Welcome to the Bo-Show!

Not Jackson. The other Bo. The one that matters.

Most of you are aware that Bo Rozny won the Cracked Bat Ballot Box contest in November. He racked up a lot of extra votes with his mail-in bribes ballots. Who says you can't vote more than once? Not a single fraudulent mail-in ballot was received at Cracked headquarters.

October brought in the PWEs like fall puts leaves on your lawn. Every couple of days I'd find Bo's return address on my mail. There were cards featuring PC boys:

Set help for 2002 UD World Series Heroes:

I left the hobby in 2002 so missed out on these beauties. I'd like to have the first 90 cards from the set and still need 60. Hint Hint.  I love the red, white and blue design and pinstriped background.  These will look nice in my RW&B collection. Bo loves his Yankees as you may have noticed 3 of the 4 cards are Bronx Bombers. 

1999 Fleer Tradition:

There's an obvious bat-theme here. I'll be adding more cards from this set to my wantlist. Fleer made great photography choices in 98 and 99.  I'd buy a box now if 'bricking' weren't a concern. Have any of you opened product from 98 or 99 without this issue? Early to mid-90s are a no-bust for me.

Staying with the bat-theme, here's an excellent lot of 70s vintage. A couple were doctored up by a previous owner but we can overlook that. 1971 Clendenon features only one bat but catches him seemingly unaware of the camera. I like shots like this. 

A slew of Tiger vintage featuring greats like Lolich, McLain and Cash:

Bo remembered my love for 70s baseball and catchers with more 73s:

I'd love to one day complete a set from the early 70s. I love 72 and 75 the most but know they can be buggers to finish. While it holds many great cards like those shown above, the 1970 design bores me a little, and 71 is gorgeous but has those tough black borders. 1973 has a classy design with so many wonderful photo choices. I toy with the idea. Bo's already made a dent in it for me! I already own nice copies of Aaron and Clemente.  The Schmidt rookie will be the big one as well as a mint copy of card number one featuring Ruth, Aaron and Mays. How hard is a 73 build? Do tell.

I'm gonna miss election season. We may have to do this again in four years' time! 

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!

Thomas Jefferson Would Be Proud

On Saturday, I made it to my first card show of the year.   Only an hour away from me, the Gibraltar Trade Center has a 40 table show every month. I've been once in the nearly two years I've lived here.  Public market or indoor flea market [aren't these the same?] this place attracts all types of people, not unlike Walmart.  It's a trip made with a friend as I'd never go alone. The unusually warm weather brought folks out of their homes and into the show meaning less cards for me - oh - and my friend.  I certainly don't want to appear selfish. 

I took $60 and left my debit and credit cards at home.  We arrived around 11am, missing the first hour.  The first half of the day yielded very little of the very few 2017 Topps on my list.  Looking over the tables, nothing really caught my eye.  I picked up several one dollar cards. Sample:

Set build: 1970 Kellogg's 

Set build: 1961 Golden Press

Because it was there: 1962 Post

I picked out twelve 3 for $1 cards.  Here are six:

PCs: 2014 Posey, 1995 Donruss, 1996 SPX

                                                                                     Set build:  1972 Topps

It's a dream set to be sure, adding random cards here and there.  These are gorgeous in color and condition! My disco boy Astros and Cleo showing off his now retro Cubbie patch.

I found a table with miscellaneous packs of old junk at three for $1.  I bought all ten packs of 1994 Stadium Club Series Two.  These yielded a First Day Issue Tiger, Scott Livingstone and player collection boys:

Gracie is a parallel

From the same 10 packs, I pulled four of these:

COLLATION NIGHTMARE

A floating bat and a funky cold Mussina:

It was 3pm as we made our way to the back of the floor, to the last row of tables when we spotted this:

You read the sign correctly.  Thousands upon thousands of cards for a NICKEL!!!!!!!   The dealer's sign was a bit of joke.  He mentioned some people got upset that kids had a better deal...people who obviously didn't read the whole sign - 20/$1 !!    

Several folks were seated on the aisle side of the tables by the time we'd found them.  So we took our spot on what would be the seller's side.  Working as a team pulling cards for each other, we managed to go through most of the boxes on our side before the show ended at 6pm.    

During our search, an older woman [70ish or more] came barreling around the corner seeking information on a card she'd purchased over twenty years ago.  She first approached the group searching the boxes on her side then she saw me seated behind the table.  'Oh I can ask YOU this question.'   Why me?? I thought.   'What was that card they made 500 of twenty years ago'   I had no idea.  She then narrowed it down saying 'you know, he was married to that famous actress'.  OH!  'Joe DiMaggio'.   I tried to explain cards are now numbered to 25 or even less.  If she could tell me the year or brand, I might be able to help her.    I was trying hard to be polite but she reeked of cigarettes and cheap perfume, right out of an old Bogart movie.  Of all the shows she had to wander into...  I hadn't yet noticed my friend had scooted down the row a bit. So much for the team effort. She was pulling cards while I heard all about the dame's kids: one a college graduate,  the other still flipping pizzas after 18 years.  After ten minutes or more of listening, she says 'I don't even know where the card is.  If I can find it, I'll bring it next time.'   Next time???  Oh goodie.

