Now, this might not be a popular opinion, but I think Andy Ashby belongs in the Hall. Honestly, this was the card that made me pull the trigger on submitting a best offer for the lot. I've still got fond memories of Ashby from those up-and-down Padres teams of the late 90s. His 17-9 record in '98 was huge in winning the pennant that year. And now I've got his autograph!
Now, this might not be a popular opinion, but I think Brad Ausmus belongs in the Hall. Three Gold Gloves and an All-Star appearance to his credit. He's back in the news for succeeding Jim Leyland as manager of the Tigers this season. I wish him the best of luck. I always liked his hustle when he came up with the Padres. And now I've got his autograph!
Fast-forwarding to a current guy, here's a recent draft pick. Now, this might not be a popular opinion, but I think Jeremy Baltz is on the road to the Hall. In A-ball last year, he hit .293 with 15 home runs. And now I have his autograph! Plus, this card is serial #'d 12/25 on the back.. You know what that means! A new addition to my Christmas Card Collection! Wheee!!!
Now, this might not be a popular opinion, but I think Doug Bochtler belongs in the Hall. His excellent ERA+ of 132 in '96 helped San Diego win the division. And now I've got his autograph!
Now, this might not be a popular opinion, but I think John Flaherty belongs in the Hall. Sticking around in the majors for 14 years is pretty damn impressive for a backup catcher. He was outstanding behind the dish in '99, leading all of baseball by gunning out 52 attempted base stealers. And now I have his autograph!
Now, this might not be a popular opinion, but I think Brian Johnson belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Oh wait-- I'm thinking of the singer for AC/DC. Different guy. Oh well, I guess Brian Johnson, the baseball player, was ok too. His .375 average lead the Pads in the 1996 NLDS (for guys with more than a couple at-bats). And now I've got his autograph!
Now, this might not be a popular opinion, but I think Scott Livingstone belongs in the Hall. His .337 average in 1995 was second only to Tony Gwynn on the team that year. And now I've got his autograph!
Now, this might not be a popular opinion, but I think Luis Lopez belongs in the Hall. He was a scrappy middle infielder who bounced around in the bigs from 1993 through 2005, always a pillar of poise and grace. And now I've got his autograph!
Now, this might not be a popular opinion, but I think Dustin Moseley belongs in the Hall. This former first-round pick posted a fine 3.30 ERA in 20 starts during 2011. Lifetime in the postseason, he was lights-out, allowing zero runs in 3 innings of work. Zero! And now I've got his autograph!
That's it. Thanks for reading.
The Archi Cianfrocco card is still the best one from all those Leaf sets. I've got the Livingstone and Johnson autos as well, but you're right Ashby was the man. Flaherty was awesome for the Friars in '96 when they won the NL West, and was one of my favorite players, and Lopez was a decent second baseman.
ReplyDeleteI will eventually stop thinking of "balls" whenever I see Baltz's name. Eventually.
Right on. I hope someday to also get an Archigraph.
DeleteThose that populate your version of the Hall of Fame are certainly different than mine. Where's Doug Dascenzo, Hector Villanueva, Julio Zuleta, and Augie Ojeda? Yeah, I demand a recount.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I'll come around on those guys if/when I end up with their autographs. I'm easy to sway in that way.
DeleteNice lot of hall of famers! Love the Ashby.
ReplyDelete