Bryce Harper 2013 Bowman Chrome

Bryce Harper 2013 Bowman Chrome

Another sweet addition to my Bryce Harper collection – This one is the 2013 Bowman Chrome card.

Have a look:

 

This one looks just like the Bowman base card, just with a different cardstock and a much shinier, gloss finish.

And with this one out of the way and with an ‘X’ on my checklist, it is time to see what I can do about bringing home a few of the colored parallel versions of the card.

Wish me luck!!!

2013 Topps Update ‘Postseason Heroes’ Subset – Derek Jeter

2013 Topps Update ‘Postseason Heroes’ Subset – Derek Jeter

The 2013 Topps Update baseball card set includes a subset tagged as ‘Postseason Heroes.  And with that theme, you would expect to find cards of modern players like Albert Pujols, Edgar Rentaria, and Pablo Sandoval but none of these guys made the checklist.

That does leave room for some nice surprises…

This is the card of Derek Jeter from the set:

Derek Jeter’s story is supremely unreal.  He concluded his 19th big league campaign in 2013, and he made the playoffs in 16 of those years.  He has appeared in 158 career playoff games – the equivalent of one extra big league season.

Jeter has played in 7 World Series match-ups, culminating in six titles.  In the Fall Classic, Jeter has amassed a batting average of .321 and an on-base percentage of .384.  He has 50 hits in 38 games including 9 doubles and 3 home runs.

Jeter was the 2000 World Series MVP.

Jose Fernandez 2013 Topps Update All-Star Card

Jose Fernandez 2013 Topps Update All-Star Card

Yes, it took me a bit longer than what I would have liked, but I have finally hauled in Jose Fernandez’s All-Star card from the 2013 Topps Update set.

Could have I have secured one for my collection sooner?  Sure.  But, I could have also paid a lot more that the $0.50 that I ended up scoring this one for.

 

And now that I have this one in my possession, it is time to see what I can do about all of those colored parallels that are out there.

And hopefully in 2014, I can go after Fernandez’s second All-Star card!!

Did You Know…

The last time that the Cincinnati Reds had teammates collect at least 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs in the same season came in 1977 when George Foster connected for 52 and 149 and teammate Johnny Bench went for 31 and 109.

1990 Headline: Tim Raines Traded To Chicago White Sox!

1990 Headline: Tim Raines Traded To Chicago White Sox!

During the offseason of 1990, Tim Raines was shipped off to the Chicago White Sox after 12 seasons with the Montreal Expos.  In typical Expos form, it was out with the old and in with the new.  The Expos had a talented crop of young rookies in the early 1990’s and wanted to give them playing time so they dumped their veterans – including their 7-time All-star Raines.

During his 12 years with Montreal, Raines shined as one of the game’s best lead-off hitters.  With a solid, and decade-long .300 batting average, Raines was the ideal guy to start each game with the goal of igniting his team’s offense.  And boy did he deliver…  With the Expos, Raines collected 634 stolen bases while scoring 934 runs.  He also developed a knack for driving in runs as he collected 552 RBI while batting lead-off.  He even hit 96 home runs!!!

Montreal’s loss eventually became the White Sox, Yankees, A’s, Marlins, and Orioles gain as Tim Raines was a classy ballplayer both on and off the field!!!

Finally, I Have Landed A ‘Holy Grail’ Baseball Card – The 1989 Upper Deck, Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card!!!

Finally, I Have Landed A ‘Holy Grail’ Baseball Card – The 1989 Upper Deck, Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card!!!

That’s right, baby, I have finally brought one home.

One of the most iconic, and collected, baseball cards of all-time – the 1989 Upper Deck, Ken Griffey Jr. rookie baseball card.

Check it out:

 

I’ve seen it a million times on the web, and in print, but it has been more than 20 years since I have held one in my hands and called one my own.

But, things have changed – and I am now a proud owner if this fantastic, and historic, baseball card.

Back when the 1989 Upper Deck set debuted, this card was HOT!  As an avid collector, I built the full set so I was able to nab one Griffey that way.  And over time, I know that I ha at least 2 more in my collection.

But, that was a long time ago and those cards are unfortunately long gone.

Of all of the cards that I got rid of when I trimmed down my collection from tens of thousands to less than fifty, and of the cards that were spared, this is definitely one that I welcome back with open arms!!

HIGH FIVE!!!