Sunday, August 31, 2014

1914 Cracker Jack

1914 Cracker Jack Pittsburgh Pirates

The 1914 Cracker Jack Baseball set consists of 144 subjects, each card with its player shot and brilliant red backdrop measuring 2-1/4" by 3", all printed on thin paper (and designated E145-1 in The American Card Catalog). Individual examples were inserted in boxes of the molasses-covered popcorn snack. Cardbacks devoted half the area to a short player biography and the rest to text promoting the set and the product. American, National and Federal League heroes were in abundance, with this set. The thin-paper pieces survived in only very small quantities, owing to their inherent fragility, and as the 1914 issue was only found packaged with the delicious sticky candy treat, examples are far more difficult to secure than those from the following year. To no one’s surprise, the delicate 1914 trading cards and their close proximity with syrupy Cracker Jack exacted a condition toll - stains and darkening associated with the sugars as well as dents, dings and creases incurred while the piece bounced around unprotected within the container. Such facts of life force enthusiasts to forego exacting condition standards to collect them.


















Team Set Checklist

1914 Cracker Jack - PIRATES
54 Marty O'Toole
63 Babe Adams
68 Honus Wagner
70 Fred Clarke
73 Max Carey





This Week in Pittsburgh Pirates History - August 31-September 6

This week in Pittsburgh Pirates history -

1968 Roy Face
August 31

1968      Elroy Face ties Senators' legend Walter Johnson's major league mark for appearances with one team when he enters a game for the 802nd time for the Pirates, replacing Steve Blass, who remains in the contest in left field. After the reliever retires one batter to equal the record, Blass returns to the mound, and an announcement will be made before the final out is recorded in Pittsburgh's 8-0 victory over Atlanta that the Bucs' right-handed veteran has been sold to the Tigers.

2008      In his his complete game effort against the Pirates, C.C. Sabathia gives up only a questionable infield hit to Andy LaRoche in the fifth inning of the Brewers' 7-0 victory at PNC Park. The club plans to forward a DVD of the play to Major League Baseball hoping somehow official scorer Bob Webb, the only person allowed to reverse his own call according to the rule book, can be convinced to change the scoring of the grounder to the mound to an error. The call was not overturned. 

2011      In a stretch-run trade with Pittsburgh, the Braves acquired Matt Diaz for a player to be named and cash considerations. The 33-year old outfielder, who played with Atlanta for five years, left the organization after the 2010 season when he inked a two-year, $4.25 million free-agent deal with the Pirates.

September 1

1890      On Labor Day at Brooklyn's Washington Park, the Bridegrooms, later to be known as the Dodgers, win all three games against Pittsburgh in the first tripleheader ever played. The home team sweeps the visiting Alleghenys, who will be renamed the Pirates next season, 10-9, 3-2, and 8-4.

1971      The Pirates field what is believed to be baseball's first all-minority lineup in a 10-7 win over
1971 Doc Ellis
the Phillies at Three Rivers.  The lineup includes infielders Al Oliver (1b), Rennie Stennett (2b), Jackie Hernandez (ss) Dave Cash (3b) and outfielders Willie Stargell (lf), Gene Clines (cf), Roberto Clemente (rf) with Dock Ellis (p) and Manny Sanguillen (c) making up the battery. 

1975      When he whiffs Pirate Manny Sanguillen in the seventh inning of the Mets' 3-0 victory, Tom Seaver becomes the first pitcher to strike out at least 200 batters in eight consecutive seasons. The victory is also 'Tom Terrific's' 20th of the season making it the fourth time in his career he has reached that plateau.

September 2

1972      With his 2,971st hit in a Pirates uniform, Roberto Clemente breaks Honus Wagner's record for the most hits in the history of the franchise. The historic blow is a three-run homer off Giant hurler Sam McDowell in the bottom of the fourth inning in an eventual 6-3 victory for the Bucs at Three Rivers Stadium.

2006      The Pirates extend their franchise record consecutive losing season streak to 14 as the club drops their 82nd game of the season to Chris Carpenter and the Cardinals, 3-1. The 1933-1948 Phillies own the big league record finishing with a losing record for 16 straight seasons. The losing streak would continue till 2013 when the Bucs finished 94-68.

