2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s SINGLE BAT GAME USED PART XX

 

                              "Now Batting #8 Gary Carter......." The man known as "The Kid" Gary Carter from September 1974 to September 1992 this 11 time All-Star (Named MVP 2 times),1 World Series Championship(1986 New York Mets), 3 time Gold Glover,3 Silver Sluggers is our subject in this latest installment. Gary was the 2nd best catcher in the National League to many people (Ted Simmons another Hall of Famer who could claim he was 2nd best as well) behind Johnny Bench.

               Gary wasn't always a catcher when he broke into the line-up you would find him playing in the outfield since the Expos were keen on Barry Foote as their catcher as well other names like Terry Humphrey,Jose Morales & Bob Stinton. 

 

 

Just imagine these 4 guys all fighting to play catcher for the Expos against Gary.

                  Gary was a remarkable leader when he was calling a game much like Johnny Bench was with Cincinnati. He would always have a good attitude & ya rarely see him without a smile during an interview. Gary played until 1992 he had a special tribute set that was in the 1992 OPC set 

 

                     In my opinion I thought this was a nice tribute to him & leave it to a Canadian product to out do the USA version would you agree it showcased when Gary rookie in a picture to when he decided to call it a career as well show pictures of all the stops Gary had in his career.

                 Gary as most collectors knew that fighter for the Leukemia Society in honor of his late mother who died from it when he was 12 years old, so if ya were to ask him to do a TTM he would sign if ya helped him make a donation to help the cause. Gary was also a collector of cards too I just have to wonder how many cards he gotten through the years that he collected ya have to wonder what he would think about the way the market has changed & such. Gary was finally admitted on his 6th ballot for Cooperstown in 2003(He was the first full-time Montreal Expos player to be inducted) unfortunately Gary said good bye to the baseball world in 2012 at the age of 57. So does he deserve to be in this set remarkable my answer is yes even though he started in the mid 1970's he proved to be among the league leaders & as I mentioned before in my opinion he is the 2nd best National League catcher behind Johnny Bench now only if the New York Mets would do the right thing retire #8 in honor of him especially after what he did to help them with the pennant chase in 1986. Its sad that the Washington Nationals didn't carry over when they moved from Montreal in 2005 the retired Expos numbers 2 of which are part of this set #8 for Carter & #10 in honor of Andre Dawson (#10 also was retired for the Le Grande Orange Rusty Staub) instead they reissued the retired numbers after all its a new team new franchise new rules which is stupid but the people of Montreal can still feel good knowing inside the Belle Centre where the Les Habitants (Montreal Canadians Hockey team of the NHL) has a banner showcasing the Expos Pride with a banner of the retired numbers along with other Canadians great hockey players like Guy LeFleur,Maurice 'Rocket' Richard & many others to name a few.

You can see it hanging on the left side of the picture shown here.

A Close up view of the Banner.

                            So what is your view does Gary get your vote to be in the set or not until the next installment where our subject is George Foster & I am sure that Gary would agree with fellow Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby when he signed autographs where Rogers once said "Any ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist." 

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s GAME USE BAT PART XIX

 

                            "Now Batting #33 Eddie Murray......" The man they called Steady Eddie played for Baltimore the first time around from 1977 to 1988 then he went to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time as well from 1989 to 1991 then went to other coast again but this time with the New York Mets for 2 years before heading back to the American League in 1994 to play for the Cleveland Indians then rejoining Baltimore in 1996 then in 1997 he went to Anaheim to earn his Angel wings after that he returned to Chavez Ravine for the 2nd time for a 9 game stint before calling it quits.  The switch hitting first baseman came from a baseball family his brother Rich also played the game he was a first baseman for the Giants for 2 years but it was Eddie who made the Murray boys a name. It was his rookie season of 1977 that Eddie delighted the Baltimore crowds with his raw power of hitting Home Runs (27 to be exact) that Baltimore had been missing after 6 years when they traded off a player named Frank Robinson to the Dodgers, later that year Eddie was named the American League Rookie of the Year winner. 

