Way Off Base

The Draft Pick That Wasn't

2011-07-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

Cardboard Connection Radio had a segment last week on this card, and I thought it was a story worth sharing with those of you who didn't listen to the show.

In the 1974 NHL draft, the Buffalo Sabres' general manager was upset with the draft process and decided to make a fake pick in the 11th round. Punch Imlach, the Sabres GM at the time, picked up a Buffalo phone book, found a Japanese name, and announced that the Sabres were drafting Taro Tsujimoto, the center from the Tokyo Katanas (also a fictitious team...Sabres-Katanas...get it?). To this day, the fans at Buffalo still chant "We want Taro!" at the games.

That's a great story that stands on its own, but 36 years later Panini decides to make Tsujimoto's first rookie card. No, I'm not kidding. The 2010-11 Score Rookies & Traded set includes a short print of the legend himself. Panini even cleared the card with the NHL and the PA.

Panini America Adds to the Curious Legend of Taro Tsujimoto with Historic Rookie Card

Wikipedia - Taro Tsujimoto

eBay auctions for Tsujimoto card

2010-11 Score Rookies & Traded #659 Taro Tsujimoto

Baseball Cards Are Keeping Me Busy

2011-06-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

Apparently I've reach the point where I've got too many things on my plate. Writing for The Cardboard Connection, posting on my favorite forum, Sports Card Radio Fan Forum, and following the Cardinals with Pujols on the DL and all the bull-pen drama going on, has pushed posting on my blog almost completely off my plate. But today I'm enjoying a rare day off from work and trying to make the most of it.

I'm going to try and catch everyone up on what's been going on in my little corner of the world of baseball card collecting. Since my last post, I've contributed a couple more stories on The Cardboard Connection. You already know about the piece on the Frank Corridon card (1910 T205 Frank Corridon Leads History Lesson). But since then I've also written Baseball’s Changed But the Stats on the Back Haven’t, which is a story about how I believe Topps or any other company that may get a license to produce baseball cards, should get a little innovative and add some new stats to the backs of baseball cards.

I've also written a piece about my feelings on base cards. Getting Back to Base-ics With Your Collection was a fun article for me to write because I think some of the newer cards with their fancy graphics and shiny surfaces are approaching ridiculous. I'm not opposed to any types of sports cards. But in a world where refractors, memorabilia cards, and sticker autos are kings, I just wanted to highlight that base cards are still relevant.

I've also got a new article that I have just submitted for editing prior to the writing of this blog post. It's a piece on a book I just finished reading entitled Mint Condition - How Baseball Cards Became an American Obsession by Dave Jamieson. I'll be sure to post a link to it as soon as it hits the website.

Well, besides writing for the website, I've also added a few more "ubber-vintage" cards to my collection. (In my world "uber-vintage" is any card that's over 100 years old.) If you scroll down to my previous post, you'll see my 1911 T205 Frank Corridon card. That card got me wondering about the rest of the Cardinals in the T205 set. So I did a little research and found that there were a total of 10 different Cardinals in the set, two of them are Hall of Famers (Roger Bresnahan and Miller Huggins), and there are two Cardinals who have variation cards. Roger Bresnahan has one card with his mouth closed and one with it open, while Robert Harmon has one card with both of his ears visible and one where you can only see one of his ears. You really have to be a collector to appreciate the variation cards. I think most people would just shrug their shoulders at the slight differences in the cards, but to a collector those are little nuggets of gold! Anyway, I was able to get my hands on a few of these historical pieces. Here's the scans of the cards I recently scored...

1911 T205 Arnold Hauser

1911 T205 Edward Konetchy

1911 T205 Edward Phelps

1911 T205 Louis Evans

1911 T205 Rehel Oakes

No Hall of Famers or variation cards. Those are still a little out of my price range at the moment, but maybe Santa might find it in his heart to put a little special something in my Cardinals Christmas stocking next year. (My wife reads this blog, so just humor me.)

Just a little trivia note that I would like to add...and this 100% baseball related, but more of a personal nature. I recently have been doing a little research into my family history, and I found out that my grandfather was born in 1911. (In fact, if he were alive today, he would be celebrating his 100th birthday tomorrow.) Since I I'm collecting the 1969 Topps set because it was produced the same year I was born, I wanted to at least get all the Cardinals from the year my grandfather was born.

I'm going to have to do a little more research into the sets produced in 1945 to find a baseball card set that was made the same ear that my father was born. But that's a topic for another blog post.

Thanks for reading. See you next time!

It's Official!!!

2011-06-02T22:36:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited I don't know what to say. I just know I want to tell everyone that The Cardboard Connection just published my first article!!!

1910 T205 Frank Corridon Leads History Lesson

The thing that makes me so excited is that the link to my article is on their main page! I'm so excited, you'd think I just landed my first book deal.

I have to go call my mother and let her know that her son it going to win a Pulitzer Prize one day. She'll be happy.

My New Job

2011-05-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, The Cardboard Connection was advertising for some writing positions. I took a look at the application and thought to myself, "How cool would it be to get paid for writing about baseball cards?" I told the wife about it, and I was pleasantly surprised when she encouraged me to go for it. So I took a chance, filled out the app, and submitted a writing sample (it was actually a post from my blog). They say you can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket, so I gave it a shot.

I never though in a million years that I would land a paying gig writing about the hobby. I have no formal journalism training and no experience writing (other than my blog). Speaking of my blog, it wasn't too long ago that I made a post about how I felt that I wasn't contributing to the hobby.

That's about to change.

About a week went by after I submitted my application online. Then one day, out of the blue, I'm checking my Blackberry and I see an email from Mike Smeth, owner of The Cardboard Connection. He was offering me position on their staff! Can you believe it? I half-way expected the Candid Camera crew to come around the corner. I was on cloud-nine! It's still surreal to me.

The whole experience has been very humbling. There are probably hundreds of bloggers out there that have been around the hobby a lot longer than I have. Several of you guys write blogs that I consider to be quality material. The thing I find most humbling is that the people who read my blog and have blogs themselves are the same people that have taught me a lot of what I know about the hobby of collecting sports cards. I owe you my gratitude.

I'll be sure to post a link and Tweet about my first article when it gets posted.

Commentary from the “Wife”

2011-05-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

After my last post about my wife, she turned into Emily Dickinson and decided to make a blog post of her own. The following are her own words.

I have never known too much about Baseball, other than I have always loved the sport. My “Dyed in the Wool Cardinals Fan” doesn’t know this. I have expressed this fact, but he doesn’t really listen too much. It’s not his fault. He is a stellar man that is too busy building his entire collection in a few short years. If I could start him out with a card from the late 1800’s he’d be mine forever. This man… my man, is in a race to the finish line that doesn’t exist. It will never exist. Baseball is a part of our lives. Baseball is the American way.

I used to love watching the Phillies with my Dad. He took me to a few games when I was a kid in San Francisco when they visited the Giants after they relocated from New York for the 1958 season. Other than the Wolf Pack, the University of Nevada Reno team, and the Reno Aces, a local feeder team from the Arizona Diamond Backs, it is the only live baseball I’ve ever seen. It was back in the late 70’s when they weren’t on their way to the Series. The Phillies went to the Series before and after I went to High School. They went to the Series after he passed away. After my Dad was gone, I’m sure he was there in spirit cheering them on. I remember the good times… the amazing players on the field that to a child looked enormous, and every player was a Super Star. I remember him taking me for hot dogs, and seeing my Dad so happy. My Dad… he held the smiles of all smiles. Because of the love of the game, he was the fan of all fans.

What my “stat fan” doesn’t know is that I will love him regardless if he knows stats or not… I will love him simply for the love of the game. I love Baseball because it is the game of the United States of America that my Dad, my Uncle, and my husband fought for. It is the game of America. Baseball is some of the happiest times of my life. I am fortunate to know what it feels like to root for a Team, no matter what Team that might be. We as Americans are lucky to be free, and fight for the home of the brave, even if your team is the Braves. We are all fortunate.

The wife.

Thanks, Babe. I appreciate your kind words. You can contribute to my blog anytime.

I Hate It When She's Right

2011-05-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

In my last blog post, I mentioned my wife. Now in this post, she's making another cameo appearance. Besides being my best friend, she also is a big influence on me...more so than she knows. Not too long ago, my wife was perusing my blog and noticed the comments I had written in my profile. There's probably not a lot of you out there that pay much attention to the profile comments, but since she was my wife, she did.

My original profile mentioned that I was a bit of a "stat nerd". Testing the level of my "nerdiness" the wife decided to ask me what was Albert Pujols' batting average. Well...needless to say, she made her point, which was I'm guilty of false advertising. I'm no stat nerd. I don't even qualify as a stat "fan". I just wanted to make myself sound like some baseball expert when, in fact, I couldn't even tell you who won the American League Cy Young award two years ago.

I can tell you this much, though: I do enjoy learning about statistics. Thanks to ESPN's Baseball Today podcast, I have learned about BABIP, WAR, FIP, and many other statistics that have increased my enjoyment of the game. I have a long way to go before I can call myself a "stat nerd", but hopefully I'll get there one day. In the mean time, I can always count on my wife to give me a much needed reality check.

Thanks for setting the record straight, honey.

By the way...I've updated my profile comments.

Why do you collect?

2011-05-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

So today I decided to bring a box home from work for the express purpose of storing some of the Cardinals Game Day magazines that have been piling up on my desk. As I'm carefully placing the magazines in the box, my wife asks me why am I keeping them. Now, to me, it's a no-brainer. Those are Cardinals magazines. I can't throw those away. They're sacred. In my mind, it's as simple as that. But when it came to verbalizing the reasons I want to accumulate items related to my favorite sports team, I had a hard time.

I suppose there's probably some instinctive behavior involved that stems from some hunter/gatherer gene that's been present in humans since the beginning. But in our modern era of paperless offices, and hand-held devices that store gigabytes of data, it's hard to believe that there are still some of us who want to take up all the closet space in the house with boxes and boxes full of little pieces of cardboard with pictures of athletes on them (or in this case, magazines). It's crazy. Right? Yet, here I am going to Wally World today and grabbing another blaster box of 2010 Allen & Ginter to work on the set. Why do we do this?

To me there's something nostalgic about baseball cards. I think I'm drawn to the memories that are stored in a single image of a baseball player and his statistics. I'm drawn to the fact that I can hold the memories in my hand and touch the history of the game. Each baseball card I own has a story associated with it. Even the overproduced cards from the "junk wax" era can tell you some fascinating stories. You just have to listen. Once you listen to the stories...you'll be hooked.

Just like every baseball card has its own story, I'm sure that each collector also has his or her own story about how they fell in love with collecting baseball cards. Whether it was sitting at the table with your dad reading the stats on the back of the cards, or trading with the other kids from school when you were young, or even (like me) falling in love with collecting later in life, I want to hear why you collect. It doesn't have to be some 500 word essay. I just want to know what you love about collecting sports cards. It's very comforting to know that there are like-minded people out there enjoying the hobby right along with me. So please tell me what it is you love about collecting.

Have I Got a Deal For You?

2011-05-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

Gas prices got you down? Paycheck not stretching as far as it used to? Still want to work on your player collection without declaring bankruptcy? Then Colbey Flywheels has got a deal for you (and me too). Go check out his blog because he's got a box break that won't break the bank.

May's Affordable Group Break is Now Open! Teams starting at $5.00 shipped!

Mailday - Daily Dimwit GQ Box Break

2011-05-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

If a picture is worth a thousand words, this post puts War and Peace to shame. (These are just the highlights...there were too many cards to list here.)

This is the second personalized bumper sticker I've received from a blogger recently (BA Benny was the other one). Where's my Way Off Base stickers???

Then...in an unselfish gesture of unbridled generosity, Sam threw in several other Cardinal cards. These weren't some unwanted commons that I'm often guilty of giving out as extras when making trades. These were cards that were actually very cool.

DK57

Thanks to The Daily Dimwit for hosting a fantastic box break and also for the extras. I really appreciate it.

My First Autographed Baseball

2011-04-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

Ray Washburn (Cardinals pitcher) has a reputation in the TTM community as being a very reliable signer, but sometimes I think he gets overlooked by collectors because he played with Bob Gibson, and lets face it...Gibson was an amazing pitcher. But in my opinion, it's what Ray Washburn has done since he's left the game of baseball that impresses me much more than his statistics.

When I first stepped into the world of "through-the-mail" autographs, my first success was a 1969 Topps baseball card signed by Ray Washburn. That one card meant a lot to me for a number of reasons. First of all, it was my first vintage baseball card. Second, it was a vintage card of my favorite team. Third, that card was responsible for teaching me a lot about the 1968 Cardinals season.

On Sept 18, 1968 Ray Washburn threw a no-hitter against the Giants only one day after Gaylord Perry no-hitted the Cardinals, resulting in the first ever back-to-back no-hitters in the same series. Of course, you can't read much about the 1968 Cardinals without learning about Bob Gibson and the amazing year he had in '68 (1.12 ERA, Gold Glove, All-Star, Cy Young, MVP, record 17Ks in game 1 of the WS) So I credit this one baseball card with teaching me a great deal about the history of my team. Needless to say, this card holds a lot of sentimental value to me.

So when I sent Ray Washburn a baseball to sign, I took the time to write him a letter that told him about how the '69 Topps card he signed for me was my first TTM success and told him I really appreciated his generosity and what he does for his fans. The result was more than I could have hoped for.

Mr. Washburn not only signed my baseball, he put his jersey #, the date of his no-hitter, and the H/R/E from that game all on the ball. So now my first autographed baseball card, and my first autographed baseball both came from the same player.

(Yes, I will be getting a display stand to show off the card and ball next to each other.)

Thank you, Mr. Washburn. You're the best in my book!

To blog or not to blog...

2011-04-18T23:45:00.000-07:00

Like most of you, I'm not a professional writer. Heck, I'm not even an amateur writer. If you catch me on a good day I can form complete sentences. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for spell check, I would be too embarrassed to let anyone read anything I wrote.

Lately my blog has pretty much turned into a place holder on the internet for me to post my want-lists. Not that that's a bad thing, because I've garnered some pretty cool trades from other bloggers. (Some of those transactions would be more accurately described as "gifts" rather than trades.) Anyway, the point is, I feel that I'm not really adding any value to the sports card collecting community. I don't do reviews of new releases. I don't do box breaks. I haven't even been writing about my beloved Cardinals lately.

I wish I could say I'm turning over a new leaf. But I know myself, and I know that's not going top happen. After reading the title of this post you might be wondering if I'm pulling a Manny Ramirez and suddenly retiring from blogging. Well, never you worry. I have no "issues" with any drug tests, and I am not retiring from blogging. Much in the way that this blog has become a place holder for my want-lists, this post is just a place holder to keep my blog from completely falling off the face of the planet.

So without further ado, I offer you the latest self-serving additions to my trade-bait. Maybe one day I'll update my want-list too...just don't hold your breath.

2009 Goudey Dexter Fowler on-card autograph

2011 Topps Heritage Edwin Jackson refractor #/1962

2011 Topps Heritage Jose Bautista refractor #/1962

More Incoming TTMs

2011-04-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane!

Whoa! Hot chick, three o'clock.

Did Pavano hire a graphic artist to come up with this autograph?

A few more recent TTM successes. I just sent out 10 cards from the 2011 Heritage set to get signed yesterday. Can't wait to get those back.

2011 Gypsy Queen Box Break

2011-03-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

The Daily Dimwit is breaking TWO hobby boxes of 2011 Gypsy Queen. Yes, you read that correctly. Not one, but TWO hobby boxes, and if all 30 teams are claimed, he's going to throw in a third box of either 2008 Heritage or Ginter depending on the outcome of a vote by the participants. It's only $12 to get in on the box break. That VERY affordable for 2 hobby boxes and possibly a third if we can get all the teams picked. You should check out this box break! As of Saturday morning at 9:30 PST, these are the teams that are left.

