tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30285039649929402232024-02-19T11:28:30.496-05:00The House of CardboardA Baseball Card Blog About Baseball Cards, The Law and Other Random Things.Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-29696033520424656342010-03-11T18:05:00.001-05:002010-03-11T18:06:16.063-05:00Gosh Maybe I Can Afford One of These Nowhttp://www.thehistorybluff.com/?p=2931Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-59997653260812277452009-11-10T12:29:00.005-05:002009-11-10T13:07:20.300-05:00The Greatest Common Card Produced in the Early 90's (In Defense of Steve Avery)<div style="text-align: left;">When you think of the greatest cards ever produced, a few come immediately to mind: 1952 Topps Mantle, T-206 Honus Wagner, pretty much every card made by Topps from 1953-1956.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But personally, I think that the greatest common card produced in during the baseball card explosion era of the early 90’s is this:</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPA-g1vMfVCcFCcmgEyKco2nJODBlzAFexbpe3jJY-10mmryqFAknz672RrE_rWpcA0ilrvCWsQxpCsMhlfT38CsYtdX7iu06jJqimn84RfJxVbCoqYp-yDWbblKnoW5UCBGGdX5XBWY/s320/Hudson_Bio.01.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402537746821714354" /> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">1993 Upper Deck #472 Team Stars Subset Strike Force</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Is it any surprise that it comes from <a href="http://houseofcardboard.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-to-build-better-set.html">1993 UD</a>? Personally, I think this card is perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The greatest rotation ever on one card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maddux with his icy glare, Smoltz and Glavine smiling happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Avery looking happy to just be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If there’s one thing that might throw someone off about this card it’s the inclusion of Steve Avery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most would instantly glance at the card, see 3 sure-fire Hall of Fame players and then some other pitcher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Friends, I come to praise Steve Avery and not to destroy him and show that his inclusion on this card is warranted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>First lets look at the raw stats:</p><p class="MsoNormal">1990 - 3-11, 5.64 ERA, 6.8 SO/9 in, 1.67 SO/BB</p><p class="MsoNormal">1991 - 18-8, 3.38 ERA, 5.9 SO/9 in, 2.11 SO/BB (6th in Cy Young voting, NLCS MVP)</p><p class="MsoNormal">1992 - 11-11, 3.20 ERA, 5.0 SO/9 in, 1.82 SO/BB</p><p class="MsoNormal">1993 - 18-6, 2.94 ERA, 5.0 SO/9, 2.91 SO/BB (Made All-Star Team)</p><p class="MsoNormal">I could keep listing stats, but that's what he had accomplished up to the point when the card produced except the 1993 stats as the season was just beginning or in progress when 1993 UD came out. Those came after the card came out. Now if you look at the stats of the Big 3, most of these numbers will seem paltry in some respects, but not in others. In 1991, Avery won 3 more games than Maddux and lost 3 less. His ERA was only 0.03 higher than Maddux in 1991 and had more strikeouts per 9 innings. Of course, the comparisons with Maddux pretty much end there as he went on to win the Cy Young Award from 1992-1995. Looking in comparison with Smoltz, in 1991 Avery's ERA was lower by 0.42 and he won 4 more games than Smoltz and lost 5 less. He also recorded 0.1 strikeouts more per 9 innings than Smoltz. In 1993, Avery's best year, he won 3 more games than Smoltz who had a much higher ERA than Avery at 3.62. Pitting Avery against Glavine, in 1991 Glavine won the Cy Young. He only won 2 more games than Avery and lost 11 compared to Avery's 8. Glavine's ERA was significantly lower at 2.55. Comparing Avery's 1993 year to Glavine's, Tommy won 4 more games to lead the Majors with 22 wins but lost the same number. His ERA, 3.20, was higher than Avery. In 1993, the only one of the four to not make the All-Star team was surprisingly Maddux, that year's eventual Cy Young winner.