MVP Family Tree Project Update Number 2

I has been a busy couple of days with the project and I am loving it! I have increased the card count after buying some of the bigger cards. While this project is about having people help me out via PWE trade or gift, I never intended to do anything less than buy the big cards. I also got a shout out from Herman and Brad over on Youtube during their weekly show and that was awesome because it got more people engaged with the project. As a result, their guest of the day, Mark reached out to me and said that he would round up a card or two for the project and send my way. I appreciate that, Herman, Brad, and Mark! Anyway, let's get to some of the cards. As of 12/28, I said that I had 5 cards of the 119 cards needed for the project. However, I didn't think to mention that I also had the 1968 Bob Gibson but I'm sure anybody that knows me knew that I had it. After all, it's no mystery that I have Gibby's completed Topps playing era run! So, here is the 1968 Topps that I have for this collection.

Now, on to the purchases. The first purchase that I made toward this project, starting it, was none other than this 1966 Roberto Clemente. It would be hard to find better player and card to start this project of with in terms of purchases. In 1966, Clemente would end the season with a .317 AVG, 29 HR, and 119 RBI. He won the honor with 218 voter points beating out Sandy Koufax by 10 points.

The second purchase was for this project was one of the iconic cards featured in the Topps Project 2020 set, the 2001 Ichiro Suzuki. In 2001, Ichiro won not only the MVP award but also the ROY award. Over the course of the season, Suzuki had a .350 AVG, 8 HR, and 69 RBI. He won the MVP award with 289 points beating out Jason Giambi by 8 points. I would say that this future HOFer transitioned well from the NPB to MLB.

The third purchase was a name that you heard me mention couple of paragraphs earlier in this post, Sandy Koufax. In 1963, The Left Arm of God, posted a record of 25-5, 1.88 ERA, and 306 Ks on his way to 237 MVP points. He beat out St. Louis Cardinal Dick Groat by 47 points. Also, this is one of the most beautiful Koufax cards in my opinion. I love the 1963 Topps set.

After picking up the beautiful Koufax, I knew what I had to do. I had talked about it way too much on Youtube and I knew that it would end up being the big boy of this run. If your not good at guessing, don't worry because I will tell you who it is. It's The Commerce Comet, Mickey Mantle. In 1962, Mantle hit for a .321 AVG, 30 HR, and 89 RBI. He had a runaway MVP points victory by beating out teammate Bobby Richardson by 82 points, 234-152. This was The Mick's third and final MVP award of his career. His first came in 1956.

Next up on the purchases was a card from my favorite set, 1967 Topps. So, who's the player? Well, it's Orlando Cepeda. In all honesty, I can't remember if I have purchased this card in the past or not. I'm a Cardinals collector and I often buy cards that I don't get sent to me until 6 months to a year later so there is a chance that I have already purchased this one. If I did, I don't mind and won't complain about having 2 of them in the collection. So, what did Cepeda do in 1967? He batted .325 with 25 HR and 111 RBI on his way to his 1st and only MVP award of his HOF career. To grab the award, he beat out teammate Tim McCarver by 144 points, 280-136.

Staying in line with the 67 season and my favorite set, I purchased the Carl Yastrzemski. Like Cepeda, this was the only MVP award won by this baseball legend. In 1967, Yaz batted .326 with 44 HR and 121 RBI. He won the award by a wide margin, 275-161, over Harmon Killebrew. This is a beautiful card and a beautiful set. You've gotta love the 60s.

After all of those cards, one would think that the purchases would have been done. In all honesty, my wallet wished it had been but I had to pick up one last card and that card was the 1966 Frank Robinson. In 1966, Frank beat out teammates Brooks and Boog to pick up his 2nd MVP award of his career. One of the fun facts about this second award was that it came while playing in the AL and his first award had come during his playing days in the NL with the Reds in 1961. In his second MVP award season, Frank hit .316 with 49 HR and 122 RBI.

I hope you enjoyed the post. Stay tuned to find out more about the journey of the MVP Family Tree Project. Also, if you would like to help out, you can reach me on Twitter, Instagram, or by email. Twitter: @kbocollections Instagram: @collectionskbo Email: kbocolletions@gmail.com