PWE's are all right by me

One of the things I've tried to do on my last couple of trips over to Sam's club is to bring home bubble mailers.  They have a pretty good deal on boxes of 25, so for an extra $6 on the grocery bill, I keep myself stocked up for trading purposes.  I actually have two full boxes in reserve right now, along with the one I have open with about 2/3 remaining.

Now, the PWE revolution seems to be beginning.  I honestly don't blame any of you out there either for starting to send stuff in a PWE.  It's cheap, quick and you don't have to wait in line at the post office (unless you need stamps of course).

I've even bandied about the idea of getting a few PWE's together for some of you, heaven knows I probably owe a few of you out there.

Speaking of PWE's, I received one today from Matt over at Card Anathema with three more pieces of the 1500 card serial insanity puzzle, all courtesy of 2011 Topps.

I just noticed, all 3 are in gray unis.  And what do I see in the middle, an Astro!  They are the last team to be 1/3 complete, as Barmes is the 17th Astro towards the set. 

Matt, thank you very much for the cards, they really are appreciated!!   PWE's, yes they are all right by me.

I may have to look into whether Sam's has a good deal on PWE's. 

Thanks for reading, Robert

Common card of the day: Rollie Fingers

Okay, maybe this card isn't really one you would consider a common, but I thought a shot of Rollie without the trademark handlebar was worth showing.

thanks for looking, Robert

From 4 to 2 to 1 to done

The 2008 UD Masterpieces adventure is over.   The set was finally completed today.  The last 4 cards of the set that I needed were all SPs, and arrived at my doorstep within the past 3 weeks.

First, a couple of ebay auction wins provided a couple of great catchers, Carlton Fisk and Johnny Bench:

When I was down to 2, I received one of the two from Pat at the Hot Corner Cards blog, Ryne Sandberg:

When I got down to 1, I hit eBay running, and within 4 days, Bob Gibson showed up on my doorstep, in a PWE no less...

Great cards indeed.  That's the 23rd set completed since I started the blog, and also means that one of the Fab Five has been completed.

I finally decided to add a hockey set to the Fab Five, the 99/00 UD MVP silver signature parallel set.  I only need 9 more to complete that set, hopefully that task will not require a year or two to complete.

thanks for reading, Robert

Common card of the day: John Rocker

Would have liked to have seen what his career would have been like if the comments he made hadn't come back to bite him.

Thanks for looking, Robert

Seeing Red

If my count is correct, there are a baker's dozen Blue Jay cards in 2013 Topps Series 1, not including the 2 out of bounds short prints.  Not too long after the flagship was released, I was able to document the first handful of Wal-Mart blue parallels of Jays that came my way (5 in total).  I also grossed a couple of people out by showing off the Emerald Green Colby Rasmus parallel in stunning size and clarity.   Sorry about that....

Now, I get to show off 6 Target red parallels that I've been fortunate enough to receive.  First, 3 of them from Pat over at Hot Corner Cards, who has quickly become a great supplier of blue bird cards for me.

Hechavarria was one of the over 100 players involved in the Jays-Marlins rape during the winter.  The other 2 cards are the regular base (not SPs) of Lawrie and Davis.   Anyone know if they are issuing the SPs in the bordered variations as well?

Next up, a trio of hurlers from the master of the 10 cent card....Dime Box Nick

Brandon Lyon is a member of the Mets staff now, and throwing fairly well for them in spring training so far.  Happ is a nice piece of insurance just in case one of the Jays starters is injured, or struggles like Romero did last year.  I do hope Ricky returns to his old form, because if he does there aren't many 5 man staffs that compare to Toronto's. 

Sorry for the quick post, I'm up at 4 am tomorrow.....work really does get in the way sometimes.

Pat/Nick, thank you both for the cards....as always they are very much appreciated.

thanks for reading, Robert

Common card of the day: Jussi Markkanen

The design on his pads makes the card even better.  You don't see a whole lot of goalies with designs on their pads in today's NHL.

Thanks for looking, Robert

Information overload

The internet is a great and powerful tool, and I've been fortunate to have access to it for the better part of the past 15 years.  With the internet, I've met a lot of great people, and some that aren't so great.

That's life in a nutshell, internet or no internet.  You're going to meet some great people, and you're going to run into some assholes.

Speaking of assholes, opinions have been compared to them.  Everyone has one of them, and more often than not they can be a little bit shitty.  But what's great about the internet is that you have access to thousands of these opinions.

