Running has its benefits

I don't like to run. In fact, I hate it.

I don't find it therapeutic or mind-clearing. I don't look forward to doing it. I can't run to put my stress away for a few minutes. If anything, it makes it worse, as my mind wanders to work or all the things I have to do.

Plus, I'm not good at it. My body wasn't built for it. I've always been a fast runner in sports. In baseball, I hit toward the top of the order and frequently stole bases. In basketball, I was a quick defender and a point guard. But distance running? Not something I was made for.

And despite running fairly frequently, I can't seem to improve my time. I can't seem to run much quicker than 9-minute miles, which is really bizarre. You'd think improvement would come. But I also don't really care if I improve. Playing golf, I like to see more score go down. But running? Meh. I just don't care enough to get worked about it.

I run because it's basically the cheapest way for me to stay somewhat in shape and be healthy. That's it.

It does make me feel better when I am running for cause. I don't want to train for a long-distance race or anything, but signing up for a 5K is about my limit, and gives me the extra motivation I need.

So when Tony Burbs of Wrigley Roster Jenga explained that he was the chairperson of a virtual 5K, I decided to run for a cause. And two other blogger runners came with me - Peter of Baseball Every Night and Coach Tom of Waiting Til Next Year.

Virtual 5Ks have become a cool thing during the Pandemic. While it's a lot more fun to go run a race with people all around, virtual races have been a great way to keep an event alive. It just looks a little different.

Basically, everyone runs a 5K on their own time, and inputs their time into a database between certain dates. We all run different courses, but it's for the good of the event. I am convinced Peter ran in a straight downhill course, by the way.

Tony's cause was for St. Coletta's of Illinois, a social service agency for those with intellectual disabilities. His wife works there, and I believe that this is a big fundraiser for them. Definitely a worthy cause.

For a small entry fee, I joined the race, and even received a bib and a t-shirt.

My time came in at 28:33. That's a 9'12" pace. Again, about as fast as I can go for whatever reason.

Coach Tom finished right around my time, and Peter nearly won the thing with his blazing fast time.

Because he's an awesome dude, Tony also put up a raffle prize for his blogging buddies, and somehow I won. I feel guilty about that, as each of the other two guys were more than deserving. The prize was a very vintage 1936 Goudey Wide Pen Premium featuring Ethan Allen. Very, very cool collectible! I had never seen these, but it immediately when into my "good box."

Oh, and my "good box" is a specially marked box I showed my wife how to locate. If I ever croak, I told her this is the one you want to save. Do what you want with the rest.

Also good info for anyone who wants to rob me.

The run was for a great cause, and it was nice to have something to run for that's bigger than me. It led me to participate in a second digital 5K, the Yankees Virtually United 5K, which I clocked my time for just yesterday...and went slower than my St. Coletta's time. Oof. I hope to do two more this 5Ks this year.

Thanks, Tony. I hope the run was a resounding success!

Cards from Bloggers!

I know I've teen tooting the horn of the Trading Card Database. Honestly, the site is easier to make quick, pointed card swaps. If you're into it, it's a great place to trade.

However, bloggers decided to make a comeback and bomb my mailbox this past week, as three packages (plus Secret Santa -- more on that later) arrived. Good stuff!

The first was a quick PWE from Peter over at Baseball Every Night. He said this was a bumper card in a package he received, and offered it to me. Of course I'd take it! Very nice looking card from 1995 Leaf. I feel like there were a lot of "fielding" cards/inserts in the mid-90s.

Next up, Tim from I Love The Smell Of Cardboard In The Morning sent me a surprise package. Tim was my Secret Santa last year, and he always has a knack for finding Tinos I don't have. I don't know how he does it. It's like he knows my wantlist better than I do! Plus this one was diecut, which makes it even better! I'm now up to 920 Tinos, although the number is a bit less on TCDB because they missed a few.

Tim also sent three much-appreciated Gleybers. I absolutely love the Blue Chips!

Lastly, Chris from Nachos Grande was kind enough to send a team bag of Yanks. I won a Barry Larkin card in one of Collecting Cutch's October giveaways, and it was one Chris needed, so I had Cutch send it his way. I had forgotten about it until Chris sent this package, highlighted by a Bye Bye Balboni autograph!

Three great mail days from three great bloggers! Thanks, Gents!

Circa March, 2019

I came home from a work trip last week to find a PWE from one of NJ's newest and Finest, PK Steinberg from Baseball Every Night. I think he mailed out around 30 PWEs last week, and I'm thankful to be on the receiving end of one of them.

