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!

Big Klu Comes to Town

So, another clue was "ripped shirt," and this 1957 Topps card of Ted Kluszewski.

Still not sure what the old man meant, but I did find this great post (featuring the same card!) over at POBC, where the authors say Klu had to cut the arms of his uni because his guns were so big the uni restricted his movement on his swing. And this is before roids, so we can assume that Klu's pythons were 110% natural, most likely acquired during cow-throwing competitions at his alma mater, Indiana University.

Seriously. I'm a built well enough but my arms roll around uninhibited in every shirt I own. I cannot fathom the maniac Klu must have been in the weight room to have guns like that. Or maybe it's just that his parents made their living as iron smiths and his moms is just as comfortable wielding a 75 lb. hammer as his dad is. Who knows? I imagine that in the off-season he was Mr. Redlegs's collection agent. That dude shows up at your door you pay up, no questions asked.

And once again, a beautiful vintage back:

My Father-in-law Mooned Me

So, family is exhausting. These are the people to whom you are most connected, with whom you have the best conversations and the worst disagreements. My folks were in town for the past week (!) and I am happy to say it was a great time. Next week I'll put up some pictures of the Maris Museum and the Metrodome.

For now, one of the coolest things that happened (non-my parents division) was that I received a package from one of my fathers-in-law. He had recently been in town, was intrigued by the whole blogging thing, and sent some cards he thought were interesting. Ever the educator, he enclosed a scavenger hunt index with the cards, so I had to figure out why each was special.

Under "Google Wally Moon Shot" was this card of Dodger Wally Moon.

Down to the technicolor this card is a classic '61 Topps. The area around his head is practically glowing and his cheeks look like he had Tammy Faye do his makeup. Wally has an incredible uni-brow that contrasts beautifully with an incredible, "awe-shucks I'm in the Big Leagues" smile. Obviously Wally played in the days before many players got pedicures or made a habit of scowling. 

More importantly, the term "moon shot" refers to the homers Wally hit at back in the day over the left field fence in the Coliseum (article here). I'd always just assumed a moon shot was a heck of a home run and had no idea it referred to Wally. Even better, fearing he wouldn't make it in his new digs after being traded from St. Louis, he sought the advice of Stan Musial on how to best take advantage of the the fence in left!

I'll include the back of this card just because the '61s are cool.

Thanks again Daddy D.