Cal Ripken Cardboard Appreciation #8

2001 Topps Chrome Combos

This is the last of my card show pickups from last year. I like the background of the card, it has a stained glass window effect. I think Topps should have used the cartoon bird logo on Brooks' side of the card. It's a minor gripe I have with this card.

The back of the card talks about how Orioles fans never thought they would ever see another player the caliber of Brooks. Cal lived up to those expectations and even surpassed some of them.

Cal Ripken Cardboard Appreciation #7

2010 Topps Blue Backs #17.

This card is a recent eBay win for me. I was the only bidder so I got the card for next to nothing. Topps did a good job reprinting these because they are true to the originals right down to the size. The only thing they could have done better would have been to print them on cardboard stock and not the modern glossy cardboard.

I now own both the Red Back and Blue Back and both are "Hit by Pitcher" cards. Cal was hit by pitches 66 times in his career. That's a lot of bumps and bruises but pales in comparison to Hughie Jennings with 287 career beanings. Craig Biggio was nailed 285 times during his career. Also, the active leader in being plunked is Jason Kendall with 254.