2009 Hall of Fame Candidate Tribute Part 2

Here is another card I have had in my collection for a few years. I miss Donruss, well the old Donruss. I hope in 2010 MLBPA re-thinks its licensing so that perhaps we can revive a product that many people miss.

This is from 2005 Donruss Zenith Rickey Henderson Game Used Bat card



Rickey Henderson may still be playing baseball somewhere right now as you read this. This guy just loves the game, and loves to stay in shape. At his age now he could run farther and faster than I can. (I hate running, though I love to work out.) Rickey was one of the fastest base runners, and best base stealers to play the game. For a brief moment on his resume he was also a Yankee. Let's get more of those pinstripes into the HOF, though I don't think he would be enshrined as a Yankee.

2005 is probably the time where I bought the most Donruss, I just loved their products that year. Especially the basic series, when you cracked a hobby box and it had hot packs of all inserts. Needless to say I have a ton of inserts of players that I don't collect from this year, but it was still fun to open.

2009 Hall of Fame Candidate Tribute

In honor of the balloting about to take place for the Baseball Hall of Fame (the same place we are supposed to go on an adventure soon), I thought I might showcase a card or two from the candidates. I would probably be willing to trade this card, but it would have to be for something pretty sweet, and very Pujols. (I would settle for Cano.)

The first card is a 2005 Fleer Classic Clippings Don Mattingly Game Used Jersey Card



The funny thing about the older game used jersey cards is they were a heck of a lot thinner back then, they are only slightly bigger than a regular card.

Donnie Baseball was a long time Yankee favorite, team captain, and a gritty first basemen. Most people my age idolized him (even Mark Teixeira), and if you ask most of those people who their favorite Yankee all time is, some will still say Donnie. For whatever reason, I don't share in this affection for him. I liked him, don't get me wrong, but he just wasn't my guy. I hope he gets in the HOF so Yankee fans can stop debating why he isn't in, and why he does or doesn't deserve to be. Not just that, but I like to see Yankees get in especially one that I grew up watching.

Cooperstown Class of 2009

While floating around on the Yankees website I came across this year's candidates for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Most of these guys are players that we grew up watching, so this is rather interesting to me.

One of my personal favorites, despite his long-time affiliation with the Red Sox, got in not too long ago, Wade Boggs. Most people don't know I was such a big fan of him, but as a kid I played softball and third base. He was a great player to look up to. To add a little entertainment value, the picture is part of my personal collection and is a Wade Boggs autograph.

The 2009 class is full of more stars we all grew up with, and maybe some of the players we once collected. I think it's safe to say Mark McGwire is not getting in, the rest we could debate but I don't see McGwire happening.

2009 candidates:

• Harold Baines
• Jay Bell
• Bert Blyleven
• David Cone
• Andre Dawson
• Ron Gant
• Mark Grace
• Rickey Henderson
• Tommy John
• Don Mattingly
• Mark McGwire
• Jack Morris
• Dale Murphy
• Jesse Orosco
• Dave Parker
• Dan Plesac
• Tim Raines
• Jim Rice
• Lee Smith
• Alan Trammell
• Greg Vaughn
• Mo Vaughn
• Matt Williams

I am all for Cone and Mattingly from this list, though there is only one guy that I don't want to see end up in out of all these great players. Anyone collect any of these guys? I'm interesting in hearing opinions of who everyone thinks will get in, or not get in.