| Nowbatting19's Hall Of Fame |
1966 Topps #540 Denny McLain SP
1962 Topps #170 Ron Santo
Cooperstown. A name synonymous with Baseball's Hall Of Fame. While most players enshrined are "no doubt Hall of Famers," how many in the Hall are questionable to say the least?
Many. Unfortunately politics plays a certain role amongst sports writers (who are the ones who elect the members) and there are some players who in fact SHOULD be in the Hall of Fame
but aren't for whatever reason. As a baseball fan, I am appalled that some of these players below are not enshrined in Cooperstown. And so, with that in mind, here is our selection of
players who are not in Cooperstown but ARE enshrined here on Nowbatting19's Hall Of Fame Page! And to you writers and former players (who make up the Veteran's Committee) who
have or continue to shun these players, shame on you!
Many. Unfortunately politics plays a certain role amongst sports writers (who are the ones who elect the members) and there are some players who in fact SHOULD be in the Hall of Fame
but aren't for whatever reason. As a baseball fan, I am appalled that some of these players below are not enshrined in Cooperstown. And so, with that in mind, here is our selection of
players who are not in Cooperstown but ARE enshrined here on Nowbatting19's Hall Of Fame Page! And to you writers and former players (who make up the Veteran's Committee) who
have or continue to shun these players, shame on you!
| 1962 Post Cereal #7 Roger Maris (Box version) |
Roger Eugene Maris. Born September 10, 1934, died December 14, 1985. Outfielder with the Cleveland Indians 1957-58, Kansas City Athletics 1958-59, New York Yankees 1960-66, St. Louis Cardinals 1967-68. Of
course everyone knows about the 61 Home Runs in 1961 to break Babe Ruth's single season HR record (60). But can you imagine how difficult it was for Maris to do this? He was not loved like Mark McGwire was
during his tainted record breaking season (70) nor was Maris beloved as a Yankee. The Yankees, the press, and the fans all had a huge part in why Maris retired after only 12 seasons. However in those 12 seasons
Maris still managed to belt 275 home runs with 851 RBIs. Over a 162 game schedule, Maris would have averaged 30 HRs and 94 RBIs per season. While his lifetime batting mark of .260 is a bit low, also keep in mind
that Maris played most of his career in the pitcher dominant 1960's (for instance in 1968 only 1 American League player, Carl Yastrzemski, hit .300 or better and Yaz hit .301 that year!). Also consider other Hall Of Fame
sluggers like Harmon Killebrew, who batted only .256 during his 22 year career, or Reggie Jackson (.263). Granted they hit over 500 lifetime HRs but they also played 10 years or more than did Maris. Another knock on
Maris is that he only had a "couple" good years; namely 1960 & 1962 when he won back to back AL MVP Awards. However Maris hit 28 HRs in 1958 with both Cleveland and Kansas City and 33-23-26 HRs in 1962-64.
Maris broke his hand in 1964 (the Yankees denied this) and he never was able to hit for much power again; however in his 12 major league seasons, Maris appeared in 7 World Series. Some would scoff and say that
he was on the Yankees, but Maris also appeared in 2 different World Series for the Cardinals. In fact, on the 1967 World Championship Cardinals team, Maris hit .385, with 10 hits, 1 HR, and led the team with 7 RBIs.
Of Maris' historic 1961 season, Mickey Mantle himself said it was "the greatest baseball feat I have ever seen." Yet the baseball "experts" vilified Maris both in the press and later when Maris came up for Hall of Fame
consideration. Roger Maris was a team player, leading his team to 7 different World Series in 12 seasons. That in itself counts for something. Add his two MVP awards, the incredible 1961 season, Gold Glove award
and the fact that Maris was a devoted family man and true hero, you would think he would have been an automatic selection. However Maris IS a Hall of Famer in my book and we are proud to start off our Hall Of Fame
Page with the great Roger Maris! To sign an online petition for Roger Maris to be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame click here. For more on Roger Maris check out our Roger Maris Tribute Page!
course everyone knows about the 61 Home Runs in 1961 to break Babe Ruth's single season HR record (60). But can you imagine how difficult it was for Maris to do this? He was not loved like Mark McGwire was
during his tainted record breaking season (70) nor was Maris beloved as a Yankee. The Yankees, the press, and the fans all had a huge part in why Maris retired after only 12 seasons. However in those 12 seasons
Maris still managed to belt 275 home runs with 851 RBIs. Over a 162 game schedule, Maris would have averaged 30 HRs and 94 RBIs per season. While his lifetime batting mark of .260 is a bit low, also keep in mind
that Maris played most of his career in the pitcher dominant 1960's (for instance in 1968 only 1 American League player, Carl Yastrzemski, hit .300 or better and Yaz hit .301 that year!). Also consider other Hall Of Fame
sluggers like Harmon Killebrew, who batted only .256 during his 22 year career, or Reggie Jackson (.263). Granted they hit over 500 lifetime HRs but they also played 10 years or more than did Maris. Another knock on
Maris is that he only had a "couple" good years; namely 1960 & 1962 when he won back to back AL MVP Awards. However Maris hit 28 HRs in 1958 with both Cleveland and Kansas City and 33-23-26 HRs in 1962-64.
Maris broke his hand in 1964 (the Yankees denied this) and he never was able to hit for much power again; however in his 12 major league seasons, Maris appeared in 7 World Series. Some would scoff and say that
he was on the Yankees, but Maris also appeared in 2 different World Series for the Cardinals. In fact, on the 1967 World Championship Cardinals team, Maris hit .385, with 10 hits, 1 HR, and led the team with 7 RBIs.
Of Maris' historic 1961 season, Mickey Mantle himself said it was "the greatest baseball feat I have ever seen." Yet the baseball "experts" vilified Maris both in the press and later when Maris came up for Hall of Fame
consideration. Roger Maris was a team player, leading his team to 7 different World Series in 12 seasons. That in itself counts for something. Add his two MVP awards, the incredible 1961 season, Gold Glove award
and the fact that Maris was a devoted family man and true hero, you would think he would have been an automatic selection. However Maris IS a Hall of Famer in my book and we are proud to start off our Hall Of Fame
Page with the great Roger Maris! To sign an online petition for Roger Maris to be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame click here. For more on Roger Maris check out our Roger Maris Tribute Page!
| 1960 Topps #360 Gil Hodges |
Gilbert Raymond Hodges. Born April 4, 1924, died April 2, 1972. Gold Glove first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers 1943; 1947-57, Los Angeles Dodgers 1958-1961, New York Mets 1962-63. Manager Washington
Senators 1963-67, New York Mets 1968-1971. I am not even going to talk about how Gil Hodges was a great man, the nicest guy you would ever want to meet, fabulous baseball player. He was all of that and more. I
am not going to talk about how Gil Hodges was a member the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series Championship team, the 1959 Los Angeles Dodgers World Champs, or even his Championship as a manager of
the "Miracle Mets" in 1969. Just those little items might have gotten someone else a plaque in Cooperstown. So I won't talk about that. I will mention his statistics: Lifetime batting average: .279. Slugging Average:
.487. Hits: 1,921. Doubles: 295. Triples: 48. Home Runs: 370. Runs: 1105. RBIs: 1274. Fielding Average: .992. 5 World Series Home Runs along with 21 RBI's in 7 different World Series. And did you notice the little
"gap" between 1943 and 1947 where Hodges did not play? He was in the Marines! So while these stats may not seem so hot compared to today's inflated statistics, keep in mind that at the time of his retirement,
Hodges was the 2nd all-time right handed HR (10th All-Time, see photo below) in baseball history! So let me get this straight: he was a Hall of Fame player, fielder, manager, served his country, was the world's
nicest guy (according to Hall Of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully and numerous others) and Gil Hodges is NOT in baseball's Hall of Fame? Are you kidding me? What a joke. So with great pleasure we present the great
Gil Hodges! Rest In Peace!
Senators 1963-67, New York Mets 1968-1971. I am not even going to talk about how Gil Hodges was a great man, the nicest guy you would ever want to meet, fabulous baseball player. He was all of that and more. I
am not going to talk about how Gil Hodges was a member the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series Championship team, the 1959 Los Angeles Dodgers World Champs, or even his Championship as a manager of
the "Miracle Mets" in 1969. Just those little items might have gotten someone else a plaque in Cooperstown. So I won't talk about that. I will mention his statistics: Lifetime batting average: .279. Slugging Average:
.487. Hits: 1,921. Doubles: 295. Triples: 48. Home Runs: 370. Runs: 1105. RBIs: 1274. Fielding Average: .992. 5 World Series Home Runs along with 21 RBI's in 7 different World Series. And did you notice the little
"gap" between 1943 and 1947 where Hodges did not play? He was in the Marines! So while these stats may not seem so hot compared to today's inflated statistics, keep in mind that at the time of his retirement,
Hodges was the 2nd all-time right handed HR (10th All-Time, see photo below) in baseball history! So let me get this straight: he was a Hall of Fame player, fielder, manager, served his country, was the world's
nicest guy (according to Hall Of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully and numerous others) and Gil Hodges is NOT in baseball's Hall of Fame? Are you kidding me? What a joke. So with great pleasure we present the great
Gil Hodges! Rest In Peace!
| 1970 Topps #670 Ron Santo |
1967 Topps #580 Rocky Colavito
Ron Santo. Born February 15, 1940. Played 3B for the Chicago Cubs (1960-1973) and Chicago White Sox (1974). Maybe it's because he never got to a World Series, but for some
insane reason, Ron Santo is not in the Hall of Fame despite averaging 25 HRs, 96 RBIs, and a .277 batting mark (162 game average). In 15 seasons, mostly with the Cubs, Santo had
2,254 hits, 342 HRs, 1,108 walks, and 1,331 RBIs. Gold Gloves? How about 5 straight from 1964-68. While never winning an MVP Award, Ron Santo DID finish in the top 10 on five
different occasions, including a fourth place finish in 1967. 7 different times he was in the top ten in runs batted in, including 3 times when he finished second (1964, 1968, 1969). I hate
to compare Santo to the great Brooks Robinson, but while Brooks won an infinity of Gold Gloves at third base and was called "The Human Vacuum Cleaner," Santo did win 5 Gold Glove
awards and had much higher batting numbers than Brooks. Brooks averaged 15 HRs, 76 RBIs, and .267 over a 162 game schedule. Brooks did win 16 Gold Gloves, won 2
Championship rings with Baltimore (1966, 1970) and was a great clutch performer so I am not knocking him by any means. I am just bringing up that Ron Santo had better offensive
numbers than Brooks despite playing for an inferior team (the Cubs). I also forgot to mention that Ron Santo was a 9-time All-Star selection and batted .333 against the AL's best
pitchers. So Mr. Ron Santo, welcome to Nowbatting19's Hall of Fame! You certainly deserve it!
insane reason, Ron Santo is not in the Hall of Fame despite averaging 25 HRs, 96 RBIs, and a .277 batting mark (162 game average). In 15 seasons, mostly with the Cubs, Santo had
2,254 hits, 342 HRs, 1,108 walks, and 1,331 RBIs. Gold Gloves? How about 5 straight from 1964-68. While never winning an MVP Award, Ron Santo DID finish in the top 10 on five
different occasions, including a fourth place finish in 1967. 7 different times he was in the top ten in runs batted in, including 3 times when he finished second (1964, 1968, 1969). I hate
to compare Santo to the great Brooks Robinson, but while Brooks won an infinity of Gold Gloves at third base and was called "The Human Vacuum Cleaner," Santo did win 5 Gold Glove
awards and had much higher batting numbers than Brooks. Brooks averaged 15 HRs, 76 RBIs, and .267 over a 162 game schedule. Brooks did win 16 Gold Gloves, won 2
Championship rings with Baltimore (1966, 1970) and was a great clutch performer so I am not knocking him by any means. I am just bringing up that Ron Santo had better offensive
numbers than Brooks despite playing for an inferior team (the Cubs). I also forgot to mention that Ron Santo was a 9-time All-Star selection and batted .333 against the AL's best
pitchers. So Mr. Ron Santo, welcome to Nowbatting19's Hall of Fame! You certainly deserve it!
