Left side, Strong side!!

Oh, about 6 months ago, I wrote a post about a trip that the wife and I made to the Goodwill, and naturally part of that trip was me coming home with a bag of baseball cards.  Goodwill Hunting was the name of the post, and that post was actually the start of me collecting the '86 Topps set.

I arrived home from work last Friday to find on my chair another bag of cards, this time one that my wife had picked up on her solo "junking" effort at Goodwill.  Again, for $3 the cards couldn't be left at the store.  Mind you, the lot was pretty much a group of cards from 1990 Fleer & Topps, but still they were a fun flip through. 

A lot of them had a pattern I noticed after a couple of times through the cards, the pattern being a lot of lefties that I had a lot of memories about over the years.

Let's look back...shall we?

Jerry Reuss.  Dodgers, yes.  Pirates, yes.  Brewers?  Really?

Yea...really

I will forever remember him as a crafty lefty that was part of those great Dodgers teams of the late 70's -- early 80's.  Brewers just doesn't look right.

Somebody told me recently that this guy is still active somewhere!  Somebody needs to tell this guy that it is OK to retire. 

The Candy man obviously got around.  I had forgotten he pitched 10 games for the Expos in 89.  I looked at his stats...Mets, hardly remember him there.  Dodgers, White Sox, Twins?  Nope...sorry.

Zane Smith also.  2 seasons in Montreal?  No way.  Atlanta, sure!  Pirates, part of the early 90's teams there.  Must be that I've selectively shut out any Montreal memories....

At least these two guys are wearing uniforms that I remember them in.  Fernandez a long time Met that was part of the World Series Champs in 1986.  Teddy Higuera, who didn't pitch a game in the majors until he was 27, was arguably the most dominant lefty in the game for a 4 year period between 1985-88.  That screwball he had was a killer. 

Let's not forget the hitters:

These guys left impressions that made you remember them being on a certain team.  Griffey Sr. ...  Seattle, of course we all remember the Griffey's together.  Atlanta, New York, Cincinnati, all stops that Griffey played for that had an impact on the game.
Andy Van Slyke was as good a center fielder as there was for a 10 year period, including an awesome season in 1992 when he led the NL in hits and doubles, and finished 4th in MVP balloting.  I still remember when he was part of the Cardinals in the early part of his career. 

This final guy...well let's just say Blue Jay fans will remember what he did to the Jays on October 4, 1987.

A pitching duel for the ages.  The Jays started the day 1 game behind the Tigers for the AL East title. 

Tanana vs Key, two crafty left handers on the mound.

The only scoring in the game?  A 2nd inning homer by Larry Herndon.  Both pitchers throw a complete game.  Key gives up 3 hits, Tanana just 6 hits.

Tigers win 1-0.  The Jays went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position. 

Humph. 

I look at all these players and see a part of the reason why lefties are always a valuable commodity.

Just ask Darren Oliver.

Thanks for reading, Robert

What's wrong with the justice system today.

Honestly people!  A 27 year old deputy allowed to be the investigative lead in a murder case.  What's wrong with this picture?


The guy has a close connection with the murder victim, he worked for him as a teenager.  How can Opie Taylor up there solve a murder case when he's too young to be wise enough to pick up on all the subtle clues that people may provide, and he's too personally involved with the victim to be objective.

What happened to the good old days when Colombo, Mannix, Ironside or any of the older investigators with years of experience were the ones chasing the perpetrators.  The guys with the savvy to ignore the egregious flirtations of a sexy blond woman who would try to distract them from the case.

Get me a guy like Fish from Barney Miller's squad.  Magnum, P.I.  Crockett and Tubbs.   At least these guys would be old enough to remember the phrase "Book 'em Dano!"

Somebody call in Barnaby Jones.   I'm sure that he would have the case solved within an hour (two hours if this is a 2 part episode). 

Oh wait, before you call in Barnaby, Quincy and Sam should get a look at the body first....

thanks for reading, Robert

Gint-A-Cuffs IV: Packs 19-24

Packs 1-6 can be found here
Packs 7-12 can be found here
Packs 13-18 can be found here

Running total coming into this post:  138 points

One more round of 6 packs....here we go!!!

