1967 Topps #581 Mets Rookie Stars (Tom Seaver RC)
1964 Topps #136 World Series Gm 1 (Sandy Koufax)
Nowbatting19's Pitcher Perfect Page
Well, we have a "Sluggers Page," so we needed a page for pitchers as well. This page will feature some of the great pitchers and hurlers in baseball history. Sometimes we may even put
some guys on here who couldn't hit the plate. But mostly this page will feature great pitchers, both past and present. Pitching is really an art. You may be blessed with a 100 m.p.h. fastball
but even Nolan Ryan had to learn how to pitch, and when he learned how to control that heater and throw in a great over hand curve, it was lights out for the hitters. A lot of people say
baseball is boring, especially when no home runs are hit. But these people don't understand baseball. If you ever have good seats for a game or even just watching on TV, check out the
pitcher and batter matchups. Just about every batter can hit a fastball but watch how the pitcher and catcher try to deceive the batter and throw him off balance. The batter usually likes to
get into a good fastball count (like 3 balls and 1 strike) and the pitcher likes to get ahead on the count (like 0 balls and 2 strikes). Successful pitchers will get ahead on the count more often
than not and this puts the odds in the pitchers favor. Check out a veteran like Roger Clemens or Pedro Martinez and you will usually see pitching at it's best. I think I've heard Vin Scully
(longtime Dodger broadcaster) about a pitcher "painting a masterpiece." He would sure know as he has seen pitchers like Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver, Steve
Carlton, and many other great hurlers. But that's what great pitchers do, they are truly artists and can totally dominate a game. Enjoy!
some guys on here who couldn't hit the plate. But mostly this page will feature great pitchers, both past and present. Pitching is really an art. You may be blessed with a 100 m.p.h. fastball
but even Nolan Ryan had to learn how to pitch, and when he learned how to control that heater and throw in a great over hand curve, it was lights out for the hitters. A lot of people say
baseball is boring, especially when no home runs are hit. But these people don't understand baseball. If you ever have good seats for a game or even just watching on TV, check out the
pitcher and batter matchups. Just about every batter can hit a fastball but watch how the pitcher and catcher try to deceive the batter and throw him off balance. The batter usually likes to
get into a good fastball count (like 3 balls and 1 strike) and the pitcher likes to get ahead on the count (like 0 balls and 2 strikes). Successful pitchers will get ahead on the count more often
than not and this puts the odds in the pitchers favor. Check out a veteran like Roger Clemens or Pedro Martinez and you will usually see pitching at it's best. I think I've heard Vin Scully
(longtime Dodger broadcaster) about a pitcher "painting a masterpiece." He would sure know as he has seen pitchers like Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver, Steve
Carlton, and many other great hurlers. But that's what great pitchers do, they are truly artists and can totally dominate a game. Enjoy!
1955 Bowman #134 Bob Feller
"Rapid Robert," or Bob Feller was a dominate pitcher in his era (1936-1956). A six-time 20-game winner, Feller won 266 games in his career and would have won at
least 300 had it not been for World War ll. Bob Feller missed 3 years during the prime of his career due to the war. Feller's bread and butter was his fastball. He struck
out a record 348 batters in 1946! This 1955 Bowman baseball card of Feller is one of his last cards (his last card is 1956 Topps #200) and one of my favorites.
Cleveland had a great team in the early 1950's with a tremendous pitching staff of Feller, Early Wynn, and Bob Lemon; all future Hall of Famers.
least 300 had it not been for World War ll. Bob Feller missed 3 years during the prime of his career due to the war. Feller's bread and butter was his fastball. He struck
out a record 348 batters in 1946! This 1955 Bowman baseball card of Feller is one of his last cards (his last card is 1956 Topps #200) and one of my favorites.
Cleveland had a great team in the early 1950's with a tremendous pitching staff of Feller, Early Wynn, and Bob Lemon; all future Hall of Famers.
1967 Topps #146 Steve Carlton 1972 Topps #751 Steve Carlton (Traded)
Steve Carlton was one of the best pitchers in either league during the 1970's and 1980's. He won 20 or more games 6 times enroute to a lifetime total of 329 wins. Carlton struck
out 4,136 batters in his career, relying on a devastating slider. Carlton was a work horse, completing 254 games in 709 starts. He won 2 games in the 1980 World Series to help the
Phillies win the World Championship. Carlton won 3 Cy Young awards. Probably his best season was 1972, his first year in Philadelphia. Carlton led the league with 27 wins (lost
only 10), completed 30 of 41 games, struck out 310 batters while walking only 87; all of this with a stingy 1.97 ERA. Keep in mind the Phillies that year won only 59 games!!! Total.
That is just plain silly. The 1967 Topps Carlton card (above left) is just his second card; he was featured as a rookie in the 1965 Topps set and there was no card issued of him in
1966. He was traded by the Cardinals to the Phillies for Rick Wise, celebrated by this 1972 Topps #751 "Traded" card (above right). Bad trade for the Cards.
out 4,136 batters in his career, relying on a devastating slider. Carlton was a work horse, completing 254 games in 709 starts. He won 2 games in the 1980 World Series to help the
Phillies win the World Championship. Carlton won 3 Cy Young awards. Probably his best season was 1972, his first year in Philadelphia. Carlton led the league with 27 wins (lost
only 10), completed 30 of 41 games, struck out 310 batters while walking only 87; all of this with a stingy 1.97 ERA. Keep in mind the Phillies that year won only 59 games!!! Total.
