Thursday, May 24, 2018

Team USA Autographs pt1

To celebrate Memorial Day Weekend I thought I would show off a few players that I have modest Team USA collections of.

Up first is none other than my main PC, Andrew McCutchen

I only have 2 cards signed by Cutch of his Team USA youth teams.  I will be showcasing some Team USA cards on my main blog Collecting Cutch this weekend.

Here is an awesome hat patch though

Other players I will be showcasing are Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Austin Meadows, Ke'bryan Hayes, and Cole Tucker.

Monday, May 7, 2018

My First Auto From The ColeTrain trade

Gerrit Cole has been absolutely ridiculous this year for the Houston Astros.  He along with former Pirates teammate Charlie Morton are creating one of the best rotations in baseball with Verlander, Keuchel, and McCullers.  When the rumors were circulating that Cole might be on the block I wanted to see the Pirates get a good haul back for the 2011 number one overall pick.  After all, the Bucs had to lose 100 games in 2010 to get the right to draft the former UCLA star.

So far the pieces acquired from the Astros have been performing well, albeit none at an elite level like Cole is.

Colin Moran is batting .278 with two homeruns and 15 RBI with an OPS nearing .800.

Michael Feliz, who took over Cole's number 45, has struck out 19 batters in 14 innings while posting an ERA of 3.21 in 16 appearances out of the bullpen.

Jason Martin, a twenty two year old outfielder, has been hitting the hell out of the ball in AA Altoona.  He currently has an OPS of .899 with 2 HR and 4 triples in 22 games.  He could be an interesting prospect to keep your eyes on as he continues to develop.

Joe Musgrove, who was used as a starter and long man in the Astros bullpen last year, will begin his rehab starts today.  I am really looking forward to seeing what he can do as I think he will be a valuable piece to the Pirates retooling of the roster over next few seasons.

Even though he has yet to make his Pirates debut, Panini put him in their Diamond Kings release as a member of the Pittsburgh baseball club.  This blue foil autograph ran me $5.20 for my winning bid.  Not a bad price to pay for a card numbered to only 25 copies.

As always, I love the look and design of Diamond Kings.

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Blog Bat Around: Pirates Autograph Edition

There was recently a blog bat around started to show off autograph cards you have in your collection at each of the primary positions, a DH/utility player, starting pitchers, relief pitchers, and a closer.

For this edition I am only going to show off my cards of players who have played for Pittsburgh.  Therefore I won't be showing off too many recent Hall of Famers like Glavine, Ripken, Griffey, Piazza, and Biggio who I have autographs of.

Let's get this thing started.

Batting leadoff for my team and playing in Left Field
Hall of Famer Fred Clarke

Clarke was the player manager for the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates.  He finished his 20+ year career with a .312 batting average and averaged less than 30 strikeouts a season (Stanton already has more in this very young season).  With 509 career stolen bases he could also tear up the base paths.

Batting in the two hole and playing Center Field
5 time All Star and 2013 NL MVP, Andrew McCutchen
Plenty of him has been written about on Collecting Cutch

Well, Dave Parker said it's just him and the boys boppin and that is who is getting things started to drive in runs in the 3 spot and right fielder.

The single most dominating stretch of home run dominamce was held by Ralph Kiner in the late 40s.  He will be the team's designated hitter and batting cleanup.

As if Kiner needed additional protection, we have the team's 1B and leader of the clubhouse fam a lee,
Hall of Famer, Willie Stargell

Because I lack a Pie Traynor autograph, I had to go with a 3B that is going to provide Pops with some protection as this mult time All Star is a switch hitter.
Batting 6th, 3B Bobby Bonilla (honorable mentions Pedro Alvarez and Jose Bautista)

To get the line moving again and playing catcher is one of the greatest hitting catchers to ever play for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jason Kendall

One of the most under rated shortstops of the 90s and a natural at both bunting and hitting for some pop, Jay Bell.

And to wrap the lineup back around, the hero of the 1960 World Series, Hall of Famer, Bill Mazeroski.


With a lineup like that, there won't be much need for lights out pitching, but I got a pair of recent arms to go with a pair of former NL Cy Young winners and Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven.

The bullpen won't need much else with rubberband arms Elroy Face and Kent Tekulve willing to take the mound every day, but two other former closers Joel Hanrahan and Goose Gossage will be there to nail things down.  The longman in the bullpen will be former 1979 champ John Candaleria.



My bench would have Barry Bonds, Jack Wilson, Tony Pena, Freddy Sanchez, and Brian Giles.

The list of autographs I would love to add to my collection include
Roberto Clemente
Honus Wagner
Pie Traynor
Paul Waner
Arky Vaughan
Vic Willis