Another contest to promote

The gents over at Community Gum are doing all they can to disrupt the flow of the universe.  They keep having contests. 

 Here's a reminder about their latest.  You could win some 2010 Panini Century Collection.  Very nice stuff.

Hall of Fame Relic Card - Frank Robinson

Late last year I dove back into the ebay pool.

If you're new to this blog, here's the skinny.  I like relic cards of Hall of Famers.  But cheap relic cards.  My limit is $5.00 per card.  Delivered.  I've started a small collection of them. 

I found a seller that had quite a few available.  I put in a few bids and ended up with two cards for $9.14.  That's $4.57 each.  I hit my mark.

The first of these cards is a 2004 Topps Tribute HOF, Tribute Relics, Frank Robinson uniform.

2004 Topps Tribute HOF, Tribute Relics
Frank Robinson (card # TR-FR)

Frank entered the majors in 1956, with the Cincinnati Reds where he took home the Rookie of the Year award.  He spent ten years there, mostly in the outfield, but standing at one of the corners on occasion.

While playing for the Reds he was involved eight All-Star games, took home a Gold Glove award and was selected as the MVP in 1961.

The 1966 season brought him to the east coast where he continued making his legacy.  1966 was a banner year, one in which he led in many statistical categories and claimed his second MVP trophy.  Oh, he also was the AL Triple Crown winner.  And the World Series MVP.  Yes, it was a good year for him.  While at Baltimore he was involved with five All-Star games.

In 1972 he changed scenery again, this time to the Dodgers of Los Angeles.  But just for one year.  Nothing spectacular there, but I'm guessing that his west coast presence set up the trade to the California Angels.

He did a bit better for the Angels in almost two full seasons, getting another All-Star game nod.

Then it was off to Cleveland for the final two-plus seasons, mostly as a Designated Hitter.

After Frank put the bat and glove away he took up managing.  He was the Manager of the Year in 1989, back with the Orioles.  He also managed the Indians, Giants, Expos, and Nationals.  Of the 17 seasons* that he managed, he had only seven non-losing seasons.  And three of those were with the Expos/Nationals.

* Not all seasons were full seasons.  More info can be found on his managerial page at Baseball-Reference.com.

Overall, a good, full life in baseball.

Another Sombrero Card

The wonderfully quirky Collective Troll likes sombrero cards. Well cards with pictures of baseball players wearing sombreros. The other evening I found a photo on the web, snagged it, grabbed a font I like, ran it through the fictitious card making machine and blammo, instant sombrero card.

Marck, here's another one for your collection.

Update:
Here's some more info on the photo.  I lifted it from the Corbis Images website.  (Okay, that will get me in trouble, I'm sure).

Their caption reads:

As a result of the published statement that former mayor William O'Dwyer of New York has a proposition to transfer the Brooklyn Dodgers to Mexico City, two Dodger pitchers try on Mexican sombreros for size.  They are Russ Meyer (left) and Clem Labine.  O'Dwyer, who has a law business in Mexico City, is here on legal business and to see the series.  He said he was to meet with Dodger President Walter O'Malley on his proposal.  Asked about the proposed switch, O'Malley said "if we blow this series, Mexico City won't be far enough south for us."

The photo was taken on September 30, 1955 by Sam Goldstein and is © Bettmann/CORBIS.

And now you know the rest of the story.

2003 Topps T205 - Omar Vizquel

Dang, this is one awkward card.

2003 Topps 205
Omar Vizquel (card #57)

I like the overall design of the card, specifically the back.  Clean and simple.  Topps couldn't have sprung for a razor, though?

Winnings from My Cardboard Mistress

Spankee, over at My Cardboard Mistress, held a contest some time back.  It was celebrating his 100th post.   I won.   Let's see what he sent...

1993 Ted Williams Card Company
Walter "Buck" Leonard (card #108)

1993 Ted Williams Card Company
John Henry "Pop" Lloyd (card #109)

1993 Ted Williams Card Company
Armando Vazquez (card #113)

1994 Ted Williams Card Company
Larry Brown (card #102)

1994 Ted Williams Card Company
Leon Day (card #103)

1994 Ted Williams Card Company
Judson "Bojum" Wilson (card  #116)

2010 Topps Chrome
Stephen Strasburg (card #212)

2010 Spankee Originals Stickers
Jefferson Burdick

I have created a wantlist for the Ted Williams cards.  It is on the sidebar to the right.  I think though, that I'm just going to order them through SportLots.  18 cents per card.  I can't really go too wrong.  And I can pick up some cards of the AAGPBA cards from the 1993 set.

BA Benny showed some interest in one other card that was part of the prize.  A shiny Tim Tebow.  I offered  to Spankee that BA Benny could have it.  Which led to emails between myself and BA Benny.  We've got a trade brewing between us.  It is going slowly, because we're both trying to figure out which Hershiser we have and want.

Spankee, thanks for the contest, for the winnings and for hooking me up with BA Benny.

Two Giants

Martin Luther King, Jr. & Jackie Robinson
September 19, 1962
(image lifted from Baseball Hall of Fame)

1991 Fleer Football - Trace Armstrong

Poking around the old stack-o-cards last night and I found this.  Who knew 20 years ago someone would be using this card as a cheap lead-in to the NFC game today?

1991 Fleer
Trace Armstrong (card #213)

Go Bears!