Arizona Diamondbacks -
Chicago White Sox -
Colorado Rockies -
Kansas City Royals -
Los Angeles Angels -
Milwaukee Brewers -
Oakland Athletics -
Pittsburgh Pirates -
San Diego Padres -
Seattle Mariners -
Toronto Blue Jays -

Check out the box break here: The Daily Dimwit: 2011 Gypsy Queen BOX BREAK!

Spring Training TTMs

2011-03-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

Received a couple more TTMs over the past week or two.

Chase Headley

Michael Cuddyer

Chad Qualls

...and last, but certainly not least...
John Danks

2011 Opening Day Want List

2011-03-12T22:16:00.000-08:00

Mascots
M2 Atlanta Braves
M3 Oriole Bird
M4 Wally the Green Monster
M5 Southpaw
M6 Gapper
M7 Slider
M8 Dinger
M9 Paws
M11 Junction Jack
M12 Sluggerr
M15 Mr. Met
M16 Stomper
M17 Phillie Phanatic
M18 Pirate Parrot
M19 Swinging Friar
M23 Rangers Captain
M24 Toronto Blue Jays
M25 Screech

Under the Lights
UL-1 Joe Mauer
UL-2 Troy Tulowitzki
UL-3 Robinson Cano
UL-4 Evan Longoria
UL-6 Ichiro
UL-7 Vladimir Guerrero
UL-10 Ryan Braun

Opening Day Stars
ODS-1 Roy Halladay
ODS-2 Carlos Gonzalez
ODS-3 Alex Rodriguez
ODS-4 Josh Hamilton
ODS-6 CC Sabathia
ODS-7 Joe Mauer
ODS-8 Joey Votto
ODS-10 Albert Pujols

Presidential First Pitches
PFP-1 Barack Obama
PFP-2 Harry Truman
PFP-3 Calvin Coolidge
PFP-4 Ronald Reagan
PFP-10 Barack Obama

2011 Topps Opening Day Review

2011-03-08T23:07:00.000-08:00

Well...my local Wally World is a little slow on putting out new product, but today I made my way down the road to Target, and low and behold...they had the new Opening Day on the shelf. So I picked up a couple of blasters. I'm taking a different approach to collecting Opening Day than I am with Series 1. With Series 1 all I was interested in was the base set (and the Kimball Champion minis). With Opening Day it's the exact opposite. All I'm really interested in the inserts, and not the base set (I might try to chase a few base cards that don't have the same photo on either Series 1 or 2).

So to kick things off, let's take a look at the base cards. The first thing you'll notice is...

OH MY GOD!!! Is that Lance Berkman in a Cardinal's uniform???

Click on that picture to enlarge it and tell me if that's airbrushed (or Photoshopped). I cant tell. They wouldn't. Would they? Did they really? I pulled a Carl Crawford in his Red Sox uniform too. But poor Manny Ramirez was still in his White Sox threads. Someone at Topps headquarters must still be mad about last year's AL East Champs.

Anyway, what I was about to say was that Topps re-designed the Opening Day logo. I like the new design a lot better than the previous one, but they put April 2011 in the design. I know MLB is touting April 1st as the "official" opening day, but there are 6 games on March 31st. In my book that makes March 31st Opening Day, not April 1st. But hey...what do I know?

Next up we have the blue parallel numbered to 2011. Here we see a fine specimen in Roy Oswalt, hurler extraordinaire.

One small detail they added to the blue parallels (just to torment me, I'm sure) is they added the April 1, 2011 date above the Opening Day logo which already has April 2011 in it. So they put the wrong date for opening day on the card twice, as if to emphasize their ineptitude. I guess this makes the whole set error cards.

Moving right along, we finally get to the first insert set. This is what I'm really looking for this year. I've been halfheartedly trying to get the mascots from previous Opening Day sets, but this year, I'm doing it. I don't know why I like these cards so much. Maybe because they're different. You know...everyone loves the underdog and mascots rarely get any recognition yet they are such a huge part of the whole baseball experience. This is the largest insert set with 25 cards (a very manageable number for an insert set). I like these cards, but I have a problem with one of them.

I don't want to be "that guy" who complains about everything. But as I grow older, my tolerance for stupidity gets smaller and smaller. I've found that life is short, and I just don't have time to deal with idiots. With that being said...Why do the Arizona Diamondbacks have a Bobcat for a mascot? They're the DIAMONDBACKS for crap's sake! If that wasn't bad enough, Topps had to go and put put the extra wrong opening day date on these cards too. Enough on that subject...let's move on.

The next insert set is the Superstar Celebrations. The checklist that I looked at here only listed the first card, then simply indicated that the rest were TBD. Well, I pulled 6 of these cards out of the two blasters I bought, the highest number was SC-19. So I'm going to guess that there's 25 cards in this insert set (because I also pulled 6 mascot cards out of the two blasters).

When I look at this insert set, I could take it or leave it. And if I feel that way about a set, I'll end up leaving it. Superstar Celebrations, you're off the table.

The next set up for consideration is Stadium Lights. This is one of the insert sets that really got me excited about this year's Opening Day. Who doesn't love glow-in-the-dark stuff? Right? I know!

So I tested out the "glowing power" of these cards, and it turns out it's pretty weak. But if I was 7 or 8 years old again, I'm sure I would be in bed, under the covers, holding my Stadium Lights cards in front of a flashlight until they turned radio active. These cards are cool. They totally appeal to my inner child (but I guess all baseball cards do that).

The Spot the Error cards were somewhat of a mystery to me before I saw them. I didn't see any pre-release photos of these cards, nor did I hear anyone talk about what these cards were going to be like. So I was very excited to find out what the big "error" was going to be. Needless to say I was let down. These are two-sided cards that remind me of the Sunday funny papers that had two cartoons side by side where you had to spot the differences between the two.

Be honest...how long did it take you? Don't bother telling me. No matter what number you give me, I won't believe you. Anyway, I thought this was going to be a set built around error cards, not a Sunday funny-paper puzzle.

The next insert set is "Opening Day Stars." Topps brought back the 3D cards they had in their 2010 Series 2 set. The scan doesn't come close to doing the card justice, so don't judge these cards by the image you see here. These cards are phenomenal. If you liked the 3D cards in the 2010 set, you'll like these too.

And last, but certainly not least, we have the Presidential First Pitch set. I think this is an insert set that belongs in Opening Day. Baseball is full of traditions and this is one that Topps does a good job of capturing on a baseball card. It's a 10 card set, and I'll be chasing these cards.

They also have Topps Town inserts in these packs, but I'm not even going to bother.

So here's my wrap-up...

Base cards: 2.5 stars out of 5

I like the new Opening Day logo. Hate that it has the wrong date on it. I like players in new uniforms. I hate that the majority of the base cards are the same photos as Series 1 (and I guess Series 2 also).

Parallels: 1 star out of 5

Don't like the shade of blue on the border. Hate that they added an extra wrong date on top of the logo.

Mascots: 4.5 stars out of 5

Love this insert set. I'll be collecting all 25 of them. To me, the mascot is the epitome of home-team loyalty, apple pie, grandma, and the 4th of July all rolled into a baseball card. But for the love of God, please stop with the wrong date for the opening day of baseball.

Superstar Celebrations: 2 stars out of 5

This set doesn't do anything for me. I've got nothing.

Stadium Lights: 4 stars out of 5

Love the idea of the glow-in-the-dark cards. Yes, it's gimmicky, but in a good way. Plus, the angle of the photos (taken from that angle to include the lights from the stadium) make the players look larger than life.

Spot the Error: 1 out of 5

Total let down. The Jose Bautista card actually has him at the plate in mid-swing without a bat in his hands. Really? Come on!

Opening Day Stars: 4 stars out of 5

I loved the 3D cards last year and I love them again in this set.

Presidential First Pitches: 4 stars out of 5

Whoever came up with the idea for this insert set needs a nice big fat raise. To me, it's a no-brainer. The reigning president always throws out the first pitch. It signifies that the baseball season has begun, and that's what this set is all about.

Overall: 3 stars out of 5

I think the entire set does a good job of capturing the essence of baseball's opening day in the form of baseball cards (especially the Mascots and Presidential Pitches). I was glad I didn't see any diamond-platinum parallels (those things hurt my eyes). I'll be chasing the majority of the insert sets (minus the Superstar Celebrations and Spot the Error cards), so if you want to work out a trade, you know what I'm after. I'll post my want-list up on the side when I get a chance.

Note: No Purchase Necessary information

NPN 2011 Topps Opening Day Baseball

PO Box 2220

Duryea, PA 18642

TTM Successes

2011-03-07T23:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a few TTM autos I've got back from spring training so far.

I'm just waiting on the mail man for the rest.

Redemption Rant

2011-03-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

Most of you know SanJoseFuji from The Chronicles of Fuji. He recently busted a case of 2008 UD Masterpipeces football and received an expired redemption card for Joe Montana. (You can read about the case break on his blog here.) The thing that really sucks is that the redemption card expired 10/15/2010 (less than 5 months ago).

Upper Deck's response? "We'll send you a card...could be the Montana, or it could be a replacement." (I'm paraphrasing)

REALLY?

Expiration dates on redemption cards really burn my shorts. If a company makes 100 redemption cards, then they must plan on having 100 autos to send to people who redeem those 100 redemption cards. Why is there a need to put an expiration date on redemption cards?

Now if you're only 5 months past the expiration date, what happened to those autos? Did some UD employee take them home the day after the redemption cards expired? Did they put them in some other product line? Did they sell them on eBay? In my opinion, it's not acceptable to have an expiration date on redemption cards. I think it's bogus (and I would really like to use stronger language there).

First of all, I'm not a big fan of redemption cards. But if a company has to use them due to scheduling conflicts, then hold on to the autos until all the redemptions are claimed. I fail to see how something like this could cause a storage problem for the card company. But maybe it's not about storage...maybe it's about trying to make a buck and the card company isn't making any money on some autographed cards that are just sitting on their shelves.

The way I look at is this: If a company has to use a redemption card, it's their fault (not the collector's fault) that they couldn't get the athlete to sign in time for the autos to make it into the product line. By producing a redemption card, you are making a promise to the collector that you will provide them with the autograph listed on the redemption card. An expiration date is a cop-out...a way to break that promise...and I think it's unethical.

OK...enough on my rant. I'm sorry you got an expired redemption card, Fuji. I hope you get that Montana auto. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

I am Joe Collector: Upper Deck, expired redemption, and some BS

If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!

2011-02-23T17:48:00.000-08:00

First we are bombarded with news about the abortion that they call the Pujols contract "negotiations." (Good job on not causing any distractions.)

Then I receive a glimmer of light when I hear the news that Edmonds signs a minor league deal with the Cards and gets an invitation to spring training, only to succumb to the bane of all veteran ball players...old age. Edmonds retires and there goes any hope of seeing him back in a Cardinals uniform (where he belongs).

Now Adam crashes and burns in a major way.

Carp could step up, but my hopes of grabbing the NL Cy Young this year just got minimized to a fraction of their previous status.

I just don't know how much more bad news I can take!

1952 Bowman #212 Solly Hemus

2011-02-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

This is one of those blog posts that don't really have a reason for being. I just felt like blogging about one of my cards, and this is the one I picked. Now that I think about it, do any of my blog posts really have any meaning to them? But you're reading this, so here goes nothin'...

Interesting fact: Bowman had the baseball card monopoly back in 1950, since they were the only company making baseball cards that year. But Topps showed up the next year, producing their first cards in 1951, and ended up buying out Bowman in 1956. I think Bowman's last year as an independent company saw them produce their best design (the television set cards).

This is my '52 Bowman #212 Solly Hemus that I acquired in a trade. I wish I could remember who I traded with to get this, because this is a card that's really grown on me since I got it in the mail.

Solly Hemus was a short stop/second baseman for the Cardinals from '49 - '55 and was traded to the Phillies in May of '56 and returned to the Cards in the fall of '58 as a player/manager. In '62 Hemus went to the Mets as a coach for their AAA team.

Mr. Hemus now resides in Texas and is a reliable signer TTM if anyone is interested in sending him something for an autograph.

TTM Success - 2 Rookies

2011-02-19T22:50:00.000-08:00

I got two TTM autographs back this week. Both were rookie cards. The first one I received was Matt Gamel of the Brewers. Matt took his sweet time signing his card for me. But in his defense, he might have been a little busy during the season to get to it. It took 258 days to get this back. But I'm not complaining. I think it's a really cool surprise when you get a card back that you have totally forgotten about.

Pitchers and catchers reported back on the 13th, and a few days prior to that I sent out my first batch of TTM requests to those players. 8 days later, I received Sam Demel's rookie card.

I hope to improve my success rate over last year's TTM requests. I've gotten more selective with the players I'm sending the requests to, targeting only players who are known to be reliable signers.

One thing I'm concerned about is both of these cards came back with runny ink on the autographs. I know these cards are glossy, but I have another card waiting to be scanned with the same type of finish, and the auto looks perfect. Does this happen when the player uses a marker other than a Sharpie? If that's the case, I might start sending a Sharpie along with the cards. (That could get expensive, though.)

Let me know if you have any insight on the matter. Thanks.

Jim Edmonds Retires

2011-02-18T10:23:00.000-08:00

Report: Jim Edmonds retiring from game

I really wanted to see Jim come back and wear his Cardinals uniform again, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Good luck Jim!

Contest at Clear Cut Cards

2011-02-16T20:17:00.000-08:00

I like contest posts. It usually means I get an extra entry into someone's contest. (Ask me how that's worked out for me so far.) But I like advertising for other people's blogs as well. I just found Clear Cut Cards through BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffet. So now I have a new blog to follow, and I can help TheBrooklynMet get some more followers for his blog by advertising his contest for him.

So here's the link to the contest post at Clear Cut Cards. He's giving away a very unique prize. Another blogger and baseball historian, Gary Cieradkowski, is a graphic designer that has illustrated and produced his own set of tobacco sized baseball cards. This is just an amazing set and you have to go Gary's blog and check it out. But I'm not going to make it that easy for you. First go to Clear Cut Cards and enter the contest. There's a link to Gary's homemade baseball cards in that post. Trust me, it will be worth your effort.

Congratulations Stan Musial - Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

2011-02-15T19:49:00.000-08:00

Today, Stan "The Man" Musial received his Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. I watched the live feed on MLB.com and thought that the President said some pretty nice things about Mr. Musial. Stan showed up in his signature Cardinals-red blazer (you could pick him out in a crowd instantly in that thing). I even got a little misty eyed when Obama put the medal on Mr. Musial. I don't know if I was sad to see Stan Musial getting old and frail, or if I was proud to see my life-long hero getting the highest honor a civilian can receive from the leader of the free world. Either way, I just wanted to share this story with the rest of you.

TTM Success Dusty Baker Style

2011-02-08T22:54:00.000-08:00

I just got his card back Monday.
Sent: 7/16/2010
Received: 2/7/2011
216 days

Does anyone else use SportsCollectors.Net for TTMs?

Trade with BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffett

2011-02-06T13:29:00.000-08:00

BA Benny is a man that needs no introduction. You all know his blogs (he has two of them). Most of you have traded with him. Some of you have been the beneficiary of his contests, and there are even a few of you that taking part in his current box break. Well, I recently received a package from BA that included some great Cardinals cards. I think I sent him some cards from a want-list he had on his blog (I lose track of these things). Anyway, I was thoroughly impressed with the wares that came into my possession and felt the need to share my good fortune with collecting community.

First of all, let me applaud the recycling efforts of BA for re-using the same envelope that I sent his cards in. Way to go green, BA!

Now on to the business at hand. I received about 20 cards in the package. Below are some of the highlights I chose to share.

The first card that I scanned is a 2004 Topps Cracker Jack mini of Blake Hawksworth. This set was a reproduction of the original 1914-15 Cracker Jack cards. Getting this card makes me want to hunt down the other Cardinals in the set.

Next up is a 1979 TCMA card of Harvey Haddix who is probably best known for taking a perfect game into the 13th inning before losing to the Braves.

