A Few 1987 Topps For The Set

I picked up some 1987 Topps cards for the set recently from Ebay.  Three of the cards were of deceased players, and one was just a touch signature.

Dave Bergman (b. 1953 - d. 2015) played in the majors from 1975 and 1977 to 1992 for the Yankees, Astros, Giants and Tigers.  He had 690 hits, 54 home runs and a .258 batting average.  He won the World series with the Tigers in 1984.  He died of bile duct cancer in 2015.

Bruce Berenyi (b. 1954) played in the majors from 1980 to 1986 for the Reds and Mets.  He had a career record of 44-55 with 607 strike outs and a 4.03 ERA.  He actually used to work with a good friend of mine (I think at a Target) in New Hampshire a few years ago.  If I knew then what I know now, I would have sent my friend a 1987 Topps to get signed.

Wayne Kenchicki (b. 1954 - d. 2018) played in the majors from 1979 to 1986 for the Orioles, Reds, Tigers and Expos.  He had 283 hits, 15 home runs and a .266 batting average.  He passed away a few weeks ago.

Joe Niekro (b. 1944 - d. 2006) played in the majors from 1967 to 1988 for the Cubs, Padres, Tigers, Braves, Astros and Yankees.  He had a career record of 221-204 with 1,747 strike outs and an ERA of 3.59.  He was an All Star in 1979.  He won 20 or more games twice (1979 - 21 and 1980 - 20) and finshed a career-best 2nd in the NL Cy Young Award voting (1979).  His best MVP finish was 6th (1979 - NL).  He won the World Series with the Twins in 1987.  Niekro is the brother of Hall of Famer, Phil Niekro.  He was denied his own spot in the Hall when he only appeared on 1.3% of the ballot in 1994.  Nielro passed away in 2006 from a brain aneurysm.

TTM Success - Dave Nicholson

I raided my vintage box for this 1963 Topps card that I got signed by Dave Nicholson.  He signed in ballpoint pen, but it is still visible.  The card wasn't in the best shape, but it worked for what I wanted, and I am glad it came back.

Nicholson (b. 1939) played in the majors from 1960 and 1962 to 1967 for the Orioles, White Sox, Astros and Braves.  He had 301 hits, 61 home runs and a .212 batting average.

I mailed to Nicholson on September 6 and got the card back on September 18, for a 12-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jack Aker

The team leaders cards in the 1987 set are pretty tough.  In years past, those cards told you on the back who was depicted on the front.  That stopped with the 1987 set, and continued for 1988 and 1989.  I've had to rely on some online checklists to figure out who was on the cards.  I got this Indians one signed by Jack Aker, so that helps.

I had two other cards of Aker; the above 1966 Topps and 1973 Topps.  I love the Wrigley ivy on the 73.

Aker (b. 1940) played in the majors from 1964 to 1974 for the A's (KC and Oakland), Yankees, Cubs, Braves and Mets.  He had a career record of 47-45 with 404 strike outs and a 3.28 ERA.  His best season was 1966 when he recorded 32 saves with a 1.99 ERA.  That year, he finished 13th in the AL MVP voting.  He appeared on the 1980 Hall of Fame ballot, but received no votes.

I mailed to Aker on September 6 and got the cards back on September 18, for a 12-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card.  By the way, the other two people on the Indians card are Chris Bando and Phil Niekro.

Birthday Gift From Nate

My good friend, Nate, really dug deep, and knocked off some cards that have been sitting on my wishlist for years.  I have wanted the above 2011 Topps Diamond Die Cut Cal Ripken since 2011.  I just hadn't gotten around to picking one up.  Nate helped me out, and now the card is crossed off of my list.

Nate also helped me knock off 23 cards from my 2013 Topps Emerald set checklist.  I haven't given up on this set; I just haven't found any of these in any boxes at shows.

Still, I am a long way toward completing it, but I have made a significant dent in the checklist.  People like Nate have really been the ones who have pushed me toward getting this tough set done.

Thanks so much for the birthday gifts, Nate!  I really appreciate it.

TTM Success - Dustin Ackley

Winston-Salem's own Dustin Ackley signed a TTM request for me.  He signed and personalized 4 cards for me, including the above 2010 Topps Pro Debut that I have been sitting on, well, since 2010.

I always try to keep an eye on fellow North Carolinians in the majors, and especially Ackley, since he is from Winston.  He went to North Forsyth High School.  I'd say they were our rivals, but they really weren't.  At least not serious ones.  Still, it is pretty cool to see that he made the majors.

Ackley (b. 1988) played in the majors from 2011 to 2016 for the Mariners and Yankees.  He has 512 hits, 46 home runs and a .241 batting average.  He was in the Angels system during the 2018 season, but didn't crack the majors.

I mailed to Ackley on May 29, via the Salt Lake Bees and got the cards back on September 18, for a 112-day TAT.

TTM Success - Terry Francona

He's a tough signer, so I went through a private signing on SCN through Signatures For Soldiers and landed this signed 87 for the set.  It cost me $15.00, which I thought was well worth it.

Francona (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1981 to 1990 for the Expos, Cubs, Reds, Indians and Brewers.  He had 474 hits, 16 home runs and a .274 batting average.

He has managed the Phillies from 1997 to 2000, the Red Sox from 2004 to 2011 and the Indians from 2013 to the present.  His career managerial record is 1,574-1,430 (.540 win %).  He hasn't had a losing season since his last season in Philadelphia (2000).  He won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007 and has won the AL Manager of the Year Award in 2013 and 2016.  He also led the Indians to the World Series in 2016.

I mailed to the signing on August 16 and got the card back on September 18, for a 33-day TAT.

TTM Success - Gary Nolan

I still am way behind on posting TTM successes, so here is the next one in line.  I used some 70s cards and sent to Gary Nolan.  I got 4 cards signed with the success.

Nolan has a nice signature, and it was pretty consistent across all of the cards I sent.

Nolan (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1967 to 1973 and 1975 to 1977 for the Reds and Angels.  He had a career record of 110-70 with 1,039 strike outs and a 3.08 ERA.  He was an All Star in 1972 and his best Cy Young finish was 5th that season.  He won the World Series with the Reds in 1975 and 1976.  He appeared on the 1983 Hall of Fame ballot, but didn't receive any votes.

I mailed to Nolan on August 30 and got the cards back on September 10, for an 11-day TAT.