Rocco Domenico Colavito, or simply "Rocky" Colavito. Slugging outfielder for the Cleveland Indians (1955-59; 1965-67), Detroit Tigers (1960-63), Kansas City Athletics (1964),
Chicago White Sox (1967), Los Angeles Dodgers (1968), New York Yankees (1968). Just the name "Rocky Colavito" is a Hall of Fame moniker if there ever was one. Rocky Colavito was
one of the American League's top sluggers of the 1950's and 1960's, mostly with the Indians and Tigers. In only 14 seasons, Colavito walloped 374 Home Runs, while driving in 1,159
runs. Over a 162 game schedule, Rocky would have average 33 HRs and 102 RBIs, impressive even by today's standards. 11 straight seasons he hit 20 or more home runs (back then
if you hit 20 or more home runs you were considered a "slugger") including a career high of 45 round trippers in 1961. 6 times he had seasons of 100 or more RBIs (including a career
high 140 in 1961). In comparison, the great Mickey Mantle had only 4 seasons of 100 or more RBIs in his injury plagued career. Four times the Rock finished in the top 5 in MVP
balloting. Colavito was usually among the leaders in home runs, leading in 1959 (42 HRS) and finishing in the top six on 9 different occasions. No small feat considering you had guys like
Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, and Harmon Killebrew in the same league. Colavito was a 9 time All-Star and belted 3 HRs and drove in 8 runs in those contests against the NL's best.
Again, maybe it's because he never got to play in a World Series that Colavito is not in the Hall Of Fame. I sure don't know why the writers chose to ignore the great Rocky Colavito. Even
more surprising to me is the fact that the Veteran's Committee has chosen to ignore Colavito as well. It's a real shame. I say "Don't Knock The Rock."
This 1967 Topps #580 Rocky Colavito baseball card was included in the high numbered series. As such, it is a difficult find and lists for about the same price as his 1957 Topps #212
rookie card. Both cards list for $70 in ungraded NM condition.
Chicago White Sox (1967), Los Angeles Dodgers (1968), New York Yankees (1968). Just the name "Rocky Colavito" is a Hall of Fame moniker if there ever was one. Rocky Colavito was
one of the American League's top sluggers of the 1950's and 1960's, mostly with the Indians and Tigers. In only 14 seasons, Colavito walloped 374 Home Runs, while driving in 1,159
runs. Over a 162 game schedule, Rocky would have average 33 HRs and 102 RBIs, impressive even by today's standards. 11 straight seasons he hit 20 or more home runs (back then
if you hit 20 or more home runs you were considered a "slugger") including a career high of 45 round trippers in 1961. 6 times he had seasons of 100 or more RBIs (including a career
high 140 in 1961). In comparison, the great Mickey Mantle had only 4 seasons of 100 or more RBIs in his injury plagued career. Four times the Rock finished in the top 5 in MVP
balloting. Colavito was usually among the leaders in home runs, leading in 1959 (42 HRS) and finishing in the top six on 9 different occasions. No small feat considering you had guys like
Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, and Harmon Killebrew in the same league. Colavito was a 9 time All-Star and belted 3 HRs and drove in 8 runs in those contests against the NL's best.
Again, maybe it's because he never got to play in a World Series that Colavito is not in the Hall Of Fame. I sure don't know why the writers chose to ignore the great Rocky Colavito. Even
more surprising to me is the fact that the Veteran's Committee has chosen to ignore Colavito as well. It's a real shame. I say "Don't Knock The Rock."
This 1967 Topps #580 Rocky Colavito baseball card was included in the high numbered series. As such, it is a difficult find and lists for about the same price as his 1957 Topps #212
rookie card. Both cards list for $70 in ungraded NM condition.
1968 Topps #40 Denny McLain
Denny McLain. Born March 29, 1944. Pitcher for the Detroit Tigers (1963-1970), Washington Senators (1971), Oakland A's (1972), Atlanta Braves (1972). Denny McLain pitched for
only 10 big league seasons; however from 1965 to 1969 he was one of the game's best pitchers in either league. Check out these win totals during those years: 16-20-17-31-24. See
that "31"? That is no typo folks. McLain won 31 games in 1968 alone. He started 41 games that year and completed 28 of them! He had 6 shutouts, struck out 280 batters and had a
microscopic 1.96 ERA. He won both the American League Cy Young Award AND the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 1968. And oh yeah, the Tigers won the World
Series that year as well. If you wonder why his career was so short, all you need to do is look at the innings pitched that these guys used to throw. Six times McLain threw no fewer than
216 or more innings including two seasons of 300 or more (325 in 1969 and 336 in 1968). By the time the Senators got ahold of him, McLain was pretty well done but still managed to
start 32 games, winning just 10 and losing 22 for a lowly Senators team. McLain finished his career with 131 wins against only 91 loses and if you take away those 22 loses for
Washington in 1971 he would have had a Whitey-Ford-like winning percentage. Some claim McLain had only a few great years, but so did Sandy Koufax and Dizzy Dean yet they are
in the HOF. McLain did spend some time in prison for bookmaking or something like that, but that does not take away from what he did on the mound, plus there are plenty of Hall Of
Famers who did some kind of prison or jail time. At least he wasn't taking performance enhancing drugs like these clowns you hear about today. You don't have to like the guy, but he
was one helluva pitcher and he makes our Hall Of Fame and deservedly so.
only 10 big league seasons; however from 1965 to 1969 he was one of the game's best pitchers in either league. Check out these win totals during those years: 16-20-17-31-24. See
that "31"? That is no typo folks. McLain won 31 games in 1968 alone. He started 41 games that year and completed 28 of them! He had 6 shutouts, struck out 280 batters and had a
microscopic 1.96 ERA. He won both the American League Cy Young Award AND the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 1968. And oh yeah, the Tigers won the World
Series that year as well. If you wonder why his career was so short, all you need to do is look at the innings pitched that these guys used to throw. Six times McLain threw no fewer than
216 or more innings including two seasons of 300 or more (325 in 1969 and 336 in 1968). By the time the Senators got ahold of him, McLain was pretty well done but still managed to
start 32 games, winning just 10 and losing 22 for a lowly Senators team. McLain finished his career with 131 wins against only 91 loses and if you take away those 22 loses for
Washington in 1971 he would have had a Whitey-Ford-like winning percentage. Some claim McLain had only a few great years, but so did Sandy Koufax and Dizzy Dean yet they are
in the HOF. McLain did spend some time in prison for bookmaking or something like that, but that does not take away from what he did on the mound, plus there are plenty of Hall Of
Famers who did some kind of prison or jail time. At least he wasn't taking performance enhancing drugs like these clowns you hear about today. You don't have to like the guy, but he
was one helluva pitcher and he makes our Hall Of Fame and deservedly so.
Questions? Comments? Feel free to email me. I won't change my mind on any of our Hall Of Fame selections, but it's ok to disagree
with my opinions. I will be adding more Hall Of Famers to this page shortly. Thanks for stopping by! Tim
with my opinions. I will be adding more Hall Of Famers to this page shortly. Thanks for stopping by! Tim
Trivia Question. Which Baseball Hall Of Famer has the lowest batting average among hitters? Scroll down to the bottom of this page for the answer. And no, it is not Harmon Killebrew
(.256 lifetime batting average).
(.256 lifetime batting average).
Trivia Answer: Ray "Cracker" Schalk, .253. Schalk was a catcher for the Chicago White Sox (1912-1928) and New York Giants (1928). Granted, Schalk played during the "Dead Ball"
Era and played the most demanding of positions, but .253? He had only 1,345 hits and 11 lifetime home runs in 18 seasons! If someone can please tell me why Ray Schalk is in the Hall
Of Fame, I would love to hear it. Maybe he invented the jock strap. I really don't know. Send me an email.
Trivia #2 Answer: Canseco called Clark a "3-Toed Sloth." Actually I don't know why Canseco said this; Clark finished in the top 9 in triples twice in his career. Of course he didn't steal as
many bases as Canseco but Clark was a first baseman (not usually known for speed) and he also didn't juice himself into the buffoon Jose Canseco turned out to be.
Era and played the most demanding of positions, but .253? He had only 1,345 hits and 11 lifetime home runs in 18 seasons! If someone can please tell me why Ray Schalk is in the Hall
Of Fame, I would love to hear it. Maybe he invented the jock strap. I really don't know. Send me an email.
Trivia #2 Answer: Canseco called Clark a "3-Toed Sloth." Actually I don't know why Canseco said this; Clark finished in the top 9 in triples twice in his career. Of course he didn't steal as
many bases as Canseco but Clark was a first baseman (not usually known for speed) and he also didn't juice himself into the buffoon Jose Canseco turned out to be.
