Top 5 Hall Of Fame: Billy Wagner

 

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. We finish off the week celebrating one of the top reliever's in baseball history, Billy Wagner. I only own 3 cards of his, so in tribute to his extraordinary career, I humbly present those 3 cards, as well as two personal favorites:

 

1994 Collector's Choice #29 Billy Wagner (FRDP, RC)

Hey look at that! I have his rookie card! Wagner was the 12th overall pick in 1993, and made his MLB debut towards the end of the 1995 season.

 

1997 Collector's Choice

#123 Billy Wagner

 

Wagner became the closer for Houston in 1997, and outside a brief partial season in Boston, was the closer every year for every team he played on over the next 14 years. In all, he was named to 7 All-Star teams.

 

1997 Upper Deck #81 Billy Wagner

Wagner held onto that closer's role because he was just flat out dominant. Over the course of his career, he struck out over a third of every batter he faced, and his 11.92 K/9 is the best all-time (minimum 800IP). His career WHIP is also an all-time record for relievers (700IP minimum). 

 

1998 Topps #3 Billy Wagner 

 

His rate stats are historic, which makes his induction all the more interesting. Wagner currently 8th all-time in saves, but do you know how many times he led his league in that category? Zero. In fact, he only made the top 3 in any given season thrice. But again, he was dominant, and if ever there was a definition of a closer putting out fires, Wagner fit the bill.

 

2009 Topps Heritage #632 Billy Wagner

Like I said before, he had a brief stop in Boston towards the end of his career. Of course I had to include one of the few cards he has wearing the "B"! He pitched in 15 games for the Red Sox in his penultimate season as a setup man to closer Jonathan Papelbon.

 

Wagner is not your typical hall of Famer. He never led the league in any major categories, and his 903 innings pitched is the lowest amount among any of the pitchers enshrined. Still, when it came to getting opponents out, few were better.

 

Congrats to Billy Wagner! Welcome to the Hall! 

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! 

HOF Special Haiku: Dave Parker

 

Now among the greats

At last Parker got the call

Shame we won't hear speech

 

1982 Donruss #12 Dave Parker (DK)

 

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I already posted my Top 5 Tribute to Dave Parker earlier this month. Still, I wanted to honor him somehow this week. Since my prior haiku dedicated to him reflected his (at the time) failure to be voted as a Hall of Famer, it seemed like a great opportunity to give Mr. Parker a well deserved update. Congrats on your Hall of Fame induction Mr. Parker, I only wish we would have gotten the opportunity to hear your speech from you.

Top 5 Hall Of Fame: CC Sabathia

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 left handed pitchers to ever step on a mound, Carsten Charles Sabathia. In tribute to his extraordinary career, I humbly present my 5 favorite cards of his that I own:

 

2011 Topps - Diamond Duos (Series 1)

#DD-CS Steve Carlton/CC Sabathia

 

In the history of the game, there have been only 4 left handed pitchers to amass over 3,000 strikeouts. Two of them are on this card. (The other two: Randy Johnson and the newest member of the 3K Club Clayton Kershaw.)

 

2015 Topps #468 CC Sabathia

It's not easy for a Red Sox fan like myself to heap praise on a Yankee player, but when a player overcomes major obstacles in his life you can't help but root for the guy. One of those obstacles came to the forefront in 2015, when Sabathia left the team just before the playoffs to check himself into rehab for alcohol addiction. It takes a big man (not a jab there) to admit he needs help, and to open himself up like he did for an article in The Player's Tribune.

 

2016 Topps Heritage #415 CC Sabathia

 

Since all the cards I own of his are from his New York days, it's weird to talk about him and not bring up the beginning half of his career. As I mentioned yesterday, Sabathia was the Rookie of the Year runner up in 2001 after a 17 win season for Cleveland. For eight years he was a rock solid ace for the Indians, making 3 All-Star games and winning a Cy Young Award in 2007. In 2008, he was traded to the Brewers and became arguably one of the best trade deadline acquisitions in history.  With Milwaukee, he went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. Despite only making 17 starts, he led the entire National League in complete games (7) and shutouts (3)! That finish helped him earn the largest free agent contract for a pitcher when he signed with the Yankees for $161 million over 7 years.

 

2019 Topps #486 CC Sabathia

 

Sabathia retired after the 2019 season. His last appearance on the mound was memorable: In Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros, CC appeared as a reliever in the 8th inning. He got the first 2 outs, but as he was pitching to George Springer, he felt discomfort and took himself out of the game in the middle of the at-bat. Sabathia told the media afterwards his exit from the game in his last season was "...kind of fitting. I threw until I couldn't anymore."

