I recently made a couple more minor league-heavy orders online, so expect to see a bunch of them on the blog over the next couple weeks. Included was what I believe to be a complete run of Mark Fidrych's minor league cards (for a great price, too). I'd be tempted to nickname them "Baby Bird" cards, but in fact they are post-MLB cards (not pre-), so that doesn't really fly [pun].
Love old school minor league cards!
This pair is from 1997.
As far as his playing-days MLB cards, I've got most of them. Well, the mainstream ones, anyways. He's got some oddballs I need (1977 Kellogg's, 1977/78 MSA Discs [and variations], 1978 Sportscasters, and all his OPC cards). Also need his 1977 Topps ERA Leaders card shared with John Denny. And surprisingly I need all his 1981 cards (Topps, Donruss, Fleer). I guess I don't technically have "most" of his mainstream cards after all.
I've got some post-career cards, though I'm sure there are plenty I'm missing.
I don't have a certified autograph of his (yet), but I do have a signed 1978 Topps card I got in a package from Tony L. two or three years ago. I believe it was a TTM success from when Tony was young. Love this card! Mr. Fidrych tragically passed several years ago at the age of 54 in a farming accident.
Rest in Peace, Bird.
Enjoy your weekend, everybody!
Great post and beautiful cards. Who doesn't PC the Bird? You have to.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin Button Birds?
ReplyDeleteHa, I suppose!
DeleteI went to the game in a Pawtucket when Fidrych made his comeback. The place was sold out. Unbelievable atmosphere that night.
ReplyDeleteWow, that must've been awesome!
DeleteThis makes me so relieved that The Bird wasn't around for the Bowman treatment. Can you imagine the overkill? Sometimes it's good to have a limited number of cards available. It keeps the legend intact.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, it must've sucked for you kids in 1976 during his big season and there were zero cards of his out there for ya'll.
DeleteEh, it wasn't even a thought in our heads. Different time. If anything, we thought "can't wait for next year to get a Fidrych card!"
DeleteBeckett count on the Bird is 190. Love the Pawtucket signing cards.
ReplyDelete190 seems very "doable" compared to other notable players of his ilk. And yeah, gotta love signing shots.
DeleteNice collection, I like the 2003 Topps Retired card in particular. Didn't know he pitched for the PawSox. Hooray for minor league issues!
ReplyDeleteMy "white whale" Bird card is his 2003 Topps Retired refractor auto. There's one on eBay right now, but priced too high.
DeleteI still need to add those Pawtuckets to my collection. I almost never see them in the first place, and even when I do they usually go for way more than I want to pay.
ReplyDeleteI got them for $2.25 each which I think is very fair.
DeleteI love the Bird in a Pawtucket pill-hat!
ReplyDeleteAwesome collection! Those post-career minor league cards are really cool. Whenever I think of the term fan favorite, he's always one of the first guys who come to mind.
ReplyDeletelooks like i need to pursue the minor cards. Mark was such a good guy, a good man. it still stinks that he's gone. thanks for sharing these Gav!
ReplyDelete