Expos Best - Bill Stoneman. Custom card.

Bill also pitched really well in 1972, but I prefer his 1971 season for the IP and K's.

Bill pitched his first no-hitter in his 3rd start as an Expo. It was only the Expos 9th game in franchise history. The New York Mets have played 7806 regular season and 74 post season games without a no hitter. The San Diego Padres have also never had a no hitter in franchise history, and like the Expos they started play in 1969.

Bill had some great games for the Expos, and was a workhorse for the new franchise.

Some of his great games:

Apr 17 1969 900058 Game score 90
Sep 12 1969 9500412 Game score 85

Apr 12 1970 930037 Game score 85

May 26 1971 9211310 Game score 86
Jun 16 1971 9100114 Game score 98(!) (Cito Gaston singled in the 7th)

Aug 20 1972 920037 Game score 87
Oct 2 1972 900079 Game score 89

Unfortunately the last game of 1972 was also pretty much the last time Bill was an effective pitcher. He got hit hard in 1973 for the Expos and in 1974 with the Angels.

R.I.P. Duke Snider

One of the all-time greats.

Expos Best - Ellis Valentine. Custom Card.

There's a nice article on Ellis and his work with B.A.D. here.

Ellis never quite lived up to his promise as a player, with some of it being his fault and some of it being injury problems. He was an amazing athlete and a big part of the Expos when he was with the team, and when traded he brought back Jeff Reardon, who was a very important Expo as well.

Split handed, split fingered.

 Leon 'Daddy Wags' Wagner

 Mr. Tiger, Al Kaline.

 This was quite a unique card, especially for 1991 Score of all things.

WTF Guest star card. Tim Raines (Lance Parrish)

That has got to be the weirdest slide I've ever seen.  Tim looks like a fish flopping around out of the water. I'm guessing the reason for the weird slide is because Tim decided that continuing to live a normal life somewhat free of pain was better than running into Lance Parrish.

More Turk Wendell.

I bet if 3 digit uniform numbers had been allowed, Turk would have worn 182.

The Robbie and Bert show.

 "Yeah, you heard me right, 2011. I know it's only 1994 right now. Yes, I want tickets to Cooperstown and a hotel reservation. 2011. Yes, I'm sure."

Nothing says exciting like a little rainbow foil. Thanks TSC! Great action shot though.

"I'm so happy I got out of Minnesota"          "I'm so happy I got out of Cleveland"

Swing Sequences. Frank Thomas.

Frank was another in a long line of victims of the curse of turning 32. What curse is that? The curse of having your eyesight get a bit worse, that curse. So many players hit the wall at that age that it's ridiculous. And what's even more ridiculous is that it's not something that is discussed. Very few players get past that age without a dropoff, and those that do probably had super incredible vision in the first case.

Frank's line after the 2000 season:

.321

.440

.579

1.018

 And at the end of his career:

.301 .419 .555 .974 156

Those last 9 seasons:

.273

.387

.528

.915

136

Pitching Sequences. Dennis Martinez.

El Presidente. Watching him pitch was like watching a great artist paint. Although I'm sure that not too many great artists spat tobacco juice all over the place.

Swing Sequences. Ken Griffey Jr and Barry Bonds.

2 players who outshined their famous fathers.
Both played 22 seasons.
Both hit a ton of home runs.
Ken was the one that was considered a great fielder, but he only beat Barry by 2 gold gloves, 10 to 8. And of course Barry has 7 MVP's, Ken only one.
Barry walked almost twice as many times as Ken, yet still had more hits and less strikeouts. Barry drew 120 INTENTIONAL walks in 2004. Ken never walked more than 96 times in a season.
Ken was known for not working out, or even stretching. Barry? Well, we all know the stories that have been told. Let the courts decide.
Ken never played in a World Series, Barry did play in one but lost. Despite hitting .471 with 4 homers, 6 RBI, and 13 walks in 7 games.
Barry was blackballed, and never got the chance to reach 3000 hits or 800 home runs. Ken quit a year and a half later than he should have.

Ken will go into the Hall on his first try. Barry? Who knows. He should go in on the 1st ballot, but some would prefer he never got in. Personally I think he's a hall of famer. If he and others don't get in because of steroids, then throw out all the guys who did pep pills. And the guys that are already in the Hall that did steroids.

Say what you want about the steroids, but clearly Barry always had a big head!

Adam Wainwright, Tommy John, and mechanics.

I feel bad for you Cardinal fans, really. It's not been a good week for you. It's as if Don Denkinger is playing with his Cardinal voodoo doll.

