tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9958348853321255292024-02-06T21:35:08.894-08:00Rating The RookiesCards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-27672665459339770142016-09-09T09:52:00.000-07:002016-09-09T09:52:44.280-07:001965 Topps Indians Rookie Stars: George Culver, Tommie Agee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhsbvMxzFv7LOeMjcWgPtZkiyNLlVcu-nmhyiloX3XIueu7JnVTUCbTldmb1gke-jqYV1ZfJHW7vfPb8H2V4mbh9duv07-TF3SgMkMnGzGIYQ6THZG_8eRWeD0DUYrdxjf98y8TIsahI/s1600/1965+Topps+%2523166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhsbvMxzFv7LOeMjcWgPtZkiyNLlVcu-nmhyiloX3XIueu7JnVTUCbTldmb1gke-jqYV1ZfJHW7vfPb8H2V4mbh9duv07-TF3SgMkMnGzGIYQ6THZG_8eRWeD0DUYrdxjf98y8TIsahI/s400/1965+Topps+%2523166.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the second post in a row we have rookie cards of players who would become Rookie Of the Year. Here is a 1965 Rookie Stars card that was ahead of its time. Although both went on to have solid MLB careers, neither played for the Indians in the 1965 season as projected on this card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4gHiZlO4cpD-i1cquQlXhexbcSW-3xx8biWgMDAb_rfP4dhWi4KvvUN2gUdtHaEcIBE5Mq1-xPxUPOn2TnpsibK8snPiuj0Ee2ZCI-7VSb-2QOlSLi-cFMOBv03Rx5mA5tcFBCeGofM/s1600/1967+Topps+%2523499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4gHiZlO4cpD-i1cquQlXhexbcSW-3xx8biWgMDAb_rfP4dhWi4KvvUN2gUdtHaEcIBE5Mq1-xPxUPOn2TnpsibK8snPiuj0Ee2ZCI-7VSb-2QOlSLi-cFMOBv03Rx5mA5tcFBCeGofM/s320/1967+Topps+%2523499.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/culvege01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">George Culver</a></strong> didn't play in the big leagues at all in 1965. He finally got called up in September of 1966. At that point Topps gave him a do-over and included him on this 1967 Indians Rookie Stars card along with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vidaljo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jose Vidal</a></strong>. </div>
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Culver played from 1966 until 1974 with the Indians, Reds, Cardinals, Astros, Dodgers and Phillies, After he was released by the Phillies he signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japan Pacific League. He saw very little action there and made an unsuccessful attempted return to the MLB. Instead he spent over 30 years as a coach, manager and pitching coordinator in the Phillies and Dodgers organizations. </div>
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His best year was 1968 with Cincinnati. He was used primarily as a starter and had career bests in most pitching categories, both good and not so good. He had highs in wins with 11 and strikeouts with 114. He also had career highs in losses with 16, walks with 84 and led the league in hit batsmen. On July 29th he no-hit the Phillies 6-1. He gave up the only unearned run when <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/allendi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dick Allen</a></strong> reached first and was granted second on a throwing error by future Hall of Famer, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tony Perez</a></strong> at third. Allen made third base on a ground out to first then scored on a sac fly by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rojasco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cookie Rojas</a></strong>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEx1T_00UiT6joSl7U6VumoTGFNM-1xbSmRrLAVna01KXQpQjYuG3oazfq3ufxdY58syo4qvCHwupOmRl4-8FdGeHd1ywZ6RJpgvHs9ZKws4goT3bygXvfn8k1YJsRQC1VT1Q8DwsWTI/s1600/1968+1970+culver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEx1T_00UiT6joSl7U6VumoTGFNM-1xbSmRrLAVna01KXQpQjYuG3oazfq3ufxdY58syo4qvCHwupOmRl4-8FdGeHd1ywZ6RJpgvHs9ZKws4goT3bygXvfn8k1YJsRQC1VT1Q8DwsWTI/s320/1968+1970+culver.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
For his Card That Never Was, I could have gone in many different directions. First there was no card from 1966 but with two other rookie cards, I decided against a third. Other candidates for a remake were his 1968 card on the Reds and his 1970 card on the Cardinals. Both used the same hatless photo of him in an Indians uniform.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlFMA44HhATsANXkcCTv3aOCtvweCC_L1pObGMa435bIloBB1bfZVV-joxa28LdnNo8k1fG2eL0uqsSkUDBsXOE9Lb9odXseGwXKVWgX6KrpfFLZas3PK7lINpYdFlxW28rFI0KirTuA/s1600/1973+Topps+George+Culver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlFMA44HhATsANXkcCTv3aOCtvweCC_L1pObGMa435bIloBB1bfZVV-joxa28LdnNo8k1fG2eL0uqsSkUDBsXOE9Lb9odXseGwXKVWgX6KrpfFLZas3PK7lINpYdFlxW28rFI0KirTuA/s400/1973+Topps+George+Culver.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
Instead I settled on remaking his 1973 Topps card to show him as a Dodger. He began the 1973 season in L.A. and it is his only team not represented on cardboard. The Phillies picked him up off waivers in August of 1973 and he spent the rest of the season and began 1974 season there before being released in June. He had a 1973 card showing him in an Astros uniform and a 1974 card showing him as a Phillie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJu1scZWbZVwBP7TpP1FnQ2aoa4IYUmWH0UW4-PAFf2FjhVqV9Whi5Y0xxKZTA1o3tCw-6AXaRKGaQWu2T0U5f06XB4DeR3noJ4JXZz12zVLu3DLNx9RUdiIoEwd3J-9M7XCv40gRvgI/s1600/1966+Topps+%2523164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJu1scZWbZVwBP7TpP1FnQ2aoa4IYUmWH0UW4-PAFf2FjhVqV9Whi5Y0xxKZTA1o3tCw-6AXaRKGaQWu2T0U5f06XB4DeR3noJ4JXZz12zVLu3DLNx9RUdiIoEwd3J-9M7XCv40gRvgI/s320/1966+Topps+%2523164.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>After playing in 31 MLB games for the Cleveland Indians from 1962-1964 <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ageeto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tommie Agee</a></strong> was given a spot on this 1965 Rookie Stars card. And in January of 1965 he was part of a three-team, eight-player deal that landed him on the White Sox. He played only 10 games for the Sox in 1965 and was given another Rookie Stars card in 1966 along with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/staehma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Marv Staehle</a></strong>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwM2DhL_khyqLCkZpEtgYiCE_vYIVclQaRSKC3tycb8Oi76wjxi1kRaJzkYuQxdNrehVed-OV-VY935xOwCHVJ-hhGh3vICh0JR1RgGJfWP9xcVp6ul-znhy7XVsI2ZuVxYD4NOU8068/s1600/1966+Topps+Tommie+Agee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwM2DhL_khyqLCkZpEtgYiCE_vYIVclQaRSKC3tycb8Oi76wjxi1kRaJzkYuQxdNrehVed-OV-VY935xOwCHVJ-hhGh3vICh0JR1RgGJfWP9xcVp6ul-znhy7XVsI2ZuVxYD4NOU8068/s320/1966+Topps+Tommie+Agee.jpg" width="230" /></a> 1966 would turn into a Rookie of the Year campaign for Agee. He hit .273 with 22 homers 86 RBIs and 44 stolen bases. He earned a Gold Glove and made his first All Star appearance in 1966. He got 80% of the Rookie of the Year votes and even received several MVP votes landing him eighth in the AL. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtPKgtV8X7DTf-85v5fUoIRgSJfZs1KXBIOQrXoVWP6y16KBOweM-FlpZzUHYjmUR5J0JKTX3eq7FHw-s1vFAti7Q3Qp9XdbKFDLqDEgBnAffv6mXJTI9zrcVhN-6H8wSvuY36HZsgtQ/s1600/1975+Topps+1966+Rookies+of+the+Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtPKgtV8X7DTf-85v5fUoIRgSJfZs1KXBIOQrXoVWP6y16KBOweM-FlpZzUHYjmUR5J0JKTX3eq7FHw-s1vFAti7Q3Qp9XdbKFDLqDEgBnAffv6mXJTI9zrcVhN-6H8wSvuY36HZsgtQ/s320/1975+Topps+1966+Rookies+of+the+Year.jpg" width="320" /></a>I have made several Cards That Never Were of Agee for my other <b><a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a></b>. He was included in my Rookie of the Year project so I made a solo 1966 Topps card of him which was then included on the 1975 cards I made that were in the same vein as the MVP cards Topps made.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB68ilslHxkMwjtZAhp6OELtpHAFSS2pGPUNOPWQeXKh2RHQMSh308r6HufZvWVccLCS347qciUEesnHXWmkad4Crzy4kpDrrjc5vbx0fX2ZfVqcp-cBN0n0pzxT7LLNAVfiTNd7Rk2Y/s1600/1967+Topps+AL+Stolen+Base+Leaders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB68ilslHxkMwjtZAhp6OELtpHAFSS2pGPUNOPWQeXKh2RHQMSh308r6HufZvWVccLCS347qciUEesnHXWmkad4Crzy4kpDrrjc5vbx0fX2ZfVqcp-cBN0n0pzxT7LLNAVfiTNd7Rk2Y/s320/1967+Topps+AL+Stolen+Base+Leaders.jpg" width="320" /></a>He was also included on a couple of League Leader Cards That Never Were. Topps didn't begin including stolen base leader cards in their sets until 1973. But if they had he would have occupied the third spot in both 1967 and 1968. Oddly the stolen base top three leaders were identical in 1966 and 1967. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/campabe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bert Campaneris</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bufordo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Don Buford</a></strong> and Tommie Agee took first, second and third respectively both years. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1kPYaDij82XjchczJdVAYObjYD4RQQv81xTAHyRALsBb8Pj1tLzhHd92uUISrqGP9tWoe0ws9ffkHT4rfVuWcpSPf5IamEjJpHje_swalrF2_-a3_jY8BjDtue2xtJOZkcViewA7Lz4/s1600/1968+Topps+AL+Stolen+Base+Leaders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1kPYaDij82XjchczJdVAYObjYD4RQQv81xTAHyRALsBb8Pj1tLzhHd92uUISrqGP9tWoe0ws9ffkHT4rfVuWcpSPf5IamEjJpHje_swalrF2_-a3_jY8BjDtue2xtJOZkcViewA7Lz4/s320/1968+Topps+AL+Stolen+Base+Leaders.jpg" width="320" /></a>Even though I've created several Tommie Agee Cards That Never Were already, There is one more that I thought needed to be made. If you are a baseball card geek like me (and let's face it, if you read this far, you are) the you are familiar with this card:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyPT9PGgc5DEKbMWNL6j4zFvPAXADasRQApaP5-xrFrYkx1y7rLqnhfaB1s-jx7NjuMHtlfJpinx_uML6S1mHsuWX8tL6Kyzsr62enS-V35ajGsWsAT8E8YqmLqQzrD39Q-44L1Xbn9c/s1600/1973+Topps+Tommy+Agee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyPT9PGgc5DEKbMWNL6j4zFvPAXADasRQApaP5-xrFrYkx1y7rLqnhfaB1s-jx7NjuMHtlfJpinx_uML6S1mHsuWX8tL6Kyzsr62enS-V35ajGsWsAT8E8YqmLqQzrD39Q-44L1Xbn9c/s320/1973+Topps+Tommy+Agee.jpg" width="320" /></a>It shows an Tommie Agee airbrushed into a Houston Astros uniform. It also shows <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrebu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bud Harrelson</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/staubru01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rusty Staub</a></strong> similarly airbrushed. Staub was famously not otherwise included in the 1973 Topps set (nor the 1972 set for that matter). That wrong was corrected by me on my other blog<b><a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/2012/05/1973-topps-rusty-staub.html" target="_blank"> here</a></b>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-owfaRXPEv6_eRZaKh4voK9e2aw6KAXkbGChLaxBNuIkgXRq6Cp7LDt9RyoN3Ob1HTuotdoKWx46E3YCGF9xu-vG6tv0gEW4p3KpbVgjq-_ZpzefWegFveD1mqCgEpuP60xN5o4mEoI/s1600/1972+Topps+Tommie+Agee+In+Action+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-owfaRXPEv6_eRZaKh4voK9e2aw6KAXkbGChLaxBNuIkgXRq6Cp7LDt9RyoN3Ob1HTuotdoKWx46E3YCGF9xu-vG6tv0gEW4p3KpbVgjq-_ZpzefWegFveD1mqCgEpuP60xN5o4mEoI/s400/1972+Topps+Tommie+Agee+In+Action+.jpg" width="400" /></a>But this was not a bad looking card overall. However it might have been better as a 1972 Topps "In Action" card. So for a bonus Card that Never Was, I re-airbrushed them all back into Mets uniforms and created this 1972 Topps Tommie Agee In Action card.</div>
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This was a first for me. I like this card because I like Tommy Agee. And even though 1966 was his Rookie of the Year season, this was his true rookie card. It falls a bit short of the "Binder Worthy" mark. Unfortunately, the next category I created was "Guilty Pleasure" and I don't feel guilty at all about liking this card. So I compromised and gave it a 6.5. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzzZyatRAb3NwAv95v2mS23AHII0Ll5yLfCSM2l8hgTQFH64oCZnG33KPr0COMvy7ckRp_WLXuK_sU63pBOKtPS93EeLp3FJxWGxkHq6HMmWT7FntwRVO0lNtBEjRWmGvu5fqbVPgDzQ/s1600/1965+Topps+%2523166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzzZyatRAb3NwAv95v2mS23AHII0Ll5yLfCSM2l8hgTQFH64oCZnG33KPr0COMvy7ckRp_WLXuK_sU63pBOKtPS93EeLp3FJxWGxkHq6HMmWT7FntwRVO0lNtBEjRWmGvu5fqbVPgDzQ/s640/1965+Topps+%2523166.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-79107626764128940052016-08-24T07:13:00.000-07:002016-08-24T07:13:09.708-07:001972 Topps Mets Rookie Stars: Buzz Capra, Leroy Stanton, Jon Matlack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYen-g3Vrl5dREwi4EpIG3v0yJQoWvG15_Io5gAhCN1mtPxGfOwZxDDTXwZ-zDe4Mqpni-CI4cdggtChbP-Jaa_yIlsPiVsIVoKpd9X7hSoYL3Y6I37u6PdZJR9yT5jXP7k9SC81yRj84/s1600/1972+Topps+%2523141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYen-g3Vrl5dREwi4EpIG3v0yJQoWvG15_Io5gAhCN1mtPxGfOwZxDDTXwZ-zDe4Mqpni-CI4cdggtChbP-Jaa_yIlsPiVsIVoKpd9X7hSoYL3Y6I37u6PdZJR9yT5jXP7k9SC81yRj84/s400/1972+Topps+%2523141.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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The random number generator brings a card from one of my favorite sets. The 1972 set had an over-the-top 1970's vibe to it. It had great colors, great design and innovation with the "In Action" and Traded cards. 1972 was the last time Topps would use team-based rookie stars until 1979. </div>
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A September call-up in 1971, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/caprabu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buzz Capra</a></strong> went 0-1 in 3 appearances and had an 8.44 ERA. That was enough to earn him a spot on this 1972 card. In 1972 and 1973 he split time between the Mets and their AAA team. In 1972 he was 3-2 with a 4.48 ERA with the big league club. In 1973 he was 2-7 with 4 saves and an ERA of 3.86. But Capra was with out a card in both the 1973 and 1974 sets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWuwk3EYRZtAQevyYhqanS7r8AZ_CDLxZ7TPMt2IZHJnDqq39aZ7YcwfF9ktT7Q8ZYJMBPHv0OGLzb5NooLa1Ey7kcQqNcqIsqxd9I6xniyfTJa1YF98_R2TLCdrjJdaaGKkQQg36GME/s1600/1974+Topps+Buzz+Capra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWuwk3EYRZtAQevyYhqanS7r8AZ_CDLxZ7TPMt2IZHJnDqq39aZ7YcwfF9ktT7Q8ZYJMBPHv0OGLzb5NooLa1Ey7kcQqNcqIsqxd9I6xniyfTJa1YF98_R2TLCdrjJdaaGKkQQg36GME/s400/1974+Topps+Buzz+Capra.jpg" width="282" /></a>In March of 1974 he was dealt to the Braves where he went on to have a career year. He had a personal best 16-8 record and a League leading 2.28 ERA. He was selected to the All Star team but didn't see action. So for his Card That Never Was I gave him a 1974 Topps card of him on the Braves. I toyed with making this a Traded card but since he technically was purchased not traded, I stuck with a regular issue card. </div>
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Although <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stantle01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leroy Stanton</a></strong> appears as a Met on this 1972 rookie card, he was actually included in the trade that sent <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanno01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nolan Ryan</a></strong> to the Angels. Stanton, Ryan, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rosedo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Don Rose</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/estrafr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frank Estrada</a></strong> were dealt for six-time All Star shortstop <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fregoji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Fregosi</a></strong>. The Mets used him primarily as a third baseman because the shortstop position was already occupied by another All Star, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrebu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bud Harrelson</a></strong>. </div>
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Fregosi never regained his All Star status and I forget whatever happened to Rose, Estrada and Nolan Ryan. But Stanton became the starting right fielder for the Angels from 1975-1975. He platooned in the outfield in 1976 when <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bondsbo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bobby Bonds</a></strong> came to the Angels in a trade for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rivermi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mickey Rivers</a></strong>.</div>
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In 1976 he was drafted by the expansion Seattle Mariners an in 1977 had a career season. He led the Marines in all three triple-crown categories with 27 homers, 90 RBIs and a .275 average. In 1978 he was used primarily as a DH and his numbers dropped significantly. He was released at the end of the season.</div>
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In 1979 he signed with the Hanshin Tigers and went back to playing the outfield. He hit a meager .225 for the Tigers and the following season found him in the Mexican League. He made one more attempt in 1981 to play for the Toronto Blue Jays but was cut before the start of the season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPKk3xIjFgM2LfwXmKFy168C-OH-op2bmeGWmL4gKkXFyCdOY0Of_Itt5vatLO4LLmuoJEfUQTTaq_OO_VNuyX7ChYBG7OvxqdUw9LO33Oh3NsLImJWzziokRyGYqMrdkjav5tV9IXAk/s1600/1979+Topps+Lee+Stanton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPKk3xIjFgM2LfwXmKFy168C-OH-op2bmeGWmL4gKkXFyCdOY0Of_Itt5vatLO4LLmuoJEfUQTTaq_OO_VNuyX7ChYBG7OvxqdUw9LO33Oh3NsLImJWzziokRyGYqMrdkjav5tV9IXAk/s400/1979+Topps+Lee+Stanton.jpg" width="400" /></a>For his Card That Never Was, I gave him a 1979 Topps style card of him on the Hanshin Tigers. There were no horizontal cards in that set, so I made the necessary modifications needed to fit the picture. I noticed a strange coincidence(?) when looking for a photo of Stanton, is that he is the 4th "gaijin" I noticed to wear #44 for the Tigers. I also came across photos of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/altmage01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">George Altman</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fieldce01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cecil Fielder</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bassra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Randy Bass</a></strong> wearing that same number. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3L7k3ZvLPBnFcM1jMHnF1EiEXCyuPLWsXEMeAeuVVyD5PoneQKAoqu9vQ2XW757memLATX0k6pKoQ83EUVoxPGzd05V1u4yEBJtikUwMNGnE7nrVb26940Kby5wLVCJ8pyX_wKDc03KE/s1600/1971+Topps+%2523648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3L7k3ZvLPBnFcM1jMHnF1EiEXCyuPLWsXEMeAeuVVyD5PoneQKAoqu9vQ2XW757memLATX0k6pKoQ83EUVoxPGzd05V1u4yEBJtikUwMNGnE7nrVb26940Kby5wLVCJ8pyX_wKDc03KE/s320/1971+Topps+%2523648.jpg" width="320" /></a>For <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matlajo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jon Matlack</a></strong> this card was his Rookie of the Year card but it was not his first Topps Rookie Stars card. He had previously appeared on this late series card from the 1971 set along with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/folkeri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rich Folkers</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martite01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ted Martinez</a></strong>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS75-WBtRI-dPuGYNALgWyyj9m2gQQFhuAd-Fo3K7lxamVgGOCoHGr8OPGOyE8lVc412I8iaAUbc3DJjQ3kGdbvEMY_zs-ir8iLYOmJ-DXtt_CdGbyprA-8oK-0BDPE7neBuAuoytYnzc/s1600/1972+Topps+Jon+Matlack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS75-WBtRI-dPuGYNALgWyyj9m2gQQFhuAd-Fo3K7lxamVgGOCoHGr8OPGOyE8lVc412I8iaAUbc3DJjQ3kGdbvEMY_zs-ir8iLYOmJ-DXtt_CdGbyprA-8oK-0BDPE7neBuAuoytYnzc/s320/1972+Topps+Jon+Matlack.jpg" width="227" /></a>Matlack got his first big league start in the second game of a double header just before the All Star break. He pitched well, going seven innings and giving up two runs, both off the bat of Hall of Famer, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tony Perez</a></strong>. Perez got a solo homer in the 2nd to tie the game at 1-1. In the 7th he got an RBI single to put the Reds ahead 2-1. The Mets came back in the 8th with back to back RBI hits by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ageeto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tommie Agee</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clenddo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Donn Clendenon</a></strong>. But Perez was not done. He hit a tree-run-homer off <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/seaveto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tom Seaver</a></strong>, who made a rare relief appearance.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroj83WgWTo43TFz5A6nVGX-RjPuafAEtplLwMdhdEK4ehznPNLjalS01FVHsldWkq58pmJ7y9NszsAEBwErCJN-OLJZyOTLc0GMw6Nx3haDA0sVjsQWcIp1cxu6eZELpDU-2FY9QLRCg/s1600/1975+Topps+1972+Rookies+of+the+Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroj83WgWTo43TFz5A6nVGX-RjPuafAEtplLwMdhdEK4ehznPNLjalS01FVHsldWkq58pmJ7y9NszsAEBwErCJN-OLJZyOTLc0GMw6Nx3haDA0sVjsQWcIp1cxu6eZELpDU-2FY9QLRCg/s320/1975+Topps+1972+Rookies+of+the+Year.jpg" width="320" /></a>He ended up going 0-3 in six starts in the 1971 season. In 1972 he started out in the bullpen. After pitching six innings in relief, he was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA. Once earning a spot in the rotation he went 6-0 by the end of May with a 1.95 ERA. For the season he went 15-10 with a 2.32 ERA. He won the N.L. Rookie of the Year award getting 19 of the 24 votes. On my other blog I made cards of him as part of my <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/2013/05/1975-topps-mvp-and-roy-cards-1970-1974.html" target="_blank">Rookie of the Year series </a>that paralleled Topps' 1975 MVP series.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi724DTgeDvp37tXokmHX78CjdpCstmCyOG-wHoKUei5VDcxupNUX5hdvthELMeB_qFOV0c4pn70G9LvMJ3CTJQZFfxMSAXTViN3mH02JKsqlOln7MkO7bKj4YC5Vauz3We-tGYAf-87lw/s1600/1975+Topps+Jon+Matlack+AS+MVP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi724DTgeDvp37tXokmHX78CjdpCstmCyOG-wHoKUei5VDcxupNUX5hdvthELMeB_qFOV0c4pn70G9LvMJ3CTJQZFfxMSAXTViN3mH02JKsqlOln7MkO7bKj4YC5Vauz3We-tGYAf-87lw/s320/1975+Topps+Jon+Matlack+AS+MVP.jpg" width="320" /></a>Since he was also the 1975 Co-MVP of the All Star Game he was also a subject of my <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/search/label/All%20Star%20Game%20MVP" target="_blank">Horizontal Cards That Never Were</a>. In this series I made horizontal action cards for Topps sets that didn't normally include horizontal cards. And the subject was always that year's All Star MVP.</div>
