Andrew Abbott TTM Success

Sent: 5/17/2020 | Received: 5/22/2020 | 5 days
1/1: 2020 Panini Stars & Stripes
Address: Home (Nathalie, VA) from SportsCollectors.Net

Another 2020 Stars & Stripes return, and this one sets a new standard for fastest return. I’ve had a few come back in six days, this is my first to come back in five.

Andrew Abbott was not only speedy; he included a nice note back addressing my boys. Class act.

Abbott is a left-handed reliever out of UVA. For the abbreviated 2020 season, the junior Cavalier had a 1.35 ERA (fifth lowest among ACC relievers with 10+ IP) while appearing in nine games. He struck out 28 (tops for any ACC reliever) in 13.1 innings pitched.

D1Baseball.com ranked him No. 7 in their Top 50 list of relief pitchers across the NCAA.

In 2019, he led Team USA in appearances and went 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA.

I’ve seen mock drafts in which he’s taken as high as the 2nd round. He was previously drafted by the New York Yankees in the 36th round (2017) out of high school.

Binder Page: Yankees 2013 Opening Day Nine (WOOF!)

Tried Walmart this morning for some 2020 Bowman; struck out again. All they had was Series One, Heritage (which I opened yesterday), and one of my least favorite releases: Gallery. I left empty handed.

Also, no incoming TTMs. Bummer.

So I figured I’d come back with my second “Opening Day Nine” page post. Back in December I had thought this might be a regular thing. This time, let’s look at 2013 and the shockingly abysmal lineup that took the field on Opening Day. The Yankees finished tied for third place in the AL East (85-77), their worst season since 1992, and failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

How this team won 85 games, is beyond me.

Woof.

No Jeter, A-Rod, Teixeria, or Granderson.

The season opened with an 8-2 loss to the Red Sox. Jon Lester outpitched CC Sabathia. New York managed six hits and Francisco Cervelli plated the two runs with a fourth-inning single.

The Starting Lineup: 

1. Brett Gardner, CF

The Card: 2013 Topps Opening Day #69

Gardner’s Season: After limited to just 16 games in 2012 by an elbow injury, Gardner returned to full-time action for his age-29 season. Curtis Granderson broke his right arm in spring training, forcing Gardner to shift back to center field. Gardner slashed .273/.344/.416. He score 81 runs and led the A.L. in triples (10). He'd also ad 33 doubles and steal 24 bases.

2. Eduardo Nunez, SS

The Card: 2013 Topps Heritage #422

Nunez’s Season: With Derek Jeter opening the season on the D.L. – he broke his right ankle during Game 1 of the 2012 ALCS and aggravated the injury during offseason rehabilitation – the 26-year-old Nunez got the start. In limited action over the previous three seasons, Eduardo had shown some promise with the bat – if you’re willing to overlook his free swinging tendencies, and live with his questionable defensive work. Unfortunately, Nunez himself bounced on and off the disabled list, and was limited to 90 games. He hit .260 with an OBP of .307.

3. Robinson Cano, 2B 

The Card: 2013 Topps Archives #60

Cano’s Season: With most of the Yankees’ bats sidelined, the 31-year-old Cano was asked to carry the load. He turned in another typically productive Cano season: .314/.383/.899 slash, 27 home runs, 41 doubles, and 107 RBI while playing 160 games. He earned his fifth All-Star nod and fifth Silver Slugger. It would turn out to be Cano’s last season in pinstripes as he inked his 10-year, $240 million deal with Seattle the following offseason.

4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B 

The Card: 2013 Topps Update Series (Wal-Mart Blue) #US10

Youkilis’ Season: I don’t know anyone who thought the one-year, $12 million contract given to the former Red Sox heel was a good idea. Youkilis was 34 (though played much older) and was coming off a .235/.336/.409 season. Nonetheless, he was the Opening Day cleanup hitter because Mark Teixeira strained a wrist tendon while playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Youkilis played just 28 games for the Yankees before back injuries ended his MLB career. He hit .219 and the “Greek God of Walks” reached base at a .305 clip.

5. Vernon Wells, LF 

The Card: 2013 Topps Update Series #US325

Wells’ Season: Three years removed from his last productive season in Toronto where he was a three-time All-Star, the Yankees traded for Wells and his untradeable contract in March after Granderson went down. New York assumed $13.9 million of the remaining $42 million remaining on his deal. Briefly, it seemed the Yankees desperate gambit had worked: Wells mashed his way to a .301/.357/.538 batting line with 10 homers through his first 38 games, but he'd turn back to a pumpkin in mid-May and finish with a batting line of .233/.282/.349 in 458 plate appearances. 2013 would be Wells’ last in the Bigs.

6. Ben Francisco, DH 

The Card: 2012 Topps Update Series (Target Red) #US277
^This one breaks two of my “rules” for these “Starting Nine” pages. It wasn’t issued during the year I’m representing, nor is he pictured as a Yankee. I’ve considered making a custom, but haven’t really gotten into custom card making. So for now, this stays.

Francisco’s Season: Francisco too was brought in – on a minor-league deal – after Granderson went down in the Spring. In six years across five teams, he earned the reputation as a platoon bat, and the Yankees used him at DH against left-handed pitchers. He and Travis Hafner would share the position. Francisco hit .144/.220/.182 in 21 games before being released in late May. Hafner hit .202/.301/.378 in 82 games. Neither would play in the majors again.

7. Ichiro Suzuki, RF 

The Card: 2013 Panini Select #15

Ichiro’s Season: Acquired mid-2012 via trade, the Yankees re-upped Ichiro for two years and relied on him to replace Nick Swisher, who departed via free agency. Ichiro hit .262/.297/.342 over 150 games. In August, Ichiro collected his 4,000th professional career hit (Japan and US combined).

8. Jayson Nix, 3B 

The Card: 2013 Topps Update Series (Gold – 1533/2013) #US262

Nix’s Season: The A-Rod circus opened the door for Nix. Rodriguez had offseason hip surgery and then became embroiled in the Biogenesis scandal. He’d eventually return August 5th, the same day MLB announced he’d be suspended through the 2014 season for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. He’d appeal and end up playing 44 games in ’13. In the interim, Nix led a cast of misfits (Youkilis, David Adams, Reid Brignac, Chris Nelson, Brent Lillibridge, Corban Joseph, Luis Cruz, Brendan Ryan, Alberto Gonzalez) occupying the depleted left side of the Yankees infield, and incredibly his .236/.308/.311 was probably the best of the bunch. He appeared in 87 games.

9. Francisco Cervelli, C 

The Card: 2013 Topps (Emerald Foil) #552

Cervelli’s Season: With Russell Martin departing via free agency, Cervelli figured to become Yanks’ primary backstop in 2013. However, he fractured his right hand after getting hit by a foul tip during an April 26th game and was lost to the D.L. Later, Cervelli too was suspended (50 games) for his role in the Biogenesis scandal. He’d play in just 17 games.

The Season 

Did I already say “Woof?”

At 85-77, the Yankees finished 12 games behind the eventual World Series winning Red Sox. It was a forgettable/regrettable season, but damned if I don't look at this binder page every time I go into it.

Legendary Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and fan favorite Andy Pettitte each retired following the season.

A lot went wrong for New York in 2013. I focused on the offense and injuries above. The pitching staff also had its issues. CC Sabathia’s ERA ballooned from 3.38 to 4.78, and while he’d have a late career resurgence, he’d never again be an ace or an All-Star. Any lingering hope for former prospects Phil Hughes (4-14, 5.19 ERA) and Joba Chamberlain (4.93 ERA, 1.738 WHIP) were dashed, each punching their ticket out of New York that offseason.

Breaking a Topps Heritage 2020 Blaster

Saw someone on Twitter yesterday post a pic of Bowman blasters shelved at Target, so I found an excuse to go there this morning. Alas, all they had was Series One and Heritage.

I wasn’t going to leave empty handed so I grabbed a Heritage Blaster.

8 packs. 9 cards per pack.

You know the product. So let’s get to rippin’…

Pack One: Yoan Moncada, ALCS Game 4, Chris Taylor, New Age Performers: Euenio Suarez, Bazooka Mini: Austin Meadows, Sean Murphy, Tyler Naquin, AZ Rookies: Leyba/Rojas, Leury Garcia

Pack Two: Kevin Newman, WS Celebrate, Manny Margot, Delino Deshields Jr., David Bote, ALCS Game 2, Willians Astudillo, AZ Rookies Young/Gallen, Ian Happ

Pack Three: Raimel Tapia, Mallex Smith, Kenta Maeda, Lance Lynn, Max Kepler (SP), Adalberto Mondesi, James McCann, LAD Rookies: May/Lux, Nathan Eovalid

Pack Four: Niko Goodrum, Dakota Hudson, Ranger Suarez, Luis Arraez, ’71 Flashbacks: Evil Knievel, Mike Moustakas, Adam Eaton, NL HR Leaders, Zack Greinke

Pack Five: ALCS Game 6, Thairo Estrada, Tyler Chatwood, Kurt Suzuki. SFG Rookies: Webb/Rogers, Phil Ervin, Garrett Cooper, Aaron Nola, NLCS Game 1

Pack Six: Tyler Flowers, Edwin Diaz, Marcus Stroman, Cam Gallagher, Nick Senzel (SP), Teoscar Hernandez, Luke Weaver, LAA Rookies: Sandoval/ThaissFreddy Peralta

Pack Seven: Jake Marisnick, TEX Rookies: Solak/Burke, Rio Ruiz, Mike Ford, Mays: The Catch, Jake Junis, Tyler Glasnow, Justin Upton, Erick Fedde

Pack Eight: Dominic Smith, Masahiro Tanaka, Albert Pujols, Andrew Miller, Victor Caratini, SDP Rookies: Munoz/Baez, Christian Stewart, Ozzie Albies, Ronald Guzman


That’s all. Nothing crazy, but I did surprisingly well avoiding dupes (I had purchased a couple blasters shortly after its release). I don’t see myself pursuing the set (too many SPs!), but it’s a little tempting. I do love that ’71 design.

BIG Mail Day: Luis Robert GQ Auto

I’m impressed, Topps. Less than a month after pulling a Luis Robert redemption from a Target retail Value Pack, it’s hit my mailbox.

Behold: an autographed, Gypsy Queen logo swap parallel of Chicago White Sox uber prospect.

As I said when I wrote up the break, this is one of the biggest – and least expected – hits that I’ve ever pulled.

Robert, who is included as a rookie despite not playing in the majors, is a 22-year-old Cuban outfielder and the #2 prospect in the game (according to Baseball America). He led the minors across all levels last season in hits (165) and was second in runs (108).

The White Sox locked him up with a six-year, $50 million contract in January, another key piece for the franchise’s future. Penciling Robert into a lineup with Tim Anderson, Eloy Jiménez, and Yoán Moncada makes for a fun, intriguing team.

1st Private Signing, 44th Star Sticker: Graig Nettles

I’ve written it before: working a set, TTM is only going to get me so far. Sooner or later I’d have to supplement those efforts to fill some holes.

Not yet courageous enough to aim for some of the big (expensive) names in the set, when I saw a reasonably-priced Graig Nettles signing, I figured I’d give it a go. The signing was listed on SportsCollectors.net, conducted by “dugoutdug.” Other than the return hitting informed delivery one day earlier than my mailbox (causing 24 hours of mild concern), it went flawlessly.

(The promoter actually has another Craig Nettles signing scheduled for 7/31, if anyone is interested).

That brings me 44 signed 1981 Fleer Star Stickers out of 125 (35.2%). When I started the year, I was hoping to get to 50 in 2020. I’m on my way.

Anyways, Nettles was renowned for his defense at the hot corner. Over 22 years in the bigs, he was a six-time All Star, two-time Gold Glove winner (1977, 1978), and a two-time World Series champion. Despite modest batting averages (.248 for his career), he was productive at the plate and in 1976 led the AL in home runs with 32.

Nettles hit at least 20 homers in 11 seasons. His career high was 37 in 1977, a year he finished fifth in MVP voting.

In the infamous 1976 brawl with the Boston Red Sox, it was Nettles’ take down that resulted in Bill Lee’s broken collarbone.

Nettles would serve as New York Yankees captain (the first since Thurman Munson) from 1982 until he was traded to the Padres (for Dennis Rasmussen) in March of 1984.

“Some kids dream of joining the circus, others of becoming a major league baseball player. As a member of the N.Y. Yankees I've gotten to do both.” [source]

He’d play three years in San Diego, earning an All Star nod at age 40 in 1985. He’d wrap his career with with single seasons in Atlanta and Montreal. He finished with 390 home runs and a career fielding percentage of .964

Nick Loftin TTM Success

Sent: 5/2/2020 | Received: 5/15/2020 | 13 days
1/1: 2020 Panini Stars & Stripes
Address: Home (Corpus Christi, TX) from SportsCollectors.Net

Again, these shiny Stars & Stripes cards are hard to scan or photograph.

My first return from the 2020 Stars & Stripes blaster I scooped up a couple weeks back.

Nick Loftin, a junior shortstop out of Baylor University, is a consensus Top 50 MLB Draft prospect (Baseball America has him at no. 29, MLB Pipeline at 49).

Undrafted out of high school, Loftin slashed .319/.381/.490 at Baylor. He’s an outstanding contact hitter (just 37 strikeouts over 458 at bats). He’s considered a solid MLB-ceiling, low-floor prospect.

With Team USA, he demonstrated versatility. He played shortstop, second base, third base, and the corner outfield positions last summer.

Vida Blue TTM Success

Sent: 4/22/2020 | Received: 5/7/2020 | 15 days
1/1: 1981 Fleer Star Sticker
Address: Vida Blue Baseball (Pleasanton, CA) from SportsCollectors.Net

Vida Blue was an integral member of the Oakland Athletics three-peat (1972-1974). He won the A.L. Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards for his dominant 1971 season. That year, Blue went 24-8 with a 1.82 ERA over 312 innings. He threw 24 complete games (including eight shutouts).

2019 (pre-blog) return

I had gotten Vida through the mail in 2019, before I committed to working the Fleer Star Sticker set. Of course, I opted for how history best remembers him: as an Athletic.

Blue debuted with the A’s in 1969 as a 19 year old. He saw limited action over his first two seasons, but the talent was obvious. He was a power pitcher with a fastball up to 100 mph. On September 21, 1970, he no-hit the Minnesota Twins.

His fantastic 1971 season brought conflict with notorious cheapskate owner Charlie Finley. Blue held out for much of the 1972 season. When he returned, he was not sharp. Nonetheless Oakland defeated the Cincinnati Reds to capture their first of three consecutive titles.

Blue returned to form in ’73 and was one of the best pitchers for much of the decade.

In 1976, in the midst of Finley’s birth of the free agency era-fueled fire sale, commissioner Bowie Kuhn vetoed a proposed sale of Blue to the Yankees. In 1978, Kuhn cancelled a proposed trade of Blue to the Reds. In both cases, Kuhn alleged the trades would be bad for baseball because, benefiting already powerful teams without making them give up any significant talent in return.

By the end of the ’76 season, Finley had jettisoned nearly every other key cog of the A’s dynasty, but Blue was trapped.

In 1978, Blue was traded to the San Francisco Giants. He’d spent four seasons across the bay, three of them All-Star caliber. He then spent two seasons with the Kansas City Royals.

Blue battled drug addiction over the course of his career. After the 1983 season, he and former teammates Willie Wilson, Jerry Martin and Willie Aikens pleaded guilty to attempting to purchase cocaine. He was suspended for the 1984 season.

After the year hiatus, Blue would return to the Giants for two more seasons.

***
1981 Fleer Star Sticker Set Progress: 43 of 125 (34.4%)