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I know that often comparing the stats I did doesn't work as there are great pitchers stuck on horrible teams or in a difficult division. However, since all of these pitchers were on the same team, all having to pitch to the same lineups and playing with the same offense and defense, it makes the comparison much easier. In looking at Avery's stats in comparison with the other incredible pitchers, I think that it makes perfect sense to include him on this card. He deserves to be there based on his performance and not just because he was the fourth man in an incredible rotation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-52421913636896611852009-08-28T14:11:00.004-04:002009-08-28T14:54:02.473-04:00Night in the West End<div style="text-align: left;">When I decided to move to Greenville, one thing I was excited about was having a minor league baseball team here in town. Sure, there was one when I was in Jacksonville, but getting to the stadium and going to games always seemed like a chore and not like a time to have fun and watch some ball. In Greenville, they in the past few years have revitalized the West End of downtown with shops, the <a href="http://www.fallspark.com/index_content.html">Reedy River Falls park</a> and Fluor Field at the West End. The Greenville Drive, not the best team name but what can you do, is the Single A affliate of the Boston Red Sox. Prior to the Drive being in Greenville, the Braves had their AA affiliate there for years and years. Due to a quibble between the Braves and the City of Greenville over building a new stadium, the Braves up and moved to Pearl, Mississippi a few years ago. Funny thing is that Greenville DID build a new stadium. And when they learned it was going to be linked with the Red Sox, they made it a minor league replica of Fenway Park with the inside dimensions being the same, yet still allowing for the outside architecture to blend in with the existing buildings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I went to a game between the Drive and the Kannapolis Intimidators, the Single A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Intimidators are leading their division of the South Atlantic League right now with an in-division record of 40-18. The Drive tried to make a valiant comeback late in the game, but ended up losing 8-6. The players that really stood out to me were Oscar Tejada for the Drive, who made some great plays at second. He has great range and is lightning quick. However, with Pedroia in Boston he looks to be trade bait or would have to shift to a different position. For Kannapolis, it was reliever Kyle Bellamy. He's not quite a sidearmer, but he gets really, really low in his delivery, had some nasty pitches and ended up getting the save. Overall, it's a really incredible ballpark and a great place to see baseball played. I'll leave you with some pictures that I took at the game.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5v2v40aenwhwOrbT0Kz_M7TKgK8h7tZ0ACE2Zt0Y7zohQbanHYIhJeIEiqdLsaPyPCRFLQi2XssDV3g4QSqTWBOFG0mMb0eJJKsFNfq5YLeB7ZDgGzKUogzIcc9WRjnNRw521YWSEhg/s320/DSC_1134.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375088459614170834" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFRsaI3emF2dWz7SOdCyKWGpZGzQdzLEFJJrChVhpNA9BzpG_qzOMmMO74eOtYBVdLgtlgggM6GiTaG-cIk5LofOPb1Pt1WK3ZyFoTDlTCjOUynw8NmbukIx7YfDkd4fohOJLXMnKIzs/s320/DSC_1138.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375088467901934226" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInm2p3Q1BAd7XyBT6XkTYa3e2RX0hgJCqDz_QKF7DT2zH6n0KihVjXlzvz-jeDI1mQLUfj_Fidh0H6B2vdkRSFm0Z45BRVj2bp7v7ZtDOCE7Tmj8RKDCZus2Ft25Jgg54aUy_29ws7DM/s320/DSC_1141.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375088469321623906" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAmnf3G74Ar6X_8li8iLjh8ltXFvozguY_wQ96TQ1c-QHarcONdY-sFIRwzZF3xV2u80kPiU-9gf-UjgVitdup3wbSsoAGSaE665oQWFvgOrpg83z7p1Gi040E3FZ8xyR3Hvjn1YP5b0/s320/DSC_1146.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375088480659782338" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejdB5sRKHvfrMPyuSGEBu7vMWUG3T-DkCatfcEfAaPWsNmZjzBykSrjIsfYdODmrEVhWMuaY2r_9em9BogyMwWh-BeKdfHRiLQNSWTafaT1PZlqlUAyHdHGwpdFGGsdq2-lUuJv1wJoc/s320/DSC_1147.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375088490682240386" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSJ4M4XkBzS-ZrdUQ91_gmRABaQsGzkSp8_dmjS3B0SAfZYnqalyk7WOhEqvAq-z4FF8EDjI8Ot214xbHrorcvbmXstX7Dv1vTtRzKWoWGGZvCBHTu03kLw4sjt0rqnP0dwyIbxUl80M/s320/DSC_1176.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375089323322209570" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-31231696498974269562009-08-15T00:46:00.004-04:002009-08-15T00:49:05.076-04:00Mail DayI got a package from Joe over at <a href="http://www.i-am-the-average-joe.blogspot.com/">The Average Joe</a> yesterday and he filled in some <a href="http://houseofcardboard.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-needs-list.html">needs from my list</a>. Thanks Joe and I'll hopefully be able to fill in some of your needs and everyone should go over to his site and check if you have anything he needs.Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-78001465953502870512009-07-31T16:05:00.002-04:002009-07-31T16:09:34.173-04:00Adam LaRoche is coming homeThe Braves entered into the Trade Deadline fray and got fan favorite Adam LaRoche back from the Red Sox in exchange for Casey Kotchman. Adam was kind of in limbo on the Sox with no where really to play and with Victor Martinez coming in, they needed more of a bench player. I think Kotchman will do well in that role and Adam would not have. I never really warmed up to Kotchman and I'll be glad to see Adam back in in a Braves' uni.<div><br /></div><div>[h/t <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4369463">ESPN</a>]</div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-17204523315006421432009-07-31T10:27:00.005-04:002009-07-31T10:32:38.048-04:00I'M DONE! And a contest!The last day of me taking the bar was Wednesday. Unfortunately, South Carolina doesn't give us our scores until October. Also, yes I have move from Florida to South Carolina for a myriad of reasons, but it also puts me closer to Atlanta and thus allowing me to attend Braves games. I haven't been to a game in 3 years so I'm looking forward to going to one soon. Also I'm in the process of unpacking everything and I'm having apartment issues so I'll be posting more, but they might be sparse here in the next few weeks. <div><br /></div><div>Also, Ryan over at Trader Crack's is holding a great contest for a Razor Sports Icons cut signature. <a href="http://tradercracks.blogspot.com/2009/07/contest-time-win-whats-in-this-packbox.html">Head over there</a> to check it out!</div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-23680063340754074392009-07-12T20:09:00.004-04:002009-07-12T20:18:44.542-04:00Hey Look! An Actual Card Related Post!<div style="text-align: left;">Yes yes, I'm actually posting about something card related. While everyone else is caught up in the mania that is 2009 A&G, I am still stuck on 2008 A&G. Hopefully I'll get my hands on some 2009 once things settle down and once I actually have a job that pays me money. I found a blaster at Target today when I went to pick up a few things. I was quite surprised to see a blaster still available, but it is right outside of a ritzy part of the Charleston area so cards might be below the people that normally shop there. Anywho, I ended up getting 6 cards I needed for the set (<a href="http://houseofcardboard.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-needs-list.html">Needs Lis</a>t will be adjusted accordingly) as well as this</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp66RbATXBpLVEklyqWk5QxzIMooxm1B-zHmA-R57eyoEUZ6fH5sqooxp5wT99W3QkQk_LQ3UNK8LaCeolKWjY9ejUea2EQS85UxG_cq471NMTDvGKa1aBxxPkRyMHEYb62YDwgOAt2s/s320/sc000daed2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357731879334090914" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The material feels like it's from a wind breaker or something of that ilk. The box says that this pull is 1:1,000. Hey I'll take it. Pretty neat pull from a blaster. I always love the oddball inserts.</div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-39239503551817440862009-07-04T16:25:00.002-04:002009-07-04T16:30:31.911-04:00RIP Steve McNair<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyqsI6aFY8wnyCTON81AoKw9JD2hyphenhyphenzyIbseThyphenhyphen532bsMncwh4EhoGsEucpdrPQ2HNhWc-CYjmkpTEiBkSxkZ9_1TVQIZK1BOrSbzyjzwscb_DP2Tg_pUTWORanqOFYH9tatdgSwzNkYA/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 94px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyqsI6aFY8wnyCTON81AoKw9JD2hyphenhyphenzyIbseThyphenhyphen532bsMncwh4EhoGsEucpdrPQ2HNhWc-CYjmkpTEiBkSxkZ9_1TVQIZK1BOrSbzyjzwscb_DP2Tg_pUTWORanqOFYH9tatdgSwzNkYA/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354704766192684930" /></a><br />I never was a huge fan of Steve or anything, but he always seemed like he was a really nice guy and a pretty darn good football player. Such a sad way to go out.<div><br /></div><div>(h/t <a href="http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=10643962">News Channel 5</a>)<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-73414327525059338442009-07-04T16:13:00.003-04:002009-07-04T16:16:49.573-04:00Update on the Day Of FreedomBoys and girls, while this is a day to recognize the freedoms in the country, my freedom will come in 25 days when I finish taking the bar exam. I'm studying hard and trying to kick as much legal butt as possible. I have bought 3 packs of cards in this time span: One of Topps series 2 a jumbo of OPC and a pack of 09 Goudey. Nothing in those was of note other than a few base set Braves. But I wish you all a happy 4th and look forward to picking every thing back up here in August. Until then I leave you with this which should be watched every July 4:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oRGUqd_M6Mg&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oRGUqd_M6Mg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-10899089245537412452009-04-30T12:56:00.001-04:002009-04-30T12:57:47.528-04:00Finals Are Next WeekAnd I'm going to watch this before every one of them to get myself ready.