tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58177845187192413082024-03-13T05:31:39.453-05:001973 Topps Baseball Set BuilderTonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-6268858772317556762014-04-06T17:06:00.002-05:002014-04-06T17:06:37.047-05:00484 - Ernie McAnally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Player</b><br />Ernie McAnally pitched in four Major League seasons with the Montreal Expos from 1971 to 1974. McAnally was drafted originally by the New York Mets in 1966, but he was selected later by the Expos in the expansion draft in 1968.<div>
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McAnally was in the Expos' starting rotation for his four seasons. His rookie season proved to be his finest with career highs in wins (11), innings pitched (177.2), and complete games (8).</div>
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In 1975, McAnally's contract was purchased by the Cleveland Indians. He spent the season in the minor leagues before retiring from the game.</div>
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<br /><b>About This Card</b><br />Just as the Topps cartoon states, McAnally, just like many other Major League Baseball players at the time, had jobs during the off-season.<div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-52010415816370543382014-04-05T21:54:00.001-05:002014-04-05T21:54:58.779-05:00222 - Rob Gardner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About This Player</b><br />Rob Gardner spent eight seasons in the Major Leagues bouncing around between six different teams. Originally signed out of high school by the Minnesota Twins in 1963, Gardner was selected by the New York Mets in the 1963 first-year draft. He made his big league debut in 1965 and spent two seasons with the Mets before being traded to the Chicago Cubs. He would later be traded throughout his career to the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and Oakland A's before playing his last game for the Milwaukee Brewers.<div>
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Gardner does hold a distinction for being traded for two of the three Alou brothers throughout this career. In 1971, Gardner was traded from the Yankees along with one other player to the A's for Felipe Alou. (Gardner was traded back to the Yankees two months later.) He would be traded again from the Yankees along with a player to be named later (who would be Rich McKinney) to the A's prior to the start of the 1973 season for Matty Alou.<br /><br /><b>About This Card</b><br />Just as Gardner had bounced around different Major League clubs, he also bounced around the minors. His Topps card states that we has pitched in 10 minor league cities. Gardner will have pitched for 12 different minor league clubs by the end of his professional career.</div>
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Gardner had only spent four games with the A's in 1971; hardly enough time for a photograph in an A's uniform.<br /><div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-33627848855670025442014-04-04T22:16:00.001-05:002014-04-04T22:16:55.709-05:00199 - Bert Blyleven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About This Player</b><br />Bert Blyleven pitched in 22 big league seasons with five different teams and two tenures with the Minnesota Twins for a total of 11 seasons. Though born in the Netherlands, Blyleven was raised in California. He was drafted by the Twins in the 3rd round of the 1969 amateur draft and made his Major League debut the following year at the age of 19.<div>
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Blyleven, known for his wicked curveball, had one of his finest seasons in 1973. He led the American League in shutouts, pitched his only 20-win season, and was named an All-Star. Blyleven also pitched the first two of his four career one-hit games that season.</div>
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Blyleven was selected to the All-Star team twice (1973 and 1985). He lead the American League three times in shutouts. He pitched on two World Series winning teams (1979 Pittsburgh Pirates and 1987 Minnesota Twins). Despite never having lead either league in strikeouts, Blyleven ended his career third all-time in strikeouts behind Nolan Ryan and Steve Carlton. (Blyleven currently ranks fifth.)</div>
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Blyleven was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. In the same season, the Minnesota Twins retired number #28 in his honor.<br /><br /><b>About This Card</b><br />The back of his Topps card calls Blyleven "one of the finest young pitchers in the American League." More than a fine pitcher, Blyleven would go on to complete a Hall of Fame career.</div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-13422069103333497542014-01-19T21:38:00.002-06:002014-01-19T21:38:33.423-06:00541 - Bob Bolin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Player</b><br />Bobby Bolin pitched in 13 big league seasons and his final four with the Boston Red Sox. Bolin made his Major League debut in 1961 with the San Francisco Giants and started his career in relief. Eventually, Bolin would serve in a combined starter/relief role during his tenure with the Giants. Bolin finished 1968 with the National League's second-best ERA with 1.99; Bob Gibson was first with a record 1.12 ERA. In 1970, Bolin was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. He was traded again that season to the Boston Red Sox and finished his career as a full-time reliever. In his final season in 1973, Bolin led the Red Sox bullpen with 15 saves.<div>
