Night Owl: Candiotti edition

Here is another set of Indians cards from the Night Owl. Actually, it isn't so much a set of cards as it is just one card. I gave Grady, as I often do, a card to pick out. I've taught him the delicate art of preserving one's cards, but it has yet to take hold. There's a part of me that hopes it never does.

When Night Owl's package arrived I took out the ones I really didn't want damaged and let him pick a card out from the rest. I hope nobody get's offended by this but I get a lot more pleasure out of watching my kid pick out a card than the 3 cents it's actually worth. I usually sit down at the coffee table to open a new arrival and Grady always comes over to watch. I can tell he wants some of the cards. I spread out a few in front of them and he picks one or two. He then immediately tears off in some random direction while babbling some incomprehensible giberish. He's just like his dad.

So here is Grady's selection from the cornucopia of goodness provided by the Night Owl. As you can see, he picked a worthy player in Tom Candiotti. Growing up it always seemed like Candiotti was there. He was always on the Indians and he always would be...until he wasn't anymore.

I liked Candiotti and Indian's fans remember him fondly. But I worry that I didn't appreciate him like he deserved to be appreciated until it was too late. In fact I know I didn't. Maybe if I had read Ball Four when I was younger I would have known what we had. I hope the Red Sox fans appreciate Wakefield because a good knuckleballer only comes around every so often and you are lucky to have one on your team.

I'm willing to bet that everyone out there reading this post knows how they grip their own knuckleball. EVERYONE throws a knuckleball. My grip is a lot like Tom's on this card. I've convinced myself that our grips being similar probably had a lot to do with Tom's success.

I had a hell of a knuckler myself, you know. I really did.

So, I couldn't have been happier to see Grady choose a card of Tom Candiotti out of the considerable pile he had to choose from. I like to believe that Grady was intrigued by the unusual grip.

Night Owl I thank you, and Grady thanks you.

BTW - Here's a little known fact about the Candy Man. His middle name is Caesar.

Cool.

Night Owl: CC is dead to me edition

More cards form Night Owl. Let me know what you think.

CC Sabathia 2002 Donruss Classics

I was going to go into a big, long winded post here about why CC is dead to me. But I can't. It will take too long and should get it's own post or something. This is supposed to be a joyous occasion. Celebrating the sweet cards that Night Owl sent me about 4 years ago.

So I'm going to save that for later. But CC is dead to me.

Deader 'n hell.

Cory Snyder 1989 Fleer

What's the best way to save a blog post that nearly fell into an endless abyss of self pity? Cory Freakin' Snyder, that's how.

Look at that California boys smile and barely concealed mullet. I have little doubt that Cory is sporting a mullet to this very day. I'd be disappointed if he isn't.

And I love him even more now that I know he used a giant glove called "The Backhander." What does that even mean to a right fielder? I don't know but it's awesome.

Just like Cory

Bruce Egloff 1991 Bowman

" OK Bruce, you get one crack at this. this might end up being your only baseball card ever. We want to make this one count. We have the perfect lighting, the twilight sky, right before it turns dark. We have the menacing clouds in the background. Conditions are perfect. On the count of 3 I want you to look super badass. Ready? 1...2...3!"

"Dammit Bruce..."

Julie Franco 1987 Fleer Limited Edition

When we played wiffle ball kids always imitated Julio's stance way more than any other player. Guy had a crazy stance. He played 25 years and hit .298. That's astounding.

We win't soon again see the likes of Julio Franco. I hope he gets some recognition.

Dan Briggs 1979 Topps

Dan looks like a dreamer, doesn't he?

David Bell 1995 Upper Deck Top Prospects

I always like David Bell and thought he should be better than he was. I think he had a pretty decent career, just not the great career that a lot of us thought would be in store for him. NO matter what, this is a pretty cool card.

Glenallen Hill 1991 Upper Deck

Some players (Carlos Beltran comes to mind) make the difficult plays look easy. They are just so gifted. Judging by this card I'd say Glenallen Hill was the opposite. He's sure making that apparently easy play look pretty hard.

