Bip Roberts - then & now

Sports Illustrated has recreated some memorable sports trading cards.  I swiped the images of Bip Roberts, everyone's favorite ballplayer (wearing a sombrero).

Go to the SI story for some other card updates and a bit of cool technology.

Young Jim Fregosi

I picked this up on Listia last week.  I'm not really a Fregosi fan.  Not a hater, but not really a fan.  The key selling point is the accordion, of course.

1972 Topps
Jim Fregosi (card # 346)

When seeing or hearing an accordion, some might think of Weird Al Yankovic or Myron Floren.

I think of Don White.  For many decades Don was one of the top accordion players in Chicago.  I am proud to have known him for some 30 years.  When I first moved to Chicago I boarded with he and his wife, JoAnne.  Don was gifted musically and was one of the funniest people I knew.  Don passed away a few years back.  One of the other funniest people I know is his son, Doug.

Here's Don playing and singing "Glue On My Saddle" with Doug accompanying on guitar.

Barry Larkin oddball

My folks picked up a few baseball books from a Cincinnati area library book sale. Inside one of them was this card, probably used as a bookmark.

It standard size and the text on the back refers to events that happened in 1999, so I assume that it is from no earlier than 2000.

On the front is a scratch off area.  It appears that this card is not a winner.  Could it have been a regional game giveaway at the park? 

I guess I'll never know.

What if...? - All Washed Up

Over a year ago I asked the question "What if...?"

What if I took 20 sports cards and treated them like I might have when I was in elementary school for the summer?

I gave an answer in November of last year. 

Every day for over a year I carried the cards in my pants pocket.  The experiment has now ended.  This weekend I realized that I didn't have the cards in my pocket.  I was out of town and they weren't there.  After getting back to the hotel I discovered that they were in my jeans, not in my shorts.  The day was saved.  Then thinking back I realized that I hadn't worn my jeans in a few days.  The run was over.  I can live with that.  Most every player sits out a game or two.

Then, after the trip, I did laundry. 

This is why the experiment has ended.  Cards don't like a washing machine.  Or the dryer.

I'd kept John Marzano at the top of the stack of cards for many months.  He didn't do to badly in the wash warm, rinse cold cycle.

It appears that the cardboard is laminated in some form.  And it appears that printed surfaces like to stick to each other. 

Tim Federowicz was at the bottom of the stack. He took a beating.  Below him are the other cards, fused together in a newly formed brick by Kenmore.

More of the clump.

So, John Marzano will move from pocket cards to a true wallet card.

And now you know.

T59 Flags of All Nations - Danish West Indies

Another Listia win.  This card, presumably cut from an album, is part of the four series set, Flags of All Nations, otherwise known as T59.  It set me back 2,132 credits.  I'll take that.  Oh, I did.

T59 Flags of All Nations
Danish West Indies

The Danish West Indies were sold to the US in 1917 and are now recognized as the US Virgin Islands.  The USVI has produced 11 MLB players.

From what I've seen on the web, the typical back for this card is the Recruit brand of cigars.  Unfortunately, I don't know exactly what's behind the paper.

A gentle tug at the album paper lets me know that it isn't wise to keep tugging.  So, how does one remove the paper?  I seem to remember something about soaking it off.  It would also probably clean the card a bit.  Note: I did read a few threads on net54baseball.com.  I think I'll give soaking a try.

Has anyone tried to remove glued paper from cards?  Suggestions? 

A Pair of Bonus Athletics

Last week a few cards showed up in a PWE.  I knew that they were coming, because Bru of the fine Remember the Astrodome blog said he was sending them my way.

Let's see what he sent...

1971 Topps
Bob Locker (card # 356)

1971 Topps
Rollie Fingers (card # 384)

Rollie doesn't grow his 'stache until the 1973 Topps issue.

Bru, I've got a package ready for you.  But I've been saying that since January.  Patience.  I'm a busy man, what with this flurry of posts and all.

Seriously though, thanks for helping me with my 1971 Topps collection.

Baseball cards in TV shows

Being a collector my eyes are in tune with my surroundings.  When I watch a TV show or a movie and there are baseball cards in a scene I take note.

I didn't watch it last evening, but apparently the ABC sitcom, The Goldbergs, had a scene that featured some baseball cards. 

This image came from the ABC press release about the hidden April Fools' Jokes in their Wednesday night line up of comedies.

The character Murray Goldberg is portrayed by actor Jeff Garlin.  I first noticed him in his film, I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With.

I know of some other shows where baseball cards get some screen time.  Do you know of any?