2016 NLCS: Dodgers vs. Cubs

For the 2016 postseason I am making Cards That Never Were of Hall of Famers from each team but with a couple of twists. The first twist is that they will appear on cards that coincide with the year they were inducted into Cooperstown. The second twist is that these are not the teams they are best known for playing.

1982 Topps Frank Robinson

After the 1971 season, the stars aligned and the Dodgers general manager Al Campanis was able to trade for the player he had been coveting for years, Frank Robinson. The Dodgers traded four young players including pitcher Doyle Alexander to the Orioles for veteran reliever Pete Richerty. This trade came about in part due to the trade of Dick Allen to the White Sox. This allowed Steve Garvey to move from outfield to third base and gave the Dodgers another right hand power hitter in the outfield.

The 36 year old Robinson who was the reigning All Star Game MVP, assured the Dodgers that he still had three good years in the tank. He also promised not to campaign for a manager's position during those three years. However after only starting in 94 games in 1972 Robinson told Campanis to either play him more or let him play somewhere else. So for the second time in two years Robinson was involved in a multiplayer blockbuster trade. This time with the Angels. The Dodgers got Andy Messersmith and Ken McMullen, the Angels got Robinson, Bobby Valentine, Bill Singer and two others.

Robinson played 1973 and part of 1974 with the Angels before being dealt to the Indians in 1974. He would make history by being named player manager in 1975. He continued to play though the 1976 season and was inducted on his first ballot in 1982 with 89% of the vote.

1975 Topps Ralph Kiner

On Jun 4th Ralph Kiner was taking batting practice before a game against the Chicago Cubs at Forbes Field when a messenger gave him the notice that he was traded to the Cubs. Kiner walked to the Cubs clubhouse where he took off his familiar #4 Pirates uniform and was given the #22 Cubs uniform. Eventually, Hal Jeffcoat would switch to #3 and Kiner would wear his #4.

There were ten players involved in the trade and four of them played that game. Kiner started and went 1-4 with a double against his old teammates. Joe Garagiola and George Metkovich both pinch hit for the Cubs. For the Pirates, Preston Ward started at first base and went 1-4 with a stolen base. 

After spending the 1954 season with the Cubs, Kiner was dealt to the Indians as the "player to be named" for pitcher "Toothpick" Sam Jones. Jones went on to lead the league with 20 losses for the Cubs in 1955.

Despite leading the league in homers for the first seven consecutive years of his MLB career it took the Baseball Writers until 1975 to induct Kiner into the Hall.

TBT - Milwaukee Brewers Edition

Throwback Thursday

Ok this will be a quick and dirty post I will try to actually publish every Thursday. I will make a retro card of a current player from the era of the throwback uni he is wearing. I will also post an actual card from that era as a comparison point.

The Brewers have been wearing a version of their 1982 World Series uniform during Friday home games this season. I say a "version" because the general design is the same. But as you can see this is a modern button-down uniform. It lacks the polyester pullover and sans-a-belt slacks look they were sporting during that era. The new unis also have a name on the back which was missing on the original version.

I made this card of Chase Anderson. Anderson came to the Brewers in the off season in a trade that also brought second baseman, Aaron Hill. In exchange Milwaukee sent pitcher Tyler Wagner and shortstop Jean Segura. Although Segura and Hill have done well this season both pitchers have struggled. Anderson is currently 2-6 with a 5.33 ERA.

I chose 1982 Cy Young award winner Pete Vuckovich as a comparison card. Vuckovich was a colorful pitcher and a fan favorite for his antics on the mound.

That translated into a roll in "Major League", He played Yankees first baseman, Clu Haywood. One of my favorite lines of the movie is when announcer Harry Doyle (Bob Uecker) says "Heywood leads the league in most offensive categories, including nose hair. When this guy sneezes, he looks like a party favor".

Another interesting thing about Vuckovich is that he wore two different shoes. Not one for interviews means his motives are kinda sketchy. I read in one place that he claimed his feet were different sizes. But that wouldn't explain the different brands or why at first he wore different colors until the umpires put an end to it. You can see the 2 different shoes on this 1982 Milwaukee Police Department issued baseball card.

It ain't over 'til it's over....

With the passing of a baseball legend, I just wanted to pay tribute in the only way I know. Here are a couple cards I made in the past featuring Yogi.

1982 All Star Game Honorary Captains: Duke Snider & Yogi Berra

Tonight is the All Star game, so as part of my annual ritual, here are some more Honorary captains. These are the 1982 captains. For the first time since 1974, Topps had separate cards for the All Stars. The 1975-1981 sets had an All Star design incorporated into the regular issue cards of the players.

For the first time in MLB history, the 1982 All Star Game was played outside the United States.The Montreal Expos hosted the event in Olympic Stadium. The Captain of the National League was Duke Snider. Snider played briefly for the Montreal Royals in the 1940's before being called up to the Brooklyn Dodgers. The 8 time All Star centerfielder was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

Yogi Berra was the AL honorary captain as well as a member of the Yankees coaching staff in 1982. A 3 time MVP and 18 time All Star catcher, Yogi had 10 World Series rings as a player and 3 more as a coach. I'm not sure which is the bigger travesty; that the writers took 11 votes before inducting Duke Snider into the Hall or that it took them 2 to induct Yogi.  

