1981 Donruss Harold Baines

Chicago White Sox CTNW Fan Favorites #3

I'm putting together 5 "Cards That Never Were" fan favorites from each team. These are not necessarily the 5 best players from the franchise. So as David Letterman used to say before Stupid Pet Tricks, "This is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, no wagering."

Harold Baines had rookie cards on both Topps and Fleer in 1981 but once again Donruss missed the boat. Baines was part of the White Sox 1980 rookie class that included pitchers Richard Dotson and Britt Burns. Joined by veterans Tom Paciorek, Greg Luzinski and Carlton Fisk, Baines made a huge contribution to the "Winning Ugly" Sox of 1983.

He was traded to the Rangers in 1989 for Wilson Alvarez, Scott Fletcher and Sammy Sosa. He returned to the Sox in 1996-1997 and 2000-2001. He joined the White Sox coaching staff in 2004 and will remain this season under new manager Robin Ventura. 

1990 Donruss Frank Thomas

Chicago White Sox CTNW Fan Favorites #4

**********UPDATE*********

I've added an easter egg of sorts to tie into my 4th pack of physical cards.  This time it's all football cards. I've decided to make an insert reminiscent of the 1970 Topps Glossy cards. Since it is another Frank Thomas card, rather than make a new post, I'll just put it here.

Due to printing constraints, The dimensions aren't exact, but I still think it was a good insert.  I also had a give away on Twitter @CardsThatNever and if you found this update to a nearly 10 year old post, it means you scanned the QR Code on the back of this card.  You are definitely in the minority.  But I thank you for either buying a pack with this insert, buying this card on its own, or entering (and winning!) my Twitter contest.

 

********************

I'm putting together 5 "Cards That Never Were" fan favorites from each team. These are not necessarily the 5 best players from the franchise. So as David Letterman used to say before Stupid Pet Tricks, "This is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, no wagering."

Frank Thomas played his career in the junk box era so it's hard to find a "Card That Never Was". In his rookie year alone he had cards by Topps, Bowman, Fleer, Score and Leaf.  Somehow Donruss missed the boat. I'm here to right that wrong by featuring a young Frank Thomas on one of the ugliest cards ever produced.

Thomas was called up in August of 1990 and hit .330 with 7 homers. In his first full season he would hit .318 with 32 homers finishing 3rd in MVP voting. Unfortunately he had too many at-bats in 1990 to qualify for Rookie of the Year in 1991. He would go on to be a 2 time MVP, a 5 time All Star and a 4 time Silver Slugger.

1977 Topps Richie Zisk

Chicago White Sox CTNW Fan Favorites #5 

I am starting a new theme. I'm putting together 5 "Cards That Never Were" fan favorites from each team. These are not necessarily the 5 best players from the franchise. So as David Letterman used to say before Stupid Pet Tricks, "This is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, no wagering."

Richie Zisk spent exactly one year on the White Sox. He was part of the 1977 Southside Hitmen that included Oscar Gamble and Eric Soderholm. The team hit a franchise record 192 home runs and went on a tear in July winning 22 games only to lose 18 games in August. Although they finished the season in 3rd place they had improved on a record of 64-97 in 1976 to 90-72 in 1977.

Traded to the Sox in December of 1976, Zisk appeared as a Pittsburgh Pirate on the 1977 Topps card. Topps would airbrush him into a White Sox uniform for the 1977 Cloth Sticker set. He was signed as a free agent by Texas in November of 1977. This gave Topps enough time to airbrush him into a Rangers uniform for the 1978 set.

1981 Topps Mickey Mantle

In May Topps will produce another Archives set. The base cards will use the 1954, 1971, 1980 and 1984 format. I would not be surprised to see The Mick on any or all of these formats although the 1954 "Missing Mantle" has been done several times.

Upper Deck made one to coincide with the 1954 Archives set in 1994. Topps made one in 2011as part of the "Lost Cards" subset.  They also released an eTopps version in 2006 and made a 72 card set in 2007 called The Mickey Mantle Story base on the 1954 card. If you want to see my version of the 1971 Topps Mantle Click Here.  If you want to see my version of the 1980 Topps Mantle Click Here.  If you want to see my version of the 1984 Topps Mantle you will have to wait, but I still should have time to get to it before the Archives set is released.

.

2*1*12 International Rush Day

 

In honor of today's date 2-1-12, I've made some custom Rush cards. I figure this is the closest any of us will get to the actual 2112. Still one of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands.

In case you're wondering, that's Neil Peart behind his Hockey Night in Canada Drum kit on a 1981 O Pee Chee hockey card. Alex is on a 1975 Topps All Star baseball card and Geddy is wearing what appears to be a Warren Cromartie Montreal Expos jersey on a 1973 Topps baseball card. I assume it is Cromartie's jersey because Cromartie wore #49 for the Expos from 1974-1983 and on the Signals album the "Warren Cromartie Secondary School" bordered the subdivision on the back cover.