That is just plain silly. The 1967 Topps Carlton card (above left) is just his second card; he was featured as a rookie in the 1965 Topps set and there was no card issued of him in
1966. He was traded by the Cardinals to the Phillies for Rick Wise, celebrated by this 1972 Topps #751 "Traded" card (above right). Bad trade for the Cards.
1974 Topps #80 Tom Seaver 1977 Venezuela Baseball Stickers #159 Tom Seaver
"Tom Terrific." Tom Seaver came out of USC and was awarded to the Mets in a special lottery. What a gift to the Mets. The Mets still had the reputation as being one of the worst
teams in baseball, however things changed, and changed BIG with the addition of Mr. Seaver. In his first big league season (1967), Seaver won 16 games, struck out 170 batters, and
had an ERA of 2.76. He won Rookie of the Year and he just got better from there. In 1969 he won 25 games in route to the "Miracle Mets" Championship season. Seaver was a power
pitcher but with control. From 1968 to 1976 Seaver struck out at least 200 batters per season including a record 10 batters in a row on April 22, 1971 (I remember that one because it
was on my birthday!) He never walked more than 89 batters in a season. Seaver won 3 Cy Young Awards during his career and he also threw a no-hitter. He is also a member of the
exclusive 300 win club (311) which guaranteed his enshrinement in Cooperstown. Here are two Tom Seaver baseball cards from the 1970's- 1974 Topps #80 (above left) and 1977
Venezuela Baseball Stickers #159 (above right).
teams in baseball, however things changed, and changed BIG with the addition of Mr. Seaver. In his first big league season (1967), Seaver won 16 games, struck out 170 batters, and
had an ERA of 2.76. He won Rookie of the Year and he just got better from there. In 1969 he won 25 games in route to the "Miracle Mets" Championship season. Seaver was a power
pitcher but with control. From 1968 to 1976 Seaver struck out at least 200 batters per season including a record 10 batters in a row on April 22, 1971 (I remember that one because it
was on my birthday!) He never walked more than 89 batters in a season. Seaver won 3 Cy Young Awards during his career and he also threw a no-hitter. He is also a member of the
exclusive 300 win club (311) which guaranteed his enshrinement in Cooperstown. Here are two Tom Seaver baseball cards from the 1970's- 1974 Topps #80 (above left) and 1977
Venezuela Baseball Stickers #159 (above right).
1975 Topps Mini #500 Nolan Ryan
"The Express," Nolan Ryan. With the way pitchers rarely pitch complete games anymore, it is doubtful anyone will ever surpass Nolan Ryan's All-Time Strikeout mark of 5,714. Ryan was
the ultimate strikeout pitcher and one of baseball's all-time great pitchers. It is really too bad the Mets gave up on him so easily early in his career. Can you imagine a starting pitching staff of
Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, and John Matlack? And the closer Tug McGraw? That was a HUGE mistake of the Mets. (Trivia Question #1: Who did the Mets get in
exchange for Ryan? Scroll to the bottom of this page for the answer). This card is a 1975 Topps "MINI," which was a smaller version of the regular Topps cards. It was produced in limited
numbers as a test issue. The '75 Topps cards are very condition sensitive, meaning the colored borders chip easily and show the slightest touches of wear. It is extremely tough to find them in
strict MINT condition.
the ultimate strikeout pitcher and one of baseball's all-time great pitchers. It is really too bad the Mets gave up on him so easily early in his career. Can you imagine a starting pitching staff of
Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, and John Matlack? And the closer Tug McGraw? That was a HUGE mistake of the Mets. (Trivia Question #1: Who did the Mets get in
exchange for Ryan? Scroll to the bottom of this page for the answer). This card is a 1975 Topps "MINI," which was a smaller version of the regular Topps cards. It was produced in limited
numbers as a test issue. The '75 Topps cards are very condition sensitive, meaning the colored borders chip easily and show the slightest touches of wear. It is extremely tough to find them in
strict MINT condition.
1971 Topps Greatest Moments #24 Bob Gibson (Lowest ERA in History for 300 or More Innings)
Bob Gibson was one of the dominate pitchers of the 1960's. He was one of the few pitchers to win both the Cy Young Award AND Most Valuable Player Award in the same
year (1968). This is an amazing statistic; out of 482 games started in his career, Bob Gibson COMPLETED 255 of them! This means that he went the distance on over half of
the games he started! AMAZING! If a pitcher were to do that today he would be the highest paid pitcher in history! In comparison, Roger Clemens, one of the all-time greats
himself has completed 117 games out of 639 games started (through 2004) and he is considered to be a "work horse" in today's game. Gibson won 251 games in his career
with 3117 strikeouts and a 2.91 ERA. A 9-time All Star, "Gibby" won just about every award a pitcher can win during his career. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
in 1981. No collection would be complete without a card of Bob Gibson. This 1971 Topps Greatest Moments #24 Bob Gibson card highlights Gibson's record 1.12 earned
run average in 1968. Think about that. That's just 38 earned runs in 304.2 innings! Amazing. One of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
The 1971 Topps Greatest Moments cards are fairly scarce today, especially in high grades. They suffer from the same problems as the regular 1971 Topps baseball cards;
they have jet black borders that show the slightest hints of wear and they also suffer centering problems as well. Being that they are fairly scarce today, the Greatest Moments
cards are more expensive than regular Topps cards. Expect to pay a premium for high graded examples (by a reputable grading service).
