Black and blue and Thome too

First off, I just want to remind everyone that the 2nd play in match is still going on.  If you haven't voted yet, but would like to cast your vote, please comment on the 72 vs 71 post from last Saturday.

Now, I had a pretty good finish to my day today.   I had to work the close shift, so I didn't get home until 9 pm.  What awaited me when I arrived home was a great pile of envelopes, totally unexpected.  I'm sure that all of you out there read the Night Owl Cards blog on a regular basis, and if so you may remember that he mailed out a bunch of PWE's at the end of last week.

I did not expect to receive one of those today, because I only knew of one card that I had asked to be set aside...

Everyone out there maximizes their PWE's by sending multiple cards, and the black bordered Reyes was not the only card inside.  Greg hit the jackpot on the Topps Opening Day blasters a short time ago, and I was lucky enough to be the recipient of two blue parallels.

Jean Segura is serial #'d 1360, and is the 35th Brewers card out of 50.   Gerardo Parra on the right is serial #'d 1055, and represents the 32nd card for the Diamondbacks.   Better yet, these two cards bring the total of cards I have to 1125, which means that I am 3/4 of the way finished.

It seemed like quite a while since the last serial #'d cards came in, so these were definitely a welcome sight.

Last but not least, there was a great Jim Thome base card for the PC in there.

 

Great shot of Thome providing either a pre game or post game interview.  I guess he needed two bats to prop himself up.

What's shameful on my part is updating the Thome have list on the PC tab, and realizing that I've had a dozen cards that have been sitting on my desk for 3 weeks that haven't been added to the list.  I think that this weekend is going to be spent updating my pages, and cleaning off the piles of cards that have accumulated on my desk again.

Greg, I have that Joc Pederson card set aside for you, plus a few other Dodgers.   Should be in the mail this weekend.  Thank you for what you sent, very much appreciated!!!

thanks for reading, Robert

Serial Insanity cards 1021-1025

I often have wondered if I would tire of this project.  I didn't realize when I first thought of this idea a couple of years ago the massive undertaking that the SNI project would be.

Now that I'm over 1000 cards, I think that this is where the project is going to start getting more interesting for me (and hopefully for you).

There are several teams in the 40+ card range, and as they hit the 50 mark and "drop off" the serial numbers will get that much harder to fill.  (Hint Hint, Astros, Tigers, Rockies and Orioles are in desperate need of your help!)

Enjoy the next 5...

Card # 1021:  Mark Teixeira

 
Serial Number:  1359
45th card out of 50 for the Bronx Bombers

You may or may not have seen this card recently on the blog.   I actually chose to use the copy I received from Jeff over at the Cards from the Attic blog (don't ask me why).  Chances are if Mark gets a hit off of Bruce Chen, it's for extra bases.  Teixeira has 11 hits against the lefty, 2 doubles and 7 homers giving him a SLG pct. of 1.545.   Not bad...

Card # 1022:  Carlos Beltran

 
Serial Number:  947
41st card out of 50 for the Cardinals

I'm sure that Carlos is going to get one more contract at good money, probably for 2 years, and my guess would be it will be in the AL so he can DH and help the wear and tear on his body.  I think 3000 hits may be out of reach, with Carlos needing 772 more to reach that milestone. 

Card # 1023:  C.C. Sabathia

Serial Number:  71
36th card out of 50 for the Indians

I don't think until I started building the insanity set that I saw a Topps Co-Signers card ever before.  This is now one of my favorite releases, largely because of the 2 player front with the "prominent" player being in color in the foreground.  C.C. won 14 games despite career worst stats in ERA, WHIP and runs allowed.  The hits allowed in 2013 was the 3rd most in his career.  205 career wins at age 33, anyone want to guess how old he'll be when he hits 300 wins?

Card # 1024:  Darin Erstad

Serial Number:  953
43rd card out of 50 for the Angels

As valuable a player as the Angels had in the 2002 World Series championship, Darin hit .352 (25/71) and scored 14 runs in wins over the Yankees, Twins and Giants.  Hands up if you remember him winning the Gold Glove at 1B in 2004....

Card # 1025:  Yonder Alonso

Serial Number:  1050
35th card out of 50 for the Reds

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but Yonder is probably my favorite first name in all of baseball.  The jury is still out on the trade that brought him to San Diego, but it still is looking like the Reds have gotten the better of the deal so far.  One of the players (Volquez) was released by the Padres over the summer, Brad Boxberger has pitched fairly well in limited action over 2 seasons, and Yasmani Grandal took a step backwards last year, numbers wise.  The 3 players the Padres have left are all still young, so time may change how that deal looks down the road....

Shh...don't repeat this, but this is my 900th post...

Thanks for reading, Robert