Combine SATs, two AP tests, school functions, and community service and cram them together in the first two weeks of May. What does that get you? Hell on Earth. My schedule is filled to the brim with cram sessions and senior citizen proms (don’t ask) that I have very little time for baseball cards. Unfortunately, that puts the blog in the backseat until May 12, when my final AP test will be sealed and sent for grading. However, I would like to post when a free night pops up on my schedule. I have a lot of cards to share, including my contents from Thorzul’s latest break, a few trades, an update on my history card trading game, and purchases off the good ol’ internet.
I would also like to mention that I am officially a writer on 30-Year-Old Cardboard. Brian does a great job on the site, so please check it out. I recently posted about my Alexander Hamilton collection, keeping with the history theme of my recent posts (and the fact that I’ll be studying every nook and cranny of American history for the next week). I’ll be posting over there more frequently as well.
SATs are tomorrow. Did you know Robin Yount scored a perfect 1600 on his SATs? However, his score was nullified when it was discovered he used a number 2.5 pencil.
I would also like to mention that I am officially a writer on 30-Year-Old Cardboard. Brian does a great job on the site, so please check it out. I recently posted about my Alexander Hamilton collection, keeping with the history theme of my recent posts (and the fact that I’ll be studying every nook and cranny of American history for the next week). I’ll be posting over there more frequently as well.
SATs are tomorrow. Did you know Robin Yount scored a perfect 1600 on his SATs? However, his score was nullified when it was discovered he used a number 2.5 pencil.
The main objective of the trading card game is to collect the most cards that are correlated to each other. The more cards that are related, the higher your grade will be. So if you’re dealt a pack with the TVA and Dr. Francis Townsend, it would be wise to collect cards associated with the New Deal.
Not the best looking card, but none-the-less, it has the handsome Hamilton on it. Since my Hamilton cards would be limited, I decided to branch out and collect Thomas Jefferson as well. Although Jefferson and Hamilton were on different sides of the spectrum when it came to political philosophies, both were Founding Fathers and big players in the development of the U.S. Constitution and the United States government in whole. I traded worthless garbage like the Credit Mobilier scandal and Warren G. Harding for these two cards.
Hopefully my Hamilton/Jefferson collection will continue to grow. My friend has a duel-relic of the two men numbered to 25 that I’m just drooling over. Until then, remember…
What better way to start off a vintage pack with three All-Stars in a row? White’s was the only card to feature an “A.L. All-Star” title in the pack.
This was one of Ozzie’s earlier cards before his career skyrocketed when he was traded to the Cardinals.
Kingman hit a whopping 48 homeruns in the 1979 season for the Cubs. It’s a much more astonishing number considering the time period he hit.
A 2005 Topps Ryan Howard/Cole Hamels rookie card. I had forgotten that I owned this card (I actually own two copies) and I was thrilled to find it. But why though? I generally dislike the Phillies, especially living in central Jersey with all their obnoxious fans. I don’t necessarily like Howard’s massive strikeout numbers or his shaky defense at first. Hamels, well, he needs to do a lot to revive his career. So you ask again, why?
Not only is he my favorite player, but it represents everything I love about a rookie card. Since this card is older than a decade, it’s fun to see the other prospects and know how their careers panned out. Fuentes had a few successful seasons with the Rockies and Angels, and is considered one of the better lefty relievers in the game. Clement, on the other hand, hasn’t pitched since 2006. And you know how Halladay’s career turned out. It will be fun to look back on my multiple-player rookie cards in a few years from now and see how each prospect turned out. I can’t do that with my 2010 Topps cards, that’s for sure.
A-Rod has gotten off to a slow start this season. Then again, the whole team usually gets off to a slow start.
Damn, damn. That’s a beautiful card.
I believe this is my first “Yankee Stadium Legacy” card without a specific player on it. I’m not a big of fan of the fact that Yankee Stadium is no where in the picture. But it’s still a cool picture.
Shiny Yankees = happy collector.
Votto is a reincarnation of Todd Helton. Great bat, good glove, and classy player.
2008 Upper Deck Timeline knows how to make a combination. A design of one of my favorite sets, great photography, and Derek Jeter makes for an awesome card.
About time! I don’t think I’ve pulled a Halladay in the last four boxes I’ve busted.
Soriano buys his eye black from Aztec warriors.