I also got a 2008 Topps Heritage T205 Mini Pujols card. Very nice. I placed this one in my binder right next to the full-sized card I already had.

Next up is a 2005 Topps Updates & Highlights Jim Edmonds gold-border card, serial #'d 1528/2005. Jim just signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals. Depending on how spring training goes, we could see him back in the line-up this year.

Last, but certainly not least is the 2006 SP Legendary Cuts Stan Musial card. If you're a Cardinals fan I think it's mandatory that Stan Musial is your favorite Cardinals of all time. BA also sent me a Lou Brock and Bob Gibson card from this same set.

Thanks to BA for the trade, and if for some reason you don't follow his blogs, you better get on the stick and correct the situation:
BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffett
BA Benny's Pack Rip Cafe

My Oldest Baseball Card

2011-01-29T21:26:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just want to show off.

1934-36 Diamond Stars Jim Bottomley

I know this isn't the oldest card in the world...but it is my oldest card.

Mailday Motherload - Trade with The Daily Dimwit

2011-01-28T20:31:00.000-08:00

I feel kind of bad because I've never made a blog post about any of my trades up to this point, and I've traded with quite a few of the people that follow my blog (and a lot of others that don't). Does that make me a lazy blogger? Am I inconsiderate to the people I trade with? The jury is still out on that one. But while they're deliberating, let me tell you about my most recent trade with fellow blogger Sam at The Daily Dimwit.

I happened to find The Daily Dimwit like I assume most of us find new blogs. I was following someone's blog who was following someone else's blog, (and they told two friends, and so on, and so on) who was following The Daily Dimwit. Anyway, he had a post up that caught my eye and after reading it, I noticed he had a want list up for the 2010 Topps baseball set. I said to myself, "Self, you also are working on that set and have quite a number of duplicate cards that this collector might need. Why don't you take a look at his want-list and see if you can help him out?" Well, before you know it, I was diggin through my boxes getting out 2010 Topps, 2008 Masterpieces, and 2007 Bowman Heritage cards for him. All I did was just shoot him an email letting him know that I was sending him some cards he needed. (I wasn't really too concerned with what I would get in return.)

Flash forward about 3 or 4 days and I get a large bubble wrap envelope stuffed with cards I needed for my 2010 Topps set. The thing that was so cool about this trade was we never hammered out any details about who was sending what cards and how much the book value was of the cards, etc, etc. This trade couldn't have been any easier. It pretty much consisted of us trading addresses and looking at each other's want-lists.

In my attempt to appear to be an amature statistician, I wish to share a few fun facts about my package full of baseball card goodness that I received from "The Dimwit."

1. I received 120 cards in my package (one hundred twenty). That's more cards than you get if you bought a blaster box from Walmart. In fact, that's exactly a blaster box and a half. Now couple that with the fact that every single one of those cards were on my want-list, knocking a significant chunk off my collecting needs for the year, and you have one nice mail day.

2. 96% of the cards I received in my package were inserts. If I were to open a new pack of 2010 Topps baseball (Series 1, 2, or Updates) I would probably get 5 or 6 base cards with 2 or 3 inserts in an 8 card pack. That's approximately a 25-35% rate of insert to base cards. I know I needed a lot fewer base cards than did inserts, but that is an incredible percentage.

3. 13 of the cards in my package were Cardinals or players that spent a significant amount of time in a Cardinals uniform (Johnny Mize as a Yankee, Ozzie Smith as a Padre, and I count George Sisler as a Cardinal even though he played for the St Louis Browns). I have no idea what the ratio is of Cardinals to other teams in the set (nor do I care to study the check-list that closely) but in my book, that's a respectable representation of St Louis ball-players.

So I think I've beat this horse to death at this point. I'll just share the list of the cards I got:

Base:
6 White Sox
62 Kevin Millwood
216 Mike Cameron
247 Andre Ethier
309 Gerald Laird
416 Ruben Tejada
559 Nick Markakis

US-289 Adam Kennedy
This card finished off my Updates base set.

CYMTO
5 Luis Aparicio
24 Robin Yount
27 Nolan Ryan
34 Dwight Gooden
36 Bo Jackson
41 Manny Ramirez
46 Pedro Martinez
48 Ivan Rodriguez

51 Albert Pujols
What can you say? It's Prince Albert.

52 Kevin Youkilis
64 Whitey Ford
65 Duke Snider
70 Harmon Killebrew
71 Eddie Mathews
73 Gaylord Perry
74 Jim Bunning
86 Paul Molitor
89 Steve Carlton
92 Robin Yount
107 Chipper Jones
110 Cole Hamels
111 Ichiro-Pujols
118 John Podres
128 Willie McCovey
136 Steve Garvey
137 Frank Robinson
141 Reggie Jackson
149 Darryl Strawberry
152 Barry Larkin
153 Eddie Murray
160 Derek Jeter
163 Piazza-Griffey Jr
167 Jason Bay
172 Ubaldo Jimenez

Legendary Lineage
3 Babe Ruth-Alex Rodriguez
4 Lou Gehrig-Mark Teixeira
6 Jimmie Foxx-Manny Ramirez
7 George Sisler-Ichiro
9 Honus Wagner-Hanley Ramirez
11 Mike Schmidt-Evan Longoria
13 Reggie Jackson-Adam Dunn
18 Gary Carter-David Wright
25 Tom Seaver-Roy Halladay
30 Rickey Henderson-Carl Crawford
33 Carlton Fisk-Victor Martinez
34 Eddie Mathews-Chipper Jones
37 Jackie Robinson-Ichiro
39 Phil Rizzuto-Derek Jeter
42 Lou Gehrig-Albert Pujols
50 Tris Speaker-Jacoby Ellsbury

51 Juan Marichal-Tim Lincecum
I prefer the cards with both players from the same team on this set.

55 Rickey Henderson-BJ Upton
56 Brooks Robinson-Ryan Zimmerman
58 Honus Wagner-Andrew McCutchen
68 Mark Teixeira-Logan Morrison
69 Tom Seaver-Mike Leake
70 Ernie Banks-Starlin Castro
71 Jim Palmer-Brian Matusz
72 Larry Walker-Justin Morneau
73 Steve Carlton-Jon Lester

Peak Performance
1 Albert Pujols
2 Tim Lincecum
6 Steve Carlton
17 Reggie Jackson
21 Jimmie Foxx

23 Stan Musial
Congratulations to Stan Musial for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

27 Tom Seaver
28 Johnny Mize
30 Prince Fielder
33 Cy Young
42 Ryan Braun
47 Roger Maris
55 George Kell
58 Magglio Ordonez
59 Derek Jeter
68 Andre Ethier
69 Ryan Zimmerman
72 Chad Billingsley
73 Adam Dunn
74 Dan Uggla
75 Jermaine Dye
78 Mark Reynolds
87 Troy Tulowitzki
88 Phil Rizzuto
93 Robin Roberts
95 Al Kaline
98 Victor Martinez
107 Carlos Pena
109 Colby Rasmus
118 Austin Jackson
114 Mike Leake
116 Starlin Castro

Vintage Legends
1 Lou Gehrig
2 Johnny Mize
3 Reggie Jackson

5 George Sisler
I don't know why I think of players on the Browns as if they were Cardinals. I'm sure Mets fans don't think the same way about the Yankees.

6 Willie McCovey
10 Babe Ruth
13 Eddie Murray
15 Jimmie Foxx
16 Thurman Munson
17 Mike Schmidt
22 Roy Campanella
28 Ozzie Smith
30 George Sisler
31 Babe Ruth
32 Reggie Jackson
34 Mike Schmidt
37 Eddie Murray
39 Roy Campanella
46 Rogers Hornsby
47 Jimmie Foxx

Thanks for the trade, Sam.

If you don't follow The Daily Dimwit, go check his blog out. There's some good reading there.

Crazy Card Contest!

2011-01-20T12:11:00.000-08:00

You owe it to yourself to check out the contest at All About Cards.

Mystery NPN Theater 3000

2011-01-17T12:46:00.000-08:00

My first ever No-Purchase-Necessary success. Well, it can be considered a success only in that I received a card in the mail. Topps sent me a 2010 Legendary Lineage #57 Yogi Berra/Jorge Posada card. It's not a bad card, but I already have it (And I'm not a Yankees fan. Don't they know that?). I think if Topps could get away with it, they would only produce Yankee cards. They obviously hold the record for most cards produced of one player in any complete baseball card set (Mickey Mantle). I wish someone would start a card company out of St. Louis and over-produce Stan Musial cards.

Anyway, back to my story...

The bubble mailer envelope they sent my card in was mysterious. There was an incomplete return address on the envelope (There was no name...only the street address.), so I didn't know who it was from at first. There was no letter or receipt or "thanks for the trade" note inside the envelope either...only another smaller paper envelope with the card inside. It actually took me a while to figure out that this was an NPN card. I had to look at the outside of the bubble mailer again. After I examined the return address, I recognized it as the address that I had sent my 3x5 card to months ago for the NPN program. Topps only has a couple of different addresses that they use for NPNs, so it wasn't hard to recognize once I paid attention to it.

So I guess Topps like to keep their NPN cards on the down-low. But I couldn't quite figure out why.

Thanks for the card, Topps. I'll try to find a good home for it.

What's wrong with this picture?

2011-01-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while I'll find an error card on the internet that's pretty interesting (wrong player on the back of the card, wrong position listed on the card, etc.). But this World Series program takes it to the next level.

This is a program from the '67 World Series, but if you weren't around to watch the game, a quick Google search will tell you that these aren't the two teams that played in the Fall Classic of '67. It's a well known fact that the Redbirds did win the '67 Series, but it wasn't against the Twins. The Cards went 7 games against the Red Sox. So why the program?

Beginning in 1975, MLB produced the World Series programs. But before that time, each team was responsible for producing the programs themselves. In '67 the American League had a close race between four teams. Going into the stretch, the White Sox choked and were eliminated, the Tigers needed a two game sweep but came up one game short, and the Twins had a one game lead on Boston as they played their last two regular season games against each other. Boston ended up taking both games, eliminating the Twins and going to the Series against the Cards. But the printing company in Minnesota wanted to get a jump on the programs before the end of the regular season, and the result is what we see here. Apparently they only got as far as producing the cover before their beloved Twins fell to the 1967 AL Champion Red Sox.

The idea for this blog entry was inspired by a story on MLB.com by Keith Olbermann entitled "A Little More History That Never Was." Keith writes a blog on MLB entitled Baseball Nerd. You can follow Keith's blog at http://keitholbermann.mlblogs.com/

First Koufax, Now Aaron???

2010-12-22T10:05:00.000-08:00

Topps must have hired some really smooth talker to have signed both Koufax and Hank Aaron to these autograph deals for their 2011 product. I can tell you this much...as a collector, this is good news. Even if I never see an autograph from either one of these legends, you know the bloggers, online auction sellers, sport card forums, and local card shops will all be talking about these autographs. Last year the big hobby buz was Strasburg...next year it's shaping up to be Koufax and Aaron. I like where this is going.

Topps Signs Hank Aaron to Autograph Deal

No Armchair QB Challenge This Week

2010-12-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry to disappoint, but I'll be skipping the Armchair QB Challenge this week (and most likely next week as well). Christmas is fast approaching and it's a busy time around the house, as it is for most of you, I'm sure. I've fallen behind on mailing out the prize packages, but never fret, you'll be receiving your winnings either sooner or later. Keep your eyes peeled for a possible return on week 17 (the last week of the regular season) and I would like to do something special for the play-offs, but I'll need to work on that. And who knows...maybe after the holidays are over, and the Super Bowl is in the history books, I might even get back to posting about BASEBALL cards again. In the mean time, enjoy the holidays. I hope you all get plenty of cards for Christmas, and don't drink too much eggnog.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 14 Results

2010-12-15T22:31:00.000-08:00

Nothing fancy for the results show this week. The holidays are taking their toll on my blogging time.

Congratulations, AdamE on your narrow win over Martyn.

Martyn

    QB - PHILIP RIVERS 13.54
    RB - LESEAN MCCOY 15.3
    WR - WES WELKER 11.5
    TE - VERNON DAVIS 13
    K - JETS 15
    D/ST - DAVID AKERS 14
Total 82.34

Captain Canuck

    A. Rodgers 2.34
    J. James 10.9
    D. Jackson 27.6
    J. Witten 18.9
    S. Janikowski 7
    Giants 13
Total 79.74

cornwellfamily

qb-orten -0.86
rb-c johnson 23.9
wr-jennings 5.2
te-a. gates 0
k-kaeding 7
def-gb 10
Total 45.24

BA Benny

    QB ~ Aaron Rodgers 2.34
    RB ~ Peyton Hillis 9.8
    WR ~ Greg Jennings 5.2
    TE ~ Antonio Gates 0
    K ~ David Akers 14
    Def~ Steelers 25
Total 56.34

AdamE

    QB - Vick 22.4
    RB - Peterson 2.6
    WR - A Johnson 26
    TE - Gates 0
    K - Janakoski 7
    DEF - Steelers 25
Total 83

cubsfan731

    QB-Vick 22.34
    RB-Greene (NYJ) 4.6
    WR-Williams (TB) 1.5
    TE-Olsen 0.6
    K-Akers 14
    D-Steelers 25
Total 68.04

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 14

2010-12-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

The Thursday night game is Indianapolis at Tennesee, so if you want to start any Colts or Titans, please get those picks in before the kickoff Thursday at 8:20 PM EST. What most of you have been doing is giving me your entire lineup for the week, and that's fine. I just wanted to make sure you knew that you do not have to give me the players who are playing on Sunday until Sunday morning. That being said, good luck to everyone in week 14.

General Rules:

You pick one player for each of the following six positions: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Kicker, and a Defense. Post your picks in a comment at the bottom of this post. You have up until kick-off time of the first game of the week to make (or change) your entries. Then using the default NFL.com fantasy football scoring system, the person with the most points at the end of Monday Night Football wins. (Note: NFL.com uses partial points for yardage. For example, if your running back rushes for 87 yards, he gets 8.7 fantasy points.) In the event of a tie, the person who made their post first gets the win. Good luck.

Week 14 Prize: 2010 Topps 1952 Bowman #52B21 - Maurice Jones-Drew

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 13 Results

2010-12-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

It's the nature of the beast, but it never ceases to be disappointing when you have big expectations for fantasy studs, only to have your hopes and dreams destroyed right before your eyes. Dwayne Bowe just killed fantasy owners this week (and he's not the only one). Many top notch fantasy sports organizations had Bowe ranked as the #1 wide receiver and he ended up with ZERO catches (Thank you, Champ Bailey). Dez Bryant is out for the season now, another disappointment. Jacob Tamme didn't come through, but with Peyton Manning throwing more interceptions than touch downs, that's to be expected. Peyton Hillis had a less-than-desirable performance this week as well, as did Brandon Lloyd and Chris Johnson, who were all supposed to be big producers this week. Basically, you have to roll with the punches. It just so happens that I suffered an unexpected loss heading into my fantasy play-offs which knocked me out of first place in my division. I started Chris Johnson, Brandon Lloyd, Dwayne Bowe, and Jeremy Maclin (In a league that starts 2 WR and a flex WR/TE). The four of them combined for a total of 15 fantasy points.

Enough of my whining. Let's get down to business. This week our winner is AdamE. He played Michael Vick and Andre Johnson and avoided the goose egg from Dwayne Bowe, so he came out victorious. Congrats, Adam. Please email me your address so I can get your card to you.

The best call of the week has to go to Captain Canuck who picked the Rams defense. Yes, I am biased, but hey...this is my blog and I'll be biased if I want to. (Go Rams!) It's too bad for the Captain that other than Drew Brees, the Rams were his top performers of the week.

Read 'em and weep...