Dude could hit a ball really really far, though.

Victor Martinez 2009 Allen & Ginter

Man, I wish we still had Victor. He had a different handshake for all of his teammates. That's awesome. Now, we just have to look forward to Carlos Santana. Hopefully sometime this year.

Come to think of it, that's not such a bad thing.

Tony Perezchica 1992 Stadium Club

The back of Tony's card states "insufficient major league data available for an accurate analysis of batting strengths and weaknesses."

But let's forget about that for a moment. New Mexico State just took the lead over Michigan State. Usually I'd pull (lightly) for Michigan State because they are in the Big 10, but I know 2 lovely ladies that may be happy to see New Mexico State pull that one out.

Dennis Martinez 1997 Stadium Club

El Presidente

That's a great nickname.

Grady Sizemore 2007 Bowman's Best

Bowman's Best has quietly become one of my favorite products. 2007 in particular was great. the cards are so think and shiny and smooth. I absolutely love this card.

Thanks night Owl.

More to come.

Night Owl: Rick Wise's Stirrups Edition

So, it was about November or December (of 2009 smart asses) when I got these from Night Owl. For no other real reason than Night Owl rules and has one of the best, if not the best, card blogs. I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.


A few weeks later I sent out a package to him. It contained some Dodgers and some 1981 Topps cards. He was working on 1981 Topps so I sent him every card on his list that I had. I think it was only about 15 or so and I remember regretting that I didn't have more (and that what I had wasn't in great condition).


Then I went into hibernation. So, I have no idea if those cards ever got there or not. I'd be lying if I said I was 100% sure that I sent them. But, I know I pulled them out and I made the "to send to Night Owl" pile. And they aren't laying around here anywhere. So I'm like 83.2% confident that I sent them. (Let me know if you ever got anything, Greg. Or if you don't even remember)



Here is the first of about 4 installments of the cards that Greg sent over. I tried to narrow it down more. I know that maybe I'd get these posts up in less than 5 months if I didn't make them so long and drawn out. I just couldn't help it. There are too many cool cards.


Let's save the best for...


FIRST!
Grady Sizemore 2006 Upper Deck F/X Materials

I'm not sure what set this card is from but it is clearly awesome. It's great in the scan and the scan doesn't even do it justice. It looks really cool in different light, almost Chromish or something. And, you all know I'm a sucker for Chrome.


I'm going to be so, so sad when Grady is gone. I just hope we don't trade him before his last year like we did with Cliff Lee.
Tommy Hinzo 1988 Upper Deck


Look at good old Tommy Hinzo with his subhelmet hat. I think there's an organization for that on some stupid blog somewhere. Some kind of alliance or something. Someone needs to get off their lazy butt and admit more members.

Carlos Baerga 1992 Leaf


What a great looking card. That's a sweat action shot. Man, you look at that and you might get the idea that Carlos was a great second baseman. You'd be wrong. He was not. But I can see how you'd get that idea.


Dude could hit, though. Man, for about 5 years this cat could rake.



Kenny Lofton 1999 Upper Deck


It's hard to explain to non Indians fans the 190 pounds of awesome that was Kenny Lofton. But he was. I loved this guy. All 3 times he played for Cleveland. You'd be hard pressed to find a more beloved player in C-Town than Lofton.


On a team with Baerga, Belle, Thome, , El Presidente, and the like Lofton is the one who found himself in a place of honor on my college dorm room wall. Staring down a poster of Darren Daulten (roommate from Philadelphia.) We didn't talk about it much. We both knew who would win that battle, and there was no reason for me to rub it in.



George Hendrick 1975 Topps


One of the best sets ever. Yount and Brett rookies. Unique color scheme. Instantly recognizable. Just a great set. This card is just a classic. Classic pose. Empty stadium and a blue sky with airbrushed looking clouds.


Plus the hat with the crooked "C" on it.

Grady Sizemore 2009 Upper Deck X - Exponential 3


People don't seem to like Upper Deck X. I never got why. I like it. It's cheap and the cards look shiny and cool. What more could you want?


