Topps 2015 Update

On the Halloween night that just passed, my daughter and son-in-law came to my house to watch Game Four of the World Series.  It was a big night of baseball, as a Met victory would have put them back into the series and a Royals win could put them on the cusp of their first World Series Championship in 30 years.

 

In anticipation of their visit, I got a box of the recently released 2015 Topps Update set.  For many years, I have let my daughter open packs of new baseball card product.  For some people, they find great joy in opening a pack of new cards.  For me, I have just as much fun watching my daughter open a pack of new cards.  In the past, I've bought boxes of Heritage and always waited and let her open the cards.  This Saturday evening was going a first for me, to have my son-in-law open new packs of cards.

 

I didn't tell them ahead of time that I was getting the cards, so as they were settling in to watch the game, I pulled out the box of cards.  So the two of them took turns opening the packs, they turned it into a competition, as to who would get the better card.  The winner was clearly me.  I got a box of new baseball cards and spent the evening watching a baseball game with my daughter and son-in-law.

 

Some of the cards that were pulled from the box were:

 

My son-in-law pulled a Troy Tulowitzki All Star Work Out Jersey card.  This was a first for me.  I've seen jersey cards, but now a "Work Out" jersey card.  Wow, what's Topps going to come up with next? 

Topps 2015 Update All Star Work Out Jersey Troy Tulowitzki Card #STIT-TT

 

My son-in-law also pulled a Etched in History of Yankee great Mariano Rivera.

 

Topps 2015 Update Etched in History Mariano Rivera Card #EIH-7

 

My son-in-law pulled a card of a couple of Silver Slugger Giants.

 

Topps 2015 Update High-Voltage Card #US-21

 

Topps continues its practice of including many different insert sets.  Here are a few of those inserts.

 

Topps 2015 Update Rookie Sensations Cal Ripken, Jr. Card #RS-17

Topps 2015 Update Whatever Works Joe DiMaggio Card #WW-7

Topps 2015 Update Rarities George Brett Card #R-9

Topps 2015 Update Tape Measure Blasts Ted Williams Card #TMB-14

Topps 2015 Update Highlight of the Year Hank Aaron Card #H-69

Probably my favorite Topps 2015 Update insert is Pride and Perseverance set.  I had heard about the Pete Gray card and I was also happy that my daughter pulled one of his card and I was glad to get a William Hoy card.  Hoy, noted for being the most accomplished deaf player in Major League history, had a colorful career at the turn of the 20th century and was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2003.  I always like Jim Eisenreich's story and got one of his cards.  Eisenreich played in the Major Leagues for 15 years.  He has Tourette syndrome and in 1990, and was the first recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award, given annually to a Major League Baseball player who has overcome a significant obstacle in life.

 Topps 2015 Update Pride and Perseverance William Hoy Card #PP-11

Topps 2015 Update Pride and Perseverance Pete (Wyshner) Gray Card #PP-9

Topps 2015 Update Pride and Perseverance Jason Johnson Card #PP-5 

Topps 2015 Update Pride and Perseverance Jim Eisenreich Card #PP-7

 

Topps continued to include original cards in the Update Series packs.  Some of the cards aren't in great shape but they are still pretty cool.  I don't know if young collectors would know about any of these players' careers, but they might recognize that a surgical procedure that is extending pitcher's careers is named after the Dodger left handed pitcher, Tommy John, or maybe that Nationals outfielder Jayson Worth's grandfather, Dick Schofield, was a major league infielder, or that Royal great George Brett had an older brother, Ken, who played in the major leagues and who, as a 19 year old, pitched in two games for the Red Sox during the 1967 World Series.  

 

Topps Original Card of Tommy John from the Topps 1974 set Card #258

Topps Original Card of Dick Schofield from the Topps 1968 set Card #18

Topps Original Card of Ken Brett from the Topps 1971 set Card #89

Topps is really selling the Cubs young third baseman, Kris Bryant.  His rookie card is a part of Series Two, and Topps also included new Bryant cards in the Update set.  Bryant had a pretty good year and is likely to be named National League Rookie of the Year.  In the Update Series, Topps issued these four cards featuring Bryant.

 Topps 2015 Update Rookie's Rising Card #US79

Topps 2015 Update Kris Bryant Card #US78

Topps 2015 Update Kris Bryant Card #US242

Topps 2015 Update Kris Bryant Card #US283 

 

Also, a few other rookie cards were pulled from the box, including a couple of parallel issues. 

