Baseball Card Show On Saturday!!!

Baseball Card Show On Saturday!!!

I’m not going to get this one wrong again…  Saturday is the 4th Saturday of March and that means one thing to this collector – BASEBALL CARD SHOW at the mall!!

And I will be there to soak in all of the cardboard fun that I can find.

My mission this time around?  I am going to go bargain hunting, big time!!  If there are boxes loaded with cards that are selling for a dime, or a quarter, or fifty cents a piece, I am going to attack.  And when I am done, I will sort through the wreckage, organize all of it, and scan it so you can enjoy the spoils.

So, be sure to come back on Monday(and before too) as I will share all of my purchases with you throughout the day.

Have a nice weekend!!!

‘On The Road With psugator02′ – Spring Training Road Trip – Day 5

‘On The Road With psugator02′ – Spring Training Road Trip – Day 5

all over the Phoenix area
Wednesday, March 16
6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Giants practice from 6 a.m.-noon:

Jeremy Affeldt: didn’t need him. “Thanks, bro,” he said when I told him he might be one the top 5 best signers in all of MLB. I”ve never seen him not sign
Travis Ishikawa: 2/2 (cards) in blue Sharpie
Steve Decker: 1/1 (card) in blue Sharpie. I had a bunch more but the only one I cared about was the one of him in the Marlins’ uni
Shawon Dunston: 1/1 (card) in blue Sharpie
Barry Zito: 1/1 (card) in blue Sharpie
Tim Flannery: 1/1 (surfboard card) in blue Sharpie
Jonathan Sanchez: 1/1 (ticket) in black Staedtler. Gave the full inscription
Miguel Tejada: 1/1 (2006 Orioles team photo with Mitre the only player left) in blue Sharpie, 1/1 (Orioles’ tri-player photo that is now finished)…Couldn’t have been cooler…Told him I was from Fort Lauderdale and he said, “Hey, I’m from Fort Lauderdale, too.”
Pablo Sandoval: signed but I didn’t need him
Andres Torres: signed but I didn’t need him
Bruce Bochy: signed but I didn’t need him
Brandon Belt: 2/2 (11x14s) in blue Sharpie. As of two weeks ago, he no longer sweet-spots ROMLBs
Orlando Cepeda: 0/1, 0/1 even though there were only seven graphers left. Weird dude

Giants after the game at Camelback:

Mark DeRosa: 1/1 (card) in blue Sharpie…Beautiful graph
Tim Lincecum: 0/1..The crowd rushed him and I couldn’t get him despite walking with him for about 50 feet from the clubhouse to his car

Mariners’ backfields prior to game vs. Milwaukee:

Ken Griffey Jr.: 0/1 …..almost glad because all I had with me was a ROMLB and I didn’t want it paneled
Ichiro Suzuki: 0/1
Jay Buhner: 1/1 (SI) in blue Sharpie….Much cooler than last year
Carl Willis: 1/1 (card) in blue Sharpie…Wouldn’t stop telling me the story behind the ’86 Topps card I had him sign
Matt Tuiasosopo: 1/1 (’09 Ginter) in blue Sharpie. Signed the card while I held it, which is lame. Doesn’t take much time with his graph
Dustin Ackley: 2/2 (8x10s), 1/1 (SP, ROMLB)…A bit of a dick. He did the two photos without a problem. I asked for the ball and he must have gotten pissed that I wanted a third graph so he hit the panel

While standing near the RF side of the Marlners’ dugout before the game:

Adam Kennedy: 1/1 (’08 Ginter) in blue Sharpie
Justin Smoak: 2/2 (8x10s) in blue Sharpie
Felix Hernandez: 1/1 (SS, ROMLB) in blue ink while he was talking to the woman next to me. Signed maybe three total

In “Autograph Alley” after game:

