"CLASSIC BASEBALL" CUSTOM WTHBALLS SET: MINNIE MINOSO

Let us go and add the great Minnie Minoso to my long-running custom "Classic Baseball" set, a WTHBALLS exclusive design that I hope to have printed up this Spring:

I'm so happy that Minoso is finally a Hall of Famer, and I always felt the stunts in 1976 and 1980 may have even hurt his chances of getting into Cooperstown.
From 1951 to 1961 he had a wonderful Major League career, leading the league in stolen bases three times, triples three times, and hits and doubles once each, while also driving in over 100 runs four times and topping 20 homers four times.
Eight times in that span he would top a .300 batting average, and in 1951 many consider him the true American League Rookie of the Year when he hit .326 split between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, while topping the league in triples with 14 and stolen bases with 31.
Along the way he was named to seven All-Star games, winning three Gold Gloves as well, funny enough finishing fourth in the A.L. MVP race four times.
Of course, 12 years after his last playing days, in 1976, he ended up going 1-for-8 at the plate as a 50 year-old, then coming back in 1980 at the age of 54 and going hitless in two at-bats.
Nevertheless, Minoso finished his career with a .298 average, with 1963 hits over 6579 at-bats, along with 186 homers and 205 stolen bases while also topping 1000 runs scored and RBIs, 1136 & 1023 respectively.

If only he didn't have to wait until his age 27 season to show the ENTIRE country what he could do on a ball field.

 

THE WHOLE NINE: SERIES 2- MISSING IN ACTION: 1981 MINNIE MINOSO

On the blog today, we have my "not really missing" 1981 card for Minnie Minoso, from my recent custom "Whole Nine: Series 2" set released a few months ago:

I'm so happy that Minoso is finally a Hall of Famer, and I always felt the stunts in 1976 and 1980 may have even hurt his chances of getting into Cooperstown.
From 1951 to 1961 he had a wonderful Major League career, leading the league in stolen bases three times, triples three times, and hits and doubles once each, while also driving in over 100 runs four times and topping 20 homers four times.
Eight times in that span he would top a .300 batting average, and in 1951 many consider him the true American League Rookie of the Year when he hit .326 split between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, while topping the league in triples with 14 and stolen bases with 31.
Along the way he was named to seven All-Star games, winning three Gold Gloves as well, funny enough finishing fourth in the A.L. MVP race four times.
Of course, 12 years after his last playing days, in 1976, he ended up going 1-for-8 at the plate as a 50 year-old, then coming back in 1980 at the age of 54 and going hitless in two at-bats.
Nevertheless, Minoso finished his career with a .298 average, with 1963 hits over 6579 at-bats, along with 186 homers and 205 stolen bases while also topping 1000 runs scored and RBIs, 1136 & 1023 respectively.

If only he didn't have to wait until his age 27 season to show the ENTIRE country what he could do on a ball field.

1960'S CAREER-CAPPERS INSERTS: MINNIE MINOSO

Good day everyone!

On the blog today, we spotlight my Minnie Minoso special insert from my "1960's career-Cappers" custom set released a few years back:

 

 

Just a fun "1948 Bowman-style" insert I included of each player from the base set for an added kick!

I'm so happy that Minoso is finally a Hall of Famer, and I always felt the stunts in 1976 and 1980 may have even hurt his chances of getting into Cooperstown.
From 1951 to 1961 he had a wonderful Major League career, leading the league in stolen bases three times, triples three times, and hits and doubles once each, while also driving in over 100 runs four times and topping 20 homers four times.
Eight times in that span he would top a .300 batting average, and in 1951 many consider him the true American League Rookie of the Year when he hit .326 split between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, while topping the league in triples with 14 and stolen bases with 31.
Along the way he was named to seven All-Star games, winning three Gold Gloves as well, funny enough finishing fourth in the A.L. MVP race four times.
Of course, 12 years after his last playing days, in 1976, he ended up going 1-for-8 at the plate as a 50 year-old, then coming back in 1980 at the age of 54 and going hitless in two at-bats.
Nevertheless, Minoso finished his career with a .298 average, with 1963 hits over 6579 at-bats, along with 186 homers and 205 stolen bases while also topping 1000 runs scored and RBIs, 1136 & 1023 respectively.

