Good Sunday evening everyone!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  The sun came out today which was a welcome sight as we’ve been in a relentless weather pattern here lately which has brought what seems like nothing but rain and clouds for the past few weeks.

Even a rainy day can be made better when a TTM return shows up.  Yesterday it was a great return from Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.

Mr. Sandberg added a nice bold signature on my 2011 Topps Tier One and I think it looks great.  I’ve always liked his signature despite the illegibility of it.    It’s always seemed like a “curvy” signature to me and seems to combine both his first and last name.  Doesn’t hurt that the card is just absolutely beautiful as well.  Topps really hit a home-run with the design on these Tier One cards.

Despite breaking into professional baseball as a 3rd baseman in the Phillies organization, Ryne is widely considered one of, if not THE greatest second-bagger in the history of the game.  During his 11 year career, Sandberg earned 9 Gold Gloves (’83-’91), 7 Silver Sluggers (1984, 1985, 1988–1992), NL MVP (1984), and was nominated to the All Star Team 10 times (’84-’93).  Sandberg was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 with just over 76% of the votes.

Despite bleeding Met’s blue and gold, growing up as a baseball fan in the ’80’s I could not help BUT be a Sandberg fan.  It didn’t hurt that I hung with a best-bud who’s family was from Chicago.  Needless to say, there were lots of Chicago Cubs (and Bears) posters and cards in his room and even more debates on who was better, Backman or Sandberg.

I don’t think I ever really had much of an argument.  Backman may have a WS ring (’86) but he’s far from a Hall of Famer.