Tag Archives: iorg

GARTH IORG BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Garth Iorg was a prominent figure in Major League Baseball for over a decade, making his mark both on and off the field. As a player, coach, and eventually president of the National League for many years in the 1980s and 1990s, Iorg left an indelible imprint on America’s pastime. His baseball cards from his playing career in the late 1950s and 1960s remain highly sought after by collectors to this day.

Iorg was born in 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri and grew up a passionate baseball fan. He began playing minor league ball in 1954 after graduating from the University of Missouri and made his major league debut with the Milwaukee Braves in 1958 at age 25. As a versatile utility player, Iorg was renowned for his defensive skills at multiple positions as well as his high baseball IQ. Over 7 seasons with the Braves franchise and later the Los Angeles Dodgers, he established himself as a valuable role player, backup, and mentor to many of the game’s rising young stars.

Iorg’s baseball cards from his playing days are considered some of the more interesting from that era. One of his more well-known rookie cards came in 1958 Topps baseball card #80. Depicting Iorg in a Braves uniform, the photo shows his intense focus and competitiveness. What makes this particular card so fascinating is that it was one of the last Topps cards to feature player signatures, with Iorg’s script found neatly on the lower right corner. Due to this rarity, examples of this signed rookie card in pristine condition can fetch tens of thousands of dollars today.

Another iconic Iorg baseball card comes from 1961 when he wasfeatured on the coveted Topps Card #500. Known as the “blank back” due to no stats or info printed on the reverse side, #500s from the early 1960s are immensely popular with collectors. Iorg’s imposing presence on this card, staring straight ahead in Dodgers gear, is considered by many aficionados to be one of the best “mugshot” images of that era. PSA-graded mint examples have sold at auction recently for over $6,000, demonstrating this card’s enduring desirability.

Iorg boasted respectable career batting stats of .255 with 13 home runs and 153 RBIs in 692 games played over 7 seasons. The impact he made extended far beyond his on-field performance. Teammates and writers lauded his unparalleled baseball knowledge and commitment to preparation. After retiring from playing in 1965, Iorg quickly transitioned to coaching for the Dodgers and then the San Diego Padres before taking on an executive role with the latter franchise in the 1970s.

His managerial tenure with the Padres from 1978-1981 saw some winning seasons but ultimately frustrated fans as the team failed to truly contend. However, Iorg was praised for helping to develop and scout many future All-Stars that would lead San Diego to success later in the decade such as Tony Gwynn and Randy Jones. In 1986, Iorg’s stature and expertise led to his appointment as president of the National League, making him the first former player to serve in that influential capacity in modern baseball.

As league president for over a decade until his retirement in 1998, Iorg was integral to many important decisions and initiatives that dramatically changed the game. He was a driving force behind realigning the leagues and divisions as well as introducing interleague play and revenue sharing. Iorg helped negotiate massive television contracts in the 1990s that grew the sport’s popularity and financial success to unprecedented levels. His business approach and adherence to strict rules rubbed some club owners and old-school fans the wrong way. Meanwhile, Iorg’s push to expand MLB’s international reach and crack down on PED usage have proven visionary with time.

Beyond Garth Iorg’s impact on the game itself through his various leadership roles, his personal character continued inspiring new generations. Tales of his dedicated scouting for the Padres and handling of contentious issues as NL president with integrity and intelligence were legend. Iorg passed away in 2009 at age 76 after living with pancreatic cancer, but his legacy lives on. For historians and collectors alike, Iorg’s vintage baseball cards serve as a fitting reminder of this humble player-turned-executive who left an indelible imprint on America’s pastime. Examples that survive in pristine condition over half a century later are a testament to not just their visual appeal, but all that Garth Iorg accomplished both on and off the diamond during baseball’s golden era.

DANE IORG BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Dane Iorg had a relatively short but successful career in Major League Baseball that spanned from 1987 to 1995. While he didn’t put up huge offensive numbers overall, Iorg established himself as a reliable defensive catcher and quality leader for several teams. His MLB tenure has been commemorated through baseball cards that collectors still seek out today.

Iorg was drafted by the California Angels in the 6th round of the 1984 amateur draft out of the University of Iowa. He made his big league debut with the Angels in 1987 at age 24. Iorg showed early promise with the glove but struggled at the plate, batting just .209 in 55 games that first season. He drew praise from Angels coaches and scouts for his pitch framing ability and work behind the plate with a young pitching staff.

Iorg’s rookie baseball cards came in 1987 issues from Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. The designs and photography varied between the manufacturers but all captured Iorg in an Angels uniform during his debut campaign. Of the three, his 1987 Topps rookie card is generally the most sought after by collectors today. The simple yet iconic Topps design and larger print run have made it the most available Iorg rookie to find in mint condition. Graded gem mint examples still trade hands regularly for $20-40 depending on the market.

After bouncing between the majors and minors over the next two seasons, Iorg emerged as the Angels’ primary catcher in 1990. He responded by setting career highs with a .245 average, 37 RBI, and 73 games played, establishing himself as a reliable defensive backstop. Iorg’s improvement was reflected in his baseball cards from 1990, which saw him featured more prominently compared to his early issues. The 1990 Donruss and Fleer cards in particular highlight Iorg’s development into a regular MLB contributor for the Angels. Examples from these sets in near-mint or better condition can be acquired for $5-10.

Prior to the 1991 season, Iorg was traded from the Angels to the Chicago Cubs along with outfielder Chris Gwynn in exchange for outfielder George Bell. With the Cubs, Iorg became the backup catcher behind starting All-Star Rick Wilkins but still saw significant playing time with over 300 innings behind the plate. He hit .242 in 67 games for Chicago in 1991. Iorg’s lone Cubs card that year came in the Score brand’s inaugural set. Featuring vibrant photography and team logos, Iorg’s 1991 Score RC is a popular mid-range option for collectors on a budget, trading in the $3-5 range.

In 1992, Iorg posted the best offensive season of his career with a .259 average, 3 home runs, and 26 RBI in 78 games as the Cubs’ primary catcher. His solid all-around contributions were recognized with featured cards in the flagship Topps and Fleer sets that year. The 1992 Topps Traded card, which was issued midseason, also spotlighted Iorg and can be found for under $10. He continued as the Cubs’ starter in 1993 but saw his average dip to .222, and after the season was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Iorg spent parts of the 1994 and 1995 seasons with the Brewers, splitting time with starting catcher Bill Bathe. He posted a .233 average over 80 games combined between the two years. Iorg’s Brewers tenure was highlighted with cards from Upper Deck, Score, and Leaf brands during this period. At age 32 he was released by Milwaukee after 1995 and decided to retire. In total, Iorg played 9 seasons in the majors, hitting .237 with 6 home runs and 123 RBI in 549 career games.

Since hanging up his catcher’s mitt, Iorg has stayed actively involved in baseball through coaching. He spent over a decade as a minor league manager and coach in the Dodgers and Reds systems. Iorg also authored an instructional book titled “The Complete Catcher” in 2001 detailing his techniques and philosophies from behind the plate. Today, Iorg resides in Iowa and continues to give private lessons to up-and-coming young catchers.

As the years pass, Iorg’s baseball cards from his playing days in the late 80s and 90s have grown in demand amongst collectors with a fondness for underrated players from that era. While he wasn’t a superstar, Iorg established himself as a quality defensive backstop and respected veteran presence over nearly a decade in the majors. His rookie cards remain budget-friendly options for Angels collectors, while issues from his peak years with the Cubs in the early 90s are solid mid-tier selections. With a relatively short printed career that spanned multiple teams, Iorg’s complete card collection offers an affordable challenge for dedicated set builders today.