2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s GAME USED BAT PART XXVII

 

                             "Now Batting #22 Jack Clark......" Jack 'The Ripper' Clark was an outfielder/first baseman played for the San Francisco Giants during the 1970's (1975-1984) then he was sent to St Louis Cardinals 1985-1987, then he went to the American League to become a DH for the New York Yankees 1988, after he feuded with Lou Piniella he requested to go back to the National League so he packed his bags for San Diego Padres 1989-1990 then he played 2 more years back in the American League again but this time he was with the Boston Red Sox 1991-1992. Once Boston released him he tried to get on with the Montreal Expos for the 1993 season but his back problems which were of the injuries that nagged him all throughout his career so with that happening he was released before playing any regular season games for them.  Jack was a 4 time All-Star, 2 time Silver Slugger award winner. 

When I think of Clark 2 images of him come to my mind the first is this card his 1982 Fleer. The reason is I saw this card in Beckett once where someone put like a comic balloon by the Umpire having him say "That's guy Jack he's the guy heckling ya to swing...." 

Tell me you don't see that Umpire pointing out the disrespectful fan for Jack.

The 2nd image is his 1988 Fleer Update card again but this time someone drilled a hole 🕳  like that on the side of his face.

Can ya picture that hole 🕳 on his face there.

              To me Jack yeah he played in late '70s on the fence of including him in this lineup cause again I see him mainly as an 1980s threat so what's your take on him do you include him or not lmk in the comments below until then our next batter is Joe Morgan until then remember Rogers Hornsby once said "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a communist."

LOOKING BACK PRE-INTERNET WAYS

 

*Impersonates Sophia of the Golden Girls* Picture this Michigan 1997                        
             Last week Wednesday I found my old 3 Subject notebook that I would take with me whenever I would attend a show or I was going out of my area for a card shop or show. Allow me to translate what you're looking at on this page here I would give it a title this one says "Baseball Card Checklist & Beckett Baseball." 

                    I normally would use black or blue ink hopefully I didn't make any mistakes otherwise would have to start all over on the lists. Then if I get the fine pointed Red Sharpie to tell me I didn't need to find it anymore & I would cross out the box & eventually write canceled so it would tell me I didn't need anymore of that set. I eventually would get a rubber stamp that said canceled on it so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. The scribbled out one that you're not able to read was the 1993 Topps at the time I needed card #382 Tim Belcher.  

It was the last card I needed to complete my 1993 Topps set at the time I am glad it wasn't like the Jeter RC. 

                   The next set was the 1994 Select at the time one of my local shops was able to get only a couple Series II boxes so I didn't want to put 1 Through 210 in square boxes so I wrote Series I in hopes I was able to locate a complete set of them or a box then eventually I would update the list had I found one. I was lucky to know via checklists to know names if needed if not I would've left it blank. After that was the 1994 Upper Deck All-Time Heroes set they had a parallel card in each pack & I was doing that set cause I already did the regular set & thought it wouldn't been that hard to get them .  Unfortunately none my local shops had any of them but I was able to find a shop outside my area that had some.  After that was the 1995 Pinnacle set then we get the 1997 Score. Then you say why does the title include Beckett Baseball on it simply that's what's listed after the 1997 Score set cause I collected every single Beckett Monthly & til this date I still do.  I guess this entry had it where I got the 1995 SP Upper Deck set & I didn't want to start all over with the list. 

                     I would then ask if I could get a ride to the closest Kinkos Copiers since it was the only place that would be opened 24/7 for all your printing needs. So I could make multiple copies of the lists due to the fact I was a subscriber to Sports Collectors Digest & I would read sometimes the classified ads to see to find potential traders. My philosophy on trading then as is kinda now meaning say our first trade consist of you sending me about 10 cards I then in return send you 30 cards but you say well obviously I win cause I am getting more cards then you gotten from me well......that's where your wrong cause who's to say in the next deal I only can locate 15 from your list & you sent me 75 cards so I win this round WRONG!!!!!! we both win were both getting closer to completing something for me its a set need or a small PC need as for you it depends on how ya view what I sent ya I don't like it when I have to send you the same amount cause I am not rich nor do I think you are either. Now we do this back n forth until one of us can no longer make deals hopefully now ya can see why I don't mind helping you out cause maybe down the road you'll find me something. Another reason I would ask for a copy of my lists is again I would send my lists to you that would be a master list for you to work on until I sent you an updated version much like the internet does for me now. but it would take 6-8 weeks before ya got an updated version so yeah I know I would get dupes but who's to say when I ever got the card & who's to say you got the card I found from your list of needs. 

                            Eventually I would be able to type up my lists on websites thinking it would be easier to send ya the link to my lists & hope that the place where the lists were wasn't going away well.......after starting off on the Beckett site they removed it who knows when then I moved to freewebs that went from a free site to oh please send us $$$$$$ now site. Then 2 years ago I am very thankful that I have a site (Fingers crossed they don't do anything drastic) that I can Blog from & as well have links to lists I thank my friend Greg without his help none of you would read about it & I wouldn't have made so many new friends meaning you the readers of my blog to trade with & judging from all the people whom I have sent packages to that your amazed when I find something that you've practically thought you never would find & am I glad to always read what you thought of what I sent ya from my area & I am the same way I am always greatful when I get a package from anyone who sends me things off my lists cause I usually say "So that's where that Applesauce of thing on my lists was located (fill in your best description of your area where ya from here)" 

