tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55354744857363739262024-03-13T02:28:59.659-04:001988 ScoreEnjoy your visit and please don't step on anything.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-73354361945425277512012-02-16T17:50:00.004-05:002012-02-16T17:58:35.318-05:00Farewell Kid<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2Q5Jv5c9ymqa5rRftcZmekkq_My8lU9vigZGiSc1T1zqicSrfg_0agpX32nHfQikvA-QZSOhnOESJ1gilTZPBT7mLutqZ09eo3uX6wC9VLkyEXM-vAVhYwXokhKgzWwkrVjm1voD_3va/s1600/020Carter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2Q5Jv5c9ymqa5rRftcZmekkq_My8lU9vigZGiSc1T1zqicSrfg_0agpX32nHfQikvA-QZSOhnOESJ1gilTZPBT7mLutqZ09eo3uX6wC9VLkyEXM-vAVhYwXokhKgzWwkrVjm1voD_3va/s320/020Carter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709870642553434338" /></a><br />Nearly three years ago, in my quest at completing the 1987 Topps set, I received the above card in a trade package.<br /><br />Today, MLB.com reports that Mr. Carter has lost his battle with cancer. My thoughts are with the Carter family and their friends during this difficult time.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-25322154479412043782010-02-11T18:15:00.005-05:002010-02-11T18:44:42.081-05:00Time sure does fly...It's been a while.<br /><br />I'm still here, not reading as much as I used to, but I'm still active in the hobby... but I haven't opened a pack of cards in about six months. I look at the barely opened box of '88 Donruss and want to keep going, but I just can't find the time.<br /><br />In my time away, I've been working full time and recently upgraded my computer to Vista Ultimate after holding onto XP Pro for about ten years. Since I don't have my scanner software installed yet, this post will be sans quality pictures. I've also gotten back into my old ways of knife collecting and have been spending more time drooling over knives than baseball cards... But here I am, ready to talk cards for a bit.<br /><br />I've been working on a trade with reader Robert for a few weeks and some bad weather and bad timing got in the way. His end of the trade came in today, and I'm still pulling cards for him.<br /><br />Going his way are a small stack of 1988 Score and as many 1994 Topps as I can give him. Coming my way are 12 Steve Avery cards (!), a few 88 Fleer that I needed for the set and some '81 Topps that pushes me a bit closer to my ultimate goal of completing that set some day.<br /><br />We'll do this the old fashioned way and use some camera pictures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NO4YFtE13QZGGFzCDzbiyGLbF02vkYTj79725_35lDqc7Xsz8Lw3ftiMB1jz3n0Hzh2nirXZWcUDT25Dggc6UqHx4fX_ds3yqMa46QCRBJ9MAx6XQDJWSqin-SZpjwI002XMcuLtU1gU/s1600-h/IMG_0766.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NO4YFtE13QZGGFzCDzbiyGLbF02vkYTj79725_35lDqc7Xsz8Lw3ftiMB1jz3n0Hzh2nirXZWcUDT25Dggc6UqHx4fX_ds3yqMa46QCRBJ9MAx6XQDJWSqin-SZpjwI002XMcuLtU1gU/s320/IMG_0766.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437134562156306898" /></a><br /><br />And here's the Steve Avery haul...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLFkh1IgEn45qJ-Jhed_hyphenhyphenfB5Z2B6vydkEbM-2sMmfvx7JjHskXQPbaikwWZGIIwwlu1GnPwihGsF2Zg4R5OxAGMLzedbPbodZFaC0UrOktKbRLQy7IIg-0k9hQRJ_VbUpi30sb5Z44i6/s1600-h/IMG_0767.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLFkh1IgEn45qJ-Jhed_hyphenhyphenfB5Z2B6vydkEbM-2sMmfvx7JjHskXQPbaikwWZGIIwwlu1GnPwihGsF2Zg4R5OxAGMLzedbPbodZFaC0UrOktKbRLQy7IIg-0k9hQRJ_VbUpi30sb5Z44i6/s320/IMG_0767.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437135165076955378" /></a><br /><br />In other news, I'm finally on broadband internet... after two years of waiting, Verizon finally let me have DSL.<br /><br />So there you have it. Thanks again to Robert and as soon as you let me know what '94 Topps you're looking for, I'll have your cards in the mail.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-8901394751145625512009-08-10T13:42:00.000-04:002009-08-10T13:43:01.952-04:00Getting caught up...My life, for the last nine months has been a pretty strange ride. I won't go into great detail, but after not having a job for a long time, I finally found one. Walmart. Not the best in the world, but I enjoyed it. But then I was offered a job with my former employer for pretty much what I was making before, and closer to home.<br /><br />So after needing a job, now I have an extra one.<br /><br />But with working, I'm exhausted. I'm still here though. I'm still reading, but my commenting has dropped to near nothing and my posting here, and at 1988 Donruss has been absent for a few days over a month now.<br /><br />Well, it's time to get caught up, both here and at 88 Donruss.<br /><br />We'll start here.<br /><br />Three packages have come in filled with '09 Topps series 2 from <a href="http://tradedsets.blogspot.com/">Andy</a>, <a href="http://garveyceyrusselllopes.blogspot.com/">GCRL</a> and <a href="http://stunningpurple.blogspot.com/">Howard</a>.<br /><br />With all the help I've gotten in these three packages, I'm only needing 13 cards to complete the set! <a href="http://1988score2.blogspot.com/2009/07/2009-topps-series-2.html">Here</a>'s my current want list.<br /><br />Just because I'm only going to post one doesn't mean that they weren't all greatly appreciated. They were.<br /><br />But one card in particular jumped out at me. This has to be one of the most interesting shots in the set.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB2_9h2FIsobZxVoLFGYSPNDiekbqWBk8sZVJVlYsR9UITtGj4kJHuk6SQh7PnWoMxr29pE6fK5P1kIn6-gm0FCpiah9Raamf89A_NPPXnUjbsdpQ7fPzkaMTb6TnO-49BpwufNeMXZqn/s1600-h/521Eveland.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB2_9h2FIsobZxVoLFGYSPNDiekbqWBk8sZVJVlYsR9UITtGj4kJHuk6SQh7PnWoMxr29pE6fK5P1kIn6-gm0FCpiah9Raamf89A_NPPXnUjbsdpQ7fPzkaMTb6TnO-49BpwufNeMXZqn/s320/521Eveland.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368391418399615586" /></a><br />I think maybe this should have been a horizontally oriented picture just based on the cloud formations. But I don't know. Whatever it is, it's an interesting looking card.<br /><br />Thanks a lot guys. It's been a while since I've written and I feel bad because I miss it. Hopefully this'll get me jumpstarted again.<br /><br />Look for an update to 1988 Donruss in the next several days.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-65461199924799132482009-07-06T20:08:00.001-04:002009-07-06T20:15:17.679-04:002009 Topps Series 2 Want ListI think I'm finally finished buying series 2. I currently have 235 of the 330 cards and a good stack of doubles. The doubles list will be updated later tonight. For now, here's what I need.<br /><br />332, 335, 337, 339, 345, 349, 350, 359, 362, 363, 364, 369, 370, 379, 382, 384, 387, 389, 401, 406, 407, 411, 412, 413, 421, 423, 424, 425, 429, 433, 436, 437, 445, 446, 447, 449, 450, 453, 460, 469, 479, 483, 487, 488, 494, 498, 500, 502, 507, 508, 510, 511, 516, 520, 521, 525, 528, 529, 537, 538, 539, 546, 556, 563, 565, 570, 572, 577, 579, 581, 584, 586, 588, 590, 591, 593, 594, 601, 606, 607, 609, 612, 614, 621, 626, 631, 632, 636, 638, 641, 643, 646, 647, 652, 659<br /><br />Thanks.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-14108631161748939642009-06-30T20:55:00.001-04:002009-06-30T20:57:38.150-04:00Slicin' up a box for Dayf...Well, looks like Dayf wants to see me hack up my 1988 Fleer box with a machete. Well, here you go.<br /><br />In three parts.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ud9_aU2ipOw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ud9_aU2ipOw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w7tq_n9gLOU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w7tq_n9gLOU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_YKOJL-OrnQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_YKOJL-OrnQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I had to switch to a smaller knife to cut out the cards because I like my fingers. The knives used are: <a href="http://www.ontarioknife.com/adventure.html">Ontario RTAK</a> and a <a href="http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=201">Spyderco Centofante 4</a>.<br /><br />The end result wasn't as clean as possible because the RTAK is a good quarter inch thick (and seventeen inches long) and it kept hanging up in the soft cardboard, and I did manage to slice off the corner of Kirby Puckett, but that's ok. The little Spyderco slid right through the cardboard though.<br /><br />I realize it's more of a slice than a hack... but I've spent too much money on guitars to risk losing a finger.<br /><br />So, there you have it.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-71664036931980883762009-06-29T13:44:00.000-04:002009-06-29T13:44:44.044-04:00HUGE, combined 1988 Fleer mail day...I didn't get around to posting the stack of 88 Fleer that Jeff from Card Junkie sent yesterday, and maybe it's a good thing. Becuase in the mail box today were two more packages. One from Fat Rat with more 1988 Fleer.<br /><br />Before going to the mail box on Saturday, I had 509 of the 660 cards of 1988 FLeer. After going through both packages from Jeff and John, I'm down to needing less than 40!<br /><br />So, any extra Phillies I get are going to John and I'm looking through my '09 Series 2 extras for Card Junkie.<br /><br />I really don't know where to begin on these, so I'll just highlight a few of my favorite cards from the stacks.<br /><br />Let's just look at a random sampling, shall we?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizESo-IHDtpkGPPo3LArLsc7fg8KswxUX-txZSCj_Wu8G0wZqUp_u-xLp3frEdkG8Q-OQiqCfFNc-JK3wZE7YMmU_W3kg2mW5TdLMPpjLvbN-8otKrCF_sAMV4uGKMg8jSxkOew7wh9uTh/s1600-h/101Williams.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizESo-IHDtpkGPPo3LArLsc7fg8KswxUX-txZSCj_Wu8G0wZqUp_u-xLp3frEdkG8Q-OQiqCfFNc-JK3wZE7YMmU_W3kg2mW5TdLMPpjLvbN-8otKrCF_sAMV4uGKMg8jSxkOew7wh9uTh/s320/101Williams.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352800210049181042" /></a><br />A very young Matt Williams. I always liked him despite the steroid allegations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Y95K0sh4VGK59xK2N1LzhAIuu09QiZm5JheawDSJlBteQnuU_bVNg4PwOgoWGfhcuGmDOKq6-G1IoKfCuv_g1Vi4EyCiK_8Po2HOcuGKeiO8b19w4uh8P7mIJAQuqR50_VMEFiYpMdYM/s1600-h/161Cooper.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Y95K0sh4VGK59xK2N1LzhAIuu09QiZm5JheawDSJlBteQnuU_bVNg4PwOgoWGfhcuGmDOKq6-G1IoKfCuv_g1Vi4EyCiK_8Po2HOcuGKeiO8b19w4uh8P7mIJAQuqR50_VMEFiYpMdYM/s320/161Cooper.