The AL jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the 1982 All Star Game.  Lead-off -man-extraordinaire Rickey Henderson scored on a Reggie Jackson sac-fly. After that it was lights out. The Nationals took the lead on MVP Dave Concepcion's 2 run homer in the bottom of the 2nd inning and the NL won the game 4-1. This was the NL's 11th straight All Star victory.

1982 Topps Tony Gwynn

Another devastating loss was dealt to the sports world when Tony Gwynn succumbed to cancer Monday. A native of Southern California, Gwynn played college ball at San Diego State and was taken by the Padres in the 3rd round of the 1981 draft. After 20 years on the same team, Gwynn returned to coach at his alma mater.  

Gwynn made his major league debut in July of 1982, hitting .289 in 54 games. An impressive stat for anybody except Tony Gwynn. His .289 rookie batting average was a career low for Gwynn who batted .338 lifetime and led the league in batting average 8 times. In fact he was one of the top ten hitters 15 of his 20 seasons in the majors.

2013 Topps Lollapalooza

These were too cool not to share. Packs of these cards were given out around Wrigleyville on April 8th, the Cubs' home opener. To check them all out click here.

There was even a chance to win 3 day passes to the sold out festival in the form of a 1990 Topps card.

1982 Topps Stan Bahnsen

Bahnsen's baseball career started with Rookie of the Year honors. For the rest of his 16 year stay in the Majors he would be a serviceable but not great pitcher. He was in the starting rotation for the Yankees, White Sox, A's and Expos until 1977. Montreal moved him to the bullpen in 1978. He was released by the Expos prior to the start of the 1982 season. The Angels picked him up only to release him a month later. The Phillies then signed him to a minor league contract. Bahnsen would play in the Phillies system until 1983 but his final Major League game would be October 2, 1982. He pitched an inning and a third striking out 3, the Mets' George Foster, Dave Kingman and Brian Giles.

1982 Topps Robin Yount In Action

Milwaukee Brewers CTNW Fan Favorites #2

Robin Yount is synonymous with the Milwaukee Brewers. He played his entire 20 year career in a Brewers uniform. He was selected to 3 All Star games, won 3 Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove award and was the American League MVP in 1982 and 1989.  In 1982 he had career highs in homeruns (29), RBIs (114) and batting average (.331).  He also lead the league in hits, doubles, total bases and slugging percentage.

1982 Topps Mickey Mantle

Here is the 1982 version of Mickey Mantle. Part of my running theme of trying to beat Topps to the punch by placing Mantle on the cards Topps hasn't yet, 1971-1995. In the past few months Topps has already beaten me to 1975 and 1987.

1982 Topps St. Louis Cardinals Leaders ERA

The Cardinals are in and game one is on Wednesday night. I'm using the 1982 Topps team leaders design to compare the 2011 team leaders to the historical franchise leaders.

John Tudor played on 2 Cardinal World Series teams, 1985 and 1987 but only won a ring when he pitched for the Dodgers in 1988. In 1985 he had career highs with 21 wins, 14 complete games, 10 shut outs, 169 strikeouts, and a 1.93 ERA.

Bob Gibson spent his entire 17 year career in St. Louis. An 8 time All Star, 9 time Gold Glove, 2 time Cy Young award winner, 2 time World Series MVP, and 1968 NL MVP. Although the Cardinals lost the 1968 World Series, Gibson won 2 games, finishing all 3 games he started.

Kyle Lohse lost both post series games he started this season despite leading the club with a 3.39 ERA.

1982 Topps Texas Rangers Leaders ERA

The Rangers have advanced to the World Series for the second year in a row and I've hijacked the 1982 Topps team leader cards to show how the 2011 World Series team stack up against their franchise historic leaders.

Darold Knowles pitched for the Washington Senators from 1967-1971 before the franchise moved to Texas. Knowles had a respectable career ERA of 3.12 and his 5 years with the Senators was among his best with a 2.46 ERA in 271 games.

Dick Bosman pitched for the Senators/Rangers from 1966-1973. He had a career season in 1969 going 14-5 and leading the league with a 2.19 ERA despite missing part of the season with an elbow injury. 

C.J. Wilson placed 7th among AL pitchers in 2011 with a 2.94 ERA. Wilson was selected to the All Star team this year. He pitched the 4th inning giving up 3 hits including a 3 run homer to Prince Fielder earning the loss. 

Broadcasters Playoff Edition: Cardinals vs. Phillies

The post season is upon us and here is how the ex-players match up in the broadcast booths.

The "Mad Hungarian" vs. "Sarge"

2 great nicknames and the closest match-up as far as playing careers. Hrabosky is remembered for his intimidating ritual on the mound and his Fu-Man-Chu mustache. He was a solid reliever in the mid '70's and led the NL in saves in 1975. But Matthews was Rookie Of the Year in 1973, NLCS MVP in 1983 and was an All Star in 1979.

September Shout Out

Mint Condition

If you are one of the few people who have checked out this blog before, you might have noticed that I used to do a "Sunday Shout Out". There are a lot of sites that make custom cards, but not quite enough to write about 52 times a year. With that realization, I decide to give a shout out just once a month.

This month it is Mint Condition. Although he is a Yankee fan he makes great custom cards of current players from all teams.

And he does this every day. Check out his Custom Card of the Day.

Another of my favorites is his Year By Year Customs. Here he makes several cards of players in one Topps format. Here is his take on 1975: