Who Needs A Catchy Title: a P-Town Post

This blog would never stoop to puns and word play. I don't have it in me. It would require effort on my part. Dang. I'm lazy. So lazy that I quit my job Friday, three days early. I still gave a full two weeks notice with Feb 1 as my last day.  I plan to spend the next couple of weeks with my feet propped on the desk, nail file in hand.

True story: A new hire with previous experience joined my group the week before Christmas. We had a team meeting to discuss what her responsibilities would entail. Right there in front of her co-workers and our manager, she actually said - and I quote: that's not convenient for me.  Pin drop. WHO DOES THIS?  Manager smiles and keeps talking. How does this go without a comment of some sort? Not even  'we can talk about this later'?  Well...working with you is not convenient for me. Three different team members at three different times have told her to remove the staples before running a copy. Her document kept jamming. Really? Just what is it she has experience doing?

I'm leaving gracefully, on my terms with a little help from Cubbie man, P-Town Tom.

The good Mr. Olson has always kept me stocked with my birthdate-mate Mark and the forever young Sandberg. Ryne is no help here however, in action as I sit pondering my upcoming unemployment. Such a showy second baseman. A tux Ryno? Who you tryin' to impress?

Tom picked up these shiners from a local fire sale. Bragging of his limited availability, Altuve says he's numbered out of 99.  Be humble, little man.  

P-town packages include a nicely written note on a page from a HOF daily calendar. I've wanted one of these for a couple years but wouldn't you know I'd find out about them just when they're no longer in print. Supplementing the note are the team of 61 Post Yost and Burnside. Never heard of this Ty Cobb fellow. 

I'm not sure why I ever began collecting backstops in gear, dressed in their Sunday best. Looking over their cards, I'm severely overcome with the need to nap. Exhausting. Go get that ball guys . I'll just watch from here.

This is just too much. Back in the binder boys. Enough exercise for one day! 

Tom, thanks for these fanatic catcher additions. I'm topped with backstops 1980 and later.  The boys on 92 Score made the design pop. I had to seek out a complete set. 

Keep sending those positive vibes my way! I'm soon without a job, no health insurance. I've been applying around the web. Perhaps I'd improve my chances by taking 'lazy' off the resume. That would require some effort on my part so, nah.

The Quinn Essential Collection

I get a surprise package a couple times yearly from the mysterious Mr. Quinn, non-blogger, non-tweeter. It's harder for me to reciprocate as he collects players I don't find as easily or often: Alex Gordon, Mark Ellis, Hideki Matsui, Zito, Cespedes and good old deceased Billy Martin.  My return packages are always half the size. Folks should be trading with him! He is unbelievably generous. I just can't tell you how to reach him.

Here's a SMALL sampling of cards from the past year.  Jackie Robinsons are always included, even subtly with other players in 42 jerseys.

Tiger cubs sprinkled throughout. In this case a nice blue graph on 2017 Contenders. Not to imply the Tigers are contenders...

The quiet man knows my fondness for the Blackhawks - their jersey in particular. The OPC design featuring Kero is awesomely retro!! Cards like this make me want to add another sport to my inventory.  If you must send these, how can I refuse? Your feelings are important!

Tek-nicolor and gold abound:

Always the shiny stuff:

Always something a bit older than me. [Don't argue. The 1973 date on this card is a misprint.]

These arrived not long ago...cell photos here so quality isn't as nice but oh, the variety is! Shine on, shine on...

Vintage in delightful condition. Please pardon the glare on Eddie's forehead. He forgot his hat.

Hints of Jackie with this good-looking manu-relic.

What's this glorious beast from the Topps Vault? Anyone? I know it's a legit blank back from Topps but I found no place to research the serial number from the card back.

All of this is cardboard at its best, loved and appreciated. Choosing favorites among these children is no simple task but as any good parent must do, the decision was made. POSTERS FROM 1998 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED! Now I know what you're thinking.  These are older than me too. Shucks guys, you are sooo kind.  The only thing I have in common with these are the deep creases right across the middle - of my forehead.

This magical shot of Piazza should've been on cardboard. 

I don't know when I'll hear from Q again. If he happens to read this post then THANK YOU!  Once again, you've added some essentials to my PCs.  I'll never be able to trade with you at this level but will continue to boast of you here!

REX KENNEDY ROSSER, Baseball Card Collector

The Collector sent a round of cards a few months ago. One in particular left me with many mixed emotions.  These were cards right off my want list. We all appreciate others who take time to go over our lists then thumb through their collections to helps us out. It takes time. Time is precious and all too often, fleeting.