If only he didn't have to wait until his age 27 season to show the ENTIRE country what he could do on a ball field.

 

VINTAGE SPECIAL! "MISSING" 1954 WILSON'S FRANKS MINNIE MINOSO

On the blog this fine day, we add the great and FINALLY member of the Hall of Fame, Minnie Minoso, to me 1954 Wilson Franks "extension set", adding some of the greats of the game at that time who were not included in what turned out to be one of the great oddball sets of the period:

I'm so happy that Minoso is finally a Hall of Famer, and I always felt the stunts in 1976 and 1980 may have even hurt his chances of getting into Cooperstown.
From 1951 to 1961 he had a wonderful Major League career, leading the league in stolen bases three times, triples three times, and hits and doubles once each, while also driving in over 100 runs four times and topping 20 homers four times.
Eight times in that span he would top a .300 batting average, and in 1951 many consider him the true American League Rookie of the Year when he hit .326 split between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, while topping the league in triples with 14 and stolen bases with 31.
Along the way he was named to seven All-Star games, winning three Gold Gloves as well, funny enough finishing fourth in the A.L. MVP race four times.
Of course, 12 years after his last playing days, in 1976, he ended up going 1-for-8 at the plate as a 50 year-old, then coming back in 1980 at the age of 54 and going hitless in two at-bats.
Nevertheless, Minoso finished his career with a .298 average, with 1963 hits over 6579 at-bats, along with 186 homers and 205 stolen bases while also topping 1000 runs scored and RBIs, 1136 & 1023 respectively.

If only he didn't have to wait until his age 27 season to show the ENTIRE country what he could do on a ballfield.

NEGRO LEAGUES TO MAJOR LEAGUES: MINNIE MINOSO

The next player featured in my fun thread celebrating guys that played in the Negro Leagues before the Majors, the great and under-appreciated Minnie Minoso:

The "Cuban Comet" spent three years with the New York Cubans from 1946 through 1948 before coming to the Cleveland Indians to begin his excellent run in the Majors.

In 1947 he hit .356 while a year later he hit at a .344 clip, leading the league with six triples.

I'm so happy that Minoso is finally a Hall of Famer, and I always felt the stunts in 1976 and 1980 may have even hurt his chances of getting into Cooperstown.
From 1951 to 1961 he had a wonderful Major League career, leading the league in stolen bases three times, triples three times, and hits and doubles once each, while also driving in over 100 runs four times and topping 20 homers four times.
Eight times in that span he would top a .300 batting average, and in 1951 many consider him the true American League Rookie of the Year when he hit .326 split between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, while topping the league in triples with 14 and stolen bases with 31.
Along the way he was named to seven All-Star games, winning three Gold Gloves as well, funny enough finishing fourth in the A.L. MVP race four times.
Of course, 12 years after his last playing days, in 1976, he ended up going 1-for-8 at the plate as a 50 year-old, then coming back in 1980 at the age of 54 and going hitless in two at-bats.
Nevertheless, Minoso finished his career with a .298 average, with 1963 hits over 6579 at-bats, along with 186 homers and 205 stolen bases while also topping 1000 runs scored and RBIs, 1136 & 1023 respectively.

If only he didn't have to wait until his age 27 season to show the ENTIRE country what he could do on a ballfield.

 

1960'S CAREER-CAPPERS (FIRST TIME AROUND FOR THIS PLAYER): 1965 MINNIE MINOSO

Up on the blog today, from my 1960's "Career-cappers" set released a couple of years ago, my 1965 card for the great Minnie Minoso, new member of the Hall of Fame:

As we all know, Minoso would actually come back as a publicity stunt in 1976 and again in 1980 while a coach with the Chicago White Sox, but his "first" retirement came after 30 games with the White Sox in 1964 at the age of 40.

Minoso, aka the “Cuban Comet”, is finally a Hall of Famer, and I always felt the stunts in 1976 and 1980 may have even hurt his chances of getting into Cooperstown.
From 1951 to 1961 he had a wonderful Major League career, leading the league in stolen bases three times, triples three times, and hits and doubles once each, while also driving in over 100 runs four times and topping 20 homers four times.
Eight times in that span he would top a .300 batting average, and in 1951 many consider him the true American League Rookie of the Year when he hit .326 split between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, while topping the league in triples with 14 and stolen bases with 31.
Along the way he was named to seven All-Star games, winning three Gold Gloves as well, funny enough finishing fourth in the A.L. MVP race four times.
Of course, 12 years after his last playing days, in 1976, he ended up going 1-for-8 at the plate as a 50 year-old, then coming back in 1980 at the age of 54 and going hitless in two at-bats.
Nevertheless, Minoso finished his career with a .298 average, with 1963 hits over 6579 at-bats, along with 186 homers and 205 stolen bases while also topping 1000 runs scored and RBIs, 1136 & 1023 respectively.

ANOTHER FANTASY 1977 MINNIE MINOSO (YOU CAN'T HAVE TOO MANY!)

Good day everyone!

On the blog today is yet another 1977 "fantasy" card for Chicago White Sox great Minnie Minoso, who made a gimmick of a return to the Big Leagues in 1976 with some at-bats at the age of 50:

 

Now, I already created both a "not so missing" and "coach" card for him here on the blog years ago, but when I found this image of him I couldn't resist another creation in honor of the man.

Minoso, aka the “Cuban Comet”, is arguably a Hall of Famer, and I always felt the stunts in 1976 and 1980 may have even hurt his chances of getting into Cooperstown.
From 1951 to 1961 he had a wonderful Major League career, leading the league in stolen bases three times, triples three times, and hits and doubles once each, while also driving in over 100 runs four times and topping 20 homers four times.
Eight times in that span he would top a .300 batting average, and in 1951 many consider him the true American League Rookie of the Year when he his .326 split between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, while topping the league in triples with 14 and stolen bases with 31.
Along the way he was named to seven All-Star games, winning three Gold Gloves as well, funny enough finishing fourth in the A.L. MVP race four times.
Of course, 12 years after his last playing days, in 1976, he ended up going 1-for-8 at the plate as a 50 year-old, then coming back in 1980 at the age of 54 and going hitless in two at-bats.
Nevertheless, Minoso finished his career with a .298 average, with 1963 hits over 6579 at-bats, along with 186 homers and 205 stolen bases while also topping 1000 runs scored and RBIs, 1136 & 1023 respectively.

 

A BIT OF A CHEAT HERE- 1977 THAN & NOW FOR MINNIE MINOSO

Admittedly, today’s card is a bit of a cheat since he wasn’t really an active player in 1977, but I couldn’t resist creating a “Then & Now” card for the great Minnie Minoso, who made his historic appearance as a player during the 1976 season:

As I stated recently when I posted his “Nickname of the 1970’s” card about a week ago, I always felt the appearances he made in both 1976 and 1980 may have actually hurt him as far as Hall of Fame selection in the future, with the circus-like feel of the promotional gimmicks.
Nevertheless, the man’s career is incredibly underrated, and perhaps in the future he’ll find his way into Cooperstown, though sadly after his passing.
Of course we remember that Minoso had a card in the 1977 set as a “Record Breaker” for becoming the oldest player to collect a hit when he did so over eight at-bats at the age of 50, hence the 1977 template for this card.
Definitely a fun card to add to the collection! I would have been in awe of seeing a 1952 card way back then, at the age of eight. Probably didn’t see one until a couple years later.

NICKNAMES OF THE 1970'S: "THE CUBAN COMET" MINNIE MINOSO

I know it’s a bit of a stretch here, but I just had to create a “nickname” card for the great Minnie Minoso, who famously made an appearance during the decade as an active player in 1976:

Minoso, aka the “Cuban Comet”, is arguably a Hall of Famer, and I always felt the stunts in 1976 and 1980 may have even hurt his chances of getting into Cooperstown.
From 1951 to 1961 he had a wonderful Major League career, leading the league in stolen bases three times, triples three times, and hits and doubles once each, while also driving in over 100 runs four times and topping 20 homers four times.
Eight times in that span he would top a .300 batting average, and in 1951 many consider him the true American League Rookie of the Year when he his .326 split between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox, while topping the league in triples with 14 and stolen bases with 31.
Along the way he was named to seven All-Star games, winning three Gold Gloves as well, funny enough finishing fourth in the A.L. MVP race four times.
Of course, 12 years after his last playing days, in 1976, he ended up going 1-for-8 at the plate as a 50 year-old, then coming back in 1980 at the age of 54 and going hitless in two at-bats.
Nevertheless, Minoso finished his career with a .298 average, with 1963 hits over 6579 at-bats, along with 186 homers and 205 stolen bases while also topping 1000 runs scored and RBIs, 1136 & 1023 respectively.

FANTASY COACH CARD: 1977 MINNIE MINOSO

How can I NOT have a coach card for fan-favorite Minnie Minoso, who helped the Chicago White Sox with his wisdom during his 1976 season, even collecting a hit in eight at-bats at the age of 50!?
Well here you go, a nice 1977 compliment to the Topps “Record Breaker” card that was actually in the set:

Minoso was a spectacular player that easily gets overlooked because of the “stunts” of 1976 and 1980 which had him officially playing as a 50+ year-old novelty.
The seven-time all-star led the American League in hits once, triples three times and stolen bases another three times, while consistently batting .300+ year in and year out.
A “power-and speed” guy for the era he played in, he finished his 17-year career with 186 home runs and 205 stolen bases along with a .298 average and just under 2000 hits over 1835 games.
He scored 100+ runs in a season five times while driving in over 100 four times, and was ripped off a Rookie of the Year Award in 1951, finishing behind the New York Yankees Gil McDougald (look it up).
Along with three Gold Gloves he also finished fourth in MVP voting four times!
As fun as it was to have the gimmick of him batting later on it really takes attention away from how great he was as a young player back in the “golden age” of baseball.

#700'S FOR THE 700TH POST-ABBREVIATED AS IT MAY BE...AND R.I.P. MR. MINOSO

 

 

"Mr. White Sox" Minnie Minoso: 1925-2015

 

Before I get on with today's scheduled post, I want to say it was sad news hearing that Cuban baseball great Minnie Minoso, the "Cuban Comet" passed away at the age of 89 yesterday.

Beyond the quirks of his Major League appearances in the 1970's and 1980's, the man was a legitimate star in the sport, and many may be surprised to see just how good he was during his playing days if they take a "refresher" and peruse his accomplishments on the baseball diamond.

Rest in peace Minnie, you'll be missed for sure...

Well, onto today's business...I've reached 700 posts.

And I can't thank you all enough for following all I put into this blog.

It's been too much fun and I like to think I'll keep right on rolling with it as long as there is material to cover regarding baseball cards and the 1970's.

As we all know, Topps only had five sets in the 1970's that had a 700th card, with the years between 1973-1977 having only 660 cards in their sets.

So with that in mind, let's go and look at the cards numbered "700" in the 1970-1972, and 1978-1979 sets shall we?

1970 Frank Robinson:

 

 

A decent-looking high-numbered card for the Hall of Fame slugger.

As boring as the 1970 set could be, it was loaded with all-time greats, so there was some "meat" on the bones of the set.

