Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #114 Todd Stottlemyre

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Monday, July 21, 2014:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #114.
• Player Name, position, team: Todd Stottlemyre, pitcher, Oakland Athletics.
• Major League Debut: April 6, 1988.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Athletics): 31 G, 209.2 IP, 14-7, 117 R, 106 ER, 205 SO, 80 BB, 31 GS, 2 C, 0 SHO, 0 SV, 4.55 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Blue Jays #1st (Special), June 1985. Signed with the Athletics as a Free Agent 04/11/1995. Bats: left. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 15. This is his tenth Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "On May 20, Todd's 30th birthday, he retired 22 consecutive Royals and allowed only 6 balls out of the infield in an 11-1 win. His 10 SO's that day tied a career high but, on June 16, he whiffed 15."
• Commentary: After seven seasons in Toronto, where he earned a 69-70 record, 4.39 ERA, 662 strikeouts, and two World Series championships in 206 games, Todd Vernon Stottlemyre took his talents to Oakland. With the strike finally over, and teams scrambling to get going after the long layover, the Athletics signed Todd to a one-year deal. While the Athletics finished in last place that year, Todd kept the A's competitive during his starts going 14-7 in 31 games. While it was Tony LaRussa's last season in Oakland, he did sign on to manage the St. Louis Cardinals. Among the players that followed the eventual Hall of Fame manager was Stottlemyre. Todd was traded to St. Louis for four players and what would be a three-year run, held down a steady job on the starting rotation. In his first year in St. Louis, Todd would earn a 14-11 record, achieve an ERA of 3.87, strike out 194 batters, and have a WHIP of 1.272 in 34 games and 223.1 innings of work. In the playoffs, he would earn the victory against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, and split his two decisions against the eventual NL champion Atlanta Braves. His time with the Cards ended when Todd was shipped to Texas as a rent-a-player in 1998. The following year, he signed with the Diamondbacks, finishing his career with Arizona in 2002. He now spends his time as a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and company called Team World Class.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 18 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1976 Topps #15. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #409 Todd Hundley

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Thursday, June 12, 2014:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #409.
• Player Name, position, team: Todd Hundley, catcher, New York Mets.
• Major League Debut: May 18, 1990.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Mets): 90 G, 275 AB, 39 R, 77 H, 11 2B, 0 3B, 15 HR, 51 RBI, 1 SB. .484 SLG, 42 BB, 64 20, .280 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Mets #2nd, June 1987. Bats: both, Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 17. This is his seventh Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "With 31 HR's and 93 RBI in 566 AB's over the last two years, Todd has forged into the upper strata of catchers. He slugged two grand slams in the first eight days of the '95 season. The first was on Opening Day, and will go in the books as the initial slam at Coors Field. The second beat the Expos in the 10th inning."
• Commentary: As an esteemed graduate of Palatine High School (1994), I should, by nature, hate Todd Hundley. Not because he's a bad guy or anything, Not because he didn't produce during his time with the Cubs. Those aren't the reasons. I should hate the guy because he is an alumni of my rival high school. I remember how much they made a big deal out of him making it to the majors (the first player from that high school to make it to the show...on an unrelated note, three players from my HS were drafted, including one of my classmates, but either he never reported, or decided to take a pass). I don't know if Todd Randolph Hundley still makes his home in Palatine, IL (as it says on the back of his 1996 card), but I'm sure it was nice to be "home" during his two year stint with the Cubbies. Hundley's best years came during the 1996-1997 seasons. Sure he was already earning a reputation of being a power-hitting catcher, but in 1996, he made the first of two All-Star Teams. In 1996, which statistically was his best season, he hit .259 with a career high 41 home runs, drove in 112 rbi's, also a career high, and had percentages of .356/.550/.906. Behind the plate, he threw out 32 base-stealers and had a fielding percentage of .992. Todd would be traded to the Dodgers after the 1998 season, filling the void left when the LA traded their superstar catcher Mike Piazza to the Marlins (who after eight games, was traded to...the Mets). He would sign with the Cubs as a Free Agent after the 2000 season. After two decent years with the Cubs, he was traded back to LA for the right side of the Dodgers' infield (Mark Grudzielanek and Erik Karros). 
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 23.

Tomorrow's card will be: 2007 Topps #500. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Until tomorrow everybody.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #325 Juan Gonzalez

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Tuesday, January 7, 2014:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #325.
• Player Name, position, team: Juan Gonzalez, outfielder, Texas Rangers.
• Major League Debut: September 1, 1989.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Rangers): 90 G, 352 AB, 57 R, 104 H, 20 2B, 2 3B, 27 HR, 82 RBI, 0 SB, .594 SLG, 17 BB, 66 SO, .295 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Signed with the Rangers as a Free Agent 05/30/1986.. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 20. This is his seventh Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Juan slugged a milestone HR on August 21, 1995: the American League all-time record 59th grand slam of the season. In that game, he logged 5 RBI in the Rangers' 11-run first inning against the Twins, then added a double later in the contest."
• Commentary: The 1996 Topps set is the smallest eponymous set Topps had come out with since the glory days of the 792-card sets. At 440 cards, 220 per series, many players were left out of the set. The year before, injuries kept Juan Alberto (Vazquez) Gonzalez off the field until beginning of June (and then again for the first half of August). But did he ever rebound in 1996. In what would turn out to be an MVP season for the man nicknamed "Juan Gone," Gonzalez would hit .314, 47 home runs, drive in 144 rbi's, and achieve an OPS of 1.011. While he did not lead the AL in any of the offensive categories, his combined offensive numbers were enough to award him his third Silver Slugger award, and the aforementioned MVP award for the American League. One of the games brightest stars in the mid-90's, he would only get better and before the end of the decade, Gonzalez would go on to win a second MVP award, earn a second All-Star berth, and challenge for the season RBI record in 1998.
• Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 64 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1981 Topps Traded #822. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. We're looking back at a card from 1981 here on the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #266 Kent Mercker

