Baseball Cards

I was looking for a cardboard fix at a Dollar Tree discount store - I picked up a couple of 'Ultimate Super Jumbo Pack - Vintage Series' repacks for a dollar each; I'd busted a couple of packs last year and wanted to see what I could unearth. One pack had 33 cards - most of the cards from the two packs had dinged corners, which shouldn't be surprising because they are repacks banging around in a flimsy bag, in a neglected gravity feed in a dollar store that specializes in about a thousand other things besides trading cards. 1991 Pacific Nolan Ryan #1171989 Bowman Andy McGaffigan #3561985 Topps Dale Berra #3051995 Bowman Joey Hamilton #283 1996 Bowman Ron Villone #1721990 CMC Andy Stankiewicz #2101987 Topps Juan Bonilla #6681989 Bowman David Cone #3751987 Topps Steve Lyons #5111987 Topps Johnny Grubb #3841989 Bowman Gregg Jefferies #3811978 Topps Enos Cabell #1321989 Bowman David Cone #3751987 Topps Jose Oquendo #1331996 Leaf Ramon Martinez #1981993 Pinnacle Select Terry Mulholland #1271989 Bowman Manny Trillo #3081985 Topps Sid Monge #4081989 Fleer Lance Parrish #5781989 Fleer Pedro Guerrero #4511989 Fleer Matt Nokes #1401998 Score Todd Greene #711989 Fleer Andres Galarraga #3761992 Fleer Dave Cochrane #4311995 Bowman Joey Hamilton #2831987 Topps Mark Huismann #1871989 Fleer Jose Canseco #6281989 Bowman Carlton Fisk #621991 Upper Deck Jimmy Key #6671997 Leaf Jose Valentin #601992 Upper Deck Jeff Bagwell #2761993 Bowman Danny Jackson #5141995 Bowman Kirby Puckett #280One pack had 32 cards 1988 Topps Tony Gwynn #4021985 Topps Gardner's Brewers Jim Gantner #7 1992 Topps Jeff Robinson #1371987 Topps San Diego Padres Leaders #811985 Topps Gardner's Brewers Bob Clark #31985 Topps Gardner's Brewers Pete Ladd #101994 Upper Deck Pedro Munoz #302 - Electric Diamond parallel1985 Topps Gardner's Brewers Bob McClure #121977 Topps Bill Greif #1121984 Topps Dave Rucker #6991987 Topps Walt Terrell #721989 Donruss Dave LaValliere #2441985 Topps Gardner's Brewers Bob Clark #31984 Topps George Vukovich #6381994 Upper Deck Mike Kelly #338 - Electric Diamond parallel1985 Topps Gardner's Brewers Jamie Cocanower #41989 Bowman Willie Ansley #3321992 Upper Deck Minors Todd Van Poppel #751992 Upper Deck Minors Chris Seelbach #941991 Topps Tom Brookens #2681985 Topps Gardner's Brewers Bob McClure #121987 Topps Mike Fischlin #4341992 Upper Deck Minors Domingo Jean #3071985 Topps Gardner's Brewers Moose Haas #81987 Topps Tony Fernandez #4851987 Topps Jim Gantner #1081991 Upper Deck Dante Bichette #7121991 Upper Deck Mike Marshall #6811992 Upper Deck Minors Ray McDavid #2561987 Topps Steve Balboni #2402001 Topps Ricky Ledee #6541998 Donruss Jim Edmonds #44

