Old baseball cards & football cards

Negro Leagues Baseball Star Sam "Jet" Jethroe

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:03:00 +0000

Sam Jethroe played in the Negro Leagues for years and didn't get his chance to play in the Majors until he was 33 . . . and I wonder if there was ever an older Rookie of the Year awardee ! He missed by just two years, and a move to Milwaukee, playing alongside Hank Aaron.

Here's something fascinating about Sam Jethroe. See, in the stats below (from baseballreference.com), the remarkable consistency of his offensive stats from his first two seasons, including leading the league in steals both years with 35:

The card shown is from the 1950 Bowman set.

Home base

Cleveland Browns Bill Glass

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:22:00 +0000

Four-time Pro-Bowler Bill Glass starred for the Detroit Lions & Cleveland Browns. He played his college ball at Baylor. More importantly, he became a man of God and now spends his time witnessing to people behind bars. Learn more about that here: Behind the Walls

He was once a neighbor and lived behind us. After I was born my father placed a blue blanket out on the line to dry--this was to hip those in the know that a baby boy had been born. Bill congratulated my dad on it. (Not that I was or am a big deal haha!)

The card is a 1968 Topps. I believe that was my favorite year for football cards. I never had the set complete and don't think I have any at all right now; but maybe, if I win the Lottery someday, I'll snag that old set! There must be about a hundred cards form that set that I've never laid eyes on. If you know what the inserts were for that year, please let me know in the comments.

The 12 Worst Baseball Cards of All Time

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:17:00 +0000

I'm really just "phoning in" this blog update; shame on me. I'm just giving you a link . . . but it's a dandy!

With no further ado:

The 12 Worst Baseball Cards of All Time

Favorite Sports Cards

St. Louis Cardinals Red Schoendienst

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:20:00 +0000

I'm certainly no stranger to Red Schoendienst, but I've never even met the guy. You see, he's the guy whose baseball cards I always seemed to get--if I opened up a new pack, there was Red right on top, still managing the St. Louis Cardinals.

Once I even had a dream, maybe closer to a nightmare, that he was on every card of the last pack on earth. So you see, I'm real comfortable with Red, though his name should be Orange; after all, his hair is orange, not red . . .

All kidding aside, it gratifies me to learn, via the Baseball Reference, that the old Hall of Famer is still alive and kickin' at 92! I hope I see you around sometime, old buddy.

The card is a 1962 Topps. I chose it because it's one of Red's I never owned.

Home

Kansas City Chief Jim Tyrer Hall of Fame?

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:18:00 +0000

When you see former Ohio State All American Jim Tyrer's page on Pro Football Reference, you will probably be struck immediately by his singular accomplishments on the gridiron.

Let's see . . . Pro Bowl nine times, first team All Pro six times, All Time AFL team as tackle, just to name three.

A sure Hall-of-Famer, huh? Not so fast.

After Jim got out of the game, he didn't have what he considered too much luck or success in the business world. One day, at the end of his rope, he shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself, orphaning his children. He was only 41.

This sad stigma seems to follow him in death, keeping him out of the Hall of Fame, where he belongs, I think. Tell us in the "Comments" below if you think he belongs in the Hall of Fame. Rest in peace, Jim.

The card is a 1971 Topps. I had that set complete at one time and sold it piecemeal on Ebay.

Favorite Sports Cards

Retro San Diego Charger Jacque MacKinnon

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:39:00 +0000

The story of Jacque MacKinnon was an interesting but tragic one.

The last man drafted in the draft, he was known as "Mr. Irrelevant"; but he was the only last man to be drafted who wound up playing in an All Star game, two of them, as a matter of fact.

He was a reliable tight end for the San Diego Chargers from 1961-69, and was with the Oakland Raiders in 1970, but doesn't seem to as much as caught a single pass with them.

Sadly, some years after his retirement, he popped over a chain link fence, not realizing that on the opposite side was a construction site, and he fell thirty feet. His injuries proved fatal.