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0BX37hc_Vu4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0BX37hc_Vu4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-38511883503907421672009-04-19T23:39:00.002-04:002009-04-19T23:44:21.080-04:00I really swear I'm still hereGuys sorry about the lack of posting in the last few months or so. I'm graduating law school in the next few weeks as well as moving. And then I'll be studying for the bar all summer and then moving again. But I'll try to post a few things here and there, but they won't be too frequent. Thanks to you all who still visit the blog even though I don't write anything. Hopefully in August I'll be writing more frequently as things will have slowed down by then.Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-62512679744996994122009-02-14T00:13:00.004-05:002009-02-14T00:32:14.066-05:00it's a Love/Hate RelationshipWith this weekend being Valentine's, I hope that everyone out there has a great one. I'm trying to stay away from the self loathing as much as possible. But, I think what I'm going to do, on the coattails of my last post is all this weekend post things that I love and things that I strongly dislike. I don't want to use the term hate as it has a lot of bad connotations. Well, unless I'm talking about <a href="http://www.beckett.com">certain people</a>. So I think this is going to be Teams that I love and Teams that I strongly dislike.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Teams I love (or have a decent liking of)</span>:</div><div>Atlanta Braves</div><div>Atlanta Thrashers</div><div>Atlanta Falcons</div><div>Atlanta Hawks</div><div>Jacksonville Jaguars</div><div>Furman Paladins</div><div>Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</div><div>Florida Gators</div><div>Duke Blue Devils</div><div>Chattanooga Lookouts</div><div>Boston Red Sox</div><div>Chicago Cubs</div><div>Colorado Avalanche</div><div><a href="http://www.thelifeaquatic.org/Images/walking.jpg">Team Zissou</a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Teams I Strongly Dislike:</span></div><div>Georgia Bulldogs</div><div>Wofford Terriors</div><div>Appalachian State Mountaineers</div><div>Citadel Bulldogs</div><div>North Carolina Tar Heels</div><div>Florida State Seminoles</div><div>Ohio State University Buckeyes</div><div>Michiagan Wolverines</div><div>New York Mets</div><div>New York Yankees</div><div>Los Angeles Dodgers (Blame this one on the old NL West)</div><div>Los Angeles Lakers</div><div>Boston Celtics</div><div>James Madison University Dukes</div><div>Tampa Bay Bucs</div><div>Carolina Panthers</div><div>Dallas Cowboys</div><div>Philadelphia Phillies</div><div>Toronto Blue Jays</div><div>New Orleans Saints</div><div>Detroit Pistons</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have a lot more dislike than love apparently.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-68474176895313569302009-02-13T00:11:00.002-05:002009-02-13T00:28:54.397-05:00Things That I Am Not Particularly Fond OfTopps Sterling Cards without Autographs<div><br /></div><div>The price point of Topps Triple Threads</div><div><br /></div><div>People who get excited over pulling a serial numbered card of the player's jersey number</div><div><br /></div><div>People who do the same thing to a 1/# or to a card that's the last one printed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lima Beans</div><div><br /></div><div>People who don't care about base cards at all</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7F3O6WYfHQ">Nickelback</a></div><div><br /></div><div>2008 Sweet Spot</div><div><br /></div><div>Grey or White game-used swatches</div><div><br /></div><div>The Mets</div><div><br /></div><div>Having box hits be scrubs</div><div><br /></div><div>Horrible Collation</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://techsmartly.net/freePS3.php">Pop Ups</a></div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-68041145842464081152009-02-12T01:28:00.003-05:002009-02-12T01:52:22.549-05:00Blog Bat-Around #4This is the 4th one of these, yet the first one I have participated in. I'd like to thank Dinged Corners for hosting this one. The topic is about the value of cards and what we should buy and hold for the future. First, if you're in the hobby strictly for profit, get out. I understand if you make a living that way owning a physical card shop or an e-bay store or something of that nature and your derive most of your income from cards. However, if you are just in it purely for investment and the return you hope you'll get, it's