TTM: "What Happened to the Nationals?" Edition

Hey everyone, Drew back here. I was shocked to find a TTM return in my mailbox a few days ago; my first and only success in the past month. I've had a lot out in the mail at this point, but I don't expect much of it to come back. Either way, here's a look at my latest autograph!

Doug Fister: 1/1 (c/o Washington Nationals)

What the heck happened to the World Series favorites this year? Yesterday, as most of you saw, the Nationals hit a new low, with midseason acquisition Jonathan Papelbon starting a dugout brawl with MVP favorite Bryce Harper. Papelbon yelled at Harper for not running out a fly ball, which was valid to an extent, but gave him no reason to start a physical fight. Just another reason why the egotistical closer is my least favorite player in baseball.

I picked the Nationals to go up against the Seattle Mariners in the World Series prior to this season, and with the Mets' recent clinching of the NL East that officially became impossible. I went out on a limb with Seattle, as many others did, and came out seriously empty. But Washington was the heavyweight favorite after acquiring Max Scherzer for over a decade's worth of salary. Scherzer joined an elite rotation that had six starters capable of being at least a third starter for just about any other team in the game. Doug Fister was one of them.

Fister was coming off a 2014 in which he recorded 16 wins and a 2.41 ERA. He was becoming one of the National League's elite pitchers after several underrated seasons between Detroit and Seattle. This year was a different story, as a slow start wound up pushing him out of the mega rotation and into the bullpen. As of today, he has a 4.19 ERA with only 15 starts to his name. Disappointing, to say the least.

Hopefully next year goes better for the Nationals, as they do have some of the more likable young players in the game. Doug Fister will be a free agent, and I have a hard time believing Washington will want to hold on to him with Jordan Zimmermann leaving as well. This was supposed to be their year, but usually that sentence never means anything by season's end.

But anyway, thank you Mr. Fister for signing my 2014 Topps Heritage. All the best to you in 2016 and over the rest of your career! 

See Ya!

Goodbye, Yogi Berra.

Hey everyone, Drew back here. This has been a post I haven't been looking forward to writing for years, but knew was inevitable. Yogi Berra passed away this morning at the age of 90 due to what appears to be from natural causes; leaving the baseball world in mourning. The ten time World Series champion had a heart of gold and was one of the most colorful figures to ever play the game.

Of all the current and former players I've had the good fortune of meeting, there was nobody I would have preferred to meet more than Mr. Berra. His health began to fail around the time my Dad and I started attending sports card shows, and we've come just short of meeting him on several occasions through the years. I'll never get to say I shook his hand, however he was such a humble, graceful man to the point where it almost feels like I did. He treated the Yankees fans, players, and organization like family, and given the outpour of support and love shared across the world on his behalf today I know I'm not alone in saying that we all were impacted by his life.

Yogi played 19 professional seasons, all but one for the New York Yankees. Prior to his baseball career, he served in the US Navy as a gunner's mate on D-Day and throughout much of World War II. He was called up from the Newark Bears to the Yankees in 1946, and the rest was history. He batted .285 for his career while commanding a remarkable pitching staff; guiding them into the postseason every year but 1954 and 1959. Berra was a prolific postseason offensive force, and is the all time record holder in World Series games played, at bats, runs scored, singles, and doubles (he ranks second in Home Runs and RBI, only behind Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth).

Many of you know Lawrence Peter Berra for his famous "Yogi-ism's". Although he famously said "I never said most of the things I said", we all know he was responsible for "It's dèjá vu all over again", "It ain't over 'til it's over", and "Baseball is ninety percent mental, and the other half is physical". My personal favorite quote of his was when he was asked how many slices he would like his pizza divided into and he responded "You better cut the pizza in four slices because I'm not hungry enough to eat six." Some even view the man as a philosophical figure; while others just find him as humorous as they come.

