2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s GAME USED PART XXIV

 

                  "Now Batting #9 Graig Nettles....." The crafty 3rd baseman was called "Puff" by his teammates played from 1967 to 1988 for the following teams Minnesota Twins (1967-1969), Cleveland Indians (1970-1972), New York Yankees (1973-1983), San Diego Padres (1984-1986), Atlanta Braves (1987), Montreal Expos (1988).  The reason he was called Puff was cause he was a practical joker & 1 minute he was there & then like in a Puff of smoke he disappeared.  He was a 6x All-Star, 2x World Series winner (1977,1978) MVP of the 1981 ALCS, 2x Gold Glover & lead the American League in Home Runs in 1976. & was the older brother of Jim Nettles (More about him later). When I first heard of Graig is reading his autobiographical season book called BALLS his co-author is legendary sports writer of many books mainly about Yankee players Peter Golenbock that was in 1984 when I read this book it worth reading it includes a chapter on the 1983 season talking about the Pine-Tar game & how he was pounding his fist into his glove as celebration of calling George Brett out after his home run since he & Brett were rivals for 4 ALCS in between 1976,1977,1978,&1980. 

                   Don't fret there's another book that Golenbock co-wrote with Davey Johnson called "Bats" it's about the 1985 New York Mets Season. 

                            Its going on 46 yearsat the end of this month that Fleer won its Anti-Trust case over Topps that broke their monopoly in producing baseball cards. That following year Fleer came out 660 card set & one of the cards it produced in the first of three printing of the cards was the card #87 where they errorously typed the name of "Craig"  instead of Graig on his card. 

         Error cards run in the Nettles family cause earlier on Graig's RC there was this error.

As you can see this has a loop it was later corrected at least the name is spelled right.

                     Then in 1990 we see baby brother Jim making a Billy Ripken mark on his bat knob of the 1990 Pacific Senior League set. Incase you are curious about what it says well the price guides call it the "Apple" card also if someone is interested in a set of the 1990 Pacific Senior League w/some surprises in the set & I'll let you know they were legit surprises lmk just check my wantlists for what I like for it.

                   Now a little bit of this card information is one of the 6 players that have a limited run with Graig he has only 219 pieces of them. Now if you ask me does Graig make the grade in being the set yeah he does not only cause he was a quiet leader on the field also he did have a role in leading the Yankees to 3 World Series appearances in the 1970s (1976,1977,1978) so what your take let me know in the comments below. Until the next time where we will honor a true legend of the game but please note that you will be reading 44 facts of this player that you may or may not know about this player & that is Mr Henry (Hank) Aaron until then I am reminded of what Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs for little kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

 

HAPPY BELATED TO ME

 

                                Since 1985 in a town called Royal Oak, Michigan which is a suburb of Detroit when a young man age 10 along with his older brother 13 & mother set forth on a Sunday skipping church to attend a comic/Sport card show. This young man was seeking some new cards to add to his collection mainly Pete Rose & any other Cincinnati Reds cards from 1985. While his older brother was seeking Marvel Comic G.I. Joe #2. Well...during the show the young man's mother called him over to look at something she had found. What she found was baseball cards the young man tried not to look like he knew the crazy lady & did his best to avoid her during this conversation. He said it was up to her what she should do about it. So the mother pulled them out of the trash container placed them in a box then later in the car she handed them over for the young man to see what all in it. 

                    In the box he saw cards ranging from 1966 Topps & 1967 Topps  also including a 1957 Al Kaline & a 1958 Topps Billy Martin they went well with his 2 other pick ups from the show a 1966 Topps Pete Rose & a 1985 Fleer Update an upcoming pitcher Tom Browning rookie card of the Reds.

My Rose still sits in my old bedroom at my parents house on a bookshelf.

My Browning now has Tom's signature on it & is in my 1985 Fleer Binder.

David my late older brother was happy with this choice.

The Infamous 1957 Kaline that's in my PC that mom rescued.

In 1985 I only thought he was an ex-manager of the Tigers I didn't know he played for them as well until I read "Damn Yankee The Billy Martin Story" By Maury Allen. I read it so much in junior high that the librarian gave me the book for my graduation present in 1993.

