Check out my set wantlists

I was looking over other peoples set wantlists today and realized that I am very close to completing some of my sets. I have completed over 80 sets during my collecting "career". I guess its the completionist/OCD part of me. Anyways here are some of the cards that I really want to get ahold of:

1993 Donruss #428 Jeff Bagwell

I've always liked Jeff as a ballplayer. I wonder if he will make the Hall of Fame? I wonder who has this card for me?

2008 Bowman Draft Picks #BDP21 Micah Hoffpauir

Don't know much about this guy. I want this card! Just don't need it with an autograph on it.

2006 Bowman Draft Picks Future's Game Prospects #26 Chin Lung Hu

I already have the card above which is the gold version. I need the regular vanilla Bowman issue.

These are just a few of my wants. Check the link to my wants for a complete list of cards I need.

Eddie Murray in the MASN booth

This afternoon on MASN "Steady" Eddie Murray is in the booth giving his analysis. First I think its funny that Eddie has joined the "bad guys" (news media) considering his once frosty relationship with reporters during his playing career. I'm sure he gave lots of icy stares much like the one on this card above to the press when they asked cliche questions. Eddie has always struck me as a no nonsense guy who didn't take crap from anybody. I'll leave you with a little bit of trivia that you'll only find in baseball. During the pregame interview with Amber Theoharis, he was asked to talk about his 3000th hit. He and Cal Ripken both got the hit at the Metrodome, with the same runner on base (Albert Belle) and with the same manager in the dugout( Mike Hargrove)!

What would you do?

While looking at some posts in a card trading forum, I came across a post from a collector who said he had obtained a bunch of early 1950s cards. While searching through the cards he came across several cards of interest including this:

My question is this: What would you do if you obtained this card for next to nothing or while digging through a dusty attic or shed? Getting this card would be like winning the lottery. I'm not sure that I would be able to keep this card if I got it. I'd probably be inclined to sell it to pay off some bills. I'm really interested to see some comments on what you would do with a find like this....

2009 Topps t206 pack break

I had the itch today at work to break some packs. I decided to stop by Target on my way home to see if they had any National Chicle. They didn't have any so I got some 2009 Topps T206 instead. I bought 6 packs. Here are the highlights:

The Koji is a SP variation and an Oriole to boot! Nice. A Tommy Hanson RC. Not bad. He's sticking his tongue out saying "Try to hit this, ya Bum". A couple of nice cards of some HOFers and some minis. The Ellsbury is a Polar Bear SP back. I believe that the Mantle Mini is a variation. I did a little research and I think this one card more than paid for the break. Overall I guess this quelled the pack breaking urge until my boxes of 2010 Bowman arrive. All of these except the Koji are for trade if anybody needs them.

1993 Upper Deck Brady Anderson

This card has always been a favorite of mine. This is a great action shot captured by an Upper Deck photographer just as the company was coming into its own. I even think that this card was featured on the packaging of the factory set if I'm not mistaken. What are the chances of an opposing player hitting a homerun near the Orioles logo while having a photograhper present? Maybe better odds than me winning the 266 million dollar Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday (I actually won $3 with the numbers 21 (Markakis) and the MoneyBall 8 (Ripken)). Still, I haven't been able to discern which ballpark this photo was taken in after all these years. Obviously it is not Memorial Stadium or Oriole Park at Camden Yards because Brady is donning his road grays. My guess is maybe it was taken in the Angel's ballpark because of the red seats and the blue walls and the close proximity to Carlsbad, California where UD is located. Anybody have any ideas?

A frustrating evening

This evening has been frustrating in more than a few ways. First, I had to work overtime at work on a special project. While working on this project I managed to smash the hell out of my thumb with a hammer. Broke the tip of the fingernail and tore the skin pretty good. Second, I get finally get home just in time to see Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, and Matt Wieters strike out with men on second and third with nobody out. Geez, is it that hard to lay off of Burnett's knuckle curve? Third, I went to the mailbox to see if any of my 4 orders of cards have come from my recent Beckett Marketplace orders have arrived... Not a one. I know the mail system can be slow but it has been 2 weeks since I have placed my orders. At least there was one decent thing in the mail: The July (already?) issue of Beckett Baseball (I use it as a GUIDE, not the Bible). I open it to page 16 and I see in bold letters : 2010 Topps Tribute : Dynasties and Rivalries Edition. Sounds like a Yankee and Red Sox collector's dream. Mantle Homerun History, Yankee Stadium Legacy, Mantle Story inserts. I'm sick of seeing these 2 teams all over. Where does it end? I will probably be skipping this product anyways....

I need something to cheer me up, Maybe if I stare at the Ripken postcard I got from the Hall of Fame above enough I can cheer myself up a little bit......

2007 Fleer Rookie Sensations Nick Markakis

I'm not sure why I like this card so much. Maybe because it is of my Favorite Current Oriole. Nick Markakis is as close to an iron man as an O's player can be this side of Cal Ripken. He plays everyday and doesn't cause a lot of media attention to himself. He just goes about his business in a workman like manner.

Nick has been heating up with the bat lately. Over his past 9 games here is his statline: 15 for 38 with 5 doubles, 2 homeruns and 5 walks. Hopefully he can keep this going.

4-30-10 : Bowie Baysox @ Richmond Flying Squirrels

Sorry I haven't posted all weekend. Anyways...

Friday night my girlfriend and I decided to take in a minor league baseball game at the Diamond in Richmond. It is only about 15 minutes from my house. There was no baseball in Richmond last year because the much loved AAA Richmond Braves left town after the 2008 season. So this year we get the AA Richmond Flying Squirrels. First I think the name is completely stupid. I have never seen a flying squirrel in richmond or the surrounding area. Second, I think the logo and the mascot looks like a skunk not a squirrel. Third, they play at the Diamond which is basically falling down around the team. About 5 years ago they had to stop the game because a chunk of concrete fell out of the rafters and smashed a couple of seats into oblivion. Just imagine if it would have hit somebody. This is partly the reason I buy seats in the lower deck (and because you get a better view of the game.
The only reason I felt compelled to go to this game is because the Bowie Baysox (AA affiliate of the Orioles) were in town. We arrived a little late to get any autographs but some of the Baysox players did sign for some people. I didn't bring any signing material anyways. The starting pitcher for Bowie was Steve Johnson. He pitched rather well but got no help from his offense. Bowie ended up with 3 hits on the night. Johnson got the tough luck loss and the only hit top O's prospect Brandon Waring got was a beer vendor. Yep, nailed the poor guy right in the nose. The squirrels staff were scrubbing up blood for the next half inning.
Overall it was a good outing on a Friday night. Maybe when the Baysox are back in town I'll go again and try for some autographs.