Hall of Fame Top 10: Carlos Beltran

 

 

On July 26th, the Hall of Fame will officially recognize 3 new members. As I have done in years past, I will be honoring these great ball players in my own way throughout the month. Today we look at the career of Carlos Beltran, one of the best switch hitters in baseball history. In tribute to his extraordinary career, I humbly present my 5 favorite cards of his that I own: 

 

2008 Upper Deck

#733 Carlos Beltran (SH)

 

Stepping away from collecting in the late 90's and throughout the 2000's means certain players aren't well represented in my collection. Before joining the Mets in 2005, Beltran had established himself as a star player in Kansas City, winning the 1999 Rookie of the Year Award and routinely putting up seasons of 100 runs and 100 runs batted in. A mid-season trade to the Astros in 2004 turned into one of the greatest rentals ever, as Beltran tied the postseason record with 8 home runs, including 4 straight in the NLCS.

 

 

2008 Upper Deck First Edition

- StarQuest Green Common

#SQ-36 Carlos Beltran

 

Beltran continued to establish himself as an all-time great in New York, making 5 more All-Star teams and winning 3 straight Gold Gloves. He matched the Mets' franchise record for most home runs in a season (41), as well as set the mark for runs in a single year (127).

 

 

2016 Topps #567 Carlos Beltran

 

After a short stint in San Francisco, Beltran continued to perform at an All-Star level with the Cardinals and Yankees. During this time he kept filling up the stat sheets, He became just the fourth player to reach 2,500 hits, 400 homers, 300 stolen bases and 1,000 walks (joining Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez).

 

 

2016 Topps Update

#US195 Carlos Beltran

 

For the third time in his career, Beltran was traded mid-season. While with the Rangers, he crossed the 1500 run plateau, and would finish his career with very similar run (1582) and RBI (1587) totals.

 

2017 Topps #315 Carlos Beltran

Beltran stayed in the state of Texas for his final year in 2017, playing once again for the Astros. It was in his final year that he finally *cough cough* "earned" a World Series Championship. The circumstances surrounding that team, as well as Beltran's involvement, are moot at this point, as Beltran has been recognized as a Hall of Famer.

 

Welcome to the Hall, Carlos Beltran! 

Hall Of Fame Top 5: Jeff Kent

 

On July 26th, the Hall of Fame will officially recognize 3 new members. As I have done in years past, I will be honoring these great ball players in my own way throughout the month. I'm starting things off with the lone inductee nominated by the Contemporary Era Baseball Committee, Jeff Kent.  In tribute to his extraordinary career, I humbly present my 5 favorite cards of his that I own:

 

1993 Leaf #185 Jeff Kent

Kent initially came up with the Blue Jays, but was traded to the Mets in 1992 for David Cone. It was in New York that he started to establish himself as an offensive player, twice hitting 20 home runs in a season. (Something he would do 12 times over his career).

 

1993 Topps #703 Jeff Kent (ASR) 

Thirty-seven players named to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Ironically, Kent's Hall classmates Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran also have earned this distinction.

 

 

1994 Collector's Choice #159 Jeff Kent 

Although he hit well for a under-performing Mets team, he was not a good fielder, leading NL second baseman in errors in back-to-back years, and 4 times overall. His offensive production more than made up for his defensive shortcomings.

 

2001 Upper Deck Victory #407 Jeff Kent 

 

After a short stint in Cleveland, Kent joined Barry Bonds and the Giants. It was here that he solidified himself as one of baseball's greats, winning the MVP in 2000 and making 3 out of his 5 All-Star appearances. It was also here that Kent's reputation as someone generally disliked by teammates, fans, and media was put on full display, culminating with a very famous dugout fight with teammate Bonds.

 

2007 Topps #102 Jeff Kent  

After a brief stop in Houston, where he topped Ryne Sandberg's mark for most home runs by a second baseman, Kent finished his career by spending 4 years with the Dodgers. He made his final All-Star game start in 2005, becoming the first player to start an All-Star game for both the the Dodgers and their historic rival Giants. He finished his career after the 2008 season. In addition to his home run record, he also has the second highest slugging percentage at the position, and his ranked third in extra base hits and RBI.

