Luis Tiant TTM Success

Sent: 11/13/2020 | Received: 11/20/2020 | 7 days
1/1: 1982 Topps
Address: Home (Wells, ME via SportsCollectors.Net)

Best known for his time toeing the slab for the Indians and the Red Sox, the Cuban-born Tiant won 229 games and had a 3.30 ERA over 19 MLB seasons. He maxed out at 30.9% of the of the writers vote during his 15 years on the Hall of Fame ballot. He has since been overlooked by the Golden Era Committee twice (2012 and 2015) as well as the Modern Era Committee (2018).

Tiant was a three-time All-Star (1968, 1974, 1976) and two-time American League ERA leader (1968, 1972).

He tremendously hurt his own chances of enshrinement by pitching as long as he did. Tiant didn’t hang up his spikes until after the 1981 (age 41) season. His 12-15 record and 4.76 ERA from 1979 onward (a period that included this slab of signed cardboard) weren’t disqualifying. Rather it hurt his timing.

Consider his most commonly cited comparable: Catfish Hunter who retired three years earlier.

Tiant: 217-156, 3.21 ERA, 118 ERA+, 2,270 Ks, 1,027 BBs
Hunter:224-166, 3.26 ERA, 104 ERA+, 2,012 Ks, 954 BBs

However, by delaying his eligibility, Tiant had to share ballot space with the likes of Gaylord Perry, Ferguson Jenkins, Jim Kaat, Jim Palmer, Tom Seaver, Phil Niekro, Steve Carlton and Don Sutton. The bar was set significantly higher.

Carlos Baerga Auto via Private Signing

It’s been a slow year for me TTM-wise – or at least I’ve slowed down significantly since the Spring/start of the pandemic. But, I’ve participated in a lot more through-the-mail private signings.

The latest return is Carlos Baerga, through a signing run by Jamie Blye spotted on SportsCollectors.Net.

Carlos Baerga was the switch-hitting second baseman on those slugging Cleveland Indians teams in the early- to mid-1990s. He was a three-time All-Star (1992, 1993, 1995) and two-time Silver Slugger (1993, 1994). He was the first second baseman since Rogers Hornsby to have back-to-back 200+hit, 20+ home run, 100+ RBI, and .300+ batting average seasons.

Baerga (and Sandy Alomar Jr.) had joined the Indians through an unpopular deal that sent Joe Carter to the Padres.

His peak, however, was cut short as the lavish lifestyle of a budding star took its toll. He blames his off-field appetite for discos, drink and women for on-field struggles.

His time in Cleveland came to an end mid-1996 when he was delt to the Mets in a swap that returned Jeff Kent. I have absolutely zero recollection of Jeff Kent playing for the Indians. None.

After two seasons more seasons with the Mets, Baera had a brief stint with the Padres, returned to the Indians, played in Korea, retired, served as player-manager of the Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico), unretired, and played four more Major League seasons with the Red Sox, Diamondbacks, and Nationals.

All told, Baerga had 1,583 hits and a .291 batting average over 14 seasons. In 2013, he was elected to the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame.

Steve “Psycho” Lyons TTM Success

Sent: 4/23/2020 | Received: 11/10/2020 | 201 days
2/2: 1986 Topps, 1988 Topps
Address: Home (Hermosa Beach, CA via SportsCollectors.Net)

When I showed my sons the unforgettable video of Steve Lyons pantsing himself at Tiger Stadium in 1990, they rolled around the floor laughing. In my younger days, the clip was a part of every blooper reel. Still funny.

The eccentric utility man nicknamed “Psycho” had a nine-year career split across four teams (including four separate stints with the Boston Red Sox). He slashed .252/.301/.340 with 19 home runs over 2,162 at bats. He stole 42 bases and was caught stealing 32 times.

On numerous occasions Lyons’ comments in the broadcast booth have gotten him into trouble. Nonetheless, he still has a gig with NESN, the Red Sox network. For me, his best work was calling Billy Chapel’s perfect game alongside Vin Scully.

Al Bumbry Private Signing + One More ’81 Star Sticker Catch-Up

Another 1981 Fleer Star Sticker success! Again by way of affordable through-the-mail private signing.

Al Bumbry was a mainstay in the Baltimore Orioles outfield for 13 seasons (1972-1984). He won the AL Rookie of the Year in 1973. He was an All-Star in 1980. He won a World Series ring in 1983.

Before his MLB career, Bumbry served in the U.S. Army and received a Bronze Star leading a platoon during the Vietnam War.

Bumbry still ranks high on the Orioles franchise leaderboard for stolen bases (4^th – 252) and runs (9^th – 772). He played the 1985 season – his last – with the Padres, serving mostly as a pinch hitter.

 

 

I recently blogged a catch-up post with five ’81 Star Sticker set returns that came in while I wasn’t writing. I missed one…

I received George Foster back from another private signing back in early August.

Foster is best known for his years with the “Big Red Machine.” A five-time All-Star, he won two World Series rings as the Reds went back-to-back in 1975 and 1976. He led the league in RBI in ’76, ’77, and ’78. He won the NL MVP in 1977, pacing the league in HRs (52), runs (124), RBI (149), total bases (388), and OPS (1.013).

After another great season in 1981 (he finished third in the NL MVP voting), the Reds – who were unwilling to give Foster the five-year deal he was seeking – traded him to the Mets.

Foster’s power numbers declined with the Mets (he maxed out at 28 HRs in 1983 and never exceeded 90 RBI). The Mets released Foster in August of their eventual World Series-winning 1986 season. He was awarded a ring.

Unknown to me before this write up: Foster bookended his career with the Giants and the White Sox. He broke into the Majors with San Francisco in 1969. The outfielder-rich Giants traded him to the Reds in 1971. After his release from the Mets, Foster latched on with Chicago. Foster hung up his cleats after 15 games with the White Sox.

 

***

1981 Fleer Star Sticker Progress: 56 of 125 (44.8%)

A HOF Auto Out of a Pharmacy Box?!?!

I picked up a couple pharmacy boxes at Wallgreens this morning thinking I’d go back to the well and do another FairField box break/faceoff, but a find in Box #2 had me saying, “Holy sh*t!”

Stan “the Man” Musial? Autographed? From a Pharmacy Box?!?!

Wow.

A closer look...

Yes, it’s a sticker auto.
Yes, it’s an unlicensed Leaf card (from 2015).
and Yes, the auto itself doesn’t look great.

But hey, I pulled a Stan Musial autograph from a pharmacy box!

Wait, hold on a second. The card was issued in 2015. Musial died in 2013. What? Some of you surely know this already. I didn’t. Apparently, Stan’s family and business people had him sign a ton of stickers in his waning years. Leaf bought the stickers and put out a product where you’re guaranteed a Musial auto with every box.

That’s morbid. It does diminish my enthusiasm for my hit some.

Musial, of course, was a first-ballot HOFer and one of the greatest and most consistent hitters in baseball history.

He’s a 24x All-Star (1943, 1944, 1946-1963), a three time World Series winner (1942, 1944, 1946), a three-time NL MVP (1943, 1946, 1948), he twice led the NL in RBIs (1948, 1956), and was a seven-time NL Batting champion (1943, 1946, 1948, 1950-1952, 1957).

What a resume.

The backstory on the auto explains the devaluation of Musial’s autograph over recent years (COMC listings have autos from this Leaf series in the $22-40 range) and potentially how it ended up in a $5 repack.

Still, to pull this out of a pharmacy box feels like a win.

Catching Up on 1981 Fleer Star Sticker Returns (x5)

During my three-month reprieve from blogging, I did make some progress on my 1981 Fleer Star Sticker set. Let’s recap…

Tony Perez via Private Signing

I received the Hall of Famer back on July 20th from a private signing. Pictured as a Red Sox, Perez is best known for his days with the Big Red Machine. He also played for the Expos and Phillies.

“Big Dog” was a seven-time All-Star (1967-1970, 1974-1976) posting 2,732 hits, 379 home runs, and 1,652 RBI over a 23-year run. He picked up three World Series rings – 1975 and 1976 as a player, and 1990 as a coach for the Reds team that swept the favored A’s.

He was inducted into Cooperstown in 2000 (ninth ballot) with 77.15 percent of the vote.

Mickey Rivers through the mail

“Mick the Quick” signed TTM by way of his agency, MDM Sports. This one came back 7/25.

Rivers, a speedy leadoff type, is best remembered for his time in pinstripes, where he won two World Series (1977 and 1978). He began his career with the Angels and wrapped it with the Rangers, amassing a .295 batting average and 267 stolen bases.

