Friday Facts- August 1, 2025

Where has the year gone? 

We welcome the dog days of summer, August, when the separation between the good, the bad, and, the ugly, in baseball begins.

A few years ago MLB got rid of the silly trade deadline shenanigans that lasted until September, and made July 31 the final day for trades. 

The Tigers added some solid relief pitchers to shore up a faltering bullpen, and, at the last minute, veteran RHO Charlie Morton.

Today's Immaculate Grid- 114.

Typing issues with bad fingers early in the morning. 

Are you an Immaculate Grid player? 

Mailbox- Anyway a great day when Tigers cards come in the mail.

The Tigers are in Philadelphia this weekend, which means definitely checking out  The Phillies Room. 

🐅⚾️ Players for both the Tigers and Phillies include HOFers Sam Thompson and Jim Bunning, Outfielder Tito Francona, catcher/1st Base/DH John Wockenfuss, slugging outfielder Nicholas Castellanos, and, 2nd Baseman Tony Taylor.

Happy Baseball Birthday!

Gregg Jeffries 

Have a great weekend! 

2025 Blogger Bat Around

Our friend Cards Over Coffee is once again hosting his annual Blogger Bat Around for 2025.

The National Collectors Convention is being held just over a couple hours away, in Chicago, Illinois.

In my current old age, even thinking about going to a huge show like The National hurts, there's just no way I could traverse my way around.

My collecting now is all about finding singles on eBay, giveaways and trades on Twitter/X, and hitting up some shows here in Michigan. 

Finding a cool, inexpensive Rey card is very cool, and made my day at a local Battle Creek show a couple weekends ago.

The Riley Greene collection is still rolling along.

Thanks, appreciate you taking time out of your day to stop by and read my blog. 

Play BALL! ⚾️

Gary Boyd, 1946-2025

Former big league pitcher Gary Boyd passed away on June 2nd. 

Image from John D'Aquisto on Facebook.

Gary has exactly one Topps baseball card.

Condolences to his family and friends. 

Joe Coleman (1947-2025)

Big league pitcher Joe Coleman passed away last night, he was 78.

🐅⚾️ Coleman came to Detroit from the old Washington Senators in a trade that sent Denny McLain to our Nation's Capitol.

In 1972, Coleman won 19 games, struck out 222 batters, and compiled a 2.80 era in 40 games, as the Tigers won their first American League East Division championship.

⭐️ Joe's lone All-Star selection came in 1972 with Detroit. 

Joe was a 15 year veteran, who also pitched for the Athletics, Cubs, Blue Jays, Pirates, and Giants.

Rest in Peace, Joe.

Matthew Boyd- 2025 Topps Series 2

Matthew Boyd 

2025 Topps Series 2

#562

First pack from a Walmart Blaster!

After two years I was very happy to finally add another card of my favorite big league pitcher into the BOYD Binder. 

Matthew Boyd is Back!

The 2025 big league season is well underway, and my favorite pitcher, Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, is having a pretty good season so far.

👉 The former Tigers, Mariners, and Guardians pitcher is, after two years away, back in a set of baseball cards.

The last image of Matthew on a baseball card was last year.

👉 Topps Series 2 will be released on June 11th, and I'm very excited to see the image that was used for Matthew's card...I'll certainly be collecting the variations.

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read my blog, I appreciate all of you. 

Have a great rest of your week, and, as always, remember to...Play BALL! 

Tigers Card Tuesday- Catchers Card Binder/Gold Glove Winners

Been a while since my last Tigers Card Tuesday post, so, apologies up front. 

I've started a new collection...a binder of catcher's who've won a Gold Gold Glove Award. 

Starting with the first catcher to ever win FIVE consecutive GG Awards, and my baseball hero, Tigers backstop Bill Freehan.

👉👉👉👉After losing the original catchers card binder, I've been hesitant to start another one, however, this idea got me rethinking the decision. 

By no means do I think that I'll acquire a card from each GG winner, but, it certainly will be fun. 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by to read my blog, it's much appreciated.

Play BALL!  ⚾️

The New Pope- First Ever American/ Topps NOW!

Today The Conclave in The Vatican selected a new Pope , just two days after it convened to elect a new Pontif to lead the Catholic Church. 

Topps will produce Topps NOW cards.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago, is the first ever American Pope, taking the name "Pope Leo XIV."

I'm not catholic, however, I'm getting a Topps NOW card of the American Pope, hoping, not expecting, a special "white smoke variant /267."

May God bless the newest leader of the Catholic Church.

p.s... apparently, the Pope is a fan of the White Sox. 

A Page of Jackie Robinson Baseball Cards

Happy Jackie Robinson Day!

Play BALL! 🚎⚾️ 

First Tigers Baseball Card of 2025

Hanger Box from Walmart here in Battle Creek. 

First Detroit Tigers Card from 2025 Topps is....Matt Vierling.

Hope all is well, as always, Play BALL! 🐅⚾️

My HOF Ballot- If I Had One

Players eligible for induction into the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame.

My votes- Mark Buehrle, Felix Hernandez, Jimmy Rollins, CC Sabathia, Ichiro Suzuki, Omar Vizquel.

⭐️ Other than the obvious refusal to acknowledge any steroids abusers, there are certainly plenty of worthwhile candidates, and my list are of players that I deem worthy of being inducted. 

Thanks for stopping by and reading this post, appreciate you. 

Play BALL!  ⚾️