Featured food - a Halo Dog

Despite the number of food choices at Angel Stadium [my regular haunting grounds as a baseball fan] - whenever I go to a game, I usually don't buy anything to eat inside the stadium, preferring to walk to get something to eat at a McDonald's, Carl's Jr. or a Mexican place near the stadium.

During last Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, the hot dog stand in the courtyard where the Gene Autry statue is located [on the Field Level] called out to me - I really didn't want to go out and walk across the street to likely go to Carl's Jr. again.

I think I had enough money and was either going to get the 'specialty' nachos [don't remember what they were called] or a random hot dog - topped with different things, each hot dog sold is supposed to represent a different MLB ballpark.

I scrounged enough change and bought a 'Halo Dog,' for $7.50 - which featured a bacon wrapped hot dog topped with jack cheese, charro beans and chili pepper relish.

I lugged my hot dog [and a bottle of water I found along the way] all the way out to the picnic tables out behind centerfield - the bun had gotten a little soggy and I had to eat the hot dog with a fork and pick at the toppings, instead of eating the hot dog with my bare hands.

The relish was sweet, tangy and spicy while the bacon added some more flavor / saltiness to the already sodium laden hot dog - I don't know if the hot dog hit the spot, but I wouldn't mind missing a Carls Jr. meal for this, even there was really no drink to go with the hot dog.

If I get the hot dog the next time, I might save time, energy and maybe a buck - during the game I saw the hot dogs were $6.50 by the concession stands on the Terrace Level concourse in left field.

I took a picture of the menu to remember what the name of the hot dog was and what the toppings were - it was similar to ones sold at the courtyard on the Field Level.

If your 'home team' Angels are really not doing so well and are about to miss the playoffs for the first time in more than several years - you don't avoid talking about the 'bad things,' you just find other things to talk about while still 'keeping the faith.'

Featured autograph - Mark Trumbo

With the Angels' high profile draft pick Kaleb Cowart signed up, it maybe time to look back at another high school bonus baby the Angels signed back in 2004 - Mark Trumbo was touted like Cowart was, a potential future star in the Angels' system.

While Trumbo has steadily climbed the minor league ranks, he is currently a 24-year old who may or may not get a cup of coffee with the Angels in 2010 - it might not be inconceivable to think Cowart may spend as much as five years in the minors and still not get to the Major Leagues.

I picked up his first certified autograph four years ago - while not letter-for-letter, the autograph is more legible on the certified autograph card from 2004, compared to the in-person autograph I got in-person this past year in spring training.

Cal Ripken Jr. memorabilia display scam?

I found this scan of a Cal Ripken Jr. framed memorabilia display and while I assumed the scraps of jersey / ball / base material were otherwise 'game used' in a Major League game - the 'Authentic Ball' material features the logo of an official league baseball instead of an official Major League Baseball.

I think these displays [more like cheap cardboard mattes with a random trading card affixed along with the 'memorabilia' pieces] are sold with repacks at various retail stores for about $10 - maybe in a couple of various baseball card / sports card forum threads, I've read various discussions about the authenticity of the scraps of jersey / ball / base material.

Seeing the Cal Ripken Jr. display makes me chuckle a little bit - something is clearly fishy with these things.

Featured autograph - Jose Bautista

Led by Jose Bautista, who has hit nearly 40 home runs in what has clearly been a career year - the Toronto Blue Jays have bashed and smashed their way into a respectable baseball club, despite being obscured in the American League East.

Coming into the 2010 season, Bautista had bounced around as an 'every day' utility player who reminded me of this guy - now Bautista probably will get an opportunity to secure a pretty good contract for himself.

All I can say is when a guy is enjoying a breakthrough season or surpassing what he has done before - it is kind of exciting jumping on the bandwagon, particularly when a particular guy is hitting home runs all over the place.

Featured autograph - Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper, most hyped up amateur ballplayer since Stephen Strasburg has been finally inked up to play ball professionally by Strasburg's Washington Nationals - even though there is a lag time as far as the impact a player [even the No. 1 overall pick like Harper] can make in pro baseball, Harper is supposed to bust through that reality and get to the Major Leagues much sooner than later.