year (1968). This is an amazing statistic; out of 482 games started in his career, Bob Gibson COMPLETED 255 of them! This means that he went the distance on over half of
the games he started! AMAZING! If a pitcher were to do that today he would be the highest paid pitcher in history! In comparison, Roger Clemens, one of the all-time greats
himself has completed 117 games out of 639 games started (through 2004) and he is considered to be a "work horse" in today's game. Gibson won 251 games in his career
with 3117 strikeouts and a 2.91 ERA. A 9-time All Star, "Gibby" won just about every award a pitcher can win during his career. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
in 1981. No collection would be complete without a card of Bob Gibson. This 1971 Topps Greatest Moments #24 Bob Gibson card highlights Gibson's record 1.12 earned
run average in 1968. Think about that. That's just 38 earned runs in 304.2 innings! Amazing. One of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
The 1971 Topps Greatest Moments cards are fairly scarce today, especially in high grades. They suffer from the same problems as the regular 1971 Topps baseball cards;
they have jet black borders that show the slightest hints of wear and they also suffer centering problems as well. Being that they are fairly scarce today, the Greatest Moments
cards are more expensive than regular Topps cards. Expect to pay a premium for high graded examples (by a reputable grading service).
Trivia Answer #1: Jim Fregosi
Trivia Answer #2: Carlton Fisk
Trivia Answer #2: Carlton Fisk
1967 Venezuela Topps "Retirado" #162 Sandy Koufax
Maybe the best pitcher ever in baseball history (he gets my vote), the great Sandy Koufax. It took Sandy Koufax awhile to get on track, he had to learn how to pitch, and once he did, it was
all over for the National League hitters. Koufax had probably the greatest 6 year streak of any pitcher. From 1962 to 1966 Sandy won 129 games while losing only 47. That's just sickening
unless you were a Dodgers fan! He led the league in earned run average every year from 1962-66 including a career low 1.73 in 1966, his last year in the big leagues!
Strikeouts? Koufax led the NL in K's 4 times (including three 300+ K seasons) setting down a record 382 batters in 1965. He won 3 Cy Young Awards, an MVP Award (1963), and led the
Dodgers to 3 World Series during that time (1963, 1965-66) including 2 World Championships. Koufax retired early due to an arthritic elbow yet he won 27 games in his last season
(1966)! In only 12 seasons, Koufax completed 137 of 397 games (think about that), threw 40 shutouts, struck out 2396 batters in only 2324 innings (over 9 K's per game average), tossed
4 no-hitters (including a perfect game) and had a career 2.76 ERA. He won 165 games in his career, losing 87, for a .655 winning percentage. In other words, Koufax would win over
65% of the time he took the mound. From 1962 to 1966 this percentage would have been much higher. Incredible.
This 1967 Venezuela Topps "Retirado" #162 Sandy Koufax is probably the toughest Koufax baseball card out there. When it comes up for sale (seldom), it fetches a significant
amount of cash, even for low grades. Well, actually low grades are the norm for any of the Venezuela Topps issues. Most were stuck into scrapbooks or albums and have evidence of glue or
pasting. Probably EX condition would be a high grade for this card. If you collect Koufax cards this would be the Holy Grail. Note: The last regular card of Sandy Koufax as an active player
was 1966 Topps #100.
all over for the National League hitters. Koufax had probably the greatest 6 year streak of any pitcher. From 1962 to 1966 Sandy won 129 games while losing only 47. That's just sickening
unless you were a Dodgers fan! He led the league in earned run average every year from 1962-66 including a career low 1.73 in 1966, his last year in the big leagues!
Strikeouts? Koufax led the NL in K's 4 times (including three 300+ K seasons) setting down a record 382 batters in 1965. He won 3 Cy Young Awards, an MVP Award (1963), and led the
Dodgers to 3 World Series during that time (1963, 1965-66) including 2 World Championships. Koufax retired early due to an arthritic elbow yet he won 27 games in his last season
(1966)! In only 12 seasons, Koufax completed 137 of 397 games (think about that), threw 40 shutouts, struck out 2396 batters in only 2324 innings (over 9 K's per game average), tossed
4 no-hitters (including a perfect game) and had a career 2.76 ERA. He won 165 games in his career, losing 87, for a .655 winning percentage. In other words, Koufax would win over
65% of the time he took the mound. From 1962 to 1966 this percentage would have been much higher. Incredible.
This 1967 Venezuela Topps "Retirado" #162 Sandy Koufax is probably the toughest Koufax baseball card out there. When it comes up for sale (seldom), it fetches a significant
amount of cash, even for low grades. Well, actually low grades are the norm for any of the Venezuela Topps issues. Most were stuck into scrapbooks or albums and have evidence of glue or
pasting. Probably EX condition would be a high grade for this card. If you collect Koufax cards this would be the Holy Grail. Note: The last regular card of Sandy Koufax as an active player
was 1966 Topps #100.
