Baseball Dad 3: Ugly Shirt Edition

Here is another moving installment of the cards that Baseball Dad sent. As usual this is only an exhibition. Please, no wagering.

Phil Niekro 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany

At least I think it's Tiffany. I'm not 100% sure. I guess it doesn't really matter. Well, that's not true. It will matter a lot when I go to file it. The thought of mis-filing a card makes me queasy.

Yes, I know I'm a weirdo. What of it?

I know that Phil is probably 46 or so when They took this photo but dang, that is one old looking dude. I'm not THAT far removed from 46 myself. I'm a lot closer to 46 than18, anyway. I sure hope I look a little better than that. Sheesh.

Bobby Abreu 1999 Pacific Prism

This is one of those rare cards that looks a lot better in the scan than in does in real life. In the scan it has that shiny purplish sheen to it. In really life it's just silver. Not that there's anything wrong with silver, it just looks really cool in the scan IMO.

And what's up with "Bob". Dude...you're Bobby...get over it.

Len Barker 1982 Fleer

The truth is for most of his career Len Barker was average. But on May15th against the Blue Jays he pitched a perfect game. It's still celebrated yearly in Cleveland. One of our few shining moments between 1954 and 1995. It's important. He will always be loved here. And when he was gone, he brought Brett Butler and Brook Jacoby in trade. Barker did a lot of great things for Cleveland.

Even if over the long haul he wasn't a superstar. He was a superstar that day.

And that mustache is anything but average.

Jim Thome 1997 Pinnacle

Goin' Jake! This card celebrates Jim Thome and Cleveland hosting the All Star Game at Jacobs Field. I remember that. Those were good times for the Indians.

But dang, that is one ugly uniform.

Jim Thome 2000 Black Diamond

OOOOHHHHHHHH BLACK DIAMOND

Deh neh neh neh neh nenenenenenenene

OOOOOHHHHHHH BLACK DIAMOND

Maybe it's just the combo of the red AS Jersey with the red socks, but this is much better. Still not great. But better.

Dickie Thon 1992 O-Pee-Chee

Ever wonder how a grown man lets everyone call him Dickie?

I do.

Daron Kirkreit 1994 Upper Deck

Nice Jugs!

(I wonder if that will translate into page hits? I'm not sure how that all works but it puts a smile on my face thinking about all of the 13 year old boys who I may convert to baseball cards when they started out looking for something completely different.)
Mike Rossiter 1992 O-Pee-Chee

And there it is. The ugly shirt I promised in the title. Lord is that hideous or what? I can't figure this card out. Why is he dressed like that? Why is he apparently at the zoo? What the heck is he looking at?

It's a shame this guy never made it to the show. Even for a few days. At the very least he could have afforded a decent shirt.

Chad Ogea 1994 Bowman's Best

I became a big fan of Bowman's Best ever since I Am Joe Collector busted some in a group break. It doesn't matter what year, I'm always impressed. I love these cards.

Hey...I guess they really are Bowman's Best!

Huh.

How about that. It all makes sense.

Thanks Baseball Dad. One more coming. I think.

Hell, I can't keep track anymore.

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.

Tribecards: Random Brewers Edition

Just when you thought my blog was clear of free stuff from David, you get a bunch of Brewers!

That's right, more free stuff. I signed up for the Brewers on one of the giveaways at Tribecards (so long ago). I think he's had about 6 other giveaway contests since this one. I know he recently sent out just about his whole darn collection recently.

But, before he did that I was able to snag some Brewers. Here are 10 of them:

Cecil Cooper 1987 Topps

Whenever I look at a card like this I wonder if the people milling about in the stands have any idea they are on a card. Some of them have to know, right? There has to be a group of people that bore the heck out of dinner guests with their stories of being in the background of a 1982 Donruss card, or something.

I wish like crazy that I was in that group. And you better believe I'd show that 1988 Brook Jacoby card to every darn person I know.
Dale Sveum 1989 Score

Dale's last name is pronounced "SWAIM" or so I've been informed on the back if this card. That's a real purty swing Dale has there. Almost as pretty as his glorious mustache on the back of the card. You'll have to take my word for it.
Robin Yount 1994 Topps

Rumor has it this Yount guy was pretty good.

I can't think of a single thing to say about 1994 Topps. This card is epically boring.

Ron Robinson 1992 Stadium Club

OK, raise your hand if you had any idea that Chris Elliot used to play ball. I sure didn't.

Wanna buy a monkey?
Buck Martinez 1981 Fleer

Even though the design is really boring and you have to flip the card the wrong way to read the stats, I like Fleer's inaugural edition. And you could do worse than Buck Martinez.

Buck Martinez. What a name. It's like his parents decided that he was going to be a ballplayer when they named him that. Kind of like Wally Joyner. Or Nikki, if you want your little girl to end up a stripper.

I've always believed that there's a lot in a name.

Pat Listach 1992 Pinnacle

I remember Pat Listach as being a great player. I'm afraid to look him up on Baseball Reference because I have a feeling I'd be trashing a memory needlessly.

Damn. I couldn't help myself. Listach sucked.
John Jaha 1992 Donruss Rated Rookie

I'd have no qualms about looking up Johnny Boy. I loved this guy. I don't care what anyone says. This guy was great. He killed the Tribe too.

That's right. Career OPS+ 116. Jaha rocked.

Although he did only play 3 full seasons. I wonder, was he hurt a lot or something?

Tyrone Hill 1992 Pinnacle

HEY YOU GUUUUYSSS!!!