After leading the league in steals (70) with the Angels in 1975, the Yankees acquired him (and Ed Figueroa) for Bobby Bonds via trade. Rivers posted his best season in ’76 and earned an All-Star nod.

And I don’t know if anyone remembers the ESPN’s 2007 mini series The Bronx is Burning, but I loved the way Leonard Robinson played Rivers.

Jack Clark via Private Signing

I love a good nickname. “Jack the Ripper” is a great nickname. I got Clark – a four-time All Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1985, 1987) – by way of another private signing (7/28/2020).

During his mid-80s prime, Clark was one of the most feared hitters in the National League. Over an 18-year career, Clark hit .267 with 340 home runs, 332 doubles, and 1,180 RBI.

Tony Armas, Ebay pickup

I scored Armas as a super-cheap pickup through Ebay.

Armas was a top power hitter of the early 80s. He was a two-time All Star and twice led the American League in homers (1981, 1984). In 1984, he also was the AL RBI leader and won a Silver Slugger Award for his efforts.

From 1980 to 1985, Armas hit more home runs (187) than any other American League player.

He was, however, hampered by injuries. He missed 302 games to the disabled list (12 visits) over his 14-year career.

Enos Cabell via Private Signing

Cabell – a first- and third-baseman by trade – was also received through private signing (8/4/2020). Cabell is dubiously remembered for two things:

1. A Bill James Abstract (1983) write up where the statistician wrote “the man can’t play baseball … can’t play first, can’t play third, can’t hit, can’t run, and can’t throw.”
2. He was one of seven suspended for the entire 1986 season for admitting to cocaine abuse during the Pittsburgh drug trials. His suspension was avoided after agreeing to large anti-drug donations and community service.

With due respect to Mr. James, Cabell played 15 MLB seasons and posted a .277 batting average. That was a Skip Bayliss take.

***
1981 Fleer Star Sticker Set Progress: 54 of 125 (43.2%)
Unofficially, I entered the year with a goal of getting to 50 in 2020. So this is the one thing in 2020 that’s gone as planned.

Anthony Volpe TTM Success

Sent: 10/19/2020 | Received: 11/2/2020 | 14 days
3/3: 2020 Bowman (x2), 2020 Bowman Chrome
Address: Home (Watchung, NJ) from SportsCollectors.Net

The Yankees’ first round pick (30th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft, Volpe is a shortstop out of The Delbarton School in New Jersey. MLB.com ranked him organization’s No. 9 prospect back in the Spring.

Volpe’s MiLB debut didn’t go as planned. He hit only .215/.349/.355 over 34 games and contracted mono.

He was likely ticketed for high-A Tampa, but when the season was wiped away by Covid, he had to settle for sandlot-style pickup games.

Volpe also has winning credentials, leading the USA Baseball 18-and-Under National Team to a gold medal at the Pan-American Championships and earning All-Tournament honors with a .459 batting average in nine games.

Private Signings: Frank Thomas, Alec Mills

Playing a bit of catch-up…

Here are a couple private signing returns that came back during my recent hiatus. I’ll do a separate post with my 1981 Fleer Star Sticker set returns.

Frank Thomas (via rdaly42 on SCN)

I jumped at this one when I saw it pop up in the SportsCollectors.Net upcoming Private Signings listings. It was one of those that I originally clicked on assuming, “No way this will be in my price range.” I was very happy to be wrong.

“The Big Hurt” was always one of my favorite non-Yankees (unless, of course, you count his tenure in pinstripes from Mr. Baseball).

In fifth grade, my Upstate New York school took a field trip to the Hall of Fame. I’d been plenty of times before, but it was notable because one of my closest friends’ father was a chaperone. While everyone else came home with a souvenir pack of cards or a couple HOF plaque post cards, my friend got his father to spring for an autographed Frank Thomas 8x10. I was quite jealous.

Anyways… I’m thrilled to add him to the collection all these years later.

You all know Frank Thomas. You don’t need me to summarize his Hall of Fame career. Instead I’ll call out a few of his more random notables:

• Thomas was the only player in league history to have over 10,000 plate appearances without a single sacrifice bunt. The Big Hurt didn’t small ball.
• As early as 1995, Thomas advocated for testing MLB players for performance-enhancing drugs. “It means a lot to me because I did it the right way,” he said after hitting his 500^th career home run.
• He had seven straight 100 RBI, 100 walk, 20 homer, and .300 average seasons.
• Final career numbers: 521 home runs, a .301 batting average, and a .419 on-base percentage. Four Silver Sluggers and two MVPs (1993, 1994).