<br /><b>About This Card</b><br />Comparing all of the Red Sox cards, I have covered so far, it looks like Bolin's photo was taken at the same time and location, most likely spring training, with Ken Tatum, John Curtis, Mike Garman, and John Kennedy.<div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-24978768430919715732014-01-18T11:20:00.001-06:002014-01-18T11:20:35.460-06:00362 - Eddie Watt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Player</b><br />Eddie Watt pitched in ten Major Leagues seasons and the first eight of them with the Baltimore Orioles. Watt was signed as an amateur free agent by the Orioles and he made his big league debut in 1966. He started 13 games in his rookie season, but would continue his career exclusively as a relief pitcher. Watt was a member of four American League Championship Orioles teams with three of them being World Series winners.<br /><div>
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Watt pitched a season each with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs before playing in his final Major League game in 1975. </div>
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Watt started the 1976 season on the Padres' AAA-affiliate Hawaii Islanders. He became a player-coach in the following year and pitched his last professional game in 1968. He continued to coach in the minor leagues until retiring in 2003.</div>
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<br /><b>About This Card</b><br />One of the reasons I enjoy the design of the 1973 Topps set is because of its simplicity. Simple portraits attract more attention simply because the design does not overshadow it.<div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-79661404641837793762014-01-14T22:14:00.001-06:002014-01-14T22:14:41.211-06:00Team Checklist - Pittsburgh Pirates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Card</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">The checklist cards are not numbered, but there are 24 total.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-73437246981381767982014-01-11T15:53:00.000-06:002014-01-11T15:53:40.199-06:00403 - Sonny Jackson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Player</b><br />Sonny Jackson played in 12 Major League seasons split between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. Jackson made is big league debut with Houston in 1963 at the age of 18. After a few years seasoning in the minors, Jackson was established as the starting shortstop in 1966. While still qualifying as a rookie, Jackson led the National League in singles (160) and sacrifice hits (27) and established his career high in batting average (.292). Jackson also set a then record for most stolen bases by a rookie (49). Despite his success, Jackson come in second to Tommy Helms in Rookie of the Year voting.<div>
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After five seasons in Houston, Jackson was traded to Atlanta. Although he struggled offensively, Jackson played seven seasons at shortstop and center fielder for this club. Jackson played his final Major League game in 1974.<br /><br /><b>About This Card</b><br />The glasses that Jackson wears made its Topps card debut in 1970. <div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-14773394940263522952014-01-10T20:46:00.000-06:002014-01-10T20:50:12.590-06:0076 - Doug Rader<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Doug Rader played 11 seasons in the Major Leagues and his first nine with the Houston Astros. Rader made his big league debut in 1967 starting at first base as the Astros were considering trading an aging Eddie Mathews. When Mathews was traded, Rader became the regular starter. In 1968, Rader became the starting third base taking the job from Bob Aspromonte, who had been the starter at third since the Astros' inception. As a defensive star, Rader earned the first of five straight Gold Gloves in 1970. Rader finished his final two seasons with the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays.<br />
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Rader had a reputation for being easy going and never letting the game get him down. He's been accused of being a "flake," which he would debate.<br />
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"A 'flake' to me is someone who is willfully irresponsible. I'm not. Possibly I've been said to be one because I feel people take the game too seriously at times. Fans and players alike. I think they have a tendency to lose perspective. We play it for money and it is our profession but baseball is still a game. That's the way I try to look at it, and I feel I should derive some pleasure in what I'm doing. I'm happy to say I do. How? By being myself."<br />
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For more information:<br />
<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1916&dat=19720919&id=BIBMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nQYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2679,2881766">The Hour (Norwalk, Connecticut) - September 19, 1972 - Baseball Still A Game: Doug Rader</a><br />
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After his playing career ended, Rader went on to manage. He managed the Rangers (1983-1985), White Sox (1986) and Angels (1989-1991) before retiring from the game.<br />