             5 years had passed since that show bringing us to 1990 it was then the young man decided to make sets for his collection when it was suggested by his mother that he take a chance to make the 1967 Topps Set. So it was one of the earliest sets he was making. As many of my readers have read about the task at hand & numerous times I have told the story about this caper well this last Wednesday most of you wished me a Happy Area 51 Birthday & again I can't thank you enough my readers & those of you whom left comments about it then on Friday prior to going to my new job (I still love it as of this writing lol) I stopped at Rocket Sports Cards in Howell,Michigan to finish paying off the last card that is featured on top of this posting. My 1967 Topps if you don't count that blasted card #128 Ed Spiezio rubbed out name variant is completed. 

It's free again from its shackles. Heres the front view of it.

The back view from its shackles still.

As you can see its a perfect fit in its spot with the others.

          I am now awaiting to hear back from SCG about the card from being eliminated from its database so they can remove it from its population reports. So I asked some of my friends whom I have contacts with on Friday what should I do with the label strip do I put it in the set so when ya go through the binder you can see what it would grade as if I never took out of its shackles let me know my reader what I should do put it in the binder or not. Also let me know what ya think of this journey my next big vintage set as most of you know is to complete the 1968 Topps set which of the date this published I am down to finding 55 cards after starting it 6 months ago & I am hoping that it doesn't take as long as the 1967 set did. Also as you read this I am heading to my favorite show in Livonia Michigan to continue to look for that card that I mentioned about otherwise like I said its complete. Until then I am reminded that what Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs for little kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

I AM AREA 51 TODAY!!!!!!

 

                         Today if I hadn't gotten fired in March I would have asked for a couple of days to travel to Nevada for a certain place & give my readers something to say yeah yeah we can't believe that he did it just as he mentioned in his blog. Instead I can let you leave your comments to tell me best wishes instead. Now you ask me what would ya have mentioned on your blog on had you not been fired......well.......I would have gone to that special place & then had the Government wonder why I was there & my answer would been to them "MOM......DAD.......I AM BACK!!!!! Can we go home now I am tired of this vacation......" If you haven't gotten the clues I am referring about going to Area 51 on my 51st Birthday which is today since most people think I am an alien already. Anyways I wanted to do something special after all its my birthday besides my buddy Brutus did one thing I would like to do but my version is totally different at that venue. I wont say but mine would have to deal with a huge piece 💩💩💩💩  on a certain spot in that venue.  

Besides I have a summer Birthday its not the same in the winter time. Glad that Brutus did this mess last November. 

                   Anyways I am hoping to do a 9-9-9 challenge tonight but will have to wait & see until then some of you have yet to send me things I always try to send you things. I have provided the belated ideas to send me to celebrate my Area 51 day here's the top 10 items I like to receive any single listed I preferred a RAW version no GRADED SHITAKI MUSHROOM CARD!!!! Now here's the top 10 list from the home offices of Nevada where I know they made experiments on my family after capturing Grandma & Grandpas ship in Roswell in 1947 LOL.

10. `85/`86 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #9
9. 1968 Topps Baseball #247
8. 1968 Topps Baseball #177
7. 1952 Topps Baseball #406
6. All 3 Series of the Fritsch One Year Winners Set.
5. 1989 & 1990 T&M Umpire sets w/the 1989 Binder.
4. `03/`04 Upper Deck Basketball #301
3. `79/`80 Topps Hockey #18
2. $$$$$$$$
1. 1967 Topps Baseball #128 That for saken RUBBED OUT NAME CARD!!!!!!! I DON'T WANT NO REPRINT OR FAKE I WANT AN ORIGINAL!!!!!!!!!! 

Now if ya excuse me I have a party to attend I wont leave ya a quote only say this whoever would send me the #1 request just say this I would make a special post on my special day every year to mentioned who sent me this great thing. 

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s GAME USED PART XXIII

 

                          "Now Batting #31 Garry Maddox....." Garry Maddox was a center fielder with the San Francisco Giants & the Philadelphia Phillies for the decade of the 1970's. He was an 8 time Gold Glover while patrolling the center field area during that time. Pretty much stealing bases was what Garry was known for other than his glove work/ 

                Maddox first broke in the majors as I mentioned with the Giants,prior to getting the call to the show Maddox fought Giants Management over salary cause he felt he deserved the same amount of pay as some of the other prospects when they said he didn't deserve it Garry called it a career & decided to join the U.S. Army so he volunteered his services to go & fight over in Vietnam. He suffered some chemical after effects when in the service so hence he grew his famous beard to cover up his skin sensitive face. After his stint in the Army he got an honorary discharge to rejoin the Giants so he could be the major caretaker for his family.  Garry then was traded in 1975 to the Phillies for Willie Montanez (Another player featured in this set later on in the series). It was in 1976 that Daily News beat writer Bill Conlin made a quote after watching him play " 2/3s of the Earth is covered by water the other 1/3 is covered by Garry Maddox." 

