Top 5 Hall Of Fame: Dick Allen

 

On July 27th, the Hall of Fame will officially recognize 5 new members. As I have done in years past, I will be honoring these great ball players in my own way throughout the week. Today's inductee is one of the greatest of the 60's and 70's, Dick Allen. In tribute to his extraordinary career, I humbly present my 5 favorite cards of his that I own:

 

1970 Topps #40 Rich Allen

I'm going to apologize in advance. I officially own exactly 5 Dick Allen cards, and this photo appears on 3 of them. Allen's baseball career occurred mostly before I was born, so it wasn't until much later in life that his story became known to me. The racism he had to endure is mind-boggling. Despite all of it, he became an offensive force on the field at a time when pitchers largely dominated. He was a 3 time All-Star with the Phillies in the 60's, winning the Rookie of The Year Award with a historic season in 1964. Despite being the team's best hitter, his relationship with the baseball community in Philly soured quickly. Fans inexplicably threw so many objects at him that he began wearing his batting helmet on the field. Eventually, Allen had enough and demanded a trade, which the team obliged when they sent him to St. Louis. He made his 4th All-Star team in his lone year with the Cardinals.

 

1972 Topps #240 Rich Allen

Despite the All-Star season, the Cardinals traded him to the Dodgers. The Dodgers then traded him after one year to the White Sox. Allen flourished in Chicago, and easily won the AL MVP Award in 1972. In his 3 years in Chicago, he made the All-Star team and earned MVP votes every single year.

 

1975 Topps

 #210 1972 MVPs (Allen/Bench) (MVP)

 

That 1972 season was more than just an MVP season for the White Sox. The team was mediocre and attendance was dwindling. There was talk of the team being relocated. Allen's monster season carried the team to a 2nd place finish. As arguably the best player in baseball, Allen was often credited for revitalizing baseball on the south side of Chicago. Attendance spiked during his years there, with over a million fans each year. 

 

1975 Topps

#307 1974 Home Run Leaders (Allen/Schmidt) (LL)

 

Ironically, by the time this card hit the shelves, these two would be teammates. In 1974 Allen was having another great year, but he was playing in a lot of pain. So much so that he announced his retirement in September of that year. He never filled out the official paperwork though, so the White Sox put him on the disqualified list instead and sold his contract to the Atlanta Braves. Allen refused to play in the South, and the Braves eventually sent him back to Philadelphia. The Phillies were able to convince him to play again, and he spent 2 years there before finishing up his career with a single season in Oakland.

 

2021 Topps Archives #222 Dick Allen

I spoke previously of Dave Parker's long road to the Hall of Fame, but Allen's was much longer. From 1983 to 1997, he failed to get elected on the traditional BBWAA ballots, never reaching higher than 18.9% of the ballots. Despite his accomplishments, many writers pointed to his low career totals, as well as his often perceived strenuous relationships with teammates, franchises, and fans. Unfortunately, much of that was racially based, and he was never given his due. It took 7 Veteran's Committee ballots before Allen got elected, and unfortunately this honored happened after Allen's death in 2020. Like Parker, we won't get to hear Allen's thoughts at Cooperstown. One could only imagine what he would have said.

 

Congrats on your well deserved election to the Hall of Fame, Mr. Allen! 

TCDB Trade Recap - Cards From Austin, TX

I made a trade with TCDB member Steffan recently. It's our second trade this year after first swapping cards back in February. 

 

 

With this trade, I finished up all of the Red Sox cards from this year's Series 1 portion of the set. The Dozier is yet another card in my slow progress towards completing the 2016 Topps Archives set - just 8 more cards to go (not including the short-prints!).

 

Favorite Card: Tough call between Devers, Wong, and Houck. I'll give the nod to Houck just for the Raffy cameo in the background.

 

Thanks for the trade Steffan!

TCDB Trade Recap: Cards From Omaha, NE

I often take a rather lackadaisical pace when it comes to completing certain sets. Take the 2016 Topps Archives set for example. Loved the set when it first came out, bought a lot of it, and when I got to having it almost completed, added what missing cards I needed to my TCDB want list (as well as on this blog!) Over the years I slowed down, adding a random card here and there. It'll get finished when it gets finished, unless I get eager to be with it. TCDB member Scott reached out with a trade for a few of those Archive cards, plus a needed Red Sox from 2015.

 

Favorite Card: All of the guys on the top row look so serious, and Pablo looks like he's thinking about lunch. Darvish wins, because he's just so happy!

 

Thanks for the trade, Scott!

 

 

Top 5 Hall Of Fame - Joe Mauer

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies happen this weekend, and four new members will officially be welcomed to the legendary museum.Our final honoree is Twins great Joe Mauer. In honor of his induction, I present the top 5 cards I own of his:

 

2016 Topps Archives #85

 

Mauer was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and attended the same high school as hall of Famer (and his future manager) Paul Molitor. The Twins then made him the #1 pick in the 2001 draft, and he never played for another MLB team outside of his hometown.

 

2016 Topps Archives #261

 

I don't know why he got 2 cards in the 2016 Topps Archives set, but here he is catching a throw at first base. Mauer spent the last five years of his career as a first baseman, but it was his time behind the plate that cemented him as one of the all-time greats. He won 3 batting titles, more than any catcher in MLB history. He also was a near-unanimous MVP and 6-time All-Star.

 

2016 Topps Archives

- 1985 Topps #1 Draft Picks

#85DP-JM

 

Yep, another card from that same set! The Twins got a lot of criticism for selecting Mauer with the first overall pick, as many people regarded Mark Prior the superior player.  The Twins got the last laugh, as Mauer becomes just the 4th #1 Draft Pick to get elected to the Hall of Fame, joining Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, and Harold Baines.

2016 Topps

Walmart Marketside #42

 

In addition to his MVP Award, Mauer was also won 3 straight Gold Gloves (2008-2010) and 5 Silver Slugger Awards. He holds the season records for highest batting average (.365) and OBP (.444) by a catcher, both accomplished in 2009. He also holds the career OBP mark for catchers (.388 - minimum 500 games played).

2017 Topps #404

Mauer joined Adrian Beltre as a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee this year, gaining 293 votes (76.1%). In doing so, he joined Johnny Bench and Ivan Rodriguez as the only catchers to get elected on their first ballot.

Welcome to the Hall Joe Mauer!

Top 5 Tribute: Willie Mays

In all of the years I've been doing these small tributes to Hall of Fame players that have passed, I haven't had as hard of a time creating one as I have for the late great Willie Mays, who passed away on June 18th. Part of it is due to the fact I technically only have one playing era cards of his, but it's much more than that. How can you summarize this man's life on and off the field in a short little blog post? You can't. I even reread what I wrote for Hank Aaron, hoping for inspiration. Instead I found that a lot of what I wanted to say for Mr. Mays I had already said for Mr. Aaron. Here's my opening paragraph: 

This one hurts. Not that any of the others didn't, each spectacular life was one worth celebrating. But none of the recent string of deaths among the legends of baseball had the sheer impact as the immortal Henry Aaron. He was one of the true giants of the game, an automatic inclusion on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest of the great. His story transcended the game itself, captivating even non-baseball fans. There will never be another Hank Aaron.

 

I could have easily swapped out the names, removed the line about the recent string of deaths (Man, September 2020 to January 2021 was rough stretch for us baseball fans...) and chances are no one but me would have noticed. Even 2 of the 5 cards I showed of Aaron featured Mays and were on the short list for this post! It would still have been true though: There will never be another Willie Mays. 

As my small thanks to life of a Giant, both on and off the field, I humbly present the Top 5 Willie Mays cards in my collection:

1973 Topps

#1 All-Time Home Run Leaders

(Ruth/Aaron/Mays)

There was a time when Mays was #2 on the all-time list, and people wondered if it would be him to surpass the immortal Babe Ruth. It was not to be, and for the longest time these three would be the only ones to surpass the 600 home run mark. (Six more have joined that club since - 3 of which under questionable circumstances). 