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Friday, November 22, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #266.
• Player Name, position, team: Kent Mercker, pitcher, Atlanta Braves
• Major League Debut: September 22, 1989.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Braves): 29 G, 143 IP, 7-8, 73 R, 68 ER, 102 SO, 61 BB, 26 GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 0 SV, 4.15 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Braves #1st, June 1986. Bats: left. Throws: left.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 9. This is his sixth Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "A fifth starter for pitching-prosperous Atlanta, hard-throwing Kent could be a top-of-the-rotation guy for many teams. He is able to work in several roles. The Braves won 16 of his starts in 1995 yet, for his career, Mercker owns a nifty 3.06 ERA in 211.2 relief innings."
• Commentary: The 90's-early 2k's were sure a great time to be a Braves fan. From the time they became NL Champs in 1991 all the way through the middle of the next 2005, the Braves would guarantee themselves a spot in the post season (that 1994 strike season aside when they finished second in the NL East to Montreal notwithstanding). Pitching heavy, and an offense to boot, everything finally clicked in 1995 when the Braves finally won their first World Series title in Atlanta. Overshadowed by All-Stars Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Steve Avery, Kent Franklin Mercker may not have had the fame, but he did hold his own when it was his turn on the mound. Whether a starter or in relief, Mercker knew he was counted on heavily by manager Bobby Cox to keep the Braves in the game. In his first six plus seasons in Atlanta, he would start 54 of his 233 career games, earn a 31-25 record, strikeout 426 batters and have an ERA of 3.49. I know all this by looking at the back of the card. In 1996, though, Mercker left Atlanta, traded to Baltimore for Joe Borowski and a minor leaguer. In 14 games, 12 starts, Kent earned a disastrous 3-6 record, a 7.76 ERA, a WHIP of 1.862 and struck out only 22 batters in 58 innings of work. His time with the O's a disaster, he was soon traded off to Cleveland, where he fared much better out of the bullpen. Then began a long journeyman career for Mercker as he found himself spending time with the Reds, Cardinals, Red Sox, and Angels from 1997 through the 2000 season. Then in 2002, after a year away from the game, the travelling continued, from Colorado, back to Cincinnati, a return to the Braves (for am 18 game stint that saw him pitch in 18 games, 17 innings, and a dominant 1.06 ERA to boot), then a year with the Cubs before finally settling down in Cincinnati, where he had a good three year run (130 games, 3.73 ERA, 5-2 record, 68 strikeouts) before retiring to the Reds broadcast booth.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 12.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1994 Topps #328. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #403 Joey Hamilton

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Wednesday, November 6, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #403.
• Player Name, position, team: Joey Hamilton, pitcher, San Diego Padres.
• Major League Debut: May 24, 1994.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Padres): 31 G, 204.1 IP, 6-9, 89 R, 70 ER, 123 SO, 56 BB, 30 GS, 2 CG, 2 SHO, 0 SV, 3.08 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Padres #1st, June 1991. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 9. This is his third Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Joey learned control from his grandfather, who would pay hima  dime every tie he threw a ball through a tire. Last July 13, he was himself walked by a great control artist, Greg Maddux - the first pass Maddux had issued in 51 innings.."
• Commentary: After two seasons at a combined 15-15, 3.06 ERA, and 184 strikeouts, Johns Joseph Hamilton had a breakout season in 1996 for the San Diego Padres. He would earn a 15-9 record, strikeout 184 batters, meaning he literally doubled his strikeout total in one year, complete three games, one of them a shutout, and have a WHIP of 1.365 in 211.2 innings of work. This helped get the Padres into the playoffs for the first time since 1984. Although the Padres would lose to the Cardinals in 1996, the foundation was set for the Padres who then made their return to the playoffs and the NL pennant two years later. Hamilton spent five seasons in San Diego, going a combined 55-44 with a 3.83 ERA, 639 strikeouts and a 1.343 WHIP. He was then traded to Toronto before the 1999, who was then worried about Roger Clemens leaving the team (he did take off for the Bronx anyway). He would bounce between Syracuse, the Jays' Triple-A franchise at the time during his three season stay in Canada. Cincinnati came calling soon afterwards, where he spent the last three seasons of his big league career. He finished with a winning record (74-73) in what became a pretty good 12-year career.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 9 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be 1994 Topps #698. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Hope you will be too.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #18 Tony McKnight

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Wednesday, April 10, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #18.
• Player Name, position, team: Tony McKnight, pitcher, Houston Astros.
• Major League Debut: August 10, 2000.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (GCL Astros, Rookie-GCL): 3 G, 11.2 IP, 1-1, 5 R, 5 ER, 8 SO, 2 BB, 3 GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 0 SV, 3.86 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Astros #1st, June 1995. Bats: both. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 2. This is his second and final Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "McKnight, twice named Arkansas' HS Player of the Year, struck out nearly 16 batters per 9 IP as a senior at Arkansas HS in Texarkana. The Astros had been scouting Tony for years, then decided to make him their top pick after clocking him at 95 mph last spring. McKnight is a durable workhorse who, unlike many young fireballers, owns outstanding control."
• Commentary: In 1996, Topps inserted into pack a 25-card parallel set of metallic versions of the first 26 cards of the 1996 Topps set (except for #7), calling them Power Boosters. So the ten NL All-Stars, the 15 draft picks from Series 1 were part of this set. I have yet to see any of these in person, but I wonder why Topps never bothered to continue this in series 2. After being drafted by the Astros in 1995, Tony Mark McKnight was making his way up the ranks in the minor leagues. Throughout his travels through the system, McKnight compiled a 31-44 record in 109 games, compiling an ERA of 4.22 with 426 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.397. In August, 2000, the Astros made the call to send McKnight to the majors to take a start and was promptly drilled by the NY Mets 10-3, he performed amiably though, giving up 4 runs in 6 innings of work. He would return to the Astros during the September callup season, and went 4-0 in his five starts, even completing his final start in September against Pittsburgh. He allowed 12 earned runs in 29 innings of work (3.72 ERA) with 20 strikeouts. In 2001, the Astros brought him back up after 18 games in New Orleans, going 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in 18 innings of work. He was traded to the Pirates in a deadline deal for Mike Williams (who ironically, returned to the Pirates after the 2001 season). With the Bucs, his record was a disastrous 2-6 with a high 5.19 ERA in 69.1 innings of work. His appearances with the Pirates would be his last in the majors. He spent the 2002 season Pirates' AAA club in Nashville (11-14, 5.24 ERA) and signed with the Dodgers as a minor league free agent, playing in four games with Triple A Las Vegas (2-0, 3.31) before retiring as an active player. Now you'd think that even though McKnight appeared during seasons where Topps expanded the number of cards in their base sets that they would give him any cardboard recognition. Alas, he did not appear in either the 2001 or 2002 Topps sets. So the only Topps cards he had were as a draft pick in both the 1995 Topps Traded and 1996 Topps sets.
• Beckett value: $0.08-$0.25.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 2 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be 1993 Topps #15. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Hope you will be too.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #21 Jim Scharrer Draft Pick

