Week 34 begins with purchases....yea it's Heritage

So I'm reading all the blogs this week, and seeing boxes and packs of Heritage flying off the shelves and into eager collectors hands.  I"m seeing all the great pulls, and some posts on aspects of the set that are absolutely mind boggling (at least to me anyways....).

Well, the wife and I were out and about today, and I decided to grab my share, 6 packs worth.

I can honestly say now that I will not be collecting 2012 Topps Heritage, at least in set form.  It's not because I didn't pull any SPs or card variations or error cards or RCs of players that are on 14 damn cards.

Maybe it's the fact that I see "the first card" that guys have been pulled from packs are guys like Jeter, and here's the first card I saw:

Sign me up!!  (sarcasm, in case you weren't paying attention)

Don't get me wrong here, I pulled a couple of cards that I really did like.  Like this Chrome card of Yovani Gallardo that will fit right in with the insanity set (I've not forgotten about that just in case you're wondering)

I was also very intrigued by the sticker cards, I pulled one of Starlin Castro of the Cubs, which is earmarked for Potch...

I also pulled a couple of inserts, one a Derek Jeter NAP card (AJ, I sent you an email), and a Then and Now card of Yaz/Cabrera

Topps Heritage 2012 for me, will be trade bait.  I'll add it to the 2012 Topps tab at the top later tonight, and if you're looking for an easier way to complete your set, or cherry pick your favorite teams cards, just let me know and I'm sure we can swing some kind of trade.

I'll probably buy a few more packs here and there, but for me this year, Heritage is just going to be 3 things:

1. Blue Jays to add to the collection, of course I didn't pull any today.
2. Chrome cards that will add to the insanity.
3. Trade bait in order to try and complete other sets that I'm working on.

Nothing wrong with the cards, but for me, just not my cup of tea.

Thanks for reading, Robert

A weeks worth of posts in one box: The Finale

I will say it has been a fun week going through the cards that I received from Ted at the Crinkly Wrappers blog.  I was able to relive in my mind some of the greater moments and better players from my beloved Jays teams of the past.

But I've digressed from the true reason Ted sent the package.  There was mention on his blog a couple weeks ago that he was clearing out some of his 2011 excess in order to make way for the 2012 product that would be incoming.  I was fortunate enough to be one of those that he chose to send cards to.  The bulk of the set cards were from the 2011 Topps Chrome set.

These are just a few of the cards that he sent me, so many in fact that I"m now down to 10 cards remaining to complete the Topps Chrome set. 

Ted has also been a large contributor to my insanity set project.  The 20+ cards that he sent put the project over the 500 card mark, 1/3 done!!

Ted, thank you very much for the cards, they are greatly appreciated.   It was actually quite fun putting a series of posts together about a single box of cards. 

Thanks for reading, Robert

A break from the box worth of posts to show you something else

A little light lunch of card perusing for you.

Snapped up another cheap auction on Sportlots this past week, for $1.25 I was able to grab these 3 cards...

'62 Topps #479 Joel Horlen.  Card is off center, but the edges are in decent condition and the back is unmarked.

'63 Topps # 574 Hal Kolstad. This one is the most beat up of the 3, with all 4 corners being rounded and the left edge quite chipped, but again the back is pretty clean and has no markings.

'64 Topps # 404 Tony Martinez.  This card was the main reason I purchased this lot, and yes it is off center, but the edges are in good shape, and the corners are OK as well.  The orange on the back is still quite bright and the cartoon hasn't been rubbed off. 

Good enough of a deal that I couldn't pass it up.

Thanks for reading, Robert

A weeks worth of posts in one box: Part 6

Today, the outfielders are featured, along with an outfielder who I'm slotting into the DH spot.  A lot of great talent has played in the outfield for the Jays since the mid 80's, and the next four guys are no exception to this.

Jose Bautista

2011 Lineage Stand ups

Yes, I know in the pitchers section I didn't include players who had short stays with the Jays, but I really had to add "Joey Bats" to this group, largely because of the last 2 seasons.  Jose had led the majors in HRs each of the last 2 seasons, and his numbers in '11 were the best of his career by far.  43 HRs, 132 BBs, a 1.056 OPS and .608 all led the AL.  Jose also had 13 outfield assists and was part of a little controversy last year over whether he should stay in RF, or be moved to 3B where the Jays had lacked any kind of real production.  Brett Lawrie's emergence towards the end of the season hopefully will put an end to that debate for good this year.

Shawn Green 

1997 Circa # 301

If I were picking players solely on loud card designs, Green would win the competition hands down!!  Shawn had a good run in Toronto at the beginning of his career, playing 5 full seasons and part of 2 others between 1993-1999.  Shawn's final year in TO was his finest, hitting .309 with 42 HR, 123 RBI, 45 2B and winning both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.  Shawn would sign in free agency with the Dodgers and play 5 solid years with them before finishing his career with Arizona and the Mets.

Devon White 

1994 Collectors Choice # 292

I LOVED watching this guy patrol center field in the Skydome for his 5 years in Toronto.  Devo's defense was stellar, and the 5 gold gloves he won in his 5 seasons there prove it.  Devon also stole 30 or more bases 3 times, and during the 3 ALCS he played in, his average was a robust .346 from the leadoff spot.  White was as big a part of the 2 World Series titles for the Jays in 91 & 92 as any other member of those teams.
Devon was also fortunate enough to win a 3rd world series title with the Marlins in 1997 when they beat the Indians. 

