My Yankees Collection - 2007 Topps Co-Signers #26 Mike Mussina (Posada) #59/175

We collectors spend a lot of time discussing card designs. What we like and what we don't like. Our favorites and the ones we'd rather not ever see again.....ever. I go back and forth with my own personal preferences. I enjoy simple designs that emphasize the player's photograph. I want to see a team logo and information regarding the player's position as well as a healthy dose of information - statistics, biographical or interesting "factoids".

I checked out of the hobby as the insanely creative card-design engines of the 90's (or "Junk Wax Era") were just heating up. From lasers to rainbows and cartoons to studio portraits, I have seen some beautiful cards from my Hobby Ice Age. I have also seen some complete nightmares that just make me chuckle.

Here is a beautiful card, my friends:

This is a 2007 Topps Co-Signers card of the Moose and his battery-mate, Jorge Posada. I have never seen a card like this before, but I absolutely love it. Mussina and Posada are two Yankee favorites, and a quick glance at their results in '06 tell us why.

Posada boasted a .277 average with 23 long balls and 90+ RBI. You can't ask much more of a catcher than that although Jorge would go on to have his career year in 2007. Mussina recorded a 15-7 record in 2006, nearing 200 IP and close to 175 K's. They truly were a battery, and one that I can fondly recall catching on TV from time to time.

The Yanks would lose to Detroit in the '06 ALDS. Mussina lost a tough Game 2 by the score of 4-3 and actually out-dueled Justin Verlander before the Bombers' bats fell silent in the 5th inning. They would lose the next two games by margins of 5 and 6 runs, seemingly unable to recover.

Here's the back of the card, which is actually a Mussina card:

Holy CANNOLI, it's NUMBERED!

(laugh)

I couldn't help myself. I had no idea this one was numbered when I bought it. I guess that's pretty cool? It simply adds some luster to a card that I already thought was "tops". Pun intended.

Anyways, I just really dig this dual image - Mussina contemplating the next pitch to be dealt with a sepia-Posada in the background checking for signs from the dugout before lowering the mask and getting back to work. Throw in the facsimile signatures and we're good-to-go!

Despite the burnt-orange trim coloring.....great work, Topps!

A great card for my Yankees Collection.

Thanks for reading!

Ryan

My Yankees Collection - 2011 Gypsy Queen "The Great Ones" Thurman Munson (mini)

Many moons ago, I was able to stop by what has become the closest hobby shop to me in Columbia, SC. I wrote about my discovery of this LCS back in 2012. While this current LCS scarcity is probably best for my wallet, what I wouldn't give for a hometown shop!

During this rare visit, I was able to snag some supplies and a card that I needed for my 1960 Topps set-build. I also performed an obligatory flip through the "Yankees Stars" box on the shop's counter. Most of these were over-priced, but I couldn't pass on this one!

As any Yankee collector will tell you, we have a special place in our heart for Mr. Munson. And even though I wasn't able to watch him play, he lives on as one of the best "lunch-pail" type ballplayers to ever put on pinstripes. SO many accomplishments in such a short time with the sad early ending that we all know by heart, I view every one of Thurman's cards as a unique opportunity to learn more about him and, in some small/weird way, pay tribute to his legacy. Capturing his iconic 1971 All-Star Rookie card was a big day in my collecting timeline, but even the smaller (literally), modern era cards provide a rich, enjoyable experience. This card lived up to the task.

As a bonus, it's a 2011 Gypsy Queen, one of my all-time favorite sets! A double-bonus, you say?! It's a mini. While I'm not a 'mini' collector, I find them curiously interesting. This card of Munson gives us a fantastic action image of Thurman, in full color, as he casts his [vintage] catcher's mask aside. Munson is gnawing on some chaw with a beautiful scowl beneath his memorable mustache.

RUN, PUNK. I DARE YOU...

