"CLASSIC BASEBALL" CUSTOM WTHBALLS SET: MIKE SCHMIDT

On the blog today, we go and add perhaps the greatest third baseman of them all, Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, to my "Classic Baseball" WTHBALLS custom set:

What a career Schmidt had: 12 All-Star nods, 10 Gold Gloves, three Most Valuable Player Awards, all while anchoring a Philadelphia Phillies team that would reach their apex in 1980, taking home the World Series with a victory over the Kansas City Royals.
By the time he hung them up in 1989, he’d hit 548 home runs, drive in 1595 runs while scoring 1506, while also stealing 174 bases! Easy to forget he could steal a base or two. As a matter of fact, it’s really easy to forget that he came one stolen base short of joining the (then) exclusive 30-30 club back in 1975, slamming 38 homers to lead the league while swiping 29.
Nevertheless, “Schmitty” rode that success straight to a Hall of Fame induction come 1995, a lock if there ever was one.

 

WTHBALLS GUM PACK CUSTOM SET: MIKE SCHMIDT

Time to spotlight my mini card from my "Gum Pack" custom set released a few months back of perhaps the greatest third baseman the game has ever seen, that of Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies:

What a career Schmidt had: 12 All-Star nods, 10 Gold Gloves, three Most Valuable Player Awards, all while anchoring a Philadelphia Phillies team that would reach their apex in 1980, taking home the World Series with a victory over the Kansas City Royals.
By the time he hung them up in 1989, he’d hit 548 home runs, drive in 1595 runs while scoring 1506, while also stealing 174 bases! Easy to forget he could steal a base or two. As a matter of fact, it’s really easy to forget that he came one stolen base short of joining the (then) exclusive 30-30 club back in 1975, slamming 38 homers to lead the league while swiping 29.
Nevertheless, “Schmitty” rode that success straight to a Hall of Fame induction come 1995, a lock if there ever was one.

REVISITING A POST FROM 2013: 1973 MIKE SCHMIDT DEDICATED ROOKIE

Thought it'd be fun today to revisit a post from October of 2013, a favorite creation of mine, my 1973 "dedicated rookie" for the great Mike Schmidt. One of the earliest dedicated rookies created for the blog.

Here's the post as it appeared way back when:

"Today I want to post up a card design for a rookie card I WISH existed instead of his multiple player version that Topps issued: Mike Schmidt and his 1973 introduction to the world of sports cards.
First off, let's look at his rookie card as we all know it:

Now, I'll admit it's not the worst rookie card out there, especially with Ron Cey carrying some weight as well.
But really, what could be better than a dedicated rookie of the greatest third baseman the game has ever seen?
I found a nice image of Schmidt during his rookie year and used it for my imaginary "rookie" shown below. Hope you all like it...

Not much to be said about Mike Schmidt that hasn't been said a million times before!
Growing up in the late-70's/early-80's, quite simply, he was THE third baseman in Major League baseball.
Three M.V.P.'s, 10 Gold Gloves, 12 All-Star games, and oh yeah...he hit 548 career homers and lead the National League EIGHT TIMES during his awesome eighteen-year career.
A no-brainer Hall of Famer whom was inducted on his first try in 1995. A "duh" if there ever was one.
"Schmitty" was the man"

 

1977 N.L. CENTENNIAL: MIKE SCHMIDT

Today on the blog we add perhaps the greatest third baseman of them all, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Mike Schmidt to my N.L. Centennial 1977 sub-set, which celebrates the league's 100th anniversary of 1976:

What a career Schmidt had: 12 All-Star nods, 10 Gold Gloves, three Most Valuable Player Awards, all while anchoring a Philadelphia Phillies team that would reach their apex in 1980, taking home the World Series with a victory over the Kansas City Royals.
By the time he hung them up in 1989, he’d hit 548 home runs, drive in 1595 runs while scoring 1506, while also stealing 174 bases! Easy to forget he could steal a base or two. As a matter of fact, it’s real easy to forget that he came one stolen base short of joining the (then) exclusive 30-30 club back in 1975, slamming 38 homers to lead the league while swiping 29.
Nevertheless, “Schmitty” rode that success straight to a Hall of Fame induction come 1995, a lock if there ever was one.

1970'S ALL-DECADE TEAM: N.L. THIRD BASEMAN MIKE SCHMIDT

Good day all!

On the blog today, we move on to the National League and MY pick for the third baseman of the decade, Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies:

For me, what Schmidt did in six seasons of the 1970s was tops among third sackers in the Senior League, taking home three home run titles, four Gold Gloves, three top-10 finishes in the MVP race and four 100-RBI campaigns.

There was some competition from the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star third baseman Ron Cey, but Schmidt was well on his way to put together a Hall of Fame career that would leave him in the discussion of "greatest of them all" for his position.

