Cubbies of My Youth -- Hall of Fame Relics

Opinions vary about relic cards.  Like in all aspects of our hobby you should collect whatever you enjoy.  I have a box of over 200 relics, predominantly of baseball players.  I accumulated most of them in the early years of my return to collecting in the early 2010's.  Here are my favorites from the four Cubs Hall of Fame members who played together in the 1960's.

If I were going to build a relic set I'd probably start with this one.  What's not to like?  I love this one for the early photo, though it's from a year earlier than the award.  Also it has an unusual relic.  How many dugout jacket pieces to you see.

 Here's another with a great early photo.  What I always like to see is a flannel swatch.  At least I can imagine it wasn't worn during an old-timers game.

 Another nice photo.  Notice that the card in the background matches the year of the award.  Excellent!

 Not sure when this one was worn but it's big and is one of only 10.

 This card would be good even without the relic.  Wish I had that bat Ron's holding.  

A bonus dual relic.  Could have made this a triple relic card.  Billy Williams also reached 1,250 RBI.  Ernie is first but Williams had more than Santo.  All three have their devoted fans.  I'm a Santo guy.  I think I have in the neighborhood of 30 of his relic cards.

Here are all the backs.

Autographed Cards A-Z Irvin to Jenkins

When I got back into collecting five or so years ago one of the things that excited me was the availability of autographed cards.  Perhaps I went a little overboard but I think I picked up some nice cards.  This will be an A-Z series of posts with varying numbers of cards.

Hall of Famer Monte Irvin on my favorite set.  Monte was the fourth player to break the color barrier when he debuted for the New York Giants on July 8, 1949.

 2005 UD Signature Decades #SDS-MI

I collect autographs from the 1964-1968 era Cardinals.  Julian hit .360 in the 1967 World Series.

 2004 UD Timeless Teams #19

Here are a handful of Fergie cards.  He was of course a beloved member of the 1969 Cubs.  The Hall of Famer won 20 or more games in 7 of 8 years between 1967 and 1974, including six in a row for the Cubs.

 2005 UD Signature Decades #SD-FJ 19/50

2000 Fleer Greats of the Game

 2002 Topps Archives Reserves Reprint #TRA-FJ

2006 UD SP Legendary Cuts #PH-FJ

Do It Yourself COMC Pack #27/35 Topps Gallery

I recently had 8 months worth of Check Out My Cards purchases shipped.  I divided the 153 cards into 35 groups.  I like to think of these as hand picked "packs".   I'm posting them in random order.  "Pack" #27, 4 cards, was $1.46 including shipping.

These are the thick, shiny, "chromish" artist proof versions of the 2003 Topps Gallery cards.

These first two are by the same artist who I think did a great job.

Blow Out the Candles December 13

The first African-American to play in the American League, Larry Doby, was born in Camden, South Carolina on this date in 1923

1958 Topps #424

Doby was a 7 time All-Star with the Cleveland Indians and hit .318 in the 1948 World Series, which the Indians won in 6 games vs. the Boston Braves.

Happy 69th birthday to Cubs great  and Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins.

1973 Topps #180

 Fergie is definitely #1 on my list when I think of great Cubs pitchers. Jenkins, who finished his career with 284 wins was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991. His #31 jersey was retired by the Cubs in 2009 along with fellow #31 Greg Maddux.

Former Blackhawk Doug Mohns turns 78 today.

1994 Parkhurst Tall Boys #27

 The pride of Capreol, Ontario, Doug was a seven time All-Star in his 22 year NHL career.

In Chicago, Mohns was part of the Scooter line along with Hawks greats Stan Mikita and Ken Wharram.

Actor/comedian Dick Van Dyke is celebrating his 86th birthday today.

I've always been a Dick Van Dyke fan.  Look at the guy.  He's still going strong at 86!  I read his new book this summer.  There's nothing startling in it but it's a fun read.

Actress Kathy Garver turns 66 today. Kathy played older sister, Sissy, on the 1960's sitcom, Family Affair with Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot.

Kathy in 2008