Home Run Special - Omaha, Nebraska

#1 Babe Ruth - August 1983

#2 Roberto Clemente - August 1984

#3 Lou Gehrig - March 1985

#4 Enos Slaughter - August 1985

#5 Dizzy Dean - April 1986

#6 Johnny Mize - August 1985

 #7 Bobby Doerr - March 1987

#8 Mickey Mantle - March 1987

#9 Eddie Mathews - August 1987

#10 Stan Musial - February 1988

#11 Billy Herman - August 1988

#12 Harmon Killebrew - August 1988

#13 - Luke Appling - February 1989

#14 - Lou Gehrig first day cover - cachet show a image of Jackie Robinson "Sliding Home"

The Gehrig estate required a payment to use the likeness of Lou Gehrig on any merchandise that would be used to make a profit. For this reason the Omaha stamp club may have chosen not to use Gehrig's likeness on the cachet - June 1989

#15 - Lou Boudreau - March 1990

#16 Don Drysdale - March 1990

1983 cancel - generic cachet

1985 postmark on a generic cover with a Darryl Strawberry rubber stamp signature

Bull Durham - Crash Davis commemorative with the 1988 postmark

Hank Aaron - Ron Alexander cachet

Charleston Alley Cats

April 15, 1996 Charleston, WVa - Opening Day

1997 Opening Day postmark

The Charleston Wheelers won the Class A South Atlantic League title in 1990, while affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1993 the team was purchased by a conglomerate ownership and the name was changed to the Charleston Alley Cats in 1995.

In 2001 the team was again sold and changed their affiliation to the Kansas City Royals, 2001 Toronto Blue Jays, 2004 Milwaukee Brewers and in 2005 they changed their name to West Virginia Power to reflect the area as a leading energy provider to the country.. 

Billy Martin Returns - New York Yankees

April 12, 1983 Yankee Stadium

Billy's Back

The feelings between Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and Yankee Manager Billy Martin are well documented and utilized for great Yankee public relations drama...

Between 1973 and 1990 Steinbrenner hired 19 managers...

Billy Martin had played second base for the Yankees from 1950-1957, finishing his career with the Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Red, Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins (1957-1961)...

Martin would take charge of the Yankees in 1975, after experiences managing the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers... in 1978 Matin would be replaced by Bob Lemon after an incident with Reggie Jackson during a game at Fenway Park. Martin learned that Steinbrenner was looking into a deal that would trade Martin for Lemon who was managing the White Sox. Martin issued a statement regarding Jackson and Steinbrenner stating  They deserve each other. One's a born liar (Jackson) and the others convicted (Steinbrenner for illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon)...

Martin resigned the following day before he could be fired. Lemon was fired by the White Sox one month prior and hired immediately by Steinbrenner...

At the 1979 Old-Timers Day at Yankee Stadium an announcement was made that Martin would return in 1980 to replace Lemon as the Yankee manager. However due to a poor start in 1979, Lemon would be fired by Steinbrenner and Martin brought in early than anticipated. Following the 1979 season an altercation with a fan landed Martin in trouble and Steinbrenner fired him, bringing in Dick Howser for the 1980 season.

Martin would return to the Yankees 3-times more in 1983, 1985 and 1988 never lasting the complete season...

In 1983 the Yankees promoted Martin's return with "Billy's Back" campaign showing Martin pointing to his #1 jersey.

 1983 Yankee souvenir program

1985 Sports Illustrated

George Brett - Pine Tar Game

"The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from the end, may be covered or treated with any material (including pine tar) to improve the grip. any such material, including pine tar, which extends past the 18-inch limitation in the umpire's judgement, shall cause the bat to be removed from the game. No such material shall improve the reaction or distance factor of the bat."

Rule 1.10(b) Official Rules of Baseball, 1983

Jul 24, 1983 the Kansas City Royals trailed the New York Yankees 4-3 with 2-outs in the top of the ninth at Yankee Stadium. George Brett stepped to the plate and hit a 2-run home run off of pitcher Goose Gossage to give the Royals the lead.

Before Brett could cross home plate, Yankee manager Billy Martin came charging out of the dugout ordering the umpire to check Brett's bat. The umpire did so and determined that the pine tar extended beyond the 18-inch rule and nullified the home run and ejected Brett from the game for using an illegal bat. Brett's reaction has become a baseball legend...

The Royals filed a protest and the American League president Lee McPhial upheld their protest and ordered the game to be resumed on Aug 18. Kansas City would hold their re-instituted led and defeat the Yankees 5-4...

MiLB - Shreveport Captains

poor copy of the Feb dated postmark

1990-Feb-25/16

1989-June-11

1990-Sep-25 Red River Stamp Club - Shreveport, La

the postmark was used in February and was mistakenly labeled "Sep"

The club thought the postal service device would not arrive in time, so they ordered another. The club's device had the date within the baseball. the postal service device had the date under the Shreveport banner.

