The Vintage Stack: 1965 Topps #266 Bert Campaneris

Let's dive somewhere into the middle of that mystery vintage stack, shall we?

Is that a vintage spring training photo I see?!?!  BONUS

Oh baby, do I like the looks of this '65 Campaneris!   Bert Campaneris is one of those baseball names that you hear a lot, for some reason.   There are some VERY good reasons for that, as we'll discuss in a moment.

First of all, the card is very nice to look at.   The corners have been well loved, but the centering is pretty stellar and the colors are bold, which is key for '65's.   Easily one of my favorite designs, Bert's card is a great example.   The color combinations a re a bit odd here (blue, yellow, red, black, white) but it works for me.   The vintage Athletics elephant logo on the team pennant is really cool.   I have a soft-spot for the KC A's in my heart after reading so much about them in all of my Yankee research.   For so many years, Kansas City just seemed to exist as a conduit farm team for the Bombers....

ROOKIE CUP!   Most of us love the rookie cup and these 60's versions are the thoroughbreds of the rookie cup images.   This thing towers beside Bert, from chest to nostril, which may offer a clue for Campaneris' "who farted?" look - did the Rookie Cup guy break some wind?   So weird.

To the back:

These Carolina Blue card backs are great.   I love these original versions and they are a big attraction for me as I work my way through building the 2014 Topps Heritage set.   Check out my NEEDS List if you get a chance!

This is a great write-up, you guys.   It describes Bert's amazing feat of slugging two bombs in his first major league game.   That placed him in a tie with Bob Nieman, who pulled it off in 1951, however, I wonder if Bob can say that he ripped the very FIRST pitch that he saw for the first long ball?   Can anybody confirm?   Three players have accomplished the same feat since but it didn't happen again until 1999!

The other part of this card back that I love is the mention of Campaneris' nickname, "Campy".   Most of us think of Roy Campanella when we hear "Campy", but I just can't see how there's any way around this for a guy with a name like Campaneris, can you?   Does "Campy" make any of you think of Campaneris instead of....Campy?

1965 would be a GREAT year for Bert.   He would lead his team in batting and lead the junior circuit in triples and stolen bases (51).   The 51 swipes was the most by an Athletic since this guy swiped 58 back in 1914:

Hall of Famer Eddie Collins....and a kick-ass elephant!

Seriously, how cool does Collins look?   I'm going to make a mental  note to add Eddie to my list of players to explore and learn more about in my baseball pursuits.....

But back to Bert.

Not only did Campy's 51 bags total the most in 37 years for the club, but it also ended Luis Aparicio's streak of nine years as the American League's stolen base leader.   Way to go, Bert!

Another solid piece of baseball history from the 'vintage stack'.   I am very excited about where the stack might take us next and I hope you are enjoying this exploration as much as I am.   This cardboard appreciation is one of my favorite parts of our hobby.

Thanks for reading and keep collecting!

Ryan

The Vintage Stack: 1977 Topps #152 Gaylord Perry

After showing some love for the oldest card in my Bay of E vintage stack of mystery, I believe it would only be appropriate to now check out the newest card in said stack.

Hello, Mr. Perry!

OH, where to start?!?!

The card is in pretty good shape.   Touched corners and a little low in the centering department, but overall the card looks great to me.   The colors are really vibrant and it is easy to forget that this card is nearly....wait for it......40 years old.   Dude?!

How about that ball cap?   The huge billboard-worthy front & bill give you the feeling that Perry is ready to:

- catch some bass
- clean his gun
- hurl a complete game
- kick someone's ass and steal their woman
- flip his hat, go "over the top", and drive away in a 16-wheeler
- all of the above

Glorious.   The giant "T" logo is superior and I only wish we could see more of the "TEXAS" scrawled across that baby-blue jersey.   How about the 'burns and hairdo?   I never noticed it before, but Gaylord could easily strut out into the middle of Fenway and belt out some "Sweet Caroline"...and I don't think anybody would be worse for wear.   A dead ringer for Neil Diamond!   But what really makes this card for me?   The subtle 4-seam grip that Mr. Perry is displaying so non-nonchalantly while he chuckles for the camera.

Here's the back:

Hello, giant font.   I don't have alot enough 1976 Topps in my collection.   In fact, my current set-building quests end much too abruptly in 1978.   However, please take a quick glance at my NEEDS list for '78 here.   As you can see, I'm nearing the end!   And what better way to extend the set quest than by simply rolling back through '77 and '76.....what do you think?

Anyways, GAYLORD PERRY is definitely the player on this card.   We have the usual bio-data below....6'4"!?!   Another great tidbit that I wasn't aware of regarding Mr. Perry.   Tall drink of water, particularly back in those prime Neil Diamond years.   My word, 2.91 career ERA after nearly 15 years.   That's eye-popping, almost as much as the 2670:999 K:BBB ratio.   Perry could certainly set them down, and a quick glance up his SO column show that he had 5 seasons of 230 or more strikeouts.   Another stat I like to review with these old pitchers are the IP totals.  Check it out -

- 12 seasons with 200+ innings for Gaylord.
- Eleven in a ROW when this '77 card was showing up in local drugstore
- SIX seasons with 300+ innings pitched, FOUR of those continuous from '72 - '76

My word.   Can you imagine?!?!

As a side note, the cartoon on this card might be one of the most depressing that I have ever seen.

"You okay, Darrell?"

"Whatever."

Another great card from the mystery stack!

Thanks for reading -

Ryan