Saturday, March 30, 2024

This Day In Baseball History

 
For the past few years, I've written a celebratory post on this date wishing Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale a happy birthday. I always thought it was amusing that a Red Sox player shared the same birthday as me. Well, Chris Sale is no longer on the Red Sox, having been traded to the Atlanta Braves during the off-season. I still wish Sale well (both today and during the season), but I needed to find something else to post on my birthday. Fortunately, I discovered something great and truly magical occurred on this date.
 
Hope springs eternal in the game of baseball. One of the best things about the sport is that you don't have to be the star player to win the game. The history of the game is filled with guys who have tried and failed, only to try again. Guys who have gotten knocked down, gotten up and persevered.

One individual spent over 40 years playing the game he loved, and more often than not found himself on the losing end. On this day in 1993, the impossible happened:
 
https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1993/03/30
 
Charlie Brown, baseball hero.

Happy Anniversary Charlie Brown! May your never-give-up attitude and love for the game be an inspiration to all!

(And Happy birthday to me!)

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Repack Haiku #351 (Terry Steinbach)

All-Star M.V.P.
Drove in both A.L. squad's runs
homer and sac fly
 
1991 Topps #625 Terry Steinbach
 
Steinbach hit a solo home run off of Dwight Gooden in the 3rd inning of the 1988 Midsummer Classic, and in the following inning drove in Dave Winfield with a sacrifice fly. Those were the only two runs the AL team scored, which was enough for a 2-1 victory over the National League team.

Friday, March 22, 2024

Trapped In Time: Remnants Of The 79th And 80th Trades

Only 3 cards this time around (or 2 if you a stickler for such things). Still, these cards having been sitting unclaimed for over 3 years, so let's see who is on the chopping block today!
 
Added to my personal collection 01/15/21: 1981 Topps #47 Ken Brett, 1981 Topps #49 Bob Shirley, 1981 Topps #59 Dan Petry, 1981 Topps #610 Darrell Porter, 1981 Topps #641 Mark Belenger, 1981 Topps #681 New York Mets - Joe Torre (TC)
 
Added to the Time Travel Trade Stack 01/15/21:
  • 1981 Topps #226 Manny Sanguillen (See Trade #88)
  • 1981 Topps #277 Alfredo Griffin (See Trade #117)
  • 1981 Topps #402 NL Championships
  • 1981 Topps #450 Dave Kingman (AS) (See Trade #88)
  • 1981 Topps #650 Bucky Dent (AS) (See Trade #130)
  • 1981 Topps #695 Kent Tekulve (See Trade #282)
  • 1981 Topps #726 Rick Monday (See Trade #286)

Another double from my personal collection that will return to join its brethren after a 3 year vacation. It's a great card, celebrating the Phillies for winning the 1980 NLCS. I know I must be old because as I pulled this card, I thought to myself how odd it was that they defeated the Astros, and then instantly remembered that they were once an NL team. Seems like ages ago, doesn't it?

Traded 01/27/21: 1965 Topps #139 The Cards Celebrate! (WS), 1954 Bowman #16 Jim Wilson, 1953 Topps #35 Irv Noren
 
Received 01/19/21:
  • 1964 Topps #95 George Altman
  • 1953 Topps #213 Ray Scarborough (See Trade #210)
  • 1937-38 Diamond Matchbooks Tan 6 (hockey) #NNO Glenn Brydson
 
When it comes to the blogs I read and my own personal viewership, the hockey card collector is a rarity. Even rarer are those that collect vintage hockey cards. Rarer still, those that consider matchbooks fair game, especially ones that predate the 2nd World War. Like every other pre-war card, it will remain in the stack as a reminder of how far back this project has gone. The Altman will fit nicely in my collection of no one wants to trade for it.

I'm thinning out the Time Travel Trading stack! Make me an offer!
 