 

Congrats on your accomplishment Jeff Kent. Welcome to the Hall! 

Top 5 Hall Of Fame Tribute: Bobby Cox

Earlier this month, we said goodbye to another Hall of Fame manager, as the unforgettable Bobby Cox passed away at the age of 84. In appreciation of his career, I present my tribute of the top 5 cards of his from my collection.

 

1978 Topps #93 Bobby Cox (MGR)

It is fortunate for Cox that his MLB managerial career started when he was hired to manage the Braves in 1978. The 1978 Topps set is known for having the greatest manager cards ever produced. Who doesn't love that flashback stamp from their playing days? It's interesting that his player photo is a minor league card from his time with the Richmond Braves. Cox actually played two seasons with the Yankees, starting in 1968 (Mantle's last year by the way!)

 

1981 Fleer

#247 Bob Cox (MGR)

 

The 1981 season would be the last for his first stint with the Braves. In those four years his team never finished higher than 4th place. He was replaced by Joe Torre, who would likewise be inducted to the Hall with Cox in 2014.

 

1986 Topps

#471 Bobby Cox (MGR, CL) 

The Blue Jays were quick to scoop him up and make them their next manager. In his four years with Toronto, Cox would take the team from last place in 1982 to AL East Champions in 1985. After that season, Cox would return to Atlanta as their General Manager, laying the foundation for a dynasty.

 

1990 Topps Traded

#23T Bobby Cox (MGR) 

 

Although Cox never held a front office job before, he was crucial in turning the Braves into a powerhouse. He is responsible for the trade that brought John Smoltz to Atlanta, as well as selecting Chipper Jones with the #1 pick in the 1990 draft. Shortly after that draft, he returned to the dugout midway through the season, ceding the GM role to John Schuerholz.

 

1991 Topps

#759 Bobby Cox (MGR, TL)

 

His second stint as the Braves' manager was historically better than his first go-around. In 1991 the Braves won their division for the first of what would ultimately be 14 consecutive division titles. In those 14 years they captured the NL pennant 5 times, and in 1995 Cox led the team to a World Series Championship.

 

Cox would end his career with 2,504 managerial wins, good for 4th place all-time. The Expansion Era Committee unanimously voted him to the Hall of Fame in 2014.

 

RIP Mr. Cox. You will be missed. 

Top 5 Hall Of Fame Tribute: Bill Mazeroski

Earlier this month, baseball and its fans lost another all-time great when Hall of Fame Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski passed away at the age of 89. In honor of his legacy, I present a Top 5 tribute of cards, consisting of the 3 cards of his I own plus 2 favored classics.

 

1957 Topps #24 Bill Mazeroski (RC)  

 

I do not own either of these first two cards. Mazeroski began his MLB career in 1956 at the age of 19 and would continue having a 17-year career. 

 

1961 Topps #312 - 1960 World Series Game #7

- Mazeroski's Homer Wins It! (WS)  

 

Although his claim to fame was his otherworldly defense, his single defining moment was his walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. It's one of the greatest upsets in all of sports, as the juggernaut Yankees were playing in their 10th World Series in the past 12 years. (They actually outscored the Pirates in that series 55-27!)

 

1970 Topps #440 Bill Mazeroski  

Of course Mazeroski's Hall of Fame resume is based largely on his defense. One of the greatest fielders ever, he won 8 Gold Gloves  in a 10 year span. He led the league in putouts 5 times, assists 9 times, and double plays for 8 straight years! His 1706 double plays is still the record for 2nd basemen.

   

1971 Topps #110 Bill Mazeroski  

Maz won a second World Series with the Pirates in 1971. By then, he was relegated to part-time duty, and would eventually retire after the 1972 season at the age of 35. 

 

2016 Topps Archives #118 Bill Mazeroski 

 

The 10-time All-Star spent 15 years on the Hall of Fame ballot without getting elected, but was finally given his due by the Veterans Committee in 2001.

