tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83774804007357461102024-03-05T00:33:29.594-08:00Chicago Cubs Cardboard MemoriesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-82646753324084739022012-05-28T20:17:00.000-07:002012-05-28T20:17:19.732-07:001969 Topps #602 Cubs Rookie Stars (Alec Distaso, Don Young, Jim Qualls)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUgYKbDr3GoMzsSuWl8GSP5wIMvPJuv2En1GkwwkGJOkEmFsbL8ZlD-gY_WXArIktO2Tjt-YZ3xy9TSTGBacEb4cSopPY3x_g8-joNA8F-EY-3vufRqKtQCZbQH49Vx9LkqUrhQRugYs/s1600/alecdistaso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUgYKbDr3GoMzsSuWl8GSP5wIMvPJuv2En1GkwwkGJOkEmFsbL8ZlD-gY_WXArIktO2Tjt-YZ3xy9TSTGBacEb4cSopPY3x_g8-joNA8F-EY-3vufRqKtQCZbQH49Vx9LkqUrhQRugYs/s1600/alecdistaso.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1969 Topps #602 Cubs Rookie Stars (Alec Distaso, Don Young, Jim Qualls)</i><br />
<i>Price Guide Value: $1.90</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This 1969 Topps Cubs Rookie Stars did not become one of my favorites until a<br />
few years ago. It wasn't because of Don Young or Jim Qualls who had decent seasons for the 1969 Cubs. Fortunately I wasn't around to be a part of that heartbreak. <br />
<br />
I began dabbling in through-the-mail autograph collecting sometime in 2006 or 2007, purchasing a large book that featured current and retired Major League Baseball players' home addresses. The book is organized in alphabetical order by last names but also has the team(s) they played for. <br />
<br />
Looking through the book I made note of all of the Chicago Cubs players since those were the autographs I would be seeking. One stuck out and it was Alec Distaso. Over the years I have read anything and everything on the Cubs, looked at each season's rosters, etc. so I have a pretty good idea what all players have called Wrigley Field home throughout their careers.<br />
<br />
Distaso just didn't ring a bell and his home address was listed as Macomb, Illinois the very town I was (still am) living in. Distaso's Major League Baseball career was short spanning just two games. He was a pitcher and threw 4.1 innings during that famous 1969 season.<br />
<br />
The 20-year old from Los Angeles, California allowed two runs on six hits struck out one and walked one. Distaso made his big league debut on April 20th, 1969 against the Montreal Expos. It was the nightcap of a doubleheader. Joe Niekro started the game and took the loss in fourth innings. Distaso was the first reliever the Cubs brought in following Niekro's exit.<br />
<br />
In the bottom of the fifth inning Distaso faced four batters. Distaso recorded a strikeout against the very first batter of his big league career. Mack Jones was Distaso's first and only strikeout victim. The next batter, Donn Clendenon, grounded out to third base and then Coco Laboy walked. John Boccabella grounded out to retire the inning.<br />
<br />
Distaso was even better in his second inning, recording a 1-2-3 frame in facing Bobby Wine, Mike Wegener, and Manny Mota. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnsXTdw_HB-TAgW235gAliskMrLE0gE3P8MGzcwMyjFP_DUkwgvb2IgFbXbGhM5qX9agMsl-DHrSUTRknDTAcH-3TiEjES5cj2C5wQIF-v7ruHR23YjEeTMgeHoJO5Iyz8epfA3gzuUU/s1600/alecdistasowrigleywaxphoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnsXTdw_HB-TAgW235gAliskMrLE0gE3P8MGzcwMyjFP_DUkwgvb2IgFbXbGhM5qX9agMsl-DHrSUTRknDTAcH-3TiEjES5cj2C5wQIF-v7ruHR23YjEeTMgeHoJO5Iyz8epfA3gzuUU/s400/alecdistasowrigleywaxphoto.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://wrigleywax.blogspot.com/2009/12/1969-one-cub-at-time-602-cubs-rookies.html" target="_blank">Photo created by Wrigley Wax Blog</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The future Macomb resident appeared in only one more game two days later against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bill Hands was the starter that day and was shelled by the Bucs lasting just 1.1 innings after allowing five runs on six hits.<br />
<br />
Distaso was once again the first reliever that was called to the mound. It wasn't exactly a walk in the park for Distaso with the batters he had to face in the potent Pittsburgh lineup.<br />
<br />
Taking over in the second inning Distaso faced Richie Hebner, Roberto Clemente, and Willie Stargell. Hebner hit a single to left field, but Distaso retired Hall of Famers Clemente (fly ball) and Stargell (line out) to end the inning.<br />
<br />
The following inning, Al Oliver reached against Distaso on an E3 and then Manny Sanguillen singled. Next up was Bill Mazeroski who layed down a sacrifice bunt. Freddie Patek (pop out) and Chuck Hartenstein (ground out) ended the inning.<br />
<br />
Distaso was working some long relief as he also pitched the fourth inning but didn't have the same results. This time Clemente and Stargell banged out singles and would score on a 2-run double by Bob Robertson. Rich Nye took over pitching duties in the fifth inning, and Distaso would never pitch in the big leagues again.<br />
<br />
Distaso was the 1st overall pick in the January 1967 Major League Baseball amateur draft. In the draft's early days there was a January and June draft. A familiar name was selected three picks later by the Boston Red Sox. A catcher by the name of Carlton Fisk!<br />
<br />
<br />
After that 1969 season Distaso only played one more season in professional baseball. He split time in 1970 with three teams in the Cubs minor league system at three different levels. He posted impressive numbers for the Midwest League Quincy Cubs (4-0, 1.29 ERA, 28 innings). He also spent time with San Antonio (AA - Texas League) and Tacoma (AAA - Pacific Coast League).<br />
<br />
I never met Alec Distaso and he passed away at the age of 60 on July 13, 2009. After learning of his death I wrote a column on his career for the McDonough County This Week publication in Macomb. <a href="http://www.eaglepublications.com/thisweek/1248728993_2610.pdf" target="_blank">Read the story here</a>.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-3106346133510098382012-05-27T18:16:00.004-07:002012-05-27T18:16:52.675-07:001963 Topps #113 Don Landrum<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-jplWZYKn6VBcs1V-44Z8slXX8p8piVIw54K3DaPQ7-ufweia6CECt8SX2uBefRVzDV0VdDnolvKO92hse1fqBZDCU75AaPzGmsK5B3Kfm5LWB6O-W63fvczDUpGWuLkVq-80JBe1p4/s1600/63toppslandrum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-jplWZYKn6VBcs1V-44Z8slXX8p8piVIw54K3DaPQ7-ufweia6CECt8SX2uBefRVzDV0VdDnolvKO92hse1fqBZDCU75AaPzGmsK5B3Kfm5LWB6O-W63fvczDUpGWuLkVq-80JBe1p4/s320/63toppslandrum.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1963 Topps #113 Don Landrum (error featuring Ron Santo)<br />
Price Guide value: $2.22</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In my previous blog posts (<a href="http://cubscardz.blogspot.com/2012/05/1971-unknown-oddball-joe-decker-hector.html" target="_blank">1971 Dell Stamps</a> and <a href="http://cubscardz.blogspot.com/2012/05/1970s-oddball-cards.html" target="_blank">1970 Cubs oddballs</a>) I purchased a lot of 35 Chicago Cubs oddball cards from the 1970s. My second Ebay purchase last week was a 217-card lot of Cubs baseball cards from 1959 to 1978. <br />
<br />
At first I was going to make one blog post and feature several of the yards inside the lot, but after going through them there are several that I would like to highlight in individual posts. <br />
<br />
One of these cards is the 1963 Topps Don Landrum #113. The 1963 Topps set is one of my favorites mainly because it features a picture-in-picture with a smaller photo in the bottom corner of the cards, something we would later see in the 1983 Topps (circular photos) and 1984 Topps (square photos).<br />
<br />
Throughout my stints as a Cubs baseball card collector I have never really had a large collection of the 1963's, so that could be one of the reasons that I like the cards so much. <br />
<br />
In this recent lot that I purchased there are about a dozen of the 1963 Topps Cubs cards, a few of which I have never owned. One of the cards, the Don Landrum, I have had in my collection in the past.<br />
<br />
So why do I favor a card of a guy who was a career .234 hitter with 12 home runs in eight Major League Baseball seasons? The main photo on this card is not Landrum at all, but rather Cubs legend Ron Santo.<br />
<br />
Landrum spent four of his eight seasons in the big leagues with the Cubs, from 1962 to 1965. His best season came in '65 when he hit six home runs and had 34 RBIs in 131 games, all career highs. The Cubs took advantage of his improved numbers by dealing him with Lindy McDaniel to the San Francisco Giants for Bill Hands and Randy Hundley. It's safe to say the Cubs were the big winners in that trade!<br />
<br />
When I first added this piece to my collection over a decade ago I didn't recognize the error at first, but the card did indeed jump out at me. It wasn't too long after that I discovered that the Landrum card was an uncorrected error (UER).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Chicago Cubs Don Landrum Collection </b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-hERRmAdET4tmm6QcnVdB1keWZbW5YNDi5WuC5UzfucHNou0JfaUeWlBd39yjgrcWZwOQSfCZ6I_iZjIZ3FuGcUZ6XhEvoYTwnvyKC9Lla6Sm6tiz86X06X36wIVSoANFiLlXvmi0d8/s1600/landrum64topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-hERRmAdET4tmm6QcnVdB1keWZbW5YNDi5WuC5UzfucHNou0JfaUeWlBd39yjgrcWZwOQSfCZ6I_iZjIZ3FuGcUZ6XhEvoYTwnvyKC9Lla6Sm6tiz86X06X36wIVSoANFiLlXvmi0d8/s1600/landrum64topps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1964 Topps #296</i><br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifATSGF2fTitHSER0TqjrPi67W6dV5D4ip4wQsR3-XrgXLszJLY0TD91sOUqhX6c8nG9SQ16jyVkcdUZEeLgYwQlcbsHU8mu5YGdw6Z5Ky4SbKpG5ZTOgZDLEopiPjMcH7fUOlmKIxSLo/s1600/landrum65topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifATSGF2fTitHSER0TqjrPi67W6dV5D4ip4wQsR3-XrgXLszJLY0TD91sOUqhX6c8nG9SQ16jyVkcdUZEeLgYwQlcbsHU8mu5YGdw6Z5Ky4SbKpG5ZTOgZDLEopiPjMcH7fUOlmKIxSLo/s400/landrum65topps.jpg" width="174" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1965 Topps #596</i><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nUjoRDFB0ymE9xGGyqoiXmJgSxjchLjQrxjDf5_Un8HXAoq2DGRMHHa8LrXSfJ3WsB-cjqs37H4NpjnAdDKshuNCcOXiYQ1VS1wLJ_7IeFABpMb-rqp4gGdIIwSDNe_zfcLkqy4nf3A/s1600/landrum66topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nUjoRDFB0ymE9xGGyqoiXmJgSxjchLjQrxjDf5_Un8HXAoq2DGRMHHa8LrXSfJ3WsB-cjqs37H4NpjnAdDKshuNCcOXiYQ1VS1wLJ_7IeFABpMb-rqp4gGdIIwSDNe_zfcLkqy4nf3A/s1600/landrum66topps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1966 Topps #43</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-19236310640276355822012-05-26T09:59:00.001-07:002012-05-26T09:59:17.695-07:001971 Unknown Oddball Joe Decker, Hector Torres, Bill Hands<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0liCGFfflVE9qD-gttQIqXetY99WMPOnBUV1M8PbisZXpwis3WaZiO6UJ07EkM3nQO-51fBZTFUpnicb2rTjid_oZT-VYKjsvdmiu8t_9OwWBwJVhUH1hx26lWF4qBPmKma4tOKZX1Dc/s1600/joedecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0liCGFfflVE9qD-gttQIqXetY99WMPOnBUV1M8PbisZXpwis3WaZiO6UJ07EkM3nQO-51fBZTFUpnicb2rTjid_oZT-VYKjsvdmiu8t_9OwWBwJVhUH1hx26lWF4qBPmKma4tOKZX1Dc/s320/joedecker.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1971 Joe Decker unknown</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In my previous <a href="http://cubscardz.blogspot.com/2012/05/1970s-oddball-cards.html" target="_blank">blog I showcased some of the 1970s oddball cards</a> I recently purchased. Mixed among the 35 cards in the lot were some cards I had never seen before. All of the names were familiar (Bill Hands, Joe Decker, Hector Torres, Roberto Rodriguez). <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x22JKmgjgDpGrmk9bbnqQsvotmeTG2jAB6jz2mEKQBLTcJywPkesgS00-F2qTW1YVcvy6WbYu0VE1NiWUPaiwtmXgI53fOJo3gniAmyQEymNQwAv-CCj-u1EZZEu_erGDVxP-kSsvv0/s1600/hectortorres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x22JKmgjgDpGrmk9bbnqQsvotmeTG2jAB6jz2mEKQBLTcJywPkesgS00-F2qTW1YVcvy6WbYu0VE1NiWUPaiwtmXgI53fOJo3gniAmyQEymNQwAv-CCj-u1EZZEu_erGDVxP-kSsvv0/s400/hectortorres.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1971 unknown Hector Torres</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What was baffling to me though, was the Roberto Rodriguez card. The three others appear to be photos but the Rodriguez was a painting. There are no markings on the front side or back side but as you can see from the photos there are cut out lines on the fronts showing that they were a part of a single page. Other cards you see these lines came from various oddball sets from cereal makers, etc.<br />
<br />
Rodriguez appeared in the 1971 Topps set as a Chicago Cubs and had two other Topps issues, which oddly enough were both a part of the rookies duo in the 1968 and 1969 Topps sets when he was with the Oakland Athletics. In the '68 set he is featured with Darrell Osteen and in the '69 set with George Lauzerique. I could find no other Chicago Cubs issues featuring Rodriguez.<br />
<br />