OK, that was mean. I didn't mean that. I'm sure it's just the angle of the camera or something.

Richie Sexson 2001 Donruss

I've got nothing to add other than this is a nice looking card. And I always liked Sexson.

Jeromy Burnitz 1999 Upper Deck Ovation

I liked Burnitz too. I was sad to see him traded, but we got Seitzer in that trade so I wasn't too sad. But I liked him. He was pretty good. He had some good years. He had a few great ones.

He made the all star team once. In 1999 that was. Like a said. Pretty good career.

Jeromy Burnitz made $47 million in his career.

Let me repeat that.

$47 million.

That's four seven zero zero zero zero zero zero.

I just thought everyone should know that.

Thank you again David. Awesome, as usual.

This time I really do think that's the end of them.

Baseball Dad 2: Metal Universe Edition

God only knows how long ago Baseball Dad sent me a stack of cards. Some were from his group break, and a lot were just a bunch of great Indians cards, a huge variety. I limited my haul to enough cards to make about 4 posts. The plan is to always knock out those posts and get them up on the blog as a proper thank you.

With me it never really works out that way. I try to think of something semi-interesting to say about all of the cards. The problem is, since I'm an Indians collector, I get a lot of the same players. It's hard to think of a lot of different things to say about Cliff Lee. I end up repeating myself a lot.

What happens, then, is I scan the cards into different posts waiting to be commented upon. Then those posts sit there and sit there. This week is all about getting caught up and finally posting those things. And that's how I end up posting about cards that Baseball Dad sent me a year ago.

Here's the first post about these cards...way back on Dec 13.

Notice at the end of the post that I promised to get to some cards that Night Owl sent me. I made a crack about checking back in March. At the time I thought it was ridiculous to think that it would take me until then. Oh well.

Here is the second installment of the Baseball Dad cards:

Cliff Lee 2004 Certified Materials

Speak of the devil. It's CPL in the flesh. Well, not in the flesh. On a shiny piece of cardboard. I was always behind Cliff. I didn't hold it against him that we wouldn't be able to afford him and had to trade him away. It's the way it is and he earned the money.

And then, after the trade, he said some not too nice things about the Cleveland fans. I don't want to get into it here (It deserves it's own post if I ever get to it). Suffice it to say that it is partly my own fault that we haven't won a World Series in Cleveland.

Well, awesome card aside...Cliff Lee can kiss my ass. (My apologies to Baseball Dad who I know frowns upon that sort of talk. Just take solace in the fact that the actual verbiage in my head is much more colorful.)

Grady Sizemore 2007 Topps Chrome

On to happier things than Phifer Lee. This great card combines my 2 favorite things in card collecting. Chrome and Grady Sizemore...Cleveland's beloved star player still remaining in town. I think he is primed for a breakout year. I made sure I got him on my fantasy team.

Victor Martinez 2004 Diamond Kings

Now here's a former player that I can get behind, despite the fact that he's now a Red Sock (Sox?). Victor was great when he was here and I wish him nothing but the best. Victor never wanted to leave to begin with. I still hope he can, down the road, finish out his career in C-Town. It seems like the right thing.

These Diamond Kings cards are great looking. Much better than the version that was put into the late 80's cards. I miss Donruss.

Mark McGwire 1992 O-Pee-Chee

Look how skinny this dude used to be. Those roids really made him into a monster (physically speaking. I actually like McGwire as a person.) I know I'm in a very small minority, but I like McGwire and I no longer care about his steroid use.

I don't want to get into that, though. I only bring it up to say I legitimately love this card. I love it because that's a perfect swing right there. And steroids didn't give him that swing.

Steve Wojciechowileskichowskinuberchinowski 1997 Fleer

I picked this card for a few reasons:

1. I'd never heard of him. So it gave me a chance to look him up. He wasn't good. No...not at all. He did have more strikeouts than Home runs given up, though. So that's a plus.

2. I wanted to see if I type in his name without looking at it 5 times. I could not.

3. The clinic director of my residency program had a very similar name. I couldn't spell his, either. But he's a really cool dude,and that's what matters.

Chuck Nagy 1988 Topps Tiffany Traded

We interrupt this review to tell you what I'm watching. The Cavs are playing the Kings today and it's Z's first game back at home as a Cav. Cleveland loves Zydrunas. Zydrunas loves Cleveland. I'm glad he's back.

I just watched the pregame intros and Z got a reception that gave me chills. A really nice moment. Cleveland will shower it's guys with love if they let us.

Von Hayes 1991 Fleer Ultra

I hope there's nobody out there who thinks there was a chance I would get a card of a guy named "Von" and post it. Von Hayes was a good player, but not as good as his name. He has a Hall Of Fame name.

Cory Synder 1991 Upper Deck

This card was made after it was plainly evident that Cory Snyder was never going to be the player that once looked inevitable. I still don't know what happened.

He still looks great, though.

Benito Santiago 1997 Metal Universe

Why in the world don't they make cards like this anymore/ Look at how completely awesome that card is. I don't necessarily feel one way or another about Benito. He strikes me as a player who was never really as good as we thought he was. I remember Benitio being very highly thought of. It's not that he was bad, but I doubt he was ever really great. I'm ready to stand corrected about that because I don't feel like looking him up right now.

But this card sure is great. Look at all of the awesomeness going on there. I wish they'd bring back Metal Universe.

That's all for this edition and there's more to come. Thanks Baseball Dad. Many thanks again.

And Night Owl, you shouldn't have to wait any longer. In fact I might have already posted some of yours. I'll bet it's April, though. Sorry I missed my March deadline.

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.