Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
Shelton Perkins was drafted in the 16th round (468th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019, out of James Madison. He was an effective pen arm in college, a role that he would remain in as a pro. He was assigned to Low-A Aberdeen and got 17.2 innings of work[…]
Ripper Collins could hit the ball hard. And had a long successful career in baseball, both in the minor and major leagues. In 1930 Collins hit .376 with 40 HR for the Rochester Red Wings, an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. It was a powerful performance that won him[…]
Connie Johnson made the majors in 1953 with the Chicago White Sox. By the time he made it to the show his arm had some miles on it. He had been pitching–often spectacularly–since 1940. But baseball’s color barrier meant that he would never have a chance to showcase his talents[…]
Nolan Arenado is one of my favorite players. I feel…compelled…to grab his autograph if it is a good deal. A fellow collector was selling a few extra’s that he had gotten in person, and I jumped. Arenado is clearly on a path to the Hall of Fame. But there is[…]
Tony Wolters was a very well thought of prospect moving up through the Indians system. From 2010-2014 he ranked as one of the Indian’s top prospects–as high as #8 in 2010. He as kind of a cool prospect since he could handle playing catcher or any middle infield position, which[…]
The Indians are not unique in having a deep stable of failed pitching prospects. Here is a list of the guys that I can think of off the top of my head: #1. Chuck Lofgren (2004 4th round, #2 prospect in 2006 and 2007) #2. Jeremy Sowers (2004 1st round,[…]
Trayce Thompson was a very well thought of prospect for the White Sox. From 2009-2015 he consistently rated one of their top prospects, ranking as high as #2 following the 2012 season. He made the majors in 2015 and held his own over 122 at-bats. But the White Sox traded[…]
Brett Wallace was the 13th overall pick of 2008 draft, taken by the Cardinals out of Arizona State. In 2009 he was traded twice: July 2009: Traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Oakland Athletics in a package for for Matt Holliday. December 2009: Traded by the Oakland Athletics[…]
Troy Johnston was drafted by the Marlins in the 17th round of the 2019 draft out of Gonzaga. In 2019 he hit .330/.402/.610 with 10 HR for Gonzaga. He has almost as many walks (20) as K (26). The Marlins assigned him to Low-A to start his pro career and[…]
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Vicente Padilla in 1998, an international free agent from Nicaragua. He made the majors in 1999 and would spend 14 seasons in the big leagues. During his peak in the big leagues, roughly from 2002-2009, he was a classic #3 starter. Eating up 200 innings and[…]