 

1985 Topps Woolworth

All Time Record Holders

#26 Willie Mays 

The first two bullet points on the back of this card mention his All-Star Game career records of 20 runs and 23 hits. Those are still the records, along with most All-Star Games played (24 - tied with Musial), at bats (75), stolen bases (6), extra-base hits (8 - tied with Musial), total bases (40 - tied with Musial), and triples (3 - tied with Brooks Robinson). To quote Ted Williams: "They invented the  All-Star Game  for Willie Mays." Speaking of Williams...

1993 Ted Williams

#126 Willie Mays (GH)

It was poetic that Mays passed just days before the Giants and Cardinals played games at Rickwood Field, the same field Mays patrolled as a member of the Birmingham Black Barons as a teenager. Mays was the most prominent member left of the old Negro Leagues, and it's a sad reminder that there are not many former players left. According to MLB, all 157 surviving members (including Mays at the time) were invited to the game at Rickwood. MLB has taken big strides to preserve the memory of the Negro League and it's players, and hopefully more will be done in the future.

2015 Topps Heritage - Baseball Flashbacks

#BF-9 Willie Mays

In 1966, Mays became the all-time National League home run hitter, and has since been eclipsed only by his own godson Barry Bonds. He came in 3rd in MVP voting that year, behind Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax. It was the last of 13 straight years that Mays placed in the MVP vote. He only won twice, but arguments have been made that he should have won up to 8 MVP awards!

2016 Topps Archives

#286 Willie Mays

Mays was the last superstar from that Golden Age of baseball. The last of the inner-circle Hall of Famers. He may have been the greatest player of all time. His passing closes the book on a life that continued to impact the history of baseball over 50 years after he last played a game.

R.I.P. Willie Mays, and thank you.

Repack Haiku #358 (Don Larsen)

Pitched World Series gem

Involved in the trade that sent

Maris to Yankees

 

2019 Topps Archives #64 Don Larsen

 

Most people know Larsen from his perfect game during the 1956 World Series, but even his departure from New York was noteworthy.  On December 11, 1959 Larsen was traded by the Yankees (along with Hank Bauer, Norm Siebern and Marv Throneberry) to the Kansas City Athletics for Roger Maris and two other players. Maris of course would go on a rather historic run with the Yankees.

The Greatest Red Sox Cards Of 2023

I can't believe I've been doing this for 5 years now! I have to admit though that this year was the toughest one yet. For the first time, I didn't have Stadium Club to provide at least a few worthy contenders. I'm hoping it's just a one-time blip, but at least the door was opened for some more variety. That's a good thing, right? So without further ado, here is my expertly chosen list of greatness:

Honorable Mention: 2023 Tops Now

#144 Fair Or Fowl?

 

This is technically a Red Sox card, at least according to TCDB. Truth be told, if I were to do a list of the worst Red Sox cards of 2023, it would probably win. It's badly cropped, the ducks are just standing still, and it's altogether not that interesting of a card. I like ducks, though, and this is whimsical enough to at least be worthy of a mention.

 

10. 2023 Topps Update - Action Stars

#AS-14 Rafael Devers

 

Most of the time, the last spot on this list is tough to choose because they're are so many great contenders. This year it was tough because so few stood out. I'm not overly fond of the "Insert player in front of generic computer generated background" type cards, but this one at least looks cool. Here's hoping Devers launches a lot of "bombs" next year!

9. 2023 Topps

#283 Matt Strahm

 

When I was in college, I had long glorious hair. Like Strahm, it often flew in my face whenever I did anything active.

8. 2023 Topps Heritage - Then and Now

#TAN-10 Luis Tiant/Nathan Eovaldi

 

Two Red Sox post-season heroes for the price of one! Just to give you a glimpse of how baseball has changed: The back off this card reveals El Tiante led the AL with 7 shutouts in 1974. In 2022, Eovald also led the AL in shutouts....with 1...a lead he shared with 6 other pitchers...

7. 2023 Topps Holiday

#H8 Masataka Yoshida (SSP, VAR)

 

Maybe it's the eggnog talking, but I do enjoy these Holiday sets, especially since they've stepped up their game beyond just adding oversized snowflakes. I especially enjoy their short-print, which feature such novelties as candy cane bats and Christmas light necklaces.

