Out of This World Series

Back in the 1970's I picked up this 1965 World Series program:

Is this a great cover or what?!!  It was created by 5 time Pulitzer Award nominee Karl Hubenthal.  

Here are a few highlights from inside:

The Rat Pack and then some.  Vegas, baby!

Card of the Day

The Card of the Day is this 2006-07 UD Basketball,  Primoz Brezec.

#19

I don't know much about Mr. Brezec but this is an awesome looking card.

Santo Saturdays

Last week I posted a recent vintage pickup for my Ron Santo collection.  This week I have a modern card.  I think it's my first jumbo relic of any kind.  It's a nice card on it's own but it's a bonus that it's serial #'ed 6/10.

2008 UD Ultimate Collection #UJ-RS

Nolan Ryan -- Did I Get the Right Play?

I'm on a bit of a Nolan Ryan kick right now since they show him about ten times a game.

Here's Bud Harrelson's 1971 Topps card #355:

This is the first time I've attempted to identify a specific play on a card.  My guess is that it is from a 4-3 Mets victory over the Astros on May 30, 1970.  I'm going to say that it's one out in the top of the eighth inning and the runner sliding into second is Jim Wynn.  He's just about to be called safe by umpire Ken Burkhart.  Nolan Ryan is #30 watching the play.  Wynn will score on a single giving the Astros a 3-1 lead but the Mets will stage a 3 run rally in the bottom half of the inning and hold on for the win.  

Can anyone tell me how I did?  Was I even close?  

1981 Topps Team Cards -- Not Like the Rest

Team cards are pretty much all the same but in browsing through the 1981 Topps cards I noticed that the Oakland A's stood out:

At first I thought the players were just randomly wearing jersey variations but a closer look reveals the alternation of colors with five whites (we're still talking jerseys) in the middle.

This got me wondering if there were other teams that were out of the ordinary.  I found these six:

The four sets of crossed bats add interest to this otherwise standard team photo.  

Two additional thoughts:  

Did two guys miss the shoot cause there's space on left side of the bench.

Who the hell is John Goryl?

The infamous Cubs floating heads team picture.

What's with the indoor setup?  Is this a hockey team?

The Phillies decided to dress casual.

The Padres took a field trip to the bay for their portrait.  Nice.

The Giants all standing picture was apparently taken by a real giant.

Go Rangers! -- First Team Card?

I don't hate the Giants and it won't kill me if they win but I am pulling for the Rangers to win their first World Series.

Here is the first Rangers team card --- or is it?  Those don't look like Rangers to me.  It's the Washington Senators, the same photo that appeared on the 1971 team card.

1972 Topps #668

So is this the Rangers first team card?

 1973 Topps #7

1969-70 Topps Basketball

I've accumulated some basketball cards over the years in box lots but I haven't bought an actual pack since the Nixon administration.  I'm assuming I bought two packs in 1969 since I have a total of 18 cards from the 1969-70 set.  In honor of the opening of the NBA season here are a few of the best.

The quality control on these was terrible, as you can see.  The cards were only ten cents a pack but back then you could get a steak dinner for a buck and a half so that's no excuse.

1988 Topps

Night Owl posted recently about how a card design can enhance or interfere with the photo on the card.  I thought of his post when I saw these 1988 Topps cards.  These cards let the photo have top billing, even if it means partially obscuring the team name.  The tables are turned when the player's own name covers the photo but since it's in the bottom right it has less of an effect.

These cards have orange backs.  I'm not a big fan of orange in general.  I get enough of it at Halloween.

The Arizona Diamondbacks manager.

Tommy makes the best manager cards.

What team is that, Jim?

Give me some cards from the 80's and 90's and I'll always get a Steve Buechele.

"I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller.."

MLB debut April 23, 1982  

Last MLB appearance September 17, 2007

Rags!

Jo-dee, Jo-dee Davis!

There were some really nice airbrush jobs in this set:

Card of the Day

Today's Card of the Day is Topps #508 from 1970.

I like good photography and I like baseball cards. One out of two ain't bad.

Santo Saturdays

My only serious player collection is of my all-time favorite, Ron Santo.  I've never catalogued the cards I have (maybe I should) but I know I have most of the original issues.  Recently I added a missing one from 1963.

This card is from a 64 card set issued by the Exhibit Supply Co.of Chicago.  The unnumbered black & white cards measure 3 3/8" x 5 3/8" and are on a relatively thick cardboard stock.

Congratulations to Nolan and the Rangers!

Congratulations to Nolan Ryan, the Rangers and all their fans.

2000  UD Legendary Signatures #S-NR

This is one of my all-time favorite autographed cards.

Seems appropriate to show it tonight.

Card of the Day -- Whoa, Nellie!

Today's Card of the Day is another from my first COMC purchase.

1966 Topps #243

Paid $1.30

The red and yellow color scheme goes brilliantly with the Cardinals.

Love the cartoon here and the info, "Watch him baffle the hitters this year."

I don't know if the Cardinals hitters just failed to support him, his ERA was 3.21, but Nellie finished 1966 with a poor 4-15 record.  He'd turn it around the following year reversing the win loss numbers, 14-5, and lowing his ERA to 2.43.  He'd also go on to win Game 3 of the World Series against the Red Sox.   He would pick up a second win and another ring  as a member of the Pirates in 1971.

Hall of Fame Teammates 17

My First Cards suggested this Yankees trio from 1981, the only year that Reggie and Dave played together.

1981 Topps #400

HOF Class of 1993

1981 Topps #855 

(this card was in the Topps Traded set)

HOF Class of 2001

1981 Topps #460

HOF Class of 2008

Sorry Ryno!

The Cubs took a pass on Ryne Sandberg and gave Mike Quade a two year contract to manage the Cubs.
Cubs fans seem pretty divided on the decision.  I like Quade.  He seems to have the backing of the team and they certainly responded well to his leadership, winning 24 of 37 to end the season.  I can't wait till April. A Cubs fan's hope springs eternal.

Hall of Fame Teammates 16

These two Phillies were teammates from 1972 to 1986.

1982 Topps #480

HOF Class of 1994

1982 Topps #100

Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Too bad Pete's not in the Hall.  He played with them for five of those seasons.  Bud let him participate in Cincinnati this season so I'm going to include him here.

1982 Topps #780

BANNED

Who are you favorite Hall of Fame teammates?

Card of the Day -- Vito!

Here's another card from my first COMC purchase.  Yes, I wanted this card because of his name.  Vito is one of four players to come out of Iona College in New York.  The most successful was Dennis Leonard who spent 12 years with the KC Royals and won 144 games, second all-time behind Paul Splittorff's 166.

1959 Topps #44

Paid $0.87

Dennis Leonard

Paul Splittorff