Happy Birthday Mike Schmidt: 1977 Topps #140

On September 27th Mike Schmidt will celebrate his 70th birthday. To mark the occasion we are examining a card that was issued back when Schmidt was 27 just on the cusp of hitting his prime.

1977 Topps #140 Mike Schmidt

In 1976 the Phillies wore a Bicentennial/All-Star Game patch on their left shoulders. The 1977T card which displays the patch most prominently is Mike Schmidt's.

That is probably my favorite aspect of the card. I have two other photo observations:

1) I believe this is Shea Stadium which is the setting for several Phillies cards in the era.

2) Schmidt appears to be swinging a Rawlings bat. Adirondack/Rawlings bats from the middle 70s carried a ring on the bat handle in the team color - seen in red here.

However, during a Louisville Slugger tour I took a few years ago I found out something interesting:

Louisville Slugger Museum

Above we have four Louisvlle Slugger Bats. Schmidt's lumber is the 3rd one from the top, notice the Red ring. Schmidt had an exclusive contract with Rawlings, however at times he felt the need to change bats. To hide the switch, Schmidt disguised the Louisville Slugger bat by creating his own red ring using tape. More detail on this can be found at the PSA Card site.

The four bats top to Bottom are Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray (HR #501, last as an Oriole), Schmidt and George Brett (note the Pine Tar).

 Flip

1977 Topps #140 Mike Schmidt (b-side)

This is the first card issued following Schmidt's Four Home Run game on April 17 1976 and the text leads of with that fun fact. The blurb closes mentioning that Schmidt had 11 Homers in April which is a record - not sure if this is for any month or specific to April. Regardless both records have been eclipsed since 1976. Sammy Sosa holds the MLB Record for HR in a month with 20 (June 1998), While the April Record of 14 is shared by Albert Pujols (2006) and A-Rod (2007).

Talkin Toons
Always good to see a cartoon on the back of the card. The subject of today's comic is Yankees Slugger Hank Bauer and his17 game Wolrd Series hitting streak( 1956 OCT 3 - 1958 OCT 4).  At the time this card was released Bauer had held the record for 18 years. Here we are almost 42 years later and he still holds the record. the 2018 World Series marked the 60th Anniversary of the record.

Bauer's 17 game hitting streak is also the record for consecutive postseason games as well. He shares the record with Derek Jeter (1998-1999) and Manny Ramirez (2003-2004).  The Astros George Springer has an active streak of 14 games

Bauer Toons
A couple of Hank Bauer own cards have comics that feature the record including 1960 and 1961.  My favorite is a manager card from 1969.

1969 Topps #124 Hank Bauer (b-side / baseball card datbase)

Rather than featuring a lengthy text bio the Manager cards from 1969 featured a full size cartoon that include a nice profile sketch.

Artsy
Speaking of sketches and bringing this back to our original subject, I created my own version of the 1977T Schmidt card.

1977T Mike Schmidt (Phungo Original)

Drawing 1997 Topps doesn't present any unusual challenges. The Team names are italicized which is a minor hassle. I like the drop shadow on the pennant.

I elected to leave the team logo and number off the uni, which are largely covered in the original - unfortunately this leaves a lot of blue space on the drawing and elongates Schmidt's Torso.

1980 Phillies
I am including this post as part of our 1980 Phillies Series. I hope to return to Schmidt again next year as he is not only one of the  most significant members of that particular team but also the franchise history.

Sources and Links
Mike Schmidt HoF Index
1980 Phillies World Champs Index
Phungo Artwork Index
Baseball Almanac
PSA Card
baseball card database
mlb.com / Astros 
Baseball-Ref

Sunday Night Baseball: Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken

Last week when we published a posting on the Anniversary of Cal Ripken's streak breaking game I realized that I had yet to create an HoF Index for the Iron Man.

Tonight with the Orioles hosting the Royals on Sunday Night Baseball we correct that oversight.