The club used their device on show covers, while the postal service used their device for mail-in requests. Those covers postmarked for mail-in requests had the mistaken September date - Sports Philatelist International

1991-Feb-23 Red River Stamp Club - Shreveport La

The Shreveport Captains, were a AA-team, that played in the Texas League from 1971-2000. In 2001 the team was renamed the Swamp Dragons.
The team was affiliated with the California Angels (1971-1972) Milwaukee Brewers (1973-1974, Pittsburgh Pirates (1975-1978) and the San Francisco Giants (1929-2002)
After the 2002 season the team was relocated to Frisco, Texas...

Stamp Show - Iepex : Spokane, Wa

May 24, 1986 Iepex Sta, Spokane Washington

Wm Roy Rice Linoprint cachet
The cancel commemorates the 100th anniversary of baseball in Spokane, Wa
Inland Empire Philatelic Society

Delaware Sport Card Show

May 3, 1986 Dover, De

First Blue Hen Mall Baseball Card show

signed by Forrest Jacobs and Dick Hall

The Blue Hen Mall opened in 1968 and closed in 1991 when it was converted into a corporate center. It was the main mall in Dover until the Dover Mall opened in 1982.

Forrest "Spook" Jacobs - second baseman playing for the Philadelphia Athletics, Kansas City Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1954-1956. Born in Cheswold, De - 1925
Jacobs worked with cachet producer Herman McNatt, together they produced a line of first day covers "Baseball Parade" that honored the stamp issue, but also featured Jacobs and autographed.

Dick Hall - pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies from 1952-197. He compiled a W-L record of 93-75, with a 3.32 ERA.

2-time World Series Champion and an inductee into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame

Joe Collins

May 11, 1985 Union, NJ

Joe Collins (1922-1989) was born in Scranton, Pa. He played for the New York Yankees from 1948 until 1957. 10 years with one club, during which time he played in 7 World Series. Collins was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 1958 season, but chose to retire.

Collins lived in Union, New Jersey and was essential in the development of the Union Little League and was honored by the town by having a park named after him. I had the pleasure of attending the dedication ceremony and prepared a couple of dedication envelopes.

A brass keychain has handed out to all in attendance. The front is made to look like a Yankees game ticket and the back has a Joe Collins signature.

Roger Maris

1984.07.21 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

The New York Yankees honored both Roger Maris and Elston Howard with plaques placed in Monument Park and jersey retirement.

Maris started his major league career as a rookie with the Cleveland Indians, before being traded to the Kansas City Athletics half way through his second year. Maris was elected to the All-Star team the following year, 1959.

The Yankees took notice of the young ballplayer and made a deal for him, bringing him into an outfield with Mickey Mantle in 1960. Maris would be named the American League MVP and win a Gold Glove for fielding.

In 1961 both Maris and Mantle made headlines with their chase of Babe Ruth's impossible task of 60 home runs in a season. Mantle would fall short at 54 due to injuries, but Maris continued hitting his 61st home run in the last game of the season. Again Maris would be named the American League MVP.

While with the Yankees Maris would win two World Championships and lead the league in home runs 3-times and score more than 100 runs four consecutive years.

Following the 1966 season, Maris would be traded to the St Louis Cardinals, where he would win his 3rd World Series. In total Maris appeared in 7 World Series, winning 3, elected to the All-star team 7-times

Oct 1, 1999 Fargo, ND Hometown Hero pictorial postmark

Official Roger Maris Website

Phil Niekro

1984-Jul-04 Bronx, NY and Arlington Tx - Gateway Cachet

Phil Niekro recorded his 3,000 career strikeout against the Texas Rangers in Arlington

1985-Oct-06 Toronto, Canada

Niekro wins his 300th career game as the Yankees defeat the Blue Jays at Exhibition Stadium 8-0

Niekro pitched a 4-hit complete game shutout

1984-Aug-06 Atlanta, Ga.

The Atlanta Braves honored pitcher Phil Niekro by retiring his jersey #35. Niekro pitched for the Atlanta Braves from 1964-1983 returning in 1987 to finish his career. Niekro also pitched for New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and the Toronto Blue Jays from 1984-1987.

Niekro was a 5-time All-Star (1969, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1984), won 5 Gold Gloves (1978-1980, 1982, 1983) won the Roberto Clemente Award 1980, 2-time National League wins leader (1974, 1979) Major League ERA leader 1967, National League strike-out leader 1977.

August 5, 1973 Niekro pitched a no-hitter for the Braves against the San Diego Padres

Niekro was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997

Niekro brothers combined victories

Kings of Sport

Babe Ruth - Kings of Sport 2

Oct 1974 Baltimore, d

Joe DiMaggio - Kings of Sport 11

Nov 25, 1975 Martinez, Ca

Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio were part of a 15-cover set produced by the Lacrosse Hall of Fame Foundation honoring the best in sport...

Refer to the Kings of Sport page for the complete 15-cover set...