Now to narrow down the year would be easy. Rodriguez was with the Cubs organization only in 1970, appearing in 26 games (3-2, 5.82 ERA, 46K, 15BB). Rodriguez was acquired on June 23rd from the San Diego Padres.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n1YHl_Xi-xxUllHLULn9kysjkI7XqrIF_H1HZcy1XiA8BwozmjxLBfzkNLRwF0KEHNKuCMjAlKFlm6uvPFvWXWpEfrG9CxYRrGHFJPMxJoNRbmjzWZ-U-SkjPfFi7KaRpxv7tImPXlU/s1600/billhands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n1YHl_Xi-xxUllHLULn9kysjkI7XqrIF_H1HZcy1XiA8BwozmjxLBfzkNLRwF0KEHNKuCMjAlKFlm6uvPFvWXWpEfrG9CxYRrGHFJPMxJoNRbmjzWZ-U-SkjPfFi7KaRpxv7tImPXlU/s400/billhands.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1971 unknown Bill Hands</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So since Rodriguez was acquired in June 1970, this set could have possibly been produced in the latter half of 1970, but that's not the case. I looked at the Hector Torres card, who also played just one season for the Chicago Cubs, in 1971. <br />
<br />
On the backside of the Torres reads, "Batted .305 at Oklahoma City in 1970 to earn late season trial with Astros. Acquired by Cubs after 1970 season." Based on the Torres bio on this card, it was not produced in 1970, but rather 1971. By the way, Torres has a pair of Cubs Topps issues despite playing just one season. <br />
<br />
Torres was traded by the Astros to the Cubs on October 12th with Hal Breeden for Roger Metzger, so he has a base card in a Cubs uniform in the 1971 set. He is also featured in the 1972 Topps set as a Cubs player.<br />
<br />
Since I could not find anything online on these cards, I thought I should go to the Cubs baseball card expert at the <a href="http://wrigleywax.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wrigley Wax blog</a>. I asked him if he knew what this set could possibly be and at first glance also seemed baffled. The cards are a thin paper, not thick cardboard like a regular baseball card. The thickness is similar to magazine stock, but slightly heavier. The cards measure 2" wide and 3" tall.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-26479121878346918422012-05-25T22:10:00.000-07:002012-05-25T22:10:14.193-07:001970's Oddball Cards<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZhqSsAPERVqnlHLsTmnfsQjXITXy7lw4vj92NlwCWFHqPJHTzbUBFf1trLkOZ1AWADif8ZtSygVmv9HytQFsb83aLznQoHJcrRqai4n0zbyv7qecxQzaL_3iM0jYCA3nGyvuOP338CY/s1600/billmadlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZhqSsAPERVqnlHLsTmnfsQjXITXy7lw4vj92NlwCWFHqPJHTzbUBFf1trLkOZ1AWADif8ZtSygVmv9HytQFsb83aLznQoHJcrRqai4n0zbyv7qecxQzaL_3iM0jYCA3nGyvuOP338CY/s320/billmadlock.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1976 Kellogg's 3-D Super Stars Bill Madlock</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well...I took the plunge...again! Baseball card collecting for me is the equivalent to allergies. I can go a few years without a flare up, and then boom...it hits me worse than ever. Not only have allergies wreaked havoc on me this spring it appears that baseball card collecting has reared its ugly head once again.<br />
<br />
I began this blog a couple weeks ago after seeing a photo at Peoria Chiefs Stadium with Earl Cunningham and it reminded me of those #1 draft pick cards of the slugger. The baseball card fever started to intrigue me and over sports memorabilia conversations with Kyle Bradt (a Minnesota Vikings memorabilia collector), it all came back and the words "Cubs" and "Cubs Lot" were typed into the Ebay search engine.<br />
<br />
In the end of that first Ebay search, I had won three Cubs auctions. The first of which was a 33-card lot of 1970's oddball cards of the Chicago Cubs. In just a few days a package arrived and I was just as excited to open it up as I was as a teenager.<br />
<br />
For those not familiar with the term, "oddball," it is a term used for non-mainstream cards such as those that would be found in a box of cereal, a rare insert set, etc. The card above is from 1976 and was issued by Kellogg's, a set called 3-D Superstars. These were popular in the 1970s and into the 1980s. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoY2BcMXh9TI83NivJiT9hTA76Cr1PAmKpe2OZ_VLld8J9edibiaUqkwNX41MbFSpYuH60hQy17NX1yBlOLDbwfbeeciw-in2UoAS31WWPN9Imr-vy5Ugiph0vT5sIdEt3FaWXOJ_FXY/s1600/stamps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoY2BcMXh9TI83NivJiT9hTA76Cr1PAmKpe2OZ_VLld8J9edibiaUqkwNX41MbFSpYuH60hQy17NX1yBlOLDbwfbeeciw-in2UoAS31WWPN9Imr-vy5Ugiph0vT5sIdEt3FaWXOJ_FXY/s400/stamps.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1974 Topps Stamps Glenn Beckert, Rick Monday, Burt Hooton</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
As I pulled out the cards one of the first things I noticed was a penny sleeve with stamps. There were three stamps inside the sleeve. They were part of a 240-stamp set put out by Topps in 1974. They are small measuring 1" x 1.5."<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFWQ3kWyrssr3jTLez7CPuvqzSd6Blx4SLrFon5M2QjK7g9Qqw_CPl1Ermtha9GeCLMA0u3K-MDhpNMQPvjdj4GX5x_2aZCcQoCECX9PGrJwq3EEBPufwGfIbzs-sZqQLYflM1mplKbk/s1600/josecardenalcranedisc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFWQ3kWyrssr3jTLez7CPuvqzSd6Blx4SLrFon5M2QjK7g9Qqw_CPl1Ermtha9GeCLMA0u3K-MDhpNMQPvjdj4GX5x_2aZCcQoCECX9PGrJwq3EEBPufwGfIbzs-sZqQLYflM1mplKbk/s400/josecardenalcranedisc.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1976 Crane Disc Jose Cardenal</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The next piece I noticed was a hard plastic sleeve containing some Crane discs. When my Cubs collection numbered 25,000+ I had a few of these Crane discs, put out in 1976. Crane was a potato chip company. There was a number of Crane discs inside the holder including Jose Cardenal's, featured above. Other Cubs Crane discs are; Rick Monday, Jerry Morales, Andy Thornton, and Bill Madlock. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_w1Ts6n3JuYy-L-RyY6bvY9mNAO6kevs8EnlqS7iVDYMU9ulG8GIqc9GHeLXxWKumz8r6Mm7vcu8YgClbpa9PgVPyw0nPFGOzfmcaxXOgv1Or9JkhovYdqJG1edwfvfr9JPBGjAFsoyk/s1600/robertorodriguez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_w1Ts6n3JuYy-L-RyY6bvY9mNAO6kevs8EnlqS7iVDYMU9ulG8GIqc9GHeLXxWKumz8r6Mm7vcu8YgClbpa9PgVPyw0nPFGOzfmcaxXOgv1Or9JkhovYdqJG1edwfvfr9JPBGjAFsoyk/s400/robertorodriguez.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Roberto Rodriguez unknown card</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A Roberto Rodriguez card peaked my interest. Rodriguez only has one Chicago Cubs card from all that I could find online, a 1971 Topps base card. However, this Rodriguez oddball card is out there in which his portrait is painted. There are no markings on the front and on the reverse side reads a small bio. Due to his one Cubs card being from 1971 I am guessing this card was also released in 1971. There are others from this same set in my lot including Bill Hands, Joe Decker, and Hector Torres (pictured with Houston Astros).