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As the cartoon states, Rader was called "The Red Rooster." He received the nickname because of his red hair.<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-22354527968854670682014-01-09T22:30:00.000-06:002014-01-09T22:30:04.368-06:00177 - Bill Plummer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Player</b><br />Bill Plummer spent ten seasons in the Major Leagues. Plummer made his big league debut with the Cubs, but spent most of his playing career catching with the Cincinnati Reds and backing up Johnny Bench. Plummer was a member for five of Cincinnati's playoff teams, including their two World Series wins, but never played in the World Series. <div>
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Despite being a .188 hitter, Plummer had some big moments. In 1974, Plummer slammed two home runs in one game against Philadelphia's Steve Carlton. </div>
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For more information on Plummer's career with the Reds:</div>
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<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092613/index.htm">Sports Illustrated - July 18, 1977 - Few Things Come To Him Who Waits</a></div>
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Plummer spent his final season with the Seattle Mariners in 1978. Plummer stayed with the Mariners coaching and managing throughout the minor league system. Plummer became manager of the Seattle Mariners in 1992, but was fired after one season. </div>
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Afterward, Plummer continued to manage in both independent and minor league baseball. He joined the Arizona Diamondback system in 2000 and was last coaching in 2013 with the Single-A Visalia Rawhide.<div>
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<br /><b>About This Card</b><br />Although Plummer debuted with the Cubs in 1968, he did not have an appearance on a Topps card until five years later.<div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-72522299796683823202014-01-07T23:34:00.003-06:002014-01-07T23:34:44.055-06:00538 - Jim Hart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Player</b><br />Jim Hart, better known as "Jim Ray Hart", spent 12 seasons in the Major Leagues and 11 of them with the San Francisco Giants. Hart's entry into the big leagues in 1963 started with a rough welcome. In his second game, Hart was hit with a Bob Gibson fastball and broke his left scapula. A few days after returning from injury, he was beaned by Curt Simmons and missed the rest of the year. <div>
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Hart had his breakout season the following year as the team's starting third baseman and was one of three Giants to hit at least 30 home runs; Hart hit 31 home runs in 1964, while Orlando Cepeda hit 31 and Willie Mays hit 47. Hart was also one of three Giants with at least 30 home runs in 1966; Hart hit 36 home runs, while Willie McCovey hit 33 and Willie Mays hit 37. Hart finished 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting in 1964 to Dick Allen of the Philadelphia Phillies. Hart had very strong seasons from 1964 through 1968 averaging 28 home runs a year in this span, receiving MVP votes in three of those seasons and earning an All-Star berth in 1966. </div>
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A shoulder injury in 1969 led to a significant drop in playing time, although on July 8, 1970, Hart hit for the cycle and also earned a distinction of collecting six RBI in one inning. The New York Yankees purchased Hart's contract early in 1973 and Hart received significantly increased playing time as a designated hitter. Hart played his final game in 1974 and was released.<div>
<br /><b>About This Card</b><br />Hart was always better known as "Jim Ray" throughout his career, but his Topps cards are shown as JIM HART. Only his final card in 1974 Topps is shown as JIM RAY HART. In addition, Hart is specified in this card as an outfielder, although he played exclusively at third base the previous season. Also add in that even though Hart started 1973 with the Giants, he was well established in the Yankees lineup by the time this card was released.</div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-67123849873528657782014-01-06T13:12:00.004-06:002014-01-06T13:12:59.728-06:00346 - Young Gaylord Perry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Player's Boyhood</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">The story on this card is just as much about Jim Perry as it is about Gaylord Perry. In high school, Gaylord played third base while Jim pitched. When Jim needed relief, Gaylord would pitch and Jim would play third.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">In addition to high school, Gaylord and Jim played together with the Cleveland Indians in 1974 and 1975.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Card</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">If the 1972 Topps set was the 787-card full-featured baseball card set, then the 1973 Topps set was the basic 660-card minimalist alternative. In addition to the basic design of the cards, the 1973 set cut down on some of the different subsets from the previous year. Boyhood Photos of the Stars was one of the subsets that survived the cut.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-46141926843281199402014-01-04T22:04:00.000-06:002014-01-04T22:12:29.905-06:00283 - Ray Sadecki<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><b>About This Player</b></b></div>
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Ray Sadecki had an 18-year career in Major League Baseball and played six years with the New York Mets. Sadecki made his big league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on May 19, 1960 at the age of 19. Sadecki played in seven seasons with the Cardinals before we was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 1966. He was traded again to the New York Mets before the start of the 1970 season.</div>