The back tells us that Grady is a "bona fide five-tool player." I think he's proven that. Let's just hope that from now on he keeps his tool out of the coffee mug and off the internets from now on.



Roberto Alomar 1999 Pacific Crown Royale


Man, that was a hell of a double play combo. Alomar and Vizquel. Probably the best I will ever see in Cleveland in my lifetime. And I feel like I did enjoy it and appreciate it while it lasted. So often you forget to appreciate things until their too late.


But not these guys. they were good and we all knew it.



Kenny Lofton 1999 Ovation


Another Lofton. I like these Ovation cards. They look pretty good and they have a nice texture to them. You can feel the seams on the ball.


But, couldn't they have found a better picture of Kenny? I refuse to believe that this was the best cut that Kenny took.



Rick Wise 1979 Topps


I just wanted to show you this card so that you could also admire the glasses and the stirrups.



Sean DePaula 2002 Topps Total


I don't remember Sean DePaula. The Indians drafted him in 1996 and he first appearend in a game in 1999. He played in 3 different years briefly at the major league level. His inning total was just less than 35 innings.


I have no idea what happened to Sean, nor do I know why no other team gave him a shot. As far as baseball reference is concerned, he's still an Indian. There's no mention of him being released or traded or anything. In 2003 he played for the Reds AAA team and then there was nothing.


You might think that's not much of a career. What I think is that Sean DePaula played in the Major Leagues. He pitched 5 innings n the ALDS. He struck out 5 Red Sox in the playoffs. He is credited with a Major League win.


Anyone out there who wouldn't take that?




Well, that's all for this installment. Thanks Night Owl. There is more to come.

Workin' In Shifts: Night Owl 2

Here we go with more cool stuff From Night Owl.



15. Kevin Seitzer 1997 Stadium Club

There was a time in the late 80's that I didn't think I could ever open a pack without getting Seitzer. I don't remember that as a bad thing. I always liked Seitzer. The memory doesn't really hold up. I don't seem to have any more Seitzers from back then than any other players. For some reason it just seemed that way to me.

Kind of strange.

16. Matt Williams 1997 Stadium Club

I remember being so excited to be getting Matt Williams in 97. I don't want to say that he was a disappointment; I don't remember feeling that way at all. He just wasn't as good as he had been the previous seasons.

I was hoping to get the Matt Williams that may have broken the HR record if not for the strike. I got a player who was really good. No reason to complain there.



17. Grady Sizemore 2006 Fleer Tradition

You knew there was going to be some Grady in here.

18. Grady Sizemore 2008 Starquest

I have to say, I like the Star Quest cards. I worry that they are lloking too much the same year after year. Upper Deck needs to mix it up a little bit.



19. Grady Sizemore 2009 Topps Heritage

These Heritage cards are growing on me. It's not that I didn't like them. It's just that I never contemplated trying to build a set. I might give it a shot. I'll have to decide on the year, though. People seem less enthusiastic about this year's set than in years past.

I like the season highlights on the back of these. On Aug 21st Grady had 7 RBI. That's right...7. In case you forgot, Grady (inexplicably) is still a leadoff batter. Favorite player ever.

20. Rick Manning 1983 Topps Sticker

I love Rick Manning. He's been the Tribe's color commentator for as long as I can remember. I guess everyone probably loves their home town guys. The funny thing about Manning is that he looks the same now as he did in this sticker. The man doesn't age.



21. Lary Sorensen 1984 Fleer

I vaguely remember the name Lary Sorensen. Dubbs and Thorzul probably remember him better than me because he spent the majority (and most successful part) of his career in Milwaukee. He was an All Star in 1978. By the time this card was made he wasn't even on the Tribe any more. No, he was already clogging the basepaths in Oakland in 1984. There's really only one thing that I want to know about Lary:

Where's the other "r" dude?

22. Grady Sizemore 2009 Upper Deck Checklist

Upper Deck really did make a nice base set this year, didn't they?