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Wednesday, January 23, 2013:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #21.
• Player Name, position, team: Jim Scharrer, first baseman, Atlanta Braves.
• Major League Debut: n/a.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Braves, GCL-Rookie): 48 G, 172 AB, 10 R, 31 H, 4 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 1 SB, .238 SLG, 13 BB, 43 SO, .180 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Braves #2nd, June 1995. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 2. This is his second and final Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Scharrer, a 2nd Team HS All-American, was one of those "tough signs" who could have written his own ticket to college. Though committed to Clemson before casting his lot with the Braves, he was also wooed by Notre Dame, Penn State and others to play linebacker. At Cathedral Prep, he was a two-time conference MVP."
• Commentary: It seems that every time the Topps Card Randomizer picks a card of a draft pick, or of a player who had not made his major league debut at the time his card comes out, that this humble little blog laments about how it stinks that Topps can't include Draft Pick cards into their regular sets.  I know it was mandated by the MLB Players Association that they restrict these kinds of cards unless they are included as insert cards.  Now I understand the Bowman brand is exempt from this rule because they still do "1st Bowman Cards" of players, which collectors "erroneously" consider a player's true rookie card (for disclosure, I follow the Beckett principle and do NOT consider those kinds of cards rookie cards).  But I can only imagine in this era of the Hobby that if Topps did include insert cards of Draft Picks into their regular sets that prospectors would go nuts and then consider THOSE cards Rookie Cards, whether they are designed like the eponymous set or not.  The rationale would be, "Well, it has Topps on the the description, that should justify everything).  That is also probably why a Major League Debut set will probably never come to fruition.  Jim Scharrer was one of those kids (I really can't say kid...he graduated high school one year AFTER I did) who produced gaudy numbers in high school.  Normally, Topps can't get complete records of high school stats.  But in Scharrer's case, they did.  In four years (assuming he made the varsity team in his freshman year), Scharrer appeared in 76 games, hit a robust .493 average (including .551 and .522 during his junior and senior seasons respectively), hit 16 home runs, and drove in 88 rbi's (that would be more 1.157 rbi's per game), stole 30 bases, and had a slugging percentage of .806.  Yes, they're high school numbers, and he definitely had raw talent.  Topps makes note that he had a lot of options after high school.  He decided to take the money and go with the Braves.  In his five seasons in the Braves' minor league system, he never rose above A ball, spending two years in the Carolina League.  In his best minor league season, as a Macon Brave in the South Atlantic League, Scharrer hit 20 home runs and drove in 57 rbi's, while hitting a .245 average (an OPS of .738).  He was released by the Braves after the 1999 season and signed a minor leauge contract with Anaheim.  One season, and his first sniff of AA ball later, his career in the minors was over.  But do not weep for Jim Scharrer.  His dream of the majors may not have been fulfilled, but he has done rather well for himself.  A chance return to his old high school and introduction to the offensive line coach of Duke University led to a scholarship that allowed him to go to the school and play football.  He spent three years as a linebacer for the Blue Devils, even named to the Freshman All-American Fourth Team by Sporting News.  More importantly though, he graduated with a degree.  He is now a negotiator for the US Navy involving complicated shipbuilding contracts (on LinkedIn, his official title is Contracting Officer at Naval Sea Systems Command).  In 2009, he was inducted into the Metropolitan Erie Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.  
• Beckett value: $0.08-$0.25.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 2 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be 1993 Topps #251. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Hope you will be too.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #28 Rich Becker

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Wednesday, July 6, 2011:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #28.
• Player Name, position, team: Rich Becker, outfielder, Minnesota Twins.
• Major League Debut: September 10, 1993.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Twins): 106 G, 392 AB, 45 R, 93 H, 15 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 3 RBI,8 SB, .296 SLG, 34 BB, 95 SO, .237 AVG.
• Any special information about players: Drafted by the Twins, #3rd, June 1990. Bats: both. Throws: left.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 6 This is his third card.
• Blurb on the back: "An early, season-ending injury to starting center fielder Alex Cole opened the door for Rich to benefit from a full-year's experience.  With a shorter swing and more contact, especially from the right side, the Twins feel Becker can achieve stardom. He is a two-time organization Minor League Player of the Year."
• Commentary: The 1996 set featured large pictures, a design element that consisted of a blue name plate (with a closeup of the player's face from the same picture being used.  The team logo appearing on one side of the player or another.  It was cool for its time and one of my favorite designs in the 1990's.  Becker's career took off in 1995, as he provided the Twins with a versatile outfielder, who provided a strong arm in the outfield and a decent bat at the plate.  His journey in the bigs continued with the New York Mets, Orioles, Brewers, Athletics, and Tigers from 1998 to 2000.  Topps, however, either missed, or didn't bother, chronicling Becker's journeyman phase because after the 1998 set (when he was still pictured with the Twins), he does not appear again in Topps main set until 2001 with the Tigers.  However, by that time, he had played his last game in the majors.
• Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 6 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1984 Topps #297. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Hope you will be too.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #423 Mark Langston

