Cubs rookie RHP Sam “Toothpick” Jones walked the bases full in the top of the 9th
Then, showing poise beyond his years, he fans Dick Groat, Roberto Clemente & Frank Thomas on this day in 1955 at Wrigley Field to preserve his no-hitter & become the 1st black player & 9th rookie to accomplish the feat

The crowd wasn’t going crazy as the kid’s nerves got to him & he walked em full leading off the 9th - w/less than 3,000 in attendance, there was no crowd

same thing 15 years hence, where just 5,264 were on hand to see Ernie Banks, 39, hit the 500th HR of his career - one of the umps, Frank Secory, was also one of the umps in the 1955 game when Mr. Cub hit his first HR

[Edited on 5/12/2020 by Stephen]

Lee and I talked about a sports memorabilia auction last month in the NFL thread.

Thought some of you might like to see current listings from two other auction houses:

https://memorylaneinc.com/site/Lots/Gallery?order=2

https://www.milehighcardco.com/catalog.aspx

Mile High has a Hank Aaron card bid up to $127k. It is graded a PSA 9. By comparison, Memory Lane's auction has the same card graded a PSA 8 and it is just currently at $17k. They generate rarity now in terms of what a grading company says it is and then the overall population of that grade in the universe creates incredible premiums for people wanting the one and only of something. Or in the case of the Aaron 9, it is one of three.

I've said this ever since the grading services came out. I think it's been a racket of sorts. Pretty sure most people that are serious collectors could probably tell you the condition of a card. But I suppose if you are trying to sell a rare/valuable card and if you can get more money if it is graded, then I guess you pay to have it done.

Mickey Mantle hit his 500th HR May 14, 1967
The numbers he would’ve had w/a healthy career - scary, & how can one not mention Bobby Orr in this respect too - No Question that w/healthy knees he woulda played at His level for 8-10 more years or so & owned most of the records - no reason to think differently w/the Commerce Comet either

Yep Mickey & Ted Williams imo would be Top-5 yet in multiple categories w/full careers

I've said this ever since the grading services came out. I think it's been a racket of sorts. Pretty sure most people that are serious collectors could probably tell you the condition of a card. But I suppose if you are trying to sell a rare/valuable card and if you can get more money if it is graded, then I guess you pay to have it done.

There have been grading scandals. The FBI got involved in at least one where dealer(s) were submitting cards to be graded that were either purposefully over graded or the cards were altered, as in trimmed or enhanced/fixed, to make them appear better and the grading companies either looked the other way or were in on it.

So some people have soured over grading, but many still like it. I have only ever sent one card away to a company, I needed it reholdered as the case was a little damaged.

Some people collect entire sets of graded cards seeking an entire set in say a 9 or whatever grade.

Every now and then I visit a sports card forum. People show a picture of a recently graded card and then people post as to whether they think the grade and condition was right or not. So it is all subjective. You might say a card is NM, I might say it is ExMt. You might value centering more than I do, I might value other attributes. Just like anything else.

From the Mile High auction which is ending tonight. 77 Griffey Upper Deck rookies at $8695 all graded. There are lots of rumors about how Upper Deck went back and cranked out thousands of Griffey rookies on sheets. Never-the-less that card remains in demand.

A Gem Mint 10 Derek Jeter rookie is at $111k. Pretty crazy. I guess that specific brand is known to have it's borders chipped easily and was produced in lesser quantities than other Jeter rookies. I just don't know who would want to spend that much money on a card. But the rarity of the grade makes people chase these things so they can claim they have the only whatever grade it is.

Happy 67th birthday to the greatest baseball player of all time, GEORGE BRETT!

In honor of the pine tar game, ESPN and the MLB Network are showing footage of it.

Yep it was George Brett Day, “on this day” in 1994 too, when the Royales retired his #5
OK - in truth it was May 14 - close enough I guess

Nellie - 80 years young today - happy birthday Don Nelson - don’t bogart that joint bro
Nellie and Hondo were the only 2 players crucial on both the 60s teams and 70s teams

George’s brother Ken was the youngest to ever pitch in a World Series, for the Sawx in 1967 - 19 years 3 weeks old

George’s brother Ken was the youngest to ever pitch in a World Series, for the Sawx in 1967 - 19 years 3 weeks old

Didn't know that. I thought there was something regarding that and Jim Palmer was the answer.

