Valentines, Spring Flowers and a Broken Heart

How's that for a girly title? Come on guys, don't be afraid to show your softer side. It's healthy. There are many ways to win a woman's heart. Candy and flowers are sweet things but flowers die and candy meets its own end, sometimes quickly. Some ladies like a big spender. Me? I'm a simple gal. I like a thoughtful card and lots of 'em!

I opened my mailbox on February 14th to find yet another package from Johnny. He filled a fat little mailer with a hundred or so cards. Nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like pink O-Pee-Chees!
A Whitman's Sampler of the contents:

Take a peek at their backsides. Blush. You'll learn why Mark was 'the Bird' and Parrish, 'The Bodyguard'.  Hint: not Whitney Houston. 

The position of 'receveur' is easily understood to mean catcher, one who receives the ball. 'Voltigeur' is translated a bit differently: as sharpshooter or light infantry in the French army or 'tumbler, leaper, vaulter' for which outfielders have a tendency. 

Another receveur, numbered of 25, a rainbow foil Stadium Club:

Here's a gem I'd waited months to get my hands on! I wouldn't mind having a couple more copies of this one. Look closely and you'll see 13 lost souls waiting for the gates to open. Most likely a special giveaway day. These have been known to draw the larger crowds. 

I'll take this opportunity to show a close-up of the cat prowling along the stadium roof line, upper left on the card. These photos were taken in 2018:

Not three weeks later, a bouquet of Forget-Me-Nots arrived, again from John. Filled with more cards, it was hard to choose a few to share. I went with another receveur, Mickey Tettleton. Mickey was named for THE Mick, both good ole' Oklahoma boys. 

Featuring 93 Stadium Club and 93 Fun Pack, top row; 95 Topps and 95 Stadium Club, bottom:

I'm still a fan of Fun Pack, another of my sets longing for completion. All the wild colors that came at the end of the 80s, wrapped right into the early 90s and onto these cards.  If I have any memories of those days, they are at least colorful. The bottom cards though, are some of what I've come to love most in my collection: those moments between innings, or at bats. Some shots are reflective, quiet; revealing the stillness of the game when players are 'in the moment.' The photographer certainly was. I find these images soothing.

Forget-Me-Nots

What else could John possibly send my way? By now, I should know better than to ask.  Johnny runs a little game on the side. Every Friday night, five contestants have a chance to choose a number or steal cards previously revealed. Player one usually loses their little prize. I went third. Normally, I pop-in to encourage other players to thievery. It's just the peace loving soul I am. I figured karma would show her face during my round but no one stole my 75 minis! John sent these along with a crisp 1976 Kelloggs! Sweet!

John is always looking for players. He currently needs two more for the fourth Friday this month. He asks only that you be available to play on your chosen Friday night.  John wants to begin and end the game within 2-3 hours. If you are up for it, run over there and comment to let him know.  

John, thank you as always! You're full of surprises!!

Much has been written this week about the passing of Al Kaline, our Mr. Tiger.  In my quest to meet all living Tigers from the 68 World Series team, Kaline eluded me. I was once only twenty feet from him but during the Q&A session, no autographs were allowed. My next opportunity was last year at a signing in a local mall but Little League took precedence. My then ten year old friend was playing an afternoon game and I rarely get an opportunity to support him. Now Kaline is gone. The 68 team is slowly moving towards permanent residence in our hearts and memories. 

I nabbed his rookie card last year.  An additional few of my favorites which to my knowledge, haven't been shared this week. Two of my favorite Topps designs, 58 and 72:

2019 Topps SSP from the 68 World Series:

and two from 1983 The Al Kaline Story:

Farewell Mr. Tiger.

UNRAVELLED

Tigers - threads unravelled.  I hope the off-season is spent shoring up the bullpen and finding a way to keep Scherzer! There's always next year...right?  Win or lose, I expect at the very least to catch more games in person! 

 

I'm a bit behind on posting after spending the weekend in Oklahoma City. It's most fortunate having so many new trading partners to cheer me up in this bluest of times.  Please forgive me the time between posts.  I promise to do better!

A couple of days ago, I received some very cool booty from our Pirate Matey, Matthew.  


2001 Private Stock

Juan Gonzalez was a favorite for me when I began following the game in 93.  He was an RBI King in his glory days of the 90s.  I was a big Rangers fan when he was traded to Detroit. By then, he'd lost much of his charm.  I felt bad for Tigers fans who thought they were getting a star player.  I recall he was having trouble with a big toe. He played in only 115 games that year.  Juan was quoted as saying the Tigers would have to bring in the fences if they wanted to sign him as a free agent. He spent the next year as an Indian. Then as Texas is wont to do, they brought the old fan favorite back to the team for two years. He was hurt half of this time, unable to play. Juan will probably always be tainted, thanks to tattletale Jose.



2005 Donruss Champions

Magglio Ordonez: Maggs - fans affectionately called him. I wasn't paying close attention to him when he came up with the White Sox.  He managed to play with only two teams: White Sox 97-04 and Tigers 05-11.  He put up great career numbers: .309 avg., 2156 hits, 294 homers and 1236 rbi.  In 2007, Maggs won the AL Batting Title with a .363 average - the first Tiger to do so since Norm Cash won in 1961.  He retired at the end of the 2011 season.  From what I've read he was elected a municipality mayor in Venezuela.  Ordonez ran on the ticket of Hugo Chavez's United Socialist Party of Venezuela.  I wonder if he's divided his fortune to share among the people...

2006 Topps Co-Signers

 Mickey, a fellow Okie named after The Mick. I could never get past the wad of chew. So gross! I will try tho.  He began as an A in 1984, played for the Orioles 88-90, Tigers 91-94 and finally as I knew him - a Ranger 95-97.   A switch-hitter with a career BA of .241 and little pop in his bat for 245 homers (which he credits to Froot Loops.)  ??? Ok. Sure.  He was good behind the plate, retiring with a .991 fielding percentage.   

Frank began his career with the Angels in 73 and pitched for six teams. He was a Tiger from 85-92.  In his best years, he owned a fastball which regularly clocked at 100 plus mph.  This pitch wore out his arm so he added a couple of slow off-speed pitches to the mix, earning him the nickname the great tantalizer.  Frank would throw an 88mph fastball along with breaking balls which frustrated batters quite effectively.  ESPN often referred to Tanana as the guy who threw 90 in the 70s and 70 in the 90s.

Mickey Tettleton and Frank Tanana - I didn't know them as Tigers but am sure they don't know me at all so we're even-steven.  Matthew, thanks for these more than fantastic cards!

If you've read this far then behold, another round of Triple Thread offerings: base and numbered.

BASE

BASE

GOLD /99                    EMERALD/250

AMETHYST/325

AMETHYST/325

My Tigers' season is over, unravelled.  Threads yanked out by the beaks of those pretty Orioles. These Triple Threads are sharp, new cards which can be had with a comment below or email to: a cracked bat  at  gmail dot commmmm.  Thank you for reading and welcoming me into this fantastic community!