[zeprock]

Dennis Eckersley is a story of two careers. As a starting pitcher he won 197 games, went to a couple of All-star games and threw a no-hitter. Reinvented as a closer, he went on to save 390 games, appear in four more All-star games, became a three-time Fireman of the Year, won a MVP Award, a Cy Young Award and a World Championship. He became the first of only two pitchers in MLB history to have a 20 win season and a 50 save season in his career. He began his career with the Indians and then went to the Red Sox who traded him to the Cubs for Bill Buckner in 1984. We all know how that turned out. After being traded to the A's, manager Tony LaRussa converted him to a closer and when LaRussa eventually left Oakland to manage in St. Louis, he took Eckersley with him. A control pitcher, he walked only 16 batters during 207 innings between 1989-1991. His vernacular has achieved a life of it's own becoming known as "Eckspeak". I currently have 589 unique Beckett recognized cards of Eck. Here are nine from my collection including some vintage rookies, a food issue, some inserts, a parallel, some game-used and an autograph.

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1976 Kellogg's #19 Dennis Eckersley (A rookie card pulled from a cereal box.)
1976 SSPC #506 Dennis Eckersley (Another rookie card.)
1977 Topps #525 Dennis Eckersley

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1993 Triple Play League Leaders #L1 Barry Bonds/Dennis Eckersley (Barry Bonds graces the other side of this Donruss insert.)
1996 Leaf Gold Press Proofs #2 Dennis Eckersley (I had this for years not knowing it was a press proof until I saw it side-by-side with another card from that set.)
2002 Upper Deck All-Star Salute Game Jersey #SJDE Dennis Eckersley

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2003 Flair Greats Cut of History Game Used #7 Dennis Eckersley Jsy
2005 Absolute Memorabilia Autograph Spectrum Silver #113 Dennis Eckersley/100
2007 SP Legendary Cuts Legendary Materials Dual #EC Dennis Eckersley/125