2024 Leaf Lumber All-Time Draft, #11/25 ⭐ Jeff Kent
Congratulations to Jeff Kent, recently inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
I love this 2024 Leaf All-Time Draft insert set.
Leaf ranks Jeff Kent as the #63rd player drafted on their all-time list.

1964 Topps Giants #51 ⭐ Willie Mays SP
It is not often to see a short print of a Willie Mays mainstream playing days card.
This may be the only time that ever happened.
A great card from a great set to collect.
This is the first vintage set that I ever completed, and Willie's card was a toughie.

1952 Bowman #2, Bobby Thomson ⭐"Shot Heard 'Round the World"
On July 4th, as America celebrates its 250th birthday, one of the most meaningful details on this beautiful cardboard art is the American flag waiving high in the background.
The American flag isn't the focal point of the artwork, but once you notice it, it's difficult to overlook.
Rising above the grandstand in the distance, the flag appears to wave proudly over the Polo Grounds, almost watching over the game. Whether the Bowman artist intentionally emphasized it or simply reproduced what was in the original photograph is unknown.
All I know is that I'm happy Old Glory is in this card.
This is an historic baseball card as just months earlier, Thomson had delivered the "Shot Heard 'Round the World," a home run that instantly became part of America's cultural memory.
The image of him standing beneath Old Glory almost feels poetic. The card isn't simply portraying a baseball player; it's capturing an era when baseball and American identity were closely intertwined.
Collect What You Love.❤
Happy 4th of July!🤝

1939 R303-B Goudey Premium Mel Ott ⭐ Legendary Hall of Famer
I'm not sure why these cards and, for that matter, Mel Ott are not more popular. The backs of these cards are phenomenal.
Mel Ott was magnificent and his offensive exploits are largely forgotten by many today.
He was the favorite baseball player of legendary broadcaster Vin Scully and ESPN sportscaster Keith Olbermann.
Mel Ott was a legendary New York Giants slugger who became the first N.L. player to hit 500 career HRs.
He was only 5'9" and used a famous high-leg kick to generate massive power. He finished with 511 homers, a .304 career batting average, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951.

1950 Bowman #174, Hank Thompson ⭐ RC
Hank Thompson is generally recognized as the third Black player in the modern Major League Baseball (MLB) era to break the color barrier, debuting for the St. Louis Browns on July 17, 1947. He followed Jackie Robinson (April 15, 1947) and Larry Doby (July 5, 1947) in integrating the league.

Key facts regarding Hank Thompson and his contributions during this period of integration include:

• Thompson is notable for integrating two different franchises; he played for the St. Louis Browns in 1947 and later for the NY Giants (along with Monte Irvin) in 1949.

• He is also recognized as the first Black batter to face a Black pitcher in a MLB game when he batted against Don Newcombe on July 8, 1949.

• Hank was also part of the first all-Black outfield in MLB history when he played right field along with teammates Willie Mays (centerfield) and Monte Irvin (left field) in Game 1 of the 1951 World Series on October 4, 1951.