94 Stadium Club - WAGING WAR on Steve Buechele

Chris included catchers, Tigers and Cobb for my PC:

All were welcomed additions. My favorites by far however, were the Oklahoma City 89ers he included. I'd just added  89ers to the list of wants. I'll always be an Okie; one quite proud of her home state and Native American heritage. This connection to my baseball collection is perfect.

These are the cards Chris sent. All are from the initial year of 89er cardboard.

1975 Oklahoma 89ers Team Issue

It's fun to look up old minor-leaguers to see what became of their lives but the card that most intrigued me was that of the young Rex Rosser, Baseball Card Collector. Eight months older than me, Rex had something I didn't - a baseball card collection.  Here's the backside:

Totally cool! This pre-teen had some apparent influence.  While he likely never made the majors, Rex must've done something baseball related, at least that's what I'd hoped to find. What I found though, was unexpected.  Just a short few years later, Rex was gone.

An empty seat at the dinner table, an empty bedroom. A grieving family who lost their young son in a car accident. A father who may have struggled with guilt for some time, for something likely out of his control.  Teammates losing one of their own. My heart ached instantly for the friends and family of a young man gone almost 40 years now. 

courtesy:  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45062363/rex-kennedy-rosser

Find-A-Grave

Time does heal if we allow. Rex is surely remembered with love and a special fondness by all who knew him. His enthusiasm for life shines through on his only known baseball card. The next time I'm in OKC, a visit to Rose Hill will be in my plans. It's a big cemetery but I'm certain the search will be worthwhile. I'll have a seat there and tell him what his card means to me; how his 89ers are now Dodgers and thank him. At this moment, I have a greater appreciation for my own youth, and life in general. I have something he didn't...the past 40 years.

I QUIT!

Eighteen posts in 2018.  What a year for poor time management.  It feels that way although I know I'm not completely to blame. I traded actively throughout the year but spent little time organizing my collection or being present on the blogs. It's made me sad on more than one occasion.

What will change this year? What can I do differently that will allow more time for the hobby and other worthwhile activities? Do I end all trading activity? Shut down the blog altogether?  Quit my job?

I'm making a positive change in life for 2019.  The answer is ... I quit!  I've shared on numerous occasions that my job responsibilities have become ridiculous: more work for fewer people with an accelerated completion time. The managing partners should stick to what they do best - bring in the business. When they are so out of touch with the processes that complete their client's work it's not long before a collapse. I do not intend to be around for the inevitable.

2000 USPS postcards Cobb and Cochrane
1975 TCMA Colavito and Kuenn
courtesy of my Canadian friend, Fred Pike

I've been off work since Friday, Dec 21st and return tomorrow. This weekend, I applied for a couple of positions locally, both outside the tax business line, that would shave off more than 20 of the current 30 mile one-way commute. Living in the country means most work out this way pays a LOT less. I'm also over-qualified for these positions. I hope to find new work before March 1st because I will not be there on the 2nd - no matter what.

The improvements a change like this would bring are many. Working only 15 minutes from home adds nearly two hours to my day.  A tank of gas will last three times as long. There will be time for little league games, the hobby and most importantly, relationships - friends and family! Blogging?? I'd like to believe weekly posts [for the first time ever] are a real possibility! Ultimately, a new job will greatly decrease the stress I'm under 40+ hours per week. No more tax deadlines.

The downside is the large salary cut I'll be taking.  There won't be a lot leftover for the hobby. Dime boxes will be my besties for sometime to come. My want/wishlist will grow.  In anticipation of these changes, I'm moving towards PWE trades. I've been doing this with Canadian friends for a couple months now.  12-15 cards per envelope is affordable and working well.

Now with all this time off work, you'd think there'd be time for the blog and hobby. I took the down time to step away from the internet a bit; read a couple books and hang out with friends. I spent three days in Northern Michigan, in the Gaylord area. Only over the past three days have I taken time to begin the long overdue card organization. I finally compiled a list of all binder sets - and labeled the binders! Some are short only 2 to 5 cards and have been added to my current set needs. Crazy how I could need only one or two cards from mid-90s sets!  I will continue to eliminate cards from my collection via 3D posts [Dupe Dump or Dwindle] or possibly as giveaways. My house is not growing, even with all the rain. No new space but more efficient use of the space I have, is the solution.

A few featured here are various Kay-Bees, 89 Ames, 1990 Topps Magazine, 87 Hostess Whitaker, 90 BBC mag Biggio
also from Fred - thanks friend!

2019 is hopeful as most new years' are. I have the power to make this change in life. How about you? Are you also making big changes or looking for new opportunities in 2019?  Many wishes for a positive and blessed new year for all of you. Thank you for sticking around, even when I'm not here.