 

Topps 2015 Update Gold Parallel Byron Buxton (#1087 of 2015) Card #US25

Topps 2015 Update Big Parallel Daniel Norris (#04 of 64) Card #US53

Topps 2015 Update Carlos Correa Card #US174

 

I also got a snow camo of former A's catcher, Derrick Norris, wearing a camo jersey for his new team, the Padres.

 

Topps 2015 Update Snow Camo Parallel Derrick Norris (#86 of 99) Card #US167 

 

I've included a list of cards that I have for trade from the update set on my blog. I need a card to complete the set and would like to try to complete the Pride and Perseverance set. If you are interested in trading, just let me know. Thanks for looking.

 

While watching the 8th inning of game four of the World Series, my daughter invented a new verb that should be added to the English language.  "Murphyed": when an infielder muffs what appears to be a routine ground ball.  An example of usage of the new verb, "Oh, the second baseman murphyed that ball."  Then here is a video example of "murphyed".  No treats, just tricks, for Daniel Murphy on that night.

 

  

  



The Mad Dash

As we await the beginning of the 2015 World Series, I reflect back on the winning run that Lorenzo Cain scored in game six of the American League Championship series and I am reminded of St. Cardinals Enos Slaughter's Mad Dash in the 1946 World Series against the Red Sox.

Cain should be applauded for his play when he scored from first base on Eric Hosmer's 8th inning single, as he scored the decisive run to end the Blue Jays post season.  Earlier in the series, Royals third base coach Mike Jirschele had noticed when a runner on first headed to third on a single, Blue Jays' right fielder Jose Bautista would throw the ball to second base.  Bautista had done it before during the series, but the runner coming into third on that play was Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales and Jirschele couldn’t take advantage of Bautista’s throw as Morales wasn’t fast enough.

However, Jirschele remembered that play and thought that if Bautista did that again and if the Royals had a fast runner coming into third, he would send that runner home.  There could not have a more opportune time for Jirschele to send a runner home when Cain motored into third base and Bautista throw went to second base.  Bautista intentions were to hold Hosmer to a single; however, when Jitschele saw Baustista's throw, he sent Cain home.  Cain speed pressured the Jays defense as they make two long throws and when shortstop's Troy Tulowitzki's throw to the plate was late, the Royals took a 4 - 3 lead.  After Royals reliever Wade Davis worked a tense ninth inning and the Blue Jays failed to score, the Royals won their second consecutive American League championship and are now headed back to the World Series.

This was not the first time in the state of Missouri, that a runner, in the bottom of the 8th inning, scored from first base with the run that won a post season game and series. 

 

The 1946 World Series matched the National League Champion Cardinals, against the American League Champion Red Sox.  The series featured future Hall of Famers, Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, and Enos Slaughter from the Cardinals, and Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr for the Red Sox.   In the series, the club's star outfielders, Musial and Williams, who each won the Most Valuable Player award in their respective leagues, didn't match the batting averages they had during the season.  During the series, Musial hit .222 (six hits in 27 at bats) and Williams batted just .200 (5 hits in 25 at bats).  For the season, Musial had lead the National League with a .365 batting average and Williams, who had batted .342, finished second in the American League to Senator's Mickey Vernon's .353 average.  Williams, who had played the Series injured, refused to use his injury as an excuse.   

 

After six games, the series was tied at three games.  The Red Sox had won games one, three, and five. The Cardinals followed each of those Red Sox victories with a win of their own, as they won games two, four, and six.  Game seven was played in St. Louis on October 15.

 

So the 1946 World Series come down to a Game 7 and one of the most discussed plays in World Series history, "The Mad Dash".  After Red Sox center fielder, Dom DiMaggio's eight inning two-run double tied the score at 3, the Cardinals came to bat in the bottom of the inning.

 

The Cardinals Enos Slaughter opened the inning with a single but the next two batters failed to advance him. Then with two outs, Harry Walker stepped to the plate and hit a ball over Red Sox shortstop's Johnny Pesky's head and Slaughter started his dash. As Pesky caught the relay throw from the outfield, he turned and saw that Slaughter had rounded third base.  Although, Cardinal third base coach Mike Gonzalez threw up a stop sign, Slaughter ignored it, and he headed to the plate.  Pesky hesitated a split second before throwing home, and his throw was late as Slaughter slid into the plate safely.  Cardinal hurler, Harry Brecheen, who won three games during the series, pitched a scoreless 9th inning.  Walker was credited with a game winning RBI double and the Cardinals won the game and the World Series.