1992 Topps #40 Cal Ripken

When Cal Ripken posed for the above shot he was likely still four years from passing Lou Gehrig for the consecutive games record. Apparently he had no fear of jinxing the streak by alluding to hit in the photo.

To me this is one of the great shots in the history of Topps. Cardboard Connection put together a top 10 list of Ripken cards, the 1992T card didn't make the cut, but it did get an honorable mention. The Article's Author Ryan Cracknall sums up the card beautifully:

So it's not the most valuable card, but do they all have to be? 1992 Topps Baseball has a beautiful shot of Ripken sitting next to the Lou Gehrig monument in Yankee Stadium, looking as classy as ever. The horizontal layout and slightly raised angle take it to another level.

There is nothing further I can add to that fitting description. The card is a member of the ubiquitous 1992 set and can be found anywhere for nothing. I likely found mine in a dime box.

The O's are five games below .500, but that hasn't stopped Baseball-ref from publishing the teams progress (regress?) in the playoff standings - and accordingly I will add this card to our 2015 Playoff contenders index as well. The Royals are also repped in Playoff Contenders (Lorenzo Cain, Alex Gordon, and Salvador Perez)

Also as noted above this card will function as our Cal Ripken HoF index

Cal Ripken HoF Index
2001 UD Cal Ripken Commemorative set #4 (2008 - 10h Anniversary of ending the streak)
2001 UD Cal Ripken Commemorative set #4 (2015 - 20h Anniversary of breaking Lou Gehrig's Record)
2011 Phungo #8

Throws out First Pitch on 15th Anniversary of Breaking Record (2010)
Cal Ripken Statue at Camden Yards (2012 Photo)

Sources and Links
2015 Playoff Contenders (O's include Adam Jones, Hardy, Chris Tillman) 
Cardboard Connection - Ryan Cracknell

20th ANNIVERSARY: Cal Ripken Plays 2131 Consecutive Game

Quick Post to recognize the 20th Anniversary of Cal Ripken playing in his 2131st consecutive game, breaking the record previously held by Lou Gehrig.

2001 UD Cal Ripken Commemorative Set #4

This card is from a special 2001 Commemorative set that I believe was a giveaway at an Orioles game - wish I can remember.

2001 UD Cal Ripken Commemorative Set #4 (b-side)

The flip side of the card covers some of the milestones in the streak and has a thumbnail of the lineup card from the game Ryan Minor started in place of Ripken. We discussed that game where Cal Ripken finally took a day off on the 15th Anniversary.  

Sources and Links
Phungo Cal Ripken HoF index
Baseball-ref
h/t baseball-ref twitter

Snapshots 2012 09 09 Yankees 13 @ Orioles 3 (ugh)

Good News - Team Phungo is in the middle of a 3 game week.

Bad News - It got off to a rough start with the Orioles taking it on the chin 13-3 to the division rival New York Yankees.

The Yankees batted around in 2 different innings, I am not going to bother verifying it, but I think every position in their order may have batted w/ the bases loaded at least once.  Curtis Granderson did not enter the game until the 6th innning and still managed come withing a triple of a cycle - recording 5 RBIs in the process. For the day Granderson's Baseball-Ref.com battting game score was only outdone by BJ Upton who had 3 homers.

The Orioles pitching staff combine for 190 pitches.  Zach Britton had a rough outing walking 5 batters while only recording 10 outs. 

Snapshots (click to enlarge)
 

The new Cal Ripken statue was a popular attraction.   

Must be tough to have a future Hall of Famer batting 9th in your lineup.

Joba Chamberlain vultured a Win and got his 2012 ERA below 8.00.   

Mark Reynolds has en fuego recently, especially v the Yankees.  Sunday, not so much, 0-2 with a pair of Ks.   

Links
Phungo Cal Ripken HoF Index

Orioles Legends Series Honors Cal Ripken

On Thursday Night September 6th as part of their Legends Statue Series the Orioles will be honoring Cal Ripken Jr.  September 6th is also the 17th Anniversary of the night that Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive game streak.  

