Vintage Fridays: Ron Hansen, 1963 Topps #88

That's the original Yankee Stadium behind Ron Hansen. More accurately, Hansen is standing in Yankee Stadium. The House That Ruth Built was not an easy place to play, but the mega-million-dollar tribute to capitalism that replaced it in 2009 hasn't had that same intimidating atmosphere. Maybe it has something to do with the common fans being priced out of seats, or maybe they're still there but they're being muffled by the concrete moat that separates them from the field-level seats. At any rate, the Orioles have had a fair share of success there in the past few seasons. Tonight, it's been another edge-of-the-seat battle. 2-1 O's after six innings. I'd like to see the Baltimore bats snap back to life after a lethargic series in Chicago, but then people in hell would like ice water, as my grandmother used to say.   Rally caps on, everybody.

Vintage Fridays: Ron Hansen, 1961 Topps #240

As you're looking at this nearly fifty-year-old card, the first thing that jumps out at you is likely the ornate trophy icon that stretches from Ron Hansen's hips to his wrists. Since 1959, Topps has selected an All-Star Rookie team. The awesome logo you see above appeared on cards for the honored young players from 1960-1972. In 1973, they switched to a simple gold cup commonly known as the "Rookie Cup"; this design appeared on cards that year and again from 1975-1978, and finally from 1987 on through to the current day. I've always enjoyed seeing that designation on a card; it's visually appealing and it feels a little special. When I got back into collecting in 2007, my first purchase was that year's Series 1 Topps Orioles team set. I was proud to see the Rookie Cup on Nick Markakis' card; it was like a form of validation that the promising young outfielder had truly arrived.

Topps picks the top rookie at each position (there's no DH but there is both a LHP and a RHP, and there are 3 OFs just like the Gold Gloves). Some choices are a slam dunk, like Hansen. He hit 22 home runs and drove in 86 as a shortstop, which was rarefied air in those days. Not only was he the American League's Rookie of the Year, but he finished fifth in MVP balloting. Other times, Topps had to select from a shallow pool. I did a double take when I saw the Rookie Cup on Geronimo Gil's 2003 card (2002 stats: .232 AVG, .277 OBP, 12 HR. 45 RBI), for instance.

Earlier this week, Topps announced their latest All-Star Rookie Team. Though the O's crop of budding young players had been shut out of the Rookie of the Year voting, they were represented on this team by outfielder Nolan Reimold, who hit .279 and led all A. L. rookies in home runs (15), on-base percentage (.365), and slugging percentage (.466). But the real news was the exclusion of much-heralded rookie catcher Matt Wieters, who was apparently passed over in favor of 28-year-old former Oriole and current Met receiver Omir Santos. Their stats (both played in 96 games):

Wieters: .288/.340/.412, 15 2B, 9 HR, 43 RBI
Santos: .260/.296/.391, 14 2B, 7 HR, 40 RBI

So what's the deal? Was Topps suffering from New York Bias? Were they committing blasphemy? Did they deem themselves unworthy of so much as uttering the name of the Great Wieters? Not quite. As near as I can tell, this bizarre selection was the result of good old fashioned baseball card company politics.

Last year, Razor (a smaller-time company that focuses on autographs and memorabilia and specializes in minor league and amateur players) trumpeted the signing of Wieters to an "exclusive" contract. Since Upper Deck has an agreement with the MLB Players' Association, however, they would have the right to produce cards of the catcher as soon as he was called up to the Orioles' big league roster (i.e., May 29, 2009). Topps' license is with the MLB itself, and not the players' association, so they're apparently shut out from the Wieters Derby until 365 days after his MLB debut; you won't see any Topps cards of the ex-Yellow Jacket until after Memorial Day 2010. I can barely make sense of the particulars here, but Razor basically wanted to boast that they would have Matt "first". Ugh.

So there you have it; Matt Wieters signed the deal with Razor ---> Topps can't feature him in their 2010 Series 1 ---> Topps chooses the path of least resistance and goes with a less-impressive catcher on their All-Star Rookie team. I'm sure Wieters will take solace in the MVP, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, All-Star MVP, and World Series MVP trophies that he'll collect in 2010. No pressure, bud.

Ron Hansen, 1991 Crown/Coca-Cola All Time Orioles #177

This Day in Orioles History: August 12, 1960

Orioles 4, Red Sox 3 at Memorial Stadium

The young Orioles won a thriller at home, rebounding from a 3-0 seventh-inning deficit to stun the Red Sox. It was the seventh straight win for the Birds, who moved into a tie for first place in the American League with the vaunted Yankees. Baltimore was on the ropes early, as starting pitcher Steve Barber faced just six batters before leaving the game, possibly with an injury. Wes Stock turned in a decent emergency relief performance, but the O's bats were silent against Boston starter Billy Muffett until Ron Hansen sparked a rally with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Hansen doubled and scored on a Marv Breeding single. Catcher Clint Courtney followed up with a pinch double, but Jackie Brandt left the tying runs in scoring position, flying out to right field. The Orioles were running out of at-bats.

In the eighth, Gene Stephens walked and chased Muffett. Tom Borland got Gene Woodling on a shallow fly to second base before first baseman Jim Gentile greeted Borland properly with a game-tying two-run homer. Thanks to four innings of scoreless relief from Jerry Walker and Chuck Estrada, the Birds were primed for a walkoff win in the bottom of the ninth. Ted Williams, in his final season, had pinch-hit for Borland in the top of the ninth and was retired on a fly ball to center field. The new Boston pitcher was former Oriole Mike Fornieles, and he would face the ignitor Ron Hansen. The O's shortstop brought a quick end to the drama, belting the game-winning home run and sending 20,691 strong home from 33rd Street happy.