So back a couple of months when I picked up the dual-patch relic of Curt Schilling via trade (see Dec. 12th post), I had an itching to find some other Sox patch relics. Two of those that I picked up, formed one of best batteries to even don a Red Sox uniform.
First up is a 2002 Donruss Leaf Certified "Fabric of the Game" Carlton Fisk #12/20.
I had never seen this card prior but what I like best—and what companies should do with their relic cards—is show where the swatch/patch/jersey came from. If you look on the backside of the card at bottom it reads "This is a photo of the actual jersey from which the swatch was taken."
I love knowing that and that unlike a generic white swatch that could have come from a White Sox uni, that this came from a Red Sox road jersey from either 1979 or 1980. Growing up as a kid, I was never fond of the blah gray road jersey with "BOSTON" in block letters. It just didn't seem as cool as other teams from the 1980s. But I also liked about this card is that the swatch also shows a little bit of patch and stitching.
Forming the other side of this Red Sox Hall of Fame tandem, El Tiante.
A 2004 DonrussThrowback Threads Century Collection #10/25.
From all accounts, this jersey patch is a number from the back of a Red Sox uniform from the mid-1970's. We was as dominant as any pitcher during that decade and many have tried making his case for induction into the Hall of Fame. I was too young to remember him pitching for the Sox, but many compare his charisma and love for the game as to that of Pedro Martinez'.
Tiant was masterful in the 1975 World Series, beating the Cincinnati Reds in a 6–0 five-hit shutout in Game 1. He won Game 4 as well (throwing 163 pitches in his second complete
game in the series) and had a no-decision in Game 6, which has been
called the greatest game ever played.
I know there's a number of other Boston collectors out there, but if you have any Red Sox relics, please email me and I'll do my best to find something to trade for it.
Ok, got a number of hits on yesterdays trade bait post that I am back with these two beauties. Ideally, I would like to get similar cards back that are Red Sox. I'll listen to any and all offers.
First up, a 2003 Fleer Patchworks of Tim Hudson showing part of the "Athletics" and some stitching to boot. Very thick card. Numbered 103/300.
Next, is a 2007 Upper Deck Elements "Rare Elements" of Jim Edmonds. This is a dual patch swatch card. Numbered 30/35.
A little while back, Johnny over at Cards from the Quarry emailed me about trading. Like myself, he had just got his blog up and running. He has been quite busy as he's had a number of trades on his site lately. Going his way was around 400 cards from various set needs along with a number of Rockies cards.
Coming back to the WALL was a first for my collection. A jersey relic/autograph card and numbered 25 of 50! This is my third jersey swatch card I have of Lester and first autograph. Lester's story is amazing one if you have never heard before. Coming into the 2011 season, many are predicting it could be a Cy Young type of year for the lefty. His last three years have been rock solid and is truly the ace of a pretty strong rotation that includes, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, John Lackey, and if you must, Dice-K.
I think the following line sums it up best:
He beat cancer.
He beat the Rox for the World Series.
He threw a no-hitter.
What's next... Hall of Fame?
Next up are three Red Sox cards I have never seen before and still not sure what set they come from. They are pretty cool and the only other card I have found on eBay is a Johnny Damon. They are some sort of 2006 Upper Deck product. In any case, these are cool and wonder is there is a Lester or Youkilis out there that I can add to my player collections.
Next up, the card that first started off our initial trade talks was a 2009 Topps Update Short Print variation card of Bo Jackson. While I may never obtain all these SP variations, I am always on the look out for them. Others I have are a Lou Gehrig (series 1), Robin Yount (series 2), and a Honus Wagner (Update series). If you have any, I've got a 2010 Topps Rickey Henderson SP variation to trade.
Next up, a couple of cards off from No-Hitters Club collection. A 1989 Topps Tom Browning and a 1992 Mark Williamson. On September 16, 1988, Browning, pitched a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The game was delayed two-and-a-half hours, but when it finally started, Tom Browning was at his best, throwing 102 pitches, 72 of which were strikes. The small crowd that patiently waited nearly three hours for a 10 p.m. start were treated to a magnificent pitchers' duel that featured Tim Belcher taking a no-hitter into the the sixth inning and Tom Browning completing the first ever Cincinnati Reds perfect game. The following season, Browning barely missed becoming the first Major League pitcher to pitch two perfect games, taking his second bid into the ninth inning on July 4, 1989 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium. A lead-off single by Dickie Thon ended Browning's attempt.
On July 13, 1988, Mark Williamson was part of a combined no-hitter. Baltimore Orioles starter Bob Milacki and three relievers, Mike Flanagan, Williamson and Gregg Olson, combined for the O's first no-hitter since 1969 in a 2-0 victory at the Oakland Coliseum. Milacki pitched 6 innings and struck out three batters before giving ball to the bullpen. He was taken out of the game when he was hit by a line drive in the seventh inning. Flanagan came on to finish the seventh and them Williamson and Olson three 1-2-3 innings in the 8th and 9th innings to preserve the no-no.
And finally, we have three cards off of my other baseball feats collection, Players Have Hit for the Cycle. We've got a 1988 Topps Chris Speier, a 1989 Topps Gary Redus, and a 2010 Topps Chrome Troy Tulowitzki. On July 9, 1988 Chris Speier hit for the cycle as the Giants mauled the Cardinals, 21-2 at Candlestick Park. It marked the second time Speier had accomplished the feat and was almost 10 years to the day of his previous cycle for the Expos on July 20, 1978.
On August 25, 1989, Gary Redus' cycle came against the Reds, who were playing their first game since Pete Rose was banned from baseball for life. The Pirates racked up 17 hits and downed Cincinnati 12-3 at Riverfront Stadium.
On August 10, 2009, Tulo had five hits and drove in seven while hitting his cycle against the Cubs in a 11-5 win at Coors Field. Tulowitzki, who had a home run denied in the first video review at Coors Field, came to bat to lead off the seventh a triple shy of the franchise's fifth cycle and first in nine years.
Thanks again Johnny for the trade, I'm sure we'll trade again down the road and for those of you who haven't checked out his blog out yet, go take a look!