I feel fortunate to live near Baltimore and I was able to see Ripken play several times - in fact I think I have seen Ripken play more times then any current Hall of Famer.  It is hard for me to believe that he has been out of baseball for 11 years.  

2011 Phungo #8 Cal Ripken Jr.

The photo from the above card was taken when the Orioles marked the 15th anniversary of Ripken breaking the record on 2010-9-5.  Ripken is show throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.  The Orioles won that day - there is a side note for the game -  Rays outfielder and fan favorite Rocco Baldelli hit the last home run of his injury shortened career that day.          

Sources & Links

Phungo Cal Ripken HoF Index
Cal Ripken Wikipedia Page

Rewind

For  one of my favorite Team Phungo posts on Ripken click here.

Phungo Game Report - 2010 09 05 Tampa Bay Rays @ Baltimore Orioles - Happy Anniversary Cal Ripken!

For the second day in a row Team Phungo got to go to the ballpark and see a team hit four home runs and lose. Yes on a beautiful day at Camden Yards, the Tampa Bay Rays provided lots of pop, but that was not enough to contain the persistent line up that led the Orioles to an 8-7 victory.

The pitching match-up featured a pair of prospects that each organization is hoping become part of their rotations of the future as the Orioles 22 year old Chris Tillman squared off against Wade Davis (age 24). Neither pitcher dominated, although Tillman pitched well only giving up 1 run through 5 before giving up a 2 run shot to Evan Longoria in the 6th.

The 6th inning was pivotal as the Rays took a 5-4 lead on another 2 run homer - this time by BJ Upton. The Orioles hitters then showed their resilience by battling back to score four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. The damage was done by three consecutive singles with men in scoring position and a sacrifice fly. The O's Bullpen will give up 2 more runs but hold on for the win.

Notes

Prior to the game the Orioles honored the 15th anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr passing Lou Gehrig in number of consecutive games played. Cal returned to the yard to throw out the first pitch - photo above. Cal is not sporting faux-hawk - that is the white hat of a fan in the stands.

BJ Upton got to test his arm several times yesterday as he attempted to throw runners out at the plate three different times. Unfortunately for him, none of the chances were successful. The day had a couple of just missed plays on D including Orioles CF Corey Patterson just missing in his attempt to pull back Longoria's homer in the 5th.


Fan Favorite Rocco Baldelli had a triumphant return to the Rays as he tagged O's Reliever Mike Gonzalez for a 2 run homer. It was Baldelli's first game as a Ray since the 2008 World Series - Team Phungo was in the house for Rocco's last previous AB for Tampa when he also homered.

I also wanted to mention that we got to see a fan make arguably the best catch I have ever seen at a game. The young man was probably in his late teens, and he had to jump slightly reach over his head and backwards to make a two-handed grab of a line drive down the RF line. Unfortunately I haven't seen any highlights of the catch. Congrats to the young man regardless.


Snapshots


Chris Tillman

Tillman was the 49th overall selection in the 2006 draft. His Start on Saturday was the 19th of his MLB career.

Wade Davis v Brian Roberts (click to enlarge)
Another one of my super-wide pitcher v batter shots. I think this is Roberts first AB in the game. The crowd filled in from base to base in the lower level as the O's drew 28K+ for the game.

Roberts and Markakis

Check it out two base runners on one base. This is actually during a pitching change - The O's 3rd base coach is Gary Allenson.

Looking Back

Yesterday was the most recent Game Report featuring the Brewers and Phillies.

The Last O's Game Report was a few backs when they hosted the Rangers and lit up former Phil Cliff Lee.

This is the first Phungo Game Report on the Rays, although I do have one of my favorite postings from the last time I saw them play.

Links
Phungo Cal Ripken HoF Index

Who's Autograph would You Stand in Line For?