Captain Canuck

    D Brees 18.52
    D Bryant 1.4
    P Hillis 7.9
    J Tamme 4.7
    S Suisham 7
    Rams 15
    Total 54.52

Martyn

    QB - P. MANNING 14.5
    RB - L. McCOY 25
    WR - D. BOWE 0
    TE - J. TAMME 4.7
    D/ST - GB PACKERS 7
    K - A. VINATIERI 5
Total 41.7

cubsfan731

    QB-Bradford 6.18
    RB-Hillis 7.9
    WR-Santonio Holmes 7.2
    TE-Tamme 4.7
    K-Akers 10
    D-Packers 7
    Total 42.98

BA Benny

    QB Aaron Rodgers 27.82
    RB Peyton Hillis 7.9
    WR Dwayne Bowe 0
    TE Jacob Tamme 4.7
    K David Akers 10
    Def Packers 7
    Total 57.42

AdamE

QB - Vick 28.88

RB - Hillis 7.9

WR - A Johnson 15.9

TE - Tamme 4.7

K - Suisham 7

Def - Chicago 3

Total 67.38

I told you!

2010-12-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, Jair Jurrjens, I told you that you would be mine, and now, thanks to a little help from Dayf at Cardboard Junkie, you are. I was very impressed with the generosity of a relative stranger. I suppose the years have turned me into a cynical person, but Dayf helped alleviate some of that last week when he sent me the final card in my 2008 Topps base set. Granted, it was a common base card, but the fact that someone took the time to package a card up and spend their own money to mail it to me gave me pause. Thank you for your generosity, Dayf. You ROCK!!!

You Will Be Mine Jair Jurrjens!

2010-12-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

I've been working on the 2008 Topps Series 1, 2, and UD&HL for over a year. Back in '09 it was easy. My local Wally World had an abundance of closeout blaster boxes. It didn't take long before I ended up with two binders and a box full of duplicates. Now I'm just one card shy of completing all three sets. All I need is #428 Jair Jurrjens.

I'm trying to trade my '89 Ozzie Smith card for Jair on the Million Card Giveaway, but wouldn't you know it? No one is responding to my trade offers.

So if you have the 2008 Topps #428 Jair Jurrjens on MCG please check your account, because I'm trying to trade with you. If you have this card in your collection, give me a yell. I'd really like to trade for it.

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 13

2010-11-30T14:00:00.000-08:00

After taking last week off for Thanksgiving, the Armchair QB Challenge is back! We will again have another Thursday game. This week it's the Houston Texans vs the Philadelphia Eagles. So if you want to start Michael Vick or Andre Johnson (or anyone else on either of the two mentioned teams), just let me know prior to the kick-off Thursday night. You can then wait until Sunday morning to give me the rest of your line up.

I thought I would let everyone know about a few notable injuries around the NFL to prevent some of you who don't do your research every week (like who has the time for THAT?) from playing someone who will not be on the field this week. This is not a complete list by any means. It's just a few of the guys that might be considered as starters. Be sure to check the injury report for updates before you send in your lineup.

RB - Frank Gore - SF: Out for the season / Broken Hip
RB - Adrian Peterson - MIN: Questionable / Ankle
WR - Vincent Jackson - SD: Questionable / Calf
QB - Vince Young - TEN: Out for the season / Thumb
RB - Joseph Addai - IND: Doubtful / Neck
QB - Ben Roethlisberger PIT: Probable / Foot sprain
WR - Greg Jennings - GB: Probable / Foot sprain
TE - Zach Miller - OAK: Questionable / Lower leg

General Rules:

You pick one player for each of the following six positions: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Kicker, and a Defense. Post your picks in a comment at the bottom of this post. You have up until kick-off time of the first game of the week to make (or change) your entries. Then using the default NFL.com fantasy football scoring system, the person with the most points at the end of Monday Night Football wins. (Note: NFL.com uses partial points for yardage. For example, if your running back rushes for 87 yards, he gets 8.7 fantasy points.) In the event of a tie, the person who made their post first gets the win. Good luck.

Week 13 Prize:

2010 Score #3 Andre Johnson

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T10:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry. No Armchair QB Challenge this week.

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 11 Results

2010-11-22T23:23:00.000-08:00

Hairylemon continues to dominate the Armchair QB Challenge. This week, he pulls a new trick out of his hat. HL scored over 100 points for the second time this season, but the remarkable fact about his score is that his tight end (Antonio Gates) was inactive due to injury. 

Top Performers Week 11
QB - Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) 34.5
RB - Fred Jackson (BUF) 24.9
WR - Greg Jennings (GB) 33.2
TE - Joel Dressen (HOU) 16.6
 K - Matt Bryant (ATL) 14
 D - Ravens (BAL) 23


Congratulations, HL.

As for the rest of you...

Read 'em and weep!


Captain Canuck
QB - Michael Vick (PHI) 19.72
RB - Ray Rice (BAL) 19.1
WR - Percy Harvin (MIN) 3
TE - Jacob Tamme (IND) 6
 K - Mason Crosby (GB) 7
 D - Ravens (BAL) 23
TOTAL 77.82

BA Benny
QB - Drew Brees (NO) 27.28
RB - Peyton Hillis (CLE) 20.3
WR - Roddy White (ATL) 10.3
TE - Dustin Keller (NYJ) 0.7
 K - Matt Bryant (ATL) 14
 D - Packers (GB) 12
TOTAL 84.58
 

CornwellFamily
QB - Phillip Rivers (SD) 23.92 
RB - Chris Johnson (TEN) 13.6
WR - Calvin Johnson (DET) 10.6 
TE - Antonio Gates (SD) IA  
 K - Nate Kaeding (SD) 5
 D - Packers (GB) 12
TOTAL 65.12

Martyn
QB - Drew Brees (NO) 27.28
RB - Peyton Hillis (CLE) 20.3
WR - Roddy White (ATL) 10.3
TE - Vernon Davis (SF) 0.3
 K - Adam Vinatieri (IND) 4
 D - Saints (NO) 5
TOTAL 67.18

Hairylemon
QB - Phillip Rivers (SD) 23.92 
RB - Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC) 24
WR - Dwayne Bowe (KC) 22.9
TE - Antonio Gates (SD) IA
 K - Mason Crosby (GB) 7
 D - Ravens (BAL) 23
TOTAL 100.82

cubsfan731
QB - Colt McCoy (CLE) 15.54
RB - Ray Rice (BAL) 19.1
WR - Marques Colston (NO) 23.3
TE - Vernon Davis (SF) 0.3
 K - Adam Vinatieri (IND) 4
 D - Packers (GB) 12
TOTAL 74.24

AdamE
QB - Drew Brees (NO) 27.28
RB - Peyton Hillis (CLE) 20.3
WR - Terell Owens (CIN) 12.3
TE - Jacob Tamme (IND) 6
 K - Sabastion Janikowski (OAK) 3
 D - Saints (NO) 5
TOTAL 73.88

Congratulations and Happy Birthday Stan Musial - Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

2010-11-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Stan Musial turns 90 years old today. Earlier this week, President Obama announced that he will be awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Stan in a press release on November 17th. The Medal of Freedom is the highest honor a civilian can receive. I was reading through the press release which lists all of the other announced recipients, and it hit me that all of the others were world leaders, environmental advocates, civil rights pioneers, etc. Stan is in some pretty good company. There have been several other baseball players that have received this same award in the past. Stan Musial will be joining the list of Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Buck O'Neil, Henry Aaron and Frank Robinson as other MLB players who have received the award. As a member of the "Stand for Stan" campaign, which was a coordinated effort to help convince the White House to give the award to Mr. Musial, I was ecstatic to hear the news. So congratulations and Happy Birthday to Stan Musial, my hero.

Mail Day/MCG Trade

2010-11-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

I just completed two separate trades with the CornwellFamily that did two things. #1 I added two new cards to my 1969 Topps Project (both cards were traded on Topps Million Card Giveaway site), and #2 I got a nice Mark Mulder relic card. Yay me!

Once I get this '69 Rookie Stars in my hand, I'm submitting it to Cards on Cards for his Airbrush Friday segment.

Milt Pappas...now that's a baseball name if I've ever heard one. Think of all the nicknames that could spawn from that. Milt the Stilt, Papa, Papa Milt, Milton Bradley (oh wait...that's already taken)...the list goes on and on.

And don't forget the pretty new shiney I got too. Well...2005 isn't exactly brand new, but it definitely isn't vintage yet either. When you hear about a player being plagued by injuries think of Mark Mulder. Between the time that the Cards acquired Mulder in 2005 and 2008 when he retired, he was in and out of the hospital so many times that they had to install a revolving door for him. Mark is now a competitive golfer.

Thanks again to the CornwellFamily for the trades.

Have Blog/ Will Advertise

2010-11-19T14:00:00.001-08:00

Do me a solid, would you? Look to the left. You see that Cardboard Connection widget I have over there? No...not the Cards for Trade widget, the one below that. Go enter their contests by signing up for their newsletter. When you enter, tell them you heard about the contest here on my blog by entering the URL in the "Where did you hear about us?" portion of the newsletter sign up form.

You'll be helping me out, because if you're a winner (and everyone who reads my blog is a winner) and you put my blog in that little form thingie, then I get a $20 eBay gift certificate that I can use to get more '69 Topps cards for my project.

And you all want to help me out with my project, don't you?

I knew I could count on you. You're AWESOME!

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 11

2010-11-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

For this week's Thursday game, if you want to start someone from either the Dolphins or the Titans, I'll need to know who that player(s) is before kickoff Thursday night. You can wait until Sunday morning to give me the rest of the line up if you like. The second option you have is you can give me your entire lineup before the kickoff on Thursday's game, and then change your lineup if there's on updated injury report prior to the start of the Sunday morning games. The only stipulation is you cannot change or add any players from the Thursday game after the kickoff Thursday night. If you have any questions, let me know.

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 10 Results

2010-11-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

The results for week 10 are in, and the SPANKING that the Eagles put on the Skins last night is what separated our winner this week. AdamE had Vick as his QB. Vick's performance this week was enough to put AdamE over the top. Congrats on winning the Dustin Keller rookie card.

For the rest of you...
Read 'em and weep!

Top Performers of Week 10

QB - Michael Vick (PHI) 49.32

RB - Keiland Williams (WAS) 31.9
WR - Dwayne Bowe (KC) 30.6
TE - Rob Gronkowski (NE) 25.2
 K - Olindo Mare (SEA) 18
 D - Colts (IND) 20

BA Benny
QB - Peyton Manning (IND) 7.4
RB - Arian Foster (HOU) 12
WR - Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 8.2
TE - Dustin Keller (NYJ) 2.5
 K - Dan Carpenter (MIA) 11
 D - Titans (TEN) 2
TOTAL: 43.1

Hairylemon
QB - Carson Palmer (CIN) 13.68
RB - Adrian Peterson (MIN) 7.5
WR - Calvin Johnson (DET) 18.8
TE - Jason Witten (DAL) 0.7
 K - Dan Carpenter (MIA) 11
 D - Buccaneers (TB) 5
TOTAL: 56.68

AdamE
QB - Michael Vick (PHI) 49.32
RB - Arian Foster (HOU) 12
WR - Terrell Owens (CIN) 14.6
TE - Heath Miller (PIT) 6
 K - Jeff Reed (PIT) 4 
 D - Titans (TEN) 2
TOTAL: 87.92

cubsfan731
QB - Colt McCoy (CLE) 13.3
RB - Ray Rice (BAL) 10.2
WR - Marques Colston (NO) BYE
TE - Brent Celek (PHI) 0.8
 K - Rob Bironas (TEN) 5
 D - Steelers (PIT) -1
TOTAL: 28.3

Captain Canuck
QB - Eli Manning (NYG) 20.62
RB - Javid Best (DET) 3.9
WR - Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 8.2
TE - Jacob Tamme (IND) 7.3
 K - David Akers (PHI) 11
 D - Giants (NYG) 3
TOTAL: 54.02

Martyn
QB - Peyton Manning (IND) 7.4
RB - LeSean McCoy (PHI) 15.4
WR - Calvin Johnson (DET) 18.8
TE - Dustin Keller (NYJ) 2.5
 K - Todd Carter (CAR) 0
 D - Texans (HOU) 1
TOTAL: 45.1

CornwellFamily
QB - Peyton Manning (IND) 7.4
RB - Adrian Peterson (MIN) 7.5
WR - Terrell Owens (CIN) 14.6
TE - Marcedes Lewis (JAC) 5.3
 K - David Akers (PHI) 11
 D - Giants (NYG) 3
TOTAL: 48.8

Play at the Plate
QB - Eli Manning (NYG) 20.62
RB - Adrian Peterson (MIN) 7.5
WR - Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 8.2
TE - Vernon Davis (SF) 7.9
 K - Josh Scobee (JAC) 7
 D - Giants (NYG) 3
TOTAL: 54.22

1969 Topps Project: 3 New Cards from MCG

2010-11-12T22:24:00.000-08:00

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog post to bring you this breaking news.

FLASH!

82Redbirds has just added three new cards to his 1969 Topps set. In a cooperative effort with fellow sports card collector, CornwellFamily, 82Redbirds was able to make two separate trades that resulted in the acquisition of the #61 Jimmie Hall - Cleveland Indians and the #366 Bo Belinsky - St. Louis Cardinals. Both trades were made on the Topps Million Card Giveaway website, therefore requiring detailed coordination between the collectors in order to pull off a successful transaction. Both parties are reportedly very satisfied with the results of the trades.

In an unrelated off-season pick-up, 82Redbirds also added #217 John Donaldson - Oakland Athletics to the lineup through an MCG code received in a pack that was purchased at a local retail outlet.

Images of all the newly acquired players can be found below. We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog post.

Here we go... 1969 Topps Project: Part 1

2010-11-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

I've made the decision to take the plunge. I'm going to start building my first vintage set. Obviously, vintage is relative term. But I think I'm pretty safe to call the 1969 Topps set vintage. I was born that year, so I thought it would be a good place to start. (Yes, I know it's a very original idea, isn't it?) So off we go into the wide world of vintage cards...

I've had this card for a while, and if you've been following my blog from its inception, you'll remember me talking about my first TTM success. Here in all its glory, is the first card in my quest to complete the '69 Topps set.

This is card #415 Ray Washburn. I sent Ray the card in the mail to autograph, and he very graciously complied with my request. Much appreciated, Mr. Washburn.

In 1968, Ray had his best year with a record of 14-8, a 2.26 ERA, 124Ks, and a no-hitter against the SF Giants at Candlestick Park on 9/18 of that year. Interestingly, Washburn's no-no came the day after Gaylord Perry pitched a no-hitter against the Cards, beating my long-time hero, Bob Gibson. It's the first time in Major League history that back-to-back no- hitters were pitched in the same series. Ray also pitched (and won) game 3 of the World Series that year against the Tigers, allowing 4 hits, and 3 earned runs.But he turned around and lost game 6 of the '68 series 13-1. The Tigers went on to win the series in 7 games. Ray saw a bit of a slump in '69 and he was traded to the Reds after the end of the season. (Thank you, Wikipedia for all the info.)

So I'm 1/664th of the to my goal. I'm very encouraged by my impressive progress on this set, to date. Wish me luck!

Side note: Don't forget to sign up for the Armchair QB Challenge. There's a Thursday night game this week (Ravens @ Falcons in the Battle of the Birds), so get me your players from that game before the kick-off Thursday night.

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 10

2010-11-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

For this week's Thursday game, if you want to start someone from either the Falcons or the Ravens, I'll need to know who that player(s) is before kickoff Thursday night. You can wait until Sunday morning to give me the rest of the line up if you like. The second option you have is you can give me your entire lineup before the kickoff on Thursday's game, and then change your lineup if there's on updated injury report prior to the start of the Sunday morning games. The only stipulation is you cannot change or add any players from the Thursday game after the kickoff Thursday night. If you have any questions, let me know.

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 9 Results

2010-11-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

A very close week in the Armchair QB league as well as in the NFL. In the NFL there were 3 games that went into over time. In the Armchair QB league, there was only 11.42 points separating the first and last place teams. It would have been even closer if Hairylemon had not played Antonio Gates who was sidelined with a foot injury (sorry I didn't catch that in time). Nevertheless, congratulations go to Cubsfan731, our winner for week 9. Shoot me an email with your address and I'll mail the Brees card out to you, Cubsfan.

