2013 MLB Tournament Prizes #6 through #10

This week reveals the next batch of potential prizes for the 2013 MLB Tournament.  As noted previously, there will be 30 prizes available, however, only the tournament winner will receive a prize.  The prizes consist of one card from my collection for each of the 30 teams.

Again, the seeds are not open for claiming, and the prizes are based on a sliding scale using Las Vegas' odds for winning the 2013 World Series.

For further information, check out the original 2013 MLB Tournament announcement, as well as the reveal of Prizes #1 through #5. 

Now, let's take a look at the next potential five prizes!

#6 - Odds 12/1 - NL Seed #2	1973 Topps Johnny Bench
#7 - Odds 12/1 - AL Seed #3	1972 Topps Ted Williams
#8 - Odds 14/1 - AL Seed #1	1975 Topps Thurman Munson
#9 - Odds 16/1 - NL Seed #3	1967 Topps Gaylord Perry
#10 - Odds 16/1 - NL Seed #4	1968 Topps Phil Niekro

PS - Seeds are not open for request, and will not be opened until all 30 prizes have been announced.

PPS - Here is the bracket...

Topps Cards That Never Were - 1980 Thurman Munson

This feature was always a favorite on the blog, and I enjoy creating these cards.  Previously, I've focused solely on Hall of Fame players who for some inexplicable reason were not afforded a Topps card after their final seasons.  For this go round, I'm going to showcase a 1980 Thurman Munson card that should have been printed after his death on August 2, 1979.

Munson was 32 years old at the time of his death and was in the midst of his 11th season with the Bronx Bombers.  Munson was a fan favorite, first Yankee captain since Lou Gehrig, and was the equivalent of a reinforced concrete wall behind the dish.  Munson is so well known for his defensive prowess that he appears often as a cameo in other players cards when it features a play at the plate.

For more detailed information about Thurman Munson, check out his Wiki page.  And without further ado, after an 18 month hiatus, I bring you a Topps Card That Never Was...

    

If you have requests, please leave a comment!

Name the Game - 1971 Thurman Munson #5

I thought I would shake things up a bit and introduce a new feature for this fledgling blog. I went through my Topps Baseball Card Book and found what I consider to be the first action shot produced, the 1971 Topps #5 Thurman Munson. I know 1955 and 1956 have sort of action shots, but it is really a face portrait with an inlaid action painting.

So, after going through all of the sets, I settled on Mr. Munson as being the first, as his card is the first action shot in the 1971 set.

Anyways, so the name of this game is to determine which major league game the action shot took place. I won't be able to figure out every game because it requires both teams in the picture, either in the play or in the background, and some will be removed because of spring training games.

So, let us give this a go!

Munson making a play at the plate!

The Yankees played the A's 6 times at home in 1970, and Munson played in 5 of the games and all of those games were day games. In none of those games was an Athletic called out at the plate. Problem is who is the head first slider?

Possible candidates:

April 25, 1970 - A's win 3-0 with Mincher scoring on a single (nope-slider is thinner); Bando scores on a double (nope); and Green scores from second on a double (nope-no play likely at the plate when scoring from 2nd on a double).

April 26, 1970 - A's lose 3-8 with Munday scoring on a passed ball (nope - Munson would be retrieving the ball).

July 16, 1970 - A's win 8-2 with Murcer scoring on a GRD (nope); Dobson scores from 2nd on a RF single (hey now); Rudi scores from 2nd on a single to CF (maybe).

July 17, 1970 - A's lose 1-7 with no candidates

July 18, 1970 - A's lose 2-7 with no candidates.

So, it comes down to Dobson and Rudi. After looking at hair cuts, shoes and stirrup height, I'm going to have to go with Chuck Dobson the PITCHER! Who else could make it close at the plate than a pitcher scoring from second, plus only a pitcher would wear his stirrups so high.

The headfirst home plate sliding pitcher!

In conclusion, card #5 from 1971 Topps is Chuck Dobson safely sliding headfirst under the tag on Thurman Munson in the top of the 4th from a Joe Rudi single to right field on July 16, 1970!

PS - Edited thanks to an Anonymous dude.