Random Topps Card of the Day: 2004 Topps Traded and Rookies #T73 Greg Golson

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Saturday, November 03, 2012:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 2004 Topps Traded and Rookies #T73.
• Player Name, position, team: Greg Golson, outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies.
• Major League Debut: September 03, 2008.
• Last Line of Statistics: 2004 stats (John Connally HS, Austin, TX): N/A G, 78 AB, 32 R, 38 H, 9 WB, 3 EB, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 20 SB, N/A BB, N/A SO, N/A SLG, N/A OPS, .487 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Phillies, #1st, June 2004. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 3. This is his first Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "A blur on the basepaths, Greg runs the 40-yard dash in a dizzying 4.29 seconds.  "If he gets on first, he'll end up on third," said Brenham High School coach Jim Long.  "That's how fast he is." In 2003 for John Connally High in Texas, Golson batted .507 with 18 steals in 18 tries.  As a USA Today First Team All-American in '04, he ripped .519 while swiping 13 in 13 tries.  He went 21st in the '04 draft."
• Commentary: The 2004 Topps set.  What more can I say about it?  It is the first set since 1997 to feature all white borders again.  Easy to sort by team name because of the large gold foil lettering at top.  And what about that silhouette at the lower left corner of every card?  Love it.  Love it.  Love it.  A future subject of "What Card is This?" Greg Golson, thanks to his being selected in the 1st round in the 2004 MLB draft, found his way onto Topps' final "Traded and Rookies" set.  I understand the Rookie Card deal with MLB, but it's cards like this that I personally miss seeing in the eponymous Topps set.  Even if they have to make an insert set out of it, and yes, I'm pretty sure every prospector out there would either horde or jack up the prices on singles, but they should at least, in some way, include those who were selected in that year's draft just so that there is some semblance of a complete retrospective of that year's MLB season.  Anyway, Golson was a speed demon in high school as you can tell by his stats and the praise heaped on him by rival HS coaches.  His minor league stats show that as well, considering he's stolen 192 bases in nine minor league seasons.  But he's only seen limited duty in the majors, appearing in only 40 games total in four years, for three different teams (Phillies, the Rangers, and the Yankees).  In 2012, he found himself at the Spring Training facility of the Royals only to have his contract purchased by the White Sox before the end of March.  He spent all of 2012 in the Sox' AAA affiliate in Charlotte.  He is 27 years-old heading into next season, and with the possible overhaul of the White Sox' roster, look for Golson to compete for a spot to stay in the majors in 2013.
• Lo-Hi Beckett value: $0.20-$0.50.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 5.

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: 1954 Topps #172. Come back at 1:00 PM CST to see who (or what) it is.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Who Will Be Named to Topps 2012 All-Star Rookie Team?

The contest deadline has past and I am no longer taking any entries for the big All-Star Rookie Team contest. I thank everyone who took time to participate.  There were a lot of interesting choices amongst the field of participants, so I am wishing myself the best. This could get mighty expensive if I make enough mistakes.

The Topps Company has already sent the 30 MLB managers a ballot that will determine who will get voted into the 2012 Topps All-Star Rookie Team, and will get that lovely gold trophy added to their 2013 Topps baseball cards. So without further ado, here are my picks for the 2012 Topps All-Star Rookie team. If you out-guessed me, participants who have already sent their entries to my e-mail address (and those who inadvertently left their picks in the comments) could win a complete 150-card set of 2005 Topps Rookie Cup (contest rules here):

• 1B: Anthony Rizzo, CHC (87 G, 0.285, 15 HR, 48 RBI, 0.805 OPS, 3 SB)
• 2B: Steve Lombardozzi, WSH (126 G, 0.273, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 0.671 OPS, 5 SB)
• 3B: Todd Frazier, CIN (128 G, 0.273, 19 HR, 67 RBI, 0.829 OPS, 3 SB)
• SS: Zack Cozart, CIN (138 G, 0.246, 15 HR, 35 RBI, 0.687 OPS, 4 SB)
• OF: Yoenis Cespedes, OAK (129 G, 0.292, 23 HR, 82 RBI, 0.861 OPS, 16 SB)
• OF: Bryce Harper, WSH (139 G, 0.270, 22 HR, 59 RBI, 0.817 OPS, 18 SB)
• OF: Mike Trout, LAA (139 G, 0.326, 30 HR, 83 RBI, 0.963 OPS, 49 SB)
• C: Jesus Montero, SEA (135 G, 0.260, 15 HR, 62 RBI, 0.685 OPS, 0 SB)
• RHSP: Yu Darvish, TEX (29 GS, 16-9, 3.90 ERA, 221 SO, 1.28 WHIP)
• LHSP: Wade Miley, ARI (29 GS, 16-11, 3.33 ERA, 144 SO, 1.182 WHIP)
• RHRP: Ryan Cook, OAK (71 G, 6-2, 2.09 ERA, 80 SO, 0.941 WHIP, 14 SV)
• RHRP: Rex Brothers, COL (75 G, 8-2, 3.86 ERA, 83 SO, 1.478 WHIP, 5 SV)