 

2021 Topps Archives - Movie Poster Cards

#MPC-14 Black Aces

(Blue/Stewart/Willis/Sabathia/Gooden/Gibson/Jenkins) 

 

I'll admit, watching Sabathia pitch, I didn't see a Hall of Fame player. It wasn't until after he retired and I got a chance to look at his career stats that I saw where he stood among the giants. The 3,000 strikeouts obviously stood out, but the factoid that truly amazed me was that he is one of only six players all-time with 3,000 strikeouts, 250 wins and a win percentage over .600! The two other Hall of Famers on this card (Bob Gibson and Ferguson Jenkins) can't make that claim, neither can the previously mentioned Steve Carlton. 

 

Congrats to you, Mr. Sabathia! Welcome to the Hall of Fame! 

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!

The Red Sox Free Agent All-Stars! (2025 Update)

On Sunday, MLB announced the full AL and NL squads for this year's All-Star game. Three Red Sox players made this year's team: starting pitcher Garrett Crochet, third baseman Alex Bregman, and closer Ardolis Chapman. What I found interesting was that all three of these players were former All-Stars playing in their first season in Boston. I guess that made their off-season an official success!

 

It reminded me of a post I did 2 years ago when closer Kenley Jansen made the All-Star team. His selection led me to wonder how often a free agent signed by the Red Sox made the All-Star team in his first year with Boston. You can't make a better first impression than that! 

This seems like a good opportunity to update my list. According to my research, Bregman and Chapman are the 11th and 12th times that has happened! (Crochet was acquired in a blockbuster trade, so not included here.) It's an unusual group of guys, from a future first ballot Hall of Famer to a couple of guys even hardcore Red Sox fans might not remember. 

Bill Campbell, RP, 1977

 

1977 Topps #166 Bill Campbell

 

The first big free agent signing by the Red Sox turned out well. After winning the very first Rolaids Relief Award in 1976 for the Twins, Campbell signed a 5 year contract with Boston. He made his only All-Star team in 1977, and finished the year leading the league in saves and winning the Rolaids Award again.

Erik Hanson, SP, 1995

 

1995 Upper Deck #483 Erik Hanson (TR)

 

Probably the oddest entry in this list, Hanson signed a one-year contract prior to the 1995 season. He made his only All-Star squad en route to a 15-5 season, parlayed that into a multi-year contract with Toronto, and ended up as one of the worst free agent signings in franchise history. 

 

Jose Offerman, 2B, 1999

 

2000 Upper Deck
#61 Jose Offerman (AS)

 

The Red Sox badly needed a second baseman and lead-off hitter. They thought they were getting both when they signed Jose Offerman to a 4-year deal. His first season was actually pretty solid, and he made the All-Star team as a reserve. Wheels completely fell off after that, and he became Jose "Awful-man" to the Boston fandom.

 

Manny Ramirez, OF, 2001

 

2002 Ultra
#206 Manny Ramirez (AS)

 

Arguably the greatest free agent signing in Red Sox history. Not only did Manny make the All-Star team during his first year in Boston, he made the All-Star team every single season of his 8-year contract. Outside of his personality shortcomings and PED usage, he was (statistically) worth every penny.

 

Johnny Damon, OF, 2002

 

2002 Fleer Tradition Update
#U327 Johnny Damon (AS)

 

Lightning struck twice as for the second straight year, Boston signed an outfielder who became an All-Star. Damon was actually the very first AL player to earn an All-Star nod by the now-defunct "All-Star Final Vote" gimmick  (beating out Jim Thome, Eric Chavez, Magglio Ordonez, and Darin Erstad).

 

Matt Clement, SP, 2005

 

2005 Topps Updates & Highlights
- All-Star Stitches #ASR-MCL
Matt Clement (MEM)

 

Clement was one of a handful of starters the World Champion Red Sox signed in an attempt to replace the departing Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe. He had a great first half of the 2005 season, going 10-2 and being named as a replacement for the injured Roy Halladay. Shortly after the All-Star break, he was struck in the head by a line drive and was never effective again.

 

Hideki Okajima, RP, 2007

 

2007 Topps Updates & Highlights
#UH247 Hideki Okajima (AS)

 

Prior to the 207 season, Boston made international news by signing a star pitcher from Japan. Who would have thought their second, less herald Japanese import would be the one to make the All-Star team? Okajima was fantastic out of the bullpen, and like Damon before him was named the winner of that year's "Final Vote", although he didn't get in the game. Later that year, he became the first Japanese pitcher to pitch in the World Series.