1963 Topps #320 Warren Spahn
One of the greatest left-handed pitchers of all-time was the amazing Warren Spahn. Spahn won 363 games in his career and while you can say "so what, what about Roger
Clemens," keep in mind Spahn completed 382 of 665 games started. Plus Span did not take steroids. Warren Spahn played for mostly the Boston & Milwaukee Braves during his
career, with a brief stop in New York (Mets) and San Francisco before he retired in 1965. When all was said and done, Spahn finished in the top ten in total wins, loses, innings
pitched, and shutouts. He had a career ERA of 3.05! What a pitcher! Warren Spahn was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1973.
The 1963 Topps baseball cards are one of the best efforts of the 1960's. I am very partial to them because I was born in 1963 and enjoy collecting cards from that year. My favorite
1963 Topps card would have to be #210 Sandy Koufax who went on to win the Most Valuable Player Award AND Cy Young Award that year. No wonder Spahn never won a Cy
Young Award, though he did have an outstanding year in 1963. Spahn posted his last twenty win season (27 wins vs. only 7 defeats) with a 2.60 ERA. He completed 22 of his starts
and pitched 7 shutouts. Any other year and he probably wins Cy Young, but Koufax beat him out in 1963.
Clemens," keep in mind Spahn completed 382 of 665 games started. Plus Span did not take steroids. Warren Spahn played for mostly the Boston & Milwaukee Braves during his
career, with a brief stop in New York (Mets) and San Francisco before he retired in 1965. When all was said and done, Spahn finished in the top ten in total wins, loses, innings
pitched, and shutouts. He had a career ERA of 3.05! What a pitcher! Warren Spahn was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1973.
The 1963 Topps baseball cards are one of the best efforts of the 1960's. I am very partial to them because I was born in 1963 and enjoy collecting cards from that year. My favorite
1963 Topps card would have to be #210 Sandy Koufax who went on to win the Most Valuable Player Award AND Cy Young Award that year. No wonder Spahn never won a Cy
Young Award, though he did have an outstanding year in 1963. Spahn posted his last twenty win season (27 wins vs. only 7 defeats) with a 2.60 ERA. He completed 22 of his starts
and pitched 7 shutouts. Any other year and he probably wins Cy Young, but Koufax beat him out in 1963.
1956 Topps #140 Herb Score (Rookie card) (Back view)
Herbert Jude Score, or Herb Score, is the pitcher's Tony Conigliaro; a story of "what could have been." The Cleveland Indians of the 1950's had a great team, reaching the
World Series in 1954. However, their Hall of Fame pitcher, Bob Feller, was reaching the end of his career. What Cleveland had up their sleeve however, was fireballer Herb Score, along
with a promising farm system that was to produce sluggers Rocky Colavito and Roger Maris. So the future looked bright for the Tribe. Herb Score was the American League's answer to
Sandy Koufax, BEFORE Sandy Koufax! It took Koufax a few years to fulfill his promise but not so with Herb Score. In Score's first full season (1955), he won 16 games, lost 10 and had
a 2.85 ERA. He started 33 games and completed 11 of them. In 227 innings he allowed only 158 hits AND he struck out 245 batters (lead the League) compared to 154 bases on
balls. Sophomore jinx? Not for Score. The following season he won 20 games, lost only 9, lowered his ERA to 2.53, had 16 complete games, and had even more strikeouts (263;
again leading the league) while walking fewer batters (129). Check out the back of this 1956 Topps #140 Herb Score baseball card. Even the Topps people thought this guy was a
Hall of Famer! However it was not to be. During a game against the Yankees the following season, Gil McDougald hit a liner back up the middle that struck Score flush in the left eye.
Score claims that it wasn't the eye injury but an arm injury that finished his career, but the bottom line is that Herb Score went on to play only 6 more years and never won more than 9
games again. He finished with a 55-46 record and a 3.36 ERA (still, pretty good by today's standards). Don't feel sorry for Score; he'll have none of that. He became a broadcaster and
is still doing Cleveland Indians games. Good going Herb Score! He may not have reached the Hall of Fame, but on this page we honor the great Herb Score!
World Series in 1954. However, their Hall of Fame pitcher, Bob Feller, was reaching the end of his career. What Cleveland had up their sleeve however, was fireballer Herb Score, along
with a promising farm system that was to produce sluggers Rocky Colavito and Roger Maris. So the future looked bright for the Tribe. Herb Score was the American League's answer to
Sandy Koufax, BEFORE Sandy Koufax! It took Koufax a few years to fulfill his promise but not so with Herb Score. In Score's first full season (1955), he won 16 games, lost 10 and had
a 2.85 ERA. He started 33 games and completed 11 of them. In 227 innings he allowed only 158 hits AND he struck out 245 batters (lead the League) compared to 154 bases on
balls. Sophomore jinx? Not for Score. The following season he won 20 games, lost only 9, lowered his ERA to 2.53, had 16 complete games, and had even more strikeouts (263;
again leading the league) while walking fewer batters (129). Check out the back of this 1956 Topps #140 Herb Score baseball card. Even the Topps people thought this guy was a
Hall of Famer! However it was not to be. During a game against the Yankees the following season, Gil McDougald hit a liner back up the middle that struck Score flush in the left eye.
Score claims that it wasn't the eye injury but an arm injury that finished his career, but the bottom line is that Herb Score went on to play only 6 more years and never won more than 9
games again. He finished with a 55-46 record and a 3.36 ERA (still, pretty good by today's standards). Don't feel sorry for Score; he'll have none of that. He became a broadcaster and
is still doing Cleveland Indians games. Good going Herb Score! He may not have reached the Hall of Fame, but on this page we honor the great Herb Score!