Just for the heck of it, I'm going to post the top performers for each position for week 9.

QB - Aaron Rodgers GB 27.66

RB - Peyton Hillis CLE 32

WR - Terrell Owens CIN 26.1

TE - Aaron Hernandez NE 16.8

 K - Davis Akers PHI 14

 D - Packers 28

Now for the rest of you...

ream 'em and weep.

BA Benny
QB - Drew Brees 16.12
RB - Adrian Peterson 26.4
WR - Roddy White 5.2
TE - Jason Witten 4.4
 K - Mason Crosby 9
 D - Giants 10
TOTAL: 71.12

Cubsfan731
QB - Drew Brees 16.12
RB - Jamaal Charles 10
WR - Santonio Holmes 11.4
TE - Jeremy Shockey 6.7
 K - Adam Vinatieri 6
 D - Packers 28
TOTAL: 78.22

Captain Canuck
QB - Peyton Manning 11.76
RB - Arian Foster 31.7
WR - Roddy White 5.2
TE - Jason Witten 4.4
 K - Sabstion Janikowski 11
 D - Baltimore 12
TOTAL: 76.06

Hairylemon
QB - Phillip Rivers 25.10
RB - Adrian Peterson 26.4
WR - Calvin Johnson 1.3
TE - Antonio Gates 0
 K - Dan Carpenter 4
 D - Giants 10
TOTAL: 66.8

Martyn
QB - Peyton Manning 11.76
RB - Ladanion Tomlinson 10.2
WR - Roddy White 5.2
TE - Dustin Keller 5.9
 K - Sabastion Gostkowski 11
 D - Packers 28
TOTAL: 72.06

Spring Forward, Fall Back

2010-11-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to roll the clocks back an hour this morning. There's still time to get your picks in for week 9 of the Armchair QB Challenge. HURRY UP!

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 9

2010-11-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here are the rules...

You pick one player for each of the following six positions: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Kicker, and a Defense. Post your picks in a comment at the bottom of this post. You have up until kick-off time of the first game of the week to make (or change) your entries. Then using the default NFL.com fantasy football scoring system, the person with the most points at the end of Monday Night Football wins. (Note: NFL.com uses partial points for yardage. For example, if your running back rushes for 87 yards, he gets 8.7 fantasy points.) In the event of a tie, the person who made their post first gets the win. Good luck.

Week 9 Prize:

2008 Upper Deck First Edition Drew Brees StarQuest #SQ10

Contests are cool. Especially when you win.

2010-11-04T15:50:00.000-07:00

Sports Card Radio gave away a box of Pannini Certified Hockey on the SCR Fan Forum. You had to do a mini bio on a player from the checklist to be entered to win one of the packs. They threw all of our names into random.org and my name was #3. My pack had an on-card auto of Peter Stastny (former St. Louis Blues player and HoF'er). So thanks to Pannini for the case, and thanks to Sports Card Radio for having the contest.

If you haven't checked out the SCR Forum, you should. They have a web site, the forum, and a podcast that reviews new releases, talks about hobby news, gives you tips on prospects, and a ton of other useful info. And it's not huge like some of the other forums, so it's easy to navigate, the moderators are friendly, and you actually get something out of the experience every time you visit their forum or web site.

Armchair QB Challenge: The Century Club

2010-11-02T22:49:00.000-07:00

The winner this week has not only won the Armchair QB Challenge, but he has set two new records in doing so. First of all, this is the third week in a row that Hairylemon has won the challenge, and he's won 4 out of the last 5 weeks. Just to put this into perspective, no one else has won more than one week so far this season. The second and most impressive record that HL set this week is that he has broke the century mark. He scored 115.1 points with only 6 players...the first one to achieve a score in the triple digits. In doing so, HL has secured himself a spot in the Way Off Base Hall of Fame and has earned a special prize to be named later (since I was not prepared for this monumental occasion).

So, for all the rest of you guys, as always...
read 'em and weep

BA Benny
QB - Peyton Manning 19.02
RB - LaDanian Tomlinson 9.1
WR - Brandon Marshall 6.4
TE - Antonio Gates 18.3
K - Neil Rackers 7
D - Jets 6
TOTAL: 65.82

Captain Canuck
QB - Peyton Manning 19.02
RB - Jamaal Charles 23.8
WR - Pierre Garcon 7.8
TE - Dustin Keller 4.5
K - Sebastian Janikowski 15
D - Chiefs 9
TOTAL: 79.12

Play at the Plate
QB - Matt Schaub 8.14
RB - Darren McFadden 13.5
WR - Kenny Britt 0
TE - Antonio Gates 18.3
K - Sebastian Janikowski 15
D - Chiefs 9
TOTAL: 63.94

Hairylemon
QB - Phillip Rivers 18.5
RB - Adrian Peterson 20.2
WR - Calvin Johnson 28.1
TE - Antonio Gates 18.3
K - Dan Carpenter 18
D - Cardinals 12
TOTAL: 115.1

cubsfan731
QB - Colt McCoy 0
RB - Shonn Greene 3.2
WR - Marques Colston 13.6
TE - Chris Cooley 4.8
K - Matt Prater 4
D - Texans 1
TOTAL: 26.6

Martyn
QB - Peyton Manning 19.02
RB - Arian Foster 22.7
WR - Reggie Wayne 9.9
TE - Jason Witten 15.7
K - Mike Nugent 2
D - Raiders 17
TOTAL: 86.32

CornwellFamily
QB - Peyton Manning 19.02
RB - Arian Foster 22.7
WR - Mike Wallace 4.3
TE - Zach Miller 0.8
K - John Kasay 4
D - Jets 6
TOTAL: 56.82

Recipie for Disaster

2010-10-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

Throw 11 balls in a row.
Walk 4 consecutive batters.
Follow that up by allowing 3 straight hits (single, double, and a triple).
Ensure to add all ingredients in the 8th inning with two outs.
Season to taste.
Serve the 9-0 shutout to 40,000 fans at AT&T Park.

GA Mindset Has Lost His Mind!!!

2010-10-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

Everyone likes free stuff...especially me! If you like free stuff too then you need to check out the contest that GA Mindset is running on his blog. I think he's gone MAD! He's giving away a free hobby box of 2010 Topps Chrome Baseball...just GIVING it away...no riddle to answer, code to crack...nothing! Just post about it on your blog, and you're in the drawing. It doesn't get any better than this (unless you count the lottery).

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 8

2010-10-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

World Series Game 2: Giants up 1-0

2010-10-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

So Cliff Lee had some trouble last night. There's no reason to worry...yet. CJ Wilson will take the mound against Matt Cain tonight. Let's see if the Rangers can even the series after the debacle last.

By the way, I don't have either one of these cards, I just grabbed some Google images to show you who was pitching tonight. That was nice of me, don't you think?

I'm a former Marine. I tell you that not to garner the inevitable gratitude that comes from most when I bring the subject up (but I appreciate it). Instead, I mention this because before last night, when I heard the term E-9, I thought it meant Sergeant Major. Now I see that I've been wrong all these years. An E-9 is Vladamir Guerrero.

You learn something new everyday.

Game 1 Tonight: Lee vs Lincecum

2010-10-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

Who are you rooting for?

Me? I'm rooting for the Rangers. They've never been to the big game, and I would like to see them on the list.

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 7 Results

2010-10-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

HOLY COW!!! Hairylemon does it again! He's won 3 of the last 4 weeks. Congratulations!

 Read 'em and weep

TJ
QB - Kyle Orton          14.02
RB - Chris Johnson       7.3
WR - Deion Branch        3.9
TE - Tony Gonzales       2.7
 K - Matt Bryant         7
 D - Chargers            4
TOTAL:                   38.92

   
Captain Canuck
QB - Tony Romo           5.56
RB - Ray Rice            7.3
WR - Roddy White         32.1
TE - Tony Gonzalez       2.7
 K - Matt Prater         2
 D - Ravens              8
TOTAL:                   57.66

AdamE
QB - Kyle Orton          14.02
RB - Rashard Mendenhall  4.3
WR - Terrell Owens       14.8
TE - Dallas Clark        bye
 K - Stephen Gostkowski  11
 D - Steelers            3
TOTAL:                   47.12
  
Hairylemon
QB - Phillip Rivers      14.34
RB - Steven Jackson      14.5
WR - Dwayne Bowe         20.1
TE - Antonio Gates       11
 K - Billy Cundiff       13
 D - Ravens              8
TOTAL:                   80.94
    
Martyn
QB - Eli Manning         22.14
RB - LeSean McCoy        10.2
WR - Chad Ochocinco      16.8
TE - Vernon Davis        13.4
 K - David Akers         13
 D - Steelers            3
TOTAL:                   78.54
    
Cornwellfamily
QB - Drew Brees          14.24
RB - Ray Rice            7.3
WR - Dwayne Bowe         20.1
TE - Heath Miller        3.3
 K - John Kasay          13
 D - Ravens              8
TOTAL:                   65.94

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 7

2010-10-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 6 Results

2010-10-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

We have our first repeat winner!

Congratulations goes to ...Hairylemon.

We only had 4 participants in week 6. You guys are just giving away the winnings! Don't make it so easy. Get your picks in before kickoff.

Here are the results. Read 'em and weep!

Captain Canuck
QB - Phillip Rivers 11.96
RB - Matt Forte 11.1
WR - Miles Austin 1.2
TE - Tony Gonzalez 13.9
K - Rob Bironas 12
D - Steelers 15
TOTAL: 65.16

Hairylemon
QB - Phillip Rivers 11.96
RB - Adrian Peterson 13.1
WR - Calvin Johnson 20.6
TE - Antonio Gates 1.2
K - Nick Folk 8
D - Steelers 15
TOTAL: 69.86

Martyn
QB - Peyton Manning 18.18
WR - Reggie Wayne 7.1
RB - LeSean McCoy 8.5
TE - Tony Gonzalez 13.9
K - Lawrence Tynes 0
D - Texans 0
TOTAL: 47.68

DodgerBobble
QB - Eli Manning 14.98
RB - Frank Gore 14.9
WR - Miles Austin 1.2
TE - Antonio Gates 1.2
K - Rob Bironas 12
D - Giants 9
TOTAL: 53.28

Here We Go Again

2010-10-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

This time it's JD's Wild Cardz who's gone and made another "Crack the Code" contest. If you enjoyed the Ginter puzzle and Sharpe Since '92's code contest, go check out JD's Wild Cardz. But don't invest too much time on it, because I'm going to win it. (Just thought I'd let you know.)

In the mean time, let me distract you with my own contest...

Enter the Armchair QB Challenge. It's like fantasy football without the draft. You get to pick the fantasy studs you want each and every week, and it doesn't matter if someone else has picked them already...you can use whoever you want. On the right hand side of this screen just below my St Louis Cardinals logo, you'll see a link to the Armchair QB Challenge. Click on it and take a look at the rules. It's a piece of cake!

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 6

2010-10-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

Week 6 Prize: 2010 Topps 75th Draft Rashard Mendenhall

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 5 Results

2010-10-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

The week 5 winner is RedSoxFan8269 who chimed in with 88.44 points. 

Congratulations!

Read 'em and weep... 

Play at the Plate
QB - Peyton Manning 7.46
RB - Arian Foster 2.7
WR - Reggie Wayne 7.5
TE - Antonio Gates 15.2
 K - Matt Bryant 8
 D - Chargers 2
TOTAL: 42.86 

DodgerBobble
QB - Phillip Rivers 22.64
RB - Maurice Jones Drew 9.3
WR - Reggie Wayne 7.5
TE - Chris Cooley 6.9
 K - Sebastian Janikowski 11
 D - Baltimore 4
TOTAL: 61.34 

CornwellFamily
QB - Drew Brees 13.36
RB - Maurice Jones-Drew 9.3
WR - Calvin Johnson 11.4
TE - Antonio Gates 15.2
 K - John Carney 8
 D - Panthers 11
TOTAL: 68.26 

AdamE
QB - Phillip Rivers 22.64
RB - Chris Johnson 25.2
WR - Chad Ochocinco 2
TE - Dallas Clark 2
 K - Antonio Bryant 8
 D - Jaguars 3
TOTAL: 62.84 

Hairylemon
QB - Phillip Rivers 22.64
RB - Maurice Jones-Drew 9.3
WR - Chris Johnson 11.4
TE - Antonio Gates 15.2
 K - Matt Prater 5
 D - Packers 8
TOTAL: 71.54

Captain Canuck
QB - Drew Brees 13.36
RB - Maurice Jones-Drew 9.3
WR - Roddy White 16.1
TE - Dustin Keller 1.4
 K - John Carney 8
 D - Giants 11
TOTAL: 59.16

Steven M
QB - Matt Ryan 9.98
RB - Frank Gore 9.3
WR - Randy Moss 14.1
TE - Dallas Clark 2
 K - Nate Kaeding 9
 D - Bengals 10
TOTAL: 54.38

Martyn
QB - Peyton Manning 7.46
RB - Adrian Peterson 10.8
WR - Steve Smith (Panthers) 0
TE - Dallas Clark 2
 K - Sebastian Janikowski 11
 D - Saints 7
TOTAL: 38.26

RedSoxFan8269
QB - Philip Rivers 22.64
RB - Ray Rice 27.9
WR - Marques Colston 9.7
TE - Antonio Gates 15.2
 K - Nate Kaeding 9
 D - Baltimore Ravens 4
TOTAL: 88.44

BA Benny
QB - Drew Brees 13.36
RB - Maurice Jones-Drew 9.3
WR - Reggie Wayne 7.5
TE - Antonio Gates 15.2
 K - Matt Bryant 8
 D - Chargers 2
TOTAL: 55.36

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 5

2010-10-07T23:10:00.000-07:00

Still no one in the Century Club.

Week 5 Prize: 2005 Press Pass Big Numbers Aaron Rodgers

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 4 Results

2010-10-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

Week 4 Champion: HAIRYLEMON

Congratulations!

After 4 weeks of the NFL season, we have 4 different winners. I'm waiting to see who will be the first repeat champion. I'm also waiting to see who will be the first to break that elusive triple digit score. We got even closer this week with Hairylemon coming in at 96.24 points (only 3.76 points short). I have a feeling we will have a Century Club member next week, if all goes as expected. The only questions is, who will it be?

Week 4 Results...Read 'em and weep!

Captain Canuck

QB - Peyton Manning 19.98
RB - Arian Foster 30.7
WR - DeSean Jackson 2.1
TE - Dustin Keller 14.8
K - Mason Crosby 4
D - Bears 9

TOTAL: 80.58

BA Benny

QB - Peyton Manning 19.98
RB - LaDainion Tomlinson 27.5
WR - Brandon Marshall 5
TE - Antonio Gates 26.4
K - Mike Nugent 8
D - Steelers 6

TOTAL: 92.88

CornwellFamily

QB - Aaron Rodgers 17.24
RB - Chris Johnson 4.4
WR - Randy Moss 0
TE - Antonio Gates 26.4
K - Robbie Gould 3
D - Packers 15

TOTAL: 66.04

Play at the Plate

QB - Tom Brady 10.72
RB - Arian Foster 30.7
WR - DeSean Jackson 2.1
TE - Antonio Gates 26.4
K - Mike Nugent 8
D - Steelers 6

TOTAL: 83.92

Hairylemon

QB - Mark Sanchez 14.44
RB - Arian Foster 30.7
WR - Lance Moore 7.7
TE - Antonio Gates 26.4
K - Rian Lindell 2
D - Packers 15

TOTAL: 96.24

Sports Card Radio

QB - Mike Vick 3.66
RB - Chris Johnson 4.4
WR - DeSean Jackson 2.1
TE - Jermaine Gresham 3.5
K - Mike Nugent 8
D - Bengals 3

TOTAL: 24.66

Martyn

QB - Peyton Manning 19.98
RB - Frank Gore 13.7
WR - Jermichael Finley 9.6
TE - Dallas Clark 12.8
K - Stephen Gostkowski 11
D - Saints 6

TOTAL: 73.08

RedSoxFan82696 said...

