Clemente, Stargell, Sanguillen, Oliver on the same card!!!!

This is my favorite relic I own not featuring Andrew McCutchen.  It might actually be my favorite card I own period.  On this card are 4 bat relics of the core of the 1971 World Series Champs Pittsburgh Pirates.  This card has a total of 32 All-Star Appearances, 7 World Series Championships, 5 Batting Titles, 12 Gold Gloves, and 2 MVPs between the 4 pictured players.  On top of that there are 2 Hall Of Famers.  The serially numbered 65/100 card features Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen, and Al Oliver.  The impact these 4 had on the Pirates organization can still be seen today as soon as you cross the Clemente bridge and head towads PNC Park.  Upon reaching the stadium you see 2 giant statues of Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell.  Once inside the left field gate, you are practically thrown into Manny's B-B-Q where Manny Sanguillen has a grill and will often sign autographs for fans.  In fact Al Oliver is the only one on this card that isn't represented inside PNC Park except the Luxury Suites where there's a museum of memorabilia on the walls. 

This card embodies what I love about collecting baseball cards and the magic I felt opening a pack of cards when I was younger.  This card represents to me what it was like opening a pack of cards in 1987 and pulling a Doc Gooden or Wade Boggs.  It was like "Oh Man! Check this out!!! Wade Boggs!" Yeah as I have gotten older, pulling a superstar base has become less impactful.  Though, I still get a little giddy if I pull a player I collect like Jason Bay or McCutchen, the effect doesn't last as long as it did when I was younger. 

I'm so glad I was able to pickup this card and add it to my collection.  This is one card that will never leave my collection.

On another note, I don't think that Al Oliver gets nearly enough credit and may very well be one of the most under rated players in MLB history. 
He finished his 17 year career with the following offensive numbers
2,743 hits (45th all-time)
1,326 RBI
.303 lifetime batting average
finished in batting average, doubles, hits over 9 times
There's still hope that he may be inducted in the Hall of Fame by the Veterans committee since he was one of the league's elite in the 70s and early 80s.  Honestly though, I think he was just shy in every single category to be considered a Hall of Famer.

VINTAGE CARD PICKUPS FOR $5 OR LESS

Over the weekend, my local mall had a small baseball card show.  There was only 3 vendors there, but there was definitely some bargains to be had as I highlighted in 2 previous posts.  I have been slowly chipping away at my pre1975 Topps Pirates wants and this show definitely helped.  There wasn't a single vintage card in this post that I paid more than $5 for which is a bargain considering there was a handful of Hall of Famers Clementes, Mazeroskis, and Stargells.  In addition there was a 1952 Topps amongst other Topps cards from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.  I even got an Al Oliver rookie card for $1.  A fricking dollar for a guy that put up near HOF numbers.

I didn't have time to individually scan all the cards or take them out of the cases.  Many of the cards were just sitting in penny sleeves throughout the boxes.  I must have spent 2 hours going through boxes upon boxes of 70s baseball cards $1 and 60s baseball $3. The 52, 53, and 54 Topps were just sitting on a table unmarked.  I asked how much for those and he said. How about $25 for the lot.  Hmmmm.....let me think about that? DEAL!!!! $5 for a 1952 Topps card.  Um yes please. 

I was extremely happy when I found the Clementes though.  A 1971, 1972, and 1973 Topps Roberto Clemente for a couple bucks.  How could anyone pass that up? Seriously?????  That's a steal.

Overall I couldn't be happier and am now only 9 cards each away from completing the 1970 & 1971 Pirates Team sets.  I will update all my team set needs in the future.