Cold Pizza

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone.  2018 is already judging me, wagging its crooked little finger  to remind me there are a lot of trades left from this summer to share.  Guess what 2018?  It's not even December.

This summer certainly brought a lot of new trade packages to my lil neck of the woods.  Who could expect any breakdown to be a good and happy thing?   If it's a Baseball Card Breakdown, it's bound to have a happy ending.   Gavin sent a such large stash of cards it made choosing which to share a difficult process. 

The first scan is all Gavin!  He creates some of the best well-loved cards you'll find out there.  Here are two famous big bats in original shiny and aged vintage versions.  I have a few of Gavin's cards now and really should keep them together.  Currently they live among the PCs. 

Lots of Kaline which makes this gal happy!  Again, not all are shown because Gavin's generosity makes scanning a cumbersome activity.

A couple of beauties:  2002 Archives Reserves is a set worth building - fan favorites, HOFers -  all refractors.   2015 Cooperstown Collection ETCHED #d/25!  GAVIN! Thank you!  Hard to believe Panini hasn't done another Cooperstown series.  These are the players I am drawn to and most willing to purchase.  When I buy a HOF/Fan Favorite set, I know what I'm getting.   No Henry Owens to be found in Cooperstown.

There was a nice stack of Piazzas too.  2005 UD Fabrics and 1998 Ultra.  I don't have many Piazza Marlins since Mike spent only eight days in their uniform.  Perhaps another reason his Marlins' cards are difficult to find...THE HOARDER.  For only $75,000 I could own cards which include thirteen 1/1s!  Gotta wonder what he'd take for best offer.  At least shipping is free!

The gem of the entire trade package though was nothing shiny and contained no relic.  Just a simple card from the pizza place I loved most as a child - Shakey's.   I turned this card over, saw the logo and practically leaped from my chair.  I could smell the pizza, hear the player piano while sitting at a long table with barrels for chairs.  The first pizza I can ever recall eating and loved til it closed. Shakey's went out of business while I was in high school.


Food issues are some of my favorites but this pizza card shot to the top of the  fave foodie chart! I've wanted any Shakey's cards for a long while but never found them in my price range and  never thought I'd find one in a trade package!!

CHECK OUT THOSE BEER PRICES!

1975 Shakey's Pizza

This card is so mint it could be a reprint.  If it were a reprint, I wouldn't care.  Ty Cobb is the number one player in my PC collections.  If I could collect only one HOFer, it would be Tyrus.  Long live the deadball era!!  Shouted perhaps a bit too late.  

Only a Cobb beer card could make this Shakey's Pizza Cobb any better and only Gavin could create such a beauty.

HINT HINT

Gavin, thank you!  It took so long to share, the pizza's now cold!  I assure you it's just as good as it was back in '75!

I offer a belated 'Blessed Thanksgiving' to all my blog and tweety buds!  Your presence makes this hobby all the more enjoyable.   If I weren't such a turkey, I would've offered thanks  a few days ago! Thanksgiving comes but once a year but gratitude is a daily practice!

The Summer of 74

I was ten years old in the Summer of 74, sheltered and oblivious to the war, peace movements - most any news that wasn't pleasant.   I spent those months free from school, riding my purple bicycle with my most prized possessions in the flowered basket.  I took my comics books and Highlights magazines everywhere I went, which was really only three houses in either direction of my own. My mother was somewhat overprotective, so it seemed anyway.   If I close my eyes, that summer comes rushing back so easily. 

I discovered music that year and begged for a radio of my own. We had so little money that a radio of any kind was a sacrifice for my parents. But I was very specific and asked for this one:

   

SMILE

Holy smokes, I got it!!  Picnicking at Lake Thunderbird, I listened the whole day long, carrying that little ball on a chain until the battery died. I didn't realize batteries had a very limited lifespan.  With this little radio by my ear, there were many songs I waited for: Band on the Run, I Shot the Sheriff, Billy Don't Be a Hero {I was ten...} The Show Must Go On.   Oh, how I still love this music!

But the one song that takes me back to that muddy red lake every single time is Rikki Don't Lose That Number.  Why that song in particular,  I don't know.  The bass line and chimes hold me spellbound.  Even now,  when hearing it on the radio I find myself at the lake - drinking Shasta cola, listening to Steely Dan on KOMA.   That was innocence.  My mom would die the following April.  The next year would leave my life forever changed and 1974 would be the last real summer of my childhood.  My father would make the first of many poor decisions that would eventually destroy our family.

When I came upon the blog Summer of 74, it was a magnet.  I can't see this blog's name without feeling the emotions associated with 1974.  Author and Brewers' fan,  Matt Prigge began his blog in February 2017 focusing on the quest to have as many of his 74 Topps cards signed as  possible.  He's become an active trader, hosting contests, and winning over readers with his charm - and pictures of his pet rats.  Matt initiated a  trade with me, dropping a Tiger friendly package my way.

Autos: 2002 Total, 1998 Studio

I have over one hundred Catalanottos cards and two autographed, cracked game-used bats.  I plan to scale down the card collection.  If anyone else collects Frank, speak up.  Most show him in the Rangers uni.  Studio was great in 98!  This card stays with me!

Matt included a nice mix of Verlanders and Miggs.   Red foil parallels from 2014 Topps are always appreciated.   I have very few 2016 Flakes, all from trades.  I managed to resist the virtually non-existent temptation to purchase this holiday release.

Let it be known - I'm a gold-digger.  Sensing this, Matt included a nice array of Topps Gold from 92, 94, 14, 15 and 17.   Wow!  What?  Mumbling in my ear - not real gold?   Yet another disappointment from Topps.  Doesn't Panini put real gems in their cards?  What?? Man-made?  NOOOOOOO!

Matt, thanks for reaching out!  I will enjoy these cards!!  Give the rats a chin scratch for me!

As for my little radio, it's long gone.  In attempts to piece my childhood together again, I found an identical, new-in-box Panapet on ebay a few years ago.  I still haven't put a battery in it.  As long as my radio is safe in the box, it's still 1974 and life is perfect.

                       

A 2017 Bowman Chrome Mystery

After receiving an unexpected package from Canada, I'm seeking assistance from our Blog Wonderland.  The return address is illegible.  Kitchener ON is all I can make out.  The city is familiar  to me but while going over my trade spreadsheet,  I found the address unrecorded.  Perhaps the thoughtful sender could message me with a name, address and related blog info if available, or a reader could leave a comment pointing me in the right direction.

rainy day delivery

The package contained 2017 Bowman Chrome Tigers.  Five base cards:

Three refractors:

with a Hometown Hero to aide them in their journey to Michigan:

Verlander/150   Miggy/499

One gorgeous rookie auto:

#d/250

I must admit Bowman looks good on Chrome.  The paper release did nothing for me. The cards are thick, sharp and shiny!   I'd like to offer proper recognition but am somewhat handicapped.  My memory isn't  what it once was - and wasn't great then.  

Step forward, reveal yourself; oh mystery trader!!