In a conference call with media Tuesday, Barry Larkin touched on everything from his preparation leading up to Sunday’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame to his playing days for his hometown Cincinnati Reds and a transition from football to baseball that changed his life.

Here’s a look at some Larkin quotes from the call:

On the anticipation for Sunday: “I’m really excited about how many Reds fans are coming, because I’ve heard just about everybody in the world is going to show up.”

On growing up in Cincinnati and playing for Reds: “I think when I first got back to Cincinnati was probably the hardest time (as a hometown player). I mean it was good being back home, and having all the Reds guys around, but there was some pressure from people I knew. Guys I went to high school with didn’t understand that the competition was a lot harder on the field than it was in high school. It was a special relationship (with the city). It meant a lot. In retrospect, it meant more now than when I was playing. When I was playing, it meant more about winning championships and getting into the postseason. We did that in 1990 and in 1994, we were right there and we went on strike. My dad came to every single game. My mom peeled off some at the end. I was just very comfortable in Cincinnati. I just enjoyed everything about it. Growing up in Cincinnati, I grew up a big Red Machine fan. I remember going outside and doing the Pete Rose slide or throwing my bat around like Tony Perez and doing the bounce throw on concrete like Davey Concepcion.”

On his induction ceremony: It will be emotional. It will be exciting. My daughter is going to be singing the National Anthem. (Hall of Fame) President Jeff Idelson heard my daughter singing and asked if she wanted to sing the national anthem. So I’ll be nervous for her. But it will be exciting.”

On players who helped him early in his career: “Ozzie (Smith) obviously inspired me. I watched him from the other side of the field, but Davey Concepcion is the guy – and Buddy Bell – that really helped me with my consistency and my approach. They were the guys working with me on a daily basis. When I got the big leagues, I still needed some fine-tuning. Davey Concepcion helped me with positioning on the Astroturf. He taught me his patented bounce throw. He’d go to second base and let me throw to him for the double play. He’d go to first and let me throw to him over there. I couldn’t believe how much he helped me because he knew I was gunning for his job. Davey helped me mostly during batting practice. Buddy helped me on the field. He would tell me to let him know when a breaking ball was coming and that would help me with my positioning, watching what he’d do… It helped me mentally because I really wasn’t a baseball player at that time.”

On his transition from football to baseball: “It was a fairly long road and one with quite a few twists and turns. It started in Moeller (High School) and I really thought I was going to be a football player. I was better at football. But I had some opportunities playing baseball. When I went up to Michigan and just played baseball, we had some success early. We went to the College World Series and I felt like I was getting better every day. Then I got the chance to play on the Olympic team. I remember getting to a point when I just said; I have to be better than everyone else.”

Larkin will get inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday along with Cubs legend Ron Santo.

Topps will be reporting live from Cooperstown during induction weekend. To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Chris R. Vaccaro

To say the MLB Fan Cave is baseball heaven is an understatement. The Cave Dwellers get to live, eat, sleep and devour baseball 24/7 from the confines of a baseball friendly environment in New York City, complete with everything you could possibly want to keep your diamond fever running high.

Topps had a chance to visit the Fan Cave this week and here’s what we saw:

Here’s the view outside the Fan Cave on Broadway and East Fourth. It’s the old Tower Records building.

As soon as you walk through the front doors you’re instantly struck by the uniqueness of the facility.

Massive light structures and televisions take up what would otherwise be under utilized space in the small lobby of the Cave.

Louisville Slugger made dozens of custom MLB Fan Cave bats, which hang from the ceiling in a track of lumber.

Just like at Miller Park in Milwaukee, the MLB Fan Cave has a home run slide.

Also at the Cave was a complete set of instruments, stocked with this special edition Fenway Park 100 Year Anniversary guitar.

Pepsi has a strong hold on branding in the Fan Cave. One wall has nearly one dozen players mixed between a massive Pepsi advertisement.

No, you’re not envisioning things. There is actually a Dirt Bar at the Fan Cave, complete with the gravel fixings from all 30 Major League clubs.

From those Dodgers pools balls to the MLB Fan Cave logo on the table to another MLB Fan Cave cue ball, it’s all crafted to an exact visual science of branding.