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Up until I put these cards on the same page, I didn't realize that I had used the exact same photo for both cards. So for this blog, I took a mulligan, and remade this Card That Never Was.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoE0qPlejjbEjvoiCihyphenhyphenu2LyrjTj3tGLM8pdrZGVTtIA63652ecKZA1p0DqDPwm5pq3OYJw1BGZI5Q9F8PZkZNfXM4ViousiFEyXAuhWVwUjZy1URJrSvVDoIZCt11HTbjAgusY6ky-eo/s1600/1975+Topps+Jon+Matlack+AS+MVP+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoE0qPlejjbEjvoiCihyphenhyphenu2LyrjTj3tGLM8pdrZGVTtIA63652ecKZA1p0DqDPwm5pq3OYJw1BGZI5Q9F8PZkZNfXM4ViousiFEyXAuhWVwUjZy1URJrSvVDoIZCt11HTbjAgusY6ky-eo/s400/1975+Topps+Jon+Matlack+AS+MVP+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was an easy card to grade for me. I gave it a 7 for "Binder Worthy". Because I collect Rookie of the Year cards, I literally have this card in a binder so this is the lowest grade I could possibly give it. All three players were solid major leagues and the fact that this technically not Jon Matlack's rookie card does not take anything away from it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMUXJQnSRPKumdiIWTGoXsczgkOJ7EKu7fYhuVD4XRsQIwk5qme6wX3xUaD2ux9zSwTSHYLrTT8u3_IfhZi28C8wuYQzcyhtvKJs8z6MeEVMGz6JzJrDchfQuWr70-jiNzbhfwoqyoyU/s1600/1972+Topps+%2523141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMUXJQnSRPKumdiIWTGoXsczgkOJ7EKu7fYhuVD4XRsQIwk5qme6wX3xUaD2ux9zSwTSHYLrTT8u3_IfhZi28C8wuYQzcyhtvKJs8z6MeEVMGz6JzJrDchfQuWr70-jiNzbhfwoqyoyU/s640/1972+Topps+%2523141.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-5917752714705216182016-08-12T13:19:00.000-07:002016-08-12T13:19:35.098-07:001980 Topps Expos Future Stars: Bernazard, Miller, Tamargo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpMlKQx4armVpon8kHfA-8GaSrzYf1Y5nj1RJv_8dCiT1Dgo9lpGa_pdwmN_JnKTsy8FS1ctpL1BtzlNAedJQBNYaCpHYSEjw2wSRUHjMsW8UndS1fVXXphnNOcGIRZRCK4x3KF8MoBg/s1600/1980+Topps+%2523680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpMlKQx4armVpon8kHfA-8GaSrzYf1Y5nj1RJv_8dCiT1Dgo9lpGa_pdwmN_JnKTsy8FS1ctpL1BtzlNAedJQBNYaCpHYSEjw2wSRUHjMsW8UndS1fVXXphnNOcGIRZRCK4x3KF8MoBg/s400/1980+Topps+%2523680.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not a lot of household names on this rookie card. One player hadn't played at the big league level since 1978, Another would play his last MLB game in 1980, the year this rookie card was issued.</div>
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<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bernato01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tony Bernazard</a> was the only player on this card to play past the 1980 season. Primarily a second baseman, he played back-up second and short for the 1980 Expos. He became an everyday second baseman in 1981 when he was dealt to the White Sox. In the middle of their "Winning Ugly" season the Sox traded him straight up to the Mariners for another switch-hitting second baseman, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cruzju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Julio Cruz</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LRc3VeI1kHVxBGWe82hYslJqPZZA0onv9lTFgRVs3hAKroIxjlsZbWIxgW6oTfG5ROZf4m5wTb75m_q0vngV7s7IbNyOSeEj6fDjX2fmdGh-fO__4YffAkaWajfHxJt2GwxBlu5ttGM/s1600/1990+Topps+Tony+Bernazard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LRc3VeI1kHVxBGWe82hYslJqPZZA0onv9lTFgRVs3hAKroIxjlsZbWIxgW6oTfG5ROZf4m5wTb75m_q0vngV7s7IbNyOSeEj6fDjX2fmdGh-fO__4YffAkaWajfHxJt2GwxBlu5ttGM/s400/1990+Topps+Tony+Bernazard.jpg" width="283" /></a>After the '83 season, Seattle send Bernazard to the Indians where he played until 1987 when he was traded to Oakland. When the A's released him after the '87 season, he went to Osaka, Japan. He played for Nankai Hawks in 1988. In 1989 they moved to Fukuoka and became the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. Bernazard played there for the 1989 and 1990 seasons. In 1991 he had a short-lived MLB comeback with the Detroit Tigers before retiring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-wMt9eRBcsjSuC0fll-HqHcSwZmqrSaLamKopf9F-6LeTTTz2urTzT1OX5vlvgVEN8FPtk8W39bo5EiW8msTJ3OhJDGUgPJ-hRPyqiNeBwXKIKFe5PAApwEX7AkrHLfqiymkjl8F8dw/s1600/Fukuoka+Daiei+Hawks+Helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-wMt9eRBcsjSuC0fll-HqHcSwZmqrSaLamKopf9F-6LeTTTz2urTzT1OX5vlvgVEN8FPtk8W39bo5EiW8msTJ3OhJDGUgPJ-hRPyqiNeBwXKIKFe5PAApwEX7AkrHLfqiymkjl8F8dw/s200/Fukuoka+Daiei+Hawks+Helmet.jpg" width="200" /></a>For his Card That Never Was, I made this 1990 Topps style card of him on he Hawks. In case you can't make out that bad-ass helmet he is wearing. I included a close up of that beast.</div>
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<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/millera05.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Randy Miller</a> had been designated to the Minors after two brief call ups in 1977 and 1978. In 1977, with the Orioles he played a total of two thirds of an inning and gave up four runs, three of them earned on four hits. That gave him a 40.50 ERA. In 1978 with the Expos he worked seven innings surrendering eight earned runs. That dropped his career ERA down to a better but still brutal 12.91.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjWrI4BY5UpnInkuA65zU4fm8viFI18trXA-5j5iGUH8-0NKtdOLY_GAg7Kg9smXzIhvoR_xU9Nq04nDoxgHaEU3G8aSxSgFmcTW07gMkY6_SK-kINnMhAQ-FSaFuoeVRuVf_mQYB9h0/s1600/1978+Topps+Rookie+Stars+Expos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjWrI4BY5UpnInkuA65zU4fm8viFI18trXA-5j5iGUH8-0NKtdOLY_GAg7Kg9smXzIhvoR_xU9Nq04nDoxgHaEU3G8aSxSgFmcTW07gMkY6_SK-kINnMhAQ-FSaFuoeVRuVf_mQYB9h0/s400/1978+Topps+Rookie+Stars+Expos.jpg" width="285" /></a>Since he was already out of the Majors by the time the 1980 rookie card was printed, I gave him a card for his 1978 season. I took the opportunity to recreate the 1978 rookie cards. Some collectors don't like the multi-team rookie cards and prefer the team-based rookie cards. So I made this 1978 Expos Rookie Stars Card That Never Was. I went with the stacked look that Topps used in 1964, 1970 and 1971. I added a little color to make it fit into the 1978 style. I teamed Miller up with another 1978 rookie from Montreal. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sandesc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scott Sanderson</a> went onto play 19 seasons in the bigs. In addition to the Expos, he played with the Cubs. A's, Yankees, Angels and White Sox. He was on the 1991 All Star team but didn't see any action.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_I_QXpvaOABE8PO3TztafZy7Ay2WefXzX6YEcHdsZOZtB6YD8ucrVGrhwhudmXRhkhRpxbqSMXmdd8NMh-hQAIF2yJTfz0zPnPvTxgykzzxFotoYNJd3bA-vG11MyacuOTVptMWtvnE/s1600/1979+Topps+%2523726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_I_QXpvaOABE8PO3TztafZy7Ay2WefXzX6YEcHdsZOZtB6YD8ucrVGrhwhudmXRhkhRpxbqSMXmdd8NMh-hQAIF2yJTfz0zPnPvTxgykzzxFotoYNJd3bA-vG11MyacuOTVptMWtvnE/s320/1979+Topps+%2523726.jpg" width="320" /></a>By the time <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tamarjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Tamargo</a> appeared on the 1980 rookie card he had seen action in four MLB seasons on three teams. He played for the Cardinals in parts of the 1976, 77 and 78 seasons. In 1978 he was traded to the Giants where he saw action in the 1978 and 79 seasons and was included on this 1979 Giants Rookie Prospects card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0PxYkkNxmiCgjaTCwtMkl4Yh3k-Sm7iS_72udJRBQWufYGGdV9htnlfsErQ8b9oGXoiPgyowfJxaAPa0ksvPtjUuOhunrkwLiEzHj0JnLJteWQkv6wZGinqNK7tdguyFpksdgioNRKI/s1600/1978+Topps+John+Tamargo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0PxYkkNxmiCgjaTCwtMkl4Yh3k-Sm7iS_72udJRBQWufYGGdV9htnlfsErQ8b9oGXoiPgyowfJxaAPa0ksvPtjUuOhunrkwLiEzHj0JnLJteWQkv6wZGinqNK7tdguyFpksdgioNRKI/s400/1978+Topps+John+Tamargo.jpg" width="286" /></a>In 1979 he was traded to one of the toughest places for a back-up catcher to see action, Montreal. He played a total of 16 games in 1979 and '80 behind Hall of Fame catcher, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cartega01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gary Carter</a>. He was released in the spring of 1981. For his Card That Never Was, I gave him a solo card from the 1978 season showing him in his Cardinals uniform.</div>
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By the time this card was issued, two of the three players had most if not all of their short MLB careers in the rear view mirror. Only Tony Bernazard still had a career after 1980. While he had several season as a regular in the starting line up, it was an unremarkable career. No awards or accolades, just a steady career that ended in Japan. I give it a 2.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQwyQ751ImJ6NJAQ1HK39fQ9dhOuJnF4vAMasMcGkjDuTHBuPg1plce0eknm7w-44bAiw1oCo_KuDg3mpX2Bd6pJj5cOwmdw-u511yO5lmDHZ17KZswPMWIgAv1X34VtnXofHcIsLe2U/s1600/1980+Topps+%2523680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQwyQ751ImJ6NJAQ1HK39fQ9dhOuJnF4vAMasMcGkjDuTHBuPg1plce0eknm7w-44bAiw1oCo_KuDg3mpX2Bd6pJj5cOwmdw-u511yO5lmDHZ17KZswPMWIgAv1X34VtnXofHcIsLe2U/s640/1980+Topps+%2523680.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-70838708712940370092016-07-27T15:23:00.000-07:002016-07-27T15:33:20.218-07:001975 Topps Rookie Infielders: Cubbage, DeCinces, Sanders, Trillo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj405Mm6il0rII7TgUjB0ji5QROMUGvu0VFb-JSb6OZEMVniDLpLA0e_2MLGMP04UvUAllVCczpVCzCpyPW5Z03P7vXPjkBjb3tzMpOZ62Sou0Ryplgb46pDcmmSkewBdpjl_UizODPC-Y/s1600/1975+topps+%2523617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj405Mm6il0rII7TgUjB0ji5QROMUGvu0VFb-JSb6OZEMVniDLpLA0e_2MLGMP04UvUAllVCczpVCzCpyPW5Z03P7vXPjkBjb3tzMpOZ62Sou0Ryplgb46pDcmmSkewBdpjl_UizODPC-Y/s400/1975+topps+%2523617.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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It's been a while since my last post and the random number generator picked a 4-player rookie card. That means I will be making up for lost time with a nice long post. This one is from 1975 and features two future All-Stars.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8s_dDn9feugkjQwjOpMydYAuvT-wAiiY5UQrdE8yyRZZGlp2X-_c_Z6vpwQ52iDUWnSlvMpalMhsn-DqZyHRPSVw7Z7VT59m5tqTpUwb58E7fmAIGXtQUbGSiQcfNoJKBYtl0oADPDAI/s1600/75mc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8s_dDn9feugkjQwjOpMydYAuvT-wAiiY5UQrdE8yyRZZGlp2X-_c_Z6vpwQ52iDUWnSlvMpalMhsn-DqZyHRPSVw7Z7VT59m5tqTpUwb58E7fmAIGXtQUbGSiQcfNoJKBYtl0oADPDAI/s200/75mc.jpg" width="152" /></a>The first player on this card is <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cubbami01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mike Cubbage</a></strong>. Cubbage was a versatile infielder who was drafted by the Washington Senators in 1971. He made his MLB debut in April of 1974, two years after the Senators became the Texas Rangers. After going hitless in his first fifteen at bats he was sent back down to the minors. In 1975 he fared a little better hitting .224 in 58 games.<br />
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In 1976 he was part of the trade that sent future Hall of Famer <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blylebe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bert Blyleven</a></strong> to the Rangers. Texas bundled him with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=smallro02,smallro01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roy Smalley</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gideoji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Gideon</a></strong>, and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/singebi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bill Singer</a></strong> in exchange for Blyleven and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thompda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Danny Thompson</a></strong>. Cubbage would spend 5 seasons in the Twin Cities used mostly as the third baseman.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXU-qH16zljep9Mm6aLjBFj0f6qvTHuo49YFRbgt1lTHimflCoDvPVMt2OE56rC6O1pMNJc5zTfpoEmDz9z7f6eay8YqtGL0uwjwa75JMrkaj1UIyMUQdS542rhjNjtfIic_htSIUnw4/s1600/1976+Topps+Traded+Mike+Cubage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXU-qH16zljep9Mm6aLjBFj0f6qvTHuo49YFRbgt1lTHimflCoDvPVMt2OE56rC6O1pMNJc5zTfpoEmDz9z7f6eay8YqtGL0uwjwa75JMrkaj1UIyMUQdS542rhjNjtfIic_htSIUnw4/s400/1976+Topps+Traded+Mike+Cubage.jpg" width="283" /></a>In 1978 Cubbage performed one of the rarest feats in baseball, he hit for the cycle on this day 38 years ago. In his first at bat Cubbage drove a ball deep to right and was thrown out at third base. He was credited with a double. In his next at bat he hit a two run homer. The very next inning he had an infield single. In the bottom of the 7th he tripled with two men on to complete the cycle. In 1977 he nearly had a cycle, completing the tougher tasks but missing just a single.<br />
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For his Card That Never Was, I gave him this 1976 Topps Traded card despite the fact that the trade took place in June of 1976 well after Topps went to print.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9GUXDpNCKUf-5jjEUQQFGO3ADCI5KrhdZBr_8db8I_LH7lLmXBY-9o7ADLnf8offcPyWDFQkA1v0VkASAgBbMUDg3Mgf3MQwp2KcJj7NnUY4WbjyJLQAKWs5PfwHx8pQ5trTUr7fMIA/s1600/75dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9GUXDpNCKUf-5jjEUQQFGO3ADCI5KrhdZBr_8db8I_LH7lLmXBY-9o7ADLnf8offcPyWDFQkA1v0VkASAgBbMUDg3Mgf3MQwp2KcJj7NnUY4WbjyJLQAKWs5PfwHx8pQ5trTUr7fMIA/s200/75dd.jpg" width="152" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/decindo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Doug DeCinces</a></strong> was drafted by the Orioles in 1970 and made his debut in 1973. As a third baseman for a club that boasted one of the best ever in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/robinbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brooks Robinson</a></strong>, it was 1976 before DeCinces became a regular in the Orioles lineup. In 1982 he was dealt to the Angels for "Disco" <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fordda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dan Ford</a></strong> in order to make room for another Hall of Famer, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=ripkeca01,ripkeca99&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cal Ripken</a></strong> Jr..<br />
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California got the better of that deal as DeCinces had a career year in 1982 with personal bests in Hits, Doubles, Triples, HRs RBIs and Batting Average. He earned a Silver Slugger award and was 3rd in AL MVP voting behind two Hall of Famers <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yountro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robin Yount</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murraed02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eddie Murray</a></strong>. In 1983 he made his only All Star appearance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL9y8OpmXaIeuomxWAudtfFfKYtia-AFxE6oyQBEGhrq8hEkpBuMrKLpp8tw9lc4yjMaMM9XC536IZrwPhbacNZjC-eDjH7jdc5yQvkXWaC2kB2BxOhCApJB0UmhHoH3xeDYbqibGWJk/s1600/1988+Topps+Doug+DeCinces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL9y8OpmXaIeuomxWAudtfFfKYtia-AFxE6oyQBEGhrq8hEkpBuMrKLpp8tw9lc4yjMaMM9XC536IZrwPhbacNZjC-eDjH7jdc5yQvkXWaC2kB2BxOhCApJB0UmhHoH3xeDYbqibGWJk/s400/1988+Topps+Doug+DeCinces.jpg" width="281" /></a>In September of 1987 he was released by the Angels and spent the final four games of 1987 in a Cardinals uniform. In 1988 he was signed by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He played first base for the Swallows and hit .244 with 19 homers in a season that was cut short due to career ending back injuries. For his Card That Never Was, I made this 1988 Topps Style card of DeCinces playing for the Yakult Swallows.<br />
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DeCinces actually had a card in the 1988 set that showed him as an Angel but had an O-Pee-Chee-esque "Now With Cardinals" stamped on the front of the card. Score and Sportsflics also showed him in a Angels uniform on their 1988 cards. Fleer was only card company to show DeCinces in a Cardinals uniform in 1988.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKGs47vHtgHJ5dNN4LNBLx02Sz6JlxZ28kqTjjTLOojrrLsKffXGMbvfjBEN2Pdi9UmayfpyNCAwqTtPsJfrq-MdnIU87jL6S_t7W3lgTk03Z3UD6lY7D0DR8-viQ8UCGq9ahBYQ8mTk/s1600/75rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKGs47vHtgHJ5dNN4LNBLx02Sz6JlxZ28kqTjjTLOojrrLsKffXGMbvfjBEN2Pdi9UmayfpyNCAwqTtPsJfrq-MdnIU87jL6S_t7W3lgTk03Z3UD6lY7D0DR8-viQ8UCGq9ahBYQ8mTk/s200/75rs.jpg" width="150" /></a>This is not the <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=sandere02,sandere01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reggie Sanders</a></strong> most baseball fans are familiar with. This <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sandere01.shtml" target="_blank">Reggie Sanders</a></b> was originally drafted by the Kansas City A's in 1967. The other Reggie Sanders was born in 1967. This was not even this Reggies first rookie card. He also appeared in the 1974 Topps set along with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/madlobi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bill Madlock</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cashro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ron Cash</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/coxji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Cox</a></strong>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADqgMkHEpMUsIZ67zeV1j_NekfSEExsViq6JKpR0HoBer1BcJ3s71JJxSLZ4vDTT46WwNN4OkxIZmUm8IwaUQafktVnZ-SUdi-4rZvi-dsNwi9GxFVTopDfPb5ssIIP78Lrj0ZL4OLjs/s1600/1974+Topps+%2523600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADqgMkHEpMUsIZ67zeV1j_NekfSEExsViq6JKpR0HoBer1BcJ3s71JJxSLZ4vDTT46WwNN4OkxIZmUm8IwaUQafktVnZ-SUdi-4rZvi-dsNwi9GxFVTopDfPb5ssIIP78Lrj0ZL4OLjs/s320/1974+Topps+%2523600.jpg" width="231" /></a>1974 marked the only season in which Sanders played big league ball. Primarily a first baseman, Sanders hit .265 with double digit dingers as a minor leaguer every season from 1968-1978. Although the A's seemed to have a revolving door at first base in the late '60s and early '70s he was unable to make the jump to the bigs and was dealt to the Tigers in 1972. The tigers had an aray of aging sluggers that rotated in and out of the first base position; <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cashno01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Norm Cash</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kalinal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Al Kaline</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/freehbi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bill Freehan</a></strong> to name a few. So the opportunity wasn't there either. He was dealt to the Braves just prior to the 1975 season but again didn't make the big league squad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRcDyC9ApvFVARh7QZecpTrMrXmaqGnbSu5qTLAZhPJWSfqdoPaDFRMdr-OKpznkcSU6D3aSqCjfkQmHBysGO7HvTdTcJuWHmakFtlPTn5kr5vMOQfhWgpjO2k2NDOwQ_1sLMciPFZ9M/s1600/1968+rookie+reggie+reggie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRcDyC9ApvFVARh7QZecpTrMrXmaqGnbSu5qTLAZhPJWSfqdoPaDFRMdr-OKpznkcSU6D3aSqCjfkQmHBysGO7HvTdTcJuWHmakFtlPTn5kr5vMOQfhWgpjO2k2NDOwQ_1sLMciPFZ9M/s400/1968+rookie+reggie+reggie.jpg" width="400" /></a>Sanders played a few more years in the minor league systems of the Orioles and the White Sox and eventually finished in 1979 in the Mexican League in 1979. Although he never made it beyond the AA level for Oakland, I found this picture of a young Reggie Sanders and decided to team him up with that other Reggie for a 1968 Topps Rookie Card That Never Was. I know 1968 <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksre01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reggie Jackson</a></strong> Cards That Never Were have been done to death but the temptation of an all-Reggie rookie card was too much for me to resist. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZowuotm_ipwfa-AT_yl3hRKp8ejumlKhyphenhyphenW9bkNXRhmWf3lYhSCCSwcadAUIfAg15mb6dEdE1ZgMcC5mzeaMxgqc3aHzWCCwurTHlpXfLWRstvPsAp-5V1mVm1psgeE581zELmherM1s/s1600/75mt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZowuotm_ipwfa-AT_yl3hRKp8ejumlKhyphenhyphenW9bkNXRhmWf3lYhSCCSwcadAUIfAg15mb6dEdE1ZgMcC5mzeaMxgqc3aHzWCCwurTHlpXfLWRstvPsAp-5V1mVm1psgeE581zELmherM1s/s200/75mt.jpg" width="147" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/trillma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Manny Trillo</a></strong> will alway represent the changing of the guard in Wrigleyville. He was brought to Chicago as part of a trade for Hall of Famer <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=willibi01,willibi02&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Billy Williams</a></strong>. He filled the hole left by All Star second baseman <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beckegl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Glenn Beckert</a></strong> who was traded to the Padres the year before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJDB8uh7xrL7fziCeE_zVE1wFZWvpshyA1pQ38YvBhw3lhTytIPYmeXqYTndr6k1uNV2lXqmJVjaZnekd8tM7gCnV0RplXQhAGKxFnPjliMhcD6n0JlGloq9rk75jP4976a5gAdqKvXk/s1600/1974+Topps+%2523597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJDB8uh7xrL7fziCeE_zVE1wFZWvpshyA1pQ38YvBhw3lhTytIPYmeXqYTndr6k1uNV2lXqmJVjaZnekd8tM7gCnV0RplXQhAGKxFnPjliMhcD6n0JlGloq9rk75jP4976a5gAdqKvXk/s320/1974+Topps+%2523597.jpg" width="228" /></a>Like card-mate Reggie Sanders, Trillo also had his first rookie card in the previous Topps set. In the 1975 card he is pictured airbrushed into a Cubs uniform. In the '74 Rookie Shorstops he was pictured in an non- A's uniform. He shares the card with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chalkda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dave Chalk</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gambljo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Gamble</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mackape01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pete Mackanin</a></strong>. </div>
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Trillo played on seven different teams in his MLB career; The A's, Cubs, Phillies, Indians, Expos, Giants and Reds. His ever changing team uniforms are well documented on cardboard. But the 1984 Fleer set seems to depict this better than any other set. He has a regular issue card showing him in an Expos uniform. He also has a "Super Star Special" card celebrating the fact that he played consecutive years as an All Star for different leagues. That card shows him in an Indians uniform and a Phillies uniform. Finally he has an Update card showing him in a Giants uniform.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby-qCAujJ7jsfPDGSXrXvqwy0pDtiVYuX11pw6N9YyhmOHemDg6TVvrf11zfm0pSXSF2Zn6ViQPBXUyK9ms39Q-HGd7thXHveQQi5eiTO40tF3CxpUOubySfZXMyPjA-4MfeP8hndcpo/s1600/94f+mt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby-qCAujJ7jsfPDGSXrXvqwy0pDtiVYuX11pw6N9YyhmOHemDg6TVvrf11zfm0pSXSF2Zn6ViQPBXUyK9ms39Q-HGd7thXHveQQi5eiTO40tF3CxpUOubySfZXMyPjA-4MfeP8hndcpo/s200/94f+mt1.jpg" width="143" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpqJQ6QPzkAgO1Zk7gDRN2d42z-cIiOR3IPYye4Ww3PmcklnbZTTyzVv_wrqLag0_yxHAi6RnDWd17DzeHsNcTNBbfVzSVdsKIKG2IHZ4QDeVpPxRZm-Et18knnPDkREtytRQ17CWluI/s1600/94f+mt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpqJQ6QPzkAgO1Zk7gDRN2d42z-cIiOR3IPYye4Ww3PmcklnbZTTyzVv_wrqLag0_yxHAi6RnDWd17DzeHsNcTNBbfVzSVdsKIKG2IHZ4QDeVpPxRZm-Et18knnPDkREtytRQ17CWluI/s200/94f+mt2.jpg" width="143" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHR-FKZTSuTgPgZZun8ebvi2borYpZcy7lVe1GLenJL-dtaWujmBdhJNMEmNr6RJ9Wl9axIFZOOh-veCqaHWPr0re2oxTTKXBao3iYvkWLkGxuo_dxMDhSuw8UHl8uSZ6AtcTmKiJOxc/s1600/94f+mt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHR-FKZTSuTgPgZZun8ebvi2borYpZcy7lVe1GLenJL-dtaWujmBdhJNMEmNr6RJ9Wl9axIFZOOh-veCqaHWPr0re2oxTTKXBao3iYvkWLkGxuo_dxMDhSuw8UHl8uSZ6AtcTmKiJOxc/s200/94f+mt3.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXku0PtfvC4NCmqBR_8hLgKplbfGTZ8cFBNONoQr_SrVt3n9XRK6dCZHM8SLYUKAMHqJoB3l69yiD0cD22hIz_uHOJVHO-kz6QLXDXQnY8z7khsIEhrJ2Y5pJafVLOvwXZWDW_upqirVo/s1600/1977+Kellogg%2527s+Manny+Trillo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXku0PtfvC4NCmqBR_8hLgKplbfGTZ8cFBNONoQr_SrVt3n9XRK6dCZHM8SLYUKAMHqJoB3l69yiD0cD22hIz_uHOJVHO-kz6QLXDXQnY8z7khsIEhrJ2Y5pJafVLOvwXZWDW_upqirVo/s400/1977+Kellogg%2527s+Manny+Trillo.jpg" width="257" /></a>Even Topps had him on three different teams in 1984. A regular issue Expos card, an Indians All Star Glossy Card, and a Giants Traded card. So what kind of card do you make for a player who seems to have a card for every facet of his career? Maybe something that would've fallen into your bowl of Froot Loops while watching Hong Kong Phooey. To coincide with his first All Star appearance here is a 1977 Kellogg's Manny Trillo Card That Never Was.</div>