September 3

1894      Taking over for the fired manager Ned Hanlon, Connie Mack leads the Pirates to a 22-1 rout of his former team, the Washington Senators.

1931 Paul Waner
2006      In the opener of a doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia's Ryan Howard belts three home runs bringing the first baseman's total to 52. The sophomore slugger, the 24th major leaguer to reach the milestone, becomes the first Phillies player to hit 50 home runs and passes Ralph Kiner, who hit 51 for the Pirates in 1947, for the most homers hit by a second-year player in big league history.

September 4

1927      Pirate teammates Lloyd and Paul Waner become the first pair of brothers to both homer in the same game when they go deep in the team's 8-4 victory over Cincinnati at Redland Field. The siblings, who will also accomplish the feat in 1929 and 1938, each hit a bounce round-tripper.

1978      In his first major league at-bat, Dorian Boyland strikes out sitting on the bench. The Pirate rookie is removed with a 1-2 count when the Mets make a pitching change and pinch hitter Rennie Stennett takes the third strike.

Bill Mazeroski
September 5

1960      At the age of 41, Diomedes Olivo makes his major league debut, pitching in relief for the Pirates. The oldest rookie in National League history hurls two scoreless innings against Milwaukee at Forbes Field.

2009      In the seventh inning of the Pirates' 2-1 loss to St. Louis at PNC Park, Ross Ohlendorf strikes out the side on nine pitches becoming only the 41st pitcher in major league history to accomplish the feat. The 27-year old right-hander's victims during his immaculate inning include Redbirds Kevin Greene, Julio Logo, and Jason LaRue, all who are retired at first base after swinging at pitches in the dirt.

2010      Bill Mazeroski looks on as four of his Pirates teammates unveil a 14-foot, 2,000-pound statue commemorating his walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. The work includes an actual section of the left-center field wall which the second baseman homered over at the 406 mark off Yankee hurler Ralph Terry in the Pirates’ 10-9 victory.

September 6
1982 Willie Stargell

1968     Jerry Koosman sets a new franchise mark for victories getting his 17th win of the season when the Mets beat Pittsburgh, 4-1. The rookie southpaw breaks the team record established last year by Tom Seaver.

1982      Willie Stargell’s uniform jersey #8 is officially retired by the Pirates.


2005      At an afternoon press conference at PNC Park, Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield announces manager Lloyd McClendon has been dismissed. The former skipper, who compiled a 336-446 record during his 3+ year tenure in the Bucs dugout, will be replaced by bench coach Pete Mackanin on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.




Saturday, August 30, 2014

Navy - Ohio State Wrap Up

Game notes -

Today's win over Navy gives Ohio State a 5-0 record all-time against the Mids.

Ohio State's win today gives them 25 consecutive regular-season wins, best in the nation.

Ohio State's 80-yard TD pass in the third quarter was the longest TD pass against the Mids since November 6, 2004 when Tulane completed an 87-yard aerial.

Navy finished the game with 370 yards rushing, the seventh straight game that Navy has gained over 300 yards - a school record.

Today's loss ended Navy's five-game winning streak which was tied for sixth longest in the nation.

Chris Johnson led the team with a career-best 11 tackles.

Parrish Gaines picked off his sixth career pass in the second quarter.

Ryan Williams-Jenkins finished the game with 118 yards on just 7 carries, including a 67-yard rush in the third quarter.

Nick Sloan missed a 36-yard field goal in the second quarter ending an eight consecutive made field goal streak.  His PAT's this afternoon moved him into second on Navy's all-time leader board for extra points.

Keenan Reynolds' rushing TD in the third quarter gives Reynolds a rushing TD in nine straight games.

Final, Ohio State 34 - Navy 17

Ohio State broke open a close game by outscoring the Mids 14-3 in the fourth quarter.

Navy scored first early in the quarter when Nick Sloan kicked a 32-yard field goal to cut Ohio State's lead to three, but the Buckeye's size and athleticism were wearing down the undersized Midshipmen.

Ohio State wasted no time in answering Navy's scoring drive.  The Buckeyes drove 80 yards in ten plays and capped off the drive with a 10-yard run by Ezekiel Elliott.  Elliott's TD gave OSU a seemingly insurmountable lead, 27-17.

Navy was held to three-and-out on their next drive and the Ohio State went right back to work.

