Player Profile 4: Todd Helton

Player Profile is a series that breaks down players I have pulled from my collection and designated as a player collection. These are mostly stars from the past and present and only include base cards and inserts. Hits and rookie cards are not counted. Some players I pulled because I was a fan of their game, others are obvious because of their play. Some players I actually look for cards of in packs while others get just placed in these boxes. This series will break down how many cards I have of the player, what my Top 5 favorite cards are of the player and why I pulled the player for a player collection.

This series will also cover all four sports I collect. 

Player By The Numbers For Todd Helton: 57 Different Cards.

Playing 17 MLB seasons as number 17 of the Rockies, I feel the same way about Helton as I did about Konerko being a "under the radar" player. Of course in Helton's case, I feel it's more. Mostly because he played for an under the radar team in the Rockies. Not exactly the hobby hot spot.

Despite that, Helton put up some great numbers for the Rockies. He was a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and three-time Gold Glove Award winner plus holds many of the Rockies club records.  In 2000, he was MLB Batting champion, MLB RBI Champ, and won the Hank Aaron award.

Let's take a look at my Top 5 favorite cards of his.

#5. Ultra put out some great photographed cards and this is another with a Helton follow-through

#4 we go from one Fleer product to another. Fleer Tradition put out this nice ground ball chasing Helton.

#3 is from 2004 with Helton circling the bases. Or doing some dance ritual.

#2 Helton in hiding. Gotta appreciate the oddball photos.

#1 Retirement photo. A treasured moment on the field and on this piece of cardboard.

 

I wonder if Todd will find himself in baseball again as either managing or in the booth. Only time can tell but one can only expect it.

Which Todd Helton card above do you like the most and which card do you own is your favorite of his? Let me know in comments!

Player Profile 3: Paul Konerko

Player Profile is a series that breaks down players I have pulled from my collection and designated as a player collection. These are mostly stars from the past and present and only include base cards and inserts. Hits and rookie cards are not counted. Some players I pulled because I was a fan of their game, others are obvious because of their play. Some players I actually look for cards of in packs while others get just placed in these boxes. This series will break down how many cards I have of the player, what my Top 5 favorite cards are of the player and why I pulled the player for a player collection.

This series will also cover all four sports I collect. 

Player By The Numbers For Paul Konerko: 55 Different Cards.

Paul Konerko was a very underrated player in my opinion especially in the hobby. A guy who went about his business without a lot of recognition for doing so. Sometimes those are the guys I like the most which is another reason I like Rodney Hampton so much.

Paul quietly was a 6x All-Star, won a World Series in 2005 and was the ALCS MVP that year as well. He also won the Roberto Clemente award in 2014 before calling it quits at the end of that season as well. He was also a captain and leader of that team as well from 2006-2014.

So here are my Top 5 favorite cards for Paul.

#5. Most of us only remember his time for the White Sox, but Paul did play for the Reds for a short time as well. I like having a variety of cards for one player if they played on multiple teams. Paul got traded from the Reds to the White Sox and the rest was history after.

#4 I just enjoyed the photography angle of him getting someone out on base.

#3 speaking of photography, Upper Deck had to make this list as I assume they will with any of my Player Profiles. There isn't much to say about this photo as I think it speaks for itself.

 

#2. Paul also played for the Dodgers who were the team that drafted him before he got traded to the Reds. I chose this card as number two mainly because of the nice design from Omega, but slightly because it features the team he originated from.

 

And finally card #1 is this Donruss Studio base from 2005 This design was pretty well done. Paul's stance and the city in the backdrop looks pretty cool. Card also has a "White Sox" tint to it.

Paul has been well celebrated by the White Sox since his retirement. They retired his number, built a statue of him and celebrated his Game 2 World Series grand slam in their 25th celebration of their stadium.

Which Paul Konerko card above to you like the most and which card do you own is your favorite of his? Let me know in comments!

Player Profile 2: Ichiro

Player Profile is a series that breaks down players I have pulled from my collection and designated as a player collection. These are mostly stars from the past and present and only include base cards and inserts. Hits and rookie cards are not counted. Some players I pulled because I was a fan of their game, others are obvious because of their play. Some players I actually look for cards of in packs while others get just placed in these boxes. This series will break down how many cards I have of the player, what my Top 5 favorite cards are of the player and why I pulled the player for a player collection.

This series will also cover all four sports I collect. 

