Tigers Card Tuesday... 1976 Topps #3 *'75 Record Breakers* Mickey Lolich

The retirement of New York Yankees lefty pitcher C.C. Sabathia after the playoffs leads me to today's Tigers Card Tuesday post.

⭐ On September 19, 2017, Sabathia struck out Chris Gimenez of the Minnesota Twins, the 2,833th K of his big league career.

The whiff sent Sabathia past legendary Detroit Tigers left hander Mickey Lolich on the All-Time left handers career strike ou list, and C.C is now 3rd All-Time in MLB career punch outs by a lefty (3,093), behind Hall of Fame greats Steve Carlton (4.136), and Randy Johnson (4,875).


Lolich, 40 years after he last pitched, is still 20th All-Time in career K's, and is the best left hander to pitch for the Tigers in my lifetime.


🔥 On June 6, 1975, Lolich struck out four Oakland Athletics batters to become the All-Time left handed leader, with 2,679 K's, passing HOFer Warren Spahn.

            1976 Topps #3 '75 Record Breakers 
                           Mickey Lolich 

👉 I always liked this card.

When your favorite big league pitcher breaks a record and it gets on a baseball card, well, heck, that's pretty special.

Look at all those great southpaw pitchers Mickey passed!

Lolich was a strike out machine for the Tigers back in the 1960s and 70s.

The portly lefty K'd 200+ batters seven times, and in 1971 he led the American League with 308 punch outs, on his way to 25 wins, which also led the league.


Sabathia's retirement leaves Chicago Cubs lefty Cole Hamels as the current lefty K King, with 2,558.


Have a fantastic day, and PLAY BALL! 🐯⚾️

World Series Contest UPDATE!

Well, we're down to the last two games of the baseball season...maybe.

The Houston Astros went to Washington, D.C. over the weekend and battered the Nationals to take a 3-2 lead in the Best of 7 Series.


Here's the World Series Contest UPDATE.


6️⃣ If the Astros win Tuesday night we have two entries w/ the Astros in 6.

 👉 BRETT has Gerrit Cole as MVP.

👉 ALEC has Jose Altuve as MVP.


7️⃣ If we go to a Game 7 on Wednesday night we have THREE entries w/ the Nationals in 7. 

👉 MATT has SOTO as MVP.

👉 THE LOST COLLECTOR has SCHERZER as MVP.

👉  DEREREK has RENDON as MVP.


🚨 There are two other entries.

👉 SCRIBBLED INK has the Astros in 5, w/ Altuve as MVP, and CAP KIRK 42 has the Nationals in 6, w/ RENDON as the MVP.

🎟 With all 5 Series games being won by the road teams, it's anyone's guess if the Astros will close it out tomorrow night, or if the Nationals win and we get to see a Game 7 matchup between Max Scherzer and Zach Greinke.


Good Luck! 👍

Football Card Friday... 1969 Topps John Brodie

Football Card Friday! is gonna be a short post today, as I'm on Day #4 of a a bad cold and it's hard enough to post these when I'm my normal self.

My favorite QB when I first started to watch football in the early 1970s was San Francisco 49ers QB John Brodie. 

          1969 Topps #249 John Brodie 

🏈 Besides the great looking pose, this is a great card because of that awesome 49ers logo!


John Riley Brodie was born in San Francisco, played quarterback in college at Stanford and, and was drafted by his hometown San Francisco 49ers in 1957.

Brodie was All-Pro in 1970, which, along with having the best first name, is probably the reason that I liked watching him play so much.


Enjoy your weekend watching baseball and football, and thanks for reading my post today.


PLAY BALL! 🏈

My Mailbox... 1988 Topps USA Jim Abbott

There are few athletes in Michigan Athletics history as special as Jim Abbott. 

James Anthony Abbott  was born on September 19, 1967, in Flint, Michigan, played baseball at Michigan, pitched Team USA 🇺🇸  to a Gold Medal 🥇 at the 1988 Olympics, and spent 10 years in the big leagues.

I was so excited when this card of the former Wolverines pitcher arrived in my mailbox on Wednesday.

 
          1988 Topps Traded #1T  Jim Abbott 


This card was sent to me via another awesome giveaway on Twitter.

