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Pennant shots: Giants win 2012 World Series

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:30:27 -0400

You can get the game recaps and player profiles just about anywhere, but at Topps, you’ll get the official Pennant infographics depicting the action from this year’s 2012 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers.

Here’s a run down of some of the top moments from each of the four games played in this series:

GAME 1

Pablo Sandoval was 4-for-4 in Game 1, hitting three home runs, including two off Tigers ace Justin Verlander.

GAME 2

Brandon Crawford’s fielder’s choice was all San Francisco needed to score Hunter Pence and take a 1-0 lead in the eventual 2-0 victory in Game 2.

GAME 3

Another game, another shutout for San Francisco. Pence scored off Gregor Blanco’s triple in the second inning. The Giants won, 2-0.

GAME 4

Ryan Theriot scored the game winning run in the 10th inning, giving the Giants their seventh world title in franchise history.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Buckner. Mookie. 86. Mets. Boston.

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:13:00 -0400

This photo doesn’t need a caption or descriptive paragraph.

It happened on Oct. 25, 1986.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Pedroia hits leadoff HR in World Series opener

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:47:39 -0400

It’s been five years since Dustin Pedroia’s leadoff home run opened the 2007 World Series, but his blast, as a rookie for the Red Sox against the Rockies, was historic for a number of reasons.

Aside from being the 31st major leaguer to hit a home run in his first World Series appearance, he joined Don Buford as the only other player to hit a dinger in the leadoff at-bat in Game 1. Buford, an Orioles outfielder, hit a shot off Tom Seaver in 1969. We all know how that series ended.

The Red Sox beat the Rockies, 13-1, on Oct. 24, and went on to win a world title.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Clemens almost hits Piazza with bat

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:51:30 -0400

This happened on Oct. 23, 2000. Roger Clemens fielded a bat and chucked it towards the first base line as Mike Piazza was running out a ground ball.

Clemens had beaned Piazza earlier that year in July, so this just added fuel to the fire. Benches cleared as New York’s biggest baseball stars jarred with one another on the diamond.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

-AP Photo

A's trump Reds in Game 7, win '72 World Series

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:27:00 -0400

The Oakland Athletics captured their first title in 42 years and won the first world title in the Bay Area after beating the Reds, 3-2, in Game 7 of the 1972 World Series on Oct. 22.

Gene Tenace was awarded the World Series MVP after hitting four home runs in the series. He hit just five during the regular season.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

1971: Clemente homers, Pirates win series

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:33:12 -0400

Robert Clemente had a strong post-season in 1971 and finished in stride, hitting safely in all seven games of the World Series against Baltimore.

In Game 7 on Oct. 17, Clemente delivered with a solo shot in the fourth inning off Orioles pitcher Mike Cuellar and the Pirates won, 1-0.

Eleven years earlier, Clemente also hit safely in all seven games of the Series against the Yankees in 1960, meaning he hit safely in 14 consecutive World Series games.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Looking back: Maris hits 61st homer

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:52:25 -0400

Today is the anniversary of Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record on Oct. 1, 1961.

The historic 61st homer was hit off Tracy Stallard, a pitcher for the Red Sox, in a 1-0 victory over Boston.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Greinke, Angels record 20 strikeouts

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:01:07 -0400

On Tuesday night, Zach Greinke became the first pitcher since 1920 to record as many as 13 strikeouts in five innings for the Angels. He was pulled due to a high pitch count.

His teammates added seven more strikeouts throughout the next four innings to amass a team total of 20. That ties the most ever in a nine-inning game.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, they are the first to do it with multiple pitchers, as it was previously done twice by Roger Clemens and once by Kerry Wood.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Looking back: Kaline hits No. 3,000

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:43:22 -0400

On Sept. 24, 1974, Tigers legend Al Kaline recorded career hit No. 3,000.

Kalie hit a double off Orioles pitcher Dave McNally in a 5-4 loss at Memorial Stadium.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Looking back: Final game at Yankee Stadium

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:57:26 -0400

Friday marks the four year anniversary of the final game at the old Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees beat the Orioles, 7-3, as they said goodbye to the 85-year old ballpark.

Julia Ruth Stevens, the daughter of Babe Ruth, threw out of the ceremonial first pitch. Derek Jeter gave a speech to the 54,000-plus in attendance at the end of the game.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Looking back: Ripken breaks Gehrig's record

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:55:04 -0400

Cal Ripken Jr. reached legendary status on Sept. 6, 1995 when he broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak.

The Hall of Famer played his 2,131st straight game and took his famous victory lap around the field at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Ripken went 2-for-4 and homered during the game.

