Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
Crowded event. Luckily while there were plenty of people, the vast majority of them were kids or nice collectors. Never got contentious. Gates opened at 11 am and practice ran from 1:00-2:00pm. Gates opening at 11 implied that there would be…something…happening inside by that time. Using that we figured players[…]
There are 750 jobs for players on major league baseball teams. Unfortunately there are roughly 7,000 minor league players fighting for those positions. Competition is fierce and any number of variables can ruin a players chances to make it to the games highest level. This series of posts is about[…]
Edwin Jackson was a 6th round pick of the Dodgers in 2001 and made the majors in 2003. He has had an interesting career. He has never been a lights-out pitcher, but he has been consistent. From 2007-2014 he averaged 184 innings with an ERA+ of 92. He never won[…]
This was acquired late in the season while the Indians were in Tampa Bay. The Indians traded for Josh Donaldson in a desperate attempt to fortify their offense in preparation for the playoffs. Unfortunately to gamble did not work–the Indians simply had too many holes in both their line-up and[…]
Adam Ottavino was drafted in the 1st round (30th overall) out of Northeastern University by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. His junior season at Northeastern he was fantastic. Over 93.2 innings he only allowed 71 hits while striking out 120, good for a 2.98 ERA/1.11 WHIP. I remember writing[…]
Despite being contenders in 2018 the Athletics starting rotation was, for the most part, a dumpster fire. In an effort to help fortify the rotation down the stretch the A’s traded for Mike Fiers. Fiers was having a decent season with the Tigers–but most importantly was a warm body who[…]
Brandon Barnes was the Astro’s 6th round pick in the 2005 draft and has spent parts of six seasons in the majors. He signed with the Indians as a free agent this past November. He spent most of 2018 with the Indians AAA affiliate but was called up in September for[…]
Yusmeiro Petit was a very important part of the Athletics bullpen this season. He appeared in 74 games and went 7-4 with a 139 ERA+. He only had 76 K’s in 93 innings, but he only allowed 76 hits. This was his second strong season in a row coming out[…]
Mallex Smith was drafted in the 5th round (165th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2012 out of high school in Florida. He has zero power, but his ability to put the ball in play, excellent speed and plus defense made him one of the better center field prospects[…]
Chad Pinder was drafted in the supplemental 2nd round (71st overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2013 out of Virginia Tech. Coming up through the A’s system he was a solid hitter with good power who was able to play multiple defensive positions. From 2013 to 2017 he rated four times in the[…]