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Although this rookie card contained two future all stars, for Manny Trillo it was actually his second card. Ironically, it was also the second card of one-year-wonder, Reggie Sanders. And although Sanders never made it back to the bigs after 1974, you have to hand it to Topps. All four players on this card were solid prospects.<br />
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As for the Grade, I am tempted to give it a 5 for "Trade Bait" but only to people with poor math skills. I see this card occasionally mixed in with card for the other Reggie Sanders (I'm looking at you COMC.com). Seeing as that Reggie was still playing in 2007 that would be a 33 year big league career. (Move over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/minosmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Minnie Minoso</a></strong>). So if honesty prevails, I give it a 4 for "Set Filler".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVjB_OdkG6huF8ZJ7mSg4a5cU0KJMPIgvgGmYyPZ2F1IdL_SSTJEERSuc4-Gpyqh8Gv3iOgfXMEUr5ZZU6prshLKFHvffwzxHV-DC83mYk9KL-3Xa6GogmOHlx_ssBTWr1HzObbHrgQ4/s1600/1975+topps+%2523617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVjB_OdkG6huF8ZJ7mSg4a5cU0KJMPIgvgGmYyPZ2F1IdL_SSTJEERSuc4-Gpyqh8Gv3iOgfXMEUr5ZZU6prshLKFHvffwzxHV-DC83mYk9KL-3Xa6GogmOHlx_ssBTWr1HzObbHrgQ4/s640/1975+topps+%2523617.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-8402370295908112712016-07-02T07:56:00.000-07:002016-07-02T07:56:48.978-07:001961 Topps Jim Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkMwMY1RUFSlxTvJyHRd8OSFamYq7u56g2KjIGraNQjWDeVca5O5ZcItPZ3VpJP9CdArwgnsVfw1eqwaZFzWDaN591xJEVi9ZzYN2H1Me_kgYuQ4LsLa2bq_YT8kMTEVcj4mwJkCMhe8/s1600/1961+Topps+%252359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkMwMY1RUFSlxTvJyHRd8OSFamYq7u56g2KjIGraNQjWDeVca5O5ZcItPZ3VpJP9CdArwgnsVfw1eqwaZFzWDaN591xJEVi9ZzYN2H1Me_kgYuQ4LsLa2bq_YT8kMTEVcj4mwJkCMhe8/s400/1961+Topps+%252359.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdqAd4SIOrmQLQDVOOkFAit0INzMVAqGeDUQPPlga77uPyxo-JuxTdUtVsH-G-0rTdWCIUI6vvGTY0ofGYOsWNRA-3tHymLz9i8eEFcn5Rc-DOtQl6AgrPEDDa1CBC1nknA6NwsxAIrY/s1600/1960+Jim+Woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdqAd4SIOrmQLQDVOOkFAit0INzMVAqGeDUQPPlga77uPyxo-JuxTdUtVsH-G-0rTdWCIUI6vvGTY0ofGYOsWNRA-3tHymLz9i8eEFcn5Rc-DOtQl6AgrPEDDa1CBC1nknA6NwsxAIrY/s320/1960+Jim+Woods.jpg" width="221" /></a>This was <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodsji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Woods</a></strong>' first Topps card but it is not his first card by a major card company. His first card was a Leaf card. In 1960 Leaf put out a set of black and white baseball cards. Unlike Topps, Leaf included a marble with its cards instead of gum. The Leaf set was missing many of the big stars of the day. It was not widely distributed and the black and white format just could not compete with Topps. The Leaf name would not appear on baseball cards until 1985 as the Canadian version of Donruss.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKN8esw4pUVzEUhbPKs8V5GNMlekvAc04Bx-Y14OEyr4JesrnwmR-ETjIiR9F8i7bCcN-dbyjcVQtQqpqa_M0XDL_NDrhebtul5q5oAH73IpLO-Ynpy5i8m9213wqk7znx2nZIuVZ4CM/s1600/1975+Topps+Herb+Washington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKN8esw4pUVzEUhbPKs8V5GNMlekvAc04Bx-Y14OEyr4JesrnwmR-ETjIiR9F8i7bCcN-dbyjcVQtQqpqa_M0XDL_NDrhebtul5q5oAH73IpLO-Ynpy5i8m9213wqk7znx2nZIuVZ4CM/s320/1975+Topps+Herb+Washington.jpg" width="229" /></a>Jim Woods made his MLB debut in 1957 for the Cubs. Just 10 days after his 18th birthday, manager <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schefbo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bob Scheffing</a></strong> put Woods in to pinch run for catcher, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/massago01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gordon Massa</a></strong>. Wood was thrown out at home trying to score on a strikeout by pitcher <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brosnji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Brosnan</a></strong>. The next day Woods would get pinch running duty again for Massa. This time he would score the go-ahead run against the Cardinals on a single by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willbo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bob Will</a></strong>. In both games, Woods was used only as a pinch runner. He had no plate appearances and didn't play the field. He was traded by the Cubs along with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/darkal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Al Dark</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buzhajo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Buzhardt</a></strong> for Hall of Famer <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ashburi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Richie Ashburn</a></strong>. He played a total of 34 games for the Phillies in 1960 and 1961. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I3oSR2m6RgjKxsicRQdHgQJy06X3MYTW-i_TFYfBQHaXDWKFlSS70VtHyhdj1dqj-b8EcgP7jGYWlApcQ1GmJCaK8zDZJxePNMbk_cABUnnMy_T5DgSuYI0F6NfsFXi51uR7C9c2Wb0/s1600/1957+Topps+Jim+Woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I3oSR2m6RgjKxsicRQdHgQJy06X3MYTW-i_TFYfBQHaXDWKFlSS70VtHyhdj1dqj-b8EcgP7jGYWlApcQ1GmJCaK8zDZJxePNMbk_cABUnnMy_T5DgSuYI0F6NfsFXi51uR7C9c2Wb0/s400/1957+Topps+Jim+Woods.jpg" width="285" /></a>For Topps, Jim Woods was one and done with this 1961 card, but I borrowed an idea from the 1975 Topps card of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/washihe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Herb Washington</a></strong>. I made this 1957 Topps card of him on the Cubs for his Card That Never Was. In Honor of his actual rookie debut, I designated his position as "Pinch Runner".</div>
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Jim graduated high school in 1957 from Lane Tech, a school that is walking distance to Wrigley Field on Addison. He ended up being used as a pinch runner for the Cubs in the final games of the 1957 season. The same season that he probably skipped school in order to catch the opening day game.<br />
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Overall he had an eight year minor league career with a couple tastes of the big leagues. But he was living the dream. Playing even briefly for the hometown team, he was also involved in a blockbuster trade. He even had a couple of baseball cards to immortalize his efforts. What more can a kid ask for? None the less, I can't grade this particular card any better than a 3 and put it back in its box.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYzyrcLPUjSblXpuEOx7XVISYs_D8MIArEckN-mOLId7pV3L4sXUBsxGIfGGQKlKyBHW7jRobvZz0Ydse-sutVY3TxFd1t6AKJPjdTGOsVvOKJmkl4cgA-otZDvmEYhnLtGi04LqUijY/s1600/1961+Topps+%252359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYzyrcLPUjSblXpuEOx7XVISYs_D8MIArEckN-mOLId7pV3L4sXUBsxGIfGGQKlKyBHW7jRobvZz0Ydse-sutVY3TxFd1t6AKJPjdTGOsVvOKJmkl4cgA-otZDvmEYhnLtGi04LqUijY/s640/1961+Topps+%252359.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-31631361736403500882016-06-25T09:22:00.000-07:002016-06-25T09:22:54.188-07:001965 Topps Red Sox Rookie Stars: Rico Petrocelli, Jerry Stephenson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWvPcNgY716E_z612A2x5OWo9Gy8SadKBVg7WLzp9qLlft8G4bBD8CQ7iEnQBPtL7xP40ykDou4Q_StQuK6SXm9i1Ubcqw_1KSpE3XmBaytpG-xbv9RiVn_VUvQW1k3-KruyI1OvFakU/s1600/1965+Topps+%252374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWvPcNgY716E_z612A2x5OWo9Gy8SadKBVg7WLzp9qLlft8G4bBD8CQ7iEnQBPtL7xP40ykDou4Q_StQuK6SXm9i1Ubcqw_1KSpE3XmBaytpG-xbv9RiVn_VUvQW1k3-KruyI1OvFakU/s400/1965+Topps+%252374.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After a few busy weeks, we are back with a rookie card from the 1965 Red Sox. Oddly both players made their debut in 1963. Both played in just one game. Then both spent the entire 1964 season in the minors.</div>
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When <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/petrori01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rico Petrocelli</a></strong> returned to the big leagues in 1965 he was the opening day starting shortstop. He displaced <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bressed01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eddie Bressoud</a></strong> who represented the Red Sox in the 1964 All Star Game. He hit a paltry .231 for the triple A Seattle Rainiers in 1964. But those numbers are misleading. Petrocelli was a top prospect and they were hoping he could become a switch hitter. Evidently, it didn't take. </div>
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Petrocelli wasn't a Hall of Famer but he was a two time All Star and a fan favorite. His number 6 is retired by the Red Sox. Not in honor of him but rather <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peskyjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Johnny Pesky</a></strong>. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bucknbi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bill Buckner</a></strong> also wore that number in the ill-fated 1986 World Series before that number was retired. Petrocelli was the starting shortstop for the American League in the 1967 and 1969 All Star Games. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxS94tznLrCvYn6ym13mWXXnjpparJi9kSuMlW9QH-dJ1AITjXT2BYRuP9OlLvGAAgqZ0WEcXU3Ndb0tVg_Jo-f7y6J9sch7pLBmKG35G-35QM78r_fPaBA1LKq2H-iwBb1mAK0lKZMY/s1600/1968+Topps+Rico+Petrocelli+All+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxS94tznLrCvYn6ym13mWXXnjpparJi9kSuMlW9QH-dJ1AITjXT2BYRuP9OlLvGAAgqZ0WEcXU3Ndb0tVg_Jo-f7y6J9sch7pLBmKG35G-35QM78r_fPaBA1LKq2H-iwBb1mAK0lKZMY/s400/1968+Topps+Rico+Petrocelli+All+Star.jpg" width="400" /></a>Topps didn't make All Star cards in 1967 (but I did, <b><a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/search?q=1967+Topps+All+Star" target="_blank">click here</a></b>). Topps had a tendency to play fast and loose with the rules when it came to who appeared on the All Star cards in the '50s and '60s. I figured, since he was the<b><i> </i></b>starting shortstop in 1967 and 1969 and Topps had him on the 1970 All Star card, I should make this 1968 Topps All Star Card That Never Was for him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-U7d5kygh-Zx22kPX6hpuwMzjuvK3BTw9sIncu3mqOlHFEPKzonyS7FD1AlP9ZDGrBIH01fDmUWFy_nB3LDtKqG1Jz3gWLDFQ_zU1xtss8iqoHuP46DjxpGAcUkLIgu0w_sSMN27MfE8/s1600/1969+Topps+Jerry+Stephenson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-U7d5kygh-Zx22kPX6hpuwMzjuvK3BTw9sIncu3mqOlHFEPKzonyS7FD1AlP9ZDGrBIH01fDmUWFy_nB3LDtKqG1Jz3gWLDFQ_zU1xtss8iqoHuP46DjxpGAcUkLIgu0w_sSMN27MfE8/s400/1969+Topps+Jerry+Stephenson.jpg" width="285" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stephje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jerry Stephenson</a></strong> was a pitching prospect that was signed right after high school to a contract with the Boston Red Sox. It didn't hurt that his dad, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stephjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joe Stephenson</a></strong> was a former Major League catcher and coincidentally the scout for the Reds Sox that recruited him.
In 1964 he was 6-4 for the Seattle Rainiers and led the Pacific Coast League with a 1.57 ERA. But he sustained an elbow injury that hampered his performance for the rest of his career. He played up until 1973 going back and forth to the minors. After he retired, he followed in his fathers footsteps and became a scout for the Red Sox.</div>
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Jerry had Topps cards from 1965-1969 on the Red Sox, then again in 1971 on the Dodgers. Since he was an original Pilot, his Card That Never Was is<b><i> another</i></b> 1969 Topps card. This time playing for Seattle.</div>
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This is a tough card to grade for me. I like this card. Rico Petrocelli was a Fenway hero, a solid performer until his retirement in 1976. It's not quite "binder worthy". It could be "trade bait" now that I know someone who collects all of the 1967 Red Sox. But I think this falls somewhere in between. I'll give it a 6 for "Guilty Pleasure" even though I don't feel guilty at all for liking this card. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimrJ3azeWahBe8F-R9gvuRSEruu0PJK0e2dKlkPtpc64duCpUAk2Vv2-j5YYPtQyG33yhHQJpFj4wkZ_P8cklt_i_7r72k_3Yj-sBDUcOnAlRGltKNmldPu7GgCSlF7NpUdR77Dpa2X4/s1600/1965+Topps+%252374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimrJ3azeWahBe8F-R9gvuRSEruu0PJK0e2dKlkPtpc64duCpUAk2Vv2-j5YYPtQyG33yhHQJpFj4wkZ_P8cklt_i_7r72k_3Yj-sBDUcOnAlRGltKNmldPu7GgCSlF7NpUdR77Dpa2X4/s640/1965+Topps+%252374.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-1799175054096473512016-06-11T09:09:00.001-07:002016-06-11T09:09:30.943-07:001960 Topps Deron Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fYaYuBDtEdbUxCxbd7FToB54Qrf63qcVg5RBSI2B1BaS4FI7JBINuI0I2ANOhecN0m9VrPfQ96XQdMYbLpf6tLP0YzU8Eldj2nQ8hMcEwVFiY0O9aj1OWkQ9lg5E0e_gYaG17xxWDCM/s1600/1960+Topps+%2523134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fYaYuBDtEdbUxCxbd7FToB54Qrf63qcVg5RBSI2B1BaS4FI7JBINuI0I2ANOhecN0m9VrPfQ96XQdMYbLpf6tLP0YzU8Eldj2nQ8hMcEwVFiY0O9aj1OWkQ9lg5E0e_gYaG17xxWDCM/s400/1960+Topps+%2523134.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another individual Rookie Star card from the random Number generator. I've come across quite a few players who have had multiple rookie cards but this is the first time I've had a player on three different single-player rookie cards. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsde01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deron Johnson</a></strong> was part of Topps "Rookie Stars of 1959" set and also had a designated rookie card in the 1961 set. Topps even re-used the same photo. ALL. THREE. TIMES.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkDgt1hHX-d0hyG3bm3L5nE3h7wON6Mspt6c5LbQHOqkXu7kbnM5pLyrLt1MAmgunfMrmw417qewQ3K9ddvJWeKxkgjfCwd5cDXUAxlCQkagvvOYA_JFFEumwhlRnR7djT8BqGVBGQQg/s1600/1959+Topps+131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkDgt1hHX-d0hyG3bm3L5nE3h7wON6Mspt6c5LbQHOqkXu7kbnM5pLyrLt1MAmgunfMrmw417qewQ3K9ddvJWeKxkgjfCwd5cDXUAxlCQkagvvOYA_JFFEumwhlRnR7djT8BqGVBGQQg/s320/1959+Topps+131.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="228" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAreKy9F6Px9x0ArI83tXtRw8-mHY7lCMoeZhUIiQY0pCH2ZdR0tb1_j3VvZ7rwKduWk1PpCagALv-Q_SviSCumIL42JIQWJc3PRc9Kt_6WBoVP1lUWZVoGSw7Kr4wM36P-0z052pXo8/s1600/1961+Topps+%252368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAreKy9F6Px9x0ArI83tXtRw8-mHY7lCMoeZhUIiQY0pCH2ZdR0tb1_j3VvZ7rwKduWk1PpCagALv-Q_SviSCumIL42JIQWJc3PRc9Kt_6WBoVP1lUWZVoGSw7Kr4wM36P-0z052pXo8/s320/1961+Topps+%252368.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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Although he was designated as a Yankees "Rookie Star" in 1959, 1960 and 1961, he never actually played for the Yankees until September of 1960. Even then he played in just 19 games for New York in 1960 and 61 before being traded for veteran pitcher <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/daleybu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bud Daley</a></strong>.</div>
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Johnson struggled in Kansas City spending most of 1962 in the minors. In 1963 he was purchased by the Reds and spent that year in the minors as well. In 1964 he returned to the big leagues and hit 21 homers for Cincinnati. In 1965 he led the league with 130 RBIs. </div>
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He came into the league as a outfielder/third baseman but spent most of his years playing first base. In 1973 when the American League adopted the designated hitter, it seemed made for him. He played most of his final years from 1973-1976 playing DH for the A's, Brewers, White Sox and Red Sox.</div>
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Deron Johnson had Topps cards cards in nearly every year from 1959-1976. He didn't have a card in 1963 when he spent the entire season in the minors. He was also missing a card in 1975. He spent most of the 1975 season with the White Sox as a DH and back up first baseman before being dealt to Boston in September. So I made this Card That Never Was to fill the void between his 1974 card with the A's and his 1976 card with the Red Sox.</div>
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Personally, I think that the three rookie cards using the exact same picture would look great on a page in a binder. But that is just me. For most it might not be "Binder Worthy" but I gotta give this card at least a 6 for "Guilty Pleasure".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyGNP9i3L8Xs4rngkOTMd-3i97XecbpKePPjEdlvzgCbzlgBWmmMEDuYGhfQK-gVYm07bDTRmHMarS5jmpa9zr9fDl_vnRPPEF4o9dxb9Jj5MUvvRe1cNgVfRUpG0b-ifft4g7oq_aSM/s1600/1960+Topps+%2523134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyGNP9i3L8Xs4rngkOTMd-3i97XecbpKePPjEdlvzgCbzlgBWmmMEDuYGhfQK-gVYm07bDTRmHMarS5jmpa9zr9fDl_vnRPPEF4o9dxb9Jj5MUvvRe1cNgVfRUpG0b-ifft4g7oq_aSM/s640/1960+Topps+%2523134.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-85953082165617373442016-06-04T05:10:00.000-07:002016-08-19T11:02:32.732-07:001962 Topps Lee Stange<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQv2rfcmB5fvM8ESrXFgYCJcgi1m3y96G-zoUeTQLKUs7Fz0k15QvVlZIux57FgSk4C8ERWTQgDKI5DkSPcdaRVDEaTca-TKdHAIVUG50FWUwtOzwTe_zZif-GG0e1GtIBikM1cpf5yg/s1600/1962+Topps+%2523321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQv2rfcmB5fvM8ESrXFgYCJcgi1m3y96G-zoUeTQLKUs7Fz0k15QvVlZIux57FgSk4C8ERWTQgDKI5DkSPcdaRVDEaTca-TKdHAIVUG50FWUwtOzwTe_zZif-GG0e1GtIBikM1cpf5yg/s400/1962+Topps+%2523321.jpg" width="286" /></a>In 1962 Topps had the multi-player "Rookie Parade" cards in the 7th and final series. But they still had several individual cards with the designated "1962 Rookie" star emblazoned on the front of the card. Most of these stars were yellow but there were a few that were white, like this one. Another inconsistency of the 1962 set that is shown on this card is the variations on the team name for the Twins. In some cases Minnesota Twins was spelled out in its entirety. in other cases it was abbreviated as Minn. Twins or as in this case Min. Twins. </div>
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Originally signed by the Washington Senators, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stangle01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lee Stange</a></strong> made his debut in 1961 with the relocated Minnesota Twins. He pitched for the Twins, Indians, and Sox both Red and White. He was used both as a starter and in relief over his 10 big league seasons. He was slightly better in the starting role than in relief. As a starter he was 47-44 with a 3.41 ERA, In relief he was 15-17 with 21 saves and an ERA of 3.87. After he retired he was employed as a pitching coach in the Red Sox, Twins and Athletics organizations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gSYzP7oRb3wF3SnG8h-OiN-kQsLpj8UxIFrKrcrpf0syuTYMfcZd60CbUhk4YMBDvave7uJ_FwURgWrkAJrbUjp0eSKHoog0HojlZswxt7Yqf5AJM2oz2M-sfe9QdbTcsJMteDhkOcY/s1600/1963+Fleer+Lee+Stange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gSYzP7oRb3wF3SnG8h-OiN-kQsLpj8UxIFrKrcrpf0syuTYMfcZd60CbUhk4YMBDvave7uJ_FwURgWrkAJrbUjp0eSKHoog0HojlZswxt7Yqf5AJM2oz2M-sfe9QdbTcsJMteDhkOcY/s400/1963+Fleer+Lee+Stange.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="286" /></a></div>
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In September of 1964 Stange became just the 10th Major League pitcher to strike out 4 batters in one inning. He struck out Senators center fielder <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lockdo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Don Lock</a></strong>, who advanced to first on a passed ball. He then struck out <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kirklwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Willie Kirkland</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zimmedo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Don Zimmer</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=kennejo03,kennejo02&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Kennedy</a></strong>. The 5th place Indians beat the 9th place Senators 9-0 in front of a crowd of 2,540. Stange had Topps cards every year from 1962-1971 and even had a couple cards from his coaching career. He appeared as a coach on the 1973 and 1974 Red Sox managers cards. For his Card That Never Was, I made a 1963 Fleer card for him. In 1963 Stange had a career high 12 victories.<br />
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While never an All-Star, Lee Stange had an overall winning record for his 10 year MLB career. He had 62 wins and 61 losses and an ERA of 3.56. Normally, I would grade this a 4, "Set Filler", but his status as an original Minnesota Twin bumps him (barely) to a 5, "Trade Bait".</div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-21606301642321183112016-06-01T11:25:00.000-07:002016-06-01T11:25:00.011-07:001969 Topps Athletics Rookie Stars: George Lauzerique, Roberto Rodriguez <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The ebb and flow of the random number generator has once again gone from a rookie card of a Hall of Famer to a couple of pitchers that have a total of 91 Major League appearances between them. And just look at this card. Topps wasn't even trying with their crappy air brushing on this one. Why didn't they just use a crayon to scribble out the K.C. logo on their caps?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3w_3iiEk7IetizE5Ergts-e2bTUV_9IPbzY9tYC4D4APUvkJdzBMxjiALQAvxljrnc4NhtJQx8bi3NwG3FhXWmxV3ndkWCBXrrj-PALlzlBuATIyL5U3CPN3yPp-hPF8xFy3UMJq0UM/s1600/1970+Topps+George+Lauzerique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3w_3iiEk7IetizE5Ergts-e2bTUV_9IPbzY9tYC4D4APUvkJdzBMxjiALQAvxljrnc4NhtJQx8bi3NwG3FhXWmxV3ndkWCBXrrj-PALlzlBuATIyL5U3CPN3yPp-hPF8xFy3UMJq0UM/s400/1970+Topps+George+Lauzerique.jpg" width="283" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lauzege01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">George Lauzerique</a></strong> made his debut in 1967 for the Kansas City A's. He was the starting pitcher and gave up 3 runs in 7 innings. All 3 runs in the loss to the Angels came on a three run homer by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/knoopbo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bobby Knoop</a></strong>. In all he played in 23 games for the A's from 1967-69 before being traded to the Pilots after the 1969 season. He was part of a 4 player trade the sent him and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kubiate01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ted Kubiak</a></strong> to Seattle for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oylerra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ray Oyler</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/seguidi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Diego Segui</a></strong>.<br />