I never got to watch him play, although I've seen plenty of his highlights over the years. My dad even said this morning that Yogi's playing career was overlooked by his cultural significance, which is a rare feat in baseball given the importance and relevance of statistics, stories, and history in general. Berra is at the forefront of such history, having connected generations of famous athletes who played generations apart. How many people got a chance to meet Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter?

As he departs, I want to remember Yogi Berra for all he was, on and off the field. He was the complete package, and the epitome of why we play and love this game. It's to root for people like him.

We're going to miss you, Yogi. Rest in Peace.

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And PS, if you're reading this up there: He was out.

All In

Hey guys, Drew back here. I was glad to see that a lot of you really liked my Top 10 Best Yankees Cards post from yesterday, as I definitely had fun writing it. I recently took a gamble on eBay hoping to take on what may have the potential of being ranked highly on that list in the future. 

Outside of his most recent start against the Blue Jays, Luis Severino has been awesome to watch in his rookie season. He has the poise and stuff necessary to dominate in the league for years to come, and I look forward to seeing more of him hoping in the playoffs this year. One night I splurged on eBay and wound up winning 3 separate auctions from the same seller; all Severino. In total, I spent about $20 on 22 cards; an investment opportunity I'm glad I took advantage of. 

Here's what I ended up with:

- 2014 Bowman Draft (x9)

- 2014 Bowman Chrome Draft (x3)

- 2014 Bowman Draft Silver Ice Parallel

- 2014 Bowman Draft Bowman Is Back

- 2015 Bowman (x4)

- 2015 Bowman Chrome

- 2015 Bowman Farm's Finest Mini

- 2014 Bowman Chrome Draft Black Wave Refractor Parallel 

- 2014 Bowman Chrome Draft Blue Refractor Parallel /399

I originally just wanted the two Chrome parallels, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to add several of his other rookie cards as well. This is just one of many examples of my love for combined shipping.

If any of you has Severino cards for trade and sale, I'd be most certainly interested. I'm not quite ready to declare him as my next PC, but I think it's getting closer and closer to happening as each of his starts come to pass.

See Ya!

Ten for Tuesday - Best Yankees Cards

Hey everyone, Drew back here! Over the summer, despite my lack of Ten for Tuesday posts, I spent a lot of time coming up with different ideas for future topics of discussion. This post was one I had been eager to write since the idea first came to mind.

This week, we're going to dive into what this blog was originally all about: baseball cards, and more specifically; Yankees baseball cards. I understand the Yankees are a controversial organization that some of you loathe and some of you love, but with their immense history has come a ton of special cards that will one day make me a broke man. I've decided to rank which cards in my opinion are the greatest ever printed featuring a Yankees logo on its cap. This is not necessarily judged solely by dollar value, but it did serve as a good basis to begin my intrapersonal debate (also - no relics, autos, parallels will be seen here).

10 Best Yankees Cards

Honorable Mentions:

1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth
1933 Goudey #180 Lou Gehrig (Rookie Card)
1939 Play Ball #26 Joe DiMaggio (Rookie Card)
1952 Bowman #101 Mickey Mantle
1952 Topps #11 Phil Rizzuto
1962 Topps #200 Mickey Mantle
1976 Topps #74T Oscar Gamble
1992 Bowman #302 Mariano Rivera (Rookie Card)

I was extremely motivated to try and get Oscar Gamble and his fabulous afro inside the Top 10, but ultimately it just couldn't be done. With all of the history behind the Yankees organization, Gamble was more known for that card than for his actual on field contributions. Mariano Rivera's 1992 Bowman Rookie card technically doesn't fit the criteria (featuring a Yankee logo) but there's no way I couldn't at least mention the greatest reliever of all time.

The hardest card to keep off was the 1939 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio rookie card. I've always undervalued Joltin' Joe, almost to the point where sometimes I feel like I have something against him. I considered some parts of his legacy to be overrated earlier this year, and I really don't have much of his in my collection. This card didn't make the cut because it was made during a time where cards really didn't seem to matter much; between the earlier 1930's Goudey cards and the late 1940's Bowman cards. If anything, it's card #10B on this list; close, but no cigar.

