Did the pregame announcer just actually say that?
Dear Fox, if you don't have anyone in house that actually follows the game at least find someone who cares about doing a good job. Any number of folks in the blogothing could get the job done quite well I imagine. David Wright!? Pitching for the AL?! AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Get Rich or Die Tryin': Cards for 50 Cent
On my way back from Mexico I stopped in Iowa at Daddy D's house with the compa. D always takes me to the local card shops, one of which has some AMAZING bargain boxes and cheap relics. I've struck out there a few times but I've come away with some nice finds at other. This was one of those times.
I've even considered grabbing this card before, at whatever plus $3 shipping, but always held off. Then it turned up...for 50 cents.
Dave Parker, the winner of one of the World's Baddest Man contests over at Night Owl's place. This card has a TON to like: the gaudy yellow helmet, the batting cages, the former 14th round draft pick with the hint of an afro glancing to his right. Incredible card, sort of like the evil version of Dave Winfield's card from the same year. Definitely a card fit for a dude who should be a HOFer according to most of the Bill James sniff tests. Dude was underrated and an absolute monster. In fact, picking up this card inspired me to grab another one....that'll be coming up shortly.
Have a good one!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wicked Cards Part III: Things That Make Me Happy
The back story here is that I went to the PO today to send the last four of the group break packages, two that were overweight (damn you 13 oz rule!) and two going up to Canada. I ate my lunch in 10 minutes and headed out of the office only to arrive in line behind someone trying to mail a BIKE. While the good folks at the PO moved heaven and earth to accommodate this request the time went by and, wouldn't you know it, 40 minutes were gone, I had to get back to work, and the packages were STILL unmailed. I'm going BEFORE work tomorrow, bikes be damned.
Anyway, I wanted to get into some things from the mail that made my day, focusing first on more cards from Wicked Ortega. That way I can get over someone trying to mail a BIKE and forget about the PO trying to HELP them. On to the cards!
This is another great card, a wacky die-cut number. Can't figure out what's going on here, though. I 'm guessing he's making a turn at 3rd. He looks like he's stepping on a base with his left foot, looking back at the action before proceeding, getting ready to turn it up.
Anyway, I wanted to get into some things from the mail that made my day, focusing first on more cards from Wicked Ortega. That way I can get over someone trying to mail a BIKE and forget about the PO trying to HELP them. On to the cards!
This is the 206 mini from 2003. I had the regular but NOT this one, which I'd wanted for a while. Good stuff and it came in the mail, so mail's not all bad. And CC's got this "wtf?!" face that sums up watching someone mailing a bicycle.
This is another great card, a wacky die-cut number. Can't figure out what's going on here, though. I 'm guessing he's making a turn at 3rd. He looks like he's stepping on a base with his left foot, looking back at the action before proceeding, getting ready to turn it up.
This card needs to explanation. Other than the spring training unis this is just pure awesome, from the fans to the ump to the 3rd baseman.
And finally, a UD jersey /99:
In sum, great cards that came in the mail to make me forget about the mail (if that makes sense). Thanks again Wicked! I'm getting it together to get you back.
Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Dr. Strasburg or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Hype
First, drop in over here for info on the August group break. Some really good teams have opened up.
There's been a lot of debate across the blogs as to whether Stephen Strasburg is good for the hobby, bad for the hobby, or terrible for the hobby. Wax has hit ridiculous, unsustainable prices. The stupid have thrown more money on Strasburg's cards than they'd put down on a new BMW. Beckett has been, well, Beckett. We all saw it coming. Those of us who were around for Van Poppel and Prior have seen it before. The proportions are larger, but that's as much due to media-driven psychosis in an age saturated with info as anything else. It's a mass delusion of the highest proportion.
And you know what? I like it.
My reasons are extremely personal, but I'll say it again: I like it. I imagine that I grew up like a lot of you and that, like a lot of you, there were years where baseball was about the only thing that sustained my relationship with my dad. My dad's fandom has never been quite what mine is, and now that I've gotten older I've come to the realization that he's really not much of a fan. He follows the game occasionally, he'll turn on the TV for a while, but he's never been THAT into it. In retrospect it seems like he introduced me to the game when I was younger as a means to give us something to do together, as guys. Now that I live about 10,000 miles away baseball no longer serves that need for him.
Fast forward to the week after I got back from Mexico. Stras-mania was in full effect and, oddly, the University of South Carolina was in the CWS. The phone rang on a Monday, I think, and my dad was on the other line. He wanted to make sure I knew that USC was in the CWS finals and might win it all on ESPN2, as well as tell me that some really hot new guy named Strasburg was pitching on ESPN. It was going to be a good night and I needed to watch.
I can probably count on one hand the number of times my father has called me on the phone. If Strasburg flames out after the AS Game and never pitches again I'll always remember him for having produced such excitement in my old man that he actually picked up the phone to connect with me. There's a lot NOT to like about the hype, but for that phone call I'll always be grateful.
Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!
There's been a lot of debate across the blogs as to whether Stephen Strasburg is good for the hobby, bad for the hobby, or terrible for the hobby. Wax has hit ridiculous, unsustainable prices. The stupid have thrown more money on Strasburg's cards than they'd put down on a new BMW. Beckett has been, well, Beckett. We all saw it coming. Those of us who were around for Van Poppel and Prior have seen it before. The proportions are larger, but that's as much due to media-driven psychosis in an age saturated with info as anything else. It's a mass delusion of the highest proportion.
And you know what? I like it.
My reasons are extremely personal, but I'll say it again: I like it. I imagine that I grew up like a lot of you and that, like a lot of you, there were years where baseball was about the only thing that sustained my relationship with my dad. My dad's fandom has never been quite what mine is, and now that I've gotten older I've come to the realization that he's really not much of a fan. He follows the game occasionally, he'll turn on the TV for a while, but he's never been THAT into it. In retrospect it seems like he introduced me to the game when I was younger as a means to give us something to do together, as guys. Now that I live about 10,000 miles away baseball no longer serves that need for him.
Fast forward to the week after I got back from Mexico. Stras-mania was in full effect and, oddly, the University of South Carolina was in the CWS. The phone rang on a Monday, I think, and my dad was on the other line. He wanted to make sure I knew that USC was in the CWS finals and might win it all on ESPN2, as well as tell me that some really hot new guy named Strasburg was pitching on ESPN. It was going to be a good night and I needed to watch.
I can probably count on one hand the number of times my father has called me on the phone. If Strasburg flames out after the AS Game and never pitches again I'll always remember him for having produced such excitement in my old man that he actually picked up the phone to connect with me. There's a lot NOT to like about the hype, but for that phone call I'll always be grateful.
Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
About Those Rays...
Ripping announcers/writers is a cottage industry among the blogs, something I've done from time to time myself. I'd sworn off it until last night when watching my new favorite channel, the MLB Network, and one of the post-game analysts said something to the effect of "I'm on the bandwagon, I'm off the bandwagon---I have a hard time staying with the Rays. Are they a legit playoff team? I don't know."
My head exploded. 8 hours later I'm back.
Looking at the standings is analysis most third graders can do for extra credit in math. Even when the Rays were in third place in the AL East their record indicated they would be at or near the top of almost EVERY division in the game. Conclusion: Yes, they are legit, they just play in the most murderous division in the game. At 21-10 they have the best h-h record WITHIN that division. You tell me: Are they legit? Man, how was that dude not kidding? And can I get paid for analysis like that? It's pretty easy and at least one MLB Network dude can't/won't do it, so it may be a need. I'll get my app off ASAP just in case.
Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!
My head exploded. 8 hours later I'm back.
Looking at the standings is analysis most third graders can do for extra credit in math. Even when the Rays were in third place in the AL East their record indicated they would be at or near the top of almost EVERY division in the game. Conclusion: Yes, they are legit, they just play in the most murderous division in the game. At 21-10 they have the best h-h record WITHIN that division. You tell me: Are they legit? Man, how was that dude not kidding? And can I get paid for analysis like that? It's pretty easy and at least one MLB Network dude can't/won't do it, so it may be a need. I'll get my app off ASAP just in case.
Have a good one everybody and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Trade Bait: Bring on the Vintage
Here are some cards I'd be looking to move. They are in a variety of conditions but all fun cards. Usual trading rules apply: preference for Carl Crawford, David Price, Jonny Gomes, Jeff Niemann. I'm also looking for '74 commons if you have any of those. Make an offer in the comments and/or drop me an email!
I'd obviously like something sweet for the Bert but beyond that these are all readily available!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Group Break: Ginter Break Postmortem
Alright folks, if you haven't seen the hits post (now with video!) go here first. I'll start packing everything out tonight looking to get the first wave of cards out on Wednesday, last wave on Friday. Details on next month's break coming soon.
On to the review of the box-box break sponsored by DA Card World!
The good
We got an /10 red auto, a silk card, an auto of a Negro League player, almost 3 black border minis per box, and a ton of Ginter back minis. This is very good stuff.
The bad
This comes down to personal preference, so take this with a grain of salt. Of the 5 autos we got 3 non-team affiliated cards. One was a Negro League star, one a weight lifter, and one a bowler. Nothing against weight lifting or bowling but if I had thrown down $110 for a box and had gotten one of those....man. Oh, and NO Strasburgs.
The ugly
Nothing really ugly except for the mini Sailors of the Seven Seas card that was mangled by the pack-crimping machine.
Final Thoughts
Depending on your perspective the glass is half full or overflowing. We got EXACTLY what we paid for in terms of hits, one of those being a red /10 auto and another a silk card, so that's always a relief. But like I said, 2 of the autos were of non-baseball folks. You'll either dig that or hate it. Overall design is what you would expect out of Ginter, which is to say great. The sketch cards are hit and miss, but in the wake of Chicle I think we're all used to that by now.
Have a good one everybody and good night Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!
On to the review of the box-box break sponsored by DA Card World!
The good
We got an /10 red auto, a silk card, an auto of a Negro League player, almost 3 black border minis per box, and a ton of Ginter back minis. This is very good stuff.
The bad
This comes down to personal preference, so take this with a grain of salt. Of the 5 autos we got 3 non-team affiliated cards. One was a Negro League star, one a weight lifter, and one a bowler. Nothing against weight lifting or bowling but if I had thrown down $110 for a box and had gotten one of those....man. Oh, and NO Strasburgs.
The ugly
Nothing really ugly except for the mini Sailors of the Seven Seas card that was mangled by the pack-crimping machine.
Final Thoughts
Depending on your perspective the glass is half full or overflowing. We got EXACTLY what we paid for in terms of hits, one of those being a red /10 auto and another a silk card, so that's always a relief. But like I said, 2 of the autos were of non-baseball folks. You'll either dig that or hate it. Overall design is what you would expect out of Ginter, which is to say great. The sketch cards are hit and miss, but in the wake of Chicle I think we're all used to that by now.
Have a good one everybody and good night Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)