 

Rest in Peace, Mr. Mazeroski.  

Top 5 Tribute: Mike Greenwell

Cancer sucks.

 

The Red Sox Nation lost a fan favorite with the recent passing of Mike Greenwell. It was only in August that Greenwell announced he was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer. As a teen in the late eighties and early nineies, "Gator" was a personal favorite along with such young stars as Ellis Burks and Mo Vaughn. In honor of this amazing player, I humbly present my 5 favorite Mike Greenwell cards.

 

 

1991 Fleer - Pro-Visions Black #8

 

This is one of my all-time favorite cards. I could own a hundred copies and still be excited to get another one. The artwork is fantastic, and I love the calm, unimpressed expression on Greenwell as the "Green Monster" glares above him. Greenwell was never intimidated.

 

 

1992 Upper Deck #275

 

Greenwell broke his fair share of bats in his career. A career .300 hitter, he won the Silver Slugger in 1988. That season was his best, as he finished as the runner up to Jose Canseco in the AL MVP voting. Years later when Canseco's steroid usage came out, Greenwell publicly stated he felt cheated out of the award.

 

 

1995 Collector's Choice SE #193

 

The Red Sox have been blessed when it comes to players who played in front of the Grenn Monster in left field. From 1939-1986, the spot was regularly patrolled by Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, and Jim Rice. Although Greenwell did not achieve Hall status, he excellently continued the legacy until 1996. He was elected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2008.

 

 

1996 Fleer Boston Red Sox #7

 

You don't see many pictures of guys kneeling at base. Greenwell was a Red Sox lifer, playing 12 seasons. As a 22-year, he was on the roster for the 1986 World Series, getting 4 plate appearances. Towards the end of his career, he was teammates with another long-time Red Sox fan favorite who passed away too soon, Tim Wakefield.

 

 

1996 Leaf Signature Series - Autographs Bronze

 

I picked this card up last year on my first visit to a card and collectables shop that opened up in my area. I'm happy to have an autographed card of this 2-time All-Star.

 

RIP, Mr. Greenwell. You will be missed.

Top 5 Hall Of Fame Tribute: Ryne Sandberg

As a cancer survivor, it always makes me a little more introspective whenever I hear of someone else dying from it. Just a day after the Hall of Fame welcomed 5 new members, it lost one when Cubs great Ryne Sandberg passed away after a battle with prostate cancer. As I usually do, here are 5 of my favorite Ryne Sandberg cards from my collection.

 

1987 Fleer

#639 Former MVP's

(Parker/Sandberg) (SSS)

 

To be honest, I wouldn't count this as a favorite of mine, but I had to include it since we lost both of these great men recently. I was all prepared to write how these two were division rivals during the late 80's, but I had completely forgotten that at the time Cincinati was in the NL West back when their were only 2 divisions in each league. That seem so weird to me now...

 

1990 Fleer

#625 Ryne Sandberg (POD)

 

How many players can say they have a game named after them? Sandberg became a household name on June 23, 1984 when he launched a game-tying home run in the 9th inning against fellow Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter, then tied the game again in the 10th with yet another home run against Sutter! The "Ryne Sandberg Game" was the pinnacle of an MVP season for Ryno.

 

1990 Upper Deck

#324 Ryne Sandberg

 One of the best defensive second basemen of all time, his 9 Gold Gloves are second only to Roberto Alomar. All those Gold Gloves came consecutively from 1983 to 1991. Looking through my collection, I was surprised to find not many of his cards showcased his defensive mastery. This card is far and away one of his best!

 

1991 Score

#815 Ryne Sandberg (MOY)

 

It's hard to believe that actually retired twice in his career. The first time was in 1994, but he back and played in 1996 and 1997 before retiring for good. When he did retire, he held the record for most home runs by a second baseman as well as the highest fielding percentage at that position. An MVP Award, 9 Gold Gloves, 7 Silver Sluggers, and a 10-time All-Star, Sandberg is also one of just 5 players to have both a 50 steal season and a 40 home run season.