Rickie Weeks: 1/1 (’08 Ginter) in blue Sharpie. Real cool dude. Said he still lives in Florida. “Where in Florida?” I asked. “Florida,” Weeks replied.
Matt Tuiasosopo: 1/1 (’09 Ginter) in blue Sharpie
Casey McGehee: 1/1 (SS, ROMLB) in blue ink. This dude HATES the Cubs. “Wish these things (Cubs’ photos) would stop popping up,” he said.
Franklin Gutierrez: 1/1 (card) in blue Sharpie
Robin Yount: 0/1 before the game he said he would sign after the game. But once the game ended he just kept walking past the graphers who were shouting his name
Justin Smoak: 1/1 (SS, ROMLB) in blue ink
Brendan Ryan: signed for everyone, then asked, “Everybody good?” before walking away. Real cool dude. Said that if he had two deals on the table and one was with a team that trained in Arizona he’d take it in a heartbeat over the one with the team that trained in Florida. Said he wasn’t happy with the way the Cardinals handled his situation.

While waiting in RF after game:

Chris Chambliss: 1/1 (ticket) in black Staedtler.

Bob Feller 2005 Upper Deck Classics

Bob Feller 2005 Upper Deck Classics

As Opening Day nears, I cannot help but think of Hall of Famer Bob Feller.

Back in the day, Feller was quite the pitching ace.  And to date, he is the only player in major league history to throw a no-hitter on Opening Day.

And because of that, I couldn’t resist adding this to card to a purchase I was making on Ebay.

Rest in peace Mr. Feller.  You are missed!!

My First Time – Johnny Damon – August 12, 1995

My First Time – Johnny Damon – August 12, 1995

The setting – Kauffman Stadium.  Kansas City, MO.

From Damon – “I went three-for-five off Salomon Torres and some other dude.  I had a triple into the right-field corner.  We won, I know that.  The Royals had just gotten rid of Vince Coleman and made a bunch of other moves.”

The Boxscore – Royals 7, Mariners 2.  Damon goes 3-for-5, with 2 singles and a triple.  He collected 1 RBI and scored a run too.

Rickey Henderson 2002 Topps

Rickey Henderson 2002 Topps

When I think of Rickey Henderson, I think Oakland A’s and New York Yankees.  In fact, when I try to recall all of the teams that Rickey suited up for during his major league career, the San Diego Padres are one of the teams that I tend to think of last.

I apologize if that offends any Padres fans – that is not my intent, just my truth.

But with all of that being said, I really like this card of Rickey, while in his Padres’ uniform.  At 43 years of age, Rickey still packed a mighty swing as evidenced by this photo.

And would you look at that??  Good old Wrigley Field in the background – SWEET!!!

Cleveland Indians Set To Honor Bob Feller Through 2011 Season

Feller to be honored by Tribe all season

Team to hold events, ceremonies, place patches on uniforms

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
3/24/2011 2:11 PM ET

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians are planning to honor Bob Feller’s life with a year-long celebration nearly as large as the man’s legend.

The festivities will begin with Opening Day — sold out for the 18th consecutive season — and continue throughout the 2011 campaign. Feller, a Hall of Famer and franchise icon, died in December at the age of 92.

On April 1, the Indians are scheduled to open the regular season with an afternoon affair against the rival White Sox, the team victimized in Feller’s Opening Day no-hitter in 1940. During the pregame introductions at the home opener, Indians players will each wear a jersey with Feller’s No. 19 on the back.

The gates will open at 1 p.m. ET and the pregame tribute to Feller is scheduled to begin at roughly 2:30 p.m. The Indians will show a video highlighting Feller’s life and there will also be a special banner presentation. Feller’s widow, Anne, will also present a “silent” ceremonial first pitch before the ballgame.

Feller’s No. 19 will be displayed behind the pitcher’s mound and it will be featured on a memorial patch on the sleeves of the Tribe’s jerseys throughout the season. The patch features a silhouette of Feller’s famous high leg-kick delivery, the one he used in firing blazing fastballs and knee-buckling curves.

The Tribe will also hold a July 4 celebration for Feller, who was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1962. During that game, fans will have the chance to receive a replica bronze Feller statue. Memorial murals will also be displayed in Heritage Park and in the upper-deck seating bowl at the stadium.

