By Capturing The 2011 NL MVP Award, Ryan Braun Places Himself In Elite Company!!!

By Capturing The 2011 NL MVP Award, Ryan Braun Places Himself In Elite Company!!!

Case in point:  Braun is the 13th player to win both an NL MVP Award and the NL Rookie of the Year Award, which he was awarded in 2007. That puts him in very good company; the other dual winners are Ryan Howard, Pujols, Jeff Bagwell, Andre Dawson, Johnny Bench, Dick Allen, Pete Rose, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Frank Robinson, Willie Mays and Don Newcombe.

Solid company right there – and he is just 28 years old!!!

Congratulations Ryan!!!!

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.

Calling It Quits!!!

Calling It Quits!!!

No, No, No.  Don’t worry ’30-Year Old Cardboard’ is not going anywhere.

I’m just revamping my collection a bit.  And after going back and forth on this decision for the better part of two weeks, I have finally made the choice to abandon my Ryan Braun and Josh Johnson collections.

While I still really enjoy watching both of these guys play, my enjoyment of collecting their cards has put me on a roller coaster of emotions that has left me in the pits.  After really trying to get into collecting modern cards of modern players, I have decided that for now it is not for me.

So, my collection of Braun will end with 34 cards in total and my collection of JJ will rest with 40.  In each lot, there are tons of rookie cards and inserts as well.

If anyone has interest in these cards please let me know – I would be happy to offer them up to a good home.  And I wouldn’t be looking for much in return either…

Both of these players are fantastic, and they both rank very high on my list of current players that I enjoy watching.

But for now, that is how it will remain.  Strictly watching, not collecting.

Leave me a comment if you want part or all of these two player collections.

Thanks!!

2010 Topps ‘Legendary Lineage’ With Frank Robinson & Ryan Braun

2010 Topps ‘Legendary Lineage’ With Frank Robinson & Ryan Braun

Nice – 1 of my favorites from today, and one of my favorites from yesteryear!!!

And while it would be impossible to guess what Ryan Braun’s future holds as a major league player, he better be honored to share this space with one of the greatest players to play in the big leagues.

We have no clue if Braun will reach the same level of team or individual success that Robinson achieved during his days, they can be classified as a similarly skilled player – solid hitter for average, good power, and run producer!!

A great addition to my collection!!  YES!!!

Alfredo Drops Off Some Wicked Ozzies And A Few Wicked Brauns Too!!!

Alfredo Drops Off Some Wicked Ozzies And A Few Wicked Brauns Too!!!

He did it again.  Each and every time I get a package in the mail with that familiar hand writing, I know that I am going to be in for a treat.

And this time was no different.  My buddy, Alfredo, sent me a small care package the other day that was full of cards that perfectly fit both my Ozzie Smith and Ryan Braun collections.

First, the Ozzies:

And now, the Ryan Braun cards:

As always, Alfredo hooked me up!!!

Don’t forget to check out his blog too – he is a true fan as well as a serious collector.

Thanks Bro – I owe you one!!!

Ryan Braun 2010 Topps Opening Day

Ryan Braun 2010 Topps Opening Day

This card comes from the 2010 Topps Opening Day set, and it features a nice slugging picture of Ryan Braun.

And since the theme of said card is ‘Opening Day 2010′, I thought that I would use the power of the Internet to go back a few months to see how the star outfielder fared on this day.

The results – 2-for-4 with a single and a double.  He also drove in a run and struck out one time.  Not too bad of a start to the season if you ask me!!!

A Pair of 2008 Bowman Chrome Ryan Braun Cards – Base & Refractor!!

A Pair of 2008 Bowman Chrome Ryan Braun Cards – Base & Refractor!!

It’s never a bad thing when you can kill two birds with one stone.  And that is exactly what I did when I grabbed both of these Ryan Braun cards at the same time.  And while I don’t have an official ‘Needs’ list for this collection that pays tribute to Braun, it’s nice to be able to tackle more than 1 card at a time.

Coming from the 2008 Bowman Chrome set, I have to say that even though the Refractor version of this card is the ‘more rare’ version, I would select the Base version as the better looking one of the dou…

A Pair of 2007 Bowman Ryan Braun Rookie Cards – Base & Gold!!!

A Pair of 2007 Bowman Ryan Braun Rookie Cards – Base & Gold!!!

Shhhhhhh….. 

I stole these from someone on Ebay!!!!

And I am so happy to have them in my collection. 

Ryan Braun 2009 Allen & Ginter – ‘National Pride’

Ryan Braun 2009 Allen & Ginter – ‘National Pride’

This card is a beauty, and ranks in first place so far when it comes to the 15 or so cards that I have managed to scoop up of Braun.

A classic and vintage look mixed in with some great American Pride makes this card an ‘eye catcher’ regardless of the player that is featured…

Luckily for me, and other Ryan Braun collectors out there, the Allen & Ginter brand selected Braun for this card.  And we could not be happier!!!

Ryan Braun 2008 Topps National League All-Star

Ryan Braun 2008 Topps National League All-Star

Ryan Braun made the National League All-star team in just his second, and first full, season in the majors.

A stud from the moment he joined the Milwaukee Brewers 1/3 of the way into the 2007 baseball season, Braun has helped the team win while also putting up enviable offensive stats.

Already a 3-time All-Star, Braun has played in just over 500 big league games and he has tallied more than 650 hits, 120 home runs, and collected a very solid 375+ RBI.

I see a lot of All-Star games in Braun’s future!!!

But this card honors his first…