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Thursday, October 21, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #423.
• Player Name, position, team: Mark Langston, pitcher, California Angels.
• Major League Debut: April 7, 1984.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Angels): 31 G, 200.1 IP, 15-7, 109 R, 103 ER, 142 SO, 64 BB, 31 GS, 2 CG, 1 SHO, 0 SV, 4.63 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Mariners #2nd, June 1981. Signed with the Angels as a Free Agent 12/08/1989. Bats: right, Throws: left.
• Any special information about this specific card: Langston's fifteenth regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded cards only). If you haven't figured it out by now, here is what I look for in a great baseball card design: large picture, design elements that utilize color scheme of the team player represents, design elements that do not interfere with the picture, and finally, less wasted space. The 1996 Topps design hits at least three of the qualifications. The blue name plate complements the picture on the card (I think that the blue works with the headshots...no other color would have made worked here). After a number of years being one of the Mariners' best pitchers, he was traded off to Montréal in 1989 for a run at the division (he was traded for prospects pitchers Gene Harris, Brian Holman, and some guy named Randy Johnson). He went 12-9 for the Expos, but even those numbers didn't help the team win the division. So on December 1, 1989, Langston signed with his home-state team, the California Angels. And it is with the Angels that Langston had some of his best seasons. With the Halos, he was a three-time All-Star, a five time Gold Glove winner, had a won-loss record of 88-74 and struck out 1112 batters. A great defensive pitcher, it is noted on the back of his card that (at the time) only Jim Kaat and Bob Gibson had won more Gold Gloves as a pitcher. At this time, Langston had won seven of the last nine AL awards.
• Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 24 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1981 Topps Traded #778. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Until tomorrow everybody.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #272 Tim Raines

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Thursday, September 30, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #272.
• Player Name, position, team: Tim Raines, outfielder, Chicago White Sox.
• Major League Debut: September 11, 1979.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (White Sox): 133 G, 502 AB, 81 R, 143 H, 25 2B, 4 3B, 12 HR, 67 RBI, 13 SB, .422 SLG, 70 BB, 52 SO, .285 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Expos #5th, June 1977. Traded by the Expos to the White Sox 12/24/1990. Bats: both, Throws: right.
• Any special information about this specific card: Raines' eighteenth regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded cards only). The 1996 set was one of the best designed sets of the 1990's. It would have been my set of the decade had it not been for the fact that there were only 440 cards TOTAL in the entire set, leaving out tons and tons of everyday players. Tim Raines was already an seven-time All-Star with the Expos, a seven-time MVP candidate, and the NL's answer to Rickey Henderson (before Vince Coleman showed up). So when the Expos said goodbye to its long-time superstar, Raines, who for a while had Topps cards calling him by his nickname "Rock," found himself with the White Sox, batting leadoff and playing left field. He spent five quality seasons with the Pale Hose, including that team of "what could have been...the 1993 AL West Champion White Sox." In five seasons, Raines hit 50 home runs, and drove in 277 rbi's. But more importantly, he walked 359 times and stole 143 bases...decent numbers for a leadoff hitter in the early 90's. This would be his final season with the White Sox as he traded to the Yankees at the end of the '95 season. If there was a 1996 Topps Traded set, he would have been depicted as a Bronx Bomber. Instead, Yankees fans would have to wait for the 1997 set to see him in his first regular Topps card as a Yankee. He was there just in time too...to be part of his first World Series winning team.
• Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 50 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1994 Topps Traded #93T. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Until tomorrow everybody.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #70 Ron Gant

We reset the Topps Card Randomizer to come up with seven new cards to present for this week. Introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Monday, July 19, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #70.
• Player Name, position, team: Ron Gant, outfielder, Cincinnati Reds.
• Major League Debut: September 6, 1987.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Reds): 119 G, 410 AB, 79 R, 113 H, 19 2B, 4 3B, 29 HR, 88 RBI, 23 SB, .554 SLG, 74 BB, 108 SO, .276 AVG.
• Any special information about players: Drafted by the Braves #4th June, 1983. Signed with the Reds as a Free Agent 06/21/1994. Bats: right, Throws: left.
• Any special information about this specific card: Gant's tenth regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded cards only). The well-traveled Gant made his way to the Reds in 1994. He was on the DL that year due to injuries suffered in a dirt bike accident (something highlighted on the back of his Topps card...translation, be careful kids). But he was back in a big way in 1995, leading the Reds to a Central Division title. He became an all-star once again, and even hit three extra-inning home runs that year. His efforts were rewarded at the end of the season when he was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year. His 1996 Topps card shows him at beautiful Wrigley Field, taking aim at the bleachers in left. He only played that one year with the Reds. He would go on for another eight seasons, traveling all over the majors to play for Cardinals, Phillies, Angels, Rockies, Athletics, and Padres. But the 1995 season was sweet redemption for a man whose career was almost cut short.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of each player do I own?: 30 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1985 Topps #298. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. See you then.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps Traded #323 Wade Boggs

We reset the Topps Card Randomizer to come up with seven new cards to present for this week. Introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Monday, June 7, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1993 Topps Traded #47T.
• Player Name, position, team: Wade Boggs, third baseman, New York Yankees.
• Major League Debut: April 10, 1982.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Yankees): 126 G, 460 AB, 76 R, 149 H, 22 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 63 RBI, 1 SB, ..422 SLG, 74 BB, 50 SO, .324 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Red Sox #7th, June 1976. Signed with the Yankees as a Free Agent 12/15/1992. Bats Left, Throws: right.443/1386
• Any special information about this specific card: Boggs' fifteenth regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded cards only, not any combo, all-star, league leader cards). In what looks to be a Topps Card Randomizer first, it has chosen a second card of a player already featured on the CotD. And what makes it even better was that he was featured just last week!!! That saves time on typing out the specifics. So it's three seasons since joining the Yankees, and Boggs is doing rather well for himself. In fact, since signing with the "Bronx Bombers," he has been an hitting machine, with a .320 clip (443/1386) in this three seasons thus far, to go along with 18 home runs and 177 runs driven in. He ends the 1995 season and begins the next helping a young shortstop get accustomed to playing in Yankee Stadium (I think we all know who that is...right?). On the card, you can't see his eyes, but you know he's focused on his swing. The back of the card simply mentions that Boggs "owns the all-time record for third basemen with 10 straight All-Star Game starts. In fact, his back up for the first couple of years representing NY at the ASG was the player who replaced him in Boston.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.10-$0.30.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 88 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1981 Topps Traded #826. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. See you then.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #263 Jim Thome

