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Friday, May 15, 2020

FUJI: Man of the Cloth



I wanted to title this post Material Girl. Rather than making display of my airheaded self-centeredness, deemed it best to focus on Fuji's thoughtfulness. Fuji doesn't trade on a regular basis.  He sent a round of packages out in February to a LOT of folks. When you are the recipient of others' generosity, it's difficult not to reciprocate. If you are Fuji, it's impossible. [Not to say I was overly generous. There was no cash in the mailer I sent.]  Fuji does exchange cards but is more likely to do so PWE style. It's certainly become my way. Done right, PWEs are safe for card transport -  and affordable. I sent a stack of cards to Fuji with no obligation to return the favor. The note enclosed should have said as much. A self-confessed dimwit, I likely forgot the note entirely.

2002
Fuji filled the package with relics. A relic myself, I was drawn to this card, the second oldest in the group. I hadn't heard of Cleven so threw myself at a baseball reference site only to be foul-tipped to Wikipedia. This may be the most baseball I see all year. Wicker tells me Brent is now 36 years old. It seems this second-round Tiger pick never gave up on the game. While showing promise, Cleven bounced between MLB and the minors for several years. He became a Double-A and Independent League star.  Now a player/manager for the Cleburne Railroaders [Texas], he led them to 57-33 record in his first season in 2019. This is a fellow who loves the game. If I still lived in Texas, a trip for Cleburne baseball would be a must. I wish him great success!


2001

2016


2018

2019
2019

The package was all Tigers but for one, catcher JT Realmuto. This card was an extra nice touch. I don't pick up many of his cards and have no relics. I haven't been a fan of the Holiday issues. Topps continues to spit out products like a bird regurgitates to feed her babies. Reusing the same pictures, themes and tired old reprints, capitalizing on a collector's need to have it all.  We aren't all wired that way but I once was, back in the 90s.  I am so happy to be over that hump. I can't imagine having that need in today's hobby.  All that is to say, I really like the design on these two cards!  The swatch in the middle of the bow is admittedly clever. {I loathe you Topps. How you mock me.}


The remaining relic is from 2017 Holiday. Not certain but there may be a JV appearance in the dugout. My eyes fail me a bit. Recently I'm struggling to read white font on black backgrounds. Other colors against black are also troubling but white is the most difficult. The letters blur together no matter how much I enlarge the page. Some of my favorite blogs use these color combos which are sharp-looking. If  it seems I'm not reading or commenting on blogs with this formatting, please forgive me. I'm doing my best to be there. It is time for an eye appointment, once it's deemed safe to do so. Now back to the card...

I'm not extremely OCD but would've liked the material rotated slightly to the left so the fabric pattern flows with the design. I do like the little snag. Swatches with snags and dirt seem a touch more authentic. They probably keep a seam ripper and bucket of dirt in the production area to achieve this affect but I like to think it's player worn. The floating bat photo is divine! I collect bats racked, multiplied, cracked and broken but my favorites are those stilled in time. To count in my collection, 3/4 of the bat with barrel showing must be in the shot. This is a great example.

Have you read The Chronicles of Fuji?  Personal and thoughtfully written - and cards cards cards {and maybe a few legos.} He has an amazing collection of autos and relics. Drop by to see for yourself. Thank you Fuji!

A note to all: the primaries are coming I'll be posting soon on our upcoming election season.  Stay tuned! It's not politics as usual.

To close this post, I was torn between using a Madonna video for either Material Girl or Holiday. I chose neither and spared you all. You are welcome.

26 comments:

  1. I'd been good with Madoona. Young man in the 80's yeah. That's almost enough fabric there for a um "bottom piece" for Madonna.

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    1. wow - yeah perhaps her "20 year old" bottom. heh eh eh... Bottoms don't shrink with age.

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  2. I think Crazy for You might be her best. Or maybe Live to Tell.

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    1. The only two singles I own. Guess I have to agree!

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  3. Great relics, I was immediately drawn to the Brad Ausmus as I've never seen Private Stock baseball relics before. Very nice design. Also, Ausmus hails from New Haven, CT - where I was born and right across the bridge from where I grew up. My 7th-grade teacher once mentioned him as he was rising through the minors. I think she may have taught him in high school, but I can't say for sure.

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    1. Neat connection! I had high hopes for him when he managed the Tigers. I think he has the knowledge to lead a team to a series championship but needs to find his voice.

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  4. Relics don't usually do much for me but I do like the design of those 2019 Holiday ones. Takes me right back to Christmas as a kid.

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    1. Here we are, already halfway to Christmas again. My guess is the holiday edition will be out in...October??? What WILL the gimmick(s) be this year????

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  5. Julie, you certainly have a way with words which I truly enjoy. You had a few gems in this post, but my favorite was how you "were foul-tipped to Wikipedia."
    I'm sorry to learn about your eye-sight. If white on black gives you problems, then I can't imagine white on navy blue (my blog) is much better. I always looks forward to your comments. I think I've found the motivation I've been lacking to "Try the new Blogger!" and give my blog a fresh look. I may borrow the color scheme of your comment section if you don't mind. I like the sky blue background... I have a few Cubs shirts that color!

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    1. My intention certainly wasn't/isn't to get everyone to redesign their blogs. I read up a bit on my vision issue. This seems to be related to astigmatism, which I and many peeps do have. Time for an eye visit as I'm probably six months overdue. I've been afraid to try the "NEW" blogger since I'm quite comfortable with the current version. Let us know how that goes. You are sweet Tom. I hope the blue background on my blog is easy on the eyes. Besides the fact blue is my fave color, this choice was easy on my eyes too. I do not mind at all. Your design is all about YOU - and your creativity! :)

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  6. I understand the colour combo problem. The backs of some cards are VERY hard to read. Nice collection of relics. I like the Cleven card. It has a nice look. Thanks for another interesting post.

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    1. My eyes are aging right along with the rest of me. How does this happen??? lol.

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  7. I love Madonna! Man of the cloth? I'm not religious... but I kinda like it. If I ever start a new blog, I might use this ;D

    P.S. I'm OCD too... oh and thanks for the plug.

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    1. When I opened the package, that line came right to me...man of the cloth. I chuckled and decided it was perfect. A nice lot of fabric - which is not the same as fabrication. lol.

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    1. he does indeed. Fuj just went on a tear recently, spreading a lot of cardboard happiness throughout Hobbyland!

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  9. Gotta Cherish these great cards. Those Holiday relics are Borderline perfect. Although social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter may be in Vogue, it's my in my Human Nature to read the best of the hobby blogs such as yours and Fuji's. Julie and Fuji, Take a Bow.

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    1. You are funny. And here I was, just looking for a little Ray of Light.

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  10. Who is this Fuji that you speak of? Might have to give this fellow, and his blog, a chance one of these days :)

    As for the fellow who's 36 and still playing in the minors, I say good for him! I'm a big fan of not giving up on ones dreams, so even though I've never heard of him, I will be rooting (in spirit) for him to make it.

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    1. The great and powerful Fujimoto! He does exist!

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  11. "They probably keep a seam ripper and bucket of dirt in the production area to achieve this affect but I like to think it's player worn."

    Swatch collectors everywhere laughed at that line. And then they cried. And then maybe they laughed again...

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  12. Fun post as always! Though Material Girl would have been a heck of a title

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    1. thanks SCC! I'm not opposed to another opportunity down the road, should someone bestow me with relic impregnated cardboard.

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  13. I really like both of the Victor Martinez game worn jersey relic cards in this one.He was one of my favorite players tom watch for the Indians a few years ago:).

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    1. I've liked him since his rookie days. It was nice to see him retire a Tiger.

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