RIP Willie McCovey

I feel bad.

I actually didn't know Willie McCovey was still alive until I heard that he died. I think there are a handful of stars from the past that I probably couldn't tell you whether or not they are still with us. I guess my lack of interest in organizations outside of the one I root for are one of my biggest shortcomings as a fan.

Still, I did know he was a great player and revered by the fanbases that he played for, notably the Giants and Padres. I had no idea he had a short stint as an Oakland A until I saw a few photos on Twitter.

I also didn't know he was the original Big Mac, although it makes sense now that I think about it.

Regardless, I do have a few vintage McCovey cards that I keep in my son's HOF binder. Side note: I don't think I've updated that page in a few year, but I am constantly adding cards to this binder, many of which were sent by generous bloggers.

So with that, here are three that stick out. RIP, Stretch.

A McCovey for Joey

I've still been picking up cards of HOFers for Joey, my two-year-old son. I don't show them off as often as I used to, but building a collection of HOFers is still a priority of mine. I have no idea if he'll be into cards when he's older, but even if not, I hope he one days appreciates the binder I've got going for him.

Anyhow, most of the vintage cards I've grabbed him are beat up. Maybe one day I'll focus on condition, but for now, I just want him to have originals, regardless of condition. So when I came across a 1970 Topps Willie McCovey with surface damage, I pounced. I won it on Listia for a few credits - not much - and was happy to get it. I already had a McCovey set aside for him, but this will still find a home in the binder.

Servin' up cards from Cervin' Up Cards

First off, if you haven't visited Zippy Zappy's blog - Cervin' Up Cards - go do that before reading any farther.

I'm ashamed to say that it has taken me about two months to do this post. Kenny (Zippy Zappy) sent me such a big padded envelope of cards that it's been intimidating to blog about. Eventually, I got the courage to scan some of my favorite cards, but still have been a bit worried about the daunting task of showing off the cards. However, it's time. The cards deserve it.

First off, I'll start with the PC guys. The Ty Henley autograph is awesome. Numbered to 40, the card is as thick as a pack of cards.I think Ty's going to have a breakout year. He was a very promising prep pitcher who was projected to go in the middle of the first round, but fell to the end of the first round where the Yanks scooped him up. He missed last year with hip surgery, but should be ready to go this year.

 

 

 

I'll go with some inserts and shiny cards next. The Yogi GQ is very, very classy. I love the photo and the gold boarder is a really nice, dark gold. Not flashy at all. the Thurman Munson liquorfractor is cool as well. It should be called a beerfractor for him. The Jeter diecut is cool too. I love Jeter first pump cards. I may have a hundred fist pump cards of his. I may need to count them one day.

 

More autographs! I really appreciate Kenny sending me the Cervelli. I sent him a Goudey Cervelli auto once, so he went out of his way to make sure he replaced in my collection. The other autograph is from Yeicok Calderon. You wish your team has a guy name "Yeicok."

 

A Japanese card! Kenny sends the coolest Japanese cards between these and the Sega Gen cards.

And last but not least, vintage! The Bauer is a wreck...and I love it. Seriously, I'll take any Yankees from the 1950's. I don't care about condition. I want to own them. The Clarke is cool because I'm pretty sure I may put together the 1967 Yankees team set...I mean, I have Mantle and Ford. Why wouldn't I? And the McCovey is cool and I'll probably add it to Joey's binder. The current McCovey I have in there is him in a Padres jersey. With all due respect to Marcus, McCovey was not a Padre.

Kenny, as always, thank you so much!

HOF Binder - a completed page

With the addition of this 1976 Topps Willie McCovey card in Joey’s HOF binder, I now have one complete 9-pocket page. I wish that I had picked up a McCovey Giants card, but I do like this one overall because of the old school Padres uniform. It’s not like he was crap with the Padres, but he is a Giant, through and through.

A recap of the first nine players to be part of the collection. Not a bad group of nine, if you ask me:

Lou Brock

Don Drysdale

Joe Morgan

Hoyt Wilhelm

Tony Perez

Hank Aaron

Dave Winfield

Catfish Hunter

Willie McCovey