              Garry in 1980 caught the last out of the 1980 World Series then 3 years later he made the final out by hitting a line shot to a 2nd year shortstop of the Baltimore Orioles by the name of Cal Ripken Jr.  Now does Garry deserve a spot in the line up had it been a piece of a glove fielding or batting then I would say yes he does but since its a piece of his bat I am sorry Garry wouldn't be in my line-up what you say next in our line-up is Graig Nettles until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby once saying "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970's GAME USED PART XXII

 

"Now Batting #19 Greg Luzinski......" Greg Luzinski aka "The Bull" played for the Phillies from 1970 to 1980 then the Chicago White Sox from 1981 to 1984. Greg was an outfielder more of a Boog Powell(Also a feature in this series) type built he was in the mid 1970s Phillies RBI leaders. 

           As I mentioned his nickname was "The Bull" he got it when he was in the minors playing for at the time the Eugene Emeralds because of his size plus he hit Bullish home runs. Now when I first ever came across in collecting I recall the the 1983 Donruss Action All-Star Cards of his cause of wearing those glasses at the time I was beginning to wearing them myself & here was proof that I could still play baseball & wear glasses at the same time. Another time I recall then after rewatching & relistening to both Vin Scully call the game for NBC on the Game of the Week as well Ernie Harwell call the game on WJR 7.60 AM between the Detroit Tigers & the Chicago White Sox on April 7,1984 when Jack Morris threw his No-Hitter against them & hearing how Luzinski could possibly be the 1 person who could break up the No-Hitter with a titanic of a blast & reach the deepest part of The Original Comiskey Park in Chicago. 

            It was in 1981 when the Chicago,Illinois native came home to play with the White Sox he mainly played DH. He did help them in 1983 get to win the American League West title only to lose in the ALCS to the eventual World Series Champions Baltimore Orioles. 

         After the 1984 season "The Bull" called it a career after slugging 307 career home runs & 1128 RBIs he became the baseball coach at Holy Cross Academy in New Jersey. In 2004 when the Philadelphia Phillies opened up Citizens Bank Park much like as I mentioned before he looked like Boog Powell & Greg opened his own BBQ joint called "Bull's Barbecue" I'm told as well it good too even though I have never been to Philly there's things that I looking forward to trying if I ever get a chance to go.

Here's how I remember Greg.

How I saw Greg when watching Jack Morris throw his No-Hitter.

So does "The Bull" qualify to be in the set in my opinion its the same thing as Boog Powell he was a fan-favorite in Philly during those runs in the late 1970s but no he doesn't get enough votes for me what's your take let me know in the comments below next up in the lineup is Greg's teammate of those Phillies teams Garry Maddox until then I remind you of what Hall of Fame Rogers Hornsby once said about signing Autographs for kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign Autographs for little kids ain't An American, He's a Communist."

GOOD RIDDANCE TO SUBWAY HELLO NEW PLACE OR THE CASE OF $12.50

 

                        I have to take a small break on my 2001 DECADE 1970s GAME USED posting to update you my readers on things with me so thank you for your understanding. Back in March as you all know if ya read my blog or anything I was fired from Dollar General then 2 weeks had passed & I started working at Subway. So I was working there things were looking good I was hoping to be working enough hours so I could sneak off to the National Sports Card Convention again in Chicago. Then I was running a little behind in trying to get to work one day so I called the store manager to let them know I was running a little late cause of being held up at my school job little did I know she replied back that I should call someone who was working at the store cause she had walked off & quit that day. Great I thought the hiring manager quits 1 week after I get a job & I have no way of contacting anyone else at the store to say I am running late cause the only phone number I have is hers. Well......I got there with 5 minutes to spare thank goodness. 

