This 1960 Topps beater of Bill Fischer was a buck - the rest of the cards were a quarter each, though I do wonder why I picked up at least a couple of them impusively when after the fact, I realized I'd made a mistake as far as identifying the right guys on the right old school / vintage cards.
?
?
I don't think I'd jump in and buy a hobby box like I did in 2012 - but these just came out and I picked up four packs [$5.75 each] to see what the cards looked like.
Pack one
#18 Patrick Wisdom
#75 Nick Kingham
#7 Steve Bean, Jake Thompson and Spencer Edwards - Building Blocks insert
#121 Barrett Barnes - Aspirations die-cut parallel serial #'d 184/200
#25 Sam Selman
Pack two
#32 Avery Romero
#89 J.T. Chargois
#156 Jeremy Baltz - autograph serial #'d 451/799; never heard of him but the autograph looks like it's on card, so that is a nice touch.
#5 Max Fried - Yearbook insert
#82 Alexis Rivera
Pack three
#63 Lex Rutledge
#21 Robert Refsnyder
#54 Corey Black
#12 Chris Stratton
#69 Felipe Perez
Pack four
#61 Cory Jones
#19 Eddie Butler
#10 Isaak Gutierrez - Team USA 15U National Team autograph serial #'d 37/99
#38 Brett Mooneyham
#95 Will Clinard
#53 Chris Serritella
Two notable passings this weekend were Hall of Famers Musial and Weaver - I was vaguely aware of Stan the Man's heroics as a player and his status as a Hall of Fame legend.
While not having the opportunity to see him play first-hand, the two things I heard about him - was that he was always a classy player and someone who was actually sort of underrated for the prolific numbers he put up during his playing career.
I picked up a 2007 Topps Triple Threads card of Musial back in 2007 for a little more than $30 - thinking it was a nice card from a premium trading card product.
I'd also purchased an Upper Deck Authenticated signed baseball and was able to send him a couple of cards in the early 2000's - which he signed through the mail for a few dollars each instead of getting back my cards unsigned with a card [presumably pre-signed] he sent back to respond to 'TTM requests.'
As far as Weaver was concerned, an actual memory I remember when he was signing autographs at the 2010 All-Star Fan Fest in Anaheim - I saw him being driven around in a golf cart and for whatever reason I wasn't intent on getting his autograph at all; I think for a time he still signed through the mail for a $20 donation to a charity and if I didn't get him then, so be it since he didn't seem too hard to get.
I only found this Web site translator through a random post on the Blowout Cards forums, but even I had some chuckles after running my blog through it - it might more than a little juvenile but I'll never read anything written online the same ever again.
After trying to put together a partial set through quarter boxes in 2012 - I broke down to pick up a full set with short prints [1-350] for about the price of two blaster boxes.
Even though I'm now stuck with a bunch of doubles - having the full base set in-hand gives me peace of mind as far as cards to try and get inked up.
Realistically, I might get something like 100/350 cards signed in the first couple of years - then the progress dwindles; for some players I've seemingly had an entire run of Ginter [2006-2012] cards without getting a lone one signed and I haven't really even paid attention much to the 'other' subjects.
I guess my rule of thumb for getting autograph sets isn't to aim for completion but to get as many of the cards signed - so I have one main set to focus on instead of random cards, and then have a 'snapshot' of signed cards so I have some feeling of accomplishment.
At times I wish I could take a set of unsigned cards and put them in a binder for display purposes - however, these cards are going through my 'chop shop' where I separate the revelant cards [active baseball subjects] from the cards I don't particularly need or can't use during a particular MLB season [non-sport or other sport subjects, any retired baseball players who are deceased or any retired living baseball players charge at least $50 or more to sign].
I've wanted to beef up my personal collection and while it isn't flashy, autographed or serial #'d like some modern card from the last 10 years - an old-school rookie card of a Hall of Famer starts the year right and maybe a nostalgic reminder of a 'hot card' when I first collected baseball cards over 20 years ago.
With 68 percent of the vote in 2013 - you are probably getting into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 or 2015 at the latest.
The fact no one is getting into the Hall of Fame this year except these dead guys and/or ones honored as writers and broadcasters is disappointing but not surprising - the writers have finally taken a stand [at least for one year] and have refused [at least for one year] to let numbers [boo hoo stats guys] bully their judgement of guys who played in the Steroid Era.
It doesn't mean guys like Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Mike Piazza, Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens won't eventually enshrined - but they aren't sailing in with the stats alone and even the guys fans / writers assume have done things the right way might be scrutinized because of the era they played in.
I think it's even sadder for guys like Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa - those two schmucks look like they'll never get any serious consideration despite 3,000 hits / 569 home runs for Palmeroids and 609 home runs for Sosa.
It might be unfair to the standouts of the mid 1990's through mid 2000's - but as much as I enjoyed watching Bonds personally and recognized others' excellence [even through suspected PEDs], it doesn't pain me to make any those guys wait.
I tried to do a recap my 2012 autograph collecting goals so I'd have some closure over what I posted at the beginning of 2012 - sometimes it is weird to think my 'leisure time' is spent scheming to get scribbles of mostly baseball subjects during seemingly random times, but for better or worse, I look forward to each year because it is kind of like hunting or fishing trips where I'm looking to rack up some 'achievements.'
1.) Players to get on baseballs - Sandy Koufax, Carlos Gonzalez, Mark McGwire, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, Roy Halladay, Omar Vizquel, Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Holliday, Felix Hernandez, Nolan Ryan, Miguel Cabrera, Andrew McCutchen, Prince Fielder [specialty baseball], Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Elvis Andrus, Tim Lincecum [specialty baseball] and Yu Darvish.
