Frank Howard with the White Sox?

Another vintagey card from one of my local card shops. This was next to the Matt Batts card.  I was drawn to the crossed out team name.  A previous owner had tracked Mr. Howard when he left the Dodgers.  I wasn't familiar with his career.  I knew that he started with the Dodgers, but I didn't know that he went to the White Sox.

1961 Topps
Frank Howard (card # 280)

After getting home I looked Frank Howard up on baseball-reference.com.  It wasn't the White Sox, it was the Washington Senators.  Darn, the things you learn because of baseball cards.

Frank won the Rookie of the Year in 1960 and was a four time All-Star.  This is his second year card.

What I found at my local Staples

I had to pick up a presentation cover for my son's senior thesis a few weeks back. Drove to Staples and found what he needed. Always one who is drawn to office supplies my little eye spied this:

Rattlers?  Sabres?  Devils?  Sharks?  Mustangs?  Ooh.  I want to see all the cards.

Luscious Luke Easter

Another vintagey card with some birthday blow money.

1954 Bowman
Luke Easter (card # 116)

This is his third year Bowman card.  Or his last Bowman card.  Depends which way you look at it.  His first card was a 1951 Topps Red Back.  You can pick up all seven of Luke's cards from his playing days for just over $70 from COMC.  I spent $5 on this one.

What does Miriam Webster say about the word luscious?

I'll let you select your desired definition of Luke Easter.

Matt Batts needs a trim

While doing some last minute Christmas shopping I stopped by one of my local card shops.  I had recently received some birthday money.  I didn't want to buy anything new or shiny, but I didn't know what. This one caught my eye.  Apparently Mr. Batts decided to grow a beard.  Because of this extra artwork I picked it up for a measly two dollars.  Bingo!

1954 Topps
Matt Batts (card # 88)

From the back we learn that "Matt was a terrific athlete as a Texas high school teenager."  Apparently he was also smooth with the ladies.

got 55?

Embossed Show Cards

I was looking around ebay last night and came across some cards I've never seen before.

Here's the description from one of the ebay auctions:

From 1997 to 2003, Pacific Trading Cards attended sports collectibles shows and offered collectors an opportunity to open a pack of Pacific cards at their booth and get one of the cards embossed with a special logo that was created just for the show. The die was destroyed afterwards. They did this at about 70 different shows throughout North America (U.S. & Canada). They can be very difficult to find and the quantity available for any particular card/player is unknown. Since collectors could get any Pacific card embossed, including other sports, it's very possible that some are 1/1's!

The card being offered here was embossed at the 1997 San Francisco Labor Day Card Show. The pictures are of the actual card up for bid. Since the embossed logo does not show up well in a scan, I have included photos which better show the actual embossing. Additionally, I have included an image of the artwork used for the logo at this particular show.

Although interesting, I don't think that I'll be chasing after these.

Baseball Art by Art

Several years back I met a street musician in Madison, Wisconsin.  Art Paul Schlosser.  Art Paul is not just a a musician, he's also an artist.  We've stayed in touch over the years, mostly through facebook.  At the end of November he posted one of his paintings.

Winter Baseball
acrylic on canvas

It really caught my eye.  I asked him if I could share this and could he tell me a bit about it.  Here's his answer:

When I was young I was a big baseball fan. We used play in my back yard and I collected baseball cards. I used to enjoy the free bubble gum that came with each pack.Well some of the cards mentioned that some of the players would also play winter baseball. I was having a couple of winter art-shows and I made one of the snowmen and some snow-people paintings and one of them sold so I was thinking if I did more. So in doing more I thought how about one about winter baseball. I painted it with acrylic on canvas and it is either 10 inches by 10 inches or 12 inches by 12 inches. 

Take Spock Out To The Ballgame
marker on paper

She Was A Good Sport
acrylic (or oil) on canvas

I did an interview with him last year, if you're interested.  He's a character.  You should be interested.

You can find Art Paul on facebook.  Or you can email him: imaprince2001 AT yahoo DOT com

Snake Eyes

I won this at Listia last week. Just adding to the Jeff Burton collection.  I picked it up for 300 credits.  I'm still trying to figure out what the value of the credits are.  I just know that I 'sold' a mess of 1991 Hoby SEC Star cards so I had more than enough credits to cover this.  There's currently one of these cards offered on ebay for $5.88 delivered.

I wasn't familiar with the Viper cards.  This is an insert.   I don't think that I have any of the base cards.

1997  Viper
Snake Eyes
Jeff Burton (card # SE9)

Here's a Jeff Burton checklist for the 1997 Viper cards.

1997    Viper   8
1997    Viper   38
1997    Viper   54
1997    Viper First Strike      8
1997    Viper First Strike      38
1997    Viper First Strike      54
1997    Viper Black Racer       8
1997    Viper Black Racer       38
1997    Viper Black Racer       54
1997    Viper Black Racer First Strike  8
1997    Viper Black Racer First Strike  38
1997    Viper Black Racer First Strike  54
1997    Viper Anaconda Jumbos   A11
1997    Viper Diamondback       DB6
1997    Viper Diamondback First Strike  DB6
1997    Viper Diamondback Authentic     DBA6
1997    Viper Diamondback Authentic First Strike        DBA6
1997    Viper Diamondback Authentic Eastern     DBA6
1997    Viper Diamondback Authentic Eastern First Strike        DBA6
1997    Viper Snake Eyes        SE9
1997    Viper Snake Eyes First Strike   SE9

Be the first on your block to collect them all.

I need to go offer more cards on Listia.

Customized Collectibles

My son, Edison, completed his high school football career this fall. He played center and defensive line. His team, The King's Academy Lions, finished with a 4-6 record this season. I'm proud of him for his hard work and leadership. I've bragged about him previously.

The Athletic Director arranged for some Oyo Sports Toys to be created and offered them for sale to the team and parents.  We picked one up for Edison's birthday.

No, I'm not going to go all crazy for these type of figues like Chris does, but I thought I'd show it.

Cards that make you go HUH?

More cards from the bricks. This is a subset of the 1999 Fleer Ultra set. Well, not really a subset, but there are 25 cards out of the 250 card set that are consider Prospects. Not a different number, just labeled differently.

I've never been a Mac guy, mostly Windows and *nix.  It took me a while to figure out what the
File
Future
Special
Prospects 
thing was.

It is like you're looking at a Mac computer screen.  Perhaps it should have been:
File
Future (not so bright)


Carlton Loewer played for parts of four seasons in the majors.  He has a 10-18 record, never having a winning season.  He ended up with a 6.12 ERA.

1999 Fleer Ultra
Carlton Loewer (card # 236)

Preston Wilson's should have read:
File
Future (brighter than Carlton Loewer's)

Preston was in the majors for 10 seasons, ending up with a .264 BA and a World Series' ring for being on the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals team.

1999 Fleer Ultra
Preston Wilson (card # 244)

 

I don't even know how to describe these cards' design.  Sort of an infinite mirror thing going on.  Not quite, but I'm still scratching my head, trying to find the right term.  I'm speechless.  So I'll stop writing and post this thing.

I'm Certified

This showed up in Saturday's mail.

Philip Lowry, author of Baseball's Longest Games and Green Cathedrals, sent this to me for finding an unknown marathon game.  Phil is a fellow SABR member.  He asked if I could share some info with the group that I lead (East Tennessee Chapter) to see if they could find more games.  I took a look around my usual haunts and came up blank in Tennessee, but then I broadened my locations.

Here's what I found about the 20 inning game.

So, thanks, Phil.  I'm honored to accept the certificate and more honored to assist in research.

I had expanded on a bit of Phil's work in Green Cathedrals a bit ago.  I located the location of the Star Baseball Grounds in Covington, Kentucky.

I'm always a bit troubled by using the terms "I found" or "I located".  The information is and has been sitting there, for all to see.  I just connect the dots and share what I learn.

