1967 Topps Duke Sims #3 Cleveland Indians

 
Today's entry in my 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball Card collection is a catcher who hit the last home run in the "old" Yankee stadium in 1973. It is Duke Sims, catcher for the Cleveland Indians, card number 3 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 subjects.

This autograph was obtained through a reputable dealer off of an internet auction site. Duke Sims signed the card with a blue sharpie. As of March 3, 2012, I have accumulated 569 different signatures in my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed cards.

Duke Sims played 11 seasons in the major leagues, with the  Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. His career started in 1964 with the Indians, catching one of the best group of starting pitchers in the 1960's. The rotation of Sam McDowell, card #295, Luis Tiant #377, Sonny Siebert #95 and Steve Hargan #440 were all well respected hurlers. Duke stayed with the Indians until he was traded to the Dodgers in 1971. Sims later signed with the Tigers and helped led the team to the 1972 playoffs. Duke Sims was later traded to the New York Yankees in 1973 and played for the Texas Rangers in 1974 before retiring. His career statistics include a .239 batting average, while hitting 100 home runs and driving in 310 runs while playing catcher, first base and the outfield. His best season was 1970 when he belted 23 home runs and drove in 56 runs.

1967 Topps Bengal Belters Detroit Tigers Al Kaline & Norm Cash #216

Today's entry for my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards is in honor of Derek Jeter getting his 3000th hit today. He joins this Hall of Famer in an exclusive club of only 28 members. It is Al Kaline, the great Detroit Tiger who shares this card with Norm Cash as the "Bengal Belters", card number 216 in the 1967 Topps Baseball set of 609 subjects. As of July 9, 2011, I have accumulated 542 different autographs in the 1967 set.

Hall of Famer and Detroit Tiger Great Al Kaline signed this 1967 Topps Baseball card during Spring Training 2010 in Lakeland, FL. Mr. Kaline arrives at the ballpark in Lakeland around 8:30am each morning during Spring Training and on March 2nd he was right on time. There was about a dozen collectors waiting for him and he graciously signed one item per person. As you can see, he signed this with a blue sharpie and has a beautiful signature. If you have any 1967 Topps autographed cards, please let me know, as I might need them to further my collection.

Al "Mr. Tiger" Kaline played all 22 seasons in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers from 1953 to 1974. He started his career in 1953 at the age of 18, signing as a Bonus Baby with the Tigers out of high school. Mr. Kaline mainly played right field, which he was feared for his strong throwing arm, for the Tigers but also played first base and designated hitter during the twilight of his career. He appeared in 18 All-Star games and won a World Series Championship with the Tigers in 1968 beating the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Al won 10 Gold Gloves awards for the defensive efforts in right field. His career statistics include a .297 batting average with 3007 hits, 399 Home runs and 1,583 runs batted in. Al Kaline was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980 on his first year of eligibility with 88.3% of the votes. After retiring from playing baseball, Mr. Kaline joined the broadcast booth for Tiger games and currently serves as a Special Assistant to the President of the Tigers.

"Stormin' Norman" Cash spent 17 seasons in the major leagues from 1958 to 1974. His career started with the Chicago White Sox in 1958 and played there for two seasons. He was part of a eight player trade with the Cleveland Indians but then was traded again before playing a game to the Detroit Tigers for Steve Demeter. Norm's career blossomed with the Tigers, winning a batting title in 1961 and a World Series in 1968. Norm Cash's career statistics include a .271 batting average, 377 Home Runs and 1,103 runs batted in. He appeared in 5 All-Star games and won the Comeback Player of the Year award twice, 1965 and 1971. Tragically, Norm passed away in 1986 when he drowned on a fishing trip in Lake Michigan. He was 51 years old at his time of death.




To read more about Al Kaline biography, go to wikipedia.com and Norm Cash at wikipedia.com.


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1967 Topps Chicago White Sox #609 Tommy John

Today's entry for my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards is one of the greatest left handed pitchers of all-time, but now is more known by the surgery that bears his name. The card is the Tommy John of the Chicago White Sox. Card number 609, which is the last card in the 1967 Topps Baseball set. As of July 8, 2011, I have accumulated 542 different autographs in the 1967 set.

Tommy John signed my card from a through the mail request that I sent him on June 18, 2011 to his home in North Carolina. He quickly autographed the card with a blue sharpie and returned it to me on June 22, 2011. Thank you, Mr. John, for the autograph and the speedy return.

Tommy John pitched 26 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1963 to 1989 and played for 6 different teams. His career started with the Cleveland Indians for two seasons, then he was traded to the White Sox, where he pitched until 1971 with modest success. After that season, Tommy was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1972 and found the National League more to his liking, winning 40 games versus 15 losses before hurting his left arm to a career threatening injury. He then tore a ligament in his left elbow; his career seemingly over, John became the first athlete to get ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery. This is the elbow ligament that can be damaged by repeated throwing, and the surgery replaces it with a ligament taken from another part of the body - in John's case, his right forearm. The surgical procedure today is commonly called Tommy John surgery. Revolutionary at the time, the operation today is almost routine.

Tommy John missed the entire 1975 season while recovering from the surgery and injury, but returned in 1976 with the Dodgers. After the surgery, Tommy went on to win 164 games and pitched until he was 46 years old. He won 20 games in three out of four seasons from 1977 to 1980. After pitching for the Dodgers in 1978, Tommy signed with the New York Yankees for 4 seasons, California Angels for 3 seasons, the Oakland A's in 1985 and back again with the Yankees until he retired in 1989. 