1969 Topps #547 Billy Martin MG
Alfred Manuel Martin, or Billy Martin. Born May 16, 1928, died December 25, 1989. Fiery manager for the Minnesota Twins (1969), Detroit Tigers (1971-73). Texas Rangers (1973-75), New York Yankees (1976-79;
1983, 1985, 1988), Oakland A's (1980-82). Billy Martin was an ideal team player. While he was an all-star infielder (1956) for the New York Yankees, Billy's batting statistics are not going to gather any Hall of Fame
interest, though I should mention that Billy "the Kid" did post a terrific World Series batting mark of .333 in 5 World Series (including a killer .500 batting average (12 for 24), 2B, 2 3B, 2 HRs, and 8 RBIs in the '53
Series vs. Brooklyn). But it is as a manager that Billy Martin excelled. In his first season as skipper of the Minnesota Twins (1969), Martin led the club to a 1st place finish (97-65 record). The problem with Martin
was that he wanted to win, whatever the cost, whether fighting with his own players, owners, or marshmallow salesman. Martin managed only the one season in 1969, was fired and re-appeared as manager of
the Detroit Tigers. There, Martin proceeded to win again, finishing 2nd in 1971, 1st in 1972, 3rd in 1973. Then he went to Texas and got the Rangers to go from a 6th place team in 1973 to a 2nd place finish in
1974. In 1975, Billy Martin took over as manager of his beloved New York Yankees and they went from 3rd in the AL East (1975) to 1st place and a World Series in 1976. The Yankees lost to the Big Red Machine
that year, but in both 1977 and 1978, Martin's Yankees not only came in 1st place again, but also won both World Series against the Dodgers. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin were constantly
at odds, so much so that they both appeared on early Miller Lite Beer television commercials ("Tastes great Billy." Less Filling George." "Billy, you're fired."). Steinbrenner fired and rehired Martin on several
occasions, too many to mention here. But Martin did bring the Yankees back to the World Series for the first time since 1964 and their first Championship since 1962. Martin made headlines again when he brought
"Billy Ball" to the Oakland A's (Billy grew up in the Bay area). The A's finished a respectable 2nd in their division in 1980 and the following year, 1981 they finished 1st in the first half of the season (strike year) and
2nd the second half of the season. Billy Martin returned to the Yankees off and on from 1983 to 1988, bringing the Yankees to a 2nd place finish in 1985. In all, Martin's career managerial record stands at 1,253
wins and 1,013 loses (.553 winning percentage). He led his clubs to 5 first place finishes and 4 2nd place finishes. His teams won 1 pennant and 2 World Championships. Compare that to Hall of Famer
managers like Miller Huggins. Huggins is in the Hall of Fame probably on the basis of winning 3 World Series Titles and numerous pennants with the "Murderer's Row" New York Yankees. However those Yankees
featured Hall Of Fame players Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Bill Dickey (to name a few) and I would think it safe to say that even Grady Little would have won a World Series with those guys. Huggins had a
lifetime winning percentage of .555, just .002 points higher than Martin's and with much better teams to boot. Another Hall Of Fame manager, Al Lopez, NEVER won a World Series title, despite some close calls
with the Chicago White Sox. Sadly, Billy Martin was killed in a car accident in 1989. Billy Martin was a winner and deserves to be in the Hall Of Fame.
This 1969 Topps #547 Billy Martin card is his first card as a manager and very inexpensive. Martin cards from his playing career are very popular and can be quite expensive; for instance his 1952 Topps #175
rookie card lists for $375 in NM condition (ungraded). This 1969 Topps card is an inexpensive alternative; it lists for $6 in NM condition.
1983, 1985, 1988), Oakland A's (1980-82). Billy Martin was an ideal team player. While he was an all-star infielder (1956) for the New York Yankees, Billy's batting statistics are not going to gather any Hall of Fame
interest, though I should mention that Billy "the Kid" did post a terrific World Series batting mark of .333 in 5 World Series (including a killer .500 batting average (12 for 24), 2B, 2 3B, 2 HRs, and 8 RBIs in the '53
Series vs. Brooklyn). But it is as a manager that Billy Martin excelled. In his first season as skipper of the Minnesota Twins (1969), Martin led the club to a 1st place finish (97-65 record). The problem with Martin
was that he wanted to win, whatever the cost, whether fighting with his own players, owners, or marshmallow salesman. Martin managed only the one season in 1969, was fired and re-appeared as manager of
the Detroit Tigers. There, Martin proceeded to win again, finishing 2nd in 1971, 1st in 1972, 3rd in 1973. Then he went to Texas and got the Rangers to go from a 6th place team in 1973 to a 2nd place finish in
1974. In 1975, Billy Martin took over as manager of his beloved New York Yankees and they went from 3rd in the AL East (1975) to 1st place and a World Series in 1976. The Yankees lost to the Big Red Machine
that year, but in both 1977 and 1978, Martin's Yankees not only came in 1st place again, but also won both World Series against the Dodgers. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin were constantly
at odds, so much so that they both appeared on early Miller Lite Beer television commercials ("Tastes great Billy." Less Filling George." "Billy, you're fired."). Steinbrenner fired and rehired Martin on several
occasions, too many to mention here. But Martin did bring the Yankees back to the World Series for the first time since 1964 and their first Championship since 1962. Martin made headlines again when he brought
"Billy Ball" to the Oakland A's (Billy grew up in the Bay area). The A's finished a respectable 2nd in their division in 1980 and the following year, 1981 they finished 1st in the first half of the season (strike year) and
2nd the second half of the season. Billy Martin returned to the Yankees off and on from 1983 to 1988, bringing the Yankees to a 2nd place finish in 1985. In all, Martin's career managerial record stands at 1,253
wins and 1,013 loses (.553 winning percentage). He led his clubs to 5 first place finishes and 4 2nd place finishes. His teams won 1 pennant and 2 World Championships. Compare that to Hall of Famer
managers like Miller Huggins. Huggins is in the Hall of Fame probably on the basis of winning 3 World Series Titles and numerous pennants with the "Murderer's Row" New York Yankees. However those Yankees
featured Hall Of Fame players Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Bill Dickey (to name a few) and I would think it safe to say that even Grady Little would have won a World Series with those guys. Huggins had a
lifetime winning percentage of .555, just .002 points higher than Martin's and with much better teams to boot. Another Hall Of Fame manager, Al Lopez, NEVER won a World Series title, despite some close calls
with the Chicago White Sox. Sadly, Billy Martin was killed in a car accident in 1989. Billy Martin was a winner and deserves to be in the Hall Of Fame.
This 1969 Topps #547 Billy Martin card is his first card as a manager and very inexpensive. Martin cards from his playing career are very popular and can be quite expensive; for instance his 1952 Topps #175
rookie card lists for $375 in NM condition (ungraded). This 1969 Topps card is an inexpensive alternative; it lists for $6 in NM condition.
1972 Topps #441 Thurman Munson
Thurman Lee Munson. Born June 7, 1947, died August 2, 1979. Catcher for the New York Yankees from 1969-1979. With Munson behind the plate, the Yankees went to 3 World
Series (1976-78), winning two Championships. A lifetime .292 hitter, Munson played only 11 seasons when he was tragically killed in a plane crash during the prime of his career. He was
not a big long ball threat, like say Johnny Bench (though he did hit 20 home runs in 1973), however he was a clutch line drive hitter. In League Championship play, Munson batted .339
including 21 hits, 2 HRS, and 10 RBIs. In the World Series, he batted even higher, .373, which was third all-time at the time of his death. He had 25 hits including a HR and 12 RBIs in
World Series competition. Fielding? How about a lifetime .982 percentage. He won 3 Gold Glove awards (1973-75). Munson was also a leader, and was named Yankees "captain" for his
leadership skills. His lifetime stats in only 11 seasons include 1,558 hits, 229 doubles, 113 HRs, 696 runs, 701 RBIs and only 571 strikeouts. Compare those 11 year stats to Hall of Fame
catcher Ray Schalk and you will wonder what the writers are smoking up there in the press box. Over a 162 game schedule, Munson would have averaged 177 hits, 26 doubles, 4 triples,
13 home runs, and 80 RBIs. Add to the fact that he was a team leader and Gold Glove catcher and are you telling me that Thurman Munson is not a Hall of Famer? From what I gather,
Munson is not in the HOF because his career was too short. Yet the baseball writers had no problem voting Kirby Puckett in after his career was cut short due to glacoma. Personally, I
was a Red Sox fan when Munson was playing, so I was a Carlton Fisk fan; however I hated Munson because he was a great player and he was on the Yankees. Now if this Red Sox fan
feels Thurman Munson is a Hall of Famer, I don't know how in the hell the writers (& Veterans Committee) can keep him out. It's a real tragedy.
Series (1976-78), winning two Championships. A lifetime .292 hitter, Munson played only 11 seasons when he was tragically killed in a plane crash during the prime of his career. He was
not a big long ball threat, like say Johnny Bench (though he did hit 20 home runs in 1973), however he was a clutch line drive hitter. In League Championship play, Munson batted .339
including 21 hits, 2 HRS, and 10 RBIs. In the World Series, he batted even higher, .373, which was third all-time at the time of his death. He had 25 hits including a HR and 12 RBIs in
World Series competition. Fielding? How about a lifetime .982 percentage. He won 3 Gold Glove awards (1973-75). Munson was also a leader, and was named Yankees "captain" for his
leadership skills. His lifetime stats in only 11 seasons include 1,558 hits, 229 doubles, 113 HRs, 696 runs, 701 RBIs and only 571 strikeouts. Compare those 11 year stats to Hall of Fame
catcher Ray Schalk and you will wonder what the writers are smoking up there in the press box. Over a 162 game schedule, Munson would have averaged 177 hits, 26 doubles, 4 triples,
13 home runs, and 80 RBIs. Add to the fact that he was a team leader and Gold Glove catcher and are you telling me that Thurman Munson is not a Hall of Famer? From what I gather,
Munson is not in the HOF because his career was too short. Yet the baseball writers had no problem voting Kirby Puckett in after his career was cut short due to glacoma. Personally, I
was a Red Sox fan when Munson was playing, so I was a Carlton Fisk fan; however I hated Munson because he was a great player and he was on the Yankees. Now if this Red Sox fan
feels Thurman Munson is a Hall of Famer, I don't know how in the hell the writers (& Veterans Committee) can keep him out. It's a real tragedy.
1964 Topps #125 Pete Rose (2nd year card)
Everyone has an opinion on whether Pete Rose should or shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame. Personally, I think he should. The statistics are there; we all know Rose is the all-time hit
King, winner of batting titles, MVP award, and bowling over Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star Game. And yes, Pete Rose is/ was a notorious gambler. Big deal. So was (maybe still is)
Michael Jordan. And yes, Pete Rose is an ass. So what! So was Ty Cobb and other assorted Hall Of Famers. If all the sports were to ban athletes from their individual Halls Of Fame for
gambling, carousing, cheating, lack of good character, and other assorted mayhems, half of the already enshrined players would have to go. The Hall Of Fame is for special PLAYERS,
players who had great careers on the diamond, court, field, wherever. Pete Rose made the most of what he had and became a legend on the diamond. The stats speak for themselves.