Let's just all hope any growing pains and any possible immaturity issues coming from an 18-year old kid who is suddenly rich, rich, rich doesn't cause him to go Josh Hamilton on us - getting random tattoos and 'losing himself' for five or six years before he is mostly on track again. As the next great hope, the least Harper could do is stay clean cut and be in position to fulfill his immense promise as a baseball immortal.

Featured card: 2003 Topps 205 mini Bryan Bullington #136

I got this card among a small group of Kansas City Royals players' cards given to me by a friend's friend who was visiting from Japan - it is a 2003 Topps 205 mini of Bryan Bullington, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bullington has spent just a little bit of time in the Major Leagues with four different teams in five years - he recorded his first Major League win for Kansas City on Aug. 15 against the New York Yankees.

Bullington shut down the Bronx Bombers for eight innings, allowing only two hits and striking out five - at this point who really knows if he can make stick around the Major Leagues.

Still, in the realm of professional sports - it is nice to watch an athlete who has battled some adversity enjoy any sliver of success.

My baseball card collecting endeavors have gone nowhere

It is probably no coincidence I'm throwing this up at a time where at least a couple of collectors - have expressed concerns about their own collecting endeavors.

For me personally, I love the novelty of collecting baseball cards - partly because I can objectify the players I may get to see on TV and in-person through little pieces of cardboard that are supposed to be collectible in one form or the other.

However there are so many random cards scattered about in a bed I'm probably supposed to have been sleeping in, my computer table, my sorting table, out in boxes all over the floor in my room, et al - I've kind of let the cards pile up without dilligently picking after myself.

IT IS LIBERATING TO SEE HOW pointless collecting baseball cards is -when I can't account for particular ones or when I feel like I'm buried under the rubble. Do I really to pick up anything else? I don't really have the gumption to consume anymore new cards.

During the last 10-15 years, I don't know if I've been able to buy as many cards compared to the average Collector Joe who spends hundreds or thousands of dollars each year - but I feel a big burden with the amount of card clutter I refuse to have anything to do with at this time.

Do I have a collecting goal and/or purpose - yes, it just doesn't have anything to do with baseball cards right now.

I'm more interested in collecting baseball autographs in-person - other than picking up ones picturing players I hope to see in-person and trying to get them inked up.

Living within a half hour to a Major League Baseball stadium, collecting baseball autographs in-person - keeps me compelled to keep up with baseball cards, but I've taken one, long detour as far as having a beat on what actual baseball card collectors / speculators are going gaga about these days or not.

Featured autograph - Sean O' Sullivan

After being traded to the Kansas City Royals for infielder Alberto Callaspo - here is hoping Sean O'Sullivan develops into a dependable starting pitcher.

The tubby righthander seemed to be a decent pitching prospect in the Angels' system - he could be one of those guys who pitches around 200 innings for three or four seasons in his prime, before his career winds down at the Major League level.

I read a feature story on O'Sullivan in a San Diego newspaper around the time when he was first called up in 2009 - I clipped the article about O'Sullivan's journey to the Major Leagues and eventually had him sign it this past year during spring training.

Featured autograph - Joe Saunders

There is a wall mural / display of current Angels players as one-time Little Leaguers along the Terrace Level concourse [where the concourse curves around, when walking towards right field from the first base side] at Angel Stadium - I think each Angel player featured on the wall actually took some time to sign an actual autograph, instead of a facsimile autograph applied to their 'bios.'

Roaming around at Angel Stadium on Monday, the day after the Angels' traded Saunders and prospects to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Dan Haren - the Saunders display had already disappeared.

While Saunders was a 'bulldog' at times in his career for the Halos - it seems like he was more of a No. 3 or No. 4 guy and maybe it was a little disappointing to watch him struggle for periods of time.

Several years ago, I printed out an Wallpaper image of Saunders at Virginia Tech on 4x6 photo paper - I was finally able to get Saunders to sign it this past spring training.

