1970 Topps: #6 Grant Jackson

one of the most accepted definitions of a "journey man" in baseball would be someone who plays for several years (usually over 10), for a few different teams (usually over 3) and is deemed "valuable". I think it is important to add that any and every player on the 25 man roster is valuable and one who spends several years on a teams roster must be valuable.

Having said that, I present card #6 from the 1970 Topps set; Grant Jackson.

An 18 year veteran who played for six different teams (Phillies 1965-70, Orioles 71-76, NYY 76, Pirates 77-81 and 82, Expos 81 and Royals 82). A one-time all-star (1969), where in that year he had career high in wins (14), losses (18), innings pitched (253) and strikeouts (180).

Jackson played in 13 post season games, including three world series' (having won one ring in 1979 with Pittsburgh). His post season record of 3 - 0 in 17 2/3 innings is highlighted by being the winning pitching of record for game 7 in 1979. Jackson ended his career with a 86-75 W-L record to go aong with his 79 saves.

Grant Jackson, card #6 . . . a true valuable journeyman.

"The Heater"

That was the nickname for Neal Heaton during his days at the University of Miami (1979-1981). Heaton was drafted 2nd by the Cleveland Indians (39th overall) in the 1981 draft and played for seven teams from 1982 until 1993. While his major league career record of 80-96, 4.37 era and 699 strikeouts do not accurately reflect his "heat" or potential; Heaton was actually the first UM player ever to be selected to a Major League All-Star game, 1990 (though did not play).
It was in college that Heaton was known to throw fire. The two-time All American won 42 games as a Hurricane and had 23 strikeouts in one game against Indiana State on March 10, 1981. He has had his #26 retired by the UM baseball team and elected to the UM Hall of Fame in 1992. With Coach Ron Fraser running the team like a "minor league show", attendance at Mark Light Stadium on the campus of UM was packed every night, especially when "the Heater" was on the mound.

At 6'1" and 200 lbs, Heaton was the "stud", "the sure thing", "a can't miss", a left handed fireballer who threw 93 mph. Originally drafted by the N Y Mets in 1979, they offered him a insultingly low signing bonus of only $ 35,000, and after rejecting it flat out, Heaton opted to attend Oklahoma State University in Stillwater OK. It was not very long until Ron Fraser (UM Coach) picked up the phone and coaxed Heaton into coming to Coral Gables.

Just one year prior to that unrelated event, in March 1978, I had visited the U and decided that is where I was going to spend "the best four years of my life". Living on fraternity row, which was right across the street from Mark Light Stadium, home games were "party time" in and out of the stadium. Many times we would sneak in during the between inning commotions (orchestrated by head coach Fraser, termed the P T Barnum of college baseball by Sports Illustrated in 1977) and watch our Hurricanes win day in and day out.

Back then . . . baseball was king in Coral Gables, Heaton was the stud on the mound and I did my best to survive the "best four years of my life".

Bicentennial George Brett

Twenty-one (21) seasons in small market Kansas City, thirteen (13) times an all-star (consecutive years), three silver slugger awards, one AL MVP (1980) and one World Championship ring (1985). Career statistics that earned Brett a first ballot (98.2%) election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 and he was the first player to have his number (#5) retired by the Royals.

The notorious "Pine Tar Incident" (1983); 3,154 career hits and according to historian Bill James; George Howard Brett is the second-best third baseman ever to play the game (behind Mike Schmidt).

I present his 1977 Topps All-Star card # 580 (with the stats on the back obviously depicting the year 1976). In 1976, Brett was elected to his first of thirteen consecutive all-star teams, led the league in hits (215, the most in his career with 160 singles), BA (.333) and total bases (298) and came in 2nd in MVP voting (behind Thurman Munson).

All that may be well and good but Brett was also very patriotic (even if he had not planned on being so). At the conclusion of the 1976 campaign, Brett had exactly 1776 hits ! (something I refer to as a "Clemente-ism", a statistical quirk occurring at the end of a year and depicted on ones card). Nice way to celebrate the Bicentennial !

More Good Mail Arrived Today

My mail-person (a real nice lady) must like me, as opposed to Night Owls mail person who holds out on him. I received another great package today, from Chris at Project 1962 , and once again has made my Wednesday much more enjoyable. Here is a good sample of why today was a good day.

Chris sent me many cards from my want list including three 1987 Topps All Star Rookies; Snyder, Tartabull and Incaviglia and this 1962 Jake Wood. While the condition is not pristine, it is still I card I greatly appreciate and needed (as an aside, I am in the camp that for "vintage" cards, condition is secondary to the story of the players).

Woods Rookie Year, 1961, was his best of his career with 170 hits, 14 triples playing in every 162 games. His career never got any better and had a short and fast stay with the Tigers.
I like these cards with the little gold trophies on them (hint hint for future trades).

Chris also sent a Cubbie from the sixties (1964 Don Elston) and the seventies (1970 Paul Popovich) Pictured here is the 1964 Don Elston, in a typical face shot of the time. Elston spent the better part of nine seasons with the Cubs, appearing in 450 career games (all but one as a Cub) and amassing a record of 49-54. Elston was elected to one All Star Game (1959) and was the workhorse for the Cubs, leading the National League in games played in 1958 and 1959.

Also in this envelope were two UD Masterpieces; Derek Lee and this Carlos Zambrano. And if that was not enough an assortment of Chicago Cub "greats" were included:

Thank you to Chris who made my Wednesday . . . can this week get any better ? The mail-lady will be the judge of that.