That’s supposed to be a giant hand throwing a baseball, complete with the yarn to prove it. On the individual leather ball pieces are signatures from the notable famous stars who come to the Fan Cave on an almost daily basis.

What would a Fan Cave be without some turf?

On the lower level, things are a bit more sleek…

… there’s even a pit of balls and a set of legs without any baseball meaning.

Also on the lower level is an old turnstyle from the original Yankee Stadium.

On Monday, Young The Giant performed as part of the MLB Fan Cave Concert Series, which runs throughout the entire 2012 season.

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

-Chris R. Vaccaro

On the weekend when heroes return to Cooperstown, some of the game’s legendary names of yesteryear will be honored with a uniquely American celebration at the home of baseball.

Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn will help celebrate the lives of four Hall of Fame teammates on Friday during the First-Day-of-Issue Major League Baseball All-Stars stamps dedication ceremony in Cooperstown.

The new Baseball Legends Stamps will be unveiled at 10 a.m. on July 20 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The dedication ceremony, which is an invitation-only event, will be shown for fans via closed-circuit television in Cooper Park adjacent to the Museum. Available nationwide that day, the stamps can also be purchased at the Museum and the Cooperstown Post Office.

Four of baseball’s most revered Hall of Famers will be immortalized on 45-cent First-Class Forever stamps. Appearing on the Major League Baseball All-Stars sheet of 20 stamps will be Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees; Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians; Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates; and Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox.

Brian Kenny of MLB Network will serve as emcee, with remarks from Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the Board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum; Patrick R. Donahoe, United States Postmaster General; and Louis J. Giuliano, member of the United States Postal Service Board of Governors. Honored guests will include Larry Doby Jr. (son of Larry Doby), Margaret Weller-Stargell (wife of Willie Stargell) and Kathie DiMaggio Stein (granddaughter of Joe DiMaggio).

The stamps were designed by artist-illustrator Kadir Nelson of Los Angeles and are based on historic photographs. Phil Jordan of Falls Church, Va., served as art director.

Gwynn was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007 after a stellar 20-year big league career with the San Diego Padres in which he compiled a .338 career batting average and won eight National League batting titles. Gwynn’s daughter, recording artist Anisha Nicole, will perform the National Anthem at the dedication ceremony.

The dedication ceremony will be one of many exciting events of the July 20-23 Hall of Fame Weekend, which will feature the induction of Barry Larkin and Ron Santo as the Class of 2012. The Induction Ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. ET on July 22 at the Clark Sports Center, one mile south of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

-Story courtesy National Baseball Hall of Fame

Last month, Topps Pennant ventured to Cooperstown, N.Y. for the Baseball Hall of Fame Classic. With that trip came a tour of the beloved museum on Main Street. 

You know about many of the key items that exist in the hall, but we tried to find some other interesting artifacts currently on display that have a fun and meaningful place in baseball’s long and extensive history. 

In no specific order, here it goes:

The hat former Mets manager Bobby Valentine wore during the days following Sept. 11, 2001.

We couldn’t resist. George Brett’s “Pine tar Bat” from that famous game in 1983.

Jerseys that Montreal Canadiens wore following the death of former Expos and Mets great Gary Carter.

This cleat from former Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga touched first base to get a Cleveland hitter out, but umpire Jim Joyce called the runner safe. Galarraga was one out away from a perfect game.

In 1947, the Giants set a then MLB record with the most home runs in a seaon: 221. To commemorate the mark, team owner Horace Stoneham awarded a ring to each member of the team. The ring in the hall of fame on display, however, belonged to Giants pitcher Junior Thompson, who ironically never hit a homer in his six-year big league career.

A “K” from Shea Stadium from when Doc Gooden set the record for most strikeouts by a rookie pitcher with 276 in 1984.

Bricks from Hank Aaron’s boyhood home in Mobile, Alabama.

The mitt Yogi Berra used to catch during Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

The first ball used during the 1919 World Series between the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds.

The jersey Tim Robbins wore in the movie “Bull Durham.”

An Andy Warhol painting of Tom Seaver from 1977.

