Congrats to these guys on fantastic careers. I've got cards of Biggio, Big Unit, Pedro, and Smoltz set aside already for next year!
I collected baseball cards from the late '80s through 2002. Then I went to college and when I came out, I was lost. There were too many brands, sets, choices, relics, autos, parallels, variations. It was a turn off. However, I slowly made my way back. So here is my attempt to venture back into the hobby. I'll buy a few packs of cards here and there, comment on some cards I have, send out some TTMs, and follow the progress of my Topps Yankees Project.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Adding the newest HOFers to Joey's HOF binder
Well, that was an easy way to add to Joey's HOF binder. Last night, I added Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas to my son's HOF collection. I know I have a few Glavines around (including his 1988 Topps RC), but I couldn't quickly find one last night. No biggie, I'll look this weekend.
Congrats to these guys on fantastic careers. I've got cards of Biggio, Big Unit, Pedro, and Smoltz set aside already for next year!
Congrats to these guys on fantastic careers. I've got cards of Biggio, Big Unit, Pedro, and Smoltz set aside already for next year!
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Eleven HOFers from a reader. Just unreal.
I’m already a little backed up on posts in 2014. Nothing substantial,
mostly show and tell stuff, including a long overdue sharing of some great
cards that Zippy Zappy of the new blog ‘Cervin Up Cards sent me. Rarely do I
get cards and feel the need to post right away. They just go to the back of the
post line. It's like milk at a grocery store.
However, the generosity toward my son’s of HOF collection
has warranted me to post as soon as new cards roll in. Last week, out of the
blue, Ryan from Ryan’s Pitch sent a 1952 Topps Red Schoendienst for Joey’s
binder. After posting about that, I got an unsolicited email from blog reader
Mark. He asked for my address saying that he’d like to contribute to the
collection I’m amassing for my son.
First off, it’s always a surprise to me when a new reader and collector
reaches out. I often make the mistake of assuming that the only people who read
my posts are other bloggers, and they read my stuff as a courtesy more than anything
else. Yet when a reader reaches out and has a question about a card, comments
on a post, or offers to make a trade (or in this instance, send cards), it’s
always really gratifying. It just goes to show you never know who is out there
reading.
Anyhow, Mark and I emailed back and forth a bit, and he
shared his story about collecting in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and recently coming
back to finish off some of his older Topps full and team sets. I’m impressed that
after 20+ years of being out of the collecting game, Mark actually held on to
his old cards. And naturally, Mark is a Red Sox fan. I’ve got to say, for as
much dislike as I have for the Red Sox, the Sox bloggers and traders I’ve
interacted with have been fantastic (I’m looking at you, Doc Holoday,
Shane, and Adam E.).
This email exchange with Mark took place on Saturday, he
plopped an envelope in the mail the same day, and it arrived yesterday. You go,
USPS!
The cards! Enough blabbing, onto the cards! In all, Mark
sent ELEVEN HOFers for Joey’s binder! Eleven. 1-1. All of the cards were from
the ‘60s and ‘70s. Just unreal! I figured he might send two or three cards, but
ELEVEN? Duuuude.
Here is each card in its glory. I told Mark that I didn’t even own a Killebrew for myself. And I still don't. Rest assured every card sent for Joey goes in his binder. Mark, I
can’t thank you enough. Keep an eye out in the mail for some Sox cards as a
token of thanks.
Monday, January 6, 2014
RIP to a TTM legend, Jerry Coleman
I can't say anything better than what Marcus over at All The Way to the Backstop said, as he is a Padres fan and has had a first hand experience growing up and listening to the Coleman broadcast since the '70s. From what I know of Coleman, he was a pure and total class act right until the last day. He missed significant big league playing time due to military service time, and never sounded bitter or remorseful. I just can't imagine what that would be like today, seeing guys in their prime leave to serve in the armed forces. In a way, this no longer needs to happen because of guys like Coleman, and what they gave up for our freedoms today.
Over the course of my collecting life, I sent Coleman two TTM requests, with two cards each time. Both times, he signed the cards for me and returned them promptly. I'm sure there is a lot he would have rather been doing, but taking time to respond and connect to fans is just the type of guy he was. I'm especially honored to have Coleman bat leadoff in my Topps Yankees Project, as his 1951 Topps card is the first I have signed in my collection.
I wish his family the best during this difficult time.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Michael Pineda PC - up to date
Have anything not listed below? Let me know!
Michael Pineda
2010 Topps Pro Debut #397
2011 Bowman's Best #BBP8
2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition #21
2011 Topps #595
2011 Topps Red #595 (182/245)
2011 Topps 60 #T60-145
2011 Topps Chrome Atomic Refractor @174 (046/225)
2011 Topps Chrome AUTOGRAPH #174
2011 Topps Diamond Duos #DD-10
2011 Topps Finest Refractor #86 (303/549)
2011 Topps Kimball Champions #KC-140
2011 Topps Lineage #139
2011 Topps Lineafe 2011 Rookies #13
2011 Topps Update #US118
2011 Topps Update #US179
2011 Topps Update Diamond Anniversary #US118
2012 Bowman #124
2012 Bowman Chrome #37
2012 Bowman Chrome Refractor #37
2012 Bowman Chrome Green Refractor #37
2012 Bowman Platinum #1
2012 Bowman Platinum Gold #1
2012 Bowman Platinum Cutting Edge Stars #CES-MP
2012 Topps #225
2012 Topps Golden Moments Parallel #225
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter #57
2012 Topps Archives #167
2012 Topps Chrome #7
2012 Topps Chrome Refractor #7
2012 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor #7 (032/199)
2012 Topps Chrome Orange Refractor #7
2012 Topps Chrome X-Fractor #7
2012 Topps Chrome Dynamic Diecut #DD-MP
2012 Topps Finest #3
2012 Topps Golden Moments AUTOGRAPH #GMA-MP
2012 Topps Gypsy Queen #32
2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Future Stars #FS-MP
2012 Topps Opening Day #173
2012 Topps Update #US198
2012 Topps 1987 Mini #TM85
2013 Topps Update #US89
Total Different: 41
Friday, January 3, 2014
Joey's first 1952 Topps HOFer
No collection is complete without a 1952 Topps card. While many may like other sets from the 50's a bit more (I'm personally a 1953 and 1956 guy), 1952 changed the game. The checklist and design are as historic as they come. I've only got a few 1952 Topps cards of Yankees, and they are beat up old commons.