QB - Peyton Manning 19.98
RB - Michael Turner 7.8
WR - Andre Johnson 0
TE - Dustin Keller 14.8
K - Stephen Gostkowski 11
D - New York Jets 8

TOTAL: 61.58

Rams in 1st Place in the NFC West

2010-10-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

After 4 weeks into the NFL season, the St. Louis Rams are tied for first place in the NFC West. It's a 3-way tie, and there are only 4 teams in the division, so you can take that at face value, but the Rams are coming off 2 wins in a row (the first time since 2008) and are going into Detroit next week, which is the only place they won last year. Every other team in the NFC West looks like they're having troubles except the Rams. The 49ers are 0-4 and Alex Smith is struggling. Arizona lost Kurt Warner and they're having QB troubles. Seattle just lost to the Rams and Hasselbeck is a big question mark for the team. So I like the outlook for the Rams this year. What do you think? Could the Rams go from the worst record in the league last year to the playoffs this year?

Gibson Sets WS Record in '68

2010-10-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

On this day in 1968, Hall of Famer Bob Gibson sets a World Series record by striking out 17 Detroit Tigers in game 1 of the series. The defending World Champion Cardinals went on to win the game 4-0, but lost the World Series 4 games to 3. 1968 was a good year for Gibson. Not only did the Cardinals win the pennant, but Gibson went to the All-Star game, won the NL MVP, won the NL Cy Young, was a Golden Glove recipient, won the NL TSN Pitcher of the Year, and had a 1.12 ERA that year. Impressive!

Don't forget to enter my Armchair QB Challenge. The link is on the right hand side at the top.

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 4

2010-09-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Week 3 saw some fierce competition and the most participation to date. I've decided to include a little added incentive in week 4 - the addition of the "Century Club." The Century Club will consist of anyone who puts together a team that scores at least 100 points. Not an easy feat as no one has accomplished this so far. I haven't yet come up with a good reward for being in the Century Club (and I might not have to depending on the results), but I'm thinking at the very least, the Century Club member will be enshined in the Way-Off-Base Hall of Fame (see Hall of Fame Members on the right). I'll have to give this some more thought. I'm open to suggestions if anyone wants to comment on it.

Anyway, hurry up and get your picks in. I know this post is going up late this week, but the responsibilities of life have been pretty demanding recently. My apologies.

Here are the rules...

You pick one player for each of the following six positions: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Kicker, and a Defense. Post your picks in a comment at the bottom of this post. You have up until kick-off time of the first game of the week to make (or change) your entries. Then using the default NFL.com fantasy football scoring system, the person with the most points at the end of Monday Night Football wins. (Note: NFL.com uses partial points for yardage. For example, if your running back rushes for 87 yards, he gets 8.7 fantasy points.) In the event of a tie, the person who made their post first gets the win. Good luck.

Week 4 Prize:

I'm going to low-ball you guys for week 4. The week 4 prize will be an unopened pack of 2010 Score football cards. Yes, I know you could just as easily pick yourself up a pack at Wally-World with the spare change you have in your pocket. But isn't it better to say you actually WON the cards in an epic battle that demanded every ounce of your fantasy football skill? I certainly think so.

Gladiators, FIGHT!!!

Armchair QB Challenge (AQBC): Week 3 Results

2010-09-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Play at the Plate chimes in with this week's win and scores the 2010 Score Gold Zone Nnamdi Asomugha #290/299 card. Congrats!

After reviewing the scores, it came to my attention that no one had the #1 scoring QB, WR, K, or D from week 3. Obviously, it's impossible to know, but I would really like to see someone put together a fantasy team that hits the triple digits. Maybe I'll throw in a special prize for anyone scoring over 100 points next week. Stay tuned for further details.

Read 'em and weep...

PatP
QB - Matt Schaub: 9.64
RB - Adrian Peterson: 31
WR - Reggie Wayne: 6.5
TE - Antonio Gates: 16.9
K - Jeff Reed: 8
D - Steelers: 18
Total: 90.04

DodgerBobble
QB - Phillip Rivers: 24.4
RB - Darren McFadden: 18.2
WR - Miles Austin: 2 (No one saw that coming!)
TE - Visanthe Shiancoe: 0.7 (or that, either)
K - Mike Nugent: 10
D - Redskins: 4
Total: 59.3

Hairylemon
QB - Phillip Rivers: 24.4
RB - Adrian Peterson: 31
WR - Mark Clayton: 8.5
TE - Chris Cooley: 5.3
K - Garatt Hartley: 6
D - Patriots: 4
Total: 79.2

AdamE
QB - Drew Brees: 22.6
RB - Chris Johnson: 24.5
WR - Randy Moss: 16.2
TE - Dallas Clark: 4.4
K - Jeff Reed: 8
D - Ravens: 3
Total: 78.7

Captain Canuck
QB - Drew Brees: 22.6
RB - Chris Johnson: 24.5
WR - Miles Austin: 2
TE - Dustin Keller: 21.8
K - David Akers: 4
D - Ravens: 3
Total: 77.9

CornwellFamily
QB - Peyton Manning: 24.9
RB - Chris Johnson: 24.5
WR - Andre Johnson: 6.4
TE - Viscanthe Schancoe: 0.7
K - Nate Kaeding: 4
D - Ravens: 3
Total: 63.5

BA Benny
QB - Drew Brees: 22.6
RB - Jahvid Best: 3.9
WR - Miles Austin : 2
TE - Antonio Gates: 16.9
K - Neil Rackers: 7
D - Steelers: 18
Total: 70.4

Martyn
QB - Peyton Manning: 24.9
RB - Matt Forte: 4.3
WR - Vernon Davis: 2.2
TE - Dallas Clark: 4.4
K - David Akers: 4
D - Saints: 4
Total: 43.8

Steven M
QB - Matt Schaub: 9.64
RB - Darren McFadden: 18.2
WR - Chad Ochocinco: 3.4
TE - Jermicheael Finley: 11.5
K - Lawrence Tynes: 6
D - Dolphins: -1 (OUCH!)
Total: 47.74

"Not-so-magic" Number = 1

2010-09-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

E# - Elimination Number, the combined number of wins (by the first place team) and losses (by the trailing team) that will eliminate the trailing team from winning the division. The Elimination Number for any team is determined by adding their number of losses to the number of wins for the team leading the division, and subtracting that total from 163. The Elimination Number for the second place team is the "Magic Number" for the first place team.

# of Cardinals loses=75
# of Reds wins=87
75 + 87 = 162
163 - 162 = Well...you do the math.

The Cards face the Pirates in St Louis tonight, while the Reds have the day off.

Starting pitchers:
Cards: Kyle Lohse (4-8, 7.18)
Bucs: Charlie Morton (2-11, 8.11)
(this ought to be good)

A special thanks goes out to my fellow blogger, Nachos "Bell" Grande for keeping me posted on the Reds magic number. I'm sure he's lovin' every minute of it.

This Day In History

2010-09-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

Pretty much just blog-filler, but it means something to me...

September 25, 1963: Team owner August A. Busch announces the Cardinals will permanently retire Stan Musial's uniform number 6. 'Stan the Man' is also appointed the Redbirds' vice president, a duty he'll begin at the end of this season after completing his 22-year Hall of Fame career as a player.

http://www.nationalpastime.com/site/index.php?fact_day=25&fact_month=09

As always, don't forget to enter my Armchair QB Challenge. The link is on the right hand side just above the Cardinals Magic Number.

Recent TTM Successes

2010-09-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago, I picked up a few rack-packs of 2009 O-Pee-Chee Baseball because Wally-World had them marked down. I actually like the design of these cards. Sometimes less is more, and I think that's the case with these cards. Anyway, I decided to shoot a few of these cards out TTM for autos, and after checking SportsCollectors.Net (SCN), I was able to determine who were reliable signers. Here's the cards I've got back so far...


Cla is currently playing for the Norfolk Tides,	the AAA affiliate for the Orioles.


Travis is playing for the Colorado Sky Sox,	the AAA affiliate for the Rockies.

Dave is hurling for the Brew-Crew

My favorite signature of the bunch.

I know the Tommy Greene card isn't an O-Pee-Chee card, but this is, in my opinion, a beautiful signature for a baseball card. Too bad the card has a ding in the upper right-hand side.

Don't forget to enter my Armchair QB Challenge. The link is on the right hand side just above the Cardinals Magic Number.

This is a test. It is only a test.

2010-09-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

To throw 9 pitches, 9 strikes, to retire the side does not happen very often in the major leagues. The feat has been accomplished 42 times. Only 3 pitchers have done this twice. Only one has done it once in the AL and once in the NL. Name that pitcher.

Don't forget to enter my Armchair QB Challenge. The link is on the right hand side just above the Cardinals Magic Number.

Armchair QB Challenge Week 3

2010-09-22T00:47:00.000-07:00

Last week we only had 3 teams sign up, and it was an easy victory for BA Benny. I don't want to see such an easy win this week. Let's get some more people to sign up and make things a little more interesting.

Here's the rules...

You pick one player for each of the following six positions: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Kicker, and a Defense. Post your picks in a comment at the bottom of this post. You have up until kick-off time of the first game of the week to make (or change) your entries. Then using the default NFL.com fantasy football scoring system, the person with the most points at the end of Monday Night Football wins. (Note: NFL.com uses partial points for yardage. For example, if your running back rushes for 87 yards, he gets 8.7 fantasy points.) In the event of a tie, the person who made their post first gets the win. Good luck.

Week 3 Prize:

2010 Score Gold Zone Nnamdi Asomugha #290/299

Good luck!

Armchair QB Challenge: Week 2 Results

2010-09-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

BA Benny CRUSHES the competition this week!!! Only 3 teams signed up last week. If you're reading this and you didn't sign up for this FREE contest last week, kick yourself right now and get ready to sign up for week 3. This is free stuff! It doesn't get any better than this, ladies and gentlemen.

I'll shoot BA Benny an email to get his address so he can collect the spoils of his victory.

Scores:

Martyn
QB - Peyton Manning: 21.9
RB - Chris Johnson: 3.3 (big disappointment this week)
WR - Chad Ochocinco: 4.4
TE - Dallas Clark: 14.3
K - David Akers: 5
D - Browns: 9
TOTAL: 57.9

Flea
QB - Drew Brees: 18.86
RB - Chris Johnson: 3.3
WR - Devin Aromashodu: 0 (that doesn't help)
TE - Dallas Clark: 14.3
K - Robbie Gould: 9
D - Bears: 7
TOTAL: 52.43

BA Benny
QB - Drew Brees: 18.86
RB - Steven Jackson: 12.5
WR - Roddy White: 13.8
TE - Antonio Gates: 17.7
K - Mason Crosby: 10
D - Packers: 12
TOTAL: 84.86

Armchair Quarterback Challenge: Week 2

2010-09-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've come up with a name for the pseudo fantasy football contest that I had last week. I'm going to call it the the "Armchair Quarterback Challenge." When I ran the contest last week, it generated the most comments I've had on this blog to-date, so I've decided to continue with the contest in week 2. In fact, as long as I have some sort of prize to give away, I'll keep this thing going.

Just a quick review of the rules...

You pick one player for each of the following six positions: (Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Kicker, and a Defense). Post your picks in a comment at the bottom of this post. You have up until kick-off time of the first game of week 2 to make (or change) your entries. Then using the default NFL.com fantasy football scoring system, the person with the most points at the end of Monday Night Football wins. (Note: NFL.com uses partial points for yardage. For example, if your running back rushes for 87 yards, he gets 8.7 fantasy points.) In the event of a tie, the person who made their post first gets the win.

Week 2 Prize...

For week 2, I'll be "re-gifting" part of a special prize that I won from SanJoseFuji in a contest that he ran on his blog, called The Chronicles of Fuji. (It's hard for me to part with these, so you better appreciate them.) That prize is a lot of (5) 2008 FatHead Tradeables which includes Terrell Owens, Brian Urlacher, Andre Johnson, Brian Westbrook, and Drew Brees.

click to enlarge

So good luck to everyone in week 2, and thanks for reading.

Week 1 Fantasy Football Contest: The Results Show

2010-09-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

The dust has settled and week one of the 2010/11 NFL season is in the history books. Let's get right to the point and reveal the results from my Week 1 Fantasy Football Contest. Here are the scores, in the order the teams were drafted:

Sports Card Report

QB - Peyton Manning: 29.32
RB - Jerome Harrison: 5.9
WR - Calvin Johnson: 4.5
TE - Antonio Gates: 13.6
K - Stephen Gostkowski: 8
D - Bears: 9

Total: 70.32

BA Benny

QB - Drew Brees: 12.88
RB - Chris Johnson: 27
WR - Andre Johnson: 3.3
TE - Antonio Gates: 13.6
K - Matt Prater: 7
D - Jets: 12

Total: 75.78

Jeremy

QB - Aaron Rogers: 12.42
RB - Adrian Peterson: 10.1
WR - Bernard Berrian: 0.3
TE - Jermaine Gresham: 8.5
K - Ryan Longwell: 3
D - Patriots: 17

Total: 51.32

ChadS333

QB - Tom Brady: 22.32
RB - Maurice Jones-Drew: 11.3
WR - Randy Moss: 5.9
TE - Dallas Clark: 14
K - Nate Keading: 2
D - Packers: 8

Total: 63.52

Martyn* Winner

QB - Peyton Manning: 29.32
RB - Chris Johnson: 27
WR - Calvin Johnson: 4.5
TE - Dallas Clark: 14
K - David Akers: 8
D - Eagles: 7

Total: 89.82

CornwellFamily

QB - Aaron Rogers: 12.42
RB - Maurice Jones-Drew: 11.3
WR - Reggie Wayne: 15.9
TE - Visanthe Shiancoe: 13.6
K - Nate Keading: 2
D - Packers: 8

Total: 63.22

AdamE

QB - Drew Brees: 12.88
RB - Rashard Mendenhall: 19.5
WR - Andre Johnson: 3.3
TE - Owen Daniels: 0.9
K - Mason Crosby: 11
D - Ravens: 8

Total: 55.58

HairyLemon

QB - Matt Shaub: 5.98
RB - Steve Slaton: 2.9
WR - Marques Colston: 6.2
TE - Chris Cooley: 8
K - Graham Gano: 7
D - Steelers: 8

Total: 38.08

As you can tell, Martyn is the winner with an impressive 89.82 points. Martyn, I need you to send me an email at 82redbirds@gmail.com with your address so I can send you your prize.

Good job, Martyn. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Drew's Cards Contest

2010-09-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

Drew's Cards is running a contest on his blog and giving away some 2010 Tristar OBAK cards as the prize. Go check it out. He's got some good info there.

DrewsCards 2010 Tristar OBAK Box Review CONTEST!!

Sports Jambalaya: Really Colby? Come on!

2010-09-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

Sports Jambalaya: Really Colby? Come on!: "You know what? You're a 24 year old kid. You are in no position to be complaining about anything. I don't care if LaRussa isn't playing you ..."

To Trade or not to Trade

2010-09-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

I like the trivia...especially when it pertains to my Cardinals. So I was checking NationalPastime.com today and I found this:

Today in Baseball History

September 8, 1940 Johnny Mize hits homers #'s 38, 39 and 40 in the first game of a doubleheader becoming the first player to hit three homers in one game four times in his career. Despite the 'Big Cat's' heroics, the Cardinals drop a pair to the Pirates, 16-14 and 9-4.

Oh...and in '98 some schmuck broke Roger Maris' single season home run record. But if you ask me...it doesn't count.

Shifting Gears...

Most of the time on Million Card Giveaway when someone makes me a trade offer, I make up my mind immediately whether or not I'll accept it (99% of the time it's a "DECLINE" because they make ridiculous offers), but I got an offer today that gave me pause.

