Eli was a huge baseball fan and had been collecting baseball cards for years. His collection had grown to 10 cards, each depicting a different player. Let’s take a closer look at each card in Eli’s collection:
The oldest card in Eli’s collection was of Babe Ruth. Eli’s grandfather had given him this card years ago since he knew how much Eli loved the legendary Babe Ruth. The card was from the 1922 season, Ruth’s first with the New York Yankees after being traded from the Boston Red Sox. That 1922 season was one of Ruth’s best, as he hit 35 home runs and had a batting average of .315. The card itself was in fairly good condition for being almost 100 years old, with some minor wear around the edges but still displaying Ruth’s iconic stance at the plate.
Another vintage card was of Jackie Robinson from the 1947 season, his first in the major leagues as he broke baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. That season was monumental not just for Robinson but for civil rights in America as he faced intense racism but persevered with his tremendous skill and poise. Eli’s 1947 Robinson card depicted him sliding safely into second base, capturing the excitement and skill that helped him earn Rookie of the Year honors that season. The card had some aging and was a bit more worn than the Ruth card, but Eli still treasured it for Robinson’s historical significance.
A more modern card was of Nolan Ryan from his 1973 season with the California Angels. That season Ryan established a new single-season record by striking out 383 batters, which still stands today. Eli’s card showed Ryan winding up to throw a blazing fastball, the pitch that made him such a dominant strikeout pitcher throughout his career. In pristine condition, the card highlighted Ryan’s muscular physique and the fearsome intensity he brought to the mound. Ryan went on to have one of the greatest pitching careers in baseball history, and this card from his record-setting 1973 season was a prized piece of Eli’s collection.
Another pitching legend represented was Sandy Koufax from the 1965 season, his final year in the majors. By 1965, the effects of arthritis in his pitching arm had taken a major toll, but Koufax gutted through the pain to lead the league with 26 wins and an astounding 0.97 ERA. Eli’s card depicted Koufax mid-windup, showcasing his perfect delivery even as his body broke down. Though the condition of the card was not flawless, Eli was still amazed that Koufax dominated batters so thoroughly despite his physical ailments. He embodied perseverance and excellence that Eli admired.
Staying in the 1960s, Eli also had a 1968 card of Hank Aaron from his chase of Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. That season Aaron hit 24 home runs, bringing his career total to 544 and just shy of Ruth’s record mark of 714. Eli’s card showed Aaron following through on a long home run swing, muscles rippling from his determined effort. Aaron would go on to break the record the following season in 1974 amid intense racism, cementing his place as one of baseball’s all-time greats – a milestone Eli appreciated from his card from Aaron’s record-chasing season.
A more recent legend in Eli’s collection was a 1998 card of Ken Griffey Jr. from his record-breaking season with the Seattle Mariners. That year, Griffey smashed 56 home runs to set the new single-season home run record for the American League. Eli’s card depicted Griffey in mid-follow through, the graceful athleticism and raw power that allowed him to smash home runs with effortless ease. Even at a young age, Griffey was already considered one of the game’s greats, and Eli was lucky to have a card chronicling such an amazing season from his collection.
Rounding out Eli’s collection of sluggers was a 2009 card of Albert Pujols from his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. That season, Pujols’s tremendous skill was on full display as he batted .327 with 47 home runs and 135 RBI, winning the National League MVP award. Eli’s card showed Pujols crouched in the batter’s box, coiled and ready to unleash his powerful swing on any pitch. Even after over a decade, Pujols was still considered one of baseball’s most feared hitters, and Eli enjoyed having a card to remember such a dominant season.
For his defensive players, Eli had a 1956 card of shortstop Ernie Banks from his time with the Chicago Cubs. That season, Banks batted .311 with 45 home runs and 143 RBI from the shortstop position, truly remarkable power numbers from a middle infielder. Eli’s card depicted “Mr. Cub” cleanly fielding a ground ball, showcasing the incredible range and skills that made Banks a standout at a demanding defensive position. Though the Cubs struggled during Banks’s era, he was beloved in Chicago for his consistent excellence.
Another defensive stalwart in Eli’s collection was a 1974 card of third baseman Brooks Robinson from his final season with the Baltimore Orioles. That season was Robinson’s 18th in the majors, and he was still playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at the hot corner at age 37. Eli’s card showed Robinson stretching to grab a difficult wide throw, exhibiting the athleticism, instincts and work ethic that earned him a record 16 Gold Gloves at third base. Robinson was the consummate fielder who helped the Orioles to multiple World Series wins with his steady defense.
For his catchers, Eli had a 1991 card of Mike Piazza from his rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. That year, Piazza batted .318 with 35 home runs from the catcher position, unheard of power from a rookie backstop. Eli’s card depicted Piazza following through on one of those prodigious home runs, a sign of the offensive force he would become for over a decade in the majors. Piazza redefined what was possible from the catcher position and was one of the most dominant hitters of his era.
Rounding out his battery, Eli also had a 1978 card of Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer from his final Cy Young-winning season with the Orioles. That year, the 34-year-old Palmer went 22-9 with a 2.36 ERA and 25 complete games, cementing his status as one of baseball’s all-time great right-handed hurlers. Eli’s card showed Palmer ready to unleash his signature fastball-curveball combination, the pitches that made him a towering presence on the mound for over 15 seasons in Baltimore. Palmer epitomized consistency and excellence throughout his career.
The final card in Eli’s personal collection depicted his favorite player, shortstop Derek Jeter. It was from Jeter’s 1996 season where he batted .314 with 10 home runs and 78 RBI as a young star for the Yankees. Eli’s card showed Jeter smoothly fielding a ground ball and firing to first for the out, highlighting the tremendous range and defensive skills he possessed for two decades in pinstripes. Even after retiring in 2014, Jeter remained one of the most respected and accomplished players of his generation for his consistency and championship pedigree. He was the perfect player to round out Eli’s prized baseball card collection.
So in summary, Eli had amassed an impressive collection of 10 baseball cards, each honoring one of his favorite players from different eras throughout baseball history. From legends like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron to more modern stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter, the collection represented the rich history and evolution of the game Eli loved so much. He took great care to protect and appreciate each card, gaining a new perspective on the players and their accomplishments each time he looked through his treasured collection.