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Saturday, May 15, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #263.
• Player Name, position, team: Jim Thome, third baseman, Cleveland Indians.
• Major League Debut: September 4, 1991.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Indians): 137 G, 452 AB, 92 R, 142 H, 29 2B, 3 3B, 25 HR, 73 RBI, 4 SB, .558 SLG, 97 BB, 113 SO, .314 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by Indians #13th, June 1989. Bats: left, Throws: right.
• Any special information about this specific card: Thome's fifth regular Topps card (total includes base and traded cards only, and does not include his 1992 Topps MLB 91' Debut card). The Randomizer really loves the 1996 Topps set, and I do too. With it's large picture, and a simple blue name plate (with the accompanying headshot), makes for a great design. At this point in Thome's career, he was just coming into his own as a power threat, playing more than a hundred games for the first time in his career. The back of the card reads that he finished second among AL third basemen in homers (led by Gary Gaetti's 35). He finished ninth in batting average (.314), and drew the most walks by an Indian since Mike Hargrove, who happened to be the Tribe's manager in the mid 90's. During the Indians' 1995 postseason run, Thome went 8-34 (.235), with 3 home runs, and 7 rbi's. The Tribe finally made it to the World Series in 1995, just falling short to the Braves in six games.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.10-$0.30.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 81 cards.

Tomorrow is Retro Sunday, the one day of the week that we feature a card from 1951-1975. The card we will feature tomorrow is: 1951 Topps Blue Backs #11. Come back at 1:00 PM CST to see who (or what) it is.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #84 Omar Vizquel

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Friday, April 30, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #84.
• Player Name, position, team: Omar Vizquel, shortstop, Cleveland Indians.
• Major League Debut: April 3, 1989.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Indians): 136 G, 542 AB, 87 R, 144 H, 28 2B, 0 3B, 6 HR, 56 RBI, 29 SB, .351 SLG, 59 BB, 59 SO, .266 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Signed with the Mariners as a Free Agent 04/01/1984. Traded by the Mariners to the Indians 12/20/1993. Bats: right, Throws: right.
• Any special information about this specific card: Vizquel's ninth regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded cards only). The design for 1996 Topps really works for this card. One large picture, with an unobtrusive name box below. A picture like this would have normally been saved for the borderless and photo-inspired Stadium Club set. So it's even more thrilling that a shot like this was saved for the Tops eponymous set. And while there have been shots similar to this one taken in the past, this one is so upclose, you can see how high Vizquel had to jump, just to get the ball to first base (look ma, he's flying!!!) The back of the card mentions that like his Indians teammates, "things just fell into place...set career highs for SB's, HR's, and RBI...hit three home runs in a span of 14 (ab's)"
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.10-$0.30.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 49 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1980 Topps #521. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #71 Felipe Lira

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Wednesday, April 21, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #71.
• Player Name, position, team: Felipe Lira, pitcher, Detroit Tigers.
• Major League Debut: April 27, 1995.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Tigers): 37 G, 146.1 IP, 9-13, 74 R, 70 ER, 89 SO, 56 BB, 22 GS, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 1 SV, 4.31 ERA.
• Any special information about player: Signed with the Tigers as a Free Agent 02/20/1990. Bats: right, Throws: right.
• Any special information about this specific card: Lira's second regular Topps card (total includes regular and traded cards only). If nothing else, I love designs that utilize a really large picture, and 1996 certainly counts as one of my favorites. The only hint of design other than the team logo somewhere on the card is the blue tinted name plate that runs below the picture (with the distorted headshot of the player from the same picture. Notice that with AL players, the border around the blue colored name plate is red, while the NL players have theirs in green. Notice that in the following year's design that the use of these two colors would be more prevalent. What does it say about your team when the pitcher who leads in wins and innings pitched had a record of 9-13??? The 90's and early 2000's was a dark time in Detroit Tigers history. Losing seasons, sometimes in the 100's, abounded then. Lira made the best of it though. The blurb on the back talks of Lira's 8.2 inning effort against the Texas Rangers, a 1-0 shutout (why they didn't let him finish the game is beyond me...) Even "Big Daddy" Cecil Fielder, in talking about Lira, "This kid is afraid of nothing and no one." Ringing endorsement from a man who's definitely been around the game for a while.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.07-$0.20.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 3 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1998 Topps #185. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Hope you will be too.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1996 Topps #289 Roberto Alomar

We reset the Topps Card Randomizer to come up with seven new cards to present for this week. Introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Monday, January 18, 2010:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1996 Topps #289.
• Player Name, position, team: Roberto Alomar, second baseman, Toronto Blue Jays.
• Major League Debut: April 22, 1988.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1995 stats (Blue Jays): 130 G, 517 AB, 71 R, 155 H, 24 2B, 7 3B, 13 HR, 66 RBI, 30 SB, .449 SLG, 47 BB, 45 SO, .300 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Signed by Padres as a Free Agent 02/16/1985. Traded by the Padres to the Blue Jays 12/05/1990. Bats: both, Throws: left.
• Any special information about this specific card: Alomar's tenth regular Topps card (total includes both Topps and Topps Traded cards). I love the design of 1996 Topps. Large picture, the only semblance of a design is the blue rectangle that contains both the player's name and a close up of the player's face (in blue tones, it's the same picture). Did you notice that players from the NL had a green colored line below the player's name, and AL players had a red line? Below the stats, it notes that he hit home runs immediately after being dusted by a close pitch in two consecutive games, one was a game winning homer, the other a game tying grand slam. This is also Alomar's final regular season card as a Blue Jay. He joins the Orioles for the 1996 MLB season.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.10-$0.30.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 57 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1985 Topps #265. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. See you then.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

bdj610's 1996 End of Year All-Star Teams Simulated Games Results

I have finally finished simulating the All-Star Games using my 1996 End of Year All-Star Teams. A couple of streaks were snapped this time around as the 1996 National League All-Stars took the seven game series 4-3 over their American League counterparts. Will this mean a win for the NL in the one-game ASG? Stay tuned.

