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

This is bad news kids

This team has fallen on hard times. I know that we aren't ready to compete yet, but at least put up a fight. I didn't know that the Rangers had a bunch of Cy Young in their rotation. The Mariners bats have gone silent, and can't get a hit to save their lives. They look like they are defeated already and given up before they get there.

It is hard to fathom only scoring 2 runs in the span of four games. It's not going to get any easier on the road. It's off to Toronto, Boston, and New York. While we are mired in a nine game losing streak, it could be a big one when they get home if they don't start to get it together. One team that I'm really starting to root for is the Pirates.

They have been down for so long. I don't know if they can sustain it, but it is fun. I'm not jumping on their bandwagon, but I will be watching to see if they continue to win, and do well. It is fun to see the Buccos be relevant again, instead of a laughing stock of a franchise.

Welcome home Bob!!

Recently Chris at Vintage Sportscards held a contest for getting his 50th follower. I was one of the lucky winners. I said I would win this card, and look who showed up in the mail yesterday.

I have wanted this card for a long time. It is sad that it came out after Roberto's death, but it shows him with the great mark of 3,000 hits.

I could care less of it's condition, it is a 1973 Roberto Clemente, Hall of Famer! I had liked Roberto as a player from films I've seen, but after reading this book about him a few years ago I had a new found respect for him.

Roberto was a part of two World Champion teams in 1960, and again in 1971.

Speaking of World Champion Pirates, we need to say goodbye to the leader of my first favorite team, the 1979 Pirates. Former manager Chuck Tanner passed away yesterday at the age of 82.

Chuck played from 1955 to 1962 with the Braves, Cubs, Indians, and Angels. He was a manager for the White Sox, Athletics, Pirates, and Braves. Rest in Peace Chuck.

Chris was also great enough to send me this great 1982 Donruss of Tommy Davis, some '86 Donruss cards, a couple '82 Fleer's to finish that set off, and a couple '83 Fleer's to help that one out too. Every few cards continue to help dwindle the number down. Can you help out with the Super Set too?

Thanks again to Chris for holding the contest, and sending me probably the greatest 1973 card Topps made that year!