This was my wishlist of guys I want to get on single signed baseballs and I was able to pick up C. Gonzalez and Cabrera in 2012 - updated 1/8/13.
2.) Get about 15-20 in-person fu oh-yeahs! - these are basically 'achievements' depending on the subject [in most cases], the item signed, the quality of the autograph and the story behind getting the autograph.
I got about 29 'oh yeahs' that vary in quality, with some highlights including Domingo Ayala, Albert Pujols, Jose Bautista, David Price, Jim Thome, Miguel Cabrera and Josh Hamilton - updated 1/8/13.
3.) 2012 'autograph set' goals - get close to the number as possible.
2001 Fleer Tradition - 2/50 cards
2001 Upper Deck Minor League Centennial - 0/25 cards
2004 Bowman Draft - 6/25 cards
2004 Upper Deck USA 25th - 2/25 cards
2004 Topps Cracker Jack - 3/25 cards
2005 Bowman Draft - 5/25 cards
2005-2006 Topps Turkey Red - 7/30 cards
2006 Topps Allen and Ginter - 2/50 cards
2007 Topps Allen and Ginter - 12/50 cards
2008 Topps Allen and Ginter - 7/50 cards
2009 Topps Allen and Ginter - 13/50 cards
2010 Topps Allen and Ginter - 16/70 cards
2011 Topps Allen and Ginter - 40/70 cards
2011 Topps Heritage Minors - 44/50 cards
2012 Topps Allen and Ginter - 16/25 cards
2012 Topps Heritage Minors - 38/25 cards
My goal isn't completion but to have a snapshot of signed cards from the same set so there is sort of a theme - I probably need to scale down the number of cards I'm aiming to get signed from now 11-12 year old [!] sets and will probably purchase some signed cards to fill out what I have. As the years have passed, I'm not sure if I can realistic have more cards from particular sets inked up and I'm not willing to spend any sort of fee to get particular cards signed unless it's $5-$10 - updated 1/8/13
4.) Hammer out detailed checklists of my autograph cards sets - to find out what I have signed, what I still need to get signed, what may need an 'upgrade' and unsigned cards I maybe missing.
2001 Fleer Tradition - done
2001 Upper Deck Minor League Centennial - done
2004 Bowman Draft
2004 Topps Cracker Jack
2004 Upper Deck USA 25th Anniversary
2005 Bowman Draft
2005/2006 Topps Turkey Red
2006 Topps Allen and Ginter
2007 Topps Allen and Ginter
2008 Topps Allen and Ginter
2009 Topps Allen and Ginter
2010 Topps Allen and Ginter
2011 Topps Allen and Ginter
This project is up in the air just because I'm curious where I really am but don't want to go through the work to find out - updated 1/8/13.
5.) Be able to cross off three or four subjects from my so-called list of top players - I want to get...Albert Pujols, Robinson Cano, Mariano Rivera, Miguel Cabrera and Yu Darvish.
I got Pujols [a couple of random set cards] and Cabrera [single signed baseball], though I've never seen Cano sign, Rivera got hurt and was out for the year and Darvish was tough otherwise - updated 1/8/13.
6.) Angels autograph collection - make it a point to count out at least 100 different autographs and be able to add at least 15-20 new autographs.
I count any active / retired players' autographs I've gotten in-person / through the mail or purchased within a current year who have played for the Angels or are currently on the team - I didn't get that many new guys.
Kurt Stillwell - April 2012
Bobby Valentine - August 2012
Kole Calhoun - September 2012
Bobby Jones - September 2012
John Hester - October 2012
Bobby Cassevah - October 2012
For active player autographs already in my collection but not accounted for - the ones that count for a current year's total are autographs of Angels minor leaguers who make their MLB debut with the Angels within the same year and opposing players' autographs who become Angels.
Chris Iannetta - April 6, 2012
Albert Pujols - April 6, 2012
LaTroy Hawkins - April 7, 2012
Jason Isringhausen - April 7, 2012
C.J. Wilson - April 9, 2012
David Carpenter - April 13, 2012
Ernesto Frieri - May 5, 2012
Brad Mills - July 8, 2012
Jean Segura - July 24, 2012
Zack Greinke - July 29, 2012
Nick Maronde - September 2, 2012
Andrew Taylor - September 27, 2012
Accounting for the number [at least 100...] is up in the air just because I'm curious where I really am but don't want to go through the work to find out - updated 1/8/13.
7.) Get at least 200 autograph subjects [mainly baseball] for the first-time split between the Major Leagues, the minors and everything in-between; from the beginning of the year to the end - jot down the names down as achievements.
A.) I don't count subjects who I may have gotten in the mail first - I do count getting subjects for the first time, if the only autographs I've gotten were purchased [either certified or not].
B.) Notable non-players working around Major League Baseball count - media, broadcasters, umpires, journalists, bloggers, public address announcers, personalities, etc.
C.) Amateur players count - players in high school / college.
D.) Any subjects unrelated to baseball now count - such as athletes from other pro sports, celebrities, etc.
My count is about 307 and it helps to hound the Cal League in-between MLB hounding as well as the Arizona Fall League towards the latter part of the year - updated 1/8/13.
8.) See at least six baseball teams I didn't see in 2011 - Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs in addition to other teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers I might normally want to see.
With the Angels having Albert Pujols presumably in the lineup for most of their home schedule - it maybe a better choice to watch the Angels in-person instead of go to San Diego for autographs, if their games are played at the same day/time.
Cost and a lack of a wingman to go with sort of derailed my efforts to see more teams, especially in SD - updated 1/8/13.
