tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9688909047740981302024-02-01T23:38:44.497-05:0078 Topps CardsAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-85618841891037695832009-01-27T12:11:00.000-05:002009-01-27T12:12:30.892-05:00New blog<span style="font-size:130%;"><span>I've started a new blog looking at the 1988 Score Rookies & Traded set. See <a href="http://88scoretraded.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-56125482827026450522009-01-13T13:50:00.003-05:002009-01-13T15:51:52.146-05:00I'm doneFolks, I'm packing it in.<br /><br />I've enjoyed my time away too much. I don't want to continue this blog. Sorry.<br /><br />I will instead be contributing regularly again to the Baseball-Reference.com <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/sotd/">Stat of the Day</a> blog.<br /><br />Also I am getting rid of my entire collection. If you want any cards, particularly from 1971, 1973, or 1978, let me know by emailing 78topps at gmail dot com. I'll take any relic or auto cards from the following players in return: Mattingly, T Gwynn, Mike Schmidt, Baines, Raines. Others considered as well. Trades will be in your favor--I'll give you as much as I can in return for whatever you want.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-28257945546170388792008-12-16T11:09:00.002-05:002008-12-16T11:17:32.053-05:00HiatusFor numerous reasons, I've decided to go on hiatus through the rest of December and beginning of January.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I shall return</span> in mid-January to finish posting the rest of the 1978 Topps set.<br /><br />Even if you're not celebrating a holiday in the next few weeks, I hope you have a happy, safe, and fun holiday season, and I look forward to reconnecting with you in January.<br /><br />If anybody has already mailed me a trade, then I'll be sending you a trade back. If you haven't yet mailed anything, please hold off until next year.<br /><br />I do not expect to read anybody else's blogs either. I've sort of overdosed on baseball cards and will be taking a nice long break. I'm also taking some time to consider what I really want to do after finishing out the 1978 set. I may or may not pursue the 71/73 idea I've had. Overall I'm finding that my blog commitments are demanding more time than I can afford, and I'm going to re-evaluate what I want to do. Thanks for your support so far, and we shall continue in January!<br /><br />In the meantime, if you didn't see my <a href="http://88topps.blogspot.com/">88 Topps Cards</a> blog, you can read 1000+ posts there. Or, you can pick out a few new card blogs to read <a href="http://bdj610scblogroll.blogspot.com/">right here</a>.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-19451743016028060692008-12-16T11:06:00.002-05:002008-12-16T11:09:24.820-05:00WinnerThe winner of our next giveaway for cards #73 through #144 is <span style="font-weight: bold;">MMayes</span>.<br /><br />You'll have to take it on faith that I went though and scored everybody's comments. He came out ahead. He's been a longtime contributor here as well as back on 88 Topps Cards, so I'm quite happy to send him some free stuff.<br /><br />Mike, I know I've had some trouble emailing you in the past because of some sort of filter you have set up. Can you email me your address to 78topps at gmail dot com? Also tell me your favorite team and I'll see if i can send you some extras.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-23911731912710236882008-12-16T07:30:00.000-05:002008-12-16T07:30:00.872-05:001978 Topps Cards #157 through #162<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#157 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lacocpe01.shtml">Pete LaCock</a><br />#158 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/andujjo01.shtml">Joaquin Andujar</a><br />#159 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/pinielo01.shtml">Lou Piniella</a><br />#160 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/palmeji01.shtml">Jim Palmer</a><br />#161 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/boonebo01.shtml">Bob Boone</a><br />#162 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/thormpa01.shtml">Paul Thormodsgard</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/3100261729_44702af07d_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/3100261729_44702af07d_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">BRUT sign sighting #5 on Palmer's card</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> The back of Thormodsgard's card tell it like it was. He got released by the Reds, then was out of baseball (which they mention both in the commentary and in the stats) before making it back with the Twins.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> Holy crap--Palmer had just finished his 3rd-straight 20-win season (and 7th 20-win season out of the last 8) and the best thing Topps could thing to mention on the back of his card was a one-hitter from 2 years earlier?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> Although I usually do not like helmet glare on photos, the reflection of the "P" on Boone's helmet is awesome!! At first I thought it was a #14, but Boone didn't wear 14 and if you look carefully, it's clearly a mirror image of the "P." Catchers are the only players who can be photographed in helmets when not batting.<br /><br />The LaCock photo is utterly bizarre. That's just about the strangest pose ever captured on a baseball card. I guess he's thinking "Now, where did I leave my bat?"<br /><br />I guess I should mention the Palmer photo. It's OK. The All-Star shield is nice to see, although the overall look of this card is ruined by too much orange and red in combination.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> The Andujar car is absolutely mindbogglingly strange. We just saw this photo on <a href="http://78topps.blogspot.com/search?q=zest">the 5-card 1978 Zest post</a> but now it's time to talk about it. His entire uniform is airbrushed. But why? Andujar was in the majors with the Astros in 1976 and 1977. The Astros' uniforms didn't change significantly in those years, so they could have used an old photo. Andujar was with the Reds previously, but not in the majors, so it's unlikely that they had a photo of him wearing a different uniform. I just don't get it. Any theories?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/3101098796_c4acd6efa1_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/3101098796_c4acd6efa1_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />Pete LaCock <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/pvb.cgi?n1=barrifr01&n2=lacocpe01">pounded Francisco Barrios</a>, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/pvb.cgi?n1=erickro01&n2=lacocpe01">nailed Roger Erickson</a>, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/pvb.cgi?n1=ryanno01&n2=lacocpe01">hammered Nolan Ryan</a>, and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/pvb.cgi?n1=jenkife01&n2=lacocpe01">banged Fergie Jenkins</a>.<br /><br />Andujar was <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/5wGV">tied for first in wins over 1984-85</a>. Of course, he was also <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/JGEt">tied for 16th in losses over the same period</a>.<br /><br />What do Benito Santiago and Lou Piniella have in common? They are <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/DX42">the all-time co-leaders for most seasons with 11 HR</a>.<br /><br />Palmer led all of baseball in <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/QNZP">wins from 1970 to 1978</a>, although not by as much as I expected.<br /><br />I mentioned Thormodsgard before, because Jim Essian hit more of his own career homers off Thormodsgard than anybody else. But <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/8eZv">Thormodsgard gave up the same number of homers</a> to one other guy: Ben Ogilve.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 0</span><br />(+1 for Palmer)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 0</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 0</span><br />(+1 for Piniella, +1 for Boone)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 0</span><br />(+THREE!!! for <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/boonera01.shtml">Ray Boone</a>, father of Bob, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/boonebr01.shtml">Bret Boone</a>, son of Bob, and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/booneaa01.shtml">Aaron Boone</a>, also son of Bob)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 0</span><br />(+1 for Palmer)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 0</span><br />(+1 for Piniella)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 0</span><br />(+4 for Andujar, +1 for Piniella, +6 for Palmer, +4 for Boone)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 0 </span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 0</span><br />(+3 for Palmer, our first multiple Cy Young winner in this set)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:9px;height:20px;text-align:center;width:250px;margin:0;padding:0;letter-spacing:-.5px"><a href="http://www.vizu.