Featured autograph - Shawn Green

Former Major Leaguer Shawn Green was another guy whose autographs I got at the 2010 All-Star Fan Fest in Anaheim - he made two appearances at the Fox sports West booth, but while I'm sure I brought particular set cards the first day he made an appearance, my visit to the All-Star Fan Fest was 'cut short' and must have put the cards somewhere to be forgotten.

On the second day Green was signing - I was rummaging through my stuff to see if I had the various setters I had brought the other day, but the cards were nowhere to be found.

I decided I wanted to get Green's autograph on something anyway - just so I could say I got him and add to my totals for the day, even though it wasn't on the setters I had intended on getting signed.

Collectors and autograph hounds are very particular on the things they want autograph - maybe the worst are the guys [like myself I guess] who need to get particular cards signed, because the process over getting a little piece of cardboard signed becomes an obsession.

I need a card or two from the Allen and Ginter's sets signed or from the 2004 Upper Deck USA 25th Anniversary set -as I try to get as many base cards from a particular set signed, I can't just have any old card signed.

There is also a premium to getting set cards signed by retired players - since a number of them disappear from the spotlight after their playing careers are over.

I hurriedly ran to the baseball card dealer booth [where I got the Frank Thomas cards from the previous post] and was bent on looking for Green's cards - one of the guys at the booth was like, "hey what are you looking for? You look like [you are on a mission to find something] - ah, Shawn Green."

I ended up buying a couple of cards that were really glossy for $3 - I took a risk, but the cards were nice looking and I was hoping they would come out clean after much prepping 'on the fly.'

2004 Leaf Certified Cuts Stars #S-32 / serial #'d 278/599 - I actually had to pay $2 for this, since it was marked as such on the penny sleeve.

2006 Topps Heritage Chrome #34 / serial #'d 1333/1957

Green 2/2 - after giving my name to be put on a list and waiting in line, I finally had a chance to approach him and he scribbled on both of my cards. It looks like they turned out fine with no streaking, no bubbling, etc.

Unlike the Thomas signing, this was an organized signing and there was a MLB authenticator to put a sticker on the back of my cards after they were signed - after the sticker is placed, the authenticator marks on a sheet, what type of item signed the stickers went on.

Featured autograph - Frank Thomas

1990 Topps rookie card

Frank Thomas 1/2 - walking around at the 2010 MLB All-Star Fan Fest in Anaheim, I saw the two-time AL MVP winner at the MLB.com booth / taping area and watched intently as he did an interview on stage.

I have various things [particular set cards I want signed, about eight or nine poster-sized 'cards' I bought six or seven years ago on eBay] at home, but wasn't aware he was making an appearance at the fan fest - I ran to a baseball card dealer booth and tried to squeeze in-between a man and woman leafing through monster boxes of cards to grab a handful of Thomas cards.

I was looking for 'setters,' but couldn't find any - I ended up picking up a couple of Thomas' rookie cards [paid $2 for the 1990 Topps and $1 for the 1990 Score], hoping to get him after his interview time was up.

An acquaintance asked Thomas about his 1990 Topps 'No Name on Front' error card - Thomas wasn't really aware of of the controversy of the 'NNOF' error card and was straining to answer the question other than to guess that was his rookie card.

Afterwards, it was a madhouse to get Thomas with 40-50 people following after him, just to try and get an autograph - he was signing, but it was difficult trying to get his attention, while watching weary security guards trying to shield him [in vain] from everyone who wanted an autograph and guide him out of the hall of the Anaheim Convention Center.

I tried to find an opening and one barely opened up - where Thomas grabbed my clipboard and signed the Topps card.

2010 MLB All-Star break events - a recap of sorts

Even though I was excited about All-Star break in Anaheim - I didn't bother with the events people cared about like the Home Run Derby [maybe $60 or so for a ticket to get into Angel Stadium] and the actual All-Star Game [maybe $150 for a ticket to get into Angel Stadium].

It seemed easy to 'whiff' on these events, because when I'm wired to look for autographs - paying $60-$150 for tickets just to be a 'non-VIP' spectator is just isn't going to cut it.

I did spend time at the Futures Game / Taco Bell Celebrity / Legends softball game[$20 for a ticket] the Sunday before the game was played and got a handful of prospects' autographs there including players like Mike Moustakas [U.S.A.], Eric Hosmer [U.S.A.] and Brett Lawrie [World] - though I didn't bother to get Angels' uber prospect Mike Trout and eventual game MVP Hank Conger.

I was able to also snag Jennie Finch's autograph as well as Fred Lynn's - even though I failed to account for the fact Mike Piazza was going to be around.

My goal as far as picking up autographs of the active players was to get some 'big fish' along the way - I wasn't not going to try and make it a goose chase with no results to show for the huffing and puffing. In the end, I didn't get much, but the following players signed and I was able to get them.

Marlon Byrd (2) - was able to get him twice.
Trevor Cahill 3/3 - signed three cards at one time.
Troy Tulowitzki (1) - my best success from an active player during the A.S. break, this was totally a fluke. The item he signed was actually a 6x8 sized 2007 Topps Turkey Red Cabinet.
Vernon Wells 2/2, 2/2 - he signed a bunch and was able to get him on two cards, two different times.

Kevin Frandsen - a pleasant surprise as a Halo

I've gotten current Angel Kevin Frandsen's autograph several times in spring training with the San Francisco Giants and maybe once in 2009 when he was with Fresno Grizzlies [when the team was playing in Las Vegas] - so I guess I knew who he was before being acquired by the Angels.

However, after being a waiver wire claim from the Boston Red Sox earlier in the year, Frandsen may have emerged as a semi-regular in Anaheim - with a gaudy .352 batting average [nice to look at, not likely to last] in 91 at-bats so far.  

Several years ago, the Giants were looking to get Frandsen into their starting lineup, but I think an injury wiped him out for a whole season - and he had to work his way back to the Major Leagues.

Between the nicks and dings suffered by Maicer Izturis and the injury suffered by Erick Aybar in 2010 - the Angels have had to move Brandon Wood [the once heralded uber power-hitting prospect of the organization is floundering] to shortstop, allowing Frandsen to get some playing time at third base. 

As an Angels' fan, I've noticed if a guy is going to be called up to the 'varsity' team in Anaheim - Manager Mike Scioscia is going to find an opportunity for the player to play a role with the team as opposed to merely have the guy rot on the bench.

If Frandsen sticks around, it looks like he'll be another 'scrappy,' guy Angels fans will come to embrace - he reminds me a little of Scott Spiezio, who blossomed as an Angel 10 seasons ago after being a castoff from the another Major League organization.

Card show finds Part IV - 2010 Topps Ryne Sandberg insert

The highlight of my $4 / 20 card splurge at a random card show booth last Saturday was finding a 2010 Topps Ryne Sandberg Cards Your Mom Threw Out insert #CMT32 - original back.

Card show finds Part III - rank-and-file cards

Rank and file cards - nothing to get too excited about, but cards I hope to get autographed through the mail or most likely in-person.

2005 Bowman's Best Craig Tatum #45
2005 Bowman's Best Brendan Ryan #94
2005 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Chris Denorfia #113
2009 Donruss Elite Extra Edition School Colors insert A.J. Pollock #9
2009 Donruss Elite Extra Edition School Colors insert Tony Sanchez #10
2010 Topps Henry Rodriguez #307
2010 Upper Deck Esmil Rogers #14
2010 Upper Deck Justin Turner #39

Card show finds Part II - 2010 Upper Deck USA box set cards

Found some loose cards from the 2010 Upper Deck USA box set - I picked up a box set several months ago, so these are just a few extra cards I hope to get autograph in the near future.  

Chad Bettis #3 - No. 76 overall to the Colorado Rockies.
Drew Pomeranz #13 - No. 5 overall to the Cleveland Indians [pictured].
Asher Wojciechowski #22 - No. 41 overall to the Toronto Blue Jays
Nick Castellanos #24 - No. 44 overall to the Detroit Tigers

Card show finds Part I - personal favorites who happen to be superstars

At a card show I frequent, I dug through a stack of cards that were a quarter each - I ended up getting 20 cards and was charged $4.

I am apathetic to base cards of superstars because they are not worth much and seem redundant, but for around a quarter each - there were some allure to jumping in and picking up the following cards because I've 'tagged' the players as 'personal favorites.'

Albert Pujols
2005 Bowman's Best #28
2008 Upper Deck Sweet Spot #83
2010 Bowman #185 - x2

Ichiro
2008 Upper Deck Sweet Spot #47 - not shown 
2010 Bowman #172 - obscured by the flash on my camera 

Ken Griffey Jr.
2010 Bowman #40

Stephen Strasburg - just living the dream

This isn't a recent Stephen Strasburg image, but one I took during the 2009 Arizona Fall League - take a look closer at the nice orderly crowd of adults jockeying to get Strasburg's autograph.

Maybe the most refreshing thing to see Tuesday night in Strasburg's Major League debut was he came out and lived up to the hype for one night - not in a pump your chest for everybody to see kind of way, but to simply go out and dominate with zero walks allowed and 14 strikeouts in seven innings kind of way.   

What wasn't surprising, but perhaps a little depressing is this whole cottage industry - where everyone wants a piece of Strasburg [his $16,000 baseball card], everyone wants a say [maybe the pundits or experts at various 'online outlets,' Baseball America, ESPN, et al] and/or everyone is looking to sell a piece of him [Major League Baseball, Topps].

He has an entire Major League Baseball career infront of him and perhaps he'll be a superstar realized - but there isn't a novelty factor to this guy because everyone basically predicted what he was going to do from the time he signed his first professional contract.

Now after his first Major League start along the way - all Strasburg has to do is strikeout 14 or more guys the rest of his starts [throw a no-hitter and/or perfect game, strikeout 20 batters] in 2010 as a tease to what he is going to do when he actually matures as a Major League pitcher.

So long Junior - a comeback scenario already being spun?

With his bat speed severely diminished and his ability to contribute to a floundering Seattle Mariners squad seemingly shot - it was time for Ken Griffey Jr. to 'man up' and retire. 

However, it seems harder for professional superstars in all sports to walk away and don't be surprised if there is a buzz of him attempting a potential comeback - even if everyone is paying their tributes and digesting the fact 'The Kid' may no longer roam the Major Leagues as this once happy-go-lucky superstar that had devolved into a shell of himself as he fought through numerous injuries through the 2000s.  

Perhaps Junior thinks he does have something left - just couldn't get his mojo going, with not being able to play every day and had this recent run of bad luck. 

It wasn't going to end up pretty with Junior in Seattle and at least Griffey Jr. did not leave the responsibility to the Mariners - of officially parting ways with what has been a sporting icon in the Northwest.

Featured card: 2010 Bowman Throwbacks Kendry Morales #BT 69

I picked up the Los Angeles Angels [Torii Hunter / Hideki Matsui / Kendry Morales] cards from the 2010 Bowman Throwbacks set because I still familiar with the 1992 Bowman set as one from a 'nine or 10 years ago,' though it has actually been 18 years since its release - I like the novelty of the reprinted card designs because there is a 'what-if' quality to them, even the cards themselves are anachronistic and some of the details on the original cards may not actually be mimicked on the insert cards.

When I overheard a couple of Angels fans [I'll assume] telling former Halo Adam Kennedy [during batting practice before the Washington Nationals / San Diego Padres game in San Diego on Saturday] - how Morales got injured after hitting a walk-off grand slam, I was in disbelief. The biggest news for this fan on Saturday wasn't Roy Halladay's perfecto, but the Halos losing their 'bully' in the middle of their lineup with light tower power from both sides of the plate.

Morales is probably close to as done for the regular season - who knows how he will bounce back if somewhat healthy enough to make a return this year.

In 2009, the Angels had to deal with Nick Adenhart's passing - but losing a guy for a chunk of the season because of an apparent walk-off celebration adds insult to injury and is a blow to a team looking for some consistency.

Maybe the real question is how are the Halos going to be able to get production from first base with the possible options they have available - will the Angels trade for a first baseman who can hit with some pop or is the organization content to 'fill in the blank' at first base with someone within the farm system or perhaps someone currently on the Angels.