Sure, he wasn't Saint Peter and maybe he did bet on his team. Who are we to judge his moral character? Let the Lord do that. I say Pete Rose was a Hall of Fame baseball player and
he should be in the Hall Of Fame. That is all I have to say on the matter.
This 1964 Topps #125 Pete Rose baseball card is his second year card. A lot of people think that because of the Topps "All-Star Rookie" trophy on the front of the card that this is his
rookie card. Nope. Rose's rookie card is card #537 in the 1963 Topps high numbered series. That card lists for $800 in ungraded near mint (NM) condition according to the 2009
Sports Collector's Digest Standard Catalog Of Baseball Cards (published by Krause Publications). Personally I think this is a bit high; you can get a graded example for less than that,
but regardless it is an expensive piece of cardboard. This second year card lists for $140 in ungraded NM condition.
King, winner of batting titles, MVP award, and bowling over Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star Game. And yes, Pete Rose is/ was a notorious gambler. Big deal. So was (maybe still is)
Michael Jordan. And yes, Pete Rose is an ass. So what! So was Ty Cobb and other assorted Hall Of Famers. If all the sports were to ban athletes from their individual Halls Of Fame for
gambling, carousing, cheating, lack of good character, and other assorted mayhems, half of the already enshrined players would have to go. The Hall Of Fame is for special PLAYERS,
players who had great careers on the diamond, court, field, wherever. Pete Rose made the most of what he had and became a legend on the diamond. The stats speak for themselves.
Sure, he wasn't Saint Peter and maybe he did bet on his team. Who are we to judge his moral character? Let the Lord do that. I say Pete Rose was a Hall of Fame baseball player and
he should be in the Hall Of Fame. That is all I have to say on the matter.
This 1964 Topps #125 Pete Rose baseball card is his second year card. A lot of people think that because of the Topps "All-Star Rookie" trophy on the front of the card that this is his
rookie card. Nope. Rose's rookie card is card #537 in the 1963 Topps high numbered series. That card lists for $800 in ungraded near mint (NM) condition according to the 2009
Sports Collector's Digest Standard Catalog Of Baseball Cards (published by Krause Publications). Personally I think this is a bit high; you can get a graded example for less than that,
but regardless it is an expensive piece of cardboard. This second year card lists for $140 in ungraded NM condition.
1967 Topps #50 Tony Oliva 1965 Topps #145 Luis Tiant (rookie card)
Tony Oliva was one of the premier hitters in the American League. A serious knee injury derailed him; otherwise this terrific 3 time batting champ would be in the Hall Of Fame. A lifetime
.304 hitter, Oliva amassed 1917 hits in only 1676 games. Like his teammate Rod Carew, Oliva could win batting titles, but unlike Carew Oliva could hit for power. He hit 220 Home Runs in
his career and drove in 947 runs. 5 times Oliva finished in the top 5 in MVP balloting. Considering he only played 11 full seasons, and the fact that he averaged 185 hits a season (162
game schedule), Oliva would have reached 3,000 hits and sure Hall Of Fame induction. Compare his stats to Hall Of Famer Kirby Puckett and you will see why Tony Oliva makes our Hall
of Fame!
Luis Tiant, was one of the best pitchers of his era. Originally a strikeout pitcher, Tiant resurrected his career with the Boston Red Sox and went on to win 20 games three times for them
while helping lead them to the 1975 ALCS and World Series. He won 229 games in his career (including four 20 win seasons) with 2416 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA. Twice he led the AL
in earned run average (1.60 in 1968, and 1.91 in 1972). It's too bad Cleveland traded away Luis Tiant early in his career; the Indians could have had a starting pitching rotation of
Mudcat Grant, "Sudden Sam" McDowell, Tommy John, and Tiant. Hey, after trading away players like Roger Maris, Jimmy Piersall, and Rocky Colavito (can you imagine an outfield of
those 3 guys? Cleveland couldn't) in the prime of his career what do you expect? The above (right) 1965 Topps #145 Luis Tiant card is his first appearance on a bubble gum card.
.304 hitter, Oliva amassed 1917 hits in only 1676 games. Like his teammate Rod Carew, Oliva could win batting titles, but unlike Carew Oliva could hit for power. He hit 220 Home Runs in
his career and drove in 947 runs. 5 times Oliva finished in the top 5 in MVP balloting. Considering he only played 11 full seasons, and the fact that he averaged 185 hits a season (162
game schedule), Oliva would have reached 3,000 hits and sure Hall Of Fame induction. Compare his stats to Hall Of Famer Kirby Puckett and you will see why Tony Oliva makes our Hall
of Fame!
Luis Tiant, was one of the best pitchers of his era. Originally a strikeout pitcher, Tiant resurrected his career with the Boston Red Sox and went on to win 20 games three times for them
while helping lead them to the 1975 ALCS and World Series. He won 229 games in his career (including four 20 win seasons) with 2416 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA. Twice he led the AL
in earned run average (1.60 in 1968, and 1.91 in 1972). It's too bad Cleveland traded away Luis Tiant early in his career; the Indians could have had a starting pitching rotation of
Mudcat Grant, "Sudden Sam" McDowell, Tommy John, and Tiant. Hey, after trading away players like Roger Maris, Jimmy Piersall, and Rocky Colavito (can you imagine an outfield of
those 3 guys? Cleveland couldn't) in the prime of his career what do you expect? The above (right) 1965 Topps #145 Luis Tiant card is his first appearance on a bubble gum card.
1973 Topps #614 Rookie Outfielders (Al Bumbry, Dwight Evans, Charlie Spikes)
Dwight Evans or "Dewey" to the Red Sox faithful spent nearly his entire career with Boston (1973-1990). A gifted outfielder with a canon for an arm, Dewey was a mainstay in right field
for 20 seasons. Once he learned how to hit, Evans became one of the game's best hitters. He could hit for power, hitting 385 career home runs, while driving in 1384 runs. With the
combination of Carl Yastrzemski (LF), Fred Lynn (CF), and Evans (RF), the Red Sox had the best outfield in baseball. Combined, those three outfielders won an incredible 19 Gold
Glove Awards, with Dewey winning 8 of them. Evans played in two World Series (1975, 1986), and batted .300 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs but the Red Sox fell short both times. That was
when the Red Sox were still "cursed." Evans batted .272 lifetime, was a 3 time All-Star and 4 times he finished in the top ten for AL MVP balloting. Carl Yastrzemski himself said both
Dwight Evans and Luis Tiant belong in the Hall Of Fame, and if Yaz says it, then I am not going to argue with him! Dewey's jersey number (#24) should be permanently retired and hung
up alongside Pesky (1), Yaz (8), Williams (9), and Fisk (27).
for 20 seasons. Once he learned how to hit, Evans became one of the game's best hitters. He could hit for power, hitting 385 career home runs, while driving in 1384 runs. With the
combination of Carl Yastrzemski (LF), Fred Lynn (CF), and Evans (RF), the Red Sox had the best outfield in baseball. Combined, those three outfielders won an incredible 19 Gold
Glove Awards, with Dewey winning 8 of them. Evans played in two World Series (1975, 1986), and batted .300 with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs but the Red Sox fell short both times. That was
when the Red Sox were still "cursed." Evans batted .272 lifetime, was a 3 time All-Star and 4 times he finished in the top ten for AL MVP balloting. Carl Yastrzemski himself said both
Dwight Evans and Luis Tiant belong in the Hall Of Fame, and if Yaz says it, then I am not going to argue with him! Dewey's jersey number (#24) should be permanently retired and hung
up alongside Pesky (1), Yaz (8), Williams (9), and Fisk (27).
1971 Topps #26 Bert Blyleven (Rookie card)
What a joke that Bert Blyleven is NOT in the Hall Of Fame. He must have pissed off someone, just look at his stats and you will scratch your head and say "what the hell?????!!!!!!"
Blyleven won nearly 300 games (287), struck out 3701 batters (including 200 or more K's 8 different seasons), and posted a 3.31 lifetime ERA. Twice, he finished 3rd in AL Cy Young
Award balloting, once in 4th, and once in 7th. In 3 League Championship Series and 2 World Series Blyleven compiled a 4-1 record with a low 2.47 ERA. He received 2 Championship
Rings while playing with the 1979 Pirates and 1987 Twins. If this guy was a Dodger or Yankee during his career, instead of toiling for the Twins, Blyleven would already be enshrined. I
just don't understand it. Compare Blyleven's statistics to Hall Of Famer Don Sutton (who had the luxury of playing for some very good Dodgers teams). Unbelievable. Well, Mr. Bert
Blyleven, you make our Hall Of Fame no problem!
This 1971 Topps #26 Bert Blyleven is his rookie card. Very undervalued, as well as the player himself. EXCEPT in high grade. This card in graded NM-MT condition fetches triple
figures. Last couple PSA 8 Blyleven rookie cards on eBay sold for $271 and $320 in March 2009! Personally, I am happy to pick up a nicely centered EX example for around $10. I'm
not rich!
Blyleven won nearly 300 games (287), struck out 3701 batters (including 200 or more K's 8 different seasons), and posted a 3.31 lifetime ERA. Twice, he finished 3rd in AL Cy Young
Award balloting, once in 4th, and once in 7th. In 3 League Championship Series and 2 World Series Blyleven compiled a 4-1 record with a low 2.47 ERA. He received 2 Championship
Rings while playing with the 1979 Pirates and 1987 Twins. If this guy was a Dodger or Yankee during his career, instead of toiling for the Twins, Blyleven would already be enshrined. I
just don't understand it. Compare Blyleven's statistics to Hall Of Famer Don Sutton (who had the luxury of playing for some very good Dodgers teams). Unbelievable. Well, Mr. Bert
Blyleven, you make our Hall Of Fame no problem!
This 1971 Topps #26 Bert Blyleven is his rookie card. Very undervalued, as well as the player himself. EXCEPT in high grade. This card in graded NM-MT condition fetches triple
figures. Last couple PSA 8 Blyleven rookie cards on eBay sold for $271 and $320 in March 2009! Personally, I am happy to pick up a nicely centered EX example for around $10. I'm
not rich!