1951 Berk Ross #4-5 Eddie (Whitey) Ford
Edward Charles Ford, or "Whitey" Ford (aka. "Chairman of the Board," or "Slick") won 236 big league games during his 16 year career, while losing only 106. That works out to a .690
winning percentage. Granted, Ford played for some great hitting Yankee teams but he still completed 156 games, threw 45 shutouts, and posted a cool 2.75 ERA. That 2.75 ERA is
LIFETIME, over the course of 16 years. Most pitchers would love to have a 2.75 ERA during a season. Ford also played in 11 World Series (can you imagine that?), winning 10 games
(including 7 complete games) while posting a consistent 2.71 ERA. Keep in mind this against some tough National League teams. He was also a 10 time All-Star selection. And... the guy got
to party with Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin!!! What more can you say!
Whitey Ford's rookie card is card #1 in the 1951 Bowman series. It is a very expensive card as it is Ford's rookie PLUS it is a condition sensitive #1 card. It lists for $1200 in ungraded
NM condition and $200 in VG. However an affordable alternative is this 1951 Berk Ross #4-5 Whitey Ford (above). While not as desirable as the Bowman rookie, the Berk Ross is
not as common and lists for only $180 in NM and $55 in VG condition.
winning percentage. Granted, Ford played for some great hitting Yankee teams but he still completed 156 games, threw 45 shutouts, and posted a cool 2.75 ERA. That 2.75 ERA is
LIFETIME, over the course of 16 years. Most pitchers would love to have a 2.75 ERA during a season. Ford also played in 11 World Series (can you imagine that?), winning 10 games
(including 7 complete games) while posting a consistent 2.71 ERA. Keep in mind this against some tough National League teams. He was also a 10 time All-Star selection. And... the guy got
to party with Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin!!! What more can you say!
Whitey Ford's rookie card is card #1 in the 1951 Bowman series. It is a very expensive card as it is Ford's rookie PLUS it is a condition sensitive #1 card. It lists for $1200 in ungraded
NM condition and $200 in VG. However an affordable alternative is this 1951 Berk Ross #4-5 Whitey Ford (above). While not as desirable as the Bowman rookie, the Berk Ross is
not as common and lists for only $180 in NM and $55 in VG condition.
1954 Red Man Tobacco NL-18 Robin Roberts
Robin Roberts was one of the top pitchers of the 1950's. He won 20 or more games six straight years from 1950 through 1955. Roberts' best season was probably 1952 when he
won 28 games, lost only 7 and crafted a nifty 2.59 ERA. He also completed 30 of the 36 games he started, and threw 3 shutouts to boot. Roberts finished his career with 286 wins,
but perhaps even more impressive is the fact that he completed 305 of the 609 games he started - roughly half his starts! Amazing! Robin Roberts helped lead the "Fightin Phillies" to the NL
Pennant and World Series vs. the New York Yankees in 1950. While the Phillies lost the Series to the Yanks, Roberts logged in 11 innings (including a complete game) and gave up only 2
runs for a 1.64 ERA. Robin Roberts was elected to Baseball's Hall Of Fame in 1976.
Tobacco cards made a brief comeback in the 1950's, thanks to Red Man Chewing Tobacco. Red Man issued large (3-1/2" x 4") full-color cards of baseball players from 1952-1955.
The cards included tabs or coupons at the bottom that were meant to be cut off and redeemed for prizes (a free baseball cap), hence cards today with the tabs still intact command a
premium. These beautiful cards are very reasonably priced; the above 1954 Red Man Tobacco #NL-18 Robin Roberts is currently listed on eBay for just $45.
won 28 games, lost only 7 and crafted a nifty 2.59 ERA. He also completed 30 of the 36 games he started, and threw 3 shutouts to boot. Roberts finished his career with 286 wins,
but perhaps even more impressive is the fact that he completed 305 of the 609 games he started - roughly half his starts! Amazing! Robin Roberts helped lead the "Fightin Phillies" to the NL
Pennant and World Series vs. the New York Yankees in 1950. While the Phillies lost the Series to the Yanks, Roberts logged in 11 innings (including a complete game) and gave up only 2
runs for a 1.64 ERA. Robin Roberts was elected to Baseball's Hall Of Fame in 1976.
Tobacco cards made a brief comeback in the 1950's, thanks to Red Man Chewing Tobacco. Red Man issued large (3-1/2" x 4") full-color cards of baseball players from 1952-1955.
The cards included tabs or coupons at the bottom that were meant to be cut off and redeemed for prizes (a free baseball cap), hence cards today with the tabs still intact command a
premium. These beautiful cards are very reasonably priced; the above 1954 Red Man Tobacco #NL-18 Robin Roberts is currently listed on eBay for just $45.
1966 Topps #126 Jim Palmer (Rookie card)
Along with Jim "Catfish" Hunter and Nolan Ryan, Jim Palmer was one of the premier pitchers in the American League during the 1970's. He was a lifelong Oriole, starting his career in
1965 and retiring in 1984 with 268 lifetime wins, 211 complete games, 53 shutouts, and a 2.86 ERA. A 8-time twenty game winner, Palmer won three A.L. Cy Young Awards (1973,
1975, & 1976). His best season was 1975 when he won 23 games, completed 25 of 38 starts, threw 10 shutouts, and had a low 2.09 ERA. Palmer helped the O's to 6 different World
Series including a 4-hit shutout in the 1966 World Series vs. the Dodgers and Sandy Koufax. No small feat. Palmer was elected to the Hall Of Fame in 1990.