With all the weeping and gnashing of teeth come the same old stories about workloads at a young age. Pshaw I say. Yes, PSHAW!

It's really quite simple. So simple that Jim Joyce can see it as if it was happening right in front of him.

Bad mechanics equals pitching injuries. That's it. If a pitcher has bad mechanics, it's not IF he'll get hurt, it's when. And it doesn't matter, he could be babied and coddled and never throw 100 pitches in a game, or he could pitch 300 innings at age 19. He will get hurt, it's just a matter of time and luck.

So they'll patch up Adam Wainwright, get him healed and rehabbed, and he'll be ready to go in 2012. And if he's got the same bad mechanics, he'll get hurt again.

Now here's where I really make Cardinal fans wonder. Why you ask? I'll tell you. I think the Cards should happily let Albert Pujols go. If they can get a package of prospects for him this year, even better. Face it. He'll be 32 for the 2012 season. 32 and beyond is the big drop off point for a huge percentage of hitters. Just look at Frank Thomas as an example. You got a World Series out of him, and some amazing seasons, but he's simply not going to keep doing it over and over. And while you're at it, try and unload that horrible Matt Holliday deal as well. Who in the name of Vernon Wells signs a guy to a deal like that one? Clank is laughing all the way to the bank.

As for Tommy John, isn't it about time he got royalties on the surgery? Heck, he should be in the Hall of Fame based on the number of players who have had his surgery. Oh, and the 288 wins. Don't forget those like the stupid voters did. Tommy should get a percentage of the wins that any pitcher gets after they have his surgery. Someone do the math, he'll probably be close to Cy Young soon.

Speaking of Cy, I just bought this card on eBay. It's card #120! That's special because Cy once had 120 at bats in a season, so it's really a one of a kind! (Yes Shirley, I jest.)

Pitching Sequences. Nolan Ryan x2.

Nolan Ryan was traded to the Angels in Dec 1971 as part of a package that brought Jim Fregosi to the Mets.  Ryan was 24, Fregosi was 29 and had received MVP votes for 8 seasons in a row with the Angels. Fregosi was a 6 time all star. 

Fregosi was never a regular after the trade. He played only 101 games for the Mets in 1972, putting up almost the same stats as he had for the Angels in 1971.

In 1993, Nolan's last season as a player, Fregosi was on his 3rd team and in his 10th season as a manager, and led the Phillies to the World Series, which they lost to Toronto.

I think we all know what Nolan did.
Man, did the Mets ever make some stupid trades back then!

Swing Sequences. Roberto Alomar and Carlos Baerga.

 

Two guys who came up with the Padres. In 1985 Robbie was drafted, while Carlos was signed as a free agent. Similar in size, and both played 2B for the bulk of their careers. They both played SS in the minors for at least one full season. 

Carlos was part of a trade for Joe Carter, Roberto was traded with Joe Carter.  

They each played for the Indians, Mets, Padres and Diamondbacks.

Robbie won 4 silver slugger awards, Carlos won 2.

Carlos was washed up at age 27, Robbie was effective until age 33. They both played their last season at age 36.

Two of my favorite players when they were active. I always wondered if Carlos was older than advertised. Or maybe Robbie's speed and better athleticism enabled him to avoid all of the collisions at 2B.

Expos Best - Gary Carter. Custom Card.

Even though it's B&W and not the greatest quality, I still really like this shot. I could have done this with the entire scene as a sideways card, and may still do so as a test.

Expos Best - Vladimir Guerrero - Custom Card.

There are tons of great action shots of Vlad, but very few portrait type shots that aren't showing his awful teeth.

1976 SSPC want list.

To me this shot is hilarious.

I bought a partial set on eBay to check it out, it was advertised as 425/630, but it actually came with 477/630. Nice bonus. I love sellers who under-promise and over-deliver. Obviously being a cheap partial set it's missing a lot of the stars, but that was expected.

I'm keeping an eye on a couple of full sets listed, but if I can fill in the blanks cheaply, I might go that direction.

If you have anything, let me know! Thanks.

