Showing posts with label 2015 Topps Baseball History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015 Topps Baseball History. Show all posts

Thursday, March 31, 2016

40th ANNIVERSARY: April 1 1976 - Apple Incorporated

The first day of April marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of Apple - well the incorporating of Apple anyway.

2015 Topps Baseball History #9A Apple Founded

Interesting that Topps chose to have Steve Wozniak for the Apple photo rather than Steve Jobs. It appears that Jobs was actually cropped out of a larger photo. It should also be noted that the photo was from an event on April 24 1984 when a new generation Apple IIc was released. A third Apple exec John Scully stands between Wozniak and Jobs in the original photo. A power struggle between Scutlly and Jobs would lead to Jobs leaving Apple later in 1984.

Regardless I am happy with Wozniak getting top billing here, partially because he is often seen as the sidekick and partially because he just seems like a cooler dude.









2015 Topps Baseball History #9A Apple Founded (b-side)

Wozniak may be on the front of the card, but Topps leads off with Jobs on the back. In addition to mentioning the 1976 incorporation of Apple Topps also notes the 1984 MacIntosh release, perhaps a nod to the photo on the front.

April 2 1976
In 1976 I am pretty sure nobody in Silicon Valley or the Bay Area noticed the founding of Apple. If they did they likely had their attention diverted a day later when Reggie Jackson was traded by the Oakland A's to the Baltimore Orioles. The trade is the subject of the Baseball History #9B card which is related to the Apple Card. It is one of the few cards to feature the Hall of Fame slugger as an Oriole.  

Sources and Links
Cardboard Connection
Check out My Cards
New York Daily News

NPR

Sunday, July 12, 2015

ANNIVERSARY: 1985 07 13 Live Aid

Thirty Years ago the Live Aid Concert was held at a pair of sights Wembley Stadium in London and Locally at JFK stadium

2015 Topps Baseball History #14A Live Aid Concerts 

This year as part of their Baseball History Insert Set Topps issued a Live Aid Card. Unfortunately for us Philadelphians the photo on the card is from Wembley.

Chuck Darrow who writes for the Daily News in Philadelphia wrote a a nice remembrance/synopsis of the JFK show in Today's Philly Inquirer. He mentions the Hooters, Teddy Pendegrass, Joan Baez, Zeppelin, Phil Collins, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, CSNY and others as Highlights - and also the Heat and Humidity as a challenge.  



Live Aid Philadelphia Ticket Stub (from Philly Inquirer 2015 07 12)

The Live Aid tix in 1985 carried a $35 price tag.

2015 Topps Baseball History #14A Live Aid Concerts 

Among the folks mentioned on the Topps card are Organizer Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, Elton John, Madonna, U2, the Who, Queen and Sir Paul McCartney

The Baseball event paired with Live Aid is Nolan Ryan's 4000th Strikeout which occurred a few days prior to Live Aid on July 11th.

2015 Topps Baseball History #14B Nolan Ryan 4,000 Ks (image stolen from Baseballcardz)

The cards are designed with a subtle border tying them together into a single piece - the Live Aid card would be on the left with Nolan on the right - reminiscent of the 1983 Fleer Black n Blue card.

Detroit Tigers fan @robbyt86 was at that game and recently posted this tweet and picture.


Notice the full on Rainbow uniform worn by Ryan in RobbyT's shot. It appears that the photo used on the 2015 Topps card is not from the actual game in which Ryan recorded his 4000th K, but in a game a few years later.

1990 Topps
1990 Topps #4 Nolan Ryan The Astros Years 

In 1990 Topps honored Nolan Ryan and his 5000th Strikeout with a subset at the top of the flagship release. Card #4 discusses the Astros Years which included K number 4000.

1990 Topps #4 Nolan Ryan The Astros Years (b-side)

Ryan's Stikeout of Danny Heep is mentioned pretty much dead center of the text above.

Sources and Links
Nolan Ryan HoF Index
VittlesTunes Index
Cardboard Connection
robbyt86 of Detroit Tigers Cards and Stuff
Chuck Darrow Philly.com
baseball-ref
ballcardz

a thousand words

a thousand words
2008 World Champions