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!
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!
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.
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. This 1972 Topps card is his first depicting him
as a Phillie, and it's a tough high number to boot. He was traded by the Cardinals to the Phillies for Rick Wise. Bad trade for the Cards.
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. This 1972 Topps card is his first depicting him
as a Phillie, and it's a tough high number to boot. He was traded by the Cardinals to the Phillies for Rick Wise. Bad trade for the Cards.
1974 Topps #80 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. This is a great looking card from 1974 showing Seaver in his follow-through.
Seaver was in his prime; the first baseman might as well sit down...
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. This is a great looking card from 1974 showing Seaver in his follow-through.
Seaver was in his prime; the first baseman might as well sit down...
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 big mistake of the Mets. (Trivia
question: 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.
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 big mistake of the Mets. (Trivia
question: 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.
1959 Topps #514 Bob Gibson (Rookie card)
Don't let the smile fool you. When Bob Gibson was on the pitching mound, he was all business. And his business was winning. 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. Bob Gibson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. No collection would be
complete without a card of Bob Gibson. This 1959 Topps card is his first card and a tough high number as well!
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. Bob Gibson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. No collection would be
complete without a card of Bob Gibson. This 1959 Topps card is his first card and a tough high number as well!
****** Trivia Answer: Jim Fregosi ******
1966 Topps #540 Denny McLain SP
Another pitcher who had a phenomenal year in 1968 was Denny McLain of the Detroit TIgers. McLain posted 31 wins against just 6 losses that year! He had a 1.96 ERA,
started 41 games and completed 28 of them (It is no small wonder that he had such a short career). He also had 280 strikeouts in '68. But McLain was no "one-year wonder."
He posted seasons of 16-6 (1965), 20-14 (1966), 17-16 (1967), 31-6 (1968), and 24-9 (1969). So in those 5 consecutive seasons, McLain posted a 108-51 record! In
comparison, Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean posted a record of 120-65 record during his 5 year "career." The difference is that Dizzy Dean is in the Hall of Fame, while McLain is
not. Denny McLain got in trouble with the law, which may have hurt his chances, but what player (especially nowadays) hasn't had some problem at some time or another.
Regardless, McLain makes our Pitcher Perfect Page!
started 41 games and completed 28 of them (It is no small wonder that he had such a short career). He also had 280 strikeouts in '68. But McLain was no "one-year wonder."
He posted seasons of 16-6 (1965), 20-14 (1966), 17-16 (1967), 31-6 (1968), and 24-9 (1969). So in those 5 consecutive seasons, McLain posted a 108-51 record! In
comparison, Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean posted a record of 120-65 record during his 5 year "career." The difference is that Dizzy Dean is in the Hall of Fame, while McLain is
not. Denny McLain got in trouble with the law, which may have hurt his chances, but what player (especially nowadays) hasn't had some problem at some time or another.
Regardless, McLain makes our Pitcher Perfect Page!
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!