5	PHIL NIEKRO
6	MIKE THOMPSON
7	ELIAS SOSA
18	CITO GASTON
22	SPARKY ANDERSON
28	CLAY KIRBY
31	JOHNNY BENCH
34	DAVE CONCEPCION
37	DOUG FLYNN
38	JOE MORGAN
39	TONY PEREZ
40	KEN GRIFFEY
41	PETE ROSE
44	GEORGE FOSTER
64	GREG GROSS
70	ANDY MESSERSMITH
73	DON SUTTON
74	RICH AUERBACH
75	RON CEY
88	TOM PACIOREK
91	BILL BUCKNER
96	GARY LAVELLE
98	CHARLIE WILLIAMS
103	WILLIE MONTANEZ
105	CHRIS SPEIER
107	GARY THOMASSON
111	BOBBY MURCER
117	DANNY FRISELLA
130	JOHNNY GRUBB
131	JOHN SCOTT
132	BOB TOLAN
133	DAVE WINFIELD
137	CLAUDE OSTEEN
141	BRIAN DOWNING
143	BUCKY DENT
146	BILL STEIN
151	CHUCK TANNER
156	RICH GOSSAGE
167	GEORGE BRETT
168	HARMON KILLEBREW
174	FRANK WHITE
178	VADA PINSON
185	WHITEY HERZOG
187	NOLAN RYAN
198	JERRY REMY
213	GLENN BORGMANN
214	ROD CAREW
216	DAN FORD
217	TONY OLIVA
219	BERT BLYLEVEN
220	LARRY HISLE
222	JERRY TERRELL
223	ERIC SODERHOLM
226	JIM COLBORN
231	CHARLIE MOORE
238	ROBIN YOUNT
239	HANK AARON
242	BOBBY MITCHELL
243	GORMAN THOMAS
252	STEVE FOUCAULT
255	FERGIE JENKINS
263	MIKE HARGROVE
265	ROY HOWELL
268	JIM SPENCER
274	LOU BROCK
275	RON FAIRLY
285	MARIO GUERRERO
286	LARRY LINTZ
295	JOHN DENNY
309	BILL MADLOCK
312	JERRY MORALES
313	TIM HOSLEY
330	NATE COLBERT
334	GARY CARTER
339	TONY SCOTT
342	ELLIS VALENTINE
348	DON CARRITHERS
351	DUKE SNIDER
354	MICKEY LOLICH
363	RON LEFLORE
372	MICKEY STANLEY
380	JIM PALMER
388	BOBBY GRICH
389	LEE MAY
390	TONY MUSER
392	BROOKS ROBINSON
394	DON BAYLOR
399	JIM NORTHRUP
400	KEN SINGLETON
402	FRED LYNN
403	CARLTON FISK
405	JIM RICE
408	DWIGHT EVANS
409	CARL YASTRZEMSKI
424	LUIS TIANT
425	JIM HUNTER
427	RUDY MAY
433	THURMAN MUNSON
434	CHRIS CHAMBLISS
435	ROY WHITE
437	GRAIG NETTLES
439	BOBBY BONDS
443	TERRY WHITFIELD
444	RICH BLADT
445	LOU PINIELLA
452	KERRY DINEEN
453	BILLY MARTIN
456	JOE HOERNER
457	TUG MCGRAW
459	STEVE CARLTON
463	JAY JOHNSTONE
467	GREG LUZINSKI
468	JOHNNY OATES
469	MIKE ANDERSON
470	MIKE SCHMIDT
471	BOB BOONE
473	DICK ALLEN
477	DICK RUTHVEN
478	JIM TODD
479	PAUL LINDBLAD
480	ROLLIE FINGERS
485	GLENN ABBOTT
488	ALVIN DARK
489	CLAUDELL WASHINGTON
494	REGGIE JACKSON
496	BILLY WILLIAMS
497	SAL BANDO
500	RAY FOSSEE
505	TOM BUSKEY
506	DENNIS ECKERSLEY
516	RICK CERONE
517	BUDDY BELL
521	FRANK DUFFY
524	BOOG POWELL
525	FRANK ROBINSON
536	FELIX MILLAN
537	RUSTY STAUB
541	JOE TORRE
542	DAVE KINGMAN
551	TOM SEAVER
555	RANDY TATE
558	CRAIG SWAN
559	JERRY CRAM
563	JOHN CANDELARIA
568	BRUCE KISON
572	DAVE PARKER
573	WILLIE STARGELL
584	WILLIE RANDOLPH
589	GEORGE BRETT/AL COWENS CL
593	CATFISH HUNTER/NOLAN RYAN CL
595	WILLIE MAYS/HERB SCORE CL
614	BILLY MUFFETT
616	WILLIE MAYS

Hockey post. '56 '57 Parkhurst Missing Link.

This set came out for the 1993/94 season. I must have bought and opened a box of it then. I vaguely remember doing so.

It's a cool set because it never actually existed. Upper Deck took on the Parkhurst name when Pro-Set went bankrupt, and this was the 1st of 3 retro sets that they released.