 

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Repack Haiku #350 (Jacob Cruz)

Former first round pick
Was Mexico's hitting coach
In last year's Classic
 
1997 Topps #220 Jacob Cruz

 
Cruz was part of the coaching staff for Team Mexico, who placed 3rd in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Monday, March 18, 2024

Time Travel Trading Update #87

 
Let's get this major announcement out of the way first: With the following trades, I'm up to 294 completed Time Travel Trades! When I was approaching the 200 trade mark, I held a little contest where the 200th official trade got to pick any card in the Time Travel trade stack for free! I think I should do that again, don't you? My 300th Time Traveling Trade partner will get any card in the stack of their choice!
 
We'll kick things off with the winner of that 200th Trade contest, Greg (Night Owl Cards). He picked up some fun cards, and sent fun cards in return.

I watched a lot of wrestling in the early 90's, but I was a WWF (now WWE) fan, so I'm not familiar with the lovely Miss Hyatt or anyone from WCW. The Bowman cards are the real eye catcher here...

 
Maybe the 300th trade will come from Bo (Baseball Cards Come To Life!). This is our 50th Time Travel trade, and it has become an annual tradition that Bo takes any unclaimed cards whenever I add a pack from the latest base set. Bo sent back cards full of star power, with 7 Hall of Famers (plus Barry Bonds).

Perhaps Brendan (The View From The Third Floor) will be the lucky winner. Greg, Bo, and Brendan are pretty consistent trading partners every month, so they have a good chance. Brendan more than anyone is a reason the stack has swelled to the number it has. I sent him two Time Travel cards, he sends a dozen!


You may have noticed that the photo on the left contains one less card than it's counterpart. I had to do a bit of creative angling to get a decent shot of the Denny's Hologram:
 

Maybe the winner won't be one of the "Big 3", but one of the many others who have traded with me. John (Adventures Of A Baseball Card Collector) has traded with me each of the past 3 months, and is climbing that honored leader board of Time Travelers. He picked up a trio of cards from 2024 as well as a trio from 1955. Great cards come back my way:

Our last trade for today comes once again from Greg (Night Owl Cards).  He snagged the 2024 Dodgers I had listed, along with some "old" cards. Here's what came back:

Full disclaimer, I have no idea if that Roseboro is a cereal box or mail-in variation. I listed it as cereal on the TCDB just to be safe.

Thanks again to Greg, Bo, Brendan, and John! The kickoff to 300 begins! Maybe the lucky 300th trader will be you? There's only one way to find out!


As always, these cards are all available in exchange for an older card. You can claim your cards below, or through the TCDB (Kep75). Let's make some trades! 
 

The Time Travel Trade Stack:

2023 Topps
#30 Kenley Jansen
 
 
2022 Stadium Club
#74 Jose Berrios

2022 Topps
#440 Trent Grisham 
 
2022 Topps Allen & Ginter - Mini
#153 Starling Marte 
 
2022 Topps Update - Stars of MLB
#SMLB-72 Julio Urias
 
2021-22 Donruss - Magicians (basketball)
 
2021-22 Donruss (soccer)
#183 Jose Macias (RR)
 