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color:#999;"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Market Research</span></a></div><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="250" height="384" name="vizu_poll" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" FlashVars="js=false&pid=135786&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-36970447590216212112008-12-15T07:30:00.000-05:002008-12-15T07:30:00.397-05:001978 Topps #151 to #156<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#151 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wilcomi01.shtml">Milt Wilcox</a><br />#152 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dejesiv01.shtml">Ivan DeJesus</a><br />#153 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/stonest01.shtml">Steve Stone</a><br />#154 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/coopece01.shtml">Cecil Cooper</a><br />#155 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hobsobu01.shtml">Butch Hobson</a><br />#156 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/messean01.shtml">Andy Messersmith</a><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/3101097740_715bd1eb86_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/3101097740_715bd1eb86_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> This speaks more to the photograph, but check out Cooper's card. The white part of the background looks like a nice frame for the baseball and looks like an enhanced design for the card.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> It's nice to know from the back of Stone's card that he not only set a career high with 12 strikeouts on 9/30/1973 but he set a career high <span style="font-style: italic;">for himself</span>. You mean he didn't set someone <span style="font-style: italic;">else's</span> career high with that performance?<br /><br />I also need to point out that the commentary on the back of Hobson's card is terribly written. It makes it sound like Hobson is the second player <span style="font-style: italic;">ever</span> to get 100 RBI in a season for Boston.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> Although the Wilcox photo is clearly posed, it's pretty damn cool if you ask me. The Tigers cards have some of the best coloring of this set, and that's a really cool card.<br /><br />Also we need to give some special praise to Steve Stone's double chain action.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> Two bad photos here. First. Ivan DeJesus looks absolutely like a cardboard cutout. I wonder if he appreciated being asked to pose in a bunting stance. Also, Topps managed to get almost all of Cooper's body in the shadows. Just about all of his face, his entire torso, and his entire right leg.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/3100261443_40013ef5fa_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/3100261443_40013ef5fa_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />Among the 74 pitchers to throw at least 70 complete games since 1970, Wilcox is tied for <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/uUES">the fewest career shutouts</a>.<br /><br />DeJesus has the 5th most-recent season with <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/UDcE">a sub-.200 batting average in a year with at least 400 AB</a>. On that list, you have to go all the way back to Bob Lillis in 1963 to find a lower OPS than DeJesus in 1981.<br /><br />A guy has <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/BD6j">won 25 games in a season 19 times since 1953</a>, and Steve Stone had one of the lowest strikeout totals of those.<br /><br />Guys have hit 30 homers in a season 1,103 times through 2008. Only 23 times, though, has a guy <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/mgg5">hit 30 HRs and walked fewer than 3o times</a>.<br /><br />Messersmith had <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/bkre">the second most RBI among pitchers from 1974 to 1976</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 16</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 6</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 14</span><br />(+1 for Cooper, current manager of the Astros, +1 for Hobson)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 9</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 16</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 11</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 326</span><br />(+1 for Stone, +5 for Cooper)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 14</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 9</span><br />(+1 for Stone)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9px; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 250px; letter-spacing: -0.5px;"><a href="http://www.vizu.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: underline;font-size:9;" >Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: underline;font-size:9;" >Market Research</span></a></div><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-0495504545891844 visible ontop" href="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf"></a><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="vizu_poll" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="js=false&pid=135778&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd" align="middle" width="250" height="384"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-68266015488322963472008-12-14T08:00:00.000-05:002008-12-14T08:00:00.223-05:00PLAY BALL: Game 2, second inning<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GAME 2</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mudville Nine lead the series 1-0<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP OF THE SECOND INNING</span><br />New York Knights at bat<br /><br />#123 Manny Trillo: K (one out)<br />#124 Dave Rozema: single (runner on first, one out)<br />#125 George Scott: ground out (GIDP, three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">0 runs on 1 hit and 0 walks. New York Knights lead 3-1</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BOTTOM OF THE SECOND INNING</span><br />Mudville Nine at bat<br /><br />#126 Paul Moskau: fly out (one out)<br />#127 Chet Lemon: rules card (no play)<br />#128 Bill Russell: BB (runner on first, one out)<br />#129 Jim Colborn: HR (<span style="font-weight: bold;">two runs score</span>, one out)<br />#130 Jeff Burroughs: fly out (two outs)<br />#131 Bert Blyleven: ground out (three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">2 runs on 2 hits and 1 walk. Game tied at 3.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-59360851460020763322008-12-13T08:00:00.000-05:002008-12-13T08:00:00.861-05:00PLAY BALL: Game 2, first inning<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GAME 2</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mudville Nine are the home team in Game 2.<br /><br />Mudville Nine lead the series 1-0<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP OF THE FIRST INNING</span><br />New York Knights at bat<br /><br />#108 Von Joshua: fly out (one out)<br />#109 Joe Torre (no play)<br />#110 Richie Zisk: triple (runner on third, one out)<br />#111 Mike Tyson: rules card (no play)<br />#112 Houston Astros (no play)<br />#113 Don Carrithers: BB (runners on first and third, one out)<br />#114 Paul Blair: HR (<span style="font-weight: bold;">three runs score</span>, bases empty, one out)<br />#115 Gary Nolan: foul out (two outs)<br />#116 Tucker Ashford: fly out (three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">0 runs on 2 hits and 1 walk. New York Knights lead 3-0</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BOTTOM OF THE FIRST INNING</span><br />Mudville Nine at bat<br /><br />#117 John Montague: ground out (one out)<br />#118 Terry Harmon: single (runner on first, one out)<br />#119 Denny Martinez: double (runners on second and third, one out)<br />#120 Gary Carter: single (<span style="font-weight: bold;">one run scores</span>, runners on first and second, one out)<br />#121 Alvis Woods: foul out (runners on first and second, two outs)<br />#122 Dennis Eckersley: fly out (three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">0 runs on 3 hits and 0 walks. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">New York Knights lead 3-1</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-18346975250297266242008-12-12T11:30:00.001-05:002008-12-12T11:32:39.316-05:00Dale MurrayGreg from Night Owl Cards pointed out the similarity of the 1976, 1977, and 1980 photos on the Dale Murray card. I wanted to see, so here they are.