You know, I can’t really explain it, but I have a little obsession with Moments & Milestones. The same goes for most of those stupid gimmicky sets that the majority of collectors seem to hate. From a player collector standpoint, they are certainly annoying, but I can’t help but enjoy the extra mini-quest of it.
Also, when buying a box of this, or Tek, or Documentary, not only am I nearly guaranteed to get something I need, but I can help out a lot of my fellow player and team collecting brethren with their equally futile efforts.
I’ve personally opened nearly a case worth of boxes if we’re combining 2007 and 2008, so I figured I’d take a “Moment” to show off some of the goods from those boxes. Also, a long time ago, I bought a very large lot of Maddux M&Ms on ebay for super cheap. There are way too many of those to add to this particular post, so maybe I’ll take another, larger, moment a different time.
For now, let’s play our usual game and summarize the particulars of each card’s event.
Only 37 more to go
1994 Home Run #22
June 10, 1994 – White Sox at Twins
Sitting scoreless in the top of the third inning, Scott Erickson threw a 1-2 pitch with 2 outs and nobody on. It was a low-risk situation, but Frank made him pay as Chicago AL took the 1-0 lead on the 126th homer of his career.
No idea what to write here
Career Home Run #156
June 19, 1995 – White Sox vs. Mariners
Frank’s second home run in as many days couldn’t have come at a better time. Tied at 5 in the bottom of the 8th, Frank blasted Bill Risley’s pitch into the stands, scoring himself and Rock Raines.
At least they change teams to fit the number
Career Home Run #472
August 6, 2006 – Athletics at Mariners
Thomas was continuing to prove his worth into August after being send to Oakland in 2006. His 24th homer of the year came in the top of the third inning, with the A’s down 2 runs to the Mariners. Gil Meche tossed an 0-2 pitch that ended up scoring Jason Kendall and Mark Kotsay to take the first lead of the game.
199 cards? He’s as surprised as we were
Strikeout #65
June 10, 1992 – Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
The 3rd and final strikeout of the day came in the bottom of the fourth inning. It took 6 pitches to get Bernard Gilkey to stand looking at strike three. That started a quick 1-2-3 inning to preserve the 1-0 lead and eventually a Cubs win.
People try to sell these things for about $1 each…or more
Strikeout #170
September 11, 1992 – Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
Again facing the Cardinals, Maddux and the Cubs worked their way to a big 8-1 lead in the 8th inning. The first two batters singled, but Greg would strikeout pinch hitter Bien Figueroa swinging to keep the runners at first and second.
I will not be paying that much unless it’s the last 5 or 10 I need overall
Strikeout #104
July 7, 1993 – Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals
The last of 7 strikeouts on the day came against Gerald Perry in the Bottom of the 7th. The Cardinals had a runner on second after a single and stolen base, but Perry’s swinging strike was followed by a line drive double play to avoid more runs. The Braves would still lose, despite a complete game effort from Professor Greg.
25 out of a curious 29
Now we come to our first break in the action. I’m not logging the parallels in the same way as my hope is that it would eventually be duplicitous. I’m not actively seeking out the black versions, but if they come out of my pack, like this one did, then I’ll be keeping it.
so much potential for chipping
Oh, hey! Another one! I guess I should mention that I’m open to trading the black (and blues) if someone wants them. They don’t fit into my collecting goals, so if I can turn them around for some stuff on my want list, I wouldn’t be opposed.
Back to our main event.
This will fall about halfway in the series
Win #155
May 17, 1996 – Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Maddux earned his 5th win of the short year with 7 innings of 2 run ball. Only throwing 101 pitches, 77 for strikes, and tallying 7 more strikeouts, it’s a little surprising he didn’t go deeper into the game. However, the Braves were already up 7-2 by that point, with Maddux scoring a run after drawing a walk, you might as well let someone else get some work in. The win improved the Braves’ record to 26-15, but still left them in 2nd place for the division at the time.
It’ll be really cool to see all of these bindered up
Win #188
May 6, 1998 – Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers suffered a 7-0 loss at the hands of Maddux and the relief staff. Greg only allowed 5 hits, no walks, and no runs over 7 innings of “work.” Acting as his typically efficient self, he threw 80 pitches to get 21 outs before calling it a day. The outing lowered his ERA to 2.14, which would only get even lower throughout the next couple months.
I may even devote a small 1 inch binder to them all
Win #199
August 6, 1998 – Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds
Only one win away from a milestone, this matchup was a doozy. The Professor dazzled the home crowd with his fourth shutout of the year. Earning his 15th (of 18th) decision of the season seemed too easy. 3 hits, no walks, and 6 strikeouts over only 92 pitches. I believe these types of outings are now called a “Maddux.”
Or maybe larger. Between the two years, it’ll be 500+ cards
Win #265
July 7, 2002 – Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs
We skip ahead to a duel between his former (and future) team. The Braves were able to shut out the visiting lovable losers with Maddux grabbing the win, his 8th of the year, and John Smoltz earning an astounding 31st save in early July. Possibly more astounding is that Maddux pitched on only 3 days rest and went into the 7th inning for the second straight game.
I already need 2 binders for my existing collection of Maddux and soon will need a 3rd
Win #287
September 6, 2003 – Atlanta Braves vs Pittsburgh Pirates
It took some effort, but the Bulldog finally got himself into a sub-4.00 ERA for the first time of the season. He was able to end the year 4 starts later with a 3.96. This was win number 14 and of course he also made it over the 15 win mark. It’s like he wills it to happen, and it does. And if that weren’t enough, he also got a hit and scored one of the 9 team runs over 4 plate appearances.
Hair not included
And we end things with two more parallels. As you can see, I lucked out with my Gregs more than my Franks. I actually got a few duplicates of Thomas cards that I previously got in trades or earlier boxes that I showed off in my old Home Run Derby post back in 2011, which seems impossible but true.
Thanks for making it to the end
New to 2008 were the blue parallels, which look really nice. Again, they’re not part of my focus. I would go completely insane if I were to try for the blue and black sets, too. Since I’m already half-way insane, I’m trying to avoid doing anything that will prematurely overflow that cup. Things like buying more M&M boxes…. Nah, that’s not insane. Totally rational people buy and open boxes of this stuff too, right?
Right?
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