The card is a 1969 Topps, which was near the end of the line for old Jacque. May he rest in peace.

Favorite Sports Cards

Buck Buchanan was one scary dude

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:09:00 +0000

30 plus reviews & your discounted copy of Going Long : The Wild Ten Year Saga of the Renegade American Football League in the Words of Those Who Lived It

Here's Buck in the first Super Bowl, about to put some serious hurt on Green Bay Packer Bart Starr.

As big Buck continues to lower the boom, good Bart's neck begins to weaken under the strain . . .

Note, in the left background of this classic black and white still, a helpless E.J. Holub, his own poor knees nearly in shreds at this point in his career, looking on, wondering what the heck he could do to help Buck nab the quarterback--not a helluva lot, as it turned out.

I understand Bart Starr's wife is going through difficult times. Say a prayer for her. RIP, Buck.

No card this week. Stagger over to my homepage instead:

Home

Invisible Lumber

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 13:52:00 +0000

Gino Cimoli was notorious for availing himself of the Old Invisible Bat Trick, which was distant cousin to the Old Hidden Ball Trick. Not sure what he was trying to do, distract the pitcher, I suppose, but it never did him much good, as he was just a .265 career hitter. That said, he did lead the league in 3-base knocks one year. Had he been a pitcher and used an invisible ball, I'm sure he would have fared better . . .

The card is a 1958 Topps, and a wonder of airbrushing.

Favorite Sports Cards

Amazing Baseball Story

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Fri, 23 May 2014 13:27:00 +0000

Last year during a Rangers game, Frank Robinson went up into the booth with announcers Steve Busby & Tom Grieve. The announcers welcomed Frank, and he immediately asked Steve Busby to tell him about his (Busby's) pick-off move back in his playing days.

Steve Busby then told of a game back when Frank was managing the Indians and Busby was pitching for the Royals. It seems Charlie Spikes hit a triple; then Busby promptly picked him off third base.

Later in that same game, Spikes hit a double and was subsequently moved along to third base where, Busby said, he picked Charlie Spikes off again! twice in the same game. Busby related how Charlie Spikes never spoke to him again after that.

Now I've watched baseball since 1969, and I can't recall ever seeing anyone picked off third base, let alone twice in the same game; and for it to happen to the same player twice in one game, well that may never happen again.

Favorite Sports Cards

76 Reasons to Love Collecting Sports Cards

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 12:50:00 +0000

Gonna turn you on to a cool link here in a sec. The link is to a page called 76 Reasons to Love Collecting Sports Cards. But first I would like to add two other reasons to his 76 reasons.

Reason 77: Finding cards you have never seen before that belong to a set you collected as a child.

Reason 78: Learning the grim reality that you are lucky to get 20% of what Beckett guides say your cards are worth; but looking on the bright side, maybe that knowledge somehow gives you some kind of an edge in some of your card dealings.

Now here's the cool link promised:

76 Reasons to Love Collecting Sports Cards

Favorite Sports Cards

Fun baseball cards link

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 15:00:00 +0000

Just turning you on to a really cool baseball cards page. It's full of fun stuff! Introducing: Heartbreaking Cards

It'll make you smile like this guy:

Favorite Sports Cards

Birthday Boy!

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 14:12:00 +0000

Who knew that old Monte Irvin was still around to enjoy my birthday shout out to him for his 95th?!

A bit of trivia now. Who led the league in RBI in Willie Mays' rookie year 1951? Monte Irvin did.

The card is a 1953 Bowman color.

Roam home

Happy birthday Manny Mota

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:26:00 +0000

What a crummy-looking card for a guy who maintained a .300 career average over a twenty-year career. The card featured a quite realistic-loooking cap, jersey & undershirt. Not! Good grief, they even fired a total blank on the back of this sad speciman of a baseball card. Happy birthday to Manny, anyhow.

The card is a 1973 Topps. Shame on 'em.