            Now some of you yes I know I have your contact information on my phone & the reason for that is if I am at a show or shop or someplace where I can pull the trigger on something you've been looking for I want your feedback about it cause then know ya can expect something special from me soon, or ya can be like I mention when ya find me something. Other times I like to say your a friend when I can call you & talk cards with you reason is sometimes get a general idea what is hot in the hobby in your area & let you know what its going on in my area or get some ideas for my blog as well get ideas what I should with my collection in such since I am my worst critic on things example I reached out the other day by having a reader of my blog a Mr. RJ Stahl call me cause I wanted to get a general idea plus talk baseball with him on his beloved Twins & everything else in Minnesota now this was our first conversation of what I hope to be more down the road because he was impressed on what I talked about plus I was still feeling depressed about losing that card shop job & talking to someone out of state I wanted reassurance that everything was alright so thank you for lifting my spirits there RJ.

           Now that's my look back at what I went through in my lists before I found the internet I am posting this post on the last day of the 2026 National Sports Card Convention. The reason why I am doing on this day is normally if I was at the National I would have had multi-posts about what all I saw,picked up,traded for,etc..... well there's always next year & well I hope to continue to share with you my insights on what I think the hobby means to me. 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."

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s GAME USED BAT PART XXVI

 

                       "Now Batting #11 Hal McRae......" For 19 seasons total with 15 of them playing for the Kansas City Royals Hal McRae graced us with his bat from 1968,1970 to 1987. He was a 3 time All-Star, played on the 1985 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals & later would manage them from 1991-1994 & then manage the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as they were called then from 2001-2002.  

                    Hal started his career with Cincinnati in 1968. He played for the Reds until 1972 then along with Wayne Simpson he was traded to Kansas City. As I mentioned he played 15 years with the Royals if you ask me he came at the time when ya say DH Hal is the first name I think of cause the DH was first introduced in 1973 every time when I would look at the Kansas City box scores there was McRae DH a couple of times it would say OF but that's cause he was outfielder by trade but I will always remember him as DH even though I am not a huge fan of it. 

                       Hal as I mentioned was a 3 time All-Star 1975,1976,1983. He played in 4 different World Series 1970 & 1972 with Cincinnati Reds & then in 1980 & 1985 with the Royals. He led the American League in RBIs in 1982. There's key moments I will remember watching the highlights of Hal when he played back in 1972 NLCS he was at bat when George Foster(Did ya see his piece in the series if not I think ya should) scored the winning run in Game 5 on a wild pitch it was Hal Jumping all around like a little kid as Foster scooted home from 3rd base. Another moment was in 1977 ALCS Game 2 when Hal took out Willie Randolph (Another member of this line up coming soon) breaking up a possible double play at time now ya can't due that sorta thing but then ya could cause that to me is baseball. The 3rd moment is seeing Hal standing at home plate coming to bat just moments after teammate George Brett took Rich Gossage deep to put the Royals up in top of the 9th of a July 24th 1983 at Yankee Stadium only to watch Brett being called out for putting too much Pine Tar on his bat & trying to keep George from killing the umpire at the time. 

            However in 1976 when this writer of this blog was only 1 years old at the time later was reading what happened in the batting races how both batting average winners won their respective titles on very questionable ways. The National League Batting Champ was Bill Madlock (Did ya see his piece as well) with Ken Griffey Sr. (He too has a piece in the series too) the runner-up could had won the title only losing to Bill by going 0 for 4  in the final game. The American League title also came down to the last game as well in fact the top 4 players fighting for the title played in the same game the 4 players were Hal,George Brett,Rod Carew,Lyman Bostock. Each were trying to win the title however it was Brett winning it by a few percentage points .3333 to .3326 how Brett won lead to controversy he won it on a 9th inning inside-the-park home run while Twins manager Gene Mauch called for being racist which to some reports untrue cause when Hal came up for his final at bat he grounded out to the shortstop while Hal always claimed Steve Brye was told to misjudge Brett's fly ball to give him the title.

Hal was an RBI leader for the Royals for most of the time he generally was batting behind Brett in the lineup. He was a great player for those middle 1970s run that the Royals had winning 3 years in a row the American League Western division 1976,1977, & 1978 only to always losing to the Yankees all 3 years. Then in 1980 the Royals thanks to Brett & McRae hitting finally helped them by beating the Yankees onto Kansas City's first ever appearance in the World Series unfortunately they would lose it to the Phillies 4-2,  then Royals reappeared in the playoffs again in 1984 only to be swept by the Detroit Tigers. The following year they made the playoffs again this time won it against the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 before taking on the St. Louis Cardinals known as the I-70 series which the Royals won also 4-3. 

So does deserve to be here in the set in my opinion yes only cause he showed by leadership being an RBI leader for the Royals so what's your vote lmk in the comments below. Coming up next to plate in this series is Jack Clark by the way the photo on this card might be when Hal was a manager for the Royals.

WE 3 KINGS CARDS & OTHER THINGS THIS WEEKEND

 

             Well first things first the latest news to see if I was accepted to be working at 3 Kings Sports Cards & Collectibles. The results came in this last Saturday prior to me working at A&W. The email said were sorry but we thank you for the opportunity to assist us with your help but at this time we are going to say thanks for applying ☹️. That's what I figured they didn't want a 51 year old that knows way too much about cards & plus they figured me driving 75.2 miles away to 1 location & 88.5 at the other they didn't want me stuck in traffic on my way to work when both locations are outside of the Detroit area. I gave them a chance on me oh well looks like I am at A&W a little more longer. 