Just what can a nickel get you these days???  Twelve cards added to my 2016 Stadium Club set, cards for mini-set binders and player collections.  Cards, cards, cards! 

Set builds: 94 Pinnacle Museum, 1990 Swell   70s binder: 2013 Golden Age Playing Card
Just Because: 2013 Cooperstown Lumberjacks

PIAZZAS - ALL A NICKEL EACH INCLUDING THIS 2-SIDED BEAUTY:
       2004 Donruss Elite Passing the Torch

                                                            

I managed to stay away from any large impulse purchases, sticking mainly to set builds and players. I left the show with $15 in my pocket and at least 500 cards for five cents each.  Surely our Founding Father and third President would be pleased to know how far a nickel goes these days.

The Delinquent Trade Files

Yes,  the juvenile in me is a delinquent - the adult no better.  I continue my streak of misbehavior with months of unshared trade packages lurking in the closet.  This week we open the door just enough to allow a few into the dimly lit room.

Play at the Plate - Brian Snider

Brian has been a good trading partner.  Over the last few years he posted several times a week.  In 2016, Brian blogged somewhat sporadically with his last post occurring some five months ago.  If any of you know what may have happened to Brian, please comment or email.  I reached out to him via comment and email but have yet to hear anything.  Brian if you're out there, thank you!  We miss you!

Brian sent a #supertraders package:

Certainly there was room for more red foil on the 99 Fleer Warning Track Parallel!!

Addiction is Therapy - Adam Pankratz

I'd been concerned for Adam because several months had passed without a post from him.  I'm happy to see he's still blogging.  I received two packages from him over these past months.   The first contained a 2015 GQ Verlander mini relic and Heritage lots from 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2011.  All were needed for my Tiger team sets!  The second package included Fleer Sticker fun and a Victor Martinez relic!

Adam, thanks for the great selection of cards - and for your patience!  I truly appreciate your generosity!

Mark Hoyle - infamous non-blogger

I received my first ever mailer from Mark!  His mo has been the pwe.   The package was filled with vintage and oddity!  Take a look at those 72 babies! One of my fave all-time designs!  For the odd, he sent two cards from 1968 Atlantic Gas.  There is a 92 Fleer sighting here as well.  This set toys with me.  When I began collecting in 1993, my friend had stacks of these all over her house. Literally.  I'd never seen such disorganization!  I thought these were some of the ugliest cards ever produced. When Fleer fell out of the mailer, I had a little touch of that nostalgic feeling a warm memory can bring.  I was also running a low fever at the time so perhaps it had nothing to do with 92 Fleer.  None the less, I was falling in love with the hobby back then.  92 Fleer was a big part of those days!

Mark, thanks for the cards!  This package was all over the park - super variety!!!

During my absence, I avoided email and wished later that I'd not done so.  If I'm ever going to be away for any length of time, this information will be posted!  Of course, an early demise could prevent me from sharing this info with you directly but arrangements have been made with a good friend to post on my behalf.    Those other arrangements - well - I keep putting them off.  On a back-burner, if you will.

That 70's Hoyle

Mark Hoyle is a good friend to many card collecting bloggers.  He contributes through commentary and trades but is not yet, and may never be, a blogger.  Blogging takes time, and who ever has enough?  Even now, I'm three posts behind sharing all the superb cards recently received.  (I'm posting in order though, and you're next.)  

 

Mark sent nothing but Tigers!  How could he have known? There are no clues anywhere, on any of my posts or pages.

 

                                                             1974 Topps                              1973 Topps

       Mike Heath on a lemon-flavored 1990 Classic       Nokes 88 Fleer
                                                      93 Triple Play Tettleton             Hernandez, 89 (yawn) Fleer

I've been stuck in the 70s for a while now. I live in some weird time continuum, leaving the decade just long enough to work.  I can't wait to rush home through my beaded entryway and turn on the Bee Gees. Thank God for ME TV!  The Bionic Man, Emergency, Charlie's Angels.  There's always a good VHS movie at hand too!  Couldn't tell you how many times I've watched Jaws and Grease! The 70s were like any other decade with its own troubles - Vietnam, Watergate and ended as the Iranian Hostage Crisis began.  There were good times too! PONG video game thrilled us for hours on end. The first Star Trek Convention was held in NYC. The cost of a first-class stamp was 8 cents!

                                                           GLORIOUS!                 1972 TOPPS

In 1972, we lost Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente. Among the HOF inductees were Yogi Berra, Early Wynn, Sandy Koufax, Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard.  Hank Aaron became the first baseball player to sign for $200,000 a year.  Tigers shortstop Ed Brinkman played an errorless streak of 72 games with 331 total chances.  The Oakland As won the championship.

In 1972, I was an innocent 8 year old discovering music.  As I recall, my favorite song that year was Brand New Key by Melanie.  (I was eight!)  What I knew about baseball were the Reds and Pete Rose.  For some reason known only to God, I had a crush on Pete.  This was a good year in my young life.

                                                                    Billy, don't be a hero

Mark, thank you for the mini-trip.  I so appreciate these cards and love adding them to my collection!