A Rare Plate

2011 Topps Update Derrek Lee Printing Plate

This is my second variation of this rare gem.  One of my favorite things to look for as a Pirate collector is rare cards of former Buccos that had really short stays.  Lee only had 100 bats for the Bucs as he broke his wrist shortly after being acquired in a waiver deal.  Needless to say he only shows up in a couple of sets.  

Looks like the Buccos might be in some serious trouble as the injury bug looks to be hitting them at the wrong time.  With McCutchen, Cole and Walker all banged up it is going to take some role players having to pick up some major slack.   My hope is that we can get some reinforcements via waiver deals as in years past, but the crop of players seems to be weaker this year.  It really is amazing they have done as well as they have.  McCutchen, Walker and Russell Martin have been the only players on the team that have had years comparable or better than years past.  Core players such as Cole, Marte and Pedro Alvarez have had down years.  

Who wants to trade?  I'm still sitting on a good bit of trade bait so shoot me an email if you have some Pirates or WVU Mountaineers.  

Short Stay Mr. Lee

Derrek Lee had a very short Pirates career.  He was obtained at the tail end of the 2011 season right before the Pirates had a team meltdown and tanked the rest of the season.   Only a couple of games after his debut, Derrek broke a bone in his hand and had to sit out the a good part of the remainder of the season.  He only had 100 at bats for the Bucs.  During the offseason the Pirates attempted to resign Lee, but he chose to retire.  

One of the weirder things I love to collect is finding rare cards of players who had short Pirate careers.  This printing plate from 2011 Topps Update is a great example.  I think the only Pirate with a shorter career to have a "high end" hit was Benito Santiago.  He had an auto in the Pirates uniform with only 23 at bats.