Outside the ballpark, street poles will be adorned with banners in honor of Feller, who owns the club record for wins with 266, despite spending a portion of his prime serving in World War II. Inside the press box, the seat Feller frequently occupied will be off-limits, paying tribute to his love of the ballclub.

A public memorial service for Feller will take place at 11 a.m. on March 31 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights. Rev. Conrad Selnick, the rector of St. Christopher’s by the River Epicoscopal Church in Gate Mills, where Feller lived, will officiate.

The doors will open at 10 a.m. and the service will be aired live on SportsTime Ohio with Bruce Drenna, former Indians broadcaster and current host of STO’s “All Bets Are Off,” hosting. Seating and parking for the event is limited. The service will be replayed on STO at 6 p.m. that day.

Happy Birthday Tom Glavine!!

Happy Birthday Tom Glavine!!

Tom Glavine turns 45 years old today.

For me, there is only one question left for Tom Glavine.  And that question is – What Hall of Fame class will he be part of?

Looking back at the players that have retired in the last few years, Glavine is one of the most highly decorated and respected of the group.  He seems very likely to be a 1st ballot entrant into the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible. 

Already the owner of 305 victories, 2 Cy Young Awards, 10 All-star team selections, 4 Silver Slugger Awards, and a World Series championship, Glavine had done everything needed to solidify himself as one of his era’s greatest pitching talents. 

Happy Birthday Mr. Glavine!!

Opening 2-Day Contest : WIN A BOX OF 1989 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS!!!

Opening 2-Day Contest :  WIN A BOX OF 1989 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS!!!

As we all eagerly wait for the 2011 baseball season to begin, I want to start it off right.

And one way to accomplish that is to host a contest!!!

After thinking of all of the possible contests to run, I have settled in on this:

There are 11 games scheduled on Opening Day(I am calling Opening Day April 1st).  You can review the schedule, and see the starting pitchers by clicking here.  To win this contest, you need to guess how many total strikeouts will be thrown in these 11 games.  To enter, simply leave a comment on this post with your pick.  Once a number is taken, it cannot be used again.  The person who gets the closest, without going over, to the actual number of strikeouts tossed wins!!!

Opening Days brings out the sport’s top pitchers.  From David Price to King Felix to Josh Johnson to Ubaldo Jimenez- there will be a ton of K’s.  So, do your homework and make your selections now!!!

The prize  for this contest will be a box of 1989 Topps baseball cards.  That’s right, 36 packs of a ’30-YOC’ favorite.

Want to win the cards?  Want to prove you know the game better than your buddies?  Than what are you waiting for?  Make your prediction and get ready for ’Opening Day 2011′.

Good Luck you all of you!!!

 

Oh yeah, all picks must be submitted to me no later than March 30th at midnight.  Thanks.

‘On The Road With psugator02′ – Spring Training Road Trip – Day 4

‘On The Road With psugator02′ – Spring Training Road Trip – Day 4

Camelback Ranch
Glendale, Ariz.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday, March 15

Got a late start because I had some real-life work to do. Camelback — and all the camps for that matter — are now swamped with kids on spring break. None of the Dodgers signed on their way out to the practice fields. Note to self: next time spend the morning at another camp when the Dodgers are home. Seemed the Dodgers had an extra-late workout prior to their 1 p.m. game so I headed over to the Rangers’ bus, hoping I could pick off some players. Bus arrived early but I was able to snag one player who drove over in a rental car.

David Murphy: 2/2 (cards) in blue Sharpie
Nelson Cruz: 0/1…also drove his own car. Sort of shocked because he ALWAYS signs

Walked back to the entrance to the backfields. On my way spotted Chad Billingsley. He was his usual cool self.

Chad Billingsley: 1/1 (11×14)…Made the mistake of giving him silver and then not telling him where on the picture to sign.

I had already been in line for Don Mattingly. But when I walked to the Rangers’ bus I lost my spot. So I was now in the back. No matter, I still got him. He makes everyone line up along the fence and is very cordial, signing 1-per for everyone. Actually pressed for a second, but he insisted he was only doing one.

