The Baseball Card Babe Ruth: Bip on the Basepaths

While the fielding cards were exciting, it's time to move on to Bip on the Basepaths. Again, with Bip it's not just about one or two cool cards, but a plethora of amazingness. Today we examine Bip doing what he does best, terrorizing the opponent with his speed.



I'm not sure if this is an official stat anywhere, but I'm willing to bet a pretty tidy sum that no one has more "diving back on a pickoff throw" cards than my man Bip. Don't worry, there are even a couple of more examples to come. While the pickoff throw may be the most boring moment in baseball, sure to incite boos from the liquored up fans, there's something about a Bip dive back that was so enticing to photgraphers over the years. Here we have Bip in throwback brown and orange and the more stylized blue and orange of the Padres.


Finally, Bip on the run. Why is the card worth a crap? Well, Dodger Stadium, division rival and check the socks. Yup, Bip keeps it old school and wears actual stirrups. Classy, Bip, classy.


Third base stolen at Riverfront. What's not to love about this card? Caked in dirt and that's an accomplishment when 95% of the stadium is covered in carpet. He's got the down on one knee pose that has to make the ladies swoon. Just imagine the poor young gal on the third base line wishing Bip were staring into her eyes at that moment. And you know I love the wristbands.


Now it's to go horizontal. Bip on the dive back...again. This is one of a few Bip cards that took place at Wrigley. It seems like you always see cards taken on the West Coast or at Yankee Stadium, but not as much at the Midwestern stadiums. It's Wrigley, it's the 90's, I'm assuming that's Mark Grace at first, so Grace fans can add it to their collections like Bay Rat.


"Enough with the dive back cards!" Not so fast my friend, this card is a gem. Not only is a sweet photo with the dirt kicking up, Bip isn't just diving back into first, that's a dive back into second. All pitchers quaked in their stirrups when Bip began the lean towards 3rd. Gotta love the uniqueness on this common Bip shot.

Another beautiful example of why he's the Babe of the cardboard world. Double exposure always adds to the fun, but there's something else that just isn't right here. The chainlink fence in the background suggests that it's a Spring Training game, but it goes deeper than that. The catcher appears to be wearing the same exact uniform as Bip. Is this a frickin' intrasquad game?! Did the Royals run out of opponents and decide to just play one another sandlot style? And if so, why the hell is Bip going all out and sliding in hard at home? This is what seperates Bip from the pack, not only as a player, but as a cardboard icon.

Go Halos!

Ahhhh!! In all the Bip related excitement I forgot perhaps his most well-known diving back into first on the pickoff throw card.

I apologize for the hastily done, crooked scan, but this was a must.
1993 Finest Refractor.
Bip in all his rainbowy, shiny, diving back in head first glory.

The Baseball Card Babe Ruth: Bip in the Field

What makes Bip Roberts the Babe Ruth of baseball cards? Well, besides the amazing sombrero card, it's the variety of amazing cards he has. Sure there are a few mug shots and random swinging cards that every player has, but it's that he has so many other action shots. Thanks in large part to his jack of all trades status, his fielding cards are actually a lot of fun to look at.

First, we have Bip turning 2.

A sluggish Eddie Murray has no chance of breaking up the DP.


While he was casually turning 2 against the Mets, here Bip is leaping over the runner. Icing on the cake? Check out the extended pinky. The man does it with class.


He even turns two against other cardboard legends. We all remember salivating at the thought of picking up that '88 Donruss Gregg Jeffries, but Bip is never star struck.


Finally, we have a Bip solo leap. Yup, he even gives it his all during a meaningless Spring Training games. Notice the evolution of Bip during his second go around with the Pads. Sunglasses and the pants tucked in. The man was on the fashion forefront from the beginning.

Second, we have the Bip chasing down pop-ups cards.

The determination is etched on his face, no hesitation as he calls off Hal Morris. The flip-up shades are predictably flipped up. The sun is no match for Bip.