Tommy John's career statistics include 288 wins versus 231 losses, a 3.34 earned run average, 2,245 strikeouts, 162 complete games and 46 shutouts. He was named to the All-Star teams 4 different seasons, won the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1976 and appeared in 3 World Series, losing each while with the Dodgers in 1977 and 1978 and the Yankees in 1981.


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1967 Topps Fritz Peterson New York Yankees

Today's entry for my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards is about a pitcher who made national news for a personal decision with another Yankees pitcher. It is Fritz Peterson, pitcher for the New York Yankees, card number 495 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 subjects.

This autograph from Fritz Peterson was obtained via Gate X Autographs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 10th, 2010. Mr. Peterson was making a personal appearance and had a private autograph session with Gate X. I sent the card to Gate X on April 30th and received it back June 10, 2010 with a beautiful blue sharpie signature from Fritz Peterson. Thank you Gate X and Mr. Peterson. As of August 30, 2010, I have built my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed card to 510 cards and counting.

Fritz Peterson career lasted 11 seasons from 1966 to 1976 with three teams. He pitched for the Yankees from 1966 to 1974, then was traded to the Cleveland Indians, where he pitched until 1976. During the 1976 season, Fritz Peterson was traded to the Texas Rangers where he ended his career that same season. His career statistics include 133 wins versus 131 losses, 1015 strikeouts and a career 3.30 earned run average. His best season was 1970 when he won 20 games for the Yankees and made the All-Star team. Fritz Peterson has the distinction of having the lowest earned run average (2.52) in the old Yankee Stadium bettering Hall of Famer Whitey Ford who was second with a 2.55 e.r.a.

In the off-season of 1972, Fritz Peterson made national news along with fellow Yankees pitcher, Mike Kekich. They had been best friends for several years and their families were very close as well. Peterson and Kekich decided to swap spouses with Mrs. Kekich marrying Fritz Peterson and Mrs. Peterson moving in with Mike Kekich. Fritz is still married to the former Mrs. Kekich. It did not work as well for Kekich, who never married the former Mrs. Peterson. During the 1973 and 1974 seasons, Fritz was roundly booed on the road by the American League fans and he never really pitched up to standard he set in the 1970 season.

After baseball, Fritz Peterson became an evangelist, sold real estate and dealt blackjack at a casino in Illinois. Quite a journey! He wrote his first book in 2009, titled "Mickey Mantle is Going to Heaven. 

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1967 Topps Boog Powell Baltimore Orioles

Day 2 of the 2010 Florida Spring Training Junket yielded some autographs, but no new additions to the my collection of 1967 Topps signed Baseball cards. It was close to a new success, I presented the card to Hall of Famer Tony Perez at the Florida Marlins training facility in Jupiter, Florida and explained my collection and he flat out said that he does not sign cards with no other explanation. All I can say is that I am disappointed and befuddled by that remark.

With all that said, I went back into my collection and found a card that was signed in person upon my request and it is Boog Powell, first baseman of the Baltimore Orioles. Card number 230 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 cards. Boog Powell signed the card outside of his barbecue restaurant at Oriole Park in Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland during a family trip in June of 2009. Mr. Powell signed the card with a blue sharpie autograph while talking with me about his playing days. Thanks again, Boog!

John "Boog" Powell played in the Major Leagues for 17 seasons between 1961 and 1977. Primarily for the Baltimore Orioles from 1961 to 1974, Boog also played for the Cleveland Indians (1975-1976) and ended his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977. During Boog Powell's 17 year career, he batted .266, hit 339 home runs and drove in 1187 runs in 2042 games. Boog was named to the American League All-Star team 4 times from 1968 to 1971 and won the Most Valuable Player Award in 1970. Boog won two World Series Championships with the Orioles in 1966 and 1970 and was named the Comeback Player of the Year twice (1966 and 1975). At his retirement, Boog Powell was the Orioles all-time home run leader until he was passed by Hall of Famers Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken Jr.

To learn more about Boog Powell, go to his biography at wikipedia.org.


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1967 Topps Dick Radatz Cleveland Indians The Monster

The streak is up to 5 days now without a new addition for the 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball card set. Without being discouraged, I found a card in my collection to share today. It is Dick Radatz, pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. Card number 174 out of 609 cards.

This card was obtained from a respected dealer on ebay.com on May 20, 2009. It is signed with a blue ballpoint pen. Dick Radatz passed away in 2005 after falling down a flight of stairs at his home in Massachusetts at the age of 67.

Dick "The Monster" or "Moose" Radatz career lasted 8 seasons. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos. Known for his tremendous fastball, Dick was used as a relief pitcher his entire career. He was the first pitcher to save 20 games in 4 consecutive seasons. He won the Fireman of the Year Award in 1963 and 1964. He made the American League all star team in those years as well. He still holds the single season record of strikeouts by a relief pitchers with 181 Ks in 157 innings. During his career, Dick Radatz won 52 games, saved 122, struck out 745 batters in 693 innings and had a career 3.80 earned run average.

Dick Radatz was elected to the Boston Red Sox's Hall of Fame in 1997. Find out more about his career at wikipedia.org.  

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