Monday, October 14, 2024

TCDB Trade Recap: Cards From Colorado Springs, CO

I'm trying to make an effort to finish off the 2024 Topps Red Sox cards. If I can expand that to knock a few more from the base set in general, all the better.  That was my thought process on a recent TCDB trade with a gent named Eric. I sent him some set needs, he sent me back some as well:
 

I'm down to needing 3 more Red Sox cards for this set (Refsnyder, Grissom, and Dalbec), and my full set stands at just under 75% complete. I'll probably throw a want list up once I hit the 80% mark, and maybe I'll get myself motivated to knock it out before the year ends.

Favorite Card: How big is your card Nick Fortes?

Thanks for the trade Eric!

Friday, October 11, 2024

El Tiante And Me

In 2013, I had the opportunity of a lifetime. My father-in-law and his best friend had been making yearly trips to Florida for Spring Training. That year, I was invited along.  It was amazing. We took in three games: We started with the Braves facing the Yankees, and ended with the Rays versus the Pirates. It was that middle game that I'll remember the most.

March 6th, 2013 - Jet Blue Park, Spring Training home of the Boston Red Sox. We had tickets to see a game there against the Pirates. We got there early, as planned, to watch batting practice. There's something transcendent about standing in the front row of seats on a beautiful sunny day watching the fielders play catch while the sounds of a bat hitting a ball echo through a mostly empty stadium. I'd call it serene if you didn't have to pay attention to where the batted balls were going so you didn't get hit by a stray. It was heaven nonetheless.

I had a baseball and a black ball-point pen with me (No Sharpies! They bleed through he leather!), just in case the opportunity for an autograph should arise. That was another thing. We weren't laser focused autograph hounds like a lot of people there. We were ready if it happened, but if we went away empty handed that was fine too. 

The guys on the field were putting their work in, and attempts to call anyone over proved futile. I got some pictures of Jon Lester, Brock Holt, and Jackie Bradley Jr, but they all kept their distance. It looked like today would have been one of those empty handed days until a golf cart drove passed us along the third base line. The cart stopped, and the passenger got out and started making his way to the stands, a few feet away. Ball and pen in one hand, I fumbled with my phone in the other to snap a quick picture:
 
 
When I said I was fine if I ended the day without an autograph, I meant it. This was a vacation, and my enjoyment wasn't going to hinge on someone's scribble. That being said, when a player starts making his way down the line towards you, the excitement level builds, and you start hoping that they don't decide to walk away before they reach you. (I've had ball players leave after signing the for the person right next to me - looking at you Ian Desmond!) 
 
 
That day was special. I handed the ball and pen to Louie Tiant, who took the ball, signed it and handed it back to me. I made it a point to use what little Spanish I know and tell him "Gracias." Shortly thereafter he returned to the golf cart and was sped away. That brief moment stands out in my memories. It was my first real connection with someone who played for the Red Sox (even though he last played when I was 7!). I'm forever grateful that he took those few moments of his time to connect with the fans that day.
 
Later that year, I'm not exactly sure when, the itch to start collecting started to come back. It started like these things do, with nostalgia. I remember being in a Dollar Tree and seeing packs of baseball cards near the checkout line. My first real introduction to repacks. I hadn't collected in earnest for about 20 years - since high school. Now here I was in my late 30's, looking at this simply packaged stack of baseball cards, and thought, for a dollar, why not? It'll be fun. 
 
I opened the pack and that nostalgia wave hit immediately. Cards from my youth, cards I knew I still had in boxes in my attic. I saw the fronts and immediately knew what years most of them were from. That alone might have been enough to hook me back in, but what really dealt the knockout punch was a single card that I couldn't believe I was holding in my hands.
 
 
Wait, what? Luis Tiant! I have his autograph! What is a card this old doing in a cheap $1 repack? I was in awe, studying the card front and back. Wow, he looks so young on this card. I almost didn't recognize him without his mustache. I didn't realize he pitched for the Indians. Do all repacks have older cards in them? Is that normal? (Only one way to find out...)