                    Eddie was a quiet leader during his time with the Orioles Eddie won 3 Gold Gloves(1982-1984) 1 World Championship (1983) a 7 time All-Star (He got elected an 8th time but he was with the Dodgers then).  Despite not being a media friendly person cause of how they approached him for comments Eddie showed why he was a leader he helped a young kid out in 1981 when he made his Major League Debut then helped him when he struggled with slumps as well when he needed a break from 1 of the coaches & understood why this same player in 1983 beat him in votes for the MVP that year the player Cal Ripken Jr. 

                      Eddie always had a soft spot for the people in Baltimore even when he left them to play with the Dodgers & Mets. On June 30 1995 Eddie while with the Cleveland Indians made history by collecting his 3000th hit a single against the Minnesota Twins off of Mike Trombley. On September 6th 1996 1 year after Cal Ripken Jr passed Lou Gehrig consecutive games streak Eddie came up against Detroit's Felipe Lira taking him deep for his career #500 home run unfortunately the Orioles would lose to the Tigers 5-4 in 12 innings with that blast Eddie would become the 3rd player in MLB history to have 3000+ career hits & 500+ Home Runs for a career since then Rafael Palmeiro,Alex Rodriguez,Albert Pujols, & Miguel Cabrera all joined Eddie along with the prior members Willie Mays who was the first to do such act followed by Henry Aaron (Another member of this bat line-up). In 2003 Eddie entered the hallowed Halls in Cooperstown along with another member of this line-up of Gary Carter.  So does Eddie have what it takes to be in this set yes he does he helped Baltimore to the World Series in 1979 even though he started career late in the 1970s, so whats your say my readers does Steady Eddie make in your books or does his attributes only happen after the 1970s share your comments below until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby once saying about signing autographs for kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign an autograph for a little kid ain't An American, He's a Communist." until next time when the line up features Gary Carter.

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s GAME USED BAT PART XVIII

 

                               "Now Batting #19 Fred Lynn......" The USC Trojan star outfielder first bursted on the Major League scene in September of 1974. The following spring of 1975 everyone in the American League learned to know about the Red Sox rookie twin powers the other twin power was Jim Rice. Most of Fred Lynn's exploits during his rookie season were described 49 years later in a special insert set from Topps Heritage called "The Fred Lynn Files" a 10 card insert set. It was in 1975 on June 18th at Tigers Stadium Fred hit 3 Home Runs & a Triple just narrowing hitting 4 homers in a game just by few inches hence why he ended up at 3rd base for the triple he had 10 RBIs. A week later after the Reds beaten Fred's Red Sox in World Series Fred made history by winning the Most Valuable Player Award & Rookie of the Year Award (Later in 2001 another Rookie phenom did the exact same thing that Rookie was Ichiro Suzuki) Fred had won the R.O.Y. by earning 23½ 1st place votes the other ½ 1st place vote went to his teammate Jim Rice the story goes had Rice not been sidelined with a broken wrist due to being hit by a pitch by Vern Ruhle of the Detroit Tigers the voting might have been closer. 
               
                  It was in 1976 when he was playing in Minneapolis against the Twins Fred made a catch off the bat of Dan Ford that caught the eyes of Warner Fusselle to talk about on a syndicated show making its debut in 1976 that host Mel Allen said about the Catch 'How About That' that show was "This Week in Baseball" for many of the early years of the show Fred Lynn's catch would be shown in the ending credits. Then in January of 1981 Fred found himself being traded to the California Angels for Frank Tanana & Joe Rudi. Fred struggled his first season with the Angels due to being limited to 76 games cause of a knee injury however Fred bounced back in 1982 where he would help the Angels make the playoffs unfortunately despite winning the 1982 ALCS MVP his Angels were eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers in a best of 5 series. Fred found himself in the spotlight again in 1983 this time in Fred's hometown of Chicago at Comiskey Park for the 50th Anniversary of the Mid-Summers Classic All-Star Game on July 6th in the bottom of the 3rd Inning off San Francisco Giants pitcher Atlee Hammaker  (It was the 54th edition cause between 1959-1962 cause they played 2 All-Stars games those seasons & there wasn't a game played in 1945 due to WWII) when on a 1-2 pitch he hit the first Grand Slam in All-Star Game history it was his 4th Home Run in All-Star play & helping breaking the American League losing streak of 13 games at the time again Fred was named MVP. 2 interesting things about that game Jim Rice his former teammate also homered in the game as I mentioned it was the 50th Anniversary of the Mid-Summer Classic Babe Ruth hit the 1st in All-Star Game play also at Comiskey Park but that was in 1933. After the 1984 season Fred filed for Free Agency & signed a 5 year deal with the Baltimore Orioles Fred played with them from 1985 until August of 1988 when found himself being traded to the Detroit Tigers in hopes that his mighty bat would return to help the Tigers to the pennant sad to say the Tigers lost the American League East Pennant by 1 game behind the Boston Red Sox. In the winter of 1989 Fred signed a year contract with the San Diego Padres after the 1990 season Fred retired from the game. 