23. Shin-Soo Choo 2009 Topps Walmart or Target or something.

I can't remember which one is made on the old time cardboard and which one has the black boarder. This one is the old timey cardboard one (obviously). To tell you the truth I like all 3 of the sets. It's just asking too much to complete all 3.

This has one of those 6 degrees of Mantle things on the back. I don't know, I just don't find that very interesting at all. I think they screwed up when they made it Mantle. They should hve made it someone less well known, like Hoot Evers who played a decent outfield for the Tigers a half century ago. Wouldn't that be more interesting?

Hoot Evers, by the way, was traded to the Bo Sox in 52 along with a guy named Dizzy Trout. Just thought you should know. Where was I? Oh yeah, Shin-Soo Choo. I like that guy.

24. Jose Mesa 1997 Stadium Club

Turning red....about to blow......steam coming out of my ears.... F**% YOU MESA!!!



25. Victor Martinez 2006 Bazooka

Did I mention that Martinez is hitting .400 this year?

26. Scott Lewis 2009 Topps

Might as well end on a Buckeye. This is also a targmart version on the card. He finished the season last year gangbusters and made the rotation this year, until he got hurt. I hope he can make it back soon, we can use the help, especially in the bullpen.

The back of the card is hilarious. Instead of the 6 degrees of Hoot Evers, this card has "most wins by Ohio St Draftees." Here they are:

Dave Burba - 115
Steve Arlin - 34
Scott Klingenbeck - 5
Scott Lewis - 4 (alright, cracked the top 5!)
Bill Wertz - 2
3 tied with 0

That's right...3 tied with 0 made the back of the card. That's how many great pitchers come out of Ohio State. Maybe we need to start paying the baseball players like the football players.

That's it.

Thank you very much Greg for the sweet cards. I'll keep my eye out for any more cool Dodgers.

Workin' In Shifts: Cards From Night Owl

I promised that I would think of a better name for these posts than "Achiever Review." What I came up with is "Workin' In Shifts." Besides the obvious (for some) Lebowski tie-in, I just like the way it sounds. So there you go. From now on, these posts will be labeled Workin' In Shifts. Me and the boys down at the crime lab will be offering our witty, brilliant, nonsensical, and occasionally indecipherable observations on the cards I receive as gifts or in trades from the Blog People.

These particular cards are from Night Owl. I'd wager that there isn't a single one of you reading this that doesn't know who he is. A few months ago I pulled a Blake Dewitt auto from a Stadium Club blaster. It was great! It was the first (and only) auto I've ever pulled from a blaster. It was even better turning it into a bunch of new Indians cards to contemplate.

There were so many cool cards that I split it up into 2 posts. Here is part 1. Part 2 to follow in the next few days (although it is always possible that it may take months.)



1. Albert Belle 1994 Stadium Club

I like this card because it reflects the true nature of Albert. He wasn't a crazy sociopath. He was just a fun loving gentle soul who was kind to all he encountered. I mean, just because he once tried to run over a group of kids on Halloween doesn't make him a bad guy. Even if he did stalk a woman with a GPS device on her car...who hasn't done that before? Look at sweet jovial Albert. Who couldn't love him?

2. Milton Bradley 2004 Power Up Somethin-er-other

What a goofy looking card! And look at the size of Milton's head! It's like Sputnik; spherical and quite pointy in places. Actually, it's probably about right if we are depicting athletes "egotistically" in this set.

According to this, Milton is worth 10 points. I don't know haw many that is out of but it seems about right.



3. Roberto Alomar 2000 HoloGrFx
4. Manny Ramirez 2000 HoloGrFx

Roberto and Manny, what a pair. Two of the greatest players ever to wear the uniform. Now, we will barely be able to remember them as the great players that they were. It's just sad. Manny really screwed up. The worst part is it really seems like it was probably unnecessary for him. He would have been great without the stuff.

And Alomar; with the HIV rumors a few months ago. I don't know what ever happened with that. I just hope it isn't true. I want to remember Alomar turning 2 with Vizquel.

