Repack Haiku #224 (Ron Kittle)

Rookie of the Year

Nineteen eighty three season

Made All-Star team too

 

1984 Topps #480 Ron Kittle

 

Repack Haiku #223 (Howie Kendrick)

Fenway booed Batman

When Affleck failed to steal ball

From rookie Kendrick

 

2018 Topps - All-Star Game
#83 Howie Kendrick

During a 2006 game in Boston, Kendrick chased down a pop fly along the first base stands. Celebrity Red Sox fan Ben Affleck could have snagged it, but Kendrick made the play. 

Time Travel Trading Update #57

 

It's that time again! I've got 5 trades to show off, featuring 23 new cards from all 4 of America's major sports leagues!

 

We start with a new Time Travel trade partner, a  TCDB member named Tim. He sent along a couple of nice vintage cards for your entertainment:

Jeff from Wax Pack Wonders completed the next trade with me, sending a nice mixture of baseball and football:

Super-trader Brendan (The View From The Third Floor) continues to show off his generosity with this stack of cards from all 4 sports! (and yes, that is yet another serial numbered card he's added to the stack...)

It's been a long long time since there has been a Time Travel Trading Update without a trade from Bo (Baseball Cards Come to Life). Despite all the trades we've made, he still has plenty of cool stuff to send my way, including I believe the first Negro League player card to ever appear here! Plus I have to give him kudos for catching a funny mistake on one of the cards he claimed. I didn't notice it myself

 

Before I continue, please allow me a public service announcement. I just want to remind all my potential trade partners that the list below contains links to every card's photo. I try my best to let you nice people know if a card in the stack is "well-loved" and may not be up to certain collecting standards. Such was the case with my trade with nationally published writer extraordinaire  Greg (Night Owl Cards). He originally requested the 1969 Topps Joe Gordon. Unfortunately, one of poor Mr. Gordon's previous owners decided to cut away his white border, leaving him a mini precursor to the full-bleed photography cards we see today. This is not a card that would fit many collections or set builds, including Greg's. Like Joe, there are others here in their own Island of Misfit Toys, waiting for someone who will appreciate them as they are. Please check out the links to the photos and make yourself aware of their condition. If my photographic skills are not adequate, I'll happily take another.

On to the trade with Night Owl! A couple of cards did manage to make there way to upstate NY, and coming down south are a couple of cards in the midst of their 40th and 60th anniversaries! (And thank you, Greg, for the vintage Red Sox card you threw in as a bonus! It was one I needed!)

Another successful month of trading is in the books! What cards do you want? You know the deal by now - make me an offer! 

 

 

The Time Travel Trade Stack:

 

2020 Sage Hit - Rookie Autographs Black (football)
#A17 Harrison Bryant (AU)

 

2019 Panini Black Friday (football)
#8 Carson Wentz 

2017-1018 Pocket Schedule
Carolina Hurricanes

2017 Bowman
#12 Trea Turner

 

2015-16 Upper Deck (hockey)
#185 Alex Ovechkin

2014 Topps Valor - Strength (football)
#52 Richard Sherman (SN499) 

  

2010 Bowman - Prospects Black
#BP51 Chase D'Arnaud
#BP56 Rolando Gomez

2010 Bowman Chrome
#13 Brian Roberts
#122 Hanley Ramirez

2010 Bowman Chrome - Prospects
#BCP178 Nathan Adcock
#BCP186 Jhan Marinez

 

2010 Topps (football)
#341 Peyton Manning (AP)

 

2009-10 Panini Season Update - Christmas Cards Materials
#22 Jeff Pendergraph (MEM, SN499) 

 

2001 Fleer Greats Of The Game
#77 Lester Lockett 

 

2000 Pacific Crown Royale (football)
#40 Marvin Harrison

1998 Score
#68 Scott Rolen

 

1996 Fleer Update
#U238 Tim Salmon (ENC) 

1993 Leaf
#271 Jay Buhner

1993 Classic Draft Picks (basketball)
#33 Will Flemons
#67 Bennie Seltzer

1991 Leaf
#174 Roger Clemens (CL)

 

1991 Stadium Club

#327 Terry Pendleton

#332 Dennis Eckersley 

1991 Upper Deck
#778 Dave Righetti

 

1990 Donruss
#712 Wade Boggs (AS, COR, VAR)

1990 Fleer
#271 Roger Clemens

#629 Jose Canseco (POD)

1990 Upper Deck
#626 Frank Viola

1990 Pro Set - Theme Art (football)
#10 Super Bowl X Pittsburgh Steelers / Dallas Cowboys

 

1989 Score
#495 Larry Parrish

 

1988 Score
#657 Mike Schmidt (HL) 

 

1988 Topps (football)
#233 Eagles Team Leaders - Randall Cunningham (TL)

#363 Christian Okoye (RC)

1987 Topps
#313 Roberto Clemente (TBTC)

 

1986 Topps
#5 Rose Special '75-'78

#5 Rose Special '75-'78
#6 Rose Special '79-'82

#159 Orel Hershiser 
#401 Fernando Valenzuela (Turn Back The Clock)

 

1986 Topps - Glossy All-Stars

#9 Carlton Fisk

#13 Steve Garvey

#21 LaMarr Hoyt 

1986 Topps Major League Leaders Minis
#65 Tony Gwynn

 

1986 Topps (football)
#229 1985 NFL Interception Leaders (Daniel/Lewis/Walls)

 

1985 O-Pee-Chee
#105 Ron Kittle
#176 Buddy Bell
#366 Ron Cey 

1985 Topps
#694 Joe Carter

 

1984 Donruss

#376 Charlie Lea

1984 Fleer

#482 Bill Scherrer (RC)

 

1984 O-Pee-Chee
#83 Richie Zisk

1983 Topps
#70 Steve Carlton

 

1983 Topps (football)

#11 1982 AFC Championship (CCG)

#82 Mark Lee

#109 George Rogers (TL)

#186 John Riggins (TL)

#264 Rich Karlis (RC) 

#337 Mark Van Eeghen

1983 Topps The A-Team (non-sport)
#20 Pretty as a Picture!
#49 Heavy Traffic!
#50 Crashing the Gates!

1982 Donruss
#NNO Checklist 545-653

 

1982 O-Pee-Chee
#254 Jorge Bell (RC)
#275 Bob Watson 

1982 O-Pee-Chee E.T. The Extraterrestrial (non-sport)
#15 Among Elliott's Toys

1982 Topps
#125 Danny Ainge

#303 Bill Caudill
#399 Pat Zachry  
#462 Dave Chalk
#754 Joe Morgan

 

1982 Fleer Team Action (football)
#49 Giving Second Effort

 

1982 Topps (football) 

#82 Craig Morton (IA) 

1981 Donruss 
#374 John Candelaria
#383 Jose Cruz

#386 Doc Medich 
#409 Carney Lansford
#420 Tommy Lasorda (MGR)
#421 Charlie Leibrandt (RC)
#427 Leon Durham (RC)
#496 Mickey Rivers
#531 Jerry Koosman
#565 Ken Landreaux

1981 Topps
#65 Scott McGregor

#82 Astros Future Stars (RC)
#98 Clint Hurdle
#121 Larry Harlow
#151 Claudell Washington
#182 Bob Grich
#194 Rod Scurry 

#202 Steve Carlton (RB) 
#250 Ron Guidry
#259 Mets Future Stars

#323 Jim Morrison 
#350 J.R. Richard

#354 Mario Soto 
#363 Geoff Zahn
#365 Graig Nettles

#374 Tom Hutton 
#402 NL Championships
#414 John Pacella  
#465 Bill Russell
#477 Luis Gomez
#494 Bob Walk 
#569 Al Williams
#632 Alan Bannister

#645 Rick Reuschel 
#650 Buccky Dent (AS)
#695 Kent Tekulve
#726 Rick Monday

 

1980 Topps 
#90 Manny Trillo
#143 Bruce Bochte
#145 Darrell Evans
#157 Willie Wilson
#325 Dan Driessen  
#406 Paul Molitor

#516 Hector Cruz 
#572 Jerry Morales

#595 Don Money 
#642 Ken Forsch
#655 Tug McGraw

#690 Tommy John

1979 Topps
#130 Bob Watson
#214 Boston Red Sox (TC)
#388 Jack Billingham
#465 Reggie Smith

 

1979 Topps (football)

#168 Super Bowl XIII 

1978-79 Topps (basketball)
#12 E.C. Coleman
#18 Steve Mix
#19 Marvin Webster

#21 Steve Hawes

#37 Mike Gale
#46 John Shumate

#53 John Mengelt

#55 George Johnson
#62 Anthony Roberts

#64 Leon Douglas (RC) 
#66 Lonnie Shelton
#76 Brian Winters

#93 Ricky Sobers 

#105 Jim Chones 

#118 Kevin Porter 
#129 Ray Williams (RC)

1978 Topps
#148 Andre Thorton
#373 Jim Willoughby
#385 Tito Fuentes
#424 Boston Red Sox (TC)
#482 Rick Miller

#601 Gene Mauch (MGR)

#631 Danny Ozark (MGR)
#706 Rookie 1st Baseman (Cage/Cox/Putnam/Revering)

 

1977 Topps

#67 Joaquin Andujar (RC)
#535 Cesar Geronimo

#607 Larry Demery

 

1977 Topps (football)
#350 Bill Bergey (AP)

 

1976 Funky Sales Corp Funky Facts Baseball
#2 In A Trance
#3 Fans Vs Players
#5 Baseballeese

1976 Topps
#70 Roy Smalley/Roy Smalley Jr. (FS)

#101 Pete LaCock 
#196 1975 AL RBI Leaders (Scott/Mayberry/Lynn)

#567 George Stone 

1975 Topps
#41 Cesar Geronimo

#66 Willie Horton
#310 '74 Victory Leaders
#378 Derrel Thomas
#402 Bob Tolan

#445 Felix Milan 

 

1974 Topps
#38 Don Kessinger
#67 Tommy Helms 
#107 Alex Johnson
#141 Pat Bourque
#158 Jack Billingham
#158 Jack Billingham
#227 Mike Lum
#248 Tom Hall

#305 Tito Fuentes 
#349 John Vukovich

#461 John Odom
#506 Ed Farmer

#512 Joe Lahoud
#519 Bill Sharp (RC) 
#534 Eddie Watt

#572 Enzo Hernandez

#583 Marty Pattin
#638 Ken Sanders
#660 Larry Dierker

1974 Topps - Team Checklists
#NNO Montreal Expos

1974 Topps - Traded
#270T Ron Santo
#458T Jim Ray
#496T Tom Murphy

 

1974 Topps (football)
#63 Gene Washington
#513 Bill Lueck (RC)

 

1974 Visual Panographics US Presidents (non-sport)

#9 William Henry Harrison 

1973 Topps
#102 Rudy May

#485 Norm Cash 

1972 Topps
#2 Ray Culp

#22 Rob Gardner

#33 Billy Martin (MGR)

#36 Jerry Johnson (IA) 

#54 Bud Harrelson (IA)

#58 Ernie McAnally

#83 Dalton Jones

#99 Ross Grimsley (ASR, RC)

#109 Jerry May

#113 Rogelio Moret 

#137 Dick Williams (MGR) 

#174 Clay Kirby (IA)

#192 Chicago Cubs (TC)

#196 Mel Queen 
#197 Johnny Briggs
#225 World Series Game 3 - Manny Sanguillen
#231 Casey Cox
#239 Tom Timmermann

#262 San Diego Padres (TC)
#266 Bobby Bolin

#312 Clay Carroll (IA)

#334 Rangers Rookies - Bill Fahey / Jim Mason / Tom Ragland (RS, RC) 

#344 Dave McNally (BP)
#363 Ron Klimkowski
#373 John Mayberry

1971 Topps
#16 Ken Singleton (RC)
#63 AL 1970 RBI Leaders (Howard/Conigliaro/Powell)
#71 AL 1970 Strikeout Leaders (McDowell/Lolich/Johnson)
#80 Bill Melton
#95 Luis Tiant
#105 Tony Conigliaro
#123 2nd Series Checklist #133-263 (CL, VAR)
#146 Ralph Houk (MGR)
#195 AL Playoffs Game 1 - Powell Muscles Twins!

#237 Cesar Cedeno (RC) 

1970 Brooke Bond North American Wildlife In Danger (non-sport)
#32 Polar Bear

1970 Topps
#3 Darrell Chaney

#12 John Hiller

#12 John Hiller

#16 Charlie Metro (MGR)
#18 Carlos May
#18 Carlos May

#31 Marty Pattin 
#38 Mack Jones

#39 Mike Nagy (ASR, RC)

#39 Mike Nagy (ASR, RC) 
#47 Bob Miller

#59 Dick Ellsworth 

#81 Dave May

#93 Rick Renick 

#115 Alex Johnson 

#123 Don Gutteridge (MGR)
#206 Clete Boyer

#222 Jim Rooker 
#238 Jose Laboy (ASR)

#390 Willie Davis  

#445 Vada Pinson

#457 Rico Petrocelli (AS)

1969 Topps
#66 Orioles Rookies

#72 Ron Taylor 
#75 Luis Aparicio
#80 Norm Cash  
#139 Andy Kosco
#182 Bill Rigney (MGR)
#484 Joe Gordon (MGR)

#516 Earl Weaver (MGR) 

1969 Topps - Deckle Edge
#13 Mel Stottlemyer

 

1968 Topps
#4 1967 AL RBI Leaders (Yastrzemski/Killebrew/Robinson)
#44 Frank Kostro
#181 Jerry Zimmerman

#202 Adolfo Phillips 
#208 Willie Davis
#309 Ken Henderson
#320 Frank Howard

#434 Ricardo Joseph (RC) 
#449 Gene Oliver
#519 Jerry Stephenson

 

1968 Topps (football)
#138 Ken Gray 

1967 Topps
#1 The Champs (F. Robinson/Bauer/B. Robinson)

#7 Don McMahon 

#18 Gene Oliver

#27 Bob Saverine

#60 Luis Aparicio 

#116 Herman Franks (MGR)

#118 Bernie Allen 

#192 Fred Gladding

#206 Dennis Bennett

#227 Paul Lindblad 

#272 Dick Lines (RC)

#281 Bob Rodgers 
#366 Andy Kosco

1966 Topps
#46 Howie Koplitz

#56 Sandy Valdespino 
#104 Alex Johnson
#154 Chuck Hiller

#189 John Roseboro 
#575 Earl Wilson

 

1965 Topps
#17 Johnny Romano
#27 Dick Bertell
#86 Les Narum
#87 Nelson Mathews
#108 Don Mincher
#111 Lee Thomas
#178 Dalton Jones
#307 Barry Latman

1964 Topps
#18 Billy O'Dell
#45 Milt Pappas
#95 George Altman

#255 Lee Thomas

 

1964 Topps - Coins
#7 Frank Malzone

 

1963 Topps

#174 Larry Burright 

1962 Topps

#19 Ray Washburn (RC, RS)

#79 Ed Hobaugh

#364 Ken Hunt 

1961 Fleer Baseball Greats
#56 Dolf Luque

1961 Topps
#6 Ed Roebuck

#21 Zoilo Versalles (RC, RS, UER)

#38 Bob Lillis
#83 Bob Bruce
#96 Billy O'Dell
#98 2nd Series Checklist 89-176 (CL, VAR)
#111 Jack Meyer

#212 Haywood Sullivan

#256 Billy Hoeft 

#258 Jack Sanford
#399 Cliff Cook (RC)

 

1960 Topps (football)
#28 Jim Ray Smith 

1959 Topps
#424 Ken Aspromonte

1958 Topps

#59 Dave Sisler

#65 Von McDaniel (RC)

#73 Pete Daley

#124 Bobby Usher 

#147 Don McMahon (RC)

#208 Cal McLish 

#273 Hal Smith

#274 Rocky Bridges 

#290 Dick Donovan

#336 Bert Hamric 

#380 Charley Maxwell  

1958 Topps Zorro (non-sport)
#83 Rude Awakening

1957 Topps
#68 Ray Crone

#212 Rocky Colavito (RC)
#249 Dave Pope

1956 Topps
#80 Cincinati Redlegs (TC, VAR)
#103 Willie Miranda (white back)
#156 Johnny Antonelli
#211 Murray Dickson

#284 Ike Delock

1956 Topps Flags of the World (non-sport)
#70 Jordan

1955 Topps
#45 Hank Sauer

 

1954 Topps

#124 Marion Fricano  

1954 Bowman
#73 Don Mueller

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

1953 Topps

#101 Ted Wilks (VAR)

#213 Ray Scarborough

1952 Bowman
#57 Clyde Vollmer

1938 Church & Dwight Useful Birds Of America Tenth Series (J9-6) (non-sport)
#2 Black-throated Green Warbler

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 

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

 

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: 119
Unique trading partners: 53

Number of cards mailed out: 446
Year of oldest card mailed out: 1910-11

Number of cards received: 712
Year of oldest card received: 1890

Repack Haiku #222 (Danny Espinosa)

Dad was Mantle fan

Taught son switch hitting at 3

Mustache Hall of Fame

 

2015 Topps #331 Danny Espinosa

 

I think this may be the first time I based a haiku off trivia pulled directly from the card itself. As for the mustache comment, Espinosa grew an impressive one:

TCDB Trade Recap: Cards From Henderson, NV

When I propose trades on the TCDB, I'll try to do a 12-for-9 trade. I'll gladly unload a dozen of my base set dupes and try to pick out 9 for the trade partner to send back. It's a little extra incentive to accept, and I clear out more cards. Today's trade comes from Clark, who was nice enough to send these along.

 

Nomar, Sale, Godley, and Varitek were Red Sox needs. To fill out my nine, I picked up an extra copy of the Fenway Park card (I think it'll be good to have extras if I want to try a TTM auto request.) plus some Stadium Club. You can't go wrong with Stadium Club.

 

Favorite Card: I'm not a big fan of Allen & Ginter, but last year's Field Generals inserts were very cool, and the Jason Varitek has been in my crosshairs for awhile now.

Thanks for the cards, Clark!

Top 5 Hall Of Fame: Derek Jeter

One would think that as a Red Sox fan who has witnessed Derek Jeter be a thorn in Boston's side time and again, that I would have a difficult time selecting 5 cards that I like featuring Captain Re2pect(*TM) November. But the truth is, I found this task quite easy. Despite the fact I never accepted him as my Lord and Savior, I found that there are many different qualities in his cards that I enjoy. Finishing off my Hall of Fame tributes, here are a chronological listing of the best Jetes in my collection:

1993 Select #360

 

I like Derek Jeter cards where the generic blue sky background makes it look more like he's squatting than jumping.

1995 Upper Deck Minors #1

I like Derek Jeter cards that don't show him in those obnoxious pinstripes.

2010 Topps #269

 

I like Derek Jeter cards that don't show his face.

2012 Panini Triple Play #57

I like Derek Jeter cards that make him look an old man in some obscure anime cartoon.

2015 Topps #1

I like Derek Jeter's sunset card because it reminds me I don't have to watch him play in the field anymore.

Congrats, Mr. Jeter. Nomar at his peak was better...

 

 

 

 

Still remembering after 20 years

Top 5 Hall Of Fame: Ted Simmons

I continue with my Hall of Fame celebration with Veteran's Committee selection Ted Simmons. I don't have a lot of his cards, but I have enough to do a proper Top 5 list. Here are my 5 favorite Ted Simmons cards in my collection:

 

1977 Topps #470

My earliest card is also probably my favorite.  It's all about the gear and uniform. On his shoulder, you get a good look at the National League Centennial patch worn throughout the league. You see a great great pillbox style hat nestled in his catching mask. That mask and chest plate wouldn't do much against today's 100mph pitches, would they?

 

1978 Topps #380

Remember when Tim Raines' Hall candidacy was gaining traction, and it was repeated that he suffered because he played in the same era as the greatest leadoff hitter in baseball history? Raines had nothing on poor Ted Simmons. He played under the shadow of 3 of the greatest catchers ever - first Bench, then Fisk and Carter. No wonder he didn't get much love on the Hall ballot. Compared to these guys, he was often overlooked.

 

1981 Topps #705

I love cards where you can see all the action in the background.

 

1984 Topps #630 

I fully admit Ted Simmons was one of those players I didn't give much thought to when I was a kid collecting cards. By the mid-late 80's, he was on the down portion of his career. He was just another veteran who had a long career.

 

1988 Topps #791 

When he retired after the 1988 season, he was first among all catchers in hits (now surpassed only by Ivan Rodriguez) and second only to Yogi Berra in RBI. Not bad for a guy that got out-shined by the Bench/Fisk/Carter trio.

Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Mr. Simmons!

Top 5 Hall Of Fame: Larry Walker

I'm not going to lie, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony snuck up on me. I guess that can be expected when the 2020 ceremonies get postponed due to Covid-19, then no new inductees get elected this year, and the 2020 inductees finally get their time to shine not in July but September. Here's hoping next year returns to normal. In the past, I've honored each new Hall of Famer with a Top 5 list of favorite cards in my collection. We'll kick things off with only the second Canadian to be elected. I present to you my 5 favorite cards of Larry Walker (in chronological order):

 

1990 Bowman #117

In a rare collecting occurrence, I can boast having 5 different Larry Walker rookie cards in my collection (Bowman, Donruss, Fleer, Score, and Topps). The Bowman is my favorite of the bunch, mainly due to his 80's-style "Don't-confuse-me-for-Glenn-Davis" whisper of a mustache.

 

1993 SP #107 

Moises Alou is one of many outfielders who had to learn that if a 7-time Gold Glove winner says "I got it!", then you let him get it!

 

1994 Collector's Choice #286

I don't care if it's staged, it's still a fun shot and a great angle.

 

1995 Topps #422 

 

Hmmm...I wonder if this card was the inspiration for another well known card featuring a Montreal hall of Famer?

1997 Collector's Choice #98 

 

It's always fun to have cards of baseball players using non-baseball equipment. I wonder how his picture came out, especially since it looks like he's facing the sun...

Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Mr. Walker!