RIP Tony Gwynn

Tony Gwynn passed away this week due to cancer at the age of 54.  I consider myself lucky growing up in era where I can I say I watched Tony Gwynn.
Simply, he was one of the greatest hitters ever.  Gwynn won batting titles eight times in his 20 year career.  He flirted with the .400 mark in the strike shortened season of 1994.  He finished with a .394 average.

Beyond the numbers, he was a class guy.  He always had a smile on his face.  Always took time for everyone including fans and children.  A pure class guy in all aspects.
Here is my Tony Gwynn rookie cards:
I have his 1983 Topps rookie from my complete set of:

And I also have his donruss roookie:

and fleer:

And I will always cherish them as a part of my collection.
He will be missed for being an ambassador of the game and a teacher of hitting to the next generation of ball players.  I am guessing about right now, Gwynn and Ted Williams are having a long and detailed conversation on the art of hitting.

Latest Acquired Autograph: ARod

I purchased an autograph from Ebay recently. I have been eyeing an auto card of ARod for awhile and finally I pulled the trigger.  Oh by the way, not THAT ARod, but of former Detroit Tiger thirdsacker Aurelio Rodriguez.

Aurelio Rodriguez was the Tigers 3B throughout the 70s and was best known for his good glove and greater arm and not his hitting.  His Gold Glove award in 1976 was 1st by someone not named Brooks Robinson since 1959. 
I personally never saw him play, but I am guessing he had to be real good defensively.  He did spend around 15 years in the majors with a career avg. of .237.
Sadly, he was hit by a car as a pedestrian in 2000 and passed away.  So picking up his autograph can be a bit pricey.  I have been patienly waiting for an signed card of him on EBay and found one with a decent price. Of course, I want one with him as a Tiger and picking one that comes over as legit.  I ended up with a 1972 Topps version:

He did not sign but the back.  Beggars can't be choosers I guess.  I suppose by signing the back it adds proof to the legitimacy of the autograph.

Striving For Perfection

I have decided on a new theme or section for my baseball card collection.  I will try as much as I can to get rookie cards of all the pitchers who pitched complete game perfect games.  My accountant says that Sandy Koufax or Jim Bunning rcs are out of my budget so I will not pursue those.  I do have Koufax's 1966 Topps and Jim Bunning's 1958 Topps cards as a part of my hall of fame collection.
So here are the perfectos I have now:

2004 Bowman

Felix Hernandez (August 15, 2012 vs Tampa Bay)

2005 Bowman Heritage

Philip Humber (April 12, 2012 vs Seattle)

2007 Topps Update

Dallas Braden (May 9, 2010 vs Tampa Bay)

1989 Upper Deck

Randy Johnson (May 18,2004 vs Atlanta)

1987 Donruss

David Cone (July 18, 1999 vs Montreal)

1988 Donruss

David Wells(May 17, 1998 vs Minnesota)

1989 Topps Traded

Kenny Rogers (July 28, 1994 vs California)
And a honorary member is Armando Galarraga.  He would have be on the list if not for the bad call by umpire Jim Joyce or it if instant replay was used then. So on June 2, 2010 vs Cleveland, Galarraga had the 28 out "perfect game" or the "imperfect game".  And I do have his 2008 Bowman rookie card.