Baseball Card Blogs

Buying Coffey with a Penny in Japan While Waiting for the Caravan

Ernest Reyes — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Considering how poorly the Dodgers relief staff did last season, it should not come as a surprise that they continue to add depth. On Friday it was announced that the team signed Todd Coffey. He was good out of the pen last year with Washington and figures on providing some quality innings of middle relief. From the Dodgers press release:

The 31-year-old went 5-1 with a 3.62 ERA and limited opposing hitters to a .244 batting average in 69 games last season with Washington. Against right-handed hitters, Coffey posted a .193 opponents’ batting average with just a .250 on-base percentage and a .290 slugging percentage. He also limited first batters faced to a .175 mark (11-for-63) with 17 strikeouts last season.

(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images North America)

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In todays "whatever happened to that guy" report, we find out that former Dodger Brad Penny has just signed a 1 year contract to play for the Softbank Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League, via SI. Ken Rosenthal expands further and notes that it's a $4Mil deal plus $3.5Mil in performance bonuses. It is the largest largest contract given by a Japanese team to an American pitcher on their first contract with them.

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(Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers)

The Dodgers 2012 Community Caravan will happen this coming week. They'll be visiting hospitals, schools, and various community non-profits on Tuesday and Wednesday. Unfortunately, nearly all of the events are not open to the public except for one. On Tuesday, February 7th, the team will dine at an unannounced location from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Via the Dodgers Press Release:

The Dodgers will lunch in South Los Angeles at a location that will be unveiled via the Dodgers’ Twitter @dodgers at 12:30 p.m.

So, if you are lucky enough to be nearby and can make it out to meet some Dodgers be sure to check out their twitter account. The following folks are expected to be on the bus:

Day one of the Dodgers’ Community Caravan will feature Dodgers Dee Gordon, Tony Gwynn, Kenley Jansen, Adam Kennedy, Josh Lindblom and Ramon Troncoso. Dodger Alumni Tommy Davis, Al Ferrara, Shawn Green and Dennis Powell and Dodger broadcaster Eric Collins.

Superb Owl Sunday

Mark's Ephemera — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:12:00 +0000

Yes, kids, it is Superb Owl Sunday. Aside from our blogging friend, Greg, I don't know too many superb owls.

at Sir Goony's in Knoxville

Caroline at JoAnn Fabric and Craft store

Caroline at a friend's birthday party, yesterday

Okay, since it is a day to celebrate the end of the football season, here are some quick pics of an older computerized football game. It was made by EDC Corp, probably from the early 1970s. It looks like a thrill a minute.

found at the Antique and Collectibles shop in south KnoxVegas

$20

And now on to the cards. I found that I had a few packs of 1991 Fleer Football. I opened just one.

1991 Fleer Football
Ed Reynolds (card # 143)

1991 Fleer Football
Phil Simms (card # 318)

The packaging was actually wax. Since some of you get a thrill from seeing wrappers, here you go.

Mmmm. Waxy.

We're all sick at our house. Except Caroline. We've cancelled our plans to attend a Super Bowl Party with friends. We'll lounge around, ignore the halftime show and root for the Giants.

Happy Superb Owl Sunday.

2012 Topps Editing Fail

****** — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:06:00 +0000

Maybe someone else already posted about this (I'm not as wired in as I used to be) but check out the stats of, say, Dustin Ackley, Jason Kipnis, Jose Bautista, or Billy Butler on the back of a 2012 Topps. The stat line up top reads" H 3B 3B HR" etc.

If you're keeping score at home, according to this rather lazy printing error, the 6'1", 240 lb. Butler has had 22+ 3B since he broke in, with a career high 51 in 2009. This, in fact, IS a sign of the Maya apocalypse. How could I not have noticed before?

Hank Aaron, The 1957 National League Most Valuable Player!!!

30-Year Old Cardboard — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:00:57 +0000

Hank Aaron, The 1957 National League Most Valuable Player!!!

Hank had a monster season by all accounts in 1957.

Not only did he help lead his team to the World Series championship, but he took his game to another level - an MVP level.

The numbers: 198 hits, .322 batting average, 27 doubles, 44 home runs (league leader), 118 runs scored (league leader), and 132 RBI (league leader). And as a 23-year youngster, he showed tremendous control at the plate – in 675 plate appearances, Hank struck out just 58 times, while walking 57 (15 intentionally).

Hank Aaron, Batting Champion.

30-Year Old Cardboard — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:00:30 +0000

Hank Aaron, Batting Champion.

Most baseball fans don’t confuse the term ‘slugger’ and ‘hitter’. Hank Aaron was a hitter, he just happened to hit the ball hard and long.

In fact, he was so good at the plate, that he won two batting crowns.

In his third year in the league, Hank Aaron won the 1956 batting title. During that season, Hank amassed 200 hits, good for a .328 batting average. Three seasons later, in 1959, he did it again – this time collecting 223 hits en route to a .355 average.

Atta Boy Hank!!!

How many ‘sluggers’ do you know that can claim a batting crown? Not very many, that is for sure!!!

Sunday Song.