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Sadecki was a member of the Mets pitching staff from 1970 through 1974. He played the role of a swingman: pitching mostly in relief, but making the occasional spot start. As part of a pitching staff in 1973 that included Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Jon Matlack in the rotation, Sadecki helped the Mets come back from being nine games behinds the Chicago Cubs in the standings to win the National League East Division and, eventually, the National League Championship. Sadecki pitched in four games of the seven-game World Series and earned the save in Game 4, but the Mets ultimately lost the series to the Oakland A's.</div>
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Sadecki bounced between different teams late in his career. He was traded in 1975 and returned to the St. Louis Cardinals. He was traded again in 1975 to the Atlanta Braves and later to the Kansas City Royals. He was released by the Royals in 1976 and signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. Sadecki joined the New York Mets again in 1977, but was released after pitching in four games.</div>
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In 2002, Catholic Charities of Kansas City and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund renovated a baseball field and renamed it in honor of Sadecki, who is also a Kansas City native.<br />
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Sadecki was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.<br />
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<b>About This Card</b><br />
The back of Ray Sadecki's card highlights his achievement of 19 career shutouts. He finished his career with 20 shutout with the last one earned in 1974 with the Mets.<br />
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-7095260905097024792014-01-03T11:30:00.000-06:002014-01-03T11:30:00.589-06:00453 - Checklist (4th Series)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Card</b><br />Off-centering is common occurrence for cards in the 1973 Topps Baseball set. In this case, part of the image gets cut off at the top of this checklist card.<div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-57959844172229264742014-01-02T22:01:00.001-06:002014-01-02T22:22:19.424-06:0081 - Whitey Lockman MGR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Manager</b><br />
Whitey Lockman only managed the Chicago Cubs for parts of three seasons, but he had a career in baseball that spanned more than 59 years.<br />
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Lockman started his 15-year playing career with the New York Giants in 1945 at the age of 18. He hit a home run in his first Major League at bat. During his career, Lockman played in two World Series (losing to the Yankees in 1951 and winning against the Indians in 1954) and was named the starting first baseman in the 1952 All-Star Game. In addition to his time with the New York and San Francisco Giants, Lockman also played with the Cardinals, Orioles, and Reds before playing his final game in 1960.</div>
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Immediately after his playing career ended, Lockman started coaching. He joined the Reds coaching staff in 1960 and, then, joined the Giants as a third base coach in 1961. Lockman joined the Cubs in 1965, first, as a minor league manager, then an MLB coach, and later as supervisor of player development.</div>
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Lockman succeeded Leo Durocher to manage the Cubs in 1972 and revitalized the team with a 39-26 record to finish the season and jump two places in the standings. However, poor records in 1973 and 1974 cost Lockman his job and he moved back to the front office.<br />
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For more information:<br />
<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1087391/index.htm">Sports Illustrated - May 28, 1973 - First Place Always Rattles A Cub Fan</a><br />
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Lockman served as the Cubs' vice president of player development in his front office return and remained in the role through 1989. Lockman also served in front office roles with the Expos (1990-1992) and Marlins (1993-2001). Lockman retired from baseball in 2001.<br />
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Lockman died March 17, 2009 at age 82.<br />
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<b>About This Card</b><br />
In addition to Whitey Lockman, this card also features Hank Aguirre (16-year All-Star pitcher), Ernie Banks (19-year Cubs Hall of Famers), Larry Jansen (9-year All-Star pitcher) and Pete Reiser (10-year All-Star outfielder).<br />
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-70914736580228827202014-01-01T21:13:00.002-06:002014-01-01T21:13:59.994-06:00639 - Willie Crawford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Player</b><br />
Willie Crawford played 14 seasons in the Major Leagues and 12 of them with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A high school standout in baseball, football, and track, Crawford was signed two days after graduation by Tom Lasorda, who was a Dodger scout at the time. All 20 Major League teams were interested in the left-handed hitting Crawford, but the Los Angeles native signed with this hometown Dodgers for a $100,000 bonus.<br />