I've said this ever since the grading services came out. I think it's been a racket of sorts. Pretty sure most people that are serious collectors could probably tell you the condition of a card. But I suppose if you are trying to sell a rare/valuable card and if you can get more money if it is graded, then I guess you pay to have it done.

There have been grading scandals. The FBI got involved in at least one where dealer(s) were submitting cards to be graded that were either purposefully over graded or the cards were altered, as in trimmed or enhanced/fixed, to make them appear better and the grading companies either looked the other way or were in on it.

So some people have soured over grading, but many still like it. I have only ever sent one card away to a company, I needed it reholdered as the case was a little damaged.

Some people collect entire sets of graded cards seeking an entire set in say a 9 or whatever grade.

Every now and then I visit a sports card forum. People show a picture of a recently graded card and then people post as to whether they think the grade and condition was right or not. So it is all subjective. You might say a card is NM, I might say it is ExMt. You might value centering more than I do, I might value other attributes. Just like anything else.

From the Mile High auction which is ending tonight. 77 Griffey Upper Deck rookies at $8695 all graded. There are lots of rumors about how Upper Deck went back and cranked out thousands of Griffey rookies on sheets. Never-the-less that card remains in demand.

A Gem Mint 10 Derek Jeter rookie is at $111k. Pretty crazy. I guess that specific brand is known to have it's borders chipped easily and was produced in lesser quantities than other Jeter rookies. I just don't know who would want to spend that much money on a card. But the rarity of the grade makes people chase these things so they can claim they have the only whatever grade it is.

I can't believe Griffey or Jeter cards are going for that much. When I was doing card shows I think the Griffey rookie was going for about $100 when it first came out.

Regarding trimming, that was a big deal for older cards. Don't know if that happens now.

I have a mint George Brett rookie card and some early Nolan Ryan. There should be some rookie Griffey Jr nad Jeter in the boxes also. around 20,000 cards total I think.

As a kid I also collected football cards but gave them to my younger brother. I had some Joe Montana rookie cards in there.

I remember when they started grading cards, I would start seeing grading company's set up at card shows and I thought it was to help stop the counterfeit rookie cards that started hitting the market.
Then it traveled down another road altogether.

Lots of old time re-prints out today of just about everyone.

You guys are getting lazy on me. No baseball topics?

Here's one: Who has the shortest name in MLB history?

I would say Sadaru Oh, the all time Japanese HR leader - he’s not MLB tho 😮
I know that Eddie Gaedel was the shortest to ever play:shaddap: 😛
Mel Ott?

Lots of old time re-prints out today of just about everyone.

There really is. I was surprised to see cards that are valued at $20 and less having reprints available.

I bought a couple reprints that were a dollar just to see. They do not compare even remotely to the real card. But I suspect if we are talking a fake Mantle or Namath or Jordan or Gretzky rookies there are better fakes out there so they can try and pass them off as real. Most fakes the casual collector can identify. I’d like to see a good fake to compare the differences.

I would say Sadaru Oh, the all time Japanese HR leader - he’s not MLB tho 😮
I know that Eddie Gaedel was the shortest to ever play:shaddap: 😛
Mel Ott?

Close. Ed Ott. The catcher.

I just remember that from being a kid.

Crazy (& good ? too), don’t recall him at all even being on the Pirates
Here’s one, What player had his birthday on his uniform? (hint, from around same era as Ed Ott)

RIP Jerry Sloan - never won a title, incredibly was never coach of the year, yet-still 4th winningest of all time - fearsome as a player - he, Nelson, Phil Jackson, Lenny Wilkins - they had wars w/each other as players, then as coaches - Jerry Sloan, Stockton & Malone - they’ll be talked about in Utah for many years to come

Lu di crous
A midsummer 24-team mini tournament to determine the Stanley Cup?
Can’t imagine the players would be in favor of it - the asterisk by the winner would have to be set in cement - it’s dumb, just declare the season vacant & plan for a normal 2020-21 season

It was Carlos May
Born May 17, wore #17 thruout his career (mostly w/ChiSox)

Crazy (& good ? too), don’t recall him at all even being on the Pirates
Here’s one, What player had his birthday on his uniform? (hint, from around same era as Ed Ott)

Now THAT'S useless trivia! I couldn't quite think what you were asking. Year maybe? Never in a million years would I have gotten that.