What a career: 12 All-Star nods, 10 Gold Gloves, three Most Valuable Player Awards, all while anchoring a Philadelphia Phillies team that would reach their apex in 1980, taking home the World Series with a victory over the Kansas City Royals.
By the time he hung them up in 1989, he’d hit 548 home runs, drive in 1595 runs while scoring 1506, while also stealing 174 bases! Easy to forget he could steal a base or two. As a matter of fact, it’s real easy to forget that he came one stolen base short of joining the (then) exclusive 30-30 club back in 1975, slamming 38 homers to lead the league while swiping 29.
Nevertheless, “Schmitty” rode that success straight to a Hall of Fame induction come 1995, a lock if there ever was one.

EXPANDED LEAGUE-LEADERS: 1977 N.L. RBIs

Up on the blog today, we proceed in my on-going “expanded league-leaders” thread to the top three RBI men of the National league for 1976, on a 1977 imagined card:

 

 

Of course, we begin with Cincinnati Reds slugger George Foster, who put it all together for his first of three straight RBI crowns, leading the league with 121 in 1976.

Foster would put together three straight MVP caliber seasons between 1976 and 1978, actually taking home the award in 1977 after the greatest offensive season of the decade with his 124 runs, 149 RBIs and 52 homers, all leading marks for the N.L., while also hitting .320 with 197 hits for the Reds.

In 1978 he led the league in homers and RBIs again, with 40 and 120 respectively, giving him a sixth place finish in the MVP race by season’s end after his win in 1977 and a second place finish in 1976.

Behind him with 111 RBIs in 1976, none other than Foster’s MVP teammate Joe Morgan, who was also in the midst of an incredible run, leading the league with a .444 on-base-percentage and .576 slugging percentage for the World Champion Reds, while also stealing 60 bases and scoring 113 runs, second in the league only to another teammate, Pete Rose, who scored 130 himself.

In third place with 107 RBIs is Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt, who led the league with 38 homers, his third straight home run title, while also scoring 112 runs and swiping 14 bases for the N.L. East champs.

Great expanded card to create showing three of the major thumpers of the National League for the 1970’s, all MVP worthy, comprising an eventual six MVPs between them!

Hope you enjoy the “card”!

EXPANDED LEAGUE LEADERS: 1977 N.L. HOME RUNS

On the blog today, we have a 1977 “expanded league leader” card featuring the National League’s top three home run hitters of 1976, with two players you’d expect to see from the era, and a surprise third-place finisher:

 

Of course we begin with Hall of Fame slugger Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies, who smashed 38 homers, good for his third straight home run title, on his way to eight such titles before he was done.

It was a great season for the third baseman in 1976, as he would also take home the first of his eventual ten Gold Gloves, while finishing third in the MVP race at season’s end.

Just one home run behind him with 37 homers, none other than “Kong” Dave Kingman of the New York Mets, who topped his previous career-best by one homer while also making his first All-Star team.

Of course this led to one of my all-time favorite Topps cards, his 1977 slab with the beautiful blue “All-Star” banner running across the bottom. Just a perfect baseball card!

In third place with 32 home runs, which would have been good enough for a share of the A.L. title that season, Rick Monday of the Chicago Cubs, who easily bested his previous career-best of 26 homers from 1973.

Monday, the very first #1 overall pick in the history of the Amateur Draft in 1965, gave the Cubs a great season in 1976, hitting .272 with a career-high 107 runs scored in what turned out to be his last season in the “Windy City” before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Winter for Bill Buckner and Ivan DeJesus.

So there it is, the top three home run hitters of 1976 in the National League celebrated on an “expanded” league leader card in the 1977 set.

EXPANDED LEAGUE LEADERS- 1975 N.L. RUNS BATTED IN

Moving on to the National League and their top three Runs Batted In kings of 1974 celebrated on my 1975 "Expanded League Leaders" thread today:

 

We begin with the top RBI man of the National League for 1974, Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench, who topped the league in that category for the third time in five years, with his 129.

He had yet another wonderful season for the Reds, scoring a career-best 108 runs, while hitting 33 homers and leading the league with 315 total bases, all good enough for a fourth place finish in the MVP race by season's end.

Behind him with 116 RBIs in 1974, the new elite slugger on the scene, Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt, who made his presence known with his first home run title to go along with a league-leading .546 slugging percentage, getting named to his first All-Star team while finishing sixth in the MVP race.

Of course, we all know now that the man would go on to top 100+ RBIs eight more times before he was done, along with eight home run titles, and most importantly three MVP Awards.

Let's not forget, the man also had some wheels in the beginning of his career, swiping 23 bases that season, followed by 29 in 1975.

In third place with 111 RBIs in 1974, the league's MVP, who had himself a fantastic first full season in the Big Leagues, Los Angeles Dodger first baseman Steve Garvey.

