We are at a place we never thought we would get to. The first two weeks of the baseball season have been cancelled. If there is another week cancelled, Major League Baseball will do the unthinkable and wipe out games on the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s MLB debut, easily one of the most culturally significant days in American history. What does the lockout mean … [Read more...] about Remembering How The 1994 Baseball Strike Devastated The Hobby
1981
Memories, Memorabilia Bring Baseball’s Longest Game to Life
The 1981 Rochester Red Wings’ Media Guide has my name listed third, right behind team radio broadcasters Don Fisher and John Harmon. To this day I consider working for a community minor league baseball club affiliated then with the Orioles for a total of four seasons to be a career highlight. For each home game at Rochester’s Silver Stadium I would provide color … [Read more...] about Memories, Memorabilia Bring Baseball’s Longest Game to Life
More to 1981 Topps Football Set than Joe Montana Rookie Card
The 1981 Topps football set has a clearly identifiable headliner in the Joe Montana rookie card. Montana's rookie isn't only the biggest card in that set, it's one of the top football cards of the 1980s. But there's more to the issue than simply that card. Here are five other rookies from the 1981 set worth chasing - and the great news is that they're all highly … [Read more...] about More to 1981 Topps Football Set than Joe Montana Rookie Card
When “Fernand” Valenzuela Was an Early 80’s Smash Hit
At the end of the 1980 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers called up a pudgy Mexican-born pitcher who electrified fans by pitching 17 2/3 innings in relief in the final two weeks of that season without allowing an earned run. He won two games and saved one during that streak, and helped the Dodgers nearly catch the Houston Astros from behind to win the N.L. West Division title. In … [Read more...] about When “Fernand” Valenzuela Was an Early 80’s Smash Hit
Cleveland National Recalls Super Joe
While most of the attention on Cleveland sports these days centers around LeBron James and Johnny Manziel, back in the early 1980’s, there was a player who turned not only the city on its ear, but was the talk of baseball for several months. That player was Joe Charboneau and “Super Joe” was your definition of a one-year wonder. Joe had a nice rookie year for the Indians and … [Read more...] about Cleveland National Recalls Super Joe
Topps Brings Back Baseball Sticker Set
On the same day it announced an exclusive club for big spenders, Topps promised that what may be its ultimate entry level product will return in March. 2013 Topps MLB Sticker Collection is aimed at youngsters and those who like their baseball collecting products cheap. Topps will pack 50 packs of eight stickers in each box. Dealers will pay about $25. The complete set … [Read more...] about Topps Brings Back Baseball Sticker Set
Remembering the ‘C’ Nettles and More 1981 Errors and Variations
There is little doubt that 1981 was a major turning point in baseball card hobby history. For the first time since 1955, more than one card company was producing comprehensive sets of active major leaguers without legal threats to hold back production of these cards. In the fall of 1980, a legal decision gave both Fleer and Donruss the right to produce cards. Now understand, … [Read more...] about Remembering the ‘C’ Nettles and More 1981 Errors and Variations