Friday, December 26, 2008

Topps Heritage Card of the Day: 2001 Topps Heritage #83 Johnny Damon

The 2001 Topps Heritage card of Johnny Damon would be his last Heritage card in a KC Royals uniform. Damon, under orders from superagent Scott Boras was set to test the free agent waters soon and thus forced KC's hand. He was trading before the 2001 season to Oakland and would continue a successful career, although his last year in Kansas City (2000) would mark his career high for hits (200), doubles (42), runs (136), AB (655), steals (46) and batting average (.327). Johnny would have a bit of a rough year in 2001 with Oakland, but would later bounce back with Boston and the NY Yankees.



Thursday, December 18, 2008

Topps Heritage Card of the Day: 2001 Topps Heritage #82 Darryl Kile

In a tragic twist of fate, 2001 would be Darryl Kile's last full season in baseball. He made the most of 2001 winning 16 games for the Cardinals which followed up a 20 win season in 2000. Darryl posted an ERA of 3.09 which was good for fifth best in the National League.


Monday, December 15, 2008

Topps Heritage Card of the Day: 2008 Topps Heritage Bill Mazeroski Authentic Seat

This is a pretty sweet looking Topps Heritage Bill Mazeroski card with an authentic piece of a stadium seat from the old Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Bill played his entire career with the Pirates and was eventually voted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in 2001. Many fans remember Bill's dramatic home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Yankees and win the 1960 World Series. It was the first time a World Series had ever been won on what we now call a "walk-off" home run. The fan that caught the ball in the stands later traded it back to Mazeroski for two cases of beer!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Topps Heritage Card of the Day: 2008 Topps Heritage #1 Vladimir Guerrero

Vladimir Guerrero has long been one of the most feared hitters in baseball, and he did not disappoint in 2008. Vlad cranked out 27 home runs, 91 RBI and for over a .300 average for the 12th season in a row. The 2008 Topps Heritage Vladimir Guerrero card is the first card in the set.



Topps Heritage Card of the Day: 2006 Topps Heritage #3 Daryle Ward

Daryle split the 2006 season between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves. His power numbers fell off, but he did have a career best (at the time) .308 batting average besides when he went 1 for 3 in his rookie season.



Topps Heritage Card of the Day: 2005 Topps Heritage #61 Barry Bonds

2005 was an injury shortened season for Barry Bonds (he only appeared in 14 games and hit 5 home runs), but his Topps Heritage card was one of the most popular base cards in the set, coming in both the standard gray back variation and the more rare white back variation.

2005 Topps Heritage #61 Barry Bonds on eBay

Topps Heritage Card of the Day: 2007 Topps Heritage #1 David Ortiz

Topps carried on the tradition of having a major star as the first card in the set when it tabbed Boston slugger David Ortiz as it's 2007 Topps Heritage #1 card. Although David's numbers were down from the previous two seasons, he still managed to abuse pitchers by hitting .332 with 35 home runs, 52 doubles and 117 RBI.







Topps Heritage Card of the Day: 2002 Topps Heritage #3 Rod Beck

Rod missed the entire 2002 season due to injury, but put together a pretty good career as a closer and middle reliever, saving 286 games for several different teams. His 2002 Topps Heritage #3 card showcases his Fumanchu mustache in all it's glory.







Topps Heritage Card of the Day: 2001 Topps Heritage #81 Wilton Veras

Topps picked a great one for the first non short printed Topps Heritage card, 2001 Topps Heritage #81 Wilton Veras. Wilton only made to the show for two seasons, and did not even play in 2001. His career lasted from 1999-2000, both seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Wilton had a semi-respectable .262 batting average over his two seasons, but was only able to punch out two home runs and 27 RBI in 85 games. But Wilton will always have a place in Topps Heritage history.