October Pickups

[brian1961]

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. When Dick came to us in 1972, we were not prepared for how good he quickly showed himself to be. He was kinda eccentric, but his play with the Sox won us over. Us White Sox fans adored him, and he ate it up and just kept up the great play all year. Inside the park home runs, hustle, and so on! The Chicago press were careful with him, as were the Sox announcers. Manager Chuck Tanner was perfect for Dick, and he just exploded out of a dull stretch that had plagued him for several years. It was beautiful. The lady organist played a bar from "Jesus Christ Superstar" when he would come to bat. The fans belted out their appreciation for Dick. He was happy, very happy.

Which led, in turn, to the flat out finest item ever done of Dick. I mean, for visual appeal, there is nothing close to this Dick Allen collectible. White Sox management had Fan Appreciation Nights once in a while, and they would hand out a quality sticker of one of the top players. Lo and behold, at some point in 72-73 they did one of Dick Allen. Shot from the waist up in his home uniform, he's smiling with a genuine "I love it here and I'm loved here" facial expression. I mean to tell you, he just glows. I was able to get one late in the 72 season at Comiskey Park and would like SGC to grade it for me. Wouldn't trade it for a GEM MINT anything of Dick. I think it will grade pretty high, as I've kept it undisturbed in a baggie for all these years.

As you know, the love affair with Mr. Allen eventually vanished when he deserted the team. Maybe the Sox should have employed a good psychiatrist and moreover, Mr. Ed. With his penchant love for horses, Ed could have told Dick to "just cool it" and helped him relax and get on with the show. I know this is just nonsense, but most Chicagoans felt bad how it ended. Be that as it may, 1972 was the year of Dick Allen. He will never, ever be forgotten, Hall of Fame or no.

---Just my nickel-pack's worth. --Brian Powell

[ALR-bishop]

Great item STL

[Shoebox]

Starting a new project with this one.

[stlcardsfan]

Thanks Brian and Al. I'm not sure about grading it, but it will definitely remain as is and uncut while in my possession!

[jthorst75]

Credit to MattyC for his pickups last month, I had to get one of my own.

[MattyC]

Thx. You got one of the best looking cards ever right there-- and finding one centered like that is tough. Props!

[jthorst75]

Thanks Matt; it's tough trying to keep up with you. I guess it's cheaper just to sit back and admire.

[MattyC]

Thx-- had to grab this guy. Centering was money and it's a great value in this grade because the price jumps huge in 9.

Also, this card has to be considered alongside the Molitor/Trammell in the "two great players on same RC" discussion. Cecil Cooper had some NASTY seasons. Especially in 1980 when he was overshadowed by Brett's insane performance and the star wattage of Yankees like Reggie and Goose for MVP consideration. Power with a .350+ avg, 200 hits, this was a damn good player.

[KingFisk]

Originally Posted by brian1961

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. When Dick came to us in 1972, we were not prepared for how good he quickly showed himself to be. He was kinda eccentric, but his play with the Sox won us over. Us White Sox fans adored him, and he ate it up and just kept up the great play all year. Inside the park home runs, hustle, and so on! The Chicago press were careful with him, as were the Sox announcers. Manager Chuck Tanner was perfect for Dick, and he just exploded out of a dull stretch that had plagued him for several years. It was beautiful. The lady organist played a bar from "Jesus Christ Superstar" when he would come to bat. The fans belted out their appreciation for Dick. He was happy, very happy.

Which led, in turn, to the flat out finest item ever done of Dick. I mean, for visual appeal, there is nothing close to this Dick Allen collectible. White Sox management had Fan Appreciation Nights once in a while, and they would hand out a quality sticker of one of the top players. Lo and behold, at some point in 72-73 they did one of Dick Allen. Shot from the waist up in his home uniform, he's smiling with a genuine "I love it here and I'm loved here" facial expression. I mean to tell you, he just glows. I was able to get one late in the 72 season at Comiskey Park and would like SGC to grade it for me. Wouldn't trade it for a GEM MINT anything of Dick. I think it will grade pretty high, as I've kept it undisturbed in a baggie for all these years.

As you know, the love affair with Mr. Allen eventually vanished when he deserted the team. Maybe the Sox should have employed a good psychiatrist and moreover, Mr. Ed. With his penchant love for horses, Ed could have told Dick to "just cool it" and helped him relax and get on with the show. I know this is just nonsense, but most Chicagoans felt bad how it ended. Be that as it may, 1972 was the year of Dick Allen. He will never, ever be forgotten, Hall of Fame or no.

---Just my nickel-pack's worth. --Brian Powell

Great memories, Brian, thanks for sharing. I never got to see him actually play, he was a bit before my time, but tales of his power from eyewitnesses I have spoken to are like modern day Paul Bunyan stories...can you share a picture of the sticker premium?

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by KingFisk

Great memories, Brian, can you share a picture of the sticker premium?

Carl, it may take a while, but I'll see what I can do. I'd love to share a picture of it with you. ---Brian Powell

[MikeGarcia]

....I'll keep these until I can find replacements with better centering but hey we're talking 1957 Topps so it may be a while.... these are okay for now though...

[MattyC]

Here's one ya don't see every day...



Talk about one of the most slept on players in baseball history...

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Here's one ya don't see every day...

I saw it just a few minutes ago, actually, on the pre-war board.

By the way, very nice Cooper rookie. Yes, he was an incredible hitter, and he still has the biggest hit in franchise history.

I've said it a few times. If he'd been able to play full time just a little earlier in his career, he could have received some very serious Hall of Fame consideration. But he was 27 years old before he ever got 450 at bats in a season. Too bad, because between 1976 and 1985, he averaged 199 hits, 66 extra base hits and 104 RBI per 162 games played. He's one of the best hitters from that era to never win a batting title.

Coop was just smooth. Great fielder, great hitter, great run producer. Look at his career peak numbers. 7 spectacular years.