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He never actually played for the Pilots. By the time the 1970 season started, the Pilots had become the Brewers. But I found this nice shot of him in a Pilots uniform from the Topps Vault and absolutely needed to use it for his Card That Never Was. His only other Topps card was also a 1970 card. It had him still as a member of the Oakland A's.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-0XOOW6worEnZ9XUojPW5aWNgq8uUOQwgudN4yk_K0Lo_wIQ1URC4gBOwko4PNKSFjf56wNBxWqX1evdxXJmHV_b3q0KhFICCVuOXy0bqMQwCz0Yj8VPf3TIE090_HHOoR2cOKptjUI/s1600/1968+Topps+%2523199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-0XOOW6worEnZ9XUojPW5aWNgq8uUOQwgudN4yk_K0Lo_wIQ1URC4gBOwko4PNKSFjf56wNBxWqX1evdxXJmHV_b3q0KhFICCVuOXy0bqMQwCz0Yj8VPf3TIE090_HHOoR2cOKptjUI/s320/1968+Topps+%2523199.jpg" width="320" /></a>For <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodriro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roberto Rodriguez</a></strong> this 1969 Rookie Stars card was not his first card. He also appeared on this 1968 A's Rookie Stars card with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/osteeda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Darrell Osteen</a></strong>. Both players were hatless on this card so we were spared the awful airbrushing but Osteen is still in his Reds uniform. Don't worry Topps, I'm sure nobody noticed. Must have been nice having no competition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEESaKfal99f7wzLbte9kOzpqaFJ8mrGoVsaMKZJEcPkChXnBuIWuP9dVKVCUzfARA-1_BHVd6whgAQvBV78UKaJcOOssbvLRp-l9HmItgB40Fn1CALPqjsgBSXsl1AWOumWQG3AMZq8g/s1600/1970+Topps+Roberto+Rodriguez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEESaKfal99f7wzLbte9kOzpqaFJ8mrGoVsaMKZJEcPkChXnBuIWuP9dVKVCUzfARA-1_BHVd6whgAQvBV78UKaJcOOssbvLRp-l9HmItgB40Fn1CALPqjsgBSXsl1AWOumWQG3AMZq8g/s400/1970+Topps+Roberto+Rodriguez.jpg" width="283" /></a>After rookie cards in 1968 and 1969, the next Topps card of Roberto Rodriguez was in 1971 in a Cubs uniform. Rodriguez played for three teams in 1970. He began the season with the A's. He then went to San Diego for about a month before being dealt to the Cubs. After the 1970 season he was back playing minor league ball until 1974.<br />
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For his Card That Never Was, I filled in the vacant spot in his portfolio with this 1970 Topps card of him on the team he began the 1970 season with. <br />
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I'm trying to find some redeeming quality to save this card from the spokes, but I'm coming up empty. The picture quality is poor. The airbrushing is atrocious. And ultimately, the players were not, by any definition, "Rookie Stars". They were both solid minor league pitchers with winning records. Both players had brief major league careers. But the best I can say about this card is that it made your Schwinn Sting-Ray sound like a motorcycle. I give it a 1. Put it in your spokes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ynGeACWI9u7VumHXyz9-LZ7dOSgrJvoQiQ1EVaA_GREf7CQq1VxjKOtTaYNdmWzmAXUpm-gAKdnXF_hOGrGZoF-OVkAeqcHr3q3rCV1NFtKn_bnHeTc2aQjqbueCGmU7Obv4gUB9QGU/s1600/1969+Topps+%2523358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ynGeACWI9u7VumHXyz9-LZ7dOSgrJvoQiQ1EVaA_GREf7CQq1VxjKOtTaYNdmWzmAXUpm-gAKdnXF_hOGrGZoF-OVkAeqcHr3q3rCV1NFtKn_bnHeTc2aQjqbueCGmU7Obv4gUB9QGU/s640/1969+Topps+%2523358.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-5504204920530525942016-05-27T08:11:00.000-07:002016-05-27T08:11:25.605-07:001960 Topps Carl Yastrzemski<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0-D-Myp-QyiSgF-q5d5JFhEWox9olLFadwX2ELGMyFS4mTRXKtT-nKVgND8m7YMgOfuI4nVzfB_OFCj9wV7sXGy7UMGjlo8tphxZR1tplgdhmgrF3q9BnydISWNc5cEBD4FukXS-404/s1600/1960+Topps+%2523148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0-D-Myp-QyiSgF-q5d5JFhEWox9olLFadwX2ELGMyFS4mTRXKtT-nKVgND8m7YMgOfuI4nVzfB_OFCj9wV7sXGy7UMGjlo8tphxZR1tplgdhmgrF3q9BnydISWNc5cEBD4FukXS-404/s400/1960+Topps+%2523148.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In my last post, I mentioned the fickle nature of the random number generator. Two posts ago it was Hall of Famer <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carltst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Steve Carlton</a></strong>'s rookie card. Last post was a pair of one-and-done Brewers. Now we are back with Yaz's rookie card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmphTvr6eqSsEjIFf1F3ImsEhSoSYBuu-S57e_qelk_bjtMRvfylxdltv2bVyJdPek9qOn59dLbeGnhpcA6t5B0G6ICsyhNkGxWemJVEG3SEvIq7Ne0MkoLKDqQLSuMjgYM3zxvmPie9w/s1600/1970+Topps+Carl+Yastrzemski+AS+MVP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmphTvr6eqSsEjIFf1F3ImsEhSoSYBuu-S57e_qelk_bjtMRvfylxdltv2bVyJdPek9qOn59dLbeGnhpcA6t5B0G6ICsyhNkGxWemJVEG3SEvIq7Ne0MkoLKDqQLSuMjgYM3zxvmPie9w/s320/1970+Topps+Carl+Yastrzemski+AS+MVP.jpg" width="320" /></a>We all know <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yastrca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carl Yastrzemski</a></strong>'s list of accomplishments are endless. 18 all star games, 7 gold gloves, AL MVP in 1967, All Star Game MVP in 1970, winner of the Triple Crown in 1967, first ballot Hall of Famer, etc. The only thing missing is a World Series ring.</div>
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And with that string of accomplishments, it's no wonder that I have several Cards That Never Were already from my other blog. The first is a 1970 Horizontal card in honor of his 1970 All Star Game MVP performance. The rest are 1971-1973 All Star Cards That Never Were. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2AbR2m40QLELbmawpTRKIaeaQIYotMCEZeg3DMxNwUqgoJrtnJCoNk-hUjGStK3qSeUnYpmI1S3Gu7HewBJBztTcxaP55HmmvSFTr5tcOSVxpSStdGxivCyMhAhZzPRlCvMfvKOgMnY/s1600/1971+Topps+All+Star+Carl+Yastrzemski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2AbR2m40QLELbmawpTRKIaeaQIYotMCEZeg3DMxNwUqgoJrtnJCoNk-hUjGStK3qSeUnYpmI1S3Gu7HewBJBztTcxaP55HmmvSFTr5tcOSVxpSStdGxivCyMhAhZzPRlCvMfvKOgMnY/s320/1971+Topps+All+Star+Carl+Yastrzemski.jpg" width="231" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8KsMKwbNMrKuK7_lrgyu8GznLC3oJZlKRyfQqbH92hEkKgWAuWqLSW1omrV3jXpkd9y8yGunkdoD-re5c6MOie3VQjdbTPJEXavesEtBgfBi4WGPDjfWfVEeQNKx8uBEdxyDxHz7CiE/s1600/1972+Topps+All+Star+Left+Fielders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8KsMKwbNMrKuK7_lrgyu8GznLC3oJZlKRyfQqbH92hEkKgWAuWqLSW1omrV3jXpkd9y8yGunkdoD-re5c6MOie3VQjdbTPJEXavesEtBgfBi4WGPDjfWfVEeQNKx8uBEdxyDxHz7CiE/s320/1972+Topps+All+Star+Left+Fielders.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VDZKjisOx2gvZ-F-bjHb07eWTBRvxl7Lbnog05DzKcvyha9dZszN7pdOChHYrdmgLmyOgBw4nZBJOT6q8ROgBRviWlMsn9Y3_ADxX9BS61eja6hJXzwjEZDwPtjztjTSNZlHFrQ09F4/s1600/1973+Topps+All+Star+LF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VDZKjisOx2gvZ-F-bjHb07eWTBRvxl7Lbnog05DzKcvyha9dZszN7pdOChHYrdmgLmyOgBw4nZBJOT6q8ROgBRviWlMsn9Y3_ADxX9BS61eja6hJXzwjEZDwPtjztjTSNZlHFrQ09F4/s320/1973+Topps+All+Star+LF.jpg" width="232" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu2l6bhJr8Fd5J2m9b2Jj0WwqNkiY3sU7nAnvUb3vh9VCGvBCxDq746_18iOUrhCRWTfNXCODFIKYKMcoAoLWj8fukncz6R-my1SvOdpSmimSWtJRE8vEgZsP0o0XJ9LBtTH43FII8sc/s1600/Red+Sox+All+Stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu2l6bhJr8Fd5J2m9b2Jj0WwqNkiY3sU7nAnvUb3vh9VCGvBCxDq746_18iOUrhCRWTfNXCODFIKYKMcoAoLWj8fukncz6R-my1SvOdpSmimSWtJRE8vEgZsP0o0XJ9LBtTH43FII8sc/s320/Red+Sox+All+Stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is a reason why I created 2 versions of the 1973 All Star card. The solo card is the one I used for my running theme of All Star Cards That Never Were. I had used the coach-style 1973 earlier for starters and reserves once before and so by request, I added it to the fray.</div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/youngdm01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dmitri Young</a></strong> sold a PSA 10 Yaz rookie card for $83,818 in 2012. A PSA 8 goes for around a grand, and a PSA 2 was recently had for $30 plus shipping on eBay. This is one of the most sought after rookie cards from the '60s. Depending on its condition, it could be the elusive "college fund" card we all dream of finding in a box in our parents' attic. If a 1960 Carl Yastrzemski card doesn't merit a perfect 10 nothing will.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4APjbrAbA56cNF9edM6uu7YcSpyKoz6B9Z6pVWYu9-PGH7jB6yAVRcyNX48g8bYjre4w0oUKaAe_rz3Krw9r-ue7zeQUlhXHEh4YizH__Zpi9u_QVmjiRoHdvVpbiJ7ISMERUzyN6Qmo/s1600/1960+Topps+%2523148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4APjbrAbA56cNF9edM6uu7YcSpyKoz6B9Z6pVWYu9-PGH7jB6yAVRcyNX48g8bYjre4w0oUKaAe_rz3Krw9r-ue7zeQUlhXHEh4YizH__Zpi9u_QVmjiRoHdvVpbiJ7ISMERUzyN6Qmo/s640/1960+Topps+%2523148.jpg" width="370" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-84239690704790783912016-05-20T06:48:00.000-07:002016-05-20T06:48:53.555-07:001971 Topps Brewers Rookie Stars: Bernie Smith, George Kopacz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTl8tGRIsCfYY8jJ9oyo_xxTAdXgGCGRsOA_Vr_qppFhCuKb8dKmQnzj4ztdPcqm2PDbY6W1xXpsop4JiYOCGv7LYu_SfTA_iuOtDGWgceSS0u_uW9JdJndgcMAKi34LNHDhSnmqDZKA/s1600/1971+Topps+%2523204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTl8tGRIsCfYY8jJ9oyo_xxTAdXgGCGRsOA_Vr_qppFhCuKb8dKmQnzj4ztdPcqm2PDbY6W1xXpsop4JiYOCGv7LYu_SfTA_iuOtDGWgceSS0u_uW9JdJndgcMAKi34LNHDhSnmqDZKA/s400/1971+Topps+%2523204.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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The random number generator can be fickle. Last post featured Hall of Famer, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carltst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Steve Carlton</a></strong>'s rookie card. This time it's two players that were one-and-done in Topps opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a8N6IhvGoaTA5NKHoG-frSTSGnF_OxFrTKxAq_wXCovKKTXKKRhz2Ph0g1aLu3vwgtlV7S0N3un7qg4VClDNeMXjA7Uy9a08pdM_DJzst6Jbnhe7JYS0hCaU5bSXZnoOR2BraB1qx1U/s1600/1970+Topps+Bernie+Smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a8N6IhvGoaTA5NKHoG-frSTSGnF_OxFrTKxAq_wXCovKKTXKKRhz2Ph0g1aLu3vwgtlV7S0N3un7qg4VClDNeMXjA7Uy9a08pdM_DJzst6Jbnhe7JYS0hCaU5bSXZnoOR2BraB1qx1U/s400/1970+Topps+Bernie+Smith.jpg" width="283" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithbe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bernie Smith</a></strong> played in the Mets minor league system from 1962-1969. He was traded to the Pilots in December of 1969, but the Pilots broke spring training and went to Milwaukee instead. In 1970 he hit .330 with 13 homers in 98 games for the Brewers AAA team, the Portland Beavers. In July he was brought up to the show and hit a respectable .276 in 44 games. But in 1971 he was unable to hit his weight in 15 games. By the end of April he was back on the farm.</div>
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For his Card That Never Was, I put him on a 1970 Topps card in his Pilot's uniform. Although he never played a regular season game for the Pilots, the Brewers played the spring training exhibition games as the Pilots. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWbrEyKgMKYe86wwu0ynApUU0OdeSWXUeqwPMbExHtv-M5lj6OkRyTxZnhODHjYIgZ9me41nfCWGeElsIJ7O4HSU16758NmUFgxR7ySYJX2M4g-AQW4DfSTLZqEA-g1pU6wZ224Mj0mI/s1600/1970+Topps+George+Kopacz+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWbrEyKgMKYe86wwu0ynApUU0OdeSWXUeqwPMbExHtv-M5lj6OkRyTxZnhODHjYIgZ9me41nfCWGeElsIJ7O4HSU16758NmUFgxR7ySYJX2M4g-AQW4DfSTLZqEA-g1pU6wZ224Mj0mI/s400/1970+Topps+George+Kopacz+3.jpg" width="290" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kopacge01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">George Kopacz</a></strong> never actually played for the Brewers. He was sent to the Brewers from Pittsburgh in a conditional deal in October of 1970. Milwaukee marked him "Return to Sender" in March of 1971. Kopacz was a 30 year old with 11 years of minor league experience by 1971. He had also played 6 games at the end of 1966 for the Braves and another 10 games in September of 1970 for the Pirates.</div>
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In 1970 Kopacz was co-MVP of the International League along with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/freedro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roger Freed</a></strong>. He was you classic solid minor leaguer. He hit .281 and 154 homers over his 14 year career but just never successfully made the jump to the big leagues. For his Card That Never Was, I made a 1970 Topps card of him on the Pirates. He played 10 of his 16 big league games for Pittsburgh in 1970.</div>
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Not much to say about this one. For both players this was their one and only MLB baseball card. Kopacz didn't play in the Majors in 1971 at all and Smith hit .139 through April 28th. After which he was sent back down never to return. Put it in your spokes because I give it a 1.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-0XqTgOVOj-C8Vjb4ghZcyhj5y8bEo5hMuHUcbZKpxe3hcZcpDDFBGM1pyyEdNPAi3h3Qz0adwJAewjHkGP3wlTEGQezOBWX-_KZpO2HgC2xArK-zTOK1MH_cOVag1xlHPhsFBIa3EE/s1600/1971+Topps+%2523204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-0XqTgOVOj-C8Vjb4ghZcyhj5y8bEo5hMuHUcbZKpxe3hcZcpDDFBGM1pyyEdNPAi3h3Qz0adwJAewjHkGP3wlTEGQezOBWX-_KZpO2HgC2xArK-zTOK1MH_cOVag1xlHPhsFBIa3EE/s640/1971+Topps+%2523204.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-19149709704697562902016-05-13T06:45:00.000-07:002016-05-13T06:45:05.404-07:001965 Topps Cardinals Rookie Stars: Fritz Ackley, Steve Carlton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPr9-EAq6UHHpHL2sfY55HGk1X2Dst_rE9Es3lh4OZZoCjIPJRTb3dpPvYvxzjNRmswV6e8_k3VPZXsloDWSoVB0JC9Qid0AgDyuR8F5HpUphZK5xaaDh96Po33hnCWdYwOUQJGbT-KA/s1600/1965+Topps+%2523477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPr9-EAq6UHHpHL2sfY55HGk1X2Dst_rE9Es3lh4OZZoCjIPJRTb3dpPvYvxzjNRmswV6e8_k3VPZXsloDWSoVB0JC9Qid0AgDyuR8F5HpUphZK5xaaDh96Po33hnCWdYwOUQJGbT-KA/s400/1965+Topps+%2523477.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's been nearly 5 months since the random number generator has given us a genuine Hall of Famer. But here we are again with "Lefty" himself and some other guy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YmCNtTr5iCToGoXwwTb5WMPWzVikIoMZlywfU4gtuSlRZC5uwovF5vvhM4TTghZErQv89bmRqGzb4I9ecqkZVrLjxgloAcgrJTWIosKEpjoZ14_5RtTj6iKOE_dB7_7g8g-Q0FNyvyU/s1600/1964+wally+moon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YmCNtTr5iCToGoXwwTb5WMPWzVikIoMZlywfU4gtuSlRZC5uwovF5vvhM4TTghZErQv89bmRqGzb4I9ecqkZVrLjxgloAcgrJTWIosKEpjoZ14_5RtTj6iKOE_dB7_7g8g-Q0FNyvyU/s200/1964+wally+moon.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="142" /></a>That other guy was <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/acklefr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fritz Ackley</a></strong> who rocked a uni-brow that rivaled <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moonwa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wally Moon</a></strong>'s forehead bush. Although this is without a doubt Ackley's most famous card, it is not his first rookie card. The man with one eyebrow also appeared on a 1964 White Sox Rookie Stars card with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bufordo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Don Buford</a></strong>. Fritz pitched less than 20 innings over the 1963 and 1964 season with the White Sox before being picked up by the Cardinals. In 1965 he played the entire season for the Jacksonville Suns, never actually logging any time for St. Louis. In all, Ackley played 13 seasons of pro-ball, compiling a 95-94 record in the minors and a 1-0 MLB record.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOJaQ_JgWecALbyaZFryrvpLGkkAISFK8YPfnusugPn5_qFA_TN3fglGzvUEexroPpNHI_6pdbpW-Ofd6mxutI1ZtnUe_izYVVk0tRYXehtUCJfUCNnD5RFIF9WqaxnqT3rkH82VIrbU/s1600/1964+Topps+%2523368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOJaQ_JgWecALbyaZFryrvpLGkkAISFK8YPfnusugPn5_qFA_TN3fglGzvUEexroPpNHI_6pdbpW-Ofd6mxutI1ZtnUe_izYVVk0tRYXehtUCJfUCNnD5RFIF9WqaxnqT3rkH82VIrbU/s200/1964+Topps+%2523368.jpg" width="141" /></a>He already had rookie cards in the 1964 and 1965 sets but never played past the 1964 season. So I decided to give him a Card That Never Was for the season in which he made his MLB debut, 1963. A few posts back I said that I would try to make team rookie cards for the years in which the rookie cards were by position (1962,1963 and 1973-1978). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB04KvImPitsIyg6Wc73Zh_qZoeblI592JuwCZCz_fzhPt8SrU-mVmvYWK2VoyDkgspiNduuMz2Sf4HwRc22NXeXugyD-RMc_BwOCi2tq3ugXdQHWreSDiJnwO4yCGxWX5Dzhzba6b8ig/s1600/1963+Topps+White+Sox+Rookie+Stars+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB04KvImPitsIyg6Wc73Zh_qZoeblI592JuwCZCz_fzhPt8SrU-mVmvYWK2VoyDkgspiNduuMz2Sf4HwRc22NXeXugyD-RMc_BwOCi2tq3ugXdQHWreSDiJnwO4yCGxWX5Dzhzba6b8ig/s400/1963+Topps+White+Sox+Rookie+Stars+2.jpg" width="400" /></a>So here is my version of a 1963 Rookie Stars card. I paired him up with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kenwodi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dick Kenworthy</a></strong>. Kenworthy was a September call up for the Sox in 1962. He played a total of 125 MLB games all for the White Sox over parts of 6 seasons. Yet his only card is a 1968 Topps card of him on the Mets. He had been conditionally sold to the Mets in October of 1967, then returned prior to the start of the 1968 season.</div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carltst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Steve Carlton</a></strong>'s first major league appearance was against the Cubs on opening day 1965. He came in in the bottom of the 11th inning. The game was tied 10-10 with one out, He faced left fielder <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/altmage01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">George Altman</a></strong> and walked him. He was replaced by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/purkebo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bob Purkey</a></strong>, who retired the side and the game ended in a tie. That's right, the game was called due to darkness. Remember this was Wrigley Field a full 23 years before lights were installed. But still a full 17 years after the latest hold-out for night games, the Detroit Tigers installed lights. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0CkzhHa6adeXjpwTa_iRSCf-88CUNS0h7j74U0r6ejMfo_nb-zFofd2UBL8PJ4tmaxQorlBGzfQKqgbt20EqgN4RZftHK6UPJw5PvoLpu2kvgTOjlRxVurkcTAMlOI4TbXNaHDgatOc/s1600/1977+Fleer+Steve+Carlton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0CkzhHa6adeXjpwTa_iRSCf-88CUNS0h7j74U0r6ejMfo_nb-zFofd2UBL8PJ4tmaxQorlBGzfQKqgbt20EqgN4RZftHK6UPJw5PvoLpu2kvgTOjlRxVurkcTAMlOI4TbXNaHDgatOc/s400/1977+Fleer+Steve+Carlton.jpg" width="400" /></a>It's not surprising that on<b> <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my other blog</a></b>, I already have a couple Steve Carlton Cards That Never Were. The first is from a group of cards I made using the Fleers football card format. I had decided to use <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/youngcy01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cy Young</a></strong> Award winners as my subjects. So this is a <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/2012/01/1977-fleer-steve-carlton.html" target="_blank"><b>1977 Flee</b>r</a> card of Carlton. Carlton won his second of four Cy Youngs in 1977. The others were in 1972, 1980 and 1982.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM07-2qoEO7eVtRxVGb74mz9COW0x9s8Uop0IrYIML0mkKeut8eXZV0_3WL1oRl0bP-b5uZsJMsAbUC2qTl1qQ6aMjEuq-QNGi0ZPR5KXO-1GBtivC_iuQsBR3bdkRmjNHWxkOupELud8/s1600/1973+Topps+Steve+Carlton+All+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM07-2qoEO7eVtRxVGb74mz9COW0x9s8Uop0IrYIML0mkKeut8eXZV0_3WL1oRl0bP-b5uZsJMsAbUC2qTl1qQ6aMjEuq-QNGi0ZPR5KXO-1GBtivC_iuQsBR3bdkRmjNHWxkOupELud8/s400/1973+Topps+Steve+Carlton+All+Star.jpg" width="287" /></a>The other card is from the <b><a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/2014/03/1973-topps-all-star-cards-national_27.html" target="_blank">1973 All Star Cards That Never Were</a></b>. Carlton was a ten time All Star, starting in 1969 and 1979. In 1972 he pitched a scoreless and hitless 6th inning. He gave up a leadoff walk to <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carewro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rod Carew</a></strong>. After that Carew was doubled up on a grounder by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murcebo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bobby Murcer</a></strong>. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksre01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reggie Jackson</a></strong> grounded out to second to end the inning. While Carlton was not the starting pitcher, he was the Phillies sole All Star representative in 1972.</div>
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While I don't think this will contribute much to the college fund, It <i>is</i> a valuable card. A PSA graded 10 from Dimitri Young's collection fetched $12,756.00 in auction. On the other hand a Beckett graded 4.5 is selling right now on COMC.com for $85. Most graded cards are in the $150-$250 range.</div>
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But the only grade that counts here is mine. I give it a solid 9. Go ahead and spring for the grading service. Wrap this baby in a hermetically sealed, UV protected slab for future generations to look at. But not touch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxIBfHjHtSJiYccnLreZK-dzrVxixdysVRZ1jo4aNLV5rOxk7A6m7MN4EgTGa3hGLAUYRcfezS3apJaSgGZOfUd5Iu6WUnN1AZvvYEgcbN2Nzyvj1g9_KzKq8XtpyZahyZgo3ztmzw6Q/s1600/1965+Topps+%2523477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxIBfHjHtSJiYccnLreZK-dzrVxixdysVRZ1jo4aNLV5rOxk7A6m7MN4EgTGa3hGLAUYRcfezS3apJaSgGZOfUd5Iu6WUnN1AZvvYEgcbN2Nzyvj1g9_KzKq8XtpyZahyZgo3ztmzw6Q/s640/1965+Topps+%2523477.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-70537617953977875352016-05-04T08:03:00.000-07:002016-05-04T14:53:52.465-07:001961 Topps Ron Perranoski<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-eB56Nk8roM5JPaurPh16PDiAigzQdiY7cjjgxJYo5-PVK2RJ-lxatlZrA57UToc3KYIVz5pRz_iFmB5Mgi7zYGldRJqiFq6eq4XXNQjkMkOXvTm8Q-H4-FmrY2SRM5xsv4OjlJleFQ/s1600/1961+Topps+%2523525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-eB56Nk8roM5JPaurPh16PDiAigzQdiY7cjjgxJYo5-PVK2RJ-lxatlZrA57UToc3KYIVz5pRz_iFmB5Mgi7zYGldRJqiFq6eq4XXNQjkMkOXvTm8Q-H4-FmrY2SRM5xsv4OjlJleFQ/s400/1961+Topps+%2523525.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perraro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ron Perranoski</a></strong> was one of the top relievers of his era. Most of it was before the save was recognized as an official stat. The only start of his career came in his rookie season. He pitched the first four innings of a 10 inning 12-11 win over the Pirates. He gave up three runs before being pinch hit for by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/howarfr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frank Howard</a></strong>. Over the next five innings, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/craigro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roger Craig</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/farretu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Turk Farrell</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goldeji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Golden</a></strong> combined to give up 8 runs. In the 10th <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/podrejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Johnny Podres</a></strong> pitched a scoreless frame and got the win on a <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rosebjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Roseboro</a></strong> walk-off RBI triple. So in the famous closer's only start, the final inning was pitched by an All Star starter.</div>
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If you follow my other blog, you have seen that I have a few <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/search?q=ron+perranoski" target="_blank"><b>Cards That Never Were</b></a> featuring Ron Perranoski already. He has been a repeat subject on my <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/search/label/Leaders" target="_blank"><b>Leaders</b> </a>series. Perranoski made an appearance on the 1963 and 1964 cards and was awarded the <i>Sporting News</i> Fireman of the Year in 1969 and 1970 giving him top billing on the 1970 and 1971 AL Leading Firemen cards.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqvEXxkb-w1pYySMz7FVy4Mx37ZIm7uDJXQ3GyCR0FZdGXuts3iwI6JUFJHXTtScXolkBlwNo4BAAMKNm8UH9aimDCC38YSgUj0XmGa4nytUWkqO_ksn9418UhOL-bQvTLqJF41yfp70/s1600/1963+Topps+NL+Leading+Firemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqvEXxkb-w1pYySMz7FVy4Mx37ZIm7uDJXQ3GyCR0FZdGXuts3iwI6JUFJHXTtScXolkBlwNo4BAAMKNm8UH9aimDCC38YSgUj0XmGa4nytUWkqO_ksn9418UhOL-bQvTLqJF41yfp70/s320/1963+Topps+NL+Leading+Firemen.jpg" width="233" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e3Q-d7LpSBDglbLv4YdGKDfgwwTJsYhSlusXoV2dAQtImPws1AsUkCTKp0BrLCDCzUclKU-5v6oho9G7f-hyVkTT-aAK6zZ-etKL0DswU8uzNXWcn-TdT9Pe03kRlNlp9dUTcNLZTSo/s1600/1964+Topps+NL+Leading+Firemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e3Q-d7LpSBDglbLv4YdGKDfgwwTJsYhSlusXoV2dAQtImPws1AsUkCTKp0BrLCDCzUclKU-5v6oho9G7f-hyVkTT-aAK6zZ-etKL0DswU8uzNXWcn-TdT9Pe03kRlNlp9dUTcNLZTSo/s320/1964+Topps+NL+Leading+Firemen.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2B5Llao_q1D2Tpj1aBh5OWK_HJubLYDXNVQyYuskMw_wlAX1lranqbrepOeA3cZ2sJk51cHsG1tnnxR1PcXNvxhR710VZDy-naiD_cf67BjU3uFzWztYAaK9pyTvRtPqnWammjxt2la8/s1600/1970+Topps+A.L.+Leading+Firemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2B5Llao_q1D2Tpj1aBh5OWK_HJubLYDXNVQyYuskMw_wlAX1lranqbrepOeA3cZ2sJk51cHsG1tnnxR1PcXNvxhR710VZDy-naiD_cf67BjU3uFzWztYAaK9pyTvRtPqnWammjxt2la8/s320/1970+Topps+A.L.+Leading+Firemen.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEys6y8MsbjFr5AWv7sgkTxYoPRBdxb0Z9TSq4xUVguWyaU6JC4yuHUIdzh07UyA9s-siB4QBwHXdRm2QsJ7lrDGXuqF8fKbwO5tnQj12eNo1Xkw7D1FFGjrPvJrb9Noe8mVWtRkzP_U/s1600/1971+Topps+A.L.+Leading+Firemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEys6y8MsbjFr5AWv7sgkTxYoPRBdxb0Z9TSq4xUVguWyaU6JC4yuHUIdzh07UyA9s-siB4QBwHXdRm2QsJ7lrDGXuqF8fKbwO5tnQj12eNo1Xkw7D1FFGjrPvJrb9Noe8mVWtRkzP_U/s320/1971+Topps+A.L.+Leading+Firemen.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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This is the rookie card of one of the top relievers of his era. He was never selected to the All Star game but received MVP votes in 1962, 1969 and 1970. In 1970 he also received Cy Young votes. I would consider this card "Binder Worthy". I give it a solid 7.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha87vl3RynO7dtJ8d05-3x_5eAVFZ4evhhh-H0TWXL9mj90ChtB7xy1z4AZ-i0GehLrpZZ8szVGGyHwnLfvDlLN8EDfMSSFh5JrRRoSi4cuVD3PlTqtuqh6wPJKE08oPuV1oT4L4TNQOw/s1600/1961+Topps+%2523525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha87vl3RynO7dtJ8d05-3x_5eAVFZ4evhhh-H0TWXL9mj90ChtB7xy1z4AZ-i0GehLrpZZ8szVGGyHwnLfvDlLN8EDfMSSFh5JrRRoSi4cuVD3PlTqtuqh6wPJKE08oPuV1oT4L4TNQOw/s640/1961+Topps+%2523525.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-77978806054817131042016-04-29T05:46:00.001-07:002016-05-10T18:20:06.342-07:001978 Topps Rookie Outfielders: Dell Alston, Rick Bosetti, Mike Easler, Keith Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-lm5CQVKy8LtjM2rHjbH2t_ctFah6KNy7ELGOoRz6O_euUCDeYDHTTvXIx1ogH79Snqt2KGp-4tqxURkGA9JdHEym7m7nwyT4i-ZPsYKWUXMZNgoU8XbrTLiyFakAHxmFN6s600KrJM/s1600/1978+Topps+%2523710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-lm5CQVKy8LtjM2rHjbH2t_ctFah6KNy7ELGOoRz6O_euUCDeYDHTTvXIx1ogH79Snqt2KGp-4tqxURkGA9JdHEym7m7nwyT4i-ZPsYKWUXMZNgoU8XbrTLiyFakAHxmFN6s600KrJM/s400/1978+Topps+%2523710.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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For the 34th installment of Rating the Rookies, the random number generator has given us the first card from the 1978 set. That means now I have graded at least one rookie card each year from 1959-1980. And this one brought several challenges for me in the Cards That Never Were department. As a result there are some kinda unique cards.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbI_DywjGl54iTIpjMAU4DJnjS2I1jMngEOd6KB5Cs_M_tlJgZ_Yn96lVZnOcgkCmMhBtELSgjmYoksf1S_Mnw8o4nF-kLJVsJCVdUbMEMocApOpL89-PSxszvABGInSyAHxApWfcRyPw/s1600/78da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbI_DywjGl54iTIpjMAU4DJnjS2I1jMngEOd6KB5Cs_M_tlJgZ_Yn96lVZnOcgkCmMhBtELSgjmYoksf1S_Mnw8o4nF-kLJVsJCVdUbMEMocApOpL89-PSxszvABGInSyAHxApWfcRyPw/s200/78da.jpg" width="152" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alstode01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dell Alston</a></strong> made his debut for the Yankees in May of 1977. He saw action in just 22 games that season but batted .325. In 1978 he was traded mid season to the A's and batted a meager .205. Topps still included him in the 1979 set wearing the A's colors despite being dropped by the A's before the start of the 1979 season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqFWeUO-Y42V0odUgaAPLXmVitcpbQQaCuay_VjDIAzEODGfj8yZB-ao1_VbTLwOZSxBH3lvraDhyDeN5b41c5ynFllLMQ7XmghJzPuD4pMvRWp3V3ADs_aRCsyhkeJYJ6TPA3O2-wOI/s1600/1981+Topps+Dell+Alston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqFWeUO-Y42V0odUgaAPLXmVitcpbQQaCuay_VjDIAzEODGfj8yZB-ao1_VbTLwOZSxBH3lvraDhyDeN5b41c5ynFllLMQ7XmghJzPuD4pMvRWp3V3ADs_aRCsyhkeJYJ6TPA3O2-wOI/s400/1981+Topps+Dell+Alston.jpg" width="288" /></a> He was signed weeks later by the Indians and spent the 1979 and 1980 seasons with Cleveland. He hit .290 and .222 respectively, splitting time in the minors. He was released by the Indians prior to the 1981 season. He played 1981 and 82 in the Mexican League. Topps made a card for Alston in 1980 showing him on the the Indians. In 1981 he was included in Donruss's debut set but was left out of the Topps and Fleer sets. For his Card That Never Was, I decided to make a 1981 Topps card.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD4jnjqT4LqG0NSMIfiCfOm1l5D9lmPq66YaFNOvy-ePKWAe1G6y-Oede1VQS3jJlB7x9us0a23ebiE2E_nKneLfkPWyg3n61o8vnlvxWn3QDS1BKVhnsxEnCo7-0g2-xHU6rWtZ10hA/s1600/dell+allston1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD4jnjqT4LqG0NSMIfiCfOm1l5D9lmPq66YaFNOvy-ePKWAe1G6y-Oede1VQS3jJlB7x9us0a23ebiE2E_nKneLfkPWyg3n61o8vnlvxWn3QDS1BKVhnsxEnCo7-0g2-xHU6rWtZ10hA/s200/dell+allston1.jpg" width="170" /></a><br />
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This presented the first of my many challenges. I could not find a good photo of him in an Indians uniform. So this is actually a heavily photo-shopped card of him in an A's uniform. Here is the original photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78SHa4AIZnPUUVPMRJtKhzZkkqmrXgV-EpZgyNo9M0MaafP-AIhUYmozQvg0X6_tevbWw5nKNCnxSOEv2PbojWqjPXL0KJeMaAbe9Ur4cui3hyphenhyphenJM4Ivfz-Gs0JK8FLpi4Q1xuySAIIa8/s1600/78rb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78SHa4AIZnPUUVPMRJtKhzZkkqmrXgV-EpZgyNo9M0MaafP-AIhUYmozQvg0X6_tevbWw5nKNCnxSOEv2PbojWqjPXL0KJeMaAbe9Ur4cui3hyphenhyphenJM4Ivfz-Gs0JK8FLpi4Q1xuySAIIa8/s200/78rb.jpg" width="152" /></a>Despite being depicted as a Cardinal on the 1978 rookie card, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bosetri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rick Bosetti</a></strong> was dealt to the Blue Jays before the start of the 1978 season. He played for Toronto until June of 1981 when he was purchased by the A's. He was cut by Oakland after the 1982 season at which point he returned to his hometown of Redding, California and served as Mayor for three years.<br />
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He was well represented on cardboard by all the major card companies. He had Topps cards from 1978-82 including a 1981 Topps Traded card showing him on the A's. He also had Donruss and Fleer cards in 1981 and 82. Although his rookie card shows him with St. Louis, his MLB career actually started for the Phillies in 1976. That is why for his Card That Never Was, I made this 1977 Rookie Stars card.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-h57Yl4aMp-MUhVrSq9gm6UWqW2kE5vI4HBKLBcjRiAhVxWby1lEN_LLNhMkaKYjqn1RbZzLANIif1mjKTPwqnajx5OOWMG1N9mfbEchkhprc258-iTvF8mhnPeXopvGR_GQ6bQLM0o/s1600/1977++Topps+Phillies+Rookie+Stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-h57Yl4aMp-MUhVrSq9gm6UWqW2kE5vI4HBKLBcjRiAhVxWby1lEN_LLNhMkaKYjqn1RbZzLANIif1mjKTPwqnajx5OOWMG1N9mfbEchkhprc258-iTvF8mhnPeXopvGR_GQ6bQLM0o/s400/1977++Topps+Phillies+Rookie+Stars.jpg" width="400" /></a>A few posts back, I got a comment from a team-collector who expressed his dislike of the position specific, multi-team rookie cards that Topps put out from 1973-1978 (and 1962-1963). With few exceptions, all other years had team specific "Rookie Stars" cards. It made me wonder what cards might have looked like during that time if Topps had continued that practice. So look for me to create similar "Rookie Stars" Cards That Never Were in the future.<br />
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On this card I teamed Bosetti up with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brusswa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Warren Brusstar</a></strong>. Brusstar made his debut in May of 1977 with the Phillies. He went on to have a solid 9 year career as a reliever for the Phillies, White Sox, and Cubs. He had an overall record of 28-16 with 14 saves and a 3.51 ERA. His first card was a solo 1978 Topps card so he fit nicely into this 1977 rookie card.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEhyphenhyphenOGY39e7kCvsNtNUOe5_x1WAHYUKXb9RhV-GDRKVGyhBTY1gKKsOhdrn3n5Cno2KVbm4Jlolp168_dab4BBbN4Hd-jul9PjYe4Tu8yfjEmEW3gQ1nAOppCIwsX1qE32GvihfG0O48/s1600/78me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEhyphenhyphenOGY39e7kCvsNtNUOe5_x1WAHYUKXb9RhV-GDRKVGyhBTY1gKKsOhdrn3n5Cno2KVbm4Jlolp168_dab4BBbN4Hd-jul9PjYe4Tu8yfjEmEW3gQ1nAOppCIwsX1qE32GvihfG0O48/s200/78me.jpg" width="152" /></a>By the time <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/easlemi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mike Easler</a></strong> made his cardboard debut as a Pirate in 1978, he had already played in parts of 5 MLB seasons. He played 26 games for the Astros spread over the 1973, 74 and 75 seasons. He played 21 games in an Angels uniform in 1976 and 10 in a Pirates uniform in 1977. In the year of this, his rookie card, he didn't play a single inning. He returned to the Pirates in 1979 and represented Pittsburgh in the 1981 All Star game.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUgFNhmxrogJEKOVszHMSdM1kBieIAj5R1VdGaR6pgJi80JnuE01uJlR7HC2-XDnRxlgxAs0vVOwYgUXWTYgLucnpzJvgGtcnyj5d-uYwZomz21XbDuLFRfrpNWLSJyooCBo7hCjXMmo/s1600/1977-MISSING-IN-ACTION-MIKE-EASLER+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUgFNhmxrogJEKOVszHMSdM1kBieIAj5R1VdGaR6pgJi80JnuE01uJlR7HC2-XDnRxlgxAs0vVOwYgUXWTYgLucnpzJvgGtcnyj5d-uYwZomz21XbDuLFRfrpNWLSJyooCBo7hCjXMmo/s200/1977-MISSING-IN-ACTION-MIKE-EASLER+%25281%2529.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="140" /></a>In all, the "Hit Man" played parts of 14 MLB seasons from 1973-1987. In addition to missing his first 5 years Topps also passed on making a 1979 card for Easler. This is understandable as he spent all of 1978 playing minor league ball. So in creating a Card That Never Was, there were several options. Over at <a href="http://whentoppshadballs.blogspot.com/2015/05/missing-in-action-1977-mike-easler.html" target="_blank"><b>When Topps Had (Base) Balls</b></a>, Gio created this nice 1977 pre-rookie Card That Never Was of him on the Angels.</div>
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Instead I opted for a post MLB card. After being release by the Yankees following the 1987 season, Easler played 2 years in Japan for the Nippon-Ham Fighters. He hit .302 with 19 homers for the Fighters in 1988. In 1989 his playing time was cut in half and he hit only 7 dingers but maintained a solid .296 average. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4BoFyJ7YDiERgIRzm8MSakWGIJp-p0D_ndVOCFvTHl6qB42n8sQALXnNcnLNQ4QDo11SU12a1DseMx-1YNI6hMmmNJdQHCagM0yV2UvCwYvSMAgD7Z89JwZeVyaOZrphkBjo0ENFae4/s1600/10073-80Fr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4BoFyJ7YDiERgIRzm8MSakWGIJp-p0D_ndVOCFvTHl6qB42n8sQALXnNcnLNQ4QDo11SU12a1DseMx-1YNI6hMmmNJdQHCagM0yV2UvCwYvSMAgD7Z89JwZeVyaOZrphkBjo0ENFae4/s200/10073-80Fr.jpg" width="141" /></a>After that season he headed back to the states to play in the senior circuit. Make that the Senior-Citizen Circuit. He played on the West Palm Beach Tropics in the ill-fated Senior Professional Baseball Association. The SPBA drew less than 1000 on average to their games which were all played in Florida during the winter. Here is his 1989 SPBA card from Topps.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYPHxR7AxZERCDjYoWSHSKv2EMAHk63k0j0Jo3XbjSKAnw3-2x3tpQjwddrO_UwYtDPvsQuO3KBz41_8ZrCB6ZAhNF-7yD7QcMjWSM97N49hNtKpcWSoORDqiqLsDHNAUzEqyrTbySJc/s1600/1989+Fleer+Mike+Easler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYPHxR7AxZERCDjYoWSHSKv2EMAHk63k0j0Jo3XbjSKAnw3-2x3tpQjwddrO_UwYtDPvsQuO3KBz41_8ZrCB6ZAhNF-7yD7QcMjWSM97N49hNtKpcWSoORDqiqLsDHNAUzEqyrTbySJc/s400/1989+Fleer+Mike+Easler.jpg" width="288" /></a>Since there already were several Senior League cards of him, I went with this 1989 Fleer card depicting Easler on the Fighters. I chose 1989 because he had 1988 cards by Topps, Fleer and Score showing him with the Yankees. I chose Fleer because trying to duplicate the Topps Script design on the 1989 cards was too daunting. Upper deck was also an option because it had a nice layout which included a place to incorporate the team logo. But since they were known for their high quality photos and I was working with a picture less so, I went with Fleer. I could still include the quirky little Fighters logo (I still don't know what the heck that thing is.) **********************************************************</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6MkMhkifAJt2TLha-Z0dFdWEXPP7EzvgO1Svsz4zPFinivGzujay7gUnW-nDQrrE7gpIwNABCVAX0cwUwPxRx1owN69S_mA1I5prZV3FMziqk2t4wxGuDg9ZGZbqsLKGLijxKvinHHk/s1600/78ks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6MkMhkifAJt2TLha-Z0dFdWEXPP7EzvgO1Svsz4zPFinivGzujay7gUnW-nDQrrE7gpIwNABCVAX0cwUwPxRx1owN69S_mA1I5prZV3FMziqk2t4wxGuDg9ZGZbqsLKGLijxKvinHHk/s200/78ks.jpg" width="152" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=smithke03,smithke01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Keith Smith</a></strong> made his MLB debut for the Rangers on August 2nd 1977. He played a total of 23 games for Texas in 1977. Like his card-mate Easler, he spent the entire 1978 season in the minors. He was traded to the Cardinals before the start of the 1979 season. He played 30 games for St. Louis over 1979 and 80. He had a total of 7 hits for the Cards those years.<br />
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As far as Topps was concerned, Smith was one and done. Oddly both of the new card companies chose to include him in their 1981 sets. So just to sum this up. Keith Smith played in parts of 3 seasons, 1977, 1979 and 1980. He had 3 cards, all of which were issued in seasons he never played an inning in the majors. One in 1978 and two in 1981.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhlrfGDQ-sIG4O051lhXV4Wl4vlN62ckSR6X4TBB2gXn7uOb7moaObVH8AdOrL9ECFWqWFmeHNWumOW4ddDDkSG0G4e4d6zeNHu_jiEzSpokaeImUGG7gUegtpeAJLhLuWxGpaAOx6qU/s1600/1979+OPC+Keith+Smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhlrfGDQ-sIG4O051lhXV4Wl4vlN62ckSR6X4TBB2gXn7uOb7moaObVH8AdOrL9ECFWqWFmeHNWumOW4ddDDkSG0G4e4d6zeNHu_jiEzSpokaeImUGG7gUegtpeAJLhLuWxGpaAOx6qU/s400/1979+OPC+Keith+Smith.jpg" width="286" /></a><br />
For his Card That Never Was, I went North of the border. Once again, I was unable to find a suitable picture of him in the uniform I wanted. In this case a Cardinals uniform. Instead, I opted for the typical 1979 O Pee Chee card in which the player appears in the former team's uniform but on his current team's card. OPC also had a habit of noting the trade info right onto the picture. I always thought these made for interesting cards. I never decided if it was interesting in a good way or not. I feel the same way about the typical Topps airbrush habit. Interesting.</div>
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Two of the four players on this card didn't even play in 1978. Another was playing for a different team than what was depicted on the card. Easler and Bosetti achieved some success in the Majors but Smith and Alston were career minor leaguers. Overall the best grade I could give this one is a 2. That is enough to save it from the spokes but not good enough to save it from being flipped.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBpqoylbEEhQCyLjghcXksX0qGoOwUk-T4vv6bWDsyLPpxlVbqjsq7tKJibFmbLdFhMPlAEr7HRaqnr5bGtVJNzZhKQiHJKe3F41Nl6wil9s9JfQ2LmkjyimMTn3eZiYMkBA5WDxAadw/s1600/1978+Topps+%2523710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBpqoylbEEhQCyLjghcXksX0qGoOwUk-T4vv6bWDsyLPpxlVbqjsq7tKJibFmbLdFhMPlAEr7HRaqnr5bGtVJNzZhKQiHJKe3F41Nl6wil9s9JfQ2LmkjyimMTn3eZiYMkBA5WDxAadw/s640/1978+Topps+%2523710.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-59012039672325517912016-04-06T06:21:00.000-07:002016-04-07T05:21:34.923-07:001968 Topps Orioles Rookie Stars: Dave Leonhard, Dave May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAmZLm4H7CLYBIYS2nMD8nQeOAONANaHD_dMJpvAm1ImlmNs5ZBl2otTt2T091SebHfU-qsswY543cNCUi5RScBq8BKJlwqw3XnZvZB84_gNsgHHu575U2tN_FfgCMjPpmb-8xIt5ZyM/s1600/1968+Topps+%252356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAmZLm4H7CLYBIYS2nMD8nQeOAONANaHD_dMJpvAm1ImlmNs5ZBl2otTt2T091SebHfU-qsswY543cNCUi5RScBq8BKJlwqw3XnZvZB84_gNsgHHu575U2tN_FfgCMjPpmb-8xIt5ZyM/s400/1968+Topps+%252356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY_BIan9ScT0kn70ThJMBirByOERhV5Mh-eEx-s7pD2xL7Nf7gql8qGqW3K6L57QVaCPYnARY9J_yNiVs2F1gFFJ2ZQS3ZZNL-WNLt0De1JFx6EO6lqkSuOM0hzQtkM0_fikuzrT0kxM/s1600/1974+Topps+Dave+Leonhard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY_BIan9ScT0kn70ThJMBirByOERhV5Mh-eEx-s7pD2xL7Nf7gql8qGqW3K6L57QVaCPYnARY9J_yNiVs2F1gFFJ2ZQS3ZZNL-WNLt0De1JFx6EO6lqkSuOM0hzQtkM0_fikuzrT0kxM/s400/1974+Topps+Dave+Leonhard.jpg" width="282" /></a>In 1967 <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leonhda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dave Leonhard</a></strong> led the International league with 15 wins. In 1969 the Orioles gave him the start in 18 of his 28 games and were rewarded with 5 complete games including 2 shutouts. But with a rotation that included <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/palmeji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Palmer</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuellmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mike Cuellar</a></strong>, and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcnalda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dave McNally</a></strong>, Leonhard was converted to a relief pitcher then eventually back to the minors. From 1973-1976 he played on minor lkeague affiliates with the Orioles, Angels, Cubs and Expos.<br />
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For his card that never was I incorporated a spring training shot of him with the California Angels onto a 1974 Topps card.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mayda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dave May</a></strong> was a solid hitting outfielder in the Orioles system but was unable to find a home at the major league level until he was traded to the Brewers in 1970. He made his sole All Star Game appearance as a Brewer in 1973. In 1975 he was traded to the Braves fo the reigning Home Run King, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aaronha01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hank Aaron</a></strong>. His production remained inconsistent and he was subsequently dealt to the Rangers in 1977. He played with the Brewers again and briefly for the Pirates in 1978.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4lJs8INaQ_Yt6w2VbGOR6BW0LAGDzxcirj7-GWFuyCHaZWDJhvxmAfPi6CB3Nu-M4eE80Pr1YtZl13tqqKYb3ei6qIEL2Xh3aESTliJqcg7Dt6S7qG8TRJ93XLHhe3aPzyWt8ANEp2E/s1600/1975+Topps+Traded+Aaron-May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4lJs8INaQ_Yt6w2VbGOR6BW0LAGDzxcirj7-GWFuyCHaZWDJhvxmAfPi6CB3Nu-M4eE80Pr1YtZl13tqqKYb3ei6qIEL2Xh3aESTliJqcg7Dt6S7qG8TRJ93XLHhe3aPzyWt8ANEp2E/s400/1975+Topps+Traded+Aaron-May.jpg" width="400" /></a>He is the father of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mayde01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Derrick May</a></strong> who played for the Cubs, Brewers, Astros, Phillies, Expos and Orioled in the Nineties.<br />
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For his Card That Never Was, I tried to make up for the 2 airbrushed Topps cards of Aaron and May with this version of a 1975 Topps Traded card.<br />
