Fun Cards: 1991 Donruss Bob Gibson

Sometimes I make a card simply because I have a template. There is no other reason to put the late Bob Gibson on a 1991 Donruss card.

Fun Cards: 1986 Topps Bob Gibson (Gold Glove edition)

I created a handful of “fun cards” for Bob Gibson a couple of days ago, and thought I would share them with you over the next few days. This one features Gibby receiving one of his nine Gold Glove Awards.

Goodbye, Bob Gibson

(November 9, 1935 – October 2, 2020)

Bob Gibson was one of the most intimidating pitchers to ever take the mound in Major League Baseball. His 1968 season stands as one of the greatest of all time, with 268 strikeouts and a minuscule 1.77 ERA earning him both Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player honors. After his Hall of Fame playing career, “Hoot” served as the pitching coach for the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves under manager Joe Torre.

Bob Gibson quite literally changed the game of baseball.

He was a fierce competitor and beloved by Cardinal Nation.

We will miss him dearly.

Rest in peace, Gibby ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TQDT21c6wU

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) October 3, 2020

Bob Gibson was one of the best we’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/9usybsp14F

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2020

Bob Gibson. Complex, Courageous and yes Competitive. Behind that tough exterior was a caring Father, Husband and proud big hearted person with a great sense of humor. Cardinal nation has lost a Giant. My biggest disappointment was that I didn’t get the chance to play behind the

— Ozzie Smith (@STLWizard) October 3, 2020

From the very first time I met Bob Gibson (decades after he threw his last pitch), he had this competitive spirit that expected to win every game! pic.twitter.com/6SxEYfxmhT

— Albert Pujols (@PujolsFive) October 3, 2020

#BobGibson @MLB @baseballhall my dad always thought he could hit ML pitching. They came to St. Louis to see me my first game there. I faced Gibby. He struck me out the 1st 3 AB. I was smiling as I got back to the dugout. Mgr was P.O. I told him “I don’t think Dad could hit Bob

— Johnny Bench (@JohnnyBench_5) October 3, 2020

I just got the horrible news of the passing of my dear friend Bob Gibson. My thoughts and prayers are with Wendy and the Gibson Family. A huge loss for the entire @MLB and @Cardinals family. Will miss you Bob. pic.twitter.com/NI1r0IpfvD

— Fergie Jenkins (@fergieajenkins) October 3, 2020

As much as I wanted be, tried to be like Bob Gibson, there was only one Bob Gibson! My deepest sympathy to the Gibson family. RIP to the #1 starter of the Black Aces. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

— Dave “Smoke” Stewart (@Dsmoke34) October 3, 2020

Rip Mr Bob Gibson! We will miss you dearly. A standard setter on the mound your entire career and one of the most feared competitors to ever play the game of baseball! I totally enjoyed my conversations with you in Cooperstown. #Thanksforeverything#TrueLegend#Godbless

— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) October 3, 2020

MLB Network mourns the passing of St. Louis Cardinals legend and Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. pic.twitter.com/mAbU5voIcH

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 3, 2020

Like Tom Seaver, the same year, in the same shared spring training camp, the late Bob Gibson managed to accomplish the players’ eternal joke: fooling the photographer by posing lefty. The 1968 card got as far as the printed “proof” stage but was never issued. pic.twitter.com/64FCIohZYa

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) October 3, 2020

Goodbye, Lou Brock

Speedy Hall of Famer Lou Brock, the holder of the all-time stolen base record until Rickey Henderson came on the scene, passed away today. He was 81 years old. The six-time All-Star was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985 on the strength of his prowess on the basepaths and more than 3,000 hits.

We mourn the passing of Lou Brock, a Hall of Famer and World Series champion. He was 81. pic.twitter.com/vUubODd8hQ

— MLB (@MLB) September 7, 2020

Our hearts are broken.

Lou Brock was an amazing player and outstanding person.

He loved the game and all of Cardinal Nation.

Rest in peace, Lou ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MSxnIJOHhK

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 7, 2020

We join the @Cardinals organization and all @MLB in mourning the passing of Hall of Famer Lou Brock. pic.twitter.com/VNqalvEHwp

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 6, 2020

Lou Brock the Base Burglar was a class act on and off the field. Made @Cardinal baseball what it is. Had the ability to change the momentum of a game with his legs and his bat. May he Rest In Peace. One of the greatest Cardinals of all time.

— Ozzie Smith (@STLWizard) September 6, 2020

Lou Brock was one of the finest men I have ever known.
Coming into this league as a 21-year-old kid, Lou Brock was one of the first Hall-of-Fame players I had the privilege to meet. He told me I belonged here in the big-leagues. pic.twitter.com/JIbSKMYI13

— Albert Pujols (@PujolsFive) September 7, 2020

Saddened to hear of the passing of Lou Brock. Many years of rivalries between us but always respected Lou as a person and player. My thoughts are with the Brock family and the Cardinals nation. pic.twitter.com/0TOO0IlVbf

— Fergie Jenkins (@fergieajenkins) September 6, 2020

Just heard about Lou Brock. He was a great one. So sad. Rest In Peace my brother! pic.twitter.com/nnKNDtyXd9

— Dick Allen (@DickAllen_15) September 7, 2020

RIP Lou Brock😞 pic.twitter.com/6CUcAxUYff

— Expos Fest❤️#EnRoutePour1Million #RoadTo1Million (@ExposFest) September 6, 2020

MLB Network is saddened by the passing of Lou Brock.

A look back at the life and career of the Hall of Famer and Cardinals legend. pic.twitter.com/3YwPPV380B

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 6, 2020

Fun Cards: 2020 Baseball Immortals Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller

I was excited about the “Modern Era” ballot. So many fantastic players, and I was looking forward to seeing some of these larger-than-life personalities get their just due in Cooperstown.

Then Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller were selected.

Both are solid choices, sure, but neither is particularly exciting. I’m still against the practice of putting non-players on the same ballot anyway, so I was opposed to Miller’s very inclusion on the ballot. Why should he (or any other non-playing person) take votes away from the guys on the field?

Oh well. Maybe Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, and Lou Whitaker will receive the support they deserve next time.

In the meantime, here are a couple of “Baseball Immortals” cards for the newest Hall of Famers…

Fun Cards: 1988 Topps Roy Green (NFL, baseball-style)

Roy Green was a 2-time Pro Bowler for the St. Louis Cardinals and was the 16th member inducted into the Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor in 2016.

Fun Cards: 1988 All-Star Managers

Tom Kelly and Whitey Herzog led their teams to the World Series in 1987, but 1988 was not as kind to either manager. Kelly did get mentioned in the AL Manager of the Year voting, but the Cardinals’ 5th place finish in 1988 ensured that Herzog would be ignored at the end of the season. Kelly was at the beginning of his managerial career; he stayed with the Twins through the end of the 2001 season. Herzog was nearing the end in 1988; he was dismissed after 80 games in 1990 and never managed in the big leagues again.

I have enjoyed making these “fun cards” and researching the players that appeared in the 1988 All-Star Game, one of the first I remember and one of the most fun because of how close it was to me.

Fun Cards: 1988 National League All-Star Pitchers

The National League was absolutely loaded with starting pitchers in 1988. At the end of the year, it was a three-man race for the Cy Young Award, but at mid-season the field was wide open. Dwight Gooden got the starting nod. You would not have convinced me in 1988 that he would never be on another All-Star team.

Next up was Houston’s Bob Knepper, the only Astro on the team. I shook his hand during the All-Star workout the night before. I didn’t have anything to get signed with me, and he was the only one that acknowledged my existence.

David Cone is another one of the borderline Hall of Fame cases. I wouldn’t vote for him, but there are a lot of Coneheads who believe he was snubbed by the voters.

I never would have guessed that Kevin Gross was an All-Star. He did have 10 wins at the break, though, and 2.47 is a pretty good ERA. He just doesn’t register as an All-Star in my brain.

Mark Davis got a hefty raise after his 1989 Cy Young season, but he never pitched like he did in 1988 and 1989 again.

