Nick's Book Nook and Card Shop

I hardly know where to begin with this particular share. If I were to save the best for last, you would skip right to the bottom of this post. I'm not catering to you.  And who has the final say of what's best?  Me. I'm the decider.

Nick (do not ask 'Nick, who?' ) sent an oversized package my way mid-February. This package could not have been more well-timed. A month later, Nick was laid-off from his job. Sometimes you ask for something so off the wall, well, there's just no way your wish will be fulfilled.  Did you ask Nick who? Nick might as well be Santa Claus.

He packed in the usual assortment of cardboard surprises which he has such a knack for doing.
How about a 75 Kaline? Check.

1971 O-Pee-Chee? Of course.

One card needed to finish your 2018 Fire set? No problem ma'am.

Pristine 2001 Topps Reserve in their refractory finest? Have two:

Magazine oddball - required.

       

 1993 UD Glowing Darren Daulton.  Happy to oblige!

A case of the 'no baseball blues'? Please, take one Champ Summers.

Crazy enough to build 2003 Topps Retired from one card? Here's your second. You're gonna need the help.

One scoop or two? Please, have four.

Holy smokes! It was a difficult narrowing down the scans to share only a handful of the 100 or so cards Nick sent.  [Are you still asking, 'Nick who'?]  I could ramble on at length about each card here but decided to save it for this lot. If there were 'best' cards in this package, lordy it must be these.  1961 Nu-Card Scoops should be found at the top of my vintage oddball want-list. Scoops are a delightful addition to the Tiger collection. I love the news headline design. Throughout all of my card show binges, I've only ever found one Nu-Scoop card, Mickey Cochrane card 419. This set would look fantastic in a binder. I have five cards. Anyone care to send the rest?

GO FUND ME

As much as I love this 80 card set, it isn't in the boo-jay - that's French for budget.  Perhaps when I have a few hundred to splurge, I can find a clean and complete set. Scoops are numbered 401-480. My best guess is numbering continued from previous sets although I've found only one: 1960 Nu-Card Highlights. However, it's numbered 1-72. If any of you have more info than this, please share in the comments.

IMAGE COURTESY OF TCDB

If you are still asking Nick who then I must ask you- have you been social-distancing on another planet?  He began blogging at the end of 2011. Dime Boxes should be on your required reading list.    

And if Nick's taking any suggestions, this post's title is a big ole hint!!! I'll join you Nick, and run the cafe. Nick may be laid off but when he's not, he's working for my favorite bookstore chain, Half Price Books. Books, records, magazines, games and some collectibles - I've never walked out of one empty handed. I was a regular customer - every weekend - at the flagship store in Dallas Tx. It's H-U-G-E! Before vinyl became a 'thing' again these past few years, I was quietly stocking up. I had no trouble finding most 60s & 70s albums in like new/nearly new condition for $5.99 or less. I'm talkin' Beatles for cheap!

I'm also a book junkie: history, memoirs, biographies, positive thinking...and baseball. All hold treasured space on my bookshelves. Nick asked if there were any books I might be looking for.  I mentioned one that had been on my Amazon list for a long time. A book out of print since 1991, originally published in 1973. There was no way he'd find a nearly new copy, ever.  A worn copy maybe, eventually.

Nick's reply?  This book came in just this past week!!  He happens to manage the sports section of the store.  I could not believe this good luck.  The hardbacks are simply unaffordable and a high quality paperback can run $30+ on the secondary market.  Beggars shouldn't be choosy but I am when it comes to books.  My own paperbacks are in like new condition: no tears, bends, and no broken spines, even after several readings! How is it that this 30 year old copy could meet my criteria?

The authors Boyd and Harris both worked for a bookstore. A customer inquired regarding books about baseball cards but these were yet to be written. They took it upon themselves to pen one.  After going through their childhood collection of cards from the 50s and 60s, the men chose an eclectic group of players as fodder for their prose. Most of the players represented are the lesser knowns, the fellas you always manage to pull from a wax pack four or five times - in four or five trips to the drugstore.

It was a fun read. I forced myself to put it down overnight and finish the second day. Not wanting to break the spine, I wasn't able to scan any of the contents to share.  Please accept my apologies for the phone pics.  Here's a peek into the thoughts of two collector pals in 1973:

At least Rip has some 'best' years.

The umpire heckled him.

What a juvenile prank.

What's up, Albie?

Know any good kneck kneck jokes?

Someday there will be nostalgia for the 70s, indeed.

Nick, I hardly know how to thank you. The cards were fantastic, with many new additions to the stash. The book however, was over the top. It will be treasured for many years to come.