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLJSk1DhqTX2rDqsRyCcFyLlnyfpC6v8n2UsaEAcq1LxnNURyTiww4xXd29BDh-wCPR4XYnprI285sSqMaq6XGSW1weqeRErE4moYF2xCwjySYamSTC7nQ4kLkO5j9wpdxOMpC3PIa9Az/s1600-h/murray76.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLJSk1DhqTX2rDqsRyCcFyLlnyfpC6v8n2UsaEAcq1LxnNURyTiww4xXd29BDh-wCPR4XYnprI285sSqMaq6XGSW1weqeRErE4moYF2xCwjySYamSTC7nQ4kLkO5j9wpdxOMpC3PIa9Az/s400/murray76.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278942162480672146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMyXbROTn-l7a4AaQboiidzPqLNgOXr6CQF8W9dzoC0gdt1Lo__Vgueopc6t4siseJlPV2Kq9Unh0Uxo3pGTKdOTZJkh9bOOKtILc7M898UCv0hGYdvfI5pN1HsG7RiHXEj8Z6ifiFTDJ/s1600-h/murray77.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMyXbROTn-l7a4AaQboiidzPqLNgOXr6CQF8W9dzoC0gdt1Lo__Vgueopc6t4siseJlPV2Kq9Unh0Uxo3pGTKdOTZJkh9bOOKtILc7M898UCv0hGYdvfI5pN1HsG7RiHXEj8Z6ifiFTDJ/s400/murray77.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278942164111626914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnK_emXb8fANRG7ca9BTELx4Op0-tUGGRVjQgkh88cGAzr3SM1LtWk3QKIksMO_L4OijuMqWpXEk4N6dMHvlfDzQi66ywJMm_xsjmCVEpS0G3BHGaBSGBKbyz6x_o8we1oT2Ke8PiQwAs/s1600-h/murray80.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnK_emXb8fANRG7ca9BTELx4Op0-tUGGRVjQgkh88cGAzr3SM1LtWk3QKIksMO_L4OijuMqWpXEk4N6dMHvlfDzQi66ywJMm_xsjmCVEpS0G3BHGaBSGBKbyz6x_o8we1oT2Ke8PiQwAs/s400/murray80.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278942166200373858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Indeed. No wonder why Murray never seemed to age.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-5049130507701648492008-12-12T07:30:00.000-05:002008-12-12T07:30:00.721-05:001978 Topps Cards #145 through #150<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#145 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mondari01.shtml">Rick Monday</a><br />#146 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/alexado01.shtml">Doyle Alexander</a><br />#147 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mazzile01.shtml">Lee Mazzilli</a><br />#148 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/thornan01.shtml">Andre Thornton</a><br />#149 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/murrada01.shtml">Dale Murray</a><br />#150 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bondsbo01.shtml">Bobby Bonds</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/3101097062_7cb911be37_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/3101097062_7cb911be37_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> I had absolutely no idea that Andre Thornton was known as "Andy" until I read the back of his card. Let's here it for Andys everywhere!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> This isn't exactly bad, but the comment on the back of Alexander's card is interesting. It says he was one of the leading hurlers of the Rangers' staff in 1977. While it's true that he led <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/1977.shtml">that staff</a> in wins, he had the worst ERA among the top 4 starters. Incidentally, those 3 other guys weren't so bad: Gaylord Perry, Bert Blyleven, and Dock Ellis.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> There is nothing to like in this set except for the unusual photo for Bobby Bonds. I'm not sure I even like it, but it's certainly interesting to see such a closeup.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> Where do I start? Why did they show such a lazy, strange photo of Monday? Lee Mazzilli's got a terrible shadow on his face. Murray's photo is another lame shot of a Cincinnati pitcher. Ho hum.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/3101097434_b67022e718_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/3101097434_b67022e718_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />Rick Monday is <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/J37K">one of 23 guys with between 240 and 250 career homers</a>. He had the 3rd fewest RBI of that group.<br /><br />There are <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/vNkE">17 pitchers to finish with a career ERA+ between 99.9 and 100.1</a>--extremely average. Murray was in the middle of the pack in terms of career IP. (Actually one guy, Sean Marshall, is still active.)<br /><br />Before 1980, <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/XukY">Bobby Bonds was the power-speed king of baseball</a>. He had by far the most seasons of 30 HR and 20 SB up to that point. After 1980, only one player beats Bobby Bonds anyway. Who? Well, uhh, <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/s8FK">Bonds</a>.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 16</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 6</span><br />(+1 for Bonds)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 12</span><br />(+1 for Mazzilli)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 9</span><br />(+1 for <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bondsba01.shtml">Barry Bonds</a>, son of Bobby)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 16</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 11</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 320</span><br />(+2 for Monday, +1 for Alexander, +1 for Mazzilli, +2 for Thornton, +3 for Bonds)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 14</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 8</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:9px;height:20px;text-align:center;width:250px;margin:0;padding:0;letter-spacing:-.5px"><a href="http://www.vizu.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color:#999;"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Market Research</span></a></div><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="250" height="384" name="vizu_poll" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" FlashVars="js=false&pid=135627&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-10268103993380268602008-12-11T07:30:00.000-05:002008-12-11T07:30:00.329-05:001978 Topps Cards #139 through #144<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#139 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/grosswa01.shtml">Wayne Gross</a> All-Star Rookie<br />#140 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/f/fingero01.shtml">Rollie Fingers</a><br />#141 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jonesru01.shtml">Ruppert Jones</a> All-Star Rookie<br />#142 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/montejo01.shtml">John Montefusco</a><br />#143 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hernake01.shtml">Keith Hernandez</a><br />#144 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jeffeje01.shtml">Jesse Jefferson</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/3083257536_ea2a0967c0_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/3083257536_ea2a0967c0_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> Topps went to great lengths to mention the All-Star game at Yankee stadium. Check out the back of Gross' and Jones' cards.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> It was an odd decision to put two of the All-Star rookie cards so close in the set. In this set, they are spaced randomly around the set. In <a href="http://88topps.blogspot.com/search/label/all-star%20rookie">1988 Topps</a>, they were pretty evenly spaced.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> The best thing in these photos is the nice look at the front of the Mariners jersey. We also have another nice body shadow from Montefusco.<br /><br />There are some weird pairings in the group of 6 cards. Obviously, we have 2 All-Star rookies. Then Fingers and Montefusco are in almost identical poses. Gross and Hernandez are also in nearly identical poses. Hernandez and Jefferson both have one person in the background, as well as a nice view of the warning track. And finally Gross and Fingers both have nice foliage in the background.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> The backgrounds on Montefusco's and Hernandez's card are making me dizzy...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/3082421231_0518784b81_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/3082421231_0518784b81_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />Wayne Gross was the Ken Phelps of his time. From 1977 to 1984, he was one of the leaders in <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/ybWM">most seasons with at least 10 homers but fewer than 500 AB</a>.<br /><br />Ruppert Jones was one of the leading power-speed hitters from 1977 to 1986. He was <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/KDP6">one of the top 20 players with double-digit seasons in homers and stolen bases</a>.