I've Got the Willies

First Willie that comes to mind?  Gotta be The Say Hey Kid. 

1967 Topps #200 Willie Mays

1960 Topps #316 Willie McCovey

1971 Topps #230 Willie Stargell

1968 Topps #208 Willie Davis

1968 Topps #360 Willie Horton

1984 Topps #310 Willie McGee

1985 O-Pee-Chee #6 Willie Wilson

1988 Donruss #108 Willie Randolph

1994 American Archives Origins of Baseball #81 Willie Keeler 

2008 Upper Deck Hockey Masterpieces #73 Willie O'Ree

1971 Topps Football #114 Willie Lanier

There are two more notable Willies that I don't have cards of, Willie Davis and Willie Wood. Both men played for the Green Bay Packers and both are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Where Have All the Willies Gone?

As far as I can tell there's only one player currently in the major leagues with the name, Willie --- Willie Bloomquist of the Seattle Mariners.  Back in the day there were more, including some of the all-time greats.  Here are eight from my collection:

 

 

 

Do It Yourself COMC Packs #34/35 Goodwin Champions Old-Timers

Just three more packs to go in this LOOOONG series.

I (not so recently now) 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" #35, 4 cards, was $1.07 including shipping.

Can't get too much of the old-timers, especially ones that don't show up in every set.  These are from 2011 UD Goodwin Champions.

Blow Out the Candles March 3

John Montgomery Ward was born in Bellefonte, Pa on this date in 1860.

 1994 UD Baseball The American Epic #10

(not mine)

(also not mine, damn!)

From the Baseball Hall of Fame

Played For:
Providence Grays (1878-1882), New York Gothams or Giants (1883-1889, 1893-1894), Brooklyn Ward's Wonders (1890), Brooklyn Grooms (1891-1892)
Elected to the Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee: 1964

Biography:

John Ward excelled as both a star pitcher and top-flight shortstop during his 17-year Major League career. In 1879, he led Providence to the pennant with a league-leading 46 victories, and in 1880 authored the second perfect game in big league history. As the star shortstop for the New York Giants, Ward helped the club capture its first two pennants in 1888 and '89. A staunch opponent of the reserve clause, Ward organized the Players' Brotherhood (baseball's first union) and formed the short-lived Players League in 1890.

Did You Know:
that on Aug. 17, 1882, John Ward pitched an 18-inning, complete-game shutout, the longest shutout by one pitcher in big league history?

"No player before or after his day on the diamond ever did more to bring the sport to its present high standing and popularity. He was considered the model ballplayer of the century."
Sam Crane, NY Journal

"Wee Willie" Keeler was born in Brooklyn, NY on this date in 1872.

 1983 Cramer Baseball Legends #99

Wee Willie at bat in 1908

Willie's motto was "hit'em where they ain't".   He did-- 2,932 times in 19 years.

Keeler bunting

Actress Jean Harlow "the Blonde Bombshell" was born in Kansas City, Missouri on this date in 1911.

In "Public Enemy" 1931

Harlow and Cagney