The Buckeyes, under the direction of Freshman J.T. Barrett, drove 70 yards to paydirt and ended the Midshipmen's hope of an upset on the opening weekend of the NCAA football season, 34-17.

End of 3rd quarter, Ohio State 20 - Navy 14

Ohio State jumped out to a 20-14 lead with two big plays - one on offense and one on defense.

Navy had moved the ball into Ohio State territory, when Darron Lee recovered a Keenan Reynolds fumble and returned it 61-yards for a Buckeye touchdown.  The PAT gave OSU a 13-7 lead.

Navy, as true to character, answered with a scoring drive of their own.  Navy got a huge spark with a 67-yard run by Ryan Williams-Jenkins to the Ohio State 17.  Three plays later, Keenan Reynolds punched it in from 1-yard out giving the Mids a 1-point lead.

Navy held Ohio State on a fourth down attempt on their next possession.  Unfortunately, the Mids couldn't use that momentum and were forced to punt the ball back to the Buckeyes.

On Ohio State's next play, J.T. Barrett connected with Devin Smith for an 80-yard TD pass to give OSU the six-point lead, 20-14.

The quarter ended with Navy driving into Buckeye territory.

Halftime, Navy 7 - Ohio State 6

DeBrandon Sanders scored Navy's first touchdown with a diving one-yard run to the pylon giving the Mids a 7-3 lead with 14:04 remaining in the second quarter.

Both teams' defenses stepped up and forced three-and-outs on the ensuing two drives.

Ohio State's offense got rolling on their next possession.  QB J.T. Barrett led the Buckeyes to the Navy 8 before throwing a costly interception to Navy defensive captain, Parrish Gaines.

The Mids were held to a three-and-out and Ohio State took over on the Navy 41.  The Buckeye's drove to the Navy 11 where Neurenberger kicked his second FG of the game cutting the Navy lead to one.

Navy's offense answered the Ohio State scoring drive and drove deep into OSU territory.  The Mids attempted a 36-yard FG and missed wide right.  Ohio State took a knee and the half ended with Navy holding a one-point lead.

End of 1st quarter, Ohio State 3 - Navy 0

Both Ohio State and Navy exchanged punts on their opening drives of the game.  On Ohio State's second drive, the Buckeyes drove 28-yards on 8-plays.  Freshman, Sean Nuernberger kicked a 46-yard field goal to give Ohio State the early 3-0 lead.  Navy drove deep into Ohio State territory as the quarter came to an end.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

1979 Kellogg's

1979 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

For the 1979 3-D issue, Kellogg's increased the size of the set to 60 cards, but reduced the width of the cards to 1-15/16”. Depth stayed the same as in previous years, 3-1/4”. The narrower card format seems to have compounded the problem of curling and subsequent cracking of the ribbed plastic surface which helps give the card a 3-D effect. Cards with major cracks can be graded no higher than VG. Numerous minor variations featuring copyright and trademark logos can be found in the set.

See the 1979 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

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Team Set Checklist

1979 Kellogg's - PIRATES
21 Dave Parker 
34 John Candelaria 




1978 Kellogg's

1978 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

Besides the substitution of a Tony the Tiger drawing for a player portrait photo in the back of the card, the 1978 Kellogg's set offered no major changes from the previous few years’ issues. Cards were once again in 2-1/8" by 3-1/4" format, with 57 cards comprising a complete set. Single cards were available in selected brands of the company’s cereal, while complete sets could be obtained by a mail-in offer.

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Team Set Checklist

1978 Kellogg's - PIRATES
18 John Candelaria
52 Dave Parker
53 Bert Blyleven




1977 Kellogg's

1977 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

Other than another innovative card designed to complement the simulated 3-D effect, there was little change in the 1977 Kellogg's issue. Set size remained at 57 cards, the set remained in the 2-1/8" x 3-1/4" format, and the cards were available either individually in boxes of cereal or as a complete set via a mail-in box top offer. The 1977 set is the last in which Kellogg's use the player portrait photo on the back of the card.

