Featured pickup: 2008 Upper Deck Ballpark Idols Quad Swatch Memorabilia card #237

Don Mattingly - October 4, 2005
3-for-6 RBI with a walk in Game 2 of the 1995 ALDS

Derek Jeter - September 21, 2008
0-for-5 - despite going hitless in the last game at Yankee Stadium, he is the all-time hit leader, surpassing Lou Gehrig.

Manny Ramirez - July 6, 2008
0-for-1 - struck out by Mariano Rivera on three straight pitches in what may have been the deciding game for Boston Red Sox management and their players to come together and say 'we have to trade Manny now.'

David Ortiz - August 24, 2008
0-for-2 with two walks

This was an appropriate card to note the last game played at Yankee Stadium Sunday night - I dug around to look for the featured players' last appearance at Yankee Stadium and to see how they did.

I don't know if the price I paid for the card was a good deal or not - but my standard saying is it is worth the price is what I paid for it, no more and maybe less. My cap is probably $10 on picking-up any 'midlevel' or strictly 'low-end' singles.

I'll look for a 'topper' to my collection - like a card or something once in a while when I have the chance and when I feel like I'm not breaking the bank.

The card is probably more common than I can imagine [it is listed as part of the base set and not an insert] - but features jersey pieces [game-used cards are oversaturated to the point of pissing off collectors looking for something worth more] from Don Mattingly [pinstripe], Derek Jeter [pinstripe], Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz.

I wanted to find an 'acceptable' player combination featuring Jeter and figured two of the most prominent players [Manny and Big Papi] from the No. 1 rivals would be suitable - I don't see where Mattingly immediately fits in and can see where someone who played in the last five years being a more ideal subject for the quad card.

On the other hand, Donnie Baseball kept the Yankees relevant - through a World Series dry spell in the 1980s and is considered a franchise legend, probably more beloved [particularly by New York Yankees' fans] than many Hall of Famers enshrined in Cooperstown.

Featured cards: Various 1970s Topps cards

These cards are part of a 20-card find of 1970-mid 1980s cards from a 'scrap' common's bin - I didn't pick them up because the cards looked pretty or because the players pictured will get another opportunity to suit up in a Major League game.

Many of the players pictured look a little different the present day [circa 2008] players - I don't think you can argue with the aesthetics [because 'it was the style then'] of the period even if the players' images looked so dated.

You can only make fun of them I suppose - it seems like the 1970s, you had shaggy and gruff looking ballplayers who didn't particularly care what they looked like.

Just like it is today, anyone pictured on a 'gum card' were pretty good at some point [in their baseball lives] - it just seems like once they got to the Major Leagues, their grooming habits were lax.

Doug DeCinces has a nice handle bar mustache going - it almost looks like a rolled up cigar or something. It isn't as fancy as Rollie Fingers' but it sure looks a lot more odd.

There are more accomplished sites that do this retrospective sort of thing - but it is fun actually looking at some of these cards in-person and picking them up.

Keeping his team from choking

Carlos Beltran homered from both sides of the plate and the New York Mets held on to defeat the Washington Nationals 9-7 Wednesday night - Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado also hit home runs for a team in the thick of the playoff push.

The Mets are going to have to fight through - a shoddy bullpen and have lost key reserves Fernando Tatis [for the rest of the season] and Damion Easley.

Featured card: 1984 Donruss Ned Yost # 271

I was wondering, having been at Milwaukee Brewers' spring training the past two seasons - how a team goes from coming together during the spring, working out in Maryvale [bullpen sessions, pitcher's fielding practice, batting practice, position players actually taking infield] and having a regimented plan, to the part of the season, where the team is out of it.

The past few years the Brewers have steadily gotten better - players like Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, J.J. Hardy, Cory Hart, Bill Hall [to a certain extent] started to blossom and a renewed sense of purpose was realized.

Under this guy's leadership, the Brewers were supposed to be in the playoffs in 2008 - now, he has been fired and my five-cent investment on this card I picked up on Sunday is kaput. I was hoping to see him during next year's spring training and possibly get his autograph. Maybe he'll be an analyst for TBS or ESPN during the playoffs during this postseason.