1961 Bell Brand LA Dodgers #30 Maury Wills
Why isn't Maury Wills in the Hall Of Fame? When base thiefs were content to swipe 20-30 steals a season, Wills turned it up a notch and dominated the basepaths in the 1960's. He set
the bar for guys like Lou Brock, Joe Morgan, and Rickey Henderson (all Hall of Famers). Granted, Wills did not have 3,000 hits like Brock or Henderson, but he also did not have as long
a career either. And he didn't win back to back MVP awards like Joe Morgan, but he did win the 1962 NL MVP award when he stole a record 104 bases. Wills played only 14 seasons,
batted .281 had 2134 hits, 586 stolen bases and scored 1067 runs. He would have averaged .281 with 178 hits, 49 stolen bases, and 89 runs per season over a 162 game schedule. 4
times Wills finished in the top 10 for MVP balloting, 8 times overall in his career. 11 times he finished in the top 10 in stolen bases (6 times he led in stolen bases!). Wills helped the
Dodgers win 3 World Championships (4 World Series overall). Maury Wills makes our Hall Of Fame any day.
Wills rookie card is considered to be the 1963 Fleer #43. However Wills was included in several card issues prior to 1963. He was included in the 1961-1963 Post cereal, 1962-63
Jell-O, Exhibit cards, and he was also included in the 1960-62 Bell Brand Los Angeles Dodgers baseball card series (issued in bags of Bell Brand Potato Chips; "If it's Bell, it's Swell!").
There is also a very scarce minor league issue of Wills though I am not sure of the exact date and issue (I will try and find out). Wills cards are ridiculously cheap, especially the Post
cereal cards and later Topps cards. Wills first Topps card wasn't released until 1967 as he was unhappy that Topps slighted him when he was in the Tigers minor league camp. The
1967 Topps #570 Maury Wills is perhaps his most expensive regular card as it was issued in the scarce high number series. Wills' last card as an active player is 1972 Topps #437 and
1972 Topps #438 "In Action." He later appeared in the 1975 Most Valuable Player subset (card #200 with AL MVP Mickey Mantle), 1977 Topps #435 Turn Back The Clock card, and he
later appeared on cards as a manager of the Seattle Mariners. To me, this 1961 Bell Brand LA Dodgers #30 Maury Wills is his best looking card. Check out the bright blue sky and
the Dodger blue... what a great picture!
the bar for guys like Lou Brock, Joe Morgan, and Rickey Henderson (all Hall of Famers). Granted, Wills did not have 3,000 hits like Brock or Henderson, but he also did not have as long
a career either. And he didn't win back to back MVP awards like Joe Morgan, but he did win the 1962 NL MVP award when he stole a record 104 bases. Wills played only 14 seasons,
batted .281 had 2134 hits, 586 stolen bases and scored 1067 runs. He would have averaged .281 with 178 hits, 49 stolen bases, and 89 runs per season over a 162 game schedule. 4
times Wills finished in the top 10 for MVP balloting, 8 times overall in his career. 11 times he finished in the top 10 in stolen bases (6 times he led in stolen bases!). Wills helped the
Dodgers win 3 World Championships (4 World Series overall). Maury Wills makes our Hall Of Fame any day.
Wills rookie card is considered to be the 1963 Fleer #43. However Wills was included in several card issues prior to 1963. He was included in the 1961-1963 Post cereal, 1962-63
Jell-O, Exhibit cards, and he was also included in the 1960-62 Bell Brand Los Angeles Dodgers baseball card series (issued in bags of Bell Brand Potato Chips; "If it's Bell, it's Swell!").
There is also a very scarce minor league issue of Wills though I am not sure of the exact date and issue (I will try and find out). Wills cards are ridiculously cheap, especially the Post
cereal cards and later Topps cards. Wills first Topps card wasn't released until 1967 as he was unhappy that Topps slighted him when he was in the Tigers minor league camp. The
1967 Topps #570 Maury Wills is perhaps his most expensive regular card as it was issued in the scarce high number series. Wills' last card as an active player is 1972 Topps #437 and
1972 Topps #438 "In Action." He later appeared in the 1975 Most Valuable Player subset (card #200 with AL MVP Mickey Mantle), 1977 Topps #435 Turn Back The Clock card, and he
later appeared on cards as a manager of the Seattle Mariners. To me, this 1961 Bell Brand LA Dodgers #30 Maury Wills is his best looking card. Check out the bright blue sky and
the Dodger blue... what a great picture!
1971 Topps #341 Steve Garvey RC
I would imagine that whoever is keeping Gil Hodges out of the Hall of Fame is also a Dodger hater and is keeping Steve Garvey out as well. I mean, if you keep Gil Hodges out, how
can you include Steve Garvey? Both players should be in Baseball's Hall of Fame. Hall Of Famer Don Sutton played during the same time as Garvey and Garvey by far was the BIG guy
for the Dodgers. Maybe Garvey should have permed his hair like Sutton did, maybe that is why they are keeping him out. Clutch hitter, Gold Glove first baseman (4 times), NL MVP
Award (1974), annual All-Star selection (plus 2 All Star Game MVPs), Post season clutch hitter, Pennant winning Home Run (for the Padres in 1984), NL consecutive game streak, I
mean, what more could this guy have done? During his career there was no finer first baseman than Steve Garvey. He was a terrific clutch hitter with power and an anchor at first base,
leading the Dodgers to 4 World Series (1974, '77, '78, 81) and 1 World Series with San Diego (1984). Check out his Post season stats; in 11 post season series, Garvey batted .338
with 75 hits (including 8 doubles, 3 triples, 11 home runs), 31 RBIs, 8 walks, and a .550 slugging average. In 10 All-Star games against the best pitchers in baseball, Garvey batted .393
with 11 hits, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, 7 runs scored. During his career Garvey had 6 200-hit seasons enroute to 2599 hits, just 401 short of 3,000 (and obvious Hall of
Fame) induction. While not posting high batting marks like his AL counterpart Rod Carew, Garvey was a consistant .300 hitter during his career and finished with a .294 batting mark.
Garvey averaged 181 hits, 31 doubles, 19 HRs, 91 RBIs, and 79 runs scored in a 162 game schedule. Garvey also posted a career .996 fielding percentage. Compare to Carew: 200
hits, 29 doubles, 9 triples, 6 HRs, 67 RBIs, 93 runs scored (162 game average). Carew's fielding mark at 1B: .991 with no Gold Gloves. Steve Garvey played about 850 more games at
first than Carew, yet commited 24 fewer errors than Carew. (81 errors for Garvey compared to 106 for Carew). Carew's postseason batting mark .220 (Garvey .338). Carew's All Star
batting mark .244 (Garvey .393). I am not knocking Rod Carew in any way. The guy is a Hall Of Famer no question. But how can the same writers ignore Steve Garvey? Ok, Steve, so
your "squeeky clean" image wasn't so clean, and your political career never did take off. But I saw you play and you are in my Hall Of Fame! Congratulations Mr. Steve Garvey!
can you include Steve Garvey? Both players should be in Baseball's Hall of Fame. Hall Of Famer Don Sutton played during the same time as Garvey and Garvey by far was the BIG guy
for the Dodgers. Maybe Garvey should have permed his hair like Sutton did, maybe that is why they are keeping him out. Clutch hitter, Gold Glove first baseman (4 times), NL MVP
Award (1974), annual All-Star selection (plus 2 All Star Game MVPs), Post season clutch hitter, Pennant winning Home Run (for the Padres in 1984), NL consecutive game streak, I
mean, what more could this guy have done? During his career there was no finer first baseman than Steve Garvey. He was a terrific clutch hitter with power and an anchor at first base,
leading the Dodgers to 4 World Series (1974, '77, '78, 81) and 1 World Series with San Diego (1984). Check out his Post season stats; in 11 post season series, Garvey batted .338
with 75 hits (including 8 doubles, 3 triples, 11 home runs), 31 RBIs, 8 walks, and a .550 slugging average. In 10 All-Star games against the best pitchers in baseball, Garvey batted .393
with 11 hits, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, 7 runs scored. During his career Garvey had 6 200-hit seasons enroute to 2599 hits, just 401 short of 3,000 (and obvious Hall of
Fame) induction. While not posting high batting marks like his AL counterpart Rod Carew, Garvey was a consistant .300 hitter during his career and finished with a .294 batting mark.
Garvey averaged 181 hits, 31 doubles, 19 HRs, 91 RBIs, and 79 runs scored in a 162 game schedule. Garvey also posted a career .996 fielding percentage. Compare to Carew: 200
hits, 29 doubles, 9 triples, 6 HRs, 67 RBIs, 93 runs scored (162 game average). Carew's fielding mark at 1B: .991 with no Gold Gloves. Steve Garvey played about 850 more games at
first than Carew, yet commited 24 fewer errors than Carew. (81 errors for Garvey compared to 106 for Carew). Carew's postseason batting mark .220 (Garvey .338). Carew's All Star
batting mark .244 (Garvey .393). I am not knocking Rod Carew in any way. The guy is a Hall Of Famer no question. But how can the same writers ignore Steve Garvey? Ok, Steve, so
your "squeeky clean" image wasn't so clean, and your political career never did take off. But I saw you play and you are in my Hall Of Fame! Congratulations Mr. Steve Garvey!
1972 Topps #267 Dave Concepcion
Dave "Davey" Concepcion was probably the best National League shortstop during the 1970's. I remember the All-Star balloting for shortstops was usually between Larry Bowa, Dave
Concepcion and Bill Russell, but of the three, Concepcion was the best (even though as a Dodgers fan I voted for Russell). Concepcion was a 9 time All Star and 5 time Gold Glover. He
played his entire career with the Reds (1970-1988) and was a key member of the "Big Red Machine" which won two World Series (1975 vs. Red Sox, 1976 vs. Yankees). He had 2326
lifetime hits, 950 RBIs, 933 runs scored and a career .267 batting mark. Concepcion also stole 321 bases in his big league career. In the postseason (5 NLCS, 4 World Series), Concepcion
batted .297 with 30 hits, 4 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs, 13 runs, and 7 steals. While guys like Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, etc. were driving in runs for the Reds, guys like Concepcion
were getting on base and scoring runs. Concepcion was the best in his era. Compare his stats with Hall Of Fame shortstops Luis Aparicio, Pee Wee Reese, and Phil Rizzuto, and you will
see why Dave Concepcion is in our Hall Of Fame.
This 1972 Topps #267 Dave Concepcion card is his second card and is very affordable at $2 in ungraded NM condition. His 1971 Topps #14 rookie card is also a steal at $15.
Concepcion and Bill Russell, but of the three, Concepcion was the best (even though as a Dodgers fan I voted for Russell). Concepcion was a 9 time All Star and 5 time Gold Glover. He
played his entire career with the Reds (1970-1988) and was a key member of the "Big Red Machine" which won two World Series (1975 vs. Red Sox, 1976 vs. Yankees). He had 2326
lifetime hits, 950 RBIs, 933 runs scored and a career .267 batting mark. Concepcion also stole 321 bases in his big league career. In the postseason (5 NLCS, 4 World Series), Concepcion
batted .297 with 30 hits, 4 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs, 13 runs, and 7 steals. While guys like Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, etc. were driving in runs for the Reds, guys like Concepcion
were getting on base and scoring runs. Concepcion was the best in his era. Compare his stats with Hall Of Fame shortstops Luis Aparicio, Pee Wee Reese, and Phil Rizzuto, and you will
see why Dave Concepcion is in our Hall Of Fame.