10 - 1961 Topps #2 Roger Maris

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Don't worry, I'm not trying to say that Roger Maris was a better Yankee than Joe DiMaggio because I put this card ahead of his. If I were to actually mean that, I would encourage you all to click the 'X' button on my blog tab. 

By 1961, baseball cards were becoming a larger part of pop culture alongside a great period for the sport itself. Roger Maris was a good player up until his 1960 MVP season, where he emerged as a superstar power hitter. In 1961, his name was etched into the record books when he smashed 61 Home Runs en route to defeating his teammate Mickey Mantle in one of the best power competitions ever. Not many wished for Maris to beat the beloved Mantle, but the outcome not only awarded Roger his second consecutive MVP but also a place among Yankees immortals forever.

His Topps card spoke highly of his calm, quiet demeanor in a way that they could not replicate again. As many of you know, I have a good chunk of the 1961 Topps set, not because it's an overly impressive design but because of its historical significance. No card encompasses that any more than Roger's. It may be a stretch to some, but I couldn't keep it off of my list.

9 - 1971 Topps #5 Thurman Munson

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For everything that was serene and peaceful about Maris' 1961 card, Thurman Munson's second year card was the exact opposite. The heart and soul of the Yankees 1970's generation was accurately portrayed on this card. Of course, you can't think of the former Captain without thinking about his tragic death in a plane crash which brought George Steinbrenner's crafted championship team to a startling halt. Munson's courage and compassion was an insurmountable loss for the team, and the Yankees would go without winning a World Series from 1978 all the way until 1996.

Once again, the 1971 Topps set simply was a template that gave way to the photo's brilliance. There is nothing overly special about the design, and the All Star Rookie logo is rather intrusive, but the collision and dust in the air put a different spin on a sport not always known for its aggressiveness. Injuries aside, collisions were always an entertaining part of the game and in a way I wish they still were allowed.

8 - 1984 Donruss #248 Don Mattingly (Rookie Card)

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Oh, to be young. The look in a young Don Mattingly's eyes shows that he had the confidence and poise to dominate New York. Who would have guessed the former 19th Round Draft Pick would have not only made his mark on the big leagues in his rookie season but also take home MVP honors the very next year? Mattingly's ascension into the stratosphere of baseball popularity was rapid, but unfortunately back issues caused his fall from grace to come much quicker than anyone wished.

But on the day this photo was taken, he was ready to conquer the Bronx faithful, and although he will likely never make the Hall of Fame, his #23 will always be revered. His Topps rookie card was also notable, but the Donruss card is more sought after and simply more aesthetically pleasing.

7 - 1948 Bowman #6 Yogi Berra (Rookie Card)

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Yogi Berra's name has got to be mentioned in every other one of my blog posts, and for that repetitiveness I am sorry. But, if any player deserves the limelight, it's Berra. Forget his memorable quotes and 10 World Series rings for a minute and just think about him as a player. Catcher just may be baseball's most difficult position, and he not only held his own there but contributed more than most of his fellow teammates offensively. He had excellent plate discipline and was a great source of power for several of the best teams of all time. Like he famously said, "You can observe a lot by watching". Any of his highlights that I've seen merit all of the attention and fame he has gotten, and while I may rank Johnny Bench as a slightly better all around catcher; Yogi is not far behind.

There are several really beautiful cards of the second #8 that could have made this list (1952 Bowman, 1952 Topps in particular), but the final selection was his simple and elegant Rookie Card out of 1948 Bowman.

6 - 1934 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig

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Which card epitomizes Gehrig better than this 1934 Goudey beauty? Sure, cards were not nearly as coveted back in this generation, but the ones that were made were executed brilliantly. Babe Ruth may be the first name you think of in the Yankees history books, but Lou Gehrig started the "Yankee Way" fans have become synonymous with ever since his early death from ALS. Ruth was a great person by most accounts, but in a loud and boisterous way. Gehrig led by example and was as humble as one could be.