9.) Go find and be at 10-15 events, such as a organized public appearances/paid autograph signings/book signings/et al - hopefully there are three or four opportunities I can mark down as far as non-baseball events.
A non-baseball [other sport athlete/non-sport] subject would probably be a bigger score - depending on who it is than a star baseball player I've gotten multiple times.
I feel like public signings are a hassle when free [too many vultures, too many restrictions and not autographs signed for everybody] and I also don't want to pay for anyone [maybe Matt Kemp, Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw] I've gotten for free before - updated 1/8/13.
10.) Take at least 20 photo ops with various players - see if I can print out the images and get them signed.
I only got pictures with Gerrit Cole, Yasiel Puig [didn't come out well because it was at night] and Torii Hunter - updated 1/8/13.
11.) Be able to pick up around 60 different images between Photofile images/Future Star photos and other images - to get them inked up.
I think I may have picked up 30-40 photos in 2012, though with a handful of 'leftovers,' where I didn't get the photos signed depending on the player - updated 1/8/13.
12.) Send at least 100 requests through the mail and re-establish a way to get something in the mailbox on a somewhat regular basis - send requests to five or six players who sign through the mail, but charge a small fee otherwise like Phil Niekro, Dave Parker, et al.
I might have sent 20-25 out [if that many] at the most and it's a little cumbersome for me to consistently put together requests when I do have in-person opportunities to get stuff signed - updated 1/8/13.
13.) Be able to account for all autograph outings and total number of autographs collected - jot down exact time an autograph was signed by somebody [I maybe sort of kidding or I may not], types of cards signed and be able to total up autographs for the day, month and the year
I think I was successful, though actually physically putting the cards away has been a chronic problem - updated 1/8/13.
14.) Take photographic evidence of all the signed baseballs I have - list the baseballs in a database as best as I can.
I want to be able to have an idea of what a signed ball I have in my collection looked like at one point to compare to the actual signed ball at a later date, though I'm not sure if I'm up to this project - updated 1/8/13.
15.) Create an archive of autographs received over the last three or four years from spring training, regular season and the Arizona Fall League - it isn't rocket science to create 'scrapbooks,' to show what I got, minus the set cards I separate and maybe some of the 'better' autographs I've gotten on cards. I should have an idea of when I got a set of autographs and no cards should be missing otherwise.
Maybe an unclear goal, but I am trying to dump all the loose autograph cards I've gotten [mostly between the late 2000s through 2010] in a box to serve as a morgue with cards from 2011-present stored in plastic sheets - updated 1/8/13.
At the end of the year - I want to feel like I was able to own some of these goals.
1.) Reboot my Angels collection
A.) I'd like to put together a list of Top 30 PC cards in my Angels collection - by the end of the year, I want a collection of cards to showcase.
B.) I'd like to pick up a regional PC card per month - of course, I want something modern, blinged out and featuring Mike Trout, Albert Pujols or Josh Hamilton, but I'm also not looking to bust a budget.
C.) Account for an A-Z singles collection [inserts and other cards] of Angels by player - list in a database and have a physical place to store the cards in.
D.) Account for an insert collection of Angels - basically list cards in a database and be able to put away in binders.
E.) Account for loose Angels cards - whether they go into binder star boxes / A-Z archives / A-Z archives of Angels players whose autographs I still need / team box; team binders.
2.) Personal collection cards - I've got to focus inward sort of the 'upkeep' in making sure things are relevant.
A.) Maybe find a better physical place to store my various PC collections.
B.) Continue to add to my various PC collections - of course, I want something modern, blinged out, but also I'm not looking to bust a budget.
My Top 30 PC cards should feature my most prominent 'value' cards – I want to say this collection will be the easiest to sell off even though the values may fluctuate over time.
My Top 30 alternate PC cards – maybe a collection of cards that maybe an extension of my Top 30 PC.
My Top 50 common PC cards – is a collection consisting more of 'rank and file' keepers with some 'gems' I may have not ranked among the first two collections listed.
Top 50 fun PC – maybe the idea of a 'fun' PC becomes a little absurd when the state of my 'serious' PC collections are just a little thin all around.
3.) Pick up six PC cards for 2013
A.) Supposed players of interest:
1.) Tim Salmon
2.) Vladimir Guerrero
3.) Jim Edmonds
4.) Cal Ripken Jr.
5.) Albert Pujols
6.) Ken Griffey Jr.
7.) Alex Rodriguez
8.) Derek Jeter
9.) Kobe Bryant - still want a certified autograph
10.) Torii Hunter
Rotating interests - these are the 'other' players I'll be looking for first besides my Top 10.
Mike Trout
Ichiro
Ryan Zimmerman
Jered Weaver
B.) Supposed rookie cards of interest:
1.) 1960 Topps Carl Yastrzemski PSA graded RC
2.) 1960 Topps Willie McCovey PSA graded RC
3.) 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan PSA graded RC
4.) 1967 Topps Rod Carew PSA graded RC
5.) 1969 Topps Reggie Jackson PSA graded RC
6.) 1975 Topps George Brett PSA graded RC
7.) 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson PSA graded RC
8.) 1982 Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr. PSA graded
9.) 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn PSA graded RC
10.) 1984 Topps John Elway PSA graded RC
11.) 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. PSA graded RC
12.) 1985 Donruss/Fleer Roger Clemens PSA graded RC
13.) 1994 Fleer Alex Rodriguez PSA graded RC
14.) 1957 Topps Frank Robinson RC
4.) Reboot my A-Z singles collection
A.) Comb through the boxes to see if there is anything there and what I can weed out - such as rookie cards, certified autograph cards and other inserts that are 'dated.'