2003 Stadium Club - a question

So, I picked up a few bricks of baseball cards the other day.  Two bricks for a buck.  One never know what one will find.  I found some 2003 Stadium Club.  And then I found some more.  But there were two different card fronts, same backs.

A bit of research indicates that the double might be a hobby edition.  There are 150 cards in this set.    Zistle shows that there are variants for the last 50 cards.  The cards are cataloged as 1##H.  But I don't know how to determine which is which.  So, let's look at a few examples.

First up, Sean Pierce.  No clue.  I'll go with the second one as the hobby card.  There is a rail fence in the second shot.  Maybe where he ties up the polo ponies.  That's a hobby.

2003 Stadium Club
Sean Pierce (card # 123)

2003 Stadium Club
Sean Pierce (card # 123)

Drew Henson.  Boy, this is a tough one.  I'll go with the second one again.  Fielding looks like a hobby.  Batting looks like work.

2003 Stadium Club
Drew Henson (card # 106)

2003 Stadium Club
Drew Henson (card # 106)

Carl Crawford.  Second one.  Again.  Almost a smile on his face.  Almost.

2003 Stadium Club
Carl Crawford (card # 108)

2003 Stadium Club
Carl Crawford (card # 108)

Il Kim.  No clue.  I'll go with the second one as the hobby card.  No spikes.  Must be a hobby.

2003 Stadium Club
Il Kim (card # 120)

2003 Stadium Club
Il Kim (card # 120)

The reality is I have no idea.  Nothing jumps out at me and says, "this is the hobby card".  Nothing.

So, a little help, please?

November Collect Auctions Catalog

Time for another auction catalog post.  This showed up in my mailbox a few weeks back.

Yeah, I'm a little late.  I didn't read the cover very closely.  Bidding ended on the 29th.  I thought that the auction started on the 29th.  Let's see what caught my eyes.

Title: 1914 B18 Ty Cobb Blanket
Lot #: 36
Description: This 1914 B18 Blanket features Ty Cobb is the White Infield version. It has a small hole on the bases above Cobb's head and a light stain behind Cobb's legs, but is otherwise in very nice condition.
Minimum Bid: $75
Closing Bid: $132.21
My Thoughts: A blanket from 98 years ago?  With Ty Cobb?  Why wouldn't somebody want this?

Title: Arthur Conan Doyle Signed Letter with Amazing Content (1926) (PSA/DNA)
Lot #: 383
Description: This ALS is written and signed by "A. Conan Doyle" on Feb. 2, 1926. The one-page (5.25x7) note is written to F.M. Sands of Maryland and reads, "You are very wise to stick to any faith which makes you a better man. It is one the latter point that we are judged. When you enter the other world you will find that no one worries about what you believed. But what your character is decides your position there." There is a horizontal crease and a light vertical crease, which runs through his signature and one line of text and faint mirroring of a few words, but otherwise in fine condition. Accompanined by the original mailing envelope postmarked Feb. 2, 1926. The famed author was obsessed with spiritualism and attempted to find proof of existence beyond the grave, with this letter profoundly outlining some of his beliefs of "the other world." Great historical piece with significant content, with the signature authenticated by PSA/DNA with full LOA.
Minimum Bid: $600
Closing Bid: - (Reserve not met)
My Thoughts: A letter from the creator of the world's greatest detective.  Worth whatever the reserve was?  I don't know, but it would be cool to own.

Title: Tony Stewart Signed 1998 Small Solders Die-Cast Car (PSA/DNA)
Lot #: 764
Description: This Small Solders logo die-cast Tony Stewart 1:24 scale car has been signed by Stewart on the hood. The black felt tip pen signature has been authenticated by PSA/DNA with a basic LOA. The car is a 1998 Pontiac is from an edition of 10,992.
Minimum Bid: $50
Closing Bid: $0
My Thoughts: Although I like NASCAR, I'm not really into car models, signed or not.  My brother is a Tony Stewart fan.  I'd pick this up for him.  Looking back at the bidding, I should have.  Maybe it would have sold had the auction house labeled it with the correct sponsor, Small Soldiers.  Small Solders sounds like a transistor radio.