Many thanks to Blanco Banco/ @Jayinprovidence , who gave away some 1980s baseball rookie cards...just because we asked.

Twitter is easily my favorite social media platform, and it's been made that way in part, a HUGE part, by the many terrific hobby people that I follow.

👉 If you aren't on Twitter, hey, I get it, but being part of our great hobby is a good reason to get involved.

My Twitter is @freehan11  ...give me a follow if you get to, or already there!


Thanks again, for taking time out of your day and reading my blog.

Have a great day!

PLAY BALL! 💗⚾️📺

Nationals Take 2-0 World Series Lead

Wednesday night the Washington Nationals took out the whoopin' stick in the last three innings of Game 2 of the World Series, powering their way to a 12-3 win over the Houston Astros.

Kurt Suzuki led off the top of the 7th inning with a solo home run off of Justin Verlander, and the Nats never looked back.

Houston must now travel to our Nation's Capital down 2 games to none, with the next 3 games at Nationals Park.

👉🇺🇸⚾️ Friday nights game will be the first in Washington, D.C. since 1933, when the old Washington Senators played the New York Giants.


The Astros will send Zack Greinke to the mound and face another former Tigers pitcher, Anibal Sanchez, for Washington.

Have a fantastic Thursday!

PLAY BALL!

Juan Soto powers Nationals to Game 1 World Series Win

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto doesn't turn 21 until Friday, but the young man certainly came of age last night as the Nats took Game 1 of the World Series, 5-4, over the Houston Astros.

Soto hit a solo home run and doubled in two more runs, as Washington handed Gerrit Cole his first loss since May 22nd.


👉 There were 7 entries in my first ever World Series contest, and our early leader in the clubhouse is Matt, who's got the Nats winning and Soto as the MVP.

Tonight's game 2 is a another matchup of power throwers as Stephen Strasburg goes up against Justin Verlander.


As a fan of JV, I'm hoping he pitches well tonight and that the Astros even the Best of 7 Series.


Have a great day... PLAY BALL! 💗⚾️📺

Tigers Card Tuesday... 1968 Topps Mickey Stanley

As the World Series starts tonight I thought I'd share a card that represents my favorite Series, the 1968 matchup between my Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals.

👉 Enter my Word Series contest... Go HERE!


In the last week of the 1968 season, Tigers manager Mayo Smith made what could easily be the greatest managerial decision in the history of the Fall Classic. 

The Detroit skipper decided to take centerfielder Mickey Stanley, and move him to shortstop.

              1968 Topps #129 Mickey Stanley 


The 1968 Topps Set is a favorite of mine.

The set is simple, with the player taking center stage.

👉 This picture of Mickey, in his road DETROIT uniform, was taken at old Yankee Stadium, probably in 1967.

👉 Mickey's also sporting the 1967 Tigers Olde English D  Ballcap.

The move of playing Stanley at shortstop served two purposes, in that it allowed the great Al Kaline to play right field, and it removed the weak hitting Ray Oyler (.135 avg in '68), the Tigers every day shortstop, from the lineup.

In Stanley's place in center, Mayo Smith inserted power hitting left hander Jim Northrup. 

Stanley played shortstop like he'd been there his entire life, making just two errors in the seven games.


🐯⚾️ The Tigers were heavy underdogs to the defending World Series Champions, and fell behind in the Series, 3-1, before making a monumental comeback.

Stanley would go back to his normal position in the Tigers outfield, becoming a 4 time Gold Glove Award winner.

👉 A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mickey Stanley turned 77 this past July 20th.


Enjoy the World Series, a battle of former Tigers Cy Young winners in Justin Verlander(2011], and Max Scherzer (2013), as well as former Tigers pitchers, and now Nats teammates, Anibal Sanchez and Fernando Rodney.


PLAY BALL! ⚾️📺

Topps Living Set World Series Contest

Tomorrow night the 115th World Series in Big League history will begin as the National League Champion Washington Nationals take on the American League Champion Houston Astros. 

Game 1 takes place in Minute Maid Park in Houston.


Contest Time!

The rules are simple.

Comment below with:

1) World Series winner, and in how many games (i.e. Nationals in 6).