 

Baseball cards have been issued memorializing Slaughter's Mad Dash.

 

In 1970 and 1971, Fleer issued a set of Laughin World Series cards.  In each set, Slaughter's Mad Dash is depicted on the front of the cards.  The cards use cartoon drawings of Slaughter.  The 1970 card shows him sliding across the plate as the 1971 issue has him running through a stop sign. 

1970 Fleer Laughin World Series Card #43

1971 Fleer Laughin World Series Card #44

 

Then during the 90s, Upper Deck and Fleer each issued a card of the Mad Dash.

            1994 Upper Deck All Time Heroes Baseball Card #14

 

1998 Sports Illustrated World Series Fever #26

 

These cards use two different photographs of Slaughter sliding across the plate.

 

In 2010, Topps issued a History of the World Series card of Slaughter.

 



2010 Topps History of the World Series #HWS8 

With this issue, Topps used a color enhanced photograph of the picture Fleer used with its their 1998 Sports Illustrated card. 

1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice

In 1994, Upper Deck introduced a new baseball card, Collector's Choice.  For five years, through 1998, Upper Deck produced the Collector's Choice card.  In the early 90s, card companies began to issue premium baseball cards.  Donruss was the first card company to introduced a premium card with Leaf in 1990.  Fleer followed up with Ultra in 1991 and then Flair in 1993. In 1992, Topps switched its Bowman card to a premium product and introduced Finest in 1993.  Upper Deck issued its first SP set in 1993.  By the mid 90s, sports card collecting was forever changed and was never again the same. 

1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Silver Signature Mike Piazza Rookie of Year Card #310 

 

The 1994 Collector's Choice set has 670 cards and was issued in two series.  The first series has 320 cards and the second series has 350 cards. A pack of Collector's Choice had 12 cards and cost 99 cents.  Each pack had a Silver Signature card (card with a silver facsimile of the player's signature) and each box had Gold Signature card (card with a gold border and a gold facsimile of the player's signature).   Sets of Collector's Choice included five Gold Signature cards.

1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Silver Signature John Kruk Card #168

When Collector's Choice was first issued, it really wasn't a premium product.  I feel it was more like the current day Topps Opening Day card.   Collector's Choice was a nice card available at a more affordable price. 

1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Silver Signature Shawn Green Card #9

Currently, blogger buckstorecards is writing 1994 Collector's Choice - Card by Card.  The blog is providing a written description about each player card in the set.
 

1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Silver Signature Cecil Fielder Card #100

Since Collector's Choice was introduced, I have found boxes of both the first and second series for sale at card shows.  If I find a box of the cards for less than $20, I will usually purchase it.  Today, you can find first series boxes on ebay in the $20 to $25 range.  The second series box is a little harder to find and when I checked ebay today there were no second series boxes being offered.

1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Silver Signature Edgar Martinez Card #480

 

Back in 1994, I worked on completing a Collector's Choice set.  Upon finishing the set, I began working on a Silver Signature set.  I've continued to collect the Silver Signature cards and now have the set about 95% complete.  Are there are any other baseball card collectors out there who are trying to complete the 1994 Collector's Choice set?

1994 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Silver Signature Matt Williams Card #299

I've included a list of the Silver Signatures duplicates on my blog page.  I also have many duplicates of the Collector's Choice regular issued cards.  I have not included a list of these cards, but if you are working on the set please check with me and I will see if I have the cards you need.  If you want any of these cards, let me know and we can make a trade.  I have also listed the Silver Signature cards I need.  If you have any of these cards and can help me complete my set, I would like to possibly make some kind of arrangements and get those cards from you.  Please let me know. 

Happens to every guy sometimes this does

I recently completed a trade with JediJeff from 2 x 3 Heroes.  I had written a blog seeing if there was anyone out there who was interested in trading for some 2015 Topps to help me complete my set.  JediJeff contacted me and offered me some of the cards I needed. 

 

To work the trade, I sent cards to JediJeff from his White Sox team want list.  He wrote about those cards on his 2 x 3 Heroes blog entry titled "That Which I Covet"  He did a great job describing the cards I sent to him.  I was happy to trade these cards with JediJeff to help him get closer to completing his White Sox team sets.

