Ryan Zimmerman: Rookie Cards

This is not meant to be a comprehensive listing of Zim’s rookies, merely the ones that I have to date.

2004 SP National Honors

2005 Topps Draft Pick

2006 eTopps

2006 Topps Chrome Blue

2006 Fleer

2006 Fleer Rookie Sensations

2006 Topps '52

2006 Topps Turkey Red

2006 Allen & Ginter

2006 Fleer Tradition

2006 Fleer Ultra

A Loss, But…

"Livan Hernandez limits the Cubs to two runs over six innings, striking out six."

 Weird to see Hernandez back in a Nats uniform…but it’s strangely welcome. I know he’s not that great a pitcher anymore, but still, there’s some weird comfort in seeing him back here. Just too bad the bullpen blew a decent outing. Oh, well. Onward and downward.

Attention Josh Willingham:

Damn!

Since May 5, Willingham is hitting .332 with 16 home runs and 40 RBIs.

So Josh put us over the top again. I LIKE this guy! Rizzo, can we keep him?

When They Were Young: Scott Olsen

Scott Olsen

2006 eTopps #80
Position: P
Bio/Summary: Olsen has not exactly set the world on fire for the Nationals so far; to date, he is 1-4 with a 7.24 ERA and a 60 ERA+. I don’t know if he’s going to stick long-term – so I had no idea what category to put him into yet. He hasn’t been much more than a league-average pitcher so far in his career, so I don’t expect him to set the world on fire. Still, as a rookie in 2006, he went 12-10 with a 4.04 ERA and a 107 ERA+. Not bad for a rookie.

How Did I Get It?: Got it on eTopps.com.

Did You Know?: He was arrested in 2007 after a fight with police officers. He was charged with driving under the influence, resisting an officer with violence and fleeing and eluding a police officer, and was released on a $11,000 bond.

Rating: 8/10 – I love eTopps cards, and this one looks great with the overall green theme to it. Very different from the Ryan Zimmerman rookie I’ve already featured here.

Nationals Star: Ryan Zimmerman #4

 

2006 eTopps #66

How Did I Get It?: Won it on eBay.

Did You Know?: In 2005, Zim was the only member of the Nationals to hit over .300 in at least 50 at bats.

Rating: 10/10 – This is my favorite Ryan Zimmerman card, bar none. I have some autographs and other great stuff in the pipeline, but I love the design of this card so much. It harks back to earlier days of collecting while also incorporating modern technology. This one sold me on eTopps as a viable model.

 

 2007 Ultimate Collection Ultimate Star Materials #RZ
How Did I Get It?: Won it on eBay.
Did You Know?: Zimmerman’s mother Cheryl was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995, and has been in a wheelchair since 2000. Zimmerman has cited his mother’s condition as a substantial formative influence on his development.
Rating: 7/10 – Yeah, it’s game-used, but it’s a bit bland. It also doesn’t help that they selected a swatch that was too thick for the card, creasing the edge there.

 2008 Topps Chrome #141
How Did I Get It?: Bought as a lot of Ryan Zimmerman cards on eBay.
Did You Know?: Ryan’s first home run in Nationals park in 2008 was also a walk-off homer, against the Braves’ Peter Moylan.
Rating: 6/10 – I chuckled a bit at the tongue sticking out, but it’s a shot I’ve seen a dozen times before and there’s not much to distinguish it. Plus, 2008 Topps. I don’t like it.
 

2007 UD Masterpieces #67
How Did I Get It?: Got it from checkoutmycards.net.
Did You Know?: On August 3, 2007, Zimmerman delivered his sixth walk-off game-winner in his first two seasons with a single to left, giving the Nationals a 3–2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Rating: 4/10 – I’m not crazy about Masterpieces. I know a lot of people like them, and I can respect that, but it’s just not my thing. I think it’s the art style which, while miles better than Goudey, just puts me off. Way too dark, for one thing. At least this one is a bit better lit.