                         Again things were to look better I was getting used to making sandwiches again which I didn't mind it was a lot better then dealing with crazy coupon Saturdays at Dollar General plus 1 of the perks was getting a free 6" sub the way I wanted provided the toppings for my sandwich weren't out of like lettuce or Pepper Jack Cheese or even a tomato or heaven forbid they run out of the subway chipotle sauce for my Philly Sandwhich.  Well I was working there for about 2 weeks when looking forward to receiving my first paycheck since I came in for an interview & was told by the hiring manager(remember shes not there anymore) I would get paid for my interview & expect a small check then after that 2 weeks from that 1 you'll get a bigger check cause your working these hours & deserve a decent check. Well I looked through all the checks there wasn't a check for me WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🤬🤬🤬🤬Wheres my check right unfortunately they said that I would recieve it in 2 weeks which I said that's fine it will be a nice big check at least in 2 weeks. Everything was still going well getting used to the people I work with even though mainly I was stuck cleaning the condiments containers or running the register. Another 2 weeks pass when I thought I get my check again *Tom Cruise voice* SHOW ME THE $$$$$$$$ right *Family Feud buzzer sound* BZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!! thanks for playing comeback in 2 weeks we should have a check for you once ya complete some more paperwork!!!!! I wasn't happy 4 weeks no checks nothing meanwhile I have bills to pay like a house payment & a car loan to pay as well other household bills to pay & plus I like to get some 2026 cards & I have to mail out packages to people I can't mail out without any $$$$$$ 2 days passed I get told by the new store manager that I need a little more training again besides the paperwork that I should have done need to do & I have to report to a different location.

                     The next morning I wake up see that I have a text message thinking it was from Mike Matson from Not Another Card Blog discussing when about the new ABS system & what I thought of it as well my enquiry if he wanted me to make him a 1991 Stadium Club set with extra Blue Jays & Expos cards as well cause we had discussed it a couple of days before hand & I thought he was asking how the set was coming along, well.......it wasn't from Mike instead it was from the new store manager saying ".......I am so sorry but you might want to look for a new employment you don't need to report to the location we discussed about yesterday......" WTF!!!!!!!!!!! I AM FIRED!!!!!!!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 THEY FIRED ME!!!!!!!!! via text messaging me who fires someone via text that is so very unprofessional what you think my avid reader were they wrong in firing me that way or is it like how Marty McFly got fired from his job in Back to the Future Part II when he was fired via Fax Machine let me know in the comments below. Plus they hadn't paid me still I need to get some $$$$$$$$ from these sorry I am not fond of people from the country of India at the moment cause they have taken over so much of the Subway Franchises. So I said when can I pick up my check I asked next week during the pay day providing I finish the proper papers still which I thought I had them all done. 

                        Well......I show up the day to get my paycheck is it there ya I ask "NO!!!!!! You get no Pay until paperwork complete....." I show them that it was I even had another store manager help me show them it & we got it resolved so I should had gotten my paycheck today no comeback in 2 weeks will be in touch. So last week on May 19th I reached out to them via text am I going to get a paycheck on Tuesday 21st its been 2 months I WANT MY FLEER SENSATIONS OF A ULTRA-PRO PAYCHECK!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!(I said other words that would made Coach Woody Hayes seem like he was on Mr Rogers Neighborhood & a bunch of other 🖕🖕🖕🖕💩💩💩💩💩 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 👈 basically my facial expression look) I didn't get a reply back so on the 21st I drove right after my school job to the location where this other store manager that helped me show the missing paperwork to say did I get paid today I thought I see you to ask is there a paycheck for me she said she check & she assured me that there was so I drove over to there & picked up the long lost 2 month wait of a paycheck I opened it up to see how much I was getting as well the break down on how much was taken out from taxes & it was a good thing I saw the break down it was $xxx.xx for Federal no a problem it was $xx.xx for State again I was not complaining just happy to see the money then next line Uniform Fee $12.50.......WTF!!!!!! UNIFORM FEE!!!!!!! $12.50 WTF🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 They didn't give me a uniform they tried but it was a size to small I'm a XXXL in shirt size not XXL & when they gave me the shirt I return it to say I was bigger & they said they'd fix it the next day that same shirt was there they claimed it was the right one. Uh...... No it wasn't so I didn't take it I again said I'm 3XL not 2XL & I even showed them in fingers by holding up 3 then 2. So I was instead of cashing the check right away I drove back to the store where I started that day showed the lady here's the check & please double check the details on the breakdown she looks at it Yeah Federal.....State.....uh huh......uniform fee....hands it back I say please reread that last one uniform fee.....her response......stares then I guess the little gerbil in her head finally got the wheel in her head to work they didn't give ya a uniform *correct bell dings* DING!!!!!DING!!!!  I said 2 choices I'm not gonna cash it until they fix it today by issuing me a new one that doesn't have that removed or you can give me the missing amount now & I'll cash it after I leave here. She quickly said she take it out of the register so I can be on my way which was a smartest thing she did hands me the missing amount I go on my way to cash it finally I pay some of my bills including my house payment & then took another $100 to my friend's at Rocket Sports Card & Collectibles (please check it out if theres something you like & need a local pick up lmk & call them saying Could they let me pick it up for you when I get a chance I also ask that you pay for it first I know that I am nice guy but I ain't buying for everyone lol & they're very reasonable to deal with & if ya say you heard about the shop through my blog cause they like to hear that I'm promoting their shop) to make a payment on my Seaver 

