Fly By

The generosity of this blogging community continues! Adam of Infield Fly Rule sent more than a hundred cards featuring Tigers and other players. I was a bit overwhelmed trying to find a way to show off such card diversity. After consulting with my friend The Ump, I decided to go with her suggestion to share a few different players.  I've been force-feeding Tigers to you for sometime now. 

Sleeping Tiger in the midst

Mike Piazza timed his NL ROY in 1993 quite conveniently to my blossoming need to collect his cards.  He and Tim Salmon (Angels AL ROY)  were the beginnings of my player collections. While I've kept most of Salmon's cards, I don't intend to add any new issues - unless of course, I come across a nice auto, or perhaps a sweet patch card. It's hard to see Piazza in an A's uniform. Yellow and green just don't look quite right on him...or anyone for that matter.

Michael Young is probably my favorite all-time Texas Ranger.  Frank Catalanotto, Rusty Greer and Ivan Rodriguez would be the others. Young left the team and took most of my Ranger interests with him. 


Jeff-the only paper here is cardboard-Bagwell

As 1991 NL ROY, Jeff was a couple of years into his career when I came along. Living in Texas, I had local tv access to Astros games two or three times a week.  His wide-open, crouched batting stance intrigued me.  He shrank the strike zone considerably and walked often.  He also suffered a broken left hand in 1993, 1994 and 1995.  A lifetime Astro with over 2300 hits and .297 average, Bagwell is yet to make the HOF but still making the ballot.  Only time will tell.

Ryno, my favorite Cub - Thanks to cable television I was able to enjoy the Braves and Cubs almost daily.  Ryne retired briefly in 1994, played again in 96 and 97 then hung up the cleats for good.  He had already played his best years by the time I became interested in the game. Ryne was the owner of a MLB record 123 consecutive games played at 2nd base without an error. (In 2007, Tiger Placido Polanco became the new record holder.)  Ryne was a ten time All-Star, nine time Gold Glover and won seven Silver Sluggers. 

I can't imagine my collection without Ripken's cards.  Cal was a class act when baseball truly needed one.  During the 1994 players strike, baseball lost a LOT of fans. His streak of consecutive games played would surpass those of Gehrig's in 1995. Dare I say this record will now never be broken?  Fans all over the country flocked to their hometown parks when the Orioles were in town.  We wanted a glimpse of the Iron Man.  Ripken expressed his gratitude to baseball fans everywhere; for the kindness shown to him over the years and for their love of the game. Of all the players I've had the pleasure to watch, he is by far my favorite...and he's not a Tiger!

Adam didn't forget the fun!  Jason Michaels won the Roberto Clemente award  for community service in 2006.  He was arrested in 2005 for assaulting a Philadelphia police officer.  Part of his sentencing required 100 hours of community service.  Somebody Puh-Lease tell me these hours weren't included when his name came up for consideration.

 My favorite card from 1994 Upper Deck.  The Tiger colors and emblem are a thing of beauty here!  Mike Moore is a fellow Okie who pitched for the Mariners, A's and Tigers. 

Ok, so I had to post a Tiger. One SINGLE Tiger.  Get over it...

or stick it!