1956 Topps #261 Bobby Shantz

As I mentioned earlier this week the Philadelphia SportsCard and Memorabilia Show is this weekend. In years past I have justified part of my admission by getting a complimentary autograph. Usually a lower tier player like Todd Pratt. This Saturday there will be no Free Autograph and I am curious who among the many signers you would consider standing in line for and handing over your hard earned cash.

Would you go the Cheap route and pick up an auto of Bobby Shantz (above) for $15?

Or go all out and get Cal Ripken ($132)

1992 Topps #40 Cal Ripken

1964 Topps #265 Jim Bunning

A more controversial choice may be Jim Bunning ($45)

The remaining signers are priced as follows:

Mickey Morandini $15 (Friday)
Von Hayes $15
Dickie Thon $15
Bob Feller $25 (Friday)
Jim Palmer $29

This is great - The crack staff at hat put together the web page over at Hunt Auctions describes Jim Palmer as 4 time Gold Glove Winner.

Not Hall of Famer, or 3 Time Cy Young Winner or even Six Time All-Star. Or how about this one Four Time World Champion! Nope Just Four Time Gold Glove Winner. They would go nuts if Jim Kaat was there.

For my time and money Shantz would be the way to go. I would also consider Palmer and Feller at those numbers. To me Bunning at $45 is insane money.

Speaking of insane the football prices on Sunday are all out of kilter Leonard Weaver $30 and DeSean Jackson $70??

Who would you pick, anyone, noone?

If you are planning on hitting the show, let me know. I am shooting for late morning and early afternoon on Saturday.

Cal Ripken - September 19th 1998

On Saturday, September 19th 1998 Cal Ripken played in consecutive game number 2,632. On Sunday he rested.

When he finally ended the streak Ripken did it gracefully. Unlike most of the latter years of the streak, in the closing weeks of 1998 the Orioles were out of the playoff chase. According to the Cal Ripken Wikipedia entry he did not want questions about his playing status to be a source of controversy during the off-season and he also wanted to end the streak entirely on his own terms while he still could.

During his streak there was much debate about whether or not Cal's playing everyday benefited or hindered his team. I have always been of the opinion that regardless of how much a day off may have helped Ripken hit better or get to another ball in the field, that as a team the Orioles were better off with Ripken in the line up everyday. His career numbers without the streak speak for themselves (member of 1983 World Champion, 431 HRs, 3184 Hits, 1695 RBI, 1647 Runs - 2 MVP, ROY, 19 time all-star). You don't put up those numbers against major league pitching without bringing your A-Game for a lot of years. Ripken did that and by most accounts he was also a superior fielder with a high baseball acumen - As a shortstop he was in the right place at the right time, because he studied the game, knew his pitchers, studied opposing batters and understood baseball situations. These are skills that a good baseball organization needs to foster to remain consistently competitive.

During the streak, I saw Ripken play for the Orioles five times. The Orioles won all 5 of those games. I also was able to see Ripken play in the 1996 all-star game in Philadelphia. That day he broke his nose in a freak accident while they were taking the AL team photograph, but the streak continued. The player that subbed in for Ripken was the then 20 year old shortstop Alex Rodriguez. In 1997 A-Rod represented the American League as their starting shortstop, ending Ripken's run of 13 consecutive All-Star starts at the position. Ripken remained a starter but at his new position, 3rd base. At the start of the 2001 All-Star game, which occurred during Ripken's farewell season, Rodriquez took the field at third base, insisting that Cal return to the post he manned for so many seasons. It was the last time that Cal Ripken would ever play at shortstop. And, it was the first time that Alex Rodriguez would play third. It's odd how things work out, who knew that in the near future A-Rod would end up playing many more games at the hot corner.

Ten Years later, I salute Cal Ripken. Thanks for taking the field everyday. Thanks for being a contributing member of your community and thanks for being an ambassador for Baseball.

Links

Phungo Cal Ripken HoF Index