Tri-Star officials push ahead with Atlantic City 3,000 strikeout show

Historic grouping features 11 of the 12; Walter Johnson is only deceased club member

Roger Clemens wants at least four, maybe five, of the commemorative photo-collage posters being made – and given away free to the first 5,000 attendees – for Tri-Star Productions’ Salute To The 3,000 Strikeout Club Show, set for January 10-12, 2003 at Bally’s in Atlantic City, N.J. And each must be signed. Nolan Ryan also has told Tri-Star employees that he too wants a signed poster. Same for Bert Blyleven. The 3,000K Show – with 11 of the 12 members attending – obviously will be a major event in the hobby. And the players themselves are turning into collectors for this megashow, too. “I don't believe this event will ever happen again,” said Tri-Star president Jeff Rosen- berg. “It’s amazing that we’re having all of them together for a card show. I’d be willing to bet all 11 have never been together at the same time and place, let alone at a time and place where you can get all of their autographs. “This truly is an unbelievable event, especially for fans who will have the opportunity to be among some true legends.” The show is headlined by appearances by Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Nolan Ryan, but the remainder of the staff is not too shabby, either: Steve Carlton, Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Fergie Jenk- ins, Bob Gibson and Bert Blyleven. Combined, these 11 pitchers amassed an incredible 41,604 strike- outs. “To me, what will be real exciting will be seeing so many incredibly talented players from so many eras getting together,” Rosenberg said. “We’re talking six decades of fire- ballers.” Gibson, now 67, broke in with St. Louis in 1959. His Hall-of-Fame career ended in 1975 – some 3,117 strikeouts later. Clemens and Johnson are, of course, the only active 3,000K Club members – with 3,909 and 3,746 Ks, respec- tively. Walter Johnson, who stands at No. 9 overall in baseball history with 3,509 Ks, is the only deceased Club member. As this story went to press Tri-Star officials were trying to find any relatives of the former Washington hurler to invite them to the festivities. “It’s interesting,” Rosenberg said, “we’ve been talk- ing about this show for about a year-and-a-half because we wanted to pull it off a year ago, but we couldn’t get all of the pieces of the puzzle together.” Show planning talks resumed several months ago, between Tri-Star and Steve Hisler of Pastime Productions and a deal was struck to co-promote the event. Then, with about six weeks to go before the show, Pastime ran into financial difficulties at a pair scheduled to appear in Houston: Reggie Jackson, Dave Winfield, Frank Robin- son, Mike Schmidt, Lance Berkman, Adam Dunn, Eric Hinske, Earl Camp- bell, Thurman Thomas, Gale Sayers, Ron Yary and Charley among others. “It’s a lot of work putting this show together, but we’ve got a lot of support,” Rosenberg added, “A lot of dealers are supporting this show, which is very nice to see. I’ve gotten so many calls from top-flight dealers, saying they are so excited flight promoter is coming into their area to do a first-class show. “But this show is a challenge to put together, that’s for sure.” Tri-Star’s 25-person staff will be split between the two shows, while the company hires many extra show veter- ans from around the country for assis- tance. “We always try to bring collectors what they want. And if this show, a theme show, is successful, we certainly will continue this trend in the future,” Rosenberg said. “We want to be trend- setters, pace-makers in the industry – and if this is what the consumers want, we’ll look very seriously at doing more shows like this. “This is going to be a tremendous experience. Everyone involved and everyone attending is going to have a great time.” Especially since Tri-Star is offering numerous commemorative items for the show, starting with, of course, the 16- ($650 via mail order). also will be a baseball signed by all 11 members, featuring a commemorative laser engraving. Plus, there’s a 3,000K jersey ($1,099 – replica of Ryan’s Texas Rangers jersey), signed by all, embroidered and limited to 134. Plus, there be 34 commemorative ($999). And, Tri-Star is producing a high-end display case with 11 ball slots, one for each player’s single-signed baseball. “We’re thrilled to go back into the Northeast. Being in Atlantic City, we’re right between two huge sports memora- bilia markets: Philadelphia and New York City,” Rosenberg said. “There’s nothing reasonably foreseeable in the future that makes me think that there will ever again be another 500 home run show, or another 3,000 hit show, and this may well be the last 3,000 strikeout show.”

Did you know?

Of the 11 show guests, Gaylord Perry was the first to reach the plateau, striking out Joe Simpson on Oct. 1, 1978. The latest member was Randy Johnson, who whiffed Mike Lowell on Sept. 10, 2000.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Cesar Geronimo was the unlucky victim No. 3,000 for Bob Gibson in 1974 – and then again for Nolan Ryan in 1980.

Ryan notched his 3,000th on Independence Day while pitching for Houston. Phil Niekro reached the milestone exactly four years later, striking out Larry Parrish. Clemens reached 3,000 on July 5, 1998, striking out Randy Winn.

Tom Seaver (3,640) reached 3,000 on April 18, 1981, striking out Keith Hernandez. Steve Carlton (4,136) moved into the club 11 days later, striking out Tim Wallach.

There are only two left-handed pitchers among the show guests: Carlton and Johnson.

Jim Bunning (2,855) ranks 13th overall, followed by Mickey Lolich (2,832), Cy Young (2,803), Frank Tanana (2,773) and David Cone (2,655). l Among active pitchers, Greg Maddux (2,641) is the highest and ranks 18th, followed by Chuck Finley (2,610) in 19th, Curt Schilling (2,348) in 35th, John Smoltz (2,240) in 43rd and Pedro Martinez (2,220) in 44th.

Roger Clemens, ranking third overall, struck out 20 batters during a game on two different occasions. He is seven wins shy of 300 in his career.

In 2002, Schilling moved from 51st to 35th, Finley from 29th to 19th, Maddux from 22nd to 18th, and Randy Johnson from 9th to 4th.

Walter Johnson was the first 3,000K Club member, recording the feat on July 22, 1923. l Gaylord Perry and Don Sutton, though 3,000K Club members, never led the league in strikeouts.

Ryan fanned a record 383 batters in 1973, and 1,176 different players in his career.

Carlton had a 19-strikeout game.

Sutton struck out more than 100 batters in each of his first 21 seasons. His career spanned 23 seasons, with stops in Los Angeles, Houston, Milwau- kee, Oakland and with the Angels.

Bob Gibson (3,117) set World Series records for seven consecutive wins and 17 strikeouts in one game – records that still stand today.

Bert Blyleven (3,701) finished his career third all- time on the strikeout roster, but has since been passed by Clemens and Johnson.

Clemens is a six-time Cy Young winner.

Blyleven (3,701) is a two-time World Series champion. l Niekro (3,342) is a five-time all-star, five-time Gold Glove winner.

Sutton (3,574) has 324 career wins