Anyways, I recently dug out the remnants of my collection, and there's this box marked 56 57 Parkhurst. In my head I think it's a set, and I think that I'll take the set to the local card shop and trade it for baseball related product. But, today when I finally look at the cards, I realize that nothing is sorted. Which means that I opened the box, stuck the cards away and never did anything about them.

It's an 18 year late box break! (well, sorta)

Well, talk about crappy collation.

Here's the breakdown:

180 card base set

24 packs, 10 cards per pack =

240 cards in box

113/180 towards the set.

67 cards still needed for set

59 different doubles =

123 total doubles

14 cards x4
7  cards x3
8  cards x2
30 cards x1

0 inserts.

No doubles between 43-109 (hardly any cards between those numbers).

EDIT - I just realized that I was shorted 4 cards in the box! 

I have more doubles than I have cards for the set!

One would logically think that when the box contains 240 cards, and the set contains 180, that you should reasonably expect to fill the set.

There are 15 cards in this set that I got QUINTUPLES of. That's just ridiculous.

One team Hall of Famers.

Night Owl (one of my favorite blogs) had a great post the other day, and at the end talked a bit about the perception of there not being as many players around these days that stayed with the same team.

I've always though that's a bit of a myth, and that the true one team player has always been somewhat rare. I mentioned in my comment that if someone was really bored they could go through the Hall of Fame list to see how many of them played for one team.

Well, I was bored today.

Of 295 Hall of Fame players (not including the Negro Leagues), only 46 spent their entire career with one team. 15.6%.

Lots of them spent the bulk of their career with one team, but a lot of players tried to hang on and spent one season, even one game (Christy Mathewson), with another team. A few, like Ryne Sandberg, started with one team, got traded early, and played the rest of their career for that team.

I'd say that at least as many who played for one team played for 4 or more teams.

6 of the 46 played in the more modern era, where they could have been affected by free agency. It's easy to assume that free agency would help cause the perception that players don't play for a single team any more. However, one part of the perception is that there are 30 teams, so a lot more trades happen then when there were only 16 teams.

So what about the players on the 2011 HOF ballot? Larkin, Bagwell, Edgar, Trammell, Mattingly. All single team plaeyers.  Bernie Williams and Tim Salmon hit the ballot next year. Craig Biggio in 2013. After that most of the top candidates have played for more than one team.

There's only one guarantee. If a Hall of Famer ever played for the Philadelphia A's under Connie Mack, he played for more than one team in his career.

Luke Appling	SS	AL
Ernie Banks	SS/1B	NL
Johnny Bench	C	NL
George Brett	3B	AL
Roy Campanella	C	NL
Roberto Clemente	OF	NL
Earle Combs	OF	AL
Bill Dickey	C	AL
Joe DiMaggio	OF	AL
Bobby Doerr	2B	AL
Don Drysdale	P	NL
Red Faber	P	AL
Bob Feller	P	AL
Whitey Ford	P	AL
Lou Gehrig	1B	AL
Charlie Gehringer	2B	AL
Tony Gwynn	OF	NL
Carl Hubbell	P	NL
Travis Jackson	SS	NL
Walter Johnson	P	AL
Addie Joss	P	AL
Al Kaline	OF	AL
Sandy Koufax	P	NL
Bob Lemon	P	AL
Ted Lyons	P	AL
Mickey Mantle	OF	AL
Bill Mazeroski	2B	NL
Bid McPhee	2B	NL
Stan Musial	OF	NL
Mel Ott	OF	NL
Jim Palmer	P	AL
Kirby Puckett	OF	AL
Pee Wee Reese	SS	NL
Jim Rice	OF	AL
Cal Ripken Jr	SS	AL
Phil Rizzuto	SS	AL
Brooks Robinson	3B	AL
Jackie Robinson	2B	NL
Mike Schmidt	3B	NL
Willie Stargell	1B	NL
Bill Terry	1B	NL
Pie Traynor	3B	NL
Ted Williams	OF	AL
Carl Yastrzemski	OF	AL
Ross Youngs	OF	NL
Robin Yount	SS/OF	AL
46 OF 295 = 15.6%
19 National Leaguers
27 American Leaguers
3 C
3 1B
5 2B
4 3B
7 SS
13 OF
11 P

Expos Best - Dennis Martinez. Custom card and Graffitti 'chase' card.

Custom card. Expos Best - Andre Dawson.

I told myself I wasn't going to do any sideways cards, but then I found this great image of Andre.

Expos Best - Tim Raines.

Better than the bordered one??

Leones! Some all time greats from the Caracas Leones in Venezuela.