As names go, “Walk” may be one of the worst for a pitcher. “Homer” beats it, but “Walk” is not far behind. Fortunately, Bob Walk never appeared in the top ten for walks.

Orel Hershiser spent 18 years in the majors, winning 204 games for the Dodgers, Indians, Mets, and Giants. 1988 was his greatest season, winning the Cy Young Award, the NLCS MVP, and the World Series MVP.

Just as Tom Kelly chose his closer for the American League roster, Whitey Herzog named his closer Todd Worrell to the National League team. Worrel actually got into the game and retired the side in the top of the 9th: George Brett, Cal Ripken Jr., and Don Mattingly.

Greg Maddux made his first of eight All-Star teams in 1988, but didn’t pitch in the game. Am I the only one who thinks eight is way too low of a number for one of the greatest pitchers ever?

Danny Jackson was one of three Reds on the roster, but didn’t get to play in the game. There should be a rule that all players from the host city get to play. Jackson only made one more All-Star roster; while with the Phillies in 1994, he faced Scott Cooper, Kenny Lofton, and Will Clark without getting an out. He allowed two inherited runners and one of his own to score.

Fun Cards: 1988 National League All-Star Outfielders

The National League took six outfielders from four teams to the midsummer classic in 1988: starters Darryl Strawberry, Vince Coleman, and Andre Dawson, and backups Willie McGee, Rafael Palmeiro, and Andy Van Slyke.

I love the nicknames of the 1980s. The Straw, Vincent Van Go, The Hawk…the nicknames of players today just don’t have the same panache.

Not everyone liked their nickname, though. Case in point, Willie McGee hated the name “E.T.” He hated it so much, it became a national news story. The New York Times reported in 1982, “Willie McGee won’t elaborate on his dislike for the nickname. Perhaps he thinks that it’s a racial slur since E.T. is dark-skinned. Perhaps he’s embarrassed because he has the hooded eyes and pinched nose similar to that of the little creature; he also wobbles when he walks, as E.T. does in the movie. Whatever the reason, Willie McGee is entitled to prefer his name to that nickname, even though he has virtually landed in the World Series from another planet.”

If Palmeiro had a nickname, what would it be? “Finger-pointer”?

Kirk Gibson is the only difference between the players’ top six and the actual roster. Gibby was the eventual National League MVP and had one of the most dramatic home runs in World Series history, but his invite to the 1988 All-Star Game was evidently lost in the mail.

• Darryl Strawberry 118
• Andre Dawson 100
• Willie McGee 71
• Andy Van Slyke 57
• Kirk Gibson 37
• Rafael Palmeiro 32
• Vince Coleman 25
• Tim Raines 25
• Barry Bonds 20
• Tony Gwynn 10
• Dale Murphy 8
• Gerald Perry 7
• Eric Davis 5
• Will Clark 3
• Tom Brunansky 3
• John Shelby
• Candy Maldonado 2
• Brett Butler 1
• Dave Martinez 1
• Casey Candaele 1
• Jeffrey Leonard 1
• Danny Heep 1
• Kevin McReynolds 1
• Keith Moreland 1
• Mike Aldrete 1
• Gerald Young 1
• Albert Hall 1

Fun Cards: 1988 National League All-Star Shortstops

Say what you will about the ’90s shortstop revolution, I’ll take the ’80s defensive wizards any day. Ozzie Smith was the no-brainer fan pick, starting his sixth straight All-Star Game; he would start the next four straight before passing the mantle to Barry Larkin. Lark would end up starting five ASGs in his career, and being on the roster for seven more. The other backup in 1988, Shawon Dunston, was only named to two All-Star teams in his career, but man he had a rocket for an arm.

The players poll showed that those who shared the field with the Wizard agreed wholeheartedly with the fans’ choice.

• Ozzie Smith 143
• Shawon Dunston 17
• Barry Larkin 11
• Jose Uribe 8
• Garry Templeton 2
• Dave Anderson 1
• Alfredo Griffin 1
• Rafael Ramirez 1