I consider myself fortunate to have fallen in with our blogging community. My collection has grown immensely due to the generosities of bloggers like Nick.  With the extra hours afforded during the MI Stay At Home Order, I've had the opportunity to assess my collection. My next post will be an update on the new direction my cardboard hoarding has taken. What's old is new, so it seems. Until then, be well.

And for Pete's sake, read Nick's blog!

Oklahoma City Thunder: Remembering April 19, 1995

ORIGINAL POST DATE  JANUARY 19, 2020

For those who took time to read, and those who may have missed my original post, please join me in remembering the victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City Bombing.

Twenty-five years ago on a mild spring morning, an explosion rocked downtown Oklahoma City. I worked the night shift at the time, less than a mile from the Alfred P. Murrah Building.  I’d only been outside a moment when the bomb shattered windows for blocks, shaking the ground under my feet. To say the sound was deafening is an understatement. The front half of the nine-story building collapsed, top-to-bottom. One hundred sixty-eight lives ended abruptly at 9:02 am that Wednesday. 

For those who lost family and friends, the absence of their loved ones surely remains constant. Survivors carry scars and painful memories. First Responders can recall every detail of that day and the countless hours spent searching for survivors. Hours turned into days as rescue became recovery. Their bravery is not forgotten.

Kim Clark was a friend of mine. While we weren’t extremely close, we shared a common interest. She was engaged to my ex-boyfriend. They were only weeks from their wedding date. I hadn’t seen her since we shared Thanksgiving together at a mutual friends’ home. She worked for the Department of Housing and Urban Development on the eighth floor of the building.  I try not to think about what that moment was like for her. My hope has been that her death was immediate. Kim was 39 years old.

While I rarely discuss that day, I never forget.  Every time  I see a Ryder truck, I remember.  When I’m in Oklahoma, the memorial is always part of my visit. I sit on steps by the reflecting pool and watch the sun set.  If the weather is cold, I bundle up and walk around for a while.  I’ll stop at the 8^th row chair reserved in Kim’s honor.  It’s surreal to walk on the grass among the 168 empty chairs and realize this is ‘ground zero’; this was death.  It’s hard to fathom the destruction and loss. The park is  a peaceful place to pause and appreciate life.

This year the OKC Thunder is remembering with all Oklahomans. Since 2008, team ownership has required new staff and players tour the Memorial to experience and understand what is now known as “The Oklahoma Standard” (service,  honor and kindness;  a resilient spirit wrapped in goodwill and compassion.)  The Thunder has partnered with the OKC National Memorial and Museum to underwrite a new exhibit highlighting this standard. The team will cover admission costs on the 25^th of every month of 2020.  They’ve created a special uniform scheduled to be worn several times this year, and displayed in the exhibit.

The uniforms are black with Oklahoma City in gold letting on the front. There are gold bars running top-to-bottom on the sides representing the ‘gates of time’.  The times 9:01 and 9:03 appear on the vent portion of the shorts. The ‘survivor tree’ is found on the belt of the shorts. A blue ribbon can be found inside the jersey with the words “We Remember Those Who Were Changed Forever, April 19, 1995.”

Now living in Michigan, I won’t have the opportunity to participate in any special giveaways that might be a part of the current basketball season.  I have no friends in OKC who attend the games.  I don’t collect basketball cards so am asking for your help. I won’t have basketball to trade in return.  Please, keep me in mind should you find any Thunder cards specifically honoring the victims, or memorial.  I’m not collecting regular Thunder basketball as I don’t follow the sport.  I’m reaching out to you for assistance. This is more than a ‘wantlist’ request. It is deeply personal to me.

courtesy of Google Images

I’m seeking any Thunder memorabilia from the current season (2019-2020) specific to the Memorial, or trading cards which clearly feature the special Thunder jersey being worn this year. I realize these cards likely won’t make their appearance until much later this year, or early next.  Should they be available, I’d like to add relics featuring the Survivor Tree, Blue Ribbon and/or the Time portion of the shorts. As these are larger pieces, I fear they'll be too expensive for my budget. 

If you are ever in Oklahoma City, please take a few hours to explore the museum and walk along the reflecting pool. I try to time my visit to the Memorial with sunset. The chairs are illuminated from dusk to dawn. It's an especially moving tribute those who perished, as the memory of each soul burns forever brightly in the hearts and minds of their loved ones. 

Would you please take a few moments to review the links throughout this post? 

Thank you for reading.

*all photos are my own except uniform as noted above

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.

Hey Nineteen!

How is everyone doing? Michigan Covid-19 numbers are climbing the charts. I've been going into the office every day, even after our Governor signed the executive 'stay-at-home' order for non-essential employees.  It's taken my employer awhile but he found a way to keep us home. I was laid off this week, for at least the month of April.

