at centering but bad because they don't stay stuck when finally aligned. When I flip the pages, these stickers are flapping open. I've been stacking heavy objects in hopes of a permanent bond. Wacko Glue might be the next option.

AND THE FARTHEST FROM THE INDIANS'.

WHAT, NO DENKINGER STICKER?

Then there's the issue of separating sticker from backing. This exercise proves my vision sucks just like the alphabet chart at the eye doctor does. And I haven't even mentioned that some of the stickers, especially the oval ones, aren't cut cleanly and they tend to rip. Bottom line, I haven't dropped this many f-bombs since I last rammed my toe into the bedroom nightstand in the middle of the night.

PRETTY CLOSE TO FINISHING OFF THE (NOT REALLY) FUTURE STARS.

Despite the hardship, the album is pretty cool and has a lot of stats and a thorough recap of the '85 season. I might even put up a sticker want list; although, I doubt anyone collects these things. But if anyone does, I have doubles, not to mention double-vision since starting this project.

FINAL TEAM-BY-TEAM STATS LIKE ALL THE NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED.

THE BACK COVER, AND IT'S DAMN COOL.

SAID PETE ROSE

2012-04-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

NO. 1: A TRIPLE OFF PIRATES' BOB FRIEND.

In honor of the 49th anniversary of Pete Rose's first hit in the majors, a sampling of his best quotes, courtesy of Baseball Almanc:

"I'D WALK THROUGH HELL IN A GASOLINE SUIT
TO PLAY BASEBALL.''

"DOCTORS TELL ME I HAVE THE BODY OF A 30-YEAR-OLD. I KNOW I HAVE THE BRAIN OF A 15-YEAR-OLD. IF YOU'VE GOT BOTH, YOU CAN PLAY BASEBALL.''

NO. 2,000: A SINGLE OFF GIANTS' CHARLIE WILLIAMS.

Don Gullett "is the only guy who can throw a baseball through a car wash and not get the ball wet.''

"How can anyone as slow as you (Tony Perez) pull a muscle?''

"I'm just like everybody else. I have two arms, two legs and 4,000 hits.''

"I told him (Pete Rose Jr.) who to watch. I said if you want to be a catcher, watch Johnny Bench. If you want to be a right-handed power hitter, watch Mike Schmidt. If you just want to be a hitter, watch me.''

NO. 3,000: A SINGLE OFF EXPOS' STEVE ROGERS.
"People say I don't have great tools. They say that I can't throw like Ellis Valentine or run like Tim Raines or hit with power like Mike Schmidt. Who can? I make up for it in other ways, by putting out a little bit more. That's my theory, to go through life hustling. In the big leagues, hustle usually means being in the right place at the right time. It means backing up a base. It means backing up your teammate. It means that headfirst slide. It means doing everything you can do to win a baseball game.''

"Playing baseball for a living is like having a license to steal.''

NO. 3,631 (FOR NL RECORD):
SINGLE OF CARDINALS' MARK LITTELL.

"sliding headfirst is the safest way to get to the next base, i think the fastest. you don't lose your momentum, and there's one more important reason i slide headfirst: it gets my picture in the paper.''

"The greatest competitor was Bob Gibson. He worked so fast out there and he always had the hood up. He always wanted to close his own deal. He never talked to you because he was battling so hard. I sure as hell don't miss batting against him, but I miss him in the game.''

NO. 4,000: DOUBLE OFF PHILLIES' JERRY KOOSMAN.

"The manager of a team is like a stagecoach: He can't move unless he has the horses.''

"There's an old saying, 'Money can't buy happiness.' If it could, I would buy myself four hits every game.''

"When I get the record, all it will make me is the player with the most hits. I'm also the player with the most at-bats and the most outs. I never said I was a greater player than (Ty) Cobb.''

NO. 4,192 (FOR ALL-TIME RECORD):
SINGLE OFF PADRES' ERIC SHOW.

"With the money I'm making, I should be playing two positions.''

I'll leave you with this final quote, not by Rose, but by former President Bill Clinton, who speaks for me about Rose and his current predicament:

"I think just about everybody ought to get a second chance, and I'd like to see it worked out, because he brought a lot of joy to the game, and he gave a lot of joy to people, and he's paid a price.''

NO. 4,256 (FINAL HIT):
SINGLE OFF GIANTS' GREG MINTON.

DISCOUNT HALL OF FAMERS

2012-04-11T08:56:00.000-04:00

THE RED AND GRAY WORK WELL ON THIS CARD.

HO, HUM, ANOTHER SEAVER.

I make time to go through J&J Timeout Sports Cards bargain boxes at every month's show. John Bucci is a fair grader and gives deep discounts to vintage cards with minor flaws. He didn't disappoint Saturday.

In addition to picking up the '73s from John discussed previously, I couldn't pass these four for $36.

Never a fan of the '70 set, I think I now have a grand total of three, including the Carew. It is beginning to grow on me and a stab at building it might be on the horizon.

The other three will be added to my very preliminary '71 and '72 set-building inventory.

HE WAS AMAZIN.

A TRUE "IN ACTION'' '72.

'73 UPDATE 4

2012-04-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

I REMEMBER THOSE SPALDING GLOVES.

I picked up 13 high-numbered cards at Saturday's show, addressing a major void.

Of the 13, seven were commons from the final series. I also picked up two lower-numbered cards, No. 258 Tommy John and No. 350 Tom Seaver, one of the last few stars I need; both also finished pages, something that gives me a little thrill. One of the commons also finished another page. I'm on a roll.

THOSE OLD-SCHOOL RANGER UNIS
COMBINED WITH SATINY WINDBREAKER
EQUALS COOL.

I also nabbed six from the fourth series. If you're keeping score at home, I have 82 percent of the set. I'm missing 30 from the fourth and 71 from the fifth. The biggest star I'm searching for is No. 220 Nolan Ryan.

ONE YEAR BEFORE A CERTAIN SURGICAL PROCEDURE.

My usual connection wasn't there this month, so I figured I'd be shut out. Another dealer whom I've gotten a lot of bargain star cards from had a box of nice '73 commons, along with the John and Seaver. I'm planning on making a major push to dent this set next month.

THOSE SIDEBURNS ARE OUT OF SIGHT.

STROM'S MISSING LOGO WAS THE METS SCRIPT.

THAT LITTLE DUDE ON THE RIGHT IS A BRAVES TEAM CARD REGULAR.

THERE USED TO BE A THEME PARK

2012-04-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

THIS 33-CARD SET WAS CALLED TOP RUN MAKERS AND FEATURED A GLOSSY FRONT.

It opened in 1987, right at the time I rediscovered baseball. It was the closest thing to heaven, I thought, coming two years before Field of Dreams trademarked "Is this heaven?''

Boardwalk and Baseball was the greatest theme park of all time. Its calling card was baseball, live baseball 365 days a year. Upon opening, it promised to feature a game every day of year. It later became easier to meet that quota when the Royals moved their spring training and Florida State League and Gulf Coast Rookie League teams there.

SUITABLE FOR DRINKING OUT OF
OR HOLDING FLOWERS.

Located about an hour east of Tampa in Davenport, near Haines City, B/B was given its own dateline: Baseball City. How appropriate. Along with rides, it featured restaurants, batting cages and my favorite attraction: A Taste of Cooperstown, which consisted of more than a 100 artifacts on loan from the Hall of Fame. It also ran the 30-minute video The Eternal Game on a loop. I loved that video and ended up buying it.

There was a lot of other crap to buy, too. In addition to the video, I got a couple B/B card sets, mugs and especially Orioles jerseys and caps. At Baseball City Stadium, there was a shop that had every team's authentic team jersey and cap and a lot of batting practice jerseys, too.

THESE WERE PRODUCED IN VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES.

I saw plenty of spring training games. It's where I saw Bo Jackson do his spring thing early in his career. I saw George Brett during the latter part of his career. And I saw Bret Saberhagen in his prime, thinking this guy's headed to the Hall.

ESPN taped a quiz show there, and early in '87 I was sent by my paper to cover an American Legion tournament. That was one of the best assignments I ever had. For a couple years, Pizza Hut sponsored a charity softball game at Baseball City Stadium right before spring training started. Many of the game's biggest stars participated. I got Brooks Robinson's autograph for the first time before one of those games. I also saw Kirby Puckett slam a softball more than 350 feet. When rounding third, a few of his awestruck teammates came out of the dugout, lifted him on their shoulders and carried him across home plate.

Oh, the memories of B/B.

THIS 44-CARD SET WAS CALLED ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS
AND FEATURED A LOT OF THE OLD-TIMERS.

Unfortunately, not enough people shared my love. It closed in 1990, with industry experts saying it was victimized by bad management. It's all torn down now. Never a theme park fan, I felt they took away my theme park. Well, they can't take away the memories. When I look at those card sets or pop in the VHS tape, the park always comes alive again.

Joe Raposo wrote the song There Used to be a Ballpark that Frank Sinatra recorded. It's a fitting tribute to Boardwalk and Baseball:

Oh, there used to be a ball park

where the field was warm and green,

and the people played a crazy game

with a joy I've never seen.

And the air was filled with wonder

from the hot dogs and the beer.

Yes, there used to be a ball park

right here.

And the people ate rock candy

on a great big 4th of July,

and the fireworks exploded

all across the summer sky.

How the people watched with wonder,

how they laughed and how they cheered.

Yes, there used to be a ball park

right here.

Now the children try to find it,

and they can't believe their eyes.

For the old team isn't playing,

and the new team hardly tries

And the sky has gotten cloudy

when it used to be so clear,

and the summer went so quickly

this year.

Yes, there used to be a ball park

right here.