While two cards were from 2019 Topps, my favorite was this oldie but goodie from 1997 Circa:

This definitely looks like 1995 Fleer's older brother, but I didn't mind these at all. I had some basketball cards from this set as well, which had the same design.

The two 2019s were one of the Gleyber inserts, as well as a base card of $70 million dollar man Aaron Hicks.

PK, thanks for thinking of me!

Beam me up, Steiny

A few weeks back, Peter of Baseball Every Night reached out asking if I needed some Yankees from Stadium Club. I have found ZERO Stadium Club where I live, so of course I was more than willing to take them off his hands.

The highlights for me were the Beam Team cards. I don't think I ever pulled one back in the day - baseball or basketball - so they still feel exclusive to me. The "beams" this year feel more like a building going up under construction, but can't argue with the two players:

I only have a couple of Clint Frazier cards, so always glad to add those to my collection. I hope he gets healthy down the stretch, as concussion symptoms are no joke.

I like the Power Zone inserts a lot as well, although I always knew these to be a Topps Finest insert set.

Peter also sent a few base and parallels, including a Matsui base and black foil.

A red foil parallel of Don Mattingly rounded out the package. I've always loved Mattingly's post-swing pose.

Earlier that week, Peter also sent me a PWE with an early Tino Martinez card. I always get a kick out of Tino wearing #53 early in his career.

Thanks for all of the great cards, Peter!

Stranger Things Strawberry

Recently, my pal PK Steinberg of Baseball Every Night sent me a few dupes from his impressive Darryl Strawberry collection. I appreciate these because I love Strawberry cards from his Yankee years, and his time in Pinstripes coincided perfectly with some crazy card designs.

1997 Metal is one weird set, complete with robotic arms, mechanical gadgets, and some weird slimy monsters. Case in point, this Strawberry.

The first thing I thought of when I saw this card? Whatever the heck was grabbing people in the upside down tunnels in season 2. 

 

See where I’m coming from, right? If this card were made in 2018, I’d expect Straw’s bat to have nails sticking out of them, just like Steve Harrington’s.

There, that's better.

 The second card that caught my attention was a 1998 Bowman Chrome International parallel. These cards had the player’s birthplace on a map. In this instance, Strawberry’s butt is making a bubble around Los Angeles.

And here’s the base card with no map behind him.

Lastly, a sweet Topps base from ’99 Topps. Straw looks like he just yanked a double down the line.

Thanks, Peter!

PK sends the 2018 goods

Our favorite Darryl Strawberry collector, Mr. PK Steinberg of Baseball Every Night, was kind enough send me a whole bunch of 2018 Series One Yankees he pulled, many of which I needed. I did happen to a pull a Darryl Strawberry insert which I think (hope) he still needs, but he certainly delivered the goods.

This is my first Topps Gold of a Yankee this year, and it's a good one of the big man. I love the hat tip, although can't tell if he's just adjusting it or walking off the mound after being removed from a game.

Two Judges! Yes, please.

Actually, there were two more Judges here from the Topps Now insert set. I don't mind having these cards in the set, but I think not limiting to the 10 most popular in terms of print run was the way to do it. I wonder if it was broken into five sets of three, if it would have more appeal? Something like top 5 copies, top 5 least sold/scarce, and then top five editor or fan's choice moments. At least there would be a bit more diversity in the set and likely be appreciated by more collectors.

Great Superstars Sensations card of Gray Sanchez. I love how under the radar he's going to fly this season with all of the Judge and Stanton hype. He might be the best pure hitter of the three.

Last but not least, there was a nice stack of Jeter Highlights I needed. Love the Bobby Murcer appearance. I'm going to try to put together at least one of these sets - maybe 2 - so am willing to take these off anyone's hands.

PK, thank you sir! I'll get that Straw out to you one of these days.

Series 2 Yanks!

Peter over at Baseball Every Night was generous enough to hold a Topps Series team break. I was lucky enough to snag the Yankees. I haven't bought any Series 2 yet, so this was a great chance to snag most of the Yankee base cards.

And that I did! I received 14 cards total, and the only base card that wasn't present was CC Sabathia. Not bad at all!

I was most pumped to get Michael Pineda for my PC, my 158th different card of #BIGMIKE.

Here are a few other base cards. I like the horizontal Bird. as well as the Didi. Cool pose.

I was fortunate enough to grab 4 inserts as well! The Reggie throws me off a bit with a glossy front and a cardboard back. I don't think I enjoy inconsistency inconsistent finishes like that. Maybe I'm weird though.

I joked with Peter to pull a Judge or Jeter auto. He felt very badly he didn't!

Peter, thanks so much! It was awesome of you to hold this break.