$250 remaining soon my precious 😆 

So after paying for that I went back to filling out applications at home then I just got 1 done for a place thats just a 30 minute drive away they asked me if I could set up a time for an interview i quickly respond with today works for me so they said could I get there around 3:30 not a problemo got in my car drove over to conduct the interview well....on Tuesday May 26th, 2026 I officially started my 1st shift now at 

.

            Even though I've been working there for 3 days by the time you read this I am enjoying it so far in the meantime I will continue to keep you updated on any new developments. I cant wait to read what you thought of what had happened to me between places of employment. As always I am reminded of what Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs for kids "Any ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist." 

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s GAME USED BAT PART XXI

                                         
                                                    "Now Batting #15 George Foster......" George played from 1969 to 1986 he was a 5x All-Star (1976 to 1979 & 1981 as representative for the Cincinnati Reds) 2x World Series Winner (1975 & 1976 also with Cincinnati) he led the National League in Home Runs in 1977 & 1978.

         It was in 1977 that George was a threat every time when he came to bat for as I mentioned that lead the League in Home Runs he hit 52 that year with his black bat he called "Black Beauty" he was one the first players to swing a colorful bat he basically said he wanted to integrate the other bats with his stick for his efforts in 1977 he was named MVP after finishing as the runnerup the year before to his teammate Joe Morgan who is also a member of this lineup. He played Center field before shifting to Left field during the 1975 season. 

          The teams George played for are quite an interesting tale for he started with the San Francisco Giants most think it was the Cincinnati Reds cause he had more accolades with them he was traded to them in 1971 then he stayed with them until 1982 cause he wanted a 5 year contract extension & the Reds weren't going to grant it to him they traded him to the New York Mets where he helped in someways to mentor a young Darryl Strawberry when Darryl first bursted on the MLB scene in 1983 then as Darryl became what they hoped for that meant no more room for George he was released midway during the Mets playoff push in 1986. However the Mets did vote to give George a share of the 1986 Title money & even gave him a 1986 World Series ring even though he didn't play a single inning of that fall classic instead he was picked up for about 15 Games with the Chicago White Sox before trying to latch on to any team for the 1987 season which no teams wanted to sign him. Later George in 1989 found himself wearing a new uniform in a winter League of former Major League players known as the Senior League Professional Association its fair to say not many people know much about this league cause it only lasted 2 years but they made cards of the league in fact George is featured as a variation of puzzle back of the leagues logo stickers he's 1 of 4 players they did this to the others are Bobby Bonds (Who was featured in this set back on March 21,2026), Bernie Carbo & Amos Otis. Like I mentioned the league only lasted 2 years before it folded up George found himself playing for 2 of the teams in the 2 years of the league.

          How many of you can name all the teams from this league besides yours truly & how many of you have any of these sets again besides yours truly.

So does George deserve to be in this set basically since he did most of his damage with his bat in the 1970s if you ask someone who likes the reading tales about the back 2 back World Champions Cincinnati Reds he makes the cut but George is more of a Fan Favorite type of a player who they idolized back in 2004 which you can see 1 of 2 autographs I have of George in my PC the other is from 2019 Established in 1869 insert. So does George make your vote or does he not let me know in the comments below.

Its no surprise he is featured on a 1976 design for this Fan Favorite autograph insert.

               On deck for the next chapter is Greg Luzinski until then I am reminded of what Rogers Hornsby said about signing autographs for kids "Any ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."