Tag: Vic Black

Vic Black (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
Posted in Baseball

Monday news & notes: Andrew McCutchen, Vic Black, Hisanori Takahashi

Posted on by Paul

Here’s a few things that caught my attention over the weekend:

Andrew McCutchen makes an impression

Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen warms up before an exhibition game between the Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark in 2010 (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen warms up before an exhibition game between the Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark in 2010 (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)

During the course of the Major League Baseball season, most teams send their players on visits to various children’s and veterans’ hospitals. And to those of us watching the clips on the news, it sometimes seems like those events are just photo ops to get positive publicity for millionaire athletes and their teams. But that overlooks the impact those visits can have on the people in those hospitals.

Continue reading “Monday news & notes: Andrew McCutchen, Vic Black, Hisanori Takahashi” →

Posted in Autographs, Uncategorized

Spring training autographs, part 4

Posted on by Paul

This will be short & sweet, because I only got one envelope back since my “Part 3” post.

2015-03-17 10.09.06

RHP Vic Black, 26, was originally drafted by the New York Mets with a late-round pick in 2006 but did not sign. The Pittsburgh Pirates used a supplemental pick at the end of the first round of the 2009 draft to select him, and he began his pro career with the State College Spikes in the New York-Penn League that season.

The Mets acquired Black in August 2009 along with 2B Dilson Herrera for OF Marlon Byrd and C John Buck, one of the best trades Sandy Alderson has made as the Mets’ general manager.

Continue reading “Spring training autographs, part 4” →

Posted in Uncategorized

Baseball card of the day: 2010 Topps Pro Debut Victor Black

Posted on by Paul

Vic-Black Vic-Black-B

While I was sorting a box of baseball cards this weekend, I ran across a familiar face… Mets reliever Vic Black.

Black wasa originally selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with a supplemental pick at the end of the first round of the 2009 draft. He began his professional career with the State College Spikes in the New York-Penn League that year, so he’s one of a handful of players Topps chose for their inaugural “Pro Debut” minor league set who was actually making his pro debut.

Late in 2013, the Mets acquired Black and second baseman Dilson Herrera from the Pirates in exchange for Marlon Byrd and John Buck.

Posted in Baseball, Uncategorized

MetsBlog: Getting to know rookie Vic Black, a man of the people

Posted on by Paul
Vic Black's 2014 Topps baseball card
Vic Black’s 2014 Topps baseball card

I’m going to guess that most of my readers are Mets fans & already saw this over at MetsBlog.com. But I’m going to share it anyway, because how often do you see a current baseball player interviewed about his subway riding habits?

“To me, it’s cool, especially after games. You hop on and especially late, Mets fans are everywhere, and they’re still talking about the game,” Black said. “I love being around people, which is why I think New York fits me, personality-wise.”

Read “Getting to know rookie Vic Black, a man of the people” at MetsBlog.com.

Autographed Matt den Dekker 2009 Upper Deck USA Baseball insert baseball card from my collection
Posted in Autographs, Uncategorized

New Mets: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Matt den Dekker & Vic Black

Posted on by Paul

Several players have made their Mets’ debut over the last few weeks, though they went largely unheralded.

Daisuke Matsuzka makes his Mets debut on Aug. 23, 2013 (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
Daisuke Matsuzka makes his Mets debut on Aug. 23, 2013 (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)

Daisuke Matsuzaka has gotten the most attention of the Mets’ recent additions, but for the wrong reasons.

  • Aug. 23:  5 innings, 6 hits (2 home runs), 1 walk, 5 runs, 86 pitches (0-1, 9.00)
  • Aug. 28: 4.1 innings, 6 hits, 4 walks, 4 runs, 110 pitches (0-2, 8.68)
  • Sept. 2: 3 innings, 7 hits (1 home run), 2 walks, 6 runs, 72 pitches (0-3, 10.95)

Matsuzaka will get another start on Sunday, but I’ve excused myself from watching any games he pitches unless I have the misfortune to actually be at the ballpark.

I’m not looking forward to acquiring his autograph for my collection – I can’t imagine he’ll want to sign at the ballpark and he doesn’t sign through the mail very often, if at all. On the bright side, he has signed a fair number of certified autographs for the card companies over the years… too bad there are enough collectors seeking them to keep them fairly expensive.

Continue reading “New Mets: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Matt den Dekker & Vic Black” →