I have the '83 Dave Winfield card...

and I just got offered the '84 Gary Carter card

If it was you...would you make the trade? Please make a comment and let me know.

Shifting Gears One More Time...

Just a reminder to check out my previous post and get your picks in for my Week 1 Fantasy Football Contest.

Week 1 Fantasy Football Contest

2010-09-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the opening week of pro football, I am totally stealing someone else's idea for a contest.

Yes, I lack originality, initiative, and morality (all traits that I like to highlight on my resume).

With that being said, lets get down to the brass tax:

HOW TO PLAY

You must be following my blog to participate (I know...it's pretty sad when I have to bribe people to follow my blog.)

Make a comment at the bottom of this post picking one each of the following positions:

Quarterback
Runningback
Wide Receiver
Tight End
Kicker
Team Defense/Special Teams

The individual who puts together the highest scoring team for week 1, using the NFL fantasy football default scoring system, wins (scoring system listed at the bottom of this post). In the event that two people tie, the person who posted first gets the win.

All comments must be entered prior to the kickoff of Thursday night's game. Any posts with a time-stamp of 8:31PM (Eastern) or later will not count.

WHAT YOU'LL WIN

As a prize, I'll be putting up a recently opened pack of 2010 Prestige Football which includes the following players:

Mark Clayton - WR Ravens
Tony Scheffler - TE Broncos
Jairus Byrd - CB Bills
Matthew Stafford - QB Lions
Aaron Schobel - DE Bills
Derrick Ward - RB Buccaneers
Braylon Edwards - WR Jets
Ricky Williams - RB Dolphins
T.J. Houshmandzadeh - WR currently with the Ravens, but pictured in his Seahawks uniform
Danario Alexander (Rookie) - WR drafted by the Rams on Aug 22nd

click to enlarge

Default NFL-Managed Scoring Settings

OFFENSE

    * Passing Yards: 1 point per 25 yards passing
    * Passing Touchdowns: 4 points
    * Interceptions: -2 points
    * Rushing Yards: 1 point per 10 yards
    * Rushing Touchdowns: 6 points
    * Receiving Yards: 1 point per 10 yards
    * Receiving Touchdowns: 6 points
    * 2-Point Conversions: 2 points
    * Fumbles Lost: -2 points

KICKING

    * PAT Made: 1 point
    * FG Made (0-49 yards): 3 points
    * FG Made (50+ yards): 5 points

DEFENSE TEAM

    * Sacks: 1 point
    * Interceptions: 2 points
    * Fumbles Recovered: 2 points
    * Safeties: 2 points
    * Defensive Touchdowns: 6 points
    * Kick and Punt Return Touchdowns: 6 points
    * Points Allowed (0): 10 points
    * Points Allowed (1-6): 7 points
    * Points Allowed (7-13): 4 points
    * Points Allowed (14-20): 1 points
    * Points Allowed (21-27): 0 points
    * Points Allowed (28-34): -1 points
    * Points Allowed (35+): -4 points

Good luck!

Contest at "Sharpe Since 92"

2010-09-04T23:31:00.000-07:00

Sharpe Since 92 has a very cool contest. If you enjoyed trying to crack the Allen & Ginter codes in the past, you'll enjoy this contest.

This is the obligatory post to ensure my entry in the contest in case I'm unable to figure out the cipher.

Good luck!

My Fuji Contest Prize

2010-09-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to see blog posts pop up from other bloggers who took part in Fuji's contest. Ever since I received my package in the mail, I thought I should make a post too.

I won the NFL package. It consisted of:

1.) Set of 10 Fathead collectibles

2.) Set of 9 Hall of Fame football players

3.) On-Card autograph Fuji card

The contest was fun, I really enjoyed participating. Thanks Fuji, and thanks to everyone else who participated and made it fun for me to read everyone's comments every night.

Double Header Box Break II

2010-09-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I grabbed a couple of retail blaster boxes from the local Wally-World and shared the results I had.

So I went back to the WW and grabbed a couple more blasters. This time I went a different Direction. The first time I grabbed two Topps products (Bowman Heritage and Turkey Red). This time I went with Upper Deck products. I got a box of '08 SP baseball and a box of '08 UD Masterpieces.

We'll start with the '08 SP:

Pack 1
Alfanso Soriano
Hunter Pence
Phil Hughes
B.J. Upton
Matt Holliday - Authentic Achievements

Pack 2
Carlos Pena
Magglio Ordonez
Mark Teixeira
Derrek Lee
Mariano Rivera

Pack 3
John Lackey
Delmon Young
Greg Maddux
Chase Utley
Carlos Zambrano/Albert Pujols - Marquee Matchups

Pack 4
Lance Berkman
Whitey Ford* - Yankee Stadium Legacy
Ichiro
Victor Martinez
Aramis Ramirez

Pack 5
Carlos Beltran
Joe Mauer
Prince Fielder
Jonathon Papelbon
Alfanso Soriano - Authentic Achievements

Pack 6
Paul Konerko
Hanley Ramirez
Carlos Zambrano
Johnny Damon
Brian McCann

Pack 7
David Ortiz
Torii Hunter
Alex Rios
Pedro Martinez
Greg Maddux/Ken Griffey Jr. - Marquee Matchups

Bonus Pack (all Rookie Exclusives)
Alex Hinshaw - Giants
Brian Bixler - Pirates
Brian Barton - Cardinals
Brad Harman - Phillies
Cory Wade - Dodgers

Next up, '08 UD Masterpieces

Pack 1
Ryan Howard
Jim Thome
Matt Holliday
Bill Mazeroski*

Pack 2
Carl Crawford
Jorge Posada
Ian Kennedy RC
James Loney

Pack 3
Barry Zito
Lance Berkman
Alfanso Soriano
Ichiro

Pack 4
Pedro Martinez
Troy Tulowitzki
Joe Morgan*
Carl Yastrzemski*

Pack 5
David Ortiz
Brandon Webb
Johnny Mize* - Yankee Stadium Legacy
Luke Huchevar RC
Chipper Jones

Pack 6
Miguel Cabrera
Jim Palmer*
Robin Yount*
Justin Verlander

Pack 7
Adam Dunn
Roberto Clemente*
Eric Chavez
Carlos Beltran

Bonus Pack
Michael Young
Manny Ramirez
Billy Martin - Yankee Stadium Legacy
Frank Thomas
Whitey Ford*

*HoF

Sorry for the bad pictures. I'm working on getting a scanner, but I might have to wait on Santa Clause to get me one.

Anyway...I like the Masterpieces cards. I'm not too sure how an autograph with a Sharpie would work on these cards, but nonetheless, I like the texture.

With the excetion of the HoF'ers and the Cardinals, all of the listed cards are available for trade. Please make me an offer.

Thanks for reading.

Contest Link

2010-08-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

NO ONE'S GOING TO READ THIS BLOG has the coolest contest I've ever seen. You've got to check it out! Make sure to read the comments too. There's some really good prose running around out there in the blogosphere.

#400

2010-08-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

By the time you read my little blog, you will have become sick of listening to all of the broadcasts regarding the news, but I just can't help myself.

No it's not my 400th blog post.

Yes, it's Fat Albert's 400th home run. I'm not going to beat a dead horse by re-hashing all of the stats regarding how fast AP reached this milestone. Let's just suffice to say that this is the most excited I've been about a single player since a certain steroids laden player who shall remain nameless on this blog was chasing Roger Maris' HR record. I just hope that Pujols breaks said nameless player's record one day just to set the record book right.

I never intended to start a Pujols player collection, but I have unintentionally amassed a rather respectable collection (in my eyes, anyway) of the Dominican Dominator. Since this is supposed to be a blog related to baseball cards, here's the Prince Albert in all his baseball card glory.

Use Your WORDS

2010-08-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

Wally World Exclusive

So I picked up one of these:

...and I pulled one of these:

...and one of these:

...and three of these:

...which in turn got me these:

Overall, it was a good day.

Double Header Box Break

2010-08-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

I just about soiled my drawers when I walked into Wally-World and the trading card vendor had obviously made a visit. There were more blaster boxes than I knew what to do with. The little angel on my right shoulder beat out the devil on my left and I ended up walking out of the store with only 2 boxes (but I'm convinced, I'll go back after pay day). Here's a run down of the box breaks:

The first box is a 2007 Bowman Heritage blaster box.

If it wasn't for A-Rod I could almost like the box cover.

Pack 1
#110 Jose Reyes - Mets
#142 Johnny Estrada - Brewers
#249 Delmon Young RC - Devil Rays (refractor)
#BHP52 Todd Redmond - Pirates
#BHP34 Joseph Gaetti - Rockies
#213 Gustavo Molina RC - White Sox
#47 Mark Teixeira - Rangers
#71 Gary Matthews - Angels

A Delmon Young rookie refractor, but no Cardinals...bummer. Oh well, maybe there will be some in the next pack.

Pack2
#174 Kazuo Matsui - Rockies
#178 Jose Vidro - Mariners
#242 Josh Hamilton RC - Reds (refractor)
#BHP91 Walter Norwood - Cubs
#BHP80 Reid Brignac - Devil Rays
#236 Micah Owings RC - D'backs
#155 Jimmy Rollins - Phillies
#23 Carlos Delgado - Mets

A Josh Hamilton rookie refractor, but no Cardinals again. No worries. There's still 6 more packs to open.

Pack 3
#30 Manny Ramirez - Red Sox
#94 Kenny Rogers - Tigers
#226 Hunter Pence RC - Astros
#228 Elijah Dukes RC - Devil Rays (refractor)
#BHP85 Kevin Mulvey - Mets
#BHP19 Noe Rodriguez - White Sox
#91 Ryan Garko - Indians
#191 Kenji Johjima - Mariners

Nothing much to write home about in this pack...including the fact that there's no Cardinals again.

Pack 4
#58 Michael Cuddyer - Twins
#146 Mark Teahen - Royals
#7 Mickey Mantle - Yankees #1 of 5 Refractor
#BHP25 Jeffrey Samardzija - Cubs
#BHP37 Brennan Boesch - Tigers
Checklist 2 of 3
#232 Dallas Braden RC - Athletics
#123 Jason Schmidt - Dodgers
#151 Orlando Hernandez - Mets

Hit the serial #d Mantle refractor in this pack. That eases the pain of another pack with no Cardinals.

Pack 5
#14 Mike Lowell - Red Sox
#22 Michael Young - Rangers
#63 Frank Thomas - Blue Jays (refractor)
#BHP81 Robert Garner - Rockies
#BHP9 Cedric Hunter
#214 Brian Stokes RC - Devil Rays
#56 Moises Alou - Mets
#24 Anibal Sanchez - Marlins

Now I'm getting annoyed. I've opened 5 packs and have yet to see a single Redbird.

Pack 6
#34 Noah Lowry - Giants
#229 Kei Igawa - Yankees
#99 Robinson Cano - Yankees (refractor)
#BHP59 Whitney Robbins - Twins
#BHP69 Deolis Guerra - Mets
#243 Hideki Okajima RC - Red Sox
#16 Kelly Johnson - Braves
#192 Gil Meche - Royals

What the heck is going on around here? Did Topps forget to make Cardinals cards in 2007? They won the freakin' series the year before. There should be a boat load of my Birds in here.

Pack 7
#26 Russell Martin - Dodgers
#70 Roger Clemens - Yankees
#187 Matt Holliday - Rockies (refractor)
#BHP73 Daniel Murphy - Mets
#BHP67 Joshua Papelbon - Red Sox
#246 Troy Tulowitzki RC - Rockies
#104 Nick Swisher - Athletics
#92 Bill Hall - Brewers

Well, there's a Matt Holliday refractor in this pack, but this is '07 when he's still with the Rockies. Let's keep our fingers crossed. There's one pack left. There's got to be at least one Cardinal card in the box, doesn't there?

Here goes nuthin'

Bonus Pack
#186 Scott Kazmir - Devil Rays
#122 Sammy Sosa - Rangers
#SG-MT Michael Thompson - Padres (auto)
#147 Juan Pierre - Dodgers (refractor)
#BHP61 Raul Barron - Blue Jays
#BHP45 Eric Young - Rockies
Checklist 1 of 3
#206 Homer Bailey RC - Reds
#180 Alex Rios - Blue Jays

Son-of-a-biscuit!!! Not a single Cardinals card in the entire box. I'm going to have to do some wheeling and dealing on the trade circuit to make up for the lack of love I got with this box.

Here's the pics of the hits:

Topps obviously overloads their sets with tons of Mantle cards, but this one was a serial #'d refractor.

The is my first ever on-card auto that I've pulled in blaster box. Too bad I've never heard of Mike Thompson before.

Since there wasn't a single Cardinal in the entire box, all of the cards above are up for trade. That's right...you could get the entire blaster box if you really want to.

Let's put those bad memories behind us and move on to the second box in this double header.

The second box is a 2007 Turkey Red blaster box.

Let's see...the first box had a Yankee on it. This one has two Yankees and a Met. Gee...I wonder where Topps' corporate headquarters is located.

Well, let's get to it:

Pack 1
#108 Felix Pie RC - Cubs
#166 Jose Reyes - Mets
#17 Stephen Drew - D'backs
#75 Tyler Clippard RC - Yankees
#TRP15 James Buchanan
#6 Corey Patterson - Orioles
#23 Adrian Gonzales - Padres
#19 Mickey Mantle - Yankees

No Cardinals. Does anyone else see a pattern here?

Pack 2
#81 Juan Pierre - Dodgers
#127 Ryan Zimmerman - Nationals
#180 Miguel Cabrera - Marlins
#90 Justin Morneau - Twins
#2 Dontrelle Willis - Marlins
#36 Tadahito Iguchi - White Sox
#129 Jack Wilson - Pirates
#69 Nick Swisher - Athletics

No Cardinals again. I'm getting ready to write a letter to Topps.

Pack 3
#119 Hideki Okajima - Red Sox
#4 John Maine - Mets
#173 Roger Clemens - Yankees
#77 Mickey Mantle - Yankees
#185 Vladimir Guerrero - Angels
#166 Jose Reyes - Mets Refractor #204/1999
#54 Brian Giles - Padres
#112 Ramon Hernandez - Orioles

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. But if you're getting tired of it, imagine how I feel. I'm not even happy about the serial #'d refractor in this pack.

Pack 4
#140 Alfonso Soriano - Cubs
#155 Alex Rios - Blue Jays
#93 Carlos Gomez RC - Mets
#169 Justin Verlander - Tigers
#89 Johny Damon - Yankees
#79 Curtis Granderson - Tigers
#26 Frank Thomas - Blue Jays
#156 Travis Hafner - Indians

Wow! Really? I mean...REALLY? COME ON!!!

Pack 5
#163 Troy Tulowitzki RC - Rockies
#64 Miguel Tejada - Orioles

#172 Kelvin Jimenez RC - Cardinals

#25 Albert Pujols - Cardinals

#68 Chien-Ming-Wang - Yankees
#86 David DeJesus - Royals
#145 Jim Thome - White Sox
#38 Tim Hudson - Braves

FINALLY!!! The heavens have opened up, angels are playing harps, birds are singing, children are laughing, and all is right with the world again.

Pack 6
#120 Manny Ramirez - Red Sox
#55 Josh Hamilton RC - Reds
#32 Andruw Jones - Braves
#9 Josh Beckett - Red Sox
#98 Doug Slaten RC - D'backs
#48 Prince Albert (checklist)
#16 Stand Up Double (checklist)
#27 Roy Halladay - Blue Jays

Another Cardinal card (too bad I already have this one).

Pack 7
#84 Dan Uggla - Marlins
#61 Carlos Delgado - Mets
#85 Danny Putnam RC - Athletics
#125 Michael Young - Rangers
#60 Mariano Rivera - Yankees
#107 Mickey Mantle - Yankees
#37 Edgar Renteria - Braves
#164 Jorge Posada - Yankees

Yeah, yeah, yeah...whatever. No Cardinals again. The last pack must be all Cardinals, don't you think?