Pack # 19:

59.  Johnny Damon
106. Bud Norris
235. Victor Martinez

81. Jerry Bailey (Jockey, +1 point)
108. J.P. Arencibia (MY Favorite team base card, +1 point)
319. Adam Wainwright (SP, +2 points)
HTP4.  Historical Turning Points The Reformation (insert, +3 points)
MM5.  Musical Masters Franz Liszt (mini insert, +3 points)

Pack total:  10 points
Running total: 148 points

Pack #20:

91. Grady Sizemore
142. Jose Reyes
226. Jim Thome
275. Kerry Wood

78. Joe Mauer (FP list, +2 points)
223. CC Sabathia (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
196. Lou Gehrig Mini (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN2 What's in a Name Carlos Gonzalez (insert +2 points)

Pack total: 2 points
Running total: 150 points


Pack #21:

52. Cameron Maybin
76. Michael Bourn

181. Joe DiMaggio (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
196. Lou Gehrig (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN37  What's in a Name Jason Heyward (insert, +2 points)
318. Mike Moustakas (A&G Ad Back SP mini, +7 points)
AGR-JJK   Jackie Joyner Kersee jersey relic (Awesome to get in an Olympic year, +10 points)

Pack total: 17 points
Running total:  167 points

Pack #22:

40. Jimmy Rollins
166. Ervin Santana
190. Addison Reed
239. Liam Hendriks
241. Andrew Bailey

249. Phil Hughes (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN24 What's in a Name Ian Kinsler (Insert, +2 points)
ML-16  World's Greatest Military Leaders Frederick the Great (Mini insert, +3 points)

Pack total:  4 points
Running total:  171 points

Pack #23:

31. Jackie Robinson
116. Brandon Beachy
140. Mike Trout
281. Matt Cain

60. Reggie Jackson (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
316. Adrian Gonzalez (SP, +2 points)
147. Tsuyoshi Nishioka (Black Bordered mini, +3 points)
BH-13 Baseball Highlight Sketches Matt Moore (Insert, +3 points)

Pack total:  7 points
Running total:  178 points

Pack #24 (the conclusion):  (Side note, I will be very happy if I NEVER see another Yankee again!!)

18. Kevin Youkilis
208. Martin Prado
217. Brian Wilson

16. Rulon Gardner (Mini A&G Back, +2 points)
212. Ken Griffey Jr. (FP list, +2 points)
302. Jayson Werth (SP, +2 points)
57. Michael Pineda (Damn Yankee....-1 point)
BH22 Baseball Highlight Sketches Joe DiMiaggio (Insert, +3 points, Damn Yankee -1 point, net +2 points)

Pack total:  7 points
Final Box Score:  185 points

Save for all the Damn Yankees in this box, I would have been close to 200 points.  I would have to say I'm very happy with 185 points for my first go round in Gint A Cuffs.

Overall, I am very happy with the box, 2 great autos of Gwynn and Curly Neal, and the relic of Joyner-Kersee was great to pull in an Olympic year as well.  

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark A. for the time and effort he puts in to give me, a lowly blogger, a chance to have some fun with this contest.  Thank you Mark!!

Best of luck to all the other participants this year as well!!

thanks for reading, Robert

Gint A Cuffs IV: Packs 13-18

Packs 1-6 can be found here.
Packs 7-12 can be found here.

Running total from first 12 packs:  100 points

Here we go!!

Pack # 13:

13. Drew Stubbs
96. Gavin Floyd
150. Norichika Aoki
228. Dexter Fowler
251. B.J. Upton
20. Miguel Montero Mini

345. Nolan Ryan (SP, +2 points)
BH-5 Baseball Highlight Sketches Brooks Robinson (Insert, +3 points)

Pack total: 5 points
Running total: 105 points

Pack #14:   (pack contained 7 cards including relic)

131. Jim Palmer
230. Evan Longoria
271. Mark Reynolds
280. Brandon Belt
21. Matt Moore mini

WIN87.  What's in a Name Joey Votto (insert, +2 points)
AGR-KF  Kosuke Fukudome jersey relic card (+10 points)

Pack total: 12 points
Running total:  117 points

Pack #15:

16. Rulon Gardner (would have been cool to see one of the Olympic competitors be a +1)
58. Ryan Braun
101. James Loney
164. Ike Davis
233. Shaun Marcum
272. Jose Tabata