B.) I want to store various singles in top loaders in a box, list in a database and file away - organized mostly by player in 'ABC' order and then by card type i.e. basic rookie cards, parallels and certified autograph cards.
* Any card I picked up as a single and paid over $10 for
* Any certified autograph cards
* Rookie cards and rookie year parallels - I want to put together a 'default collection' but find the MLBPA Rookie Logo cards to be junky, so I don't know if I really count most as good enough to be 'A-Z singles' worthy cards.
* Any notable parallels / inserts - numbered, autographed, game-used material / patch cards
* Notable oddballs like promos, minor league cards, et al
C.) I'd like to be able to pick up 20-25 assorted singles - such as rookie cards, certified autograph cards and other inserts that maybe interesting. Are there any certified autographs I need as far as an impulse pick up?
D.) Pick up 15-20 first-year autograph cards - it doesn't seem realistic to go after prospect cards that are already signed when I'm eventually going to go for the players in-person.
5.) Projects - look for other neglected things to pick up after when I may not just care at times.
A.) Finish my Topps team runs and my Topps sampler runs up to 2013 - I'd like to get these out of the way sooner than never. MAKE A 'PROPER' CHECKLIST!
B.) Transactions set - make one for 2013 in-season and 2013-2014 offseason.
C.) Underrated Idols / Superstar Talents / Through the Fire mini sets
D.) Collecting topics cards - add about 500 different ones with 250 either old-school [pre-1980] and/or vintage [pre-1973] cards.
E.) Organize my graded cards - it's harder to weed out any cards that are 'dated,' when the cards make up a chunk of my graded colllection...make note of any PC type cards but I don't want to physically separate any slabs. LIST IN A DATABASE AND PUT AWAY.
6.) Hoarding cards through various ways - I'd like to have an idea that I can go through enough cards in a particular year, so I can find common cards autographed, find common cards for various projects and also be able to have some pulls to talk about.
A.) Pick up six to 10 assorted hand collated sets instead of a blaster or hobby box if I want the product's cards to be autographed - 2012 Panini USA, 2012 Donruss EEE, 2013 Bowman Prospects, 2013 Bowman Chrome, 2013 Bowman Draft, et al.
B.) Busting blasters or retail seems inevitable when product first comes out - but then I feel like I don't want to pay $20 for a retail blaster with relatively few cards or $60-$70 for a hobby box, just to basically get cards a guy spending $15-$20 would be able to get.
If I end up busting a blaster or hobby box - I definitely will wait to get a HC set first, then make a decision whether or not a blaster or hobby box is worth picking up.
C.) I'd like to bust five to 10 'guilt free' hobby boxes - try not to buy into hype when boxes first come out but be ready to pick up boxes for random hits.
D.) Pick up eight to 10 minor league sets - I'm not going crazy over them, but I find cards of players of note and then hope to use any leftovers as card depth.
E.) Build up a pack surplus to bust at different times of the year - as an in-person autograph collector, I can't hold onto an unopened pack when there might be a card inside I can try and get autographed.
I picked up a 2012 Leaf Memories [#539] card of the No. 7 overall choice in 2012 by the San Diego Padres - if you squint hard enough, maybe you can see Fried as being comparable to Los Angeles Dodgers star lefty Clayton Kershaw.
I've avoided Leaf branded products of recent lineage, but after getting this lone Fried card in-hand - I must say the card seems like reasonable facsimile of the 'classic' 1990 design and I kind of like it.
Maybe the font is off, but the card stock has the same feel and the grey tinted back looks like the originals - if only there was a more reasonable way of getting a bunch of these cards at once, I'd be chasing after other prospects with these Leaf Memories cards.
Even though they may not be the main 'hits,' it looks like various singles of prospects go for $3-$20 on eBay - kind of inflated pricing because the cards come from a high end product and are numbered to /99 so people are trying to sell them as limited parallels.
I picked up about 65 cards for $6 at a card show trip - the random 2011 Playoff Contenders cards intrigued me the most, even though I'll still have to look up most of the players pictured on the cards, to see if they are legitimate MLB prospects or fillers used in a non-MLB licensed baseball product.
I tried to fill out my pile with a few cards of star players - I have my share of cards of guys who played five, 10, 15 and 20 years ago, but it's hard not to be nostaglic and impulsively flip through cards I may not have had an opportunity to pick up during my collecting adolescence.
1992 Bowman Frank Thomas #114 - the action shot of Thomas swinging away at a familiar looking [if somewhat obscured] Anaheim Stadium caught my eye.
1994 Fleer Ultra Ken Griffey Jr. 6 of 25 - Award Winners insert
1997 Bowman's Best Previews
Ken Griffey Jr. #BBP 2
1998 Fleer Tradition Mike Piazza #391
1998 Sports Illustrated Ken Griffey Jr. #51
2000 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. #EP-4 - Epic Performances insert