I didn't choose his 1933 Goudey Rookie Card, although it is certainly worthy of being right here in this card's place on the list in terms of value and importance. But there's something so charming and down to Earth about this card (even with a pretty ugly yellow in the background) that I couldn't pass over it.

5 - 1993 Upper Deck SP #279 Derek Jeter (Rookie Card)

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The legend from my generation, Derek Jeter; despite a general trend of overprinting and too many various parallels overpopulating the hobby these days, deserves to be recognized as much as just about anyone else. Beckett states that the most recent Yankee Captain has precisely 15,252 different cards to his name, but if I had to pick any one of them to represent his likeness, I would be hard-pressed to choose anything but his SP Rookie Card. Featured from the foil generation, this card scans horribly but is lustrous and polished when held in your hand. Jeter wasn't exactly a superstar for the reasons most players were during his prime, as he never specialized in power hitting (24 Home Runs was his career high for a single season). But Jeter was a complete player in every sense of the word for a vast majority of his career, until his age detracted from his range and overall defense.

This card may feel and seem far out from the rest of the pack; with more foil than on the rest of the cards combined. But it already belongs for all of the right reasons, and this card could even move up a spot or two twenty or thirty years from now.

4 - 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle

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When viewing this week's Ten for Tuesday topic, I bet several of you wondered "How many Mickey Mantle cards will be on this one?" Heck, I could have done a Top 10 with just Mantle cards and would have struggled to come to fruition with it. Mantle is a cardboard god not just for his role as a fan favorite and being one of the finest athletes to ever grace the diamond, but for the timing at which his career began. The first official flagship Topps set was released in 1952, and Mantle made his MLB Debut in 1951. Mantle's emergence sparked the first collector rush in the Sports Card Industry, similar to what we see now with Bowman's top prospects and players like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. Factor in that he was part of a team that won 5 Championships in his first decade manning center field, and you have a Hobby Hero on your hands.

The first Mantle inclusion on this list (there were two of his cards in the Honorable Mention section) is his 1953 Topps card; which in my book is the most visually satisfying Yankees card ever printed. I find three cards to be more important in the grand scheme of things, but if I had the opportunity to choose any of these 10 cards I would have to fight myself not to choose this one. The sketch looks like it came straight out of a Comic Book, and Mantle appears as a larger than life figure. The 1953 Topps design is iconic, and is a true definition of what vintage should be classified as.

3 - 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle (Rookie Card)

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Just narrowly topping the 1953 Mantle is what is considered his official Rookie Card; his 1951 Bowman. This was the first Mantle card ever printed of what would amount to over 10,000 more in the future. Forget the recent splurge of Mantle we all were given in Topps flagship products (because yes, even Yankee fans like myself found it all a bit excessive), and remember him for classics like this instead. The first few Bowman releases really put an emphasis on simplicity and photography; not letting the design take away from the importance of the player highlighted. The clouds in the air and what appears to be a Spring Training complex in the horizon make Mantle pop out much like in the aforementioned 1953. It feels like he's ready to step outside of the white border and hit a home run in Yankee Stadium tonight.

There is such an aura with Mantle cards that really just can't be surpassed by any sports figure in history. Tell me if you feel it too, because I'm almost certain it's not just a Yankee thing.

2 - 1933 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth

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Babe Ruth doesn't have nearly as many cards as Mantle, but companies made the ones he had during his playing days count. "The Bambino" only played into the 1935 season, and there weren't many cards issued between his famous few Red Sox Rookie Cards and his 1933 Goudey's. But the handful of different cards he had in the Goudey set took on a legacy of their own that has continued since his retirement from the game.