not worth it. Your ROI (return on investment) is much greater elsewhere. Secondly, there are the obvious choices: Vintage (1984 or before) cards of already established stars, autographed cards, cut signature cards, some game-used cards, prospects that pan out, etc. Here's the problem I see with these cards. Everyone will be or already is collecting them. If you look on YouTube, as painful as it might be to watch some of the box breaks, most everyone just goes after the hits and chunks the base cards to the side. While a decent amount of bloggers are set collectors, they (we) represent a small fraction of the whole of the collecting community most of which is made up of people going after the hits. You've got to figure out what people <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">aren't</span></span> collecting right now to determine what will be more valuable in the future. That's why I think the things to go after are complete sets of base cards that come from products that are driven by hits. In baseball, it'd be Sweet Spot, Prime Cuts, Topps Finest, Bowman Sterling, UD Ultimate, UD Premiere and other sets along that line. <div><br /></div><div>I know that many of the high end to mid range sets often are all serial numbered or have tons of short prints. I think that's another reason why these sets are going to be worth having. They're in limited quantity and they're hard to put together. They're not like Heritage or Allen and Ginter which are set collector favorites. The price point as well as the difficulty of set completion drives set builders away from these products. Not to mention that these products are not focused at set builder as I previously stated. They are focused on the collectors looking for the hits. Imagine if you could get an entire base set of Topps Sterling. Or National Treasures football. Even something like 2007 Sweet Spot Classic. All are limited in their production and would be hard to complete, but having a full set of those cards would be very rare. And worth holding on to. It might be worthwhile to become a set builder for the future even if you're looking for the hits right now.</div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-33930350950279331422009-02-08T20:53:00.003-05:002009-02-08T20:57:21.405-05:00Men's Fitness ranked Dallas-Fort Worth the 14th Fattest City in AmericaGet ready to move up <a href="http://www.mensfitness.com/lifestyle/216">the list </a>because Tubby Jones is <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3892693">coming to your area</a>!<div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALZ34AuVY72FHckEpYOQN9QOB9mZrETeVLU6A400MM1lP15oFO0hCILcM-3iwqnmkqTrb8bZ51EVOwegceHOQLqQdDm8AbP76H197IfSNJu8aNy8qWT3AseVoh_mp3tiJsmOGQ1UcZOU/s320/Andruw+Jones+Mike+Zarrilli+Getty.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300610522220962818" /><div><br /></div><div>reminds me of a candy bar....Chunky.</div><div><br /></div></div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-18556307434124532092009-02-08T18:58:00.007-05:002009-02-08T19:05:19.152-05:00Man Walks Into A RestaurantWaitress: Good evening sir, what can I get you.<div><br /></div><div>Man: I'd like a Filet Mignon please</div><div><br /></div><div>Waitress: Very good sir. How would you like that cooked?</div><div><br /></div><div>Man: Rare.</div><div><br /></div><div>Waitress: Would you like that </div><div><br /></div><div>super rare</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuELiUw3DIEDbP6CxImXXSoiovw7Cu30g0kxUgWTnYBzfwOQd2NNimA6V55OpMXLIDo1S8MpBz_GCHXiY5bDSe6oRjHbYJDVJBw9Jd_ZpJx8HIQLqJjJ_d63bYD0c0WZyaa1z6D7L_Ulo/s320/kgjstrq09.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300580917380604082" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>or would you like that ultra rare?</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3N43gHYWNs3xX5H7VTSw3O0ZGNbojj21t9g1WNFjfPfhxYJ8mf4fsJ6qJTub2MnYTPkdEVupgxAX2cSIqqzVkDg2KV9upHRxliYVoQ-WjaDQRJadf5UqCZ7UpJZtVc_Cq7MYEoCiI5w/s320/dwstrq09.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300581135951879890" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Man: I.....I don't know. What's the difference?</div><div><br /></div><div>Waitress: To tell you the truth, I don't even know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Man: I'll take super rare. It looks less likely to make me choke.</div><div><br /></div><div>WOKKA WOKKA!</div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-90304612583440064512009-02-05T21:35:00.006-05:002009-02-05T21:43:34.249-05:00I've opened 3 retail packs and one blaster of Topps Mayo FootballFor a total of 11 retail packs. Out of those packs I've pulled:<div><br /><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaG1khy2JWqJ1_5W7ZvZRVhbJ5FvPcdjVHOh6adDXPFo8sUXVa38ukWzh2s-YvCknxQMAQgWEyeFcifBHBF0DpqqHlerGmuLJrK1wmibCEx9j0gPP_-qEayqPx8Q6wfMKs6g9Idnn7BY/s320/ldtgu.