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352801562858697170" /></a><br />1980's glasses goodness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7agaT5HUFY_StkasOUMDn8akkzy_6TDNMovMGLwp2-jIQkkkxF5qJoZN2UtmEjM4J-944WehYgOz9M9TSDABloHG_RSLVO_g_ijTE3-xgZ0ZhqMNsap3qMZzh-rsykhhIYuFwh5M8Ddr7/s1600-h/212Kelly.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7agaT5HUFY_StkasOUMDn8akkzy_6TDNMovMGLwp2-jIQkkkxF5qJoZN2UtmEjM4J-944WehYgOz9M9TSDABloHG_RSLVO_g_ijTE3-xgZ0ZhqMNsap3qMZzh-rsykhhIYuFwh5M8Ddr7/s320/212Kelly.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352802299776073858" /></a><br />"rrrrrrrrrrrrr... Zomberto Kelly eat braaaaaaaainssss..."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_Ue-NkkNU3LCg6R537a_gIZ86EuVHQG2xcFWbxw3QnxNHLF5ZbOpN5rBRRYZKsBMOrOvlCESjNHrXyO75kQ2Ysc7Ups1lTGfJZgLyLmWf0_rJw_Uqk8ts0UY5bW_1Z_zcZxaQ3-jAbHK/s1600-h/291Plunk.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_Ue-NkkNU3LCg6R537a_gIZ86EuVHQG2xcFWbxw3QnxNHLF5ZbOpN5rBRRYZKsBMOrOvlCESjNHrXyO75kQ2Ysc7Ups1lTGfJZgLyLmWf0_rJw_Uqk8ts0UY5bW_1Z_zcZxaQ3-jAbHK/s320/291Plunk.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352802809335422978" /></a><br />Like Bob Walk, Eric Plunk is a guy that I think, based solely on last name, should have chosen another career path.<br /><br />In fourteen seasons, Eric only plunked 32 batters though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxsdo5STeq3qnx-PuCLUWjf1oYocVO16FoldtGxzBQbnFHlodmXcSyq-8ZcM8jo8icz2VWNC8wjEVjEGqBfWT7AaDu061JL10ujcMd8Ad8kiN3YMmYf7sYfnNPyrUrXBw0Vop5rSFT7HN/s1600-h/421Lancaster.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxsdo5STeq3qnx-PuCLUWjf1oYocVO16FoldtGxzBQbnFHlodmXcSyq-8ZcM8jo8icz2VWNC8wjEVjEGqBfWT7AaDu061JL10ujcMd8Ad8kiN3YMmYf7sYfnNPyrUrXBw0Vop5rSFT7HN/s320/421Lancaster.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352803749186452162" /></a><br />Looks like Fleer stole a page out of the Topps Big Book of Bad Baseball Card Poses. I'm pretty sure there's no ball in that glove.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtmS8Ot3U0z3cuksPC6AaMk0BucNPPJD4mo25HAdmzbHSC4BmCwMxBd2nuN-kQyD6LpohDGCia9XuUU98iBdYra8oLb36H9jUcaQMNUosoQEupknYlY0q1temk47fWLET7jOBslXst2bA/s1600-h/536Coffman.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtmS8Ot3U0z3cuksPC6AaMk0BucNPPJD4mo25HAdmzbHSC4BmCwMxBd2nuN-kQyD6LpohDGCia9XuUU98iBdYra8oLb36H9jUcaQMNUosoQEupknYlY0q1temk47fWLET7jOBslXst2bA/s320/536Coffman.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352804399306522194" /></a><br />I have no memory of this guy playing for the Braves... or anyone else for that matter. Looks like his big league career consisted of 31 games with an 4-11 record and an ERA of over 6.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7kQ73fF7txSUlSru-ukBMrYvftCpiyhVl4p8Zpi84Q_Dj-0QGBoold0dXlkDTWhh8KSJ2fE-Av4ocPBRGFPvH2h2gfLyLvn4vxGAIhjQzr8S1esft2DA3nsVL_pdk1OOteKmMnmpQkl0/s1600-h/533Blauser.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7kQ73fF7txSUlSru-ukBMrYvftCpiyhVl4p8Zpi84Q_Dj-0QGBoold0dXlkDTWhh8KSJ2fE-Av4ocPBRGFPvH2h2gfLyLvn4vxGAIhjQzr8S1esft2DA3nsVL_pdk1OOteKmMnmpQkl0/s320/533Blauser.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352805224944263714" /></a><br />Here's a guy I really didn't want to see leave Atlanta. I like Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson (when he remembers how to hit) up the middle, but I miss Blauser and the Lemmer.<br /><br />When I saw the 32 on his bat knob, I thought he was holding someone else's bat because I remember Blauser wearing number 4. But it looks like he had number 32 until Gary Eave was called up in 1989, at which point Blauser switched to number 4.<br /><br />Well... that's it.<br /><br />I want to send a huge thanks to both Jeff and John. I'm less than 40 cards from the end thanks to their generosity.<br /><br />My want list will be updated pretty soon.<br /><br />And check out A Pack to be Named Later sometime this afternoon for the first pack of 1988 Donruss.<br /><br />Thanks again.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-87380437945463222292009-06-27T23:48:00.007-04:002009-06-28T00:12:48.792-04:00Another box of Series Two Cereal...Series Two O's.<br /><br />Are all the series 2 boxes Lou Gherig? This'll be the third one I've bought and all three have been Lou.<br /><br />So with two cereal boxes, five packs and a blaster, I'm 51% through the set. So let's see how I do with this one. I've only pulled a handful of Braves too. Only one from the first cereal box, and I think Chipper was the only one in the second... maybe this one'll be a bit better.<br /><br />Before I begin, I should preface this by adding that I am substantially drunk, so any typos, I'll try to fix in the morning.<br /><br />Again, I won't list all the cards because that would be boring...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBb7dWTtV2z9f5ypqQiOpB5Zl1jnRkYodxnx2wT-2rlGIF1LXsXxBvoywQP2azjOhnUb19SSHUcabWtA86VnUmkXr6DoRuLwWZkT_YTMgRBGhpY9OcK1x9tUiLkQHxGAxqab7FHWdkP2D/s1600-h/353Jeter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBb7dWTtV2z9f5ypqQiOpB5Zl1jnRkYodxnx2wT-2rlGIF1LXsXxBvoywQP2azjOhnUb19SSHUcabWtA86VnUmkXr6DoRuLwWZkT_YTMgRBGhpY9OcK1x9tUiLkQHxGAxqab7FHWdkP2D/s320/353Jeter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352222583969684258" /></a><br />I don't like Derek Jeter. I'm sorry, but I don't. I hate the Yankees, and I really just don't like Jeter. I do like him a lot more than Alex Rodriguez, who I disliked long before he was a Yankee, but sorry Jeter fans... he's just not for me.<br /><br />But this is a great looking card. I can't get over how well Topps did with their photography this year. It's not as good all the way around as 1988 Score, but it's pretty damn close.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t7qrmm2e1y4_TNHuuhafmdOOqyH7p7c12ugO2wofu53aQQIU0pncmGNxxqWURTm7BUGusl1NEK46o8m6SfU_RDTAlQg1XFrU5mM-SpwGXgocaQcAGc4psuyw4Qj6L9S4vAELWZ1YjAw-/s1600-h/439Spilborghs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t7qrmm2e1y4_TNHuuhafmdOOqyH7p7c12ugO2wofu53aQQIU0pncmGNxxqWURTm7BUGusl1NEK46o8m6SfU_RDTAlQg1XFrU5mM-SpwGXgocaQcAGc4psuyw4Qj6L9S4vAELWZ1YjAw-/s320/439Spilborghs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352223422522461634" /></a><br />This is a nice action shot. But what I really want to point out here is the guy talking on his cellphone at a baseball game.<br /><br />I have a cellphone, and I probably couldn't live without it since I don't have a landline. But I <b>hate</b> being around people who can't get off the damn things no matter where they are. If you're walking around downtown or in a store you don't need to be talking on the phone. People don't want to hear your conversations and it doesn't make you look cool to strut along with a phone in your ear. It didn't look cool 15 years ago when very few people had cellphones and it sure as hell doesn't look cool now that everyone has one.<br /><br />And guess what, guy on a phone at a Rockies game? Now you're going to be the jackass that everyone who collects baseball cards will remember as the guy on the phone.<br /><br />Hang the fucking thing up and watch the game. He's probably one of those assholes who sits on his phone the entire game talking to someone who's watching the game on TV.<br /><br />Now that I've gotten that out of my system...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8t853ztdxmwYIHDso22ldR4-bdWVcLU3IKD2O0t0FlcoBzwXK4726p1fldtuxtIEFb_W9AkmUIEexGDhGzLBRHDTfCKYdJ7ARLEkHmTw-h0oteSNqfGTK6VV8XCtLycPwOB9agZERX7L/s1600-h/473Weaver.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8t853ztdxmwYIHDso22ldR4-bdWVcLU3IKD2O0t0FlcoBzwXK4726p1fldtuxtIEFb_W9AkmUIEexGDhGzLBRHDTfCKYdJ7ARLEkHmTw-h0oteSNqfGTK6VV8XCtLycPwOB9agZERX7L/s320/473Weaver.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352224886582463762" /></a><br />I'm not sure if I like this card or not. There's a lot of great action going on, and I really like how the ball is almost in perfect focus. But it's just a strange position to find a pitcher in at any time during a game. I'm guessing he's fielding a bunt and throwing off balance to first... or jumping a hurdle as he runs across the field.<br /><br />It would be a great shot if the ball was the focal point of the photo, instead of the strained look on his face.<br /><br />And now, the best card in the box (assuming the refractor isn't Ripken)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPaC3ebDYhJfLKS6Yz_3EF4V7JWS99Q3x_YCCHRgzRJ5s3nomVksdWBgha2CGNhyeuzCaMe9NLSIx6uDx3BKzbvZ0xum3u95lNw1znyPlwUoF66-SfaDT1h0oHtCQ03eOLjQZbW_Q95Ol/s1600-h/LG-GMaddux.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPaC3ebDYhJfLKS6Yz_3EF4V7JWS99Q3x_YCCHRgzRJ5s3nomVksdWBgha2CGNhyeuzCaMe9NLSIx6uDx3BKzbvZ0xum3u95lNw1znyPlwUoF66-SfaDT1h0oHtCQ03eOLjQZbW_Q95Ol/s320/LG-GMaddux.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352225697490028610" /></a><br />Maddux in an awesome throwback jersey. You can't ask for much better.<br /><br />This wasn't a bad box at all, very few doubles. But there was one damaged card and fortunately I already had it, so I can't complain about that.<br /><br />Now the refractor...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVNAe0HMHPGYefqXib2yaXgyhi4zGEgO3QsivB-b90MJFXvgk3w6ey5ThekXXNSANtBS13k73MtAFxkXqh1O8lIoMZeeVPm33aKsttm9wFD714JbVDfHRrpZYxLGZk6glc9OcNKXxOacL/s1600-h/IMG_1446.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVNAe0HMHPGYefqXib2yaXgyhi4zGEgO3QsivB-b90MJFXvgk3w6ey5ThekXXNSANtBS13k73MtAFxkXqh1O8lIoMZeeVPm33aKsttm9wFD714JbVDfHRrpZYxLGZk6glc9OcNKXxOacL/s320/IMG_1446.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352226409111568770" /></a><br />Pretty spiffy. I've got Bob Gibson, Ty Cobb and now Cy Young.<br /><br />Any doubles that I got out of the box will be up on my for trade list in the morning.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-14390207871639152742009-06-27T14:42:00.001-04:002009-06-27T14:44:51.675-04:00Mailday from MontanaIn the mail box this afternoon were two small bubble mailers. One from Jeff at Card Junkie, and one from reader Mike, out in Bozeman, Montana.<br /><br />I've never been to Montana, but a great deal of one of my favorite books, <u>Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance</u>, is set in Bozeman. It, along with its sequel <u>Lila</u>, is one that I go back and read every year or two. In fact, I'll probably have to buy a new copy after another reading.<br /><br />But I digress. Let's look at some cards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaoCVSLs5CDh6lJtWpbW7mEfGGgTTXcZYMZ8zTI26el0u6NABGatA7EonbGUVudxGfkmWl8B6vBw4bEiEfs2_hz8d961Kfwrd9NO-xSEu3lfgW5oh5MZTE_hg_Btwv6VgkdKQy-ko_kWC/s1600-h/Bowmans.