                 I then proceeded to go to a show that the local mall was having on Saturday. I went for a short time I spent a total of $27.50 so here's my breakdown in all that I bought first as well if I had any  complaints about the show. The first thing I bought was a 2021 Topps insert of Ronald Acuna Jr. for $.50 he had a box of used 9 pocket sleeves that weren't to used that said free with any purchase I asked if he wouldn't mind Ill take the Ultra-Pro that have the hologram on the side of them & I pick them up in a few he said that's fine. Then I moved on to another dealer whom I was surprised he had some of the `81/`82 Topps Basketball singles I needed picked up 3 of them total cost spent $1.00 then I moved on weaving in & out of suitcase filled "collectors" as well those with the Zion cases. The next table I was at the right place at the right time of a deal this dealer was wondering what I was looking for & I mentioned that I wish I could find a certain card from a pack it was a 1981 Fleer it was the Davey Lopes card with the finger on the back just to complete the master set I am working on (So if ya have 1 to spare let me know) he hadn't heard of it so I went on my phone to show him a picture of the card on the TCDB site then our conversation was interrupted by "Collector" with a 3200ct box on top of his 3 Zion cases wheels asked the dealer if he was buying to which said he was hoping that he get back with me cause I was all set to show him the picture when "Collector" guy said well I have some Bobby Witt Jr cards in the 3200ct box well some other stuff in the Zions so the dealer ditched me for a few seconds to look through the box I happened to see a chrome 2022 Stadium Witt I needed but I wasn't sure so I checked my list since I didn't have names on my 2022 Stadium list yet I had to see what # Witt was it was #2 & yeah I needed it but I waited for the dealer & "Collector" to finish they said for the collection $300 that simple the "Collector" got his happiness in $$$$ & the dealer got a new collection to look through. So the dealer went back to our conversation I showed him the Lopes card he was impressed on card he wasn't familiar with but greatful so he was all set to go through the Witt when I mentioned I wish I could get 1 of them & I told him which Witt I needed he said sure so he found it said I could have it for a $1 paid it went on my way. I then went back to where I got my Acuna Jr. card to pick up my 9 pocket sleeves got them.  That's when I noticed a dealer a few tables down had a stack of cards 94 to be exact I don't want to mention what they are of cause I am hoping that when I get a chance I can go to this one store to find a bunch of them without any hassle. He didn't & I at the time didn't either but he had them for a $1 card I mentioned I take the whole stack for $15 he looked at the stack said he could do for $45 I then thought time to do the price dance $20 he recountered at $25 I said $22  cause I even mentioned not many people were looking for them & I wanted a new challenge to tackle(Like I need another set to work on but what the hell go for it cause I might regret it down the road)  he responded by saying sold. I then stopped to talked to a dealer I have a great friendship with to tell him the latest on my blog & told him about the offer that I was passed on he felt bad that 3 Kings missed a great chance to have me then as we were saying goodbye cause I had to get ready for work by stopping to get gas for my car, change shoes cause the shoes I was wearing they are regular shoes & not my non-slip type I have to wear at A&W the dealer next to him had my last purchase of the show he had a good price on a `81/`82 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at $3.00 normally I have seen it go for more than that so I couldn't passed it up plus I needed it so that leaves me with 4 cards to complete my `81/`82 Topps Basketball set Larry Bird,Ray Williams Celtics Team card & Earvin Johnson (Not bad after starting this set a year ago at the National Sports Card Convention). Now I am not in a rush to finish my `81/`82 Set cause I know I can find 3 of the 4 right away I just hope to find Ray first. 

                      Now onto my pet peeves about the show other than the "Collector" that I mentioned about. I don't carry around any Zion cases or wheel-around lugging around about 25 cases of them & that doesn't give you the right to say you rule the show floor cause ya have all these cases & that if I am standing close to table without toppling over it to push me out of the way just so ya can wheel your cases through here's an idea limit yourself to the top 25 cards that you want to bring to sell. Then I can have room to walk through also even though I never met him but I think of guys like my good blogger friend Mike Matson of Not Another Card Blog he's in a wheelchair & if your luggage isnt blocking my way of going around then you might be blocking someone like him who's trying to see what's available as well. Now this show has space in an old Forever 21 store as well a whole wing of the mall basically according to the flier advertising the show they have 275+ tables available so if a show has that much space what gives in blocking a whole area off cause ya need space to wheel in your Zion cases just ya can show all 600 cards if in top loaders or 220 graded cards cause that's basically the standard amount they can hold. Another thing bugs me just how many dealers 2/3rds of them were selling Poke-Shittake Mushrooms cards if that's the case separate them from the sports card people ya have a whole store space put them in there & mention it that area is devoted to them only so when I walk up to a table to see what's in their showcases or table & have see it that it & I can just walk on by without missing a step. I couldn't believe how many quick glances I gave at the tables cause when I saw they had that stuff I kept moving until I found sports cards.  Well with all that happened at the show & getting turned down for what I thought would been a great opportunity to work at but it is what it is. So let me know what you thought of my pick ups & also what you think of that "Collector" or should I just not worry cause thats the new way of the hobby is moving towards. Until then I remind you of what the great 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."