Well, my two-year-old son's 1952 collection now trumps mine. It doesn't in quantity, but does in quality. That's because Ryan from Ryan's Pitch blew me away with a package out of the blue for my son's HOF binder:
Yep, that is a 1952 Topps Red Schoendienst. Are you kidding me, Ryan?? My goodness. What an addition for my son's HOF binder that he has no clue exists. All things considered, the condition of this card is great. A slight crease in the upper right and along the right side, but one of the better 1952's I've seen.
Red was inducted into the HOF in 1989 by the Veteran's committee. He was a 10-time All Star and a member of two World Series championship teams. He also managed the Cards to another WS title in 1967. To his credit, he still stays around the game today even though he is 90.
Ryan, thank you so much for this gem. As tempting as it is to tuck it away in my collection, rest assured it's already in Joey's binder.
Well, my two-year-old son's 1952 collection now trumps mine. It doesn't in quantity, but does in quality. That's because Ryan from Ryan's Pitch blew me away with a package out of the blue for my son's HOF binder:
Red was inducted into the HOF in 1989 by the Veteran's committee. He was a 10-time All Star and a member of two World Series championship teams. He also managed the Cards to another WS title in 1967. To his credit, he still stays around the game today even though he is 90.
Ryan, thank you so much for this gem. As tempting as it is to tuck it away in my collection, rest assured it's already in Joey's binder.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Cards from Napkin Doon
Here are the cards Napkin Doon sent me. Thanks.
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Ok, kidding. I kind of wanted to leave the above based on his last post, but I like these cards too much. So out of respect to the cards, I'll say a little more.
This "PWE" came out of the blue from our pal Napkin Doon. I don't think we've made a "real" trade in over a year. We just send each other some cards back and forth, and I think we're probably square at this point. I'll tell ya, it's one thing I'll never get tired of in this blogosphere. Not only the generosity of fellow bloggers, but the fact that I've forged these amazing relationships where cards just show up on my doorstep, unannounced.
Anyhow, the above two cards, as well as some wise written words, showed up on Dec 31 from Nap. The Yogi is cool and from a set that's new to me. Doon always seems to get his hands on some of the upper tier Topps brands, likely through hisdrug card supplier, Cleve.
However, the real apple of my eye is the 1951 Bowman Joe Page. What a sweet card! The back of the card talks about what a valuable reliever Page was in the late '40s and early '50s. They even mentioned saves! Looking at his stats, Mr. Bill Bowman was right. At a time when relief pitching was far from specialized, Page flourished in his role. In 285 career games, he only started 45. The others were all relief appearances. He actually lead the AL in saves twice, with a whopping 17 in 1947 and then 27 in 1949. He also saved a World Series game in each of those years.
Nap, thanks for the cards. Please do not hesitate in reaching out if you have any questions.
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Ok, kidding. I kind of wanted to leave the above based on his last post, but I like these cards too much. So out of respect to the cards, I'll say a little more.
This "PWE" came out of the blue from our pal Napkin Doon. I don't think we've made a "real" trade in over a year. We just send each other some cards back and forth, and I think we're probably square at this point. I'll tell ya, it's one thing I'll never get tired of in this blogosphere. Not only the generosity of fellow bloggers, but the fact that I've forged these amazing relationships where cards just show up on my doorstep, unannounced.
Anyhow, the above two cards, as well as some wise written words, showed up on Dec 31 from Nap. The Yogi is cool and from a set that's new to me. Doon always seems to get his hands on some of the upper tier Topps brands, likely through his
However, the real apple of my eye is the 1951 Bowman Joe Page. What a sweet card! The back of the card talks about what a valuable reliever Page was in the late '40s and early '50s. They even mentioned saves! Looking at his stats, Mr. Bill Bowman was right. At a time when relief pitching was far from specialized, Page flourished in his role. In 285 career games, he only started 45. The others were all relief appearances. He actually lead the AL in saves twice, with a whopping 17 in 1947 and then 27 in 1949. He also saved a World Series game in each of those years.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy New Year!
Happy 2014 to you and your families! Wishing everyone here the best in your personal, professional, and collecting lives.
I, for one, am looking very forward to 2014. The spring training baseball season is just six weeks away, and I have high-ish hopes that the Yanks can right the ship. My Syracuse Orange basketball team is damn good and will hopefully make a Final Four (and beyond) run.
And last but best of all, my second child is due in late April! We'll be welcoming a baby girl to the family.
2014, let's do this.
I, for one, am looking very forward to 2014. The spring training baseball season is just six weeks away, and I have high-ish hopes that the Yanks can right the ship. My Syracuse Orange basketball team is damn good and will hopefully make a Final Four (and beyond) run.
And last but best of all, my second child is due in late April! We'll be welcoming a baby girl to the family.
2014, let's do this.
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