Workin' In Shifts: Randomness From Tribecards Uno

Here is another Workin In Shifts card review of cards that I did absolutely nothing to deserve. As usual, the most generous Blog Person of them all, David of Tribecards, sent them. He offered and even though I haven't sent him anything in a long time, I accepted. I have no shame.

And I love free cards.

So, what did he send me? About a week ago I got a package in the mail with 6 individually wrapped stacks of cards. It was like Christmas in July! Only it was August, but just barely, so I'm counting it. There were a few other things in the envelope that I will get to in a later post because, well, I forgot to scan them for this one.

The first pack I opened (and the other 5 remain sealed. I have tremendous will power.) contained 41 cards and a few hours worth of interesting stuff to think about and look at. I'm not kidding you. When I get these packages I really do spend a lot of time looking at what I got. I picked out a few of the cards to share with you now. And, to provide my usual nonsensical and funny only to me thoughts.

This blog exists mainly as a means to crack myself up.


Buck Leonard 2006 Legendary Cuts

I really like all of the Legendary Cuts cards that I have laid my hands on, and this is no exception. I even have a box laying around ready to bust (what did I tell you about my will power). I never knew much about the Negro Leagues until about a year ago when I started to read Joe Posnanski's ridiculously awesome blog and I picked up a copy of his book The Soul Of Baseball about Buck O'Neil. If you consider yourself a baseball fan it really is something you should read. In fact, if one of my fellow bloggers wants to read it, email me and I'll send it to you (I'm not giving it up if you aren't familiar though, or a Yankees fan...just kidding).

The back of this card says that Buck Leonard and Josh Gibson were known as the "Thunder Twins". I thought that those were the superheros that could turn themselves into a bucket of water and a bird in order to put out a fire or something. Remember, they would bump fists and yell: "Thunder Twin Powers ACTIVATE!!!! Form of a bucket of water! Form of a bird!" Exciting stuff. Not sure what it has to do with baseball, though.

I always wondered how come they didn't have to find all of the water in order to reconstitute the one twin. I guess maybe that guy only turned into the bucket and then he was filled with water. But then, how could you possibly expect to put out a forest fire with one bird carrying a bucket of water that it has to keep refilling? You'd be better off having Jimmy Duggan piss on it. Even as a young kid I wondered these things (except the Jimmy Duggan thing. I think I was in college when that movie came out). But I wondered about the other stuff.

Actually, they were pretty lame Super Heroes when I think about it. They should have just left the name to Buck and Josh.

Good Lord, I'll never finish this post if I keep rambling like that. Sorry.

Bobby Jones 1995 Upper Deck

I just love these cards when they get the picture of the guy throwing the ball right at you. I like to think that the photographer was snapping off pictures until the last second before diving out of the way. Maybe the young photograhers took one on the melon occasionally, much to the delight of the grisled veterans.


Unknown 1992 Confex


I have no idea what the heck this is. The front says fun stuff. The back says the Baseball Enquirer. There is a picture with no name that looks like it's probably supposed to be Nolan Ryan but looks more like Robert DeNiro. And there's a rocking chair on the hat for no apparent reason whatsoever. What the hell is going on here? And, there's some sort of fake interview on the back.

I'm confused

Joe Carter 1987 Topps Mini

I don't know what it is about minis that I like so much. And I have fond memories of Joe Carter. I liked him when he was in Cleveland, and I liked that he brought us Carlos Baerga and Sandy Alomar Jr. I was happy for him when he hit that homer.

Rex Hudler 1991 Studio

I love these stupid Studio cards. The backs never cease to crack me up. The only problem is that I liked Rex more before I got this card. And, I think I'm justified.

It says on the back that Rex is from Tempe. His favorite teams are the St Louis Blues, LA Lakers, and Dallas Cowboys. Talk about bandwagon, there's no way around it...what an asshole.

"Yeah, well, you don't seem to mind Lebron being a Yankee and Cowboy fan you stupid hypocrite!" you're saying. Well, you're right. I do love Lebron and I'll defend myself this way:

1. Lebron plays for my team
2. Rex Hudler will never be in the conversation for the greatest baseball player of all time.

As long as Lebron is a Cav he can rout for whoever the heck he wants.

Geez, another tangent. But see how much fun these Studio cards are?

Barry Watson 2008 Americana II

Barry is the famous actor who played the unmatched bachelor in What About Brian. So...yeah...uh...I still have no idea who he is.

Ken Caminiti 1999 HoLoGrFX

I can't help but be a little sad whenever I run accross a Caminiti card. I really loved that guy and I was shook up when he passed. And I was disappointed that he took steroids. Now...I don't care. I stoped caring a long time ago about the steroids. But, I still miss Ken. He was a hell of a ballplayer.

Dwight Gooden 1986 Topps All Star Set

What could have been.

Paul Sorrento 1993 Topps

The forgotten man in the ridiculous Indians lineup of the mid 90's. Paul was steady. He was solid. He was nobody's favorite player, but we were all glad to have him.


Unknown 1992 Confex

OK, I couldn't resist. I had to put the other one up. Just what the heck are these things supposed to be? If the other was supposed to make us think of Nolan Ryan, I guess this is supposed to make us think of Steve Howe. They have him doing drugs on the front, and on the back they basically mock his inability to stop partying and rehab. Good times.

You know, for the kids.

Bob James 1984 Topps

I don't know Bob James but I wanted to show this card for 2 reasons.

1. I like 1984 Topps (Mattingly Rookie)
2. Look how terrible those uniforms are. The hats are the worst.

I do like the way Bob wears his stirrups, though. And man, that guy could really fill out a uniform.

I especially like the picture of him in the bottom left where he's wearing his off-season car mechanic attire.

Juaquin Arias 2007 Topps Auto

Sweet! An auto! I love auto cards. Juaquin is having a rough time of it. He's been up to the Big's for a cup of coffee a few times. This year in 3 games he is hitless in 8 ABs. On the bright side he has only 3 strikeouts, so that's less than half the time. I figure things have to start falling in sooner or later, right?

OK, that's enough for now. Thank you very much David.

And remember everybody, there are 5 more to come some time in the near future. Stay tuned.