Player By The Numbers For Ichiro: 98 Different Cards. This number does not include NY Yankee cards of him as they are in my Yankees binder and not included in his player collection. My Yankee card numbers will be updated on here at a later time.

What can I say about Ichiro, the guy is a super star who needed to be a by-the-player. He put up 10 consecutive seasons of 200+hits including an MLB record of 262. He is an MVP, Gold Glover, All Star, All Star Game MVP, and has a ton of stolen bases. This guy was/is the real deal.

He has played for the Mariners, my Yanks and the Marlins with his best numbers coming from his time with the Mariners.

Having 98+ cards of the guy it was a little tough narrowing down my favorite 5, but I did somehow.

#5 shows off Ichiro's swift base moves. Either that he is doing Chubby Checkers The Twist.

 

#4 has me wondering what Ichiro is doing. Is he posing for cameras? Does he spot Superman? Bird watching? Thinking if he should retire? Or is this a wax figure or future statue?

 

#3 is just just shiny cardboard and my best numbered card of him

 

#2 is not only my favorite product and the only refractor of him I own, but it's such a cool photography angle. The prism refractor just adds another level to this card.

 

 

#1B is on here because it pairs him with Griffey Jr. There is no way this card doesn't make the list.

 

 

#1A has always been a favorite of mine. I can't explain why. It's probably my most valuable Ichiro, that's not saying much. It's also a nice gold parallel and the photo isn't too shabby either. But this one has just always caught my eye.

 

 

Well, that's the end of my Ichiros for now.

 

The bigger question is, is this the end of Ichiro now? He is currently a free agent and it's not like teams are chasing him down as a top one anymore with his age. Current rumors have him connected to the Reds but I think the fairy tale ending for him would land him back with the Mariners just like how Griffey ended his career. But, I am torn on that as well as I would like to see him play for a contender instead but the place where he started it all to me would be the best ending.

 

Which Ichiro card above to you like the most and which card do you own is your favorite of his? Let me know in comments and if you want leave input on how you think Ichiro should end his career!

Player Profile #1:Gary Sheffield

Player Profile is a series that breaks down players I have pulled from my collection and designated as a player collection. These are mostly stars from the past and present and only include base cards and inserts. Hits and rookie cards are not counted. Some players I pulled because I was a fan of their game, others are obvious because of their play. Some players I actually look for cards of in packs while others get just placed in these boxes. This series will break down how many cards I have of the player, what my Top 5 favorite cards are of the player and why I pulled the player for a player collection.

This series will also cover all four sports I collect. 

Player By The Numbers For Gary Sheffield: 64 Total Different Cards. This number does not include NY Yankee cards of him as they are in my Yankees binder and not included in his player collection. My Yankee card numbers will be updated on here at a later time.

Gary Sheffield was an outstanding power hitter and all around outfielder from 1988 til 2009. He seemed to always be very "vocal" on the teams he played for which may explain why he played for so many. Eight to be exact. Most of which he was traded away.

I had a lot of admiration for him up until I found out he was apart of the PED team and was listed in the Mitchell Report. Once a player makes that list, I no longer care about adding more cards of them. If I happen to, I do and place them in their rightful spot. But, those are players I don't chase.

Anyways, I still have my Top 5 favorite cards of him despite my feelings so let's take a look.

#5 Gotta love the photographs that were featured on Stadium Club. Especially in the early 90's like this one. Gary seems to be eyeing what the pitcher is doing before getting ready for his turn.

#4 has Gary diving to catch a ball. Only Upper Deck could capture such a photograph that you can truly appreciate.

#3 is the batting stance. Another great photo captured by Upper Deck even in a low end brand like Collectors Choice.

#2 is just so, so shiny that I had to include it. Everyone knows my love of shiny cards.

#1 had to be an Upper Deck card just like four out of five were. Look at this photography. I was always a fan of the 1995 Upper Deck Sp set and it seems to be underrated in my opinion. The whole set included photographic moments like this and the design is sharp as well. We don't many of these simple but elegant sets anymore.

 

As I stated above, this is not all of my Sheffield cards as I need to dig out my Yankee ones and update the numbers on here with those. 

In closing, despite the allegations, Gary is apart of the 500 Home Run club which he accomplished in his final year with the Mets. I guess I can partially appreciate that despite my feeling it should be called *500 Home runs instead.

What's Gary been up to since he left baseball? Well he is currently working as a sports agent.

Which Gary Sheffield card above to you like the most and which card do you own is your favorite of his? Let me know in comments!