2009 Baseball Card of the Year: 5th Nomination

I would have nominated this one already had I owned it. I picked it up, along with the entire Rangers set off of eBay for a cheap way to knock some cards off of my checklist and also to feed the need to acquire my first Topps Wal-Mart Dark parallels, which I'm glad I got out of my system.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington really looks like a great ballpark. It's hard to believe it's already 15 years old! The stadium in the background plus Murphy and Hamilton celebrating what looks to be a Rangers run.. all put together, this card just might be the best of the year.

Noms thus far:

1. Topps #559 Esteban German
2. Topps # 124 Reed Johnson
3. Topps # 7 Mickey Mantle
4. Topps Allen & Ginter # 18 Clyde Parris
5. Topps #614 David Murphy
   

My Rules:

1. Base cards only.
2. I will only pick from cards I own. Any cards I do not own are automatically DISqualified!
3. Focus will mostly be on photography. Design only plays a small part since this is base cards only.
4. I'll pick as many noms as I want.
5. You can suggest noms, but, see rule 2.
6. I don't know yet how the best card will be selected. (contest?)
7. The card subject must be about baseball and not the Milky Way or something like that.

2009 Baseball Card of the Year: 4th Nomination

When I first saw that there were Negro League Star cards in this year's Allen & Ginter set, I was thrilled! How often does this happen? I love any look into the Negro Leagues since historical information seems scarce, and collectibles even scarcer. This one features Clyde Parris. It states on the back that he played for the New York Black Yankees and the Louisville Buckeyes. He's shown here playing for a Panamanian team in his native country which he went to the Caribbean Series in '57 with. I don't know about you, but I would love to go to any local league's game in the Caribbean or Central America.. or Japan.. Korea.. Australia.. anywhere!

I've come across a few other Negro League cards in this set and I have a feeling there might be some more nominations for my pick of the year from these cards.

Noms thus far:

1. Topps #559 Esteban German
2. Topps # 124 Reed Johnson
3. Topps # 7 Mickey Mantle
4. Topps Allen & Ginter # 18 Clyde Parris
   

My Rules:

1. Base cards only.
2. Can only pick from cards I own. Any cards I do not own are automatically DISqualified!
3. Focus will mostly be on photography. Design only plays a small part since this is base cards only.
4. I'll pick as many noms as I want.
5. You can suggest noms, but, see rule 2.
6. I don't know yet how the best card will be selected. (contest?)
7. The card subject must be about baseball and not the Milky Way or something like that.
   

2009 Baseball Card of the Year: 3rd Nomination

Seeing Mickey during his playing days in something other than a posed head shot is a major plus for me. And this photo is in color! Great picture. Think how much better it could have been if it was taken at Yankee Stadium though?

Noms thus far:

1. Topps #559 Esteban German
2. Topps # 124 Reed Johnson
3. Topps # 7 Mickey Mantle

My Rules:

1. Base cards only.
2. Can only pick from cards I own. Any cards I've not seen or do not have are automatically DISqualified!
3. Focus will mostly be on photography. Design only plays a small part since this is base cards only.
4. I'll pick as many noms as I want.
5. You can suggest noms, but, see rule 2.
6. I don't know yet how the best card will be selected. (contest?)
   

2009 Baseball Card of the Year: 2nd Nomination

Reed Johnson appears to be risking it all making this catch at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
As a fan of any and all things baseball, I can't imagine the game without Wrigley Field. And with the sale of the Cubs finalized just hours ago to a die-hard Cubs fan who even first met his wife at "the friendly confines", hopefully this will bring another 96 years of professional baseball to Wrigley and maybe even a championship for once. The last championship the Cubs won was when their home was at West Side Park.

2009 Baseball Card of the Year: 1st Nomination

This idea is being done on other blogs, but I can't resist doing it myself. I'll be posting my favorites throughout the rest of the year as I acquire more cards. Only cards that I own and only base cards will be chosen. I don't know yet how I'll pick the winner. Either a poll or I'll just pick it myself.

When I first saw this card, it instantly became one of my favorites. This is Topps #559 featuring Esteban German. The cool green grass, the baby blue uniform, the shimmering LED outfield wall in the background.There's a reason the photo guy at Topps didn't crop into this photo too much because he must have felt the same way. I know you've heard it before elsewhere, and I'll say it too. I can't express enough how nice it is to have some really great baseball photography on this years Topps set. Well done!