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299508275960050786" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">LaDainian Tomlinson Game-Worn Jersey<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoY3MwfsWBEJCViA521tyLH3yQL6kgRBuRBCdSzPC0NR5lNVqUHn8SZ5zwL16OaV7j48qZVHzW_fQg2oBGF7qhqeKrJgszXGmCx5F31_4g-Gco5ozexARxBhq31u9QoNGP-hNlZRyiRdI/s320/cooleytogether.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299508397206498130" />Chris Cooley Princeton Back Mini<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And now for the biggie.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wait for it.......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wait for it......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrfaTX5ZQR9lhzAEMu1GlGtU0ZlrS8uWR4lu86gYXjm0_2F4V9ub4KfnCgYiIOz4Kvtr9_Ir3sZYUc0-Q68hHgSrwBLtJnb9bt8srcg_H4BQrbrVYPQRfcXPQLtzVXfhooTk4T-jDkes/s320/caldwellpp3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299508536614055426" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Andre Caldwell Black Card Back Printing Plate Mini 1/1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think I'm going to keep buying retail. Or quit while I'm ahead. I haven't decided.</div></div></div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-75703534472187139032009-02-05T18:23:00.019-05:002009-02-05T19:41:45.119-05:00Mail Day!!So I worked out a trade with Jamie, who just got back into collecting recently. He also proved that yes, people other than the people who have blogs read this thing. He helped me take out a big chunk of my '08 Heritage set, especially the Black Backs. So I have adjusted the <a href="http://houseofcardboard.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-needs-list.html">Needs List</a> accordingly. Here's what I got:<div><br /></div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSsEbGLsIriLpIWUOI8t9RFn7SGl3tFpwZ_K8RzHsQMgnETlIB7-xgRF28UR28lmIDagilz0v2zC3KFZee3MywTVcYC6xG6PM560b9ezOWv8TW95T6m-hs35rwrPsXCC5xfveqfJKRzU/s320/nadyHert08.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299470765799401026" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">3 Base<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5jjxDhyphenhypheneGUq5xKOaLRVjmCQsExb6yw_LWltGOI4ve1cjHvnwqZ8xY4w1KeqnLq-mInYnbO4cxBhfzMFpniONy2I8r9HKEVYn_HKfmrRWP4b3ouTDsrZcgXSDu-7koRGSKdzmiyaZD-4/s320/hudbb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299470918709028418" />17 Black Backs<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cYPqD_fclhtc2CJUlx_zk_SUS-KlD2ofvay25XShygsNsWENhuIjarPU01AvhY8DNMSa7rNt8nry_VHRB5bKyTKxpHWRg1lsJuIAd7QSnBDofC7dw9-F09nA7gtETgdasFY546D_rfU/s320/nixhf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299471304121376690" /><div style="text-align: center; ">2 News Flashbacks<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqBiCd7TuPoBSjkNh0rjj-hxEyk8eCLxaRt94QaiyNuxtfCUBcGQKGQTR8im2poZDZk0BvzJ5bfXpiDZYwtw7aHUjgxD78Cw8VObSrzghcBpg9XVrvvmWy0_7OpHbfki8ji3WhyhJshE/s320/mattbf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299471679470712434" /><div>1 Baseball Flashback<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gackJQy5ayHLWnIK50tR7a4qI-Atuhuo2TOn5FmrYlWIAOGRIlhDXlEnf0WIs_l7Gja1CCJN1DhdfrOOWkI3IUCC6Go03ImHiDt8O-r4cgO91TtwOv9pSQSvmungbxz0K9mMYC2HPz0/s320/Holinap.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299471952091944098" />3 New Age Performers<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaYPTFcuL-sIkeuj9VXo6eMbQn5ahqL8cI7iMrnPDd4yGF-wmiIGbtmiUWWZXiP_LlEnCG9hixVjsjB_qyJ3upussmT91LSd2XVSzYSXMy47TjBdZmQeiv_G4pVjLeW49dY3Pw2JBLjo/s320/tnnbeck.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299472335569884098" />1 Then and Now</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBJOXZExsn0n6akOkQcha1LyqseDyaH2Hq6xTQ61hguoCemKlwMB-qLwCAgrTKA8728m5MDBjQUtnuBBxenzpJS6rJohoZ0PWrIL62betub5giatFI7CSr8mI0t_N6zSlM9J6BTIl0q0/s320/hertmini.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299472696366948354" /><div style="text-align: center;">2 Minis</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzlb_CWZ9ehWy99QPe6iAACEF9C0ybjmFoP28r5VuVF91U7LBoeph6N2XlB8a5XrgovkQXtWQoeLS87YfGnkiwzSCp1iacxvMFEjNi-9VBMWVqxoU63Kx4xNkNe8MQ51Cb-h8X88Cr4E/s320/SammonsT3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299472966331535858" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Clint Sammons 2008 Topps Triple Threads #/50</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had no idea about the last card. He said he was sending me something for a Braves fan, but I never thought it'd be that good. Thanks Jamie and I'll get your cards out to you ASAP.