1967 Topps Twins Team Card with Oliva, Carew, Killebrew and Graig Nettles

Today's entry in my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards has a long story behind the four signatures. The newest signature on the card of that of Graig Nettles, rookie third baseman of the 1967 Minnesota Twins. The card was already signed by Hall of Famers Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew and former Twins star, Tony Oliva.

If you want to read the blog entry about the Harmon Killebrew addition, click here.

If you want to read about the Rod Carew and Tony Oliva signatures, click here. The 1967 Topps Minnesota Twins Team card is card number 211 in the set of 609 subjects.

The Graig Nettles' signature was obtained for me by my friend and Graig's son, Mike. I have known Mike for about a year and as we have become good friends, I desired to ask Mike if he would help me with my collection. Mike and his wife, Beverly invited some friends over to watch the 2010 Tennessee/Florida College Football game at their house in Knoxville and I was honored to attend. In anticipation, I went through my collection of baseball cards and Sports Illustrated Magazines and found several Graig Nettles items. Mike offered to get his dad to sign the items for me and on September 27th, Mike called me and said he had the cards and Sports Illustrated autographed by Graig. Graig Nettles signed my cards with a black sharpie in his classic autograph.

Graig also lives in the Knoxville area now and I hope one day I will have the privilege to meet him and thank him personally for the autographs. In the meantime, I hope Graig and the entire Nettles' family understands my gratitude for helping me with my collection. This autograph is the 511th signature in my collection of 1967 Topps Baseball cards and the first card that has four signatures!

Graig Nettles' career in Major League Baseball lasted from 1967 to 1988. On September 6, 1967, Nettles was called up from the Twins' AA minor league team in Charlotte, North Carolina. He appeared in 3 games in the 1967 season with 1 double in 3 at bats. Graig played parts of two more seasons with the Twins in 1968 and 1969 before being involved in a 6 player deal with the Cleveland Indians. He started a run of three seasons with the Indians and blossomed into a star, averaging 24 home runs and 72 runs batted in. In the winter of 1972, Graig was again involved in a 6 player trade, this time with the New York Yankees. In New York, Graig played for 11 seasons, helping the team win 4 American League Pennants and 2 World Series Championships. He was named the Yankees captain from 1982 to 1984, which is a honor bestowed upon some of the Greatest Yankees. The list includes Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Thurman Munson, Don Mattingly and currently Derek Jeter.

Before the start of the 1984 season, Graig was traded from the Yankees to his hometown, San Diego Padres. His veteran leadership was instrumental with the Padres. The Padres made their first playoff appearance and won the 1984 National League Pennant before losing to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. After three seasons with the Padres, Graig became a free agent and signed on with the Atlanta Braves in 1987 and then again with the Montreal Expos in 1988.

During his 22 year career, which ended on October 1, 1988, Graig Nettles had played in 2700 games while batting .248 with 390 home runs and 1,314 runs batted in . He still holds the American League record of home runs by a third baseman. Always a superb fielder, Graig won 2 Gold Glove Awards and had a career .964 fielding percentage. Graig continues to be remembered for his clutch performances in the post season. His glove work in the playoffs helped the Yankees gain the momentum in the 1978 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nettles appeared in 6 All-Star games during his career and won the 1981 American League Championship Series MVP award. Many people believe Graig Nettles deserves Hall of Fame consideration and I would give my vote as well.

To learn more about Graig Nettles, go to his biography at wikipedia.org.  I also encourage you to read his book, "Balls" written in 1983 with Peter Golenbeck and published before the start of the 1984 season. As Graig chronicles his career, this book gives a great insight to major league baseball from an insider's perspective.


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1967 Topps World Series Hank Bauer and Dave McNally Baltimore Orioles

Today's entry for my 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball card collection is that of a manager of the 1966 World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles and World War II hero. It is Hank Bauer on the World Series subset card number 155 with pitcher Dave McNally in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 subjects.