Sure, anyone can call off a slug like Hal Morris, but now Bip shows the ability to drop back into the outfield. Flip-up shades, up. Oversized wristbands with Bip's likeness, in place. And for good measure the batting glove flopping out the pocket.


Finally, Bip dashes in to make one more play on a pop-up. The intimidation this man offered up in the field had to be good for at least one to two pop-ups a game. There's no way Tim Belcher wins 15 games without Bip roaming the dirt or carpet.

Finally, jack of all trades, it's Bip. In fact, shouldn't we change this term from jack of all trades to Bip of all trades. Just a suggestion.



Bip even makes umpires look good. Imagine the joy at being Durwood Merrill and having your visage on the same card as the baseball card Babe Ruth. I've never even noticed an umpire on a card until these Bip beauties. (By the way, I have no clue what Durwood Merrill looks like, but Durwood is a really sweet name.)

I know what you're thinking, "For a Bip of all trades, he sure does play a lot of infield." Well, here ya go, Bip in the outfield.

Sure this is probably just Bip leaping for a line drive while playing second, but all I see is Bip, pure athleticism and green outfield grass.


And in case that wasn't good enough for you, Bip fades back towards the ivy at Wrigley. Sidenote, Bip's legendary cardboard status is only enhanced by this backdrop. The man even appreciates the historical aspects of baseball.

Lastly, we have the action shots that make Bip cards something special.

The turning 2 cards are beautiful, but what about the mundane plays that fill a game. This is what happens when you force Bip to play with a guy like Scott Livingstone at shortstop. Scott attempts to sail one past Bip, but the concentration, the high socks, the cartoon face on his wristbands...they all combine for a card of beauty.


Even late in his career Bip was making plays and cardboard history. The leap, the fall, every apendage outstretched. This is why Bip is a God.


The man even makes fielding a bunt into a piece of collecting history. Gotta love the barehand pickup. This should be a standard shot for all baseball card sets. At least one barehanded pickup per 300 cards.


Huh? Are you serious? A card of Bip tossing the ball towards first during the between inning wamr-ups? Yup! This is the genius of Bip cards. The average eye sees boredom, but the true collectors and cardboard appreciatists see what made this guy the best. The dirt caking his uniform...chance are it's only the third inning, but Bip played all out and this card shows you the aftermath. Not every card needs to show a head first slide to display what a player is all about. However, the head first slide cards are pretty cool too, and they'll be featured soon.

Soak in the Bip.

Go Halos!

Bip Roberts: The Babe Ruth of Baseball Cards

He barely had 1,200 hits in a 12 year career. He played for 6 different teams. He played in more than 120 games only twice. He was essentially the late 80's/early 90's Chone Figgins. Not incredibly impressive stuff, but he was also one of my favorite players growing up. I was fascinated by his speed, his attitude and above all else...I think I was won over by his baseball cards.

This guy has without a doubt, the coolest baseball cards of any player. He clearly had a cousin or uncle working behind the scenes.

Almost everyone has seen the iconic Bip in Sombrero '96 Score card.

This is essentially the '52 Mantle of Bip cards. Despite arriving towards the end of Bip's career, this card defines Bip and his persona. Sure, you're thinking "the guys sitting on the bench wearing a sombrero, what a loser". But then you examine the card a little closer and you notice the intense stare, the eye black, the hint of passion spilling from his every pore. Bip is showing not only his desire to keep the club loose during a strike shortened 70 win season, but also the look that says, "Hey skip! The second you need me out at any of the 9 positions, I'll be there". You can have your '52 Mantle, I'll take '96 Roberts anyday. Unless of course you're actually offering up a '52 Mantle. At that point we could probably work something out.

Luckily for you, I have come across my Bip Roberts stash and you will be a part of the glory that is Cardboard Bip. In what promises to be a riveting look at the many sides of Bip, you will be treated to Bip on the basepaths, Bip in the field, Bip at the plate and of course Bip outside the lines.

Go Halos!