Sunday, June 30, 2019

Wakefield, Nebraska

Wakefield, Nebraska is a town of about 1,500 people. In 1996, then Gov Ben Nelson proclaimed that Wakefield is the Baseball Capitol of Nebraska.

Eaton Field is one of the most unique fields, featuring original seats from Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium, Wrigley Field, Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium, Milwaukee County Stadium and Anaheim Stadium

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Carl Hubbell

June 16, 1990
Oklahoma Homecoming, Meeker, Ok

Oklahoma native Carl Hubbell was honored this day at the Carl Hubbell Museum, Meeker, Ok
The museum showcases memorabilia from Hubbell's career and is located in the foyer of the Meeker City Hall

Nick-named King Carl, Hubbell pitched for the New York Giants from 1928-1943. Twice voted NL Most Valuable Player, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947.

Hubbell set the record for most consecutive wins at 24 during the 1936-1937 seasons. His performance in the 1934 All-Star Game is legendary, as he struck out 5 consecutive American League All-Stars - Babe ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, Joe Cronin

  • Career record: 253-154
  • Hubbell was selected to the All-Star team 9-times
  • New York Giants jersey #11 retired 1944
  • Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame 1986

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Troy v Worcester - 1992

June 6, 1992 Troy, NY

Baseball in Troy, NY began back during the Civil War. In 1867 the Union Baseball Club of Lansingburgh, traveled down the Hudson to beat the New York Mutuals, earning the nickname "Haymakers". The Haymakers would pay their $10 dues and joined the National Association, the first professional league in 1871, the league disbanded mid-1872

When the National League was formed in 1876, Troy was left out, only to be invited to join after the 1878 season. The finished last in 1879 but continued in the league as the Trojans until 1882. At this time the Worcester Massachusetts team also folded, with both teams being placed on the roll of honorary membership

1992, 110 years after the major leagues had long forgotten the existence of Tory and Worcester, Troy City Manager Steven Dworksy raised funds for a monument to the city's baseball heritage. A game between Troy and Worcester was played at Knickerbacker Park on June 6, playing by the rules and in uniforms of 1882. The San Francisco Giants sent a letter of support

Steven Wulf, ESPN

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

David Cone - Greg Maddux - Cy Young Award

Oct 25, New York, NY
David Cone, Kansas City Royals and Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves awarded the Cy Young Award as the best pitchers of their respective leagues

David Cone signed with the KC Royals as a free agent prior to the 1993, finishing with an 11-14 record, 3.33 ERA. In 1994 his record improved to 16-5, 2.94 ERA to earn the award

Greg Maddux posted a 1.56 ERA. Maddux led the National League with 16 wins and 202 innings pitched. This would be his third Cy Young Award

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Stan Musial

Stan "The Man" Musial played outfield and first base for the St Louis Cardinals from 1941-1944, 1946-1963. Considered to be one of the greatest and most consistent hitters in baseball history. His career batting average was .331 and held records for the NL with 3,630 hits, 1,951 RBI, 3,026 games played, 1,949 runs scored 725 doubles, 475 home runs
Musial was a 7-time batting champion, 3-time NL MVP and played in 3 World Series championships and 24 All-Star games

Musial hit his 3000 hit on May 13, 1958 - On Aug 10, 19981 Pete Rose collected his 3,631 hit to surpass Stan Musial's record. Musial was in attendance at the game
Musial was a first ballot inductee to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969, selected to the St Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame, 2014 (inaugural class)
A statue of Musial was erected outside of Busch Memorial Stadium in 1968. The statue was relocated  to the new Busch Stadium in 2006. The plaque on the statue reads: "Here stands baseball's perfect warriors. Here stands baseball's perfect knight" - Commissioner Ford Frick. The cachet from Collins Cachets for the Wonders of America stamp features the Musial statue


Sunday, June 23, 2019

All-Star Game - 1988 Cincinnati


July 12, 1988 Cincinnati, Oh
Riverfront Stadium
American League defeats the National League 2-1
Winning Pitcher: Frank Viola (Minnesota Twins) - Losing Pitcher: Dwight Gooden (New York Mets)
Home Runs: Terry Steinbach (Oakland Athletics)
Terry Steinbach was named the Most Valuable Player

Saturday, June 22, 2019

All-Star Game - 1986 Houston

July 15, 1986 Houston Texas
Astrodome
Vice President George Bush threw out first pitch
American League defeated the National League 3-2
Winning pitcher: Roger Clemens (Boston Red Sox) -- Losing pitcher: Dwight Gooden (NY Mets)
Home Runs: Lou Whitaker (Detroit Tigers) Frank White (KC Royals)
Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens was named Most Valuable Player
Wally Joyner
Dave Winfield


Friday, June 21, 2019

All-Star Game - 1985 Minnesota

 sticker cachet with Harmon Killebrew autograph
 Lou Whitaker
Rickey Henderson
Dave Winfield
July 16, 1985 Minneapolis, Mn
HHHumphrey Metrodome
National League defeats American League 6-1
Winning pitcher: LaMarr Hoyt (San Diego Padres) -- Losing pitcher: Jack Morris (Detroit Tigers)
LaMarr Hoyt was named Most Valuable Player
Honorary captains: Harmon Killebrew (AL) Sandy Koufax (NL)

Thursday, June 20, 2019

All-Star Game - 1984 San Francisco

autograph of Fernando Valenzuela

July 10, 1984 San Francisco, Ca
Candlestick Park
National League defeats American League 3-1
Winning pitcher: Charlie Lea (Montreal Expos) -- Losing pitcher: Dave Stieb (Toronto Blue Jays)
Home runs: George Brett (KC Royals) Gary Carter (Montreal Expos) Dale Murphy (Atlanta Braves)
Carl Hubbell threw out the ceremonial first pitch

