The Legend

The Legend

Monday, April 23, 2018

Blog Bat Around - All Auto Team

My collection has always leaned towards autographs over the years so this latest Blog Bat Around is right up my alley. I was chomping at the bit to get started when Zippy got things going, but was out of town all weekend. It has been fun to see everyone's take on the project while on the road.  My attempt will only feature Bucco's since that is my bread and butter.

I decided to go with a full 25 man roster and some managers.  Obviously some big names are lacking here such as Honus Wagner, Clemente and Paul Waner.  Autographs of those guys can cost thousands. Thankfully the majority of Pirate greats have extensive auto catalogs.

The biggest weak spot for the Pirates over the years would be starting pitching.  Many of the best played in the pre war era so autos are either scarce or non existent.  Thankfully the Pirates had some relievers that revolutionized the position which more than made up for it.

GM - Neil Huntington

Managers - Danny Murtaugh, Chuck Tanner, Jim Leyland, Gene Lamont





C -   Manny Sanguillen

1B -  Willie Stargell

2B -    Bill Mazeroski

SS - Dick Groat 


3B -  Richie Hebner



OF - Ralph Kiner

OF- Dave Parker

OF - Andrew Mccutchen

Bench 1 - Al Oliver

Bench 2 - Bill Madlock 

Bench 3 - Jason Kendall 

Bench 4 - Brian Giles 

Bench 5 - Jason Bay

Bench 6 -  Freddy Sanchez

SP (ACE) -  Bob Walk

SP - John Candelaria
SP - Doug Drabek
SP - Gerrit Cole

SP-  Rick Rhoden
SP - Vern Law
RP - Elroy Face
RP - Kent Tekulve
RP - Mark Melancon

RP - Joel Hanrahan
RP - Jason Grilli 



Big thanks goes out to Zippy.  If time allows I may attempt a non Pirates version as well.  Had too much fun putting this one together.

Thanks for reading!

22 comments:

  1. That looks like a complete Pirates roster to me. Fantastic cards, especially the Kiner and Stargell.

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    1. Stargell only has a few on card autos out there so I was happy to get that one.

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  2. That's quite the Pirates only lineup. Looking forward to you adding a Honus Wagner.

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    1. I have a few "best offers" out there. Hope one of the sellers is drunk and accepts it.

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  3. Only missing Dock Ellis and Deacon Phillippe, then you have them all.

    Where did you find a Bob Walk auto? I didn't even know a certified one existed of him (it's for my 1980 Phillies auto collection)

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    1. It's a custom auto made by Gavin who runs the blog Baseball card Breakdown.

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  4. Fantastic roster. I forgot to scan my bench and completely forgot about the dozen or so autographs I have of both Bill Madlock and Al Oliver. You prefer Manny and Kendall over Pena?

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    1. I'm probably the most fond of Kendall just because of the era he played in. Plus he and Sanguillen just have a better card catalog.

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  5. If this is your squad without the Allegheny greats, I don't want to know how it'd look with them.

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  6. that rick rhoden is great. i'm glad he has a dodger certified autograph card (shared with tommy john) that i was able to add to my collection.

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    1. I think I have an extra of the Rhoden if you want one....

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  7. Oh,that Kiner card!
    I need to do a post, but him gonna come up so short of everyone else.
    Good job!

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    1. You should do it....It is not a measuring stick, always just for fun.

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  8. ...and here I was expecting a starting rotation full of Bob Walks. I insist upon a do-over.

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    1. No one could handle a team of all Bob Walks. Plus I don't want to let people know I have all those Walk autos. Have to stay humble and not flaunt excessive wealth.

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  9. Great lineup. Especially love that infield and the Madlock. But what happened to Tony Pena? He's one of my all-time favorite Pirates.

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    1. Catcher is probably the closest call. Maybe I should have carried 3 on my 25 man roster. Kendall is probably my favorite, but I'm still so happy Sanguillen got some certified autos that he made the cut as starter.

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  10. Man, those 2013 Chrome black refractor autos with silver ink look so great!

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    1. Yeah....I think that is my only one. I missed out on a Polanco.

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  11. My favorites are the ones with the autos on the bat pieces like Bay and Mazeroski. Very nice.
    Although, a manager card with piece of a base is pretty cool, too! Well done.
    BTW, you didn't have to put (ACE) next to Bob Walk... you know, unless you meant to be redundant on purpose.

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    1. For the longest time I was tracking down some of the lower numbered Sweet Spot Pirates. Turned out to be a good project as the regular ball signed versions tend to fade. The lower #'d ones that were signed on gloves and bats held up nice.

      Bob Walk is the king of self promotion.

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