Thank you K-Rod

As a California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels' fan, I hear and read the sentiment bantered about closer Francisco Rodriguez - he is considered one of the best in the game or terribly overrated.

There is a 'common-sense' sentiment against those who frankly do not want him in a Halos uniform past 2008 - that a closer who pitches 60 innings a year is just not worth $15 million a year. Tell that to guys like Joe Nathan or Mariano Rivera...

I like him just the way he is and it maybe sacriligious, but I think he is worth $15 million a year for the next four years to a team like the Angels - who are likely pennant contenders each year.

If you are a second division team, who cares if you have scrap heap guys closing for you - his record setting 58th save in a 5-2 over the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 13 punctuated his Angels' career as one of the greatest in the history of the franchise.

Derided for his post game celebratory antics and his 'shaky' 2008 season - K-Rod is an elite talent whose career achievements in a Halos uniform will not easily be duplicated.

Player reflections: Adrian Beltre

Adrian Beltre making a cameo as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, on a 2001 Fleer Ultra Fernando Vina card.

I'm wondering if Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre has either been bust or a sore disappointment - his 2004 season [.334 average, 48 home runs, 121 RBIs] was an anomaly which gives some credence to the term 'contract year' in professional sports.

He's not a superstar or even an all-star performer, but as a compiler - his body of work hasn't been as bad.

There are still some games to play in the 2008 season but by the time he is 30 - he will have at least 1578 hits, 242 home runs, 859 RBIs.

Beltre is more of a lunchpail-type player whom I can identify with because even though he's been consistently unspectacular - he does plays everyday.

He is a superstar on defense but a guy who tends to be streaky at the plate - you see him going through ups-and-downs but you can still pencil him in for 20-25 home runs, 80-90s RBIs and a batting average he seems to be constantly battling to keep up around the .270 mark.

Still, after signing a five-year, $64 million contract with the now decayed Seattle Mariners team expected to right itself in the past few years - his numbers lack the impact.

However, by the time he signs his second big contract, he may become a better player - in his 30s than his 20s.

Bandwagon jumping time

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were the first Major League team to clinch a playoff berth in 2008 - with a 4-2 win against the New York Yankees on Wednesday afternoon.

Hopefully they can use the rest of the regular season to heal up and deliver on a promise lacking [despite winning the American League West four times in the last six seasons and being in the playoffs] - Francisco 'K-Rod' Rodriguez is so close to the saves record of 57 and hopefully he can do something about tying [and breaking the record] before the upcoming weekend is over.

Besides watching K-Rod go for the saves record, I'm intent watching Brandon Wood, who at 23 is still evolving as a Major League Baseball player - right now, he is playing different roles from being a 5 o'Clock hitter, a windmill during games and a jumbo sized shortstop who maybe turning a corner as far as building upon his immense power potential.

It is going to be a festive time for Angels' baseball fans [whether you are a 2002 fan, 1986 fan, 1982 fan, 1979 fan or a 'somewhere in-between' fan] - as long as the team finds itself the only team standing during the postseason.

Trading card reflections

I'm afraid I'm suffering from a 'trading card coma -' where I can't get excited about stacks of cards I already have no use for.


I get excited to buy cards here and there but sometimes I get disconnected from trading card endeavors - busting a few packs, maybe a blaster, maybe buying some singles may signal I'm still a collector and I'm going to be here in the long run.


At times, I get so excited about a stack of commons I dug out card by card - only to realize it is all crap.

Every other 'break' of something just adds to the misery - seeing cards pile up makes me think twice.


On the other hand, I tend to think everything has a caveat and I tend to realize nothing matters - most of my collecting endeavors are impulsively based on simplistic means [i.e. like picking up common cards to get randomly autographed]. I don't know if there is a bigger picture for me to pursue and while I know it is just isn't true, my earth is flat.

You visit blogs, forums and you want to be like everyone else, but who in real life shares your delight [?] - I am more like a pack rat instead of a dedicated collector.


What do I do with all my stuff? If I was such a great collector, every I pick up has both a place and a purpose - unfortunately it seems my collections are a little fractured.

Various purchases here and there in my room, but nothing every showcased into a particular theme - I think I talk a good game about collecting cards, but do I take a moment to seriously blog about my endeavors? Do I show the world what I'm doing, in a positive way?

For the most part, I'm not as attached to the hip to strictly collecting cards here and there - my interest tends to wane and I just get a little frustrated because my enthusiasm for collecting is just for show.

I have to find a way to make collecting fun again - where I'm not grousing about excessive stacks of cards I can't deal with and other dysfunctions related to my collecting endeavors.

Signed at the draft deadline - NOT

Pedro Alvarez - No. 2 overall pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Eric Hosmer - No.3 overall pick by the Kansas City Royals

This isn't breaking news, but are you kidding me [?] - apparently after having been signed by the Major League teams that drafted them, both Alvarez and Hosmer's professional careers are in limbo.

Scott Boras, the infamous super agent representing Alvarez wanted more money - and claimed the No. 2 overall pick was signed after the draft deadline and therefore the contract Alvarez agreed to is void.

Having been pulled from a professional game in reaction, Hosmer is affected - because he apparently signed his contract after Alvarez did.

This is a kind of situation where people have to play their part i.e. particularly the agents - as a baseball fan, the reaction should be Boras' should stop posturing and screwing around. On the other hand, who is to say what he can and cannot do for his client?

So much of a professional player's career rests on what he can do on the field, but you have a lot of labels and hype surrounding what should be an impressive player in Alvarez - people are always going to say, 'he's going to get his money,' or 'why hold out, just to stall your professional career?' It is radical for baseball fans, even in today's big money era, for someone to reject millions of dollars to play a game.

However no one is saying Alvarez is going to be a bust or even a disappointment - Alvarez may be the best position player in this year's draft, but his maverick agent sees no obligation for Alvarez to be indentured to the 'way it has been or the way it is.' It is kind of like when a Major League team raises ticket prices or does something seemingly for the love of the money instead of appreciating the fan.

Forget about biding your time, toiling for what is a losing organization, while probably wanting to leave the first opportunity you get - on the other hand doesn't Alvarez have to sign the first contract getting him into his first professional uniform?

What Boras seems to want for Alvarez is to secure his present as well as his future -in a twisted way, if Boras gets what he wants for his client, then his client doesn't have to worry about anything but playing baseball.

Alvarez is a first round pick and it is obvious, Boras is taking it one step further - to make whomever he ends up signing with pays up front for a first round talent.

On a personal note - I go watch Los Angeles Angels' games and always see Boras on TV because he has season seats behind home plate. I wonder if if it is Alvarez who I've seen him with [just several times in-person] over the year when Boras comes into the ballpark with a couple of his associates.

Signed at the draft deadline

Pedro Alvarez - No. 2 overall pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Eric Hosmer - No.3 overall pick by the Kansas City Royals

Justin Smoak - No. 11 overall pick by the Texas Rangers

Simply dominant: Michael Phelps

Busting packs and unopened product caveats

I'm looking to putting together a 20 pack surplus for APAD - like everyone else, I want to bust a variety of packs, but can't be too adventurous with my pack busting. I don't want to spend more than $20 on a group of 20 packs [from 1980-2008] and I realize if I want some of the cards themselves [from particular years], I can pick them up on their own.

I feel the cheapest of packs [how pathetic] have been searched in one form or the other, but something tells me don't trust old packs - all I want is a clean pack to bust, whether I'm paying a quarter a pack or more. I busted 1993 Fleer packs with all the cards off-centered and/or miscut. I busted a pack of 1987 Fleer with a couple of cards marked up. I used to buy jumbo packs of 1992 Bowman about 10 years ago and wondered why I didn't pull anything. I've see these random pack breaks from repack boxes and cringe that something like an 1988 Topps packs and 1989 Donruss packs has been searched otherwise.

Maybe I'll bust packs from my so-called favorite card sets from the 1990s, where packs were usually in foil - but is that of any guarantee particular packs aren't searched?

Maybe I'll scratch the bottom of the barrel and look for oddball [baseball] packs to bust - like pop-up cards, cards designed for a younger demographic
[1992 Topps Kids, 1993 UD Fun Pack], sticker cards [they would have to be regular trading card size though], 3D cards and other motion cards, though I don't want to get stuck with oddball cards that are bound to be useless.