A card from Napkin Doon

A few weeks back I sent Napkin Doon some pressed pennies that didn't fit in my collection. When I told him that I was sending them he begged me for my address. I stalled. I hemmed. I hawed. I didn't want him sending me cards. This wasn't a trade. I finally relented and to the post office he went.

 Here's what arrived.

2009 Topps Sterling
White Frame
Carl Erskine (card # 118)
numbered 01/50

Oisk!  Over the past few weeks I've been having mixed feelings about collecting.  Nothing seems to inspire me.  I didn't buy anything this last weekend even though were some good deals online.  Partly it was I didn't really know what I wanted.  I really need to get my checklists in order.  Partly it was that family was in town.  It is better to spend time with family than to sort cards.  Most times, it is.

This card is resparking my interest.  It looks good.  It is of a player I collect.  I like it.

Thanks, Napkin.

Eddie Mathews Bat Card

Some time back I won this card on ebay. I don't have the exact price, but it did fall under the $5 self imposed price limit. That includes shipping as well.

2008 Donruss Playoff Prime Cuts
Eddie Mathews (card #27, numbered 09/99)

Eddie Mathews played for 17 seasons. Most of them were with the Milwaukee Braves where he covered third base. On occasion he was known to play the outfield and sometimes first base.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1978 on his fifth ballot. In nine seasons he was an All-Star, playing in 12 All-Star games. He led the National League in Home Runs in 1953 (47) and 1959 (46).

He didn't win any Gold Glove or Silver Slugger awards. Twice he came in second in the MVP voting. He did win a World Series rings with Milwaukee in 1957 and Detroit in 1968. His lifetime Batting Average was .271 with 512 Home Runs.

He was a three time Brave. The Boston Braves signed him as an amateur free agent before the 1949 season and played for them professionally in 1952. The he played for the Milwaukee Braves and followed the team to Atlanta.

Did Eddie Mathews have a Hall of Fame career? It might be hard to justify to some people, but he's in and I have one of his cards with a slice of his bat.

Guest Blogger - My Dad

David, of TribeCards.net, broke open a bunch of wax this summer. I lost count after about 50 packs. I think that he made it to 182. Not only was it fun to see the cards from sets I've never heard of, he was giving them away. I asked for the Diamondbacks, the Expos and some Hershiser. I don't collect the Diamondbacks or the Expos, but my father does.

I begged David to send our 'winnings' this week so that my dad and I could open them. He's in from Arizona, hence the D-backs. The Expos? He was raised just south of Montreal, on the US side of the border. Hometown team and all that.

I asked my Dad to select his three favorite cards from the stack that David sent. Then he had to write about them. He doesn't listen and picked four.

So, in alphabetical order, I present you my Dad's Top Four Cards from the Arkansas pack buster.


Moises Alou 
Tradition (father, two uncles and a cousin) kept the game going for this family. That, plus having your father as your team manager would keep you sharp. The picture is one of confidence and that was borne out with commendable numbers for BA, HR, and RBI areas.

1996 Leaf
Moises Alou (card # 182)

Miguel Montero
This relatively casual photo is a deception. He's ready for whatever the day brings. He'll call a no-hitter as quickly as he'll snuff out your hopes for getting to second base. His .286 BA this year should go up by at least a few points this next season.

2006 Topps
Miguel Montero (card # 273)

Tim Raines
The picture captures the idea of energy, and Tim used his energy on offense and defense. He was high in assists and double-plays while on the field, and a thief of high regard while a runner.

1986 Donruss All-Stars
Tim Raines (card # 20)

Brandon Webb 
In the middle of things, as this picture notes, he held a 3.54 ERA in a season (2004) when the team won only 51 games, and then won the Cy Young award two years later. Shoulder injuries have kept the spotlight off him, though there seemed great potential.

2008 Topps - Own The Game
Brandon Webb (card # OTG23)

There you go.  A bit of insight from my old man.  Thanks, David, for the cards.  Thanks, Dad, for the commentary.