In January of 2014, I joined the TCDB and started entering my collection. According to the database, I entered this 1968 Topps card (the first one I ever owned!) in February of that year. I don't know when I bought that repack exactly, but in my mind's revisionist history I believe that this card was purchased before I joined and that this repack and the ones that followed led me to the website. I think it's fairly safe to say Luis Tiant helped jump start my return to the hobby, and by extension this blog. Another thing I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Tiant for.

It hasn't been a great start of the week for me personally, and the passing of Luis Tiant was a blow that I didn't really need. It did however put things in perspective, especially when I was digging through my old blog posts and came across a quote of his:
 
 
I needed that one, and I need to remember it. One last thing I can thank El Tiante for. 

Gracias.


Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Repack Haiku #380 (Bob Geren)

Caught Hawkin's No-No
Which was removed from records
Because team lost game
 
1990 Donruss #395 Bob Geren
 
Geren was the starting catcher when Andy Hawkin's no-hit the White Sox in 1990. The next year, MLB clarified the definition of a no-hitter, and since the Yankees lost that game 4-0 (thanks to 3 errors in one inning!) it lost it's status as an official no-hitter.

Friday, October 4, 2024

Top 3 Tribute: Pete Rose

Right before the playoff began, the baseball community learned of the passing of the legendary Pete Rose. The good and bad of his career is well known, but his legacy is worth remembering. Rather than do my traditional list of favorite cards in my collection, I though it would be appropriate to pay my respects with a few of his "record breaking" achievements.
 

1978 Topps #5 Pete Rose (RB)


It's hard to believe that 8 seasons before he became the all-time hit king, he became the lifetime hit leader among switch hitters. He bested the career mark of Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch, who held that record for 40 years.
 

1985 Topps #6 Pete Rose (RB) 


For most players, reaching 3,000 career hits would be a dream career. Rose reached that mark just with the number of singles he hit! The only other person with that many singles was the guy whose record he broke, Ty Cobb.
 

1986 Topps #206 Pete Rose (RB)

 
Speaking of Cobb, we of course know that Rose eventually would overtake Cobb to be the all-time hit leader in MLB history. The two remain the only players to surpass 4,000 hits. (I wonder if we'll ever see that again?)

I've always believed that a lifetime baseball ban should end when the lifetime portion has concluded. It makes no sense to me that someone like Shoeless Joe Jackson, who died 73 years ago, is still being punished. To what end? I feel the same way about Rose now. To coin a gambling term, he's square with the house. His punishment served it's purpose. He can no longer benefit directly from the fame his career has brought him. It's time to give the man his due and recognize him as one of baseball's elite.
 
Rest in Peace Charlie Hustle.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Repack Haiku #379 (Carlos Baerga)

First hitter to swat
Home runs from both sides of plate
In the same inning
 
1991 Bowman #69 Carlos Baerga
 
In the 7th inning of a April 8th, 1993 game against the Yankees, the switch-hitting Baerga hit a 2 run home run off reliever Steve Howe. The Indians batted around that inning, and when Baerga came up again, he hit another bomb from the opposite side of the plate. This was the first time a switch hitter hit home runs from both sides in a single inning, and has only been done twice more since.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

2024 Playoff Rankings



Thanks to Hurricane Helene and a playoff altering double-header yesterday, this post is a day later than I actually intended! That's OK though, because the playoffs start today! It's become a little too commonplace for me theses past few years, but once again my team has failed to make the playoffs. With no Red Sox in October, who am I going to root for? I tend to favor any team that has gone a long stretch without a championship, and this year half of the playoff teams have over 30 years of waiting! I'll be the first to admit however - there's no real powerhouses this year, and I struggled making my predictions. That's good if it means exciting baseball, right? So here's how my fandom lies... 