Don Mattingly: 1/1 (8×10 that already has Mark McGwire’s autograph). I missed Tommy Lasorda because I chose to wait in Mattingly’s line. Oh well. Lasorda’s graph has really deteriorated anyway, so no biggie

Really thought I could pick off some other Dodgers on their way back to the clubhouse. But there were so many people there that not many players stopped. A few scrubs signed (Jamey Carroll, etc.), but I didn’t care about them. Wasn’t planning on going to the game so walked to the minor-league complex to get prospect Dee Gordon. Didn’t realize I was going to have to wait back there for two hours in the desert heat. If you were wondering, the Dodgers chose not to install water fountains anywhere near the minor-league fields. Gordon finally finished the scrimmage and was as cool as could be, even remembering the tweets that he had sent me.

Dee Gordon: 3/3 (8x10s for bizarre, SS of ROMLB). Would’ve gotten the picwith, but I inadvertently left the camera at home. By the way, for someone who’s such a top-rated prospect, Gordon sure is small. During the scrimmage he lined an opposite-field single over the left fielder’s head. Maybe he is for real.

The Dodgers have a lot of coaches who used to play in the big leagues (Chuck Crim, Steve Yeager, Lenny Harris, Jim Slaton), but the only one I graphed was Darren Dreifort. I asked him his role with the Dodgers and he wasn’t sure. “I just do what they tell me to do,” Dreifort said.

Darren Dreifort: 1/1 (signature card) in blue Sharpie. One of the most beautiful graphs I’ve seen all spring

Walked back to graph the Dodgers’ parking lot and the Rangers’ bus.

James Loney: 1/1 (8×10) in blue Sharpie
Don Mattingly: 1/1 (11×14) in blue Sharpie. Signs a ton
Rick Honeycutt: 1/1 (card) in blue Sharpie
Hong Chih Kuo: 0/1 only signed five and I just missed him
Matt Kemp: 0/1 wouldn’t stop
Manny Mota: wouldn’t stop
Andre Ethier: 0/1 wouldn’t stop
Clayton Kershaw: 0/1 gor rocked so maybe that’s the reason he didn’t stop
Mike McDougal: great dude but didn’t need him
Ron Mahay: great dude but didn’t need him
Tony Gwynn Jr.: 0/1 wouldn’t stop
Dioner Navarro: great dude but didn’t need him
Travis Schlichting: good dude but didn’t need him. He rocks the mullet AND gets a smokin’ hot chick. Well done. Almost looks like a young Curt Schilling
Rafael Furcal: 0/1 wouldn’t stop
Juan Uribe: just missed him because I was getting a few Rangers
Matt Kemp: 0/1 wouldn’t stop
Jerry Sands: 0/1 wouldn’t stop

David Murphy: 2/2 (8x10s) in blue Sharpie for a member
Nelson Cruz: 2/2 (8x10s) in blue Sharpie for a member
Elvis Andrus: didn’t even stand near the visitor locker room because i was sure Andrus wouldn’t touch a pen. But sure enough he did and by the time I walked over I had missed him
Matt Treanor: signed but I didn’t need him
Mike Napoli: 0/1 wouldn’t walk over
Chris Davis: 2/2 (8x10s) in blue Sharpie. Still a great signer
Julio Borbon: signed but I didn’t need him

The entire Cactus League appears more difficult this year.

Rod Carew 2010 Topps ‘Cards Your Mom Threw Out’

Rod Carew 2010 Topps ‘Cards Your Mom Threw Out’

Oh man, I wish this was the real thing.

I have drooled over vintage Rod Carew baseball cards so many times on Ebay that I could probably do it as a part-time job.

Carew was an absolute superstar during his major league career.  A hitter that could do it all, Carew was especially rare when it came to making contact and maintaining his always very high batting average.

If his cards were more affordable, he would absolutely be a candidate for new player collections at ’30-YOC’. 

But since that is not the case, I have to settle for these modern-era issues of Mr. Carew.  At least the picture and design take me back to 1968…  LOL.