tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29363576289556177282024-03-19T04:48:44.901-04:00"O" No!!! Another Orioles Blog"The Nest where all the Oriole cards come to roost"Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.comBlogger595125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-55936700876727403952024-03-06T21:58:00.000-05:002024-03-06T21:58:12.346-05:00TTM Success: Tom Dukes<p> <span> Grabbing TTM off the bottom of the pile, this nice return came from Tom Dukes. He was a relief pitcher in the late 60's and early 70's for a couple of teams including the Orioles. He didn't have a mainstream Orioles card released during his time in Charm City but was immortalized in the 1991 Crown Orioles set. </span></p><p><span> He was traded to the Orioles along with Pat Dobson in the 1970-71 offseason from the Padres. He bounced around the league as a relief pitcher but was fortunate enough to be with the Orioles for their 1971 pennant run. He pitched in two games in the '71 series against the Pirates, throwing four innings of 2-hit ball.</span> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KmxQ1buRQlyg_lIM1FIL3usnXyGGaa1ZSYL44-z49pB81vsN7NlSsDGCYdxFtR9XDelifwvPvjKNvV_MGrXhMJgK4MaV9Krd9JJeskRSwrTzlNwzy_Z1ksA6tcUQL6L8xu_pJhqaQdcCC7L4bxHenezoIvkUJvRh43ppdnVB6C9DwTHtNpa4UU74HEJk/s936/IMG_0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KmxQ1buRQlyg_lIM1FIL3usnXyGGaa1ZSYL44-z49pB81vsN7NlSsDGCYdxFtR9XDelifwvPvjKNvV_MGrXhMJgK4MaV9Krd9JJeskRSwrTzlNwzy_Z1ksA6tcUQL6L8xu_pJhqaQdcCC7L4bxHenezoIvkUJvRh43ppdnVB6C9DwTHtNpa4UU74HEJk/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="258" /></a></p>In addition to my card, he included a signed custom postcard of himself.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ek5SVzTg8NVEzmNaOiF7rgt9ayfw_VYJ78rl5yfaLGteWyR-7SI0gmnZIewgVmcodGMUExosyQK9pOy46Y9smskrB3e0sjmcm44ZrcnVRlDIGm5wPrrGI-aao6XnpRJ8KqIQky3tFU2RYSc3q8R0gbN8Dz_Ul90yjZu7XxShR4V2A6fq-AW9kABlHo7S/s1576/IMG_0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1064" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ek5SVzTg8NVEzmNaOiF7rgt9ayfw_VYJ78rl5yfaLGteWyR-7SI0gmnZIewgVmcodGMUExosyQK9pOy46Y9smskrB3e0sjmcm44ZrcnVRlDIGm5wPrrGI-aao6XnpRJ8KqIQky3tFU2RYSc3q8R0gbN8Dz_Ul90yjZu7XxShR4V2A6fq-AW9kABlHo7S/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" width="216" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He also answered my question that I included on an index card:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbyguVUaz_9K7kZn9ajle9ewsrHswBHi6UKCLf8a5M8YKM1Ebsv_C34CAHQmOBjvqQAgagmbQr460rhFR0h3msOy6vKrIT6dLb1MvDStDymaUe77BAyxqXWgpgcke-tAb6cHw6k9C2-ZSbeEYfl2qpKYDQr1V4x2jph4hPvXsYB6tG1RGfM3ZWmebZlWJ/s1508/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1508" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbyguVUaz_9K7kZn9ajle9ewsrHswBHi6UKCLf8a5M8YKM1Ebsv_C34CAHQmOBjvqQAgagmbQr460rhFR0h3msOy6vKrIT6dLb1MvDStDymaUe77BAyxqXWgpgcke-tAb6cHw6k9C2-ZSbeEYfl2qpKYDQr1V4x2jph4hPvXsYB6tG1RGfM3ZWmebZlWJ/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><br />I sent out on November 11, 2023 and got it back on November 27, 2023 for a 14-day TaT. Thank you very much Mr. Dukes!<p></p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-21886113119162781372024-03-05T21:25:00.001-05:002024-03-05T21:25:18.519-05:002 blasters of 2023 Stadium Club<p>Even though I put these cards away a couple weeks ago, I wanted to show the spoils of my two blaster boxes of 2023 Stadium Club while they are are still somewhat fresh in my mind. Stadium Club was quite late to the market this year but it's usually worth waiting for. I heard that it was delayed because the printer actually printed the front of the card on both sides and the whole print run needed to be trashed and redone! Anyways, I'll lead off with my favorite card of the break:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8Zd1PgTFbhWmLggC4HB9-gvCexp2c3oaGM8PkujtLUNgvvmFa3HMJv6jkr7Ast2feup8om_uuSTeHMbl1A_c55Z98H2DJGGxJdl3UdbdqmDjKhIY-o9MiMtbUXZXgxwmd7CqQF-kR_IFIaXtkYOTN1O9-uWkQ4bUD6v_EwW6ogAMQrxZgNqn5H-bZZ4R/s1040/IMG_0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1040" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8Zd1PgTFbhWmLggC4HB9-gvCexp2c3oaGM8PkujtLUNgvvmFa3HMJv6jkr7Ast2feup8om_uuSTeHMbl1A_c55Z98H2DJGGxJdl3UdbdqmDjKhIY-o9MiMtbUXZXgxwmd7CqQF-kR_IFIaXtkYOTN1O9-uWkQ4bUD6v_EwW6ogAMQrxZgNqn5H-bZZ4R/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've always been a fan of Stadium Club over the years. Some of the cards of legends of the game, like the Babe Ruth above, have not necessarily shown them actually on the field. I dig this Orange parallel of George Herman behind the wheel of his car. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGo1ccZUVz1G43Wv0LD3SWV2h50EG_6ORqNPPTvj1raMIKSJJhQ6JMZpCQTTzFn2CZyt1K5NzQ3cxTS29TCgbQPGQ4yZcAp5TDhUlgxHDQrwMP3V-xZPoRS3E8xsW8vlXWU0XOYC72TprBfB7wYBp_Iws5OkCwabYmzm4vKgomvFDFTkUPhKAsEytysc5/s1812/IMG_0008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="1368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGo1ccZUVz1G43Wv0LD3SWV2h50EG_6ORqNPPTvj1raMIKSJJhQ6JMZpCQTTzFn2CZyt1K5NzQ3cxTS29TCgbQPGQ4yZcAp5TDhUlgxHDQrwMP3V-xZPoRS3E8xsW8vlXWU0XOYC72TprBfB7wYBp_Iws5OkCwabYmzm4vKgomvFDFTkUPhKAsEytysc5/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A couple of the inserts that I pulled. I've always enjoyed the INSERT version of Stadium Club Chrome but the base set Topps put out for a few years can suck my toes. Hats off to my scanner that doesnt believe the bottom left of the Chrome Machado exists.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDZGip_kukCIg4rokMk2wEN4UyIYQoeyhzgwOrtU4bQuKTLa5kaIGwFWFlFP_3z-ytsOI_5_T8lq8EVsTVHpHoyHiYOpc9nSssvNQL67dopP49d7O3dxbyyQFAdB_psR_QbcBXJSdi7iy0pRADdCoYJio2ZUck0e7PX5Ftk6wZMlYaCEnVwUUvMnsVFmn/s1500/IMG_0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1500" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDZGip_kukCIg4rokMk2wEN4UyIYQoeyhzgwOrtU4bQuKTLa5kaIGwFWFlFP_3z-ytsOI_5_T8lq8EVsTVHpHoyHiYOpc9nSssvNQL67dopP49d7O3dxbyyQFAdB_psR_QbcBXJSdi7iy0pRADdCoYJio2ZUck0e7PX5Ftk6wZMlYaCEnVwUUvMnsVFmn/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was a Acuna insert hot box(es) even though these 2 particular inserts do nothing for me. Stadium club inserts are quite polarizing. There's great ones like Instavisions, Beam Teams, Never Compromise and Lone Star Signatures then theres crap like Virtuosos of Velocity and Chief Fantasy Professionals. woof!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J3rnfk7UnMR63R5g_eBsg7cRYQeZPVkN2v4f5HrixIb5a3CPIsnv9R-9qIQcPgeBkC6R2vYtbdqXnlksXJH2KGX9R_yxbU4vQZlcqyR384ELNoi2GV5UriP5-P2UPrgkCIVIAILgJqGlXg7esCf5OpkBH-4WlOPsFFlf69_YUVB4l0D6dwyA9yIPD7Tn/s1492/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1492" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J3rnfk7UnMR63R5g_eBsg7cRYQeZPVkN2v4f5HrixIb5a3CPIsnv9R-9qIQcPgeBkC6R2vYtbdqXnlksXJH2KGX9R_yxbU4vQZlcqyR384ELNoi2GV5UriP5-P2UPrgkCIVIAILgJqGlXg7esCf5OpkBH-4WlOPsFFlf69_YUVB4l0D6dwyA9yIPD7Tn/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I got two black foils and they were pretty decent players. I can't complain too much with these guys.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHww_-dfTkErjOVs84u4Uf9t5TPaub0cDY7wwxoXvIDMIW11RfYyX1CNWuS3kh52Q-aeCHmDQZOhg6YCS3kOele2MrxHtKF8eLu-PPj_1FC1ekUErbaN4zPIbDeyqE4ncVURTnyGID48K7gSut-k6CVoWrMR9diE6qHscIGFGGNYA678IjXtB-5NsqwFc_/s1492/IMG_0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1492" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHww_-dfTkErjOVs84u4Uf9t5TPaub0cDY7wwxoXvIDMIW11RfYyX1CNWuS3kh52Q-aeCHmDQZOhg6YCS3kOele2MrxHtKF8eLu-PPj_1FC1ekUErbaN4zPIbDeyqE4ncVURTnyGID48K7gSut-k6CVoWrMR9diE6qHscIGFGGNYA678IjXtB-5NsqwFc_/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm quite happy with these 2 red foils. Chipper is a guy I collect and the Larkin might be of interest to a certain collector that has a Grande sized collection. Also, its pretty cool that these are "color match" parallels. Do you get into color match cards?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQth7St7f4wswc9u-5hyphenhyphenrIJ01hF8vLfvgb6RH74A7fi3MuyahXHE2G14Exv5MgZMOwVbIRUhcy-XdYRyMosjMSMBdff3twAoIcx49bNZPn-EAle2dM7D-SbB4jbbrspeUaCcMudEnoeNeF6U5v0D2d8UQwk8MeG5Twk7tM3PxmrBYqXhy3NhTLduSa9bkf/s1036/IMG_0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1036" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQth7St7f4wswc9u-5hyphenhyphenrIJ01hF8vLfvgb6RH74A7fi3MuyahXHE2G14Exv5MgZMOwVbIRUhcy-XdYRyMosjMSMBdff3twAoIcx49bNZPn-EAle2dM7D-SbB4jbbrspeUaCcMudEnoeNeF6U5v0D2d8UQwk8MeG5Twk7tM3PxmrBYqXhy3NhTLduSa9bkf/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Probably the best hit of the box was this Photographer's Proof of Dansby Swanson. These are hella rare, having a print run of 25. They aren't numbered so of course nobody looks twice. I've actually found a JD Martinez Photographer's Proof card in a dime box. It still languishes on my COMC account to this day.<div><br /></div><div>I didn't get any Orioles cards in either box. It would be nice to pull cards of the team I actually collect but that's just the way it goes. I'm actually quite pleased otherwise.<br /><p></p></div>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-8721735829940008322024-03-02T08:38:00.003-05:002024-03-02T08:38:56.120-05:00Colonial Heights Card Show: Value?<p><span> </span>Value can mean many different things to different people. I am, through and through, a bargain hunter. Some may call me cheap, but I know what hard work is and the value of a dollar. When I go to card shows, I like to take my time and go through all of the dime and quarter boxes that time allows and I've been rewarded by finding some either undervalued or simply misplaced great cards. It can be mind-numbing for some with a short attention span and the "pelican case mafia" has given me a lot of sideways looks over the last few years. To each his own... I personally don't put value in what opinions that people may have on my cards.</p><p>I went to a smaller card show 2 weeks ago that is about a 20ish minute drive from my house. I hadn't originally planned on going but at the last minute I decided to go. In the past, its been a smaller show because of space constraints and this time it was only about 12 or so tables set up in half of the Moose Lodge. Initially disappointed, I was able to find a couple boxes to dig through.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH13meeEvZThepaEByKlJpyyZT8-PaNJixf0ToAewKinYZhos5osze3n8zU76MU5Sn_TZl8jhC_xzJ4-j5Q9y_wPYjyYDPnhwdbP4MouuvcHVAtQjzhItuBoT-9gkm9hPQywiJFvDCGGGQu3FUqXDhdKVIYAl63upgCZNv6C6PBXe-218FFWoA4jDtHZLR/s2088/IMG_0019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEHix52a_-3tW0J8MaWJ2USMxtumR5u9ioKpbltiJQlONaQvn3Ed2Ksy-aE7M8_srPAW5lV_dRsBm-ObwBESAELyJgIdiPv7iFBJ-XUxglK73BmjJiLvSIEUvf4a-IfIHpVdGav__xHHYYeW8TpdwYhRcp0f77GBov2FAphbls26nRX2_xqJ8OAqkOhsM/s2076/IMG_0015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2076" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEHix52a_-3tW0J8MaWJ2USMxtumR5u9ioKpbltiJQlONaQvn3Ed2Ksy-aE7M8_srPAW5lV_dRsBm-ObwBESAELyJgIdiPv7iFBJ-XUxglK73BmjJiLvSIEUvf4a-IfIHpVdGav__xHHYYeW8TpdwYhRcp0f77GBov2FAphbls26nRX2_xqJ8OAqkOhsM/s320/IMG_0015.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>The first table right inside the door was where I spent most of my time. There was a 5000 count box of penny sleeved cards that the dealer said was 50 cents a piece. I got down to business. I don't keep a close eye on Topps' website or subscribe to their Brooklyn Club (or whatever its called) so I miss out on all of the online exclusive sets. No worries, I can buy their tears for a fraction of what they paid. I was able to grab a handful of Topps Chrome Cosmic from the past 2 years for myself (O's above) and a couple of non-Orioles for other people I know.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2088" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH13meeEvZThepaEByKlJpyyZT8-PaNJixf0ToAewKinYZhos5osze3n8zU76MU5Sn_TZl8jhC_xzJ4-j5Q9y_wPYjyYDPnhwdbP4MouuvcHVAtQjzhItuBoT-9gkm9hPQywiJFvDCGGGQu3FUqXDhdKVIYAl63upgCZNv6C6PBXe-218FFWoA4jDtHZLR/s320/IMG_0019.jpg" width="230" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My assault on the box continued and I was able to pick out some neat-o inserts of the bigger names of the hobby today. Its funny to look at the Corbin Carroll card and see that he was ranked as low as he was by the "Bowman Scouts". I found out that guy is awesome at baseball during the playoffs this past year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4FVxeXbvXujfS7eCmZwMeQ2L_TZmCwJRItEFUJKdgZTYY4d4O1tlrVRpN086SnejhZdoRlf3chlafrCi1g3D5aqclyddiZwGLuYNT-Fv-NwZdPEKq51Tz1P6CrNzLRZLUGniaqcGY9L7sp_Bm24RH37wpi_mqo9hTI4Ur2buoHxGdExukxke5ytiEHBG/s2080/IMG_0018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2080" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4FVxeXbvXujfS7eCmZwMeQ2L_TZmCwJRItEFUJKdgZTYY4d4O1tlrVRpN086SnejhZdoRlf3chlafrCi1g3D5aqclyddiZwGLuYNT-Fv-NwZdPEKq51Tz1P6CrNzLRZLUGniaqcGY9L7sp_Bm24RH37wpi_mqo9hTI4Ur2buoHxGdExukxke5ytiEHBG/s320/IMG_0018.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>I don't do as much prospecting as a I used to but picking up rookie cards of promising young guns of the game is something I have done more of the last few years. It makes it better that each of these is a parallel so that adds a little value IMO. Royce Lewis is also great at baseball in case you hadn't heard and this silver foil parallel now resides in my "good rookie card" box. I picked up the Logan Gilbert and George Kirby parallels because they are good young pitchers and I think they would look great as Orioles. There were rumors earlier in the offseason that the Orioles and Mariners talked about them. The Mariners need infield help and the Orioles have (had?) an excess even after trading for Corbin Burnes. I'm a sucker for the Mojo Refractors and it doesn't hurt that Pasquantino is a local kid. He played high school ball about 20 minutes in the opposite direction from where this show was held. Hopefully he turns in a fully healthy season this year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPHZ36uQrL86xPpXoIs3ZiSyo5d5XSR9igJhQ5zKuRt_EGz5wBhe_uWBj62JQwYiB505lJt8FQGTy58Igb8Q2yyNUrl0Hfc8bh6mXo15EgoFyUxuCTG2xIlHzWC_nTdHDAUN73zTFpKi6HB6gPlc_z5aHI-tGeFtHSvOME8ryb7yDXeJnDeHwchVPHvJn/s1036/IMG_0016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1036" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPHZ36uQrL86xPpXoIs3ZiSyo5d5XSR9igJhQ5zKuRt_EGz5wBhe_uWBj62JQwYiB505lJt8FQGTy58Igb8Q2yyNUrl0Hfc8bh6mXo15EgoFyUxuCTG2xIlHzWC_nTdHDAUN73zTFpKi6HB6gPlc_z5aHI-tGeFtHSvOME8ryb7yDXeJnDeHwchVPHvJn/s320/IMG_0016.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I picked up this Cal Ripken, I didn't think I had it already. I got home and looked in my album and I already did. Topps has done some confusing SH!T with Stadium Club the last few years so I had screwed up my want and have lists because of it. . I love Chrome, I really do. I love getting Stadium Club Chrome INSERTS from regular Stadium Club packs. I do not love a whole Stadium Club Chrome base set especially when the numbering is all FUDGED up. There is no consistency between the releases the last few years. I haven't seen anything about a 2023 Stadium Club Chrome set so maybe Topps came to their senses and stopped with the confusion (wishful thinking?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Any ways, I finished up with this particular dealer for 8 bucks for 20 cards. I didn't show all of the cards but they were all epic, trust me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEkBoup81Ge6XAY40vsaUH3LTkMsR8VXIdmsOtELzTNC0mvgl44fnLHKNadWAU310SUrOyqOGZhRPoO1qzuozrGn9XETYMWNM8tsyum1Ut35lXSnfVBZ7OlG6mz6yPYV56UTKmzYsXU9FbN1j8bm5enLrccDwoHWQSxB5BIRZ7DSCSpGhH0TVzQLpgH7k/s1504/IMG_0017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1504" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEkBoup81Ge6XAY40vsaUH3LTkMsR8VXIdmsOtELzTNC0mvgl44fnLHKNadWAU310SUrOyqOGZhRPoO1qzuozrGn9XETYMWNM8tsyum1Ut35lXSnfVBZ7OlG6mz6yPYV56UTKmzYsXU9FbN1j8bm5enLrccDwoHWQSxB5BIRZ7DSCSpGhH0TVzQLpgH7k/s320/IMG_0017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I moved onto another table with a bunch of boxes sorted by sport and team. I love it when they do that! For another buck, I was able to get a green parallel of underrated Dean Kremer from Gypsy Queen and a Topps <shudders> Holiday card of Oriole short-timer Shintaro Fujinami. I mostly love Gypsy Queen even after they ditched the minis but I could really care less about Topps Holiday. Its just not a product I can get behind. In 2023 Topps gave the ax to Gypsy Queen, Opening Day, Fire, and Gallery, bastardized Big League, did not introduce anything new but kept the Holiday collection. Let... that... sink.... in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So on the whole, I spent less than 10 bucks and was home around noon. Both huge wins in my book!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-78841635985496498502024-01-28T23:00:00.003-05:002024-01-28T23:00:47.484-05:00A Tribute to the Best Baseball Player I Knew<p> It's been a bit of a rough start to 2024 for my family and I. The last half of 2023 was no cakewalk because of my father's ongoing health struggle. Getting him in front of the correct doctors and the correct care he needs while living a couple hours drive and raising a young family has taken put me into survival mode. In all of the absurdity of real life things happening, I chose to bring this blog out of mothballs and also start sending out TTMs by the boatload. I will also just briefly mention the subject of career fulfillment and <i>maybe</i> elaborate on it in the future.</p><p><span> Finding beauty and peace in life has not always come easy. I had a somewhat rocky upbringing and I believe that it is only by God's hand that I have been able to turn out as decent as I have. (Taking credit or self-praise also something that is not easy for me to do either) I still search for answers and ask daily for the purpose of why I have succeeded in life to the degree I have.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> There have been few constants in my entire life. Baseball cards have been always been around. They will be here long after I am gone. </span></span></p><p><span><span><span> </span>My father has been around for my 40 years of existence. I don't know how much longer he's going to be around. It's a struggle every time I go to see him. The drive is long and boring. It is very tough to carry on meaningful conversation with him even when he remembers who I am. There are only so many pictures on my phone I can show him and ask what he had for lunch. We will watch whatever football game is on that particular Sunday but he couldn't even tell me what the score is. Its tough seeing "Super Dad" in such a lowly state.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> The third and final constant was my Grandpa. As I type this, it was exactly one week ago I was having one of the toughest moments of my life. I had to make the choice with the doctors at the hospital to only provide comfort care for my grandfather. The plan was to wait for Monday morning and come up with a plan to get him home where he could pass into eternal rest on his own terms. It was not to be. In the wee hours of the morning on January 22nd, 2024, my Grandpa passed into the afterlife with me by his side. It was quick, and I pray that it was painless. He sat up in the bed and I asked him "Are you OK, Grandpa?" He replied "I don't know." I rushed out of the room to get the nurse and when we returned ten seconds later, he was gone. It is the only time I had ever heard my Grandpa say that he didn't know.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span> That was the great man my Grandpa was. He was the most genuine person I'd ever known. He was the rock of our family and never wavered or changed until he padded. He lived 90 full years of life and was a farmer right up until he was 85. The only reason he quit is because my grandmother needed care during her terminal battle with dementia. To me, it always seemed he knew exactly what he was doing and exactly how he was going to do it. It's funny that he became a farmer. I can assure that if he had chosen to be an astronaut or a police officer, he would have been the best around. He had the drive and determination to be the best. He was the best farmer around. He always had the straightest rows, the healthiest crops, and the highest yields. I will always treasure the countless times I rode with him in the the tractor, combine, or grain truck. Even as I got into my teens and was able to help him stack seed bags, he could still out work me. </span></p><p><span><span> </span>Our many fishing trips out on the Potomac River will always have a place in my heart because it always seemed to turn into "catching" instead of just fishing. It was on one of these trips where I witnessed the only time he ever showed the slightest bit of frustration. Somehow, while casting is line out, he lost his grip and accidently casted his whole rod into the drink! He waved his hands toward the water in disgust and sat down on one of the chairs in the boat. Luckily, after a few casts of my rod, I was able to somehow catch is gear and pull it back into the boat. The only time in 40 years I experienced my Grandpa get upset.</span></p><p><span><span> So, in going through some of his belongings late last week, I came across a baseball. I had never seen it before, nor had it ever been brought up in conversation. See for yourself:</span><br /></span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq41fNtYJabDhOWSVt_FGnVJh5TjcguDl7CwXtVMeqV8Lv5x-K2FMpmdvf7i3MyADZodspO5JsoaosQtNe-LR_t2BEZTj7dE0cjxkqQJ_JJc4GORiArPIDAo3khTOjXwz55dgXPC-LQqL11hDTV4bQ5M_Y28zb6eiFOzEvSvRjs_T-dCzL1BFK1fD53AUl/s4032/PXL_20240129_035018025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq41fNtYJabDhOWSVt_FGnVJh5TjcguDl7CwXtVMeqV8Lv5x-K2FMpmdvf7i3MyADZodspO5JsoaosQtNe-LR_t2BEZTj7dE0cjxkqQJ_JJc4GORiArPIDAo3khTOjXwz55dgXPC-LQqL11hDTV4bQ5M_Y28zb6eiFOzEvSvRjs_T-dCzL1BFK1fD53AUl/s320/PXL_20240129_035018025.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span><span><span> </span>Its a bit beat up, but you can see it says "Homerun Ball, Reedville, April 14, 1949." That was his Senior (or maybe Junior) year of high school. Since it is in his possession and the only known one in existence, I believe this ball is more valuable than even a Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, or Stan Musial homerun ball. There are plenty of baseballs from fancy major leaguers floating around in various collections across the globe but there is only one Weymouth Hughes homerun ball, and I have it. That is the definition of priceless.</span></span></p><p><span><span>Take a look at the other side of this ball:</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dSGG2s7wVqkxmU1wr05QVL2e-8NCGbf0ZZbEi_EZlpx19zNKyocYWB8QrGl9GbqHQVceVpbg0hulBbb_0iOkDT8QXIzhgIgJ1ndyvCKbJkGU4aqipH0l2XADRlafqfD-3ITZfCvQBckUM7BzFNQ8w9YWxKJFBkUPQNO3KBoMDhiIsYnsgX_0hUg-o9ZG/s4032/PXL_20240129_035027716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dSGG2s7wVqkxmU1wr05QVL2e-8NCGbf0ZZbEi_EZlpx19zNKyocYWB8QrGl9GbqHQVceVpbg0hulBbb_0iOkDT8QXIzhgIgJ1ndyvCKbJkGU4aqipH0l2XADRlafqfD-3ITZfCvQBckUM7BzFNQ8w9YWxKJFBkUPQNO3KBoMDhiIsYnsgX_0hUg-o9ZG/s320/PXL_20240129_035027716.