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May and Leonhard were legitimately strong minor league players ready for the Majors in 1968. However, the Orioles were a very good team at the time and it was tough to find room on the roster. This card might deserve a better grade than the "3" I am giving it. But realistically, I'll just put it in a box.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EHlOBBOxV3nFIohjgs6-AjnE6c1dvwHoy383cnzcfpSEeFkNFbPPEm7fNGhSNIL9cK2hDDw9lr6VcUQdLqUZqxprofRBvnU7cAGTrm5kgT6qciRbweukb4TpmpC9C1THMSYbUg7PdfQ/s1600/1968+Topps+%252356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EHlOBBOxV3nFIohjgs6-AjnE6c1dvwHoy383cnzcfpSEeFkNFbPPEm7fNGhSNIL9cK2hDDw9lr6VcUQdLqUZqxprofRBvnU7cAGTrm5kgT6qciRbweukb4TpmpC9C1THMSYbUg7PdfQ/s640/1968+Topps+%252356.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-65517295906355793282016-04-03T04:36:00.000-07:002016-04-03T04:36:33.904-07:001970 Topps Royals Rookie Stars: Al Fitzmorris, Scott Northey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQ_bHJbih5lKF3bL5_ZiuozrrcQj93I6Fc4cYPWgU8vXDUOTJVfV9FzLCQmDYSx_nH7ucfKhoNwCcNqOtjTKFiKcBI45fJfJneiQO7eGYtKbHgzM5UXNh_R-1TTOjvkbmxq5Is6erjBY/s1600/1970+Topps+%2523241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQ_bHJbih5lKF3bL5_ZiuozrrcQj93I6Fc4cYPWgU8vXDUOTJVfV9FzLCQmDYSx_nH7ucfKhoNwCcNqOtjTKFiKcBI45fJfJneiQO7eGYtKbHgzM5UXNh_R-1TTOjvkbmxq5Is6erjBY/s400/1970+Topps+%2523241.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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While researching <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fitzmal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Al Fitzmorris</a></strong>, I have found a few interesting facts. First he was originally signed by the White Sox in 1965 as an outfielder. Batting only .227 as a minor leaguer, he decided to covert to pitcher. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QBfuuXkqi2T8d3ef4pzpkAOlU-4lJFPOhSHcZUS_Nl2gtJvqS0Dtj3IcFgHJ6qDyCfga1UI9bH1wIDHV7UwYK7B7BrD0DPHkCjWAdFy86yeFZt_4AHMPqemP6e1mFeaZXlNVLxnc430/s1600/1975+Hostess+Al+Fitzmorris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QBfuuXkqi2T8d3ef4pzpkAOlU-4lJFPOhSHcZUS_Nl2gtJvqS0Dtj3IcFgHJ6qDyCfga1UI9bH1wIDHV7UwYK7B7BrD0DPHkCjWAdFy86yeFZt_4AHMPqemP6e1mFeaZXlNVLxnc430/s400/1975+Hostess+Al+Fitzmorris.jpg" width="276" /></a>Second, although he led the Carolina League with 214 strikeouts in 1968, he was not a strikeout pitcher in the majors. He averaged just 3.2 strikeouts per 9 innings over his career. In 1974 he pitched a complete game shutout without a single strikeout or walk. He gave up just 3 hits, all singles, one each in the 1st, the 5th and the 8th.<br />
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Third he was selected twice in an expansion draft. In 1968 he was left unprotected by the White Sox and picked by the Royals. In 1976 he was drafted again. This time by the Toronto Blue Jays only to be traded to the Indians for catcher, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ashbyal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alan Ashby</a></strong> and first baseman, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/howardo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Doug Howard</a></strong>.<br />
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For his Card That Never Was, I chose a 1975 Hostess design. In 1975 Fitzmorris had a number of career highs including 16 wins and 11 complete games.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzujq89aVvCg-3raQmtAGN_sHNgqLAfZMhg7EGDWW2lIrItbZHgcn5JiF7FurXnvjjImdTdvM8A4h5Lh-LTvzEv18SjA2QDrHgi55riGYzgetxLCzV7KtBfFrBn_-eTXxz50zKGp8wawI/s1600/1971+Topps+%2523633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzujq89aVvCg-3raQmtAGN_sHNgqLAfZMhg7EGDWW2lIrItbZHgcn5JiF7FurXnvjjImdTdvM8A4h5Lh-LTvzEv18SjA2QDrHgi55riGYzgetxLCzV7KtBfFrBn_-eTXxz50zKGp8wawI/s200/1971+Topps+%2523633.jpg" width="200" /></a>For <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/northsc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scott Northey</a></strong> this was his first of 2 rookie cards. The second was this 1971 American League Rookie Stars card with A's outfielder <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brookbo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bobby Brooks</a></strong> and Brewers Outfielder <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/koegepe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pete Koegel</a></strong>. <br />
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Northey was the son of MLB journeyman <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/northro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ron Northey</a></strong>. Ron played on the Phillies, Cardinals, Cubs, Reds and White Sox from 1942-1957 and later a coach for the Pirates from 1960-1963.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXazy1RrjnVk5m0LNQxYzoC1qPnIYOVXY4Ah9DdvZ-FDaAShecjFqAH_fk-bi3McuvhDOkHgfLVUS97loGCc4RtbNSWYz_PlDTU8jwaheOEn2dtzBk36CPyfE7wMEdHuV246ch9GqCvnc/s1600/1969+Topps+Scott+Northey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXazy1RrjnVk5m0LNQxYzoC1qPnIYOVXY4Ah9DdvZ-FDaAShecjFqAH_fk-bi3McuvhDOkHgfLVUS97loGCc4RtbNSWYz_PlDTU8jwaheOEn2dtzBk36CPyfE7wMEdHuV246ch9GqCvnc/s400/1969+Topps+Scott+Northey.jpg" width="285" /></a>Like his 1970 Topps card-mate Fitzmorris, Scott Northey was originally signed by the White Sox as an outfielder in 1965 and also picked by the Royals in the 1968 expansion draft. Also like Fitzmorris, he was called up from the Royals' AAA Omaha team in September. That is where the similarity ends. After Northey's "cup of coffee" in September of 1969, he never made the show again. He played minor league ball until 1972 despite being depicted on rookie stars cards in bot 1970 and 1971.<br />
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For his Card That Never Was, I chose to give him his own 1969 Topps card to commemorate this original Royals only MLB season.<br />
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This card contains two September Call-ups from the Royals inaugural season. Fitzmorris was a solid pitcher for parts of 10 seasons. Northey on the other hand just struck out too much. He had 19 strikeouts in just 20 games including one 4 strikeout game. I may have graded a bit on the generous side but I gave this card a 4 because it contains 2 original Royals so for someone somewhere, this would qualify as a "set filler".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaphbOXGnPUMdMTZXDHzfZbPy3M_-1qu0FU_bTSu-gD_QbKgI7qL5RyqtRCRoNgNUs1t6Qws5CUYofXnGyML4zVM4pMe1W2mIZr9fjln1ogfoDz-S-SWyT_Kc-iLUlop6JLFjBVH4cSU/s1600/1970+Topps+%2523241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaphbOXGnPUMdMTZXDHzfZbPy3M_-1qu0FU_bTSu-gD_QbKgI7qL5RyqtRCRoNgNUs1t6Qws5CUYofXnGyML4zVM4pMe1W2mIZr9fjln1ogfoDz-S-SWyT_Kc-iLUlop6JLFjBVH4cSU/s640/1970+Topps+%2523241.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-83524037533526595452016-03-25T08:38:00.000-07:002016-03-26T07:42:34.959-07:001966 Topps Athletics Rookie Stars: Paul Lindblad, Ron Stone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSktH1w8nti1cekjNpyAp_WwJwVTZbWpzONlKxyzqagc-Av0lZuBCfevV0CB-gKcGt-UOVNV4Qu4kSvXFLJadCZ6HX6W4WsC2b4ZB6Jg6s3UDfR3_fjwAJ-Xj_saMsyBxgvwtLiUAmK1I/s1600/1966+Topps+%2523568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSktH1w8nti1cekjNpyAp_WwJwVTZbWpzONlKxyzqagc-Av0lZuBCfevV0CB-gKcGt-UOVNV4Qu4kSvXFLJadCZ6HX6W4WsC2b4ZB6Jg6s3UDfR3_fjwAJ-Xj_saMsyBxgvwtLiUAmK1I/s400/1966+Topps+%2523568.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On this episode of Rating the Rookies we are looking at a 1966 Topps Rookie Stars card featuring <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lindbpa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paul Lindblad</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stonero02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ron Stone</a></strong> of the Kansas City Athletics. </div>
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After 3 solid minor league seasons in A, AA, and AAA, Kansas City called up Paul Lindblad in September of 1965 and he never looked back. Initially a starter, Lindblad found a home in the bullpen. He pitched at the Major League level from 1965-1978. He was with the Kansas City A's which moved to Oakland. In 1971 he was dealt to the Washington Senators which moved to Texas. He was traded back to the A's then was signed again by the Rangers and eventually finished his career with the Yankees.</div>
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He was the Game 3 winner of the 1973 World Series. He came in the 9th inning of a 2-2 game. When the A's went up 3-2 in the 11th, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fingero01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rollie Fingers</a></strong> came in to close it out. He also was one of 4 pitcher to combine for a no-hitter in 1975. It was the final game of the 1975 season and the A's had long since clinched a playoff spot. Manager, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/darkal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Al Dark</a></strong> had his ace, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bluevi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vida Blue</a></strong> on a short leash. Vida pitched 5 no-hit innings and got the hook. The Oakland bullpen followed up with a perfect 6th inning by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abbotgl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Glenn Abbott</a></strong>, a perfect 7th by Lindblad and a perfect 8th and 9th by Fingers. The A's beat the last place Angels by a score of 5-0.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXXbu7i13hyTKW98XQ473GoNpwvn61JV2UHgzUmqKgelY8dufq8NieTz-Kltm60_gqCZvKZV46kkwQuyZZgo4g09mNVOQp7v5cyOU6RSqFhI36mWe9er4CfzcsH32prLp702a1kk5eiM/s1600/1971+Topps+Paul+Lindblad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXXbu7i13hyTKW98XQ473GoNpwvn61JV2UHgzUmqKgelY8dufq8NieTz-Kltm60_gqCZvKZV46kkwQuyZZgo4g09mNVOQp7v5cyOU6RSqFhI36mWe9er4CfzcsH32prLp702a1kk5eiM/s400/1971+Topps+Paul+Lindblad.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="285" /></a>Paul Lindblad had Topps cards every year from 1966-1979 and represented every city he played in except Washington. His 1971 card showed him in Oakland and his 1972 card was an air-brushed Rangers card. So for his Card That Never Was, I created this 1971 card of him on the Senators. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nGYYmDcZU1MzqUYVOfimBidldnvnU1pSXSXutgTFzE_6lQ54iXEOWDxHtjM6TBxiqxjDotFZGDwqe7GI3rx9hEsHEUaMkmFq6xAyN2pOB1QNBDmmZ76gKM_Q1HpJJ6fnjdWqLcGfhf4/s1600/1968+Topps+%2523409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nGYYmDcZU1MzqUYVOfimBidldnvnU1pSXSXutgTFzE_6lQ54iXEOWDxHtjM6TBxiqxjDotFZGDwqe7GI3rx9hEsHEUaMkmFq6xAyN2pOB1QNBDmmZ76gKM_Q1HpJJ6fnjdWqLcGfhf4/s200/1968+Topps+%2523409.jpg" width="200" /></a>Ron Stone had a solid 1965 season hitting 16 homers and 67 RBIs playing for the Orioles minor league clubs. The A's took a chance on him and picked him up in the Rule 5 Draft. This required them to play him at the big league level or return him to Baltimore. After 26 games and only 22 plate appearances, he was returned to the Orioles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFspeDruN_EKMJ5sJBhZIvDTO5wFluDve-8_HV_Jmci9KUdS5sAqhC6bJq0s69kyBwouZRFUOB-77YM5Sk2rXevHOjhrxv-iV7u4E6YcbIsnWEsDuXt923pmYvRBTx1DGXx4iwlzb-HHE/s1600/1969+Topps+%2523576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFspeDruN_EKMJ5sJBhZIvDTO5wFluDve-8_HV_Jmci9KUdS5sAqhC6bJq0s69kyBwouZRFUOB-77YM5Sk2rXevHOjhrxv-iV7u4E6YcbIsnWEsDuXt923pmYvRBTx1DGXx4iwlzb-HHE/s200/1969+Topps+%2523576.jpg" width="200" /></a> He put together a few more solid seasons in the minors before being traded to the Phillies in 1969. During this time Topps include him on 2 more Rookie Stars cards. One along with Frank Peters on the Orioles in 1968 and for the Phillies in 1969 with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=wilsobi03,wilsobi02,wilsobi01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bill Wilson</a></strong>. On both cards Topps used the same air-brushed image of him in an A's uniform.<br />
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He was picked up by the Phillies in 1969 for veteran catcher <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dalrycl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clay Dalrymple</a></strong>. There he became a cautionary tale about reading too much into spring training performance. He was labeled "Palm Tree Stone" by teammate, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bowala01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Larry Bowa</a></strong>. "He'd hit about .600 every spring then disappear on opening day. You didn't see him again until the next February." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7rgJ05omQ8-o1vYGqa2i6PhmDQ5frLsnqgnM076Nb1v48AkM-YJgsfe9dPjuHGiZb5C6XyVQ0AIwV2zGyQWUBiiiV_sbf8d9RwPBeemPzacDPyl-PpotMhV9yJAATuBOo1e_WUO8hTk/s1600/1973+Topps+Ron+Stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7rgJ05omQ8-o1vYGqa2i6PhmDQ5frLsnqgnM076Nb1v48AkM-YJgsfe9dPjuHGiZb5C6XyVQ0AIwV2zGyQWUBiiiV_sbf8d9RwPBeemPzacDPyl-PpotMhV9yJAATuBOo1e_WUO8hTk/s400/1973+Topps+Ron+Stone.jpg" width="286" /></a>The Phillies used him mostly as a utility outfielder and pinch hitter. He played this role until 1972 when he spent July and August back in the minors. He was called up again in September but didn't get a single hit in 8 opportunities and began the 1973 back in the Phillies minor league system. For his Card That Never Was, I created this 1973 Topps card to capture "Palm Tree" Stone's last spring training with the Phillies. </div>
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This rookie card produced a solid relief pitcher who played in 2 World Series and pitched a perfect inning as part of a 4-man no-hitter. It also was the first (and only air-brush-free) of 3 rookie cards for "Palm Tree" Stone. While this is by no measure an essential card, I'm going to label it "Set Filler" and give it a 4.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrBPDCFqSciCkTyLeFSAxGrbaXIWTMyA3DMAcunsxWzK4AJeACcHZzndet03GrX2jrdSa_M5tjK3nAodm5fBn3ribvQIEG7lSauH5iZO4T5CMqKr8NAfgkthXvzWDKOGzLjvT7q796xw/s1600/1966+Topps+%2523568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrBPDCFqSciCkTyLeFSAxGrbaXIWTMyA3DMAcunsxWzK4AJeACcHZzndet03GrX2jrdSa_M5tjK3nAodm5fBn3ribvQIEG7lSauH5iZO4T5CMqKr8NAfgkthXvzWDKOGzLjvT7q796xw/s640/1966+Topps+%2523568.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-44872295855038978452016-03-05T14:15:00.000-08:002016-04-06T18:26:32.039-07:001973 Topps Rookie Outfielders: Gary Matthews, Tom Paciorek, Jorge Roque<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJi-Uwp2ULMFUsJDrvv5EMfZmEconMZOkXV6ZYjiT92j6M6F9rZFFHcfWqlyOphfwyek6Pu_ROgIKCA7ORPSuk960wGcbw_NmPL-mtx9MIR1Vhn8vT3Jxp8Bt-vrv7wkh13cqfidBrg8/s1600/1973+Topps+%2523606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJi-Uwp2ULMFUsJDrvv5EMfZmEconMZOkXV6ZYjiT92j6M6F9rZFFHcfWqlyOphfwyek6Pu_ROgIKCA7ORPSuk960wGcbw_NmPL-mtx9MIR1Vhn8vT3Jxp8Bt-vrv7wkh13cqfidBrg8/s400/1973+Topps+%2523606.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The random number generator has graced us with another card featuring that season's Rookie of the Year. This time from 1973. That is the year when Topps returned to grouping the rookies by position instead of by team. They had done this on the earliest multiplayer rookie cards in 1962 and 1963. In 1979 Topps would once again return to grouping the players by team.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR2sCnS3zNJ0KOUGvZN0h9EMLq7mm2vGh5GZl_QTp7XGQvEGox6R1QZOJvPbknFIN5t3WCKhXMHIS47HSbe1JUojoYMST7p7Yw7JZFGSXrhtD97mLCDchTBt7T6udQ1v8Kz2GExWgRrI/s1600/73+gm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR2sCnS3zNJ0KOUGvZN0h9EMLq7mm2vGh5GZl_QTp7XGQvEGox6R1QZOJvPbknFIN5t3WCKhXMHIS47HSbe1JUojoYMST7p7Yw7JZFGSXrhtD97mLCDchTBt7T6udQ1v8Kz2GExWgRrI/s200/73+gm.jpg" width="108" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOD0Jk9sNOnrIWixLt_oFuniK-V2AECAU1ut0bNDRKbRfb5czab_hMui7fxwPaOM8ijdLhx0ddq_lTGYRgw_ZL1NDG4RVS5jVv8nV5C_WwVLwdFV9oAA1R68yJcZ7eospgFZ02RyYHLc/s1600/1973+Topps+Gary+Matthews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOD0Jk9sNOnrIWixLt_oFuniK-V2AECAU1ut0bNDRKbRfb5czab_hMui7fxwPaOM8ijdLhx0ddq_lTGYRgw_ZL1NDG4RVS5jVv8nV5C_WwVLwdFV9oAA1R68yJcZ7eospgFZ02RyYHLc/s200/1973+Topps+Gary+Matthews.jpg" width="145" /></a>The first player on this card is the 1973 NL Rookie of the Year, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=matthga01,matthga01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gary Matthews</a></strong>. Over on my other blog, I had a running theme of making Rookie of the Year cards using the <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/2013/02/1975-topps-1973-rookies-of-year.html" target="_blank">1975 Topps MVP format</a>. So Matthews already had a few Cards That Never Were. I created an <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/2013/02/1973-topps-gary-matthews.html" target="_blank">individual 1973 Topps rookie card</a> for him as well as one for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bumbral01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Al Bumbry</a></strong> in order to fit the format below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY-YfzOA4eXeMefuSKUpzQPSCrDCXCGz0NjBzrmg-I7QVNeIUBJn0xQI9vBFyXwr4rTDLUfOVipj4Jx45CvNdrUhCgbx9MAycNZMrdR9UBRmLKJaSLHEOKPlFKL0qQzoZeTUzt68FTek/s1600/1975+Topps+1973+Rookies+of+the+Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY-YfzOA4eXeMefuSKUpzQPSCrDCXCGz0NjBzrmg-I7QVNeIUBJn0xQI9vBFyXwr4rTDLUfOVipj4Jx45CvNdrUhCgbx9MAycNZMrdR9UBRmLKJaSLHEOKPlFKL0qQzoZeTUzt68FTek/s320/1975+Topps+1973+Rookies+of+the+Year.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pEltQowykqD9dWdDsGaefqdfhQGyrzXwf_rZMirzPhDjUutG5yTZeVkktbYF0-wyVQN7MWAWzphXShionKfwwkA8GVoRl7FtDQP6MxQwIojfqBMbCN7XlcTtI2ayDCc169nM7UPrwiQ/s1600/1981+Donruss+Gary+Matthews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pEltQowykqD9dWdDsGaefqdfhQGyrzXwf_rZMirzPhDjUutG5yTZeVkktbYF0-wyVQN7MWAWzphXShionKfwwkA8GVoRl7FtDQP6MxQwIojfqBMbCN7XlcTtI2ayDCc169nM7UPrwiQ/s200/1981+Donruss+Gary+Matthews.jpg" width="144" /></a>I also created a <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/2013/02/1981-donruss-gary-matthews.html" target="_blank">Card That Never Was</a> from later in his career. This one is from strike shortened 1981 season. That year the Phillies won the divisional title in the first half of the season and the Expos won the second. The Phillies lost to the Expos 3 games to 2 in the first ever divisional series. Although Matthews had a Topps Traded card showing him on the Phillies in 1981, Donruss and Fleer still showed him in a Braves uniform.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s6ZkeZ7NpKhuz_ZKSulaGkUa7Pho4TVEv6MurnqSSEArFeRlqt6YBEZTJ4PFsrzpfXGgOCnEQ3Gfw_NaQCqnyUF7alITLyaomk2Ld5UnOjL1Jb1Byl2Pob315PvXTCLlWH2rDDEcp30/s1600/73+tp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s6ZkeZ7NpKhuz_ZKSulaGkUa7Pho4TVEv6MurnqSSEArFeRlqt6YBEZTJ4PFsrzpfXGgOCnEQ3Gfw_NaQCqnyUF7alITLyaomk2Ld5UnOjL1Jb1Byl2Pob315PvXTCLlWH2rDDEcp30/s200/73+tp.jpg" width="108" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbeAzF0BcNkcmMfFb7ijFNBRAzOWUlIwIm-w0uyBFv3pl-UkYqHJ27sdnPwlhOPdZPSHi2qlGW_JCYuFu7YwrH78Df4hGOasJ44z_tPSQTFMckuf7IW7GzfCxm7BQrSSu5Voldf2bXik/s1600/1971+Topps+%2523709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbeAzF0BcNkcmMfFb7ijFNBRAzOWUlIwIm-w0uyBFv3pl-UkYqHJ27sdnPwlhOPdZPSHi2qlGW_JCYuFu7YwrH78Df4hGOasJ44z_tPSQTFMckuf7IW7GzfCxm7BQrSSu5Voldf2bXik/s200/1971+Topps+%2523709.jpg" width="200" /></a>The second player on this card, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pacioto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tom Paciorek</a></strong>, had appeared on a rookie card 2 years earlier. At the top of this post, I mentioned that 1973 is when Topps went back to grouping rookies by position . But here is a 1971 Topps rookie card grouped into a position. For most of the 1971 set Topps had grouped the rookies by team, but in the high number series there were a few that were either grouped by position or by league instead of by team. </div>
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Paciorek, who would later play for the White Sox and eventually broadcast for the Southsiders, found himself on a rookie card with 2 players who would later manage the crosstown rivals. Both <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bakerdu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dusty Baker</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/baylodo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Don Baylor</a></strong> managed the Cubs. Baylor managed the Northsiders from 2000-2002, Baker was the Cubs skipper from 2003-2006.</div>
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Paciorek was a back up outfielder and firstbaseman most of his career. He bagan with the Dodgers in 1970, went to the Braves as part of a 6 player deal that included 1971 card-mate Dusty Baker. He was signed by Seattle in 1978 and in 1981 finally found a regular spot in the lineup for the Mariners.</div>
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In 1982 he was dealt to the White Sox and would be the regular first baseman, for a while anyway. He played a key part of the "Winning Ugly" team of 1983. He would later turn that into a broadcasting career with the Sox in 1988. Teamed up with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harreke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ken Harrelson</a></strong> in 1991, "Hawk and Wimpy" would be together until 1999. Afterward Paciorek announced games for the Tigers, Mariners, Braves and Nationals</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXncb6GYbdbsVkdRsEoDYYimVlzC3iPhvIErfce62UMyE8AGNX4FXvLbE_EJBT7JTWDgNi7u8nh8tBAFokkHK2YvknSruNM_aacMYlFTSHq8jl8VKBQidx7ZTd5yaz3uEXxnG8vdwOl14/s1600/1986+Donruss+Tom+Paciorek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXncb6GYbdbsVkdRsEoDYYimVlzC3iPhvIErfce62UMyE8AGNX4FXvLbE_EJBT7JTWDgNi7u8nh8tBAFokkHK2YvknSruNM_aacMYlFTSHq8jl8VKBQidx7ZTd5yaz3uEXxnG8vdwOl14/s400/1986+Donruss+Tom+Paciorek.jpg" width="283" /></a>In 1985 Paciorek was dealt to the Mets, In 1986 he was picked up by the Rangers where he finished his career in 1987. He has been well represented on cardboard throughout his career, even appearing on several traded/update cards. In fact in 1986 he had 2 Fleer cards and 2 Topps cards showing him on both the Mets and the Rangers. Donruss, however, left him out completely. So for his Card That Never Was, here is a 1986 Donruss card of him playing for the Mets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCSTXqiyH1xCacfW4kvnJuEhDIbyc7peCGDXSDT9P4x6dXjslosSX6QA925qFz2r7fmZVZ9ED60MZOWcACp7mjliK_aRfeKDv8RpglnxICl6ekFIarH1qB5sZp6K2tWIMTEWjBvk5EK4/s1600/73+gr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCSTXqiyH1xCacfW4kvnJuEhDIbyc7peCGDXSDT9P4x6dXjslosSX6QA925qFz2r7fmZVZ9ED60MZOWcACp7mjliK_aRfeKDv8RpglnxICl6ekFIarH1qB5sZp6K2tWIMTEWjBvk5EK4/s200/73+gr.jpg" width="108" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVnYDfZI5r2H5OeDjkwgFPp9j69w3Nkx-WYbp17sJCNnXUmjftXwQEdHdRzLvLFFBitKF2odqV86SajpbaYRZlfBgY1MCuMbhv1SwB4gYPFnkHUeDX6Dc83wdfviVcOxaSUD1Y-_Al9Y/s1600/1972+Topps+%2523316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVnYDfZI5r2H5OeDjkwgFPp9j69w3Nkx-WYbp17sJCNnXUmjftXwQEdHdRzLvLFFBitKF2odqV86SajpbaYRZlfBgY1MCuMbhv1SwB4gYPFnkHUeDX6Dc83wdfviVcOxaSUD1Y-_Al9Y/s200/1972+Topps+%2523316.jpg" width="200" /></a>The third player on this card, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roquejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jorge Roque</a></strong>, also had an earlier rookie card. In 1972 he appeared on a Cardinals Rookie Stars card along with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bibbyji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Bibby</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guzmasa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Santiago Guzman</a></strong>. On the 1973 card you can see him with Montreal Expos colors airbrushed onto his St. Louis Cardinals cap. He began his MLB career in September of 1970 and he played parts of 1971 and 1972 with St, Louis.<br />