As previously stated, I simulated seven games (six series between starters, and one series where the lineups, starting rotations changed on a daily basis), by playing each one 10,000 times.

The first six games I simulated used each starting pitcher on both sides at least once, and all position players started a minimum of two games each. Here are the results:

• Game 1: NL vs. AL, John Smoltz vs. Andy Pettitte. The NL wins 5,489 games out of 10,000 simulations (using a DH).
• Game 2: NL vs. AL, Andy Benes vs. Pat Hentgen. The AL wins 6,718 games (usina a DH).
• Game 3: AL vs. NL, Mike Mussina vs. Kevin Brown. The NL wins 7,062 games. Maybe it was the fact that all five Colorado Rockies players on the NL side (Galarraga, Young, Castilla, Bichette, and Burks) were the first five guys in the lineup.
• Game 4: AL vs, NL, Charles Nagy vs. Tom Glavine. The NL wins 5,116 games.
• Game 5: AL vs. NL, Alex Fernandez vs. Shane Reynolds. The NL wins 5,212 games.
• Game 6: NL vs. AL, Al Leiter vs. Ken Hill. The AL wins 5,421 games (using a DH).
• Game 7: AL vs. NL, anything goes. The AL wins 5,216 games (using a DH).

The NL wins a series for the first time since 1990. But the AL wins the ever important "anything goes" series. This seventh series seems to be a good indicator as to who wins the big one.

For the official All-Star Game, I decided to just simulate one game and one game only. The starting pitchers were Smoltz and Pettitte and I let them pitch two innings (unless they struggled badly). The rest of the pitchers would get one inning each (unless they struggled badly). The position players were replaced every three innings. No pinch hitters here, (as in previous tries, the pinch hitter is taken out of the game). The DH's (Mark Grace of the NL and Paul Molitor of the AL) were never replaced.

The starting lineups, first for the National League (I'm using 1997 Topps cards because these are the cards I used to represent the players on my All-Star teams):


Now the American League starting lineup:


Here is the result:


The 1996 AL All-Stars beat the 1996 NL All-Stars by a final score of 6-4 in what turned out to be a home run showcase,

The box score is below (Just click on the picture to take a closer look.


The scoring plays were as follows:

Top 1: Andy Pettitte pitching. Lance Johnson triples. Tony Gwynn grounds out to Cal Ripken (6-3), Johnson scoring.

Top 2: Pettitte pitching. Mike Piazza hits a home run.

Bottom 2: John Smoltz pitching. Cal Ripken doubles. Paul Molitor flies out to Tony Gwynn (9). Ivan Rodriguez grounds out to Craig Biggio (4-3), Ripken advances to third. Roberto Alomar hits a home run, Ripken scoring.

Bottom 3: Kevin Brown pitching. Wade Boggs strikes out. Mark McGwire hits a home run.

Top 4: Charles Nagy pitching. Fred McGriff walks. Barry Bonds walks, McGriff advances to second. Mike Piazza walks, McGriff advances to third, Bonds advances to second. Mark Grace reaches first on an error by Nagy (E1), McGriff, scoring, Bonds advances to third, Piazza advances to second. Chipper Jones reaches first on a fielders choice, Bonds scoring, Grace out at second base on the FC (1-6).

Bottom 4: Tom Glavine pitching. Chuck Knoblauch grounds to Mickey Morandini (4-3). Brady Anderson strikes out. Travis Fryman hits a home run.

Bottom 5: Andy Benes pitching. Juan Gonzalez walks. Joe Carter hits a home run, Gonzalez scoring.

Your starters, John Smoltz and Andy Pettitte. Joe Carter is the MVP.
So on the strength of four home runs (McGwire, Alomar, Fryman, and Carter), the AL powers their way to victory. If this game actually existed, the MVP award would have gone to Joe Carter (1-1, 1 hr, 2 rbi). Ken Hill takes the win, Andy Benes gets the loss, hometown hero Jose Mesa gets the save, and the only players who didn't get in the game were pitchers Jeff Brantley, Trevor Hoffman, & Shane Reynolds from the NL and Mike Mussina & John Wetteland from the AL.

If you want to see the .DAT files that I used (I still don't know how to download these onto the blog , so please just take a look at the screen caps below). If anyone can e-mail me instructions, please do so at bdj610@hotmail.com. Below is the NL .DAT file, then the AL .DAT file:




Now that the 1996 All-Star Games are officially over, at noon on Thursday, I will introduce the 1997 End of Year All-Star teams. Simulations for games with those rosters to come hopefully by Sunday night.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

bdj610's End of Year MLB All-Star Teams: 1996 Edition

In 1996, I started a new job with a company that was just starting to use this newfangled concept called the Internet and allow its customers to buy groceries online and have them delivered too. Let me first say that this was probably one of the best periods of my life. I got to hang out at a grocery store without actually working FOR the grocery store, and get paid for it. And the people I worked with were great. I was still in college, but my focus had changed a bit, with good reason. Even with everything that was happening in my life, I was still knee deep in the hobby. And thanks to Baseball Weekly (although at this time, I think they started the change to Sports Weekly to coincide with the addition of football coverage), I still had time to name my End of the Year All-Star Teams. Baseball still took a backseat with everything else going on at this time, I mean, both the Cubs and the White Sox weren't going anywhere in 1996. And although I chose most of the players for these two teams on my own, a majority of them participated in the midsummer classic in Philadelphia in July.

This year's teams include 10 pitchers on each team (six starters, four closers), and the usual 3 players per position (1b, 2b, 3b, ss, c, 9 of), and because the 1997 ASG would be in Cleveland (at the two-year-old Jacobs Field), each team included a DH. So the rosters were expanded back to 35 players per team.

Let's cut to the chase. Without further ado, for the first time online, I am proud to introduce my 1996 End of Year MLB All-Star Teams (in alphabetical order by position):

(Too much space...)

American League First Basemen Mark McGwire, Athletics Frank Thomas, White Sox Mo Vaughn, Red Sox Second Basemen Roberto Alomar, Orioles Chuck Knoblauch, Twins Mark McLemore, Rangers* Third Basemen Wade Boggs, Yankees Jeff Cirillo, Brewers* Travis Fryman, Tigers Shortstops Kevin Elster, Rangers* Derek Jeter, Yankees* Cal Ripken, Orioles Outfielders Brady Anderson, Orioles Albert Belle, Indians Jay Buhner, Mariners Joe Carter, Blue Jays Juan Gonzalez, Rangers Tom Goodwin, Royals* Ken Griffey, Jr., Mariners Kenny Lofton, Indians Tim Salmon, Angels Catchers Ivan Rodriguez, Rangers Terry Steinbach, Athletics Dan Wilson, Mariners* Designated Hitter: Paul Molitor, Twins Pitchers Alex Fernandez, White Sox* Pat Hentgen, Blue Jays Roberto Hernandez, White Sox* Ken Hill, Rangers Jose Mesa, Indians Mike Mussina, Orioles Charles Nagy, Indians Troy Percival, Angels* Andy Pettitte, Yankees* John Wetteland, Yankees Manager: Joe Torre, Yankees The Starters: 1B: McGwire 2B: Alomar 3B: Boggs SS: Ripken OF: Belle OF: Griffey, Jr. OF: Lofton C: Rodriguez DH: Molitor P: Pettitte *First-Time All-Star

National League First Basemen Jeff Bagwell, Astros Andres Galarraga, Rockies Fred McGriff, Braves Second Basemen Craig Biggio, Astros Mickey Morandini, Phillies Eric Young, Rockies* Third Basemen Ken Caminiti, Padres Vinny Castilla, Rockies Chipper Jones, Braves Shortstops Jay Bell, Pirates Mark Grudzielanek, Expos* Barry Larkin, Reds Outfielders Dante Bichette, Rockies Barry Bonds, Giants Ellis Burks, Rockies Marquis Grissom, Braves Tony Gwynn, Padres Lance Johnson, Mets* Henry Rodriguez, Expos* Gary Sheffield, Marlins Sammy Sosa, Cubs Catchers Todd Hundley, Mets Jason Kendall, Pirates* Mike Piazza, Dodgers Designated Hitter: Mark Grace, Cubs Pitchers Andy Benes, Cardinals Jeff Brantley, Reds Kevin Brown, Marlins Tom Glavine, Braves Trevor Hoffman, Padres* Al Leiter, Marlins* Shane Reynolds, Astros* John Smoltz, Braves Mark Wohlers, Braves* Todd Worrell, Dodgers Manager: Bruce Bochy, Padres The Starters: 1B: McGriff 2B: Biggio 3B: Jones SS: Larkin OF: Bonds OF: Johnson OF: Gwynn C: Piazza DH: Grace P: Glavine

Nineteen players are first-time all-stars (10 for the American League, 9 for the Nationals). One-person teams on my 1994 rosters include the Brewers (Cirillo), Red Sox (Vaughn), Royals (Goodwin), Tigers (Fryman), Cardinals (Benes), Giants (Bonds), and Phillies (Morandini). The Braves send six representatives to the NL roster, leading both leagues (no Chicago bias this year). The Rangers and Rockies each send five players to their respective squads.

As always, seven regular games (10,000 simulations each, six with the same starting pitchers, one where lineups and starting pitchers change), and one All-Star Game will be simulated during the course of the week. I hope to have the results of all the games by the end of the week.

Now it's time for me to create the .DAT files before getting the games set. Game results coming next week.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

bdj610's 1995 End of Year All-Star Teams Simulated Games Results

I have finally finished simulating the All-Star Games using my 1995 End of Year All-Star Teams. And for the fifth straight season, the 1995 American League All-Stars wins the seven game series 4-3 over the 1995 National League All-Stars. But somehow, in the one game where it matters most, the National League pulls out the victory. This is the third year in four that the NL loses the series but wins the All-Star Game.

As previously stated, I simulated seven games (six series between starters, and one series where the lineups, starting rotations changed on a daily basis), by playing each one 10,000 times.

The first six games I simulated used each starting pitcher on both sides at least once, and all position players started a minimum of two games each. Here are the results:

• Game 1: AL vs. NL, Randy Johnson vs. Greg Maddux. The NL wins 5,892 games out of 10,000 simulations.
• Game 2: AL vs. NL, Mike Mussina vs. Pete Schourek. The AL wins 5,718 games.
• Game 3: NL vs. AL, Ramon Martinez vs. Kenny Rogers. The AL wins 5,859 games (using a DH).
• Game 4: NL vs, AL, Tom Glavine vs. David Cone. The AL wins 5,517 games (using a DH).
• Game 5: NL vs. AL, Hideo Nomo vs. Orel Hershiser. The NL wins 5,207 games (using a DH).
• Game 6: AL vs. NL, Tim Wakefield vs. Jaime Navarro. The AL wins 5,207 games.
• Game 7: AL vs. NL, anything goes. The NL wins 5,020 games. This was the first time I can say that the lead went back and forth between the two teams until the NL pulled away after the 5000th game.

So once again, the AL wins the seven game series 4-3. But the NL wins the ever important "anything goes" series. This seventh series seems to be a good indicator as to who wins the big one.

For the official All-Star Game, I decided to just simulate one game and one game only. The starting pitchers were Johnson and Maddux and I let them pitch two innings (unless they struggled badly). The rest of the pitchers would get one inning each (unless they struggled badly). The position players were replaced every three innings. No pinch hitters here, (as in previous tries, the pinch hitter is taken out of the game), and there was only one double switch.

The starting lineups, first for the American League (I'm using 1996 Topps cards because these are the cards I used to imagine my All-Star teams):


Now the National League starting lineup:


Here is the result:


The 1995 NL All-Stars beat the 1995 AL All-Stars by a final score of 3-1.

The box score is below (Just click on the picture to take a closer look.


The scoring plays were like this:

Bottom 2: Randy Johnson pitching. Mike Piazza strikes out. Fred McGriff hits a home run.

Top 5: Ramon Martinez pitching. Paul O'Neill doubles. Manny Ramirez walks, Gary DiSarcina singles, O'Neill advancing to third, Ramirez advancing to second. Terry Steinbach hits into a double play (6-4-3), Paul O'Neill scores, Ramirez advancing to third, DiSarcina out on the force (6-4).