This 1966 Topps #126 Jim Palmer is his rookie card. Other key rookies included in the 1966 Topps set were Fergie Jenkins (#254), Don Sutton (#288), and Bobby Murcer (#469).
Ironically, Palmer was to beat Sandy Koufax in his last game, Game #4 of the 1966 World Series. So while this 1966 Topps Jim Palmer is his first card, the last regular card of Sandy
Koufax is also in the 1966 set (#100). Koufax retired after the World Series. Hello and goodbye!
1965 and retiring in 1984 with 268 lifetime wins, 211 complete games, 53 shutouts, and a 2.86 ERA. A 8-time twenty game winner, Palmer won three A.L. Cy Young Awards (1973,
1975, & 1976). His best season was 1975 when he won 23 games, completed 25 of 38 starts, threw 10 shutouts, and had a low 2.09 ERA. Palmer helped the O's to 6 different World
Series including a 4-hit shutout in the 1966 World Series vs. the Dodgers and Sandy Koufax. No small feat. Palmer was elected to the Hall Of Fame in 1990.
This 1966 Topps #126 Jim Palmer is his rookie card. Other key rookies included in the 1966 Topps set were Fergie Jenkins (#254), Don Sutton (#288), and Bobby Murcer (#469).
Ironically, Palmer was to beat Sandy Koufax in his last game, Game #4 of the 1966 World Series. So while this 1966 Topps Jim Palmer is his first card, the last regular card of Sandy
Koufax is also in the 1966 set (#100). Koufax retired after the World Series. Hello and goodbye!
1967 Venezuela Topps "Retirado" #162 Sandy Koufax (back view)
1911 T205 Gold Border Christy Mathewson (Sweet Caporal back)
Just check out the 1908-1910 season statistics on the back of this 1911 T205 Gold Border Christy Mathewson card, especially note the win column: 37, 25, 27. That's
89 wins in 3 straight seasons. Ridiculous. The great Christy Mathewson won 373 games in his career (against only 188 losses) and won no less than 22 games in 12 straight
seasons (1903-1914). He won 30 games or more 4 times including a career high 37 wins in 1908! His lifetime ERA was 2.13 over 17 seasons. In 4 World Series Mathewson
won 5 games (including 4 shut- outs) and allowed less than a run per 9 innings for a postseason ERA of 0.97! Mathewson died at only 45 years of age, probably due to his
exposure to poison gas during World War I. One of the great early stars of baseball and a real American hero who inspired thousands of kids. In 1936 Christy Mathewson was
one of the first five players to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame.
Like the T206 White Border baseball cards, the T205 Gold Border cards are considered "classic" today. Very popular among collectors, the T205 Gold Borders were issued in
cigarette packages. They featured gold leaf borders which are very attractive but show the slightest bits of wear (Note the wear on the edges and corners on the Mathwson card
above). Of course you would too if you were about a hundred years old! Lower grades are the norm for these cards and even in VG (graded) condition, this card fetches around
$500!
89 wins in 3 straight seasons. Ridiculous. The great Christy Mathewson won 373 games in his career (against only 188 losses) and won no less than 22 games in 12 straight
seasons (1903-1914). He won 30 games or more 4 times including a career high 37 wins in 1908! His lifetime ERA was 2.13 over 17 seasons. In 4 World Series Mathewson
won 5 games (including 4 shut- outs) and allowed less than a run per 9 innings for a postseason ERA of 0.97! Mathewson died at only 45 years of age, probably due to his
exposure to poison gas during World War I. One of the great early stars of baseball and a real American hero who inspired thousands of kids. In 1936 Christy Mathewson was
one of the first five players to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame.
Like the T206 White Border baseball cards, the T205 Gold Border cards are considered "classic" today. Very popular among collectors, the T205 Gold Borders were issued in
cigarette packages. They featured gold leaf borders which are very attractive but show the slightest bits of wear (Note the wear on the edges and corners on the Mathwson card
above). Of course you would too if you were about a hundred years old! Lower grades are the norm for these cards and even in VG (graded) condition, this card fetches around
$500!
1967 Topps #236 NL Pitching Leaders (Koufax, Marichal, Gibson, Perry)
League Leader cards are great bargains. You can buy cards of Hall of Fame pitchers on the cheap and some feature multiple Hall of Famers. Check out this 1967 Topps #236 NL
Pitching Leaders card. It features SANDY KOUFAX, JUAN MARICHAL, BOB GIBSON, and GAYLORD PERRY. Four Hall of Fame pitchers! I saw this card on eBay for $20,
professionally graded even. I bought it without blinking. Ungraded, I think this card is worth twenty bucks, don't you? By the way, the 1967 Topps League Leader cards are the last to
feature Sandy Koufax as an active player. He retired after the 1966 season so his last regular card was 1966 Topps #100.
Pitching Leaders card. It features SANDY KOUFAX, JUAN MARICHAL, BOB GIBSON, and GAYLORD PERRY. Four Hall of Fame pitchers! I saw this card on eBay for $20,
professionally graded even. I bought it without blinking. Ungraded, I think this card is worth twenty bucks, don't you? By the way, the 1967 Topps League Leader cards are the last to
feature Sandy Koufax as an active player. He retired after the 1966 season so his last regular card was 1966 Topps #100.