I think it's a great looking card. The overall impression is a bit dark, but I think this approach suits the historic nature of its hobby throw-back design. It seems to boil with baseball and cardboard history overtones, doesn't it? A tobacco card-era throwback of a tobacco-chewing baseball player. The dark borders, in combination with its small size might also have made it difficult to preserve the condition of the edges, but this one seems to have survived fairly intact.

Here's the back:

A simple, informative card back. Thurman, the Yanks' captain, led the league in singles for 1975....Topps makes an interesting statement about rarity of players who can produce runs without power. Is this, for the most part, accepted baseball wisdom? I feel like I should do some digging around on baseball-reference!

For now, though, let's just enjoy this card. Welcome home, Thurman! You truly were a Great One!

Thanks for reading,

Ryan

My Yankees Collection - 1998 Topps Gold Label Roger Maris

I cam across this card of Roger Maris and had to have it for my collection. 

Roger has become one of my favorite players since I returned to collecting and baseball itself a few years ago. His "unsung hero" story strikes a chord with me and as I continue to read books about his career and life, he always comes across as just an all-around good guy.

This Gold Label issue from Topps is not one that I am familiar with, but I like the design. Colorful shots of Roger in his prime as a Yankee are always welcome, and the subdued colors of this card's foil construction enhance the view for me.   Here's the front of the card:

Connecting the dots between the "98 Home Run Race" and Maris' ownership of the single-season record until that summer (or despite it), the card mentions Roger's 61st long ball in 1961. As most of us know, he made history on the final day of the season - a campaign that became almost unbearable for Maris to endure as many baseball fans refused to believe that the legendary Babe Ruth could be dethroned. Even a certain portion of Yankee fans gave Roger a hard time, both for threatening the Babe and for never (in their minds) living up to their favorites like Mantle, Gehrig and DiMaggio. It was a heartbreaking situation in so many ways, and one that I truly believe can be seen in the eyes of Maris.

Here's the back of the card: 

I'm not sure what Topps meant with the "HR1 Black Label" stamp on the right-hand side? Perhaps there were 61 different versions of this card that could be collected? I love the fact that the card back gives us the name of Tracy Stallard, off of whom Maris knocked #61. This gives us a little bit extra in the way of detailing the epic achievement, a feat not often achieved.

Trace Stallard was hurling for the Red Sox in 1961, and has stated that he was having the best game he ever pitched that fateful day, until Maris took him deep in the 4th inning. When all was said and done, Tracy took the 1-0 loss with Maris' solo shot providing the only run of the day. Stallard recorded 5 K's, 5 hits and allowed the single run over seven innings of work.   It would be the only hit that Maris would record against Stallard in seven AB's. As luck would have it, his involvement in record has endured as his best-known association with the sport he played for a couple of decades, but Tracy has kept a positive outlook on things:

        "I'm glad he did it off me. Otherwise, I would never have been thought of again. 

That was about all I did, and I've had a good time with it." 

You have to admire that perspective! Interestingly, Tracy was traded to the upstart Mets in 1963 along with Pumpsie Green and Al Moran. He did enjoy some success but was involved in another amazing baseball feat in 1964, Jim Bunning's perfect game, an event that I wrote about in May of last year. Once again, Tracy was on the losing end of somebody else's 'best day'. Despite another downer for his personal story, perhaps Tracy can always come back with a wink and reminder that, through the tough days, he managed to date Julie Newmar while playing ball and living it up in New York for a few years.

Nicely done, Tracy.

And nicely done, Topps - I'm thrilled to add this Maris card to my Yankees Collection!

Thanks for reading!

My Yankees Collection - 2003 Upper Deck "Standing O" #54, Derek Jeter

Well, I always say that I am eager to explore cards of my favorite players and teams that I missed out on during my Hobby Ice Age....

FOUND ONE!

From 2003, here is a very unusual, very cool looking "Standing O" Jeter card from Upper Deck.   I have no idea if these were inserts in normal packs or special edition whatevers, but I knew I had to have this card as soon as I saw it!  

