1973 Topps Roberto Clemente

While I am more than happy to have a few of these cards in different conditions, this example makes me sad, and not because of the many pinholes.It was on this day, 36 years ago, that the baseball world lost one of its finest players.Clemente died on D…

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All that you need to know about Nolan Ryan in 1976 is what is written on the back of this card: ”Nolan hurled 4th no-hitter of career, 6-1-75. Fanned side on 9 pitches twice. Had 19 K’s in one game.”This is a nice card of a great pitcher in the prime …

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This card has all the makings of a poor old baseball card.There are plenty of creases, some staining and what even appears to be pencil marks. It even has a little glue on the back. Oh, and it’s off center.But what a great card to have.1961 was a banne…

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This is an interesting set from 1954 that featured Milwaukee Braves players.John Cooney was actually a coach for the Braves in 1954.These cards were distributed with packs of cookies and have a wax-like feel.Through a mail-in offer on the back of the c…

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Other than the 1980 Topps set, I have never really put together a complete baseball card set.That’s not to say that’s the only set I have in my collection. I have my share.But with the exception of 1980, I have never put together a set, one card at a t…

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Most remember Zimmer for his scuffle with Pedro Martinez in the 2003 American League Championship Series. But what some may not recall is that Zimmer played 12 years in the majors. He also managed for 12 seasons.He was an All Star as a player (1961) an…

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Fleer really did a nice job with their set in 1963. They produced a very attractive set with a clean and simple design.The back of this card reflects Tommy Davis’ excellent season of 1962.Davis finished third in the MVP voting, finishing the season as …

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I don’t know a whole lot about good ol’ “Spook” except that he went 4-for-4 in his Major League debut. He also apparently got into quite a fight after being beaned by future Hall-of-Fame manager Tommy Lasorda while both played in the Pacific Coast Lea…

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From the back of the card:”Brooks’ superb fielding & .429 Average earned him the vote as MVP of 1970 World Series. Always a tough clutch-hitter, he has led AL 3rd basemen in Games 8 years, Fielding 9 years & Assists 7 years.”On the one hand, th…

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If you’re going to get a checklist in your pack of cards, it may as well be one with a floating head of Giants superstar Willie Mays.What I like the most about this card is that it is used. Someone in 1967 took the time to look through their cards and …

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If it weren’t for that deep gash on the right side, this baseball card of Pee Wee Reese would be pretty nice.This card has 1950s written all over it. From the classic baggy Dodgers uniform to the rehearsed pose, it’s a classic.Reese, real name Harold, …

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With the Phillies winning Game 1 of the World Series last night, I feel obligated to post a card of a Phillie.So here’s one of my favorites: Mike Schmidt.As a kid, when I thought of the Phillies it was Schmidt that first came to mind.By reading the rev…

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What’s with the sad look on Maglie’s face?Maybe it’s because he’s pitching for a team outside his native state of New York.Maglie started his career with the New York Giants in 1945. He pitched in 13 games that year before going to the Mexican League f…

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Is it just me or does Hank Bauer look like another ex-Yankee? A former manager who moved on to skipper the Los Angeles Dodgers.Doesn’t he look like Joe Torre?For those of you who may be reading this blog for the first time, Dan Dees were distributed in…

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I think it’s about time these leader cards get some respect. For too long, collectors like me have treated these cards like they were not worth collecting. I used to think that unless the card was a regular-issue card, it wasn’t worth my while. Not any…

Continue reading about 1966 Topps ‘65 N.L. Batting Leaders »

I bet some of you didn’t know that Topps actually began producing baseball cards in 1948. This card is tiny, about the size of a postage stamp.My understanding is that when getting the card it was actually blank. After reading the clue on the back, yo…

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While deciding which card to post this morning, I thought it would be nice to include a Phillie, since the team advanced to the World Series last night.And while I had plenty to choose from, I found this old gem in a box of cards I need to sort.There’s…

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It’s too bad that when Topps decided on an action shot of Roberto Clemente, it would be one of him looking at a third strike. At least that’s what this card appears to show. While I don’t remember collecting cards in 1972, I’ve often wondered what kids…

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This is the first Babe Ruth baseball card I ever got.As a kid, I remember reading an article in a baseball card magazine about all the cards made of Ruth spanning decades. And while I knew I couldn’t afford a 1933 Goudey, the article mentioned a few st…

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So I was looking through the bargain box at the local baseball card shop a few months back and saw this beautiful Bowman card of Granny Hamner.First, I must admit, I had no idea who this Hamner fella was. But, come on, how could I resist a card of a gu…

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As a child growing up in San Diego, it was rare to get a Padres game on regular television. With the exception of that weekly game of the week on Saturday, it was rare to be able to tune into any baseball game.Except for KTTV Channel 11 from Los Angele…

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This is another old tobacco card from the early 1900s, except this issue was of teams only. Sixteen teams were released, eight National League, and eight American League.If you look close enough you will see photos of three significant players for the …

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Those of you who visit this blog regularly may have noticed that I try and post a variety of classic cards from 1952 Topps, to vintage Bowman, to Goudeys, to early tobacco and gum cards. I’ve even posted some not-so-familiar cards like Dan Dee and Red …

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Whenever I think of Willie Mays, this is the vision I see. Not today’s Willie Mays, but a young Mays who was at his peak.Growing up, I was a baseball numbers geek. And while I memorized the baseball history book, I was more than impressed with Willie M…

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I got my first 1933 Goudey in the early-1980s. It was of Phil Collins.Not the “Sussudio” guy. This Phil Collins was a pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies.To me the card was old. I was amazed that, at the time, I owned a baseball card that was 50 yea…

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Boy, does that uniform bring back old memories.I don’t remember watching Oscar play in old San Diego Stadium (I’m sure I did see him but I was only nine years-old at the time) but I do remember the likes of Ozzie Smith and Dave Winfield wearing the old…

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When I got this card years ago I first thought, hey it’s a 1952 Topps. Then I thought, hey it’s autographed.But who is Gus Niarhos?Does it really matter?I often wonder if the signature is authentic. But then I catch myself and ask: Who would fake Gus N…

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