Alec Mills (via Chicagoland Sports)

Mills’ September 13^th no-hitter was one of the abbreviated season’s highlights. I was coaching a Little League team of 9- and 10-year-olds, and Mills was all the buzz on our Connecticut diamond the next day.

Mills, a 28-year-old former 22^nd round draft pick, had racked up 649 Minor League innings before his Big Show moment. It was only his 15^th MLB start, having previously gone no deeper than seven innings.

With a 90.1 mph fastball, he generated just five swinging strikes. His five strikeouts were the fewest in a no-hitter since 2013 (Henderson Alvarez, Marlins, 2013).

On the season, Mills posted a 5-5 record and 4.47 ERA over 11 starts.

The signing – my first through Chicagoland Sports – couldn’t have been easier. They supplied the card. I didn’t request the inscription (feeling that the Topps Now card spoke for itself), but he added it anyways. Score.

Two more 1981 Fleer Star Stickers: Bake McBride & Greg Luzinski

In my continued quest for a signed 1981 Fleer Star Sticker set, I've two new pickups to highlight.

Bake McBride via Private Signing

C'mon. Look at that card. Fantastic.

"Shake 'n Bake" played 11 (often injury-shortened) seasons for the Cardinals, Phillies, and Indians. He was the 1974 N.L. Rookie of the Year, a 1976 All-Star, and a World Series champion in 1980.

In that '74 ROY campaign, he slashed .303/.369/.394, stole 30 bases and scored 81 runs over 150 games. McBride hit over .300 the next two seasons as well, with a career-high .335 mark in 1976.

After struggling through 42 games with the Cardinals in 1977, he was dealt to the Phillies. He finished the season hitting .339 with 11 home runs and 27 stolen bases. He posted a career-best 87 RBI for the 1980 World Series champs.

Injuries forced McBride to retire at the age of 33. He retired with a .299 batting average, 1,153 hits, 63 home runs, and 183 stolen bases.

Greg Luzinski via Ebay

Another 1980 World Series champ.

Greg "The Bull" Luzinski was a four-time All-Star and the 1975 N.L. RBI leader. In each season from 1975 through 1978, he was finished in the Top 10 of the MVP vote.

Over 11 seasons with the Phillies, Luzinski slugged 223 home runs. He joined the Chicago White Sox after the 1980 title season and was resurgent in a designated hitter role. He hit 84 more home runs over four seasons with the ChiSox.

*** 

1981 Fleer Star Sticker Set Progress: 49 of 125 (39.2%)

Rollie Fingers TTM Success

Sent: 6/8/2020 | Received: 6/16/2020 | 8 days
1/1: 1981 Fleer Star Sticker
Address: Home (Las Vegas, NV) from SportsCollectors.Net

Another 1981 Fleer Star Sticker success, and a Hall of Famer to boot.

Fingers revolutionized the reliever role over a 17-year career with the Athletics, Padres, and Brewers. He helped usher in the age of the closer, and at the time of his retirement his 341 career saves were the most all time.

He is a three-time World Series champion, a seven-time All-Star, a four-time Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, and a three-time MLB saves leader.

In 1981, his first season in Milwaukee, Fingers won the American League's (AL) Most Valuable Player Award and Cy Young Award. He went 6-3 and racked up 28 saves while posting a 1.04 ERA over 78 innings. He edged Rickey Henderson by nine votes, despite a WAR deficit of 1.5.

*** 

1981 Fleer Star Sticker Set Progress: 47 of 125 (37.6%)

TTM Success: Two 2019 Spring Training Returns

I have some catching up to do on TTM returns, so let’s go with a two-fer. Surprising June/July 2020 returns that were sent during Spring Training 2019.

Chad Green TTM Success

Sent: 2/19/2019 | Received: 6/22/2020 | 489 days
1/1: 2019 Topps
Address: c/o NY Yankees ST

Chad Green had a bizarre 2019. He was atrocious in April – allowing 14 earned runs in 7 2/3 innings – before being optioned to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Following the stint in Triple-A, Green returned to form, posting a 2.64 ERA the rest of the way. In the process, he served as both a middle-innings reliever and as an opener (making 15 starts) with the ability to pitch multiple innings when necessary. More likely than not, he’ll fill that role again in 2020.

Sal Romano TTM Success

Sent: 3/7/2019 | Received: 7/1/2020 | 482 days
2/2: 2018 Topps, 2019 Reds Team Set
Address: c/o Cincinnati Reds ST

If you’re a follower of SportsCollectors.net’s recent successes page, Sal Romano has been a popping up a lot, signing from his home – which surprise, surprise is one town over (I had no idea). Unable to find any of his cards, I figured I’d miss this boat.

Lo an behold, I couldn’t find carts because I sent them already; to Arizona last Spring. And they found their way home.

The Southington, CT native as had 41 starts and 67 appearances over three seasons with the Reds. Romano worked exclusively in relief last season, at the MLB level, and struggled to a 7.71 ERA (and 1.837 WHIP).

Another Pre-Draft Stars & Stripes Return

Mere hours after posting three Stars & Stripes TTM returns, lo and behold, another lands in the mailbox. Another guy to pull for tonight (or tomorrow) in the draft.

Jeff Criswell TTM Success

Sent: 5/26/2020 | Received: 6/10/2020 | 15 days

1/1: 2020 Stars & Stripes
Address: Home (Portage, MI) from SportsCollectors.Net

Criswell worked as both a starter and reliever for Michigan. He shined in the pen in 2019 as the Wolverines came within one win of a national title. In 2020, he assumed the Friday starter role. MLB.com's Pipeline ranks him the #58 draft prospect.

From their write-up:

[As a starter, Criswell showed] the ability to work at 93-96 mph with heavy sink for several innings at a time. Both his slider and his fading changeup are solid secondary pitches that arrive in the low 80s.

While Criswell unquestionably has the repertoire and strong build to start at the pro level, he's still learning to harness his stuff. He lapses into overthrowing at times, which causes his delivery to get out of sync and his control to waver. If he can do a better job of locating his pitches, he could develop into a mid-rotation starter.

A Trio of Stars & Stripes TTM Returns Before the Draft

Happy draft day. I thought today would be the perfect day to catch up on my TTM returns from the Stars & Stripes blaster that I picked up a few weeks back. I’ll be honest with you: I was pretty lukewarm on this release after I opened it, but I’ve enjoyed getting these back as TTMs.

Heston Kjerstad TTM Success

Sent: 5/28/2020 | Received: 6/6/2020 | 14 days
1/1: 2020 Stars & Stripes
Address: Home (Amarillo, TX) from SportsCollectors.Net

MLB.com’s Pipeline ranks Kjerstad the #10 prospect headed into the draft. Kjerstad is a 21-year-old outfielder out of Arkansas.

From MLB’s write up:

He offers the best left-handed power in the 2020 college class and only potential No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson has more pop among collegians.

Kjerstad's strength and bat speed give him well above-average raw power to all fields … He's an aggressive hitter who always will accumulate strikeouts as a tradeoff for his pop … He's not a threat on the bases but plays a capable right field. His huge power and solid arm strength fit the profile for the position.

Drew Romo TTM Success

Sent: 5/28/2020 | Received: 6/9/2020 | 17 days
1/1: 2020 Stars & Stripes
Address: Home (The Woodlands, TX) from SportsCollectors.Net

#35 on MLB’s Pipeline rankings, Romo is a high school catcher out of the same high school that’s produced Paul Goldschmidt, Kyle Drabek and Jameson Tallion.

Per MLB:

[H]e's an outstanding defender who made strides offensively on the showcase circuit last summer … A potential Gold Glover, he possesses soft hands, advanced receiving skills and a strong arm with a quick release. He also garners praise for his leadership ability, work ethic and baseball IQ … 

A switch-hitter, he has a better swing from the left side but has improved from the right. The Louisiana State commit will provide more contact and on-base ability than power, but he can become a .260 hitter with 12-15 homers per year while running the bases better than most catchers.

Logan Allen TTM Success

Sent: 5/23/2020 | Received: 6/2/2020 | 10 days
1/1: 2020 Stars & Stripes
Address: Home (Deltona, FL) from SportsCollectors.Net

Rounding out my trio of Stars and Stripes returns is Logan Allen, a left-handed pitcher out of Florida International. Allen checked in at #46 on the Pipeline’s pre-draft rankings.

This from the MLB.com profile:

He goes right after hitters with three pitches. He sits right around 90 mph with his fastball, but can reach back for up to 93 mph when he needs to, and he commands it well, with good arm-side finish. His changeup is his bread and butter, a potentially future plus circle change he sells really well with good fade and sink that misses bats and elicits weak contact on the ground. His curveball is his third pitch, a breaking ball that can get a little big at times. He commands the ball very well and knows how to set up hitters. 

Because of his lack of physicality and lack of wow stuff, Allen's ceiling is somewhat limited. But he's shown the ability to keep hitters off-balance and could be the kind of advanced college lefty who moves through a system quickly, always a commodity when the Draft rolls around.

With these three, my number of Stars and Stripes returns is up to five; I previously received Nick Loftin (#36) and Andrew Abbott (#116). Hopefully all of these guys are selected high and have long/successful careers.

Ron Gant TTM Success

Sent: 5/28/2020 | Received: 6/9/2020 | 12 days
3/3: 1993 Upper Deck, 1997 Metal, 1989 Bowman
Address: c/o Fox 5 Atlanta from SportsCollectors.Net

Before he became one of the most reliable TTM autograph signers around, Ron Gant was an All-Star outfielder, best known for his seven-year run with the Atlanta Braves (1987-1993).

Gant came up as a second baseman before transitioning to outfield in 1990. He took off from there, batting .303 with 32 home runs, 30 stolen bases and 85 RBI – good enough to earn the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award.

He duplicated his 30/30 efforts in ‘91 – joining Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, (and later Barry Bonds, who did it three years in a row) – as the only players to register consecutive 30 home run/30 stolen base seasons. He won the Silver Slugger Award.

During the 1991 World Series – an eventual seven-game loss to the Twins – it was Gant who was the base runner on the controversial play at first with Kent Hrbek (aside: I have no dog in this fight, and sure seemed to me that Hrbek pulled Gant's leg off the bag).

Shortly after singing a $5.5 million deal for 1994, Gant broke his right leg in an ATV accident. He’d be released and he wouldn’t return until ’95 with the Reds. He earned an All-Star nod that season for a .276/.386/.544 slash and 29 home runs.

After three seasons with the Cardinals, he’d play short stints with the Phillies (1999-2000), Angels (2000), Rockies (2001), A’s (2001), Padres (2002), and A’s again (2003). He’d wrap his 16-year career a .256 hitter with 321 homers and 243 stolen bases.

Bubba Starling TTM Success

Sent: 5/29/2020 | Received: 6/9/2020 | 11 days
2/2: 2020 Topps, 2020 Topps Heritage
Address: Home (Paola, KS) from SportsCollectors.Net

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like Royals’ rookie Bubba Starling has been around forever. I see now that’s a mild exaggeration. The 27-year-old outfielder was selected out of high school with the fifth overall selection of the 2011 MLB draft. He received the second largest signing bonus ($7.5 million) in draft history.

Starling had an up-and-down tenure in the Minors, but the Royals stuck with him. Bookended highs: 10 home runs (and 10 stolen bases) over 53 games in Rookie ball (2012) and a .310/.358/.448 at AAA through the first half of last season, earning his long awaiting call to the Majors.

But in between those seasons, Starling had his struggles. In 2014, at high-A Wilmington, he hit just .218. In 2016, splitting time between AA-Northwest Arkansas and AAA-Omaha, he hit .183.

Just how much of his troubles can be attributed to injury is anyone’s guess. Though he has battled oblique strains, and a bizarre finger injury (he required surgery to repair his left index finger which he dislocated getting out of bed).

Starling was likely to serve as the Royals’ reserve outfielder this season. He’d look to improve on his .215/.255/.317 line he tallied in his first big league action last year.

I’ll add, not to disparage Bubba, but as a day-before the draft reminder that you never know: the following players were selected after Starling in the 2011 draft: Anthony Rendon, Francisco Lindor, Javier Baez, George Springer, Brandon Nimmo, Sonny Gray, and Kolten Wong.

Bill Pulsipher TTM Success

Sent: 5/20/2020 | Received: 6/4/2020 | 15 days
1/1: 1995 Topps Future Star
Address: Home (East Moriches, NY) from SportsCollectors.Net

When I was a kid, one of my buddies – the only Mets fan in our bunch – was so enthusiastic, so convinced that “Generation K” – the dynamite moniker bestowed by sportswriters to the Amazins’ trio of young guns – Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen, and Paul Wilson, he had me sold.