 

Adrian Beltre, 3B, 2010

 

2010 Topps Update
#US-328 Adrian Beltre (AS)

 

There was a time when no one, and I mean no one, thought of Adrian Beltre as a Hall of Fame player. I'm not saying that the one-year pillow contract he signed with the Red Sox in 2010 jump-started his Hall of Fame candidacy, but without that one amazing season in Boston, the Rangers would never have known what he was capable of. Why the Red Sox let him go after that I'll never understand...

 

J.D. Martinez, DH, 2018

 

2019 Topps Heritage
#359 J.D. Martinez (AS)

 

J.D. Martinez was one of the most impactful signings in franchise history. The professional hitter at the heart of one of the greatest Red Sox teams ever, Martinez made the All-Star team every single year of his 5-year contract aside from the 2020 season (when the All-Star Game was cancelled).

 

Kenley Jansen, RP, 2023

 

2024 Topps Pristine
#297 Kenley Jansen

There were many raised eyebrows at his nomination. Stat-wise, he was solid but unspectacular. One could even argue that he was not the most deserving reliever on the team. Yet, his inclusion was merited as the Red Sox lone representative that year. The Red Sox hadn't had a true closer since Craig Kimbrel, and the future Hall of Famer helped turn the Boston bullpen into a strength. 

 

Alex Bregman, 3B, 2025

 

2025 Topps Now
#71 Alex Bregman (PR510)

 

Bregman was an interesting selection, mainly because he hasn't played since May 23rd! Although he's close to returning, it's unusual to have someone who has missed the past 6 weeks be considered an All-Star. Yet, he was so incredible at the start of the season that even with all that time missed, he's still 2nd among AL 3rd basemen in WAR, and top-6 in HR and RBI. 

 

Aroldis Chapman, RP, 2025

 

2025 Topps Heritage
#24 Aroldis Chapman

Like Jansen before him, Chapman's 1 year contract this past off-season was one of those minor transactions that wasn't shaking the landscape. Since his last All-Star selection in 2021, he's been on journeyman's path with stops with 5 different teams. All he has done this year is turn back the clock with his best season since his days in Cincinati!

Repack Haiku #417 (Nick Esasky)

After career year,

Signed three year contract  with Braves

Played only nine games

 

1988 Score #163 Nick Esasky

Esasky was a solid but unspectacular player when the Reds traded him to the Red Sox before the 1989 season. he went on to have the best season of his career, establishing new highs in games played (154), batting average (.277), home runs (30), and RBI (108). He parlayed that career best season into a 3-year deal with Atlanta. However, his career was cut short by an inner-ear infection that caused him to suffer from vertigo. His time in the Majors ended before April of that year, with only 9 games played in a Braves uniform.

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". 

Happy Independence Day!

Just a quick little post wishing all of my readers a Happy 4th of July! It'll be a fun day for my family, as my wife is planning a gender reveal for her sister on that day. I personally have no clue if the "little fire cracker" will be pink or blue...

2015 Panini USA
Stars & Stripes - Fireworks
#8 Kyle Schwarber

It'll be a different 4th of July no doubt. In addition to the gender reveal party, my town has decided to swap out the annual fireworks show for one using drones. On one hand, I've seen a few online and they look cool, and no doubt dog owners and combat vets will be appreciative. However, it's just not the same and will take some getting use to. I do appreciate a good Laser Show though!

2012 Topps - Career Day #CD-14 Dustin Pedroia

 

Maybe I'll enjoy a freshly grilled hot dog!

 

2017 Topps Opening Day - Incredible Eats
#IE-16 Kayem Fenway Frank

 

Although nothing beats a nice juicy burger...

 

2012 Topps Update
- Golden Debut Autographs
#GDA-MH Mark Hamburger (AU)

 

...especially if I wash it down with a (root) beer or two.

 

1958 Hires Root Beer #44 Hank Aaron

 

However you enjoy today, I hope it's relaxing, fun, and safe. Happy Independence Day, America!

2018 Topps #659 Arizona Diamondbacks (TC)

Repack Haiku #416 (Stan Belinda)

Continued pitching

With multiple sclerosis;

Linked to Sid Bream's slide

 

1991 Topps #522 Stan Belinda

 

When I was setting the order for my Haiku series, I didn't realize Belinda was the pitcher on the mound for Sid Bream's famous slide. Having these two back-to-back is kind of funny. Belinda was a fairly effective reliever for 10 years before getting diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998. He continued to pitch two more seasons afterwards.