2000 Upper Deck Ionix Lance Berkman #81
2002 Donruss Diamond Kings C.C. Sabathia #040 - stamped sample
2003 Fleer Tradition Nomar Garciaparra #22 of 25 - Milestones insert
2005 Bowman Draft AFLAC Cameron Maybin AFL 11 - I lost a similar card to a TTM request years ago that is still MIA.
2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Rick Monday
#110
2009 Upper Deck Tommy Mendonca #USAB-TB - USA insert
2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Tyler Goeddel #5 - Elite Series insert
2011 Donruss
Elite Extra Edition Zeke DeVoss #11 - Elite Series insert
2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Logan Verrett / Phillip Evans #6 - Building Blocks Duo insert
2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Jeff Ames / Steven Ames #11 - Building Blocks Duo insert
2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Larry Greene / Mitch Walding / Roman
Quinn #10 - Building Blocks Trio insert
2011 Playoff Contenders Travis Harrison #DT 1
2011 Playoff Contenders Lenny Linsky #DT 3
2011 Playoff Contenders Burch
Smith #DT 4
2011 Playoff Contenders Ronald Guzman #DT 6
2011 Playoff Contenders Anthony Meo #DT 10
2011 Playoff Contenders Alex Hassan #DT 14
2011 Playoff Contenders Nick Fleece
#DT 19
2011 Playoff Contenders Andrew Susac #DT 20
2011 Playoff Contenders Tony Zych #DT 21
2011 Playoff Contenders B.A. Vollmuth #DT 22
2011 Playoff Contenders Blake Snell #DT
26
2011 Playoff Contenders Kylin Turnbull #DT 28
2011 Playoff Contenders Evan Marshall #DT 30 - x2
2011 Playoff Contenders Jordan Cote #DT 31
2011 Playoff
Contenders Aaron Westlake #DT 32
2011 Playoff Contenders Tommy La Stella #DT 42
2011 Playoff Contenders Cole Green #DT 45
2011 Playoff Contenders Matt Szczur #DT 46
2011 Playoff
Contenders Cristhian Adames #DT 55
2011 Playoff Contenders Forrest Snow #DT 56
2011 Playoff Contenders Tyler Gibson #DT 57
2011 Playoff Contenders Josh Osich #DT 60
2011 Playoff
Contenders Zach Good #DT 64
2011 Playoff Contenders Madison Boer #DT 71
2011 Playoff Contenders Kevin Comer #DT 73
2011 Playoff Contenders Jason Esposito #DT 74
2011 Playoff
Contenders Dan Vogelbach #DT 75
2011 Playoff Contenders Cameron Gallagher #DT 77 - x2
2011 Playoff Contenders Jordan Swaggerty #DT 87
2011 Playoff Contenders Brian
Dupra #DT 88
2011 Playoff Contenders Taylor Featherston #DT 97
2011 Playoff Contenders Matt Skole #DT 98
2011 Playoff Contenders Joseph Musgrove #DT 99
2011 Playoff Contenders
Carson Smith #DT 100 - x2
2011 Playoff Contenders Kevin Matthews #4 - Future Stars insert
2011 Playoff Contenders Tyler Gibson #11 - Future
Stars insert
2011 Playoff Contenders Logan Verrett #13 - Future Stars insert
2011 Playoff Contenders Jake Lowery #3 - Johnny Bench Award Winners
insert
2011 Playoff Contenders Andrew Susac / Josh Osich #2 - Winning Combos insert
2011 Playoff Contenders Dan Vogelbach / Hudson Boyd #5 - Winning
Combos insert
2011 Playoff Contenders Chad Comer / Jason Krizan #7 - Winning Combos insert
2011 Playoff Contenders Brian Flynn / Tyler Grimes #11 -
Winning Combos insert
2011 Playoff Contenders 18 Chris Reed / Scott Sondgress #18 - Winning Combos insert
2011 Topps Allen and Ginter Josh Hamilton #HH
50 - Hometown Heroes insert
2012 Topps Yoshinori Tateyama
#437
I found a 1998 Fleer Tradition [#391] card of the former All-Star catcher in a dime box along with other 'goodies' that I'll highlight at some point soon - maybe the interesting but ultimately trivial fact about this card is Piazza is shown as a Florida Marlin, which he ended up playing five games with before getting traded to the New York Mets back in 1998.
I came of age as a baseball during the 1990's and Piazza was one of big name superstar players back in that Era - there is no doubt that he is a first ballot Hall of Famer for what he has done as power hitting catcher and someone who became the face of the New York Mets post 9/11.
However, there has been PED innuendos tacked onto his career and it might derail his Hall of Fame chances in upcoming years - still, if there was any blemish to his MLB at any point, it might have been this wrinkle, where he was called out by a veteran Brett Butler for not being a true leader and caring more about his individual stats.
My goals usually get derailed because it's a made up list of random things that sounds good at the beginning of the year - but ends up being a tedious to do list that doesn't hold up, becoming esoteric, redundant and maybe impractical.
This post is basically a review of the one I had at the beginning of this year - to see whether or not I was satisfied with what I did.
I realized I'd misnumbered my first list and skipped a goal - I added #5 about graded cards that was on the original draft I'd written up for myself.
1.) Doing something with my favorite players collection - basically count up and listing all the cards I have for particular players in a database and for this year picking up five to 15 'interesting' cards for my Top 10 favorites as well as 10 other players I'm interested in on a 'rotating' basis.
I don't think working on my favorite players lists have been a priority when it comes to actually picking up player specific singles or accounting for anything I may have already - updated 12/30/12
2.) Personal collection cards - I'd like to be able to count out a Top 30 list, tally up another 25-30 'alternative' PC cards and create a binder of PC cards for more sentimental purposes.
I got kind of started working on my PC at the beginning of the year but have to figure out a way to put my cards together in one physical place as opposed to a couple or more assorted boxes - updated 12/30/12
3.) Regional focus - establishing a Top 30 personal collection of cards, building an 'A-Z' singles collection [interesting cards of various players] and maintaining an Angels 'shoebox collection' under team boxes [featuring more rank-and-file cards / inserts].
I'm still kind of out of focus with these goals and it's killing me I may have no clue to organize my Angels cards - updated 12/30/12
4.) A-Z singles stored in top loaders - I want to store various singles in top loaders in a box, list in a database and file away by player in 'ABC' order and maybe by card type i.e. basic rookie cards, parallels and certified autograph cards.