2018-19 MVP

I've never drawn unemployment in my life but had no choice. Becoming unemployed actually took a bit of stress off me. One of my coworkers thinks it's ok to shop at Walmart, Target and Meijer because she is bored at home. I can't help but find that selfish, not only to her coworkers but to the grocery workers.  She's inviting trouble. Roulette anyone?

Pick Pockets have not been mailed but I hope to do so in a week or two.  I can't imagine being a window clerk at the post office right now. I'll do my part ordering stamps online. If I pay a little too much to mail these envelopes, so be it. The post office needs the revenue right now. 

My vivacious and outgoing personality aside, staying home will be easy for me. Music, reading, cards - all will be good company. I'm blessed with lots of outdoor space. The weather is warming up nicely. Perhaps I can actually get some sunshine on my shoulders, and a little work done.  I plan to do a lot of mini-set sorting too.  Many  of the cards I need will be added to the Send Help tab on this blog.

2018-2019 UD 

In addition to the PP page - so juvenile, like me -  I'll be adding a new trade tab, title to be named later. You'll find cards here specific to trading for cards on the Send Help tab. Each card will note how many of your cards are needed in order to trade for it. After sorting out my little sets, I'll list the missing cards. There should be much to choose from as my needs are numerous. Let's see if I can get this done in April. Any of you want to place bets on my success?

Sooner Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings /99

Sooner Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Perhaps. Perhaps I'll even manage a little extra blog time! My trade folder scans are quickly accumulating!  The cards featured today were received in February courtesy of  Sportscards from the Dollar Store.   Doug tucked in a couple of Sooners along with the Blackhawks shown. All are quite nice.

2018-19 Synergy  /749

My favorites in the batch though are these 2019-20 Artifacts. The etching in the foil corners is quite elegant:

 Good-looking cards here!  Thank you Doug, for thinking of me!

I hope all of you continue to be well, and remain safe from the virus. It must be a struggle for those accustomed to the hustle and bustle of life but there are positive aspects to be found in this trying time.  If you are able, try to focus on the good that can be done for others; either by staying home, or random acts of kindness when you find yourself in the midst of others. Even if it's letting someone go ahead of you in the line, or a kind word to the clerk at the store, these moments are appreciated.

We can't dance together, we can't talk at all - who knew?????  Steely Dan.

Happy Birthday, Knucksie!

Today is knuckleball pitcher Phil's Niekro's 81st birthday. I wonder if every year, someone thinks it's funny to put those stupid candles on his cake that won't blow out.  Do they sing "April Fools Day to you"?

I'm usually late to the Fool's party, sometimes I don't show up. This is my first opportunity to post on what is one of my favorite days of the year. Only the Fourth of July, Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Mardis Gras, my birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Opening Day, President's Day, National Pie Day, Boxing Day, sick days and payday rank higher. There are a few others I like more but I want you to take me seriously.  Seriously, don't take me seriously. I always manage to make every post about me. Back to Knucksie...

Phil's 1988 Score shows full career stats - a sunset card:

From the days of overproduction, the card back is quite simple, with a nice little photo of his good side.  He began his MLB career the year I was born. Me. Me. Me.  When I graduated high school in 82, he was still a Brave. Not to brag but my senior grade point average was slightly higher than his 3.41 ERA.  Knucksie Phil pitched for almost 25 years.  I read somewhere his right arm was about one inch and three quarters longer than his left. He retired as a Brave at age 48.  I was 48 just a few short years ago.  The Braves retired his number 35 in 1984. I was 35 when I attended my first Braves' game at Turner Field!!  Knucksie and I have so much in common! It's creepy in a Lincoln/Kennedy kind of way!

I was never a fan of early Score, or any Score. This front side does have orange borders, perfect for a "Sunset" card. I am a big fan of sunsets in general, yet another coincidence?

So the truth is, I don't own this card. As  you may know, many of my posts are built around stolen internet images. Kleptomania at its virtual finest. Burgled by browser. Whatever you may call it, I lack any notoriety.  Phil's nickname "Knucksie" on the other hand, is a crossword puzzle clue. Answer: NIEKRO.

Have a great day everyone - and be well!

Watch For Above Average Pedestrians and other signs

Slow down, you move to fast. I find myself saying this more often as the years days pass.  I was never much for life in the fast lane.  Card collecting is a perfect hobby for someone who's not in a hurry. That's a good thing since most of our collections will never be fully complete and/or organized.  Oh there are a few of you out there, with your fancy shelves and cards all neatly bindered.  I forgive you.

I'm not ashamed to admit there are incomplete sets in my collection from the 90s. For instance, 1997 SP:

23 years later, the first two of only seven needed cards come off the list! And just who gets credit for this modern day miracle??    Chris  ---->  https://thepedestriancollector.blogspot.com/ !!!  In January, he picked my pockets for a few cards and kindly sent a return envelope.  He also took time to check my wantlist. Who knows why he would have any of these cards but it made my day to receive them. To be honest, I'm not certain why I kept them either. They've been in my collection so long now, so close to completion, I'm apparently unable to part with them.  Not ugly, not overly special, but still super premium in their day.

REMAINING 97 SP THORNS

Chris is anything but an average collector. He's also an above average blogger. One of my favorite things on his blog is his hockey frankenset tab:

HIS CARDS, NOT MINE...YET

These cards birthed a monster in me, not ALIEN but my buttons can be pushed.  OPC has become my choice for hockey cards. I choose to let others send them to me. {So why don't you?} I can't help but enjoy the fact Upper Deck owns the rights to an old Topps brand.  I added all Blackhawks to my want list.  Wildly colorful, the Rainbow parallels would be a sweet binder addition.

Chris tucked a little hockey into this PWE:

Blackhawk goalies!!  Fantastic contents, Chris! Thank you. Pick on me anytime! 

Changing directions... I've tried to skirt this topic but it seems nearly impossible.  Now that the oh-so novel virus is on our shores, the novelty has worn thin.  I am healthy and live/work in relatively unexposed conditions.  Working from home is not an option anymore as I'm five minutes from the office, and the emergency 'go-to'. I can avoid contact with all but perhaps four persons there.  My desk is a good distance from everyone but off the main aisle these four travel.  We are in the automobile industry. Incoming work is already slowing.  As a third-tier service provider, this company would be greatly affected by a shut-down. It seems inevitable. As colleges and schools close their doors for the next few weeks, other businesses are sure to follow suit. Several of my pals here are teachers. Billy battles health issues so his trading is on hiatus for now.  How many of you plan to halt trading at this time, or at all? Are you still shopping online - ebay?

I hope you, your friends and family are all unaffected. I'll be here, checking in. Please let us know if you find yourself under-the-weather.  I need to stock up on hot dogs and spicy brown mustard...just in case there's a run on wieners!

If you are still interested in Pick Pockets, I've upped the pick-limit to 15 cards. It seems a shame to send half-empty pockets on a journey.  New cards are going up this weekend. If you want anything still available, make your claims. 

HERE'S YOUR SIGN

Gimme Gimme Gimme Gimme Gimme That Card

In 1975, the Average White Band boarded the Soul Train to tell the world it was ok to ask for what you wanted.   These white boys were looking for a piece of cake.  For years, I wondered why sing about cake?  A couple of weeks ago, it dawned on me - cake was a metaphor.

We see many great pieces of cardboard around the blogs we'll never own. We sometimes comment that we need or want a card with no expectations of receiving the particular card shown in the post.  I did so recently, making an innocent comment regarding a specific card.

>>>> CHECK OUT THIS BLOG <<<<

Nine Pockets was showing off a second completed set of 84-84 Topps Hockey. This set is quite similar to 83 Topps Baseball.  I like the hockey design much more however. Team colors bordering the photos are wider, giving the card a brighter appearance. He had two sets to my zero!

D is for delightful...or possibly defense. 

ONE OF SIX SUTTERS

The six  brothers were Brent, Brian, Darryl, Duane, Rich and Ron, whose parents were fond of alliteration. All six played at one time for either the Blues or Blackhawks. Well of course they did! There is a seventh brother, Gary, obviously a misfit. His brothers say he was the most talented hockey player in the family. Not wanting to shame his six siblings, Gary chose to work the family farm.

Hooray Murray!

When I love catchers in gear, it's no surprise masked men on ice warm my heart just a little. This card is simply tremendous! An awesome old school mask hiding perfectly coiffed hair, this card was destined to be mine. January 5th, I commented on Niner's post: '...then there's the Bannerman which I do NOT have but will whine until I do.'  An envelope postmarked on the 8th arrived with three cards and a note: You want a Bannerman? You gots a Bannerman!  Who knew all I needed to do was ask?

Gregory, thank you!

If I could collect a second sport, it would be hockey.  Limited space and time make this unrealistic. I have found room however for a Blackhawks binder - and not just any binder!  It had to be perfect. Santa Claus still finds me every year no matter how undeserving I may be:

I'll soon be tucking these three cards into a nine-pocket page. Speaking of pockets - Pick Pockets was updated nearly two weeks ago. If you are a regular, you know the drill.

Now, about that cake... At times, I truly am that naive.