1969 Wire Photo Nolan Ryan fans 14
Terrific photo of a young Nolan Ryan (of the New York Mets) after striking out 14 batters in a game in 1969. Ryan was not a household name at the time; the Mets knew he had
potential, but no one knew that Ryan would later become Baseball's All-Time Strikeout King. He would later set a record for striking out 19 batters in a 9 inning contest, break Sandy
Koufax's single season strikeout record (383 K's), record 7 No-Hitters (Major League Record), win over 300 games and fast pitch himself to Baseball's Hall of Fame.
potential, but no one knew that Ryan would later become Baseball's All-Time Strikeout King. He would later set a record for striking out 19 batters in a 9 inning contest, break Sandy
Koufax's single season strikeout record (383 K's), record 7 No-Hitters (Major League Record), win over 300 games and fast pitch himself to Baseball's Hall of Fame.
1974 Topps #207 Strikeout Leaders (Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver)
Another wonderful League Leader card featuring two of Baseball's most dominating pitchers of the 1970's: Nolan Ryan of the Angels and Tom Seaver of the Mets. Now this is
what I call an "Amazin'" baseball card! More on Seaver: When Tom Seaver won his 300th career win as a member of the Chicago White Sox, he didn't pitch just 5 innings and turn it
over to the bullpen. Mr. Tom "Terrific" pitched a complete game vs. the New York Yankees no less.
TRIVIA QUESTION #2: Who was Tom Seaver's Hall of Fame battery mate for his 300th Win in 1985? Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answer.
what I call an "Amazin'" baseball card! More on Seaver: When Tom Seaver won his 300th career win as a member of the Chicago White Sox, he didn't pitch just 5 innings and turn it
over to the bullpen. Mr. Tom "Terrific" pitched a complete game vs. the New York Yankees no less.
TRIVIA QUESTION #2: Who was Tom Seaver's Hall of Fame battery mate for his 300th Win in 1985? Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answer.
1976 Topps #202 AL ERA Leaders (Jim Palmer,
Jim Hunter, Dennis Eckersley)
Jim Hunter, Dennis Eckersley)
Ok, so this doesn't have four Hall of Famers on it but it does have three including Dennis Eckersley from his rookie year. Look at those low Earned Run Averages; every one below
3.00! What's incredible about these guys is they would finish games. Today's pitchers go 5-7 innings and turn it over to a set up guy and closer. Eckersley of course was the best AL
closer in his days with Oakland, but he started his career as a starting pitcher with Cleveland and Boston. What's interesting is salaries compared to today's players. Jim "Catfish"
Hunter was probably the highest paid free agent pitcher of the 1970's when he signed with the New York Yankees. I don't recall how much he made, but I know it wasn't $1 Million a
year; Nolan Ryan became the first pitcher to earn $1 million per season when he signed with the Astros in 1980. Today's top pitchers are probably making closer to $10 Million a year
and they don't even finish games.
3.00! What's incredible about these guys is they would finish games. Today's pitchers go 5-7 innings and turn it over to a set up guy and closer. Eckersley of course was the best AL
closer in his days with Oakland, but he started his career as a starting pitcher with Cleveland and Boston. What's interesting is salaries compared to today's players. Jim "Catfish"
Hunter was probably the highest paid free agent pitcher of the 1970's when he signed with the New York Yankees. I don't recall how much he made, but I know it wasn't $1 Million a
year; Nolan Ryan became the first pitcher to earn $1 million per season when he signed with the Astros in 1980. Today's top pitchers are probably making closer to $10 Million a year
and they don't even finish games.
1975 Topps #455 Don Wilson
A pitcher today who throws 3 No Hitters would be making a cool $10 million dollars a year, rake in even more in endorsements, and would be a household name. Maybe Don Wilson
was just born at the wrong time. Wilson pitched for the Houston Astros from 1966-1974, winning 104 games in essentially 8 seasons (he appeared in just one game in 1966). While 104
wins is not neecesarily a stand out figure, consider that this was a not so good Astros team. The Astros, formerly the expansion "Houston Colt .45's," were not like the steroid tainted Astros
of the 1990's-2000's or even the talented early 1980's Astros teams. They had one Hall of Famer, second baseman Joe Morgan, who was to be traded to Cincinnati in the prime of his
career, and slugger Jim "Jimmy" Wynn and some decent players like Bob Aspromonte & Rusty Staub. Wilson was the ace of the Astros pitching staff. In 1967, his first full season, Wilson
won 10 games lost 9 and had a 2.79 ERA. He had 7 Complete Games and 3 Shut Outs, along with 159 Strikeouts in only 184 innings pitched. Not a bad rookie season. Don Wilson
won a career high 16 games in both 1969 and 1971 (remember this was Houston, not New York). His best season was probably 1971 when he won 16 games (lost 10) and posted a
2.45 ERA with 18 Complete Games and 3 Shut Outs. He also made the All Star team that year. And I haven't even mentioned his No Hitters yet. Wilson threw 2 No Hitters (1967 & 1969)
and almost had a 3rd against "The Big Red Machine" in 1974 (which at the time would have put him right behind Sandy Koufax with 4) but he was lifted for a pinch hitter after 8 innings of
no hit ball. Did Wilson throw a tantrum and spout off to the press? Nope. Here is what he said after the game: "I respect Preston Gomez as a Manager. I respect him more than ever tonight.