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><span> </span>I think since the ball is missing this section of rawhide, when he hit it, the cover actually came off of it. Nobody has told me otherwise, so that's the story I'm going to go with. My dad told me stories of how he was told how great of a baseball player Grandpa was during his youth and as a young adult. There was a league in eastern Virginia called the Chesapeake league that he played in. He was named pitcher of the year a few times and was also an awesome hitter. He later played in the men's fastpitch softball league that was huge in the Northern Neck and Middle peninsula area of Virginia in the 60's, 70's and 80's. He had hung up the spikes by the time I was born in 1983. While I never got to see him play, I have no doubt that he was the best baseball player I ever knew.</p><p><span> It is a testament to his legacy that so many people showed up to pay their respects today at his funeral. In a small town everybody knows everybody and everybody knew my Grandpa. I even reconnected with folks I knew when I was growing up that I didn't even know I was related to today. It was an absolute honor to stand in front of them today and tell them what he meant to me. At the same time, it was one of the toughest things I had ever done and one of the easiest things I had ever done. It was wonderful to hear each and every person I spoke with today told me how great of a guy he was. We will all miss him.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-kQWseDzY6rZPc5yW-ER32s-lSBeqOMeWGlmeSwThGh3qrpxC0VXuSkr4_oIx8DT7ruHaaFh-SNDiw2QcPvhH1yegh9TrGa81Es9yu3HvdcsduLSY9Cg5Qyo50tzpeWMD0R6jASJWsKlH8Vzw6ImY8VzoTK8D-c23j4IACuEg7qgipWFp6wCXe2dFwSv/s1600/IMG_20240128_225302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-kQWseDzY6rZPc5yW-ER32s-lSBeqOMeWGlmeSwThGh3qrpxC0VXuSkr4_oIx8DT7ruHaaFh-SNDiw2QcPvhH1yegh9TrGa81Es9yu3HvdcsduLSY9Cg5Qyo50tzpeWMD0R6jASJWsKlH8Vzw6ImY8VzoTK8D-c23j4IACuEg7qgipWFp6wCXe2dFwSv/s320/IMG_20240128_225302.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span>I Love You Grandpa</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span>https://welchfuneralhomeva.com/book-of-memories/5367835/Hughes-Roland/index.php</span></p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-66276399584951254282024-01-18T22:24:00.002-05:002024-01-18T22:24:28.824-05:00TTM Success: Wes Stock<p> These two returns came in from Wes Stock recently. Both of these cards are a bit beat up but they still look great signed. I've noticed on the inside of most of the return envelopes that there ends up being a bit of the ink from the cards rubbing off. causing the paper loss you can see on the 1961 Topps just below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX6xyvwkTvbs9oystT1kPniZIO3YM3oDQDORVTQifmTkBhGQyCXI0AEhQWpYQbkxVakluZwYOKenzyUrUTzLLhfaa8ZkNjiqjCkCZmnovC1PpU-IjYRzY-DeGDPjDrh5UZMAHLghwRPFd9f8liA6iYmg4oXDtuIR9H8NtbV1OIDtZsg9DtRvwSg-yQNKn/s1036/IMG_0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="732" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX6xyvwkTvbs9oystT1kPniZIO3YM3oDQDORVTQifmTkBhGQyCXI0AEhQWpYQbkxVakluZwYOKenzyUrUTzLLhfaa8ZkNjiqjCkCZmnovC1PpU-IjYRzY-DeGDPjDrh5UZMAHLghwRPFd9f8liA6iYmg4oXDtuIR9H8NtbV1OIDtZsg9DtRvwSg-yQNKn/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>It seems that this is unavoidable. I could risk putting the cards in soft sleeves, top loaders, or even card savers but there's been some collectors having horror stories that the protection ends up getting signed instead of the cards. I started out using index cards as protection and the results have been mixed. I've just gone to leaving the cards loose in the envelope and hoping for the best. That's mostly the name of the game for chasing TTMs anyways.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmKiKQRHuNZEujlG81kvuhvJnoYtBej9pj_sf15M_X7PPrZFi-7iC_iBJ5iMb-PlQyp6tiHq1poqCxl7aW9LtnvjlZDNDm36Iy9sFzdvqfwms-1i1zj7XijS3SLLrHjb85O9HsG-qWbu42QQRQZRqJWijjSA_AWsofpC4Ai8NibsFYjJIHoNSHGUF7u6z/s1032/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="752" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmKiKQRHuNZEujlG81kvuhvJnoYtBej9pj_sf15M_X7PPrZFi-7iC_iBJ5iMb-PlQyp6tiHq1poqCxl7aW9LtnvjlZDNDm36Iy9sFzdvqfwms-1i1zj7XijS3SLLrHjb85O9HsG-qWbu42QQRQZRqJWijjSA_AWsofpC4Ai8NibsFYjJIHoNSHGUF7u6z/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br /><p>I Sent these two cards out on October 28th, 2023 and got them back on November 24th, 2023 for a 27 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Stock!</p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-75100811169256708622024-01-17T22:07:00.000-05:002024-01-17T22:07:26.473-05:00TTM Success: Dyar Miller<p> This was a nice return I got back just before Thanksgiving. Dyar Miller is known as a very gracious signer and will write a note back to you. Looking back, it made me smile the day I got it back and it made me smile again when I just looked at it. He thanked me for being a baseball fan and especially for being an O's fan. He wrote in the letter that he still follows them closely and was pretty happy the way the season went. He then wished me and my family to stay safe and healthy and to have a great holiday season. What a class act.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEdayQBW8WUoHVgbvawSraQno8YElpBfwq5VpGhRGDrccZHF85L-IMVxnyPJHoHBYUDRYB4esGzu3rJlYsqKOsqE-RcwTTWPJR1KwshiqMTpKLkJfJer_M26xqMtYxvg4FiVRAP0N6hAtG87OcPwewDdc5-uSCXf9ukMPLswFJ72tYP1DI6tCWr8415wB/s1044/IMG_0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEdayQBW8WUoHVgbvawSraQno8YElpBfwq5VpGhRGDrccZHF85L-IMVxnyPJHoHBYUDRYB4esGzu3rJlYsqKOsqE-RcwTTWPJR1KwshiqMTpKLkJfJer_M26xqMtYxvg4FiVRAP0N6hAtG87OcPwewDdc5-uSCXf9ukMPLswFJ72tYP1DI6tCWr8415wB/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguceCbxULGzO2jWU8w-ouHFtBQa6-22Fd5bfI40GVw6Z4ukXKSeZ-pIr_hp4fnHuwIPptSU3DliE4o_ufvBQ9_Eo5DW2oCPkC9gJGDAKH7qjL82Gpz5Vx-0fXHBs0s5C0bH0P_BnOuemGC_Ke98f6x-1BuDP7qpqAMIKbBS1r2gQsLcHlBIlcC-dlR4DaI/s1036/IMG_0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguceCbxULGzO2jWU8w-ouHFtBQa6-22Fd5bfI40GVw6Z4ukXKSeZ-pIr_hp4fnHuwIPptSU3DliE4o_ufvBQ9_Eo5DW2oCPkC9gJGDAKH7qjL82Gpz5Vx-0fXHBs0s5C0bH0P_BnOuemGC_Ke98f6x-1BuDP7qpqAMIKbBS1r2gQsLcHlBIlcC-dlR4DaI/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>I Sent these cards out on November 6th 2023 and got them back on November 24th 2023 for an 18day TAT. Thank You Mr. Miller!Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-15595609369964980872024-01-16T21:55:00.001-05:002024-01-16T21:55:18.423-05:00TTM Success: Paul Mitchell<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This TTM was a pretty quick and easy affair. Paul Mitchell didn't play for the Orioles for a very long because he was shipped to the Athletics in the trade that brought Reggie Jackson to Charm City. Mr. Mitchell has a nice signature that I wish I had gotten him to also put on an Orioles Crown card. Beginner's stupidity has led me to make a comedy of errors in sending cards through the mail to get autographed. You live, you learn that you're a dumbass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54oWTGdHxafy4sv2_zJHpuk8X8CkIA8lRb4q5cYiB6EtQ2e4kIqdC-hFwIMJ1QXXfAmC2emy6WEIOjR54K1dJVbU9jC1wMWm4GV-fznU0r99LhpBUDzuDpSgaOUbdL5ybGhyQjCb-q7T3ErWPzaOV6ybT4g3dFx3mpaxxD4d79Mw2ABULvRICfNCXX189/s1020/IMG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="744" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54oWTGdHxafy4sv2_zJHpuk8X8CkIA8lRb4q5cYiB6EtQ2e4kIqdC-hFwIMJ1QXXfAmC2emy6WEIOjR54K1dJVbU9jC1wMWm4GV-fznU0r99LhpBUDzuDpSgaOUbdL5ybGhyQjCb-q7T3ErWPzaOV6ybT4g3dFx3mpaxxD4d79Mw2ABULvRICfNCXX189/s320/IMG.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br />I sent to this 1976 Topps out on November 7th 2023 and got it back on November 21st 2023 for a tidy 14 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Mitchell!Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-72622212950431836072024-01-15T22:34:00.001-05:002024-01-15T22:34:04.730-05:00TTM Success: Fred Beene<p> This Orioles Crown return was a quick one from former Orioles pitcher Fred Beene. He also pitched for the Yankees and Indians during his career. He had a respectable 3.63 ERA mostly as a bullpen arm, but seemed to walk too many batters. I'm mainly focusing on Orioles autographs so I only sent this one card. He shared his rookie card with another former Orioles star, Terry Crowley. I tend to shy away from getting duo and triple player cards signed through the mail so I decided against sending it to him. </p><p>A fun fact about Fred Beene is that after his playing days were over, he was a Brewers scout for 20 years. On of his most notable signings was Jim Morris when he was originally drafted. If you remember Jim Morris's story was the subject of the baseball movie, "The Rookie". Jim Morris had several arm issues, retired and then made his MLB debut 16 years after originally being drafted.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZFqp3oKUq1PcD0xwIlm-AvDwRJmHhQpXu3cwk9FrpVEWgcmjg2kOzWmNuprMAHzgOKs9IjKkHBM9MSbhLA1xuj5lf0Z3UqzIiy1XFDrAEnsLVZwVF6IsWtMLxOXlQ-w9jr4fsq6d7CiWbw8yP9NZpK5wCR_5_0MuW-OQdrr6UBqv_Cak_Y4NyM4AJ0S3/s1488/IMG_0008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZFqp3oKUq1PcD0xwIlm-AvDwRJmHhQpXu3cwk9FrpVEWgcmjg2kOzWmNuprMAHzgOKs9IjKkHBM9MSbhLA1xuj5lf0Z3UqzIiy1XFDrAEnsLVZwVF6IsWtMLxOXlQ-w9jr4fsq6d7CiWbw8yP9NZpK5wCR_5_0MuW-OQdrr6UBqv_Cak_Y4NyM4AJ0S3/s1488/IMG_0008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAJ8tDrlk7WZ8xBenRqBZkwfyAl6EIM0LJqONYBdl6g2AGJQycpJWI5NM1dkpxyD2lDlN-fgwAcjlcSRIrBL0rDppJWfNDAzWS4rb4uqIp_xV8T2w_aBCZIJGKGnDYUZzqcisQawFKRAJMARmmLT5hcXTB4U507tLRNPjD_jJNAsM5Apej7NSlENYlHrf/s944/IMG_0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAJ8tDrlk7WZ8xBenRqBZkwfyAl6EIM0LJqONYBdl6g2AGJQycpJWI5NM1dkpxyD2lDlN-fgwAcjlcSRIrBL0rDppJWfNDAzWS4rb4uqIp_xV8T2w_aBCZIJGKGnDYUZzqcisQawFKRAJMARmmLT5hcXTB4U507tLRNPjD_jJNAsM5Apej7NSlENYlHrf/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">This was one of my first couple of requests that I sent out with an index card question: </span></div><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1488" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZFqp3oKUq1PcD0xwIlm-AvDwRJmHhQpXu3cwk9FrpVEWgcmjg2kOzWmNuprMAHzgOKs9IjKkHBM9MSbhLA1xuj5lf0Z3UqzIiy1XFDrAEnsLVZwVF6IsWtMLxOXlQ-w9jr4fsq6d7CiWbw8yP9NZpK5wCR_5_0MuW-OQdrr6UBqv_Cak_Y4NyM4AJ0S3/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love that he name dropped Thurman Munson in his response. I appreciate his time to write a well thought out response.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I sent my card and index card question on November 10th 2023 and got them back on November 20th 2023 for a 10 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Beene!Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-75704993995703688042024-01-14T22:52:00.003-05:002024-01-14T22:52:50.410-05:00Midlothian Card Show Pickups: Workmanlike<p style="text-align: left;">I was able to hit up my semi-monthly hotel ballroom card show this morning and if I had to characterize it, I would sum it up in one word: workmanlike. I was up to my usual dumpster diving behavior for a good portion of the show but I did make my first and only big purchase of the show right off the bat. Behold:</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxkyuJ8S2J3y24vVNEljvUPJ7oz3NFDwvQFSsyq1TFi4xv-EeJ7g_p2ivamBj5lV7ZbkC4Dfe4MWnyvEfPqdmcXivorjylNAQfeC8Ik3mksMom6ya0SaD-aFhxQ50Palmmf_tjpU0C_5_Nr-NdgKubL4b_jQQBE2C4OY3ms_89_2l-ZJ25_GNzm7UIPrM/s1032/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxkyuJ8S2J3y24vVNEljvUPJ7oz3NFDwvQFSsyq1TFi4xv-EeJ7g_p2ivamBj5lV7ZbkC4Dfe4MWnyvEfPqdmcXivorjylNAQfeC8Ik3mksMom6ya0SaD-aFhxQ50Palmmf_tjpU0C_5_Nr-NdgKubL4b_jQQBE2C4OY3ms_89_2l-ZJ25_GNzm7UIPrM/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" width="232" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">I've been after a Vlad Daddy rookie card for good while now and I'm happy to be able to finally get one that fit into my collection. Right price, right condition. I walked into the show with a clear goal for the day but for some reason, I stopped off at a random table with random boxes and happened upon this card. At first, I thought it may be a reprint but its legit. For one Andrew Jackson, this card will have a permanent spot in my collection.