I'm still kind of out of focus with these goals and it's killing me that my collection of A-Z singles is completely jumbled up - updated 12/30/12
5.) Organize my graded cards - it's harder to weed out any cards that are 'dated,' when the cards make up a chunk of my graded colllection...it is what it is...make note of any PC type cards but don't want to physically separate any slabs.
I'm still kind of out of focus with this goal because all I have are low quality graded cards I don't want to go through - updated 12/30/12
6.) Collecting topics cards - add about 500 different ones with 250 either old-school [pre-1980] and/or vintage [pre-1973] cards.
I may have about 150-200 total cards for 2012 with some 'old school' or 'vintage' pick-ups, but nothing close to 500 cards overall and nowhere close to 250 'old school' or 'vintage' cards - updated 12/30/12
7.) Pick up 15-20 first-year autograph cards and 10-15 first-year Angel autograph cards.
Doesn't seem realistic to go after prospect cards that are already signed when I'm going for many of the players in-person - updated 12/30/12
8.) Pick up a 'PC' rookie card or two - something like a PSA graded 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson RC or a PSA graded 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn RC and so forth.
Not happening anytime soon just because I feel like I don't have to pick up any particular cards at the moment just to store away in a box - updated 12/30/12
9.) Bust about three to five 'full' boxes every three months - I want to bust boxes on a somewhat regular basis, but the cards I will need are probably base cards, more common parallels. I'll try to see if I can bust mostly current-year product with a mix of some 'oddball' stuff that maybe fun if now relatively worthless.
I made the card shop I go to happy [though not quite rich] by busting the following:
1.) 2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition $120
2.) 2012 Bowman jumbo $140
3.) 2012 Topps Heritage Minors $70
4.) 2012 Bowman Draft $70
5.) 2012 Bowman Draft $70
6.) 2012 Bowman Draft $70
Still, I was no prolific box buster where I'm ripping up three or four boxes of a product or a case many times during a year, so I couldn't get into busting something on a somewhat regular basis - updated 12/30/2012
10.) Finish my Topps team runs [except for any expansion teams that may apply, a 1978-current year card for each of the 30 MLB teams] and my Topps sampler runs [a card from 1978-current year] - I'd like to get these out of the way sooner than never as sort of 'side projects' I work on when I stumble upon appropriate year Topps cards.
I'm working on my 'runs' at a snail's pace when I don't have access to cards that I need and don't want to dig for particular cards during a card shop or card show trip - updated 12/30/12
11.) Pick up 10-15 blasters and/or various retail offerings and maybe 20-25 assorted retail / hobby packs - I don't really pull anything of significance but the hunger to bust something never ceases.
I feel like I don't want to pay $20 for a retail blaster all too often [no real chance at nice hits and too little cards per box] and after the novelty of a new release wears off, I can live without a Target or Walmart trip ending without cards - updated 12/30/12
12.) Do 10-15 impulsive card related things - point being is to have some fun.
1.) Build up a pack surplus to bust at different times of the year - MY PLANNED PACK ATTACKS NEVER QUITE HAPPENED BECAUSE WHAT IS OUT THERE THAT IS UNIQUE - updated 12/30/12.
2.) Bust my COMC cherry - DONE though I have one more card left to be shipped and I never bothered to pick up anymore cards - updated 12/30/12.
3.) Add one or two graded Angels rookie cards - franchise legends, doesn't have to be a Hall of Famer, but more of the vintage pre 1973 variety - NOTHING IS HAPPENING WITH THIS AT THE MOMENT - updated 12/30/12.
4.) Add three vintage Angels Topps graded cards [1961-1980] - a sampler run of sorts - NOTHING IS HAPPENING WITH THIS AT THE MOMENT - updated 12/30/12.
5.) Bust an assorted number of random packs from the 1980s from BB Card Exchange - NOTHING IS HAPPENING WITH THIS AT THE MOMENT - updated 12/30/12.
6.) Pick up two or three minor league sets - I ACTUALLY PICKED UP SEVEN OR EIGHT SETS FOR A ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE TRIP - updated 12/30/12.
7.) Bust some 'oddball,' 'forgotten' wax such as 1986 Donruss box, 1986 Fleer, 1989 Upper Deck - MAYBE TIED TO #1 and #5, I DON'T FEEL THE SAME WAY UNLESS I KNEW THERE WERE BETTER CARDS TO UNEARTH OTHER THAN WHAT IS OUT THERE ALREADY - updated 12/30/12.
Thinking about the baseball cards I collect, my interest lingers but my lair is in ruins, my collection is in decay - life isn't linear, years go by, stuff happens or doesn't happen and and it's just a matter of when things get blown up, when I thought I had a system in place for five or six years.
Maybe cardboard is useless anyway but I feel like stuff I've coveted at various points are literally collecting dust, loose in places where I don't want to deal with them - have I gone too far in literally not doing anything with cards I once collected?
While the part of my collecting life as in-person / through the mail autograph collector has been pretty much spelled out - I'm kind of 'lost' at times as far as other aspects of collecting baseball cards for themselves.
I feel like I've got to reboot my collection in a radical way because I've sort of lost the way I organize my cards - the way I physically put them together isn't quite how I want things to be and it bothers me.
I keep in mind lists list of all the countless, various places [representing various interests] where I funnel cards into - but that is mostly sorting cards to be autographed and separating them in a nuts-and-bolts way as opposed to having a definite way to collect certain cards [that are not really meant to be scrap cards to be autographed or shoved away as part of my collecting topics collections].
I don't know where cards I've blogged about end up - I hoard and look for stuff that ends up being clutter.
What about the personal collection cards - is there a core set of cards I can showcase or is it all just jumbled up?
What about the various cards in my 'A-Z' singles collection that are now scattered all over - various certified autograph cards of prospects who are supposed to be great but end up being busts?
I cling to the idea I've got to play with all the cards I've hoarded instead of looking for the next cardboard fix - this is my cardboard collecting life and I make my own fun and try not to worry about anything else, everyone else is doing.
However, as much as I wouldn't care to admit it, I'm more hoarder than collector and its come to a head - I have gotten older and as much as I want to collect, maybe it's time I stop pretending to be a mad scientist.
I didn't know much about this guy - I might have pulled one or two 2010 Bowman Draft cards picturing the one-time minor leaguer and put them away in my 'two-sports star' collection, since he apparently played college football too.
It's not too hard to label him a baseball bust since he isn't playing professional baseball anymore - but apparently he has enjoyed a breakout season as a rookie NFL quarterback [not named Luck or RGIII] and his one-time baseball playing career is in the rearview mirror.
Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, he ended up outplaying the team's key free agent signing at quarterback - he threw up a controversial Hail Mary 'non-touchdown, TD pass' that sealed the replacement officials' fate and then has managed to throw 25 touchdowns and lead his team to a playoff berth in 2012.
One of the last things I'd expect to find while digging around my house was an issue of Baseball America with Josh Hamilton on the cover from 1999 - I skimmed through the inside of the magazine and the main story is about the three prospective players [Hamilton, Josh Beckett or Eric Munson] the Tampa Bay [Devil] Rays were going to take with the No. 1 pick [Hamilton would be their choice].
The magazine was probably a part of a two or three issue 'trial subscription' I signed up for back in the day - as an autograph collector who likes to collect my share of prospect autographs, I wouldn't pick up a BA issue since it's printed on newsprint and I feel like it's a less durable item to be autographed.
The magazine is oversized, so it's a hassle to carry around in a bag - the magazine feels flimsy for autographing and it seems like it's going to get worn down faster compared to an 8x10 photo or a magazine.
With Hamilton being an Angel - I'll probably make an exception and see if I could get it signed some time in 2013.
Pack one
#123 Ryan Roberts
#120 Matt Garza
#FS-3 Adrian Gonzalez - Fantasy Squad insert
#ODS-13 Justin Upton - Opening Day Stars insert; I like the 3D effect, though it's something Topps has revived from the dead and played with in other insert sets.
#172 Dustin Pedroia
#64 Dan Haren
#62 Ervin Santana
Pack two
#179 Zack Greinke
#161 Hunter Pence
#98 Ben Zobrist
#ES-7 Justin Verlander - Elite Skills Player insert
#84 Dan Uggla
#80 Joe Mauer
#69 Tim Lincecum
Pack three
#104 Alexei Ogando
#146 Ian Desmond
#135 Josh Reddick
#SC-17 Adam Jones - Superstar Celebrations insert
#70 Madison Bumgarner
#60 Adam Wainwright
#NNO Carlos Lee - kind of weird, but after Googling info about the card, I find it's a common misprint.
Pack four
#176 Geovany Soto
#110 Scott Rolen
#164 Nyjer Morgan
#M-2 Baltimore Orioles - Mascot insert
#85 Mike Trout
#169 Ian Kinsler
#31 Evan Longoria
2012 Sticker Collection info card
Pack five
#139 Trevor Cahill
#43 Angel Pagan
#49 Melky Cabrera
#FS-4 Robinson Cano - Fantasy Squad insert
#66 Adam Jones
#91 Jayson Werth
#212 Daniel Hudson
Pack six
#180 Ted Lilly
#182 Seth Smith
#42 Mark Reynolds
#SC-15 Miguel Cabrera - Superstar Celebrations insert
#50 Ichiro
#47 Nick Swisher
#215 Colby Lewis
Pack seven
#140 Erick Aybar
#22 Aroldis Chapman
#177 Jhonny Peralta
#M-25 Junction Jack - mascot insert
#128 Lance Berkman
#201 Jose Reyes
#77 Jimmy Rollins
Pack eight
#208 James Loney
#187 David Wright
#29 Mike Napoli
#FS-2 Miguel Cabrera - Fantasy Squad insert
#126 Danny Valencia
#87 Ryan Howard
#76 Gio Gonzalez
Pack nine
#56 Vance Worley
#8 Jordan Zimmermann
#160 Carlos Ruiz
#ES-6 Andrew McCutchen - Elite Skills Player insert
#192 James Shields
#144 Andrew McCutchen
#16 Torii Hunter
2012 Sticker Collection info card
Pack 10
#112 Dee Gordon
#40 Domonic Brown
#138 Russell Martin
#SC-16 Nelson Cruz - Superstar Celebrations insert
#44 Jay Bruce
#54 Asdrubal Cabrera
#145 C.C. Sabathia
Pack 11
#105 Curtis Granderson
#59 Alcides Escobar
#55 Miguel Cabrera
#179 Zack Greinke - blue parallel serial #'d 1920/2012
#M-1 Bernie Brewer - mascot insert
#165 Yovani Gallardo
#39 Michael Cuddyer
This was one of two Christmas gifts from my brother - the other was a 2012 Topps Opening Day blaster box.
