High Quality Baseball Cards

Hall of Fame Biography: https://youtu.be/0_MeykDULPU

Roland Glen “Rollie” Fingers (Born in Steubenville, OH on August 25, 1946-) revolutionized the role of the closer during the 1960s and ‘70s, rarely appearing in games until the seventh inning or later as offense increased around the league and the designated hitter was implemented in the American League in 1973. Rollie Fingers was the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Fingers played for the Oakland A’s (1968-1976), the San Diego Padres (1977-1980) and the Milwaukee Brewers (1981-1982, 1984-1985), appearing in 944 games despite staring a mere 37 during his 17-year career. Famous for his amazing, record setting feats on the field, Rollie Fingers possesses one of the most legendary mustaches of the 20th century and certainly the post-war era. In a contest concocted by team owner, Charles O. Finley, to draw fans to the ballpark, Fingers grew the handlebar mustache, that not only won the contest, but that he continues to sport today. The seven-time All-Star was a member of three World Series championship teams in Oakland (1972, 1973, 1974) and won the American League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Awards. Rollie Fingers posted a career 114-118 record with 1,299 strikeouts and 341 saves in 1,702 innings pitched. Roland Glen “Rollie” Fingers was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.

SportsCentury: https://youtu.be/wXPkpwcX5Ak

Carlton Ernest Fisk (born in Charlestown, NH on December 26, 1947), nicknamed “Pudge” and “The Commander”, is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1969 to 1993 for the Boston Red Sox (1969, 1971–1980) and Chicago White Sox (1981–1993). He was the first player to be unanimously voted American League Rookie of the Year (1972). Fisk is best known for “waving fair” his game-winning home run in the 12th inning of Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. At the time of his retirement, Fisk held the record for most home runs all-time by a catcher with 351 (since surpassed by Mike Piazza). He has held several age- or longevity-related records, including the record for most games played at the position of catcher with 2,226 (later surpassed by Iván Rodríguez). Fisk still holds the American League record for most years served behind the plate (24). Fisk was voted to the All-Star team 11 times and won three Silver Slugger Awards which is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position. Fisk was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

The Beast: https://youtu.be/9VxWiHonhkM

James Emory Foxx (Born in Sudlersville, MD on October 22, 1907 – July 21, 1967), nicknamed “Double X” and “The Beast”, was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies. His most productive years were with the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox, where he hit 30 or more home runs in 12 consecutive seasons and drove in more than 100 runs in 13 consecutive years. Foxx was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, capturing a vaunted Triple Crown, earning a then-record three MVPs, and becoming only the second player in MLB history to hit 500 career home runs. For nearly 67 years, he held the record for the youngest major leaguer to reach 500 home runs. His three career MVPs are tied for second all-time. Foxx was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951.

Ron and Natalie McCann (reporter) recall 1991 Braves World Series: https://youtu.be/uUakQdqMeeA

Ronald Edwin Gant (born in Victoria, TX on March 2, 1965) is an American television news anchor and former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves (1987–1993), Cincinnati Reds (1995), St. Louis Cardinals (1996–1998), Philadelphia Phillies (1999–2000), Anaheim Angels (2000), Colorado Rockies (2001), Oakland Athletics (2001, 2003), and San Diego Padres (2002). Gant is currently a co-host on WAGA-TV’s morning news program Good Day Atlanta. Gant was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round of the 1983 MLB draft (100th overall), and joined the Braves in 1987 as a September call-up, after winning the Bill Lucas Award as the Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year in 1986.^[4] He collected 22 hits in 83 at bats, including two home runs. During the 1988 season, the rookie Gant was an everyday player for the struggling Braves, who finished with a record of 54–106. After a disappointing sophomore season in 1989 Gant was sent down to the minor leagues to learn how to play the outfield, Gant returned to form and the starting line up in 1990, when he batted .303 with 32 home runs and 84 RBI, and being named the National League Comeback Player of the Year by The Sporting News. Additionally, Gant stole thirty-three bases in 1990, qualifying for the 30–30 club. He duplicated that feat in 1991, joining Willie Mays (1956–1957) and Bobby Bonds (1977–1978) as the only players in Major League history to that point to have two 30 home run/30 stolen base seasons in a row. Barry Bonds later eclipsed the accomplishment, qualifying for the 30-30 Club in three straight seasons, from 1995–1997.

Chipper Jones talks at Henry’s memorial service: https://youtu.be/G4HXK-z6rSM

Born in Mobile, AL. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s legendary record of 714 homers. A crowd of 53,775 people, the largest in the history of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, was with Aaron that night to cheer when he hit a 4th inning pitch off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Al Downing. However, as Aaron was an African American who had received death threats and racist hate mail during his pursuit of one of baseball’s most distinguished records, the achievement was bittersweet.