I've heard that the card mentioned in the Honorable Mentions of his from this set; featuring a close up of Ruth swinging with a yellow backdrop, is the most valuable of the lot due to the difficulty of the cards still remaining in tact. This is my favorite of the bunch though, and it's beyond my distaste for the yellow color. When I look at this card, it feels like Ruth never actually existed and was a figment of the baseball fan's imagination. Hell, the man retired 80 years ago, and the game was completely different when he left it than it is now. The stories and myths regarding his career may or may not have actually happened, but it was so long ago that you may as well think they did.

This card also reminds me of "The Sandlot", one of my all time favorite baseball movies. If you haven't seen it, the players use a signed Babe Ruth baseball in their pickup games, much to the confusion of the boy who borrowed the ball from his step-father. It's a classic scene, as most of you know, and was recreated earlier this year by the Yankees (McCann really pulled off a solid Ham Porter). I think of the movie whenever I see this card because it looks like Ruth is playing in someone's back yard far from Yankee Stadium.

"Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong."

1 - 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle

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Did you really think it was going to be anything other than this at the top? Though not Mantle's true Rookie Card, this was practically Topps' Rookie Card. This card helped spiral the company to the upper echelon of the card industry, and is far more than just a piece of cardboard. The 1952 Mantle is a rare find, to say the least. 

An article published on 24/7 Wall St. stated on August 2nd of this year that the card recently sold by Goldin Auctions for $330,000; far more than the card had ever commanded prior. Most commonly sell between $10,000 and $20,000, but the card sold had been graded an 8; in far better condition than most. The card's value has always been higher than any other Mantle somewhat in part to the famous legend that former Topps CEO Sy Berger cut off the circulation of most of the set after dumping hundreds of unopened cases of the product into the Hudson River. I'm currently sitting in my College Library overlooking the Hudson, and thinking of the fortune that lies deep within the water; completely disintegrated, brings a tear to my eye. One day it'll be mine. Hopefully.

As of now, I own 4 of my Top 10 cards, and I have a hard time envisioning owning any of the other 6. I currently have the 1961 Topps Maris, 1993 SP Jeter, 1984 Donruss Mattingly, and the 1971 Topps Munson.

Do you agree or disagree with my rankings? Feel free to get the conversation started in the comments below!

See Ya!

Belated Berra Birthday Mailday

Hey everyone, Drew back here. The semester has began, and it is going to be quite a grind throughout from what I can tell. Between my work schedule and schoolwork, it will be tougher than I expected to keep this blog as active as I did last semester. Some evidence to my absence is that I still haven't posted two really special gifts I was given for my birthday (yes, my birthday at the end of July).

First off, William spent a little time and money on me while attending the National, which as always meant a whole lot to me. He included some pretty neat things for my collection in a package he sent a few weeks following the big show.

This Babe Ruth Heritage Auctions advertisement really would look cool framed and hung up somewhere.

I've really enjoyed much of the 2015 Yankees season. They have most certainly exceeded expectations, and despite some injuries they have mostly persevered and played well. The loss of Mark Teixeira is going to sting, though, and although I have been intrigued by rookie Greg Bird's performance; it will be tough to make up for his 31 home runs in the lineup.

William always catches me up on the products I've missed. Allen & Ginter may have run dry a tad over the years but I do really like the McCann and Bernie Williams cards he sent. They still look better than any others signed.

The big gift was this a 1947-66 Exhibits oddball card of Yogi Berra. The exact year is unclear from everywhere I've looked, but it's a unique add to a collection that has grown ever so slighty over the years. There aren't many players I'd rather collect than Yogi, the one former player I would wish to meet (with the exception of Derek Jeter) over most any other. That smile on the card is so infectious.

The other gift(s) I was given came courtesy of my relatively new friend Frankie, of My Life in the Sports Card Hobby. I have known Frankie for close to a year now, and he is one of my favorite bloggers in the community as we speak. His collection may already surpass my own, but his passion for this hobby is so similar to what I feel. 