               Fred was an 9x All-Star player 4x Gold Glove winner does he deserve to be honored to be in this set in my opinion even though he played the 2nd half of the 1970's & he was a star during those years I believe he earns the right to be included more so then someone like Bud Harrelson who was featured on the blog back on April 4th of this year. So what's your take on Fred Lynn's remarkable run in 1970s does he get your vote or not let me know in the comments below next up in our series is Eddie Murray until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970 SINGLE BAT PIECE GAME USED PART XVII

 

                               "Now Batting #24 Dwight Evans......." Dwight Evans or as he was called by his teammates 'Dewey" no relation to Darrell Evans for whom was featured in the series earlier is our subject for this post in the series. Dwight was one of those Fan Favorite type of players he played for the Boston Red Sox from 1972 to 1990 then finished his playing career with 1 year that being 1991 with the Baltimore Orioles.  Dwight according to most visiting players had a cannon arm for a right fielder playing at Fenway. He led....well tied for league with 22 Home Runs in the Strike Shorten season of 1981. He had tied with 3 others (Eddie Murray & Bob Grich for whom are also featured in the set as well Tony Armas). It was Dwight's catch & relay back to first for a double play in the top of the 11th Inning that kept Cincinnati from scoring to set up Carlton Fisk's Home Run 1 Inning later. 

                   Dwight like I said was that a Fan Favorite & still is. In my humble opinion I am surprised that the Red Sox haven't honored him by retiring his #24 before Manny Ramirez wore it instead they wait until a player is in the Hall of Fame which surprises me cause they retired #34 before David Ortiz went in. Besides all that does Dewey get my vote to be in this set humbly as Dewey was again on the fence cause he to me is more of an 1980s All-Star so what's your view on him until next time where we look at Eddie Murray. As always I am reminded of what Rogers Hornsby once said "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s SINGLE GAME USED BAT PIECE PART XVI

 

                         "Now Batting #31 Dave Winfeld......." Dave Winfield the only Multi-sport talent from Minnesota to be drafted by 4 different leagues during the 1970's. He was Drafted by the Utah Stars of the ABA,Drafted by the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, The Minnesota Vikings of the NFL, & finally the sport the reason for Dave to be in this set he was drafted by the San Diego Padres.  Dave was 1 of few players to come either from high school or college directly to the major leagues. Dave spent most of the 1970s with the Padres before testing the free agency market after the 1980 season when he signed with the Yankees.

                           It was in 1981 where Dave got his first taste of the post season however he didn't fair much in the World Series that year hitting .048 leading the media to call him Mr. May. In 1983 Dave made history by being arrested after a game on August 4th in Toronto Exhibition Stadium the reason Dave had killed a Seagull while throwing a ball at one during warm ups between innings of the game between the Yankees & Blue Jays. He was booked & his bond for $500 then he was released after it was paid the charges were dropped since the police believe him when it was an accident. In 1989 Dave spent the whole year on the Disable List due to back problems then in 1990 in midst of contract squabbles with George Steinbrenner he was traded to the Angels then in 1992 he found himself wearing a Blue Jays uniform going to his first World Series since 1981 & got the game winning hit for Game 6 to help the Blue Jays win their first title then in 1993 returned back home in Minnesota it was there he collected hit #3000 a single against Dennis Eckersley then in 1994 midst of the Strike Dave went to Cleveland since he was traded during the strike & they didn't play anymore that season it was speculated players to be named later were to be included but they weren't so the Twins executives went to dinner with the Indians executives with the Indians picking up the bill leaving that Dave was traded for a dinner but some people say that he was sold to the Indians to avoid political conflicts if ya ask me being traded for a dinner is better to deal with then saying he was sold. Even though the Indians made the post season that year Dave didn't play any post season games he only lasted 46 games with them due to a rotator cuff. After the season Dave called it career. 