MLB Remembering Bob: https://youtu.be/PXX7NDGLSPo

Pack Robert Gibson (Born in Omaha, NE on November 9, 1935-October 2, 2020) began his professional career playing baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters where he was “Bullet Bob Gibson.” Bob Gibson, “Gibby” played his entire 17-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals (1959-1975). Gibson established himself as one of the great power pitchers in his time, brushing batters back and “owning” the plate with two separate fastballs, sliders and sweeping curveballs. In 1968, Gibson posted a remarkable record 1.12 ERA for the season earning him his first of two National League Cy Young Awards, the league’s Most Valuable Player award and his third NL pennant. Gibson appeared in three World Series with the Redbirds, winning the titles in 1964 and 1967, and pitching to a 7-2 record with 92 strikeouts including 17 in Game 1of the 1968 Series. Gibson’s extraordinary performance in the 1968 campaign in often credited for the pitcher’s mound being lowered by five inches in 1969, taking partial advantage back from the pitcher and “leveling the playing field.” Bob Gibson retired with a record of 251-174 adding 3,117 strikeouts and posting a career 2.91 ERA. His 1968 record ERA of 1.12 remains the mark to which pitchers aim. Pack Robert Gibson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.

The Natural (1988 World Series): https://youtu.be/zDRSDlsPcKQ

Kirk Harold Gibson (nicknamed “Gibby”) (born in Pontiac, MI on May 28, 1957) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He is currently a color commentator for the Detroit Tigers on Bally Sports Detroit and a special assistant for the Tigers. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed. He spent most of his career with the Detroit Tigers but also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates. While with the Dodgers, Gibson was named the National League MVP in 1988. During his career, he hit two dramatic home runs in the World Series, off of two eventual Hall of Fame relief pitchers. With the Tigers, he clinched the 1984 World Series with a three-run homer off Goose Gossage, who had refused to walk him with a base open. In Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, Gibson faced closer Dennis Eckersley and hit a pinch-hit walk-off home run—often described as one of the most exciting moments in World Series history. He was named to the All-Star team twice, in 1985 and 1988, but declined the invitation both times.

Vin Scully Honoring Gilliam: https://youtu.be/ejs3s4inroY

James William “Junior” Gilliam (Born in Nashville, TN on October 17, 1928 – October 8, 1978) signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951 and was sent to the Montreal Royals, Brooklyn’s farm affiliate, of the International League because African-Americans were still barred from playing in the Texas League. As he started out in the Negro Leagues with the Baltimore Elite Giants, Gilliam learned to switch-hit, was one half of Baltimore’s double play combo (with Pee Wee Butts) and played in three straight Negro League All-Star Games. Jim joined the successful 1953 Dodgers team, replacing Jackie Robinson at second base, collected 125 hits including a National League leading 17 triples, drove in 63 runs and batted .278 over 151 games earning the 1953 National League Rookie of the Year award. Gilliam played second and third base for his entire career in Brooklyn and Los Angeles (1953-1966). In 14 years, Jim collected over 100 hits and over 30 RBI in 12 seasons and batted over .280 four times. He played in seven World Series with the Dodgers capturing the 1955, 1959, 1963 and 1965 Major League titles. Gilliam was also named to the 1956 and 1959 MLB All-Star Games and retired with a .979 fielding percentage. Junior Gilliam retired after the 1966 season with 1,889 hits including 304 doubles, stole 203 bases, scored 1,163 runs and drove in 558 RBI while batting .265 over 14 seasons.

Pitching Mechanics (slow motion): https://youtu.be/yPj_WTfWBNo

Thomas Michael Glavine (born in Concord, MA on March 25, 1966) is an American former professional baseball player. A pitcher, Glavine played in Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves (1987–2002, 2008), and New York Mets (2003–2007). With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine earned the second-highest number of wins as a pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux’s 176. He was a five-time 20-game winner and two-time Cy Young Award winner, and one of only 24 pitchers (and just 6 left-handers) in major league history to earn 300 career wins. He was the MVP of the 1995 World Series as the Braves beat the Cleveland Indians. On January 8, 2014, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, receiving 91.9% of the votes cast.

Prime Highlights: https://youtu.be/owYPmgArkyQ

Dwight Eugenee “Doc” Gooden (Born in Tampa, FL on November 16, 1964-) finished his 1983 season with a 19-4 record with the Lynchburg Mets and burst into the Major Leagues, continuing his winning ways, as he went 17-9 with a league leading 276 strikeouts en route to the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The New York Mets selected Dwight with the fifth overall pick of the 1982 MLB June Amateur Draft and he debuted with New York as a 19-year-old. Following his record setting rookie campaign, Gooden led the league in wins (24), strikeouts (268) and ERA (1.53) winning not only the Triple Crown for pitching, but the National League Cy Young Award by unanimous decision. That same season, he was also named The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year. In reverence to Julius Erving, “Dr. J”, Gooden earned the nickname Dr. K for his dominance against batter early on in his career as he used a 98 mph fastball and sweeping curve to buckle the knees of some of the NL’s greats. Doc Gooden was a four-time All-Star and won the 1992 Silver Slugger Award. He pitched 16 years in the Major Leagues with the Mets (1984-1994), the New York Yankees (1996-1997, 2000), the Cleveland Indians (1998-1999), the Houston Astros (2000) and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000). Despite arm issues and run-ins with the law, Doc Gooden was a member of three World Series champions (1986, 1996, 2000) and no-hit the Seattle Mariners on May 14, 1996. Dwight Gooden finished his career with a 194-112 career record including 68 complete games and 24 shutouts as well as 2,293 strikeouts and a 3.51 career ERA in 430 appearances.