Vernon Wells 

2010 Topps Town TTT55

Good old VW.  They ran him out of Toronto like a dog.  Not his fault that the Jays threw a 7 yr $126 million deal at him, you'd sign it wouldn't you??  Vernon played center field as well, and in my opinion his defense was 2nd only to White's.  3 Gold Gloves are a testament to that.  After playing sparingly in his first 3 seasons in Toronto, he took over the CF job in 2002.  2003 however, was his coming out party.  A club record 215 hits, 49 2B, 33 HR and 117 RBIs, while hitting .317 was an amazing season.  Vernon gathered enough votes to finish 8th in MVP voting that year.  You also don't hear about too many error less seasons in the OF, but VW accomplished that feat in 2005, playing in 155 games and not making an error.

Joe Carter, DH 

1993 OPC Premier 13

Joe Carter was clutch.  Plain and simple, this guy could drive in runs like nobody else during his time in Toronto.  His 7 years in Toronto included 6 seasons of 100+ RBI, all 7 seasons he hit at least 25 HRs, 5 all star appearances, 3 times top 10 in MVP voting and 2 silver slugger awards.  Oh, and he hit the most famous HR in Jays history, a walk off HR off of Mitch Williams to win the '93 World Series.  You also may or may not remember, but he recorded the final put out of the '92 World Series also.  Why the DH spot for Joe?  While not a bad outfielder, he was more noted for his offensive prowess during his career, and the other 4 players I've listed above I consider much better defenders. 

Tomorrow, we wrap up with some set help, and a little insanity.

Thanks for reading, Robert

A weeks worth of posts in one box: Part 5

Today, we have the infielders on display.  I was going to do the entire batting order, but upon review I felt the post would be too long, so I split the hitters into two posts.

Catcher, Pat Borders 

Featured card, 1994 Collectors Choice #60.

Pat played 8 seasons in Toronto to start his career, between 1988 & 1994.  Pat's best season offensively was 1990, when he hit .286 with 15 HR and 49 RBI's.  I always liked Pat because he was tough and could handle a pitching staff.  He was never a great hitter for average as his .253 career average will attest, but for a guy to last 17 seasons in the bigs, his baseball savvy and ability to handle pitchers was unquestioned. 

First Base, Carlos Delgado 

Even though his card lists him as a catcher (1993 Collectors Choice # 4), Carlos will be best known in Toronto Blue Jays lore as maybe the best 1B the club has ever seen.  This is a position that the Jays had been deep in over the years, going back to Mayberry, Upshaw, Olerud and McGriff.  Carlos' 12 year career in Toronto was great; Carlos hit 336 HR, drove in 1058 runs, led the league in RBI's in 2003 with 145 (Carlos finished 2nd in MVP voting that year to Alex Rodriguez).  Carlos also holds the career lead in many Jays categories, such as runs scored, doubles, total bases, homers, RBI's and walks. 

Second base, Roberto Alomar  

Featured on his 1995 Upper Deck SP card # 201.  Robbie is the only Blue Jays player in history to have his number (12) retired by the club (Jackie Robinson's 42 is retired MLB wide...).  For as many things as he did with the Jays, it is hard to believe that his career in Toronto lasted only 5 seasons.  Robbie's career batting average with the Jays was .307, and is still the highest of anyone with more than 2000 PA.  Robbie had several great years with other teams (Baltimore and Cleveland), and was finally rewarded for his great career with a HOF induction in 2011.

Shortstop, Tony Fernandez 

I loved watching Tony play shortstop, those long flip throws from short left field were incredibly fun to watch.  But the 1994 Stadium Club card that is featured here shows him doing what he did best, hitting.  Tony's style of hitting would likely be described as "slap hitting", but for him it was effective.  Tony had 3 tours of duty in Toronto, the first being from 83-90, the second was a couple of years at 3B in 98-99, and finally he DH'd in 2001.  It's hard to believe that he played with 6 other MLB teams, because in my jaded mind I'll always remember him as a Jay. 

Third Base, Kelly Gruber 

1992 Stadium Club # 570 is the card pictured above, but for me it doesn't capture the true essence of how Kelly Gruber played.   HARD.  Kelly was forever diving after balls, sliding head first into bases, and there are many people in Toronto that believe that how hard he played cut down the number of games he could have played, simply because of the abuse he took.  Kelly's greatest offensive season was 1990, when he hit .274 with 31 HR and 118 RBI.  Kelly finished 4th in the MVP voting that year, behind Rickey Henderson, Cecil Fielder (he of the 51 HR season), and Roger Clemens.

Utility infielder, Rance Mulliniks  

I could just as easily slotted Rance into the 3rd base spot, but a lot of people don't know that he appeared at over 200 games in the shortstop position during his career, and he also played some time at 2nd as well.  Rance was mostly known for his 11 years in Toronto as the left handed hitting portion of the 3rd base platoon, which he did to the tune of a .280 career average with 68 HRs while in TO. 

If you made it this far....bless your heart, you must be a die hard Jays fan. 

Tomorrow, the outfielders and a DH....

Thanks for reading, Robert