Baseball Sluggers Stamps

I don’t actively collect stamps, but when there are cool baseball issues, I’ll usually try and go out of my way to pick some up. In 2005, the USPS issued a “Baseball Sluggers” set of stamps, featuring four stars from the past: Mickey Mantle, Roy Campanella, Mel Ott, and Hank Greenberg. I definitely bought these at the time because of Mantle, but the other three guys are pretty damn good too. 

I’m in the process of packing for a move across the river (as mentioned in my last post), so I found these stamps in a box in my closet. I had forgotten I had them. The sheet is still in pretty good shape, and I’m glad I held onto them.

Moving! How should I pack/store my cards for a move?

At the end of this month, I’ll be moving across the Hudson River to NJ. I’ve lived in NYC for the past six years, but with a family now, it’s time to make the natural progression to the ‘burbs. Now, I’m just going to Hoboken, not really the suburbs at all, but it’s a step closer. I don't know I feel about being an NJ resident (sorry to those of you who are). It'll take some getting used to.

I’m in the midst of packing boxes. One thing I have yet to touch – my cards. Since I’ve always lived in small apartments, I’ve managed to keep my collection pretty contained. I haven’t allowed myself to store and keep a lot of cards. However, I do have a few binders and boxes full.

Have any of you recently had to move your card collection to a new home? I’d appreciate any and all tips or recommendations. I’m thinking plastic storage bins, with my boxes and binders inside. What do you think?

Tino Tuesday #49: 2009 SP Legendary Cuts #GMTA

This is one of my more random Tino Martinez cards. It’s a 2009 SP Legendary Cuts dual relic with Adrian Gonzalez, then of the Padres. You know, before he was the enemy. It’s a little weird to have these two featured on the same card. They both play 1B and have a Latino heritage, so perhaps that’s where Upper Deck is drawing the parallels.

I love when my Yankee relics have a pinstripe. The Gonzo is rather bland.

The 'Phiten' Napkin Doon sends some cards

When he’s not a guinea pig for some of Phiten’s newest sports performance inventions, Napkin Doon is a pretty cool cat. He recently sent me a great stack of Yankees and some Topps Lineage cards I needed. I have had an envelope full of stuff for him, but just have not sent it. Napkin, I will send it within the next two weeks. I am moving at the end of the month, so it’ll be one less thing to move.

The highlights of the package were two-fold. Nap won this sweet Topps Tier One Hector Noesi auto at Cleve’s. I live vicariously through him when he goes to Cleve’s, and I appreciate this pick up. You may notice something cool about this auto. It's not a sticker! On card, bab-ay!

Included in the stack of cards he sent was this Phil Rizzuto shiny gold Archives card. I have a fondness for Rizzuto, and this card looks really pretty in the gold foil.

Nap, thanks again for thinking of me.

Oops. Wrong guy.

Oops. On Sportlots, I picked up all of the Yankees in Topps Pro Debut Series One. And one Indian.

See, I saw Jose Ramirez on the checklist, and figured it was the Jose Ramirez in the Yankees system who was featured in 2010 Pro Debut. It wasn’t.

Oops.

Trade with Manupatches & Chrome Scratches

I recently completed a trade with Eric from Manupatches andChrome Scratches/Mustaches. I had a Luke Hochevar relic for him, although it pales in comparison to the crazy new Hochevar collection he just picked up. Eric sent me two team bags full of Yanks.

I was surprised to find a Jeter RC in there. I have the Topps one, but didn’t have this Pinnacle. I really should try and acquire all of the various Jeter RCs that I can afford. This is a nice start.

I didn’t have this 1995 Topps Future Stars Jeter either. This should now give me every Jeter base card from Topps from 1993 through today. I’ll have to double check that though.

A nice Dellin Betances Bowman Chrome RC. Man, Dellin is frustrating. He has all the talent in the world, but can’t seem to put it together. With all the injuries, he would have had a chance to stick in the Yanks rotation this year if he had decent AAA success, but instead was demoted to AA. At this point, I wish they’d plug him in the bullpen.

This Leaf Cornerstones Boggs/Mattingly is awesome. Two great players and a shiny border. I like.

I really like this 2011 Topps Chrome Curtis Granderson Purple Refractor. I’m a huge fan of Curtis, so I’ll always welcome a card like this.

Here are a few more goodies.

Eric, thanks for the trade!

Bill Murray auto + others thanks to Carl Crawford Cards

With the MLB Futures Game taking place on Sunday, it seems like an appropriate time to show off some minor league autographs, including one player who made the Futures Game USA roster but had to sit out after taking a pitch to the head earlier in the week.

Paul of Carl Crawford Cards recently reached out to me. He had the opportunity to go to the Low A All-Star Game fanfest in Charleston, as well as the HR Derby on a ship. Paul, knowing I’m a fan of Yankees prospects autographs, graciously offered to try and get a few extras for me. I told him I’d be most appreciative of anything at all he could score for me. Paul went above and beyond.

Paul got me a signed card of every Charleston Riverdogs player at the All Star game! The Riverdogs are loaded this season and had six All Stars, including a few of my favorite prospects and players I had yet to add to my autograph collection. I was not expecting to make out like a complete bandit.

First up, Tyler Austin, the Yankees lone Futures Game rep. He had to sit out due to injury (took a pitch to the head last week). Austin has had a monster year, and was recently promoted to High A Tampa. He was not a member of Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects for 2012, but by midseason was ranked in their top 50. He shows a lot of power and speed, and I look forward to finally having a power hitting outfield prospect to watch. I have been 0 for 2 on Austin TTM attempts, so this felt good.

Next up, my favorite prospect, Mason Williams. I haven’t been lucky enough to get his auto either, so this is a huge addition! The card is sweet - a great diving catch – action you don’t always see on minor league cards. Mason has also been promoted to High A Tampa, along with the next guy.

Gary Sanchez has replaced Jesus Montero as a young, power hitting catching phenom. All indications are that he is a better defender at this age as well. At just 19, Gary had a great start to his second season at Low A, and is now tearing it up in Tampa. This is my second Sanchez auto, as I purchased an Obak certified auto earlier this year.

Next up, a trio of players. Bryan Marshall has some of the best stuff in the Yankees system and could be a decent middle of the rotation guy. I had a TTM success with him last year. I don’t know much about either Guerra or Arcia, but clearly they have showed enough this season to be named to the All Star Team.

Finally, one of the coolest autographs that I now have in my collection. Paul was able to get me Bill Murray’s signature! Yes, Bill Murray. Dr. Peter Venkman. Bob Wiley. Phil Connors. Ernie McCracken. Bob Harris. Steve Zissou. Carl Spackler. Bill is one of my all-time favorites, and although a Cubs fan, I have a fondness for him since he is part owner of the Charleston franchise. Bill is the “Director of Fun” for Charleston, and he played a key role in the All Star festivities. To say I’m excited about owning this card is a vast understatement.

Paul, thanks again for thinking of me and for sending me these cards! They are great additions to my collection.