Roam home

Jerry Kramer still not in HOF

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:51:00 +0000

No, he isn't in the Hall of Fame. That doesn't keep him from being the birthday boy today. Happy birthday, Jerry.

You were a Cowboy killer and made "The Block" in the title game, leaving my Dallas club out in the below-zero cold. Brr. You made three Pro Bowls & were called All Pro five times. You wrote a sports best-seller for the ages. You even did some field goal kicking for the Pack. Still, no Hall of Fame for you. Go figure.

The card is a 1968 Topps. Roam home

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 18:54:00 +0000

A happy birthday, to mighty Willie McCovey, old "Stretch" himself. He nailed down first base for the San Francisco Giants for years and nabbed Comeback Player of the year later for the Padres.

I had his 1960 Topps rookie card (yes, one of those awful horizontal 1960s Topps), but it didn't auction for much because, on the back, taking up nearly all the surface, some dunce had scrawled "1960" in thick marks a lot. Boohoo.

Card shown is a 1970 Topps All Star card.

Roam home (and don't forget to slide)

Save? Closure? Quick kick?

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 19:53:00 +0000

"Closers" are to baseball what Hungarian-born, soccer-style field goal kickers were to football. In other words, not much.

Just let one of today's bullpen guys try to explain to Old Hoss Radbourn (above) about their one-inning "heroics" and closures. Hoss would turn over in his grave and probably have a nice puke while he was at it.

And there's no need for the one-inning guy to show off his gold chain to Old Hoss, either, because Hoss would likely just pulverize it into a lipful of snuff. And don't even get me and Hoss started on these starting "pitchers" who can't even get through nine innings, due to a chipped nail or a run in their hose . . .

As for field goal kickers, why not just go ahead and punt the damn thing? Better yet, why not quick kick as old Bud Wilkinson would have ordered way down yonder at OU? Points for a field goal? Are you kidding Old Hoss? No more points for field goals. No more field goals period.

Now go and explore Old Hoss Radbourn's career figures for complete games.

My luxurious home

New York Yankees' season comes mercifully to an end

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 18:12:00 +0000

Whew. "Thank God that's over," sigh thousands of Yankee faithful. The year that wasn't. The year that often had nine misfits out there as the starting nine. Ugh.

Now these guys are clamoring for larger chunks of dough. Tell it to the men shown above. No one on the team this year would even qualify to hose out one of the guys above's jockstraps.

My luxurious home

70's Chicago Cubs Topps team pictures

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 16:06:00 +0000

What was with the 1970s Cubs team photo cards with the floating heads? Did those guys refuse to stand side by side in rows like all the other teams did? Have always wondered . . . Bet it had something to do with Leo the Lip or Joltin' Joe Pepitone.

Bunt happy in Cincy

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:38:00 +0000

The Cincinnati Reds are said to have gone bunt loco last night. This might lead to speculation about the best bunter of all time. (Hmm ... spell checker assuring me "bunter" is not a word.)

I submit for your approval Hall of Famer Nellie Fox. I make this selection just due to stats, because I never saw the old devil play. I got to see him while he was a coach for the Texas Rangers. He always had a serious chaw of tobacco in his jaw. Dang! he always looked about 106, but he died at the young age of 47. Don't let his deer in the headlights expression in the card above fool you; Nelson Fox could really lay one down on you. And you better stay out of the line of fire of his tobacco juice!

I leave you with one of the greatest lines from literature: "Terwilliger bunts one." (Annie Dillard?)

The card is a 1961 Topps

My luxurious home

Catcher or goalie?

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:17:00 +0000

I find annoying all this new catcher's gear. Good grief, this guy below looks like he's about to get out there & straddle a dang hockey puck instead of getting down to the business of catching.

Contrast that with old Edward Fitzgerald above. He kept it simple, basic. He knew you had to dress like Yogi Berra to play the role.

Card shown is 1952 Bowman.

My luxurious home

Photo at Aroundthefoghorn

Gotta love this guy!