<br /><br />Montefusco threw <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/rHky">10 shutouts over 1975-76</a>, tied for 4th-most in baseball.<br /><br />In baseball history, Jesse Jefferson has <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/bQZC">the 3rd-worst W-L%</a> for all pitchers with at least 1000 IP, and the two guys ahead of him pitched before 1910. Mind you, he wasn't absolutely terrible, but mostly pitched for bad teams.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 16</span><br />(+1 for Fingers)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 5</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 11</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 8</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 16</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 11</span><br />(+1 for Montefusco)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 311</span><br />(+1 for Gross, +7 for Fingers, +2 for Jones, +1 for Montefusco, +5 for Hernandez)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 14</span><br />(+1 for Fingers, +1 for Hernandez)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 8</span><br />(+1 for Fingers)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9px; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 250px; letter-spacing: -0.5px;"><a href="http://www.vizu.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: underline;font-size:9;" >Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: underline;font-size:9;" >Market Research</span></a></div><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-07074159224727506 visible ontop" href="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf"></a><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="vizu_poll" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="js=false&pid=135385&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd" align="middle" width="250" height="384"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-36419127122494840732008-12-10T09:42:00.003-05:002008-12-10T09:44:34.975-05:00Just curiousPlease take a second to vote in this poll:<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:9px;height:20px;text-align:center;width:250px;margin:0;padding:0;letter-spacing:-.5px"><a href="http://www.vizu.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color:#999;"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Market Research</span></a></div><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="250" height="444" name="vizu_poll" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" FlashVars="js=false&pid=135352&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd"></embed><br /><br />Also, check out <a href="http://nightowlcards.blogspot.com/2008/12/78-topps-fever.html">Night Owl's Top 10 cards from 1978 Topps</a>.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-44334395973029665642008-12-10T07:30:00.000-05:002008-12-10T07:30:00.943-05:001978 Topps Cards #133 through #138<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#133 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/augusje01.shtml">Jerry Augustine</a><br />#134 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hendest01.shtml">Steve Henderson</a><br />#135 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/guidrro01.shtml">Ron Guidry</a><br />#136 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sizemte01.shtml">Ted Sizemore</a><br />#137 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/k/kusiccr01.shtml">Craig Kusick</a><br />#138 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/demerla01.shtml">Larry Demery</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/3083256876_969928ba20_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/3083256876_969928ba20_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> Larry Demery had some good moments in his carer but overall wasn't that special. Topps went way above and beyond writing all sorts of good things about him on the back of his card, including mentioning that he pitched in 2 post-seasons. They left out how he had an ERA of 36.00 the first year and 18.00 the second year. Way to make lemonade from lemons, Topps!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> The comment on the back of Sizemore's card is just crap. The best thing they can say about the guy is that he had a 3-hit game and "played a flawless 2nd base"? Just what does that mean? Were they at the game? I'm sure he wasn't credited with any errors, but playing a flawless 2nd base takes more than that. I'm not saying he <span style="font-style: italic;">didn't</span> do it, I just don't know what Topps expects us to take away from that comment. I call laziness on their part.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> The Guidry photo is remarkably similar to <a href="http://78topps.blogspot.com/search?q=lyle">Sparky Lyle's photo</a>. Other than that, the only other half decent photo here is Augustine's, yet another nice Brewer shot.<br /><br />There's something quite odd on Demery's card, though. In the background, there is a player running, and he's not part of a play captured in the photograph. He's just running. Can anybody think of another such example?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> Pick any card from the right column. I'm sure all three of these guys are quite handsome, but you'd never know it from these photos. Kusick, who died from lukemia, also deserved better than a sideways shot where you can't see his face at all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/3083257220_1b90ae12c2_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/3083257220_1b90ae12c2_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />Not terribly surprisingly, <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/qKtV">HOFers hit very well off Jerry Augustine</a>, especially Reggie Jackson.<br /><br />Ron Guidry has the <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/xXQA">most recent, and probably last ever, season with at least 25 wins and a WHIP below 1.00</a>.<br /><br />Ted Sizemore made <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/3KQ3">his 23 career homers</a> count. Of the 23 HRs, 5 tied the game and 10 put his team ahead. One was a walkoff shot against Tug McGraw, and 5 came in the 8th, 9th, or extra innings. Truly amazingly, not a single one of his homers came with more than 1 runner on base.<br /><br />The late Craig Kusick also did a lot with <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/6HVY">his 46 career homers</a>, tying 4 games, giving his team the lead in 16 others, and hitting 3 walk-off jobs, including the last homer of his career in <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR197908310.shtml">this game</a>.<br /><br />Larry Demery started 139 games in his career, and <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/9NF8">his top game score</a> came in a complete-game loss.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 15</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 5</span><br />(+1 for Cusick)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 11</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 8</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 16</span><br />(+1 for Augustine, +1 for Guidry, +1 for Demery)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 10</span><br />(+1 for Sizemore)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 295</span><br />(+4 for Guidry)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 12 </span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 7</span><br />(+1 for Guidry)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:9px;height:20px;text-align:center;width:250px;margin:0;padding:0;letter-spacing:-.5px"><a href="http://www.vizu.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color:#999;"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Market Research</span></a></div><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="250" height="384" name="vizu_poll" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" FlashVars="js=false&pid=135185&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-57498455534569260082008-12-09T14:05:00.003-05:002008-12-09T14:14:29.644-05:00VariousA few quick notes:<br /><ul><li>I just wrote a piece about dwindling offensive output by catchers right <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/sotd/archives/912">here</a>.</li><li>A word of warning for the person who wins 1978 Topps cards #63-#144: I pulled #100 (George Brett) and #120 (Gary Carter) to sent to Saints of the Cheap Seats since Dan is close to finishing his 1978 set. So you will not be winning those cards.</li><li>I'm gradually gathering more 1971 and 1973 Topps cards. If you have some you might want to trade, please email me and tell me YOUR want lists. Any cards I post on the blog are possibly available for trade, too. Hit me up at 78topps at gmail dot com.</li></ul>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-3322016395447222312008-12-09T07:30:00.001-05:002008-12-09T17:17:21.985-05:001978 Topps Cards #127 through #132<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#127 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lemonch01.shtml">Chet Lemon</a><br />#128 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/russebi01.shtml">Bill Russell</a><br />#129 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/colboji01.shtml">Jim Colborn</a><br />#130 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/burroje01.shtml">Jeff Burroughs</a><br />#131 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/blylebe01.shtml">Bert Blyleven</a><br />#132 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cabelen01.shtml">Enos Cabell</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/3082419443_0a9b33544c_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/3082419443_0a9b33544c_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> The three cards in the right column all use the photos to enhance the design. We have two script "Dodgers" in close proximity on Russell's card, a nice full "Atlanta Braves" on Burrough's card, and a block "Astros" and script "Astros" on Cabell's card. I love it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> Apparrently, Chet Lemon is a zombie. According to the back of his card, he doesn't "possess excellent speed" but rather he is "possessed <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">with</span> excellent speed." I believe the way to ward off that evil plague is to wear a brick on a chain around one's neck. Also, what does having a sure glove have to do with being a brilliant baserunner?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> It's hard not to love the Lemon photo as an excellent example of the White Sox's uniform of the period.<br /><br />Also, the Colburn photo is great since there must have been a woman pulling her top off in the upper deck, since that's the only reason Topps would have used such a dumb photo, since Colburn refused to look away from that spot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> If you've got a guy like Burroughs wearing Coke bottle eyeglasses, please try to shoot him from the front, not the side.<br /><br />If you look quickly at Cabell's photo, you might think his little soul patch beard is sticking out quite a bit. But look more carefully: that's actually a person in the background, right along the edge of Cabell's face. Are you kidding me? What a terrible photo choice.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/3083256578_35a7a44fb3_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/3083256578_35a7a44fb3_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />Russell once had <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/PYbE">9 total bases in a game</a>, and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN197208020.shtml">the Dodgers won 12-11</a>. You'd think that Russell had 4 or 5 RBIs in that game, but with his triple, homer, and two singles, he got only that 1 RBI. Kind of amazing. That game was also the only time in his career that he got on base 5 times.<br /><br />Colburn had one of <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/rnPb">the lowest strikeout rates in a 20-win season during the last 50 years</a>.<br /><br />When it comes to MVP awards, voters are usually seduced by big HR and RBI totals without much regard for the actual value of those numbers. Not so in 1977, though, where Burroughs hit 41 HR but finished 16th in the NL MVP voting. A big reason for that was George Foster's 52 HR the same year. But also, that season puts Burroughs in <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/9vzY">the top 10 for worst 40-HR seasons from an OPS+ perspective</a>. To hit that many homers and still have an OPS+ under 130 is pretty difficult to do, unless you played at Coors field in the late 1990s (as was the case with 5 of the top 18 seasons on that list.)<br /><br />I have already writetn tons online about Bert Blyleven. The guy belongs in the Hall of Fame without question. See <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/sotd/archives/502">here</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/sotd/archives/448">here</a>.<br /><br />Enos Cabell had a pretty poor stolen base precentage. I'm surprised he isn't higher on this list of <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/r2fq">most times caught stealing for guys with no more than 250 career stolen bases</a>. there are some really poor ratios on there, such as for Pete Rose and Alfredo Griffin.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 15</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 4</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 11</span><br />(+1 for Russell)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 8</span><br />(+1 for <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/burrose01.shtml">Sean Burroughs</a>, son of Jeff.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 13</span><br />(+1 for Russell)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 9</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 291</span><br />(+3 for Chet the Jet, +3 for Russell, +1 for Colborn, +2 for Burroughs, +2 for Blyleven)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 12</span><br />(+1 for Burroughs)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 6</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:9px;height:20px;text-align:center;width:250px;margin:0;padding:0;letter-spacing:-.5px"><a href="http://www.vizu.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color:#999;"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Market Research</span></a></div><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="250" height="384" name="vizu_poll" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" FlashVars="js=false&pid=134940&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-12847436124525219572008-12-08T13:40:00.002-05:002008-12-08T13:46:33.299-05:00LootI got a whole bunch of packages in the mail today, including one from Don S who sent a whole bunch of awesome 1971 and 1973 Topps cards for my sets.<br /><br />I also got 71 and 73 Topps from jackplumstead at <a href="http://pursuitof80s.blogspot.com/">Pursuit of 80's(ness) </a>and dayf at <a href="http://cardjunk.blogspot.com/">Cardboard Junkie</a>.<br /><br />John and dayf were both generous, including a Mattingly jersey relic card. Amazingly, they included the same card!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip76R50Q7kO-W6zmMa8aZZAIhL8Fz0I45IUZPwUm1rbsohsj-ew2lSfppIxfDbZD2nXUKX8jTyRNBmStU1FxACgv1cBB_DpkrPS8Jhm0ebzJeb43AVtYaoKJYstkB6w3J2v2v_k2WTm-CG/s1600-h/mattinglys.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip76R50Q7kO-W6zmMa8aZZAIhL8Fz0I45IUZPwUm1rbsohsj-ew2lSfppIxfDbZD2nXUKX8jTyRNBmStU1FxACgv1cBB_DpkrPS8Jhm0ebzJeb43AVtYaoKJYstkB6w3J2v2v_k2WTm-CG/s400/mattinglys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277492435837201026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One's got a stripe and one doesn't. Both are very sweet.<br /><br />Thanks guys!Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-80960883196405502232008-12-08T13:04:00.003-05:002008-12-08T13:14:07.591-05:001978 ZestHere is a beautiful 5-card set sent to me by JayBee of <a href="http://bdj610bbcblog.blogspot.com/">bdj610's Topps Baseball Card Blog.</a><br /><br />JayBee wrote about it originally <a href="http://bdj610bbcblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/if-this-is-his-topps-card-then-what_09.html">right here</a> and Greg from Night Owl Cards (also a recipient of a free set from JayBee) wrote more about it <a href="http://nightowlcards.blogspot.com/2008/11/soap-story.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Here are the fronts...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiJNEWkSagJADTfGGbAqu4tRna7YFlOlcMSyYSvwHmmcBQZWrzB7WQ3TRXl8IsoNNokTtdM2EED3ByuHIMHWbMhMaTeBDelCQxPHF8tpkAa5trYf1kewhvjbNptCx80CcQtJ30wwrSAiv/s1600-h/zestA.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiJNEWkSagJADTfGGbAqu4tRna7YFlOlcMSyYSvwHmmcBQZWrzB7WQ3TRXl8IsoNNokTtdM2EED3ByuHIMHWbMhMaTeBDelCQxPHF8tpkAa5trYf1kewhvjbNptCx80CcQtJ30wwrSAiv/s400/zestA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277482834240702386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and the backs...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9XXE1XSZj77_-9dP0VYv_85NqsddS068I6sjFCIoeW1s0-Xi3e4YTQ10VYIOOdKe7OLJsJnmlx7oVV2fA7JLUJJK1t_ho3uFpTRmUqAhB0fezJrWAToUk9Gc_GQnCtxJct7bnnLPUIrC/s1600-h/zestB.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9XXE1XSZj77_-9dP0VYv_85NqsddS068I6sjFCIoeW1s0-Xi3e4YTQ10VYIOOdKe7OLJsJnmlx7oVV2fA7JLUJJK1t_ho3uFpTRmUqAhB0fezJrWAToUk9Gc_GQnCtxJct7bnnLPUIrC/s400/zestB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277482844459867074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The fronts are identical to those from the regular 1978 Topps set, except for the Montanez photo. The backs are similar but include both English and Spanish for everything, do not include the PLAY BALL game, and Montanez's name includes a cedilla over the "n" that is not present on the back of his regular 78 Topps card.<br /><br />Thanks again to JayBee for sending this great set of cards!Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-3883662498271488272008-12-08T07:30:00.000-05:002008-12-08T10:26:06.823-05:001978 Topps Cards #121 through #126<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#121 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/woodsal01.shtml">Alvis Woods</a><br />#122 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/e/eckerde01.shtml">Dennis Eckersley</a><br />#123 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/trillma01.shtml">Manny Trillo</a><br />#124 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/rozemda01.shtml">Dave Rozema</a> All Star Rookie<br />#125 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/scottge02.shtml">George Scott</a><br />#126 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/moskapa01.shtml">Paul Moskau</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/3083255596_37267a2324_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/3083255596_37267a2324_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Al Woods is BRUT card #4.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> The back of Woods' card mentions that he hit an Opening Day pinch-hit homer. Neat. He's <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/7QFF">the 20th most-recent guy to do that</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> This isn't exactly bad, but it's interesting. The back of Moskau's card abbreviates "Earned Run Average" as "E.R.A." with the periods. I wonder when the periods were completely dropped from stat abbreviations such as ERA, RBI, etc.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> It's impossible not to love Scott's photo. He's displaying an actual real smile, so rarely seen on baseball cards. I wish the Boston logo on his helmet were visible, but otherwise it's a great shot.<br /><br />Four of these cards feature batting practice paraphernalia.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> Apparently, both Al Woods and Manny Trillo were hanging out in a criminal's hideout from the 1960 Batman TV show. The photos are <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">so crooked</span>, it's ridiculous.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/3083255950_1d66673905_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/3083255950_1d66673905_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />Al Woods had an interesting year in 1980. He's one of the <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/JaxP">most recent players to get 15 homers in a season with no more than 400 ABs and 35 or fewer K's</a>.<br /><br />Dave Rozema is <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/rozemda01.shtml">one of three guys with two different seasons allowing exactly 100 hits</a>. Could this stat be more meaningless? I don't think so.<br /><br />This is weird. George Scott, otherwise a great player, had <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/YhNR">one of the worst all-time OPS+ for a guy in his 3rd season or later</a>, minimum 350 ABs. I wonder what happened that year?<br /><br />Paul Moskau is one of <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/T2rs">three pitchers to complete at least one game and also finish at least one game every season from 1977 to 1980</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 15</span><br />(+1 for Eckersley)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 4</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 10</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 7</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 12</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 9</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 280</span><br />(+6 for Eckersley, +4 for Trillo, +3 for Scott)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 11</span><br />(+1 for Eckersley)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 6</span><br />(+1 for Eckersley)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9px; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 250px; letter-spacing: -0.5px;"><a href="http://www.vizu.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: underline;font-size:9;" >Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: underline;font-size:9;" >Market Research</span></a></div><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-07074159224727506 visible ontop" href="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf"></a><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="vizu_poll" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="js=false&pid=134932&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd" align="middle" width="250" height="384"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-74978474192938878512008-12-06T07:30:00.000-05:002008-12-06T07:30:00.609-05:001978 Topps Cards #115 through #120<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#115 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/n/nolanga01.shtml">Gary Nolan</a><br />#116 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/ashfotu01.shtml">Tucker Ashford</a><br />#117 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/montajo01.shtml">John Montague</a><br />#118 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/harmote01.shtml">Terry Harmon</a><br />#119 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/martide01.shtml">Denny Martinez</a><br />#120 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cartega01.shtml">Gary Carter</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/3083254806_bb42caed34_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/3083254806_bb42caed34_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> That's a pretty interesting stat they came up with on the back of Martinez's card. 1977 was his rookie year, although it was his second year in the bigs. A search for <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/rnqf">all pitchers who recorded at least 4 saves and 5 complete games in either their first or second year</a> reveals that Martinez wasn't even the only guy to do it in 1977.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> The commentary on the back of Montague's card is a bit more suspect. It says he saw action as both a starter and reliever in 1977 (translation: he sucked) and points out that he led the AA in shutouts in 1976. I wonder why he wasn't in the majors in 1976? (answer: he sucked.)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> The Carter photo here is the iconic one that everyone identifies with. I like it because it's iconic, but I hate most everything else about it. For one, nearly all the red on the Expos uniform is washed out, making him look more like he's wearing a Blue Jays uniform. For two, Carter looks like he's making a lude gesture with his tongue.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> There is a lot to dislike about these photos. Nolan, Ashford, Montague, and Harmon all have shadows across their faces. And Montague is looking so far off to the side....why? They could easily face photographed him more from the front. Harmon looks about 48 years old, by the way, thanks in large part to the shadows. Martinez (who looks so fresh-faced I can hardly believe that <a href="http://88topps.blogspot.com/2008/01/76-denny-martinez.html">this is the same guy</a>) looks like the Yankee Stadium foul pole is coming out of his pants (no jokes, please.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3082418387_de3d72ba81_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3082418387_de3d72ba81_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />Gary Nolan hit one homer in his career, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196806290.shtml">a 3-run job in a tie game in the 7th</a>. He pitched a 4-hit shutout that day.<br /><br />Of <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/ubNR">Tucker Ashford's 6 career homers</a>, one was a game-ending shot off <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bahnsst01.shtml">Mr. Pajamas</a> himself. He also hit one off Oatmeal Ruthven.<br /><br />From 1975 to 1980, Montague had one of the <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/WRPj">worst WHIPs in baseball</a>, minimum 400 IP. (For noobs, that's <span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span>alks plus <span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>its per <span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span>nning <span style="font-weight: bold;">P</span>itched.)