I should have collected Daric Barton. I pull at least two of his cards every box I bust.
The front of the card is beautiful; however I’m not a fan of the back. Why ruin the card with a picture of Votto in that ugly camouflage uniform?
Not sure why this isn’t considered a “rookie card” when every other Ian Kennedy card in the set is.
My eyes can’t take Griffey in a White Sox uniform.
The Yankees need to trade for this guy… now.
Well it took a while, but I finally pulled a Longoria rookie. He always has good photos for his baseball cards.
Oh man, it’s the Brian Bocock box!
Another no-player “Yankee Stadium Legacy” card. Once again, another cool picture that has nothing to do with Yankee Stadium.
This card made me take a step back. I remember reading about Adenhart’s tragic death and how disgusted I was. Not necessarily about his death, but more at myself for going straight onto eBay and purchasing one of his rookie cards. Adenhart had tremendous talents, and I’m sure he would have been a household name… but I only knew the pitcher because of the catastrophic car crash he was involved in and that sort of repulses me. I have trouble looking at his cards.
This is one of the many variations you’ll find in the “base set” of 2008 Upper Deck Timeline. This mirrors the design used in the 1992 Minor League set. While it is fun to look at all the different deviations of cards, it can be a pain in the butt to organize and sort, especially if you have OCD.
This is my favorite variation in the set; I love the smooth feel and the shine of the card (the scans don't do these cards justice). Nyjer Morgan isn’t a bad player, either.
Yet another variation, and my least favorite to boot. The difference between these “20th Anniversary” cards and the regular “All-Time Heroes” set is the gold foil stamp on the corner of the card.
Yeah… they look exactly the same. Upper Deck loves making more parallels for me to categorize and sort.
I’m not a big fan of die-cuts, minis, or any of that mumbo jumbo (actually, I do like jumbo cards). At least the photography is good.
I’m a big fan of the “Timeless Teams” set from 2004 and the design looks just as good in 2008 Upper Deck Timeline. By the way, my next wantlist will be for 2004 Timeless Teams, for all of you who are dying to know what I need.
The gold parallel to the base set. It doesn’t really stand out compared to other gold variations I’ve seen in other sets.
Not sure why they used an alternative Cubs logo, but I like it.
This confused the crap out of me. I originally thought it was a “Top Prospects” card, but the gold foil had me double-guessing. I finally figured out that it belonged to a completely different variation. Thanks, Upper Deck!
An autograph! Now who the hell is this? “Timeline” is known for its awful autographed cards. Stickers + no name players = crap.
I would like to mention another key factor in making “2004 Timeless Teams” on of my favorite sets, the back. Not only does it have a nice design and write-up, it features a stunning photo of the home stadium.
My second of the two guaranteed autographs. Since I already knocked them all out, opening the rest of the packs won’t be as exciting. Or so the memorabilia card collectors think…
Between this year and the 1994 SP, I have to lean toward ’94. I like the design much better, although both cards are fun to look at.
I remember I picked this guy to man second base for me in a fantasy league last year. That didn’t go too well.
Damn, damn. That’s a beautiful card.
Don’t we miss these?
At least most of the rookies (aside from the autographs) are recognizable.
Hopefully Bruce can have a bounce-back season after last year’s injury-riddled one. I remember watching his first at-bat in the big leagues. He drew a walk and showed poise and patience that some major leaguers don’t possess, and I had high hopes about his future. Stay healthy, Jay!
My hopes got high when Posada and Granderson hit back-to-back homers (Granderson’s was measured at 455 feet) and when the Yanks knocked Beckett out of the game. The offense came out to play last night, and they can’t even be remotely blamed for the loss. No, I place the blame squarely on Joe Girardi and his mismanagement of the pitching staff.
For starters, he left Sabathia in way too long. I could see he was getting tired, and once the starting pitcher walks the lead off man in a late inning, it’s time for him to get pulled. But Girardi stuck with him and it would eventually bite him in the butt when Kevin Youkilis of all people knocked in two runs with a stand-up triple. David Robertson (one of the Yanks brightest spots in their bullpen) then gave up the game-tying hit, but that was hardly his fault.
It wasn’t a pretty game to watch, but I was pleased with the offensive output and C.C.’s stellar outing (especially compared to last year’s horrid 