 
2020 Leaf Draft - Gold (football)
#66 CeeDee Lamb (AA)
#77 Collin Johnson (TD)    
 
2018 Stadium Club - Autographs
#SCA-KF Kyle Farmer (AU)

2017-18 Donruss (basketball)
#75 Chandler Parsons
 
2017 Topps - MLB Award Winners
 
2015-16 Donruss (basketball)
#49 John Wall
 
 
2013 Topps
#326 Andruw Jones
 
2013 Topps Update
#US143 Tim Lincecum (CL)
 
2012 Topps Stickers
#237 Bernie Brewer (MAS)  

2011 Topps - Before There Was Topps
#BTT1 American Tobacco 1909 T206 (Honus Wagner)
  
2010 Bowman - Prospects Black
#BP51 Chase D'Arnaud
#BP56 Rolando Gomez

2010 Bowman Platinum - Prospects
#PP38 Brian Johnson      
 
2010 Topps (football)
#249 David Garrard
 
2010 Topps Chrome (football)
#C141 T.J. Houshmandzadeh
 
2009 Bowman - Chrome WBC Prospects
#BCW18 Tao Bu  
 
2009 Donruss Americana (non-sport)
#50 Francesco Quinn
 
2008 Topps New York Yankees
#NYY8 Jason Giambi
 
2008 Topps (football)
#301 Larry Fitzgerald (PB) 
 
2007 Upper Deck MLB Rookie Card of the Month
#ROM-4 Ryan Braun 
 
2007 Playoff Prestige (football) 
 
2006 Topps Updates & Highlights
#UH172 Mike Piazza (SH)
 
2005 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia
#44 Shawn Green
 
2004 Bowman Chrome
#263 Jeff Allison (FY, RC) 
 
2004 Just Rookies - 05 Preview Autographs
 
2003 Bazooka
#100 Barry Bonds
 
2002 Fleer Maximum
 
2002 Upper Deck Piece of History
#39 Joe DiMaggio 
 
2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes
#88 Andy Petitte
 
2001 Topps Archives
#20 Gaylord Perry
 
 
1999-00 Topps (basketball)
#16 Eric William 
 
1999 SkyBox Metal Universe (football)
#116 Tiki Barber
 
1999 Stadium Club
#214 Tony Saunders 
 
1998 Pinnacle Performers
#14 Hideo Nomo
 
1997 Collector's Choice
#215 Glenallen Hill  
 
 
1997 Pinnacle Inside
#111 Matt Williams

1997 Pinnacle X-Press
#64 Craig Biggio   
 
1997 Upper Deck
#13 Mark Lemke

1996 Leaf
 
1996 SP
 
1996 Upper Deck
#358 Todd Worrell
 
1995 Finest (football)
#124 Trent Dilfer     
 
1995 Skybox Jumanji (non-sport)
#31 Help Us Finish
 
1995 SkyBox Lois & Clark (non-sport)
#73 Be Mine!
#74 I've Always Loved You!
#75 Do You Love Me?
 
1994-95 Finest (basketball)
#43 Rex Chapman  

1994 Collector's Choice
#636 David Justice (UC&P)
 
1994 Finest
#413 Mark Portugal
 
1994 Panini Stickers
#207 Sean Berry
#208 Wil Cordero  
 
1994 Upper Deck Denny's Holograms
#11 Andres Galarraga
 
1994 Classic Four Sport (multi-sport)
#145 Chad Penney  
 
1994 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Indianapolis 500 Champions Collection (racing)
#NNO Danny Sullivan
#NNO Mario Andretti
 
1993 Leaf
#322 Andres Galarraga 
 
1993 Stadium Club
 
1993 Topps
#3 Ryne Sandberg
 
1993 Action Packed Hall of Fame (basketball)
#37 Connie Hawkins
 
1993 Classic '93 Hockey Draft (hockey)
#40 Saku Koivu 
 
1993 Classic Four Sport (multi-sport)
#246 Mike Rathje
 
 
1992 Front Row Draft Picks
#46 Ed Christian   
 
 
 
1992 Pinnacle
 
1992 Score
#845 Kenny Lofton (RP)  
 
1992 Score - 90's Impact Players
#57 Roger Clemens
 
 
1991-92 Upper Deck (basketbal)
 