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhZZwXf5tTvLO8OYLaQ6cuxNavjI3LjAQqgH-wYNtSCO4cXen9wmsTS__IBQoXsVH79hzRBfjXuEKCprq3gYTPp4mWrhJVC18VJPJJ1nO65NZWLWLECILs4FqZJE3vKf5PN4M1tehvZo/s1600/rickeyreuschel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhZZwXf5tTvLO8OYLaQ6cuxNavjI3LjAQqgH-wYNtSCO4cXen9wmsTS__IBQoXsVH79hzRBfjXuEKCprq3gYTPp4mWrhJVC18VJPJJ1nO65NZWLWLECILs4FqZJE3vKf5PN4M1tehvZo/s400/rickeyreuschel.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1975 Post Rick Reuschel</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I never knew this card existed until a few days ago. What is unique is that Rick Reuschel's name is "Rickey" on this card, a 1975 Post card. The first time I saw this card was reading through the blog <a href="http://wrigleywax.blogspot.com/">Wrigley Wax</a>. Here I thought my collection ten years ago was complete. I was in awe reading through his posts!
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqJ0yW2JFWUO7bJRSbohiMyraz4KSzJDsPQR6rAs8c6F9-k0AYAxFM5_dU8pe5To4CXuMHb5sH94w5k3ZD_o1yZ7FGZc_BL_egV9oO_dpjq3Yr2NsIqs_vKvGC1t2fKHaRqR6Xa8zUI4/s1600/ivandejesusopeechee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqJ0yW2JFWUO7bJRSbohiMyraz4KSzJDsPQR6rAs8c6F9-k0AYAxFM5_dU8pe5To4CXuMHb5sH94w5k3ZD_o1yZ7FGZc_BL_egV9oO_dpjq3Yr2NsIqs_vKvGC1t2fKHaRqR6Xa8zUI4/s400/ivandejesusopeechee.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1978 O-Pee-Chee Ivan DeJesus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What's odd about a 1978 Topps base card of Ivan DeJesus? Well, this isn't a Topps card, but rather the O-Pee-Chee issue. The O-Pee-Chee set was the exact same as the 1978 Topps but the backside of the card was brighter (similar to the Topps Traded sets that would be issued in the 1980s), and the backside also had both English and French. The cards were printed in Canada. I also received a Jerry Morales O-Pee-Chee in this purchase.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMKkQi2K4Blg67RYdwSm1k5m0xMl4MjVyqAM3qLMRnBA35QW1Hom-ndWNyOC3GpeBkJedG6rGpew0Ov2VH5Pa7Lcw0EvhLCqg47NkfnqzK2PxwEG_rRRi8ft5RxduEbMeLoQwuiS7kbc/s1600/willardramsdell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMKkQi2K4Blg67RYdwSm1k5m0xMl4MjVyqAM3qLMRnBA35QW1Hom-ndWNyOC3GpeBkJedG6rGpew0Ov2VH5Pa7Lcw0EvhLCqg47NkfnqzK2PxwEG_rRRi8ft5RxduEbMeLoQwuiS7kbc/s400/willardramsdell.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1979 TCMA Willard Ramsdell</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Among a grouping of cards were some TCMA including the one pictured above, of Willard Ramsdell. Ramsdell was a pitcher in the 1950s. This card was issued by TCMA in 1979 and was part of the 1950s series. Others from the 1950s set that I received are Paul Minner and Bob Rush. I also received three from the 1960s set, produced in 1978. Don Elson, Rich Nye, and Jim Brewer were from the 1960s set. <br /><br />Five cards from the 1975 SSPC set were included, cards of Rick Monday, Jerry Morales, Steve Stone, Manny Trillo, and Rick Reuschel. <br /><br />The total hit on this lot of cards was $9.99 plus $3.00 shipping & handling for a total of $12.99. I feel that it was a good price because many of these cards could sell individually between $1 and $3.<br /><br />On Friday I received my second of three purchases. It was a 217-count lot of cards from 1959 to 1978. I will feature some highlights of this buy this weekend.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-48052344314362255272012-05-25T10:02:00.004-07:002012-05-25T10:15:43.433-07:001990 Topps #464 Jerome Walton<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsYbC-YTiNf1nUYMGsftK3BMGR9sGVUxcWIqPmHU_1FNYU-k8WPgYxbu1J-wjD03o2soZmaJrpv1iRmmaiHH56CpDMVHJoRZyVEkJg77GGLijDnraRo9F0EWnePqB9WWppR8EfMsh9GM/s1600/jeromewalton90topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsYbC-YTiNf1nUYMGsftK3BMGR9sGVUxcWIqPmHU_1FNYU-k8WPgYxbu1J-wjD03o2soZmaJrpv1iRmmaiHH56CpDMVHJoRZyVEkJg77GGLijDnraRo9F0EWnePqB9WWppR8EfMsh9GM/s1600/jeromewalton90topps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1990 Topps #464 Jerome Walton</i><br />
<i>Price Guide value: $0.27</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Inspired by a conversation at Peoria Chiefs Stadium earlier this week, one of my favorite childhood Chicago Cubs players is today's cardboard memory. <br />
<br />
I don't remember how the topic was brought up, but Chiefs play-by-play announcer Nathan Baliva, P.A. announcer Brendan Burke and I were chatting before the game against the Clinton Lumberkings. Walton and another Cubs rookie favorite from 1989, Dwight Smith, were brought up. Both played for the Peoria Chiefs in the mid-1980s.<br />
<br />
<br />
When I began collecting baseball cards 1988 Donruss was one of the first sets I remember getting cards from. The 1989 Topps set was the first set that really spurred my baseball card collecting and 1990 was probably the year that peaked as far as baseball cards were concerned. Later it would become football (1991) and as I reached junior high my basketball obsession began.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtXP_EiS1dASXCMtb7081D-_jHHsJ7gNpIQM_SsAJNIyArP7-hKgI3qF_-xxDamVGhBJGOCAYQSBZitpPbrWDquI9dOS2UwLTnBN_bnzsUor0NkhDDJaO83BZgZg77dhpSuYWVmh1pTI/s1600/jeromewaltonpeoriachiefs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtXP_EiS1dASXCMtb7081D-_jHHsJ7gNpIQM_SsAJNIyArP7-hKgI3qF_-xxDamVGhBJGOCAYQSBZitpPbrWDquI9dOS2UwLTnBN_bnzsUor0NkhDDJaO83BZgZg77dhpSuYWVmh1pTI/s400/jeromewaltonpeoriachiefs.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1986 Peoria Chiefs Jerome Walton</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Collecting baseball cards didn't return until the 1998 season as the Cubs began the year very hot and continued for a berth in the National League playoffs, helped by the home run chase featuring Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire.<br />
<br />
Jerome Walton made his MLB debut with the Cubs at the start of the 1989 season, April 4th to be exact. Walton was the starting center fielder in the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field and went 2-for-4 with a RBI. Rick Sutcliffe was the winning pitcher that day for Chicago.<br />
<br />