6. 2023 Topps Archives

#112 Babe Ruth

 

I'll say this for Ohtani-mania: It has paved the way for more cards of Babe Ruth as a Red Sox. Of course it would have been nice to show him pitching since he's listed as a pitcher, but seeing a younger, dare I say slimmer Babe on cardboard is always nice.

 

5. 2023 Bowman - Bowman Spotlights

#BS-7 Triston Casas

 

In stark contrast to the Devers Action Star card, I love this one for it's sheer simplicity. Take those two logos in the upper corners away, and it'd be perfect. No text, no fancy graphics, just a simple illumination of the player.

 

4. 2023 Topps - All Aces

#AA-5 Pedro Martinez

 

If you have any of this insert and have seen it in hand, you know how much better it is than what a screen shows. Pedro was a true Ace, and provided exciting moments in spades!

 

3. 2023 Topps

#242 Jarren Duran (FS)

 

Earlier this month, Bob over at The Best Bubble had a post showcasing some great cards of players flying through the air. The illusion of Jarren leaping over his "Future Stars" designation makes this a worthy inclusion to any mini-collection of that ilk!

 

2. 2023 Topps Living

#629 Jason Varitek

 

I gotta give artist Angel Aviles credit, this is a great rendering of the former Red Sox captain! The look of determination, the eye black, the shine off his helmet - everything about this card is well done!

 

1.  2023 Topps Archives

#77 Tris Speaker

 

I am 48 years old, and for the most part I conduct myself as a mature, responsible adult. However I can't help but snicker like a 12-year-old boy every time I look at this card. Why? Because Topps captured this on cardboard:

 

 

Tris Speaker, a Hall of Fame legend, is getting kneed in the groin. There ain't no way around it, knee is right there below the belt. I doubt he's wearing a cup. You can't unsee it now. You're welcome. It brings me way too much joy, and for that I deem it the greatest Red Sox card of 2023!

So there you have it! Do you agree with my rankings? Any cards that I might have missed?

Relive The Greatest Red Sox Cards Of:

2019 *** 2020 *** 2021 *** 2022

Nacho Average Secret Santa

Those of you who faithfully read many of the wonderful blogs devoted to the sports card hobby have no doubt seen a few people share the gifts they have received from Chris over at Nachos Grande. Chris is in the midst of his Secret Santa, and I was one of the many who signed up to take part.

Around the Thanksgiving holiday, I received a box from Chris, with lots of fun contained therein. Rather than show you everything, I'd like to present a Top 10 list of highlights:

#10 and #9 - Board games!

 

One of the things that separates Chris's blog from others is that it's not all sports cards. He's an avid board game enthusiast, and he often shares his reviews of games he has played. I too love to play board games, but I don't make the time to play them as often as I'd like. When I signed up for the Secret Santa, I had an opportunity to ask Chris for recommendations for games that I could potentially play with my two youngest daughters (ages 2 and 3, although both celebrating birthdays before the winter season ends.) Since Chris has a son a little older than them that he regularly plays games with, I figured he'd have some good ideas. He ended up these two games. Sorry! is a classic that I haven't played since I was myself a kid, but Speedy Delivery is a new one to me. I haven't had a chance to play either with the kiddies yet, but plan to before Christmas.

#8 - The baseball card equivalent of an ugly Christmas sweater

 

The artists often employed to create baseball cards are leagues more talented than I am, so I really shouldn't be one to criticize. However, this card of fan favorite Kevin Youkilis made me laugh, because wow that card is interesting. Maybe I only notice this because he's bald, but ears normally that large compared to the rest of the facial features? (I'm afraid to look in the mirror...)

#7 - More fun at Youk's expense

 

I never played Attax, Topps' attempt at a collectible card game, but I can guess why it wasn't the hit they hoped it would be. Kevin's "boost" is that he hits triples when you're loosing? No offense Topps, but Youk wasn't known for hitting triples (18 in his career). Let's talk about that background too, shall we? Is he in a volcano? A forest fire? Do I even want to know why the red sky is permeated with soulless faces? That's some serious nightmare fuel....