An arm-warmer sleeve made by Bob Feller’s mother in 1934 for games he pitched in prior to World War II.

A foul ball from the first game Cal Ripken, Jr. played in during his famous streak of 2,632 consecutive games. The ball was hit on May 30, 1982.

A ball and newspaper clipping from 1916 when Babe Ruth shutout the Detroit Tigers, while pitching for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

A pistol given to Carl Yastrzemski as a gift from Gene Autry.

And to get you ready for next weekend, here’s a look at Ron Santo’s items currently on display at the hall…

… and Barry Larkin’s items.

We’ll be back in Cooperstown for Hall of Fame Induction Weekend July 20-22, reporting from Barry Larkin and Ron Santo’s big day. To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Chris R. Vaccaro

KANSAS CITY — For the third straight year, the National League defeated the American League in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, gaining home field advantage for the World Series.

In an 8-0 defeat, the National League captured victory in what many would deem as an unlikely scenario prior to the contest; they managed to score five runs off Tigers ace Justin Verlander in the first inning and held onto the lead.

The San Francisco Giants stole the show. Starting pitcher Matt Cain earned the victory, while Pablo Sandoval recorded a three-run triple and Melky Cabrera won MVP honors after going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored.

The 8-0 margin of victory was the largest by the National League in history and the largest in a shutout since 1946, according to Major League Baseball.

Social media during game: Give a hand to Major League Baseball and the Fan Cave for having players enter a special social media command center during the game to tweet about their all-star experiences. Their master account also featured images of players tweeting. It doesn’t get more engaging then that.

All-star quote of the week: After learning he was not chosen as the starting pitcher for the National League for the all-star game, Mets ace R.A. Dickey had this to say via Twitter: “I know i didn’t get the start for the all star game, but i did have a 7 year old tell me i had a sick knuckleball. so i got that going for me.”

Sheen in the house: Charlie Sheen is seemingly everywhere when the spotlight is brightest. During the all-star game he was hunkered down in the MLB Fan Cave just above the left field wall. He was having a pretty good time as you can see in this photo. “All*Star Game 2012 @MLBFanCave thank you!! American League… National League… Who cares! I love’m all!!,” he said on Twitter. Sheen’s new series, “Anger Management,” recently launched on FX where he plays a therapist who used to be a professional baseball player. Go figure.

Tweet of the night: Darren Rovell always seems to post extremely interesting tweets, so leave it up to him to find an image of Lou Whitaker’s Tigers all-star jersey from 1985. The catch is that Whitacker had to borrow one from the souvenir stand at the game because his was left at home. Here’s a look at the jersey.

Baseball Hall of Fame on their game: An important baseball moment doesn’t go by without the National Baseball Hall of Fame being on their A Game. Directly after the all-star game, the hall snatched up a few items to take back to Cooperstown, including:

Jeter passes Mantle: It wouldn’t be an all-star game without a Yankee making headlines. Derek Jeter passed Mickey Mantle for the most hits in an all-star game by a Yankees player when he recorded his 11th hit, a single in the first inning. Jeter needs one more hit to break into the top 10 all-time, but is pretty far back from Willie Mays’ record of 23. Read more about Jeter’s historical night via ESPN NY.

Okay, here’s our daily PHOTO ROLL from THE #ASG:

Well, no one expected this guy to get the loss, but Justin Verlander let up five runs in the first inning.

Carlos Beltran exchanges words with his former Mets manager Terry Collins.

Matt Cain, the starting pitcher for the National League, earned the victory.

Country star Luke Bryan singing the National Anthem before the game. He was also on stage during a pre-game celebration in the parking lot of Kauffman Stadium.

Here is Jeter passing Mickey Mantle with his 11th all-star hit as a Yankee.

By looking at this photo, you can tell why it’s here; those cleats. David Wright sports them well.

If you’re wondering, mustard won.

CLICK HERE, to see a complete gallery from the derby and all all-star events.

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

-Chris R. Vaccaro

KANSAS CITY — Here’s a look at some of our photos from Monday’s Home Run Derby at Kauffman Stadium. Prince Fielder beat Jose Bautista in the final.

