I Have Finally Completed The Andre Dawson 2010 Topps T206 Set!!! YES!!!!

I Have Finally Completed The Andre Dawson 2010 Topps T206 Set!!!  YES!!!!

It’s not very often that I can get too excited about new releases in the hobby.  But when a card company issues cards of my favorite players from prior eras, I get very excited to get some ‘fresh’ cards to go after.

And that is exactly what happened when Topps released their T206 set – it included cards of Andre Dawson.

The first card I obtained was the easiest one, the base version.

And then it was time to grab the ‘Bronze’ version of the base card.

And then it was time to go after the minis…

First I nabbed the Piedmont card.  And then the Caramel and Old Mill versions.  From there I bought the Cycle version.  And finally, I hunted down a Polar Bear…

But maybe you don’t believe me…  Maybe I am fooling you with this optical illusion.  Maybe all five cards picture above are the same…

Maybe.

But maybe not.  And here is my proof….

Oh yeah, all five versions baby!  Gotta love it!!!

Here is one more look at the full 2010 Topps T206 set of Andre Dawson cards:

A fantastic addition to my collection!!!

Thanks.

Willie McCovey 2003 Fleer ‘Flair Greats’ Game-Used Jersey Card

Willie McCovey 2003 Fleer ‘Flair Greats’ Game-Used Jersey Card

You better believe that I am going to scoop up any $0.99 Wiilie McCovey Game-Used cards that I can find.

I did it when I found this one, and I will do it again, and again, and again!!!

This is the third or fourth card from this set that I have added to my collection.  All HOFers too, which is very cool…

Anyways, the set is starting to grow on me a bit and while the design is a bit bland, and dare we say boring, I am starting to like the different shades of Grey that Fleer used for this one!

And hey, it’s Willie McCovey – enough said!!!

Yeah!!!

Reggie Jackson 1987 K-Mart – Collector’s Edition

Reggie Jackson 1987 K-Mart – Collector’s Edition

A fun little Reggie Jackson oddball for you to enjoy on this beautiful Sunday afternoon…

Like many companies that wanted to take advantage of the popularity that baseball card collecting had during the 1980′s, Kmart got in on the act.  In fact, they commissioned Topps to build them several sets – and to be honest, the cards came out pretty well.

This one below of Reggie Jackson was issued in 1987 and it celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Kmart franchise.

Highlighted by a vintage photo of Mr. October, the card is simple in design, but it has a nice flow to it and is not overpowered by the company logos like some of the other private label cards of that era…

A very cool addition to my tribute collection of Reggie Jackson!!!!

Tony Perez 1983 Topps Super Veteran

Tony Perez 1983 Topps Super Veteran

 2,732 hits.  379 home runs.  1,652 RBI.  1,272 runs scored.  7-time All-star.  Member of ‘The Big Red Machine’.  2-time World Series Champion.  I would say without question that Tony Perez is a ‘Super Veteran’.

Perez enjoyed a long, 23-year career in the big leagues.  A solid player that put up impressive numbers annually, Perez was a strong contributor and was one of the reasons that his teams played in 5 World Series match-ups.  Perez is a winner – and the teams he played for benefited from his talents.  From 1970-76, Tony’s team played for the World Series title 4 times.  And although they only captured 2 titles in those 4 chances, Tony Perez and ‘The Big Red Machine’ are still talked about today as one of the greatest dynasties in baseball history. 

A Trio Of Fantastic Looking Willie Mays Reprint Cards!!!

A Trio Of Fantastic Looking Willie Mays Reprint Cards!!!

My buddy Charley, creator of the blog ‘Andre Dawson For The Hall Of Fame’, recently sent me over a nice and healthy stack of baseball cards.

This is not the first time that Charley has hooked me up – in fact it seems like he enjoys giving my player collections a boost as he often sends stuff over each time I introduce new players to my collecting roster.

But this time, he mixed in something a bit different….

3 fabulous looking Willie Mays reprint cards.  And trust me when I tell you that while I would prefer the originals(who wouldn’t), these cards look incredible.

Reprints of Mays’ 1960, 1967, and 1972 Topps cards – I have to say that I am very interested to see how many more variations of these there are…

I may have found a new subset to collect.

Thanks Charley!!!

Wade Boggs 1990 Bowman

Wade Boggs 1990 Bowman

WAIT A MINUTE!!!!  Hold the phone!!!!  Stop the presses!!!!  Sound the alarm!!!

Is Wade Boggs about to throw a knuckle-ball from third to first???

Yeah, I know that it looks like he is warming up and not playing in an actual game, but that is kind of odd isn’t it?  I mean I know that some players have their rituals, but a ‘knuckler’ from Boggs???

Kind of odd, right???

Josh Johnson 2006 Topps T52 – Rookie Card!!

Josh Johnson 2006 Topps T52 – Rookie Card!!

Wow, look how serious a young Josh Johnson looked on his 2006 Topps T52 rookie baseball card.

While he is all business on the mound, it would be nice to see him kind of crack a smile and show a little personality in this photo though….

Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers.  And just grabbing a Josh Johnson rookie card is enough for me.  This time…

Happy Anniversary Joe Carter!!!

Happy Anniversary Joe Carter!!!

On this day in 1993 Joe Carter hit one of the most recognizable home runs in World Series history.  On baseball’s biggest stage, he rose to the occasion and secured his spot as one of the game’s biggest heroes.

I remember watching this game and seeing the joy in Joe’s eyes, smile, and body language as he rounded the bases after blasting this huge World Series winning home run.  As kids, we all dream of this exact spot that Joe Carter was in on that night in October.  His boyhood dream became reality right in front of our eyes and it was an amazing sight to witness.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Carter!!

My Next Tribute To ‘The Big Red Machine’….

My Next Tribute To ‘The Big Red Machine’….

OK, so I think that I have done a pretty good job of paying tribute to the championship Reds teams from the mid-70s that I have grown to appreciate even more over the last year.

Between the team sets and subsets that I have put together, my Cincinnati Reds collection has taken a step closer towards being a very solid tribute to that legendary ball club.

With one exception…

And that will be corrected.

Now!!!

You see, the Reds won the World Series in both 1975 and 1976.  And since I have already put together the team set from the 1975 Topps issue, it just makes sense to go after their 1976 team set too.

So, that is what I will be doing.

I’ve got checklists to build.  I’ve got cards to organize.  And I’ve got Ebay searching to do.

And I will share that entire process with you until my next and possibly final tribute to ‘The Big Red Machine’ is complete!!!

Stay tuned.

Andre Dawson 2004 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Jersey Card

Andre Dawson 2004 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Jersey Card

I love this set.  And this is the 5th different Game-Used or Manufactured Patch card that I have picked up from it.

Serial numbered as 150/275, this card features Andre in his Expos uniform.  I also have the card from this series that shows ‘The Hawk’ in his Cubs’ uniform too.

And what about that sweet looking Powder-Blue swatch?  Looks great, doesn’t it??

An instant classic for my collection!!!

I wonder how many other variations remain…