Sunday, November 5, 2017

Long Island Ducks' 15th-Year Anniversary Team

Autographed 2014 Long Island Ducks 15th-Year Anniversary AARP Team Set
Early in 2014, to mark the 15th anniversary year of the Long Island Ducks playing in the Atlantic League, the franchise asked fans to vote and create a 15th Anniversary Team  -- marking the greatest Ducks in franchise history. The task was to select one player at each position, a manager and final vote selection for a player that may have been overlooked. To commemorate this undertaking, the Ducks released a 15th Anniversary Team baseball card set in May highlighting the final selections.

This is a great keepsake for all Duck fans really highlighting their history! The selections were as follows:

Header Card – Bud Harrelson (Autographed);
Catcher – Francisco Morales (Autographed);
1st Base – Doug Jennings; (Autographed)
2nd Base – Ray Navarrete (Autographed);
Shortstop – Dan Lyons (Autographed);
3rd Base – Bryant Nelson (Autographed);
Outfielder – Justin Davies (Autographed);
Outfielder – Lew Ford (Autographed);
Outfielder – Kimera Bartee (Autographed);
Designated Hitter - Patrick Lennon (Autographed);
Left-hand Starting Pitcher – Randy Leek (Autographed);
Right-hand Starting Pitcher – John Brownell (Autographed);
Reliever – John Valentine (Autographed);
Closer – Bill Simas (Autographed);
Manager – Kevin Baez (Autographed);
Final Vote – Mike Loree (Autographed).

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Somerset Patriots Top 20 Anniversary Signed Atlantic League Baseball





During the 2017 baseball season, the Somerset Patriots celebrated their 20th-anniversary by announcing their top 20 Somerset Patriots of all-time. This list was composed by a hybrid method having a panel of experts rate the top 20 players that were voted on by fans.

On August 31st, the Patriots invited 5 retired Top 20 Patriots players back to TD Bank Ballpark, joining 3 current roster Top 20 players, and celebrated this history.

Above is a 20th-anniversary official Atlantic League baseball with Steve Kalafer's director's signature imprinted on the sweet spot (the official baseball for 2017 Patriots) with 9 signatures of the 20 anniversary team members: Adam Donachie, Corey Smith, Casey Cahill, David Vidal, Justin Jensen, Elliott Ayala, Aharon Eggleston, Jon Hunton and Josh Pressley. This is a work in progress. I will post updates as signatures are added.

Friday, September 29, 2017

20th-Year Anniversary Fans' Vote for Atlantic League Hall of Fame

With the 20th anniversary of the Atlantic League coming in 2017, I thought it would be interesting to ask the fans who they think should be an inaugural class of an Atlantic League Hall of Fame Class if it existed. PLEASE VOTE FOR ONLY TEN!
Fans' Vote: Who should be in the inaugural Atlantic League Hall of Fame class for the first 20 years of its history?
 
pollcode.com free polls

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Topps Allen & Ginter Autographed Cards

Assorted Allen & Ginter Autographed Cards
A frequent focus of autograph collectors that attend Atlantic League games is to collect the autographs of players that have reached the Major League level on MLB cards, photos and merchandise.

Although my focus is almost always Atlantic League, I do like to collect autographed Allen & Ginter cards for their attractive artwork and the high-end quality stock that they are produced on.

Here are a couple from recent years featuring former Major Leaguers: Henderson Alvarez, Nolan Reimold, Lew Ford, Brendan Harris, Bill Hall, Jordan Pacheco, Tyler Colvin and John Lannan.

Friday, July 14, 2017

2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game - Bridgewater, New Jersey



The complete, signed set (50 Cards) of the 2017 All Star Choice Card Set

In front of an over-capacity house with an attendance of 8,175, the Somerset Patriots hosted the 2017 Atlantic League All Star Game at TD Bank Ballpark on July 12th, in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

The Honorary Guest Managers of Sparky Lyle and Willie Randolph brought celebrity status to the event and highlighted the 40th anniversary of the 1977 World Championship New York Yankees.

Yankee radio broadcaster John Sterling provided his recognizable voice for the Home Run Derby that was won by Zach Wilson with 12 home runs total in the contest. Wilson, the Southern Maryland Blue Crab First Baseman, also took away the game MVP Award via a 3rd-inning 3-run home run.

With two other Freedom Division Home Runs from Sean Halton and Kevin Ahrens, the Freedom Division took the game by the final score of 10 to 3.

Friday, May 26, 2017

2012 Atlantic League Champions Long Island Ducks


After defeating the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the deciding Game 5 of the 2012 Atlantic League Divisional Series, courtesy of Brandon Sing's fourth-inning and Bryant Nelson’s go-ahead, eighth-inning home runs, the Long Island Ducks headed for their third championship series in franchise history against the Lancaster Barnstormers.

The season-end acquisition of Indy-career pitcher John Brownell paid dividends for the Flock as the right-hander gave up two earned runs in six innings in game four of the Championship Series forcing the second sudden-death game of the 2012 post season.

The Ducks took Game 5 and the Championship with Kraig Binick and Joash Brodin each contributing three hits to the effort; and Bobby Blevins Jr. pitching 6 innings of two earn-run ball – matching his mound mate Brownell’s performance of the night before.

Series MVP and Duck shortstop Dan Lyons brought home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth with a squeeze bunt to win the championship in dramatic fashion. 

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Eric Gagne - 2003 N.L. Cy Young Award Winner & 3X All Star

Autographed Eric Gagne Official Atlantic League Ball and 2017 Long Island Duck Pocket Schedule
Setting a major league record by converting 84 consecutive save opportunities bridging the 2002-2004 seasons; Eric Gagne tied a National League record for saves in 2003 with 55 saves pitching as the closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The performance that year, combined with a 1.20 ERA, was impressive enough to earn the right-hander the 2003 National League Cy Young Award – an award usually reserved for starting pitchers.

On May 5th, 2017, the 41-year-old, three-time N.L. All-Star Gagne joined the Long Island Ducks as a relief pitcher to try to work on developing a new slider to aid his hopes of returning to the major leagues.