Personal collecting notes

I'd like to pick up some cheap, unique oddball cards and inserts - but then can I pick up [and possibly blog about] that is still somewhat unique? Everyone else has done, the 'random stack of unique crap I found decaying in my closet' post. I want to do the same, but I feel like I've never had a surplus of unique [often discarded and after all these years, still worthless] cards.

Sampler runs - I've got an Upper Deck 'sampler set' I put together featuring a card from 1989-2008. I need to 'revamp' the Topps and Fleer/update Donruss versions of the 'sampler set' because I don't like the cards I pulled. Maybe I could do other sets i.e. modern Bowman [1989-2008?], Topps Heritage, et al.

Basic goals [?] - trying to scratch various itches?
1.) Pick up five graded rookie cards of sporting greats - 1975 Topps George Brett, 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson, 1981 Topps Joe Montana, 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn and 1984 Topps John Elway.
2.) Pick up three PSA graded vintage Angels' cards - my 1961-1980 'collection.'
3.) Pick up five or six vintage cards - ungraded, in vg-ex to ex condition, on the cheap. I'd like to make up a 'list' of 10-15 cards, but for me, it has to have some sort of theme. A 'collecting ideal' is not a theme.

Sample
1962 Topps Banks
1973 Topps Marichal

6.) Lou Gehrig jersey or worn material card - Donruss Americana?
7.) Pick up 10 relic cards - the Joe Collector in me thinks there is still some meaning here, though I have to be picky or just get them for about $2. Maybe look for ones featuring retired, Hall of Fame players and 'swatch pieces' seemingly in-line with the uniforms the players wore as active players.
8.) Pick up 10-15 refractor type parallel cards - I love shiny cards and in some cases make a base card prettier.

Featured cards - awesome outfield action

1992 Score Scott Bailes #331

1991 Upper Deck Dave Martinez #186

2005 Upper Deck Brady Clark #363

1989 Upper Deck Gerald Young #135

2007 Upper Deck Brad Hawpe #310

1999 Fleer Tradition Magglio Ordonez Warning Track parallel #119W

1998 Fleer Tradition Henry Rodriguez #377

2005 Topps Chone Figgins #55

2007 Upper Deck Raul Ibanez #197

Featured player: Rocco Baldelli
2008 Upper Deck #667 - this was a card I forgot to list in my debut pack break on A Pack a Day.

For Baldelli, it has been a long road to get to where he is at this moment - Baldelli has been working his way back to the Major Leagues all season long [after being out with mitochondrial disorder] and he made his 2008 debut on Sunday, going 1-for-4 with an RBI in a 11-3 Tampa Bay Rays victory against the Seattle Mariners.

The 'feel-good' Rays of 2008 are hoping to reach new heights - while Baldelli [much like another elite outfield prospect who once played in the Tampa Bay organization] is just hoping to stay on the field wearing a Major League uniform after being out for a prolonged period of time. For Baldelli, what better time to join the ride, than now?

Fitting in just fine
Casey Kotchman's defense at first base was a thing of beauty - but new Angels' acquisition Mark Teixeira makes all the plays as well and there is something 'clean' about how he goes about his business at first.

Of course, Teixeira's calling card is his bat and from what I've seen - he's a guy who is a finished product. He takes professional at-bats, meaning he is looking to walk if he can't get something to hit. He is going to hit for power to all fields, whether it be a lefty or righty batter.

Something I'm going to watch [because I can and Teixeira will be Angel for at least the next two months or so] is his opposite field stroke from the right side - I think Teixeira probably has the best inside out swing as far as hitting the ball for power, though Derek Jeter is probably the best doing it on a daily basis.

Featured card:
2006 Topps Allen & Ginter Casey Kotchman through the mail autograph - as an Angels’ fan, I’ve really been impressed by the way you play defense.

Whether it is tracking down pop flies in foul territory or snatching errant throws from infielders or deftly catching line drives hit towards your way - you have basically evolved as the quarterback of the Angels’ infield.

I enjoy watching you best as a defender, when you field a batted ball towards first base. You have the quickest feet, racing the base runner who running down the line, to see who is going to get to the bag first. You seem to take some pride in being able to call off the pitcher running over to cover the bag.