 It's in pretty good shape, though it does have some rounded corners.

Thanks, I'll be here ALL night......

The card is fairly simple, consisting of a background baseball image for the front.   The colors are great and the ball's seams pop nicely.   In front, we have a much younger-looking Captain, grasping a bat and looking....a bit confused.   Perhaps this was during his Mariah Carey years?

What does the back of a card like this look like?

OH, HECK YEAH!   We get a bonus for Ryan with a great Mattingly reference! And although it is slightly inaccurate (Mattingly officially announced and retired in January of '07, if I recall correctly), it is a WELCOME addition in the middle of this quick summary of Jeet's accomplishments.   32 STEALS!   Way to go, Derek.

Cool card and glad to add it to my collection.   Now....how to store it?

Thanks for reading!

My Yankees Collection - 1964 Topps #259 Harry Bright

Slowly but surely I have amassed a healthy sampling of 1964 Yankees.   Undoubtedly, I am chasing down the complete team set - if not the entire thing.   I am well on my way with at least 15 cards in the bag.   How's that for some collecting optimism?

Here we have Mr. Harry Bright.   If I'm being honest, I had never heard of Mr. Bright until I picked up this card for a couple of bucks.   It was a vintage baseball card and it was a Yankees vintage card at that - so this was a no-brainer for me, regardless of whose card ti actually was.

First off, the card is really beautiful.   The colors are vibrant with great clarity and focus, no creases and some solid centering.   The corners are even fairly sharp if but for some typical slight rounding from its half a century of existence.   I haven't even been around for half a century yet and I know I have some rounding issues....

There's Yankee Stadium in the background!   Always a plus.   It looks like a fabulous sunny day in the Bronx even if Harry doesn't look so sure.   A batting cage is also present in the picture, with some unknown Bomber waiting patiently to take some rips before the big game.   I am sure it is the Mick.

But who is Mr. Harry Bright? 

The first clue we receive is the "inf-of" designation bestowed upon utility players in the days of yore.   To the back we go!

Ah, here we are.   Topps agrees with my appraisal of Harry's ability to be utilized by the Yanks and admits that he has, in fact, played all NINE positions throughout his career.

ALL NINE?

Indeed!   Bright started with a MUCH anticipated cup of coffee for the Pirates back in '58.   This was after twelve long years in the minors for four different organizations.   Harry clearly had a dream, and it was realized on July 25, 1958.   Along with more than thirty thousand fans at Forbes Field, Mr. Bright watched his team pound the visiting Giants for ten runs through eight innings of play.   Willie Mays swiped second base after a walk in the top of the first inning, and really only threatened to score once more in the seventh inning- when Orlando Cepeda stroked a single into right field, resulting in a throw to the plate that nailed Mays who was trying to score from second.

Yup. These two guys...but NOT on that day (card not in my collection)!

So, the game was in hand as San Francisco came up for their last chance in the final frame.   The  Bucs' third baseman, Frank Thomas, had enjoyed a busy afternoon going 2 for 5, including one of Pittsburgh's three triples that day.   I suppose he needed a breather and the rest was history - Manager Danny Murtaugh made the move and Harry ran out to play third base!

"Get in there, kid!"

The Giants went quietly in the ninth with one last-gasp single by Mays before Baby Bull struck out to end the game.   What a thrill that must have been for Harry!   He would go on to appear in 14 more games for the Pirates that season and even belted his first home run, a 2-run shot against the Reds, on August 9th.

Bright would appear sporadically in '59 and '60 before being sent to the Senators, with whom he had his most successful years.   In particular, Harry batted .273 with 17 HRS and 67 RBI in '62.   During the off-season, Bright was sent packing once again.   This time, he found himself in a Reds uniform for only one at-bat (a strikeout, unfortunately) before being sold to the.....Yankees!