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-26070154351149882092009-02-05T10:45:00.004-05:002009-02-05T10:47:30.318-05:00I Want, nay, NEED this Card<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAzHJHURwwcJhWQwZ8jCbyyKPJtgwfOg3hAPwNbzpnKatx3H0Fw0YdvGUkL7eg6sg1WCEP_lyjrpT8H5Fjj7Whk5qS4YVebCKBzM-RQo1SyMMQFkdFk3QNe5urPpI9HjlTIuNeS3baow/s1600-h/anniversary-colfb_NEW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAzHJHURwwcJhWQwZ8jCbyyKPJtgwfOg3hAPwNbzpnKatx3H0Fw0YdvGUkL7eg6sg1WCEP_lyjrpT8H5Fjj7Whk5qS4YVebCKBzM-RQo1SyMMQFkdFk3QNe5urPpI9HjlTIuNeS3baow/s320/anniversary-colfb_NEW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299340034396941378" /></a>I'm a big Tech fan and I'm glad to see them represented in the 20th Anniversary set.<div><br /></div><div>(h/t <a href="http://nightowlcards.blogspot.com/2009/02/for-eighth-time-2009-upper-deck.html">Night Owl Cards</a>)</div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-329472624334811022009-02-04T14:52:00.004-05:002009-02-04T14:59:58.335-05:00Costas Joining MLB Network Exclusively<a href="http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-gen/ap/General_Baseball_News/BBO_MLB_Network_Costas.html">LINK</a><div><br /></div><div>Bob is leaving HBO and joining MLB Network exclusively on cable. It doesn't affect his NBC relations. I've watched only a little MLB Network so far, but I'm sure that will ramp up in the near future. I've always been a huge fan of Costas calling baseball games over anything else he does, even the Olympics. And to me, like Ken Burns, he is always going to be linked with Baseball. Thanks to MLB and their copyright restrictions, I can't find Costas' call of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandberg_Game#.22The_Sandberg_Game.22">The Sandberg Game</a>, but I'm sure you all remember it, right?</div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-32223481090954214372009-02-04T14:45:00.003-05:002009-02-04T14:50:16.053-05:00The Next Nostradamus<div><a href="http://www.stalegum.com/2009/02/we-have-winnah.html">LINK</a></div><div><br /></div>I'm going to quit law school right now, 15 weeks from graduating, and tour the east coast predicting Topps gimmickry. I'm sure that'll be more lucrative than law right?Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-66945642867962170122009-01-20T02:17:00.008-05:002009-01-20T02:43:07.431-05:00Where We're Going We Don't Need RoadsRecently, I took the readers of this blog on an <a href="http://houseofcardboard.blogspot.com/search/label/Tuff%20Stuff">Excellent adventure back to 1997 with Tuff Stuff</a>. Now I hate to abandon Bill and Ted's phone booth for time travel, but the way I see it, if you're going to go even further back in time, why not do it with some style? So that's why we're abandoning this<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiyaL8RpWw1jY2-uv-Cls_5hdXsVuyZG4nrue1HQKrOSmaZatnQmT3i6-9fVwRu4gM-iui-3lT0icBFuOmx3jlPxsScLtRvHiAiyIs3raUx_60aYbiG5JFf5eeKSYXiguYpBSeI1rXRg/s1600-h/8380.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiyaL8RpWw1jY2-uv-Cls_5hdXsVuyZG4nrue1HQKrOSmaZatnQmT3i6-9fVwRu4gM-iui-3lT0icBFuOmx3jlPxsScLtRvHiAiyIs3raUx_60aYbiG5JFf5eeKSYXiguYpBSeI1rXRg/s320/8380.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293272829723043346" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">For this<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowftTGtOzSwy2kj-v8dEeZEAzF4FR_GVKeXqQeBTbPZI118eCdJh423QkwQtl1GZiGsrBLpHhThVoUkLja_bXDF_uLGBcU6r3mVaWmdXlkVacr_BD-yXDJAlbyIlh5qkGm-x2Dgj__og/s1600-h/1985_delorean_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowftTGtOzSwy2kj-v8dEeZEAzF4FR_GVKeXqQeBTbPZI118eCdJh423QkwQtl1GZiGsrBLpHhThVoUkLja_bXDF_uLGBcU6r3mVaWmdXlkVacr_BD-yXDJAlbyIlh5qkGm-x2Dgj__og/s320/1985_delorean_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293273033559090946" border="0" /></a></div>That's right kids, the power circuits to the flux capacator are on, Mr. Fusion has been fed and we're going to get her up to 88 MPH so that way we can travel back all the way to 1970. I'll try not to create any <a href="http://www.phpsolvent.com/images/BTTFTimelines.png">alternate timelines</a> while we're away. And why are we going back to 1970? For this!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeVLsUhL7-WnmcQEzXKu7EhQcp39KyYbqzUj9DnqPaPHrosOnXTaUMNzs0xVf7supiJGlUnhNkCrnwWhMizWI1D_OSFv3PZxFWBNcwrX9kAbp489OAIg4PNEFuNU_UuMlJxg9CrBak50/s1600-h/300px-Almanacfront.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeVLsUhL7-WnmcQEzXKu7EhQcp39KyYbqzUj9DnqPaPHrosOnXTaUMNzs0xVf7supiJGlUnhNkCrnwWhMizWI1D_OSFv3PZxFWBNcwrX9kAbp489OAIg4PNEFuNU_UuMlJxg9CrBak50/s320/300px-Almanacfront.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293274602007068498" border="0" /></a>No, not really. What good would this do us now? Not only are the statistics outdated, but going back to 1970 for it wouldn't make any sense. Unless <a href="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/Radi-Kyle/biff1.jpg">Biff</a> stole it and then went back to 1970...hmmm....no this is what we're really after.