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 18:45:00 +0000

Put me down in the Adam Rosales camp when, hitting next to nothing, he smoked a long homer & then raced around the bases like he was legging out an inside-the-parker, a big smile on his mug all the way. Not one to rest on his laurels, he later added a SAC fly. This guy will be fun to watch.

Contrast the fleet-footed Adam with lumbering, slow-footed Hall of Famer Ernie Lombardi, shown at top. Old Ernie led the league grounding into double plays four times & was right in there pitching for that title in other years. The card depicted is a 1934 Goudey.

Favorite Sports Cards

Houston Astros rookie pulls HUGE boner!

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Houston Astros rookie Max Stassi fell victim to one of the oldest tricks in the book: the old hidden ball trick, & this was right after collecting his first major league hit. Veteran 2nd-sacker Ian Kinsler orchestrated it all. (View it here.)

I'm just having some fun with the young man. After all, he banged out 2 base hits & could retire today with a .667 batting average. Good job, Stassi!

Pic shows 1972 Topps Texas Rangers team card, & what a sorry lot they were.

Rico Carty - "The Beeg Boy"

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 18:57:00 +0000

Rico Carty was one of the great personalities of the game. He did some time with my Texas Rangers in 1973 when I was eleven. Hopes were high because he had hit an astounding .366 to lead the league with Atlanta just a couple years previous.

I recall an interview of him, either on TV or in print, in which he was asked about his mediocre start that year for Texas. He assured the reporter that there was no need to fear because, "When the weather gets hot, the 'Beeg Boy' will get hot too," he always did . . . Hmm.

Well, the weather got hot--after all, this is Texas, but Rico, the Old Beeg Boy himself, never really did, managing only three home runs & the lowest batting average of his career up to that point, a paltry .232.

Maybe it just hadn't gotten hot enough for Rico, for he was sold to the Cubs by August 13, so there were still a couple good months of Texas heat awaiting him. Oh, well, you never know; you never know what might have been . . .

Funny what an eleven-year-old remembers. And don't get me wrong. Rico Carty is one of my all-time faves. And wouldn't you know it, the old devil went on to have some more great years . . . out of this miserable Texas heat.

Card is a 1973 Topps

Favorite Sports Cards

Hey, who was that guy?

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 14:58:00 +0000

My suggestion on how to increase interest during a baseball game is to, between pitches, have the announcers give the old base coaches a big send-up by telling a little about them.

Back when I started watching games, I always enjoyed identifying who the old coaches were, often recalling them from old baseball cards or my Dad's memories of them.

Since I watch the Texas Rangers games, color man Tom Grieve might say, for instance, how former catcher, Jocko Backstop, who is now loitering in the first base box for the opposing team, could really peg them out at second base back in the day. That would be interesting to learn instead of thinking that old guy's just standing around, counting the crowd while wishing he was thirty years younger when he sees a pretty girl in the stands.

So come on, guys, tell us a little something about those old base coaches . . .

Favorite Sports Cards

Biggest baseball card fall-off one year to the next

noreply@blogger.com (jont) — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 14:34:00 +0000

So, what's the biggest fall-off from year to year as to the appearance of Topps baseball cards issued in the 1960's? In my opinion, it would have to be 1965 to 1966 Topps.

The 1965 Topps set was so primo and beautiful, an explosion of color. On the other hand were the 1966 Topps cards, with their pennants making a diagonal slash across the top corner, denoting the team. I was tempted to choose 1968 as the ugly duckling, what with its awful brown-yellow hatching that looked like hay scattered in a chicken coop, but there's something extra awful about these 1966 Topps that I'm having trouble putting my finger on. . . .

Maybe it's how some of the players are sopping wet with sweat, or maybe the way so many of them look like they just got out of rehab. It must be a combination of those two. I always try to put a positive spin on things, so I'll try to think of 1966 Topps baseball cards as a celebration of bad baseball card design.

1965 Topps Baseball (the good)

1966 Topps Baseball (the ugly)

My home