2014 Topps Mickey Mantle

It appears as though Topps has ceased inserting Mickey Mantle cards into every set. There is still no #7 card in the regular set. So here is another Mantle card to fill that void.

1963 Fleer Don Zimmer

Last week we lost one of the truly great baseball characters.  Don Zimmer was baseball. He was married at home plate to his high school sweetheart before a minor league game. He began playing professional baseball 1949 in the Brooklyn Dodgers farm system. He played Major League ball from 1954-1966. He played in Japan in 1966 then became a player manager in the Cincinnati farm system in 1967. He has been a coach or manager right up until his death last week at 83.

In 1962 Topps used a photo of "Popeye" wearing a Mets uniform but listed as a Red.

Zimmer only played 14 games for New York in 1962 before being traded to Cincinnati. In January 1963 the Reds traded Zimmer to the Dodgers. Topps once again used an airbrushed photo of Zimmer in a Mets uniform.

Although the Reds traded him before the start of the 1963 season, I decided to have his 1963 Fleer card depict him in a Reds uniform. Mainly because I have never seen a card with him as a Red.

1965 Topps Football Checklist - Cards That Never Were - 24th Series

I modified another "Tall Boy" for my 24th series of card that never were. This one is from the 1965 Topps Football Set. To see all the cards from this checklist in one place as well as those from the previous checklist click here.

1981 Topps Cal Ripken

Baltimore Orioles CTNW Favorites #1

Cal Ripken made his debut on August 10, 1981. He had no plate appearances but scored the winning run. In the bottom of the 12th, Ken Singleton doubled against Kansas City Royals pitcher Renie Martin. Cal Ripken came in to pinch run. After an intentional walk to Eddie Murray, designated hitter John Lowenstein drove a walk-off RBI single to right field. The Orioles beat the Royals 3-2.

The Trading Card Database has over 12,000 cards listed for Cal Ripken. Finding a card that wasn't made of him is nearly impossible. Nobody would expect a late season call-up to have a card in that season's set. Then again, no list of Orioles greats would be complete without Cal Ripken. So I cheated. Just a little.

1966 Topps O's Double Trouble

Baltimore Orioles CTNW Favorites #2

At #2 on my list is a 2 for 1. The Orioles were already a good team with 97 wins in 1964 and 94 in 1965. In 1966 the addition of Frank Robinson seemed to be just what they needed. Frank had an MVP season, winning the triple-crown and the Orioles became World Series Champs. Batting 3 and 4 in the line up, the Robinsons set the tone early in the series. In the top of the 1st inning of Game 1, Frank and Brooks blasted back-to-back homers. The Orioles beat the Dodgers in 4 straight and Frank Robinson was named  the World Series MVP.