Besides your defensive prowess, you have the ability to do a little bit of everything at the plate. You have shown the ability hit the ball for a little power and average, but also maintaining good plate discipline and bat control.

Hopefully, you can build upon the promise you’ve shown and get an opportunity to pursue your championship dreams with one of the best organizations in baseball.

Sincerely,

Laurens

PS: This is most of the actual letter I wrote to Kotchman for a TTM autograph request two weeks ago - he and minor leaguer Stephen Marek was traded to the Atlanta Braves on July 29 for slugger Mark Teixeira.

The LAA Angels are going for it right now and even if Teixeira is a three-month rental at best - they have Kendry Morales stuck in AAA to play first base in 2009. Losing Kotchman is a bummer, but it seemed to make the most sense to add another legitimate power threat, in order to be able to go further in the playoffs.

Featured card:
2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Abraham Lincoln DNA relic - this auction lists one of the 'big hit' pulls out of this year's Allen & Ginter product and while the card is aesthetically underwhelming, it is interesting to see where modern cards like this one will end up. I wonder if Keith Olbermann is interested in this piece of history.

Are these the same guy? Almost sure looks like it to me....

Then and now: Travis Hafner
2007 Topps Allen and Ginter #287 - what the heck happened to this guy's career? It seems like he has lost his mojo. Cleveland Indians fans are probably hoping for the best, but after fighting through a sluggish season in 2007, Hafner has been MIA for pretty much the entire season so far.

He once looked like one of the most feared hitters in the American League, but now he can't swing the bat effectively while not being able to get on the field - even when he was playing, he only put up a .326 on-base/.350 slugging percentage in 46 games, spanning 157 official at-bats.

Featured player: JD Drew
2001 Fleer Tradition #328 - Drew has found a home in Boston and has led a charmed life so far. It only adds to what he has done as a Boston Red Sox' player, when he led the American League to a 4-3 all-star game win Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning.

Drew was the star of the 15-inning affair that lasted four hours and 50 minutes - his two-run home run in the 7th inning tied the game at 2. He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a run scored and a walk.

I don't particularly like him because he was supposed to sign autographs [at a furniture warehouse store] on a Saturday morning in 2006 - unfortunately, he got hurt during the game the night before [hit by a pitch] and didn't show up to the scheduled appearance. It all seemed typical, where he'll find an excuse to beg out of something, if he has any opportunity to do so.

However, for a moment, you think back to when the turd opted out of his contract with the Dodgers - and wonder if he and superagent Scott Boras actually knew what they were doing. Boras set things in motion, where his client was going to get get more money and going to a place, where [Drew eventually played a pivotal role in leading the Boston Red Sox to a championship].

There is sort of the 'detached' professionalism he exudes that has paid off already [he is a professional hitter] - It is just so ironic how things unfolded and after having a crappy season, the bastard [is a] part of a World Series championship team [and adds another trophy to his mantle and an new Chevy Tahoe hybrid SUV in his garage for his all-star game performance].

Featured player: Josh Hamilton
I was napping for the start of the Home Run Derby, it gets boring and long winded in-between the players actually hitting some home runs.

However, I slowly rose from my slumber as this Josh Hamilton guy woke me up - with prodigious, monumental blasts launched at Yankee Stadium with an easy, effortless stroke.

He might not have won the Home Run Derby - but his 28 home runs in Round 1 provided all the fireworks. It was an exhibition for the ages.

Everyone in New York was in awe and wanted to be part of the action - the crowd was electrified, on the their heels, seeing how far Hamilton would hit his next home run. Hanley Ramirez was mimicking Hamilton's stance. Hamilton's teammate Milton Bradley was taking photo ops with Hamilton and taking in the fun.

This is what America wants. This is what they crave.

Their self-fulfilling prophecy about the great hope redeemed is realized and from phenom to crackhead - the sky is the limit for Hamilton.

Josh Hamilton is mom, apple pie and tattoos.

PS: Some other guy won the Home Run Derby. I think he may have been Canadian or something, so it doesn't count. I keed, I keed Justin Morneau fans.