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaoCVSLs5CDh6lJtWpbW7mEfGGgTTXcZYMZ8zTI26el0u6NABGatA7EonbGUVudxGfkmWl8B6vBw4bEiEfs2_hz8d961Kfwrd9NO-xSEu3lfgW5oh5MZTE_hg_Btwv6VgkdKQy-ko_kWC/s320/Bowmans.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352076424571827442" /></a><br /><br />Top row:<br />131 Juan Nieves<br />273 Gerald Perry<br />337 Fernando Valenzuela<br /><br />Bottom row:<br />341 Orel Hershiser<br />432 Joe Magrane<br />452 Pat Clements<br /><br />Since we all know most of these players, I'm going to do a group scan and then talk a bit.<br /><br />There's a good chance that this is the best combination of six cards you could possibly find in this set.<br /><br />With the exception of Gerald Perry, there's not a boring shot in the group. And Perry's a Brave, so I don't mind the boring shot too much.<br /><br />My favorite of the group is, as you probably guessed, Orel Hershiser. Comparing his Topps signature to the TTMs I got a few weeks ago, it doesn't look like his signature has changed much in the past 20 years.<br /><br />I assume these are all spring training shots, and I noticed that only Magrane and Clements aren't wearing long sleeves under their jersey shirt. So maybe they're from early spring training.<br /><br />Once again, I'd like to thank Mike, and I'm now five cards from the end. I made a little booboo on my want list and missed two cards that I actually needed, so that list is now correct.<br /><br />Check in tomorrow afternoon as we go through a large (41 cards) chunk of 1988 Fleer that Jeff from Card Junkie sent over.<br /><br />Thanks again to Mike and Jeff. And be sure to keep a look out early next week for 1988 Donruss to take over the old '88 Fleer blog.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-58071507250426070402009-06-24T17:23:00.002-04:002009-06-24T17:26:10.175-04:00Series Two Cereal anyone?I was in Wal Mart, and I said I wasn't going to buy any more retail packs, and I didn't. But I did pick two boxes of Lou Gherig O's. $10 and unsearchable, it's a good deal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3cSgg5Xgp3_URFQ22llEl6Wib9eE3a78Lj7tL1mZVof26a3O484tKm0kueybKI8vwiGppR6OA1RYaS8XkZxIXRBls26ULFA1g1I2WTkVUhx3F0HNJtNjVdBMBP4IepINvaqOtMJpUPII/s1600-h/IMG_1441.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3cSgg5Xgp3_URFQ22llEl6Wib9eE3a78Lj7tL1mZVof26a3O484tKm0kueybKI8vwiGppR6OA1RYaS8XkZxIXRBls26ULFA1g1I2WTkVUhx3F0HNJtNjVdBMBP4IepINvaqOtMJpUPII/s320/IMG_1441.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350989587914037250" /></a><br />Looks tasty. Let's hope so.<br /><br />I won't list every card because that would be boring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd40giQ2ADpoMLgxtfvbV8TcYHMy5aNyX6Ffiz1NgzeXIBtgrscRvX03uXDp6QfSMa3xltOMBamyaCtcqVfHhd_87hkx7wxtfm524Dj7ldkUGH9jWMFaqcDYAQbITNcnFo_AFKlq6637Vb/s1600-h/375Quentin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd40giQ2ADpoMLgxtfvbV8TcYHMy5aNyX6Ffiz1NgzeXIBtgrscRvX03uXDp6QfSMa3xltOMBamyaCtcqVfHhd_87hkx7wxtfm524Dj7ldkUGH9jWMFaqcDYAQbITNcnFo_AFKlq6637Vb/s320/375Quentin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351000587424323202" /></a><br />On first glance this is a pretty cool looking card. But then you notice that Carlos is just as worried about his hat coming off as he is about catching the ball.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqibWWB6wrMnNx_J5T5WuLMxlXJ_kHxWBnCExd4wrIOesdit-iAysp0NUazwQyxm6yJ_zWcDUEAX2gMdlbR-Lw_Jgs_vh8NNuPR3h7Ho0BXAZBDHT_c85D-rRJtDW2hthWUZbIhWp0cWW/s1600-h/532Anderson.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqibWWB6wrMnNx_J5T5WuLMxlXJ_kHxWBnCExd4wrIOesdit-iAysp0NUazwQyxm6yJ_zWcDUEAX2gMdlbR-Lw_Jgs_vh8NNuPR3h7Ho0BXAZBDHT_c85D-rRJtDW2hthWUZbIhWp0cWW/s320/532Anderson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351004905078177666" /></a><br />The ONLY Brave in the box and a sweet, sweet looking swing. I just wish he was using that sweet swing to actually hit the a little more than he's doing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJqOalOQmlSTV4IOVaW1FXPaJkPuQJVmIE5317DY-oJH1xdlPnucKvgBGgkCb3pbkD90F_aN59P4NzklcFHT2LNdwuqkMjEsPfLOZBvnk_rNeJh9OspucLaxE_fkzdtdmnlaUdbKBhTup/s1600-h/535Doumit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJqOalOQmlSTV4IOVaW1FXPaJkPuQJVmIE5317DY-oJH1xdlPnucKvgBGgkCb3pbkD90F_aN59P4NzklcFHT2LNdwuqkMjEsPfLOZBvnk_rNeJh9OspucLaxE_fkzdtdmnlaUdbKBhTup/s320/535Doumit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351007087122869970" /></a><br />This DOES NOT look real. It looks like a screencap from a video game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg3deDbW72tfUYeJMdqaEDyypa45MtgDiEHTOEP5TNwaGyZqSDpzhfWqEAuABxDZOffdfvJqMoSxX_Pq8HvUkvQhFAZs0Pm2SEqFomWQAK0UB9BW0P7ScpFJbnXXqQpi4bKnIR_0dkux-/s1600-h/TR89Helton.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg3deDbW72tfUYeJMdqaEDyypa45MtgDiEHTOEP5TNwaGyZqSDpzhfWqEAuABxDZOffdfvJqMoSxX_Pq8HvUkvQhFAZs0Pm2SEqFomWQAK0UB9BW0P7ScpFJbnXXqQpi4bKnIR_0dkux-/s320/TR89Helton.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351007086939289970" /></a><br />Any Rockies fans out there want this? Let me know.<br /><br />So nothing spectacular, but I only got seven doubles. So I'm a lot happier than those retail packs.<br /><br />So let's take a look at the EXCLUSIVE LEGENDS CHROME REFRACTOR!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzHWEQ4jb_utojWsOtv5wWy8FhRY7PL2XBrnZfrjOSeLoGjC34iahhFFGcYeMelzZldt3gPsVE-uAiu3wY6ixn9sb393u7Uwc4Sar_y-ZY-UwAy4aZVSEElPbmV3D7wkVLaE49mMM_h2y/s1600-h/PR12Gibson.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzHWEQ4jb_utojWsOtv5wWy8FhRY7PL2XBrnZfrjOSeLoGjC34iahhFFGcYeMelzZldt3gPsVE-uAiu3wY6ixn9sb393u7Uwc4Sar_y-ZY-UwAy4aZVSEElPbmV3D7wkVLaE49mMM_h2y/s320/PR12Gibson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351008214380198274" /></a><br />Hey hey... this is nice. I'm pleased. THat smudge is from the scanner... I realy need to Windex my scanner bed.<br /><br />So if anything else interesting pops up in the second box, I'll do a little post.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-20059063823682804762009-06-17T19:27:00.000-04:002009-06-17T19:27:21.908-04:001989 Bowman Livin' the High Life... orMail Day from Fat Rat<br /><br />I'm a beer snob. I love beer, good beer. Keep Budweiser away from me, and bring me something dark, heavy or microbrewed. In fact, I just cracked open a bottle of Magic Hat No. 9, and fittingly, the cap says "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?"<br /><br />But I have a dirty little secret. I like Miller High Life. I don't drink it much anymore, but when money was tight in college I could always scrounge up enough change for a 40.<br /><br />In the mailbox today was a heavy envelop from John, aka. Fat Rat Phillies Fan. I sent a few '09 Heritage Phillies his way and a couple other things. When I opened the envelope, this fell out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngcg5l8RpsIa4HHBxQ1uA_cJ3IbWA0w5rp9V2Xz6BMhjr04sr3KdniNQ9xSmVl-FleILNTpSFvNMkuUDKWU5ly_tHcSB3fsukGiIifRv7lb7SCvCwOcd4cFN6pTvp9IoM9MW2ZluCTF6X/s1600-h/IMG_1410.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngcg5l8RpsIa4HHBxQ1uA_cJ3IbWA0w5rp9V2Xz6BMhjr04sr3KdniNQ9xSmVl-FleILNTpSFvNMkuUDKWU5ly_tHcSB3fsukGiIifRv7lb7SCvCwOcd4cFN6pTvp9IoM9MW2ZluCTF6X/s320/IMG_1410.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348432122953121362" /></a><br />Beer! Of course, there were some baseball cards attached to the other side.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija65XBlgO5yZboew3zTfib8SpHSIhX4-OukX5SKNWJi2mVW16wNZj3Kbe__gxEkFzCMS_V7MJDmfssW6yaMkcg24DF1CiHqmhSbv3mE59jxpSmZncMW_UHHM4L92eD6w9OqrlmhVeGmZy/s1600-h/IMG_1411.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija65XBlgO5yZboew3zTfib8SpHSIhX4-OukX5SKNWJi2mVW16wNZj3Kbe__gxEkFzCMS_V7MJDmfssW6yaMkcg24DF1CiHqmhSbv3mE59jxpSmZncMW_UHHM4L92eD6w9OqrlmhVeGmZy/s320/IMG_1411.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348432506096677218" /></a><br />Let's see what we got, and following 1989 Bowman tradition, we'll look at the rookies...<br /><br />270 Jody Davis<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXbUfaitxbMI82pIgLeD5ZDxHdoWCeTNTqcrbg0GGLZuWUdoElNGnkAx3Ov4EdQNUWvyzGdokdfxAdOSSt4ia4mfOoXs6fMsJyZHA8u3Da1VSI-AWia9xKcLsaVsVrI8dZGU92-5Yg5Cq/s1600-h/340Bene.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXbUfaitxbMI82pIgLeD5ZDxHdoWCeTNTqcrbg0GGLZuWUdoElNGnkAx3Ov4EdQNUWvyzGdokdfxAdOSSt4ia4mfOoXs6fMsJyZHA8u3Da1VSI-AWia9xKcLsaVsVrI8dZGU92-5Yg5Cq/s320/340Bene.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348435741290932130" /></a><br />340 Bill Bene - First round flop?<br /><br />Bene was the fifth overall pick of the 1988 draft and pitched in relative futility for nine seasons, retiring after 1997.<br /><br />366 Otis Nixon<br />209 Scott Bradley<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-iX6SbxQKzXfdKb0C4p5ww0cMED2AopNCF_khcsANy4XHAnGvf1OUYO_h4AFjdMhl3eFJc0yTeVGJGtA-J9zwZtCSSM9yEtC5UulB153VhyphenhyphenM75RkVr8qFNwbFaszoTm7erP8AY85VKow/s1600-h/245Sanchez.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-iX6SbxQKzXfdKb0C4p5ww0cMED2AopNCF_khcsANy4XHAnGvf1OUYO_h4AFjdMhl3eFJc0yTeVGJGtA-J9zwZtCSSM9yEtC5UulB153VhyphenhyphenM75RkVr8qFNwbFaszoTm7erP8AY85VKow/s320/245Sanchez.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348437920688391122" /></a><br />245 Alex Sanchez - Alex Sanchez is not to be confused with the Alex Sanchez who played for the Brewers, Tigers, Devil Rays and Giants a few years ago (that Alex Sanchez was the first player to be suspended under the new drug policy). This Alex Sanchez pitched a grand total of four games in the Majors and left with a 10.03 ERA. <a href="http://tradedsets.blogspot.com/2009/05/1989-topps-major-league-debut-107-alex.html">Here's</a> what Andy had to say about him over at Traded Sets, and it sums up his career pretty well.<br /><br />He stuck around in the minors until 1995 and had a minor league record of 59-54/4.15 ERA in 209 games.<br /><br />269 Pete Smith<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7VkpxmgLvYRl1vyrjT6Iz7z7ANb4mrXTYouVOKVSkWZgcCcfkpWFdGM_Y018cGURXlZn3pDHETD3XsNzblkK7l3narRkHK3l8N_9rOUmzpRtzYe1sCL-6utYK5WeeAIP2yNX8Cblwnt4/s1600-h/075Wickander.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7VkpxmgLvYRl1vyrjT6Iz7z7ANb4mrXTYouVOKVSkWZgcCcfkpWFdGM_Y018cGURXlZn3pDHETD3XsNzblkK7l3narRkHK3l8N_9rOUmzpRtzYe1sCL-6utYK5WeeAIP2yNX8Cblwnt4/s320/075Wickander.