Walton hit .269 with 25 home runs and 132 RBIs, hit 77 doubles and 8 triples. Walton was named the National League Rookie of the Year, the first Cubs player to do so since Ken Hubbs in 1962.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMqKFVPl8zKVwgZogdlD0FJU8mb3jv6qRIPcC7_lw13rWzc4KjLUt9Y0SncHn0HEi4tguoON6aB42px0NX6SyNE_7ihyekNQdAWYB0WLN2Et8eJkKkNCSSUZfqmM2ni05OeDxUksrC_Q/s1600/jeromewalton89bowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMqKFVPl8zKVwgZogdlD0FJU8mb3jv6qRIPcC7_lw13rWzc4KjLUt9Y0SncHn0HEi4tguoON6aB42px0NX6SyNE_7ihyekNQdAWYB0WLN2Et8eJkKkNCSSUZfqmM2ni05OeDxUksrC_Q/s400/jeromewalton89bowman.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1989 Bowman #295 Jerome Walton</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Walton had some base cards in 1989, including the Bowman set, which had been resurrected for the first time since the mid-1950s. His first base Topps card came in the 1990 set, the much loved "gold cup" card. The gold cup cards honoring the All-Star Rookies in each Topps set made its debut in 1961 (with the gold cup). The 1960 Topps set featured the first All-Star rookies among the set. The 1961 Topps gold cup Cubs cards included Billy Williams and Ron Santo.<br />
<br />
Since I began this blog my collecting juices have been revived, thanks in part to be around the sport of baseball much more this season. Throughout my life, anytime I sit down and watch a Cubs game on a hot Sunday afternoon, I feel the viewing is incomplete without a binder full of cards on my lap. <br />
<br />
Last week I checked out Ebay and made my first baseball card purchase in a few years, so to balance the outgoing money (minimal), I have listed some items. My first purchase (lot of 1970s oddball Cubs cards) came in the mail yesterday and I will feature some of my favorite from the pile of 35 cards I received in my next post.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-66622289259605051752012-05-23T08:59:00.001-07:002012-05-23T08:59:39.033-07:001985 Topps #280 Shawon Dunston<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPMR_CYLVHsc5RZV8Z6k2d2apwuq0Ihao4YsFSU8ExrGKmOvTms-jibDNsITecTrI5hiOknOmGR35A2KY6Q1U6Gnok0AgzIyFifO_Bgb9iFRQJiYwu4JWodF5OZNq-h08hrXtG3OvudM/s1600/shawondunston85topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPMR_CYLVHsc5RZV8Z6k2d2apwuq0Ihao4YsFSU8ExrGKmOvTms-jibDNsITecTrI5hiOknOmGR35A2KY6Q1U6Gnok0AgzIyFifO_Bgb9iFRQJiYwu4JWodF5OZNq-h08hrXtG3OvudM/s1600/shawondunston85topps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1985 Topps #280 Shawon Dunston</i><br />
<i>Price Guide value: $0.56</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb45wtiwP1o6ARbT_naVDLXA6ESF21hylzpKwsKhVsoxzMmK8OM27ZehibKjWcMQWvWVhL-PR40xDtRqCOILWnYFuVvZDWo1Zf6fuAOCzmXYSfggFZIGvsrxr9AN9ZaUwPGrnC8GWXgNc/s1600/timbelcher85topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>The 1985 Topps baseball set is one of my favorite sets due to the specialty cards inserted. Among the inserted subsets were the #1 draft picks, USA Olympic baseball team, and father/son.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately no future Chicago Cubs players were featured in the 16-card Team USA set which featured a very popular card over a decade ago in the Mark McGwire rookie. During the 1998 home run season the card skyrocketed to over $200. Now the card can be bought on Ebay for a few bucks. Other Team USA players from the 1984 Olympic baseball team were Bill Swift, Mike Dunne, Don August, Scott Bankhead, Cory Snyder, and Oddibe McDowell.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0OgM9IUd0u3uWl7dk5JObeBquMFPnC4dgCFwyyOsfuISdG8Sd0hysE8OmrfIfs5HQ4jRCfgqAHWKIA6plMSbnsBzLePUE7fZfK6Z4c8RhM9Pqw34dp0IW4U3T9gdEmActgRyAJK7d_U/s1600/timbelcher85topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0OgM9IUd0u3uWl7dk5JObeBquMFPnC4dgCFwyyOsfuISdG8Sd0hysE8OmrfIfs5HQ4jRCfgqAHWKIA6plMSbnsBzLePUE7fZfK6Z4c8RhM9Pqw34dp0IW4U3T9gdEmActgRyAJK7d_U/s400/timbelcher85topps.jpg" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1985 Topps #281 Tim Belcher</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was a Cubs player featured in the father/son set, actually two. Terry Francona was playing with the Cubs and was featured with his big league father Tito Francona. A father Cubs player was featured in the elder Roy Smalley with son Roy, of the 1985 Minnesota Twins.<br />
<br />
I do not recall coming across my first Shawon Dunston draft pick card. It was not Dunston that was my first #1 draft pick purchase, it was actually the Tim Belcher card. He was a first round draft pick with the Minnesota Twins in 1983, but pictured with the Oakland Athletics.<br />
<br />
The Belcher card was a purchase at a card show, and it was featured in the $1 bin. It was neat and Belcher was having a decent season so I picked it up. In today's dollars it amounts to $1.76, but the Belcher card is only worth $0.34 according to the online baseball card price guide (which is very high). If someone was really wanting this card, they could probably get 50 of them for $0.34 due to the massive amount of 1985 Topps cards produced, hence the deflating value of all of the cards.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vYhKgAhha0ikiYEdXoo7usaeX6GdFenl80AANndHFeP9B6YcJ14uPIcMyjB3zPYt3bLVFKaogpGzs0R16J2AJY69FKbdRmZnWL5O5wS4Mc9Kk9YZ4N6YAc2JbGxiFu3R5iXOvYyFwB0/s1600/shawondunstonquadcitycubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vYhKgAhha0ikiYEdXoo7usaeX6GdFenl80AANndHFeP9B6YcJ14uPIcMyjB3zPYt3bLVFKaogpGzs0R16J2AJY69FKbdRmZnWL5O5wS4Mc9Kk9YZ4N6YAc2JbGxiFu3R5iXOvYyFwB0/s400/shawondunstonquadcitycubs.jpg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1983 TCMA Quad City Cubs Shawon Dunston</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One memory of 1985 Chicago Cubs baseball cards was from some fellow card collecting friends in Annawan. I can't even remember the kids' names but there were three brothers that lived in town, all a little older than me. I remember Jay, Casey, and Shane were their first names. One of the older brothers had a big collection of cards from the early-to-mid 1980's. I was in awe looking through the old Cubs and Bears cards, especially the Jim McMahon and William "Refridgerator" Perry cards he had. That was probably the first time I layed eyes on the 1985 Topps Shawon Dunston card.<br />
<br />
Today I still have a few Dunston draft pick cards that I have received in Cubs lot deals over the years bought on Ebay or boxes of 1985 Topps that I have picked up. At one point I was able to get my prized Dunston draft pick card autographed.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ah3Z7Uo8I2nBGStz-JrO8LHnJVPxrbgm6xvKXq9i3jTrYJZZt-VLkBoDsrYwJ2xT5LRDdeRNOVXMbuAlsgoDbQ9FNFiy9Eth4Oi9VpQBjUcP25FtnvRm43K4jDe1zCOW57OrKCfKqeg/s1600/shawonometer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ah3Z7Uo8I2nBGStz-JrO8LHnJVPxrbgm6xvKXq9i3jTrYJZZt-VLkBoDsrYwJ2xT5LRDdeRNOVXMbuAlsgoDbQ9FNFiy9Eth4Oi9VpQBjUcP25FtnvRm43K4jDe1zCOW57OrKCfKqeg/s400/shawonometer.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Shawon-O-Meter at Wrigley Field</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another card in the Dunston collection that I have always looked for is a minor league card when he played for the Midwest League's Quad City Cubs in the early 1980's. At one time I had the 1982 Quad City Cubs set, his first ever professional card. It was liquidated from my collection several years ago.<br />
<br />
<br />
As a kid I was able to watch the Shawon-O-Meter at Cubs games and maybe in a few years another generation of Cubs fans will see the meter return, only called the Shawon-OJunior-Meter. Dunston's son, Shawon Jr. was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB amateur draft. As of this blog post he is in extended spring training in Mesa, Arizona and will likely be assigned to short-season Boise Hawks of the Northwest League or the Midwest League's Peoria Chiefs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-45044050127111837352012-05-21T19:50:00.000-07:002012-05-21T19:50:23.460-07:001962 Topps #387 Lou Brock RC<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkXBjQ3r6VEpBKSwL2Ryfn2uC6hPuUL6MQoTQLM4f0PVUP7GapQPr_VcmNZMazvi64IYkhImYp3sG0hQkTKH1tCV7jbbfg8FvyeO9ebzRs5WXOhn60k4720Wl9UlRtqmon_MO35Ia94I/s1600/loubrock62topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkXBjQ3r6VEpBKSwL2Ryfn2uC6hPuUL6MQoTQLM4f0PVUP7GapQPr_VcmNZMazvi64IYkhImYp3sG0hQkTKH1tCV7jbbfg8FvyeO9ebzRs5WXOhn60k4720Wl9UlRtqmon_MO35Ia94I/s1600/loubrock62topps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1962 Topps #387 Lou Brock RC<br />Price Guide value: $73.32</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If there were ever a "white elephant" baseball card in my collection it was the Lou Brock rookie card from 1962 Topps.<br />
<br />
From the time I heard the story of the Brock-for-Broglio trade I was after anything Lou Brock in a Cubs uniform. My first Lou Brock pickup came as a youngster at the Sheffield Homecoming celebration sometime during middle school.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XTDUXC_-LDUJfRgTYDhXNADTu4B8MoCtZode6vv6MQgazWgq_-wSPgv5lgBjkVG7g6kKeZ6ggISO3kTcJ5tCHvjabqFx7uo923NIgpWqCUlYuMnJKAV8WBaNXkgMcMz33yZNEP6dcjI/s1600/loubrock63topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XTDUXC_-LDUJfRgTYDhXNADTu4B8MoCtZode6vv6MQgazWgq_-wSPgv5lgBjkVG7g6kKeZ6ggISO3kTcJ5tCHvjabqFx7uo923NIgpWqCUlYuMnJKAV8WBaNXkgMcMz33yZNEP6dcjI/s1600/loubrock63topps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1963 Topps #472</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sheffield Homecoming was a fair in the middle of summer much like any other summertime festival in a small town. I remember attending the Homecoming many times from a child into my high school days. One memory that sticks out is the time I was on some type of ferris wheel. This particular ride (not sure the name) spun upside down and went in a circle like the ferris wheel and it was an open box. Just me in the seat strapped in by a seat belt with a bar. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIedxDYmwoEoFyAL3-i0m4B42ZDTHXNYXZXeASdbgD85nI00L43l1wsDPVg4ZbGf89Yg4JLfReZ1eQchTg4rpJaPU0GVSMj2rAdNhU7GXnzGAI1v0LgP_thg3upxNhqMv-bg43rEGdhc/s1600/loubrock64topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIedxDYmwoEoFyAL3-i0m4B42ZDTHXNYXZXeASdbgD85nI00L43l1wsDPVg4ZbGf89Yg4JLfReZ1eQchTg4rpJaPU0GVSMj2rAdNhU7GXnzGAI1v0LgP_thg3upxNhqMv-bg43rEGdhc/s400/loubrock64topps.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1964 Topps #29</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the ride ended it stopped wherever you were and for me that was at the very top bucket down. For about 30 seconds, which seemed like 30 hours, I thought I was going to die a gory death by falling 50 feet. I lived.<br />
<br />
On the opposite side of the park was a stand selling baseball cards. The seller had many vintage cards (and at this time vintage to me was anything before 1980). There was a 1978 Topps record breaker card of Lou Brock for $3. Even though he was a St. Louis Cardinals, I splurged and bought the card. <br />
<br />
I always dreamed of owning the very first Lou Brock card, one in a Cubs uniform. I had seen some Brock rookie cards at various card shops and card shows, but none under $125. As I reached high school age I was working many hours, either on a paper route or at the grocery store, and could afford the card that had eluded me for so long.<br />
<br />
Even with an income I could not thrown down over $100 on a single baseball card. However, the emergence of Ebay was my golden ticket. Cards that were once so hard to find, and overpriced, were now coming down...and so was the Lou Brock rookie.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4L1edy9FDPfO8cdxkkW6-38D3Mc8pmy7aBrjGe7Ru4KmoyMhXTAjlpqWeUs0Upbw9zVi56IpOgGbgbcDPE5OPNSdcPorVMYlNR8EX_2Xp2lIvsMXmGBfmixjkoQn8Fd7MnnrLOWoqG8/s1600/loubrock64coin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4L1edy9FDPfO8cdxkkW6-38D3Mc8pmy7aBrjGe7Ru4KmoyMhXTAjlpqWeUs0Upbw9zVi56IpOgGbgbcDPE5OPNSdcPorVMYlNR8EX_2Xp2lIvsMXmGBfmixjkoQn8Fd7MnnrLOWoqG8/s400/loubrock64coin.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1964 Topps Coin #97</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first Brock rookie I picked up was purchased on an Ebay auction for around $35. A couple years later as I quit collecting baseball cards I wanted to liquidate my massive Cubs collection and was able to turn a profit on the card, getting over $40 selling it on Ebay.<br />
<br />
A few years later I began collecting Chicago Cubs cards once again and this time amassed a collection of over 25,000 Cubs cards and I snagged another Brock rookie off of Ebay for about $20. Once again I liquidated the collection and lost a few bucks selling it online.<br />
<br />
At one time or another I have owned each of the Lou Brock Cubs cards, from 1962, 1963, and 1964. I have never had the 1964 Lou Brock coin in my collection. I have also had some Ernie Broglio cards in my collection, but just like the trade...I'd like to forget!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-40504161214037582452012-05-20T12:54:00.003-07:002012-05-20T14:23:20.008-07:001990 Score #670 Earl Cunningham<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyepCeV5e5X7sGK6jBV-9UD1FWUQLkRpBAq8h4AwiVw6buWqDyO0aG0CJfxdcyZHVUHB8VTDWF_VdrEyL2sWH5BtWtVqhuvDXg9mzXnyd0Cid9mcte-5doKxcdmPSMFQWnWH1Yhz5XoI/s1600/Earl+Cunningham+1990+Score.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyepCeV5e5X7sGK6jBV-9UD1FWUQLkRpBAq8h4AwiVw6buWqDyO0aG0CJfxdcyZHVUHB8VTDWF_VdrEyL2sWH5BtWtVqhuvDXg9mzXnyd0Cid9mcte-5doKxcdmPSMFQWnWH1Yhz5XoI/s1600/Earl+Cunningham+1990+Score.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1990 Score Earl Cunningham #670</i><br />
<i>Price Guide Value: $0.29</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In my first blog post I mentioned seeing the picture on the wall inside Peoria Chiefs Stadium of former Cubs #1 draft pick Earl Cunningham. Early in my collecting days I grew fond of draft picks and rookie cards. One of which was Cunningham.<br />
<br />
For some reason throughout my life I have always found obscure players the most interesting in my collections. While my friends were seeking Ryne Sandberg and Mark Grace high-dollar rookie cards, I was seeking out the Earl Cunningham, Ty Griffin, and Heathcliff Slocumb early cards.<br />
<br />
This fascination was not just with baseball cards, but also jerseys. Can you believe a guy nicknamed "jersey boy" couldn't get a date in high school? Me neither, but I wasn't wearing Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, or Emmitt Smith jerseys. I was scooping up jerseys of Yinka Dare (New Jersey Nets first round draft pick), Rashaan Salaam (Chicago Bears), and Lou Roe of UMASS.<br />
<br />
It was the summer of 1990, not exactly sure the date or even month. A baseball card show was being held in Kewanee at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The old Kewanee K of C was home to many card shows, probably even monthly back in the card collecting heyday of the early 1990's. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLPFWf9PfsoYDytnE8HhqbGe8Ley6dIq4xEfg4oAqx1xYUAPXXM8yBGqpRz2qKpD8ilSPeG5KbTcMCCxEDe7UE_jxu3x5hTEmQt6fdhGMaZEb-vnce5B1VqD2FoUgMiioycj3vWzNfhk/s1600/0520121419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLPFWf9PfsoYDytnE8HhqbGe8Ley6dIq4xEfg4oAqx1xYUAPXXM8yBGqpRz2qKpD8ilSPeG5KbTcMCCxEDe7UE_jxu3x5hTEmQt6fdhGMaZEb-vnce5B1VqD2FoUgMiioycj3vWzNfhk/s320/0520121419.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Earl Cunningham (far left) of Peoria Chiefs</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I couldn't tell you how many times I traveled down Illinois highway 78 from Annawan to Kewanee to visit one of these card shows or even visiting the baseball card shops in the town of 12,000. At one time the small city boasted three card shops and now today the brick and mortar card shop is nearly extinct.<br />
<br />
More on card shops for another post while today the spotlight shines on one Earl Cunningham, a star high school outfielder from Lancaster, South Carolina. Cunningham was selected by the Chicago Cubs with the 8th overall pick in the 1989 Major League Baseball June's amateur draft.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1qkiuYFyJKH6G6_roSi2oiM9KHiNJHWEaYyYtJ7k6jMaPp25F1h38nKHfXXU2K3p2pDOBL6AQdGfsP9f80LfVPDUKpCiVCNRYdCygJk9FgctpMhE6YWjyGQ1b8bw-7LsgJ0_6c6BbKQ/s1600/earlcunninghampeoriachiefs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1qkiuYFyJKH6G6_roSi2oiM9KHiNJHWEaYyYtJ7k6jMaPp25F1h38nKHfXXU2K3p2pDOBL6AQdGfsP9f80LfVPDUKpCiVCNRYdCygJk9FgctpMhE6YWjyGQ1b8bw-7LsgJ0_6c6BbKQ/s1600/earlcunninghampeoriachiefs.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1992 Peoria Chiefs Earl Cunningham</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If only the Cubs had picked seventh! That's where another power hitter landed in the draft. That slugger's name was Frank Thomas who was picked up by the Chicago White Sox. Don't feel too bad Cubs fans because Thomas was looked over by teams that drafted players like Roger Salkeld, Jeff Jackson, Donald Harris, and Paul Coleman.<br />
<br />
During a 78-game run with the Midwest League's Peoria Chiefs in 1990, Cunningham blasted five home runs in 269 at-bats but struggled at the plate hitting just .216 and struck out 108 times. Cunningham struggled with his discipline at the plate as he struck out 145 times in 1991 and 152 times during the 1992 season.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYS9lMEVz8x3buNfCgmI9vrR2AzPsTlsnoXT4peWjRYuvgXfIskr6naiwPT9zHuLSuudvxK-sNdB45LUEEWH9ZmdlleiNM_-vNCj8Ik1HWEovgaF3qEmIN61eZLs-XEqgefebp1jwq2qI/s1600/earlcunningham1990topps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYS9lMEVz8x3buNfCgmI9vrR2AzPsTlsnoXT4peWjRYuvgXfIskr6naiwPT9zHuLSuudvxK-sNdB45LUEEWH9ZmdlleiNM_-vNCj8Ik1HWEovgaF3qEmIN61eZLs-XEqgefebp1jwq2qI/s1600/earlcunningham1990topps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1990 Topps Earl Cunningham #134</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the summer of '90 the prospects were high on Earl Cunningham. He was the highlight at that baseball card show in Kewanee, Illinois at the Knights of Columbus Hall. I remember there being a fee to get Cunningham's autograph, something like $3 or $5. As an eight year old living on allowance money, either fee was pretty steep, but it was a no-brainer for me.<br />
<br />
Armed with my 1990 Score rookie card of Earl Cunningham, I paid the fee and spent five seconds with the slugger as he signed my card in thick Cubs-blue sharpie. More than 20 years later I am glad I didn't invest in more signatures of Earl Cunningham.<br />
<br />
The #1 draft choice of the Chicago Cubs had his career peter out in the minor leagues. In fact Cunningham never made it past High-A baseball in the minor leagues. Cunningham's career spanned from 1989 with the Cubs rookie level Wytheville team to 1996 when he ended his career in the Colorado Rockies system.<br />
<br />
My Earl Cunningham signed rookie card was displayed throughout my childhood in a hard plastic case. At one point I decided to remove it from the case to a newer clear cover. Moisture had reached the inside of the plastic cover and as I pulled the card out much of it was ripped and it was tossed in the trash.<br />
<br />