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Crawford made his Major League debut in 1964 at the age of 18. Because of the "bonus baby" rule in place before the amateur draft was instituted, Crawford spent the entire 1965 season on the Dodgers roster though he only had 27 at bats. Crawford spent the next three seasons mostly in the minors though he was finally established as a big league outfielder in the middle of the 1968 season.<br />
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Although he never became the superstar the Dodgers hoped he would be, Crawford hit very well against right-handed pitching and was cast as a platoon player during his tenure. His finest season came in 1973 in which Crawford hit .295 with 14 home runs and 66 RBI; he hit .325 against righties while batting .205 against lefties in that season. Crawford played his final two seasons, through a number of trades, with the Cardinals, Astros, and A's. The Dodgers signed Crawford for spring training in 1978, but was released before the regular season began.<br />
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Crawford spent 1978 and 1979 playing in the Mexican League before retiring from baseball at age 32.<br />
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Crawford passed away August 27, 2004 from kidney disease at age 57.<br />
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<b>About This Card</b><br />
Willie Crawford struggled against left-handed pitching throughout most of his career hitting 50 points higher against righties: .275 vs. righties and .225 vs. lefties. However, his Topps card highlights the one season in which Crawford hit much significantly better against left-handers. In 1971, Crawford his .377 against lefties and .263 against righties.<br />
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-8277142051811511542013-12-30T13:55:00.002-06:002013-12-30T13:55:50.342-06:00194 - Jorge Orta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Player</b><br />Jorge Orta enjoyed 16 seasons in the Major Leagues and eight of them with the Chicago White Sox. Orta, born in Mexico, is the son of Pedro Orta, a Cuban-born outfielder who was a baseball superstar during his career in the Mexican League. The younger Orta also turned down a basketball scholarship at UCLA to start his professional career in the Mexican League.<div>
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Orta was signed by the White Sox out of the Mexican League. He made his Major League debut in 1972, although he spent much of the year with the Double-A Knoxville Sox. Orta earned the starting second base position in 1973. Orta hit for a batting average of .316 in 1974 and finished second in the American League batting race to the Minnesota Twins' Rod Carew. Orta earned the first of his two All-Star selections in 1975.</div>
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Orta signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians in 1980 and became the team's starting right fielder. Orta got six hits in a game on June 15, tying an American League record for most hits in a game. (In the same game, Toby Harrah drove in seven runs in the 14-5 win over the Minnesota Twins.) Orta was later selected to his second All-Star game.</div>
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For more information:</div>
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<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=t99fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UG0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1283,2186560&dq">The Rochester Sentinel - June 16, 1980 - Toby Harrah and Jorge Orta lead Cleveland explosion</a></div>
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Orta would be traded later to the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays before arriving to the Kansas City Royals. As a member of the Royals, Orta would become a platoon designated hitter sharing the role with Hal McRae. </div>
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Orta became the center of a controversial blown call in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series. In the ninth inning, Orta coming in as a pinch hitter, would be called safe on a close play at first base. Replays showed that the pitcher tagged the base before Orta reached, but the momentum would shift in the Royals' favor and the would win the game and the series against the St. Louis Cardinals.</div>
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Orta played his final game with the Royals in 1987.</div>
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Orta was inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.</div>
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<br /><b>About This Card</b><br />Jorge Orta's 1973 Topps card is a true rookie card without any "Rookie" designation and long before Major League Baseball and Topps created the "Rookie Card" logo. There are a small number of rookie cards in the 1973 set without the "Rookie" designation. Today, however, you will rarely see a rookie card go by without Topps making any mention of it.<div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-67857633167979472462013-12-29T20:03:00.001-06:002013-12-29T20:04:57.229-06:00353 - Steve Brye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>About This Player</b><br />
Steve Brye enjoyed nine seasons in the Major Leagues and seven of them with the Minnesota Twins. Brye was drafted by the Twins in the first round (17th overall) of the 1967 amateur draft and made his big league debut in 1970. He soon established himself in a platoon role in the outfield. Brye had his finest season in 1974 in which he played 128 games in center field, hit .283 with 2 home runs and 41 RBI, and led all American League outfielders with a .997 fielding percentage.<br />