1989-92 Racing Champions Stock Car (racing)
#01126 Geoff Bodine
 
 
1991 Score
 
1991 Score Rookie & Traded
#58T Fred McGriff 
 
1991 Topps
#575 Robin Yount

1991 Ultra
#130 Lou Whitaker  
 
1991 Upper Deck
 
1991 Fleer (football)
 
1991 Pro Set (football)
 
1991 Pro Set Platinum (football)
#81 Lawrence Taylor
 
 
1991 Impel WCW (wrestling)
#157 Missy Hyatt

 
1991 Topps Desert Storm (non-sport)
#147 Working Together   
 
 
1990-91 Pro Set Super Bowl XXV Silver Anniversary (football)
#88 Nick Buoniconti
 
1990-91 Fleer (basketball)
#21 Kelly Tripucka
#21 Kelly Tripucka
 

1990 Fleer
 
1990 Pacific Legends
#34 Don Kessinger
#78 Al Rosen 
 
1990 Swell Baseball Greats
#77 Marv Throneberry
 
 
1990 Score (football)
#436 Chet Brooks (RC)
 
1990 Topps Traded (football)
#102T Howard Cross (RC)
 
1989-90 Fleer (basketball)

1989-90 Hoops (basketball)
#64 Armon Gilliam

   
 
1989 Topps
#628 Matt Williams
 
1988 Card Collectors T-206 Reprint
#NNO Matty McIntyre
 
1988 Donruss 
 
 
1988 Pacific Legends I
#11 Harvey Haddix
 
 
1988 Topps
#70 Roger Clemens
 
1988 Topps Toys "R" Us Rookies
#13 Mike Henneman
 
1988 Topps Traded
 
1987 Fleer Limited Edition
#16 Steve Garvey 
 
1987 Fleer Update
#U-108 Kevin Seitzer

1987 O-Pee-Chee

1987 Topps 
#425 Tom Seaver
 
1986 Donruss
 
 
1986 Fleer - Fleer All-Star Team
#7 Rickey Henderson
 
1986 Fleer Baseball's Best Sluggers vs. Pitchers
 
1986 Fleer Star Stickers
#32 Andre Dawson 
 
1986 Topps
#40 Ken Griffey
 
1986 Topps Quaker Granola
#25 Rickey Henderson
 
1986 Topps Traded
#7T Steve Bedrosian
#68T Mickey Mahler
 
1985 Fleer
#639 500th Homer (Reggie Jackson) (SSS) 
 
1985 Topps #403
Cory Snyder (OLY, RC)  
 
1985 Topps Woolworth All Time Record Holders
#5 Lou Brock
 
1985 Topps (football)
#53 Lions Team Leaders (TL)
#359 Mark Malone 
 
1984-85 Topps (hockey)
#3 Tom Fergus 
 
1984 Donruss

1984 Fleer
 
1984 Topps
#132 1983 Home Run Leaders (Schmidt/Rice) (LL)
 
 

1983 Topps Drake's Big Hitters
#14 Dave Kingman
 
 
1982-85 Galasso Baseball Hobby Card Report T-206 Reprints
 
1982 Dover Publications Reprints National League
#15 Robin Roberts
 
1982 Fleer
#39 Reggie Jackson
 
1982 Topps
 
1982 Topps (football) 
 
1981-82 Topps (hockey)
#51 Dale McCourt (TL)
 
1981 Donruss  
#67 Keith Hernandez
 
1981 Fleer
#427 Steve Braun

1981 Topps
#202 Steve Carlton (RB)
#372 Jay Johnstone 
 
 
1980 Topps 
#65 Al Bumbry
#286 Darold Knowles
 
 
1979 Kellogg's 3-D Super Stars
#25 Darrell Porter (COR, SP)

1979 Topps 
#412 All-Time Record Holders: RBI (Hack Wilson/Hank Aaron) (ATRH)
#418 All-Time Record Holders: ERA (Dutch Leonard/Walter Johnson) (ATRH)
 
1979 Topps (football)

1978-79 Topps (basketball)
#118 Kevin Porter 

1978 Topps  
 
 
1977 Dover Publications Classic Baseball Cards Reprints
#10 Lefty O'Doul
#18 Jimmie Dykes
#99 Hal Chase
#NNO Melvin Harder
#NNO Fred Merkle
 
