Career Achievements

• Hall of Fame Induction: 2012 (first ballot, 86.4% of the vote)

• World Series Champion: 1990 (helped lead the Reds to a sweep over the Oakland A’s)

• National League MVP: 1995

• 12× All-Star: 1988–1991, 1993–1997, 1999, 2000, 2004

• 9× Silver Slugger Award: 1988–1992, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 (most ever by a shortstop at the time)

• 3× Gold Glove Award: 1994–1996

• Roberto Clemente Award: 1993 (for sportsmanship and community involvement)

• Lou Gehrig Memorial Award: 1994

Notable Stats & Milestones

• Career Batting Average: .295

• Hits: 2,340

• Home Runs: 198

• RBIs: 960

• Stolen Bases: 379

• First shortstop in MLB history to join the 30–30 club (30 HR, 30 SB in 1996)

Tony Gwynn Sweet Spot Classics auto such a nice signature and a beautiful card

And another one! Cool Upper Deck Sweet Spot autograph of Kareem Abdul Jabbar #/10. I have most of the big ones now. Still missing LeBron. And a few others. But I’m patient and I’ll keep looking! No rush to build these in the collection. But they don’t come up too often. If anyone has any cool sweet spot autos or bat barrel nameplate cards (any company including Leaf and non-licensed) please shoot me a DM!

Continuing down some more autos from the sweet spot series, “Rocket” Roger Clemens. The 2001 Upper Deck sweet spot was the first that these cards were introduced, and they made some absolute monster cards. Clemens, clearly caught in the steroid era, was absolute dominant on the mound. Like Barry, Bonds, Mark McGwire, and others in the 80s and 90s I probably believe the be in the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments. You can put an Asterix next to its Hall of Fame entry if you wish. These cards perform beautifully and look fantastic in the end!

Continue with my little run of Sweet Spot autographs, Frank Thomas a.k.a. “The Big Hurt” autograph. He has a classy autograph and amazing stats! Some people discounted him as he played much of his career as a designated hitter, but that doesn’t discount his incredible stats both hitting for average and power. I only have a few Frank Thomas cards and I still need to get his 1990 Leaf rookie autograph in high grade.