This 1972 Topps #267 Dave Concepcion card is his second card and is very affordable at $2 in ungraded NM condition. His 1971 Topps #14 rookie card is also a steal at $15.
1967 Topps #245 Curt Flood
1861 lifetime hits. .293 lifetime batting average. 851 runs scored. Gold Glove outfielder (7 Gold Glove Awards). And a short career (only 12 full seasons). But the stats are not why
Curt Flood makes our Hall Of Fame. Curt Flood dared to challenge the established order of baseball. A veteran player of 12 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, he was abruptly
traded as players were back then. That was the way it was. Well, Curt Flood was not your everyday player or person. He felt that a player who played for a team for 12 years should
have certain rights. Rights to agree or not to a trade. So Curt Flood sued baseball, which essentially ended his playing career and any career thereafter in baseball. It didn't matter
that he lost his case in the Supreme Court or that just a few years later the Supreme Court voted in favor of the players (Dave McNally and Andy Messersmith). Flood's career in
baseball was through. It would have helped Flood's case if other established stars of the day would have spoke out as Flood did. While most players agreed with Flood none would
speak out like Flood. And when it came time for the court case the only established stars who spoke out besides Flood were retired players like Jackie Robinson and Joe Garagiola.
You can liken it to Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, Satchel Paige, Roy Campanella, Monte Irvin, etc. They opened the door to black players in the Major Leagues. Well Flood's actions
led to the Baseball's Player's Union and like it or not, the Union did insure the players were able to get certain rights. Every big leaguer today owes a debt of gratitude to Curt Flood
and I bet most don't even know his name or who he was. We are pleased to have Curt Flood in our Hall Of Fame.
Curt Flood makes our Hall Of Fame. Curt Flood dared to challenge the established order of baseball. A veteran player of 12 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, he was abruptly
traded as players were back then. That was the way it was. Well, Curt Flood was not your everyday player or person. He felt that a player who played for a team for 12 years should
have certain rights. Rights to agree or not to a trade. So Curt Flood sued baseball, which essentially ended his playing career and any career thereafter in baseball. It didn't matter
that he lost his case in the Supreme Court or that just a few years later the Supreme Court voted in favor of the players (Dave McNally and Andy Messersmith). Flood's career in
baseball was through. It would have helped Flood's case if other established stars of the day would have spoke out as Flood did. While most players agreed with Flood none would
speak out like Flood. And when it came time for the court case the only established stars who spoke out besides Flood were retired players like Jackie Robinson and Joe Garagiola.
You can liken it to Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, Satchel Paige, Roy Campanella, Monte Irvin, etc. They opened the door to black players in the Major Leagues. Well Flood's actions
led to the Baseball's Player's Union and like it or not, the Union did insure the players were able to get certain rights. Every big leaguer today owes a debt of gratitude to Curt Flood
and I bet most don't even know his name or who he was. We are pleased to have Curt Flood in our Hall Of Fame.
| 1984 Topps #8 Don Mattingly (Rookie card) 1990 Star Will Clark (Unopened 11 card set) |
Here are a couple of first basemen that were the best of their respective leagues for the better parts of their careers- Don Mattingly and Will "The Thrill" Clark. Don Mattingly played
only 14 seasons (due in part to an injured back) yet had 2153 hits (442 doubles, 222 HRs), 1099 RBIs, 1007 runs, .471 slugging, and batted .307 for his career. His 162 game average
was 195 hits, 40 doubles, 20 HRs, and 100 RBIs. Some players would like to do that just in a season but that is his average (over 162 game schedule). For 4 consecutive seasons
(1984-1987), Mattingly might have been the best player in baseball, batting .343 (led AL), .324, .352, & .327. "Donny Baseball" was an 6-time All-Star selection, won the 1985 American
League MVP Award, 3 Silver Slugger Awards, and won 9 Gold Gloves at first base. He only appeared in 1 Post Season (1995 ALDS vs. Seattle) but batted .417 with 10 hits (4 doubles,
HR, and 6 RBIs) in a losing effort. Mattingly injured his back during his prime years and as a result his power diminished significantly. This is probably the reason why his statistics are not
as high as they could have been. This 1984 Topps #8 Don Mattingly (above left) is his first Topps card. Topps also produced a "Tiffany" set the same year in limited numbers.
Will "The Thrill" Clark was one of the premier first basemen during his 15 year career (1986-2000). In his very first at bat in the Major Leagues, Clark hit a HR against Nolan Ryan.
Thus "The Thrill" moniker. His career numbers are very close to Don Mattingly's. Clark had 2176 hits (440 doubles, 284 HRs), 1205 RBIs, 1186 runs, .497 slugging %, while batting .303.
Nicknamed "The Thrill" for his clutch heroics, Clark almost singlehandedly demolished the Chicago Cubs in the 1989 NLCS. He batted a lights out .650 with 13 hits (3 doubles, 1 triple, 2
HRs including a Grand Slam) and 8 RBIs. It was the greatest display of batting in a postseason I have ever seen. His grand slam came off future Hall Of Famer Greg Maddux. Clark's best
year was probably 1989 when he batted .333 with 196 hits (38 doubles, 9 triples, 23 HRs), 104 runs, & 111 RBIs while leading the Giants to the World Series. Clark finished 2nd in MVP
balloting that year (behind teammate Kevin Mitchell) but he finished in the top 5 (or less) four times in his career. Post season? Will Clark played in 7 post season series, batting .333 with
39 hits (8 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HRs), scored 20 runs, slugged .547 while driving in 16. He also had 13 bases on balls. An 8 time All-Star, Clark also won a Gold Glove Award and won 2
Silver Slugger Awards. "The Thrill" could still hit even at the end of his career; in his last season in 2000 (St. Louis), he batted .345 with 15 doubles, 1 triple, 12 HRs, and 42 RBIs in only
51 games! Will Clark retired after the 2000 NLCS, where he batted .412 with 7 hits (including a HR). Will came in with a bang and left with a bang. I miss him.
Trivia #2: What did Jose Canseco call Will Clark prior to the 1989 World Series (A's vs. Giants)? It wasn't flattering.
only 14 seasons (due in part to an injured back) yet had 2153 hits (442 doubles, 222 HRs), 1099 RBIs, 1007 runs, .471 slugging, and batted .307 for his career. His 162 game average
was 195 hits, 40 doubles, 20 HRs, and 100 RBIs. Some players would like to do that just in a season but that is his average (over 162 game schedule). For 4 consecutive seasons
(1984-1987), Mattingly might have been the best player in baseball, batting .343 (led AL), .324, .352, & .327. "Donny Baseball" was an 6-time All-Star selection, won the 1985 American
League MVP Award, 3 Silver Slugger Awards, and won 9 Gold Gloves at first base. He only appeared in 1 Post Season (1995 ALDS vs. Seattle) but batted .417 with 10 hits (4 doubles,
HR, and 6 RBIs) in a losing effort. Mattingly injured his back during his prime years and as a result his power diminished significantly. This is probably the reason why his statistics are not
as high as they could have been. This 1984 Topps #8 Don Mattingly (above left) is his first Topps card. Topps also produced a "Tiffany" set the same year in limited numbers.
Will "The Thrill" Clark was one of the premier first basemen during his 15 year career (1986-2000). In his very first at bat in the Major Leagues, Clark hit a HR against Nolan Ryan.
Thus "The Thrill" moniker. His career numbers are very close to Don Mattingly's. Clark had 2176 hits (440 doubles, 284 HRs), 1205 RBIs, 1186 runs, .497 slugging %, while batting .303.
Nicknamed "The Thrill" for his clutch heroics, Clark almost singlehandedly demolished the Chicago Cubs in the 1989 NLCS. He batted a lights out .650 with 13 hits (3 doubles, 1 triple, 2
HRs including a Grand Slam) and 8 RBIs. It was the greatest display of batting in a postseason I have ever seen. His grand slam came off future Hall Of Famer Greg Maddux. Clark's best
year was probably 1989 when he batted .333 with 196 hits (38 doubles, 9 triples, 23 HRs), 104 runs, & 111 RBIs while leading the Giants to the World Series. Clark finished 2nd in MVP
balloting that year (behind teammate Kevin Mitchell) but he finished in the top 5 (or less) four times in his career. Post season? Will Clark played in 7 post season series, batting .333 with
39 hits (8 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HRs), scored 20 runs, slugged .547 while driving in 16. He also had 13 bases on balls. An 8 time All-Star, Clark also won a Gold Glove Award and won 2
Silver Slugger Awards. "The Thrill" could still hit even at the end of his career; in his last season in 2000 (St. Louis), he batted .345 with 15 doubles, 1 triple, 12 HRs, and 42 RBIs in only
51 games! Will Clark retired after the 2000 NLCS, where he batted .412 with 7 hits (including a HR). Will came in with a bang and left with a bang. I miss him.
Trivia #2: What did Jose Canseco call Will Clark prior to the 1989 World Series (A's vs. Giants)? It wasn't flattering.
1933 Delong Gum #10 Frank "Lefty" O'Doul
How can you keep a guy with a lifetime batting average of .349 out of the Hall Of Fame? Frank "Lefty" O'Doul didn't bet on baseball, throw a World Series or take steroids. If there
was a "Mr. Baseball," Lefty O'Doul was it. In O'Doul's first full big league season (1929 with Philadelphia) he led the NL in batting (.398!) with 254 hits (led league), 35 doubles, 6
triples, 32 home runs, 122 RBIs, 152 runs scored and an on base percentage of .465 (also led league)! The following season (1930) O'Doul's batting mark dropped to .383 and
what did the Phillies do? Reward O'Doul with a $100,000 contract? Heck no. They traded him to the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) for guys named Dudley, Jumbo and cash. Well
O'Doul really suffered a slump in 1931, batting a paltry .336. Maybe the pitchers began to figure him out. Batting mark for 1932? .368! His second batting title in 5 seasons. While
his record shows that he played 11 seasons, technically O'Doul played only six seasons in which he played over 100 games. His average over a 162 game schedule is: .349
average, 190 hits, 29 doubles, 7 triples, 19 home runs, 91 RBIs. Wow. Here is why Lefty O'Doul is not in the Hall Of Fame. He started out as a pitcher! O'Doul won as many as 25
games for the San Francisco Seals of the PCL (1921). But he must have hurt his arm as he became an outfielder. Or maybe they saw how he could hit. His lifetime batting mark in
the Pacific Coast League? .352. So when O'Doul was finally called up to the "show" for good in 1928, he was already 31 years of age. This is why O'Doul is not in the Hall of Fame.