2001 UPPER DECK DECADE 1970s GAME USED PART XXV

 

                 "Now Batting #44 Hank Aaron......" As I mentioned in the previous post of this series I will share with you 44 Facts that you may or may not knew about Hank Aaron cause without a doubt Hank makes the set despite playing from 1970 to 1976 during the decade. Now on with the facts let me know in the comments below if does deserve to be in the line-up as well how many of the facts did you know as well how many your amazed that you learned something from this. 

               1. Henry Louis Aaron (Hank) was born February 5,1934 while George Herman Ruth (Babe) who was born February 6,1895 it was also in 1934 was Babe's last season with the New York Yankees. Somehow both of these players have a lot more in common then you think, keep reading to see what I mean.

2. Henry Louis Aaron (Hank) shares the same first & middle names as fellow Hall of Fame member Henry Louis Gehrig who was a teammate of Babe Ruth. Aaron wore mainly 44 (Even though he broke in the majors wearing 5) while Gehrig wore 4. 

3. Hank Aaron started his career with the Milwaukee Braves & ended it with the Milwaukee Brewers. Babe Ruth Started with the Boston Red Sox & ended with the Boston Braves. Basically they started in 1 city & ended in the same city but with a different league. 

4. Aaron's first opponent during the regular season in the American League was the Boston Red Sox in 1975. In the Post Season it was New York Yankees for which was in 1957 (75 reversed). Both were teams that the Babe played for. 

5. Hank broke into the majors wearing this number as I mentioned before.

6. Hank was elected to a record 25 All-Star games as a player from 1955 to 1975 which includes a stretch from 1959 to 1962 which featured 2 All-Star games those seasons.

7. In 1972 the All-Star Game was in Atlanta Hank was with Braves representing them. Then in 1975 the All-Star Game was in Milwaukee he was with the Brewers representing them to where when they introduced him gave him arousing standing ovation from the fans in his final All-Star game as a player.

8. Hank hit a total of 2 Home Runs in All-Star play. 1971 in Detroit at Tigers Stadium & in 1972 as the formention game in front of hometown fans of Atlanta. 

9. Hank played in 2 World Series 1957 & 1958 the opponent each time was the New York Yankees. Both series went to the limited 7 games with the Braves winning it 1957 & the Yankees doing it in 1958.

10. Hank hit a total of 6 Home Runs in the World Series 3 each in 1957 & 1958 respectively. 

11. Hank hit 3 Home Runs in the very first National League Championship series 1 for each of the 3 games in the best of 5 series unfortunately the Braves were swept by the Miracle Mets that year it was the last post season that Hank was part of. Another interesting fact both the Braves & Brewers were part of the 1982 ALCS & NLCS that year which was the same year Hank was elected to Cooperstown.

12. As I mentioned in #11 Hank was elected to Coopertstown in 1982. He was inducted with Frank Robinson,Travis Jackson & former Commissioner Happy Chandler. He received 97.8% of the ballots on his first ballot, while Frank Robinson received 89.2% on his first ballot. Jackson was elected by the Veterans Committee & Chandler the same way through the Veterans Committee.

13. Their class hit a total of 1,432 Career Home Runs which is near the top of career Home Runs for any class elected to the Hall. The top Class for most Home Runs the 2018 Class hit a total 1,716 that class consisted of Chipper Jones (468) , Jim Thome (612) , Vladimir Guerrero Sr. (449) , Alan Trammell (185), Trevor Hoffman (2 Not bad for a relief pitcher eh!!!!) , Jack Morris ( 0  what can ya say he pitched in the American League this is why we don't need a DH for stats like this people). 

14.  Hank has ex-teammates that are in Cooperstown with him. They're Joe Torre,Eddie Matthews, Phil Niekro,Robin Yount,Orlando Cepeda,Warren Spahn,Hoyt Wilhelm,Red Schoendiest,Enos Slaughter

15. Hank is 1 of 12 people who have 2 or more jerseys retired by different teams not counting the universal Jackie Robinson #42.

16. The other 11 are Wade Boggs #26 retired from Boston Red Sox & #12 from Tampa Bay Rays, Rollie Fingers #34 both from Athletics & Milwaukee Brewers, Rod Carew #29 both from the Minnesota Twins & Angels, Carlton Fisk (Did you read about him in the series) #27 from the Boston Red Sox & #72 for the Chicago White Sox, Frank Robinson #20 for the Cincinnati Reds,Baltimore Orioles, & Cleveland Guardians (Indians when he played for them), Gil Hodges #14 for Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers & New York Mets, Roy Halladay #32 for the Toronto Blue Jays & #34 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Willie Mays #24 for the New York/San Francisco Giants & New York Mets, Nolan Ryan(Stay Tuned he is featured in this line-up in the future) #30 for the Los Angeles Angels(California when he played) & #34 for Houston Astros & Texas Rangers, Greg Maddux #31 by both Chicago Cubs & Atlanta Braves, Reggie Jackson (A future post about him in the series) #9 by the Athletics & #44 for the New York Yankees, Randy Johnson #51 by the Arizona Diamondbacks & Seattle Mariners, Casey Stengel #37 by both the New York Yankees & New York Mets, & finally Sparky Anderson #10 by the Cincinnati Reds #11 by the Detroit Tigers.

16. Hank's iconic #44 was first retired after he played his last game in 1976 by the Milwaukee Brewers in October of 1976.

17. The Atlanta Braves retired his #44 in 1977 in my opinion it should have been done in 1974 after he passed The Babe in career home runs at the time. 

18. A right-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers named Bill Slayback & along with the Tigers radio broadcaster Ernie Harwell co-wrote with Bill singing on the record a song entitled "Move Over Babe,(Here Comes Henry)" the funny thing about the record it was released on Karen Records label #K-714 it was released in 1973 after the season when Hank was 2 home runs short of the record. Also when Bill broke into the majors his jersey was #44 before swapping it out to #14.

19. Vic Raschi of the St Louis Cardinals gave up the 1st of Henry's 755 home runs on April 23, 1954.

20. On April 4th 1974 in Cincinnati off Jack Billingham of Cincinnati Reds in the 1st inning Hank tied Babe Ruth's career record of Home Runs by hitting #714.

21. On April 8th 1974 in Atlanta off Al Downing of Los Angeles Dodgers in the 4th inning broke the record by hitting #715 & Downing wore #44 

22. On July 20th 1976 off Dick Drago of the California Angels by hitting #755 the last of his career in bottom of the 7th inning 50 years ago this week.

23. Hank once was quoted saying this: "Guessing what the pitcher is going to throw is 80% of being successful hitter. The other 20% is just execution."

24. From 1962 through 1971 the Braves had 2 Aarons on the roster his baby brother Tommie was a teammate of Hank.

25. Tommie had 13 Home Runs in his Major League career. 

26. Hank was married 2 times his first wife was named Barbara Lucas they were married in 1953 & they had 5 children they divorced in 1971 she passed away in 2022.  His second wife was named Billye Williams they were married in 1973 up until 2021 when Hank passed away they had 1 child that Hank adopted it was her second marriage as well.

27. Hank was also quoted saying this: "The pitcher has got only a ball. I've got a bat. So the percentage in weapons is in my favor & I let the fellow with the ball do the fretting."

28. On April 27,1971 off fellow Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in the 8th inning against the San Francisco Giants Hank joined Willie Mays being the only 2 players to have over 600+ career Home Runs & 3000+ career hits.  

29. Willie Mays on the for mentioned game in #28 went 4 for 6 that day with zero home runs while Hank went 2 for 5. His other hit was a double also off Perry. 

30. Since that for mentioned game in #28 2 players have done it they are Albert Pujols & Alex Rodriguez.

31. Hank got his 3000th career Hit off Wayne Simpson of Cincinnati Reds on May 17th 1970 at Crosley Field in 1st inning of the first game of a double header played that day. 

32. 1 month later Atlanta would play on June 21st at Crosley Field for the last time then 9 days later they helped open Riverfront Stadium. 

33. Hank of course hit the very first Home Run at Riverfront Stadium in the 1st inning off of Jim McGlothlin it was his #577 of his career. It helped the Braves win the game 8-2 victory.

34. Hank again was quoted saying this: "If I knew exactly what I know now & had it to do it over, I'd be a switch hitter. No telling what I could have done." 

35. Hank was 1 of over 10000 torch barriers to carry the torch relay for the Olympic Games that were in Atlanta in 1996. The actual lighting of the Olympic Flame went to Muhammad Ali.

36. Hank finished with 755 Career Home Runs his record in Major League was later surpassed by Barry Bonds on August 7, 2007. Barry ended up with 762 career Home runs. 

37. Sadaharu Oh holds the World League record of hitting 868 Career Home Runs mind you all Oh's Homers was playing in the NPB. He surpassed Hank's record on September 3rd, 1977. Oh would play from April 11, 1959 to October 12th, 1980. Oh believe it or not wouldn't have over 3,000 career hits in his career he ended up having only 2,786 (another weird fact Ichiro Suzuki had 3,089 in the Major Leagues & only 1,278 in the NPB).

38. Hank in an interview in 1973 after the season once said: "I don't want them to forget Ruth. I just want them to remember me!"

39. When Hank played in the Negro Leagues he was a shortstop for the Indianapolis Clowns. Where he hit a total of 5 Home Runs in only 26 games. 

40. Hank would bat cross-handed when swung the bat. Meaning he would have his left hand on top of his right hand cause he was a right-handed batter.

41. 5 times Hank would lead off as card #1 for Topps sets. 1963 National League Leaders Batting Average,1973 showing the All-Time Home Run Leaders,1974 Honoring him as the All-Time Home Run King, 1975 Honoring Hank as the National League All-Star as well surpassing the Babe & was his last card as an Atlanta Brave he also was the last card in the set showcasing his first card as a Milwaukee Brewer whom Hank was traded to for Dave May on November 2,1974, 1976  Record breaker for most RBIs in his career. 

42. Hank once said his idol of the game was the man himself that this #42 is his hero none other than Jackie Robinson.

43. The most Home Runs ever hit in a game was 3 ironically it came on June 21,1959 against the San Francisco Giants. During the game Hank went 3 for 6 1 strike out while Willie Mays went 1 for 5 that day the Braves won the game 13-3.

44. Finally Hank hit 44 Home Runs 4 different times in a season the most he hit was 47 back the 1971 but the times he hit 44 are as follows 1957,1963,1966,1969.  

This Ball was part of payment for being an appraisal consultant from a friend of mine its on an official American League Ball when Dr. Bobby Brown was in charge.

                  That concludes the 44 things of Hank Aaron, I hope ya did learn something next up in the lineup of this series is Hal McRae by the way were at the halfway mark in this set only 24 more names to mention & who I think should have been in the set of these bats from the 1970s.
               
                            I think its fitting that Hank leaves you with a quote especially after reading all those facts about him mind ya he said this after hitting #715 & I have to agree after typing these up "Thank God its all over......"

SHE'S NOT EVEN A DAY OVER 60

 

         This woman yesterday turned 104 years old. All I can say is happy birthday a day late. For you see this lady is a legend she is history,a former nurse,a mother of 3 children. She is Rachel Robinson.

                                                If you ask me she doesn't look any older than 60.


                 Back in 2010 I was visiting my friend Greg from The Collective Mind blog at the time he was living in Maryland. We went to a used bookstore called Wonder Books where I could locate some old books to add to my library of reading. Besides collecting cards I usually read a lot of books about baseball & so I came across this book written by this wonderful lady. At first I didn't think much of it but if ya look closely its a signed copy of the book by her. I went home without purchasing it I can hear ya say ya fool how could ya do that. Au Contraire Mon Frere I didn't have enough $$$$ to afford everything I wanted during my 2 weeks after all I was there to check out places like there & attend the National the second week cause it was being held in Baltimore that year & I didn't want to be broke completely.  Anyways when I got back home I reached out to Greg & I mentioned about the book if its still there could he mail it to me cause I wasn't sure if many people saw it or not but as someone who likes autographs especially from an elite class of a lady that she is I couldn't turn it down. So he went back to the store called me up & asked me what was the book again when I told him about whom the book was about he went directly to find it & mailed it after he told me it was only $10 that's not a typo folks thats what he told me it cost $10 so I was very excited to own this piece of history. So tell me my readers would ya have gotten this book knowing it had a rare signature of the widow of a great man that doesn't do many signings & now she's at 104 years young & still going strong. 

Best $10 book with an autograph I couldn't pass up.

                    As you know I normally end my posts with a quote from Rogers Hornsby however I find it fitting that Rachel's Husband should end this post to the birthday girl. "Above anything else, I hate to lose." Well Jackie ya never lost her she's been a winner Happy Birthday Mrs. Rachel Robinson!!!!!!

IN 2 WEEKS I SHOULD BE THERE BUT CAN'T 😭 THANKS DOLLAR GENERAL

 

              Normally around this time I would be doing a countdown to gearing up to the National Sports Card Convention in Rosemont, Illinois this year. But I am not attending it thanks for nothing Dollar General 🤬. I am hoping next summer to go to the show also no matter what I definitely will attending the 2028 National when it returns to Detroit for the 1st time since 1981 (No!!!!! I didn't attend that show cause I was 6 years old when it was going on) cause I won't have to deal with hotel costs when it comes to Detroit instead I'll be staying at Home Sweet Home.

      Instead I will be working at A&W or maybe I will be shadowing at 3 Kings Sports Cards (I'm still waiting for them otherwise you hear from me sooner than before).  I'll continue to blog discussing cards with you as well try to finish my Hank Aaron post on his 2001 Upper Deck Decade 1970s Bat Piece. Trying to figure out 44 interesting things about him that most people wouldn't know about is been fun to figure out. If any of my readers are attending this years National please drop me a line so I can have ya try to locate somethings for me if you could please pick them up for me if ya come across them.  Until then I remind you of Rogers Hornsby once saying "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

WE 3 KINGS PART II & CALLING OUT READERS

 

Well I thought I give you readers on an update on my interview that I had with 3 Kings Sports Cards in Michigan last week Wednesday.  In my opinion I think I did alright answering the questions about my experience at Dollar General as well card related factors even though the interview was a bit nerve-wracking cause I was told that I have a great chance on going to the next stage of the process of getting hired that I will either get an email scheduling for when I can shadow someone at the shop or a sorry old guy even though you have experience in retail & a vast knowledge of sports cards were going to see if someone else can do it better email. Either way I feel like an award winner nominee honored to get an interview even though I was more nervous about getting to the place where it was taking place at on time cause I took a side route & after I got off the expressway I ran into accident turned on the street I was going on. 

So I got to 3 Kings on time with about 5 minutes to spare. Walked in went directly to the register to see how soon it was so if someone was there I could wait by going through their boxes to find stuff I was told just a 2 minute wait so I wasn't able to rumble through the boxes maybe next time I can rumble through them or locate the other shop & see what they have compared to the location I've only been at either location I want to see if I can find more good things for myself other bloggers or friends that are looking for me to help with their lists (You know its 90% others get found compared to my lists.) So again I am playing the waiting game no matter what happens I will let you my readers know what they decide to do. Again I want to thank you my readers & especially those 6 (at the time I am typing this post up while at my A&W job on Saturday) people that commented on my quest.  

Now I know that he's not a blogger but enjoying coffee reading blogs but, Mr. R.J. Stahl I was wondering if you that's right I'm calling you out 😆 if you had a chance to look over my lists & are able to locate anything from it if you are tell me in the comments below & lmk at my email address shown here SR75OSUFAN75 AT YAHOO.COM in the subject heading in all CAPS RJ STAHL EMAILS POISON75 & if possible no spreadsheets since my only access to the internet is through my phone send me your list of needs as well your home address so you can be rewarded by me should I find some things you want. I also want you my readers that if I don't get the job its not going to stop me from posting more content as well helping people with their needs cause again I know the agony of locating that 1 card(s) that has been driving yourself crazy in finding it plus even though there's times I am not looking I find something for someone & am not afraid to reach out to them about it that's right even if I am on the road & stop at a shop,show or find a flea market or antique store & they have cards & I spot something that somehow someone was talking about or sent me their lists & I find that 1 thing I either will text them if I know they will answer or call them tell them what I found & if they want me to pick it up for them in hopes that they are interested in it thats right I'm calling you out the legend bloggers Mr. Fuji 😆 as well Mr Bo anyways I leave to get this post out so ya can read it while ya reading this I'll be heading to my folks cottage for a day trip maybe if I see any yard sales or something & be warn a hunter of cards like me is on the trail until then I leave you the words of Rogers Hornsby " Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign Autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a communist."

