Dwight Smith Part 2

Earlier this year I sent my Dwight Smith ATCRCS card to a Sportscollectors.net member who was going to see Dwight Smith during Spring Training. I had also sent the 1991 Topps Desert Shield card but he only had the opportunity to get one signed and I made it clear the ATCRCS was a priority.

Then, a couple of weeks ago another member posted that Smith would be making a free appearance at one of the Atlanta Braves Alumni Sundays. I offered a small amount for the helper's time and effort and I recently received the following back:

There are 32 Cubs cards in the 1991 Topps Desert Shield set. Man, those were the days for team set collectors. Variety meant different players not a dozen parallels. I have 18 of the cards and this marks the 6th one I've had signed. I'm a bit behind on my beginning of the year goal to have the set owned by the end of the year but am now ahead of my goal of getting 5 signed. Win some, lose some.

And it feels like it has been a while since I added a new ice cream helmet to the collection. Many of you probably don't think of Dwight Smith when thinking of top Cubs, but as the 1989 NL ROY runner-up and of course, a member of my favorite team growing up, the Boys of Zimmer, I couldn't help but add him. I did a post very early on in the blog showing a bunch of my helmets but I might have to pull them all together into a tab at the top.

The only downside is that while he signed #18 on the Desert Shield card (his # with the Cubs), he signed #7 on the helmet (his # with the Braves). Again, win some, lose some. Guess that's what I get for sending Cubs items to a Braves Alumni signing...

ATCRCS: Autograph Edition - Dwight Smith

Today, I have another signed ATCRCS card back from the same Spring Training help I mentioned last week. Dwight Smith Sr. was helping out with the Toronto Blue Jays minor league camp because his son (Dwight Smith Jr.) is in their system.

Dwight Smith came up through the Cubs system and replaced Rafael Palmeiro as the left fielder in 1989. He finished a distant second in the Rookie of the Year voting to teammate Jerome Walton despite more home runs, RBIs and a higher batting average and WAR. But he also put quite a bit of distance between himself and the third place finisher, pre-season favorite (and Topps Future Star) Gregg Jefferies in the voting.

I sent in my ATCRCS card and the 1991 Topps Desert Shield but the helper was only able to get the one done. In my note, I mentioned that if there was only the opportunity to get one signed, I would prefer the custom card. I figured there's probably a signed version of the Desert Shield card out there somewhere I could buy if needed but the ATCRCS is a one of a kind.

This is the 44th ATCRCS card to be signed for my collection. I'm very happy to add this Boy of Zimmer to my collection!

Dwight Smith & Les Lancaster 1991 Topps Desert Shield

I've been slooowwwwly adding to this team set over the past few months. There seem to be a bunch on ebay at any given time for a few bucks or less with free shipping. There are even a few lots available. I'm sure I said it before but this is one set that I am trying to be a little anal about regarding condition and centering without resorting to buying graded cards so while the lots are a better value, the centering on early 90's topps cards leave a lot to be desired.

I expect this team set to run me upwards of around $100 when all is said and done when I throw in the Andre Dawson, Greg Maddux and 3 Ryne Sandbergs that all go for double digits in price. And maybe even the Mark Grace.  I about 95% sure I have at least one of the Sandbergs, maybe two, in my player collection but have been too lazy to double check. 

Dwight Smith 1991 Topps Desert Shield

Dwight Smith was the runner-up NL Rookie of the Year candidate to teammate Jerome Walton in 1989. Smith had more home runs, more RBIs and a batting average that was 30 points higher than Walton's. But Walton batted lead off and accumulated more runs and hits. And of course, a 30 game hitting streak as a rookie doesn't hurt your chances either. Still, I think the voting should have been closer than it was. Coincidentally, both players went on to play for both Atlanta and Baltimore after leaving the Cubs, but not at the same time.





Les Lancaster 1991 Topps Desert Shield

Les Lancaster was a starter turned middle reliever turned starter. He spent 5 seasons with the Cubs and had a winning record in 4 of them. Without doing any research, that sounds pretty good for a Cubs middle reliever! He also had a pretty respectable 3.82 ERA while with the Cubs.

These came from separate sellers on ebay, both for the above mentioned couple bucks and free shipping.  The centering on both these cards is fantastic and the corners and edges are sharp. Two more down, 25ish to go!