JediJeff sent me a package of cards that I received this past week.   JediJeff passed on some of the Topps 2015 cards I needed plus some great A's cards.  

Yoda, as one of the most renowned and powerful Jedi Masters in galactic history says "Happens to every guy sometimes this does." 

Though I am no Jedi, Yodi's words have shown me, through my blog that I have happened to find sometimes, trades and have acquired new cards for my collection.

Some of the cards JediJeff sent to me include:

Topps 2015 Needs

These were the cards JediJeff sent me from my Topps 2015 want list.
  

Giancarlo Stanton Card #150

James Jones Card #494

Brandon Finnegan Card #154

Derek Holland Card #357

Michael Saunders Card #424

Albert Pujols Card #600

 

Giancarlo Stanton hit some long home run this pass season before his year ended on June 26 when he broke the hamate bone in his left hand on a swing and miss.   One of his long home runs was hit on May 12th, when a 467-foot blast cleared the left field stands at Dodger Stadium.   It was the fifth time that a ball had been hit out of Dodger Stadium.  On May 15th, 2015, Stanton hit a 474-foot home run to center field in Marlins Park. Then on May 30th, 2015, Stanton hit a 466-foot home run, the longest home run in the history of the Mets' home park, Citi Field.

 

A's Stars

 

JediJeff included cards of four players who, in 1989, helped the A's to their last World Series Championship.  

 

1997 Pinnacle Mark McGwire Card #188

1995 Emotion Rickey Henderson Card #71

1991 Fleer All Star Team Jose Canseco Card #6

1993 Leaf Rickey Henderson Card #291

1988 Topps UK Minis Dave Parker Card #55

1993 Topps Black Gold Mark McGwire Card #39

 

Jose Canceso, Rickey Henderson, Mark McGwire, and Dave Parker were members of the 1989 team that defeated the Giants during the 1989 World Series.  This series was postposed for ten day due to the Loma Prieta earthquake that struck the San Francisco/Oakland area. During the series, each of these players hit a home run during the four game sweep of the Giants.

 

Autograph Cards

 

JediJeff added a couple of autograph cards of A's pitchers who have pitched in the minor leagues for the A's.

 

2002 Select Rookie and Prospects Bert Snow Card #8

2014 Bowman Chrome Chris Kohler Card #BCAP-CK

 

Bert Snow was the A's 10th round draft pick in the 1998 MLB June Amateur Draft from Vanderbilt University.  The right handed pitcher spent six years in the minor leagues playing for affiliates of the A's.  Chris Kohler was the A's 3rd round selection in the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft.  After sitting out 2014 due to an elbow injury, this season, Kohler pitched for the Vermont Lake Monsters of the New York-Pennsylvania League.  The 20 year-old left handed pitcher struck out 37 batters in 38.1 innings pitched. 

Home Town Heroes

 

JediJeff added a couple of cards from the 2013 Panini Home Town Heroes set.

2013 Panini Home Town Heroes Dwayne Murphy Card #110

2013 Panini Home Town Heroes Reggie Jackson Card #200

 



Reggie Jackson exploits on the baseball diamond are well documented and earned him a plaque in Cooperstown.  In 21 seasons, Jackson lead the American League in home runs on four different occasions.  He also was a four-time World Champion, winning the World Series twice with the A's and Yankees.  Dwayne Murphy played parts of nine season with the A's.  He was a Golden Glove center fielder, as he won the award six consecutive times, between 1980 through 1985.

 

Vintage Athletic

JediJeff included a Topps 1964 card of Jim Gentile.

Topps 1964 Jim Gentile Card #196

 

Jim Gentile was acquired by the Kansas City Athletics during November 1963 from the Orioles in a trade for Norm Siebern.  In the 1964 season, the A's finished in tenth place in the American League and Gentile was their regular first baseman.  Gentile had 28 home runs and 71 RBI during the season, second on the club in both categories to the A's starting right fielder, Rocky Colavito, who lead the team with 34 home runs and 102 RBI.  After being replaced at first base at the beginning of the 1965 season by Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson, Gentile was traded to the Astros in June.  Before leaving for Houston, Gentile played in 38 games for the A's and hit 10 home runs in 118 at bats.         



Golden Rainbow Cards Trade

Recently, Bryan from Golden Rainbow Cards saw my blog about Topps 2015 cards for trade.  There were a few cards that he needed and he had a card I needed.  I asked if there might be other cards he needed and he offered up his want list.  I sent a package of cards from cards from the 80s and the 90s with the cards he needed from the Topps 2015 set.  Bryan said that he would send me some A's cards. 