He played the rest of the season with the Yankees and probably enjoyed being a part of the post-season runs of '61, '62 and '63 that we all know so well.   He would eventually get his shot at fame in the '63 Series against the Dodgers, when he was called upon in by Ralph Houk to pinch hit for the pitcher, Steve Hamilton.

Against Sandy Koufax, who needed ONE more strikeout to set a new, single-game World Series record.

In the bottom of the 9th, with two outs....in Game 1 of the World Series.

Joe Pepitone was on first and the Yanks were hoping to close the 5-2 gap.......reportedly, the hometown fans, aware of the historic ledge upon which Koufax stood, began cheering for the hurler to......strike out Harry.   Tough crowd, but Bright obliged them - going down swinging and becoming Sandy's 15th K on the day.

  

Harry Bright would actually get another shot in Game 2, entering the game as a pinch hitter in the 5th inning for pitcher, Al Downing.   The Yanks were down 3-0 at that point and I suppose Houk was hoping to both get some offense going and bring in a fresh arm for the 6th frame.   Unfortunately, Harry made it a 1-2-3 inning for Johnny Podres, who shutout the Yanks through one out in the 9th inning, by watching a called third strike zoom past him.   The Dodgers would go on to win the '63 Series by besting the Yanks in four straight games and Bob Gibson would break Koufax's mark

Like Bright's career, I finally found a subtle flaw that had eluded my initial appraisal of this terrific card.   There is a 'jammed' edge along the front's left side that you can clearly see above.   However, Harry and I probably share a common ability to enjoy the greatness of reality.   Though his brush with greatness was swift and cruel, he had realized his dream and would go on to close out his career as a professional, playing his final 27 games as a Cub in 1965.  

Similarly, this simple baseball card, a card of a player who was previously unknown to this fan, can now be carefully placed in my Yankees Collection.   It is not perfect but it is clearly special and comes complete with a great story.   Praised to be a valuable utility man and labeled as an "inf-of", in the end, Harry Bright was a part of history - the man who was Koufax's 15th strikeout.

And now, I'm proud to say that he is a part of my collection!

Thanks for reading and keep collecting.

My First Zoilo!

In this Year of the Puig and season of distress for Yankee Nation, any bright spots for hope have been a much welcome occurrence.

Don't get me wrong, the Yanks are truly holding their own in what I consider to be the toughest division in baseball.   Considering the onslaught of injuries, slow recoveries and even setbacks for a majority of the traditional offensive producers - we're doing alright.

But it's still great to see a youngster come up through the system, report for duty and provide some excitement!   That's what Zoilo Almonte has done for the Bombers and I hope he gets a chance to continue as long as possible!

I was able to obtain my first card of Zoilo, this 2010 Topps minor league card.   Almonte is featured playing for the Yanks' Class A affiliate, the Charleston RiverDogs.   A team I desperately need to take a drive and go see!

The light is kind of poor to make out the foil print, but overall it's a really sharp, colorful card.   As you can see, Zoilo is a lefty, which will undoubtedly come in handy from time to time as long as he manages to see at-bats in Yankee Stadium.   The design is right in line with that used for the big league release but it's always a lot of fun to enjoy the minor league mascot logo's.   From my time in various places across the country, I've always found them to be a lot of fun and pretty imaginative.
Since being called up, Zoilo is batting .342 with a respectable .881 OPS.   He's only gone deep once but has scored four times and shown tremendous patience at the plate ( 2:1 K:BB) with a flair for clutch hitting, netting him 7 runs batted in.   As an extra bonus, he's also swiped 3 bags!

Here's the back of the card:

The offensive boost he's provided has been fantastic for our box scores but the intangible contribution of youthful excitement on a team of aging veterans and injury "fill-in's" has been a breath of fresh air.   I wonder if he'll be included in the Update Series from Topps?

Welcome to the Show, Zoilo and welcome to the Ryan's Pitch Yankees collection!

Thanks for reading.