Signature Saturday - Don Zimmer

I've made no secret of the fact that my favorite Cubs team to date has been the 1989 so-called Boys of Zimmer. I was a bandwagon, 1st grade fan in 1984 when I spent the 1984-1985 school year in Moline. After that, I moved around quite a bit, but was always able to find the Cubs on WGN.

Fast forward a couple of years, I am starting to learn more about the game, collect baseball cards and consequently the players. Meanwhile, the Cubs had a new manager in 1988, Don Zimmer. Despite a losing record, the Cubs managed to send six players to the 1988 All-Star game. Zimmer proceeded to lead a 16 game turnaround for the Cubs in 1989, winning the National League East division and the NL Manager of the Year title.

Along with the Les Lancaster, Sandy Alomar Sr and Dwight cards I sent down to Spirng Training, I also included a couple of Don Zimmer card. In the card below, Zimmer is arguing a call with an umpire who didn't make the cut to be included in the card. The incredulous look on his face was perfect for a manager card. Thankfully, he signed between his jacket and his name where the blue signature could be more easily seen.

Not only did Zimmer manage the Cubs (and coach a few years prior), but he also played for the Cubs in 1960 and 1961 when he earned his only All-Star appearance. So he gets two ATCRCS cards! Below is a much younger "Popeye" from his playing days. With nothing hindering his autograph, I got a nice bold signature right across the middle of the card.

But wait, there's more! In addition to the ATCRCS cards I'm working on, Zimmer was also included in the Desert Shield set in 1991.

These cards mark the 46th and 47th signed ATCRCS cards in my collection and the 5th signed Desert Shield Cubs team set card.

Additionally, I have previously shown off my Don Zimmer ice cream helmet as part of that subcollection. But here it is again since that was in the way early history of the blog.