They're Not In Kansas Anymore

Matt, well known from Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius, was kind enough to offer some cards from the 2000 Upper Deck HoloGrFX set some time ago. I claimed the Diamondbacks as a team, since I knew that my dad would soon be collecting them.

Earlier this month, Matt sent three cards. Shiny beyond shiny. I looked at them, tried to figure out how my scanner wouldn't short circuit while doing its job. I set the cards aside in my special stack of cards to be scanned and uploaded to Zistle and very possibly this blog. Reading over the manual for the scanner and a few calls into NORAD confirmed that I could actually scan them.

Turning back to that special stack I realized that my stacks looked like the Chiricahua National Monument. There were stacks of books, cards, wax packs, bills paid, bills to be paid and socks.

It took me the better part of this month to actually find the cards. They were in the bills paid stack.

I scanned them and I'll share one.

2000 Upper Deck HoloGrFX, Erubiel Durazo (card #30)

Matt also sent me cards of Matt Williams and Randy Johnson. So, why did I choose to show Erubiel's card? Well, Johnson gets his fair share of press. Williams, a bit less. Durazo? My guess is that this is the first time that one of his cards has been featured in a blog.

Erubiel Durazo's contract got purchased from Monterey (Mexican League) by the Diamondbacks in 1998. He was then part of a four team trade (which made my head hurt trying to figure it out). He ended up with Oakland in December of 2002. He was granted Free Agency, signed by Rangers then released. Re-signed with the Rangers. Signed by the Yankees. Then with the Twins. Back to the Athletics and then back to the Yankees. It was only fourteen months from the time he signed with the Rangers (the first time) until he signed with the Yankees (the second time) in 2007.

He only played for the Diamondbacks (1B) and the Athletics (DH). He ended up his seven seasons with a .281 Batting Average and a World Series ring (with Arizona). Currently he's playing for the Sultanes de Monterrey.

Matt (from Lawrence, Kansas), thanks for the shiny. My dad will appreciate it, I'm sure.

Tribute Card - Rich Gossage

This is based on the 1973 Topps design. Okay, it is the 1973 Topps design. I lifted the photo from the Hall of Fame website.

Here is the original 1973 Topps Gossage.

I did this over lunch, using Paint.net. I tried to match the 'original' team colors for the Yankees (purple and black), since that is the team that he entered the Hall as. The fonts aren't quite right, but I can live with them. I'm still working on getting smooth curves in the corners. But I can live with those as well.

I selected the 1973 Topps design as this was Gossage's rookie card. Just my tribute to a Hall of Fame pitcher.

Red Schoendienst Bat Card

Saturday I ran a few errands with the family. Then to lunch at Litton's. Yum. Fortunately one of the Knoxvegas sports card stores was on the way home. I was able to turn in my work on their website and then started looking at the cards. They have one case of $5.00 GU / Auto cards. Look what I found...

2007 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic, Classic Memorabilia,

Red Schoendienst (card # CM-SC)

A clean looking card. Upper Deck's checklist for this subset can be found here. It appears from looking at the cards on their checklist site that they only have uniforms. Looking closely at the cards they used the same graphic for the uniform. The color or positon of the threads never move. I'm sure that this is an internal ease of use issue from their graphic designers.

Again, I like the card and I'm happy.

Wines for Baseball and Other Sports

While doing some background research for blog posts I came across a site that pairs fine wines with great charities. CharityWines.com has created wines for a variety of sports including football, hockey and wrestling. Artist Jonathan Banchick did a number of the labels. His art work can be found at his website, BanchickIllustration.com. It took me a while to understand his logo.

I enjoy the labels although I have a hard time with...

Samu Presents...
Flying Head Butt Merlot

2006 Merlot, Lontue Valley - Chile
Benefiting the Usos - Samoan Family Foundation

Our deep red organic merlot is estate-grown and handcrafted - a soft, well-balanced wine, with aromas of black pepper and red fruit and a velvety, spicy finish. Enjoy it with turkey, grilled meats, pasta and pizza.

I don't drink and I don't know if these are dinner wines, sipping wines, wines for speculation or just novelty wines, but here's a pair for Beardy and his O's...

Flying High

The girls over at Dinged Corners posted about the 1953 Bowman Pee Wee Reese card long before I even thought about starting a sports card blog. They call it "the holy grail of all mid-air cards" and I am inclined to agree with them.

The term holy grail, as was used by Patricia and Lucy, means an object or goal that is sought after for its great significance.

Why is the Pee Wee Reese card significant? Well, it isn't his rookie card. The 1941 Play Ball card # 54 is considered to be his rookie card. This one was issued 12 years later. I think that it is the whole package. The colors, the action, the framing, the clouds. A recent copy of this went for $1,100 in the last Robert Edward Auctions sale. It was PSA Graded NM-MT 8. I know that I can't afford it.

But here's a card that is similar...

1991 Topps Walt Weiss (card # 455)

No, Walt isn't in the Hall of Fame and probably never will be. But you can pick this one up for $1.10 on ebay. Free shipping. You could probably pick it up for a lot less from your local card store.

Not "the holy grail of mid-air cards," but it is a nice one.

Jim Bunning Jersey Card

In my quest to collect a relic (bat or uniform) or autograph card of each of the men enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame I have added a 2005 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic, Classic Materials Jim Bunning card (#CM-JB).

Yes, I've been taken, again. He was inducted into the Hall with a Phillies cap on the plaque.

But let's read the back of the card a bit closer, shall we?

Congratulations! You have received a Jim Bunning Came-Used Jersy trading card from The Upper Deck Company. On the front of the card is an authentic piece of a jersey worn by Jim Bunning in an official Pirates^® MLB^® game. We hope you enjoy this piece of Major League Baseball^® history as we at the Upper Deck Company continue to keep you as close as you can get!

So, he's a Phillie, but I got a Pirates jersey swatch. Not a problem, really. I thinking I'm getting over that issue. Would it be nice if it was a Phillie's jersey? Sure, but Jim Bunning was elected to the Hall for his body of work, which included starting his career in Detroit with stops in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angels and then back to Philadelphia to finish his career.

According to the Hall of Fame he "...became the first pitcher to record 100 wins and 1,000 strikeouts in both the American and National Leagues. He also threw no-hitters in both leagues..."

Not bad for a man one normally doesn't associate with the 'big names' of Cooperstown.

I picked this card up on ebay for $0.99, plus $2.50 shipping. I'm happy with that.

Ben Sakoguchi - Orange Crate Label Artist

Sunday Brand

(2005)

I came across Ben Sakoguchi's site recently. Mr. Sakoguchi is well educated, has had numerous solo exhibits and has an interesting style. These prints are from one of his series, "The Unauthorized History of Baseball in 100-Odd Paintings".

From what I can tell, Mr. Sakoguchi is not afraid to express himself through his art. He takes on some of the issues (racism, sexism, cheating) that never seem to go away. He also embraces the finer things (patriotism, athleticism, determination) that also stay around.

I'll let his art say the rest. Here's a small sampling of it.

Pitchin' Babes Brand

(2005)

Catalina Cubs Brand

(2008)

Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain Brand

(2008)

Yiddish Curver Brand

(2008)