 

1992 Score

#442 Ryne Sandberg (DT) 

It's mind-boggling that despite all these accolades, it took Sandberg 3 tries before getting elected to the Hall of Fame! Even when he did in 2005, it was with just 76.2% of the votes. Ryne Sandberg is one of the greatest 2nd Baseman of all-time, and excelled like no one else at his position in hitting, running, and fielding!

 

Rest In Peace, Mr. Sandberg! Your legacy will never be forgotten! 

Top 5 Hall of Fame: Ichiro Suzuki

 

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. Appropriately batting lead off is the Hall of Fame's first Asian member, the iconic Ichiro Suzuki. In tribute to his extraordinary career, I humbly present my 5 favorite cards of his that I own:

 

2001 Upper Deck Victory

#564 Ichiro Suzuki (ROO, RC)

 

I pretty much stopped collecting from 1993 - 2015, so the fact I have a Hall of Famer's rookie card from this gap in my hobby collection is pretty cool to me! Of course, people debate if a player coming over from the NPB are on the same level as traditional rookies. Ichiro sure didn't play like one, hitting .350 with 242 hits and 56 stolen bases in his first taste of MLB baseball. (Fun fact: The runner-up to Ichiro in the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year Award was none other than fellow 2025 inductee C.C. Sabathia!)

 

2010 Topps

#515 Seattle Mariners Franchise History (FH)

Of course, Ichiro didn't just win the Rookie of the Year Award in 2001, he also became just the 2nd player to win the MVP Award in his rookie year. He joined Ken Griffey Jr. as the only Seattle Mariners to win the award.

 

2012 Topps Opening Day

#50 Ichiro Suzuki

 

Ichiro wasn't just a great hitter. Starting (again) with his rookie season, Ichiro won 10 straight Gold Glove Awards for his fielding. Only Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays have won more as outfielders!

 

2018 Topps Update - Memorial Day Camo

#US153 Japan's Finest (VC, SN25)

 

As a collector, I'm not a big fan of the Camo parallels. But how could I not include this one? Being numbered to just 25 copies, it's a pretty rare card. (I'm the only member of the TCDB that owns one!) Ichiro's success helped pave the way for more Japanese players to play in North America, including this young Angels rookie that I heard was pretty good in his own right...

 

2024 Stadium Club

#244 Ichiro

 

It's truly amazing what Ichiro has accomplished in his big league career: Over 3,000 hits, including a single season record 262 in 2004. 10 Gold Gloves, 2 batting titles, 10 All-Star nods, 3 silver sluggers plus the ROY and MVP Awards. To think that he didn't even start in MLB until he was 27 years old!

 

Ichiro was an amazing player, and this honor is well deserved. Congrats, Ichiro!

Top 5 Hall Of Fame Tribute: Dave Parker

“I’ve been holding this speech in for 15 years.” - Dave Parker, on the MLB Network after learning of his Hall of Fame selection.

 

Life just isn't fair sometimes. The wait was so long for Dave Parker. 15 years on the Hall of Fame ballot, without ever getting above 25%. 3 Veterans Committee ballots between 2012-2023, never getting more than 7 of the 12 votes required for induction.  Finally, just this past year, he made it. "The Cobra" was a Hall of Famer. Sadly, just one month before we got to hear that speech he had been holding onto, Dave Parker passed away on June 28th. Unlike his fellow inductee Dick Allen, at least he got to experience the thrill of getting the call.

 

As it were, I was beginning to prep my Top 5 tributes to this year's Hall of Fame class, so I was already looking at my collection of Dave Parker cards. Sadly, his Hall of Fame tribute is now a rest in peace tribute. Here are 5 of my favorite Dave Parker cards in my collection, chronologically in order.

 

1978 Topps

#560 Dave Parker (AS) 

 

In the late 70's, Dave Parker was one of the best players in all of baseball. He did it all - back to back batting titles, 3 Gold Gloves, an MVP in 1978 and a World Championship the following year. He was a star, but once he got paid like one, the blue collar town of Pittsburgh turned on him. Good seasons weren't good enough for a million dollar player, and got so bad that he skipped the World Series parade. Injuries, weight gain, and off the field issues made it so bad that one Pittsburgh beat writer wrote: "If Parker ran for mayor unopposed, he’d lose in a landslide.”