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Brye found himself in the middle of controversy surrounding the 1976 American League batting title. The Royals' George Brett and Hal McRae and fellow Twin, Rod Carew were caught up on the batting race on the last game of the season in which the Twins played the Royals. In the ninth inning, Brye misplayed a ball hit by Brett that resulted in an inside-the-park home run. McRae in the next at-bat grounded out. McRae alleged racism from the Twins and Twins' manager, Gene Mauch, angrily denied it. Carew and Twins outfielder, Larry Hisle, both also black, denied any racism claims.<br />
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“No way. … If any error was involved it was mine. Gene Mauch had nothing to do with it. Gene told me to play in shallow. The last couple of innings I played deep not to allow a ball to get over my head and keep alive the possibility of a double play if a man got on base. I was indecisive. I didn’t get a good jump on the ball. All during the series balls I thought would fall in front of me were going over my head. Cookie Rojas was jammed and hit one over my head once. It’s tough to pick up the ball here because there’s a gray background, plus you don’t hear the ball off the bat that well. It’s a very dead sound. When I play center field, which I usually do, I follow the pitch and the sound of the bat has a lot to do with the way I react. Then after I ran in I stopped because I didn’t think I could get to the ball.”<br />
- Steve Brye, after being told at the airport of McRae's accusations</blockquote>
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For more information:</div>
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<a href="http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/oldnews/archives/116">Minneapolis Star Tribune - October 4, 1976 - Brett wins batting title, McRae angry</a><br />
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After seven seasons with the Twins, Brye spent a season each with the Milwaukee Brewers and the Pittsburgh Pirates before playing his last game.<br />
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So far in this blog, Brye's photo marks the fourth Twins card at Yankee Stadium Photo Day.<br />
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-81510005767706167892013-12-28T20:43:00.000-06:002013-12-28T20:43:18.345-06:00576 - Montreal Expos TC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">The Montreal ball club was one of four expansion clubs in 1969 and Major League Baseball's first expansion into Canada. The Expos would finish the 1973 season with their best record at that time at 4th place in the National League East.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHxtYf1yIPk/Ur-JLlqyTwI/AAAAAAAAArs/CiB5jbuPDPc/s1600/1973Topps_576_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHxtYf1yIPk/Ur-JLlqyTwI/AAAAAAAAArs/CiB5jbuPDPc/s1600/1973Topps_576_back.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-42003032769874549752013-12-27T23:16:00.001-06:002013-12-27T23:26:01.684-06:00212 - Joe Lahoud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wSrPyOsKxk/Ur5Uup0IvpI/AAAAAAAAArM/7GP3vnWUt4c/s1600/1973Topps_212_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wSrPyOsKxk/Ur5Uup0IvpI/AAAAAAAAArM/7GP3vnWUt4c/s1600/1973Topps_212_front.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>About This Player</b></div>
Joe Lahoud played in 11 Major League seasons for five different teams. Lahoud, of Lebanese decent, made his big league debut with the Boston Red Sox in 1968. He spent most of his career as a backup outfielder and pinch hitter.<br />
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Lahoud has a distinction of being involved in trades involving at least nine players twice in his career. In his case, the trades took place on both sides of his tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers. After the 1971 season, Lahoud was traded from the Red Sox along with Ken Brett, Billy Conigliaro, Jim Lonborg, Don Pavletich, and George Scott in exchange for Pat Skrable, Tommy Harper, Lew Krausse, and Marty Pattin. After the 1973 season, Lahould was traded to the California Angels along with Ollie Brown, Skip Lockwood, Ellie Rodriguez, and Gary Ryerson in exchange for Steve Barber, Ken Berry, Art Kusnyer, and Clyde Wright.</div>
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Lahoud would later spend time with the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals before playing his last game in 1978.<br />
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<b>About This Card</b><br />
The 1973 Topps Photography blog written by Chris Stufflestreet points out the big mound of dirt in the background of this card and of Jim Lonborg's card. This photo was taken at Tempe Diablo Stadium in which there is a big hill outside the park down the left field line. (Credit to "K Wc" who posted on Chris' blog.)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXa6rj2yGK4/Ur5Uuu8DfwI/AAAAAAAAArY/X_cTOu1PIRU/s1600/1973Topps_212_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXa6rj2yGK4/Ur5Uuu8DfwI/AAAAAAAAArY/X_cTOu1PIRU/s1600/1973Topps_212_back.jpg" /></a></div>
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-35145183685449452042013-12-26T13:59:00.002-06:002013-12-26T14:00:15.092-06:00419 - Casey Cox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oeWXQoyxRUs/UryKCYEAhnI/AAAAAAAAAq0/xmoHbDHCgHo/s1600/1973Topps_419_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oeWXQoyxRUs/UryKCYEAhnI/AAAAAAAAAq0/xmoHbDHCgHo/s1600/1973Topps_419_front.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>About This Player</b></div>