#488 Nick Swisher
#398 Buster Posey
#415 Rafael Furcal
#519 Gio Gonzalez
#476 Ramon Hernandez
#557 Zack Cozart
#452 Robert Andino
#624 Gerardo Parra
#588 Mark Ellis
#413 Frank Francisco
#396 Yoenis Cespedes
#616 Tyler Pastornicky
#657 Dave Sappelt
#423 Colby Rasmus
#427 Rafael Dolis
Topps Pennant Florida Marlins info card
#561 Freddy Sanchez
#377 Brandon Inge
#454 Michael Cuddyer
#498 Joey Votto
#524 Martin Prado
#381 David DeJesus
#493 Ryan Madson
#428 Jordan Schafer
#438 Juan Uribe
#572 Hiroki Kuroda
#394 Bryan LaHair
#516 Charlie Morton
#591 Aubrey Huff
#347 Craig Gentry
#397 Hector Noesi
#656 Carlos Santana
#546 Matt Thornton
#625 Tommy Hunter
#515 Willie Bloomquist
#373 Carlos Gonzalez
#425 Carlos Zambrano
#349 Tim Lincecum
#417 Carlos Pena
#509 Travis Snider
#348 Alfonso Soriano
#405 Nathan Eovaldi
#353 John Mayberry
#660 Yu Darvish
#379 Sergio Romo
#391 Rod Barajas
#584 Daric Barton
#445 Ramon Santiago
#646 Francisco Cervelli
#459 Eric Surkamp
#602 Alejandro De Aza - Golden Moments parallel
#ACA-14 Willie Mays - A Cut Above insert
#GM-19 Craig Kimbrel - Golden Moments insert
#CD-24 Troy Tulowitzki - Career Day insert
#TM-59 Cliff Lee - 1987 Topps Mini insert
#GGC-19 Derek Jeter - Golden Giveaway code card; unlocked a random coin and another free code, which unlocked another useless coin.
#511 Ervin Santana
#483 Alex Gordon
#339 Clayton Richard
#617 Jimmy Rollins
#633 Chris Narverson
#526 Casper Wells
#632 Joe Nathan
#593 Marco Scutaro
#520 Ryan Adams
#430 Felix Hernandez
#410 Jeff Locke
#460 Thomas Field
#390 Taylor Green
#338 Jose Constanza
#604 Juan Abreu
#396 Yoenis Cespedes - blue parallel
#657 Dave Sappelt - blue parallel
I think a couple of guys my friend knows makes cameos around the 0:36 mark - I'm sure they are going to appreciate watching this since they like to follow the progress of their fellow Japanese jumping from the Japanese pro baseball league to play Major League Baseball.
I got new Angel acquisition Jason Vargas to sign two or three cards at the end of the 2012 season when the Seattle Mariners were in Anaheim - while I would have liked to see what Kendrys Morales might have done in his second full season after coming back from his horrific injury in 2010, I guess there was some flexibility to make a move for a No. 4 or No. 5 starter like Vargas.
Vargas isn't great, doesn't throw particularly hard, but hopefully he can throw around 200 innings and in the process - nail down enough quality starts for the Angels without getting banged around [served up 35 home runs this past year] too much.
For the Angels, Mark Trumbo probably starts the 2013 season as primary designated hitter - with Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and maybe Vernon Wells on the short list of Angels players who can also DH if needed.
The sneaky signing of Josh Hamilton by the Angels might represent the feast or famine acquisition that defines Jerry DiPoto's legacy as a general manager in Anaheim - more than signing Albert Pujols or C.J. Wilson last off-season.
I have some reservations about Hamilton's focus during different points in a Major League Baseball season, but it's hard to argue that when he's on his best behavior - he is a superstar talent who adds meat and complements Albert Pujols in the middle of the Angels' lineup.
Hopefully it just doesn't become one of those situations where Hamilton forgets to play baseball and becomes an enigma and/or an outright free agent bust - since the Angels are going to be paying the man $25 million through the next five seasons to be a superstar.
I found this card in a quarter box and decided to grab in just in case the autograph is real - not worth much, but it's nice to find an old-school autograph card of a former Angels player.
With the Angels apparent addition of Joe Blanton - the Angels look to have some arms to build around after losing Dan Haren, Ervin Santana and most likely, Zack Greinke.
Blanton is a decent pitcher you can plug into a starting rotation and expect OK [if decidedly underwhelming] results - a good season for the burly righty would be pitching close to 200 innings while recording double digit wins.
A bargain basement signing - the money Blanton is getting to pitch the next two seasons for the Angels doesn't even pay for what current free-agent Greinke is likely to be paid per season.
I don't remember where I got this 2004 Bowman Draft card signed in-person - it might have been during the 2005 season or 2006 spring training, when I remember getting my picture with him at A's camp.
The Angels signing of reliever Sean Burnett adds another good lefty to complement Scott Downs in their bullpen - I assume Burnett is going to be a flexible piece, with the ability to come into any late inning situations and maybe even close out a game if needed.
I probably got this 2004 Bowman Draft card signed in-person four or five years ago - when Burnett was still with the Pittsburgh Pirates and I couldn't tell the difference between him and then teammate Tom Gorzelanny.
I bought this card for $10 back at the 2006 National in Anaheim thinking it was going to valuable - since Anibal Sanchez threw a no-hitter that year with the Florida Marlins and McCarthy was a young, unproven pitcher with some potential as a then 22 year old with the Chicago White Sox.
Today, the card is maybe worth half of what I paid - though Sanchez has been relatively healthy [though not quite a star] and while McCarthy bounced around a little bit, he's enjoyed some success in Oakland the past two seasons.
Both are free agents this off-season with Sanchez wanting to paid like a No. 1 or No. 2 starter - McCarthy seems tabbed to be a good 'under the radar' guy to grab since he is looking to bounce back after a getting hit in the head with a line drive off Angels Erick Aybar's bat in 2012.
