30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

Monday, August 8, 2016

Mr. Baseball Can Wait

I originally had a Bob Uecker post planned for today... but that will have to wait, because there was no way I'd miss addressing yesterday's milestone event.

2013 Five Star Autographs #MMA

No... I'm not talking about Manny Machado and his insane three home runs, which made him just the 2nd player in MLB history to hit home runs in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings of a single game.  That was obviously impressive.

2004 SI for Kids #360

Michael Phelps' 19th career Olympic gold medal was equally... if not more impressive than Machado's feat.  But this post isn't about him either. 

1994 Fleer Pro Cards #1063

This post isn't about Alex Rodriguez announcing his retirement either.  Although I've got to admit... after watching his press conference, I had serious mixed emotions.  I can't say I've ever considered myself a fan, but I recognize his accomplishments and his retirement is just another reminder that I'm getting old.  However... like I said... this post isn't about him.

2001 Fleer Tradition #452
2001 Topps Gallery #151 (Japanese)

For this card collector... Ichiro Suzuki's 3000th hit yesterday trumps any of this weekend's sports highlights.  Ever since he entered the league back in 2001, he's been one of my favorite players.

1993 Tomy ID #102

He's the greatest MLB player to come out of Japan and hands down the centerpiece of my Japanese athlete collection.

2004 Topps All-Stars #TAS2
2002 Fleer Ultra #51

I've always been a fan of contact hitters since I was a little kid and Ichiro has to be considered one of the greatest.



Plus he's entertained fans with his insane catches and ridiculous throws from right field over the years.  And let's not forget that he has one of the coolest and unique pre-batting stances in the league.


1991 Leaf Gold Leaf Rookies Bonus #BC25
1991 Leaf Gold Leaf Rookies Bonus #BC26

Congratulations Ichiro, Machado, Phelps, and A-Rod!  You guys seriously put yesterday into the history books.  I can't remember being so excited about watching highlight reels over and over since Rickey Henderson broke Lou Brock's stolen base record and Nolan Ryan threw his 7th career no-hitter on May 1st, 1991.

What about you...


Anyone have a specific date that stands out in sports history for them?

Happy Monday and sayonara!

6 comments:

Zippy Zappy said...

It was fun to see Ichiro reach 3000. It'll be even more fun to see him enter the Hall of Fame as a Yankee.

The Lost Collector said...

March 12, 2009. Syracuse vs UCONN 6 OT college hoops game. I was there and can't ever imagine seeing a better sporting event live.

Marc said...

February 22, 1980. United States Olympic hockey team defeats The Soviet Union. Famously known as The Miracle On Ice.

SumoMenkoMan said...

Hall of Fame bound!

Fuji said...

zippy - i truly hope not. however... i'm not too worried. 12 years in seattle vs. 3 years in ny. i'm betting on seattle.

tlc - wow. had to look that game up. 3 hours 46 minutes. 8 players fouled out. 244 points scored. yeah... that's insane.

marc - nice call. greatest moment in united states hockey history

cardboard curmudgeon - in hindsight... he probably could have hit an inside the park home run... but maybe he thought it was going out.

r laughton - 100% guaranteed

Man said...

You would think being a history major I would be better with dates-but alas not, I am better with events. There is the Kevin Mitchell over the shoulder barehanded catch in STL. Unfortunately I was one of the few people at the stadium who couldn't see the play. There is Lou Brock setting the Stolen Base record-Bruce Sutter throwing the final out of the '82 WS and Yadier Molina's homer against the Mets in the 2006 NLCS