Casey Cox pitched in eight Major League seasons and two of them with the New York Yankees. Cox played the majority of his career in relief for the Washington Senators. Cox experienced his finest season in 1969 in which, as a relievers and spot starter, he pitched to a 12-7 record with a 2.78 ERA. Cox was traded to the Yankees on August 31, 1972, pitched in five games for New York that season, and was released after pitching one game in 1973.<br />
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<b>About This Card</b><br />
I've stated before that I will take any card, regardless of condition, as long as I need it to build my set. Here is one example, which has been marked with "OR" on the back. There are a few other cards marked like this in my set. Perhaps the initials of a previous owner?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WHGLiBYibg/UryKCS8V-TI/AAAAAAAAArA/8e09C6YD2W8/s1600/1973Topps_419_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--WHGLiBYibg/UryKCS8V-TI/AAAAAAAAArA/8e09C6YD2W8/s1600/1973Topps_419_back.jpg" /></a></div>
TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-1450078232142058202013-12-24T15:23:00.002-06:002013-12-24T15:24:47.015-06:0099 - Carl Taylor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSOql-tLocs/Urnx3kjOjxI/AAAAAAAAAqc/0fe75KJSrCU/s1600/1973Topps_099_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSOql-tLocs/Urnx3kjOjxI/AAAAAAAAAqc/0fe75KJSrCU/s1600/1973Topps_099_front.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>About This Player</b><br />
Carl Taylor spent six seasons in the Major Leagues and three of them with the Kansas City Royals. Taylor started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and spent this career as a backup catcher, outfielder, and pinch hitter. Taylor had his best season with the Pirates in 1969 in which he hit .348; he did not have the at-bats to qualify for the National League batting title.<br />
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Taylor is also stepbrother to Orioles slugger, Boog Powell. In 1971, Powell had talked to Taylor after he pulled himself out of a game, told his manager he quit, and burned his uniform and baseball equipment in the clubhouse. Taylor went AWOL, but, eventually, returned to the team.</div>
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For more information:</div>
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<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19710523&id=AU9NAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qTUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3093,2981147">Rome News-Tribune - May 23, 1971 - Powell had a special reason for talking with Carl Taylor</a></div>
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After his playing career ended in 1973, Taylor attempted a career in hair styling.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Believe it or not, there are similarities between the two professions. An error in a baseball game is made in view of some 40,000 people. A terrible haircut can also be seen by possibly the same number of people."<br />
- Carl Taylor</blockquote>
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For more information:</div>
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<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19740930&id=xD0gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9GYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6598,6066512">Sarasota Herald-Tribune - September 30, 1974 - Professional Baseball Player Taylor Turns His Interest To Hair Styling</a></div>
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<b>About This Card</b><br />
Carl Taylor is specified in his card as a "Catcher", although he has a career of being more versatile. However, Taylor did play more games behind the plate in 1973 than at any other time during this career.<br />
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TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-92105845611851070402013-12-23T00:39:00.000-06:002013-12-23T00:39:16.098-06:00Team Checklist - Boston Red Sox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMf3_k-8eIg/UrfaFbuaEII/AAAAAAAAAps/WW5C1vlLZFQ/s1600/1973Topps_BOS_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMf3_k-8eIg/UrfaFbuaEII/AAAAAAAAAps/WW5C1vlLZFQ/s1600/1973Topps_BOS_front.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Card</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">The 1973 and 1974 Topps sets are the only Topps sets in which the team checklists are separate from the main numbered set.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-33356909698116662892013-12-21T22:06:00.001-06:002013-12-23T00:33:22.524-06:00321 - Rich Hinton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3leCe3wHI3g/UrZkNAFBgZI/AAAAAAAAApY/sM-Uglfmo98/s1600/1973Topps_321_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3leCe3wHI3g/UrZkNAFBgZI/AAAAAAAAApY/sM-Uglfmo98/s1600/1973Topps_321_front.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Player</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Rich Hinton enjoyed a brief career in the Major Leagues pitching in parts of six seasons for five different teams from 1971 through 1979.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Hinton was drafted five different times, but did not sign until he was drafted in the 3rd round by the Chicago White Sox in 1969. Hinton would spend his career bouncing from team to team (playing for the Yankess, Rangers, Reds and Mariners), but he was a part of the White Sox organization on three different occasions.