 

The cards that Bryan sent are a sweet package.  He sent me cards that were additions to my collection.

 

Topps 2015 Card

 

This was the card from the Topps 2015 set that I needed, Topps All-Star Rookie Nick Castellanos.  

Topps 2015 Nick Castellanos Card #521

 

Nick Castellanos was a first round draft pick (44th overall) of the Tigers in the 2010 amateur draft.  For the past two years, Castellanos has been the Tigers starting 3rd baseman.  In 2014, he finished the year with a .259 batting average with 11 home runs and 66 RBI.  For his 2015 season, Castellanos  batting average was .255 and he increased his home run output (with 15) and RBI total (to 73).

 

A couple of Southern California Infielders

 

Bryan added a couple of cards of infielders who played in the A's during the past decade.

 

Topps 2006 Bobby Crosby Card #448

Bobby Crosby was a first round draft pick (25th overall) of the A's in the 2000 amateur draft after attending college at California State University, Long Beach.  He is son of former Cardinal, Red, and Indian infielder, Ed Crosby.  In 2004, Bobby Crosby won the American League Rookie of the Year while playing shortstop for the A's.  He spent part of seven season playing for the A's and finished his time there with a .238 batting average (568 hits in 2391 at bats) and 61 home runs and 263 RBI.  In 2010, Crosby's final year in the major leagues, he spent time playing with the Pirates and the Diamondbacks.

Topps 2009 Wal-Mart Black Daric Barton Card #32

 

This is a 2009 Wal-Mart Black card of Daric Barton, who was a first round draft pick (28th overall) of the Cardinals in the 2003 amateur draft.  He signed with a the Cardinals as a 17 year old after attending high school in Huntington Beach, CA.  In 2004, Barton was traded to the A's in the trade that sent left handed pitcher Mark Mulder to the Cardinals.  Barton played first base in parts of eight seasons with the A's.  While with the A's, he batted .247 (431 hits in 1744 at bats) with 30 home runs and 184 RBI.  In 2010, he was the major league leader when he was issued 110 base on balls. 

 

A Golden Rainbow card

 

The next card was a 1994 Stadium Club Golden Rainbow of A's third baseman Scott Brosius, who played with the A's during the 1990's.

 

1994 Stadium Club Golden Rainbow Card #164 

Scott Brosius was a 20th round draft pick of the A's in the 1987 amateur draft after attending college at Linfield College in McMinnville OR.   Brosius made his major league debut with A's in 1991 and played part of seven seasons with them.    While playing with the A's, he batted .248 (494 hits in 2085 at bats) with 76 home runs and 249 RBI.  In November 1997, Brosius was traded to the Yankees for left handed pitcher, Kenny (The Gambler) Rogers.  Brosius played four season for the Yankees, and was an All Star in 1998 and won a Gold Glove for his play at third base during the 1999 season.  Brosius was a part of three Yankees World Championship teams, (1998, 1999, & 2000), winning the World Series Most Valuable Player in 1998.  

 

1992 Stadium Club

 

Bryan added some 1992 Stadium Club cards.

 

1992 Stadium Club Harold Baines Card #536

1992 Stadium Club Mark McGwire Card #475

1992 Stadium Club Willie Wilson Card #343

1992 Stadium Club Joe Klink Card #326

1992 Stadium Club Steve Chitren Card #518

 

All five of these players were members of the 1991 A's team.  Mark McGwire started at first base for the team and finished with 22 home runs (3rd highest total on the team behind Jose Canseco and Dave Henderson).  Harold Baines was the club's designated hitter. Baines' 90 RBIs was second highest on the team and trailed only Jose Canceso's 122 RBI.  Willie Wilson was signed as a free agent prior to the beginning of the 1991 season and he was a backup in the A's outfield as he played 41 games in leftfield, 33 in centerfield, and 19 in right field.  Joe Klink and Steve Chitren were joined in the A's bullpen that year with Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley as Klink appeared in 62 games and Chitren appeared in 56 games. 

 

Athletic Hall of Famers

 

Finally, there were three Topps insert cards from Hall of Fame Athletic outfielders.

