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STL MLB Player of the Week #10

I think we over use terms like hero, courage, tragedy, etc. However, the term pioneer is not used enough. This brings us to this week’s player Elston Howard. As we memorialize Jackie Robinson this time of the year let us not forget the first African-American to play with the Yankees Elston Howard. Elston Gene Howard was born in St. Louis on February 23, 1929. He was a star at Vashon High School a school known for its’ out standing sports programs. In 1948 he was offered scholarships to several Big 10 schools. Let me repeat this, in 1948 at the age of 19 he could have attended a number of Big 10 schools which given the racism at the time was amazing and a testament to who he was as a player and a person. Instead he opted to play in the Negro Leagues with the Kansas City Monarchs as an outfielder for three years. His roommate was Ernie Banks! He signed with the Yankees on July 19, 1950. On April 14, 1955, he became the first African -American to play for the Yankees. He would spend 12 seasons (catcher, 1^st base, out fielder) with the Yanks during which he was a 12 time All-Star, 4 times World Champ, 2 times Gold Glove winner, 1963 AL MVP, and his number was retired by the Yanks. His stats with the Yanks were as follows 1492 games played, 5488 plate appearances, 588 runs, 1405 hits, 161 home runs, 733 RBIs, 8 stolen bases, 342 walks, 717 Ks, .279 batting average, and a .760 OPS. He would return to the Yanks as a first base coach in 1969 becoming the first African-American coach in the American League. He would remain a coach with the Yanks for 10 years and would win two more World Series.

On August 3, 1967 he was traded to the Red Sox for a player to be named later. With the Sox for little more than a year he played in 13 games, had 358 plate appearances, 31 runs, 66 hits, 6 home runs, 29 RBIs, 1 stolen base, 31 walks, 69 Ks, a .207 batting average, and an OPS of .564. He would be release by the Sox on October 29^th, 1968.

Due to rapid heart failure Elston Howard passed away on December 14, 1980 at the young age of 50. Perhaps I don’t know the Hall of Fame process but it isn’t working if Elston Gene Howard isn’t in it, and he isn’t.

His Rookie card 1955 Bowman #68. 

His last regular issue 1968 Topps #167.

Are you freaking kidding me...

So I am sitting here now watching the 2014 Gypsy Queen Crackin' Wax case break ( I have the Cardinals, of course) and what is pulled? A Carlos Martinez auto! The same one! So when I receive the one from the break it will be up for trade.

eBay Pick up of the week.

Yes I know it is only Tuesday but since I haven't been bidding much I know no other card will be better than this 2014 Gypsy Queen Carlos Martinez auto. I don't generally buy any Cardinals' autos because they tend to be more $ than I want to spend on non-Yadis. But I put a bid in for this card for the heck of it really. If I don't win it is OK if I do it is a steal. So for little more that than the price of a Opening Day blaster I picked up this Carlos Martinez auto plus three others, Pettibone of the Phillies, Webster of the Bo Sox, and some guy named Jake Odorizzi of the Rays. Jake is from a small town across the river (highland) from STL in Illinois. Highland a town of less than 10K in population produced three other Major Leaguers Ken Oberkfell former Cardinals and World Series champion (1982), Harry Parker, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and Cleveland Indians; Aaron Rakers, relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres. All but the Martinez card is up for trade.

Yadi card of the week #11

I have always enjoyed Fleer even in the way back early 1980s. 2006 will be remembered for Yadi’s game winning Home Run against the Mets in the 9th inning of game 7 in the LCS and the World Championship. This card is simple but not unattractive. The card is framed in white with rounded corners and the Fleer crown is in the top right hand corner Yadi is photographed in profile and he is in the Cardinals’ white home uniform. He’s standing with his face mask raised above his eyes and appears to be looking down. At this point he has been in the Majors for two years and is still chubby and sans neck tattoo. There is much Cardinal red on this card. The bottom has a bar of red with catcher in the right hand corner. His name is slightly to the left and above in a white bar with a red border along the top. A single bird on a bat is located to the left of his name. This is a very interesting logo and one until recently had been on our car until it was ripped off…by the wind. Don’t worry we will get another for the VW.