CLICK HERE, to see a complete gallery from the derby and all all-star events.

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

-Chris R. Vaccaro

KANSAS CITY — The MLB Futures Game and Celebrity Softball contest were played Sunday Kauffman Stadium, kicking off three strong days of on-field baseball fun in KC. Rather then recap the action, which you can get anywhere, enjoy a visual representation of some moments from throughout the day and of the stadium.

One of three statues of Royals players/coaches who have their numbers retired by the organization. You’ll know him as George Brett.

Pirates prospect Gerrit Cole started the Futures Game for USA, who won, 17-5, over the World team.

And here’s Brett in the flesh, managing the U.S. team in the Futures Game.

In the Celebrity Softball game, Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers started for the American League. 

Fingers pitched to Don Draper, er we mean, Jon Hamm, one of a number of actors and singers to play in the game.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel takes a hack at a pitch.

Two legends - Rickey Henderson and Bo Jackson - talking during game.

Sweet Glory! AL celebrates one of its three back-to-back-to-back homers.

Finally, and this is pretty cool, have a look at one of the holes of mini golf in the far left field section of Kauffman Stadium.

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

-Chris R. Vaccaro

KANSAS CITY – A little over 48 hours in Kansas City and baseball fever has fully set in for all FanFest attendees. If they weren’t excited enough about a convention center filled with baseball goodies and free diamond swag, they also had an opportunity to meet Royals legend Bo Jackson and a handful of other baseball notables like Rollie Fingers and Andre Dawson on Saturday. 

Ladies from AAGPBL attend FanFest

One of the most unique features of this year’s FanFest is the presence of women from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The lovely ladies made famous by their barnstorming efforts from the mid-20^th century and by the movie “A League of Their Own,” have been in Kansas City giving presentations, signing autographs and talking with fans.

“None of us thought about the future in terms of, ‘Were we doing something historical for women’s sports?’” said Lois Youngen, a catcher/outfielder for the Fort Wayne Daisies, Kenosha Comets and South Bend Blue Sox, in an interview with MLB.com. “We were into the day, the game, the moment, etc. Secondly, I’d have to say, I’d have to be pretty old to reconcile the fact that I’m a part of history, so to speak.”

Look out for free baseballs

Among the many free giveaways this week at the Fest, are a couple of baseballs you might want to get your hands on. Not so fast, Chevy and StateFarm aren’t just giving them away. 

It’s pretty simple to wait online and fill out a survey on the StateFarm computer interface and then collect your home run derby ball. StateFarm is the official sponsor of this year’s derby. For Chevy, however, there’s an initial line, a computer survey, a five question quiz about their cars in scavenger hunt form, then another line to collect your ball. If you’re into baseballs, it’s worth it.

Rawlings makes fans drool

If you happened to pass by the Rawlings booth at FanFest, you know what I’m talking about by that headline. The giant leather baseball glove seat is probably the coolest man-cave feature any baseball fan would be lucky enough to acquire. That is, of course, if they had an extra $3,100. A representative from Rawlings said they only sell 10 of those seats a year, including the one they brought to FanFest. Through July 2012, they’ve only sold three, so there are seven lucky folks around the world who can still get their hands on one of those bad boys this year.

Follow Topps Digital

Make sure you follow us @ToppsPennant and @ToppsBUNTCast for live tweets from every major All-Star event. Aside from tweets during the day at FanFest, we’ll also be at the Futures Game and Celebrity Softball Game at Kauffman Stadium on Sunday evening.