                   In 2001 Dave got the call saying he was going to Cooperstown with former teammate of the Twins Kirby Puckett then Dave still upset with George Steinbrenner decided to enter the Hall of Fame wearing a Padres cap going as the first Padres member in the Hall even though some players like Gaylord Perry played briefly with the Padres as well Willie McCovey but Dave was the first to wear the cap of the Padres on his plaque. Later in 2001 the Padres honored Dave by retiring his #31 in a tribute to the man who spent most of the 1970s wearing the Brown & Yellow uniform. Now if ya ask me does Dave deserve to be in the set yes cause he helped a small market team have at least something to cheer for & Dave was 1 that would give back to the community wherever he played for since he started the Dave Winfield Foundation which future Hall of Fame Member was a member of the foundation when he was a kid watching Dave patrol right field in New York & when that player got to the big leagues he did something similar for the fans of New York as well that future Hall of Famer was none other than Derek 'Mr. November' Jeter. so what's your vote say about this remarkable man of Dave Winfield let me know in the comments below. Up next in the series is Dwight Evans.


            I have a friend named Shawn who's an avid Winfield collector & is looking for the following for his collection he asked if ya can help him out if ya can let me know what you like in return for them here's his top 5 list please help him out he truly would like to get his collection featured in the top 10 Winfield Collections. 

1.1974 Topps Stamps-Most people sell these as uncut sheets & they're a little expensive hoping to find a loose stamp at least

2.1993 Rainbow Foods Winfield Gold Set Version of the Set

3.1990 Kenner Starting Line-up unopened with both cards still in the package 

4. 1993 Topps Black Gold Exchange Cards Redeemed he's trying to find something like the picture shown here 

5.1994 Pinnacle Artist Proofs #332

As always thanks for reading & as Rogers Hornsby once said "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970’S SINGLE BAT GAME-USED PART XV

 

"Now batting #39 Dave "Cobra" Parker......." The year is 1978 Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Dave "Cobra" Parker is finishing up a year of hitting .334 30 home runs & 117 RBIs & being named the National League MMVP Masked Most Valuable Player as well the National League MVP cause on July 16th he returned to the game after suffering from a fractured jaw & cheekbone from a collision on June 30th at home plate with Mets catcher John Stearns. 

Say what you want but brother he's a scary dude wearing this & with coiled bat swing this Cobra is going to strike venom to all.

The 1979 mid-summer classic in Seattle that Brian Downing still can't believe he got tagged out from a throw from Parker. You can see the video on top of you ask me it was like that of Roberto Clemente in the 1971 World Series Throws. 

Also in 1979 along with Willie Stargell both helped lead the Pirates to the Post Season with the "We Are Family" team. Unfortunately Dave wasn't press friendly & had a t-shirt printed up to explain his feelings.  

 

