Random Rays Coolness from Saints of the Cheap Seats

I was sitting there one day when compa brought in an unexpected package. I say "unexpected" because she assumed, incorrectly, I had been ordering contraband on ebay. For a moment I thought it was something I didn't remember purchasing (end of semester grading leads to a beer or six now and then). Fortunately for me, it was a pack of Rays goodness from Saints of the Cheap Seats, sent over "just because." Compa was stoked for, among other reasons, I hadn't spent us into the poorhouse, so I let her pick out her faves.

"Julio Lugo looks crazy." And I'd have to agree. The "375" on the outfield wall contributes to the chaotic action on the card. Did he ever come down or did he just float off into space?

"This card's just weird. It says '84 but it's obviously not '84. Are there Orwellian overtones here?" Brazelton was a first-round pick who never quite lived up to expectations but really, who does? It's strange to think of this set as being in the neo-vintage genre, but there it is: a redo of the classic '84 Donruss. And calling it "Originals" is pretty ironic, given that the design is a repeat.

"Whoa." I'd have to agree. This card didn't scan well at all, so you'll have to imagine that it's half-way between an Action Packed card and a relic. McCracken is slight raised (Action Packed) and the MLB/SPX logos are recessed into the card like a foil relic. Strange, but very awesome. McCracken is a NC boy (big plus) but he went to Dook (big minus). He had a solid career and bounced around between several teams, first getting shot at a full-time gig with the Rays in '98, a year which was one of his best (the BEST being 2002). The '99 UD SPx card brings up the fact that '98 was his first full-time gig and that he responded with what was then his best season, but by '99 he was no longer a full-timer. Strange how those things work.

Thanks again Saints! Have a good one and goodnight Pumpsie Green, wherever you are!

Vintage versus Neo-Vintage Round II: T205 Edition

David Price on the mound, Rays on the TV, things are good.

CC had SBs 50 and 51 last night, giving him five 50+ steal seasons. Showing some power here recently, too. AND today's his birthday, and NO I wouldn't have known if ESPN hadn't announced it.

Gomes is OPSing around .900, but has the night off.

Things are good.

So, among the things to do while I'm waiting for the poor man's Ginter break, pit cards of some of my favorite players against each other. Specifically vintage versus neo-vintage, which is a never ending subject of fascination.

First up: T205 Chas Bender. He'll get several posts in the near future, but here is the front of this HOFer's 205 next to CC's 205 Mini from '02.

Now, there are some subtle differences in design, but what doesn't come through in the scan is how the differences in printing technique effect the overall look. Here are the backs, both Polar Bears: (Crawford just homered!)

If you were wondering, this back belongs to a different T205 Bender I have, as my first copy has a better front but a terrible case of paper loss on the back.

Anyway, I've got my opinions which I'll keep to myself, but which do you folks like better and why?

Vintage versus Neo-Vintage, Who Wins?

I'm sure you've seen the great post over at Bad Wax on the future of Neo-vintage sets like Goudey, Heritage, A & G, etc. Like I said in the comments, at first I really loved these offerings but got ambivalent real quick for a variety of reasons, the last straw being that I can get off-grade vintage for cheaper than new neo-vintage. 

I don't know who collects what out there, but compare the cards below and tell me which you like best. Admittedly, you know David Price and have no idea who Johnny Vergez is, and the two Goudeys are "different years," but let's give this a shot. 

I love the Price, and I am a big Price fan, but the Vergez is really cool.  I wanted an original Goudey just to have one and got the Vergez for around $10. From the card stock to the weight of the card to the shadows suggesting the grandstands off to the right this card is also really sweet.

What do you think?