I don’t have the best baseball-card memory, but I remember pulling the above card from a Topps pack from our Little League’s concession stand (yes, our LL concession stand sold packs). He offered me every All-Star in his pack and I refused. I don’t remember the could-have-been return, but I remember declining. This was going to be a good one.

Bill Pulsipher debuted in June of 1995 as a 21-year-old and pitched to a 5-7 record and a 3.98 ERA. Then the injuries began. He was shut down with three weeks left in the season with elbow pain. At the end of ’96 Spring Training, still experiencing the pain, he went for an MRI which revealed Tommy John surgery was needed.

In 1997, Pulsipher returned to AAA but struggled with control. He was sent down to A-ball and continued issues with walks continued. Around this time, he was diagnosed with depression.

After treatment for depression, his performance improved and in 1998 he pitched his way back to the MLB, working mostly in relief. He was shipped to Milwaukee at the deadline, working as a starter for the Brewers. He required off-season back surgery. He returned as a starter but battled chronic back issues.

He was dealt back to the Mets before the 2000 season. He’d make two more starts with New York (losing both and surrendering nine runs in 6.1 innings.

Pulsipher would bounce around, including pitching for international and independent teams. His last big-league run was in 2005 (after being out of the Majors for four years), reunited with Isringhausen in St. Louis.

All told, Pulsipher had a 13-19 record and 5.15 ERA over parts of six seasons.

Ricky Bones TTM Success

Sent: 5/19/2020 | Received: 6/2/2020 | 14 days
1/1: 1992 Fleer
Address: Home (Pembroke Pines, FL) from SportsCollectors.Net

Ricky Bones pitched for 11 years in the major leagues with the Padres (1991), Brewers (1992-1996), Yankees (1996), Reds (1997), Royals (1997-1998), Orioles (1999) and Marlins (2000-2001). He tallied 63 wins against 82 losses and posted a 4.85 ERA in 375 games (164 starts).

Bones’ best year was 1994, his age 25 season. He earned his lone All-Star selection, posted a 10-9 record and a 3.43 ERA.

His time with the Yankees was brief. He was acquired in August of 1996, made four appearances, surrendered 11 runs in seven innings, and was left off the postseason roster. Nonetheless, he earned a World Series championship ring.

[Aside: to the best of my knowledge, no card exists depicting Bones as a Yankee. Correct me if I’m wrong. I have an affinity toward short-stay Yankees cards.]

Bones was named as a PED user in the Mitchell Report. Within, a clubhouse attendant reveals he discovered a bag with more than two dozen syringes and six vials of injectable substances, including two of anabolic steroids in Bones’ locker. Bones himself told investigators that he’d been self-administering steroids and painkillers.

His last year in the majors was 2001, his age 32 season. Far from being blackballed from baseball though, he’s coached in the Mets system, including as MLB bullpen coach (2012-2018, 2019-present).

Danny Darwin TTM Success

Sent: 5/23/2020 | Received: 6/2/2020 | 10 days
4/4: 1986 Topps, 1988 Topps, 1990 Fleer, 1992 Upper Deck
Address: Home (Denton, TX) from SportsCollectors.Net

Few players are blessed with even one nickname as good as either of those bestowed upon Danny Darwin, aka the “Bonham Bullet,” aka “Dr. Death.”

Darwin, a right-handed pitcher totaled 171 wins over an 21-year career, toeing the slab for the Rangers, Brewers, Astros, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Pirates, White Sox and Giants. For those of you scoring at home, that’s eight teams.

A Bonham, Texas native (hence the first nickname), Darwin debuted for the Rangers in September of 1978. He pitched seven seasons in Texas – bouncing back and forth from the bullpen and the rotation. He was traded to Milwaukee before the 1985 season.

He was dealt again during the 1986 season to Houston, where teammate Nolan Ryan gave him his second moniker, “Dr. Death,” for his competitive, fiery demeanor. Darwin’s best years were in Houston culminating in 1990 when he led the National League in ERA (2.21) and WHIP (1.027) over 162 innings. He appeared in 48 games that year, 17 of them starts, epitomizing the role of swing man.

Darwin left for Boston, where he pitched four seasons, via free agency. In 1992, working exclusively as a starter, he led the A.L. in WHIP (1.068) and posted a 3.26 ERA over 229.1 innings.

He bounced between six teams over the next four years. Among the highlights – relayed by Orel Hershiser during a 2012 Baseball Tonight broadcast – Darwin slugged Hershiser, his teammate, when benches cleared between the Giants and Phillies in 1998. Why?