See the 1977 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

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Team Set Checklist

1977 Kellogg's - PIRATES
7 John Candelaria
19 Dave Parker
46 Al Oliver




1975 Kellogg's

1975 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

While the card size remained the same at 2-1/8" by 3-1/4", the size of the 1975 Kellogg's "3-D" set was increased by three, to 57 cards.  Despite the fact that the cards could be obtained by a mail-in offer, as well as in cereal boxes, the '75 Kellogg's are noticeably scarcer than the company's other issues, with the exception of the 1971 set. Also helping to raise the value of the cards is the presence of an unusually large number of current and future Hall of Famers.

See the 1975 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

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Team Set Checklist

1975 Kellogg’s - PIRATES
15 Al Oliver 
25 Richie Zisk 
52 Ken Brett 
57 Richie Hebner 


1974 Kellogg's

1974 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

For 1974, Kellogg's returned to the use of simulated 3-D for it 54-player baseball card issue (see the 1970 set for its description). In 2-1/8" by 3-1/4" size, the cards were available as a complete set via a mail-in offer.

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Team Set Checklist

1974 Kellogg’s - PIRATES
15 Manny Sanguillen 
37 Willie Stargell 


1973 Kellogg's

1973 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

Kellogg’s 1973 baseball issue consists of 54 cards, each one 2-1/4” by 3-1/2”. Unlike previous company issues from the 1970s, this 1973 edition abandoned the “three-dimensional” format in favor of a standard card front appearance. Kellogg’s also revamped the overall look of the cards (perhaps the result of a change in printing companies) with the edition once again featuring a color player image with a facsimile autograph, but this time within a “shield” design with his name and position situated along the bottom border. The cards all feature a colored background. Card backs have a horizontal design that includes the player’s name and statistical data.


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Team Set checklist

1973 Kellogg's - PIRATES
11 Steve Blass 
25 Willie Stargell 
42 Manny Sanguillen 




1972 Kellogg's

1972 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

The 1972 Kellogg’s set consists of 54 cards, each one 2-1/8” by 3-1/4” … a decrease both in count and overall dimensions compared to the prior two years of issue. Available via a mail-in offer on select boxes of Kellogg’s cereal, all of the cards in the 1972 baseball series were coated in plastic and designed to simulate a “3-D” appearance. Each displayed a vivid color likeness of a player with a pair of diagonal bands – one identifying his surname and the other his position. A facsimile signature graced each piece, with the entire design was framed in blue with white spots. Card backs have a horizontal design that includes the player’s name and statistical data. A few cards were originally printed with statistical errors that were later corrected, though there is not much difference in value between the two versions. Cards in their original plastic wrapper are also slightly more valuable. Due to their plastic-coated surfaces, Kellogg's cards were known for easily splitting, cracking, and curling, leaving pristine examples are also difficult to find.


















Team Set Checklist

1972 Kellogg’s - PIRATES
19 Manny Sanguillen  
44 Steve Blass 
45 Bob Robertson 
49 Roberto Clemente 
53A Willie Stargell ERR Lifetime 2B 197 
53B Willie Stargell COR Lifetime 2B 196 




1971 Kellogg's

1971 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates


The 1971 Kellogg’s set consists of 60 cards, each one 2-1/4” by 3-1/2”. The 1971 series built on the success of the cereal maker’s baseball card set introduced the prior year. Cards were available as only single issues in select brands of cereal. These plastic-coated collectibles were designed to simulate a “3-D” appearance, and each displayed a vivid color likeness of a player with a star design at the corner that identified his surname and position. The design was framed in blue with white spots. Card backs have a horizontal design that includes the player’s name and statistical data. Several pieces in the collection were originally printed with statistical errors that were later corrected, though there is little difference in value between the two versions. All of the cards in this set are found with and without a year printed on the back in the lower left corner; the version without carries a slight premium. Cards in their original plastic wrapper are also slightly more valuable. Because there was no mail-in offer for a complete set (unlike the prior year), the 1971 Kellogg’s set can be a challenge to assemble.



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Team Set Checklist

1971 Kellogg’s - PIRATES
4A Bob Robertson 94 RBI 
4B Bob Robertson 95 RBI 
5 Roberto Clemente 
13 Manny Sanguillen 
53A Matty Alou 273 RBI 
53B Matty Alou 274 RBI 
68 Willie Stargell 




This Week in Pittsburgh Pirates History - August 24-30

This week in Pittsburgh Pirates history -


August 26

1912 T207 Owen Wilson
1912      At Forbes Field, Owen Wilson hits three triples in the doubleheader against the Braves. The Pirates center fielder's third triple, his second in the night cap, establishes a new major league record for three baggers with 32 breaking the mark he shared with Dave Orr (1886 Metropolitans/AA) and Heinie Reitz (1894 Orioles/NL).