This autograph was obtained from a dealer at the Moeller High School Baseball card show in November of 2009. An excellent card show with many dealers of vintage cards and memorabilia, you can visit their website at Cincycardshows.com. As of September 14, 2010, I have accumulated 510 different signatures in my collection. Check out some of the other cards in my previous blog entries. Mr. Bauer passed away in February of 2007 at the age of 84 to lung cancer. Unfortunately this card will not have Mr. McNally's signature due to his death in December, 2002.

Hank Bauer played 14 seasons of Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics. His career started in 1948 with the Yankees and he played there for 12 seasons. During his playing career with the Yankees, he was a member of 7 World Series Championship teams, including 5 straight from 1949 to 1953. If you want to read an excellent book about the 1949 season, pick up David Halberstam's "Summer of '49." It chronicles the season and pennant race between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees and gives an excellent insight to the players, including Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and Hank Bauer. Bauer shares a record in World Series play of the longest hitting streak of 17 games with current Yankee great Derek Jeter. At the end of the 1959 season, Hank Bauer was traded to the Kansas City Athletics for slugger Roger Maris, who went on to break Babe Ruth's single season home run record in 1961. Hank playing career ended in 1961 as he was the player/manager during the 1961 season until July when he became just the manager. During his 14 seasons, Hank Bauer accumulated the following statistics, career .277 batting average, 164 home runs and 703 runs batted in.

As a manager, Hank led the Kansas City Athletics for 2 seasons (1961 and 1962), Baltimore Orioles for 5 seasons (1964 to 1968) and the Oakland Athletics in 1969. Hank Bauer was the skipper of the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 when he led them to the World Series title beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in 4 straight games. His career managerial record includes 594 wins versus 544 losses.

Before his baseball career began, Hank Bauer proudly served his country during World War II with the Marine Corps from 1942 to 1945. He enlisted one month after Pearl Harbor and fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Guam and Battle of Okinawa. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts during his service. During the Battle of Okinawa, Hank Bauer led a commanded a platoon of 64 men with only 6 surviving the Battle. Thank you Mr. Bauer for your service to our country and we all owe you for our freedoms we enjoy today.

To learn more about Hank Bauer, read his biography at wikipedia.org.


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1967 Topps Ralph Houk Yankees Manager

Today's entry from my 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball card set is about a former manager of the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox and sadly he passed away yesterday, July 21, 2010 at age 90. It is Ralph Houk, manager of the New York Yankees. Card number 468 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 cards.

This card was obtained with a through the mail request to Ralph Houk's home in Florida on July 13, 2009. He graciously autographed the card with a blue sharpie and returned it to me 15 days later. Thank you Mr. Houk.

Also, I have the 1967 Topps Yankees Team card signed by Ralph Houk. Card #131 in the set and was obtained through a dealer on ebay.

Ralph "The Major" Houk played in the major league for 8 seasons from 1947 to 1954 and appeared in 91 games as a backup catcher for the Yankees' Yogi Berra. His career statistics include a .272 batting average, 54 hits and 20 runs batted in. He enjoyed the heyday of New York Yankees World Championships. He earned 6 championship rings in 7 seasons from 1947 to 1953.

Ralph Houk's managerial career began in grand fashion with the New York Yankees in 1961. During that season, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle pursued Babe Ruth's single season home run record of 60 set in 1927. Mantle ended the season with 54 dingers while Maris caught and passed Ruth with his 61st long ball on the final day of the season. He also managed the Yankees to the championship in 1962. Houk managed the Yankees to the World Series also in 1963, but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers. After the 1963 season, he moved into the front office of the Yankees, only to returned to managing in 1966. Ralph Houk continued to manage the Yankees until the end of 1973 season. Houk also managed the Detroit Tigers from 1974 to 1978 and the Boston Red Sox from 1981 to 1984. During his 20 year managerial career, he won 1619 games versus 1531 games. After his managerial career was over, Ralph Houk worked in the front office of the Minnesota Twins before finally retiring in 1989.



Before making it to the Major Leagues, Ralph Houk was a catcher working his way through the Yankees' farm system when the U.S. entered World War II. He enlisted in the armed forces, became an Army Ranger, and was commissioned as a lieutenant after attending officer's candidate school; he later was promoted to to major. He was a combat veteran of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge, and was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

To learn more about Ralph Houk's career, go to his biography at wikipedia.org.

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1967 Topps Jim Piersall Los Angeles Angels

Today's entry from my 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball card set is about a player who had excellent ability on the baseball diamond but sometimes was his own worst enemy due to his on-field antics. It is Jim Piersall, outfielder of the Los Angeles Angels. Card number 584 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 cards.

This autographed baseball card was obtained with a through the mail request to Jim Piersall at his home in Illinois on July 13, 2009. To my amazement, Mr. Piersall returned the card with a nice blue sharpie autograph 4 days later. A super fast turnaround, thank you Jimmy Piersall!

Jim "the Waterbury Wizard" Piersall played 17 seasons in major league baseball from 1950 to 1967. He was drafted and played for the Boston Red Sox from 1950 to 1958. He also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Washington Senators, the New York Mets and finally ending his career with the California/Los Angeles Angels. Jimmy Piersall's career statistics include a .272 batting average, 1604 base hits with 104 home runs, 591 runs batted in and 115 stolen bases. He was selected to the American League All-Star team in 1954 and 1956 and won the Gold Glove Award in 1958 and 1961.

Jim Piersall suffered from bipolar disorder during his playing days and that led to many interesting behaviors during his playing days. He was one of the few Americans whose battles with mental health issues were well-known in the 1950's. He eventually figured out that his issues would give him the freedom to act zany, which endeared him to fans. Some of the episodes included fighting with opponents and teammates, frequent ejections over arguing, stepping up to bat wearing a Beatles wig and playing "air guitar" on his bat, he led cheers for himself in the outfield during breaks in play, and "talked" to Babe Ruth behind the center field monuments at Yankee Stadium. Jim Piersall's life in baseball was portrayed in the movie "Fear Strikes Out" starring Anthony Perkins in 1957.

To learn more about Jim Piersall life, go to his biography at wikipedia.org and baseball-reference.com.

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1967 Topps Woody Woodward Atlanta Braves

The mailbox was kind to me today. The 462nd entry into my collection of the 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards was waiting for me as I opened the box. It was Woody Woodward, second baseman for the Atlanta Braves. Card number 546 in the 1967 Topps Baseball set of 609 cards.

This autographed card was obtained by using a through the mail request to Woody Woodward at his home in Florida on February 12, 2010. Mr. Woodward returned the card signed with a black ball point pen autograph 13 days later. Thank you Woody!

Woody Woodward's career in Major League Baseball lasted 9 seasons from 1963 to 1971. He primarily played for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves then ended his career with the Cincinnati Reds. In his 880 games, Woody combiled a .236 career batting average, 517 base hits, included one home run in 1970, and 148 runs batted in. Woody has appeared in the 1970 World Series against the eventual champion, Baltimore Orioles. He had one hit in 5 at bats in the 4 games he played. Teammate Wayne Granger said "We've figured it out. It will take him 4,189 years to catch Babe Ruth."  after Woodward finally hit his first home run in his eighth season.

After Woody retired, he became the head baseball coach at Florida State University from 1975 to 1978. Woody Woodward also spent time as general manager of the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners. As general manager, Woody drafted some notable players such as Alex Rodriguez, Raul Ibanez, Barry Zito and Jason Varitek. He is currently a scout for the Mariners.


To learn more about Woody Woodward's career, go to his biographies at wikipedia.org and baseball-reference.com.

Looking for great Sports memorabilia, apparel and collectibles, check out Dugoutdug Sports Collectibles for your favorite players and teams.