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Unable to hit his weight at the Major League level he was dealt to Montreal. In 1972 the Expos were fat with catching prospects and dealt veteran catcher <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccarti01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tim McCarver</a></strong> for the speedy centerfield prospect. Unfortunately, Roque's poor hitting continued north of the border and by May of 1973 the Expos were done with him. He continued to play in the Mexican League until 1979.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbKszc7ouJqwNGFaczuS_Guv3kq37HWSQDhpFsncrsk7TSZjaEmtHbTMhieDMJ4w1EhbpjTXR1hw01sZ5tP4ovLYDYR59Mvu4AIP2KvKfSnmUl5Mi1b9djClpDaxHbiiSWhu1uTXfAis/s1600/1973+Topps+Traded+McCarver-Roque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbKszc7ouJqwNGFaczuS_Guv3kq37HWSQDhpFsncrsk7TSZjaEmtHbTMhieDMJ4w1EhbpjTXR1hw01sZ5tP4ovLYDYR59Mvu4AIP2KvKfSnmUl5Mi1b9djClpDaxHbiiSWhu1uTXfAis/s400/1973+Topps+Traded+McCarver-Roque.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
For his Card That Never Was, I decided to make a 1973 Topps Traded card featuring him along with Tim McCarver. Although McCarver played 77 games with the Expos in 1972, his 1972 Topps card shows him on the Phillies and by 1973 his card showed him on the Cardinals again. So this would have been the only Topps card to show McCarver representing the Expos.</div>
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Given Matthews' Rookie of the Year performance and Paciorek's lengthy career both on the field and in the booth, I can forgive the airbrushed bust in the third slot and call this one "Binder Worthy". I give it a slightly generous 7.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd48qe5C2X1AQj7M21LACiSNbipuNcrWAzHxH-zuWBM-hBMbMToUXn8mjJ5oMYoULUwcHLVXxjGu2x59Q-bC-Ehjey7bnTCaae80hLkSKCyc8mAxiMTO1-N5XOdN9v92OffxXphbYcBj4/s1600/1973+Topps+%2523606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd48qe5C2X1AQj7M21LACiSNbipuNcrWAzHxH-zuWBM-hBMbMToUXn8mjJ5oMYoULUwcHLVXxjGu2x59Q-bC-Ehjey7bnTCaae80hLkSKCyc8mAxiMTO1-N5XOdN9v92OffxXphbYcBj4/s640/1973+Topps+%2523606.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-57771089634067896252016-02-27T10:03:00.000-08:002016-04-06T18:22:22.638-07:001979 Topps Royals Prospects: Randy Bass, Jim Gaudet, Randy McGilberry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpss4Gbs3rhgP0VfrTmh04VUA4Zp-tF_343lbfnQhcl0bZu3hv9D9kn870BHvYiwDdh31m3zt9nv70m8WqAdWf5KrlmswmGg6H87HhMFBZuhUY3KfCRHioxeEOucuRqtEzBYSSsw4CaKs/s1600/1979+Topps+%2523707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpss4Gbs3rhgP0VfrTmh04VUA4Zp-tF_343lbfnQhcl0bZu3hv9D9kn870BHvYiwDdh31m3zt9nv70m8WqAdWf5KrlmswmGg6H87HhMFBZuhUY3KfCRHioxeEOucuRqtEzBYSSsw4CaKs/s400/1979+Topps+%2523707.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The random number generator has given us our first rookie card from the 1979 set. This is a particularly ugly sub-set. I'm not sure why Topps opted for the greyscale photos but I am thankful it was for one season only. 1979 also marked the return to team-oriented multi-player rookie cards. From 1973-1978 rookies were generally grouped by position instead of team.</div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bassra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Randy Bass</a></strong> hit 22 homers for the Royals' AAA team in Omaha during the 1978 season. But he was purchased by the Expos before the start of the 1979 season. He spent most of the 1979 season in Denver hitting 36 dingers for Montreal's AAA team. His MLB career is mostly forgettable but his fortune would change when he moved to Japan in 1983. In his first year with the Hanshin Tigers he hit 35 homeruns and in 1985 he slugged an incredible 54 round-trippers just one shy of Sadaharu Oh's single season record.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcdrAKdIZcCYEyA2i6Tar2NcjuDgWtAZo1ov5tA7e8kLhSX3Ao66NZbLAq2o7xgCHp4bTxryai-rzg5UzU2ltscykohaki4lhTdiLmR0xLsRGlvG0aoo_wCN75OPtrMxMSCSHKNUXj-w/s1600/1985+Topps+Randy+Bass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcdrAKdIZcCYEyA2i6Tar2NcjuDgWtAZo1ov5tA7e8kLhSX3Ao66NZbLAq2o7xgCHp4bTxryai-rzg5UzU2ltscykohaki4lhTdiLmR0xLsRGlvG0aoo_wCN75OPtrMxMSCSHKNUXj-w/s400/1985+Topps+Randy+Bass.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="285" /></a></div>
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Although Bass hit a meager .212 in his 130 MLB games he batted .337 during his 6 seasons in Japan. For his Card That Never Was, I created this 1985 Topps-style card of Bass on the Hanshin Tigers. In 1985 Randy Bass was the Japanese Triple Crown winner and the Central League MVP.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gaudeji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Gaudet</a></strong> is the only one of the three players featured on this card to actually play for the Royals in 1979. Gaudet played a total of 6 MLB games, all for the Royals. He played 3 each in 1978 and 1979 both times as a September call-up. In 1979 he got his one and only MLB hit. It was a 9th inning single off of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gossari01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rich Gossage</a></strong> in Yankee Stadium. Although he was stranded on base the Royals won 9-8.<br />
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For his Card That Never Was, I gave him a solo card from 1978, the year of his only other MLB appearance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt5PYNZbbv5QnSKPfOI5rUOW9Pyi5tVvT_Na69VXB9iYYFQzbTfL8-b9_gRsJ7p5EfdowdpPI9He23ovh9iUPfmpzDDcHpoSPUxElwD3b98xD-nqVPvbEciGe2fSm8-p8Hxxw_gkkWL8/s1600/1978+Topps+Jim+Gaudet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt5PYNZbbv5QnSKPfOI5rUOW9Pyi5tVvT_Na69VXB9iYYFQzbTfL8-b9_gRsJ7p5EfdowdpPI9He23ovh9iUPfmpzDDcHpoSPUxElwD3b98xD-nqVPvbEciGe2fSm8-p8Hxxw_gkkWL8/s400/1978+Topps+Jim+Gaudet.jpg" width="285" /></a><br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcgilra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Randy McGilberry</a></strong>'s short MLB career began as a September call-up in 1977. In his final game of 1977, McGilberry was called upon in the 14th inning of a 2-2 game against the A's. Ths was the first game of a double-header. After escaping the 14th unscathed he gave up a walk-off homer with 2 outs in the 15th. His next MLB appearance would be in Game 2 of another double-header against the A's but this time it was in July of 1978.<br />
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In all, he pitched 32.2 innings for the Royals in 1977 and 1978. Although he pitched more in 1978 than 1977, I went with the 1977 Topps set for his Card That Never Was because I had just used the 1978 format for Gaudet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMHk10PlcyR-SWgF8JJO9lmVkYv61GOgu9MijiLnWO78hiD2i8hpYWjw-LbZyznMSkanMXKpOA2MU3fciY5rw5B5lY-GujYUjNwylCAvTfLOWQCjOk-hB0ucJuGieY_sA-jfo8zCv-yA/s1600/1977+Topps+Randy+McGilberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMHk10PlcyR-SWgF8JJO9lmVkYv61GOgu9MijiLnWO78hiD2i8hpYWjw-LbZyznMSkanMXKpOA2MU3fciY5rw5B5lY-GujYUjNwylCAvTfLOWQCjOk-hB0ucJuGieY_sA-jfo8zCv-yA/s400/1977+Topps+Randy+McGilberry.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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In 1979 the Royals were coming off their 3rd consecutive Western Division Championship and 3rd consecutive AL Pennant loss to the Yankees. This was a veteran team with a veteran rotation. So it comes as no surprise that none of these "prospects" made an impact. Bass and McGilberry didn't even play on the Royals in 1979 and Gaudet played in just 3 games.<br />
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This card might only appeal to fans of Japanese Baseball as it features Randy Bass as a rookie. Other than that, it doesn't carry much value. My suggestion is to put it in a box. I give it a generous 3.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlDppTM4HgeQ-EOA_hfuXm1a-PmFadtnJfg0NQB9enBGinFOlFdvu2caHV9i7UrB_H-0YX-imajF0Ey-EQvrFeZ-mV7NaHcd6ldXrwgi07iOapNksvqeLPyKz59tfaMUs6LSFJwrb0sE/s1600/1979+Topps+%2523707.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlDppTM4HgeQ-EOA_hfuXm1a-PmFadtnJfg0NQB9enBGinFOlFdvu2caHV9i7UrB_H-0YX-imajF0Ey-EQvrFeZ-mV7NaHcd6ldXrwgi07iOapNksvqeLPyKz59tfaMUs6LSFJwrb0sE/s640/1979+Topps+%2523707.jpeg" width="366" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-6471912025356679642016-02-05T08:24:00.001-08:002016-04-06T18:17:33.314-07:001959 Topps Chuck Coles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHapOrlDrpwBXZH6KSy1rz_ty7BzEgez7E-0fkWm-3En4zvnKER6cQsFoKUdDXDDvJSR3F52dha1LDedE4yvkTJFvi-QUshSoutsBnvHvIaNtJ8_YAo0hDvyC8Sig9Pdb4-oLxlNpmk9A/s1600/1959+Topps+120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHapOrlDrpwBXZH6KSy1rz_ty7BzEgez7E-0fkWm-3En4zvnKER6cQsFoKUdDXDDvJSR3F52dha1LDedE4yvkTJFvi-QUshSoutsBnvHvIaNtJ8_YAo0hDvyC8Sig9Pdb4-oLxlNpmk9A/s400/1959+Topps+120.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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The Topps 1959 Rookie Stars series is notorious for being loaded with player who never made an impact. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colesch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chuck Coles</a></strong> is no exception. Chuck Coles was a journeyman minor leaguer. Between 1950 and 1963, he spent 12 seasons on 12 different minor league teams. The only time not spent playing in the minors, was 1953 and 1954 for military duty and the 5 games he played for Cincinnati in 1958.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj474WGSOM06xjdViZ2EH2pfuz1ZmcGvJUOPO22yxXL6R835o3LqTnWcCdXJkl0k5lOJfxtA5BKQkqOiIA7hhPUKDW8fz8YODGfSP68xgSd2xZc4zeZMRDXZI94TqhI7uu2JLMsMWqWUA/s1600/1958+Hires+Chuck+Coles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj474WGSOM06xjdViZ2EH2pfuz1ZmcGvJUOPO22yxXL6R835o3LqTnWcCdXJkl0k5lOJfxtA5BKQkqOiIA7hhPUKDW8fz8YODGfSP68xgSd2xZc4zeZMRDXZI94TqhI7uu2JLMsMWqWUA/s400/1958+Hires+Chuck+Coles.jpg" width="285" /></a> He was a career .293 hitter playing first base and the outfield as a minor leaguer. Although he was listed as a first baseman on his 1959 Topps card, he played the outfield in all 29 defensive innings for the 1958 Cincinnati Redlegs. That is why I created this 1958 Hires Root Beer card listing him as an outfielder.</div>
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Just another bust from Topps inaugural rookie class. I tried but I could not find any reason to save this one from the spokes. I give it a 1. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zYBnD6b-s1uMt8wRxNnozSK1BS7n0x1hAmiKRxE8vYors41bPSwXaaAEkWgsQbHcCLSRchqhieR4ZgpPIReURw286gfAMVZiq-td3GGtg-dUl5Z_npwKb0od6vTC2w5Yxys7_gy4nks/s1600/1959+Topps+120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zYBnD6b-s1uMt8wRxNnozSK1BS7n0x1hAmiKRxE8vYors41bPSwXaaAEkWgsQbHcCLSRchqhieR4ZgpPIReURw286gfAMVZiq-td3GGtg-dUl5Z_npwKb0od6vTC2w5Yxys7_gy4nks/s640/1959+Topps+120.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-4785220701166449502016-01-14T11:10:00.001-08:002016-04-06T18:15:06.791-07:001968 Topps Tigers Rookie Stars: Tom Matchick, Daryl Patterson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq79_h8C_lEP_J_pX8WMTTKaInuPmOtocYj_hrcJYgbRfz4MGEgX7In7IlsW1QimP5UQhhfegQMVlDh6zwIIWwHSh8O7HOUBrK0-wbunwN4BTW6esfSR1EzKMoB-Tf0LDyPz-w6MrSLiI/s1600/1968+Topps+%2523113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq79_h8C_lEP_J_pX8WMTTKaInuPmOtocYj_hrcJYgbRfz4MGEgX7In7IlsW1QimP5UQhhfegQMVlDh6zwIIWwHSh8O7HOUBrK0-wbunwN4BTW6esfSR1EzKMoB-Tf0LDyPz-w6MrSLiI/s400/1968+Topps+%2523113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the second time in a row, the random number generator has presented us with a card that features a player who had another rookie card in the previous season. And once again the earlier card was an error card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0eo0bxui4WQs7-_REJxUxxBu3gJ5m161ltY0IrAWJGoJK8FItuw5VyPEKRNtedkdxu7DFakQgOS7JduYlcn3Y9eT9Py16LhGVwbK2oigyp36WZDK6pmqOgn-TmAl4wRf6LP1yt3U1EY/s1600/1967+Topps+%252372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0eo0bxui4WQs7-_REJxUxxBu3gJ5m161ltY0IrAWJGoJK8FItuw5VyPEKRNtedkdxu7DFakQgOS7JduYlcn3Y9eT9Py16LhGVwbK2oigyp36WZDK6pmqOgn-TmAl4wRf6LP1yt3U1EY/s200/1967+Topps+%252372.jpg" width="200" /></a>In 1967 <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matchto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tommy Matchick</a></strong> appeared this Topps Rookie Stars Card. Although his full name is John Thomas Matchick, he normally went by Tom or Tommy. Topps presented the rookie as John in 1967, but that is not the error. The error involves his card-mate <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/koringe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">George Korince</a></strong>. That is actually the photo of one <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=brown-012jam" target="_blank"><b>James Murray Brown</b></a>. James Brown was a career minor league pitcher in the Tigers system.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsqsnu2S36JrU8lQyclMXG8QpohkkOXcQGZp8e2PE-3kNmvpGy210KrP8rM89CyC8xuOS_pjaoqkllJY3fAQg6SeZPEDpbo7_pCoYYAB8sCpnMxuEcuYSl7VEmbWir-Es_XacUfM_7D0/s1600/1967+Topps+%2523526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsqsnu2S36JrU8lQyclMXG8QpohkkOXcQGZp8e2PE-3kNmvpGy210KrP8rM89CyC8xuOS_pjaoqkllJY3fAQg6SeZPEDpbo7_pCoYYAB8sCpnMxuEcuYSl7VEmbWir-Es_XacUfM_7D0/s200/1967+Topps+%2523526.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The error card was number 72 and in the first series. Topps actually caught their mistake and created a card featuring the real George Korince along with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dobsopa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pat Dobson</a></strong> on number 526 in the sixth series. They even copped to their previous mistake on the back of that card</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5ucfXyzJkX7izoZQZPmhHfyV83kNtO2F4DzLm1nkUJKuDHcdosqmUDyUml7saNohE1ug2x8dOKqdsphEqvEOFXXLFHxq2-LcpEjWvjV971OLOswOlvq7U9-XLn3g5Osu3a12gBATG4c/s1600/George+Korince+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5ucfXyzJkX7izoZQZPmhHfyV83kNtO2F4DzLm1nkUJKuDHcdosqmUDyUml7saNohE1ug2x8dOKqdsphEqvEOFXXLFHxq2-LcpEjWvjV971OLOswOlvq7U9-XLn3g5Osu3a12gBATG4c/s320/George+Korince+Back.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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Matchick himself was a utility infielder who spent portions of 6 seasons in the Majors playing for 5 different teams. In addition to the Tigers he played for the Red Sox, Royals, Brewers and Orioles. Matchick was a member of the 1968 World Series Champion Tigers team. During that season he had a walk-off homer and helped turn a triple play. Matchick was playing shortsop against the Orioles when <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=powelbo01,powell000her&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boog Powell</a></strong> smashed a line drive to <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mclaide01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Denny McLain</a></strong> who turned to Tommy who then threw to <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cashno01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Norm Cash</a></strong> at first to double then triple off <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blefacu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Curt Blefary</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/robinfr02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frank Robinson</a></strong>. The Tigers went on to win that game 7-3</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02ro8yabhUjct3_byWr5ItqEg-7rTqoEASLcBAK5YtfoNzulIR5lMuwlOP27ZAhCWDwKL2oWY2c4sd36lTBObMlJ4-fXMfLUT767qtVgKL1xR0Kmxzo_T0cPhl_MduwL_xlDS21oSdBc/s1600/1972+Topps+Tom+Matchick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02ro8yabhUjct3_byWr5ItqEg-7rTqoEASLcBAK5YtfoNzulIR5lMuwlOP27ZAhCWDwKL2oWY2c4sd36lTBObMlJ4-fXMfLUT767qtVgKL1xR0Kmxzo_T0cPhl_MduwL_xlDS21oSdBc/s400/1972+Topps+Tom+Matchick.jpg" width="286" /></a>In addition to his rookie cards in 1967 and 1968, Matchick appeared on a 1969 Topps card with the Tigers, an 1970 card with the Red Sox, a 1971 card with the Royals, and a 1973 card with the Orioles. So for his Card That Never Was, here is the year and team that Topps skipped over, a 1972 card featuring him on the Brewers. </div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/patteda02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daryl Patterson</a></strong> was a relief pitcher for the Tigers from 1967 to 1971. In '71 he was dealt to Oakland. The A's then sold him to the Cardinals who in turn returned him to the A's all in 1971. He made a return to the Big Leagues as a Pirate in 1974. He went 2-1 in 14 games for Pittsburgh. In a bench clearing brawl versus the Reds, Patterson was bitten in the neck by the "Dominican Dracula", <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=borbope02,borbope01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pedro Borbon</a></strong>. The melee started in the 4th inning when Reds pitcher, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/billija01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jack Billingham</a></strong> beaned Pirates pitcher <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kisonbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bruce Kison</a></strong>. Oddly, Borbon was not ejected and even came in to pitch the 9th inning for the Reds while Patterson went to get a tetanus shot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_PwpyUMupUGkiDuwEo7XlldPn3PyfaRBt1Pr9_fXKxws8bwVTjWU4tMQM8PUhHqzDjD0-A7DdpGF8o6DiL0BSBjPcrb2i8X54wvEQTqkSvzwwQFds0GGPwHE6Jnitm7Uvc4N02UtBUk/s1600/1974+Topps+Daryl+Patterson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_PwpyUMupUGkiDuwEo7XlldPn3PyfaRBt1Pr9_fXKxws8bwVTjWU4tMQM8PUhHqzDjD0-A7DdpGF8o6DiL0BSBjPcrb2i8X54wvEQTqkSvzwwQFds0GGPwHE6Jnitm7Uvc4N02UtBUk/s400/1974+Topps+Daryl+Patterson.jpg" width="285" /></a>For his Card That Never Was I made this 1974 Topps card for his comeback attempt with the Pirates. I like this picture of Patterson, and not just because it was taken in Wrigley Field. It's the billboard of that sweet 1974 AMC Matador in the background. </div>
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This card feature a utility infielder and relief pitcher who both played minor roles in a championship season for the Tigers. Both had mostly unremarkable MLB careers after gaining their World Series rings. But it remains a must have card for collectors of the 1968 Tigers so I am going to rate it a 4, "Set Filler".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZocMlSCAO0Jw-dxOFYNvuaFRA7JOW07xU6eysu6_oLSU-pRNKEO81dbJbYJA5oJzyBVaeHVn_aheHhHqNxCQg97DAleUXD9Qb-9JVoLms-5_7to-9ZxBFQYNYwQCzOiadw7P4bpl0e0/s1600/1968+Topps+%2523113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZocMlSCAO0Jw-dxOFYNvuaFRA7JOW07xU6eysu6_oLSU-pRNKEO81dbJbYJA5oJzyBVaeHVn_aheHhHqNxCQg97DAleUXD9Qb-9JVoLms-5_7to-9ZxBFQYNYwQCzOiadw7P4bpl0e0/s640/1968+Topps+%2523113.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-21576923851221262172016-01-08T14:20:00.000-08:002016-01-08T14:20:14.246-08:001965 Topps Phillies Rookie Stars: Dave Bennett, Morrie Steevens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIBxWkS4Bb6hEA_z2i2be5aina_9EKwVDAGzT-Z0QSh8Kb5yPNdyiovW9t0MkXYvtl22xNGmTpEL4N9zyPVB_s-2ZuHLkOgMQOqB-F15stfMHtiDKV4QL8RjcZ9RbEcICk9l5GfiQEis/s1600/1965+Topps+521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIBxWkS4Bb6hEA_z2i2be5aina_9EKwVDAGzT-Z0QSh8Kb5yPNdyiovW9t0MkXYvtl22xNGmTpEL4N9zyPVB_s-2ZuHLkOgMQOqB-F15stfMHtiDKV4QL8RjcZ9RbEcICk9l5GfiQEis/s400/1965+Topps+521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnmcBXkD60a9dlukFHaA5YDAOOv65ajOgl0_q7hUHtC20BkagAZMQzc6MmW7KhZnhZVrpPD_tEv41-Xo7nlXpLzkrhB5LH7AN3qkXgcBMAKmN4EdiAWGozmX2Uxx9sf_MSuWTDEVSz7A/s1600/1964+Topps+%2523561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnmcBXkD60a9dlukFHaA5YDAOOv65ajOgl0_q7hUHtC20BkagAZMQzc6MmW7KhZnhZVrpPD_tEv41-Xo7nlXpLzkrhB5LH7AN3qkXgcBMAKmN4EdiAWGozmX2Uxx9sf_MSuWTDEVSz7A/s200/1964+Topps+%2523561.jpg" width="143" /></a>The first rookie card of the new year is from 1965 thanks to the random number generator. This card features two rookie pitcher for the Phillies. For <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/benneda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dave Bennett</a></strong>, this isn't his first rookie card. Topps recycled the same photo from his 1964 rookie card with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wiseri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rick Wise</a></strong>, shown to the right. The 1964 card features one of my all-time favorite errors on the back. In Bennett's bio, Topps writes "The nineteen-year-old righthanded curveballer is just 18 years old!" Classic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32xXOdSBYJc2RLsHcWAM63AO8ej_7CfX99UKec1qgWSP-AmnpQNGOGdf4j5N_lGnpLLNspcmlE7hEWsdgSnPXTGrfYOejRZoimuVBuyWPY6Vjzd0BcRiIRonOdiS5buD7n3LUwOjQBR4/s1600/1964+Topps+561+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32xXOdSBYJc2RLsHcWAM63AO8ej_7CfX99UKec1qgWSP-AmnpQNGOGdf4j5N_lGnpLLNspcmlE7hEWsdgSnPXTGrfYOejRZoimuVBuyWPY6Vjzd0BcRiIRonOdiS5buD7n3LUwOjQBR4/s320/1964+Topps+561+Back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although Bennett would have a long minor league career, he was literally one and done in the majors. Just to clarify, at the time of his 1964 rookie card and his one-and-only MLB appearance, he was actually 18 years old. He came into the ninth inning of a game started by his older brother <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bennede01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dennis Bennett</a></strong>. The game was a 11-3 rout at the hands of the New York Mets. In all, the Phillies put 7 different pitchers on the mound including Bennett's 1964 rookie card-mate, Rick Wise. Bennett gave up one run on a wild pitch to <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcmilro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Roy McMillan</a></strong>.</div>