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348440176085689874" /></a><br />75 Kevin Wickander - He was a short reliever his entire career and posted a 5-1 record, but recorded only two saves in six seasons. In 150 games, he pitched 132.2 innings, walked 85 and struck out 101.<br /><br />81 Jessee Orosco<br />191 Eric Plunk - Another name like Bob Walk... probably should have considered another career with a name like that.<br /><br />I'm now 11 away with another trade in the works that should put me even closer.<br /><br />Thanks a lot John! Almost time to put this one to bed, and I almost wish it was a bigger set, I really love these cards.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-77953955480050823752009-06-16T16:28:00.000-04:002009-06-16T16:28:41.013-04:00Mail Day - 1981 Topps from Card JunkieI sent out a few trades yesterday, and this one was in the mail box when I got home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWLPC3fbgix0O97dFRlnfkkIGLkvrKzGCYpMFdjwhSnBmayxRhUIalZyAEob6iIF7BQaRbUknpEjM6qt2oimVk0YyqyzvpiXtvu9eytOcJ8Ez8aPnyUpyPVQLXGPrrHZQBLwLhau2xLJI/s1600-h/212Nicosia.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWLPC3fbgix0O97dFRlnfkkIGLkvrKzGCYpMFdjwhSnBmayxRhUIalZyAEob6iIF7BQaRbUknpEjM6qt2oimVk0YyqyzvpiXtvu9eytOcJ8Ez8aPnyUpyPVQLXGPrrHZQBLwLhau2xLJI/s320/212Nicosia.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348024366368217810" /></a><br />I've never heard of this guy, but he's got a pretty nice looking card. He does look a bit unsavory, but he's a catcher. They're supposed to look rough around the edges.<br /><br />I think this officially puts me at 25% on 1981 Topps, so thanks a lot Jeff!<br /><br />For anyone curious, 1988 Fleer will be back tomorrow... real life got kinda hectic and needed attention. So we'll finish up the box starting tomorrow.<br /><br />Thanks again Jeff, and anyone who has a trade in the works with me, they went out yesterday so keep an eye on the mail box.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-75138770505555278012009-06-13T20:41:00.000-04:002009-06-13T20:41:14.079-04:001989 Bowman from Night Owl...As promised, here's a large surprise mail day from Greg at Night Owl Cards.<br /><br />Here's a small sampling of the 41 cards he sent. I'm now 19 cards away and nine more of them should be on their way to me pretty soon, so I'm nearing the end of a set that I thought would be pretty difficult to complete.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0M3JwcWxzhWxn2EXkKvRglAiALYxCljwG20qOMTZ4bQ9PcnFo9BnEpwQ-l55_Hn3qT4X2buGP60txvfiriuUfsVbPXWCshB2ytthiyhzfS9W_XET0GCleMJFDJN014vOnx2_1W4eRO-R/s1600-h/004Harnisch.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0M3JwcWxzhWxn2EXkKvRglAiALYxCljwG20qOMTZ4bQ9PcnFo9BnEpwQ-l55_Hn3qT4X2buGP60txvfiriuUfsVbPXWCshB2ytthiyhzfS9W_XET0GCleMJFDJN014vOnx2_1W4eRO-R/s320/004Harnisch.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346972100647828354" /></a><br />This seems like a good place to start. It's not exactly a night card, but it's an early evening card. I've mentioned before that all of the Orioles cards look the same, but they should have put them in order based on the time of day they were taken.<br /><br />hmmmm...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenjCtRqBDdqr9pjkXvTXhTD9OK60fHSk0NjJUVZB-pVbRoIJLiVxtRNsUuokOt8q141VX444CoFByerZF4aqcTq12F5NZQqDj-Q9X2l6s38MzTaTb9kI32tjMnm3rLA12lboEeLgzcTJy/s1600-h/367Brooks.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenjCtRqBDdqr9pjkXvTXhTD9OK60fHSk0NjJUVZB-pVbRoIJLiVxtRNsUuokOt8q141VX444CoFByerZF4aqcTq12F5NZQqDj-Q9X2l6s38MzTaTb9kI32tjMnm3rLA12lboEeLgzcTJy/s320/367Brooks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346973160039322066" /></a><br />Old school Expos uniform.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiMLQPRs0Z1zUV7AEOhcldgJ4AwCOZ5BDcVGsM_5vnJq0GlXiUNKEnk2RfvJgw8tKzkw3frxWaCWyM7cLZyIVuaTla5XH35fxV7RjIQtCeny1stzhBDX1lqomXr2BxKYCOx9Fa0hjBhW5/s1600-h/379Carter.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiMLQPRs0Z1zUV7AEOhcldgJ4AwCOZ5BDcVGsM_5vnJq0GlXiUNKEnk2RfvJgw8tKzkw3frxWaCWyM7cLZyIVuaTla5XH35fxV7RjIQtCeny1stzhBDX1lqomXr2BxKYCOx9Fa0hjBhW5/s320/379Carter.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346974366139158178" /></a><br />Run Ryno Run! This is about as exciting as 1989 Bowman gets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhQ_YhAQr_2_AM_N7pmXGZ5qsc6Bu9Tvo468FKpSlAuN1qW0Vb3rqSnX25MgkLMbMEcbBQiThXRuNusyER6QZUIMJhTteMTG8IG5350hb4fsX0D121rKu-Tjf2A5woLvj8lEXTGvMnh-Z/s1600-h/453Santiago.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhQ_YhAQr_2_AM_N7pmXGZ5qsc6Bu9Tvo468FKpSlAuN1qW0Vb3rqSnX25MgkLMbMEcbBQiThXRuNusyER6QZUIMJhTteMTG8IG5350hb4fsX0D121rKu-Tjf2A5woLvj8lEXTGvMnh-Z/s320/453Santiago.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346975080933251010" /></a><br />This is the typical treatment that the Padres got in this set.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqIFpzE_RgAnNnV2tTfR9xA-BnoBHj75338_cnVp2nOOYg_2IBkntHD2nGmgf5FDO_g8p6sJiKJg7d0eahyH4VT661kSAIFMWQ_gwVDdYlxO7MKkeQ5EFHV4BBTHEsa5K8NXWaldwiKmG/s1600-h/202Parker.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqIFpzE_RgAnNnV2tTfR9xA-BnoBHj75338_cnVp2nOOYg_2IBkntHD2nGmgf5FDO_g8p6sJiKJg7d0eahyH4VT661kSAIFMWQ_gwVDdYlxO7MKkeQ5EFHV4BBTHEsa5K8NXWaldwiKmG/s320/202Parker.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346975602876278162" /></a><br />I love this card! For some reason I feel like he needs to be standing on top of the Empire State building swatting planes out of the sky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLD5t4Pe8ZM92yrx_7HEme51sLY3Q5P1IK1-A_6nKK4DQKhbwBiuuBEwmpo_EuNKvcL-DpPo3lfrLy81y3dyxsFQbOt210dzMleO_lj-ZrTCIyklZ-NYZxCEjahZ2S5JZ9P7v9_Rnyd8p/s1600-h/140Molitor.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLD5t4Pe8ZM92yrx_7HEme51sLY3Q5P1IK1-A_6nKK4DQKhbwBiuuBEwmpo_EuNKvcL-DpPo3lfrLy81y3dyxsFQbOt210dzMleO_lj-ZrTCIyklZ-NYZxCEjahZ2S5JZ9P7v9_Rnyd8p/s320/140Molitor.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346976529231293714" /></a><br />And finally this.<br /><br />I really like this card, there's a lot of nice forward motion going on and the strips on the uniform just add to it.<br /><br />Once again, I'd like to thank the Night Owl for his help with this set.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-42905774474319005612009-06-13T00:51:00.003-04:002009-06-13T01:15:38.833-04:00Two more TTM attempts going out on Monday...These two may seems pretty off the wall, but they'll make sense in the end.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW8_DTOs5vQK6C9nFQe-s1MchplLKzjoFE4QL1gpbx4L3TvPiz79SyO9NTR_u_q1YatOsHjQ_KgcuSHQqePUPMgxwhOJOF9YV8DaKpOpJl3s8s6X7cPhmAsWoGZhzmpGRpa8e8Yl52J7Z/s1600-h/WayneTolleson.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW8_DTOs5vQK6C9nFQe-s1MchplLKzjoFE4QL1gpbx4L3TvPiz79SyO9NTR_u_q1YatOsHjQ_KgcuSHQqePUPMgxwhOJOF9YV8DaKpOpJl3s8s6X7cPhmAsWoGZhzmpGRpa8e8Yl52J7Z/s320/WayneTolleson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346673831124759394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2v9UUJo-A3NqKGedYJMsgc9Rhec9Hg2g7xLqxw5ma6yVESlexwaVvK9qH9OuurnxbWpDFvkeP9rVIkhvkP8sQ4jyP3V-k3-BiChg9qYnogoJx-1xIfmkz4NYwwGzjXz17ocljTlhD-lLR/s1600-h/JerryReed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2v9UUJo-A3NqKGedYJMsgc9Rhec9Hg2g7xLqxw5ma6yVESlexwaVvK9qH9OuurnxbWpDFvkeP9rVIkhvkP8sQ4jyP3V-k3-BiChg9qYnogoJx-1xIfmkz4NYwwGzjXz17ocljTlhD-lLR/s320/JerryReed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346673825142529522" /></a><br /><br />Reed and Tolleson are two of seven players who attended my alma mater, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/schools/wcarolina.shtml">Western Carolina University</a>. According to the back of the '87 Topps card, Jerry Reed pitched the first no-hitter in WCU history.<br /><br />Looks like the Cincinnati Reds' Jared Burton is the only current player who went to WCU.<br /><br />I guess we'll see if I have success.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-91443401023238864072009-06-11T23:57:00.001-04:002009-06-11T23:58:36.638-04:002009 Topps Series 2... what the f***So I posted a few days ago about how I got my hands on a blaster of Series 2. Well, tonight I finally found some retail packs and bought five.<br /><br />When you take out all the inserts and Topps Town cards from the blaster, I got 63 total base cards. No doubles. Over all, a pretty successful blaster, though I wish the Topps Town cards weren't one of the eight in the blaster packs.<br /><br />Tonight out of five packs, which is a total of 55 possible cards (taking out the five Topps Town cards), I got sixteen doubles from five packs. SIXTEEN FUCKING DOUBLES. What the hell is up with that? I got my fair share of doubles from Series 1, but not like this. The <a href="http://apacktobenamedlater.blogspot.com/2009/06/2009-topps-series-2-retail-again.html">first pack</a> I ripped had six doubles alone.<br /><br />One of the 16 I'm holding on to one for a certain Phillies fan, but the others are up on my <a href="http://1988score2.blogspot.com/2009/02/2009-topps-doubles.html">2009 Topps for trade list</a>. First come first serve... I'd prefer if you email me, rather than post a comment. My email is in my profile.<br /><br />I'm looking for <a href="http://1988score2.blogspot.com/2009/04/1989-bowman.html">'89 Bowman</a>, '09 Heritage or Turkey Red Braves or '81 Topps.<br /><br />All was not lost though, I got some pretty nice inserts...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp_qIA6oN-6OHp5GPfyAWMHq5_Yu179nt-MhYpkVFuKAS4wqypYNVa33I9jIXHbB70KXOU2o_rHgxWgUcHRtNgRtFoMbfrg3v42tzKO6WNX50nVnkltRibSlMAE8FPzDFaMqvosSBPTXo/s1600-h/TR62Jones.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp_qIA6oN-6OHp5GPfyAWMHq5_Yu179nt-MhYpkVFuKAS4wqypYNVa33I9jIXHbB70KXOU2o_rHgxWgUcHRtNgRtFoMbfrg3v42tzKO6WNX50nVnkltRibSlMAE8FPzDFaMqvosSBPTXo/s320/TR62Jones.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346281209269852130" /></a><br />I really like Turkey Red, but I just don't see myself being able to complete this set. So this one is up on the trading block too, if any Orioles fan wants it, let me know.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFhZxSPuWe-sT2LdFbWO3QsxH3k1XklwlPMupDaBVUIqxg95dFIRaY6div1JXMIyTBrQRI1fGMjqDNGvBAM32zi9SigsU5n2-JIjXsmaOwBFRIquxfEmB-NbhqmXNtAnwgPnYRShKt1n3/s1600-h/LLP-20Sisler.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFhZxSPuWe-sT2LdFbWO3QsxH3k1XklwlPMupDaBVUIqxg95dFIRaY6div1JXMIyTBrQRI1fGMjqDNGvBAM32zi9SigsU5n2-JIjXsmaOwBFRIquxfEmB-NbhqmXNtAnwgPnYRShKt1n3/s320/LLP-20Sisler.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346282790821701170" /></a><br />These Wal Mart exclusives are beautiful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhKQoEj1Ne1gPvj4ZELJ09oSSYhVELNTZR1EDX2q9GZKsNMG0e-iYt8CC23GRlnXrToLjUey5QvhVCNRlWf8OskfhkaSkS19jke-7gQTU4jEyWFR5oaYACsuV-4EMGg7aa3hEmoQxyJiF/s1600-h/LGCB-WJ.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhKQoEj1Ne1gPvj4ZELJ09oSSYhVELNTZR1EDX2q9GZKsNMG0e-iYt8CC23GRlnXrToLjUey5QvhVCNRlWf8OskfhkaSkS19jke-7gQTU4jEyWFR5oaYACsuV-4EMGg7aa3hEmoQxyJiF/s320/LGCB-WJ.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346283423822783826" /></a><br />Very nice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdJp4lPkpPynUKP3Dd_aL3r75HEmOvKrUZxyAuJekPGuPdzz6-fo041bdKvI0ehvIcC8tS47OXqUf44UzFNXeVqgOltvgA1sfIcYWMqJRZsahXLoRqk6nN_Ovs34NUz7panKBfNsn6CV7/s1600-h/LGCB-BR.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdJp4lPkpPynUKP3Dd_aL3r75HEmOvKrUZxyAuJekPGuPdzz6-fo041bdKvI0ehvIcC8tS47OXqUf44UzFNXeVqgOltvgA1sfIcYWMqJRZsahXLoRqk6nN_Ovs34NUz7panKBfNsn6CV7/s320/LGCB-BR.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346284003103227794" /></a><br />Very, very nice.<br /><br />Ok, so yeah, I'm pissed off. Did I just get lucky with Series 1 and is this just an example of '09 collation? Or is series 2 particularly bad?<br /><br />But, tomorrow or Saturday (probably Saturday) you're going to see a nice surprise package from Night Owl, so thanks a lot Greg! Just wait, it's a nice one.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-2363317903221327612009-06-09T00:21:00.006-04:002009-06-09T10:49:43.658-04:00Bobby Wins 2,000It took fifteen innings, but Bobby Cox won his 2,000th Atlanta Braves game tonight, 7-6 against the Pirates.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMaBAkd-6SWZm_L6Wf9n459F_UtqN7QMA71Kr9Qc6aSrdY13voppsq8r91G04fJxmZNK0FO4BPhio7VJwl70tcDhyphenhyphenAxrKFZQai7Hu5vzfrr59EvuxFS154MbaZXpinl5ZOSX-evaQ4BB_/s1600-h/86Topps471.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMaBAkd-6SWZm_L6Wf9n459F_UtqN7QMA71Kr9Qc6aSrdY13voppsq8r91G04fJxmZNK0FO4BPhio7VJwl70tcDhyphenhyphenAxrKFZQai7Hu5vzfrr59EvuxFS154MbaZXpinl5ZOSX-evaQ4BB_/s320/86Topps471.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345178801338410130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVCiz2uFh6Zbo9vU61fROKe-Hi15gaUGixxzCzdblBATsABcZ-e3ZNk2ApsbXnvAYdGjb8jPZDZuL2h5-6uIHaKKoaur3gYMa-aYtPg3flPhAhsGhU3JiLwoBxpEEHBYnXm24d-Jm260J/s1600-h/17Cox.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVCiz2uFh6Zbo9vU61fROKe-Hi15gaUGixxzCzdblBATsABcZ-e3ZNk2ApsbXnvAYdGjb8jPZDZuL2h5-6uIHaKKoaur3gYMa-aYtPg3flPhAhsGhU3JiLwoBxpEEHBYnXm24d-Jm260J/s320/17Cox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345178795385525570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtVKgYEFAK4RaZgb6jhvLZTlNeAxQrUTHBpgdOZx9b_nVRwZ4NmlNzoAR1ldWPFtVV1wWUhjaagYYAh3rQ8IFrkMnrtcDzyhWq0fHAiMmW2WpQvEtHPritUE6nFJK0MskQT0vvW8jMhFe/s1600-h/675Braves.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtVKgYEFAK4RaZgb6jhvLZTlNeAxQrUTHBpgdOZx9b_nVRwZ4NmlNzoAR1ldWPFtVV1wWUhjaagYYAh3rQ8IFrkMnrtcDzyhWq0fHAiMmW2WpQvEtHPritUE6nFJK0MskQT0vvW8jMhFe/s320/675Braves.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345178792200713250" /></a><br /><br />Congratulations Bobby. I hope he can make it back to the World Series one more time.<br /><br />Also, I know this was his 2,000 Braves win, so why did I post a Blue Jays card? Well, I couldn't find another one of him in a Braves uniform.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-41227506365680548552009-06-05T20:35:00.000-04:002009-06-05T20:36:51.565-04:002009 Topps Series 2 blaster<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaOpILDovSdBB5Td6CGaf3Jo3ag1M7xCsGoy5cINsbDIUGyn7ccpZ5JzrfN8hZE-YlTCyNzkpRO7xSQzF3KUWyZaC5Zqq0LwOSpkLJ5Xn_zlwYQOsgqjETzfbYmAtCrpCv_m0hNxU9b8h/s1600-h/IMG_1363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaOpILDovSdBB5Td6CGaf3Jo3ag1M7xCsGoy5cINsbDIUGyn7ccpZ5JzrfN8hZE-YlTCyNzkpRO7xSQzF3KUWyZaC5Zqq0LwOSpkLJ5Xn_zlwYQOsgqjETzfbYmAtCrpCv_m0hNxU9b8h/s320/IMG_1363.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343921854056242258" /></a><br />YAY, finally found series 2. Now I know blasters aren't as economical as retail packs, but there were five packs left and every one of them had been opened and searched. So this time, I'll settle for less cards just to know they haven't been searched.<br /><br />I wonder what the patch will be. With my luck it'll be fuckin' Alex Rodriguez or Manny. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Christy Mathewson, Lou Gherig, Jackie Robinson or Tony Gwynn. If it has to be one of the current players, maybe it'll be Chipper.<br /><br />Let's see what we've got:<br /><br /><u>Pack 1</u><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zbW02kuhnspg-d8g7LtptJeY96sdTuAA4Pel4opaN_W1uMj7IEzlNvNXuTNL8r0UrVFgxqvr_GDGfJpq_JKsBe1TOyNSqa9TedbsOj5SUYlTfq6zNrScR1LadvJKFeaUtL3rpIuMmefc/s1600-h/352Blanco.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zbW02kuhnspg-d8g7LtptJeY96sdTuAA4Pel4opaN_W1uMj7IEzlNvNXuTNL8r0UrVFgxqvr_GDGfJpq_JKsBe1TOyNSqa9TedbsOj5SUYlTfq6zNrScR1LadvJKFeaUtL3rpIuMmefc/s320/352Blanco.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343921993026391698" /></a><br />352 Gregor Blanco - YAY Brave.<br /><br />443 Gavin Floyd<br />471 Kerry Wood<br />BCS15 Chris Denorfia<br />TTT30 Ryan Braun<br />551 Tim Redding<br />509 Lou Montanez<br />603 Jose Reyes<br /><br /><u>Pack 2</u><br />480 Prince Fielder<br />562 Cecil Cooper<br />628 Desert Power (Justin Upton, Chris Young)<br />351 Chris Snyder<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLdklooiIJPMw_yN6W9oruvcktVUCQPOKU0gNt_7wsHblPFY-ojQDvPEA8sUigRBTo6WfRTKi1H7jVI-Au0dsNf91_aP7AQbzGE_hWUm1HaAGHEv8wH4B9c3lkibOWJsUfVPM-Juh_O7B/s1600-h/582Escobar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLdklooiIJPMw_yN6W9oruvcktVUCQPOKU0gNt_7wsHblPFY-ojQDvPEA8sUigRBTo6WfRTKi1H7jVI-Au0dsNf91_aP7AQbzGE_hWUm1HaAGHEv8wH4B9c3lkibOWJsUfVPM-Juh_O7B/s320/582Escobar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343926230855752386" /></a><br />582 Yunel Escobar - Gold Parallel 491/2009, I like the card, but the photograph is a bit blurry. And I would have chosen one where, I assume, Kelly Johnson isn't stepping on Yunel's foot.<br /><br />TTT47 Carlos Beltran<br />625 Jim Thome<br />595 Vernon Wells<br /><br /><u>Pack 3</u><br />579 Adam Kennedy<br />618 Brandon Backe<br />410 Lou Piniella<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPAWFztt2buKPbKDrsmCxjtk2yu_yEKjuzb2oFt1cgUoIcasGq57B8n8b1R3hpyo-luxVXgIfKRsjcZsHOIVG1KAgQ2lj5NDAmFOsQn2qxL9aPDAmUWqtIoojP8izvnyrNC-Sae_z6lG3/s1600-h/LG-BRRobinson.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPAWFztt2buKPbKDrsmCxjtk2yu_yEKjuzb2oFt1cgUoIcasGq57B8n8b1R3hpyo-luxVXgIfKRsjcZsHOIVG1KAgQ2lj5NDAmFOsQn2qxL9aPDAmUWqtIoojP8izvnyrNC-Sae_z6lG3/s320/LG-BRRobinson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343945910975547842" /></a><br />LG-BR Brooks Robinson - We've all seen these, and I've posted a few of them, but I think these are beautiful cards.<br /><br />TTT39 Carlos Zambrano<br />383 Everth Cabrea<br />557 Jayson Werth<br />513 Bronson Arroyo<br /><br /><u>Pack 4</u><br />517 Kevin Frandsen<br />417 Jason Marquis<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIqx7nBjnMVGhvBicI3u0wgivIbnx8A3T8Bn7BNo0oNENgTIfDHVksjKaliuuqlpXcUjxKjVSbcfhfJ_Pi7Ua7QxYb5RnSBguws4DvSzkkDlWQdcmvIo7zsw4e-c-ZIh7V7t_poHdF2cC/s1600-h/491Hernandez.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIqx7nBjnMVGhvBicI3u0wgivIbnx8A3T8Bn7BNo0oNENgTIfDHVksjKaliuuqlpXcUjxKjVSbcfhfJ_Pi7Ua7QxYb5RnSBguws4DvSzkkDlWQdcmvIo7zsw4e-c-ZIh7V7t_poHdF2cC/s320/491Hernandez.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343946456164279122" /></a><br />431 Ramon Hernandez - Here's one that I think everyone who's written about Series 2 has posted, so I wanna get in on the action too! I think it's been a while since we've seen a truly iconic baseball card, but I think this will be on that endures the test of time. In twenty years when you think of 2009 Topps, this will probably be the card you think of first.<br /><br />TTT31 Vladimir Guerrero<br />419 Braden Looper<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqYbEFWjBpmkEHiXovpSQmG7Z32pveXsg3ZJF0RwE4MpbmoQNyGodfokRVMzI7my0pVP7MUZstR2HxNL370KSoAJOeIlI4vAYfvtFyJzsY9z0pOGfArcY6pZDCGNmHRhyiURGiOnVvX0j/s1600-h/478Molina.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqYbEFWjBpmkEHiXovpSQmG7Z32pveXsg3ZJF0RwE4MpbmoQNyGodfokRVMzI7my0pVP7MUZstR2HxNL370KSoAJOeIlI4vAYfvtFyJzsY9z0pOGfArcY6pZDCGNmHRhyiURGiOnVvX0j/s320/478Molina.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343947252284448738" /></a><br />479 Jose Molina - It's a Yankee and it's a bit over exposed, but I still like it.<br /><br />444 Jody Gerut<br />344 J.R. Towels<br /><br /><u>Pack 5</u><br />464 Bobby Crosby<br />426 Pablo Sandoval<br />386 Jonathan Papelbon<br />430 Francisco Rodriguez<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCGjAcucd4ByDUYOvF-qZK2SviMVIL6PwDBwojk8koIPr5zFup4QKWiQK9C86lCZGhAXtGEye0DMwJ6jJYBeQn3gJgX0d4Kg_A9uOna-iF08t6eEXKYTNyECNRa8fOSoF-0cHl_oJgCvB/s1600-h/TR91Kemp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCGjAcucd4ByDUYOvF-qZK2SviMVIL6PwDBwojk8koIPr5zFup4QKWiQK9C86lCZGhAXtGEye0DMwJ6jJYBeQn3gJgX0d4Kg_A9uOna-iF08t6eEXKYTNyECNRa8fOSoF-0cHl_oJgCvB/s320/TR91Kemp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344002345598893730" /></a><br />TR91 Matt Kemp - I wish Turkey Red had been a standalone set, or half the size and inserted more regularly. I only pulled three from series 1. I'd like to put together a complete set because they're really nice cards, but there's just too many of them.<br /><br />TTT36 Ian Kinsler<br />596 Radhames Liz<br />541 Jason Bay<br /><br /><u>Pack 6</u><br />340 Joe Mauer<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbk3aXe5rTr2CMiMoxDBa20Pqn3jj1M6Mos54YdjDbN6y8vwFtXCadTXgcUAuzstFwbDH3IKV4j2y3qYtO9ywpoKWX7aHcjuF1X4Dz3zRUsVHjKLNetzqw0oCtmjg4S7Kzn3wFYXFaTnN/s1600-h/354Aviles.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbk3aXe5rTr2CMiMoxDBa20Pqn3jj1M6Mos54YdjDbN6y8vwFtXCadTXgcUAuzstFwbDH3IKV4j2y3qYtO9ywpoKWX7aHcjuF1X4Dz3zRUsVHjKLNetzqw0oCtmjg4S7Kzn3wFYXFaTnN/s320/354Aviles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344003410332678482" /></a><br />354 Mike Aviles - Oops. Everyone's shown this one too, but I just want to say one thing. I have <b>absolutey no</b> training in PhotoShop, but even I know how to avoid this little problem. I wonder if it'll be corrected in future printings and if it'll become a treasured error card... probably not. Hell, Topps probably meant to do it.<br /><br />338 Daniel Cabrera<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrEIqsQbOF35yDbqU9urLRYFSZX29Qom032-qGM1Usw6l13uwi0FStqXZ6_mHvE0SWLqWVOF84CjSBsl8Xwr3JKOL2Ux9K5V7dy8PnK0FAxADymEptY95lrfcXJcrZ9kEsXU-uRYPbsjc/s1600-h/LGCBLGherig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrEIqsQbOF35yDbqU9urLRYFSZX29Qom032-qGM1Usw6l13uwi0FStqXZ6_mHvE0SWLqWVOF84CjSBsl8Xwr3JKOL2Ux9K5V7dy8PnK0FAxADymEptY95lrfcXJcrZ9kEsXU-uRYPbsjc/s320/LGCBLGherig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344004194524974930" /></a><br />LGCB-LG Lou Gherig - This card is just beautiful. It's not overly shiny or refractory, it's just simple and perfect and beautiful. And any Lou Gherig card is a good one.<br />TTT42 Kevin Youkilis<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkVDXewYIFH8_2B8FpKIA-ojlxA8uFpbZH3WTZAbq9KZoJ54IY4XVaPguhqxIIj8laZjLDa86mEaw7hNXYm0E9ez0OLoqIdY5sC9ENBVuHzcxG5zQcUipCRNu3Zc9xDp-0lT6B-zissoi/s1600-h/468Lowe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkVDXewYIFH8_2B8FpKIA-ojlxA8uFpbZH3WTZAbq9KZoJ54IY4XVaPguhqxIIj8laZjLDa86mEaw7hNXYm0E9ez0OLoqIdY5sC9ENBVuHzcxG5zQcUipCRNu3Zc9xDp-0lT6B-zissoi/s320/468Lowe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344004895070559458" /></a><br />468 Derek Lowe<br />457 John Maine<br />405 Todd Helton<br /><br /><u>Pack 7</u><br />472 Bill Hall<br />518 Chris Perez<br />542 Chris Ray<br />TTT26 Joe Mauer<br />633 David Patton<br />597 Randy Wolk<br />343 Ian Snell<br />380 Aramis Ramirez<br /><br /><u>Pack 8</u><br />569 Ted Lilly<br />617 Shaun Marcum<br />657 Aaron Heilman<br />414 Cha Seung Baek<br />TTT45 Alex Rios<br />536 Khalil Greene<br />428 Jamie Moyer<br />547 Jack Cust<br /><br /><u>Pack 9</u><br />655 Bengie Molina<br />512 Steve Pearce<br />458 Jeremy Bonderman<br />649 LUke Hochevar - Gold Parallel 463/2009<br />TTT42 Kevin Youkilis - gold<br />403 Trevor Cahill<br />602 Carlos Gomez<br />620 Ryan Zimmerman<br /><br /><u>Pack 10</u><br />435 Carlos Lee<br />466 Wilson Betemit<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52TEOmeWu2EwzDjijrVnczqqwgTU4_no15LWRVjKL_9bKj0_Way9c2VXHaiY7ndlFlRsdY4O8HRIBQiovryRvcUBJqUzow3owwt9ZW-sie7OAdFSveJHIutYfYTYhk2l1lLZ4G-YDgLo0/s1600-h/LGFThomas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52TEOmeWu2EwzDjijrVnczqqwgTU4_no15LWRVjKL_9bKj0_Way9c2VXHaiY7ndlFlRsdY4O8HRIBQiovryRvcUBJqUzow3owwt9ZW-sie7OAdFSveJHIutYfYTYhk2l1lLZ4G-YDgLo0/s320/LGFThomas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344005492318028002" /></a><br />LG-FT Frank Thomas - The Big Hurt. The Big Hall of Famer? I think so.<br /><br />TTT35 Prince Fielder<br />637 Donald Veal<br />346 Mike Cameron<br />654 Brian Schneider<br />608 Christian Guzman<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGW-heNoUQx31YbO624KzwxwcTIsC9arSEnXQaVcR9k_lDYBvXXqcAGQ57954RmprHdJ8WjLbfm9xItMeotXxYBQGNAnyGDkZNdW8yKZkPhewcvE5x3swS3uoBj7UDUmG4DRhkyHKcKPq/s1600-h/IMG_1362.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGW-heNoUQx31YbO624KzwxwcTIsC9arSEnXQaVcR9k_lDYBvXXqcAGQ57954RmprHdJ8WjLbfm9xItMeotXxYBQGNAnyGDkZNdW8yKZkPhewcvE5x3swS3uoBj7UDUmG4DRhkyHKcKPq/s320/IMG_1362.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344005792868068290" /></a><br />Patch time. I <i>almost</i> thought video-ing this. But I don't want to hear everyone hear my say "fuck" a whole lot when A-Rod or Manny comes out of this package. So let's have a look...<br /><br />Hey not bad. I know it's manufactured and not worth a damn, but it's very nice, and it's not a cheater!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskSVW1O-j_zDo7C92njQPAiHFqoWF3txgdQHc-BBx9QiaiV5MrzAELZuanQHboT0jBlY0azAEQPE3eA-bQAoyxGiNwf2lMU1W141Hh7GD8kTq1LoHLpNabYDe9BXH3LjUrG-VJJZndhx1/s1600-h/FoxxPatch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskSVW1O-j_zDo7C92njQPAiHFqoWF3txgdQHc-BBx9QiaiV5MrzAELZuanQHboT0jBlY0azAEQPE3eA-bQAoyxGiNwf2lMU1W141Hh7GD8kTq1LoHLpNabYDe9BXH3LjUrG-VJJZndhx1/s320/FoxxPatch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344006845536644146" /></a><br /><br />Now I've gotta go put these cards in order and see if I got any doubles. If I did, I'll throw them up on my '09 Topps doubles list for anyone who's interested.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-67857496448876729822009-05-29T12:11:00.001-04:002009-05-29T12:12:36.813-04:00Orel Hershiser TTM Success!!!!!!!!Went to the mailbox this morning: satellite bill, insurance bill, junk mail, envelope with my handwriting, Barnes & Noble coupon... wait a minute. Envelope with my handwriting?<br /><br />I looked at the post mark... Las Vegas. Wait, wait, don't get too excited, sometime they don't sign and just send the cards back.<br /><br />Still, I was like a little kid being told not to open that christmas present that he knows is the Super Death Ray Blaster 7000 and is going to wet himself if he can't tear into it within in the next eight seconds.<br /><br />So I stood in the driveway, ripped the envelope open and these fell out...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHGlfEwJIHdEBlTHs92ibIxvTB6EGQsACOXFVytm_iLRhnUpOMG1W7JSVtSgt8DveBaCsY-TLOfiqNtfoCH1ef3sW8tXGKGwaT0wITqg4rfhtMoomgbDBuYGy6dudV15XQKBzz2p0Kogw/s1600-h/HershiserAuto.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHGlfEwJIHdEBlTHs92ibIxvTB6EGQsACOXFVytm_iLRhnUpOMG1W7JSVtSgt8DveBaCsY-TLOfiqNtfoCH1ef3sW8tXGKGwaT0wITqg4rfhtMoomgbDBuYGy6dudV15XQKBzz2p0Kogw/s320/HershiserAuto.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341278452072602322" /></a><br />What better cards to send than from his amazing, Cy Young year of 1988?<br /><br />Aside from Steve Avery, this is the one that I was really hoping to get back. Hershiser is a big reason that I became a baseball fan, and a fan of pitching.<br /><br />After just over a month (I sent them out April 25), the cards are back home with the autograph of my childhood baseball hero.<br /><br />Thank you very much, Mr. Hershiser.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-7614001412466632822009-05-28T19:49:00.000-04:002009-05-28T19:49:42.909-04:00Mailday 5/28 Part 2Here's a sampling of the second part of the package I got today from Dayf.<br /><br />Let's start with the greatest uniform in the history of baseball:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4t09Inod3X-1UrU3iqkaR2iXn1DGrUWSKwbjTimA9Ui1GKjJ5CFBcqD2Levv8gGWDeM0sPAWw0-mAOxkd_GXPvLt3IiynKb-Yhg-EJYu-o4uSbFS5gl6SqVzkieHViAcrSOVsws1YdJF/s1600-h/042White.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4t09Inod3X-1UrU3iqkaR2iXn1DGrUWSKwbjTimA9Ui1GKjJ5CFBcqD2Levv8gGWDeM0sPAWw0-mAOxkd_GXPvLt3IiynKb-Yhg-EJYu-o4uSbFS5gl6SqVzkieHViAcrSOVsws1YdJF/s320/042White.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341016696530530514" /></a><br />In 1978, White was involved in an interested deal. The Expos sent a player to be named later to the Cubs for a player to be named later and Woodie Fryman. The deal was originally made on June 9 with White being sent on June 23. In December of the same year, White was traded back to the Expos for Sam Mejias.<br /><br />The deal worked out best for Montreal in the end, as White played well enough as a part time player for the Expos until 1983, and Woodie Fryman pitched well out of the pen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvQaY1Oa40BvbLNHd1JszN5olQTu8Znurq4XsxphKx_w2HNciVoHuj108wd0tNYbV66SVNRwJEI9PPdqp_WqM6lISx29nxe0qOy7BJae4GVpAKrKnFoBkIbF7AnfIAX876QzXDRsocqoS/s1600-h/573Garner.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvQaY1Oa40BvbLNHd1JszN5olQTu8Znurq4XsxphKx_w2HNciVoHuj108wd0tNYbV66SVNRwJEI9PPdqp_WqM6lISx29nxe0qOy7BJae4GVpAKrKnFoBkIbF7AnfIAX876QzXDRsocqoS/s320/573Garner.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341020674856335970" /></a><br />Here's a nice shot of Phil Garner.<br /><br />This is going to sound strange, but when I think of Phil Garner I think of the Dodgers. I know very well that he only played half a season in LA, but I still think Dodgers when I hear his name. I'll have to look, but I can only assume that he's in a Dodger uniform on most 1988 baseball cards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1MHUbtBS06nFaUXr14GOHGwWZVQpdf4F3to4Mz2HpduLhbRCJWeQXjhX5dFmjtnD-X65CIPAyHxpjTkYofNy6xVscLAPgkC9iLH1qHdTUHpkuOfCr8OJKR558aTrA-igY14to4LY6ihn/s1600-h/225Jones.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1MHUbtBS06nFaUXr14GOHGwWZVQpdf4F3to4Mz2HpduLhbRCJWeQXjhX5dFmjtnD-X65CIPAyHxpjTkYofNy6xVscLAPgkC9iLH1qHdTUHpkuOfCr8OJKR558aTrA-igY14to4LY6ihn/s320/225Jones.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341022343388824962" /></a><br />It's a Yankee, but it's a nice looking card. Mr. Jones was a two time All Star.<br /><br />And finally... Who's idea was it for the White Sox to wear this?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcr3wbL43JHriBCpnIrUXyBeuaXS7o9p_jQeoJgtH9m-syy2CpY9NGG_zwL2ySySsyDBjm91zLi2KRWlqknyjrcXdJ3NhXJQuqoGPpHiW7Gkv3__Joovwt-YZn8HUzorVW8UOs3yUOu2D/s1600-h/242Lemon.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcr3wbL43JHriBCpnIrUXyBeuaXS7o9p_jQeoJgtH9m-syy2CpY9NGG_zwL2ySySsyDBjm91zLi2KRWlqknyjrcXdJ3NhXJQuqoGPpHiW7Gkv3__Joovwt-YZn8HUzorVW8UOs3yUOu2D/s320/242Lemon.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341024255446084562" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPb1YmJ2fBkVzWW2Cm0dEO86Lo7bOsBx7Wl4tysl9hDADqjWNNIXgPVL8qcVWzLonNKl1DHGWramfo1JnYgp_8tKAQQPvHOzbHSieaJ0JWcqQ0S1W4FmnIBzzMcG2-aojoz0GcCcGQFicZ/s1600-h/323Morrison.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPb1YmJ2fBkVzWW2Cm0dEO86Lo7bOsBx7Wl4tysl9hDADqjWNNIXgPVL8qcVWzLonNKl1DHGWramfo1JnYgp_8tKAQQPvHOzbHSieaJ0JWcqQ0S1W4FmnIBzzMcG2-aojoz0GcCcGQFicZ/s320/323Morrison.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341024981958675730" /></a><br />I'm trying to figure out what it says under the bill of his cap. It doesn't look like a uniform number... he wore number 12 in 1980.<br /><br />Well, there you have it. I'm now 181 cards into the set, right at 25%.<br /><br />Thanks again Dayf.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-33107331462009807672009-05-28T14:37:00.000-04:002009-05-28T14:37:45.374-04:00Mailday 5/28 - Trade with Cardboard Junkie: Part 1A package came in today from Dayf at the venerable <a href="http://cardjunk.blogspot.com/">Cardboard Junkie</a>. Once again, the generosity of this community astounds me. I'm sending Dayf three 2000 Topps series 1 that he needs, and in return he sent 21 1981 Topps and 3 1989 Bowmans that I need.<br /><br />We're gonna look at the Bowman first, and when I get a chance to look through the 81s I'll put up some of those.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxSrg2MY7HGCtk9jwohFngOVeQyB_-GgwlUkvFkhzQvkXQ5hqfo7qyXggsxj0W4uRp275bZtgDgILCCCsi2Pt88UPwalqcoxxYuVkyaZNz-r8yOu_N8xR73I-XebscVr1-KdXerMdjKqV/s1600-h/026Clemens.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxSrg2MY7HGCtk9jwohFngOVeQyB_-GgwlUkvFkhzQvkXQ5hqfo7qyXggsxj0W4uRp275bZtgDgILCCCsi2Pt88UPwalqcoxxYuVkyaZNz-r8yOu_N8xR73I-XebscVr1-KdXerMdjKqV/s320/026Clemens.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340936142000707266" /></a><br />Here's a relatively young Roger Clemens in a spring training shot. In 1989, Clemens was coming off a 18-11 season where he threw 14 complete games with eight shutouts. He also struck out 291, and finished sixth in Cy Young voting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VMycGyMisORn3SbgdC2YHZ_Bg5c1Y8Ew-NnlIYxjEENYywxBKKBcWQlZTNk9j2pJrRHc1_z_Qa5opt2dBmvnhqL3H7ln7QtlNc5xd6iS8cC1q03pAi_F0gq5_PbpMwFPd6qR2gU6eURj/s1600-h/402Schmidt.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VMycGyMisORn3SbgdC2YHZ_Bg5c1Y8Ew-NnlIYxjEENYywxBKKBcWQlZTNk9j2pJrRHc1_z_Qa5opt2dBmvnhqL3H7ln7QtlNc5xd6iS8cC1q03pAi_F0gq5_PbpMwFPd6qR2gU6eURj/s320/402Schmidt.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340941285718633650" /></a><br />Looks like Schmidt has connected for something down the left field line. I wonder if this is a spring training shot becuase of the alternate jersey.<br /><br />I am very much on the fence about all the alternate jerseys in baseball these days. What ever happened to just good old fashioned white at home and grey on the road? Some of the alternates look ok, and admittedly I do like the Braves' Sunday red uniforms, but that's about it. These days it almost seems like the regular white jersey is the alternate.<br /><br />And then there's that camouflage thing at the Padres wore last year. I turned on the TV, flipped to a baseball game and said outloud to no one "what the fuck..."<br /><br />Alternate hats get me too...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVui9LyWyV5jg-IJefKIQ95nq8HH06bLV3_YYrZ0OnP2BQbvOPCqashpU_E-hyJWwMNAnJZBcQum0LtzZ8dh_4GGrkKJJE_zIoDgbGn0yWIZ01iNUdGs5WAWM84xoogMXvw28dqz0l9z9i/s1600-h/IMG_1342.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVui9LyWyV5jg-IJefKIQ95nq8HH06bLV3_YYrZ0OnP2BQbvOPCqashpU_E-hyJWwMNAnJZBcQum0LtzZ8dh_4GGrkKJJE_zIoDgbGn0yWIZ01iNUdGs5WAWM84xoogMXvw28dqz0l9z9i/s320/IMG_1342.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340943632673443634" /></a><br />When I think about the Atlanta Braves, a team I've followed for 20 years now, the hat on the left comes to mind. I've had that hat for probably 15 years, it doesn't even fit anymore, but I keep it around for the memories. Now, I admit the black one is pretty spiffy (it was a freebie at Turner Field about ten years ago) but it's not a game hat. Seems like the Braves rarely wear that navy blue and red cap these days.<br /><br />Aye, but this is a tangent for another post on another day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uAszYNIcTVlOWTaAg0zivVPDwZ9dMVY11acAoTD_6r7bA0dGjPbU7T8_wtfxiot9O-NmXGXseS84MIw9UYJyEVvkc_4Wvoz9b6o80lH2gPgUZvizMa_FyS6OACFAesQkAGcuTQqX79a5/s1600-h/260Ripken.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uAszYNIcTVlOWTaAg0zivVPDwZ9dMVY11acAoTD_6r7bA0dGjPbU7T8_wtfxiot9O-NmXGXseS84MIw9UYJyEVvkc_4Wvoz9b6o80lH2gPgUZvizMa_FyS6OACFAesQkAGcuTQqX79a5/s320/260Ripken.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340945276643252978" /></a><br />And finally we have this. This is the final father/son card that I needed and it prooves one thing to me. Topps knew how to take good pictures of the Orioles, they just <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCz6qAHu5dPLM18VivfuZtucQ03TW42u9SgKfSMzNRxDdoJYptvQPdK30QSkBnC-V0OPC7-Z5ymnhmmh1peDBzIOQUjqNPkPiUQ69btkf-gyeSRZPAtAZxlsn16r1q4WQlcYftmHTJlTRz/s1600-h/IMG_1282.JPG">chose not to</a>.<br /><br />There you have part one. I want to thank Dayf for his help with this set. Just 60 more to go. And be sure to come back later to see some wonderful old 1981 Topps.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-47841510073418336672009-05-25T16:49:00.001-04:002009-05-25T16:51:51.997-04:00He-Man and the Masters of the Universe... cards?It's been a while since I've posted anything here, and I thought about slapping these up on APTBNL, but this place needs some love too. So let's take a trip down memory lane...<br /><br />I bought this a few years ago purely out of nostalgia and never watched anything more than the behind the scenes documentary included as a special feature.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNvPVB75CDtz5JyrRrIMPMUoOW-L4cf2wTS1hiem294a4mQ4bVpQaq6Ij0QFEZdoRY3f0yIWzwpaa40lhJH2krLVaV41Lbv_7dvLEQWCePwxdNcSTvPwOugv1vMIWyZrg1HFkGXsm5Iwm/s1600-h/IMG_1333.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNvPVB75CDtz5JyrRrIMPMUoOW-L4cf2wTS1hiem294a4mQ4bVpQaq6Ij0QFEZdoRY3f0yIWzwpaa40lhJH2krLVaV41Lbv_7dvLEQWCePwxdNcSTvPwOugv1vMIWyZrg1HFkGXsm5Iwm/s320/IMG_1333.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339861201454058002" /></a><br />But a few days ago I was thinking about it, got it off the shelf and started from the beginning to watch it all, and look what I found hiding in the box:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5F4lx9t8Jt8oTITZEIdI7hMfvmIHB-NR2gO6ZcauFAhIAYrTW1Rng3x9Mc1n-VZHW8eK_Q5ctvR__jOxQaWqLDxS0oJX1kraCpU-2snvt1LuyypcJp2vHwuo2M_t8lob0deGICmVuqwF/s1600-h/He-Man03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5F4lx9t8Jt8oTITZEIdI7hMfvmIHB-NR2gO6ZcauFAhIAYrTW1Rng3x9Mc1n-VZHW8eK_Q5ctvR__jOxQaWqLDxS0oJX1kraCpU-2snvt1LuyypcJp2vHwuo2M_t8lob0deGICmVuqwF/s320/He-Man03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339866496490684690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswtibKe2VPjpKGWokDKS4WH1phILb8rxm-3Kx3gYstlLqNeqF2EO_WF4-bMxM2l_9bgSW22VchMW4CNh9jOA8mBlL7ExgklO_eAIU5zDT2jQaX5o2xWyKgChdB5M0j-oEQ6RydWprBmP9/s1600-h/He-Man04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswtibKe2VPjpKGWokDKS4WH1phILb8rxm-3Kx3gYstlLqNeqF2EO_WF4-bMxM2l_9bgSW22VchMW4CNh9jOA8mBlL7ExgklO_eAIU5zDT2jQaX5o2xWyKgChdB5M0j-oEQ6RydWprBmP9/s320/He-Man04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339864707387330482" /></a><br />The cards, if you want to call them that, are about post card sized and seem to be from a 16 card set.<br /><br />These are recent interpretations of the characters, but I have to say the Skeletor/Evil-Lynn card is pretty badass looking.<br /><br />Looks like I may have to get my hands on the other three volumes.<br /><br />And there you have my first foray into non-sports cards.<br /><br />I HAVE THE POWER!Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-17819500101526794622009-05-13T16:55:00.000-04:002009-05-13T16:58:59.853-04:0050,000No, not dollars, cards or hits to the site. But miles.<br /><br />Tomorrow morning around 4:30am I'm hitting the road to Atlanta to take a friend to the airport for a 7:45am flight. No big deal, but I looked down this morning and saw this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1GUnOcTp44qVLjPdYHgeCS-XWPFl9vhSwHCJaAPrSKgL9bqNrUMT5B8wTJpMFl_j_yRzeDHmSM4EMm2Vt8GublgE-BYevNSx3Bf1CaCJf67usjUlumeYVe-tExgnCIe5YDNiVn3DGVdI/s1600-h/IMG_1286.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1GUnOcTp44qVLjPdYHgeCS-XWPFl9vhSwHCJaAPrSKgL9bqNrUMT5B8wTJpMFl_j_yRzeDHmSM4EMm2Vt8GublgE-BYevNSx3Bf1CaCJf67usjUlumeYVe-tExgnCIe5YDNiVn3DGVdI/s320/IMG_1286.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335395255699503666" /></a><br />My beloved 2006 Subaru Impreza is about to 50,000 miles. I don't know if I should be a proud papa, or upset about it. Imprezas have been known to run for more than 200,000 miles, so I'm not concerned at all... but it's a bit of a milestone.<br /><br />Several years ago I was driving along and just happened to look down and my '97 Ford Thunderbird was just rolling to 100,001 and I was upset that I missed that milestone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4AgvIrmk69Qx1me9Q6keJSmQWzwJNQSNRo6qZLXevK0Lfr2xLWOZDk8d6cWHQl3qI0Wtkk46CKxPOrCuLR2OMK_F9BV7iTOWtmjb9qxJ29hoUKodn7Lxfx7_1-L-iszwwcUmfBR-D0fG/s1600-h/IMG_1287.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4AgvIrmk69Qx1me9Q6keJSmQWzwJNQSNRo6qZLXevK0Lfr2xLWOZDk8d6cWHQl3qI0Wtkk46CKxPOrCuLR2OMK_F9BV7iTOWtmjb9qxJ29hoUKodn7Lxfx7_1-L-iszwwcUmfBR-D0fG/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335411771655572146" /></a><br />I'm hoping I can make this trip on one tank of gas.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I won't be in Atlanta long enough to do anything tomorrow, and the Braves aren't playing, so there's no point in hanging around.<br /><br />EDIT: That's strange. My Hella Supertones didn't show up at all in that picture.... I looked back at it and thought "something's missing." I immediately ran out to the car to make sure someone hadn't managed to steal them...<br /><br />Here's a really bad, old picture of what the front of my car <i>really</i> looks like...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-iLAySP0fbdmN9uLFpzAJ2Lf6uGFrksnUTo7mDfC7gOX5Yvo82qWDahV-bC2tOW97RHaIR9coznNKfilSBa7dl5BlectrmCFfT1nHC_epJSQzDRz8K-z-uVau9cbHqDh560YCpMb_zl2/s1600-h/IMG_0549.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-iLAySP0fbdmN9uLFpzAJ2Lf6uGFrksnUTo7mDfC7gOX5Yvo82qWDahV-bC2tOW97RHaIR9coznNKfilSBa7dl5BlectrmCFfT1nHC_epJSQzDRz8K-z-uVau9cbHqDh560YCpMb_zl2/s320/IMG_0549.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335415663850281058" /></a>Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-46920142688252641432009-05-11T20:00:00.003-04:002009-05-12T22:41:20.045-04:00Mail Day: 5/11/09 Pack 2Part two comes by way of Rob <del>from</del> who now reads <a href="http://ihearthalos.blogspot.com/">I Heart Halos</a> (d'oh... lack of sleep is really screwing with me). I sent him some 1991 Topps and he sent 42 of the remaining 1989 Bowman cards I needed.<br /><br />First, since I'm only missing a few Orioles, I think it's safe to say that <span style="font-weight:bold;">THEY ALL LOOK EXACTLY THE FREAKIN' SAME!!!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCz6qAHu5dPLM18VivfuZtucQ03TW42u9SgKfSMzNRxDdoJYptvQPdK30QSkBnC-V0OPC7-Z5ymnhmmh1peDBzIOQUjqNPkPiUQ69btkf-gyeSRZPAtAZxlsn16r1q4WQlcYftmHTJlTRz/s1600-h/IMG_1282.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCz6qAHu5dPLM18VivfuZtucQ03TW42u9SgKfSMzNRxDdoJYptvQPdK30QSkBnC-V0OPC7-Z5ymnhmmh1peDBzIOQUjqNPkPiUQ69btkf-gyeSRZPAtAZxlsn16r1q4WQlcYftmHTJlTRz/s320/IMG_1282.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334677567302540786" /></a><br />I love this set. I really do, so don't take this the wrong way. While the photography is good, certainly better <i>quality</i> than base Topps, it's still bland and uninspired for the most part. I realize that they were probably trying to model the set on old Bowman, but the style of photography, to me at least, seems more akin to 1960s and early 70s baseball card photography.<br /><br />And for anyone who's curious, the sticker under the monitor in the background is from a Raleigh, NC based doom metal band called Soulpreacher. They're along the lines of old My Dying Bride with maybe a bit of Anathema mixed in with some prog elements. Good stuff.<br /><br />Anyhoo.<br /><br />I wonder what El Presidente is laughing at. I really like this card, and as we all know, I'm a sucker for the old school Expos uniform.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmtyLoU8cYUTyzBTPSwtb_AjbLTDEsdtK4-lNl-Qf7DHAn57Luu78YZGOMsZiWIEeSeQr10fmtyzl1pY1BxTTyrOPM9dVP_m44z53Sce9613Gmh3or5XYY4wCJJuA4ahlvEEo_JcfsJxg/s1600-h/359Martinez.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmtyLoU8cYUTyzBTPSwtb_AjbLTDEsdtK4-lNl-Qf7DHAn57Luu78YZGOMsZiWIEeSeQr10fmtyzl1pY1BxTTyrOPM9dVP_m44z53Sce9613Gmh3or5XYY4wCJJuA4ahlvEEo_JcfsJxg/s320/359Martinez.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334687374785231730" /></a><br />He had a pretty good career, bordering on great. Not Hall of Fame material, but certainly a career to be proud of.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGE6qXjzJO5M0Kfd-BzHD14QF-WxmvUKLSZ-r6Gd9AtWjA2H-qKbrJ3xBuFavk5VOCg-flU7IoMaIfijN4czrqGjuQmGNInvdxfIN0QGxC3RxPcfb7PSSiQw0J9VhA1opX5OZLN7rSTF8/s1600-h/436Smith.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGE6qXjzJO5M0Kfd-BzHD14QF-WxmvUKLSZ-r6Gd9AtWjA2H-qKbrJ3xBuFavk5VOCg-flU7IoMaIfijN4czrqGjuQmGNInvdxfIN0QGxC3RxPcfb7PSSiQw0J9VhA1opX5OZLN7rSTF8/s320/436Smith.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334688459263794690" /></a><br />Ozzie Smith looks very uncomfortable.<br /><br />And now, that rookie that I mentioned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeQsH3gQM5ewnP9n-AHSzY_mpZrufcQsdWBAg4v2BXMrczV0ccmRwL8q7Su_abiSezp3RxWWjRL05nAzGDzakQ41NepENGIU2XRuoUC5-gcwvoUzEC0Qb-LLsWHUwv1kJQVzVm8UrdTqo/s1600-h/289Griffin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeQsH3gQM5ewnP9n-AHSzY_mpZrufcQsdWBAg4v2BXMrczV0ccmRwL8q7Su_abiSezp3RxWWjRL05nAzGDzakQ41NepENGIU2XRuoUC5-gcwvoUzEC0Qb-LLsWHUwv1kJQVzVm8UrdTqo/s320/289Griffin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334689425868311618" /></a><br />Ty Griffin was drafted as the 9th over all pick in the June 1988 draft by the Cubs out of Georgia Tech. He split the 1989 season between Single-A Peoria and Double-A Charlotte, and then bounced back and forth between High-A Winston-Salem and Charlotte in 1990 and 1991. He was picked up by the Reds and spent '92 at Double-A Chattanooga.<br /><br />In 1993 and '94, Ty played in the independant Northern League, first for the Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks and then for the Sioux City Explorers.<br /><br />1995 saw him back in affiliated baseball with the Arkansas Travelers (Cardinals) where he played 94 games. He then spent '96 and '97 with the Grand Forks Varmints of the independant Prairie League.<br /><br />In five minor league seasons, he hit .241/39/241. His numbers in four independant seasons were somewhat better: .287 with 43 home runs.<br /><br />So there you have it. With Rob's help I'm now 63 cards away. The updated want list can be found <a href="http://1988score2.blogspot.com/2009/04/1989-bowman.html">here</a><br /><br />Thanks a lot Rob.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-82186495804258135472009-05-11T16:01:00.008-04:002009-05-11T16:47:01.288-04:00Mail Day: 5/11/09 Part 1Seems like it's been a while since I've posted a mail day. I haven't been trading much lately. Not sure why. Oh well. Two packages came in today from trades that went out last week.<br /><br />The first is from reader Dave who I helped complete one set of '87 Topps and get close to a second set. He's also been nice enough to decide to build 1988 Score, so I'm sending him a good sized stack of doubles tomorrow. It's going to work out well for both of us, because now he's a little close to a complete set, and I finally have room for my growing stack of 1981 Topps.<br /><br />Which is what he sent me in return for the '87s. So let's have a look, shall we?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHG8GhyphenhyphenuH98GcQazpjNN8hRq9gIxvm3mVmBi1nNJMFQ8eiIlOX7Fl_Rmxk3ZD9NbyuLuLNQo0YIPjn669QPSKQbJyJBDwX3_-JP0_8X5zoZ6TfMKms_GLJ9NeEye8oVO28a3KpgUy7MAP/s1600-h/229Fingers.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHG8GhyphenhyphenuH98GcQazpjNN8hRq9gIxvm3mVmBi1nNJMFQ8eiIlOX7Fl_Rmxk3ZD9NbyuLuLNQo0YIPjn669QPSKQbJyJBDwX3_-JP0_8X5zoZ6TfMKms_GLJ9NeEye8oVO28a3KpgUy7MAP/s320/229Fingers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334662019179010498" /></a><br />I love this card! That's all I can say about it. It's wonderful! This is my first Rollie Fingers card, and his last in a Padres uniform. For now, until I see more of this set, this is officially my favorite card (although, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QE6AJwVkX9U-KydSm2bJZxqxQykN_9_GfJHJ-9VIfFn49TjCkzISsoFjjG3MM0VY443xaibnD0ylcXUCPcRAafGBIK_4nRkyT84Pl3pG8TChHkYB3lJvvBvRfKTrIio12PKve2gpji2X/s1600-h/135Thomas.jpg">Gorman Thomas</a> is a pretty close second).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjK4Wms7WQoqEHioxrocHikflhSQ46pmxFUAQk3jGuazmW-M3UfZiXBLx7tPk_iLYSr_mRIqGlIRsLZL8JwRcjKK0DP9tYZY83YTAGk5BUHEiowW4BvBTe-Xj9GYWnvJwkweh6r_xXf0x/s1600-h/675Braves.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjK4Wms7WQoqEHioxrocHikflhSQ46pmxFUAQk3jGuazmW-M3UfZiXBLx7tPk_iLYSr_mRIqGlIRsLZL8JwRcjKK0DP9tYZY83YTAGk5BUHEiowW4BvBTe-Xj9GYWnvJwkweh6r_xXf0x/s320/675Braves.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334664283542100226" /></a><br />Here we see the 1980 Atlanta Braves with a much younger Bobby Cox, a 40 year old Bobby Cox in fact.<br /><br />Aside from this, the oldest card of Bobby I have is his 1986 Topps card, his last as the Blue Jays manager. I wonder how hard it would be to put together a player/manager collection of Bobby Cox cards...<br /><br />And finally, this card confuses me just a bit...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsC1RBy7ExjVZwMN2LCIx4qeZfBpjYMM49dO2kSas0ibFLgqHtroC9XtGrEwgmmCjTHi7VfBIsG3s16NdLoa3kILMItVMncDWfH-SBw3nnXvT6MDqQcVRB0QsGyk8ZfRpdVWltgnlCBcQ8/s1600-h/676Cubs.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsC1RBy7ExjVZwMN2LCIx4qeZfBpjYMM49dO2kSas0ibFLgqHtroC9XtGrEwgmmCjTHi7VfBIsG3s16NdLoa3kILMItVMncDWfH-SBw3nnXvT6MDqQcVRB0QsGyk8ZfRpdVWltgnlCBcQ8/s320/676Cubs.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334665484354807266" /></a><br />Is there a reason the Cubs team card isn't a full team photo? Is it just because they couldn't find the time to do one, or is there some historical context? Are there any other team cards in '81 Topps that are like this?<br /><br />The vast majority of my collection is from the dreaded era of over production. There's not a lot I can do about it, I was seven years old in 1988 when I started buying cards. I'm certainly interested in older cards and have plans in the future to work my way back as far as I can, but I have very few cards from before the mid-80s, so these older cards are still very new to me (and I realize 1981 doesn't qualify as old, yet).<br /><br />With these 15 cards from Dave, I'm now up to 22.8% of the set.<br /><br />So I'd like to thank Dave for his help with this '81 Topps project (hopefully I can complete it before the set and I turn 30 years old... I've got two years to do it).<br /><br />Thanks again, Dave!Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-86196777037503013002009-05-07T12:22:00.007-04:002009-05-07T18:58:14.566-04:00Steve Avery TTM attempt: Success!!!!!!!I'm no autograph hound and I've never asked for an autograph in person. So I really didn't know what to expect when I sent out these TTM attempts. When an envelope from me showed up in the mailbox today, I got pretty excited.<br /><br />Honestly, I expected the Marquis Grissom cards to come back first. But when I ripped into the envelope, these fell out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuqHmKRpZEfVIoHwrUPUfjjL7BokZI_CS8Aj1-TQ9tD16bFHmXQIjqOLq5bEkN1YNq6F_0s-hWOgnq3lZsorNoLFc3GUnYux4Tko52cTA55rx5mVQ24UFYk2xqKbGgTHgdjbJa_IBqP_U/s1600-h/autographs.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuqHmKRpZEfVIoHwrUPUfjjL7BokZI_CS8Aj1-TQ9tD16bFHmXQIjqOLq5bEkN1YNq6F_0s-hWOgnq3lZsorNoLFc3GUnYux4Tko52cTA55rx5mVQ24UFYk2xqKbGgTHgdjbJa_IBqP_U/s320/autographs.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333220162018443010" /></a><br /><br />Now there are two autographs in my player collection! I want to thank Mr. Avery for returning these in only 12 days.<br /><br />This was also sitting on my front porch this morning (why don't delivery people knock on the door?).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj2lbYiU0B5f2EFHZuXLz90frRhQ2d9Q5M6YmqsxW_OLsmNJqZ24BHGgZdM0TYlioMMFQZ7ncgt1XBK-tcsECVsjToDXDTnY2prxclU7LoYP5H6FMgmCl4RK4KLyM4eUFdM5Rn_bpLiBf/s1600-h/IMG_1275.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj2lbYiU0B5f2EFHZuXLz90frRhQ2d9Q5M6YmqsxW_OLsmNJqZ24BHGgZdM0TYlioMMFQZ7ncgt1XBK-tcsECVsjToDXDTnY2prxclU7LoYP5H6FMgmCl4RK4KLyM4eUFdM5Rn_bpLiBf/s320/IMG_1275.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333127404096510818" /></a><br /><br />Head on over to <a href="http://1989bowman.blogspot.com/">1988 Fleer</a> for daily pack breaks.<br /><br />Happy day.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5535474485736373926.post-37971488181595601702009-05-02T15:27:00.004-04:002009-05-02T15:33:18.269-04:00A Pack to be Named LaterIf you haven't seen <a href="http://apacktobenamedlater.blogspot.com/">A Pack to be Named Later</a> go check it out. There's not much there yet, but soon there will be. It's an ambitious project started by Matt at <a href="http://heartbreakingcards.blogspot.com/">Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius</a> and I've signed on to post a few packs here and there.<br /><br />When my in coming box of '88 Fleer arrives, A Pack to be Named Later will get exclusive rights to the first pack. I also plan to rip boxes of 88 Topps and 88 Donruss before the end of the summer.<br /><br />So keep an eye out for it, it should be a lot of fun.<br /><br />And now I'm off to have a nice evening out for my birthday.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03728779862706637119noreply@blogger.com0