New Arrival: Bryan Shaw, rp, Cleveland Guardians
You could write a book about Bryan Shaw’s career in Cleveland. Good and bad.
Collecting Cleveland Baseball Since 1982
Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
From the Collection: Barry Bonds, of, San Fransisco Giants
By now you have heard about Barry Bonds and the Hall of Fame. This past week, Bonds failed to get the requisite 12 votes from the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 16-person Today’s Game Era committee. So he won’t be gettting enshrined anytime soon.
From the Collection: Josh Bell, if, Los Angeles Dodgers
Josh L. Bell was a prospect in the Dodgers organization in the mid-2000s, and in many ways was a similar prospect to the Guard’s new first baseman. Josh Bell.
From the Collection: Trea Turner, of, Philadelphia Phillies
Trea Turner has a fantastic 2022 season. With the Dodgers, he hit .298/.343/.466 with 21 HR and 27 stolen bases. Good for a 121 OPS+. He also got his second All-Star selection.
Where It All Started: Justin Speier, rp, Cleveland Guardians
Here is it, my first real through-the-mail autograph.
Cleveland Baseball Minor League Collection: 1983 TCMA Lynchburg Mets Dwight Gooden
Cleveland Baseball Minor League Collection: 1983 TCMA Lynchburg Mets Dwight Gooden Man, Dwight Gooden was an amazing pitcher there for a hot minute. It’s still crazy to look at his stats. At his peak, which I will say was from 1984-1993, he went 154-81 with a 118 ERA+ and 1.169[…]
Cleveland Baseball Minor League Collection: 1978 Memphis Chicks Terry Francona
I don’t think there is any doubt that Tito is going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when his time comes. His managing record is impressive. He has an 1874-1586 record over 22 seasons
New Arrival: Kyle Manzardo, of, Tampa Bay Rays
I was really excited about this card. Back in 2020 Washington State Baseball played here in Hawaii, and Kyle Manzardo was on the team. He was a decent prospect, but I don’t think anyone expected him to be drafted in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft. And, for whatever reason, I did not get him. Probably the best player that I ever totally whiffed on getting.
The Hotlist Collection: 1995 Bowman Best Andruw Jones
In July 2005 Beckett Baseball magazine published a All-Time Hot List, tracking the last nine years worth of Hot List cards and ranking then #1-#244. This card, 1995 Bowman Best Andruw Jones, was # 14 on that list.
Cleveland Baseball Minor League Collection: 1977 Evansville Team Set
This set is not cheap. But if knocks out three less well-known former Cleveland players. Well, at least now well-known for their time in Cleveland.