"Because he said I hit him back when I was pitching against him and he wanted to get me back. Danny Darwin as my teammate hit me.” [source]

Bob Horner TTM Success

Sent: 5/20/2020 | Received: 5/29/2020 | 9 days
1/1: 1981 Fleer Star Sticker
Address: Home (Irving, TX) through PastPros.com

Before Horner ever played for the Atlanta Braves, he was an NCAA star. Manning second base for the ASU Sun Devils, Horner hammered a then-NCAA record 58 career home runs. He was selected College World Series MVP (1977) and won the Golden Spikes Award in 1978.

With that track record, it was no surprise that Atlanta took Horner with the first overall pick in the ’78 amateur draft. He is one of the handful of players to go directly from college to the majors without spending any time in the minor leagues.

Was he ready? In his first game, he homered off Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven. He’d play 89 games and slash .266/.313/.539, belt 23 homers, and drive in 63 en route to the Rookie of the Year Award.

Leg and shoulder injuries wiped out 79 games over his next two years. Nonetheless he was productive. In 1979 he batted .314 with 33 home runs and 98 RBI. A year later, he hit .268 with 35 home runs, and 89 RBI. In the strike-shortened 1981 season (79 games played), he hit .277, 15 HR, and 42 RBI.

His lone All-Star season came in 1982 when he tallied 32 home runs and 97 RBI, while slashing .261/.350/.501.

Through his age-25 season (’83), Horner had already amassed 158 homers, swatting them a prodigious pace: on every 17 at bats.

His 1983 and 1984 seasons, however, were shortened with separate fractures to each wrist. He returned to form in 1985 with 27 homers and 89 RBI in 130 games and in July of that year, he became the 11^th MLB player to hit four home runs in a single game.

Horner became a free agent in 1987, turned down several low-ball offers from the Braves, and received no interest from other teams. It was later found that MLB owners were colliding to keep salaries down. Horner opted to sign a one-year contract with Japan’s Yakult Swallows instead.

Postscript: In 2004, via player lawsuit over collusion, Horner would receive the biggest award: $7,034,112, including interest.

Horner returned to the Majors in 1988 with the Cardinals but was limited to only 60 games by should injury. He’d retire before what would have been his age-31 1989 season.

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1981 Fleer Star Sticker Set Progress: 46 of 125 (36.8%)

Fred Lynn TTM Success

Sent: 5/2/2020 | Received: 5/28/2020 | 26 days
1/1: 1981 Fleer Star Sticker
Address: Home (Carlsbad, CA) from SportsCollectors.Net

Not going to lie: super pumped to get this one back. For those of you card collectors that aren’t in on the whole TTM scene, Fred Lynn is notorious for sending a signed blue index card in lieu of the requested card. Look, beggars can’t be choosers. A success is a success, but getting the on-card return is a pretty big deal here. Mr. Lynn made my day.

Lynn burst onto the scene with the Red Sox in 1975, and was the first player ever to win both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Awards in the same year.

That year, the 23-year-old Lynn slashed .331/.401/.967. He led the league in slugging, OPS, runs (103), and doubles (47). He hit 21 home runs and drove in 105. He finished second to Rod Carew in batting average and earned his first of four Gold Glove Awards.

He was the 1979 batting champion with a .333 mark. In fact, he led the league OBP (.424) and Slugging (.637).

In seven seasons with the Red Sox, Lynn batted .308 with 124 home runs and 521 RBI.

However, Lynn's career was hampered by injuries attributed to his fearless play. He broke a rib crashing into the outfield wall (1980). He injured his knee breaking up a double play (1981). He suffered sprained ankles, a broken toe, and battled chronic back pain throughout his career. He never played more than 150 games in a season, and only topped 140 games four times.

Lynn went on to play for the Angels (1981-1984), Orioles (1985-1988), Tigers (1988-89), and Padres (1990).

Over 15 career postseason games, he batted 22-for-54 (.407) with two home runs and 13 RBIs.

Lynn was a nine-time All-Star, batting an overall 6-for-20 (.300) in All-Star Games with four home runs and ten RBIs, including the first grand slam in All-Star Game history (1983). All told, he hit four Mid-summer Classic HRs, second only to Stan Musial with six. 

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1981 Fleer Star Sticker Set Progress: 45 of 125 (36%)