Still today, many Earl Cunningham cards are stashed among my many boxes of baseball cards worth less than the paper they were printed on.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-21654530014178953282012-05-19T16:09:00.004-07:002012-05-19T17:10:34.819-07:001986 Topps Traded #12T Bobby Bonilla<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK0lDeV8aJmOwhvi2UX6a0nwv74APGGrZE9KlsaZjknGI9I9Ru_Br8F9Q6NuBjn9aomeG3I_Mc0796yaa87ezy80PTJz7z-qjnyenrSrzYcEZArbHdn3Hj9Ui7FStA8XlIqQH_0SrQhA/s1600/bonilla86sox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK0lDeV8aJmOwhvi2UX6a0nwv74APGGrZE9KlsaZjknGI9I9Ru_Br8F9Q6NuBjn9aomeG3I_Mc0796yaa87ezy80PTJz7z-qjnyenrSrzYcEZArbHdn3Hj9Ui7FStA8XlIqQH_0SrQhA/s1600/bonilla86sox.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1986 Topps Traded #12T Bobby Bonilla<br />
Price Guide Value: $0.55</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In just the second blog post I have already showcased a non-Cubs baseball card, however it is a Chicago card. This dandy is from the 1986 Topps Traded set, a rookie of Bobby Bonilla. I felt that showcasing this card was timely with the Crosstown Classic in the Windy City this weekend.<br />
<br />
For some reason I loved the vintage White Sox logo, despite being an enormous Chicago Cubs fan. Looking back on why this particular card was among my favorites is probably due in large part to the success Bonilla was having when my baseball card hoarding...err collecting began.<br />
<br />
Bonilla spent just 75 games with the White Sox during the 1986 season hitting a pair of home runs and batting .269 on the south side. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 23rd for Jose DeLeon. Bonilla became a six-time all-star and was runner-up for the National League MVP with the Pirates in 1990 and was third in voting in 1991.<br />
<br />
I can recall seeing this Bonilla rookie card for sale at a card show in my home town of Annawan, Illinois and it was listed for sale at $3.00. That was big money in 1989 and I was more of a quantity than quality guy in my collecting days. Why spend $3 on one baseball card when I can go to the Annawan IGA and buy SIX PACKS of the new Topps or Donruss. <br />
<br />
Much later in my collecting days I finally picked up this gem of a card and just like my 1977 Topps Big League Brothers card of Rick and Paul Reuschel, this Bobby Bonilla rookie card is still among my favorites. For a short time I was hooked on autograph collecting and sought many through the mail (TTM). I sent this Bonilla card off to Bobby, and a few weeks later he returned the card autographed in black sharpie.<br />
<br />
Funny that as a die-hard Cubs fan that a White Sox card would be among my most favorite cards, and how feelings we developed for things at a young age stick with us into adulthood.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377480400735746110.post-47771014034006348412012-05-16T17:25:00.001-07:002012-05-16T19:17:24.285-07:001977 Topps #634 Big League Brothers Rick & Paul Reuschel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBKTSRzs9_YvQ369GHXg7FY_Ql56ZllCIICpAuNqrAdlJ6s-silobK6CmRjVEaLUzCc4NowQISXHUtO6Nvu6ypTQojlKQPHgNuZGqt4lY3tmMuprY8V05KPYbrouyd68absctV_v3yfk/s1600/Reuschel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBKTSRzs9_YvQ369GHXg7FY_Ql56ZllCIICpAuNqrAdlJ6s-silobK6CmRjVEaLUzCc4NowQISXHUtO6Nvu6ypTQojlKQPHgNuZGqt4lY3tmMuprY8V05KPYbrouyd68absctV_v3yfk/s1600/Reuschel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>1977 Topps #634, Paul & Rick Reuschel<br />Price guide value: $0.55</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Growing up I had a fascination with Chicago Cubs baseball. Not just the team but everything Cubs, especially baseball cards. It helped that my summers were spent watching Cubs baseball at my babysitter's house. Since I was only two years old during the 1984 postseason run, so the memories I think I have are probably false, but I do remember Cubs teams of the mid-80s. </div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
The first package of baseball cards I remember purchasing was from 1987, the wood bordered set. I was five years old and didn't take care of my collection. Of course, the 1987 Topps set can now be bought on Ebay for about $5, so I am not crying over creased corners!</div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
With my love for all things Cubs growing and growing, I started collecting Cubs cards at various points as a child. For many collectors, then and now, grabbing the latest and greatest cards that just reached the grocery store shelves were the hot commodity. Not for me, I was a "vintage" guy all along.</div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Now vintage for me back then was 1981, or before Beau! There was just something magical about the sets that were being produced around the time I was born. My favorite Chicago Cubs cards were from 1981 to 1985.</div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Buying my Beckett magazines and other price guides, I would get glimpses of cards that escaped my collection. Most of these cards were not expensive, just hard to find for a 10 year old in the pre-Internet days.</div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
"Big League Brothers" was a card I discovered at some point as a child which featured Rick and Paul Reuschel. I knew of "Big Daddy" Rick, because he was still playing in the big leagues when I was growing up. At the time, I had no idea he spent a good amount of his long career at Wrigley Field and for a few seasons teamed up with his brother, Paul.</div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Little did I know that 20 years later, Paul Reuschel would be just another face around town. His wife is the superintendent of the Macomb school district and he is seen often at Macomb High School and Western Illinois University athletic events, the latter his alma mater.</div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I have seen a couple blogs flashing "cardboard memories" of baseball cards and always read with interest. Sitting at O'Brien Field and seeing a classic picture on the wall featuring former Chicago Cubs #1 draft pick Earl Cunningham, I felt that I should document my own love for my Cubs baseball card collection, something that was once 25,000+ strong!</div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">So as it is I wanted to show off that classic 1977 Topps #634 Big League Brothers card of Rick and Paul Reuschel in my first post which is probably to this day my favorite baseball card of all time, only made stronger due to their Western Illinois University background, and seeing Paul on a regular basis. Oh, and by the way...this was an error card. Rick is actually pictured on the left and Paul on the right.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0