My Pittsburgh Pirates Collection Signed Pirates 1-17-13

BPorter26

I'm a nut when it comes to the Pittsburgh Pirates. I've been a Bucos fan practically since birth-- I think I was born bleeding black and gold! Even when I moved to Maine at the age of 6, I was expected to switch from the Pirates to the Red Sox, but my loyalties never wavered. As many of you know the Pirates have had 20 consecutive losing season, extending the longest such streak in North American sports history. To top that off they are the only Major League Baseball team to be 16 games over .500 after two-thirds of the season complete and finish with a losing record (2012). The last time the Pirates won the world series I was 9 years old in 1979. The team was led by Willie "Pops" Stargell. I always have been fascinated with the 79 team. To name a few of them (Stargell, Parker, Moreno, Madlock, Candelaria, Byleven and Tekulve). I have refocused my collecting habits to one theme and one them only and that is going to be the Pittsburgh Pirates. I'm really looking forward to the start of 2013 baseball season because just maybe the losing steak doesn't hit 21, because that number was worn by the "Great One" Roberto Clemente.

I know there is a ton of Pirate fans on these boards so please feel free to show off your Pirate collection as well.

Here's a few items I want to share, I'll continue to update this thread.



The auto ball was given to my dad by his buddy who was best friends with Pete Peterson who was the Pirates GM from (1976-1985) Mike Easler and Peterson also signed the ball.


This is the orginal print # 128/200

alifaxwa2

Nice Willies!

Willie was one of the first custom cuts I built;

soundgard

Nice cards. The 79 team was indeed special. Glad to see Blyleven now in the hall of fame. Parker should be in there as well.

BPorter26

Jeff... That's a beautiful cut of Stargell!!!

Here's Parker and Blyleven Auto RC's. I agree Parker is a HOF along with Al Oliver.



These are 1978 Penn Emblems

svtPONY95

Here are a few of my favorite Stargell cards !

BPorter26

Doug.... Those are some sweet Stargell's. I love the 73, that is one of my favorites of all time. Thanks for sharing.

paleocards

Cool thread and cards, Bobby, love the Stargell's! He was my favorite player growing up in the '70s, I loved the way he wind-milled his bat before he got set in the box. Was at Dodger Stadium when he homered against LA in Game 4 of the 1974 NLCS.

scmavl

Very cool stuff, Bobby. I love when collectors have a good focus.

orioles93

Love the 64 Stargell. Im going to have to pick one of those up eventually. I dont collect Pirates, but I do collect a Pirate, Clemente. Hes the only one i really go for though.

smtjoy

Super post and another Pirate fan here, this years the year the streak ends. Sweet cards posted, love the Stargells.

Here are a few of mine-

PSASAP

Hi Bobby-I also was a fan of the 1979 Pirates "We Are Family" team. I live in Alameda, the boyhood home of Willie Stargell. He has a high school field named after him, and a street was recently named Wilver Stargell Avenue. Here is an item I acquired many years ago, a baseball that was used in the division clinching game against the Cubs on Sept. 30, 1979. The ball was formerly owned by Bill Madlock.

zurbs17

Strange how a picture of Michael Jordan ended up on the 1962 Topps Bob Clemente card

cpamike

Awesome stuff Bobby!!! Looking forward to seeing some more of your Pirates collection.

Scott, I love that 1973 Clemente cello pack. It is nice that those cellos show the back cards facing out.

Brick

Although the Pirates were not my favorite team I've always had a warm spot in my heart for them. The Columbus Jets were their Triple A affiliate and I got to see many play before they got to the Majors. Here is one of my favorite Reds player when he was a Pirate.

Ironmanfan

Here are a couple programs I got signed in person:





IMF

cincyredlegs

Awesome cards guys.

Bobby - Kudos for being a faithful fan although it's going to be tough beating the Reds this year.

Now I might have to start a thread of my Reds collection

Mark

GDM67

The '71 Stargell is just gorgeous. A great card of a great man.

MBMiller25

Good thread, look forward to seeing additions.

thunderdan

nice willie Bobby. of course, showing your Willie in public just cost you a club membership.

BPorter26

Guys..... Great looking Pirate cards. Scott I absolutely love the 73 cello with Clemente on the back.



<< <i>nice willie Bobby. of course, showing your Willie in public just cost you a club membership. >>


Danny..... I was well aware if I did show my Willie that it could jeopardize my club membership!!!

BPorter26

I know how a lot of people feel about this guy, but he was my favorite player when I was in high school and college. I believe he is a Hall of Famer. This pack is a little ironic because it has both Bonds and Clemens showing (The poster children for steroids)

BPorter26

Here's some more of my Barry's

BPorter26

Here's my Stargell Cellos

tkd7

Nice collection - those Stargell cards pop!

cpamike

Hey Bobby,

That 1980 Stargell cello looks awesome.

svtPONY95

Here is some of my favorite Clemente cards !

BPorter26

<< <i>That 1980 Stargell cello looks awesome. >>

Mike I wonder who gave that to me?

Doug...... Fantastic looking Clemete's

Here's a few odd ball items I picked up recently.

The Burger Chef is a full box

ThoseBackPages

LOVE that '79 Cello!

ArchStanton

I have shifted my focus to earlier cards. Here are some of my recent pickups. I love the oddball items posted.

BPorter26

Jim.... great looking cards. Here's some of my odd ball Clemente's I have left





My first program

BPorter26

The 79 team is my favorite all-time team. I have decided to collect all the ticket stubs from the 79 series.

I'm just missing games 1 & 2

BPorter26

Here's some of the Auto's I have from the 79 team

BPorter26

Some newly graded auto cards





How is this a 6.5? This was a PSA 8 crack out.

cpamike

Nice pickups Bobby. I still cringe when I see Bobby Bo though.

stopthetrain

Gorgeous! If you have any Pirates autos dupes (raw or off-grade is fine) for trade, please let me know.