 

Topps 2009 Legends of the Game Jimmie Foxx Card #LG10

 

Here is the Topps 2009 Legends of the Game card of Jimmie Foxx.  Foxx played 20 years in the major leagues and was a member of the Philadelphia A's from 1925, when he broke in as a seventeen year old, to 1935.  In 1932, Foxx was the American League Most Valuable Player when he lead the league His 302 home runs as an Athletic is second only to Mark McGwire's 363 home runs that he hit as an A's. 

  

Topps 2015 Series Two 1st Home Run Gold Reggie Jackson Card #FHR-13

 

Here is a Topps 1st Home Run card of Mr. October, Reggie Jackson.  Jackson had two different stints with the A's.  He made his debut with he Kansas City A's in June 1967 when he was 21 years old.  He played with the A's in Oakland from 1968 through 1975 and was a member of the A's three World Championship teams during the 1970s although he didn't play in the 1972 because he injury his leg in game five of the American League Championship Series against the Tigers.  Jackson return to Oakland to play with the A's in 1987, his final season in the major leagues.  In 1975, Jackson was named American League Most Valuable Player and he lead the American League in home runs four times, twice while he played with the A's  His 269 home run as an Athletic is third all-time behind only Mark McGwire and Jimmie Foxx. 

 

Topps 2013 Chasing History Holofoil Gold Rickey Henderson Card #CH8

 

Rickey Henderson, played for nine Major League nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with the A's.  Henderson was a 4th round draft pick of the A's in the 1976 amateur draft after attending Technical High School in Oakland.  In June 1979, as a twenty year old, Henderson made his major league debut.  Then in 1990, while playing for the A's, Henderson was named the American League Most Valuable Player. He was 12-time American League stolen base champion, and lead the American League in runs scored five times.   Henderson holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982) and his 1,406 career steals is 50% higher than the previous record of 938 held by Cardinal outfielder, Lou Brock.  His 167 home runs hit as an Athletic ranks twelfth on the team's all time home run list.  

To Catch a Thief

Recently I received a PWE from Jeremy, a reader of my blog and a trade partner.   What I found in the envelope was Jeremy's first ever historical collection.  As I look through the cards, I noted that there was a stack of about ten different cards of catchers.  I didn't have a clue about the historical content of the package. 

 

In an email received later from Jeremy, he reported that the catchers were part of his special historical collection.  He had researched the catchers who Rickey Henderson stole the most bases on, and he found cards of those catchers he most frequently stole on. 

 

The Thief

Topps 2000 Rickey Henderson 20th Century Best Card #233

 

Rickey Henderson, regarded as the baseball's greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer, played for nine Major League nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with the A's. Henderson holds the major league records for career stolen bases, runs, unintentional walks, and leadoff home runs. 

 

In 1990, while playing for the A's, Henderson was named the American League Most Valuable Player. He was the leadoff batter for two World Series champions, the 1989 A's and the 1993 Blue Jays. He was 12-time American League stolen base champion, and lead the American League in runs scored five times. Henderson was also a ten-time All-Star and was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2009, on his first ballot appearance.

 

Henderson holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982) and is the only player in American League history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done that three times. His 1,406 career steals is 50% higher than the previous record of 938 held by Cardinal outfielder, Lou Brock.

 

Catch me if you can

 

In our trade, Jeremy sent me cards of those catchers who Henderson stole the most bases on.  He found cards of the top ten catchers who Henderson stole on and he was able to find a card of each of them in their catchers gear.

 

The list of those Henderson pilfered includes:

  

1.  Jim Sundberg (54 times) 

1982 Donruss Jim Sundberg Card #268

 

Sundberg ranks 3rd with catchers who caught Henderson the most (13 times).
 

2.  Ernie Whitt (48 times) 

1989 Upper Deck Ernie Whitt Card #118

 

Whitt ranks 5th with catchers who caught Henderson the most (10 times).
 

3.  Carlton Fisk (43 times)

1988 Donruss Carlton Fisk Card #260

 

Fisk ranks 4th with catchers who caught Henderson the most (11 times).
 

Tied for 4th. Butch Wynegar (37 times) 

Topps 1980 Butch Wynegar Card #304

 

Wynegar is tied for 7th with catchers who caught Henderson the most (7 times).
 

Tied for 4th.  Rick Dempsey (37 times)  

Topps 1983 Rick Dempsey Card #138

 

Dempsey is tied for 7th with catchers who caught Henderson the most (7 times).
 