1947      Dan Bankhead becomes the major league's first black pitcher. The 27-year old right-hander doesn't do well in a relief stint giving up ten hits and six runs in 3.1 innings in a 16-3 loss to the Pirates, but the Dodger rookie hits his only big league home run in his first major league at-bat.

2003      The Padres trade starting pitcher Oliver Perez, along with prospect Jason Bay to the Pirates for outfielder Brian Giles. The Canadian-born Bay will be selected as the National League’s Rookie of the Year next season.


August 28

1951      The Pirates end the Giants' 16-game winning streak defeating New York, 2-0. Due to the consecutive victories, Leo Duroucher and his club were able to narrow the Dodgers lead from 13.5 to six games.
2003 Lloyd McClendon

1971      In his first at-bat in the Little League World Series finale, Lloyd McClendon blasts a three-run homer prompting the Chinese Taipei manager to order his pitchers to intentionally walk the 12-year old for the rest of the game. The Gary, Indiana Little Leaguer, the future manager of the Pirates, hits five home runs in five at bats, all on the first pitch, and is walked in his other five plate appearances in the three games he plays in the tournament.


August 29

1965      Giants center fielder Willie Mays breaks Ralph Kiner's record for home runs in a month when the 'Say Hey Kid' hits a moon shot off Jack Fischer for his 17th round tripper in an 8-3 victory over New York. The former Pirates outfielder, now a broadcaster for the Mets on WHN radio and WOR-TV, calls the round tripper which breaks his mark he established in 1949 with 16 round-trippers in the month of September.

1995      With two out in the ninth inning at Three Rivers Stadium, Paul Wagner loses a no-hitter against Rockies on an infield single by Andres Galarraga. The 27-year old Pirates right-hander will win the game, 4-0, but will lead the National League in losses this season posting a 5-16 record for Pittsburgh.


1940 Play Ball Arky Vaughan
August 30

1950      When Eddie Stanky gets his fourth base-on-balls off Pirates' southpaw Lefty Chambers in a 4-0 victory at Forbes Field, the Giants' leadoff hitter ties a major league record by drawing a walk in seven consecutive plate appearances. The second baseman, known as the 'Brat', will be the league leader in walks (144) and OBP (.460) this season.

1952      Nine-time All-Star infielder Arky Vaughn drowns with a friend when their boat capsized while fishing in a volcanic lake near Eagleville, CA. The former shortstop and third baseman, who compiled a .318 batting average and a .406 on-base percentage playing with the Pirates and Dodgers, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

1953      During the 19-4 win over the Pirates in the opening game of a twin bill, the Braves stroke a big league record eight home runs, including three from rookie outfielder Jim Pendleton. Boston will add four more homers in the 11-5 night cap victory to also establish the mark for most round-trippers in a doubleheader.


1973 Bill Virdon
1984      When Montreal brings back Jim Fanning to be the skipper of the Expos, it marks the second time Bill Virdon is fired during the season and replaced by the manager he succeeded. During 1973 season, the Pirates ask Danny Murtaugh to return to the dugout to also replace the bespectacled skipper, his replacement two seasons earlier.



Saturday, August 23, 2014

1926-27 W512

1926-27 W512 Pittsburgh Pirates

One of the many “strip card” sets of the period, the W512 set was initially issued in 1926 and includes 10 baseball players among its 50 cards. The 1-3/8" by 2-1/4" cards feature crude color drawings of the subjects with their names below. A card number appears in the lower left corner. Baseball players lead off the set and are numbered from 1 to 10. Like most strip cards they have blank backs. At least four of the baseball player cards have been found in a second type on which the team name is presented in a typewriter style font on the second line; these changes reflect the player status as of 1927.

See the 1926-27 W512 Pittsburgh Pirates

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1926 W512 - PIRATES
5  Glen Wright





1928 W513

1928 W513 Pittsburgh Pirates

This “strip card” set issued in 1928 was actually a continuation of the W512 set issued two years earlier and is numbered starting with the number 61 where the W512 set ended. The blank-backed cards measure 1-3/8" by 2-1/4" and display color drawings of the athletes, which include 14 boxers and 26 baseball players. The cards are numbered in the lower left corner.




