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.
Collecting Cleveland Baseball Since 1982
Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
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.
From the Collection: Oscar Gonzalez, of, Cleveland Guardians
Gonzalez was one of the most sought-after players of the 2014 international class, and Cleveland made signing him a priority. He has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Cleveland’s Top 30 prospect lists from 2017-2020 based on his plus power and excellent speed, but also his penchant for poorly disciplined at-bats.
New Arrival: Al Leiter, sp, Florida Marlins
Al Leiter spent 19 seasons in the majors (1987-2005). He peaked late in his career, so his prime years were relatively short. But those years were still pretty impressive.
From the Collection: Aaron Judge, of, New York Yankees
Aaron Judge had…a year. Led the game with 62 HR, a .425 OBP, and 211 OPS+. It was one of the greatest seasons in baseball history. He did not bring this bat to the playoffs though and only had five hits in 36 at-bats.