Extra Pack
#96 Derrek Lee - Cubs
#175 Lance Berkman - Astros
#105 Phil Hughes RC - Yankees
#144 Jermaine Dye - White Sox
#5 Cole Hamels - Phillies
#143 Todd Helton - Rockies
#131 Jose...Jose, Jose, Jose! (checklist)
#50 Jason Giambi - Yankees

Well, there you have it. What's the opposite of "loaded"? Whatever it is, that would be an accurate description of both of the boxes I just broke. Everything is up for trade with the exception of the #25 Pujols card. Make me some offers.

James Buchanan, Albert Pujols, and the Jose Reyes #'d refractor

Die-Hard Fans

2010-08-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

I was all ready to make a post about today being the anniversary of Lou Brock's 3000th hit (yes, I've been hitting the baseball history sites pretty hard lately) when all of the sudden, I came across an image that did more than just catch my attention. It nearly ripped my eyes out of my head!

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Is this for real?

This is one of those things that I wish I had never seen. It's upsetting me, and I just don't need right now. I'm still trying to calm down after the whole Molina-Phillips thing, and now I've got this to deal with.

I consider myself a loyal fan, but the thought of being buried in a Cardinals casket has never even crossed my mind. I don't know what to say. I'm in shock! What do you call something that horrifies you, but you think it's cool all at the same time?

I thought I was being a good Cardinals fan when I bought the t-shirt and coffee mug. But apparently, I'm just a bush-leaguer. I feel like I can't prove myself a true fan until I die and get buried in one of these!

I just have to figure out how I'm going to convince my wife that dropping $3,500 on a Cardinals casket is a good idea. Maybe I can just slip it into my will without her knowing about it, then I won't be around to deal with fall out after I take a dirt nap.

We miss you, Country.

2010-08-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Today is the anniversary of the passing of a Cardinal great; Enos "Country" Slaughter (died August 12, 2002).

Slaughter played 22 seasons with the Cardinals, Yankees, Braves and Athletics; and was a 10-time All-Star. He finished his career with an impressive .300 batting average, and was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1985.

He may be best known for his famous “Mad Dash” in game 7 of the 1946 World Series against the Red Sox. The score was tied 3-3 in the 8th inning. Slaughter was on first base with two outs when the Cardinal's Harry Walker hit a line drive to left center field. Leon Culberson (Red Sox center fielder) threw the ball to his cut-off man, short-stop Johnny Pesky. At the same time, Slaughter was ignoring the third base coach’s sign to stop and was rounding third headed for home. Pesky, believing that Slaughter was stopping at third, checked the runner at first instead of immediately throwing home, which allowed Slaughter to score, thus winning the game and the World Series.

A statue outside Busch Stadium commemorates the event.

"I played baseball at the best time in history. I've been to a lot of old-timers' games and, staying at the hotels with the visiting teams, you never see two players going out together. They're all too busy worrying about their money to have a good time." - Enos "Country" Slaughter

"He was one of the great hustlers of baseball. He loved baseball. He always ran hard and played hard." - Stan Musial on teammate Enos Slaughter

When I have my own sports card company...

2010-08-11T19:40:00.001-07:00

1.) Entire insert sets will revolve around the fights that occur throughout the year involving Cardinals (I'm thinking of naming the insert set "Mortal Combat" or "Fight Club")

2.) Special relic cards will be made from the bandages worn by players who sustain injuries in fights during games with a special emphasis on two-color swatches (one of the colors being blood).

3.) Every series that the Cardinals sweep their opponents will have a special highlight series of cards commemorating the grand event.

4.) Every team that gets swept by the Cardinals will have an equally embarrassing series of cards emphasizing their utter and complete failure.

5.) Every team that talks smack about the Cardinals, then is involved in a bench-clearing brawl, and then turns around and gets swept by the Redbirds will have a new Jack-Hole logo on every member of said team's cards. The Jack-Hole logo will be the approximate size of the MLB Rookie logo and will be prominently displayed on Brandon Phillips' and Johnny Cueto's cards for the rest of their playing career no matter what team they get traded to (unless they somehow end up on the Cardinals).

Yeah...I can't wait to have my own sports card company.

The Catcher in the Rye

2010-08-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago someone asked me who my favorite Cardinal was. "I don't have one favorite. I love them all." was my response. But before the words were even out of my mouth I realized that this was just about the lamest response to the question that I could have possibly uttered. Nevertheless, it was the truth. I didn't like Albert Pujols any better than I liked Allen Craig, or anyone else on the team. As far as I was concerned, if you wore the Cardinals uniform, you were a superhero in my book.

After last night, all of that has changed.

Enter Yadier Molina:

My new favorite card

I still have crazy man-love for everyone on the team. But now there's one individual who has unmistakeably commanded my respect and admiration above everyone else. That individual is Yadier Molina. He's Superman, as far as I'm concerned.

Shin-Tap Video

That's right, Brandon Phillips...if you're going to talk smack about the Cards, you better do it behind closed doors from now on. And if you choose to make the mistake of making those comments public, you better keep your "shin-guard-taps" to yourself. Don't act like you're some friendly competitor after you spout off some pretty ugly expletives about the Cardinals. Just shut your mouth and assume the position as the Cardinals kick your ass.

Look...I'm the kind of guy who likes everyone until they give me a reason to think otherwise. Brandon Phillips just gave me a reason not to like him anymore. For that matter, Johnny Cueto, Dusty Baker, and the rest of the Reds are on my list too. I know Carp has a mouth on him, and he supposedly had some choice words for Baker that even turned the peacemaker, Scot Rolen into the Incredible Hulk, but my totally biased opinion is that the Cardinals didn't do anything wrong. It's all the Reds fault! (No...it really is!)

Maybe Phillips should consider wearing a muzzle around reporters. Whatever MLB decides to do as far as discipline goes, I'm in Yadi's corner on this one. Brandon Phillips is a loud-mouth trouble-maker and there's no two ways about it. If there's going to be any action taken beyond what the umps did last night, that action should be directed at Phillips. Keep your mouth shut, Brandon. No one likes the "other team." But only idiots run their mouth like you did.

WARNING - Contest Post

2010-08-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

OK...so maybe "WARNING" isn't appropriate, but I just wanted to let you know what's about to come.

The Chronicles of Fuji is having a contest. Go check it out.

I first encountered Fuji on the SportsCardRadio.com fan forum where we traded some game-used relic cards. My experience with Fuji has been 100% positive, and from reading his blog, I like what this guy is all about. So go check out his contest, but don't enter. Just let me win!

Year In Review

2010-08-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

I've been collecting baseball cards for about a year now. My first endeavor into this madness referred to as "the hobby" was purchasing the close-out blaster boxes of 2008 Topps Series 2 (the green box with Albert Pujols on it...that's all it took for me).

Anyway, one of the insert series was the "Year In Review," and since I'm approaching my 1 year anniversary in "the hobby" (insert air quotes here) I thought it would be appropriate to review my past year.

Haunting the Cards in '07, and still haunting the team now that he's a Cardinal!

First of all, starting out building the 2008 Topps Series 2 set lead to building the Series 1 set (I know, I know...wrong order), which led to building the Updates and Highlights set. Bottom line, I'm still working on 2008 Topps.

Then there's my Cardinals collection which is growing day by day. This will be an ongoing/never-ending project that will continue to warm my collector's heart for years to come. This collection includes TTM autos, relic cards, and of course the ever-lovable and plentiful base cards.

When Topps released their 2010 Series 1, I got excited about the design and started paying full price to get my hands on the new cards (as opposed to buying close-out blaster boxes from the big box stores). So I basically jumped from building the 2008 Topps sets right into the 2010 sets. Probably not the most financially responsible decision in the world.

I think my problem is I lack focus. I say this because in addition to the sets I'm working on, I've got a boat load of other various cards with no real rhyme or reason for them being in my collection.

So that's where I'm at after a year. I've got a couple of sure things that I'm working on (2008 Topps set/2010 Topps set/Cardinals). I've also got a couple of ideas for developing my collection. At some point I want to collect a relic card from each of the 16 Cardinals in the Hall of Fame. The other thing I want to do is get a full team set for each year that the Cards won the World Series. I've already completed 2006 and 1982 team sets. (I might need to adjust this goal to account for the older World Series.)

If anyone has any special collections or ideas for collections that would be interesting, let me know. I'd like to hear about what you're doing. Maybe I can hijack someone's idea and take off with it. I'm not above plagiarism when it comes to developing ideas for collections.

'68 World Series

2010-08-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

When I think of the 1968 baseball season, I think of Bob Gibson winning NL MVP and Cy Young. I think of Major League Baseball lowering the pitcher’s mound because of the dominate pitching that took place league-wide. I think of the Cardinals returning to the World Series for the second year in a row. I think of the NL Cy Young winner facing the AL Cy Young winner (Denny McClain) facing off in game 1 of the World Series.

Speaking of the World Series, I learned an interesting piece of trivia recently that opened my eyes to the fact that I had a piece of baseball history in my collection. OK, I might be a little melodramatic, but I think it's pretty darn cool. The ’68 Series against the Tigers went a full seven games. Bob Gibson pitched for two of the three wins that the Cards had in that series. Do you know who pitched the other win? Ray Washburn.

Now here’s the cool part. My very first TTM success was a ’69 Topps Ray Washburn.

Doesn't Ray look like he just threw some heat? You go, Ray!

Something Old, Something New

2010-08-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

I recently made a trade with Redsox101 from the SCR fan forum (see the SCR link over on the right of the screen) and was pleasantly surprised when I had some football and basketball cards in there (Thanks, bro!). Among the 40-something Cardinal cards I received in this trade (jackpot, baby!) I noticed something that I thought was interesting.

I feel like I've just experienced a rift in the space-time continuum. Mr. Gibson retired 3 years before Ozzie's rookie year, yet he's on the newer card.

I don't care when the card was released, you gotta love a guy who spends his entire 17 year career with the same team.

Mail-Call

2010-08-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

One thing I really like doing is getting TTM autos. I’ll be honest, most of the time I don’t know a lot of the guys that I send cards to. But I make it a point to learn about each and every one of them when I send them a baseball card to sign. It’s called “Doing Your Homework.” You should try it sometime.

Take for instance, my latest TTM success, Frank DiPino. I just got this card in the mail yesterday.

Pre-Cardinal Years

Frank started out his big league career with the Brewers in 1981. The next year he was traded to the Astros and did pretty well for himself there. He led the team in saves in ’83 (20) and ’84 (14). He went to the Cubs in ’86 (why anyone would play for the Cubs is beyond me).

Cardinal Years (aka the Glory Days)

Frank finally played for a REAL baseball team when he came to the Cards in ’89. (There’s no biased blogging here, folks…just the facts.) Frank decided that he liked playing for the Cards so much that he won 9 in a row and finished 1989 with an ERA of 2.45 (Good job, Frank). That was some fine pitching on Frank’s part, even though the Cards finished the year in 3^rd place in the NL East Division, 7 games behind the Cubs (blech!).

What I consider to be the highlight of Frank’s career was the fight he got into with the Cub’s Mark Grace on June 4, 1989. The Cubs had hit three homers in the fifth inning to take a 6-3 lead. The Cards brought in DiPino. The first batter he faced was Grace, who wasn’t exactly DiPino’s best friend when they were Cub teammates the year before. After DiPino’s first pitch was waist-high and tight, Grace charged the mound. In the ensuing rumble, Grace suffered a shoulder separation that kept him sidelined for 18 days.

Anyone who beats up on a Cub is my hero!

Enter Joe Torre

1990 saw my favorite Cardinals skipper retire (Whitey Herzog), and my least favorite Cardinal manager take over (Joe Torre). Joe Torre is rough on relief pitchers (view some very interesting stats about Joe Torre here). In 1990 DiPino went 5-2 with ERA of 4.56 in 81 innings pitched. DiPino ended up missing the entire ’91 season with an arm injury and never pitched the same again. In ’92 Frank only pitched 11 innings all year and in ’93 he got traded to the Royals, which ended up being Frank’s last year in the majors.

Frank DiPino is now a pitching instructor for Perfect Practice in his home town of Syracuse, New York. I always like to see former big leaguers work with kids whether it’s as a high school coach or like Frank’s case, with baseball training facility. It gives kids exposure to the skills and experience of a major league ball player.

Call To The Bullpen

On a completely different (and self-serving) note, BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffet is running a contest. I get an extra entry for talking about it here (thus, the self-serving reference). I love the vending machines in this post. You really should check it out.

Insert Clever Title Here

2010-08-03T23:02:00.000-07:00

Stan Musial SI Cover

One of my favorite Cardinals is St. Louis legend, Stan Musial. Since I was a little boy growing up in St. Louis, Stan Musial was synonymous with baseball even though he retired before I was born. You have to understand that St. Louis is a HUGE baseball town. You can't live in St. Louis and not know about Stan "The Man" along with other Cardinals legends like Joe Garagiola, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Whitey Herzog, and many others. Most of these former players are active in the community, so you see them on the local news, in commercials, in the papers, at charity events, and so on.

Among all of these baseball greats, one stands out head and shoulders above the others. That individual is Stan Musial. He is quite literally a living legend. The people of St. Louis even have a campaign going to petition President Obama to award Stan Musial with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Stand For Stan Campaign So I was jumping out of my skin when I opened my mailbox last week and got the latest Sports Illustrated with Stan on the cover. I don't know how many times the magazine has featured a retired player on its cover, but I'd be willing to bet it's not very many.

Anyway, I'm not even through reading the articles in it, but it's a big deal to me anytime there's a baseball player on the cover of SI. It's an even bigger deal when it's a Cardinal. But it's the "bee's knees" (Yes, I really just said that.) when that Cardinal is none other than Stan Musial.

Ludwick Trade

I wrote about this trade on the SCR forum (check out the link over to the right). Here is the forum post I made:

Westbrook (RHP):
2010: W-6, L-7, ERA: 4.65, WHIP: 1.386, K: 73

Ludwick (OF):
2010: BA: .281, OBP: .343, SLG: .484, OPS: .827, HR: 11

So the Cards picked up a relief pitcher from Cleveland (Jake Westbrook) and sent Ryan Ludwick to the Padres. The Padres, in turn, sent Double-A pitcher Corey Kluber to Cleveland.

Westbrook is eligible for free agency after this season, so he's just a rental to get the Cards farther into the play-offs. Ludwick still had another year on his contract before he was eligible, so the Padres will have him through at least next year.

I never like these deals where a player only wears the uniform for two months (a la John Smoltz), but the managers know more than I do when it comes to the needs of the club.

If you look at the stats above, it's not a big upgrade for the Cards. It's just a matter of trading hitting for pitching. Westbrook doesn't have amazing numbers, but his strike out rate isn't too bad.

So I'm torn on this trade. Hate to lose Ludwick, and not sure how Westbrook is going to work out. Time will tell.

Since I made the forum post, Westbrook has had his first start in a Cardinals uniform, and he looks pretty good (I would hope my team wouldn't trade Ryan Ludwick for a washed up loser). Even though the Cards still lost the game (Thanks, Jason Motte), we had the lead when they took Westbrook out, and he he had 7Ks in 6 IP. (Not bad, huh?)

Junk Wax Contest

Just in case you missed it, Chad333 won the contest yesterday. Before the Cardinals were known as the Cardinals they were the Perfectos. I can't tell you how glad I am they changed their name to the Cardinals. I would hate to have to root for the St. Louis Perfectos. That's just wrong.

Bottom of the 9th

In case you haven't noticed, I have been messing around with the template. In the process, I somehow managed to cause my posts to show up twice. When I look at the Design tab, the layout has two blocks entitled "Blog Posts" and I can't seem to remove either one of them. If anyone can solve this conundrum for me (don't you just love big words?) they will automatically be entered in a new section I will add to my forum called Hall of Fame. It will most likely reside over there on the right somewhere. I just made it up, so I'll figure out the details later. I just want my blog fixed for now.