1. Baltimore Orioles - AL Wild Card (40 year drought)

1984 Fleer #644 Rick Dempsey (WS)
 
There are a few teams here that not only have had longer droughts than Baltimore, but haven't ever won a Championship either. Still, I'm rooting 100% for my team's AL East rival. Why? You obviously know I'm a Red Sox fan, but did you know I..ahem...married a Yankees fan? It's true, and as a compromise we agreed our children would be raised as Orioles fans! Sadly, my daughters haven't grown to enjoy baseball as much as dear old dad, so maybe a World Series Title will help jump start their fandom anew!

Prediction: Lose to the Royals in the AL Wild Card Series
 

2. Cleveland Guardians - AL Central Champions (75 year drought)

1967 Laughlin World Series #45 1948 Braves vs Indians
 
My team had a long 86 year gap between World Series championships, so I have great empathy for the fans in Cleveland. Jose Ramirez is one of the most underrated superstars in baseball, and their bullpen is possibly the best of all the playoff teams. Will it be enough to end their streak? Anything can happen!

Prediction: Lose to the Astros in the AL Division Series

3. Milwaukee Brewers - NL Central Champions (55 year drought - Never won a World Series)

2023 Topps #533 Milwaukee Brewers (TC)
 
The next two teams could probably be tied, as they both share the distinction of never winning a World Series in 55 years of existence. I'm giving a slight nod to the Brewers only because they were an AL team when I was growing up, and they have arguably the best logo in all of sports. I'll be the first to admit that after all the turnover their starting rotation had this past off-season, I didn't think they would win the division.

Prediction: Lose to the Phillies in the NL Divisional Series 
 

4. San Diego Padres - NL Wild Card (55 year drought - Never won a World Series)

 
2024 Topps #2 San Diego Padres (TC)

Remember when the Padres traded 2/3 of their starting outfield and everyone was wondering how they were going to find enough live bodies to join Fernando Tatis Jr? Who knew that Jurickson Profar would find another gear in his 30's and Jackson Merrill would turn into one of the most exciting players in all of baseball?
 
Prediction: Lose to the Dodgers in the NL Divisional Series

5. Detroit Tigers - AL Wild Card (39 year drought) 

1985 Topps Stickers
#21 1984 World Series (WS)

Momentum can be a powerful thing, and no other team has been on quite the tear that the Tigers have been. Trading Jack Flaherty was the right call at the time, but can you imagine what this team could have done with him and Tarik Skubal in the post season? Beware of Riley Greene - If you don't know who he is now, you will...

Prediction: Lose to the Astros in the AL Wild Card game
 

6. New York Mets - NL Wild Card (37 year drought)

1987 Topps Woolworth Baseball Highlights
#32 World Series Game #7
 
It's the curse of Billy Buckner! That's right, I said it! That magical Game 6 victory came with a cost, and baseball gods have been collecting interest ever since!

Prediction: Lose to the Brewers in the NL Wild Card series

7. Philadelphia Phillies - NL East Champions (15 year drought)

2009 Topps Heritage #391 The Champs Celebrate (WS)
 
Harper and Schwarber were built for the October limelight, and Zack Wheeler is one of the few true aces in this postseason. They've come up short the past two years, is this the year they finally win it?

Prediction: Win the World Series!
 

8. Kansas City Royals - AL Wild Card (8 year drought)  

2016 Topps #56 Salvador Perez (WSHL)

 
If I had to pick a surprise Cinderella team to go on a deep run, I'd pick the Royals. They have the starters to make a run, and the bullpen could be a unexpected strength. Someone besides Bobby Witt Jr. is going to have to step up on offense though..
 
Prediction: Lose to the Astros in the AL Championship Series
 

9. Los Angeles Dodgers - NL West Champions (3 year drought)

2021 Topps Heritage #1 Los Angeles Dodgers (WS)
 
We'll finally get to see what Shohei Ohtani can do in the postseason, and I can't help but think he'll make history somehow! The Dodgers need to slug their way through the post season, as their pitching staff has been decimated by injuries and ineffectiveness.

Prediction: Lose to the Phillies in the NL Championship series
 

10. Atlanta Braves - NL Wild Card (2 year drought)

2022 Topps Heritage
#210 Freddie Freeman (WS)
 
The mere fact that they made it this far with all the injuries they suffered is nothing short of amazing. I fear Sale's back spasms and yesterday's double header may come back to haunt them.

Prediction: Lose to the Padres in the NL Wild Card series 
 

11. Houston Astros - AL West Champions (1 year drought)

2023 Topps Heritage #475 '22 World Series Game 4 (WS, SP)

They've made it to the AL Championship Series 7 years running, and the World Series in 4 of those years. I'm ready for this dynasty to conclude, aren't you? All that postseason experience is going to come up big unfortunately.

Prediction: Lose to the Phillies in the World Series
 

12. New York Yankees - AL East Champions (Not a long enough drought)

2010 Topps - History of the World Series
#HWS25 Yankees
 
After a brief one year respite, the Yankees take their rightful place at the bottom of my rankings. They got to the playoff on the strength of their Judge and Soto tandem, but I think that lack of depth beyond those two will be their undoing this year.

Prediction: Lose to the Royals in the AL Division Series (Big upset I know, but I keep thinking that 1-2 punch of Ragans and Lugo might be a big factor...)
 
To summarize my predictions: 

AL Wild Card 
Royals over Orioles
Astros over Tigers
 
NL Wild Card
Brewers over Mets
Padres over Braves

ALDS
Royals over Yankees
Astros over Guardians
 
NLDS
Phillies over Brewers
Dodgers over Padres
 
ALCS
Astros over Royals

NLCS
Phillies over Dodgers

World Series
Phillies over Astros

Who do you got?

 
 

Friday, September 27, 2024

Trapped In Time: Remnants Of The 99th And 101st Trades

 
After removing a whopping 16 cards from the Time Travel Trading stack last month, we're back to a more modest number on the chopping block. Vintage cards ahead!
 
Trade #99 Greg (Night Owl Cards)
Traded 05/18/21: 1960 Topps #275 Curt Flood, 1970 Topps #101 Bobby Floyd, 1970 Topps #105 Tony Gonzalez
 
Received 05/27/21:
  • 2017 Topps Americal League Standouts #AL-14 Jackie Bradley Jr. (See Trade #102)
  • 1967 Topps #118 Bernie Allen
  • 1967 Topps #281 Bob Rodgers
  • 1956 Topps #274 Frank Baumholtz (See Trade #106)
 
Greg (Night Owl Cards) sent these along with two others. The newest and oldest cards in the group went fairly quickly, but the two middle ones remained. Oddly enough, Allen and Rodgers sounds like a celebrity duo you'd hear of in from 1967...
 
Traded 05/18/21: 1960 Topps #77 Hank Foiles, 1961 Topps #188 Jim Marshall, 1988 Topps (football) #189 Dolphins Team Leaders - Dan Marino (TL), 1988 Topps (football) #203 Chargers Team Leaders - Kellen Winslow (TL), 1988 Topps (football) #218 1987 NFL Scoring Leaders (Breech/Rice) (LL), 1988 Topps (football) #220 Bills Team Leaders - Jim Kelly (TL), 1990 Topps (football) #178 Greg Lloyd (VAR)
 
Received 05/27/21:
  • 1985 O-Pee-Chee #7 Cliff Johnson (See Trade #108)
  • 1985 O-Pee-Chee #13 Tim Lollar (See Trade #108)
  • 1985 O-Pee-Chee #105 Ron Kittle (See Trade #148)
  • 1985 O-Pee-Chee #176 Buddy Bell (See Trade #148)
  • 1985 O-Pee-Chee #366 Ron Cey (See Trade #160)
  • 1958 Topps #274 Rocky Bridges (See Trade #216)
  • 1958 Topps #380 Charley Maxwell
 
This card came in a trade with Bo (Baseball Cards Come To Life!). Am I the only one triggered by his slightly askew baseball cap?

After over three years in the trade stack, these three will join my personal collection unless someone makes a last-ditch trade! All it takes is an older card!