When people start putting personal goals ahead of the team, you'll never have a winner." Sadly Don Wilson and his 5 year old son died in a tragic carbon monoxide accident in their home
on January 5, 1975. He was just 29 years old. Every baseball fan should know who Don Wilson was.
was just born at the wrong time. Wilson pitched for the Houston Astros from 1966-1974, winning 104 games in essentially 8 seasons (he appeared in just one game in 1966). While 104
wins is not neecesarily a stand out figure, consider that this was a not so good Astros team. The Astros, formerly the expansion "Houston Colt .45's," were not like the steroid tainted Astros
of the 1990's-2000's or even the talented early 1980's Astros teams. They had one Hall of Famer, second baseman Joe Morgan, who was to be traded to Cincinnati in the prime of his
career, and slugger Jim "Jimmy" Wynn and some decent players like Bob Aspromonte & Rusty Staub. Wilson was the ace of the Astros pitching staff. In 1967, his first full season, Wilson
won 10 games lost 9 and had a 2.79 ERA. He had 7 Complete Games and 3 Shut Outs, along with 159 Strikeouts in only 184 innings pitched. Not a bad rookie season. Don Wilson
won a career high 16 games in both 1969 and 1971 (remember this was Houston, not New York). His best season was probably 1971 when he won 16 games (lost 10) and posted a
2.45 ERA with 18 Complete Games and 3 Shut Outs. He also made the All Star team that year. And I haven't even mentioned his No Hitters yet. Wilson threw 2 No Hitters (1967 & 1969)
and almost had a 3rd against "The Big Red Machine" in 1974 (which at the time would have put him right behind Sandy Koufax with 4) but he was lifted for a pinch hitter after 8 innings of
no hit ball. Did Wilson throw a tantrum and spout off to the press? Nope. Here is what he said after the game: "I respect Preston Gomez as a Manager. I respect him more than ever tonight.
When people start putting personal goals ahead of the team, you'll never have a winner." Sadly Don Wilson and his 5 year old son died in a tragic carbon monoxide accident in their home
on January 5, 1975. He was just 29 years old. Every baseball fan should know who Don Wilson was.
1977 Topps #260 J.R. Richard
Another great Astros pitcher was James Rodney "J.R." Richard. I had seen Nolan Ryan pitch and I saw J.R. Richard pitch and was he something. J.R. was Randy Johnson before Randy
Johnson. This guy stood 6'-8" and weighed 222 lbs. And could he throw. Richard struck out 300 or more batters twice (career high 313 in 1979), led the league in ERA (2.71, also in
'79), and won 18 or more games four times (including a career high 20 in 1976) in basically just 6 seasons as a starting pitcher. While Randy Johnson played over twice as long as
Richard (22 seasons to J.R.'s 10) and struck out more batters, J.R. averaged (per 162 game schedule) only 1 win less than Johnson (J.R. averaged 16 wins per season to Johnson's 17) and
had a lower ERA (3.13 to Johnson's 3.29). J.R. had 76 Complete Games in his career, compared to Johnson's 100. I am not saying that Randy Johnson was not a great pitcher. He was
and he is a certain Hall of Famer. What I am saying is that J.R. Richard was just as good and Richard did not have the luxury of playing for any pennant winning teams. 3 times Richard was
in the top 7 for the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the league and twice he was nominated for Most Valuable Player Award consideration. His last season, 1980, saw him make his
first All-Star game as the starting pitcher. While batter's could not get to Richard, a stroke did. He suffered a stroke in 1980 and never recovered. Baseball forgot him like they forgot other
black and Hispanic players (like Sandy Amoros, Leon "Daddy Wags" Wagner, Don Wilson, the list is too long to list) and eventually this All Star pitcher was living homeless under
a freeway overpass in Houston. I don't imagine this happening to Randy Johnson. Well I remember you J.R.!
Johnson. This guy stood 6'-8" and weighed 222 lbs. And could he throw. Richard struck out 300 or more batters twice (career high 313 in 1979), led the league in ERA (2.71, also in
'79), and won 18 or more games four times (including a career high 20 in 1976) in basically just 6 seasons as a starting pitcher. While Randy Johnson played over twice as long as
Richard (22 seasons to J.R.'s 10) and struck out more batters, J.R. averaged (per 162 game schedule) only 1 win less than Johnson (J.R. averaged 16 wins per season to Johnson's 17) and
had a lower ERA (3.13 to Johnson's 3.29). J.R. had 76 Complete Games in his career, compared to Johnson's 100. I am not saying that Randy Johnson was not a great pitcher. He was
and he is a certain Hall of Famer. What I am saying is that J.R. Richard was just as good and Richard did not have the luxury of playing for any pennant winning teams. 3 times Richard was
in the top 7 for the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the league and twice he was nominated for Most Valuable Player Award consideration. His last season, 1980, saw him make his
first All-Star game as the starting pitcher. While batter's could not get to Richard, a stroke did. He suffered a stroke in 1980 and never recovered. Baseball forgot him like they forgot other
black and Hispanic players (like Sandy Amoros, Leon "Daddy Wags" Wagner, Don Wilson, the list is too long to list) and eventually this All Star pitcher was living homeless under
a freeway overpass in Houston. I don't imagine this happening to Randy Johnson. Well I remember you J.R.!