His career was too short. But he made the most of his time in the big leagues; Isn't that age discrimination? Not only that but O'Doul was instrumental in teaching and spreading the
gospel of baseball to the Japanese after World War II. After his playing career ended, O'Doul managed in the PCL for 23 seasons. One of the all-time greats, O'Doul was born in
San Francisco (1897) and died in San Francisco (1969). His restaurant and bar, simply called "Lefty O'Douls" is still in San Francisco. It's located at 333 Geary St. (between Powell
& Market Street). Go in for the corned beef and cabbage and a cold beer and check out the cool photos on the walls. A lot of baseball history. Frank "Lefty" O'Doul makes our Hall
Of Fame! Click HERE for Lefty O'Doul's Obituary (courtesy of TheDeadballEra.com).
The 1933 Delong Gum cards are extremely popular today. They are not as plentiful as say, the 1933 Goudey Gum cards, so today the Delong cards are generally more expensive
than their Goudey counterparts. Delong only issued a baseball card set in 1933. Lefty O' Doul was not featured on many card issues; however he was included twice in the 1933
Goudey set, 1932 American Caramel (very tough issue), and he was also featured as a manager in the 1952-53 Mother's Cookies PCL set. His most affordable cards are probably
the 1960 and 1961 Fleer Baseball Greats sets. You can buy these for a few bucks each in nice condition.
was a "Mr. Baseball," Lefty O'Doul was it. In O'Doul's first full big league season (1929 with Philadelphia) he led the NL in batting (.398!) with 254 hits (led league), 35 doubles, 6
triples, 32 home runs, 122 RBIs, 152 runs scored and an on base percentage of .465 (also led league)! The following season (1930) O'Doul's batting mark dropped to .383 and
what did the Phillies do? Reward O'Doul with a $100,000 contract? Heck no. They traded him to the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) for guys named Dudley, Jumbo and cash. Well
O'Doul really suffered a slump in 1931, batting a paltry .336. Maybe the pitchers began to figure him out. Batting mark for 1932? .368! His second batting title in 5 seasons. While
his record shows that he played 11 seasons, technically O'Doul played only six seasons in which he played over 100 games. His average over a 162 game schedule is: .349
average, 190 hits, 29 doubles, 7 triples, 19 home runs, 91 RBIs. Wow. Here is why Lefty O'Doul is not in the Hall Of Fame. He started out as a pitcher! O'Doul won as many as 25
games for the San Francisco Seals of the PCL (1921). But he must have hurt his arm as he became an outfielder. Or maybe they saw how he could hit. His lifetime batting mark in
the Pacific Coast League? .352. So when O'Doul was finally called up to the "show" for good in 1928, he was already 31 years of age. This is why O'Doul is not in the Hall of Fame.
His career was too short. But he made the most of his time in the big leagues; Isn't that age discrimination? Not only that but O'Doul was instrumental in teaching and spreading the
gospel of baseball to the Japanese after World War II. After his playing career ended, O'Doul managed in the PCL for 23 seasons. One of the all-time greats, O'Doul was born in
San Francisco (1897) and died in San Francisco (1969). His restaurant and bar, simply called "Lefty O'Douls" is still in San Francisco. It's located at 333 Geary St. (between Powell
& Market Street). Go in for the corned beef and cabbage and a cold beer and check out the cool photos on the walls. A lot of baseball history. Frank "Lefty" O'Doul makes our Hall
Of Fame! Click HERE for Lefty O'Doul's Obituary (courtesy of TheDeadballEra.com).
The 1933 Delong Gum cards are extremely popular today. They are not as plentiful as say, the 1933 Goudey Gum cards, so today the Delong cards are generally more expensive
than their Goudey counterparts. Delong only issued a baseball card set in 1933. Lefty O' Doul was not featured on many card issues; however he was included twice in the 1933
Goudey set, 1932 American Caramel (very tough issue), and he was also featured as a manager in the 1952-53 Mother's Cookies PCL set. His most affordable cards are probably
the 1960 and 1961 Fleer Baseball Greats sets. You can buy these for a few bucks each in nice condition.
The "Reading Rifle," Carl Furillo
If Carl Furillo had played on any other team besides the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1940's & 1950's, he would probably be in the Hall Of Fame. But the baseball writers must have felt
that having no less than 8 Hall Of Famers from those star studded Brooklyn teams was enough. Furillo played on a team with Hall of Famers Walt Alston (Mgr.), Roy Campanella, Leo
"The Lip" Durocher (Mgr.), Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider and Gil Hodges, who should be in the Hall Of Fame as well (see Hodges
above). On any other team besides the Dodgers, Furillo would have been a stand out player, and really he was a stand out player who just happened to play on a permanent All-Star
team. As such, Furillo is not as revered as some of those other Dodgers, except to those back then who actually saw him play. Carl Furillo was a lifetime .299 hitter (you might as well
say .300) which is higher than Mickey Mantle's lifetime average of .298. Of course he did not have the power of Mantle, Snider, Campy, or Hodges, but Furillo could hold his own as
well, hitting as many as 26 HRs in 1955. Furillo drove in 90 runs or more 8 times in his career (including a career high 106 in both 1949 and 1950) and considering the arsenal the
Dodgers had, that is quite an accomplishment. He won the NL Batting Crown in 1953 (.344). Fielding? Furillo was a master of playing caroms off Ebbetts Field right field wall and
throwing bullets from right field (he averaged 15 assists per season including a high of 24 in 1951); hence the "Reading Rifle" moniker. A two time All-Star (again, the 1950's had no
shortage of Hall Of Fame outfielders in the 1950's with guys like Aaron, Ashburn, Mays, Snider, etc. to try and beat out) Furillo was also instrumental in Brooklyn's first World Series win
(vs. the hated Yankees) in 1955. Furillo also moved with the Dodgers to Los Angeles and was a big part of their 1959 Championship club. Now for the bad; Furillo had a serious injury
in 1960 and the Dodgers essentially let him go. They also tried to cheat him out of his salary but he had the balls to sue baseball (he won) and as a result his baseball career was
ended on a bad note. He never played another game after 1960 and was never offered any job in baseball thereafter. Back then players had to work during the off season unless you
were the franchise players like Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, etc., and Furillo had to go back to work after playing baseball for 15 years. He was very bitter about baseball as he felt he
was "blacklisted," and he probably was. He died on January 1, 1989. He was only 67 years old. Here are Carl Furillo's lifetime statistics. He had a similar career to Hall Of Famer Tony
Lazzeri but had more hits, HRs and a higher lifetime batting mark as well. As comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say, "I can't get no respect..."
Career G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
15 Years 1,806 6,378 895 1,910 324 56 192 1,058 514 436 .299 .355 .458
This 1948 Swell Sport Thrills #20 "Rifle Arm!" (Carl Furillo) is his first appearance on a bubble gum card. It also predates his 1949 Bowman rookie card (card #70). The Swell
Sport Thrills cards were a small 20 card set that featured baseball highlights. This card is a difficult short print. The Swell Sport Thrills cards are not as plentiful as say Bowman or
Topps cards and like most vintage cards, most examples are usually found in mid to lower grades. Centering problems are a big issue on these cards.
that having no less than 8 Hall Of Famers from those star studded Brooklyn teams was enough. Furillo played on a team with Hall of Famers Walt Alston (Mgr.), Roy Campanella, Leo
"The Lip" Durocher (Mgr.), Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider and Gil Hodges, who should be in the Hall Of Fame as well (see Hodges
above). On any other team besides the Dodgers, Furillo would have been a stand out player, and really he was a stand out player who just happened to play on a permanent All-Star
team. As such, Furillo is not as revered as some of those other Dodgers, except to those back then who actually saw him play. Carl Furillo was a lifetime .299 hitter (you might as well
say .300) which is higher than Mickey Mantle's lifetime average of .298. Of course he did not have the power of Mantle, Snider, Campy, or Hodges, but Furillo could hold his own as
well, hitting as many as 26 HRs in 1955. Furillo drove in 90 runs or more 8 times in his career (including a career high 106 in both 1949 and 1950) and considering the arsenal the
Dodgers had, that is quite an accomplishment. He won the NL Batting Crown in 1953 (.344). Fielding? Furillo was a master of playing caroms off Ebbetts Field right field wall and
throwing bullets from right field (he averaged 15 assists per season including a high of 24 in 1951); hence the "Reading Rifle" moniker. A two time All-Star (again, the 1950's had no
shortage of Hall Of Fame outfielders in the 1950's with guys like Aaron, Ashburn, Mays, Snider, etc. to try and beat out) Furillo was also instrumental in Brooklyn's first World Series win
(vs. the hated Yankees) in 1955. Furillo also moved with the Dodgers to Los Angeles and was a big part of their 1959 Championship club. Now for the bad; Furillo had a serious injury
in 1960 and the Dodgers essentially let him go. They also tried to cheat him out of his salary but he had the balls to sue baseball (he won) and as a result his baseball career was
ended on a bad note. He never played another game after 1960 and was never offered any job in baseball thereafter. Back then players had to work during the off season unless you
were the franchise players like Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, etc., and Furillo had to go back to work after playing baseball for 15 years. He was very bitter about baseball as he felt he
was "blacklisted," and he probably was. He died on January 1, 1989. He was only 67 years old. Here are Carl Furillo's lifetime statistics. He had a similar career to Hall Of Famer Tony
Lazzeri but had more hits, HRs and a higher lifetime batting mark as well. As comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say, "I can't get no respect..."
Career G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG
15 Years 1,806 6,378 895 1,910 324 56 192 1,058 514 436 .299 .355 .458
This 1948 Swell Sport Thrills #20 "Rifle Arm!" (Carl Furillo) is his first appearance on a bubble gum card. It also predates his 1949 Bowman rookie card (card #70). The Swell
Sport Thrills cards were a small 20 card set that featured baseball highlights. This card is a difficult short print. The Swell Sport Thrills cards are not as plentiful as say Bowman or
Topps cards and like most vintage cards, most examples are usually found in mid to lower grades. Centering problems are a big issue on these cards.