101. James Loney mini A&G back (+2 points)
WIN70. What's in a name Jon Lester (+2 points)

Pack total: 4 points
Running total: 121 points

Pack #16:

87. Desmond Jennings
119. Asdrubal Cabrera
173. Jay Bruce
245. Hank Haney
294. Elvis Andrus

325. Frank Robinson (SP, +2 points)
318. Mike Moustakas (SP mini, +3 points)
Murder in Willow Cove "Back Alley" (Code breaker, +3 points)

Pack total: 8 points
Running total: 129 points

Pack #17:

17. Lonnie Chisenhall
129. Michael Phelps
135. Michael Morse
258. Doug Fister
290. Derek Holland
144. Joe Benson mini

19. Bob Knight (-1 point.  Was sorry to hear that the guy he choked on court years ago recently died)
WIN75.  What's in a Name Cole Hamels (+2 points)

Pack total:  1 point (lowest total so far)
Running total:  130 points

Pack # 18:

87. Annie Duke (I wouldn't want to be at the other end of that stare down)
115. Carlos Santana
133. Carlos Beltran
299. Jeff Niemann

269. Mike Schmidt (FP list, +2 points)
342. Ryan Dempster (SP, +2 points)
Murder in Willow Cove Max Mann (Crack the Code, +3 points)
225. Roger Maris (Mini A&G back, +2 points, Damn Yankee -1 point...net +1 point)

Pack total:  8 points
Running total:  138 points

Thanks for reading, Robert

Gint A Cuffs IV: Packs 7-12

Post #1 can be found here:

Running total from post 1, 63 points.   Here we go with day 2!

Pack #7:

24.  Paul Goldschmidt
141. Vance Worley
265. Chris Parmelee
277.  Jesus Montero
293.  Cliff Lee

274.  Derek Jeter mini (Damn Yankees, -1 point)
307.  Jhonny Peralta  (SP +2 points)
HTP18.  Historical Turning points Charles Darwin (+3 points)

Pack total:  4 points
Running total:  67 points

Pack #8:

68.  Rickie Weeks
119. Asdrubal Cabrera
294. Elvis Andrus
297. Justin Morneau

110.  Heath Bell (Favorite Player list card +2 points)
348.  Chase Headley (SP, +2 points)
272.  Jose Tabata (A&G back mini, +2 points)
HTP9 Historical Turning Points Discovery of the New World (+3 points)

Pack total:  9 points
Running total:  76 points

Pack #9:

63.  Zach Britton
95.  Felix Hernandez
100. Troy Tulowitzki
103. Alexi Ogando
144. Joe Benson
160. Shane Victorino mini

176. Babe Ruth (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN50 What's in a Name Mike Schmidt (Insert +2, Favorite Player List +2, +4 points total)

Pack total:  3 points
Running total:  79 points

Pack #10:

56. Jordan Pacheco
90. Roy Halladay (he's not anyone's fave player??)
94. Geovany Soto
215. Dan Haren

279. Brett Gardner (D--- Yankee..sorry can't spell the word out, there's a biblical figure in this pack, -1 pt)
346. Lefty Kreh (SP +2 points)
WTB7 World's Tallest Buildings Chrysler Building (+3 points)
PB-8 People of the Bible  Peter (+3 points)

Pack total:  7 points
Running total:  86 points

Pack # 11:

75. Erin Andrews
195. Jhoulys Chacin
211. Keegan Bradley
238. Austin Jackson
285. Ryan Zimmerman
95.  Felix Hernandez mini

199.  Ricky Romero (Favorite team +1 point)
WIN27  What's in a Name Starlin Castro (Insert, +2 points)

Pack total:  3  points
Running total:  89 points

Pack #12:   (This pack contained 7 cards, due to auto)

55. Colin Montgomerie
100. Troy Tulowitzki
103. Alexi Ogando
63. Zach Britton mini

176. Babe Ruth (Damn Yankee, -1 point)
WIN11 What's in a Name Torii Hunter (Insert, +2 points)
AGA-CNE  Curly Neal Auto (+10 points, needless to say, I really was excited to pull this auto!!  It is a beautiful looking graph as well)

Pack total:  11 points
Running total:  100 points


Thanks for reading, Robert

Gint A Cuffs IV: Packs 1-6

Since I was just starting out as a blogger last year when this contest was rolling, I had no idea what "Gint A Cuffs" was, or what everyone was doing.  Well, once I figured it out I told myself that if the contest was run again this year, I wasn't going to let the opportunity to play pass me by.