On the field news & notes

• Harper makes it: The Bryce Harper train is coming through Kansas City after all. Major League Baseball’s favorite rookie sensation got the nod to replace the injured Giancarlo Stanton during Tuesday’s game. Only two players younger than Harper have played in the All-Star Game: Dwight Gooden (‘84) and Bob Feller (‘38). “No words can explain it right now,” Harper said Saturday. “It’s exciting to go. I’m excited to get there and be around all the top guys in the country, of course, and all the top guys in baseball.”
• McCutchen in HR Derby: This one’s for you Pirates fans … center fielder Andrew McCutchen will replace Stanton in the Homerun Derby Monday. McCutchen, 25, has 16 homers and leads the majors with his .359 average this season.
• Will Dickey start? Something tells us Tony La Russa is going to have Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynne start the 83^rd MLB All-Star Game. On a conference call with reporters Thursday, La Russa gave a number of reasons why Mets ace R.A. Dickey would be better utilized later in the game “I’ve given that a lot of thought, but there is an issue about catching him and what spot to use him,” La Russa said. “His season has gotten everyone’s attention, including our staff’s and we’re talking about the best way to win the game with our personnel and how we use Dickey will be a part of that. But yes, that has been addressed and [pitching coach] Dave [Duncan] and I have talked quite a bit about it and we have a plan that we hope to implement. Dickey could certainly start the game, he’s got the credentials. But I look at the five guys that were selected, and each of those guys could make a claim, so as a manager, you have to keep your heart pure and do the best you can for the team over one individual.” 

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

-Chris R. Vaccaro

KANSAS CITY — This year’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game comes to the heartland of America, to a city located geographically in the center of a country that has long dubbed baseball as its National Pastime.

Under scorching temperatures, with the smell of succulent barbeque penetrating the streets, and a passionate fan base still drenched in the history that legends like George Brett, Frank White and Dick Howser helped make, Kansas City is undeniably a baseball town.

While recent years have proven rough for Royals fans, this year they’re treated with a divine week-long blast of baseball elegance, the crown jewel of July, the 83^rd playing of the Midsummer Classic.

Brett leads clinic: Royals legend and Hall of Famer George Brett was on hand at the Kansas City Convention Center Friday for a youth baseball clinic. Brett, a longtime ambassador of Kansas City, is the go-to famous figure for the city this weekend. He will be on-hand giving clinics and signing autographs through Tuesday at the convention center.

Selig to host annual chat: Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig will address fans in a live Internet chat session on Monday. He will answer questions in front of an audience during the FanFest beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST. The event will also be live on MLB.com.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Only two miles from downtown Kansas City, The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a monumental facility packed with baseball history dating back hundreds of years. Anchored by a beautiful baseball diamond and bronze statues of arguably the top 10 Negro League players of all-time (there’s a batter in the box to make 10), it’s a must-see for any baseball fan taking the journey to K.C. this week.

Topps Digital at ASG: Aside from posting daily blog posts right here on Tumblr, we’ll also be very active on Twitter and Facebook @ToppsPennant and @ToppsBUNTCast from every major event in K.C. Follow along and feel free to engage! More importantly, if you’re in K.C. over the next few days, please stop by the Topps booth at FanFest to say hello and demo our new apps.

Social media madness: If you’ve been tweeting about #KC and the #ASG, then there’s a good chance someone from the Social Media Command Center in Kansas City replied and engaged with you. It’s only Friday and their team has been extremely active. Even Mayor Sly James retweeted me twice throughout the day. For a complete social media guide to the weekend, MLB.com compiled a simple-to-follow document with all the info you’ll need.

Schedule: Just in case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a look at what’s going on the next few days:

• Saturday: FanFest 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
• Sunday: FanFest, 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Futures Game 4:00 p.m., Celebrity Softball 7:00 p.m.
• Monday: FanFest, 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., AL/NL Workouts 4:15 p.m., Home Run Derby, 7:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: FanFest, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., All-Star Game, 6:30 p.m.

Other news & notes

• According to a report from Major League Baseball, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday has been named to replace Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina on the N.L.’s active roster.
• If you’re heading to K.C. for All-Star festivities, you might want to read the MLB.com FanFest 411 story. It’s a quick look at what to expect over the next few days.

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

-Chris R. Vaccaro

On July 5, 1998, Juan Gonzalez became just the second player in major league history to slug in 100 RBI in the first half of the season before all-star break. 

The record is 103 set by Hank Greenberg in 1935. While Greenberg finished with 170 that season, Gonzalez recorded 157.

This season, Josh Hamilton currently leads all major leaguers with 74 RBI, following by Melky Cabrera (68), Jose Bautista (64) and Carlos Beltran (63).

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

-Chris R. Vaccaro