Garvey had quite a year, helping the Dodgers reach the World Series, collecting 200 hits, scoring 95 runs, with 32 doubles, 21 homers and a .312 batting average while making his first All-Star team and picking up the first of his eventual four Gold Gloves.

Not too shabby a trip right here!

EXPANDED LEAGUE LEADERS- 1975 N.L. HOME RUNS

On the blog today, we return to my on-going "expanded league leaders" thread, going through the 1970's and expanding on the years that Topps only had the top performer of each league for a particular category on a league-leader card.

Today we move on to the 1975 N.L. League Leaders for Home Runs, featuring three thumpers who'd make any line-up a threat:

 

We begin with Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt, who took home the first of what would eventually be eight Home Run titles over his stellar career, pacing the league with 36 "jacks" in 1974.

He would lead the league the next two seasons as well, then go on to do the same in 1980 and 1981, 1983 and 1984, and finally 1986 when he would also take home his third MVP Award.

The man was a machine, topping 30+ homers 13 times and driving in 100+ runs nine times before he was through, while also performing on the defensive end of the game with his ten Gold Glove Awards.

In second place with 33 home runs in 1974 is another future Hall of Famer, Cincinnati Reds all-timer Johnny Bench.

Bench had himself another wonderful season in 1974, hitting the aforementioned homers while leading the league with his 129 RBIs, the third time he led in that department.

He also scored a career-best 108 runs that year, while leading the league with 315 total bases, all numbers that would get hima fourth place finish for the MVP Award at season's end.

He wasn't done yet, as he'd play another nine seasons, through the 1983 campaign, finishing up with two MVP Awards, 14 All-Star nods and 10 Gold Glove Awards. Elite to say the least!

In third place with 32 home runs, the "Toy Cannon", Jimmy Wynn of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who helped the team return to the World Series in 1974.

Wynn had an excellent year in 1974, driving in 108 runs, which were a career-best, while also scoring 104 runs, stealing 18 bases, and drawing 108 walks to give him a very nice .408 on-base-percentage.

All of that got him a fifth-place finish for the MVP Award, which was taken home by teammate Steve Garvey.

Well there you go, the top-three home run hitters in the National League in 1974, shown in all their glory on an expanded 1975 league-leader card.

Next up, the American League's best three sluggers for 1974. See you then!

1978 SPECIAL SUB-SET- "1977 30-HOME RUN CLUB" MIKE SCHMIDT

Next up in the 1978 special sub-set "30-Home Run Club", celebrating the big sluggers of 1977, is none other than all-time great third baseman Mike Schmidt, who blasted 38 taters that season:

Now, you think the 38 homers, which was the third year in a row, would have been cause for celebration.

But not in the Schmidt house, as after two straight seasons of leading the league with such a number in 1975 and 1976, as well as a home run title in 1974 with 36 homers, the 38 in 1977 was only good for fourth in his league.

However the season he had in 1977 was no slouch, as he also drove in 101 runs while hitting .274 with 104 walks, he made his third All-Star tea,. took home his second Gold Glove, and finished tenth in the MVP race.

Of course, we all know now that Schmidt still had another five home run titles ahead of him, on his way to 548 for his career, as well as three MVP campaigns and a World Championship.

Not too shabby!

All of this would eventually get him in the Hall of Fame, recognized as one of, if not THE greatest third baseman the game has ever seen.

All Hail "Schmitty"!!!

1976 SPECIAL- THE SLUGGING PHILLIES MIKE SCHMIDT AND GREG LUZINSKI

Adding to the fun “Specials” sub-set through the wild 1970’s, today I post up my 1976 card featuring the powerful Phillies slugging duo of Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski:

When this card would have come out, perhaps only the Cincinnati Reds arguably had a more feared duo of sluggers than the Phillies.
Schmidt was coming off of what would end up being the second of his eight home run titles, while Luzinski was the National League MVP runner-up to the Reds’ Joe Morgan.
Luzinski would also finish as the NL MVP runner-up in 1977, again behind a Reds player, this time George Foster, while of course Schmidt would end up taking home three MVP’s in the 1980’s.
It’s amazing to think that Luzinski ended up retiring with 307 homers  and 1128 runs batted in over his career, and that he was only 33 when he left the game!
Nevertheless, what a pair of thumpers the Phillies had leading the way for a team that also had Larry Bowa, Dave Cash and Garry Maddox among others in their line-up!

1975 IN-ACTION: MIKE SCHMIDT

Time to go and give Mike Schmidt a card in my on-going “1975 In-Action” thread, as he was just beginning to show the baseball world what a Hall of Fame third baseman he was when this card would have come out:

Schmidt was coming off his first successful Major League season in 1974, winning the first of his eight National League home run titles with 36 blasts, while driving in over 100, which would be the first of nine times in his 18-years in the Big Leagues.
What a career: 12 All-Star nods, 10 Gold Gloves, three Most Valuable Player Awards, all while anchoring a Philadelphia Phillies team that would reach their apex in 1980, taking home the World Series with a victory over the Kansas City Royals.
By the time he hung them up in 1989, he’d hit 548 home runs, drive in 1595 runs while scoring 1506, while also stealing 174 bases! Easy to forget he could steal a base or two. As a matter of fact, it’s real easy to forget that he came one stolen base short of joining the (then) exclusive 30-30 club back in 1975, slamming 38 homers to lead the league while swiping 29.
Nevertheless, “Schmitty” rode that success straight to a Hall of Fame induction come 1995, a lock if there ever was one.

FUTURE STAR- MIKE SCHMIDT

The next “Future Star” card in my on-going thread for the 1978 set is all-time third baseman Mike Schmidt, who was putting together a Hall of Fame career with the Philadelphia Phillies:

The 3x National League MVP was tearing it up in the mid-70’s, topping the league in home runs three straight years between 1974 and 1976, with another five home run titles ahead of him in the 1980’s.
“Schmitty”  would top 30 home runs in 13 of his 14 full-time seasons during his career. Amazing when you consider the era he played in!
He would also drive in 100+ runs nine times while also getting named to 12 all-star teams before he retired in 1989.
What an awesome player!

"HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 1970'S" #6: MIKE SCHMIDT'S 4-HOMER GAME IN 1976

Being that Mike Schmidt was the first player in 15 years to blast four homers in a single-game, you would think Topps would have had some sort of highlight card for him in the 1977 set.

Turns out Schmidt's power display would be the only such game of the entire decade.

Not until Bob Horner matched this feat in 1986 would we even see a four-homer game again.

So I went ahead and made a highlight card for Schmidt to celebrate his epic day at the plate, take a look:

I basically took the "Record Breaker" design from the 1977 set and turned it into a 

"Highlight" card, since Schmidt didn't actually break any records here.

The game took place at Wrigley Field on April 17th, 1976, and Schmidt helped bring the Phillies back from an 11-run deficit when they beat the Cubs 18-16 in 10 innings.

He actually hit the homers in four straight at-bats, making him the first to do it since Bobby Lowe in 1894!

For the game Schmidt's line read 5 for 6 with eight runs batted in and four runs scored. Monster game to say the least!

Also of note is that he hit three of his homers off the Reuschel brothers: two off Rick and one off of Paul (his other homer of the game was off Mike Garman).

DEDICATED "ROOKIE CARDS" #3: 1973 MIKE SCHMIDT

Today I want to post up a card design for a rookie card I WISH existed instead of his multiple player version that Topps issued: Mike Schmidt and his 1973 introduction to the world of sports cards.
First off, let's look at his rookie card as we all know it:

Not a "horrible" card by any means...

Now, I'll admit it's not the worst rookie card out there, especially with Ron Cey carrying some weight as well.
But really, what could be better than a dedicated rookie of the greatest third baseman the game has ever seen?
I found a nice image of Schmidt during his rookie year and used it for my imaginary "rookie" shown below. Hope you all like it...

...but THIS card would have been a classic "rookie" for Schmidt.

Not much to be said about Mike Schmidt that hasn't been said a million times before!
Growing up in the late-70's/early-80's, quite simply, he was THE third baseman in Major League baseball.
Three M.V.P.'s, 10 Gold Gloves, 12 All-Star games, and oh yeah...he hit 548 career homers and lead the National League EIGHT TIMES during his awesome eighteen-year career.
A no-brainer Hall of Famer whom was inducted on his first try in 1995. A "duh" if there ever was one.
"Schmitty" was the man!

ACCIDENTAL PHOTO BOMBING: PART II

Today I offer up two of the best players from the decade caught in the action of someone else's baseball card: Nolan Ryan and Mike Schmidt.
First up is Buddy Harrelson's 1971 Topps card, which shows a (terrible) action shot of him applying a tag on a player trying to steal second base. (Kind of looks like Joe Morgan actually).
In the forefront you can see Nolan Ryan looking on, pumping his fist in approval.  Nice.

#30 Nolan Ryan looking on

Next we have a nice card of Steve Ontiveros from Topps' 1976 set showing him rounding third base while Mike Schmidt seems to be watching the throw about to head home.
I love this card, and as I've stated before, this set. Look at the colors jumping out at you, yet it all works together, even the player's bright yellow name.

Schmidt watching the action unfold

I've been finding a ton of cards like this through the '70's, where stars were caught in the background, or even foreground as in the case of the Buddy Harrelson card.
Definitely a fun thread to work on.