Saturday, November 13, 2010

George Foster (#120)



This was a card show purchase. George Foster was in Toronto a few years ago for a celebrity dinner, and baseball game the next day. I attended the game the next day, and I ended up missing Foster who had to catch an early flight. The dealer assured me this card was signed at the dinner the night before. George Foster doesn't seem to be on the "circuit" that much, and I haven't seen much through the mail success from him, so I'm hoping it's legit.
George Foster hit for a .274 batting average, with 348 HRs, 1,239 RBIs, 1,925 hits and 986 runs scored in 1,977 games played. In 1977, Foster hit 52 home runs, making him the only major league player to belt 50 or more homers in a single season during a 25-year period (between Willie Mays with 52 in 1965 and Cecil Fielder with 51 in 1990).

Friday, October 29, 2010

Bill Campbell (#8 & 12)



Received both cards signed by mail. Campbell was one of the top relief pitchers in all of baseball with the Minnesota Twins in 1976 and the Boston Red Sox in 1977. He signed with Boston after the 1976 season as one of the first high profile big money free agents in baseball. Campbell was elected to the American League All-Star team in 1977. Campbell was awarded both AL Fireman of the Year by The Sporting News and Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award (the first American League winner and first two-time winner of this award) following the 1976 and 1977 campaigns. He was an All-Star in 1977 and ended his career in 1987 as a member of the Montreal Expos. His career stats are 83-68, 3.54 ERA and 864 strikeouts with 126 saves.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Chris Speier (#53)


Received this card signed in the mail. Chris is currently a coach with the Cincinnati
Reds. He played in the majors for 19 years and started and ended his career with the same team, the San Francisco Giants. In between, he played for Montreal, St Louis, Minnesota, and the Chicago Cubs. He was a 3 time All-Star, and was a lifetime .246 hitter with 112 HR's and 720 RBI's. Chris is also the father of former Blue Jay pitcher Justin Speier.