Out Of The Blue: Long Overdue

This package from Mark at Stats On The Back came last weekend. Here's something I put off recently due to illness.

According to the card, and historical reference, Wilbur Wood had 22 wins in 1971, which was good enough for third in the AL that year. Third?! He also had 22 complete games in 1971, which was also good for third, right behind the same two gentleman on the card.

For comparison, there were four pitchers tied for the lead in wins in 2009 with 19. Roy Halladay blew everyone away in 2009 with 9 complete games. That's a far cry from 1971 pitching numbers. It just goes to show how much things have changed in 38 years.

What does any of this have to do with anything? Well, it was the first card on the package, silly. Let's see what Mark sent over, or as he put it, "As usual, a few more Sox that had no place at my house."

1972 Topps
94 - AL Pitching Leaders (Lolich, Blue, Wood)

1986 O-Pee-Chee
64 - Floyd Bannister

1991 Bowman
350 - Sammy Sosa

1997 Score
54 - James Baldwin
104 - Harold Baines

1998 Bowman
199 - Mario Valdez

1998 Bowman International
147 - Jeff Abbott

1998 Metal Universe
2 - Jeff Abbott
202 - Ray Durham

1998 Topps Chrome
383 - Ray Durham

2000 Stadium Club Chrome
9 - Mike Caruso

2002 Ovation
24 - Magglio Ordonez

2003 Fleer Splendid Splinters
59 - Paul Konerko

2004 Bazooka
212 - Paul Konerko

2005 Upper Deck
47 - Magglio Ordonez

2005 Upper Deck World Series Heroes
WS-15 - Magglio Ordonez

2006 Allen & Ginter
197 - Bobby Jenks

2009 O-Pee-Chee
336 - Paul Konerko

Thanks, Mark! Those were some awesome cards! I'm still wondering how Magglio got into a World Series Heroes set one year before his first World Series appearance. I guess these titles are not meant to be taken literally.

I'm still on the lookout for stray Mets who haven't graced your collection. If I run across any, they are yours!