As far as HoloGrFx goes, these are my first cards. I like them a lot. I actually have a box of them to open. I got it off eBay because it wasn't that much and they sound cool. After seeing these cards I'm excited to open it.



5. Bruce Bochte 1978 Topps

I scanned this card because I didn't know much about Bochte other than he is the manager of the Giants. Heck, I didn't even know he ever played for the Tribe. Don't worry, I figured it out.

THIS Bruce Bochte seems like a very interesting dude. From his wikipedia page: "Bochte boycotted the entire 1983 season as a personal protest over rising player salaries. He believed that money was destroying the game he loved, but he returned without explanation the next season. Bochte is now an avowed agnostic and is working to "save the Mother Earth from humankind's destructive ways."

That's a hell of a thing.How come I haven't heard of this before. This guy is the Pearl Jam of MLB. Alas, Ticketmaster still sells all of the tickets, and MLB salaries have only gotten more ridiculous.

6. Cliff Lee 2007 Bowman Heritage

Cliff Lee seems to be back on track for the Tribe this year. If only we could score him some runs.



7. Roy Smith 1986 Topps

I love getting cards like this because it forces me to learn something about a player that I otherwise wouldn't have noticed. I have no recollection of Roy Smith as a player. The back of this card tells of Roy's accomplishments. Most noteworthy: His first 6 strikeout game was on 7-25-84. I guess that's the best thing that they could find that Roy had done.

So I put him into baseball-reference. There were 2 Roy Smiths. One played only from 2001-2002. The other was named Le Roy Purdy Smith. No mention of this Roy Smith.

At least, that's what I thought. Nope, he's there. That's him. Le Roy Purdy Smith.

In a million years would you have thought that the man in this card is named Le Roy Purdy Smith?

8. Albie Lopez 1997 Stadium Club

I thought that Albie was going to be a special ballplayer. He showed a lot of promise early on. He was good enough that the Devil Rays made him the 48th pick in the expansion draft, and I was sorry to see him go. It would be easy to say that his career was a disappointment, but he did hang around for over 10 seasons. I bet there are a lot of players that would trade careers with Albie Lopez.



9. Victor Martinez 2009 Topps Attax

No clue what these numbers mean. What I do know is that Victor is currently batting (as of this writing) over .400. I'll bet those numbers on the front are a little on the low side.

10. Jim Thome 1992 Pinnacle

Allegedly a rookie card. I really like this set. Jim was a fan favorite in Cleveland for a lot of years. Then he took the money in Philly and he gets booed every time he comes back to town. Then, he invariably hits 3-4 Hrs during the series. I'll never understand why we boo him (I don't). I'd rather think back to all of the great times I had watching this big farm boy from Peoria turn a franchise around.

This card is great because it says that "Jim is a lefthanded hitter with average power..." Good call on that one. He is left handed I suppose.



11. Cory Snyder 1989 Score

Sweet

12. Jason Rakers 1999 Bowman

I do believe that this is my only 1999 Bowman card. I like it. Shades of 1987 Topps with the wood grain. It makes me more sad to think about this year's design. Who knows, maybe it will grow on me.

Jason never really made it.



13. Paul Shuey 1997 Stadium Club

Paul Shuey is underrated and under appreciated. He was a bit wild and he was hurt a lot, but man could he bring it. I loved watching Shuey pitch. I like this set too. Stadium Club cards always seem to appeal to me. Even this year, the base set looks fantastic. It just costs too damn much. I hope Topps gives it another shot.

14. Ralph Kiner 2004 Bowman Heritage

Man, Kiner was good. I didn't realize that he only played for 10 seasons. Here's what he did in 1951:

Led the league in: Runs, Hrs, Walks, OBP, SLG, OPS, and had an OPS+ of 184! Man what a season!

He finished 10th in MVP, right behind teammate Murray Dickson. I have trouble explaining that.

That's the end of part one. One more post to come from Night Owl. Thanks very much, Greg.