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Team Set Checklist


1928 W513 - PIRATES
65 John Miljus 
70 Paul Waner 
73 Lloyd Waner 
76 L. Grantham 
81 Joe Harris 
82 Pie Traynor 




Friday, August 22, 2014

1970 Kellogg's

1970 Kellogg's Pittsburgh Pirates

The 1970 Kellogg’s baseball card set consists of 75 cards, each one 2-1/4” by 3-1/2”. The 1970 series marked the debut issue for the Kellogg’s product, which was available as single issues in select brands of cereal or as a complete set via a mail-in offer. These plastic-coated cards were designed to simulate a “3-D” appearance, and each displayed a vivid color likeness of a player with a baseball design at the corner that identified his surname, team affiliation, and position. The design was framed in white. Due to their plastic-coated surfaces, Kellogg's cards were known for easily splitting, cracking, and curling, leaving pristine examples difficult to find.















Team Set Checklist

1970 Kellogg's - PIRATES
27 Roberto Clemente 
28 Matty Alou 
29 Willie Stargell 





1939 Play Ball

1939 Play Ball Pittsburgh Pirates

The debut of the 1939 Play Ball series by Gum, Incorporated, ushered in a new era of baseball cards. The set consists of 161 cards (though card #126 was never issued), each 2-1/2” by 3-1/8” in size - larger than nearly any tobacco card of the early 20th century. Each item featured quality likenesses of the respective ballplayer printed in black-and-white. As expected card #1 Jake Powell and card #162 Whitey Moore are highly sought in high grade, due to their unenviable positions on the top and bottom of childhood stacks. Many of the cards between #2-115 are found with the player name either in all capital letters, or in both upper- and lower-case letters (those examples constituting as close to a “rarity” as the set offers). Minor differences in type styles and biographical information have also been noted.

Lloyd Waner
See the 1939 Play Ball Pittsburgh Pirates

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Team Set Checklist

1939 Play Ball - PIRATES
9 James Tobin 
11 Johnny Rizzo 
55 Arky Vaughan 
82 Chuck Klein 
83 Gus Suhr 
89 Lloyd Waner 
90 Robert Klinger  
94 Heinie Manush 
102 Lem (Pep) Young 
112 Paul Waner 
128 Joe Bowman 
129 Bill Swift 
130 Bill Brubaker 
156 Ray Berres 



1964 Topps Stand-Up

1964 Topps Stand-Up Pittsburgh Pirates

The 1964 Topps Stand-Ups set consists of 77 cards, each measuring 2-1/2” by 3-1/2”. The blank-backed and unnumbered cards were the first since the All-Star sets of 1951 to be die-cut. Each one features a full action pose of a player set against a yellow and green background (with the top half yellow and bearing folding instructions; when the figure is "punched out," it allows the item to stand freely with a green base). This feature, along with the flush-to-the-border design of the set, makes finding these unusual and excessively fragile cards in high grade especially difficult. Of the 77 cards, 22 were single-printed, making them twice as scarce. 

See the 1964 Topps Stand-Up Pittsburgh Pirates

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Team Set Checklist

1964 Topps Stand Ups - PIRATES
Roberto Clemente
Donn Clendenon 
Bob Friend
Bill Mazeroski



Monday, August 18, 2014

1963 Post Cereal

1963 Post Cereal Pittsburgh Pirates

Another 200 player 3-1/2" x 2-1/2" set that with variations totals more than 205 cards. Numerous color variations also exist due to the different cereal boxes on which the cards were printed. More than any of the other 1960s Post baseball issues, the set is rife with short-prints and other scarcities which make it more difficult to complete than earlier years’ sets. The 1963 Post cards are almost identical to the ‘63 Jell-O set which is a slight 1/4" narrower. Cards are blank-backed, with a color player photo, biographies and statistics on the numbered card fronts. No Post logo appears on the ‘63 cards. 