Hopefully, I will not butcher the scoring of my hobby box as I go here.

With all that said....a Gint A Cuffs we shall go!!

Box-topper 

This was quite the start for me.  I opened the box on Friday and this was the only pack that I cracked.  Needless to say it made my day.

Tony Gwynn N43 Auto!!  # 5/15!!  30 points

Pack 1:

10. Dustin Pedroia
134.  David Freese
178.  Wei-Yin Chen
185.  Starlin Castro
218.  John Danks

23.  Yogi Berra (Damn Yankee, -1...a recurring theme for this box)
GD-14.  Giants of the Deep  Bottlenose Whale  +3 points
WIN-64 What's in a Name?  David Ortiz +2 points

Pack 1 total:  4 points
Running total:  34 points

Pack 2:

12. Bryce Harper
42. Justin Upton
65. Alex Rios
86. Nyjer Morgan
125. Ben Revere
253. Jorge De La Rosa

58. Ryan Braun Mini A&G Back +2 points
WIN63. What's in A Name Rod Carew +2 points

Pack 2 total:  4 points
Running total:  38 points

Pack 3:

80. Brooks Robinson
167. J.J. Putz
201. Tommy Hanson
282. Carlos Quentin

225. Roger Maris (Damn Yankees, -1 point)
324. Cal Ripken Jr., (SP, +2 points)
327. Jon Lester Mini regular back (Mini SP, +2 points)
WTB 9.  Worlds Tallest Buildings Woolworth Building +3 points

Pack 3 total: 6 points
Running total:  44 points

Pack 4: 

118.  Carl Yastrzemski
146.  Josh Beckett
152.  Ryan Vogelsong
189.  Lance Berkman
194.  J.J. Hardy
244.  Brett Anderson
296.  Mark Trumbo Mini

WIN 39.  What's in a Name Monte Irvin +2 points

Pack total:  2 points
Running total:  46 points

Pack 5: 

20.  Miguel Montero
21.  Matt Moore
160. Shane Victorino
296. Mark Trumbo

274. Derek Jeter (Damn Yankees, -1 point)
336. Gio Gonzalez (SP, +2 points)
266. Carlos Ruiz (Black bordered mini, +3 points)
WTB4.  World's Tallest Buildings Willis Tower +3 points

Pack total:  7 points
Running total:  53 points

Pack 6: 

41. Clayton Kershaw
55. Colin Montgomerie
73. Jordan Zimmerman
165. Alex Avila

113.  Meadowlark Lemon  (Harlem Globetrotter +1 point)
Becky Guttman Murder in Willow Cove (+3 points, crack the code card)
333.  Kelly Johnson (SP + MY Favorite team!!  +3 points)
MBF-15 Mans Best Friend Cocker Spaniel mini  +3 points

Pack total:  10 points (best pack so far)
Running total:  63 points

All scoring is of course subject to verification and adjustment if necessary.

thanks for reading, Robert

Sakic Sunday: Two years of OPC Premier

As any collector knows, the early 90's was the overproduction era.  Baseball was not the only sport that fell into this trap, hockey cards ran through the presses at a high rate of speed as well.

Two sets that were part of this were the OPC Premier sets of 90-91 and 91-92

90-91 Premier on the left was the hottest set for hockey collectors at the time.

Not a whole lot of difference in the cards over the two years in terms of design.  The main difference is the prices.  Even though the card on the left is only a year older than the one on the right, the rampant overproduction of the '92 set is the main reason that the Sakic is 'listed' at 50 cents, while the other card is 5x more expensive. 

As you can see as well, Joe Sakic was already wearing an 'A' on his jersey by his 3rd season, and the 4th season saw him assume the captaincy full time.  Joe remained the captain of the Nordiques/Avalanche franchise for the rest of his career.  (Joe actually became captain towards the end of his 3rd season in the league, which you will see on the next post)

Over the next few weeks you will see a lot of early 90's Sakic cards, which are the genesis of my player collection for Joe.  I can still remember pulling a lot of these cards from packs, or buying them from the LCS that I frequented at the time.  It's going to be fun post and looking back at these cards, I'm looking forward to it already.

thanks for reading, Robert