#6 - A card I'll "Treasure"

 

I don't seek out Gold Label cards, so when I get one I always take a couple extra seconds to appreciate it. This Nomar card is quite shiny, and you have to love how the light refracts off of it.

#5 - Pedro-palooza!

 

I feel like I'm an anomaly sometimes, in that I didn't collect during the arguably best years of my team's existence (in my lifetime at least!) So I missed out on collecting guys like Pedro, despite watching him pitch and helping the Red Sox break an 86-year championship drought. I have a lot of catching up to do, and every time I get a Pedro, I get to remember that magical season.

#4 - And the award for best action pose goes to...

 

Who doesn't love a good action shot? This card is a good reminder of how incredibly athletic these players are, with Nomar practically splitting the card diagonally with his legs. I would severely hurt myself attempting that....

#3 - Teenage me would have bought a lot of these had he only known...

 

1991 was right in my peak collecting window, and yet I don't ever recall seeing these Archives cards. Not at my local card shop, not at any shows I went to, not even in any of the trade magazines I bought. Had I known about these, I can't help but feel that I would have made a point to get my hands on some. Plus, it's fun to see Hall of Fame players like Kell and Boudreau, who had brief stops in Boston.

#2 - The Red Sox could use some good Japanese vibes right now!

 

The Red Sox are one of the more heavily mentioned names in connection to free agent Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and I'm all in for it! Who couldn't use a 25-year old ace who has won the NBP equivalent of the Cy Young 3 years running? The last time Boston brought pitching over from Japan, they acquired phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka and releiver Hideki Okajima. Here's hoping for Yamamoto!

#1 - Keeping a dear friend's memory alive

 

Earlier this past year, Chris lost a good friend who made amazing custom cards. Chris has tried to honor his friend and share some of those customs. These minis are amazing, and I particularly love the Piedmont cards. I even got an "aged" variation of David Ortiz!

 

 

Some gifts just keep giving, and although I never met Chris's friend Ryan, I am honored to have these in my possession.

 

Thank you so much for the board game and cards Chris! I just hope you get as much joy out of what I send back!

Red Sox Frankenset: Choosing Cards #7-9

There's was very little dissension from the the last row I did, with most of the comments agreeing with my choices. That's a good thing right? Let's see if I can do it again!

#7

Favorite Card: 2001 Sunoco Dream Team #7 Fred Lynn/Jim Rice

My Choice: same

My hope with this Frankenset is that I'll be able to show a little love to the lesser known guys like Morton. He wouldn't be a bad choice here either, especially with that building in the background. I just couldn't pass up an oddball card of the "Gold Dust Twins" though!

#8

Favorite Card: 1991 Fleer - Pro-Visions #8 Mike Greenwell

My Choice: same

The Greenwell Pro-Vision is one of my all-time favorite Red Sox cards, and as much as I like the other two contenders, there is no way I'm not putting this card in the Frankenset.

#9

Favorite Card: 1991 Fleer - Pro-Visions #9 Roger Clemens

My Choice: 1994 Upper Deck Baseball: The American Epic - GM #9 Ted Williams

Good gravy, I have a lot of Roger Clemens cards! As you may have guessed from the previous slot, I have a fondness for those old Fleer Pro-Vision inserts. The Clemens in particular is majestic. A fantastic black and white photo of a young Ted Williams is the obvious choice, however, and I have no regrets putting a legend like him in the 9-hole!

 

With these selections, I have completed the first page of my Frankenset! 

Not bad if I do say so. A nice mix of players for sure. I like how the center column ended up with a greenish hue, and having two horizontal cards doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would. (I think it helps that the cards are in opposite corners, giving it a little symmetry.) My only complaint is an overall lack of action, with 3 guys just standing with the bat on their shoulders.

What say you, good readers? Did I make the right choices with the bottom row? Now that the full page is before you, any changes you would make? (Feel free to review choices #1-3 and #4-6!) Let me know in the comments!