         In the early 1980's Dave found himself in trouble with MLB being named 1 of 11 players including Keith Hernandez (Another member of this set) during the Pittsburgh Drug Trials unfortunately Dave had left Pittsburgh in winter of 1983 as a free agent to sign for his hometown team the Cincinnati Reds. He had a monster year in 1985 & should had won his 2 MVP award but the BWAA saw that Willie McGee had a better year cause he lead the National League in Batting as well helped the Cardinals win the NL Pennant & if ya asked me I guess the writers were still wondering about Dave's attitude to the writers as well the Drug Trials. He stayed with the Reds until 1987 when he was traded to the Oakland Athletics for Jose Rijo & Tim Birtsas where he picked the role of a DH. He helped the Athletics to the 1988 World Series & won the title with them in 1989. Eventually the A`s let Dave after the season go he went to the Brewers then in 1991 he was traded to Angels for Dante Bichette then he went to Toronto to help them win the AL East as an Insurance bat but he arrived late so he wasn't able to help in the post season. Then in 1992 the Chicago White Sox came close in getting the Cobras power to back up Bo Jackson who was returning from hip surgery himself but the Southsiders decided to go with Geotge Bell instead one can only wonder what might been had they chose Parker instead image Frank Thomas & the Cobra in the same line-up. Dave later would serve as hitting coach for a couple of years for the Angels & Cardinals.                          After that Dave called it a career then waited for the BWAA to call him into Cooperstown. The call finally came in the winter of 2024 when he was told he was elected to the Hall of Fame. His body was slowly losing its battle with Parkinsons he was looking forward to delivering his speech that he wrote as soon he got the call only Dave wasn't able to make it on June 28, 2025 19 days after his 74th birthday he passed away. His son Dave Parker II would go on in his place & deliver that special speech that he wrote. Now if you ask me does Dave deserve to be in the set no question about it cause of what he did in 1978 & 1979 He was an 7 time All-Star, 3 Gold Glover ya saw the video right, 2 time batting champion 1977 &1978 the only thing I find wrong is the small scandal he had during the drug trials in Pittsburgh but Dave paid the price when he lost the MVP voting to Willie McGee so what's your take on the Cobra is he deserve your vote on deck is our 3rd Dave post in a row Dave Winfield until then I am reminded you of Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970 SINGLE GAME USED BAT PART XIV

 

                     "Now Batting #13 Dave Conception........"The Shortstop that was the keystone partner to Joe Morgan (another member of this exclusive set) as well the rest of the Big Red Machine of the 1970's teams. Dave was a 5 time Gold Glover 9 time All-Star (Including 1 All-Star MVP winner in 1982). Dave was from Venezuela who modeled his game after watching the former White Sox great & Venezuelan Chico Carrasquel. Dave is 1 of 4 players in this set that played their entire career with just 1 team (The other 3 are Bill Russell,Roberto Clemente, & Roy White) even though he was released prior to the 1989 season he signed with the Angels but didn't make the team out of Spring Training. 

                I will remember Dave in 1988 when I was 13 my family was on vacation my mom arranged us to keep me happy for my part & as usual a delayed birthday (mind you my birthday is in June) present 5 tickets for the whole family to watch the Cincinnati Reds play the Pittsburgh Pirates at 3 Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh on August 22 the Reds won 2-0 over the Pirates. I was happy to see Danny Jackson win his 18th game on the way to a 23-8 season & seeing Chris Sabo in his rookie year on his way to take the Rookie of the Year that year. Anyways so after the game I went to where fans could get autographs if they were lucky to get anything signed which I was able to get Rob Dibble,Chris Sabo,(When I told him I was a fellow Michigander he was surprised that a kid from Michigan came to see him even though I wore my Ohio State hat) then a huge crowd saw Doug Drabek & they all went after him including my little brother Ethan who said I'll go get his for ya brother I said thanks then out came Dave Collins I remember he was on his 2nd tour with the Reds plus I recognized him only no one else did we talked about his 1st tour of Cincinnati & then his only season with the Detroit Tigers & what he thought about the chances of the Reds being a contender he said probably won't happen until 1990 which turned out to be true & he was shocked that someone recognized him then I thanked him for his time & as went he said kid there goes Dave Conception which I recognized as well so I said Senor Conception may I please have your Autograph unfortunately Dave just brushed my request off & continued to walk away. It wasn't until later someone told me that Dave just heard he was going to be released after the year & he wasn't signing anything, which I understood but at least he could have said something to me saying sorry I don't sign. Meanwhile Ethan was lucky enough to get me Doug Drabek's then we went back to find the rest of the family & headed to our hotel room to gear up for the rest of the vacation which was going to Gettysburg the next day then end going to Hershey to see the chocolate factory. 

So despite what happened that family vacation is the image of him brushing me off say he doesn't deserve to be in the set no I think he does cause he was like I said earlier the shortstop of The Big Red Machine his bat came through in some good games during the 1970s especially hitting .370 against the Yankees in the 1976 World Series. So what is your take on him leave your comment below next up is Dave's former teammate of the Reds from 1984-1987 & Hall of Famer Class of 2025 Dave 'Cobra' Parker. Until then I leave you the quote unfortunately I disagree on that Mr. Conception is one but said by the great Rogers Hornsby "Any ballplayer who doesn't sign Autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."