2015 eBay purchase: this Kid is just 'Pee-Chee

It's not every day that I can add something nice to my collection of significant baseball RCs these days, though it's not for lack of trying.  Still, I was finally able to procure a fun new item on eBay last month, one that actually kills two birds with one stone:

Gary Carter 1975 O-Pee-Chee RC

Those who follow TMM, especially this evening's post, know I picked this up mainly for my Leon Roberts collection, which this card actually completes.  But those of you who read this blog will likely be more excited about the guy in the upper-left, and that's certainly reasonable!  Gary Carter's 19-year career, mostly with Montreal and the Mets, justifiably led to his 2003 Hall of Fame enshrinement--11 All-Star appearances, a World Series ring, and some excellent stats put up playing a remarkable 90% of his games behind the plate will do that.  It's nothing but a shame that he died too young to enjoy those accomplishments as long as he should have been able to.

Anyway, this card also completes one of my favorite player trios:  the '75 trifecta of OPC/Topps/Topps Mini, a feat I've now managed five times, hopefully with more to come.  I was able to nab it for a very reasonable $12 delivered on a best offer from a Canadian seller.  This is a card I can now appreciate for many reasons--it's vintage, includes a pair of Tigers, completes my Roberts collection.  But the fact that it's another RC of one of the greatest catchers to play the game is a nice bonus too.

2014 eBay purchase #1: Little Leon and the Mini Kid

Here's a card I posted over on TMM this evening because it includes Leon Roberts, one of my Michigan Baseball player collections.  I'm showing it off over here as well thanks to the fact that it features a slightly more prominent player:

Gary Carter 1975 Topps Mini RC

The fact that it's the second-to-last Roberts card I need to complete that PC doesn't mean it'll reside in obscurity in the box with that player's cards, though--it now has an honored place among my favorite baseball rookies!  Its big brother, the '75 flagship card, had been waiting to be reunited, and now they'll be together for all-time (or however long my collection exists, your mileage may vary).  Only the O-Pee-Chee version has eluded my grasp thus far.

But today's for celebrating what I did pick up.  Carter was truly one of the game's special players, lasting an amazing 19 years and more than 2000 games primarily as a catcher.  Throw in above-average offensive numbers for the position (especially his power), 11 All-Star games (including 10 straight), and his excellent performance in the memorable World Series victory of '86, and you get a player the Hall of Fame voters couldn't help but love back in 2003.  On top of all that, make sure that guy played the majority of his career as the face of the expansion Expos, and you've got a guy who remains beloved all over the place.

He died too young more than two years ago now, but his place in the Hall will ensure that future generations will remember The Kid's greatness, as will fans of the Expos/Nats, Mets, and the game in general.  I'm proud to add this reminder of one of baseball's great players and men to my collection.