Bottom 6: Jeff Montgomery pitching. Pete Schourek grounds out to Roberto Alomar (4-3). Bret Boone singles. Sammy Sosa hits a home run, Boone scoring.

The MVP for the 1995 All-Star Game is Sammy Sosa.
If this game actually existed, the MVP would have been Sammy Sosa (1-2, HR, 2 RBI's). At this time, Sosa was more the 30-30 speed demon than the "Slammin' Sammy" we all knew in the late 90's - early 2000's. Pete Schourek gets the win, Jeff Montgomery takes the loss, Randy Myers earns the well deserved save, and the only players who didn't get in the game were pitchers Jose Mesa, Lee Smith, and Tim Wakefield from the AL and Tom Henke and Jaime Navarro from the NL.

If you want to see the .DAT files that I used (I still don't know how to download these onto the blog , so please just take a look at the screen caps below). If anyone can e-mail me instructions, please do so at bdj610@hotmail.com. Below is the AL .DAT file, then the NL .DAT file:




Now that the 1995 All-Star Games are officially over, on Wednesday, I will introduce the 1996 End of Year All-Star teams. Simulations for games with those rosters to come by Sunday night for a Monday morning recap.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

If This is His Topps Card, Then What Card is This?: Chipper Jones

In between the 2011 Topps Archives posts, I thought it might be a good idea to try and bring back some of the kinds of posts I haven't done in a while. No, I'm not running out of ideas, but I might be running out of variation cards to show off. The reason why I'm doing this today is that my son is sick and I'm at home for part of the day. And I'm also doing this because I want to see if I can get a certain blogger out of hiding (while he's been active, he hasn't been posting with the reckless abandon I've been accustomed to lately, so I just want to make sure he's all right).

For new readers of the blog, this is one of my favorite segments infrequently featured here called, "What Card is This???" The concept is simple, I show two cards of a player, one his actual Topps card from a particular year, the other is a card with the same design, but a noticeable difference. Now, keep in mind, both cards are real (meaning I did not alter or create another card to throw people off), but the other card is not from the regular (or traded) Topps set, so I ask "What Card is This???" looking to see if people can correctly guess what set the second card is from.

Today's subject has been appearing regularly on Topps cards since 1991, and I think it's because he was drafted by the Braves in 1990 that their fortunes changed from being the NL West doormat, to the dominant team that we all remember throughout the 1990's and 2000's. He showed the rest of the National League that the Braves had more than just a powerful pitching staff (and when you had Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddux on your rotation, domination is an understatement), but had a fantastic offense that scored enough runs to win ballgames. He may not have won the NL Rookie of the year in 1995, but he has now become the face of the franchise. Today, I give you, Larry Wayne Jones.

Huh???

Oh I'm sorry. I think most everyone knows him by the name "Chipper." (chip-of-the-old-block...from his dad)

The name Chipper just screams baseball player, doesn't it? Even on his first Topps card, as a senior on the Bolles School baseball team, his card referred to him as Chipper Jones. You just knew that this "kid" had a future in the Majors. But he was drafted by the lowly Braves, a team that for most of the 80's, was not all that great. In fact, I remember visiting Atlanta and I saw a bumper sticker that read, "Go Braves...And Take the Falcons With You!!!" Ouch. You had to feel bad for him.

But then the team's fortunes turned around. They won the NL West, and pushed the Twins to the limit in the 1991 World Series. Lucky? Perhaps. But then they made it back to the WS the following year. After a two year layoff, they finally won the big one. And who was on that team? You guessed it...Chipper. The Braves won their division for fifteen consecutive seasons (1991-2005). And although they've won the whole thing once, they were always there, ready to play into the middle of October.

In fourteen full seasons with the Braves, Chipper has won an MVP (1999), a World Series title(1995), a batting title (2008 with a career high .364), two Silver Slugger awards (1999, 2000), hit 408 home runs, driven home 1374 RBI's, (both as of 2008), and has been selected to the All Star Game six times. His full body of work just screams "Hall of Famer" when all is said and done.

So enough about his career. Let's get to the cards.

Chipper was named to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team in 1995, meaning that his 1996 card would have the Rookie Cup on it as well. The 1996 Topps design was a very good looking design. It is remembered for using really large pictures, the Topps logo one side, the team logo on the other side, and the only semblance of a design was a bluish rectangular box that featured the player's name and a close up of the player's head (from the large picture). And if you look hard enough, you'll see on the bottom of each of the player cards there is either a green or red shadow line by the blue name plate. Green for all National League players, red for the American Leaguers. Which makes sense. Until 2009, there was always a "Green Book" that had all the NL information, and a "Red Book" for the AL. And both colors would be more prominent in the 1997 design as all NL players were surrounded by green frames, and the AL players in red...I'm getting away from the point again aren't I???

So here is the 1996 Topps Chipper Jones card, fresh off the World Series Appearance:


Didn't I tell you that the 1996 Topps design was good looking??? Large action shot of Chipper racing around the base paths. Awesome shot. There's that Rookie Cup on Chipper's left. Great card overall.

So with that in mind, here is card number two:


Wait...he's now on the field, running towards what looks to be a ball between third and short. What's really funny about this pose is that if you look at the head shot where his name is, it does look like he's blow the foil letters off the card. But where the green shadow is now replaced with a red (did the Braves play in the AL???), and the Rookie Cup is missing.

So now it is time to ask that all important question...

What Card is This???

Leave your guesses in the comments. The correct answer will be revealed later in the week. Have fun. Now it's time to check on my son.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

UPDATE: Monday, March 23, 2009.

Happy birthday Bam!!!

Anyway, RoofGod said it's a card from Post Cereal. Offy says it's "the Chipper from the team sets that Topps released that year." While I'm more inclined to say that Offy could be right (I don't know what set you're referring to), the card that was actually used for this edition of "What Card is This?" was a sample card that was distributed to hobby shops and media before the actual set came out. This card, #PP5, is from the 1996 Topps Preproduction set.

Thanks for playing. And, going over some of my albums, I do have a few more cards I can use for this segment after all. Hooray!!! jba