For sure there will be players like Wilin Rosario of the Rockies, Yonder Alonso of the Padres, Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals, and Wil Middlebrooks of the Red Sox warrant consideration, as well as Addison Reed of the White Sox, Rex Brothers of the Rockies, and others will have their votes (from either the MLB managers, or you the readers). I made these picks before any e-mails were sent (scheduling it for today soon after the post announcing the contest), and it looks like almost everybody picked the same three outfielders for the ASRT.

Let the debates begin!!!  And good luck to everybody.  Now...we wait.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1987 Topps #60 Tony Peña

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Friday, October 26, 2012:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1987 Topps #749.
• Player Name, position, team: Tony Peña, catcher, Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Major League Debut: September 01, 1980.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1986 stats (Pirates): 144 G, 510 AB, 56 R, 147 H, 26 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 52 RBI, 9 SB, .406 SLG, 53 BB, 69 S0, .288 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Signed with the Pirates as a Free Agent 07/22/1975. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 22 (18 as a player, four times as a manager). This is his seventh Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Tony had 14 broken-bat Hits on one 1985 road trip."
• Commentary: For the second straight Friday, the Topps Card Randomizer picks another 1987 Topps card.  Hey, even it thinks that the set is popular.  On the back of most of the players' cards, a "On This Date" snippet is included just below the statistics and blurb.  In this case, it reads that on "July 18, 1961:  Bill White collected his 14th hit of 2 consecutive doubleheaders for Cardinals.  Bill's 1961 Topps card was #232."  For those who don't understand what that means (like I just did), the Cardinals played four games against the Cubs on July 17 and 18 at Busch Stadium.  And in that two-day, four-game stretch, White went 14-18 (a .778 batting average), with one home run and 6 rbi's, scored 7 runs, and helped sweep both doubleheaders (ouch!).  Now, who knew that this little blurb would foreshadow where Tony Peña would be going in 1987?  The year before this card came out, Peña had been named to his fourth All-Star Team, was a Rookie of the Year candidate, an MVP candidate (in 1983), and a three-time Gold Glove winner.  But in 1987, Peña actually didn't get to play for the Pirates.  He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on the first of April (he must have thought it was an April Fool's joke) for three players who would soon be stars for the Pirates that year and beyond:  Mike Dunne, Mike LaValliere and Andy Van Slyke.  In 1987 as the Cardinals' primary catcher, Peña didn't find the offensive production he was accustomed to in Pittsburgh (it's just as well, the Cards weren't really a team that hit for power...they were more of a speed team under manager Whitey Herzog).  His average reached a then career low .214, and he hit only 5 homers and 44 rbi's in 116 games.  He did experience a rebound the following two years afterwards, even becoming making his fifth All-Star team in 1989.  He signed on with the Red Sox after the 1989 season, becoming their starting catcher for a time.  He later joined the Indians as the steady backup to Sandy Alomar.  After stops with the White Sox and Astros, Tony Peña retired from playing, and began a new journey in the minors which would lead him to one day become the manager of the Kansas City Royals.  Presently, Tony is the bench coach for the New York Yankees.  He is the father of Tony Peña, Jr., the shortstop who played for KC and the Braves in 2006-2009.  Neither are related to Tony Peña, the pitcher with the same name who played for both the Diamondbacks and White Sox from 2006-2011.
• Beckett value: $0.01-$0.05.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 27 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 2004 Topps Traded and Rookies #T73. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Flash back with the blog tomorrow.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

As Today is November 2, 2012

November 2 is traditionally All Souls Day. It is the day where we celebrate the lives of family and friends who have passed away. Many will go to cemeteries and pray, some may even picnic on the grounds. It is not really a day of mourning, but a day of reflection. Remembering those who we strongly miss.

Personally, I would like to honor my grandparents, Felix Anama, Leonor Filoteo Anama, Gloria Y. Nichols, Ruben S. Menguito, Sgt. Clinton H. Nichols. As well as countless great aunts and uncles too numerous to list.

Today I want to remember the seven souls who died on January 8, 1993, at the Brown's Chicken in Palatine, Illinois: Michael C. Castro, Rico Solis, Thomas Mennes, Marcus Nellsen, Guadalupe Maldonado, Richard Ehlenfeldt, and Lynn Ehlenfeldt.

I would like to remember the people I've met over the years who left us too soon: Shannon McNamara, Linda Beyer, Gail Leff, Lois Winesburgh, Nancy Huber, Joseph Nasca, Dan Doles, Chris Stufflestreet.

On behalf of my wife, I would like to honor her grandparents, uncles, and especially, her mother (since I have not asked for my wife's permission to do so, I am not adding their names here).

Finally, I would like to take a moment to remember the families, the loved ones who were left behind.

Now that the personal side of the blog has been taken care of, I would also like to take time to remember 79 more people. Between 10/30/2011 and 11/01/2012, 79 people who can lay claim to playing major league baseball, passed away. Many lived long productive lives, even after their careers ended. Others, tragically, either passed away before their potential could be fully reached or before they could enjoy the fruits of their retirement.

Today, I take time out of my humble little baseball card blog to remember:

Mickey Scott
10/30/2011
Matty Alou
11/3/2011
Bob Forsch
11/3/2011
Benny McCoy
11/9/2011
Charlie Lea
11/11/2011
Nick Strincevich
11/11/2011
Sonny Dixon
11/19/2011
Greg Halman
11/21/2011
Joe Lonnett
12/5/2011
Randy Stein
12/12/2011
Andy Carey
12/15/2011
Bud Bloomfield
12/21/2011
Don Mueller
12/28/2011
Rosman Garcia
12/29/2011
Ted Beard
12/30/2011
Howie Koplitz
1/2/2012
Glenn Cox
1/8/2012
Troy Herriage
1/21/2012
Cliff Chambers
1/21/2012
Bud Byerly
1/26/2012
Rick Behenna
1/31/2012
Herb Adams
2/1/2012
Danny Clyburn
2/7/2012
Gene Crumling
2/11/2012
Gary Carter
2/16/2012
Howie Nunn
2/17/2012
Terry Mathews
2/24/2012
Jay Ward
2/24/2012
Dave Cheadle
2/25/2012
Jim Obradovich
3/3/2012
Lloyd Hittle
3/3/2012
Don Mincher
3/4/2012
Hub Andrews
3/11/2012
Dave Philley
3/15/2012
Mel Parnell
3/20/2012
Dennis Bennett
3/23/2012
Ray Narleski
3/29/2012
Jerry Lynch
3/31/2012
Allie Clark
4/2/2012
Al Veigel
4/8/2012
Andy Replogle
4/10/2012
Stan Johnson
4/17/2012
John O'Neil
4/18/2012
Fred Bradley
4/24/2012
Bill Skowron
4/27/2012
Don Leshnock
5/5/2012
Frank Wills
5/11/2012
Thad Tillotson
5/16/2012
Kevin Hickey
5/16/2012
Harry Parker
5/28/2012
Pedro Borbon
6/4/2012
Hal Keller
6/5/2012
Hawk Taylor
6/9/2012
Dave Boswell
6/11/2012
Al Brancato
6/14/2012
Darrel Akerfelds
6/24/2012
Mike Hershberger
7/1/2012
Ed Stroud
7/2/2012
Chick King
7/9/2012
Art Ceccarelli
7/11/2012
Ed Stevens
7/22/2012
Don Erickson
8/1/2012
Johnny Pesky
8/13/2012
Bob Myrick
8/23/2012
Les Moss
8/29/2012
Bob DiPietro
9/3/2012
Bob Hale
9/8/2012
Tom Saffell
9/10/2012
Bruce Von Hoff
9/11/2012
Jack Pierce
9/13/2012
Jack Kralick
9/18/2012
Tom Umphlett
9/21/2012
Roberto Rodriguez
9/23/2012
Champ Summers
10/11/2012
Jim Kremmel
10/12/2012
Eddie Yost
10/16/2012
Dave May
10/20/2012
Les Mueller
10/25/2012
Pascual Perez
11/1/2012

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Card of the Day: 1993 Topps #424 John Valentin

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Card of the Day for Thursday, November 01, 2012:

• Official Card Set Name and Card Number: 1993 Topps #424.
• Player Name, position, team: John Valentin, shortstop, Boston Red Sox.
• Major League Debut: July 27, 1992.
• Last Line of Statistics: 1992 stats (Red Sox): 58 G, 185 AB, 21 R, 51 H, 12 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 25 RBI. 1 SB, .427 SLG, 20 BB, 17 SO, .276 AVG.
• Any special information about player: Drafted by the Red Sox, #5th, June 1988. Bats: right. Throws: right.
• Number of regular Topps Cards (includes regular and traded cards only): 9. This is his first Topps card.
• Blurb on the back: "Was signed for Red Sox by Matt Sczesny.  His HR accounted for game's only score in club's 1-0 win at Toronto, 9/30/1992".
• Commentary: The first Topps set since 1973 that was distributed in a series, this card showed up in series 2.  It made me a bit upset that Topps Magazine could not include a preview checklist in their 1993 Winter magazine like they did in 1990 through 1992.  I understand why they did it (they needed to make sure they got pictures of the players drafted and/or signed by the expansion Rockies and Marlins (can you believe it's been 20 seasons since these teams began playing ball???).  John Valentin was one of the players Boston looked to for offensive production once Wade Boggs left for the dreaded New York Yankees.  He, Scott Cooper (Boggs' replacement), and Mo Vaughn were the young corp that kept the BoSox competitive in the mid to late 90's.  In 1993, Valentin appeared in 144 games and hit a decent .278 with 11 homers and 66 rbi's.  In 1994, he hit what would be a career high .316, but that was only because he appeared in only 84 games, with 95 hits in 301 at-bats.  In 1995, he would have his best offensive season on the strength of 27 homers and 102 rbi's as he won his sole Silver Slugger award, and the Sox won the AL East Division.  It would be the team's last division title until 2007.  Valentin would  eventually sign with a New York team as well.  He signed with the Mets in January of 2002, and finished playing career with the Metropolitans at the end of the season.  He has been in the minor leagues as either a manager or hitting coach, presently with the Albuquerque Isotopes.
• Beckett value: $0.02-$0.10.
• How many cards of this player do I own?: 10 cards.

Tomorrow's card will be: 1987 Topps #60. Post will arrive at 1:00 PM CST. Until tomorrow everybody.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

It's the Final Day to Send Your Entries...

to this humble little blog's annual Topps' All-Star Rookie Team Contest.

Thanks to those who have already sent their e-mails with their guesses for the 2012 Topps All-Star Rokie Team. This is just a quick announcement that you have until 11:59 pm tonight to e-mail your 12 man roster.

What do you need to do?  The rules are here.  But if you want the cliff notes:

Email bdj610@hotmail.com your picks for the ASRT:

• One first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, catcher
• Three outfielders
• One right-handed starting pitcher, left-handed starting pitcher, right-handed relief pitcher, and left-handed relief pitcher.

You can find the possible contenders (you certainly do not have to follow the list) here.  Good luck to you all.  I will announce my picks tomorrow morning.  Those who correctly guess more players onto the team than I do will win a pack of cards from 2012 Topps Update Series.  Those who correctly guess ALL the players who make the 2012 ASRT (and will get that coveted Rookie Cup on one of their two - unless they stop that nasty habit - 2013 Topps Baseball cards) will be entered into a drawing to win a complete base set of 2005 Topps Rookie Cup (150-card set, suggested Beckett Value $20.00-$40.00).

So get those entries in soon.  Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Random Topps Team Set of the Week: 2008 San Francisco Giants

Thanks to the Topps Card Randomizer, introducing the Random Topps Team Set of the Week:

• Team: 2008 San Francisco Giants
• Record: 72-90, fourth place, NL West Division.
• Manager: Bruce Bochy
• Card on the Top: Tim Lincecum

The checklist consists of the following players:

• SFG1 Tim Lincecum
• SFG2 Barry Zito
• SFG3 Aaron Rowand
• SFG4 Ray Durham
• SFG5 Noah Lowry
• SFG6 Matt Cain
• SFG7 Bengie Molina
• SFG8 Omar Vizquel
• SFG9 Dave Roberts
• SFG10 Rajai Davis
• SFG11 Kevin Frandsen
• SFG12 Rich Aurilia
• SFG13 Randy Winn
• SFG14 Brad Hennessey

The cards in order from the set (the checklist at the end was cut from the back of the package. What, you don't do that?):

Key differences between the team set and 2008 Topps eponymous set:

• It's the same picture, but you can see more of Aaron Rowand's at bat on his base card:
  
  

• The same goes for Bengie Molina:
  
  

• And check out Rajai Davis...it's the same thing:
  
  

So while the cards of the other 11 players in the retail set are exactly the same as the ones in the base set, three cards use closeups of the pictures already in the base set.  No wildly obvious variations here.

Next week's featured set will be the 2006 Pittsburgh Pirates.  Hope you'll be here when we compare the cards from the retail set to their counterparts found in Topps and Topps Updates & Highlights.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama