1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Team Set – Card #24 – Cesar Geronimo

1976 Topps Cincinnati Reds Team Set – Card #24 – Cesar Geronimo

Cesar Geronimo player 15 seasons in the major leagues, spending 9 of them with the Reds. 

An excellent defender, and speedy base-runner, Geronimo used his speed to anchor center field for the Reds while also providing a great source of run production while on offense.

During his 9 seasons in Cincinnati, Geronimo scored 404 runs while also stealing 72 bases.  He also won four consecutive Gold Glove awards from 1974-1977.

Geronimo won two World Series championships as part of ‘The Big Red Machine’.

Ryan Braun Collection Up For Grabs!!!

Ryan Braun Collection Up For Grabs!!!

I decided a few weeks ago that collecting modern players was just not doing anything for me.

And while I enjoy watching him play the game, I have not only decided to stop collecting Ryan Braun’s baseball cards, but I am going to offer my collection up to you, the readers of ’30-Year Old Cardboard’.

In this group, I have rookie cards, serial numbered cards, and a great starter set of 34 cards.  This lot would make a great addition to anyone’s collection who also values this player’s skills.

What do I want in return?  Not much, I will leave it up to whoever offers me something.  I’m not picky - but I do love my vintage guys!!!

Here is a peek at the collection:

Leave a comment on this post if you’re interested!

Thanks.

Joe Morgan 1984 Topps Traded

Joe Morgan 1984 Topps Traded

Even though it is part of the Topps Traded set issued in 1984, Morgan spent the entire season with the Oakland A’s.

Growing up in the Oakland area, it is kind of cool that he got to play in front of his ‘home’ fans during the final season of his big league career!!

I like the ’84 Topps design – and I am really digging all of the Green on this card.  Between the vertical lettering running down the right border, to the nameplate across the bottom, it all ties in very well with the photo used on this card and Morgan’s Oakland A’s uniform.

Ozzie Smith 1984 Topps All-Star

Ozzie Smith 1984 Topps All-Star

By the start of the 1984 baseball season, Ozzie Smith had done quite a bit to cement his status as baseball’s best at shortstop.  So, even while his offensive numbers were not up to speed during the ’84 season, it is not a shock to find out that he made and started at short for the National League All-Star team.

Of his offensive output that year, the stat that stands out the most are Ozzie’s 17 strikeouts.  In 484 plate appearances, Ozzie struck out just 17 times.  That number is simply amazing – just 1 strikeout in every 28 at-bats.  That equates to just once per seven games!!!

Truly remarkable!!!  Truly an All-Star!!!

Did You Know…

Mike Morgan holds the record for playing for the most different teams.  From 1978 to 2002, Morgan appeared for 12 twelve teams and compiled a career record of 141-186.  He pitched for Oakland, New York, Toronto, Seattle, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Texas, and Arizona.

**factoid courtesy of ‘Big League Trivia’

My take – Man that’s alot of address changes to process by the USPS…  LOL!

‘On The Road With psugator02′ – Isaih Thomas – November 20, 2010

‘On The Road With psugator02′ – Isaih Thomas – November 20, 2010

Utah Valley State at Florida International
4:15-5:15 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 20

I was already in Miami for something else so I figured I’d stop off at FIU on the way home to try my luck with former Pistons’ star Isiah Thomas, who coaches at the school (though I don’t see how he’ll be there much longer considering his dismal record but that’s a story for another day). Parked in the commuter lot and then scoped out the venue. Asked a very nice FIU student who was working security about Thomas. “Where does he park his car?” She pointed to the spot. “Is he here yet?” Said the girl: “He was here earlier but he had to leave. He’ll be here between 5 and 6.” So I plop myself under a tree and enjoy the beautiful weather that is South Florida. I’m guessing it was 74 most of the day. Like clockwork, Thomas pulls into the parking lot at 5:06 p.m. I wait for him to gather his things and then approach him.

He’s carrying a briefcase. I tell him that I collect sports folders — I want him to think that I’m a collector to prevent an ebay lecture — and ask if he’ll sign. I’m gonna try to recollect how the rest went down.

Thomas: If I sign for you, please tell your fellow collectors that I didn’t sign.
Me: Why would I do that?
Thomas: Because I don’t want anyone else coming after me to sign autographs.
Me: I don’t understand.
Thomas: Well they’ve been searching me out at restaurants and at airports.
Me: Well, you know that I would never do something like that. I draw the line at certain places
Thomas: I appreciate that but just tell your friends that I didn’t sign for you.
Me: I have to blog about it.
Thomas: No you don’t. Tell your friends I didn’t sign for you.
Me: OK. If that’s what you want.
Thomas: I don’t have a problem with people making money off me but I’m getting tired of signing at airports and restaurants.
Me: Have you ever had someone knock on the door to your home?
Thomas: Actually, that has happened to me a few times.
Me: You do realize that I would never do that.
Thomas: Yeah, you seem like a cool guy.
Me: What kind of a team is Utah Valley State?
Thomas: To be real honest with you, I hope they suck.

A lot of celebrities talk to you but none ever seem to try to make any kind of connection with you. I’ve gotten Thomas before but this time for whatever reason — maybe because I was the only grapher there — he tried to connect with me. As he walked away we shook hands, he smiled and then he thanked me for my kind words. I’m sure he would’ve done two items but I only had one thing with me.

Isiah Thomas: 1/1 (sports folder for coltsfan)

By the way, FIU held on to win the game 65-62.

Baseball Card Show Purchase #10 – A Healthy Stack Of Ozzie Smith Cards

Baseball Card Show Purchase #10 – A Healthy Stack Of Ozzie Smith Cards

In my previous attempts to score cards for my player collections, I found myself to be pretty lucky.  This time around, that was not quite the story, with one very big exception.

I landed 24 cards for my Ozzie Smith collection – all from the same dealer, in the same group of bargain bins!!!

This purchase makes a very large and needed dent in my set of Ozzie Smith cards and it gives me renewed motivation to finish it.

Check out the haul…

Baseball Card Show Purchase #9 – Two Reggies Jackson Masterpieces!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #9 – Two Reggies Jackson Masterpieces!!!

These two cards that I scored are without a doubt may favorites from the show.  And to be honest, I had never seen either of them prior, so the surprise element for me.

These two cards feature Reggie is his old Oakland A’s uniform – and they look incredible in person.  I am so thrilled to add these two great cards to my collection that pays tribute to the marvelous career of Mr. October!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – Bo Jacksons’s 1987 Donruss Rate Rookie Card

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – Bo Jackson’s 1987 Donruss Rate Rookie Card

There are a few players that I keep an eye out at each show that I attend.  And while I never carry a list of cards that I need of those players, if I fall upon anything that I don’t already have of them, I grab it and don’t look back.

So that is exactly what I did when I saw this 1987 Donruss Rated Rookie card of Bo Jackson in one of the many bargain bins that I searched.

This card was such a hot commodity back when Bo debuted in 1987.  And of all of his rookie cards issued in 1987 sets, I think that this is one of the better ones.

Agreed?

Baseball Card Show Purchase #7 – 4 Early 80′s Johnny Bench Cards

Baseball Card Show Purchase #7 – 4 Early 80′s Johnny Bench Cards

While rummaging through one of the dime bins at the show, I started to find a good amount of early 80′s card featuring Hall of Famers.  And when done, I had rescued these 4 beauties of Johnny Bench:

The cards – from top to bottom and left to right – 1983 Donruss, 1982 Donruss, 1982 Topps, and 1983 Topps.

If I had to choose a favorite it would be – 1983 Topps.  I know big surprise right…