WE 3 KINGS CARDS COLLECTING I GO....

 

         About 2 weeks ago there's was a surprise in my email from the shop you see advertised on top of my post. Usually its telling me as a member of an upcoming trade nights or what's being released or information about something hobby related.  Well....this email was asking for applications for to work at their 2 locations if possible if interested drop your resume off to a link that was set up. 

           Well....I just had to submit my resume to see if they could hire someone like me let alone set up an interview with me. So the next day I drove to the location of 1 of the 2 shops (1 is Located in Canton,Michigan which is 75.2 miles away from my home the other is located in the heart of downtown Detroit about 88.7 miles away). While I was there I brought out my lists to look for stuff was there until they closed at 7pm. I Mentioned I put in my resume to them hoping they will take a look at it especially since I'm 51 as most of you readers know thats 1 thing so far against me they probably wouldn't want an old guy like me knowing too much about cards. Then comes last week Friday was getting to send an email to my friend in Austria to give him grief on how the Yankees were swept by the Tigers since he's a huge Yankees fan. When I saw a notice that from 3 Kings again I thought up coming news well....not necessarily instead they said they want to have me schedule a time next week for an interview. I almost spit out my 6 cup of "coffee" (those who don't read Coffee with Cards blog Matt is a great read hopefully he doesn't mind me plugging his blog lol.) & when I say "Coffee" its actually Pepsi 1 liter bottles. Anyways so I tried to schedule an appointment that I was free on the calendar that they had me try to schedule wasn't working properly so I quickly called them mentioned it didn't work as I was talking to them I mentioned that I hope that I can let them know when I was available since I didn't know my schedule for my current job was going to be like & I didn't want to schedule a day that had me go to the interview directly to my current job cause I rather not be late so on Monday I got an updated email they fixed the calendar so my appointment for my interview is at 5:30pm today. I know some of my loyal readers & friends are already saying that I hope you get the job cause who knows alot about cards & things like you. Its good to know that I have support from other bloggers that understand what it would mean to me should they hire me. I also hope that realize that I'm willing to drive a long distance to work 5 out 7 days a week to work 40hrs if possible to show how much working at sports card shop would mean to me. So as your reading this I am hoping not get too nervous about the interview & even though my blog is 2 years old I can continue to do this blog as well have a dream job that I mentioned back in March of this year that I always wanted since becoming a Major League Ballplayer didn't work out when I was in high school. I will post how the interview went & if I am hired or not you my readers will know what happens next. So I leave you to head to the interview now & remind you of what Rogers Hornsby once said about signing Autographs " Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign an Autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

HAPPY 250 YEARS OLD AMERICA

 

                   As Brent Musburger would say "Your Looking live at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in 1976 where days earlier America celebrated its Bicentential celebration. Tonight's Major League Baseball All-Star Game will take center stage here in the city of Brotherly Love." Sure we celebrate 250 years today & the All-Star Game is in Philadelphia this year. Well its been 30 years since the last All-Star Game was in Philadelphia & sure most of you old school people know who was the MVP of that game 30 years ago it was Philadelphia's native son Mike Piazza. I am not here to talk about that, what I am going to talk about that most people overlooked again on this year's Topps Heritage. I can hear ya already saying what are you going on about now. 
Simple the 2026 Heritage set is based on the 1977 design & in that set there were 3 players on the American League squad from the year before that were a shocker to the starting line-up for the American League team that year considering that the team that was featured with the 3 starters were for a team that finished in 17th place out of 24 teams & well that same team had 4 Starters named to the All-Star game last year. What team is that you ask the Detroit Tigers look at the 1976 All-Stars starters Mark Fidrych,Rusty Staub,& Ron LeFlore now last year ya had Tarik Skubal,Riley Greene,Javier Baez,Gleyber Torres as of typing this post the Tigers are in 17th place out of 30 teams now. Its like history repeating itself again now the clincher would be if last years All-Star game MVP repeats as MVP again but it be a 30 year replay again however even though Kyle Schwarber is not a native son like Piazza was but hes playing for the local team & both are catchers.  Anyways I just wanted to say to everyone have a safe & enjoy the celebration as for me Ill be busy working tonight gotta make some more $$$$$ to get more stuff I leave you now with a quote that sums up the 250 celebration given by none other than former Soviet Union deportee who's an American citizen now Yakov Smirnoff "America what a great country"

2026 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS UPDATED!!!!!

 

Its July 1st lets see how I am doing so far from what I wanted to accomplished in 2026.

1. Finish my 1967 Topps set by the end of the 2026 National Sports Card Convention in July.
Well if you don't count the Damn card #128 Ed Spiezo rubbed out name I have it done as of June 12th. 

2. Post more on the Blog or keep having readers enjoy my content.
49 posts counting this one hopefully I am not boring anyone with the content I have provided on the 2001 Upper Deck Decade 1970's single bat pieces so far.