Tied for 6th.  Brian Harper (36 times)

Leaf 1992 Brian Harper Card #131

 Tied for 6th.  Lance Parrish (36 times) 

Topps 1987 Lance Parrish Card #791

 

Parrish ranks 1st with catchers who caught Henderson the most (17 times).
 

8.  Rich Gedman (33 times)

1988 Fleer Rich Gedman #353

 

Gedman ranks 6th with catchers who caught Henderson the most (11 times).
 

9.  John Wathan  (32 times)

Topps 1983 John Wathan 1982 Record Breaker Card #6

 

This card of Wathan is celebrating his record breaking season of the stolen base standard for catchers, when he stole 31 bases in 1982.  He broke the record of 30 steals established in 1916 by White Sox's backstop Ray Schalk.  Wathan record still stands today.
 

10. Ron Hassey (29 times)

Topps 1991 Ron Hassey Card #327

Hassey was Henderson's teammate with the A's when they won three consecutive American League Pennants (1988 - 1990) and on the 1989 World Championship team.

 

For his career, Henderson attempted to steal on more than 240 different catchers.

Here is a link to an article about those catchers Henderson attempted to steal on.

Catchers Rickey Henderson attempted to steal on

Saturday in the Park - Bumgarner near perfect

On Saturday night, I went to San Francisco and attended the Giants and Padres game with my daughter and son-in-law.  This was the second time that I've attended a game at AT&T Park.  The last time I was there, was in 2003, when the ball field was called SBC Park.   We arrived at the game early as we wanted to watch batting practice.  We got the chance to watch the Padres batting practice.    When a ball was hit into the stands, it seemed like adults were scrambling after the balls, and I believe that they would have bullied over anyone in an effort to get to a ball.

 

Our seats were in right field.  During batting practice, as kids stood around hoping that a ball would be hit to them, no ball came close to being hit near our seats.  However, one of the Padres players standing in the outfield tossed a ball to kids into the area.  It was cool to see how excited these children were as the held on their treasures.  The joy of these unforgettable moments were documented by photographs taken by parents.  This was a reminder to me that baseball is a kids game and how important it is to share the game with them and teach them to enjoy it.   The Padres player who tossed the ball into the stands was wearing a warm up jacket so I didn't know who it was.  I wish that I could have thank him personally and I also wish he could have seen how happy those kids were when they held into his and her ball.

 

We were fortunate to attend a great game.  That night Madison Bumgarner pitched a one hitter.

 

Bumgarner about to delivery a pitch early in the game.

Bumgarner had a perfect game going into the 8th inning as he retired the first 23 Padres batters.  The Padres' first hit was a single by pinch hitter Melvin Upton coming with two outs in the 8th inning.  Bumgarner retired the last four Padres batters he faced after Upton's single and he finished the night with nine strikeouts while facing only 28 batters. 

 

Bumgarner near perfect game  

 

The night of the game there was a Lego promotion.  

 

 

 

The Lego Group had created a life size Buster Posey that people could pose with.

 

 

 

It was nice to go to the game with my daughter and son in law.  My daughter likes Giant rookie infielder Kelby Tomlinson, as she and her husband had a chance to hear Tomlinson speak a few weeks ago.  Tomlinson has been playing second base while subbing in for Joe Panik, who has been out with an injury.  Saturday night, Tomlinson had two hits in four at bats, with a triple and an RBI, lifting his seasons batting average to .306.  He also made a fine play in the field during the 7th inning to keep Bumgarner's perfecto intact. 

 

Kelby Tomlinson looking at a pitch

 

Brandon Belt homered in the 7th inning.  Where our seats were, in right center field, I figured that no ball would be hit near us.  However, Belt "Ruthian" blast landed on a seat just behind us and was snagged by a guy who was sitting five seats from us.

 

                                 

 

Prior to the game we check out some of the statues of some all time great Giants.

 

Willie McCovey at McCovey Cove

Juan Marichal

Willie Mays at Willie Mays Plaza

 

I missed out on the Orlando Cepada statue.

  

We also stopped at a Baseball card shop in Rohnert Park and I acquired a few vintage cards.  I paid a dollar each for a Al Lopez card and a Rocky Colavito card.

 

Topps 1960 Al Lopez Card #222

Topps 1965 Rocky Colavito Card #380

 

On the drive home, we stopped in Santa Rosa, and I got a picture of my daughter with a life size Charlie Brown.  Santa Rosa was hometown of Peanuts creator, Charles Shultz.