Player Profile: Andy Van Slyke

[Therion]

Today's profile at http://therion.today.com features a player that all Pirates fans will remember but many other baseball enthusiasts are quickly forgetting. Today I focus on Andy Van Slyke.

 

[Card Magnet]

Another good read. The first card I ever got at a card show was an AVS rookie with the Cardinals. The show was at a local fire hall.

 

[craiger122003]

Hey good read as usual Van Slyke will always be a cardinal in my mind

 

[Therion]

Hey good read as usual Van Slyke will always be a cardinal in my mind

I don't know man. They gave him up for a song.

 

[onehrk]

Just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoy your profiles, wish this one could've been a bit longer.

 

[MacK]

Hey good read as usual Van Slyke will always be a cardinal in my mind

I agree.

Therion - Very nice read. I don't mean to nitpick or anything, but just so you know, you misspelled Pittsburgh a few times. No problem though.

Keep them coming! It's great reading about all these players who have kinda faded into obscurity over the years.

 

[KC37]

I will go read this later, but when I was 13, Andy Van Slyke was my favorite non-Red Sox player. In 1987, instead of collecting Barry Bonds, I had 300 Andy Van Slyke cards - which should be the indicator that I should never prospect, but I liked the way we played the game.

 

[Therion]

LOL I'm an idiot. Edited to correctly spell Pittsburgh.

 

[pghbuccos]

good read as always.

the Pirates weren't missing a good player during their playoff runs it was the fact that Bonds and Bonilla didn't produce in any of the 3 playoff series.

 

[chisox3706]

the bucs games id go to in the late 80s/early 90s were so much fun. i grew up loving not only my "hometown heroes" in chicago, but andy van slyke and spanky. bonds and bonilla were really nothing big to me, those two guys were my fav pirates players of that team.

thanks for the quick flash down memory lane

 

[Piratesfan1418]

My second favorite player (behind Bonilla) growing up and my brothers favorite. There used to be a hardcore collector of Van Slyke's on the Beckett boards but I think he had to part with some due to personal reasons.

B

 

[yanksfan4eva]

Great player selection. He was by far and away my favorite non Yankee.

 

[subject to change]

Van Slyke was my first 'favorite' player. Unfortunately, by the time I began watching baseball, Van Slyke was in the latter stages of his career and debilitated by injuries. None the less, I managed to accumulate a small collection, almost entirely of commons, from trips to the local card store making up my first true player collection. I don't think it was until more recently that I have been able to gain a fuller appreciation for Van Slyke's ability and skill set. I think most of my scans are on another computer, but hopefully I can post some of my nicer AVS stuff tonight.

On a semi related note, I absolutely love the cursive script on the Pirates road jerseys from the early 90's, and would really love to see them bring that back.

 

[Therion]

Glad you guys are enjoying this one. I wanted to follow up my interview with a solid player that was a fan favorite but has been fading in the minds of fans of other teams.

 

[Therion]

Afternoon bump.

 

[Therion]

good read as always.

the Pirates weren't missing a good player during their playoff runs it was the fact that Bonds and Bonilla didn't produce in any of the 3 playoff series.

True enough. But one more bat could have made the difference as well.

 

[17ROCKIES12]

Another good read.

I have a few suggestions
Jimmie Reese
Buck Weaver
Herb Washington


And if anyone wants a Lemongello card this one is only $1 dlvd

[ebay:24l3165y] 280346191402[/ebay:24l3165y]

 

[subject to change]

I think the Pirates had enough talent...it just came down to a lack of talent in the playoffs. With Bonds, Bonilla, Van Slyke, Drabek, and a strong rotation, and a solid pen. I do think you could make the argument that a power bat at first would have put the team over the top, especially after Bream left.

 

[Therion]

I think the Pirates had enough talent...it just came down to a lack of talent in the playoffs. With Bonds, Bonilla, Van Slyke, Drabek, and a strong rotation, and a solid pen. I do think you could make the argument that a power bat at first would have put the team over the top, especially after Bream left.

Both arguments are valid.

 

[Card Magnet]

I think the Pirates had enough talent...it just came down to a lack of talent in the playoffs. With Bonds, Bonilla, Van Slyke, Drabek, and a strong rotation, and a solid pen. I do think you could make the argument that a power bat at first would have put the team over the top, especially after Bream left.

Both arguments are valid.

Bob Patterson FTW :lol: