It’s not as simple as just buying cards Maybe, like many middle-agers, you rediscovered sports card collecting through your offspring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the pandemic has ended, your children have moved on, but you’ve caught the bug. If so, maybe you’ve found yourself facing a dilemma. …

Only a handful of athletes have played in MLB and the NBA As of mid August, a total of 20,185 people had played Major League Baseball (MLB). A total of 4,374 people had played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). But only 14 of these athletes — 6 percent —…

Nolan reigned four decades on the mound A continuing, occasional series inspired by Joe Posnanski’s book, “The Baseball 100.” 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game #75 Nolan Ryan P, NY Mets-California Angels-Houston Astros-Texas Rangers Who’s the greatest baseball player you’ve ever seen? Most my age will say Ken Griffey Jr…

A winner in any generation Another in an informal series of ponderings on players featured in the Fleer 2001 “Greats of the Game” set, as inspired by Joe Posnanski’s book The Baseball 100. 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game #6 Cy Young P, Cleveland Spiders The beauty of baseball is…

How Ken Griffey Jr. invented Jackie Robinson Day This is the latest in an occasional series of musings and meditations inspired by Joe Posnanski’s book “The Baseball 100,” focusing on players in the 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game set. 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game #32 Jackie Robinson 2B…

Dave Winfield was underappreciated 5-tool talent A continuing series of occasional meditations inspired by Joe Posnanski’s book, “The Baseball 100.” 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game #12 Dave Winfield OF, New York Yankees Dave Winfield stood 6-feet, 6-inches and weighed 245 pounds. It was unfair that he was also so…

Renata Galasso created a special treat for Seattle Pilots fans Once there was a young woman who loved baseball cards. She loved them so much she began to make her own. The young woman bought individual packs and designed from them specific sets — stars of the 1950s, then ’30s…

Brooks Robinson was a defensive specialist 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game #22 Brooks Robinson 3B, Baltimore Orioles The 1969 season marks my earliest memories of Major League Baseball. We had a new team — the Seattle Pilots! — and the Miracle Mets won the World Series. I remember diving…

Martin won with a style all his own Continuing an informal series of baseball recollections, in homage to Joe Posanski’s book “The Baseball 100.” 2001 Fleer Greats of the Game #7 Billy Martin 2B, New York Yankees Judged solely by the back of his baseball cards, Billy Martin is not…