Nothing really awesome about the card, but certainly not the worst in the set by any means.

1971 Boog Powell:

 

 

Coming off of his MVP season, Powell was the man of the hour when this card came out.

A nice photo of yet another Orioles slugger with the brilliant blacl-border design Topps came out with for the set. 

One of my favorite sets of all-time.

1972 "In Action" Bobby Murcer:

 

 

Great card of Yankees outfielder Murcer sliding home against what seems to be the Chicago White Sox at the "old" Yankee Stadium.

Look at the crowd in the background waiting for the call! Awesome!

THIS is what all the "in action" cards of the '72 should have been like.

1978 Johnny Bench:

 

 

After a five year run of issuing 660-card sets between 1973 and 1977, Topps came out with a 726 card set in 1978, and boy was I happy about that as a nine-year-old kid obsessively collecting.

I don't know WHY I love this card so much, but I always have.

The mystic of Johnny Bench back then just made me look at this card like I was looking at a "God".

Just a nice photo of the all-time great catcher coming off the prime of his career, yet STILL a perennial all-star for the Cincinnati Reds.

1979 Reggie Jackson:

 

 

While I always prefer an action shot of a player over a portrait, this photo makes for a very nice card of "Mr. October" in the prime of his Bronx legend-making days.

I'm always a sucker for the "all-star" designation, and here we have a nice shot of reggie with "All-Star" emblazoned across the bottom (albeit with that annoying "Topps" logo to the left).

Nice card overall though.

I've already decided that if I do reach an 800th post (and quite honestly unless I drop dead it should happen!) I'll profile all the "final cards" of each set during the 1970's.

Would be nice to revisit each card that closed out the sets of the decade, no?

"LONG TIME NO SEE"- MINNIE MINOSO IN 1977

After being away from Major League baseball since 1964, Minnie Minoso, who by now was 50 years old and coming off of a few years playing down in Mexico, was brought back as a publicity stunt by one of baseball's great showmen, White Sox owner Bill Veeck and his son Mike.
He ended up appearing in three games, going 1 for 8 and becoming the fourth-oldest player to record a hit, while also becoming the only player to appear in the 1940's through the 1970's.
If THAT wasn't enough, four years later in 1980, "Mr. White Sox" entrenched himself in baseball history by becoming only the second player (Nick Altrock being the other) to appear in five different decades: '40's, 50's, '60's, '70's and '80's. Veeck, in another publicity stunt, had Minoso appear in two games, going 0-2 at the age of 54.
For his 1976 appearances, Topps commemorated the event by issuing a "Record Breaker" card in their 1977 set (#232) seen here (even though he WASN'T the oldest player to "hit safely"):

Now, what if Topps wanted to have a little fun and actually issue a regular player-card for Minoso? That would have been an interesting card to have, especially with stats dating back to the 1940's.
I went ahead and designed a "regular" card for Minoso, imagining what it could have looked like. Take a gander:

Could've been his first player card since 1964.

Something that would have been cool was the fact that Minoso could've had a 13 year gap between baseball card appearances as a player (1964-1977) if Topps created a regular card for him.
I can only really remember two players off the top of my head Vicente Romo (1975-1983) and Chuck Hartenstein (1970-1977) with similar long gaps between cards. (I'll be writing about the Hartenstein card in the near future).
Oh well, sadly it wasn't to be...
PS- It's easy to forget just how great a player Minoso was throughout the 1950's. A consistent .300 hitter with both power and speed, driving in over 100 runs four times while leading the A.L. in stolen bases and triples three times.
In addition to this, he finished in the top five in M.V.P. voting four times as well: 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1960.
It's a shame he didn't play his first full season in the big leagues until he was 25. He could have put up some great "power and speed" career stats by the time he was done. As it is, he finished his career with 186 homers and 205 steals. Not bad for only 11 full seasons under his belt!