<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYz267jWIeBEkI6kNPDooBmeqbz_ZDRJezqRsd1pTjXYbP67sKPZHY6lftYYHaSj1HcNHfBGAcKtZdLw6kuLWVLotJHkkt06Zh9Lxj9SwkkbOu2SAXz8EC6LDvd47lv0hh61lLka48IQ/s1600-h/wwcov.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYz267jWIeBEkI6kNPDooBmeqbz_ZDRJezqRsd1pTjXYbP67sKPZHY6lftYYHaSj1HcNHfBGAcKtZdLw6kuLWVLotJHkkt06Zh9Lxj9SwkkbOu2SAXz8EC6LDvd47lv0hh61lLka48IQ/s320/wwcov.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293273639745892306" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">The 1970 edition of Who's Who in Baseball. I found this gem when my Grandmother was cleaning out her basement and I asked her if I could have it and she said I could. I've decided to share it with the blogging world. There's a lot of really interesting things inside this book. But for this post, you're just getting the front and back cover. There's no color photos in this, but there are a ton of black and white photos. As for the cover, you have Tom Seaver NL Cy Young Award winner for '69, Denny McClain and Mike Cuellar who were Co-Winners of the AL Cy Young award and Harmon Killebrew and Willie McCovey who were the MVPs for the AL and NL respectively. On the back cover<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LDUfFJ1uP6J8wg4QggHllYMix3847fdVk4pQgbAglagqnxPGK1M7sBg2PoZscSRqJs1O-rfSGFyNQ6eXOaA13QIhpHRFOcWd_9wQKLfaDEE3bMi3rylqR41pe5TgcuLPgWPTkWfrGJM/s1600-h/wwback.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LDUfFJ1uP6J8wg4QggHllYMix3847fdVk4pQgbAglagqnxPGK1M7sBg2PoZscSRqJs1O-rfSGFyNQ6eXOaA13QIhpHRFOcWd_9wQKLfaDEE3bMi3rylqR41pe5TgcuLPgWPTkWfrGJM/s320/wwback.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293276193302528642" border="0" /></a><br />The 1969 World Champion Mets. Yogi's on the front row, a young Nolan Ryan on the back row, Tom Seaver on row 3 and Tug McGraw on the 2nd. Just a very interesting picture compared to what some of today's team pictures look like. I'll be posting some more from this guide as long as I feel like it. If there's any players that anyone wants to see specifically from this guide, leave me a comment and I'll try and accomodate all requests. <br /></div></div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-63529911044610999952009-01-18T00:32:00.002-05:002009-01-18T00:42:56.503-05:00Running Diary Review of Topps Heritage High Numbers Gum12:33 - Opened Gum Wrapper<div>12:33 - Put Gum in mouth, began chewing</div><div>12:34 - mmm...a little sweetness with a strange hint of citrus</div><div>12:36 - Flavor gone</div><div>12:37 - It's starting to get a little bitter</div><div>12:39 - ok really bitter</div><div>12:41 - spitting it out due to the taste</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, this gum is lacking. Not only does it lose its flavor, it starts tasting really really bad. And then leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Come on Topps, you can do better than this. </div><div><br /></div><div>Grade: D+</div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-68313374629965668722009-01-17T14:45:00.003-05:002009-01-18T00:30:26.360-05:00Really Quick Plug For Those Doing TTMI've been doing Through The Mail (TTM) autographs since the early 90's and have seen lots of things change. One of the great things are the resources that are now available for those who do autos TTM. The best place I've found is <a href="http://www.sportscollectors.net">SportsCollectors.ne</a><a href="http://www.sportcollectors.net/">t</a>. I've had the link on my page since the blog started, but never gave a plug I don't think. Even if you don't join and pay the fee, there's still great resources for addresses, who signs, who doesn't and if they require a fee. Being able to catalogue your successes and failures and how long it takes them to come back is one of the greatest features of the site and that feature is free. So check them out.Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028503964992940223.post-4230469155944928452009-01-15T12:48:00.002-05:002009-01-15T12:51:21.876-05:00Is Fatty Coming Home?After signing Guillermo Mota, the Dodgers are looking to cut Andruw Jones or trade him to some team. And he was seen at the Duke - Georgia Tech game last night wearing a Braves cap. Is he sending subliminal messages to Frank Wren?<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090114&content_id=3744576&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp&cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab">Source</a></div>Russhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00630256319923385951noreply@blogger.com1