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvfl41ziDDbJdrc9a88GHe6NPi6Rd2-6uyvdCNIKzrIj41whg19z_DTFkrtZJI-k8YlaBITY2sWgqG-YsII329rnGeuYn5eDvjZUWaLoRpmiIUcDvJtWlnIMoW7MiH5zsreAtMSrNnIvuu6rY9RtDxdLxoI1PMP5JtwZ3tX1GHBKSEnHBafMdy9nBOLXm/s1052/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvfl41ziDDbJdrc9a88GHe6NPi6Rd2-6uyvdCNIKzrIj41whg19z_DTFkrtZJI-k8YlaBITY2sWgqG-YsII329rnGeuYn5eDvjZUWaLoRpmiIUcDvJtWlnIMoW7MiH5zsreAtMSrNnIvuu6rY9RtDxdLxoI1PMP5JtwZ3tX1GHBKSEnHBafMdy9nBOLXm/s1052/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RnFoleHXLk5K9Cx9ffPYX1J7LLwsXD4xQ7-G7r57FX86-j7cbqzPwuirmnqSKYuOgd_Ib6Y0_SZnv7oNbaeNnGTIXuHw0Mf9QGtnMFWjCjy9Wz6Y0E4LRGtT-z9Q6Vhbye3lL-a3zTceT1zWqISYzH6ny_bGEAfwa9UwQu6X7OV5j1qMkaPyGcihLOYb/s1032/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RnFoleHXLk5K9Cx9ffPYX1J7LLwsXD4xQ7-G7r57FX86-j7cbqzPwuirmnqSKYuOgd_Ib6Y0_SZnv7oNbaeNnGTIXuHw0Mf9QGtnMFWjCjy9Wz6Y0E4LRGtT-z9Q6Vhbye3lL-a3zTceT1zWqISYzH6ny_bGEAfwa9UwQu6X7OV5j1qMkaPyGcihLOYb/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">My original goal for this show was to dive deep into a certain vendor's quarter boxes. He regularly streams on Whatnot under the username rva_sports_cards. I got into his boxes at the tail end of the Tuckahoe show a few weeks ago and only got a sampling of what he had. My one big purchase from him was the above Dean Kremer Chrome Gold Refractor. Kremer is underrated in my opinion so I'd love to see a breakout this season from him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RnFoleHXLk5K9Cx9ffPYX1J7LLwsXD4xQ7-G7r57FX86-j7cbqzPwuirmnqSKYuOgd_Ib6Y0_SZnv7oNbaeNnGTIXuHw0Mf9QGtnMFWjCjy9Wz6Y0E4LRGtT-z9Q6Vhbye3lL-a3zTceT1zWqISYzH6ny_bGEAfwa9UwQu6X7OV5j1qMkaPyGcihLOYb/s1032/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTyW8-_6zfxKJ3Pqi3huDCiB_YRLEqVFKb8DjvVzt-4lxccglrQ_28u3ST1HOgOKvLh1JAlruHqGN1n2D7tOslXL6TCruu6m5uzDPwAItedj6QwC19kiHType_8RK1auJtkWD3Fd8gtvlvQ1vldfiW9FGkv9AaOLEO93as6wIxoN7yxHc6rwRTygdZ8tM/s2268/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2144" data-original-width="2268" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTyW8-_6zfxKJ3Pqi3huDCiB_YRLEqVFKb8DjvVzt-4lxccglrQ_28u3ST1HOgOKvLh1JAlruHqGN1n2D7tOslXL6TCruu6m5uzDPwAItedj6QwC19kiHType_8RK1auJtkWD3Fd8gtvlvQ1vldfiW9FGkv9AaOLEO93as6wIxoN7yxHc6rwRTygdZ8tM/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div>My workmanlike behavior landed me a good variety of cards. I had my water bottle, a couple of snacks, a chair to sit in and my good buddy Scott and his son Austin to start the digging. I methodically dug through box after box of quarter goodness. No really crazy finds today, just value. I found a handful of rookie cards from the last few years with some decent color match parallels of those guys. I haven't really made up my mind on collecting the pictured insert sets above. Curiously, I did not find any cards from any of the other insert sets haunting my wantlists. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlCj75uOmr0Wsd7heuRhyXJ5izMTfQpSS7c4-1vxTLFfwGpAPlKjYpqLOR3CbS7qvdJKLdlDP_-FTtFyLOQMgx_nxy2sO9l4-rX1fTlbconuz4C36U4gZLXTn9j75TkimUIogcW8zaAJduVvIcAiBaYZndLILIWxCAo9lJzlwmrM-cZS8zdVOTwQj_UVJ/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" width="229" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found a couple of PC cards like this Mussina,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvfl41ziDDbJdrc9a88GHe6NPi6Rd2-6uyvdCNIKzrIj41whg19z_DTFkrtZJI-k8YlaBITY2sWgqG-YsII329rnGeuYn5eDvjZUWaLoRpmiIUcDvJtWlnIMoW7MiH5zsreAtMSrNnIvuu6rY9RtDxdLxoI1PMP5JtwZ3tX1GHBKSEnHBafMdy9nBOLXm/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="230" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and an O-Pee-Chee Eddie Murray. Awesome cards that will now be stashed in my binders of the respective players. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-z_UQJOKQF9BsGS_pPXzonS8Ll6lyVpPxtilSePR-jzPsNWUMYkYEAwUNPOELR0IPOqInpYXLHsKudvaPK_XDsGVkNea55jXZt4UdcYlC8objijJEjzXGbO3VoUbDjQORl7UpFfgsPdV7V5APpBqxkLJnoKD4v-isojtGNjVvdO3snONFFZqJrOETmtB/s3172/IMG_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3172" data-original-width="2256" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-z_UQJOKQF9BsGS_pPXzonS8Ll6lyVpPxtilSePR-jzPsNWUMYkYEAwUNPOELR0IPOqInpYXLHsKudvaPK_XDsGVkNea55jXZt4UdcYlC8objijJEjzXGbO3VoUbDjQORl7UpFfgsPdV7V5APpBqxkLJnoKD4v-isojtGNjVvdO3snONFFZqJrOETmtB/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>On the way out, I had some money left in my pocket. The only true vintage table on the floor was from an older gentleman. He was sitting behind the table working in his notebook. Very workmanlike. I backfilled a few cards from my Orioles wantlists. A few of the cards these are replacing got scribbled on over the last few months and some are out on tour through the mail system.<div><br /></div><div>I was able to spend some time on a Sunday afternoon looking through cards with a good friend I hadn't seen in a while and was able to snag a few nice cards for my collection. unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any new Cal Ripken cards I didn't have. I'm sure they were there, I just ran out of time and money to search for them. Either way, I call this card show a solid win.<br /><p></p></div>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-8337046532419982482024-01-12T23:14:00.000-05:002024-01-12T23:14:03.815-05:00TTM Success: Chuck Estrada<p> This TTM from Chuck Estrada came back shortly before Thanksgiving. I have since already been to a card show and was able to backfill my 1962 Orioles team set with this beauty of a card. '62 Topps has grown on me over the years. Out of the decade of the '60s, it comes in 2nd place to....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GwGZWukzp9M1cjflw0PFVqTaQJBEKgRzDjMURDxcbXqROdFShEBCDcIq5olT3Vaykmq0rBBMMUhbSK3-CIh5-EmFfbRfTMT_G6kvqxsoA61OTaSkM72ryEBEU_YgvAudOYKvr0QQN1nCG4H7c7bmMUcl_b0KtpDxn68A6upcgeTHQCB2yndDr6Qh1nBu/s1036/IMG_0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GwGZWukzp9M1cjflw0PFVqTaQJBEKgRzDjMURDxcbXqROdFShEBCDcIq5olT3Vaykmq0rBBMMUhbSK3-CIh5-EmFfbRfTMT_G6kvqxsoA61OTaSkM72ryEBEU_YgvAudOYKvr0QQN1nCG4H7c7bmMUcl_b0KtpDxn68A6upcgeTHQCB2yndDr6Qh1nBu/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>1965 Topps. I'll eventually get around to getting a list put together for what I need to complete it one of these days.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1dXd8icyULOp5mdvi_4eP0QITJDYKCTYgX7tBB0FcMU0rvdYcMEd_cV9nD45FP8qEPSIPDaJqd29zWozeQ6mbTBxOAlLdBq0SrP5fuw68l_zzvUwErJk5uFIekXSWAQ55beUvEYAY5VjcNkJaleJMwWa_eX5_TGTnMe0jee0MKp72A4Tt-Qf7UZ4G0WZ/s1040/IMG_0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1dXd8icyULOp5mdvi_4eP0QITJDYKCTYgX7tBB0FcMU0rvdYcMEd_cV9nD45FP8qEPSIPDaJqd29zWozeQ6mbTBxOAlLdBq0SrP5fuw68l_zzvUwErJk5uFIekXSWAQ55beUvEYAY5VjcNkJaleJMwWa_eX5_TGTnMe0jee0MKp72A4Tt-Qf7UZ4G0WZ/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div>I'm very happy to have these 2 awesome cards autographed and in my collection. I sent these out on Halloween, October 31st, 2023, and got them back on November 20th, 2023 for a 20 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Estrada!</div>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-72782623027895992012024-01-11T21:13:00.002-05:002024-01-11T21:13:19.070-05:00TTM Success: Charlie Maxwell<p> Here's another TTM that came back just before Thanksgiving. Charlie Maxwell is currently the 8th oldest baseball player at 96 years young. I've always been a fan of the old school Bowman cards so I'm very glad I could get Mr. Maxwell to sign this one for me. He only played in 4 games for the Orioles to start off the 1955 season before he was traded to the Tigers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aPvfhydmoQWRxGrcU3Nwka7LJojELfNfv7qgdH-CWveotYqza8ZXEy5T295TjEEMlhFoKgHaqr-abc_oy96ok-7DmFFsUIp3bXUehF_kD4OhEUQNRRhKOp5DpuvR51G6MQ3rssCPP93R1Cs8U3z0GTZV5xINU82Gvje-b8AEv5XbOBk2MSU7jqUjzX4o/s1120/IMG_0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1120" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aPvfhydmoQWRxGrcU3Nwka7LJojELfNfv7qgdH-CWveotYqza8ZXEy5T295TjEEMlhFoKgHaqr-abc_oy96ok-7DmFFsUIp3bXUehF_kD4OhEUQNRRhKOp5DpuvR51G6MQ3rssCPP93R1Cs8U3z0GTZV5xINU82Gvje-b8AEv5XbOBk2MSU7jqUjzX4o/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I sent this one out on November 7, 2023 and it returned signed beautifully on November 20th 2023 for a 13 day TAT. I paid his requested signing fee of $10. Thank You Mr. Maxwell!Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-48826010769911163422024-01-09T21:35:00.004-05:002024-01-15T22:34:36.766-05:00TTM Success: Paul Gilliford<p> This success came back to me a few days before Thanksgiving. The TTMs have really been rolling in since I started putting real effort into mailing Orioles cards out to the gentlemen that played for them. This return from Paul Gilliford was the first time I tried a little something different. He never had an official card released to the masses so my options were limited in selecting something to send. Once again, I'm saved by the cursed blessing, 1991 Crown/Coke Orioles SGA set. I'm thankful for this set of cards because I have a chance to connect with a handful of nearly forgotten Orioles. While I was writing my letter of request to Mr. Gilliford, I read that he attended and played baseball at Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. Randy Mac as its known around the area, is about a 35 to 40 minute drive up I-95 from where I live. Its a very small college that is not well known for its sports endeavors. </p><p>I had a bright idea that day to send a question on an index card in an effort to interact a bit more with him. Since that day I've included an index card question to each of the players I've sent autograph requests to. </p><p>A bit of a look into the future from this request, the results have made me smile and chuckle a bit at some of the responses. Hopefully, the readers of this blog will enjoy the responses as much as I have. Don't get me wrong, I still love the autographs I've gotten!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zksFo0z3T9SNGMMomgpl5qF6V-HhAFpB73u21J-fkEmZU-zoHXZgBfjHeQ6TgM36RhKC4ywOop1Czyu1HfGTzzlOmPFgoZwf8k5pDaiKj9aflljfqe9Zq50UTc6msOdJ-55d3LzeK5sDJQSa8eRHgBE7ZHNpFRwVko7W9qBGYjaZA2_TxX3e5wI4e0ml/s928/IMG_0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="760" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zksFo0z3T9SNGMMomgpl5qF6V-HhAFpB73u21J-fkEmZU-zoHXZgBfjHeQ6TgM36RhKC4ywOop1Czyu1HfGTzzlOmPFgoZwf8k5pDaiKj9aflljfqe9Zq50UTc6msOdJ-55d3LzeK5sDJQSa8eRHgBE7ZHNpFRwVko7W9qBGYjaZA2_TxX3e5wI4e0ml/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Here's my first (of many) index card questions: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcFGFb2xvlZ13ZrSKM2S1OuD4jPnp4Glr99tVjQVxaCVHU4zlKoOLKEdJwVL2f49Baxd3VZva3zrfm3aXsi190Ll4H_5g3jUq3BYXwEIiy5YywjvM4dpeRXv__CprY8kCudrBivcZ7pUbC04UpJd4ouqkQb7i8D1Xy1wQ_rEAPpcesjzffRa3BHMAjGJ0/s1496/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1496" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcFGFb2xvlZ13ZrSKM2S1OuD4jPnp4Glr99tVjQVxaCVHU4zlKoOLKEdJwVL2f49Baxd3VZva3zrfm3aXsi190Ll4H_5g3jUq3BYXwEIiy5YywjvM4dpeRXv__CprY8kCudrBivcZ7pUbC04UpJd4ouqkQb7i8D1Xy1wQ_rEAPpcesjzffRa3BHMAjGJ0/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>I sent out my card and question on November 10th 2023, and got both back on November 20th 2023, for a speedy 10 day TAT. Thank you Mr. Gilliford!Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-42743685180737462222024-01-04T20:23:00.002-05:002024-01-04T20:23:00.129-05:00TTM Success: Darold Knowles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Darold Knowles was one of the first 1991 Crown Orioles to come back that I had sent out. This is his only single Orioles card. He has 3 different his "Rookie Stars" cards over 3 separate years. He shares 1964 with Les "Buster" Narum, 1965 with Richie Scheinblum, and Don Buschhorn, and 1966 with Andy Etchebarren. I don't think I remember seeing a player other than Knowles have 3 straight years of Rookie Stars cards like he had. Cracking the Orioles rotation or bullpen during the mid 60's was really tough so he played a ton in the minors before he got his shot at the majors. He only pitched a handful of games in Baltimore before he was dealt to Philadelphia before the 1966 season. He was a bit of a journeyman around the league during his career but always had good numbers except for one year in 1975 with the Cubs. He also had 14 losses during the 1970 season but carried a 2.04 ERA. That seems tough to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5BIbwrDsAU1-0PxvrSNJU3pwKv5FxYmKSs1pB8wPGeVBqiFwvXJdOheGYfybIYedRD-692Efup7Mm8nvjI3TBIQQz-zFPJKQJjTxSHMKjTLLOAS7LVTY0y5sQZwMJix8RuVGOt2NbUHfA9zK0QekmlWtZ3UkTOwYba1JmAto6ZREUq1tVP_gRZPIV300/s932/IMG_0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="752" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5BIbwrDsAU1-0PxvrSNJU3pwKv5FxYmKSs1pB8wPGeVBqiFwvXJdOheGYfybIYedRD-692Efup7Mm8nvjI3TBIQQz-zFPJKQJjTxSHMKjTLLOAS7LVTY0y5sQZwMJix8RuVGOt2NbUHfA9zK0QekmlWtZ3UkTOwYba1JmAto6ZREUq1tVP_gRZPIV300/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>I sent this 1991 Orioles Crown card out on November 10th, 2023 and got it back signed on November 18th, 2023 for an eight day TAT. Thank You Mr. Knowles!<br /> <p></p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-68632764547928012202024-01-03T20:39:00.002-05:002024-01-03T20:39:47.223-05:00Tuckahoe Card Show Pickups: I am a Trash Collecting Hypocrite<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Happy New Year everyone. Christmas hoopla is in the rearview mirror and 2023 is done and dusted. I was able to finish out 2023 by goint to a midsize card show that is held at an indoor baseball training facility at one of the Little Leagues in town. I like this show because the floor is made out of field turf so its easier on the knees and legs to stand and look through cards than the concrete and berber carpet of the other local show at a hotel. I don't usually end up standing that much because I'm a bit of a trash panda at shows and vendors usually end up offering me a chair while I search their dime and quarter boxes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Each card featured in this post I either paid only a single dime or a quarter. I had my nephew with me and he's a football collector. He came in real handy while <strike>dumpster</strike> dime box diving. He picked out Orioles cards for me and I searched for Bears and Justin Fields cards for him. He's even pickier than I am when digging through 5000 count boxes. I've taught the kid well.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtFtF_1zPu-QKTx3OH_tTXy7Omz3tY1CIDDEwE6hoKC3RPBUGutZofrlh-UwWpwGxyUdxMVTSsDMFDpN_LH1ElDLPsV4YLzuAvm2I2-8uwjdu2Mi5SHtuNgGQ7iT9-i0xIYUghOjT9pY0W3-3QLL5ZT7ELnkNkVG5czTAEhmOSjTkMZe-Bbjph9eRfe1k/s1076/IMG_0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtFtF_1zPu-QKTx3OH_tTXy7Omz3tY1CIDDEwE6hoKC3RPBUGutZofrlh-UwWpwGxyUdxMVTSsDMFDpN_LH1ElDLPsV4YLzuAvm2I2-8uwjdu2Mi5SHtuNgGQ7iT9-i0xIYUghOjT9pY0W3-3QLL5ZT7ELnkNkVG5czTAEhmOSjTkMZe-Bbjph9eRfe1k/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" width="230" /></a></div> I'm pretty happy about this find. I've been collecting Diamond Kings and Pro-Visions cards for the last year or so. Most come from junk wax sets. Pro-Visions for example, <p></p><p>'91: one every couple of packs or a full set in the factory set</p><p>'92: it was a subset of the base set and not hard to obtain, </p><p>'94 and '95: pretty affordable inserts that can be had for less that a buck</p><p>1993 is a whole different story. These babies are pretty frickin' rare and to find one in a quarter box, It mind as well been Christmas miracle. Its cartoon Cecil Freaking Fielder holding a katana with a geisha looking on in front of the Miami(!?!) beachfront. I love the early 90's.</p><p>I'm not a fan of the gimmicky stuff Topps puts out like the Holiday mega boxes, the horribly conceived 2023 Big League debacle, or the 2022 Topps Chrome Platinum abominations. But I love old Diamond Kings and Fleer Pro-Visions. I'm such a hypocrite!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g6Ww_U7_iEAzD25QinE22fJ8amlsv17-q9An96Vk39zhY1v4w9tMURRUluUVrtckC12U06ywBt00ymbr0O4OEQ7CxtkwaKZFkqtXV5olnLnn9DCyj7z6dEASGzgrno_an27E2XKOHklKEuL0tawkSX0cqBHE3g4akbZzR5dkacsBF7Xjd1zHmRe2xDDA/s2964/IMG_0009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2964" data-original-width="2332" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g6Ww_U7_iEAzD25QinE22fJ8amlsv17-q9An96Vk39zhY1v4w9tMURRUluUVrtckC12U06ywBt00ymbr0O4OEQ7CxtkwaKZFkqtXV5olnLnn9DCyj7z6dEASGzgrno_an27E2XKOHklKEuL0tawkSX0cqBHE3g4akbZzR5dkacsBF7Xjd1zHmRe2xDDA/w315-h400/IMG_0009.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hit nearly every player collection I have going at the moment. Speaking of the 2022 Topps Chrome Anniversary I grabbed a near Orioles team set of them and these particular Moose and Eddie will reside in their own albums. I kept the streak alive of finding at least one Ripken I need at each show I go to. The Hays is a refractor and would look great with his scribble on it. Especially with the yellow background.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3J6iXuozf4OaYH7jtsMDQxCKN82XaJIvJXHudGg0vdifFImfLPZ22arKMBAcMolsMzrtPZEnab5BfYBigVbR-fF6HGqdo8_d6Y0oDe69X3vFhV5VPM5oEdeWM4db-rpsL94VOK4id2jLRyMmFatwTHsfNf4IilrYvPOAqKKhnEu9BJYjS_8LvHERLfga/s3004/IMG_0008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3004" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3J6iXuozf4OaYH7jtsMDQxCKN82XaJIvJXHudGg0vdifFImfLPZ22arKMBAcMolsMzrtPZEnab5BfYBigVbR-fF6HGqdo8_d6Y0oDe69X3vFhV5VPM5oEdeWM4db-rpsL94VOK4id2jLRyMmFatwTHsfNf4IilrYvPOAqKKhnEu9BJYjS_8LvHERLfga/w309-h400/IMG_0008.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of gimmicks and hypocrisy, I fell in love with the All Aces set from this year's Topps flagship. I'm working on the entire series 1, 2, and Update sets. The look like playing cards and are gimmicky as hell but I love 'em. Don't ask me to even spit in the direction of baseball playing cards or the Showdown game from the early 2000s. Such a hypocrite. Gypsy Queen Tarot cards. Gimmick, but still collecting 'em. This year's Bowman Platinum New Money inserts: Gimmick, love it. Check my <a href="https://anotheroriolesblog.blogspot.com/p/set-wantlists.html" target="_blank">set wantlist </a>to help me out. It's a bit of a blood bath on that list right now but I'm trying to collect one of every single insert card ever made (kidding! maybe..)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYE-wJRGsOx-hdKQbNZBbhVMW2-79_OS3wZYbZGc0VWgF9CFn7E6HVRz8Wg7GOXdb9WpygrcodL8FZv0uFzkj0a1Hndt1DAloJJHQQWBa2lQxIwYyUCJlEeozKFXW1aCmkVTJCg4jy9MO4XUIghPNkn_-2qJan4PACMX4kL9S4ea29-PGTBsALqPlSw1E/s1028/IMG_0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1028" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYE-wJRGsOx-hdKQbNZBbhVMW2-79_OS3wZYbZGc0VWgF9CFn7E6HVRz8Wg7GOXdb9WpygrcodL8FZv0uFzkj0a1Hndt1DAloJJHQQWBa2lQxIwYyUCJlEeozKFXW1aCmkVTJCg4jy9MO4XUIghPNkn_-2qJan4PACMX4kL9S4ea29-PGTBsALqPlSw1E/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I didn't hit my actually set wantlists that hard. I only got this one from 1998 UD3. I remember busting blaster boxes with my childhood buddy in the car. Good Times! I don't think I whipped out my phone to look at my lists at all during the show. This show really allows the vendors to spread out their wares and bring a bunch of product to set out so there were plenty of dime and quarter boxes to sort through. Its a refreshing change from the Chantilly show that has showcase after showcase of slabbed cards I could give a crap about.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYcAbwR_h1QGrDlvm94t3_MdWzQU7KviZU2u9jyzKp4o8gK4xQlltMnpbB85ioMNTWIrUtQWS8STM0nlA2Co378J-tLkkDBqOl6GcjoHcGv2kEChbdAHv_7egAQmtiDAvxYRxG5Wi_n_VuXvjsqGw8EgWbBucJI9UYrNXoX98QiEmm9gLqj6C2fDEdEuD/s1100/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="760" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYcAbwR_h1QGrDlvm94t3_MdWzQU7KviZU2u9jyzKp4o8gK4xQlltMnpbB85ioMNTWIrUtQWS8STM0nlA2Co378J-tLkkDBqOl6GcjoHcGv2kEChbdAHv_7egAQmtiDAvxYRxG5Wi_n_VuXvjsqGw8EgWbBucJI9UYrNXoX98QiEmm9gLqj6C2fDEdEuD/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>I'm in the official "I Despise Every Panini Product except Stars and Stripes cuz 'merica, because they are a Waste of Paper" club. Sometimes I have to put my membership card in my back pocket when I need a guy that pitched 6 games for your favorite team and I need his card for my "One Card of Every Oriole" binder. Topps doesn't think this guy actually exists but I have proof he <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garciri01.shtml" target="_blank">does</a>. Anybody have a card of Louis Head they are willing to trade me?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhw_TYGhcc7KZc9ygmhA_K0rDAewWmATntHfW7oQCMOoz0tqx4bh8MgKSJiWfoUJO0KtEI3g9MDA5Kvr7GbS3r17IuUxWpEfpjhlbZO-XO8jsCIeTMjPI69vSJanLkYWNAsLxDxCNFttP_q60X3CBAfFuHZCXLt_YjjNkMuBLk6955rqUGaOn167QEuIw/s2344/IMG_0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="2344" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhw_TYGhcc7KZc9ygmhA_K0rDAewWmATntHfW7oQCMOoz0tqx4bh8MgKSJiWfoUJO0KtEI3g9MDA5Kvr7GbS3r17IuUxWpEfpjhlbZO-XO8jsCIeTMjPI69vSJanLkYWNAsLxDxCNFttP_q60X3CBAfFuHZCXLt_YjjNkMuBLk6955rqUGaOn167QEuIw/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These vintage card were in a quarter box. No way I could leave them behind. The image I always associate Jack McKeon with is his <a href="<a href="https://www.comc.com/Cards/Baseball/1990/Topps_-_Base/231/Team_Leaders_-_Jack_McKeon/1963211"><img src="https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1990/Topps---Base/231/Team-Leaders---Jack-McKeon.jpg?id=b95f576e-ea03-4b85-ae97-e461b655ba21&size=original" alt="1990 Topps - [Base] #231 - Team Leaders - Jack McKeon - Courtesy of COMC.com" /></a><br />1990 Topps - [Base] #231 - Team Leaders - Jack McKeon" target="_blank">1990 Topps card</a>. This poorly scanned 1973 card proves he is not actually Groucho Marx.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW4K3NraGby0h_b619hMkJS1Qkf6CuulMg_EAid5USS82wCdkGqpL09vwkrWfLv0MdPmBwbroa1Y-NSJlDnS_H4ELZcKiLZLf5TjXZiEx6S91dJ54_U_b67SQwVJwjMAzZEuLEHXAvyAnCQtKFym4jiaknoXwZqx2jh6QsJUXV9pbIgRV6uOKehpfzgjV/s1544/IMG_0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1544" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW4K3NraGby0h_b619hMkJS1Qkf6CuulMg_EAid5USS82wCdkGqpL09vwkrWfLv0MdPmBwbroa1Y-NSJlDnS_H4ELZcKiLZLf5TjXZiEx6S91dJ54_U_b67SQwVJwjMAzZEuLEHXAvyAnCQtKFym4jiaknoXwZqx2jh6QsJUXV9pbIgRV6uOKehpfzgjV/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both of these cards are quite random additions to my various stacks of cheap finds. The Hershiser is from back when refractors were more or less box hits and the Bay Chrome rookie is a gold refractor. Refractors are quite watered down these days and barely worth a quarter but I still can't resist their shiny charm. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW4K3NraGby0h_b619hMkJS1Qkf6CuulMg_EAid5USS82wCdkGqpL09vwkrWfLv0MdPmBwbroa1Y-NSJlDnS_H4ELZcKiLZLf5TjXZiEx6S91dJ54_U_b67SQwVJwjMAzZEuLEHXAvyAnCQtKFym4jiaknoXwZqx2jh6QsJUXV9pbIgRV6uOKehpfzgjV/s1544/IMG_0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tRgKKrLyroUN73EGXsSJmNLpYEQek0xMVvxYYpeNgnGCcQPjSFwo1QJDmWYVQsZLzZLSqv-ukWRlHLjc-dhSV9NWzC8J1XW5QrRVX2QXoRqOKhvWsFLF5rjZ2PRDROpehTFYMFvjtwPkFOl5DWUAaVm67oE8Ud3BuvFIzYP74hkjlrWX-K3vBQSJTnpc/s1084/IMG_0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="744" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tRgKKrLyroUN73EGXsSJmNLpYEQek0xMVvxYYpeNgnGCcQPjSFwo1QJDmWYVQsZLzZLSqv-ukWRlHLjc-dhSV9NWzC8J1XW5QrRVX2QXoRqOKhvWsFLF5rjZ2PRDROpehTFYMFvjtwPkFOl5DWUAaVm67oE8Ud3BuvFIzYP74hkjlrWX-K3vBQSJTnpc/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So this card of Zach Neto was just chillin in a pile of regular old Bowman Platinum from this year... for a quarter.... Notice in the top right corner under the logo there is foil stamping that says 9/10. It almost seemed to be too good to be true when I found it. I'm not a 100% sure what I'm going to do with it yet. The last time I held onto some truly valuable cardboard to appreciate in value, that particular player decided he liked "childish" things and is currently waiting arraignment in a foreign country....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've never showed this on the blog because I pulled it right as Bowman came out in Spring of '22. For all the good feelings I had when pulling this card from a pack, I feel like a damn fool for not selling it now. Feast/Avert your eyes: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4jGj8Ielxr0DEirj1C0WWKrOtYa030MzGZ3U6R7VD9rUroMEGTKij9biXJAPH0056hixzIweVNC42QvtWTjGrMebln7nVChQgMe_hAOFKyWUYQM2Oxp4V-KDWqs6_1ldUOI7T8oYPgz7XmYqRuMF31MgKkYIIXXmIYQvT1GgVhoN-wQ_nsj5fMgGZNAY/s1040/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="744" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4jGj8Ielxr0DEirj1C0WWKrOtYa030MzGZ3U6R7VD9rUroMEGTKij9biXJAPH0056hixzIweVNC42QvtWTjGrMebln7nVChQgMe_hAOFKyWUYQM2Oxp4V-KDWqs6_1ldUOI7T8oYPgz7XmYqRuMF31MgKkYIIXXmIYQvT1GgVhoN-wQ_nsj5fMgGZNAY/s320/IMG.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pain is real</div></div><div><br /></div>So, the Tuckahoe card show was really awesome this time. I got to spend some time looking through cards with my nephew, I found a lot of interesting cards to add to my collection and I didn't even spend half of my budget what I had self-imposed.<br /><p></p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-32004869068262807252023-12-21T21:18:00.001-05:002023-12-21T21:18:46.740-05:00Paid TTM Success: Delmon Young<p> This Paid TTM success finally showed up today and it's going right to the front of the queue to be posted. If you are an Orioles fan or a Tigers fan and were watching the playoffs in 2014 you'll understand why this card carries such importance to me. Sure, Delmon Young has been a lightning rod of controversy over the years but nobody will ever be able to take his heroics in the eighth inning of Game Two of the ALDS away from him. Bar none, this was the best baseball moment I have ever seen in person and it will be incredibly difficult to top. I can think of a few scenarios that I'd love to see but I'll leave that to the baseball gods! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXWKZ_oDIjrW3sae35lwqcrXzA4kcygFx9lYrf1ifQBKYfNUErSoaJ04GF0t5LyVkAq3MzzRiVfgIc81UamPCN35rsiXcl17CVkwRJj6LKuafnjtlWxUFQK1ZwBNvzlgFsff4EzLusxJ7c_qRIB0XJhfSv9OAHmuqIrMfqJdYn_ycd0kr1k5KW6k8nK1s/s1040/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1040" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXWKZ_oDIjrW3sae35lwqcrXzA4kcygFx9lYrf1ifQBKYfNUErSoaJ04GF0t5LyVkAq3MzzRiVfgIc81UamPCN35rsiXcl17CVkwRJj6LKuafnjtlWxUFQK1ZwBNvzlgFsff4EzLusxJ7c_qRIB0XJhfSv9OAHmuqIrMfqJdYn_ycd0kr1k5KW6k8nK1s/s320/IMG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I am incredibly fortunate to be able to be able to share this moment with William of <a href="https://foulbunt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">foul bunt</a>. He also sent to the same signing and you can read his recap <a href="https://foulbunt.blogspot.com/2023/12/ttm-success-delmon-young.html" target="_blank">here</a>. We have been to Orioles Fanfests, minor league games, major league games, card shows and even made detours during family vacations to be able to be able to meet up and hang out. Baseball has brought me a lasting friendship and I am grateful for that.<p></p><p>If you go to Youtube and type in Delmon Double, you'll pull up at least a half dozen videos of the hit. Here's the MLB video of Delmon's Double:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t5tgZcAm87o" width="320" youtube-src-id="t5tgZcAm87o"></iframe></div><p>Here's a longer, more analytical version dissecting the hit from a Youtube channel that I enjoy watiching: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mz4Bc3P2aR8" width="320" youtube-src-id="Mz4Bc3P2aR8"></iframe></div><p></p><p>I gladly paid $25 to get the card signed. His signature isn't the best and the card is a little dark and not quite what I usually like to send out but I could not pass on the opportunity. Now somebody needs to get JJ Hardy to do a signing so I can get the slide part of this play inked.</p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-76148536759196615452023-12-20T21:44:00.002-05:002023-12-20T21:44:38.928-05:00TTM Kinda Success: John Papa<p> Here's my first kinda success I had show up in the mailbox from John Papa. I call it a kinda success because he signed the index card and not the card itself. I alluded to it in my post from last night and I quit the practice of attaching the cards to index cards for protection cold turkey. Between the time I sent this card out and it returning, I started to run low on photo corners so I searched 3 retail stores and finally made an Amazon order to get more. The new pack now sits in my supplies drawer, unopened. Oh well, I'll use'em for something. </p><p>Sure, I'm a little disappointed that this particular TTM didn't turn out the way I wanted. I learned from my mistake and I'll try again in the near future. Plus, I can't be too mad at one of the two Orioles who of which I share a birthday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcC_V9KPqEWhyphenhyphenS1BmxlFDHEclIPqSPB2Zdzxbmkc0eZKhZHEWvhWEjmJyaiuUm1eeeeyfAw6Tld1qmdsJTqYipxipj4TrYHRYguCALzJOlh_aC1zYQg94fHDLHzduDYhfw_uj1w58HE8jgCIUdQJvT8J3eBmsu4CxOkHztqJNHb3pJjXcZb0rEzaF0NcF/s1480/IMG_0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="876" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcC_V9KPqEWhyphenhyphenS1BmxlFDHEclIPqSPB2Zdzxbmkc0eZKhZHEWvhWEjmJyaiuUm1eeeeyfAw6Tld1qmdsJTqYipxipj4TrYHRYguCALzJOlh_aC1zYQg94fHDLHzduDYhfw_uj1w58HE8jgCIUdQJvT8J3eBmsu4CxOkHztqJNHb3pJjXcZb0rEzaF0NcF/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>I mailed this card out on November 8th, 2023 and got it back November 18th for a 10 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Papa!Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-46658722332744035452023-12-19T21:19:00.003-05:002023-12-19T21:19:55.358-05:00TTM Success: Mel Held<p> This was one of the first Orioles Crown card that I sent out after I decided to get as many of them signed as possible. Obviously, I'll never be able to complete the set of them since players passed away before the sent was printed in 1991 and may have passed since. I haven't pulled the exact numbers of what is still possible, but I'm going to try to send to as many of the living players that have a card in the set as I can. For those who don't know, The 1991 Orioles Crown / Coca-Cola set was printed in 4 separate series, in mostly alphabetical order and ended up with 501 cards. It pictured EVERY player that had played for the Orioles since they moved to Baltimore in 1954. I'd estimate 95% of the players are shown in an Orioles uniform. </p><p>For me, this set is a double edged godsend/curse. There are some players in the set that never had a mainstream Orioles card issued and some never had anything issued with their picture at all. It has afforded me the opportunity to research, learn about them, write a letter, obtain the autographs of guys that are somewhat obscure. I realize that most teams have never had a set released like this so I feel fortunate that this set exists.</p><p>Mel Held is one of those obscure players. He pitched four games during the 1956 season and that was the entirety of his whole MLB career. The card below is the only card that exists of him (that I or COMC, etc. knows of). As you can see, I was attaching these Crown cards to an index card with photo corners to give them a bit of protection while going through the mail. You'll see soon why I quit doing that. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteq-48tmKbrqX8M4NhRcMwZPrgH_s_c3tcfRG_ibvaaQwNtMQc6zGOfxiUJhPJMFV7A2qQ64dhJrHfh2KWM11LRRmojbVxOKSRWxNEpV9d2Ata5PAzLwVR_EkYdPzwiiHi9TP3EX0cW0qmPNxoECybP7bgpNZVVWIXEALV1HyjlJuKGouhhLpmNHZD2ve/s1492/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="876" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteq-48tmKbrqX8M4NhRcMwZPrgH_s_c3tcfRG_ibvaaQwNtMQc6zGOfxiUJhPJMFV7A2qQ64dhJrHfh2KWM11LRRmojbVxOKSRWxNEpV9d2Ata5PAzLwVR_EkYdPzwiiHi9TP3EX0cW0qmPNxoECybP7bgpNZVVWIXEALV1HyjlJuKGouhhLpmNHZD2ve/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>I sent this card out on November 8th and got it back on November 18th for a 10 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Held!<p></p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-9770774135592300782023-12-18T21:26:00.001-05:002023-12-18T21:26:14.130-05:00TTM Success: Tim Nordbrook<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've started to fall behind a bit on posting my TTM successes. I'm about a month behind but I'll catch up eventually. I got this success back from Tim Nordbrook. He was born in Baltimore and was somewhat of a rookie sensation when he made his debut. Unfortunately for him, sustained success did not come and he was out of the league with in 5 years. It was tough for young players to gain a foothold in the majors with the Orioles at the time with the great lineups that they had back then.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had actually met Mr. Nordbrook at one of the first few Orioles Fanfests that I went to in the early 2010's. I got his autograph on the Orioles alumni postcards that they usually hand out. I had no I idea who he was at the time. I'm glad I've been able to learn much more about the Orioles players through plain curiosity and doing a bit of research before firing off a letter to them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyEWlBXROMORKrJ2m5uxGOEsKAXMHaAQoteqlbOAJjV2FRhQaHdWRPA3V2yQnzCgeGMqbgA2DlzZciu5c6GMEqIPD8BHNhFRA0_9v35eRj5zu0TbSbc1RImAj4wuPIxilXlwGOAoYOlYZWTDC9ShaEYAIznvBOFOxS9u791tObvIQOZHfwxPb-75sSr6S/s1040/IMG_0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyEWlBXROMORKrJ2m5uxGOEsKAXMHaAQoteqlbOAJjV2FRhQaHdWRPA3V2yQnzCgeGMqbgA2DlzZciu5c6GMEqIPD8BHNhFRA0_9v35eRj5zu0TbSbc1RImAj4wuPIxilXlwGOAoYOlYZWTDC9ShaEYAIznvBOFOxS9u791tObvIQOZHfwxPb-75sSr6S/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>I sent this 1976 Topps out on November 6th, 2023 and got it back on November 18th, 2023 for a 12 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Nordbrook!