1967 Topps Hal Lanier #4 San Francisco Giants

Today's entry in my 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball Card collection is an infielder who later turned into a Major League Manager during the 1980's. It is Hal Lanier, second baseman for the San Francisco Giants, card number 4 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 subjects.

This autograph was obtained through a reputable dealer off of an internet auction site. Hal Lanier beautifully signed the card with a black sharpie. As of March 8, 2012, I have accumulated 571 different signatures in my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed cards.

Hal Lanier played 10 seasons in the major leagues, with the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees. His career started in 1964 with the Giants, playing second base, shortstop and third base during his time in the big leagues. He was traded to the Yankees at the end of the 1971 season and played 95 games over the next two seasons in New York. His career statistics include a .228 batting average, while hitting 8 home runs and driving in 273 runs while playing 1196 games. His best season was his rookie campaign in 1964 when he batted .274.

After his playing days were over, Hal Lanier worked as a coach and subsequently as a Major League manager for 3 seasons. He won a World Series ring as a third base coach for the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals. Mr. Lanier was hired as Manager of the Houston Astros in 1986 and led the team until 1988. Hal won the National League Manager of the Year Award in 1986 while leading the Astros to a 96-66 record and a playoff appearance. His career managerial record was 254 wins against 232 losses.

1967 Topps Juan Marichal Checklists San Francisco Giants

Today's entry for my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards is one of the many variations that were included within the set. The card is the 6th series Checklist card with Hall of Famer Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants. Card number 454a and 454b in the 1967 Topps Baseball set of 609 cards. This card has two variations, if you look closely at the picture of Juan Marichal, the top card shows only the right ear while the bottom card shows both ears. The cards are equally prevalent in the hobby today.

These cards were autographed on November 29, 2009 at the Moeller High School baseball card show in Cincinnati, Ohio. Juan Marichal and fellow Giants Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda were autograph guests and Mr. Marichal was gracious enough to sign these cards for me with a beautiful blue sharpie autograph. Thank you Mr. Marichal.

Juan "the Dominican Dandy" Marichal pitched 16 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1960 to 1975. The first 14 seasons, Juan played for the San Francisco Giants and then played a season each for the Boston Red Sox and finally the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his first game of his career on July 19. 1960, Juan took a no-hitter into the eighth inning
only to settle for a one-hit shut out against the Philadelphia Phillies. He did get a no-hitter three years later on June 15, 1963. Also during the 1963 season, he was the winning pitcher in one of the most amazing pitching duels in major league history. On July 2, 1963, Marichal and fellow Hall of Famer Warren Spahn each pitched 16 inning complete games with the score finally settled 1-0 by a home run by baseball great Willie Mays.

Juan Marichal career statistics include 243 wins versus 142 losses, a 2.89 earned run average, 2303 strikeouts, 244 complete games and 52 shutouts. He was named to the National League All-Star teams 9 times and was the Most Valuable Player in the 1965 All-Star game. Marichal was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983 and has his number 27 retired by the Giants.

Want to read more about Juan Marichal, go to his biography at wikipedia.org. 

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

1967 Topps Mike McCormick Washington Senators San Francisco Giants

 Monday, February 8,  2010 marks the end of the football season and I would like to congratulate the New Orleans Saints for winning Super Bowl XLIV. Now, baseball fans everywhere are getting ready for the start of the 2010 Spring Training Season.

The mailbox today had some 1967 Topps Baseball cards but no autographed 1967 cards, therefore I went back into my collection and found this gem. It is of Mike McCormick, left handed pitcher of the San Francisco Giants. Card number 86 in the set of 609 different cards.

This autograph was obtained through a written request to Mike McCormick at his address in North Carolina. I mailed the card on January 6, 2009 and 8 days later, it arrived back with a nice blue sharpie signature and a personalization "To: Doug". I like when players personalize the card, it will stay in my collection forever.

Mike McCormick's career lasted 16 seasons in the major leagues. He pitched for the New York/San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, New York Yankees and finally the Kansas City Royals. His career statistics include 134 wins, a 3.73 earned run average and 1321 strikeouts. Mike made the All-Star team in 1960 and 1961. His best season as a major leaguer occurred in 1967 when he won the National League Cy Young Award and the Comeback Player of the Year Award. After being traded back to the San Francisco Giants at the beginning of the 1967 season, Mike won 22 games, had a 2.85 earned run average, threw 14 complete games, including 5 shutouts and struck out 150 batters. To learn more Mike McCormick's career, go to his biography at wikipedia.org.
 
Looking for great Sports memorabilia, apparel and collectibles, check out  Dugoutdug Sports Collectibles for your favorite players and teams.