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Team Set Checklist

1963 Post - PIRATES
137 Dick Stuart
138 Bill Mazeroski
139 Dick Groat
140 Don Hoak
141 Bob Skinner
142 Bill Virdon
143 Roberto Clemente
144 Smoky Burgess
145 Bob Friend
146 Al McBean
147 Roy Face




Sunday, August 17, 2014

1962 Post Cereal

1962 Post Cereal Pittsburgh Pirates

Like the 1961 Post set, there are 200 players pictured on the set of 3-1/2" x 2-1/2" cards. Differences include a Post logo on the card fronts and the players name in script lettering. Cards are again blank back and were issued in panels of 3 to 7 cards on cereal boxes. American League players were numbered 1 to 100 and National League players 101 to 200. With variations there are 210 cards known. Some of the ‘62 cards, usually those printed on the backs of less popular brands or sizes, were issued in smaller quantities and sell for more than players of star caliber. 

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Team Set Checklist

1962 Post - PIRATES
169 Dick Stuart
170 Bill Mazeroski
171 Don Hoak
172 Dick Groat
173 Roberto Clemente
174 Bob Skinner
175 Bill Virdon
176 Smoky Burgess
177 Roy Face
178 Bob Friend
179 Vernon Law
180 Harvey Haddix
181 Hal Smith



This Week in Pittsburgh Pirates History - August 17-23

This week in Pittsburgh Pirates history -

August 17

1984      A stamp featuring Roberto Clemente, the fourth in a series honoring American sports heroes, is unveiled in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the late Pirates outfielder's home. The twenty cent six-color commemorative, designed by Juan Lopez-Bonilla, shows the pensive Hall of Famer wearing his Pittsburgh cap with the Puerto Rican flag in the background.

2003      Good grief, Peanuts character Charlie Brown joins late broadcaster Bob Prince, Negro League star Josh Gibson, former catcher Manny Sanguillen, and current shortstop Jack Wilson to be honored by the Pirates with a bobblehead doll give-away day. Almost ten percent of the nearly 18,000 Peanuts strips created by Charles Schulz focused on baseball.


August 18

1930      Carl Barger, baseball president of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1987 to the beginning of 1991, was born.

1934      Roberto Clemente was born on this day in 1934.

1959      Long time baseball executive Branch Rickey is named president of the newly formed Continental League. The 77-year old former Dodger general manager is currently serving as an advisor with the Pittsburgh Pirates.


August 20

1939      After dropping the opener to Chicago, 9-5, the Pirates snap a twelve game losing streak with a 5-0 victory in the nightcap. Max Butcher goes the distance in the shortened six-inning game, limiting the visitors to just two hits in the Forbes Field contest.

1945      Dodger shortstop Tommy Brown becomes the youngest player (17 years, 8 months and 14 days) in major league history to hit a home run. The round-tripper by 'Buckshot', who started his career as a 16 year-old high school student, will be the only run Brooklyn scores off 30-year old Pirates' southpaw Preacher Roe, who goes the distance in the 11-1 rout of the home team at Ebbets Field.

2012      The official first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Major League Baseball All-Stars Forever stamps take place at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY. The very popular philatelic series based on historic photographs honors Yankee Joe DiMaggio; Larry Doby of the Indians; Pirate Willie Stargell of the Pirates and Red Sox legend Ted Williams.



1922 Carson Bigbee

August 22

1917      In a 22-inning contest against the Dodgers, Pirates' outfielder Carson Bigbee sets a major-league record with 11 at-bats. The game was also the fourth straight extra-inning game played by Pittsburgh (total of 59 innings) which sets a National League record.



T206 Howie Camnitz
August 23

1907      In the nightcap of a twin bill at the Polo Grounds, Pirates right-hander Howie Camnitz tosses a no-hitter. Pittsburgh beats the Giants in a shortened five-innning game, 1-0.

1998      With his 50th and 51st dingers, Cubs' slugger Sammy Sosa joins Mark McGwire (53) of the Cardinals in hitting 50 home runs making it only the second time two National League hitters have reach the plateau in the same season. Pirates outfielder Ralph Kiner and Giants first baseman Johnny Mize each hit a league-leading 51 round trippers in 1947.

2001      Arizona left-hander Randy Johnson becomes the first pitcher to strike out 300 batters in four consecutive seasons, The 'Big Unit's' 16-strikeout performance isn't enough as the Pirates beat the Diamondbacks, 5-1, ending the southpaw's eight-game winning streak.