<p></p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-72117233813813017642023-12-14T21:19:00.003-05:002023-12-14T21:19:40.265-05:00TTM Success: Don Ferrarese<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was thrilled to have this TTM from Don Ferrarese come back. I really like the style of 1957 Topps and the photography and poses for the time were outstanding. As of today, Mr. Ferrarese is the 22nd oldest MLB player alive at 94 years and 178 days young. I've did a little bit of reading up on him before I sent and he just sounds like an all-around good guy. He got his start in the major leagues as an Oriole and then moved onto Cleveland, Chicago, Philadelphia and St. Louis. Judging from his stats it seemed like was a pitcher who was a swingman. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeTUwJNapynM7DCQN4ySvyFWwTwVhHuzNT1-8IS_4aL4uc7WpCtO5pusXA1sW0iYzsn0tb2EylHifPNaAhwKd6YPtBNjir78IaB2XbzpPXKtPiwTVGUt2woIJg-2hO70PHqlM-3cu_BhspWJYzEBu2axSUCC-pjeRgXQ9mYw2rHLDGrNuM4YSPeD4i1k3/s1036/IMG_0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeTUwJNapynM7DCQN4ySvyFWwTwVhHuzNT1-8IS_4aL4uc7WpCtO5pusXA1sW0iYzsn0tb2EylHifPNaAhwKd6YPtBNjir78IaB2XbzpPXKtPiwTVGUt2woIJg-2hO70PHqlM-3cu_BhspWJYzEBu2axSUCC-pjeRgXQ9mYw2rHLDGrNuM4YSPeD4i1k3/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>Once again my scanner decided to crop the bottom of the card off. Its not as off center top to bottom as it looks here.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclgtmlpmcUcNW5reQ2AG9jgYUZsdAwYGpCqM13aitmiBv4zzKnyP4BGR-f-Vu1nC_PEkP1c41iEjzgaPkAvHnUDHq3vUekuKt7KMXvNgUI9PUTGarF4sg2LRGQJNPcldZu3xGbjUZBA2e8IGucvdY_P-ljdU3fqJMQJUF6HOfjVbQ5TdaeQMY9XDk2mOF/s1480/IMG_0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1044" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclgtmlpmcUcNW5reQ2AG9jgYUZsdAwYGpCqM13aitmiBv4zzKnyP4BGR-f-Vu1nC_PEkP1c41iEjzgaPkAvHnUDHq3vUekuKt7KMXvNgUI9PUTGarF4sg2LRGQJNPcldZu3xGbjUZBA2e8IGucvdY_P-ljdU3fqJMQJUF6HOfjVbQ5TdaeQMY9XDk2mOF/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>He also included this postcard sized advertisement for his biography Big Leagues, Bigger Heart. All proceeds from the book goes towards the college scholarship fund that he set up years ago. I have asked for the book as a Christmas gift so in a couple of weeks hopefully I'll have some good reading material. Otherwise, I'll probably go ahead and buy the book myself if Santa doesn't come through.<div><br /></div><div>He also included his signature on an index card without me asking.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I sent my card out on October 27th, 2023 and it returned on November 11th, 2023 for a 22 day TAT. Thank You Very Much Mr. Ferrarese<br /> <p></p></div></div>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-59928199677653444452023-12-13T20:52:00.004-05:002023-12-13T20:52:52.981-05:00Birthday Cards<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week I celebrated a birthday. My mother-in-law has always been a good gift giver and has supported my cardboard <strike>addiction</strike> <strike>habit</strike> collecting over the years as long as I can give her a specific item I want. I usually ask for a pack of 9 pocket pages but this year since she has a Costco membership, I decided to ask for the 2023 Topps flagship collection. These particular packages are Costco exclusive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmfA581n5O-nwAl4_e1DGZW1_4P79ZmN714hEZy7naVPMo5n4q9FmwpHzAg1oQ6r9XQTpOGQNsNI4EKK3foGNNPHAUgVD96wDRJo7hu4FkjwXZ4exxKSzB2sGKLJysxHlP3nMkl8xfEI7rn4cPXddHaSj3HGDdlmRuBp6yyre-y17uQpuk42YaR0DZ7Aq/s4032/PXL_20231209_003049765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmfA581n5O-nwAl4_e1DGZW1_4P79ZmN714hEZy7naVPMo5n4q9FmwpHzAg1oQ6r9XQTpOGQNsNI4EKK3foGNNPHAUgVD96wDRJo7hu4FkjwXZ4exxKSzB2sGKLJysxHlP3nMkl8xfEI7rn4cPXddHaSj3HGDdlmRuBp6yyre-y17uQpuk42YaR0DZ7Aq/s320/PXL_20231209_003049765.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a good shot of the front of the package after I had opened the top lid. I do like the presentation. It has the curb appeal. But man, I think I may have to buy some carbon credits to make up for the amount of cardboard and plastic this package contains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierKrZyOTlsRCE05-qu34O9RJq6VUjzqFfiPgzu8iAD_EOcm33L46sNcP0Jlw4oR3u2PwoeCx1jglpTYWRatHAlsN6yW9foGOwjS_wacphXk39n3fypwfSvVnfabg7LoDQBWuHkBT2SlpRdfvmuK3jzhzxgRA9i_px3cvr3yVuHupoppfne8Yu74Y-kfCE/s4032/PXL_20231209_003154836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierKrZyOTlsRCE05-qu34O9RJq6VUjzqFfiPgzu8iAD_EOcm33L46sNcP0Jlw4oR3u2PwoeCx1jglpTYWRatHAlsN6yW9foGOwjS_wacphXk39n3fypwfSvVnfabg7LoDQBWuHkBT2SlpRdfvmuK3jzhzxgRA9i_px3cvr3yVuHupoppfne8Yu74Y-kfCE/s320/PXL_20231209_003154836.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The main attraction for me is the three packs of The Flagship Collection cards. More on those later. I was also hopefully going to find an All Aces insert out of the series 1, 2, or Update packs or a Black Gold out of Update. I got totally shut out on any of those inserts. I'll spare you all the gory details of the regular packs. Nothing really earth-shattering or terribly notable except for a select few. I don't think I could cobble together another batch of oddball Christmas songs right now so consider yourselves off the hook this time.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZUcj8hA2T0TZ2RWX2k7DeMetixaXPpvivCfoXYgptxC4SgRaeZNYZ4flYoXkVIBhbCoU-IucpgewctTUl_a8lmBD11rRGMKuETTh-MReU0udhkdZUpORVHP9QueKMOsX3y8AsVaOg1qoKrS8SxU96jOgrY9b090-To3bxgQ_GFL2beJNqK_y78DGwIFi/s1044/IMG_0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="732" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZUcj8hA2T0TZ2RWX2k7DeMetixaXPpvivCfoXYgptxC4SgRaeZNYZ4flYoXkVIBhbCoU-IucpgewctTUl_a8lmBD11rRGMKuETTh-MReU0udhkdZUpORVHP9QueKMOsX3y8AsVaOg1qoKrS8SxU96jOgrY9b090-To3bxgQ_GFL2beJNqK_y78DGwIFi/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>I did pull this pretty rare card out of one of the Update packs. I was pretty delighted to pull this card since I really enjoyed watching Seager make Rays, Orioles, Astros, and Diamondbacks pitching look silly this past postseason. I had no I idea that there were even parallels of the much maligned Stars of MLB inserts until this past spring when I pulled this:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAk5vVAc_cLtx9MSI8RkuqKseZ8MFJRDdwz0wqJaQqPa0n9_yjio2fVDa_J68VPDvk3ER-rZmdtq1KLIWRMRGrT4LW8paKDKl5sdiJVktdkDKEzjQ3eoGYZ1FS5djLdmYwj-uvQR_NagBRbnBnMSGBC0V7ZfdjGXlp5pxLshNEGoP_6BajcEuSm4w0Bue/s4032/PXL_20231214_012828615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAk5vVAc_cLtx9MSI8RkuqKseZ8MFJRDdwz0wqJaQqPa0n9_yjio2fVDa_J68VPDvk3ER-rZmdtq1KLIWRMRGrT4LW8paKDKl5sdiJVktdkDKEzjQ3eoGYZ1FS5djLdmYwj-uvQR_NagBRbnBnMSGBC0V7ZfdjGXlp5pxLshNEGoP_6BajcEuSm4w0Bue/s320/PXL_20231214_012828615.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This card has not left my desk since I pulled it. I had some extreeeemely good luck with Series One this year. I joined Nachos Grande's case break and got the Home Team Advantage Adley and I only opened three hanger boxes and got pulled this gem. Also the one lose pack a few weeks back that yielded the blue bordered Gunnar. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvVn6ZWHSWZjHHGSt-hgTPc6a5bpOoawFtKzUMtRstf6MC7mLl4jTMHgGDoDG6oloxI9hp9kqssF3zoRil_2y3MCc92-7mjzI15FbZ3a1ItUi5th-Yo94wNbhHhbqb5yHpQ5z3Vtwl_bfLJGGVhPIoe_tJNyihxsemFSyJKEuwIxrnbDvRDu6OOEJw88-/s1036/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1036" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvVn6ZWHSWZjHHGSt-hgTPc6a5bpOoawFtKzUMtRstf6MC7mLl4jTMHgGDoDG6oloxI9hp9kqssF3zoRil_2y3MCc92-7mjzI15FbZ3a1ItUi5th-Yo94wNbhHhbqb5yHpQ5z3Vtwl_bfLJGGVhPIoe_tJNyihxsemFSyJKEuwIxrnbDvRDu6OOEJw88-/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Pulling a card from a pack of Cal always makes the hair on my neck stand up whether it is a card I already owned or one I had never seen before. I might have a crazy idea for this card so we'll see what happens in the future.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM6cVs2p2t-yVmuJC-Wy9tRCY5zXVAEk7ZNmroiLW-WVLOEcrbfwqkfhf1_IHjmebWzmMuaw4gGQhlifViiU4qxbt0DVmRXdb3JmR9VXk1tOQ1_RqNmD-RyqmAOI32z8gG1j7tiqR1M6bauVo4xMLAji0X-XNfxf7Ejz8etshWujdAGEcFmxcK-tRmI5z/s2384/IMG_0007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="2384" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM6cVs2p2t-yVmuJC-Wy9tRCY5zXVAEk7ZNmroiLW-WVLOEcrbfwqkfhf1_IHjmebWzmMuaw4gGQhlifViiU4qxbt0DVmRXdb3JmR9VXk1tOQ1_RqNmD-RyqmAOI32z8gG1j7tiqR1M6bauVo4xMLAji0X-XNfxf7Ejz8etshWujdAGEcFmxcK-tRmI5z/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So the Trout card is the oversized card and the Alonso is the "companion card". I'm pretty happy with the Trout since he's a player I kinda collect. Nothing really special about the Alonso other than the numbering on the back.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI1h-Lnw2mNOwLMykj7369db7PlBNCroA08-Yxl0RW5hf6vtjqQQIj3wIxbhh4It4yqkVoGcNNNK9Nij5jkHY6VPTDAmbH0j0N3GBiW3m7dhW3vqnm3fCVrLvURawXQqlacJGfgQ-ySfJ5lNyJT_7Y6FfLPCieLdV7M5qzZAAuHDh1NK8bIxLYJncwNRG/s2248/IMG_0008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2096" data-original-width="2248" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI1h-Lnw2mNOwLMykj7369db7PlBNCroA08-Yxl0RW5hf6vtjqQQIj3wIxbhh4It4yqkVoGcNNNK9Nij5jkHY6VPTDAmbH0j0N3GBiW3m7dhW3vqnm3fCVrLvURawXQqlacJGfgQ-ySfJ5lNyJT_7Y6FfLPCieLdV7M5qzZAAuHDh1NK8bIxLYJncwNRG/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So onto the three packs of The Flagship Collection. I got a couple of cheaters, a two time beater, and a bunch of Mets. I would say these are the best out of the fifteen cards from the packs. I was hoping for a Gunnar, Adley, or Grayson. I'm still happy with Mountcastle though. These cards are on thick stock. Think Triple Threads or Tribute base card thickness. The design is decent enough. One thing I noticed is that the Acuna, Kershaw and the beater were all about a 1/32nd of an inch shorter and slimmer than the other 12 cards. It doesn't really affect the cards much but I though it was worth noting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Would I buy a box of these for myself? Probably not because by now I'd pretty much seen everything I needed to see of the flagship design this year. (Still looking for All Aces, Black Golds and most Orioles though). Getting this product as a gift was a fun rip but the value is not quite there for me. Flagship is produced like crazy right now so the base cards aren't hardly worth much anymore. We're not quite at the level of 1990 Topps but there's a ton of recent years of flagship just gathering dust in the back of most peoples closets.<br /> <p></p></div>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-24445942633943530042023-12-12T20:47:00.003-05:002023-12-12T20:47:52.023-05:00TTM Success: Bill Dillman<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The TTMs have been rolling in lately. I've put in a good effort to get as many of the older gentlemen that played for the Orioles. This one came in from Bill Dillman. He only pitched 2 seasons in the majors (1967 and 1970) and got into 50 games. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwDdHqibwQrAdf6GIHsuwiEP_KPuh6f-rGQU4qVDZvVXQffdRSF6ZCNQxHm5lhhIqAyp0O3Q-5nmhUyADXx7WmMnjKBag9jkE5sm3EhJypY5u-odNkJL22T9Lj6B9ytC8LPFbS_EYP9O5OXf5U_DIwcw6ytvmflPniGv76WS1svJIWhTf7-3SbQv355Mw/s1032/IMG_0012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwDdHqibwQrAdf6GIHsuwiEP_KPuh6f-rGQU4qVDZvVXQffdRSF6ZCNQxHm5lhhIqAyp0O3Q-5nmhUyADXx7WmMnjKBag9jkE5sm3EhJypY5u-odNkJL22T9Lj6B9ytC8LPFbS_EYP9O5OXf5U_DIwcw6ytvmflPniGv76WS1svJIWhTf7-3SbQv355Mw/s320/IMG_0012.