Frankie tossed in this Panini Prism autograph of Ivan Nova to kick things off! I expected better things from Nova next year, as it seems that pitchers seem to fare better the second season back from Tommy John Surgery. Regardless, he will come of heavy importance in tonight's game against the Blue Jays and if all goes well he could help to shorten the gap in the Division Race.

The main attraction in his package was once again Berra related, and couldn't be much better. The 1992 Front Row Series contains five exclusive Yogi Berra cards, one of which is autographed on card!

I can never get enough Yogi ink in my Yankees collection, and I love the picture the autograph is signed atop of (despite the lack of a logo on his hat). 

The set also comes with a separate Certificate of Authenticity, although it isn't really that necessary. Nowadays we tend to see COA's on the back of the certified autographs, but this was one of the first autograph sets and Front Row deserves a pass. Although limited to 5,000 copies, these are more rare than it may sound.

William and Frankie, thank you both so much for the really great gifts. You two are as awesome as it gets, and your kindness can not be beaten!

See Ya!

Ten for Tuesday - Best First Picks

Oh, the joy of having the first overall pick in an upcoming draft. Teams that have suffered for decades know just how critical it is to make picks count early on in the draft, yet there have been so many horrible mistakes. Brien Taylor, Greg Oden, and JaMarcus Russell come specifically to mind. Today, I decided to take a look at what teams got it right over the course of baseball, football, and basketball history.

Before I begin, I would like to emphasize that this is more than just simply ranking talent. Superstars such as Shaquille O'Neal and John Elway will not be featured on this list despite being chosen first overall in 1992 and 1983, respectively. Shaq only played four full seasons in Orlando, where he was chosen, before leaving for Los Angeles and becoming the Hall of Famer we all know and love. Meanwhile, Elway was chosen first by the Baltimore Colts, who ended up losing out on the west coast wonder who wasn't interested in playing for an organization as bad as theirs was at the time. 

This list will constitute the best picks made that have impacted not only each franchise involved but the rest of the sport as well. I don't want to pretend to know any more about hockey than I do, so I excluded guys like Mario Lemieux, Alexander Ovechkin, and Sidney Crosby.

10 Best #1 Overall Picks

Honorable Mentions: Allen Iverson (1996, Philadelphia 76ers), David Robinson (1987, San Antonio Spurs), Alex Rodriguez (1993, Seattle Mariners), O.J. Simpson (1969, Buffalo Bills), Bruce Smith (1985, Buffalo Bills), Shaquille O'Neal (1992, Orlando Magic), John Elway (1983, Baltimore Colts)

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That list of names should warrant just how difficult it was to craft this Top 10. Allen Iverson was the heart and soul of the Philadelphia 76ers, leading them out of obscurity to the NBA Finals and taking home an MVP Award. Although AI played for several teams towards the home stretch of his excellent career, it was Philadelphia that got the best out of his talent. "The Admiral", David Robinson, also is well-deserving of a mention. Robinson made 10 All Star teams and won Rookie of the Year and the 1995 NBA MVP. He will go down as one of the greatest big men in basketball history, and it was so tough to keep him off this ten.

10 - Terry Bradshaw, 1st Pick of the 1970 NFL Draft

Chosen By: Pittsburgh Steelers

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Terry Bradshaw was a very good Quarterback in the NFL. Some go as far to say that he was one of the best, and while I disagree with this, he does have the accolades to back it up. He is the golden child of the rule some analysts use to rate Quarterbacks: "The best quarterbacks should be ranked by how many Super Bowl rings they have, and not by performance". I absolutely hate the entire idea of this (more on this later). Bradshaw won 4 Super Bowls as the anchor of the famous Steel Curtain team of the 1970's, and he was one of the NFL's best without question. But would I take John Elway, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, etc; over Bradshaw? Probably.

