Hoyle-y Moly!

I won't lie, I laughed a little at my title. Mark Hoyle is becoming one of my favorite collectors involved in the blog world. It's been a month or two since Mark and I first connected. He's done a great job of connecting with bloggers, as I've seen a bunch of happy customers posting cards from him.

Anyhow, Mark sent me another package of great cards. I believe it's the third such package he's sent me. He's taking a vested interest in my son's HOF collection, which is super cool of him. He stressed that a few of the cards in this package were for me too. If you insist, Mark.

First, I'll show a nice little snapshot so you can see that there was plenty of goodness here.

Specifically, here are a few highlights. First off, a Tino I've never seen before. Considering I have over 600 different, that's pretty cool. It's from the 1990 set M.V.P. - Rookies Superstars. I'm not positive if that's the official name, but I've seen it listed as such around the internet. Mark also sent a Roberto Kelly from this set. It's pretty cool to be able to add an oddball like this as my 610th different Tino.

Next, a 1979 TCMA Art Schult. I actually thought this was Mantle when I first saw it. I'll also use this an an excuse to show my 1953 Art Schult TTM autograph.

I also enjoyed this Wade Boggs card. I believe it was from Baseball Card Magazine. I'm pretty sure I've seen that design before...

Now, I already had George Brett in Joey's HOF collection, but I still think this card should be for him, so I tucked it behind the current Brett in Joey's binder (so you could see it on the other side...not hiding it). Like I say, cards for Joey, go to Joey. The Brett post is awesome. Ready for the ball. On his toes. Stirrups. Flip-up sunglasses. Powder blue unis. Good lord, what a great card.

Here are the HOFers I did add to the binder. The LaRussa is awesome! Such a sweet card. I like the Brooks Robinson a lot as well. I'm a bit surprised that it's taken me this long to get Brooks, but the only other card I had of him was in the 1968 Topps Game set. Also, I should put a Mattingly card next to Puckett, because, you know...

Lastly, Mark is looking toward the future. That gave me a good laugh!

Thanks again, Mark! You'll be getting a small thank you in the mail early next week.

TTM Success: 1953 Topps Art Schult

On Tuesday, I posted about my 1951 Topps TTM success. Yesterday, I received yet another vintage Topps card with a signature on it, this time from former Yankee Art Schult on a 1953 Topps. I won the card for $1 on eBay and all along I had the intent of sending it to Mr. Schult. He played in my hometown, Binghamton, for the 1949 and 1950 seasons, and actually put up huge numbers there. In 1950, he hit .303 with 24 HRs and over 100 RBIs. He looked like one of the next great power-hitting Yankee outfielders. Unfortunately, it never quite worked out. He made it to the bigs in 1953 with the Yanks and went hitless in 7 ABs. He then bounced around with the Reds, Senators and finally the Cubs.

Mr. Schult also answered my questions:

Where did you live when you played in Binghamton? In Johnson City near the B.P. (Cool answer! Not sure where this is, but love that he could recall this 60 years later)
How were the fans in Binghamton? The greatest.
What current player reminds you of yourself? None - they couldn't live on what we were paid. (Well then!)

If you don't own a 1953 Topps (or a 1952 for that matter), I strongly recommend picking one up. The card stock is amazing and they look great, even if they are a little beat up.