Sampler Album Week: 2002 Topps

I'm not a big fan of this set.  This looks like it is more of a parallel set than the base flagship set.  I don't get the orange border.  The banners and logos are fine I guess. 

I'm happy with the players on this page though fer sure.  Jeter and Pujols carry the weight, but I've got some of my other favorites as well as some other notable players.

But I don't get the set.  I guess it's the orange.

Cleve's Auction Night: Merry Big Fun Game Eve!

There are less than 24 hours remaining before I randomize contestants for the Big Fun Game, so if you haven't put your name it, well, put your name in.

I'm pretty happy with the prizes this time around.  Without giving away too much, I will say it's a  diverse group of prizes, but all baseball related.  And no eTopps cards this time around, for whatever that's worth.

I won a few of the prizes from Cleve's auctions this week and picked them up today.  I also got a few things for myself.  The prizes will remain a secret, but here are the things I got for moi:

 I'm particularly excited about this 1960 Brooks Robinson.  It gives the 1960 page in my sampler album a huge boost, and the card is in great shape.  I paid a good amount for it, but it was worth it.

 I also picked up this lot of 9 commons for my 1960 page.  It was already full, but had a few raggedy contents.    I'll make some replacements using this page, as these are all in great shape.

Another purchase geared toward the sampler album was this nice lot of 1969's.  That page is just about wrapped up now.  These are all in very good shape.  Gaylord Perry kind of scares me.

I often hear people talk about their patch cards being "sick."  Not this one.  It's very healthy!  The card is kind of boring (yet I kind of like that about it), but the patch is gorgeous. 

Ok, I don't want any snickering about this card.  I'm very appreciative of Matt Jones' contribution to Razorback football and nothing will take that away.   Having said that, I can't imagine why someone sent this card in for grading.  Doesn't that cost, like, $10 a card?  At least it came back a 9.5.  For some reason someone decided to make a mark on the case with a sharpie.  I'm hoping I can remove that.    But I like this card and I don't want any crap about it.

Grades:

1960 Brooks Robinson  $12  A:  It wasn't cheap, but I'm still very happy to have this card.

1960 Commons  $9  B+:  I know $1 a card for EXMT 1960s is a great deal, but I will only need a few of these for my sampler album.

1969 Lot  $6   A+ : These are very good players for $2 a card.  Great additions to my sampler album

Al Leiter Patch  $4  A+:  I'm a big fan of Leiter, and the patch is very healthy!

Matt Jones Graded 9.5 Score Rookie with a Big Sharpie Stain:  I won't give you the satisfaction of knowing how much I paid for this, or what grade I give myself.  Why?  Because I hear you laughing at me even as I'm typing this post.

 

The Vealtones Touch My Hot Spots

I’ve traded with Dustin from the highly literate “Coot Veal and TheVealtones” several times now, and he always makes me moist….with perspiration!

He pretty much hit on all my hotsports:  Rangers, Razorbacks and Darryl Strawberry, with many other goodies thrown in.  

This was the main card of the deal on my end:

I have always been an  Al Leiter fan, and enjoy watching his commentary on the MLB Network, especially when he’s discussing the craft of pitching.  I’ve heard he is interested in going into politics, or maybe he used to be.  Sure, I could see it.

Dustin also sent an unexpected bonus:

I’ll always take MY cards….as long as he’s in a Ranger uni.  I don’t want any of him in Phillie uniforms.  I consider him retired.

Speaking of Ranger unis, Dustin sent several current Rangers:

AND a star Congressional witness:

AND cards of a big goober.  An awesome goober, but still a goober.

AND Darryllllll……Darrylllllll…….Darryllllllll

 AND some vintage (love the Jenkins):

AND a couple of awesome Razorbacks to top it off.

Thanks Dustin, and enjoy that new baby of yours.  You should know I intended to pepper this post with lots of parenting advice for you but the lovely wife said that if I actually did like you I would keep my tips to myself and save you from going down a horribly wrong path.

A Cool Deal From Coot Veal- Part 2

One of the great things about getting a large trade package in the mail is that it can be stretched into two blog posts, and requires very little thinking on my part.  I am always in favor of very little thinking.  Today I’ll show the cards of my favorite non Rangers/Razorbacks, courtesy Coot Veal and the Veal Tones:

Darryyyylllllll….. Daryyyllllll……. Darryyllllll…..  Darryl Strawberry was the man.  Period.  Oh, what could have been with that guy. 

A group of cards from two of the smarter players I collect.  At least I know Keith Hernandez is smart.  It seems like Al Leiter is too.    The Hernandez Fan Favorites card is numbered to 199 and is really sharp.

I probably shouldn’t root for Torii Hunter, him being an Angel and all.  But he is an Arkansan, and he’s just hard not to like. 

And finally, some Tony Gwynn.    He was good.

Dustin, thank you for a great trade, and I hope you enjoy what I sent!