Howard Bagby — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:27:00 +0000

Bill Belichick’s Legacy in the Hobby and the Game

Gellman — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:03:35 +0000

Today’s game has historical implications for a number of reasons, many of which are surrounding Tom Brady’s chance at becoming one of the winningest playoff QBs of all time. Only three people have won four Super Bowls, and Brady has a chance today to become the fourth with a win against the Giants. His coach, Bill Belichick is also on tap to become one of the most successful coaches of all time, and I think that there are not very many people who would argue with that.

Although Belichick has been known to take liberties with videotaping, and has been accused of being the devil incarnate, the results are the results. Its similarly surprising to believe that anything he has done does not have a single bit of effect on anything card related. In fact, he might be the most valuable signature for a coach not named Lombardi ever. He has been featured on a few cards here and there, and collectors pay through the nose to get his autographs.

Check out these astronomical prices:

2004 Playoff Prime Signatures Bill Belichick Auto /125

2004 Donruss Classics Bill Belichick/Bill Walsh Dual Auto

2004 Fleer Authentix Bill Belichick Auto /250

I think the inclusion of everyday head coach autographs SHOULD NEVER BE EXPLORED in a normal product. Belechick, or Bill Walsh for that matter, are not everyday head coaches. I just want to make both of these points clear, because I am sure that there are a lot of people reading who are screaming at me for even bringing this up out of fear of what could happen as a result. That being said, are there some coaches who should be used as fodder for an insert set? I definitely think so. Look at HOF coaches like Shula, and company, as well as guys like Parcells, Cowher and Jimmy Johnson. Hell, after today, Coughlin may need to be in that group.

On the other hand, coaches themselves do not need a bunch of cards. In the NFL, or any sport if you really think about it, head coaches are expendable. They are the first to go when things get bad, and that isnt even a question. So, without any major accomplishments like Belichick has and could add to, there is no reason to go around blowing up the market. There is a good reason why the autographs are worth what they are, but a flood would not be beneficial in the long term. It would be cool just to see one last hurrah, maybe in a set like base Topps and chrome or even Finest.

That is not a bad thing, especially if the card is Belechick in a hoodie in the blustering wind and snow.

Hank Aaron Was Named An All-Star Twenty-One Times!!!

30-Year Old Cardboard — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:00:36 +0000

Hank Aaron Was Named An All-Star Twenty-One Times!!!

No player has been selected as an All-Star more than Hank Aaron.

Not Ruth.

Not Mays.

Not Mantle.

Not Gehrig.

Not Ripken.

Hank Aaron stands alone and on top of the leader board with twenty-one All-Star game selections during his twenty-three season major league career.

Royals pitchers who clinched a post season Series: From Quisenberry to Saberhagen

Sully — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:11:00 +0000

It may seem like 3 lifetimes ago, but the Kansas City Royals were once a powerhouse.
From 1976 to 1985, they played in a post season series 7 out of 10 seasons (including the 1981 Divisional Playoff against the A's.)

6 out of those 10 years there were only 4 playoff teams all together. In other words they didn't take advantage of a Wild Card to get in.

Alas in the 26 seasons that followed, the Royals haven't played in another post season and have contended only once since the 1994 strike. In other words they have become the Pirates of the American League. Once mighty, now a farm team for the rest of baseball.

Now of course the team has a ton of young talent and if the small market Twins could turn things around and go on a playoff run, then anything is possible.

But as I continue my "Pitchers who clinched a post season series" I decided to check Kansas City off the list.

Why?
Because they've only won 3 playoff series in their history and I figured this would be a quick one to get out of the way.

Here are the pitchers, the game they pitched, and how was the last out recorded.

DAN QUISENBERRY
1980 American League Championship Series - Game 3
Royals 4, Yankees 2

October 10, 1980
At Yankee Stadium, New York

3 2/3 innings of relief Paul Splittorff for the win.
LAST OUT: Willie Randolph called out on strikes.

1985 American League Championship Series - Game 7
Royals 4, Blue Jays 2

2/3 innings of relief of Bret Saberhagen and Charlie Leibrandt.
LAST OUT: Lloyd Moseby grounds out to second baseman Frank White who threw to first baseman Steve Balboni for the out.

BRET SABERHAGEN
1985 World Series Game 7
Royals 11, Cardinals 0

October 27, 1985
At Royals (Kaufmann) Stadium, Kansas City

Complete Game 5 hit shutout.

LAST OUT: Andy Van Slyke flies out to right fielder Darryl Motley.

There you have it. The two pitchers who experienced that great post season moment for a once proud franchise.

To read the other entries, here's the one for the Phillies and the Red Sox.

It's been too long since a clincher, Royals.
I want to add Joakim Soria to this list.

Hank Aaron Is A 3-Time Gold Glove Winner

30-Year Old Cardboard — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:00:14 +0000

Hank Aaron Is A 3-Time Gold Glove Winner

Often overshadowed due to his lack of flare and desire to be in the spotlight, Hank Aaron was a very solid outfielder over the course of his career.

And from 1958-1960, he was celebrated as one of the best outfielders in the National League as we won three consecutive Gold Glove awards for defensive excellence.

In those three campaigns, Hank made 886 put-outs, had 37 assists, and committed just 11 errors.

Who knows, if it had not been for a spectacular right-fielder in Pittsburgh, Aaron may have won a few more of these…