1948 Swell Sport Thrills #20 Rifle Arm! (Carl Furillo) SP
Frank "Lefty" O' Doul
"Donnie Baseball" Don Mattingly
| Will "The Thrill" Clark |
Curt Flood
Dave Concepcion
Steve Garvey
Maury Wills
Bert Blyleven
Dwight "Dewey" Evans
Pedro "Tony" Oliva
Luis Tiant
Pete Rose ("Charlie Hustle")
Thurman Munson
Billy "The Kid" Martin
Denny McLain
Rocco "Rocky" Colavito
Ron Santo
Gil Hodges
Roger Maris
1975 Topps Mini #104 Bill Madlock
Bill Madlock
How do you win 4 Batting Titles and not be in the Hall of Fame? We present 4 time Batting Champion Bill Madlock. Even fellow 3rd sacker George Brett, who is in the Hall of Fame,
had "only" 3 Batting Crowns. In fact both Madlock and Brett finished their careers with the exact same batting average, .305. While most of the comparisons end there, Madlock
played only 15 seasons, collected 2008 hits, and his statistics mirror that of Hall of Fame 3rd baseman George Kell. You could argue that Kell had the better glove, but Madlock had
more power than Kell at the plate. I will concede that Madlock was not a slugger (though he did hit as many as 19 in a season) but the 4 batting titles really stand out to me. Madlock
won back-to-back titles in 1975 (.354) and 1976 (.339) while with the Cubs. He won again in 1981 (.341) and 1983 (.323) with the Pirates. You have to also consider that Madlock
played in the same league as Mike Schmidt, who can put up a good case for being the greatest all around third baseman in history. And while Schmidt was the usual favorite for NL
third basemen, Madlock was a 3 time All-Star selection. He also won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1973. Madlock played most of his career in obscurity with the
Cubs, Giants and Pirates (though he did win a World Series Championship Ring in 1979 with Pittsburgh, batting .375 with 9 hits and 5 bases on balls) and I'll bet you are wondering
who the hell is Bill Madlock! I did see Madlock near the end of his career with the Dodgers; he batted .333 with 3 HRs and 7 RBIs in the 1985 NLCS in a losing effort to the Cardinals
(thanks to key home runs to Jack Clark and Ozzie Smith). So while Madlock is not in Baseball's Hall of Fame, we do present him here on our Hall of Fame Page!
This 1975 Topps Mini #104 Bill Madlock is not his rookie card, but his 2nd year card. Madlock's rookie card is 1974 Topps #600 Rookie Infielders.
had "only" 3 Batting Crowns. In fact both Madlock and Brett finished their careers with the exact same batting average, .305. While most of the comparisons end there, Madlock
played only 15 seasons, collected 2008 hits, and his statistics mirror that of Hall of Fame 3rd baseman George Kell. You could argue that Kell had the better glove, but Madlock had
more power than Kell at the plate. I will concede that Madlock was not a slugger (though he did hit as many as 19 in a season) but the 4 batting titles really stand out to me. Madlock
won back-to-back titles in 1975 (.354) and 1976 (.339) while with the Cubs. He won again in 1981 (.341) and 1983 (.323) with the Pirates. You have to also consider that Madlock
played in the same league as Mike Schmidt, who can put up a good case for being the greatest all around third baseman in history. And while Schmidt was the usual favorite for NL
third basemen, Madlock was a 3 time All-Star selection. He also won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1973. Madlock played most of his career in obscurity with the
Cubs, Giants and Pirates (though he did win a World Series Championship Ring in 1979 with Pittsburgh, batting .375 with 9 hits and 5 bases on balls) and I'll bet you are wondering
who the hell is Bill Madlock! I did see Madlock near the end of his career with the Dodgers; he batted .333 with 3 HRs and 7 RBIs in the 1985 NLCS in a losing effort to the Cardinals
(thanks to key home runs to Jack Clark and Ozzie Smith). So while Madlock is not in Baseball's Hall of Fame, we do present him here on our Hall of Fame Page!
This 1975 Topps Mini #104 Bill Madlock is not his rookie card, but his 2nd year card. Madlock's rookie card is 1974 Topps #600 Rookie Infielders.
1973 Topps #450 Joe Torre
I bet a lot of you don't know that Joe Torre was actually a pretty damn good player, before he became a pretty good manager for the New York Yankees. Torre started his career with
the Milwaukee Braves and was a terrific hitter. In 1971 he won the NL Most Valuable Player Award with the St. Louis Cardinals by leading the league in hitting (.363 batting average),
230 hits, and 137 runs batted in. Among those 230 hits were 34 doubles, 8 triples, and 24 home runs. Joe Torre played 18 seasons, batted .297 lifetime, with 2342 hits, 344 doubles,
59 triples, 252 HRs (with a career high of 36 in 1966), and 1185 RBIs (including 5 seasons of 100+ RBIs). Joe Torre was also a 9 time All Star selection. Not bad at all. While most think
Torre has a good shot at the Hall of Fame as a Manager, you could make a very good argument for Torre to be a Hall of Famer as a player. His lifetime batting mark is the same as
Mickey Mantle and while he did not hit as many HRs as Mantle he did play a more demanding position and had more 100 RBI seasons than Mantle (Torre had 5 compared to Mantle's
4). Granted Mantle had injuries but what catcher does not get beat up during a game? They don't call it "tools of ignorance" for nothing. I think Joe Torre should be in the HOF as a
player.
This 1973 Topps #450 Joe Torre shows him as a third baseman. Torre's baseball cards are very inexpensive with the exception of his 1962 Topps rookie card (#218), which lists for
about $55 in graded NM condition. I like this one; check out those sideburns! Elvis LIVES!
the Milwaukee Braves and was a terrific hitter. In 1971 he won the NL Most Valuable Player Award with the St. Louis Cardinals by leading the league in hitting (.363 batting average),
230 hits, and 137 runs batted in. Among those 230 hits were 34 doubles, 8 triples, and 24 home runs. Joe Torre played 18 seasons, batted .297 lifetime, with 2342 hits, 344 doubles,
59 triples, 252 HRs (with a career high of 36 in 1966), and 1185 RBIs (including 5 seasons of 100+ RBIs). Joe Torre was also a 9 time All Star selection. Not bad at all. While most think
Torre has a good shot at the Hall of Fame as a Manager, you could make a very good argument for Torre to be a Hall of Famer as a player. His lifetime batting mark is the same as
Mickey Mantle and while he did not hit as many HRs as Mantle he did play a more demanding position and had more 100 RBI seasons than Mantle (Torre had 5 compared to Mantle's
4). Granted Mantle had injuries but what catcher does not get beat up during a game? They don't call it "tools of ignorance" for nothing. I think Joe Torre should be in the HOF as a
player.
This 1973 Topps #450 Joe Torre shows him as a third baseman. Torre's baseball cards are very inexpensive with the exception of his 1962 Topps rookie card (#218), which lists for
about $55 in graded NM condition. I like this one; check out those sideburns! Elvis LIVES!
1962 UPI Wire Photo Gil Hodges 370th career Home Run (Autographed)
Joe Torre
Dale Murphy
1977 Rookie Catchers #476 (Dale Murphy RC)
I guess Dale Murphy was too nice a guy (like Gil Hodges) and too good a slugger & fan favorite (like Rocky Colavito) to be enshrined in Cooperstown. Maybe he should have committed
murder or armed robbery, beat his kids or his dog. I don't know. What I do know is Mr. Dale Murphy was a class act and one of the dominate players of the 1980's, with both the bat and
the glove. Murphy was a 7 time All Star and slugged 398 home runs in an 18 year career. In 1982 he won his first Most Valuable Player Award (.281, 36 HR, 109 RBI, Gold Glove in
OF) and he followed that up with another MVP in 1983 (.302, 36 HR, 121 RBIs, Gold Glove Award plus 30 stolen bases; not bad for a guy who was supposed to be a catcher). If he
would have stayed a catcher, Murphy's stats would have made him a sure Hall of Famer. But he was not shabby as an outfielder, winning 5 NL Gold Glove awards. There was a time too
when 400 HRs was a sure way to get in the Hall of Fame, but steroids, bad pitching and smaller ballparks have made a mockery of some of these pre-PHD (Performance Enhancing Drugs)
sluggers. Remember that at one time hitting 20 home runs made you a "slugger." Over a 162 game schedule, "Murph" would have averaged 30 HRs with 94 RBIs per season! Combine that
with back to back MVP Awards, 7 time All-Star, 5 Gold Gloves and a class guy to boot... I would say Dale Murphy should be in the Hall of Fame. The only thing I think that hurt Murphy was
his strikeouts, which certainly lowered his batting mark (.265 lifetime) but there are Hall of Famers with low batting marks (Harmon Killebrew comes to mind, .256). He also played on some
poor Braves teams so he never got to a World Series (neither did Ernie Banks). Considering he was one of the dominate National League sluggers for over a decade, the 2 MVP Awards, 5
Gold Glove Awards, nearly 400 career HRs, 1266 RBIs, 1197 Runs scored, plus the fact that he did not appear daily on the Police Blotter... Dale Murphy makes our Hall of Fame anyday .
murder or armed robbery, beat his kids or his dog. I don't know. What I do know is Mr. Dale Murphy was a class act and one of the dominate players of the 1980's, with both the bat and
the glove. Murphy was a 7 time All Star and slugged 398 home runs in an 18 year career. In 1982 he won his first Most Valuable Player Award (.281, 36 HR, 109 RBI, Gold Glove in
OF) and he followed that up with another MVP in 1983 (.302, 36 HR, 121 RBIs, Gold Glove Award plus 30 stolen bases; not bad for a guy who was supposed to be a catcher). If he
would have stayed a catcher, Murphy's stats would have made him a sure Hall of Famer. But he was not shabby as an outfielder, winning 5 NL Gold Glove awards. There was a time too
when 400 HRs was a sure way to get in the Hall of Fame, but steroids, bad pitching and smaller ballparks have made a mockery of some of these pre-PHD (Performance Enhancing Drugs)
sluggers. Remember that at one time hitting 20 home runs made you a "slugger." Over a 162 game schedule, "Murph" would have averaged 30 HRs with 94 RBIs per season! Combine that
with back to back MVP Awards, 7 time All-Star, 5 Gold Gloves and a class guy to boot... I would say Dale Murphy should be in the Hall of Fame. The only thing I think that hurt Murphy was
his strikeouts, which certainly lowered his batting mark (.265 lifetime) but there are Hall of Famers with low batting marks (Harmon Killebrew comes to mind, .256). He also played on some
poor Braves teams so he never got to a World Series (neither did Ernie Banks). Considering he was one of the dominate National League sluggers for over a decade, the 2 MVP Awards, 5
Gold Glove Awards, nearly 400 career HRs, 1266 RBIs, 1197 Runs scored, plus the fact that he did not appear daily on the Police Blotter... Dale Murphy makes our Hall of Fame anyday .