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Normally two rookie cards are more than enough for a player who has only one MLB inning. But that's just not how I roll. So here is a 1964 Topps Giant Card That Never Was for Dennis Bennett's kid brother.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosrzJP1v0CfPTTMjiOReLBaIcVEnGh4v8jAef1LRz9tFrjIuGUf6S-oDu4PI_J6fJ0pyLNCmFKG3vlO0yT2mMbiM6QiHt7fdI5KA6DHMzwldQc7wpBKeWWO5L2jZfLR0eYgUtc3nLOQU/s1600/1964+Giant+Dave+Bennett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosrzJP1v0CfPTTMjiOReLBaIcVEnGh4v8jAef1LRz9tFrjIuGUf6S-oDu4PI_J6fJ0pyLNCmFKG3vlO0yT2mMbiM6QiHt7fdI5KA6DHMzwldQc7wpBKeWWO5L2jZfLR0eYgUtc3nLOQU/s400/1964+Giant+Dave+Bennett.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/steevmo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Morrie Steevens</a></strong> (not a typo) made his MLB debut in 1962 with the Cubs. The year of this rookie card (his only baseball card), 1965, was also the year he made his final MLB appearance. Like his card-mate Bennett, Steevens had a long minor-league career but saw limited MLB action. He was 0-2 in just over 20 innings of play. He was, however, 86-80 as a minor leaguer from 1958-1967. For his Card That Never Was, I made this 1962 Topps individual rookie card from his first MLB season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyfwVstAej-Jjuk4mOnV8uuahM6qnMmUBZrBKU2C4KrJWu7ahZpmHK256no9UpYmNje373wUCJPj2wjioTfPytNFi6SWdcbC6cXdnK6QjNAzPMOSM3HyEfUPSR2lbpWjOpUgNvLkkM4k/s1600/1962+Topps+Morrie+Steevens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyfwVstAej-Jjuk4mOnV8uuahM6qnMmUBZrBKU2C4KrJWu7ahZpmHK256no9UpYmNje373wUCJPj2wjioTfPytNFi6SWdcbC6cXdnK6QjNAzPMOSM3HyEfUPSR2lbpWjOpUgNvLkkM4k/s400/1962+Topps+Morrie+Steevens.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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Not much redeeming value to this card. The 2 pitchers on this card pitched a total of 3.2 innings in 1964. Dave Bennett didn't pitch at all in 1965 and Morrie Steevens pitch 2.2 innings. Really the only thing keeping it out of my bicycle spokes is Bennett's comical bio. And that isn't even on this card. It's on his 1964 rookie card. Topps couldn't even find a new picture of him for the 1965 card. I give it a 2, good for flipping.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV-IlDmwTDuhSrF0uU_8A9Ljco8L6b_FlO2sQq6D_gH4-QnotHmFbTkWOgQdLouy8kvCKUedfFuk9ygMH3ioNxFJAnnKYPsonLmL-jbnGwJjO03ATMhC_E2BWAePwWZdnmjG6zs24s00/s1600/1965+Topps+521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV-IlDmwTDuhSrF0uU_8A9Ljco8L6b_FlO2sQq6D_gH4-QnotHmFbTkWOgQdLouy8kvCKUedfFuk9ygMH3ioNxFJAnnKYPsonLmL-jbnGwJjO03ATMhC_E2BWAePwWZdnmjG6zs24s00/s640/1965+Topps+521.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-70283462151627546542015-12-31T11:50:00.000-08:002015-12-31T11:50:35.525-08:001975 Topps Rookie Catchers-Outfielders: Gary Carter, Marc Hill, Danny Meyer, Leon Roberts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL-yLbLKHXmDTZGdETRhTB86d1biHogKL533Kqon0eDCL3Yut5B-EsdEJ0ln7jLnBy-I3JAv4V7vjLcV1c761a-QRCbUhZ0EFzYskIc7Tvco3vSa7OXNgVLEoXdORju7rPWlioV-eFwI/s1600/1975+topps+%2523620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL-yLbLKHXmDTZGdETRhTB86d1biHogKL533Kqon0eDCL3Yut5B-EsdEJ0ln7jLnBy-I3JAv4V7vjLcV1c761a-QRCbUhZ0EFzYskIc7Tvco3vSa7OXNgVLEoXdORju7rPWlioV-eFwI/s400/1975+topps+%2523620.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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For the 25th post on this blog, the random number generator has finally brought us a genuine Hall of Fame rookie card. It is also this blog's first rookie card from the 1975 set. It has a somewhat odd combination of 2 catchers and 2 outfielders. I think that adds to its uniqueness and makes for a nice long post. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vhiX_gevVANsXYhOlaIkNt63Pk0xR57EYjEANjJTxYpmMvpKzYHdVlNQxPjgrzf_bM0Go1TQw5cfYU7hLXtLdHHjDFngte7Vzul8sHYRRCQOoiSo6myw0jzioivjMKbPY11ZWgzoWXI/s1600/75gc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vhiX_gevVANsXYhOlaIkNt63Pk0xR57EYjEANjJTxYpmMvpKzYHdVlNQxPjgrzf_bM0Go1TQw5cfYU7hLXtLdHHjDFngte7Vzul8sHYRRCQOoiSo6myw0jzioivjMKbPY11ZWgzoWXI/s200/75gc.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
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Although <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cartega01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gary Carter</a></strong> is depicted on this card as a catcher, "The Kid" was used primarily as an outfielder by the Expos in 1975. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/footeba01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Barry Foote</a></strong> was the Expos everyday catcher, but Carter's .270 batting average and 17 homers was too much to prevent Montreal from playing him on a daily basis. He was even selected to the All Star roster in 1975 and played 1 inning in defense. Not behind the plate but in left field. That is why when I made this 1975 Hostess Card That Never Was for <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my other blog</a>, I chose to list him as an outfielder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU1VO6TpDyX1kKCIXDTS85cOroDa2hP7JH12PjO6h_pcYqkcU0H26RS6Oskm1igTgHRDpmQUjPnvG8m12Kr9j9SBiDNqVRwcZNvGcaKQD6820P0-nJU_JZCUSd2K8fJ22lAIXz63bX-M/s1600/75mh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU1VO6TpDyX1kKCIXDTS85cOroDa2hP7JH12PjO6h_pcYqkcU0H26RS6Oskm1igTgHRDpmQUjPnvG8m12Kr9j9SBiDNqVRwcZNvGcaKQD6820P0-nJU_JZCUSd2K8fJ22lAIXz63bX-M/s200/75mh.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBc68iitPwIfduYckmG4vIb-J2Iw6nJatWw1HWBsXOx2M06NkAhWD8819f2nSlfcUD5mEXsLwh7_IU-g98gFeFjAY3ZM9JkLY9ZfPymd4t89qHrAgZAxtmu42a06kqghNqggZrxMy9ws/s1600/johngy+1975MHill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBc68iitPwIfduYckmG4vIb-J2Iw6nJatWw1HWBsXOx2M06NkAhWD8819f2nSlfcUD5mEXsLwh7_IU-g98gFeFjAY3ZM9JkLY9ZfPymd4t89qHrAgZAxtmu42a06kqghNqggZrxMy9ws/s200/johngy+1975MHill.JPG" width="143" /></a>Here <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hillma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Marc Hill</a></strong> is depicted in a typical Topps airbrushed Giants cap. He had actually made brief appearances in 1973 and 1974 for the St. Louis Cardinals before being traded to the Giants for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rudolke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ken Rudolph</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sosael01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elias Sosa</a></strong>. Over on one of my favorite blogs, <a href="http://www.johngysbeat.com/2014/09/cards-that-never-were-1975-st-louis.html" target="_blank">Johngy's Beat</a>, John created a nice individual 1975 Topps card of Marc Hill on the Cardinals. I've included that over to the right.</div>
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Hill had a long career mainly as a back-up catcher. He did have 2 years in which he played the majority of games behind the plate for the Giants in 1977 and 1978. But for the rest of his 14 big league seasons, he played a supporting role. And Topps has had a card for him every year from 1975-1986. Fleer and Donruss were spotty at best. For his Card That Never Was, I chose to make the missing Fleer card from the White Sox's "Winning Ugly" 1983 season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVhCbcelRNgjGRi5XL9Bm6KiO_hyNgN5piPfgJgqDN8B7d9alJi7N7gCfAnx3RYJQxcjASL-oG8trMpLp4wldfFmupoP1JcLAsfxRNxgzW3kanWVWhKxCJ2H-5UtL4Hp30ggsFaU4wNE/s1600/1983+Fleer+Marc+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVhCbcelRNgjGRi5XL9Bm6KiO_hyNgN5piPfgJgqDN8B7d9alJi7N7gCfAnx3RYJQxcjASL-oG8trMpLp4wldfFmupoP1JcLAsfxRNxgzW3kanWVWhKxCJ2H-5UtL4Hp30ggsFaU4wNE/s400/1983+Fleer+Marc+Hill.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6UtzoSrIivOdT3hRyWCgcA9F4wQ1AwuPr6cxfgE0QxQuPEzVzhLvTgO8lZ2_aDfKU81xfg_trMvpMT2qjR1JlgvQL7z76gZYL_i3-qxJ-a4WbM7Hgto6vuKF1NYYYyDWFbWQkeCrlW4/s1600/75dm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6UtzoSrIivOdT3hRyWCgcA9F4wQ1AwuPr6cxfgE0QxQuPEzVzhLvTgO8lZ2_aDfKU81xfg_trMvpMT2qjR1JlgvQL7z76gZYL_i3-qxJ-a4WbM7Hgto6vuKF1NYYYyDWFbWQkeCrlW4/s200/75dm.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>
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After spending the 1975 and 1976 seasons as a first baseman/outfielder for the Tigers, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=meyerda02,meyerda01,meyer-004dan&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dan Meyer</a></strong> was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft. In Seattle he became the everyday first baseman. 1977 was a career season for Meyer. He hit 22 homers with 90 RBIs. Overall Meyer spent parts of 12 seasons in the majors. In 1985 the A's took one last chance on Meyer, but he went hitless in 14 games and was released in May. For his Card That Never Was, I gave him a final 1985 Topps card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcQTFs3HLcyt_EZ4S_t89Geh4kZc1V_n2ZduDiIHbigDZ8PUUjlIrAmi6Lm-_yQycGt2yrOeTTnhl251Q5qz97pwUCd1gWNarlJWt2H7wnVs62FGSG_woTg8w6Mm3ihK547YWWqI9yoE/s1600/1985+Topps+Dan+Meyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcQTFs3HLcyt_EZ4S_t89Geh4kZc1V_n2ZduDiIHbigDZ8PUUjlIrAmi6Lm-_yQycGt2yrOeTTnhl251Q5qz97pwUCd1gWNarlJWt2H7wnVs62FGSG_woTg8w6Mm3ihK547YWWqI9yoE/s400/1985+Topps+Dan+Meyer.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHU2GbOCaarpcRw3S_rL0wNGYQnBvTkRxd0oA7T9O3TQ5Lh0pgsZE9WCtwzR6xQ0mku8NaOwESphQXsBCN8OljILBSeABXKsPwW_G0NAnSszyTThuL8LKQ2qQ1l38ZgSpqinVvgqR4zQ/s1600/75lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHU2GbOCaarpcRw3S_rL0wNGYQnBvTkRxd0oA7T9O3TQ5Lh0pgsZE9WCtwzR6xQ0mku8NaOwESphQXsBCN8OljILBSeABXKsPwW_G0NAnSszyTThuL8LKQ2qQ1l38ZgSpqinVvgqR4zQ/s200/75lr.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberle01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leon Roberts</a></strong> played big league ball from 1974-1984. After being called up in September 1974, Roberts became Detroit's everyday right fielder. Following the 1975 season he was part of a 7 player trade with the Astros. After the 1977 season the Astros gave up on Roberts and traded him to the Mariners. Topps gave up on him as well. There was no 1978 card of him despite that being his career season, hitting .301 with 22 homers.</div>
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Leon Roberts went on to play until 1984 with the Rangers, Blue Jays and Royals. He even pitched one mop-up inning for the Royals in 1984. Kansas City was down to <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blylebe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bert Blyleven</a></strong> and the Cleveland Indians in the 9th inning. Roberts faced 8 batters in the 9th giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk. He did manage to strike out <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hallme01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mel Hall</a></strong>. </div>
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For Roberts' Card That Never Was I made the 1978 card that Topps skipped over. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoL1uQ97dg3eAqt0x9VrdM0DsvmOqytSmekBlJka6551VBjCJYSDEhdqPgPwea7wEIsTLMKamMqre0jVywq6QT7N_2n4J58tdOvoifTlc6BiyKiptVIGfNBXH63GXFABrv7_Kz6IQlY10/s1600/1978+Topps+Leon+Roberts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoL1uQ97dg3eAqt0x9VrdM0DsvmOqytSmekBlJka6551VBjCJYSDEhdqPgPwea7wEIsTLMKamMqre0jVywq6QT7N_2n4J58tdOvoifTlc6BiyKiptVIGfNBXH63GXFABrv7_Kz6IQlY10/s400/1978+Topps+Leon+Roberts.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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This card has earned my highest grade to date. Hall of Famer, Gary Carter, carries the load but all three of the other players on this card had MLB careers lasting over 10 years each. That is more than respectable. If you have this card, display it proudly. I give it a solid 8.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgWteECoTqh1MNLQ_26SQO6tHQhVEcHr4f6b9A8jar9tM6IPrtdZRMOnw81GcuhQxcmwAt9Y0H0c5ftlh9QM_Vy7eBEHSpreA0-oRJxfO07_xt-X_GE5XiYC09e-5royalTRDP0SrFmU/s1600/1975+topps+%2523620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgWteECoTqh1MNLQ_26SQO6tHQhVEcHr4f6b9A8jar9tM6IPrtdZRMOnw81GcuhQxcmwAt9Y0H0c5ftlh9QM_Vy7eBEHSpreA0-oRJxfO07_xt-X_GE5XiYC09e-5royalTRDP0SrFmU/s640/1975+topps+%2523620.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
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<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-37323173705092695772015-12-17T09:52:00.002-08:002015-12-17T10:14:17.969-08:001980 Topps Brewers Future Stars: Danny Boitano, Willie Mueller, Lenn Sakata<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I haven't posted in quite some time, but I still have a backlog of cards that I have created. So I haven't given up yet. I plan to continue this blog along with my other blog, <a href="http://cardsthatneverwere.blogspot.com/">Cards That Never Were</a>. Probably less frequently as demands of everyday life dictate.</span></div>
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This time the random number generator has given me the most recent year to date. And given that I am only going after 1959-1980 rookie cards, there will be nothing newer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKBTdXdjo86-Z9nImoPGiL_UQ_fOqjm8AJhvvqdVXT8rmj176p-z036lFr2d9V_u0qJkNtRTXdssX9oNKe8cOYBlkusTMBRKwQ_NQbv6iULDl3UOd4UgOFZDj76xlKuTeWaku_tGe99c/s1600/1980+Topps+%2523668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKBTdXdjo86-Z9nImoPGiL_UQ_fOqjm8AJhvvqdVXT8rmj176p-z036lFr2d9V_u0qJkNtRTXdssX9oNKe8cOYBlkusTMBRKwQ_NQbv6iULDl3UOd4UgOFZDj76xlKuTeWaku_tGe99c/s400/1980+Topps+%2523668.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boitada01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dan Boitano</a></strong> was a middle reliever that pitched 71.1 Major League innings over 5 years with the Phillies, Brewers, Mets and Rangers from 1978-1982. This 1980 rookie card represents his entire big league catalog. With so many options to choose from, I went with 1982 Donruss for his Card That Never Was. Not only was 1982 his final year but it was also the year in which he had his most big-league exposure. He pitched 30.1 innings in 19 appearances.</div>
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Once again we have a middle reliever for whom this is his only MLB card. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/muellwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Willie Mueller</a></strong> pitched 12.2 innings for the Brewers in 1978 then 2 more in 1981. But he was best known as the Yankees closer "Duke" in the 1989 movie "Major League". In 2014, Topps created a subset of cards from the movie with the 1989 design. For Willie Mueller's Card That Never Was, I included him in the subset.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fyv53fPIa6LPvGP4cm3I0dOsv7HTnXIbnuMac3Pw53GOX0OpF-uQpRdP4ir_OjhzEF9mL0co0Aoj-PyoOfXxLDLo3rGX9l2qsLY00jGODzR2SEXR2rYb5RKLyjicbhu7217MaUbunaA/s1600/1989+Topps+Willie+Duke+Mueller+ML.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fyv53fPIa6LPvGP4cm3I0dOsv7HTnXIbnuMac3Pw53GOX0OpF-uQpRdP4ir_OjhzEF9mL0co0Aoj-PyoOfXxLDLo3rGX9l2qsLY00jGODzR2SEXR2rYb5RKLyjicbhu7217MaUbunaA/s400/1989+Topps+Willie+Duke+Mueller+ML.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sakatle01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lenn Sakata</a></strong> was a light hitting utility infielder for the Brewers, Orioles, A's and Yankees. He hit .230 and scattered 25 homers over 11 seasons. Primarily a middle infielder, Sakata was given the opportunity(?) to fill in at catcher for an inning in 1983. Sakata was brought into the game as a defensive replacement in the 8th inning, playing 2nd base. In the 10th inning he was moved behind the plate after a few pinch hitters moves left Baltimore without a catcher. Seeing Sakata behind the plate proved too tempting for the Blue Jays baserunners. Pitcher <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martiti01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tippy Martinez</a></strong> picked off 3 consecutive runners at first to end the rally. Sakata put the finishing touch on that game by hitting one of his 25 career homers in walk-off style.</div>
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Sakata was featured on Topps cards from 1980-1988 with the exception of 1987. For his Card That Never Was, I filled in that gap.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkXbFpXLiRz6b9Dzb_QEpnMkdKKPLTwQFGRSWF_zt9Go1H5U0hmbmi0VWObXIYuqPu-lZ1AcehTLGmGTm5UiFQL9Mkuu-BidP-wXqW3iBXsaUGzliA1nQ3PwLEw2jhBkFJl6a5xVGU38/s1600/1987+Topps+Lenn+Sakata1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkXbFpXLiRz6b9Dzb_QEpnMkdKKPLTwQFGRSWF_zt9Go1H5U0hmbmi0VWObXIYuqPu-lZ1AcehTLGmGTm5UiFQL9Mkuu-BidP-wXqW3iBXsaUGzliA1nQ3PwLEw2jhBkFJl6a5xVGU38/s400/1987+Topps+Lenn+Sakata1.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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I'm getting rusty, I almost forgot to "Rate" this rookie card. (After all that is only the name of this blog.) This card's only saving grace is Mueller's cameo in "Major League" and Sakata's contribution to Tippy Martinez's incredible feat. I will give this card a 2 "Good for Flipping".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_ZiNDeU_kGdlJz_AUNlVGm4juA_3yxlrG62XQNBB5Mn9zlpAiqLXXx91OCfg6aDouGtvwFlQfqlCSPA5adcPScD7L-fIae1AsAqDnuIc2w_6DKFD9RpfAS_kXbBmRCUuzQFHveH6kuI/s1600/1980+Topps+%2523668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_ZiNDeU_kGdlJz_AUNlVGm4juA_3yxlrG62XQNBB5Mn9zlpAiqLXXx91OCfg6aDouGtvwFlQfqlCSPA5adcPScD7L-fIae1AsAqDnuIc2w_6DKFD9RpfAS_kXbBmRCUuzQFHveH6kuI/s640/1980+Topps+%2523668.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
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Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995834885332125529.post-6919565483494889322015-08-21T08:53:00.000-07:002015-08-21T08:53:27.792-07:001964 Topps Reds Rookie Stars: Sammy Ellis, Mel Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZbkMkvkIvkrJdvMJ-xs6oxPHwyLy1Fa0eqrz03qp5Vj3SIv06mqE3V9gvSp0RrBuSll_mwCU3OkCK7TNLZeKEEVv8CFhlDvf11S6D_1Mhuq7TA6aLlTYvSZZFBSYVaRjZLDIdkge5ck/s1600/1964+Topps+%252333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZbkMkvkIvkrJdvMJ-xs6oxPHwyLy1Fa0eqrz03qp5Vj3SIv06mqE3V9gvSp0RrBuSll_mwCU3OkCK7TNLZeKEEVv8CFhlDvf11S6D_1Mhuq7TA6aLlTYvSZZFBSYVaRjZLDIdkge5ck/s400/1964+Topps+%252333.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRn60ulITjVCzGrY5DYxvnHRv5ULXVDraVBwVy8ggBrQjM0H4jK-EtNPzv6a5ofstz0W46NNA7bAcSXOqZ5M_mvqZulaPQ8krGvrtnJERzGPg8hSW6y_CntoGAL0cI-AS9nXM8IJP7xY/s1600/1963+Topps+%252329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRn60ulITjVCzGrY5DYxvnHRv5ULXVDraVBwVy8ggBrQjM0H4jK-EtNPzv6a5ofstz0W46NNA7bAcSXOqZ5M_mvqZulaPQ8krGvrtnJERzGPg8hSW6y_CntoGAL0cI-AS9nXM8IJP7xY/s200/1963+Topps+%252329.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="141" /></a>This 1964 Rookie Stars card was not <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/ellissa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sammy Ellis</a></strong>'s first card. He was signed as a free agent in 1961 by the Reds and made his first MLB start in early 1962. After a shaky start he was sent down to the minors only to be called up again that September. With a 2-2 record, Topps included him in the 1963 set. He shared a card with Reds catcher <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gondeje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jesse Gonder</a></strong> and Phillies Pitchers <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/culpra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ray Culp</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boozejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Boozer</a></strong>. As luck would have it, he then spent the entire 1963 season in the minors.</div>
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When he returned to the Reds in 1964 he went 10-3 with 14 saves and even got a few MVP votes. In 1965 he was selected to the All Star team and went 22-10 for the season. In the 1966 and 1967 seasons he led the NL in earned runs. In 1968 he was dealt to the Angels, then in 1969 to the White Sox where his big league journey ended.</div>
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Despite only 7 Major League seasons, Ellis was well represented on cardboard. In addition to his 2 rookie cards, he had cards on the Reds in 1965-67 then on the Angels in 1968 and '69. For his Card That Never Was I made a 1970 Topps card with him on his final team, the Chicago White Sox.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeOlH5Lh5WyJm8K1p7aWCqDL_LOkarJ-6Bd6sb3ebClJ9P-0qPF_EJdlPOf4B_C49AaFIEmtBAE1L-n6D9P-TReh6huyuuPKrBv0Xer-44DV0ytYw88JLuKlNPOPVLK_lwXac5UzCp_A/s1600/1970+Topps+Sammy+Ellis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeOlH5Lh5WyJm8K1p7aWCqDL_LOkarJ-6Bd6sb3ebClJ9P-0qPF_EJdlPOf4B_C49AaFIEmtBAE1L-n6D9P-TReh6huyuuPKrBv0Xer-44DV0ytYw88JLuKlNPOPVLK_lwXac5UzCp_A/s400/1970+Topps+Sammy+Ellis.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCsoWahVhV1ARQFAwVS-ci2GIC-sVRZWSDgNmWLrm5HnO0mRrXkoQJlWmYFo6jzcF2xRTTGjutGPhUnFoz6vR7e4ftyrMlX9gHBMc8W4ns3_-5RABMnY8Uc0daOwgjzkcCVwv2ta4cKk/s1600/1967+Mel+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCsoWahVhV1ARQFAwVS-ci2GIC-sVRZWSDgNmWLrm5HnO0mRrXkoQJlWmYFo6jzcF2xRTTGjutGPhUnFoz6vR7e4ftyrMlX9gHBMc8W4ns3_-5RABMnY8Uc0daOwgjzkcCVwv2ta4cKk/s200/1967+Mel+Queen.jpg" width="141" /></a><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=queenme02,queenme01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mel Queen</a></strong> began his Major League career in 1964 as an outfielder for the Reds. His Father was a pitcher for the Yankees and Pirates from 1942-1952. After struggling to get playing time on the big league roster and spending most of the 1965 season in the minors, he converted to pitching. In 1966 he played 32 games in the outfield and pitched 7 innings, all in relief. His 1967 Topps card had his position listed as Pitcher/Outfielder.</div>
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By 1967 he was a full time pitcher. He went 14-8 with a 2.76 ERA. In 1968 his shoulder injury limited his playing time and in 1969 he spent most of the season in the minors. After the 1969 season he was bought by the California Angels and operated mainly out of the bullpen. He would still get the opportunity to pinch hit every now and then, even after being dealt to the Angels.In all Queen spent parts of 9 seasons in the Majors, compiling a 3.14 ERA and a .179 batting average. </div>
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After his playing days were over, Queen worked as a pitching coach in several different organization, both major and minor. He even served as interim manager of the Blue Jay for the final 5 games of the 1997 season after <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gastoci01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.baseball-reference.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cito Gaston</a></strong> was fired . </div>
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I noticed a couple of gaps when looking at Mel Queen's baseball cards. He had Topps cards from 1964-1972 but was missing in the 1965 and 1970 sets. For his Card That Never Was, I made this 1970 Topps card showing him in his first season in California.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojdbHCKZLLdx8epA58L1w4-RV-02PCm0WpcoXN7ZPvZtuQES5987k5pE-BAIcMHIHNjyWm9JBsYcor3Xzk7nFQKA0EdmTFhpBsPb7wnAjbRrNa-R72ReWYo1_zrugIwvCCc5FGxXWtGw/s1600/1970+Topps+Mel+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojdbHCKZLLdx8epA58L1w4-RV-02PCm0WpcoXN7ZPvZtuQES5987k5pE-BAIcMHIHNjyWm9JBsYcor3Xzk7nFQKA0EdmTFhpBsPb7wnAjbRrNa-R72ReWYo1_zrugIwvCCc5FGxXWtGw/s400/1970+Topps+Mel+Queen.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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I rate this card a solid 4. Set filler. Even though it was his second rookie card, Ellis had a good year on the mound in 1964. And while Queen's year was not as good, it was interesting to see him listed as an outfielder even though he spent most of his career pitching and even went on to be a pitching coach.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7udbYvPnZBv3Gsh4flSrBEadG3_CJUth6SfSEpiuBnbr0wfrK14hoJCT6e836jYVDcB-SXu4n3sy5tp97ZN0wfJC7W9eIK8bkShWHqWxMFGXCN1-QNfymyP3N_7A1D-G9GEJ_Q1kyEYY/s1600/1964+Topps+%252333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7udbYvPnZBv3Gsh4flSrBEadG3_CJUth6SfSEpiuBnbr0wfrK14hoJCT6e836jYVDcB-SXu4n3sy5tp97ZN0wfJC7W9eIK8bkShWHqWxMFGXCN1-QNfymyP3N_7A1D-G9GEJ_Q1kyEYY/s640/1964+Topps+%252333.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
<br />Cards That Never Werehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10893879930871693614noreply@blogger.com0