<br /><br />Harmon had 3 career <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/hTtR">4-hit games</a>.<br /><br />El Presidente was one of just <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/hcTp">3 pitchers to have at least 2 RBIs as a batter each season from 1986 to 1993</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 14</span><br />(+1 for Carter)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 4</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 10</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 7</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 12</span><br />(+1 for Terry Harmon)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 9</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 267</span><br />(+1 for Nolan, +4 for Martinez, +11 for Carter)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 10 </span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 5</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:9px;height:20px;text-align:center;width:250px;margin:0;padding:0;letter-spacing:-.5px"><a href="http://www.vizu.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color:#999;"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Market Research</span></a></div><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="250" height="384" name="vizu_poll" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" FlashVars="js=false&pid=134440&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-69732330319929294832008-12-05T11:31:00.002-05:002008-12-05T12:26:50.139-05:001980 Topps Harold BainesWhat's that you say? Harold Baines didn't have a card in the 1980 Topps set?<br /><br />Well he does now, courtesy of an amazing creation by Steve at <a href="http://whitesoxcards.blogspot.com/2008/12/cards-that-never-were-1.html">White Sox Cards</a>.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-76090231125503828512008-12-05T08:30:00.000-05:002008-12-05T08:30:00.992-05:00PLAY BALL: Game 1, ninth inning<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GAME 1</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mudville Nine lead 7-6</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP OF THE NINTH INNING</span><br />Mudville Nine at bat<br /><br />#101 Sid Monge: ground out (one out)<br />#102 Matt Alexander: single (runner on first, one out)<br />#103 Tom Murphy: foul out (runner on first, two outs)<br />#104 Lee Lacy: fly out (three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">0 runs on 1 hit and 0 walks. Mudville Nine lead 7-6</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BOTTOM OF THE NINTH INNING</span><br />New York Knights at bat<br /><br />#105 Reggie Cleveland: K (one out)<br />#106 Bill Plummer: single (runner on first, one out)<br />#107 Ed Halicki: ground out (GIDP, three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">0 runs on 1 hit and 0 walks.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Mudville Nine win Game 1 by the score of 7-6</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-12445118458346742722008-12-05T07:30:00.000-05:002008-12-05T07:30:00.332-05:001978 Topps Cards #109 through #114<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#109 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/torrejo01.shtml">Joe Torre</a><br />#110 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/z/ziskri01.shtml">Richie Zisk</a><br />#111 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tysonmi01.shtml">Mike Tyson</a><br />#112 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1977.shtml">Houston Astros</a><br />#113 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/carrido01.shtml">Don Carrithers</a><br />#114 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/blairpa01.shtml">Paul Blair</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3062000054_d38cbba5a5_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3062000054_d38cbba5a5_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Candlestick Marlboro sign sighting #4 on Tyson's card.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Zisk is blocking the BRUT sign.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> There's nice attention to detail on the back of Torre's card. Instead of saying that he "THROWS: RIGHT" it says he "THREW: RIGHT." I'm sure that in 1978, Torre was still capable of throwing, but Topps is subtly noting that he was no longer a player in 1978, just a manager.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> The Zisk card contains a horrible error in design. Do you know what it is? If not, <a href="http://www.baseballchronology.com/Super70s/Sports/Memorabilia/Cards/Baseball/1978/Topps.asp">click here</a> and read about halfway down the page. I wonder how much this oversight hurt Zisk's reputation. Had Topps not made the error, lots of kids might have thought of him as a better player.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> Well, hmm, this is another pretty unimpressive group. The Astros team photo is my favorite, just to see all those rainbow jerseys line up into one huge rainbow. They should have hired a guy to dress up like a leprachaun or big pot of gold or something.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> Where do I start with the suck? The Zisk photo is a halfways decent airbrush, except that I would have airbrushed out that ridiculous gold chain in the process. Torre's mouth is hanging open in <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">both</span> photos on his card. Mike Tyson needs so badly to brush his hair. And I know that Paul Blair was black, but his face, hair, and cap are ridiculously dark in this photo. You can barely see anything. Don Carrithers, you get a pass.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/3062000480_0b0666dff3_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/3062000480_0b0666dff3_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />I don't understand how <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1971.shtml#NLmvp">Joe Torre won the MVP in 1971</a>. He had a great year, sure, but Willie Stargell and especially Hank Aaron had much better years. Incidentally, his MVP doesn't count below since it's his manager card here. Torre was a player/manager in 1977 but not in 1978.<br /><br />Zisk is one of just 10 guys to have <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/kU5G">double-digit homers every season from 1973 to 1983</a>.<br /><br />Tyson owned John Candelaria, hitting 3 of his <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/fcCZ">27 career homers</a> against him. First came a go-ahead 2-run homer in May 1976. A few months later came an inside-the-park 3-run homer. Then in July 1977 came a grand slam off the Candy Man. Nice.<br /><br />Carrithers should have been used exclusively as a reliever. Checking out <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/psplit.cgi?n1=carrido01&year=00#role-sprel">his splits by role</a>, his ERA was nearly a run and a half better as a reliever. He actually walked more guys than he struck out as a starter and allowed more hits than innings pitched, too.<br /><br />Blair has one of the <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/ZzQB">most recent seasons with at least 12 triples but no more than 8 stolen bases</a>. I sort of discount Jim Rice's appearances on that list since the Red Sox didn't really run much.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 13</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 4</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 10</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 7</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 12</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 9</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 252</span><br />(+2 for Zisk, +2 for Blair)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 10 </span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 5</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9px; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 250px; letter-spacing: -0.5px;"><a href="http://www.vizu.