Good evening, folks! My wife and I spent a very nice evening that started with supper at my Mom's place with my Aunt and Uncle from Pittsburgh and then we went to my son's Baccalaureate program. Afterward, I sprung for 1/2-price Sonic shakes all-around. Now, it is time to rip open some wax! Let's start with 1991 O-Pee-Chee Premier. 7 cards per pack. Scott Sanderson - Yankees - Free Agent Lance Dickson - Cubs - Free Agent Gary Carter - Dodgers - Paul Hadsall (Wahoo!!) Ryne Sandberg - Cubs - Pedersej (Wahoo!!)** Pedro Guerrero - Cardinals - Netchuc (Wahoo!!)** Alex Fernandez - White Sox - Free Agent Dwight Evans - Orioles - Free Agent Say what!? Dwight Evans is a free agent!? Holy cow, that is awesome! Congrats to the managers with player pulls! ** The Sandberg and Guerrero cards were sealed together. There is a zig-zag pattern where it looks like the pack sealer missed and bonded the two card together. They have been separated, but there is obvious damage to both. Sorry folks! The second pack tonight is 2007 Upper Deck First Edition. 10 cards per pack. Ruddy Lugo - Rays - Free Agent Joaquin Arias - Rangers - Free Agent Marcus Thames - Tigers - Free Agent Bobby Jenks - White Sox - Free Agent Chad Cordero - Nationals - Von.Spalding (Wahoo!!) Michael Cuddyer - Twins - Free Agent Ken Griffey Jr - Reds - Patrick Smith (Wahoo!!) Bill Hall - Brewers - Thorzul (Wahoo!!) Brad Radke - Twins - Free Agent Nomar Garciaparra Pennant Chasers - Dodgers - Ajpca (Wahoo!!) Oh, man, that Pennant Chaser is a cool card. It has a neat modern look but with a throwback style. I know that seems contradictory, but I can't think of another way to describe it. You'll have to see for yourself. The third pack tonight is 2006 Topps Series 2. 12 cards per pack. Curt Schilling - Red Sox - Brauer (Wahoo!!) Johan Santana - Twins - Pedersej (Wahoo!!) Russ Ortiz - DBacks - Free Agent Michael Cuddyer - Twins - Free Agent Cliff Lee - Indians (Wahoo!) - Dawgbones (Wahoo!!) Scott Podsednik - White Sox - Free Agent David DeJesus - Royals - Josh Denhartog (Wahoo!!) US Constitution Nathaniel Gorham Ian Kinsler - Rangers - JRBeasley (Wahoo!!) Mark Woodyard - Tigers - Free Agent Rob Mackowiak - White Sox - Free Agent Aramis Ramirez/Derrek Lee Cub Corners - Pedersej (Wahoo!!) Well, that worked out for Pedersej that both featured players on the Cubs Corners card are HIS players! Nice score on the Cliff Lee for Dawgbones, and a big congrats to the other managers who added a few more cards to their respective collections!

Doug Robbins thought of the Olympics as something people sit and watch on television, seeing other people win gold medals, he told The Associated Press in June 1988. He never thought he'd have the chance to win one himself, he told The AP."Just to get an opportunity to try out for the team is a real thrill," Robbins told The AP as his Stanford Cardinal team worked in the College World Series before Olympic tryouts. "It would be a great thrill to think you could represent your country."Robbins eventually won a spot on Team USA, helping the team to the gold. He also went on to turn pro, signing with the Orioles. Robbins, though, would never reach the pro baseball equivalent of a gold, making the majors.Robbins' pro career began after the Olympics, his signing put on hold until then. The Orioles selected him in the 10th round of that June's draft, out of Stanford.With Stanford, Robbins also helped get his team the equivalent of the gold, Stanford winning the 1988 College World Series. Stanford made the championship game with Robbins knocking in four runs, sealing the game against Fullerton State with a three-run shot. After Stanford's win over Arizona State to take the title, Robbins, Stanford's catcher, placed credit with his team's pitching, according to The Omaha World-Herald."Our pitchers carried us for the first four games when we weren’t hitting," Robbins told The World-Herald. "They were all on. They pitched their best baseball, and they saved it for the right time."With the Orioles, Robbins first took the field in 1989, playing at single-A Frederick. Over 57 games there, he hit .310, with five home runs and knocking in 30.For 1990, Robins made AA Hagerstown, staying there for two seasons. He hit .242 his first season there and .304 his second.Robbins made AAA Rochester in 1992, hitting .306 over 93 games. But he never saw Baltimore. That May, Robbins was hitting well during a team slump, The Baltimore Sun wrote, so well that his manager put the backup catcher at first base to get him more at bats."I see a lot of frustration," Robbins told The Sun of that team slump, "people putting pressure on themselves. We say someone has to step up and provide the spark that's needed. Everyone wants to be that person."Robbins moved to the Athletics system for 1993, playing the year at AAA Tacoma. After not being recorded as playing in 1994 or 1995, Robbins is last recorded as playing in 1996, for 12 games with independent Rhode Island.Gainesville Sun, Associated Press, June 9, 1988: The Omaha connection to Seoul, Part 2Omaha World Herald, DataOmaha.com, June 12, 1988: 'Skill on the Hill' Keeps Stanford on TopBaltimore Sun, May 31, 1992: Red Wings reeling from power shortage, but can Carey cure it?1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally Players/Coaches Featured:1,144Made the Majors: 666 - 58.2%Never Made Majors: 478-41.8%-X5+ Seasons in the Majors: 28910+ Seasons in the Minors: 173

