New Painted Sketch Card: Chris Getz

Martyn of Arbitrary Crap, one of my favorite blog names, and I recently traded a few cards. I didn’t have a ton to send him, so I decided to throw in a painted sketch card as well. Please note, I’d never send a sketch card in place of real cards – I just include them from time to time as a fun bonus. I still feel like I owe Martyn some cards from our deal, despite what he says

Anyways, Martyn collects Chris Getz cards and is working on the 2011 Kimball Champion set, so I decided to put the two together. Getz wasn't in the original checklist, but he is now:

The size of the card is the same as a Kimball Champs. I tried to follow the same style and colors as the real things. The bottom half turned out pretty good. The face – ehhhh. It’s progress, as I’m afraid to draw/paint faces, so at least I gave it a shot. Based on other cards from this set, the face/head on mine is a bit too big, unless it was Kevin Mench.

I'll showcase the other cards Martyn sent later this week.

New Sketch Card: Kurt Suzuki

A few of my sketch cards have been the subjects of my posts the last few weeks. I don’t have anything else to write about, so they create some nice fodder if nothing else.

I showcased my Jesus Montero sketch card back in December (before he got traded) and Fuji of The Chronicles of Fuji reached out about acquiring one of his own. Since I’m still practicing, I told Fuji I’d make him one free of charge. He requested Kurt Suzuki, which was a nice new challenge.

It took me a few weeks, but I finally got around to drawing it. I had a blast drawing this one. It was fun to sketch a catcher and I feel like I captured his motion pretty well. Fuji – hope you enjoy!

Joey's first relic - from a Jays fan!

The other day, I posted a quick tidbit about how I’ve started a small card collection for my seven week old son, Joey. Find the original post HERE. Well, Robert for $30 A Week Habit send me an email saying that he had a card for Joey. Too cool!

The card arrived and it’s Joey’s first jersey card! An A&G framed Mark Teixeira relic! I certainly didn’t expect anything like this, and I’ll add it to my stack of cards for Joey. Robert included a note saying that he’ll get some satisfaction knowing that my son got his first jersey card from a Blue Jays fan. I couldn’t help but laugh. Jerk!

Thanks again, Robert! I really appreciate it.

Trade with Scott Crawford

I am finally getting around to posting a few cards from a trade with Scott Crawford. Scott is working on the 1968 Topps Game set, one of the coolest insert sets ever. I completed the set last summer, and had a decent amount of dupes from buying a few lots. Scott and I went back and forth for a few weeks, and he decided to send me a bunch of Yanks from the '70s and some current ones too.

There were about 70 cards are so, so this is just a sampling of what Scott sent. First, some 1976 Topps Burger King cards. Very cool, I didn't have any of these.

A goofy shot of some random '70s goodness.

Some unpopped Donruss standup cards!

The 2011 Heitage Minors Yankees team set, including these two beastly men.

A sweet 2009 Finest of CC - batting. Badass card. I don't have any from this set.

And two cards of the newest Yankee. Future ace Michael Pineda.

Good stuff, Scott. Thanks for the trade!

The rest of my '67 Mantle lot

As I mentioned earlier this week, I found a reasonably priced lot on eBay that included a 1967 Topps Mantle, The lot also came with a Mantle 1990 Sports Impressions statue, a couple of random vintage cards, and a lot of 200 Yankees commons. No one had place a bit, and with under a minute I but the bullet…and won!

The 1990 Sports Impressions statue is interesting. I had never heard of this brand, and after seeing the amazing likeness that MacFarlane figures capture, this leaves a lot to be desired. Mantle looks like a young boy. On eBay, most Mantles from Sports Impressions go for $20-$100. This particular one from 1990 seems to be one of the most common ones. This came loose with no box, and somewhere along the lines in shipping the back broke off. I used wood glue to repaired it. It’s cool – I’ll be happy to display it.

The lot included three vintage cards – 1958 Topps cards of Bob Henrich and Stan Lopata and a 1963 Topps Stan Williams. The ’58 cards are for trade if anyone needs them – I’d gladly take a Yankee from similar years in return. The 1963 Williams says “NY Yankees” but pictures him as a Dodger. I’ll probably keep the card unless someone really wants it or needs it.

Among the 200 Yankees commons were pretty much what you’d expect – a lot of junk. There were some cool cards that I didn’t have, including a stack of 1993 Stadium Club cards which were some sort of incomplete team set. There were some cards of random Yanks too from the ‘90s and ‘00s, so it’s always fun to get those.

All in all, some nice added bonuses to the real reason I bought this lot…my 1967 Topps Mickey Mantle.

Tino Tuesday #27: 1989 Star #124

I picked a nice, red Tino today because hey, it’s Valentine’s day. I didn’t have any pink ones, so red will have to do.

This card if from 1989 Star Company and features Tino on the Williamsport Bills, the Mariners’ Double A affiliate. I guess I never knew how impressive it was that he started in AA in his first full season. Granted he wasn’t a high school kid, but I feel like even college kids drafted these days start in rookie or A ball.  At Williamsport, Tino hit only .257, but did have 13 HRs and drive in 64 runs. He also fielded well, making only 7 errors in 1348 chances.

The card itself is what you’d expect from a minor league brand in the late 80’s…thin card stock, minimal graphics and stats, white back. I find it funny that he is listed as “Infielder” ad opposed to “1B.” It’s a cool card though…I have a few minor league Tinos and like them all.

Proud Owner of a 1967 Topps Mantle

I’ve wanted an original Topps Mickey Mantle for a while now. Ever since I can remember, I’ve gawked at any Mantle in a display case at a card shop or show. I do have three cards from Topps that do feature Mantle – a 1968 Topps Game insert, a 1967 Topps checklist (floating Mantle head), and thanks to Dustin, a 1967 Topps Yankees team card with Mantle in the picture somewhere. I love all three, but don’t consider any of them to be a true Mantle Topps base card.

Based on what my card budget is these days, I have gotten used to the fact that if I did grab a Mantle, it’s going to be in pretty rough shape, and that’s ok. When I make my millions I can upgrade. For whatever reason, I’ve always loved the 1967 Topps Mantle. The bluish coloring behind his head shot has always appealed to me. There was a guy at a card shop last year who had three of them that he was trying to sell the owner. They were in great shape, and I remember being nosy and taking a peek at the cards.

I found a reasonably priced lot on eBay that included this 1967 Topps Mantle, which is in rough condition. The lot also included a Mantle 1990 Sports Impressions statue, a couple of random vintage cards, and a lot of 200 Yankees commons. No one had placd a bid, and with under a minute I bit the bullet…and won!

The cards arrived quickly. The Mantle is amazing. I took the card out and held it. I even smelled it. The creases make me sad. But at the end of the day, it’s an original Mantle. And I own it. It’s part of my collection.