National League pitchers Dwight Gooden and Fernando Valenzuela would combine to strikeout 6 consecutive batters (4th and 5th innings) to best the feat of Carl Hubbell's 5 consecutive batters struck out during the 1934 All-Star game
Bill Gallo cartoon from the New York Daily News calling Dwight Gooden "A New York Youth's Inspiration"


Wednesday, June 19, 2019

All-Star Game - 1982 Montreal

July 13, 1982 Montreal, Canada
Olympic Stadium

National League defeats American League 4-1
Winning pitcher: Steve Rogers (Montreal Expos) -- Losing pitcher: Dennis Eckersely (Boston Red Sox)
Home Runs: Dave Concepcion (Cincinnati Reds)
Dave Concepcion was named Most Valuable Player
This was the first All-Star game to be played outside of the United States

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

All-Star Game - 1979 Seattle

July 17, 1979 Seattle, Wa
Kingdome
National League defeated the American League 7-6
Winning pitcher: Bruce Sutter (Chicago Cubs) -- Losing pitcher: Jim Kern (Texas Rangers)
Home runs: Lee Mazzilli (New York Mets) Fred Lynn (Boston Red Sox)
Pittsburgh Pirates' Dave Parker named Most Valuable Player
Parker had 2 assists on putouts at third and home

Monday, June 17, 2019

All-Star Game - 1987 Oakland

 Oakland A's meter cancel from Dec 1986 promoting the 1987 All-star Game

July 14, 1987 Oakland, Ca
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Larry Doby threw out the ceremonial first pitch
National League defeats American League 2-0
Winning pitcher: Lee Smith (Chicago Cubs) -- Losing pitcher: Jay Howell (Oakland As)
After 12 scoreless innings, the National League scored 2 runs in the top of the 13th. With 2 outs, and 2 runners on base, Tim Raines hit a triple to bring in the winning runs
Montreal Expos' Tim Raines was named Most Valuable Player
autographed by Tim Raines

Sunday, June 16, 2019

All-Star Game - 1976 Philadelphia

July 13, 1976 Philadelphia, Pa
Veteran's Stadium

National League defeats American League 7-1
Winning Pitcher: Randy Jones (San Diego Padres) -- Losing Pitcher: Mark Fidrych (Detroit Tigers)
Home Runs: Fred Lynn (Boston Red Sox) George Foster (Cincinnati Reds) Cesar Cedeno (Houston Astros)
Cincinnati Reds George Foster was named Most Valuable Player
Honorary captains were Robin Roberts (NL) and Bob Lemon (AL)

As the site of the Continental Congress and signing of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia was selected to host the NBA All-Star Game, the NHL All-Star Game, the NCAA Final Four and the MLB All-Star Game as part of the Bicentennial Celebration

Saturday, June 15, 2019

All-Star Game - 1972 Atlanta

July 25, 1972 Atlanta, Ga
Atlanta Stadium

National League defeated the American League 4-3
Winning pitcher: Tug McGraw (New York Mets) -- Losing pitcher: Dave McNally (Baltimore Orioles)
Home Runs: Cookie Rojas (KC Royals) Hank Aaron (Atlanta Braves)
Cincinnati Reds' Joe Morgan was named Most Valuable Player

This was the 5th All-Star game to reach extra innings, going into the 10th.
This was the 3rd game hosted by the Braves (1936 Boston and 1955 Milwaukee) but the first to be played in Atlanta. This would be the only All-Star game played in Atlanta Stadium, as the Braves would move to Turner Field in 1997
This was Roberto Clemente's final All-Star game appearance

Friday, June 14, 2019

All-Star Game - 1970 Cincinnati

July 14, 1970 Cincinnati, Oh
Riverfront Stadium
National League defeats American League 5-4
Winning pitcher: Claude Osteen (LA Dodgers) -- Losing pitcher: Clyde Wright (California Angels)
Home runs: Dick Dietz (San Francisco Giants)
Carl Yastrzemski was named Most Valuable Player for his 4-hits in a game, which tied the All-Star game record
Rico Carty became the first player to be elected to the All-Star team by the fans write-in vote
In the final play of the game, in the bottom of the 12th inning, Pete Rose bowled over catcher Ray Fosse to win the game. The play injured Fosse shoulder and he would never reach the same level of play

Thursday, June 13, 2019

2019 - Vancouver Asahi - Canada Post

Formed in 1914, during a time of overt racism, the Vancouver Asahi, an amateur Japanese-Canadian baseball team, whose name means "morning sun", thrilled fans and outwitted competitors with a unique strategy of bunts, base sterling, speed and squeeze plays that the media dubbed "brain ball".

The Asahi became on of the city's dominant amateur teams between 1919 - 1941. The team was forced to disband after Canada entered the War with Japan, and interned more than 20,000 Japanese living on the west coast, even though they were citizens

The Asahi earned their place in the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

The stamp was designed by Vancouver's Subplot Design, Inc, and features the 1940 team photo

Canada Post

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Wally Moon

Postmarked in Luna, NM on the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, this fanciful cover commemorates Wally Moon. Over a 12-year career, Moon played for the St Louis Cardinals (1954-1958) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (1959-1965). 1954 he was named Rookie of the Year, and was selected to 2 All-Star teams. Moon won the Golden Glove and had a career batting average of .295. He led the National League in triples in 1959.

Moon won 3 World Series Championships with the Dodgers