Wantlist - 2007 Allen and Ginter.

Well, the week has been busy and I have been lazy so the wantlist is not yet posted to the website. As such we are moving on to 2007 Allen and Ginter. Today Frank Catalanotto appears on card number 198 in the set. Here's what I am still looking for to complete this team set:

2007 Allen and Ginter
110 Michael Young SP
248 Ron Washington
345 Sammy Sosa SP

I really like these A&G sets and would like to finish this one up. Like the 2006 set, I need any minis I can lay my hands on as well. Let me know if you have any you are willing to part with. Ok, here's the next segment of the tradelist:

Alex Rodriguez
2004 Fleer Inscribed #47
2007 Topps #650
2009 Allen and Ginter Highlight Sketches #AGHS16
2010 Topps Heritage #19
2010 Topps Legendary Lineage #LL3

Ivan Rodriguez
2003 Bazooka #101
2003 Bowman Heritage Signature #55
2003 Donruss Champions #258 (x2)
2003 Donruss Classics #99
2003 Finest #18
2003 Flair #16
2003 Fleer Authentix #100
2003 Fleer Avant #36
2003 Fleer Focus JE #133 (x2)
2003 Fleer Patchworks #6
2003 Studio #125
2003 Upper Deck #455
2003 Upper Deck MVP #82 (x3)
2004 Absolute Memorabilia #76
2004 Donruss #268
2004 Donruss Classics #97
2004 Donruss Leather and Lumber #51 (x2)
2004 Donruss Throwback Threads #71
2004 Fleer Classic Clippings #68 (x2)
2004 Fleer Genuine Insider #61
2004 Fleer MLB Hot Prospects #22 (x2)
2004 Fleer National Pastime #14
2004 Fleer Patchworks #20
2004 Fleer Platinum #7
2004 Fleer Showcase #98
2004 Fleer Tradition #3 (x3)
2004 Leaf #133
2004 Playoff Prestige #76
2004 Skybox Autographics #40 (x2)
2004 Studio #75
2004 SPx #93 (x2)
2004 Topps Opening Day #122
2004 Ultra #37
2004 Ultra #229
2004 Upper Deck Awesome Honors #H-7 (x2)
2004 Upper Deck Diamond Pro Sigs #36
2005 Bazooka #40 (x2)
2005 Bowman Heritage Topps Heritage Red Backs #42
2005 Donruss #185 (x2)
2005 Donruss Diamond Kings #90
2005 Donruss Leather and Lumber #50
2005 Finest Refractors 48 (numbered 331/399)
2005 Fleer Authentix #26
2005 Fleer Classic Clippings #27 (x5)
2005 Fleer Patchworks #6
2005 Fleer Platinum #29 (x3)
2005 Fleer Showcase #18
2005 Leaf Passing Through Time #PTT-265
2005 Leaf Road #R-7
2005 Topps #363 (x3)
2005 Topps #696
2005 Topps Chrome #30
2005 Topps Heritage New Age Performers #NAP9
2005 Topps Opening Day #30 (x3)
2005 Topps Total Award Winner #AW25
2005 Ultra #12
2005 Upper Deck #271
2005 Upper Deck ESPN #31 (x6)
2005 Upper Deck MVP #34
2005 Upper Deck Reflections #8
2006 Bazooka Stamps #22
2006 Fleer #350 (x6)
2006 SPx #34
2006 Topps #175
2006 Topps #658 (x3)
2006 Topps Opening Day #9 (x3)
2006 Topps Turkey Red #371
2006 Topps Updates #UH223
2006 Upper Deck First Pitch Diamond Stars #DS-13 (x2)
2007 Allen and Ginter #85
2007 Topps #70
2007 Topps #318 (x2)
2007 Topps Turkey Red #14
2007 Topps Wal-Mart #WM3 (x2)
2008 Topps #76 (x2)
2008 Upper Deck #495
2008 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes #185

Kind of a long list. The Ivan Rodriguez list is not yet complete with the recent break-up of the Pudge collection. Let me know if you are looking for anything listed here or in previous tradelist posts.