The obverse of the card is again very to the point no bells and whistles here. At the top of the card is a grey banner with the card number. To the left is the Cardinals logo again but this time bigger. His name and position is in a band of whit with grey mesh. Below this are his statistics for 2004 and 2005 plus his vitals. There is also a blurb indicating he threw out 25 would-be base stealers in 2005 which helped the Cardinals have the best record in the NL.

For 2006 Yadi played in 129 games, had 417 at bats, 29 runs, 90 hits, 6 homeruns, 49 RBIs, and a batting average of .216. For fielding he caught 1037.1 innings, .995% fielding average, caught 29 would be base stealers, and had 37 successful steals.

Some Pirate booty arrr....

I received a sweet PME from Matt over at Bob Walt the Plank. If you haven’t checked out his blog please do so and take a look at his incredible collection of Andrew McCutchen auto and relics!

Would treasure did the chest reveal? First up 2014 Yadi! I love this card it really shows how mature Yadi has become from his baby face days. Two Yadi cards…nice. The 2014 Topps insert Upper Class is nice insert set. I guess it is suppose to be a yearbook picture? Also included were two 2005 All-star Stitches from Topps’ relic cards from two of my favorite Cardinals. First relics we have for these two Cards.

First is Jimmy “Ballgame” Edmunds who according to my wife may be the best-looking guy to every play baseball. With 217 saves we have the all time saves leader for the Cards Jason Isringhausen.

In 2006 it was painful to watch him close out games as he blew several but all in all a great Cardinal. Then we have a trio of Wainos!

2014 Waino All Fired Up insert from this years Opening Day set, the 2014 Topps base NL Wins leader, and finally a Supper Veteran insert with Waino then and now, wow he looks so young which I guess is the point.  Matt also included some always appreciated Stan “the Man” Musial and David Freese 2013 A&G.

As we all know David is now with the Angels of whatever. When he arrived he took Stan’s number 6 as a tribute to the “the Man”. A pair of Matt “Dreamy Eyes” Carpenter a base 2014 and a Target. Matt  is one our favorites and a player I could build PC of, plus he is a grinder. When we saw the Cards in Oakland we were pretty close to the field and we were surprised how tall and lanky he is.

I know the parallels are designed to suck money from us but I generally like them. Last but not lease the treasure chest included this beauty!

2013 Topps Gibby Commemorative Pin honoring his 1968 1.12 ERA. Gibby is the reason the pitching mound was lowered. Will we ever see an ERA this low again? What a magnificent card. Thank you Matt! Be one look out for booty coming your way. Note to self, never try to mail something the day before taxes are due. Duh..

STL MLB Player of the Week #9

This week’s player is a big one. No not really but his name was James Thomas "Jumbo" Elliott. Jumbo was born in STL on October 22, 1900 and died in Terre Haute, Indiana, IN on January 7, 1970. Jumbo was a left-handed pitcher who played in about 10 seasons in the majors. He debuted with the STL Browns on April 21, 1923. He played in one game and had an ERA of 27! After this performance he was let go by the Browns and signed with the Brooklyn Robins, the who? What the..wait the Dodgers were the Robbins from 1914 until 1931 when they became the Dodgers? I learned something new.  So why didn’t the Dodgers change their name when they shuffled off to LA? Ditto for the Giants and the As. Leave those names where they belong in NY and Philly. With the Robbins AKA Dodgers he played in 115 games, pitched 608.1 innings, had a record of 26 and 38 with an ERA of 3.89, and had 242 Ks and 219 walks, and one save. He was traded to the Phillies on October 14, 1930 with two other players for Lefty O’Doul and one other player. With the Phillies he played in 129 games, pitched 582 innings, had a record of 36 and 35 with an ERA of 4.53, he had 205 Ks, 183 walks, and 7 saves. On May 16, 1934 he was purchased from the Phillies by the Boston Braves (shoulda changed the name). With the Braves for one season he was in 7 games, pitched 15.1 innings, had an ERA of 5.87, struck out 6 and walked 9. On June 14, 1934 he was purchased from the Braves by the Southern League’s Atlanta club. His final game was on June 9, 1934.Jumbo he resided in Terre Haute, IN where he played in 1922 with a minor league team. In 1968 he ran as mayor of Terre Haute but didn’t win.

1933 Goudey #132                                                                   1928 W513