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: underline;font-size:9;" >Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: underline;font-size:9;" >Market Research</span></a></div><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-02561878893139967 visible ontop" href="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf"></a><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="vizu_poll" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="js=false&pid=133914&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd" align="middle" width="250" height="384"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-58538454353373166942008-12-04T12:00:00.001-05:002008-12-04T12:00:05.359-05:00PLAY BALL: Game 1, eighth inning<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GAME 1</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mudville Nine lead 7-5</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP OF THE EIGHTH INNING</span><br />Mudville Nine at bat<br /><br />#89 Ken Clay: ground out (one out)<br />#90 Larry Bowa: fly out (two outs)<br />#91 Oscar Zamora: 2B (runner on second, two outs)<br />#92 Adrian Devine: fly out (three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">0 runs on 1 hit and 0 walks. Mudville Nine lead 7-5</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH INNING</span><br />New York Knights at bat<br /><br />#93 Bobby Cox (no play)<br />#94 Chuck Scrivener: 2B (runner on second, no outs)<br />#95 Jamie Quirk: ground out (runner on second, one out)<br />#96 Baltimore Orioles (no play)<br />#97 Stan Bahnsen: single (runners on first and third, one out)<br />#98 Jim Essian: fly out (<span style="font-weight: bold;">one run scores</span>, runner on first, two outs)<br />#99 Willie Hernandez: BB (runners on first and second, two outs)<br />#100 George Brett: ground out (three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">1 run on 2 hits and 1 walk. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Mudville Nine lead 7-6</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-47718072004048226642008-12-04T07:30:00.000-05:002008-12-04T07:30:00.718-05:001978 Topps Cards #103 through #108<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">#103 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/murphto02.shtml">Tom Murphy</a><br />#104 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lacyle01.shtml">Lee Lacy</a><br />#105 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/clevere01.shtml">Reggie Cleveland</a><br />#106 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/plummbi01.shtml">Bill Plummer</a><br />#107 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/haliced01.shtml">Ed Halicki</a><br />#108 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/joshuvo01.shtml">Von Joshua</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3061157831_0c09187734_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 820px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3061157831_0c09187734_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE DESIGN</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> Topps did me one better here. I wrote the "STATS" section below before writing this section and I noted that Plummer's best offensive game was a 2-HR job against Steve Carlton. They found a better one, as noted on the back of his card. In fact, holy crap, <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/ceaN">he never had 4, 5, or 6 RBI's in a game</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> Really? What was so "superb" about <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS197709190.shtml">this game</a>? I'm not sure I like the copy on the back of Cleveland's card.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE PHOTOS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good:</span> First, a little contest. One of these 6 photos immediately struck me as <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> oddly reminiscent of a certain TV show. Five points to whomever can guess it in the comments. (No random guesses please, just solid theories.)<br /><br />Three of these photos (Lacy, Plummer, and Halicki) show the player's uniform number, with Joshua giving up just half of his. I love that.<br /><br />Cleveland joins the shadow club, and Halicki joins the Candlestick park "375 sign" club.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad:</span> No horrible photos in this bunch, except maybe for Murphy with a nasty shadow right across his face. I'm not crazy about the glare on Plummer's helmet either.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/3061999752_63dcbc033e_b.jpg"><img style="width: 402px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/3061999752_63dcbc033e_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />THE STATS</span></span><br /><br />In 1974, Tom Murphy had one of <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/b6ax">the best ERA+ figures for a guy with at least 120 IP who finished with a W-L record no better than .500</a>.<br /><br />Lee Lacy is far and away the leader in <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/Muf7">most seasons with 3 or 4 triples</a>.<br /><br />Reggie Cleveland has the 2nd most-recent <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/NmJs">season with 10 complete games and also 10 games finished</a>.<br /><br />Another stat from 1974 is <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI197406080.shtml">this game</a>, Plummer's best on offense where he hit 2 homers off Steve Carlton.<br /><br />Since 1901, only 11 times has a pitcher qualified for the ERA title with a WHIP of 1.06 or less and <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> gotten at least 10 wins. <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/6YGr">Halicki had such a year in 1978</a>, only the 3rd such year since 1917. Curt Schilling makes his second appearance in this post.<br /><br />Not too often does a guy hit 10 triples but then have as many as 10 caught stealings with as few as 20 stolen bases. <a href="http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/quYX">Von Joshua did it in 1975</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE COUNTERS</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hall of Famers: 13</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deceased: 4</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Future managers: 10</span><br />(+1 for Plummer)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fathers and sons of major leaguers: 7</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Loyalty counter: 12</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rookies of the Year: 9</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total all-star appearances: 248</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total MVP awards: 10 </span><br />(none)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cy Young awards: 5</span><br />(none)<br /><br /><!-- Altering or removing this link is a breach of the Vizu Terms and Conditions --><div style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:9px;height:20px;text-align:center;width:250px;margin:0;padding:0;letter-spacing:-.5px"><a href="http://www.vizu.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Online Surveys</span></a><span style="color:#999;"> & </span><a href="http://answers.vizu.com/market-research.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color:#999;text-decoration:underline;font-size:9px;">Market Research</span></a></div><embed src="http://wp.vizu.com/vizu_poll.swf" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="250" height="384" name="vizu_poll" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" FlashVars="js=false&pid=133697&ad=false&vizu=true&links=true&mainBG=12232A&questionText=dddddd&answerZoneBG=a9501b&answerItemBG=a9501b&answerText=dddddd&voteBG=12232A&voteText=dddddd"></embed>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968890904774098130.post-9035570026656163462008-12-03T12:00:00.000-05:002008-12-03T12:00:04.770-05:00PLAY BALL: Game 1, seventh inning<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GAME 1</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mudville Nine lead 7-5</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOP OF THE SEVENTH INNING</span><br />Mudville Nine at bat<br /><br />#74 Checklist 1-121 (no play)<br />#75 Dick Ruthven: foul out (one out)<br />#76 Steve Ontiveros: 2B (runner on second, one out)<br />#77 Ed Kirkpatrick: fly out (runner on second, two outs)<br />#78 Pablo Torrealba: rules card (no play)<br />#79 Darrell Johnson (no play)<br />#80 Ken Griffey: single (runners on first and third, two outs)<br />#81 Pete Redfern: ground out (three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">0 runs on 2 hits and 0 walks. Mudville Nine lead 7-5</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH INNING</span><br />New York Knights at bat<br /><br />#82 San Francisco Giants (no play)<br />#83 Bob Montgomery: BB (runner on first, no outs)<br />#84 Kent Tekulve: fly out (runner on first, one out)<br />#85 Ron Fairly: BB (runners on first and second, one out)<br />#86 Dave Tomlin: K (runners on first and second, two outs)<br />#87 John Lowenstein: single (bases loaded, two outs)<br />#88 Mike Phillips: K (three outs)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">0 runs on 1 hit and 2 walks. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Mudville Nine lead 7-5</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05644396308532248413noreply@blogger.com0