3. Other than finishing the 1967 set finish off 5 or more sets before the National.
Hockey
`81/`82 TCMA Greats -June 12th
`08/`09 Ultra- June 5th
`10/`11 Donruss- June 5th

Baseball
1967 Topps(DESPITE SPIEZO!!!!!!!)- June 12th

Basketball
`25/`26 Topps 
`03/`04 Topps- January 3rd 

So far 6 sets complete lots of them on the verge of being completed soon hopefully more trades will come so I can cross more off my lists so please readers look at my lists I look through yours!!!!!

4. Do once a month post an update on my 1968 set make.
I think I have so far done an update usually once a month on the progress of what I have picked up.

5. Go to the Chantily Show in June & the National in Chicago in July.
They moved the Chantily Show to a different location waiting to hear back from The Collective Mind Blogger when he can tell me in during the winter where they moved too plus losing 2 jobs so far as this being written I couldn't attend the National this year. 

6. Post on my Man Cave Decor before the MLB All-Star Game. 
I think I showed off my Bar Mirrors in January still haven't hung them up yet. 

7. Hold at least 3 Card contests on the Blog.
Held one so far & yes I know Mike From Not Another Card Blog I still have yet to mailed it out you 

8. Give an update on a post that I made last year to hear the latest comments on the subject.
I just might GUM!!!!!! it up again for the All-Star Game *EVIL CHUCKLES!!!!!!*

9. Try to make a purchase of a `79/`80 Topps Hockey #18 or `03/`04 Upper Deck or Topps RC of LeBron James. Haven't yet purchased the Hockey card or the `03/`04 Upper Deck RC of LeBron James but I did get the Topps RC back in January see my January 4th post on completion.

10. Don't start anything other than the flagship 2026 Topps Baseball set until I can finish off 2 or more sets that I am currently working on.  Haven't started the Flagship set more than likely Ill get the factory set when its released been too busy finishing off sets as well adding new stuff & only 2026 set I am currently involved with is the 2026 Topps Heritage. 

IT SHOULDN"T BEEN TO HARD HOWEVER.......

 

                        This is going to be a short post I wanted to get something up before the July 4th weekend. Yesterday I went to the monthly mall show which I usually sometimes attend & other times I have to miss it due to my work schedule pending where I am employed at the time (In which I was scheduled at 3pm on Saturday) plus its decent show if ya don't mind the Slabs & Suitcases & of course the families walking in the mall approaching each table looking for the Pokenmon Shiitake Mushrooms cards (I wish the promoter would put those dealers in a separate area from the sports cards people to avoid hassle its that huge that takes up most of the mall & as well a whole store front that used to be an J.C. Pennys so its not like they don't have the space to do it.). 

                  Anyways this is a post about trying to locate something that shouldn't be too hard however........ They were as you can see the card on the top of the post is a Barry Sanders 1992 Topps Gold #300 ya have to think since I live in Michigan that this card can be found 3 different ways that I can think of at the moment. I can find him in the Barry Sanders piles believe me I have been trying to locate this card every show & shop since I started building this set back since 1995 to no availability & this is also means shopping at the local stores,going out of the area where I live so elsewhere in the state of Michigan still nothing well....finally I found it yesterday at this one table I thought I give the dealer a chance since he wasn't busy & plus I figured it be another swing & miss but no there was Barry I snapped it up cause I didn't want to have to continue to looking for that card. The other ways I would look for it besides his name piles check the Lions stacks if sometimes people have snuck Barry in those just to cheat the dealer or the dealer didn't want the hassle to make a separate pile of Barry after all its a DETROIT LIONS CARD!!!!!! only people who live in Michigan that are die-hard Lions fans are looking for Lions cards not many collectors collect the Lions players.
               The top 5 Lions cards people look for are Barry,Jared Goff,Jahymr Gibbs,Calvin Johnson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, & maybe Matthew Stafford if ya want his RCs again otherwise no one wants the Lions. The other way I would have located it is if any dealer had any singles of the 1992 Topps Gold (I still need 9 cards to complete my set so if ya can help me I would be greatful for the assistance) I even tried out of state again thinking no one collects Lions or maybe out of state I can find the Barry piles & hope I cant count how many times I would check from out of state to not find it my guess is Barry was an SP but they wont mention that it is but its gone from my list so I don't need to keep looking for it Thank F God!!!!! 
                  Now the other thing I have to report I picked up not counting the 33 Game card Insert which there's 2 of them (Al Kaline & Bill Freehan) I got the last of the 1968 Topps Detroit Tigers cards it was my good friend Mickey Stanley I mentioned to him in April (again the previous time I met Mickey was in 2015) what I was doing & he said he keep an eye out for his 1968 card for me well Mickey ya don't anymore. I still need 51 to complete the regular set again the 1968 Topps Tigers cards are higher priced here in Michigan then most so when I can get them for under $20 its a good thing 

Even Mickey back in 2015 knew greatness when he met me.

                The last Tigers card for the base set thank goodness I don't have to find anymore Tigers cards former Tigers players a few but as for them labeled as a Tiger in 1968 none. 

             Well as I mentioned before I wanted to do a quick post before the 4th of July weekend tell me what ya think of the 2 pick ups I know its not much to even post about but I wanted to talk about how sometimes its hard to find local cards in a place where it shouldn't be hard to find. Plus I had to do this post prior to me leaving for my work at 3pm on Saturday.  Until then I remind you again 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 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."