Happy Johnny - Mad Pudge

We haven't had a good Johnny Bench card lately so here it is:

2001 Topps
Topps Combos
TC5 Ivan Rodriguez / Johnny Bench

Every generation has two great catchers fans immediately think of. That is why this card makes sense showing Bench and I Rod together. The 1970's / 80's had Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk. Thurmon might have had it if not for the plane crash. Both guys are icons of the game for the catcher's position. Bench for being the greatest defensive catcher ever and a master field general with strong bat. Fisk for his historic home run , a gritty, long career and a decent bat. The debate between Yogi and Johnny will always play on but Johnny Bench will always be the best in my books.
Now for Ivan. From the early 1990's until about 2005 it was clearly between he and Mike Piazza for the generations best catcher. Ivan has the edge in game calling with Piazza the edge in batting. Too even for me to call.

So tie breaker goes to Johnny Bench.
Gretest catcher of the last fourty years. Period.

A Full Reds Team Set of

1987 K-Mart

10 Frank Robinson

12 Johnny Bench
19 Pete Rose

I have been hearing the grumblings.
"Look at Bay Rat and all his shiny Reds."
"All Bay Rat has are serial numbered cards. What a mo mo."
"If I see another game used Reds card........."

For those who thought I was too high puhlootin to mix it up with the lesser folk here is proof I can kick it old school and show off my mad cuhlektn sklz.

How can anyone who was collecting in the mid eighties not have these cards? 79¢ a box in '82 and then 99¢ in '87 for a box of these bad boys. Can you think of any other sets from then that have retained their values? I think not.

These glossy cards mark the celebration of 25 years of Blue Light Specials and crappy toy knockoffs. I bet that is where dayf got his first one! Nicer photos than in '82 and better printing make this a better set. At least to me.

How can you go wrong with Frank, Pete and Johnathan? You can't!

A Full Reds Team Set of

1981 Topps Coca-Cola
Reds Team Set

Header CardNo. 1 Johnny Bench

No. 2 Dave Collins

No. 3 Dave Concepcion
(But everyone knows it's Davey)

No. 4 Dan Driessen

No. 5 George Foster

No. 6 Ken Griffey (The Original)

No. 7 Tom Hume

No. 8 Ray Knight

No. 9 Ron Oester

No. 10 Tom Seaver

No. 11 Mario Soto

What do I like about these card? For starters I did not buy this set until 2006 for the first time. Even though the only difference between this set and the regular 1981 Topps set is the Coke logo on front and the card numbers I just never got it. I finally picked up an unopened cello team pack for under three dollars in June of 06. I am glad I did.
Second this set is a parallel of the set that got me started on collecting. Not the best overall design but still good.
Third. It's the Reds. Nuff said.

Random Red for March 11 in the AM

1982 Donruss
No. 628
Pride of the Reds - Tom Seaver and Johnny Bench

Just click on the card to read the back. It is worth it. Unless you are a Cubs fan. Then you will be disappointed at no crayon drawings on the card.