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Thurman Munson!!! There are very few names in the baseball world that more consistently bring smiles to people’s faces than that of Mr. Thurman Thomas. Personally, I know very little about Munson and his career.  It’s not by choice, but he starred in an era in which I gravitated to learning about other stars.  So, while I cannot say that I don’t value what he brought to the game, I can say that I really don’t know how he got elevated to the level of likability and collectability that he has reached.  To this day, I am still surprised that collectors would value an early 70′s card of Munson over a card of such guys as Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, and Johnny Bench.  But, they do!! I don’t think that I am exaggerating when I say that Thurman Munson is one of the most collected former players of the last 50 years.  His cards maintain a value like few others – and they are almost never cheap. It could be the fact that he played for the winningest franchise in baseball history – the New York Yankees. But, it could be more than that too… It could be that he played catcher – the heart and sole of a team’s defense. But, it could be more than that as well… It also could be that Munson looked like an everyday man – 5′ 11″ tall and weighing 190 pounds, often with messy hair, some sort of facial hair, and a dirty uniform. And it could still be more than that… Munson passed away at the age of 32.  He was a Yankee for 11 seasons and is the owner of 2 World Series championship rings.  Maybe it is the ‘Could Have Been’ aspect of Munson that intrigues the fans and collectors. Either way you slice it, Thurman Munson is beloved – inside and outside of New York City. And the kind of love shown to him makes me immediately think of him and the Hall of Fame.  So, tonight I ask you to cast your vote. When examining Munson’s career, it is obviously incomplete – and while there is a slight dip in performance during his final season, Munson at age 32 was still very productive. Munson connected for 1,558 career hits and has a lifetime batting average of .292.  His power numbers were good for a catcher, but not elite – 229 doubles, 113 HR’s, 701 RBI, and 696 runs scored.  Munson had an impressive on-base percentage of .346 and a career tally of 2,190 total bases.  Munson was a 7-time All-Star, 3-time Gold Glove winner, Rookie Of The Year, and League MVP. But, does that gain you Hall of Fame entry?? Not for me.  While the numbers, for a catcher, are impressive they are not even close to what other notable Yankee catchers accomplished (Berra & Dickey).  I would however, give Munson consideration because he offered up a solid offensive and defensive game – but ultimately, his career numbers fall too short of elite for him to capture my vote.  How about you?  Where do you lie in this debate – Is it a ‘Yea’ or a ‘Nea’???

I did a little budget update today, and I realized that I'm not going to return to my regular pace of sending out packages as early as I'd hoped.Sorry to report that it will be yet another week of shipping nothing. I feel terrible about this. I have stacks ready to send people. I have mailing equipment standing by.I thought it would be the right thing to do to actually sit down and finalize a list of all the folks who need packages from me. So after hurling a few well-placed curses at the bills in the inbox, I confined myself to my room and came up with a tally.Here are the folks who will get packages from me first when I deem myself financially capable of doing so. I haven't forgotten about you:All Trade Bait All The TimeDavid, the Pirates fanThe Dutch Card GuyJake PlumsteadCards On Cards2 By 3 HeroesStarting NineCardboard HeavenJeff, the Angels fanTops Of The ToppsTim WallachDime BoxesThis Way To The ClubhouseScott Crawford on CardsLife and Baseball CardsCardboard CollectionsFunner HereThe Angels, In OrderThe Underdog Card CollectorHot Corner CardsNolan's Dugout (you thought I forgot about your email, didn't you? Nope. Just poor)mr. haverkampI think that's it. Actually, I think I've probably missed a couple. Just let me get some packages out to the above folks and then I'll deal with who's missing.Obviously, when I can get back to sending cards all of the above aren't going to get their packages all at once. I'd be banned from the post office if I showed up with 22 packages. But it feels good to at least be on that list, right?Anyway, I can't just show lists here. I've got to show some cards. Here is a PWE from Pat at Hot Corner Cards.In it was my first 2013 Bowman Dodger, Adrian Gonzalez -- I told you I wasn't buying any cards lately.He also sent me another Bowman Dodger:Yup, it's Gonzalez again. Still following that titanic blast. Let's have more of those, A-Gone.There was another card sitting between the two Gonzalez cards. Kind of hiding. Like it didn't consider itself worthy among all the fresh, new Bowman.But it's plenty worthy:I really need to get back to the post office.

Click here to view the embedded video. Join Beckett Baseball‘s Chris Olds as he interviews Dan, a prize winner from Heroes of Sport‘s debut line who lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. What will he find inside his box busted live for us all to watch? Watch and find out … we’ll just say that it previously sold for more than $23,500 at auction.

I picked up this Phillies lot on eBay for just 18 cents with free shipping. I forgot that the Phillies existed for a while. I received two cards of Jayson Werth and one card of Chase Utley. Plus, I got two bonus cards. I know it's 1989 Topps. But, it's unexpected cardboard which makes my day. Of course, Werth is now with the Nationals. The Werth cards are base cards from 2009 Topps and 2011 Topps. The Utley card is from 2009 SP Authentic. Utley is having an OK season after injuries last year. Werth is suffering from his own injuries this year.

Game of Thrones fan? Get a comprehensive guide to all of the 2013 Rittenhouse Game of Thrones Season 2 Autographs, including a full checklist, image gallery, buying guide, short print info and more.

Jim Palmer 2002 Topps Tribute – 250 Career Victories Commemorative I recently did a little shopping on CheckOutMyCards.com and while there I spent some time shopping for cards to add to my Jim Palmer player collection. I scored some new stuff – and all of it was of the more rare variety. This card is from the 2002 Topps Tribute set and it commemorates Palmer’s 250th career win. Check it out: I love the vintage image and I am also a big fan of the Tribute brand of cards. This one is a great addition to my Palmer PC!!!

Recently I participated in my first card draft over at Thorzul Will Rule. Essentially, Thorzul had a big mess o'big-ticketish cards: autographs, relics, serial-numbered parallels, rookie cards, a little vintage, you name it. So for $25, you could claim a spot in the draft and be guaranteed 20 cards. Once Mr. T posted the master list of cards available, each participant sent a priority list of the 20 cards they wanted most. He established a draft order at random, and proceeded with the draft in a snake order (i.e. 1-12, then 12 back to 1) until one of the participants ran out of potential picks. There were 11 folks entered in the draft, and Thorzul made it through eight rounds before we needed to send updated draft lists. At that point, everyone submitted a new list with their top 25 to 30 choices from among the remaining cards. My pack of 20 arrived in the mail yesterday, and I was quite pleased with the results.I drafted third overall, and got each of my first five preferred cards, all of which were Orioles. First was this incredibly thick Frank Robinson card, complete with manufactured ring relic embedded in the front. The ring, of course, features his #20, which was retired by the Orioles when they traded him to the Dodgers in 1972. The rest of the top five were a 2008 Nick Markakis Upper Deck A Piece of History Red Parallel (serial numbered 79 of 149), a 2001 Cal Ripken Fleer Tradition Diamond Tributes insert, a 2010 Matt Tucker Bowman Chrome Refractor, and a 2009 David Hernandez Topps Update Chrome Rookie Refractor. The other 15 cards were non-Orioles, but each was a welcome addition to my collection at large:-1970 Topps Don Kessinger-1973 Topps Harmon Killebrew-1979 Topps Jesus Alou-1979 Topps Rod Carew (Killebrew, Alou, and Carew...I'm a poet and I didn't even know it)-1981 Donruss Ozzie Smith-1981 Kellogg's J. R. Richard-1981 Kellogg's Ben Oglivie-1981 Kellogg's Joe Charboneau-1981 Topps Johnny Bench Record Breaker-1981 Topps Nolan Ryan-1981 Topps George Brett-1982 Kellogg's Chet Lemon-1983 Donruss Carl Yastrzemski-2002 Topps Opening Day Rickey Henderson Season Highlight-2012 Topps Tribute Lance BerkmanAll told, I had a blast doing this. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more card drafts in the future!