Regardless of where he ranks, his impact is unprecedented. He played his entire 14 year career in Pittsburgh, and is beloved all throughout the Steel City. Iverson and Robinson may have been more dominant at their peak (hard to compare sports, obviously), but who knows if the Steelers would have the most Super Bowl titles if it weren't for Bradshaw's elite performance under high pressure circumstances.

9 - Chipper Jones, 1st Pick of the 1990 MLB Draft

Chosen By: Atlanta Braves

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Growing up in Florida, Larry Wayne Jones was not Atlanta's original choice, but they grew to love and embrace their switch hitting mainstay. Chipper played 19 seasons for the Braves, and stayed consistent throughout his tenure at the hot corner and outfield positions. When he was 36, he won the batting title with a .364 average; and while he fell shy of 500 career home runs (468), he still had the most of any switch hitter in National League history. On top of it all, he made 8 All Star teams, won the 1999 NL MVP, and won the World Series in 1995. The Braves didn't know they were buying into a franchise legend in 1990, and with that in mind he definitely earned a place as one of the best 1st overall picks ever.

8 - LeBron James, 1st Pick of the 2003 NBA Draft

Chosen By: Cleveland Cavaliers

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Woah, woah, woah. LeBron James at #8? Is this some kind of madness? 

No, and I'll tell you why the King doesn't hold the throne on this countdown. LeBron James may be the most talented athlete mentioned in this entire post, and when Cleveland chose him straight out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School he became the biggest basketball prodigy since at least Kobe Bryant, if not "His Airness" himself, Michael Jordan. James played 7 seasons in Cleveland before his infamous ESPN special announced his departure to South Beach. Seven seasons should be more than enough to warrant a spot on this list, but had he not left and betrayed his Cleveland supporters in favor of winning championships with the Heat, he could have been towards the top.

Luckily for Cavs fans, LeBron hasn't completely forgotten his first fanbase, and returned to Cleveland prior to this past season to finish what he started. It may have resulted in an NBA Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors, but at least they made it there. If LeBron can finally fulfill his promise and bring home a title to Cleveland, his importance to the franchise will forever be remembered. 

7 - Kareem Abdul Jabbar, 1st Pick of the 1969 NBA Draft

Chosen By: Milwaukee Bucks

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Kareem Abdul Jabbar has been regarded by many as the best basketball player to ever walk the Earth. But everyone had to start somewhere, and before changing his name to Jabbar, he was Lew Alcindor of the Milwaukee Bucks. Alcindor was no slouch, but it wasn't until his days in Los Angeles when his legacy was completely set in stone. He only played 6 years in Milwaukee, but won 3 MVP's and made the All Star team in each of those years. The icing on the cake as to why he ranks above LeBron is that he did lead Milwaukee to a title in 1971. Alcindor was named the Finals MVP after leading the league in scoring that year. 

6 - Troy Aikman, 1st Pick of the 1989 NFL Draft

Chosen By: Dallas Cowboys 

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Much like Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman may be defined more for being a critical part of one of the best football teams of all time than for his own personal achievements. In sports, that really is what you shoot for. There have been better Quarterbacks than Aikman, but I wouldn't have a problem with him placing in any Top 10 Quarterbacks list (I may have to attack that down the line). The three time Super Bowl champion was joined by Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin to quite possibly form the best three headed monster the NFL has ever seen. 

Still, with 32,942 career passing yards and 165 touchdowns, along with serving America's Team for all 12 of his years, he was qualified to make the list as well.

5 - Hakeem Olajuwon, 1st Pick of the 1984 NBA Draft

Chosen By: Houston Rockets

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Is there a basketball player more underrated than Hakeem Olajuwon? If you try to view his accomplishments on Wikipedia, they take up most of your computer screen! Two time NBA Champion. Two time Finals MVP. 1994 NBA MVP. 12 All Star Games. 6 Time All NBA First Team. He's the Houston Rockets all time leading scorer, and nobody in history blocked more shots. Plus, he played 17 of his 18 years in Houston, and up until this point is their best player to grace the court. His importance to that team can only be paralleled by the four following #1 picks.

4 - Tim Duncan, 1st Pick of the 1997 NBA Draft

Chosen By: San Antonio Spurs

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Despite his counterparts Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, Tim Duncan is everything symbolic of the history of the San Antonio Spurs organization. For a player so consistently at the top of the game to still be disrespected as much as he has is sad. Duncan more than deserves be of the same breath as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and just about anyone else from this generation. With 5 NBA Championships under his belt (and counting), Duncan has solidified his legacy with the organization and with the NBA as a whole. In case you don't agree, I'll let some of his numbers do the talking: 15 All Star selections, 2 NBA MVP's, Rookie of the Year, 10 All NBA First Teams, and 8 All Defensive Team selections. He's led San Antonio in points scored, and not only has he been a part of great teams but he was the glue that kept them together. In three of his five NBA Finals wins, he won the MVP. Is there anything more that could possibly be said to keep Duncan from the respect he clearly deserves? 

3 - Peyton Manning, 1st Pick of the 1998 NFL Draft

Chosen By: Indianapolis Colts

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The fact that we haven't seen Peyton Manning 'man' Colts blue since the conclusion of the 2011 season and he still owns a spot this high on the list goes to prove just how impactful he was to their team. Luckily for Indianapolis, they seem to have a bright future still set in stone with their most recent #1 pick, Quarterback Andrew Luck, but he has some huge shoes to fill. Peyton only helped lead Indianapolis to one Super Bowl title, but their 2008 title was the shining moment of the entire organization's history. The elder Manning brother is larger than life, even if he has struggled in the postseason throughout most of his career. This does keep him from being considered the greatest QB of all time, but it certainly does not hurt his status as much as some say.

As I mentioned before, I don't agree to the argument that quarterbacks should be judged solely off of postseason accomplishments. It certainly helps for someone of Joe Montana's stature to have 4 titles of his own, but let's keep in mind that championships are won based off offensive and defensive team performance.

2 - Ken Griffey Jr., 1st Pick of the 1987 MLB Draft
Chosen By: Seattle Mariners

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Imagine if Ken Griffey Jr. was a little luckier. We can take out the fact that he is one of the most famous, rich athletes of all time, but if "The Kid" could have stayed healthy, we may have had a clean home run king. Griffey was a prolific five tool player among his years in Seattle, and was a quiet leader for an emerging team that always seemed to fall just short of winning it all. If the Mariners could have afforded to keep Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, and Griffey together longer, I bet they could have won a World Series. Could have. In our collector universe, we glorify his 1989 Upper Deck rookie card, which may just be the best card printed within the past 30 years. He recently recreated that moment in Macklemore's new music video "Downtown", and while it made absolutely no sense, it was refreshing to see Griffey in the public eye again. Except, rather than crushing home runs with his trademark gorgeous swing or robbing home runs, he catches a fish and flashes a smile. 

1 - Earvin "Magic" Johnson, 1st Pick of the 1979 NBA Draft

Chosen By: Los Angeles Lakers

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You can not spell "Lakers" without "Magic". Technically you can, but there is no doubt that he should be the first face that pops up in your head when you think of one of the most storied organizations in sports history. Kobe Bryant has had a remarkable career, Kareem Abdul Jabbar contributed greatly, and Wilt Chamberlain may be the greatest basketball player ever, but Magic Johnson has been all about Hollywood ever since the day he was drafted first overall.

Magic compiled 3 MVP trophies and 5 Championship titles amidst a career that was threatened and shortened by his contraction of AIDS. He made the All Star team in all but his sophomore season. He was flashy and extravagant and always made his presence felt. In fact, he still does in Los Angeles through his work as part owner of the Dodgers. I had to shift the order of this list a few times, but he stayed at the top.

For now, that will do it for this week's Ten for Tuesday. In the future, we may see Bryce Harper, Andrew Luck, Anthony Davis, and others on this list.

See Ya!