Player Name: Garret Anderson
Sets From: 1992 Bowman
Card Numbers: 298
Why is this card a must have?: Another great casual shot from the beautiful 1992 Bowman set. If you haven’t guessed already, this is probably one of the greatest sets of the 1990s. It books for $150 and as you have seen and will see it has an amazing list of rookies in it. I think this is one of the better photos. A bit on the plain side, as Garret wants to show his love for basketball as well as dressing nice. Note to athletes, a collared Jordan Nike shirt is still considered athletic wear. Garret’s career achievements really sneak up on you. He is a 3 time all star and a 2 time Silver Slugger award winner. His career numbers are 0.296/272/1292 which includes 2368 hits in 13 and a half seasons. He’ll be 37 this year, he needs some luck but if he can hold out until he is 41 to retire, he should be able to get to that magical 3000 hit plateau that should get him in the Hall of Fame. Of his top 10 in comparison, none have gotten into the Hall of Fame and to be honest none are even close. Garret’s only way in is through the 3000 hit milestone, he is 632 away which at this point in his career is about 5 years away (making him 42, averaging 127 hits a season). Can he do it? I think as long as he can stay north of a 0.280 batting average, and 15 home runs, he should be on the team (or any team for that matter) for at least 4 more years. I think the outlook looks good.
Scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 6, if he gets to 3000 hits, this gets bumped to an 8, but he will have to commit himself. Sometimes though (see Mike Mussina) it’s tough to make it to a goal when father time is beating down your door and you don’t have what it takes anymore. I hope he makes it, he is one of the good guys in the game and I’d love to see him hit the 3000 hits milestone. The card books for $5, but on eBay none of his cards are going for more than $1 (slightly more if graded). He is one of the last of a dying breed of pure hitters.
Yes I think Anderson is much overlooked, perhaps because he is a Left coaster and I live on the East coast. But yeah he definitely has a shot at 3000. I think he had 150 hits last yr if he starts till he’s 40 he definitely has a shot.
Hopefully he hooks up in the NL so I can see more of him.
Cool Nike shirt, Garret!