2) Tie Breaker: World Series MVP

After the World Series is over, I will go through all the winning (Nationals or Astros) entries.

👉 If there is more than one correct entry I will use the tie-breaker (World Series MVP), and draw a winner from all correct entries.


Prizes!

The prizes are:

🏆 The winning entry gets both a Juan Soto and George Springer Topps Living Set card.

🥈🥉 All other entries will be put in a hat and I'll draw two names for a prize pack of your favorite teams cards.


All entries are due when the Astros Gerrit Cole throws the first pitch on Tuesday night! 


Good Luck...and let's Play Ball! ⚾️📺

Football Card Friday... 1955 Topps All-American Tom Harmon

For the initial Football Card Friday, I'm starting with the Greatest player in Michigan Football History, the legendary Tom Harmon. 

               
            1955 Topps All-American 
                 #35 Tom Harmon 

This image of Tom must've come from a game against the rival Buckeyes.


There is nothing to not like about the 1955 Topps All-American Football Card Set.

The 1940 Heisman Trophy winner at Michigan, Harmon was the #1 overall pick in the 1941 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears(never played), served in World War II, and then played two years of pro football with the Los Angeles Rams, in 1946/47.


Tom married movie actress Elsye Knox in 1944, and the wedding dress she wore was made out of the parachute he was wearing when he was shot down near China.

Elyse was also a G.I. Pin-Up Girl during the war.

I found this terrific picture of the beautiful Miss Knox.

I'm saying she's wearing a pink blouse, and that can only mean one thing this month, raising awareness for Breast Cancer and heading over to Collecting Cutch's Save Second Base contest. 


Tom and Elyse had a son you may have heard of, a young man that played quarterback at UCLA,

and later became the lead actor in one of the most popular shows in television history.

Mark Harmon made it to a special ceremony at Michigan a few years ago that honored his Dad as a "Michigan Legend."

Do you own any 1955 All-American cards?


Enjoy the baseball and football this weekend. 📺

Go Astros!, and, of course, GO BLUE!

PLAY BALL! ⚾️💛🏈💙

Tigers Card Tuesday... Anibal Sanchez Topps Triple Threads

Friday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, former Detroit Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez re-created his old magic, as the Washington Nationals beat the Cardinals.

               2019 Topps NOW Anibal Sanchez (not the Tigers Card Tuesday card)

Sanchez pitched 7 2/3 innings of no-hit ball against the Cardinals, reminding us Tigers fans of Game 1 of the 2013 ALCS when Anibal pitched six no hit innings at Fenway Park, as Detroit beat Boston. 

🐯⚾️ As Anibal was tossing his gem against the Cardinals I knew exactly what card I was gonna post today.

Anibal Sanchez 2013 Triple Threads #16/18 "SANCHIZE." 

To be honest, I dont remember how I came across this beautiful card, it was most surely from a contest on a blog, or from my Tigers Facebook group.

👉 In that terrific 2013 season, Sanchez compiled a 14-8 record, and led the American League with a 2.57 ERA.


Anibal is widely respected around baseball, and from what I read over the weekend, was a terrific teammate in the Tigers clubhouse...which explains this look.

Have a terrific day watching baseball... I'm rooting for the Astros and Nationals.


Play Ball! 🇺🇸🐯⚾️ 

Card Corner... Carlos Correa is Pretty in Pink

I went to bed after the 9th inning of the ALCS last night, and missed the dramatic walk off homer by Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa.

I was definitely happy to see that the Astros has tied up the Best of 7 Series at one game apiece as the two teams head to New York.


As for Correa, I'd like to think that I had a little say in him hitting that dinger, because, well, of this pink card that I played in last nights Topps BUNT contest. 

(I'd like to acquire the actual card as sometime...hey, if you happen to have one, please let me know.)


I'm posting this card as a reminder to visit our friend Collecting CUTCH and his daily  Save Second Base posts.

(Hint, Hint!)

Let's remember that CUTCH is blogging every day in October to raise awareness of the the deadly disease of Breast Cancer.