The Orioles will honor Ripken with his own statue outside Camden today to mark the anniversary and will give mini statues to fans who attend.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Looking back: Abbott throws no-hitter

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:10:36 -0400

On Sept. 4, 1993, Yankees pitcher Jim Abbott threw a no-hitter against the Indians.

Abbott, who was born without a right hand, had an 87-108 career record and played in the majors from 1989-1999.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Profar makes history with first homer

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 16:15:32 -0400

Texas Rangers prospect Jurickson Profar hit a home run in his first major league at-bat Saturday.

Profar turned on a fastball from Indians pitcher Zach McAllister and became the youngest player since Adrian Beltre in 1998 to hit a home run. Beltre was 19 years and 171 days old then.

Ranked as the No. 4 prospect with the Rangers, Profar is 19 years and 195 days old.

According to MLB.com, the last player in franchise history to homer in his first at-bat was Brant Alyea, on Sept. 12, 1965.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro

Uecker statue unveiled "way outside" Miller Park

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 18:13:34 -0400

Baseball’s funny man, Bob Uecker, was honored with the unveiling of his own statue outside Miller Park in Milwaukee this week.

Uecker, a former major league player turned broadcaster, has been a part of baseball for over 50 years and has brought a hall of fame personality to the game unlike anyone else.

Noted for his role as Harry Doyle in the film “Major League,” Uecker isn’t far off that character with his famous one-liners and edgy commentary on the game.

“This is a place that you become addicted to, really,” Uecker said during a speech at the statue ceremony. “Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin is a place where the fans are very loyal. If they like you, it’s easy to fall in love with this city.”

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro / Photo courtesy Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Indians one loss away from historic month

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:22:24 -0400

With a loss Friday night at Progressive Field, the Cleveland Indians would set a franchise record with 24 losses in one month, breaking the existing mark of 23 set in July 1914. To put it harshly, it’s been 98 years since Cleveland has had this bad of a month.

Unfortunately Cleveland is hosting Texas, who leads the AL West and is 7-3 in its last 10 games. The handful of Indians fans who make it to the ball park Friday may see history.

“I’ve never been through a month like this anywhere,” Indians manager Manny Acta told the Associated Press. “Not in Washington, the minor leagues or winter ball, either as a coach or a manager.”

According to STATS LLC., the Indians have matched the worst 32-game stretch in the majors this year. Since July 27, Cleveland is a poultry 5-27.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Words and photo by Chris R. Vaccaro

Looking back: Erstad gets 200th hit of season

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:54:01 -0400

On Aug. 29, 2000, Angels slugger Darin Erstad recorded his 200th hit of the season. He reached the 200-hit plateau faster than any player in baseball history since Ducky Medwick did it in 131 games with the 1935 Cardinals.

Erstad, who retired from playing professionally in 2009 and is the current head baseball coach at the University of Nebraska, finished the 2000 season with 240 hits, an Angels single-season record.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-By Chris R. Vaccaro

Report: Twins lands 2014 MLB All-Star Game

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:23:00 -0400

Target Field will play host to the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, according to a report in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Only a few months ago, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said that Citi Field would host the 2013 All-Star Game during a speech at City Hall in New York City. Selig and other baseball executives are expected to host a news conference Wednesday in Minnesota to make this recent announcement.

Target Field officially opened in 2010, but Twins officials said they were focused on hosting an all-star game as far back as 2008. Minnesota hosted the MLB All-Star Game in 1965 and 1987.

“It’s more about what it means to the city and the state,” Twins CEO Jim Pohlad told the Star Tribune. “We’re a part of this community. We’re excited to bring the All-Star Game here, so we can show everyone this ballpark.”

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-By Chris R. Vaccaro

Scully's 'love affair' with baseball still strong

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:56:33 -0400

Some would like to be able to walk and remember their grandkids’ names at 84. Vin Scully is still worried about calling Dodgers games.

Scully announced last weekend he’ll return for his 64th season in the broadcast booth, citing a “constant love affair” he has with the game.

He noted how impressed he is with the current ownership group and has a feeling this team could do something special real soon.

“As everybody knows, they want to win and they want to win now, so I’d like to hold on with both hands and see just how far they take this ballclub,” Scully said, according to an article in the LA Times.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-By Chris R. Vaccaro

Yankees have large international reach

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:19:00 -0400

(Sports apparel store in Brussels loaded with MLB hats in various colors.)

LONDON – Truth is, this column started on a plane home from London after a three-week European journey that started with my engagement and ended with covering the Olympics. The idea and text sat nicely on the top right hand corner of my laptop until three weeks worth of “to-do list” items were successfully demolished.

It was supposed to be a long needed vacation where I actually didn’t do any work. No laptop, minimal cell phone use – which was bound to happen thanks to data charges from Verizon in the long run – and undivided attention to my fiancé and Europe in that order.

We started off in Paris, I proposed under a glittering Eiffel Tower. I know, I know, I can’t help myself. A true romantic. She said yes. We celebrated.

The next morning, enjoying a plate of croissants, my attention was immediately diverted back to work, or at least the thought of work and American sports as a gentleman walked past with a New York Yankees hat on. I started to think:

“How many people wear things like this in Europe?”

“How many Yankees hats am I going to see?”

“Which North American sports team is most popular overseas?”

That was all I needed. From that point on I kept a running tab in the notepad on my iPhone on every visual I could record of North American sports sightings in Europe; hats, shirts, items on people and in stores, billboards and souvenirs. I was off, conducting my own study on North American sports in Europe.

Although I was in Paris for about four days, the only other items I saw were a Dodgers hat and a Lebron James jersey. Luxembourg only lasted a day, but in that time I saw another Yankees hat and a Washington Redskins cap. Only a Heat hat and Blue Jays cap made appearances in Geneva, Switzerland. On a side note, a clothing store called “New York American” sold snapback lids of multiple American teams from the Mariners to Syracuse athletics. They even had a Phillies batting practice jersey in the front window.

Things picked up slightly in Prague. The most notable sighting was the entire University of North Carolina woman’s basketball team on the Charles Bridge near the Prague Castle. Aside from the occasional spotting of a Jaromir Jagr Czech Republic national hockey jersey, there wasn’t much else beyond the norm in Prague. Then suddenly I stumbled upon a nesting doll store. Yes, those dolls that stack one inside another and originated in Russia.

(These nesting dolls were all over Prague, but one store specialized in sports figures.)

The store had hundreds of them, all based around North American sports; one from every team with every player. I picked up Mets and Islanders ones. If the person in charge knew a thing or two about baseball, they would have included David Wright and Johan Santana, instead of Lucas Duda or Kirk Nieuwenhuis. They did include Ike Davis and R.A. Dickey at least. It was easily one of the most unique souvenirs I brought home from any trip, ever. As a bobble head aficionado, this was the closest thing I came to a bobbling souvenir since I did not find one in any European country during my travels.

In Germany one fan at a Heartha BSC pro soccer game actually had a black Mets jersey on in the stands. It was the most odd and random place to see an MLB jersey, but by this point I wasn’t surprised.

Amsterdam provided a flurry of hats and shirts and it became clear that most were tourists, possibly from America. At the Van Gogh museum it was so ironic to see a Thomas Eberle Edmonton Oilers jersey tee-shirt, considering Van Gogh was no stranger to oil himself - only on a canvas, not the ice. There were 21 sightings in Dutch country. Belgium topped that with 22.

London proved to be the largest cross-sector of sports fans. It helped that millions were on-hand in the city for the Summer Olympics. The most unique: Albuquerque Isotopes (Dodgers Triple-A) hat, Roberto Clemente throwback Pirates jersey (at the woman’s 20k race walk event across from Buckingham Palace), and a tee-shirt from the Bears-Cowboys game that was played at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1986. There were 88 total in London that I wound up seeing, none of which included Team USA items from the men’s hoops squad that features all NBA stars.

Of the 151 team-related items I saw , a large majority were Yankees hats. In fact, I saw 46 Yankees hats or shirts during the trip, which accounted for 30.4 percent of all teams I saw, the most by far. It’s safe to say the Yankees have more of an international reach than any other North American sports franchise. It wasn’t just the traditional navy blue hat either. They came in every color combination on the heads of people of all races and ages. They were even sold in corner souvenir shops, which is more of an interesting note considering there was a time in our countries histories where the term Yankees meant a whole lot more than just a baseball team name.

When I originally started the project, I assumed the NBA would have a large international reach. With professional basketball very prevalent in European countries it makes sense. The NBA came in second in my poll with 32 items. Considering the NHL does have a large international base of talent, hockey teams only accounted for seven sightings in roughly three weeks.

It was the Yankees who stole the show. It was a constant reminder of where I’m from, that even though I’ve never rooted for the boys in Pinstripes, they serve as a piece of American culture and a shining light of red, white and blue in far lands.

Oh, stay tuned for the next study … during my honey moon.

Here are the final stats:

France 3
Luxembourg 2
Switzerland 2
Prague 7
Germany 6
Amsterdam 21
Belgium 22
London 88
Total: 151
MLB: 95; Yankees 46
NBA: 32
NFL: 11
NHL: 7
NCAA Division I programs: 6

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-By Chris R. Vaccaro

Looking back: Ernie Banks goes deep ... for the final time

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:48:22 -0400

Ernie Banks hit 512 career home runs.

He hit the final dinger of his career on Aug. 24, 1971. Mr. Cub went yard off Reds pitcher Jim McGlothlin in the fourth inning.

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-By Chris R. Vaccaro