Back to the greatest player of all time, George Brett, 😛 The MLB Network has been showing the 1980 World Series the last couple days for some reason. George's jersey has "G.Brett" on the back. I had forgotten about that as Ken was on the team at the time.

I was watching the final game last night and I told my wife that I cried when the game was over. She kind of looked at me oddly. I tried to explain what it meant to me. I had to deal with the Damn Yankees beating KC in '77 & '78. Figured they could win it. had to wait until '85.

It was 85 years ago today
& he was still showing em how to play
Boston OF Babe Ruth, 40, hits 3 HR & a single - the last of his 3 dingers is one of his most prodigious ever, rendering tape measure useless, completely leaving Forbes Field & leaving fans awestruck & cheering - it was also the 714th & final of the Bambino’s fabled career

A Sox & Cubs pitcher each had one hitters w/14 Ks on this day in 2001 - who were they?
answer, Hideo Nomo & Kerry Wood
Carlos May had his day, albeit eons ago - again born May 17 & wore that #, so the only player to have his birthday on his uniform - it was vague, I guess

[Edited on 5/25/2020 by Stephen]

My wife and I have been planning a tentative trip to go to KC to see a Royals game and visit the Negro League Museum there. Last night she said we might have to push it back to 2021. I sure hope not! That's one of several stadiums I haven't been to. Need to scratch that off my list!

In 1990 Rick Rueschel became 1 of 2 pitchers to give up HRs tp future HR kings Hank Aaron & Barry Bonds, when Barry takes him deep in Pittsburgh
Who was the other pitcher?
tough one but a good ? nonetheless
answer, Frank Tanana

In 1990 Rick Rueschel became 1 of 2 pitchers to give up HRs tp future HR kings Hank Aaron & Barry Bonds, when Barry takes him deep in Pittsburgh
Who was the other pitcher?
tough one but a good ? nonetheless
answer, Frank Tanana

Boy, you sure are able to unearth some obscure baseball trivia!

I always admired Tanana. He turned from a fire ball throwing pitcher into basically a junk ball guy after he blew his arm out. I'll never forget his game against Toronto in 1987. Last day of the season he pitched a complete game 1-0 shutout to get Detroit into the playoffs. Me and my best friend were going crazy.

Unfortunately they laid an egg in the ALCS to the Twins of all teams.

Willie Mays took this pitcher deep 18 times in his career, the most HRs he had off any one hurler
The 1st of these was also the Say Hey Kid’s 1st-ever hit after an 0 for 12 start in the majors
What P?

It could be a handful I know
Shocking answer, Spahnie
That was the greatness of Willie Mays
Trivia buffs like me dig the This Day in Baseball site, that’s where all this comes from

Trivia buffs like me dig the This Day in Baseball site, that’s where all this comes from

This thread started from a calendar I received for Christmas years ago; This Day in Baseball. Same thing I guess.

“I want to express my high regard to Don Drysdale, who pitched his sixth straight shutout tonight - and I hope we have as good fortune in the campaign”
RFK, June 4, 1968
As Sirhan Sirhan lay in wait in the kitchen

Okay Stephen -

Not a trivia question, just a question: Who do you think is the greatest player not in The Hall of Fame?

:yaman: Outside of the obvious ones, Shoeless Joe, Rose, Bonds, Clemens... 😮
Rocky Colavito
Frank Howard
Jim Kaat
Unsure if my dad’s Indians heroes, Hal Trosky & Earl Averill, are in
Jerry Koosman? Both he & Kaat had 20+ year careers

Would also have to add (one of) my own heroes, Daddy Wags, Leon Wagner - also Fred Lynn - definitely Freddy

Great Orioles LHPs Dave McNally & Mike Cuellar have a case, esp McNally

[Edited on 6/5/2020 by Stephen]

Earl Averill is in. Not sure about Troskey.

You bring up some interesting ones:

Colavito. Traded for Harvey Kuenn. Interesting trade.

Hondo is a good a good one. An iffer for me.

Kaat. Perhaps.

Leon Wagner. Good player but no.

Fred Lynn. GREAT career in Boston. HOFer? Sorry. Good, not great. For a Boston fan, I think you could have speculated on Tony C. Who knows what his career could have been.

The Orioles are an interesting one. Four players with 20 wins will never happen again. Amazing.