Have a great Monday night watching baseball, and, as always,  PLAY BALL! 💗⚾️

Happy Baseball Birthday! ⚾️🎂🎁 Andrew McCutchen

One of my favorite ballplayers, Andrew McCutchen, turns 33 today.

This spring Andrew was the first FREE PACK FRIDAY card on the Topps BUNT App.

Andrew's injury earlier this year really proved to be the start of the downturn of the Phillies season, as he was playing really well, and brought a much needed veteran leadership to the club.

Baseball fans certainly hope he comes back healthy in the spring.


I've been a fan of THECUTCH22 for a long time...just always liked the way he played baseball and brought back the memories of great Pirates of the past, like Pops Stargell and Roberto Clemente.

Here's my Happy Baseball Birthday! to Andrew from 2017.

Remember to go to CUTCH's page each day in October to help us all bring Awareness to Breast Cancer, and his goal to help at least one woman get a much needed mammogram.

Enjoy the rest of playoff baseball, and always, always, remember to... PLAY BALL! 

💗⚾️💗⚾️💗⚾️💗⚾️💗⚾️💗⚾️💗⚾️💗⚾️

Tigers Card Tuesday... Brennan Boesch

Gonna make this short, as I've had two bad arthritis days and couldn't finish this on time for Tigers Card Tuesday.


🐯⚾️🐯⚾️🐯⚾️🐯⚾️🐯⚾️🐯⚾️🐯⚾️🐯⚾️🐯⚾️



Brennan Phillip Boesch  is still one of my favorite Tigers players, and it's hard to believe that next spring will be ten years since Brennan made his debut.

       2011 Topps Allen & Ginter's Framed Mini.         Relics #AGR-BBO Brennan Boesch Card

There's just something cool about this card of the lefty slugger...the mini card is encased in a BLUE frame, but it's loose in the frame, and I think that's what makes the card.

Hopefully next Tuesday I'll be able to do a better post.

Thanks for taking part of your day to read my blog.


Play Ball! 🐯⚾️

Tigers Card Tuesday/ 2013 Bowamn Chrome Harold Castro Auto

Hey, its another Tigers Card Tuesday, a look into the small, but much loved vault of Tigers baseball cards that I've accumulated over the past 50+ years.

Before I get to today's card, a reminder that October is here, and our friend CUTCH has officially kicked off his Annual Save Second Base contest.

Make sure to head over and support CUTCH in this very important cause.


Harold Castro most certainly wasn't on most Tigers fans radar at the start of the 2019 season, myself included.

The 25 year old Venezuelan certainly made us take notice, batting .291 in 97 games this year.

I suppose Castro will be a valuable player next year, as he played every position except catcher, posting a pretty good .990 fielding percentage in the outfield.


Some time ago, probably in a blog contest, I was sent this card, and promptly put it away, not knowing who Harold Castro was.

     2013 Bowman Chrome #BCA-HC

This card definitely hit my eye this morning as I was looking for today's entry.

It's amazing the cards you come across when your going through your stuff, and there's more cards that I have in boxes and albums that have been in storage the past 10 months that I continue to go through.


Have a great day, and, as always,  thanks for taking time out of your day to read my blog.


Play Ball! ⚾️💗💙

October Baseball & Saving Second Base

October is here, and that means it's time for playoff baseball.

I entered the MLB Post Season Bracket Challenge Contest today.

I know it's easy to pick the Astros and Dodgers to play in the World Series again, but I'm pretty sure these are the two best teams in baseball.

➡️ I just don't think the other teams will be able to go to Houston or Los Angeles for a Game 7 and win, but that's why they play the game.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder to all of us how deadly this horrible disease is.

 Rita Hayworth Poster made famous  in "The Shawshank Redemption."

     

🗓 In our blog circles October also means the annual Save Second Base Contest w/ Collecting Cutch.

Make sure to head over to CUTCH's blog every day this month, and enter his contest...you just might win some cool baseball cards!

📌 p.s... CUTCH had a contest for the National League leader in Doubles at the end of the season, and I actually WON a cool card... a cool PINK Baseball Card!

I actually tied w/ another baseball fan, and you can read all about it here. 


Let's all have a fantastic month, and remember to help #SaveSecondBase! 

PLAY BALL! 💗⚾️2️⃣