We want our Willies

As a kid, the first player I fell in love with was "Pops." My first journey into the baseball world was Topps cards in 1979. The only game I ever saw was the Saturday game of the week. In the 1979 World Series, there was something about Willie's windmill of the bat, and the stars on his hat that caught my attention. Fast forward 30 years, and my son has really gotten into the '79 Pirates. He has the same fascination with Willie that I did. He had to wear #8 for baseball last year, and has already said that is his number going forward. We don't have many cards of his, but hope we can bump up the collection without having to buy too many spendy cards.



1963 Topps 553
1965 Topps 377
1966 Topps 255
1967 O-Pee-Chee 140
1967 Topps 140
1968 O-Pee-Chee 86
1968 Topps 86
1970 Kellogg's 29
1970 O-Pee-Chee 470
1970 Topps 470
1971 Kellogg's 68
1971 O-Pee-Chee 230
1971 Topps 230
1972 Kellogg's 53
1972 O-Pee-Chee 343 Boyhood
1972 O-Pee-Chee 447
1972 O-Pee-Chee 448 In Action
1972 Topps 343 Boyhood
1972 Topps 448 In Action
1973 Kellogg's 25
1973 O-Pee-Chee 370
1974 Kellogg's 37
1974 O-Pee-Chee 100
1974 Topps 100
1975 Hostess 135
1975 O-Pee-Chee 100
1975 Topps Mini 100
1975 Topps 100
1976 Hostess 49
1976 Kellogg's 22
1976 O-Pee-Chee 270
1977 Hostess 27
1977 O-Pee-Chee 25
1978 Hostess 11
1979 Hostess 104
1979 O-Pee-Chee 22
1980 Kellogg's 25
1980 O-Pee-Chee 319
1981 Fleer Star Stickers 15
1981 Kellogg's 11
1981 O-Pee-Chee 127
1982 Fleer Stamps 76
1982 O-Pee-Chee 188
1982 O-Pee-Chee 372
1983 Donruss 610
1983 Donruss 8 DK
1983 Fleer 324
1992 Kelloggs 1
1992 Pinnacle 588

Hop on "Pops" list!

My very first player I liked was found in the 1979 World Series. He was nearing the end of his career, but I loved the windmill of the bat, and the leader role he played.

 I became such a big fan of his, I had to go out and buy a black stovetop Pirates hat, and one of the old yellow batting helmets we all wore as kids in the 70's and early 80's. After retiring in 1982, the Pirates retired his #8. He made it to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1988 with 82.4 of the vote, and we lost "Pops" to cancer in 2001.
Here is a wantlist of cards I need for the "Pops" collection. It is vintage heavy, and I'm thin on cards of his. Raise the Jolly Roger for "Pops" cards. Any inserts, odd balls, relics, or autos are welcome but not expected.

Topps
1963 #553 RC (I'm not expecting anybody to give up a RC)
1964 #342
1965 #377
1966 #99 Buc Belters
1966 #255
1967 #140
1967 #266 Pitt Power
1968 #86
1969 #545
1970 #470
1971 #230
1972 #87 RBI Leaders
1972 #89 HR Leaders
1972 #343 Boyhood Stars
1972 #447
1972 #448 In Action
1973 #370
1974 #100
1974 #202 HR Leaders
1974 #203 RBI Leaders
1975 #100
1976 #270
1978 #510
2010 #110B SP

Donruss
1983 #8 Diamond King
1983 #610
1991 #702 Puzzle Card

Fleer
1983 #324
1983 #634 Fountain of Youth

The Staggering Awesomeness of a Heartbreaking trade

With the way my days have been filled with work and coaching 12 year old baseball, I haven't had too much time. In this past week we have had 6 games in 7 days due to rain out makeups.  A while back, the great Matt of Heartbreaking cards of Staggering Genius got together with me to help me out with some M's Super Set needs. Early this past week, I got a small package in the mail and was excited to see what was inside. There was great assortment of cards the show Mariners players, both new and old.

Also, Matt sent some 80's cards to finish off a couple of those years. A few Upper Deck cards continue to push that manufacturer towards completion. The oldest and coolest set card from Matt was of a former President who played in Seattle:

Oh, that's right. This John Kennedy has the middle name Edward. Pretty close, JEK and JFK. Maybe the grassy knoll was a fake and he changed his name to play baseball???? Depending on your viewpoint, he was a better politician than infielder. Any card that helps me get the '69 and '70 Pilots sets done, is OK by me.

The most unexpected cards of the lot were these:

My son at one time loved Richie Sexson. He wanted to be #44 and hit bombs.

Now with him making the 2011 Mt. Rainier 12U All Star team, and pitching as well as he is he want to be the King Express. One coach told him he looks like Felix, and has the classic over the head wind up like Nolan Ryan. He decided to be #34 on the tam this year. Last year he wore 42 to honor, Jackie, and in 2009 he wore 24 to honor Willie Mays. Dad gets to coach this year, I wanted 19, but the manager took it so I will honor "Pops" with 8 this year. My son took #8 this regular season after seeing a special on the 1979 Pirates and liked Willie. His teammates even call him Pops.

Please don't think I have forgotten about sending you my end of our trade. I have a great '69 Pilot card for you Matt. Also there will be some other cards of players and teams you like. My apologies for taking so long, and my thanks for being understanding in me taking too long to get you your cards.

The thoughtful Sox

I just wanted to put up a post with a big thank you to Adam over at Thoughts and Sox. He sent me a box of about 150 different Mariners cards. Some of those cards were set aside for the super set. Some cards of the new and old variety.

He also sent an assortment of all kinds of cards. Some of the best were the not one, not two, not even three cards of the King, Felix Hernandez. Adam sent over 15 different cards of "El Gato". I no longer own these cards, as they were carted off to my son's room and are now his I guess.

Of all the Mariners cards sent, these two minis from the 1986 and 1987 Topps sets were definitely some of the coolest. Read some of the stats on the back(shameless plug for another great blog). When was the last time we saw pitchers end up with numbers like those. No one pitches 247 or 272 innings anymore, nor do they have 14 complete games.

The last cool cards Adam sent were some cards for my player collections. He sent over these fine cards of "Pops" Stargell. If you don't know him, do your research on the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates and the "We are family" team. They were first memory of becoming a baseball fan.

Thanks again Adam for the cards. Your Package should be on it's way to you. Sorry for the delay in getting it to you.