Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
Mail Day: Frank Tanana, sp, California Angels … From 1974-1978, Nolan Ryan went 82-75 with a 3.19 ERA/124 112+ with 1,481 strikeouts for the Angels. He was selected to two All-Star teams. He was pretty good. But you know who was arguable just as good, if not better? His rotation[…]
From the Collection: Spencer Schwellenbach, sp, Atlanta Braves … SP Spencer Schwellenbach was drafted by Cleveland in the 34th round of the 2018 draft. Cleveland didn’t sign him; instead, he signed on to pitch for the University of Nebraska. In 2021, Atlanta drafted Schwellenbach in the 2nd round. … The[…]
From the Collection: Parker Messick, p, Cleveland Guardians … SP Parker Messick came into the 2025 season as Cleveland’s #11 overall prospect. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, despite being a big dude, but he is aggressive and knows how to pitch. He profiles as more of a middle-of-the-rotation starter, and[…]
From the Collection: Ernie Clement, if, Toronto Blue Jays … If you had to guess, where do you think Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement ranks all-time in postseason hits? More or less than Mickey Mantle? … Infielder Ernie Clement was Cleveland’s 4th round pick of the 2017 draft. He was[…]
From the Collection: Tyler Nanquin, p, Cleveland Guardians … Outfielder Tyler Nanquin never had a chance with Cleveland as a position player. It’s not his fault. The team has some sort of pox that simply won’t allow the organization to consistently develop quality outfielders. Over the last decade or so,[…]
David Fry. Wait, excuse me: All-Star David Fry. … In November 2021, Cleveland traded J.C. Mejia to the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later. That following March, it was announced that 26-year-old catcher and utility player David Fry was that player. The former seventh-round pick had yet[…]
Coming back to Cleveland in the Rosario trade was Noah Syndergaard. This was more about money–and Cleveland helping eat some salary–than about value back. I had heard that most Dodgers fans were sick of Syndergaard, but I did not appreciate how bad a pitcher he had become until I saw it in person.
Infielder Juan Brito is having a fantastic first season in the Cleveland organization. On the season he is hitting .292/.406/.449 with 5 HR between High-A and AA.
I am still, five years later, upset that Cleveland traded Yandy Diaz. Someday, I really hope that we learn the real reason why they decided to trade him away. I don’t really buy the glove and launch angle thing.
I had a small pile of cards that didn’t have names on them, and for years have been meaning to start going through and identifying who I could and tossing the rest. Most were nothing special. But when I got to this card I was like like “Wait a minute…I…know this autograph.”