What I realized tonight is a problem that I have to deal with.  The ability to take these opinions and enjoy them for their entertainment value.   The information overload that I've inflicted on myself because there are so many opinions is my own fault, as is the inability to process the opinions properly. 

Most of the time I will look at opinions about a certain card, certain set or certain player and take them as the gospel.  It's time for that to end. 

I like what I like.  I guess it's as simple as that.  Whether it be a modern release such as 2013 Heritage:

Or an older set such as 1970 Topps that isn't as widely collected:

It's multi player rookie card night just in case you hadn't noticed

If I like it, I'm going to collect it.  Simple as that.

Keep on writing your opinions.  My recent realization that what you're writing is purely entertainment and doesn't belong in the Book of Genesis will help me to enjoy what you're saying even more.

Even if I don't agree with it. 

thank you for reading, Robert

Common card of the day: Derek Lowe

I know that there are some out there that like cards of pitchers hitting (or attempting to hit).

2006 Topps #547 in case you need it.

Thanks for looking, Robert

Pictures of the old barn, and other great oldies

A valuable lesson I've learned since I became a blogger is that you can't judge a card since by the number on the back.

My problem over the years as a set collector was that my primary goal was to just finish the damn set, and not take the time to appreciate the design, photography and the overall aesthetics of the card.  That has changed.

Bert from the new blog Swing and a Pop Up (which kind of sums up my little league days) was very kind to send me a great package of Blue Jays.   Many of them coming from early 80's sets, which for me are like gold.  Nothing wrong with vintage Blue birds to show off.

A trio of cards that Bert sent showed off one of the most horrific, yet most endearing ballparks in history, Exhibition Stadium.   The "mistake by the lake" was built on the Exhibition grounds on Toronto's lakeshore, and was home to the Jays from 1977-1989. 

Up until now, 1981 Fleer cards have been very scarce on my desk.  These two cards were great to receive, as both photos give you a great shot of the outfield grandstand at the old ball yard.  $2 general admission for a teenager was the perfect excuse to get out of the house on a weekend afternoon and hit the ball park.

Here's another example of a great shot of the Ex, Alfredo Griffin's 1980 Topps card, which gives you a good look at the old blue outfield fence, with one of the team logos (although it's impossible to tell which one).  That brought back memories of how the team logos were organized on the fence, in order of the position the team was currently in the standings.  The Jays were more often than not on the far right hand side of the fence, which symbolized last place.

I do miss the old stadium sometimes, except for windy days in April/October.  Ask any Jays fan who attended games back then, they'll tell you....

There were some other classics in the package, I picked out a few for your entertainment.  The first one is Rob Ducey doing his best impression of Dr. Sheldon Cooper.

 

Not a bad impression if you ask me.  Next up, Al Leiter, doing his best pose for a certain magazine that shall remain nameless...

 

Anyone ever see the animated Christmas special that shows Kris Kringle growing up, and in one portion of the show he has a thick red beard?  Roy Howell may jog your memory...

 

Put a Blue Jay helmet on Santa, and you might be close!!

Finally Jays fans, Garth Iorg with a mustache.....?

 

I don't ever remember Iorg with a mustache, and when I saw this card it kind of freaked me out a bit.  These 81 & 82 Topps cards are the Garth Iorg I remember.

I could go on and on with all the different years and sets that Bert included, but I'll take it easy on you today.

Bert, thank you very much for the cards, the vintage Blue Jay lover in me really appreciates them!!!

Thanks for reading, Robert

Common card of the day: Boof Bonser

Come on, the guy's name is actually Boof.  I have to show it!

Thanks for looking, Robert

Out of the blue, we hit the 800 mark

Out of the blue, and into my heart.  3 more cards for the Serial Insanity Project, which has now hit the 802 mark.

Thanks to reader Steve D., who sent me these three cards out of the blue, I've finally hit another plateau for this set. 

One of the cards actually completed a full lap between my house and Steve's, as he sent back the Mark Teixeira card you see pictured below that I had sent him in a previous trade.

3 different years, 3 different New York players featured...

This reminds me, I'm behind on my posting on that blog again....

Thank you very much Steve!!

Thanks for reading, Robert

Common card of the day: Tom Draper

The classic Sabres sweaters will always rule....

Thanks for looking, Robert

Common card of the day: Matt Nokes

When live pitching just will not do.....

thanks for looking, Robert