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Card</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">The airbrushing jobs on this photograph might have been necessary. Hinton was not with Texas Rangers long enough to have a photo taken. His contract was purchased from the New York Yankees in September 1972 and he was later traded to the Cleveland Indians in March 1973.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-75538557901045501622013-12-20T22:43:00.002-06:002013-12-20T22:52:19.419-06:00133 - Dave Roberts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4ijzaTPyjc/UrUOk92EQKI/AAAAAAAAAo8/IdAwJtQcSCI/s1600/1973Topps_133_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4ijzaTPyjc/UrUOk92EQKI/AAAAAAAAAo8/IdAwJtQcSCI/s1600/1973Topps_133_front.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Player</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Dave Roberts played in 10 Major League seasons and six with the San Diego Padres. Roberts was also one of four players named "Dave Roberts" and one of two who played in 1973.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Roberts began his professional career as a phenom with high expectations placed upon him becoming the sixth player since the amateur draft was instated to go straight to the Majors without spending time in the minor leagues. He was drafted out of the University of Oregon as the first pick overall in the June 1972 amateur draft. He was signed to a big league contract later that month and made his debut that day entering in the 12th inning of second game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roberts spent most of the season at 3rd base, but was moved to 2nd when the Padres promoted Dave Hilton that September.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Roberts would begin 1973 as 2nd base, but was demoted to the minors after struggling in April. After hitting successfully for the Triple-A Hawaii Islanders, Roberts was promoted back to the Majors and took over the starting third base position from a struggling Hilton. Roberts posted his most successful numbers in 1973 hitting .286 with 21 home runs and 64 RBI.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">However, Roberts would start to struggle the following year and the Padres would continue to have trouble finding their regular third baseman. Roberts would lose the starting role to and win it again from Dave Hilton in 1974. He would also be replaced by Mike Ivie, a converted catcher, and win the job again in 1975. Roberts would spend the entire 1976 season at Triple-A and return the following year as the Padres' backup catcher. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">As Roberts struggled offensively, he would expand his defensive flexibility by playing at other positions and, thus, extending his playing career. Roberts would play his first games in the outfield in 1978. He was traded to the Rangers and spend the next two seasons as their utility player. Roberts would later play one season each with the Astros and Phillies before ending his career.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Roberts was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Card</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">In his first Topps card, Dave Roberts is celebrated with the Topps All-Star Rookie Cup. Considering the excitement surrounding rookies in today's sport card market, I wonder how much fan fare Dave Roberts received as a first overall pick entering the Majors immediately.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span>TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817784518719241308.post-8504481699105524312013-12-18T23:14:00.002-06:002013-12-18T23:16:22.141-06:00585 - Joe Niekro<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Player</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Joe Niekro pitched in 22 Major League seasons for seven different teams and three of them with the Detroit Tigers.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Niekro spent the majority of his career with the Houston Astros, with whom he had his greatest success. He pitched back-to-back 20-win seasons in 1979 and 1980 to become the first Astros pitcher with consecutive 20-win seasons. He was also selected to his only All-Star Game in 1979.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">However, Niekro might be best known for his ten-game suspension in 1987 while pitching for the Minnesota Twins. When asked by umpire Tim Tschida to empty his pockets during a game against the California Angels, an emery board flew out of his pockets.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Niekro also has a son, Lance, who played four seasons with the San Francisco Giants.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">Niekro was inducted into the Nationals Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. Niekro passed away in 2006 after suffering from a brain aneurysm. His legacy lives on in the Joe Niekro Foundation, founded by his daugter Natalie, which donates money toward aneurysm treatment and research.</span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">About This Card</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.90625px;">This card happens to be the last card I needed to complete my 1973 Topps set. In this case, it was a simple eBay purchase, but it finished my long quest.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0e9w10I38UI/UrE2awLfYaI/AAAAAAAAAos/OBlfFakxLlA/s1600/1973Topps_585_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0e9w10I38UI/UrE2awLfYaI/AAAAAAAAAos/OBlfFakxLlA/s1600/1973Topps_585_back.jpg" /></a></div>
TonyGillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811674890931342194noreply@blogger.com1