1974 Topps - Jeff Burroughs.

Another poor picture today on card number 223 of the 1974 Topps set. Jeff Burroughs' face is so obscured by shadow that it's hard to make out his features. Not that getting a good shot should have been hard, by the looks of things this was a day game.

Despite his poor cardboard showing, Jeff had an awesome year in 1974. The Rangers' first-string right fielder played in 152 games that year. And what a 152 games they were.

Burroughs destroyed American League pitching. In 662 plate appearances he posted a .301 batting average (8th in the league) and a .397 on-base percentage (3rd in the league). His slugging percentage was .504 (3rd in the league). Jeff drew 91 walks (3rd in the league) and hit 25 home runs (4th in the league) and 33 doubles (5th in the league). His 118 RBI led the American League. Perhaps the 12 intentional walks he drew that season were an indicator of what opposing managers thought of his offensive skills. Only four players were intentionally walked more.

As a result of this performance Burroughs won the American League MVP award by an overwhelming majority. He was the only player mentioned on every ballot and beat second place Joe Rudi by 86.5 points in the voting. Other top vote getters included Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, and Fergie Jenkins. Pretty impressive company and stiff competition for the MVP award. This award was historic stuff. No other player from an expansion team had ever won the MVP award. In just his second full season in the majors Jeff Burroughs appeared to have broken out in a big way.

Minor League Monday - Cecil Espy, 1987 ProCards.

The Rangers picked Cecil Espy up from the Dodgers in the 1986 Rule 5 Draft. By that point he had appeared in 20 games for the Dodgers at the Major League level. In 1987 he appeared on card number 148 of the 1987 ProCards set as a member of the Oklahoma City Eighty-Niners.

Cecil spent most of the 1987 season in Triple A. He would play in just 14 games for the Rangers as compared to 118 for OKC. In those 118 games Espy would come to the plate 482 times. In those plate appearances Cecil would draw 31 walks and would post a .302 batting average. That would result in a .347 on base percentage.

I remember Espy as a speed merchant and his 1987 numbers bear that out. He stole 46 bases and was caught 14 times. He wasn't a power hitter though with just one home run and six triples all season.

Espy played mostly outfield during his career. Interestingly though, he played 51 games at shortstop with OKC in 1987. Not sure if this was an attempt to convert his position or the result of injuries to other players. It didn't seem to stick though and his fielding percentage dropped by six points with the move. Defensively he was better in the outfield.

Based perhaps mostly on his speed, Texas decided to hang on to Cecil Espy. He'd had a good year at Triple A and his brief stint with the parent club was inconclusive. Perhaps he might get a better look the next season. If he could convert his batting average to the Bigs he could well be a danger on the base paths.

Senators Saturday - Tom Sturdivant, 1961.

The Senators grabbed Tom Sturdivant from the Boston Red Sox in the 1960 expansion draft. Today he is appearing on card number 293 of the 1961 Topps set.

in 1961 Tom appeared in 15 games and started 10 of them. In 80 innings he would post a 4.61 ERA while facing 339 batters. He would surrender 43 walks (3 of those being intentional) while striking out 39. His WHIP was 1.338.

None of Sturdivant's numbers were career bests, they really weren't even standout numbers. That might have been why Washington didn't hold on to him. On June 29, 1961 the Senators traded Tom to the Pittsburg Pirates straight across for pitcher Tom Cheney. That would end his brief tenure as a Senator.

Hanging with Nolan.

Well, the day after Thanksgiving is when Mrs. Spiff unpacks the decorations and spruces up the house for Christmas. I haven't pulled out the Texas Rangers Santa hat yet but I did hang this Nolan Ryan ornament on the tree.

Got this ornament a couple of years ago as a gift from Mrs. Spiff. She picked it up on Ebay. Released by Hallmark under the name Keepsake Ornaments I think it came out in 1995. Along with the ornament came a card also featuring Nolan. The card was issued by Classic.

So, got your baseball Christmas decorations out yet?

On the ballot.

Juan Gonzalez and a piece of his jersey appear on today's card, a 2002 SP Authentic Game Jersey #J-JGo. SP chose a rather embarrassing picture as it looks like Juan has just swung and missed.

So, Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro are both on this year's Hall of Fame ballot. Both spent considerable time with the Rangers. Raffy was in Texas for ten seasons out of 20. Gonzo was there for 13 of his 17 seasons.

Gonzalez ended his career with a .295 batting average and a .343 on base percentage. He hit 434 home runs, 388 doubles, and had 1,404 RBI. He also won six Silver Slugger awards and two American League MVP awards. He was selected to three All-Star games. He led the American League in slugging percentage once, doubles once, home runs twice, and RBI once.

Palmeiro compiled a career .288 batting average and a .371 on base percentage. He hit 569 home runs, 585 doubles, and had 1,835 RBI. He also won two Silver Slugger awards and three Gold Gloves. He was selected to four All-Star games. He led the league in hits once, doubles once, and singles once.

Raffy also lied to congress about his steroid use as proven by a failed test. Gonzalez has been mentioned as a possible user but there has never been any proof.

So, what is your opinion? Should either or both of these guys get into The Hall? If you had a vote would you check their name? Why? Why not?

Wantlist - 2006 Allen and Ginter.

Moving on from Absolute Memorabilia today to Allen and Ginter. Akinori Otsuka appears on card number 119 of the 2006 set. Here's what I need to complete the regular size team set:

2006 Allen & Ginter
177 Francisco Cordero
178 Kevin Millwood
215 Michael Young SP
253 Ian Kinsler

If you have any of these or any of the Ranger minis from 2006 please drop me a line. I would love to get this set finished off. Here's the next installment in the tradelist:

Manny Ramirez
1993 Upper Deck #433
1994 Bowman #371
1994 Upper Deck #23
1994 Collector's Choice #16
1994 Ultra #351
1995 Sportflix #HT13
1998 Collector's Choice Stick-Ums #11
1998 Thunder #24
1999 Metal Universe #211
1999 UD Choice #76
1999 Upper Deck Encore #28
1999 Victory #117
2010 Topps Cards Your Mom Threw Out #CMT103
2010 Topps Town
2010 Upper Deck Tape Measure Shots #TMS-14

Cal Ripken, Jr.
1988 Donruss #171 (x2)
1988 Donruss #625 (x2)
1988 Fleer #570
1988 Fleer #635
1988 Fleer #640
1988 Score #550
1988 Score #651
1988 Topps #650 (x2)
1989 Donruss #51 (x2)
1989 Donruss #BC-15
1989 Topps #250
1990 Bowman #255
1990 Donruss #BC-18
1990 Donruss #96
1990 Donruss #676
1990 Fleer #187
1990 Score #2 (x4)
1990 Topps #8
1990 Topps #388 (x2)
1990 Upper Deck #266
1991 Donruss #223 (x3)
1991 Fleer #490
1991 Studio #9 (x3)
1991 Score #95
1991 Score #433 (x2)
1991 Upper Deck #347
1992 Upper Deck #645 (x4)
1992 Donruss #BC1 (x2)
1992 Donruss Triple Play #199 (x2)
1992 Donruss Triple Play #253
1992 Donruss All-Stars #22 (x2)
1992 Score #540
1992 Studio #129 (x2)
1992 Topps #400
1992 Ultra #11
1992 Upper Deck #82
1992 Upper Deck #165
1993 Fleer #551
1993 Leaf #431
1993 Upper Deck #36 (x2)
1993 Donruss #518
1993 Donruss #559 (x3)
1994 Collector’s Choice #240 (x2)
1994 Donruss #140
1994 Topps #604
1994 Upper Deck #425
1996 Topps #222
1997 Collector’s Choice #41
1997 Score #546
1997 Topps #400
2009 Topps Legends Chrome Wal-Mart #PR-17
2010 Topps Wal-Mart refractor #WME-2
2010 Turkey Red #TR19

Kind of a long list there but it seems that Cal Ripken Jr. was around for awhile. Again, let me know if you see anything you can use. Also, I am trying to get a comprehensive wantlist posted to my website. Should I do that I think I will have to come up with something else for Wednesdays. Any suggestions would be appreciated.