1977 Topps
 
1977 Topps (football)

1976 Topps

1976 Topps (football)

1975 Topps
 
 
1974-75 Topps (hockey)
#13 Syl Apps
 
 
1974 Topps - Traded
#43T Jim Wynn
 
1974 Topps (football)
#3 Don Hansen

 
1972 Topps  
 
1971 Topps
 
1971 Topps (football)
#8 Walt Garrison (RC)
 
1970 Topps
#2 Diego Segui
#287 Fred Talbot   #390 Willie Davis    
 
1970 Topps (football)
 
1969 Globe Imports Playing Cards Gas Station Issue
#2♦ Paul Casanova
 
1969 Topps
#19 Ken Suarez
 
1969 Topps - Four-in-One Singles (football)
#NNO Ralph Baker
#NNO John Bramlett
#NNO Billy Martin
#NNO Bob Talamini 
 
1968 Topps

1967 Topps

1966 Topps
#10 Tony Cloninger
 
1965 Topps
#17 Johnny Romano
#83 George Thomas 
 
1964 Ed-U-Cards Washington Senators Baseball Card Game
#NNO Ball

1964 Topps 
 
1963 Topps
#26 Ray Moore
 
1962 Topps
1961 Topps
 
1960 Topps

1959 Topps

1957 Topps
 
1956 Topps (football)
#51 Ted Marchibroda
 
1955 Bowman
 
1955 Topps
 
1955 Bowman (football)
#9 Don Stonesifer
 
1954 Bowman
#8 Jim Busby
#73 Don Mueller
 
1954 Topps
#215 Ed McGhee

1954 Bowman Power For Peace (non-sport)
#91 USS Coral Sea (CVB43)

1953 Topps
#137 John Rutherford (VAR)
 
1952 Bowman
#86 Cal Abrams 
 
1952 Topps Look 'n See (R714-16) (non-sport)
#75 Elias Howe
 
1951 Bowman
#153 Rex Barney
 
1951 Bowman (football)
#118 Frank Reagan
 
 
1939 Wills's Garden Flowers by Richard Sudell (non-sport)
#38 Petunia

1938 Church & Dwight Useful Birds Of America Tenth Series (J9-6) (non-sport)
#2 Black-throated Green Warbler
 
1938 Churchman's Boxing Personalities (boxing)
#45 Ted Broadribb
#48 Arthur J. Elvin 

1937-38  Diamond Matchbooks Tan 6 (hockey)
#NNO Glenn Brydson
 
1935 Church & Dwight Useful Birds of America Eighth Series (J9-4) (non-sport)
#10 California Jay

1933 Church & Dwight Useful Birds of America Fifth Series (J9-1) (non-sport)
#5 Indigo Bunting 
 
1925 Sports Records (multi-sport)
 
1924 Imperial Tobacco Co. of Canada (ITC) Dogs Series (non-sport)
#4 Otter-Hound
 
1924 Lambert & Butler Wonders of Nature (non-sport)
#25 Army-Worms and Fly 

1922 Church & Dwight Useful Birds Of America Third Series (J7) (non-sport)
#7 Prothonotary Warbler

1915 Church & Dwight Useful Birds Of America First Series (J5) (non-sport)
#1 Quail
 
1910 Champions (T218) (multi-sport)
 
1890 N245 Sweet Caporal Actors & Actresses (non-sport)
#NNO Frankie Raymond

The Time Travel Trading Project is simple in concept. I started out with a random pack of 2018 Topps Series 1 baseball cards. My aim was to trade every card in that pack for something older. Each card I receive in turn is then made available for trade, with the goal to get the oldest card I can get.

Number of trades completed: 294 (1 pending!)
Unique trading partners: 73

Number of cards mailed out: 1,602
Year of oldest card mailed out: 1910-11

Number of cards received: 2,347
Year of oldest card received: 1890