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>Another awesome looking 1968. Its not nearly as off-center as the scan looks. My scanner was late reporting to work that day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQf6ZVZOfwS8jDFg2gpGipQKFMpze80xQve8df4J_HgFr8MEM-iOM4k7R2yHYqTzkoR1nIPkVzgo61pnz2lEQHrR7r8GMYA2zEKlKoE9OLTYzFoPEvj3UNPN70M9Hb6bKHeFrxALxumfQN0fg5FA2Cxz7xW_oMse_X0Hs7nKGJ2pQPgf-jkr891uT62C9/s1052/IMG_0013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQf6ZVZOfwS8jDFg2gpGipQKFMpze80xQve8df4J_HgFr8MEM-iOM4k7R2yHYqTzkoR1nIPkVzgo61pnz2lEQHrR7r8GMYA2zEKlKoE9OLTYzFoPEvj3UNPN70M9Hb6bKHeFrxALxumfQN0fg5FA2Cxz7xW_oMse_X0Hs7nKGJ2pQPgf-jkr891uT62C9/s320/IMG_0013.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>Curiously, Bill was included in 1969 Topps even though he didn't throw a major league pitch in 1968 or 1969. <br /> <p></p><div>I sent these cards out on November 3rd, 2023 and they returned on November 16th 2023 for a 13 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Dillman!</div>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-20965735839675966632023-12-09T20:03:00.001-05:002023-12-09T20:03:00.139-05:00TTM Success: Bobby Floyd<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This TTM Success came back from former Oriole Bobby Floyd. Since Mr, Floyd only has one Orioles card where he is pictured by himself and I am (mostly) only interested in autographed Orioles cards as TTMs, my options were limited. I also wasn't sending a 1969 Topps that he shares with Larry Burchart and some guy named Rollie Fingers ( I wonder how he turned out). That's a high number card and he isn't pictured alone. That's all fine and dandy, because I tend to enjoy 1970 Topps and they look pretty darn good signed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bobby Floyd moved onto the Royals in a trade which brought relief pitcher Moe Drabowsky back to the Orioles. It would have been tough for Bobby to shoulder his way into the infield mix with Brooks at Third, Mark Belanger at Short, Davey Johnson at Second, and Boog Powell at First. The outfield was just as crowded with Merv Rettenmund, Paul Blair and Frank Robinson. An embarrassment of riches that Earl Weaver had to work with during that Golden Era.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLue7t64L5-Ez1j8BhhShg6hIFSiJimrNttyoOJswDTNp6xOC0cQVZQoRVBTxKpukkDP505fM7KxhI5jKg-N0SG0AWw7BreX9e_AH49Mnn15bzBa6IJMmyAC3bBTleIDNQczsC5yTA055e5futYnuMWDWoDHMmfKeWjKzeIqr6Rw4cPLXmjfgOZOvdsv_K/s1040/IMG_0011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLue7t64L5-Ez1j8BhhShg6hIFSiJimrNttyoOJswDTNp6xOC0cQVZQoRVBTxKpukkDP505fM7KxhI5jKg-N0SG0AWw7BreX9e_AH49Mnn15bzBa6IJMmyAC3bBTleIDNQczsC5yTA055e5futYnuMWDWoDHMmfKeWjKzeIqr6Rw4cPLXmjfgOZOvdsv_K/s320/IMG_0011.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>I mailed this card out on November 4, 2023 and it returned on November 16, for a 12 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Floyd!<br /><p></p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-30361077780775516182023-12-08T19:02:00.001-05:002023-12-08T19:02:00.135-05:00TTM Success: Merv Rettenmund<p> A recent TTM success I had come back to my mailbox was from Merv Rettenmund. Both of the cards I sent turned out beautifully. Merv played for the Orioles in the late 60's and into the early 70's before he was traded to Cincinnati. He played a key role as an outfielder on those great Orioles teams from that time period. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXRpU5zsDaCRMLR_izwWftommL4EvSXTP8mfLO4u8EieAo79D9KbA0c5O8D4MzSiM3VIFm1NDgM18K3hl5VzHtH_Il3n5Qb5vaD3tb1rk7ZKIGu5xbw4DFPpb1qkpdwgM3tlYeDYXrlr8H7_bsn9TDHakcaj06VXBel9pwwJ-L97HNduClAEDmk1FJvcn/s1036/IMG_0008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXRpU5zsDaCRMLR_izwWftommL4EvSXTP8mfLO4u8EieAo79D9KbA0c5O8D4MzSiM3VIFm1NDgM18K3hl5VzHtH_Il3n5Qb5vaD3tb1rk7ZKIGu5xbw4DFPpb1qkpdwgM3tlYeDYXrlr8H7_bsn9TDHakcaj06VXBel9pwwJ-L97HNduClAEDmk1FJvcn/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>I'm not the biggest fan of 1972 Topps but I think this card turned out great. The nice blue Sharpie signature compliments the light blue (nearly teal) frame nicely.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj0HbyIuofOtlwnhv5O0kMSdyi_liA8PzWxzswng4A8EMP5gk8NCGdZHi6SvFlG-GeSvaq_Ytvwhs7rfvCYAY6iSz27tBqqsSdm4Z70GiZ6jqMP-htiWDUGun5yY4YfMgP-q9IL-NKJH2kHMnoIucGnWegrUtfa9OaaOOyk68WtTL-XP2U0M4Qr-eiKD8/s1032/IMG_0009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="732" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj0HbyIuofOtlwnhv5O0kMSdyi_liA8PzWxzswng4A8EMP5gk8NCGdZHi6SvFlG-GeSvaq_Ytvwhs7rfvCYAY6iSz27tBqqsSdm4Z70GiZ6jqMP-htiWDUGun5yY4YfMgP-q9IL-NKJH2kHMnoIucGnWegrUtfa9OaaOOyk68WtTL-XP2U0M4Qr-eiKD8/s320/IMG_0009.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>I'm a bigger fan of 1970 Topps. Gray isn't always my go to color but for the design of the card I think it works.<div><br /></div><div>I sent these 2 cards out on November 4th, 2023 and got them back on November 16th for a 12 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Rettenmund!</div><div><p><br /></p></div>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-85553223992829367292023-12-07T21:13:00.001-05:002023-12-07T21:13:00.147-05:00A Trade with Greg of Night Owl Cards<p> I recently made a trade with the astonishingly consistent Night Owl. Its probably been nearly 10 years since I made a trade with Greg. He sent some great cards this time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIs8jQqgEg5KJZext0kO3iS1qyr9R6Xzg_sso2TNCyMx6kGCxhu1u6iJsF1EjbDlzktNF-jUu1ot_FqbqDTGkbe-zkR9txLF3f5za0AL4BiuCT7rCIoLcnKRtP_AKeBIFaFc1iODvhd6mOuYenF-ngWgRAAhOu4U7eMPs6weH6F8GfvaAM86UwC3XqxPoY/s1048/IMG_0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIs8jQqgEg5KJZext0kO3iS1qyr9R6Xzg_sso2TNCyMx6kGCxhu1u6iJsF1EjbDlzktNF-jUu1ot_FqbqDTGkbe-zkR9txLF3f5za0AL4BiuCT7rCIoLcnKRtP_AKeBIFaFc1iODvhd6mOuYenF-ngWgRAAhOu4U7eMPs6weH6F8GfvaAM86UwC3XqxPoY/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not a baseball card, but I don't remember Night Owl having his own business card. Nice touch!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOGH8I9euhlR2WKVhxc6P3PGGvcDg12mfesN3m03-3K-UhMZkg2D9II72ujN5fMXLfeb54GjTX0z_owicKCtVHRvzODKLZ4BL1LWsG0R4sVUE2G63Y1eWaQJAoF-T6606kcMtGLjMcssmd3IkY201AOGLZ0m2pXHu4ujtDinY7LxFpQgcngIXPBwtkh9Q/s1548/IMG_0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1548" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOGH8I9euhlR2WKVhxc6P3PGGvcDg12mfesN3m03-3K-UhMZkg2D9II72ujN5fMXLfeb54GjTX0z_owicKCtVHRvzODKLZ4BL1LWsG0R4sVUE2G63Y1eWaQJAoF-T6606kcMtGLjMcssmd3IkY201AOGLZ0m2pXHu4ujtDinY7LxFpQgcngIXPBwtkh9Q/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" width="320" /><span><br /></span></a></div>I've been working on a full run of Diamond Kings from 1982 thru 1996. Night Owl was able to knock these two off of the 1986 list.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvP1EUcPCuvvQxzTKOk-Y-fXt8lXlh670JhZzLP2vUAN3nHjNWgXGncdHqFgyoBhzJFQ7L3LZhFlxznCfmnlH7S8n6p6bLqnJn3h3ohAlOJCTLNk3bec2LyUPe54Po9PtaAhOvZHK8Yy5FEpNHXkMD0o1KfHYQVRFN3ylDQAyx1iaYC3UO5F1-bMI_EZ6/s2168/IMG_0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="2168" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvP1EUcPCuvvQxzTKOk-Y-fXt8lXlh670JhZzLP2vUAN3nHjNWgXGncdHqFgyoBhzJFQ7L3LZhFlxznCfmnlH7S8n6p6bLqnJn3h3ohAlOJCTLNk3bec2LyUPe54Po9PtaAhOvZHK8Yy5FEpNHXkMD0o1KfHYQVRFN3ylDQAyx1iaYC3UO5F1-bMI_EZ6/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He was able to hit my 2023 Orioles wantlist with these awesome cards. I'm super excited with the Henderson mini!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWA4OnYKE3Zl7yKeaikvellGBCjoSBFodnbHltRKNUU8hXBVekqgK99YCWiBppboJ-Prh4PJNc9si2t3w0fA-5OZyILGjadEy_SUTJaTUGjnVdVY8EiVIbV7X4WPuVUonXzZ06gFH5Q-oDxRNspukVoTb3otJksNkBP0_nf9uR4sekEIFcywGv1kkOtVl/s1052/IMG_0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWA4OnYKE3Zl7yKeaikvellGBCjoSBFodnbHltRKNUU8hXBVekqgK99YCWiBppboJ-Prh4PJNc9si2t3w0fA-5OZyILGjadEy_SUTJaTUGjnVdVY8EiVIbV7X4WPuVUonXzZ06gFH5Q-oDxRNspukVoTb3otJksNkBP0_nf9uR4sekEIFcywGv1kkOtVl/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've added some vintage food issues to my Orioles team set wantlist including the Kellogg's 3-D cards. Any Eddie Murray card is an awesome one, but this has three dimensions of that stare. I'm just getting started with the 3-D's, Post, and..... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEE6f2KZ8iBFL8DY61gFl7RLyB8xIzGpjY7ev55be6SmLa1zPWf70pSZIwQSmF61DhWofs0-BnYwU7NdI7b4OQhVR_BpjqgMD_pAO8K9QnqFmjJBuv8KgWpfxLpaXzDWp5cSENz5DtwUb1CIoqyyz2zUM-ku4it97rFTmP-pQ0Acl-7UIMdYYZEoWjE-5/s968/IMG_0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="664" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEE6f2KZ8iBFL8DY61gFl7RLyB8xIzGpjY7ev55be6SmLa1zPWf70pSZIwQSmF61DhWofs0-BnYwU7NdI7b4OQhVR_BpjqgMD_pAO8K9QnqFmjJBuv8KgWpfxLpaXzDWp5cSENz5DtwUb1CIoqyyz2zUM-ku4it97rFTmP-pQ0Acl-7UIMdYYZEoWjE-5/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br />the Hostess food issues. This Doug DeCinces Hostess from 1977 is just the beginning of my team sets of them.<p></p><div>Greg also sent a pile of UD Masterpieces from 2008 to fill some holes on my second set build.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks Greg for the awesome cards. Hopefully we wont wait a decade to trade again.</div>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2936357628955617728.post-58699659215908901582023-12-04T20:01:00.001-05:002023-12-04T20:01:00.145-05:00TTM Success: Wally Bunker<p> Here's a nice TTM success that showed up in my mailbox a few weeks back. Wally Bunker was a teenage phenom for the Orioles in the mid 60's. He made his MLB Debut at the age of 18 and fired a complete shutout against the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series. Arm troubles and ineffectiveness plagued him after that defining game and threw his last major league pitch when he was 26.</p><p>He and his wife also published some children's books in 2015.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjIEKq1IJtcz46wKu5Cpu76Kn59xn500EeJm96cYFcz1e88LxRbI0sYhwOEfeSL8Zihg2joXvIFMiqM3nLZpD5UBA63KS4tqzbFojEEkVqxXg9cKr3OQNRWGrTWWf3NinatIgvmpzPdcEz_WDldz2b_KKO-Rg6r__pznAawGqFe88byo024W2QO-yG3Mt/s1032/IMG_0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="748" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjIEKq1IJtcz46wKu5Cpu76Kn59xn500EeJm96cYFcz1e88LxRbI0sYhwOEfeSL8Zihg2joXvIFMiqM3nLZpD5UBA63KS4tqzbFojEEkVqxXg9cKr3OQNRWGrTWWf3NinatIgvmpzPdcEz_WDldz2b_KKO-Rg6r__pznAawGqFe88byo024W2QO-yG3Mt/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>I've grown in a appreciation of the 1968 Topps set over the years. I've come to like the burlap sack borders and the simple design overall.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr828zCuFwzcAm5j_Hft0kzirdO9JTO48Y9-DadOycGRuclyqG8-vO1VIEKwVXwAtB1tAFXtFBZK_tvQW2WZi1PTruJ4x_gHv65AZjtXUc2m6VuB32h_8t1kYKGsCkeNcw5CSwaQXbzEuaGAdL9NUu9sbZDrelS2_m-S7sd2JJ9HZr7MaWyZqVh5AzMLf/s1036/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr828zCuFwzcAm5j_Hft0kzirdO9JTO48Y9-DadOycGRuclyqG8-vO1VIEKwVXwAtB1tAFXtFBZK_tvQW2WZi1PTruJ4x_gHv65AZjtXUc2m6VuB32h_8t1kYKGsCkeNcw5CSwaQXbzEuaGAdL9NUu9sbZDrelS2_m-S7sd2JJ9HZr7MaWyZqVh5AzMLf/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>I'm not sure what else I can say about 1965 Topps other that its an all-time favorite of mine and they look great autographed.<br /><p>I mailed these 2 cards out on November 1st, 2023 and got them back November 14th 2023 for a 13 day TAT. Thank You Mr. Bunker!</p>Ryan Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797481743677208484noreply@blogger.com2