 

1987 Topps

#600 Dave Parker (AS, LL)

After the 1983 season, Parker signed as a free agent with his hometown team, the Cincinnati Reds. Although his tenure there was overshadowed by his involvement in the scandalous "Pittsburgh Drug Trials", Parker's career bounced back, with a couple of Top 5 MVP finishes, including a 2nd place finish in 1985. 

 

1988 Topps American Baseball (UK Minis)

#55 Dave Parker

Parker was traded to the Athletics prior to the 1988 season, and in 1989 he won his second World Series ring. He earned MVP votes that season and one his 1st Edgar Martinez Award as baseball's best Designated Hitter.

 

1991 Bowman

#375 Dave Parker (SS) 

 

He won the award again the following year as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. He also won his 3rd Silver Slugger, as well as his 7th All-Star Game selection.

 

1991 Upper Deck

#733 Dave Parker 

 

The Brewers traded him to the Angels after that season, where he paired up with another Hall of Famer named Dave, Dave Winfield. The 40-year old Parker was released in September, and signed on a week later with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he finished the final 13 games of his career batting .333 and helping the Blue jays secure the AL East. 

 

Dave Parker's Baseball Reference page reads like a Hall of Famer: 1978 MVP, 2 batting titles, 3 Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers, a 7 time All-Star (winning the ASG MVP in 1979 because of not one but two dynamic fielding plays), and a 2-time Champion. The health and weight issues he had in the early 80's, along with cocaine usage, kept him from getting into the Hall until this past year. 

 

Rest In Peace, Mr. Parker. The Hall of Fame will always have a place for "The Cobra". 

Top 5 Hall Of Fame Tribute: Rickey Henderson

There will never be another Rickey Henderson. Baseball greatness is often compared to greatness that came before. Shohei Ohtani is the Japanese Babe Ruth. Mike Trout was once considered this generation's Mickey Mantle. I would be surprised is any ballplayer, now or in the future, gets mentioned as a contemporary of the great Rickey Henderson. 

As I usual do when a Hall of Famer passes, I go through my collection and hope I have 5 good cards to show off. With Henderson, I had trouble narrowing down to 5 great cards. In the end, I decided to honor the "Man of Steal" with 5 cards all depicting him sliding into base, because that's the enduring image we got from Rickey over a thousand times in his career. Humbly, I present my Top 5 favorite "sliding" Rickey Henderson cards in my collection:

 

1990 Score #698 Rickey Henderson (HL, ALCS)

 

Although speed and Rickey Henderson go hand in hand, it's important to remember he was not a one trick pony. With over 3000 hits and over 2000 walks, he was a master of getting on base. 81 times he led off a game with a home run. Henderson made things happen.

1991 Topps #670 Rickey Henderson

 

Last year, Elly De La Cruz led the majors with 66 stolen bases. If he matched that feat every year for the next 19 years, he still would trail Rickey's stolen base total.

1992 Donruss #193 Rickey Henderson

 

In 1982, Henderson set the single season record for stolen bases with 130, just 13 off from the number of base hits he had that season! He was actually caught stealing an amazing 42 times that year!

 

1993 Fleer #294 Rickey Henderson 

One of his most impressive games happened on July 29, 1989. He walked four times in that game, thus having no official at-bats. He recorded an amazing 5 stolen bases in that game!

 

2021 Stadium Club #235 Rickey Henderson 

Obviously, Henderson made his mark mostly with the Oakland Athletics, as well as some peak career years with the Yankees. Even though he bounced around at the end of his career playing for a total of 9 different teams, he kept playing well and kept stealing bases until his final season in 2003 at the age of 44. He stole over 100 bases after the age of 40, and the only two seasons where he didn't reach at least 20 thefts in a year were his final two ones.

He was arguably the greatest player of the 80's, and energy and confidence made him a favorite of baseball fans everywhere. Rest in peace Rickey. There will never be another player like you.

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!