In a collecting world that pushed more and more towards online sales, I am grateful for the Local Card Shop and Local Card Shows. I am very fortunate to live in a region that has a number of both shops and shows. The Online card buying experience has been lacking lately, whether it's getting damaged cards from eBay, empty unsealed envelopes from Topps NOW, and the recent COMC debacle (they have still not provided an update about my missing order from December 2nd...). But going to a card show, with all the sights sounds and smells can remind me what drew me back into the hobby six years ago.
File these under "just in case." Graterol's status was still up in the air in the Red Sox trade on Saturday morning. By the time I got home, the deal was dead, and I was looking forward to seeing him in the Twins bullpen in 2020. By the time I made it into work, everything was back on again, with a little twist.
On "Twins Twitter" there was a lot of chatter about trading away Eddie Rosario for pitching. Even if I thought that was a good idea, let me remind everyone that there are guys still available in free agency that can duplicate Rosie's numbers. But more importantly, he's awesome and you can't have him! This auto is numbered to 50 copies.
Switching gears, I am always up for adding new Barry Sanders cards to my collection. I'm still very hesitantly wading into vintage basketball. The trouble is that I don't know the players from 70s ABA/NBA the way that MLB players from that era are so much more recognizable. Does anyone know of some good books about the ABA?
The Timberwolves were never better than during the time Sam Cassell was on the roster. Obviously it was Kevin Garnett's team, but the addition of Cassell and Latrell Sprewell made the team a championship contender for the first (and only) time.
I don't really collect football at all, but my goodness, how could I not add this card to my collection?
Jim was good at football.
I found a box of O-Pee-Chee! I was hoping to snag a 1972 Gil Hodges, but these were a nice surprise and consolation prize.
Sometimes I do these things on purpose - adding a '63 and a '73 of the same player at a show. Other times, I don't realize until I'm organizing the cards to scan them.
I went after some newer stuff as well. The image variation on the Scherzer card is stupid, but I tend to like stupid.
Even after losing Graterol, I am still excited for the future roster of the Minnesota Twins. Arraez has arrived, and 2019 First rounder Keoni Cavaco could be a short stop away from the big leagues.
Last but not least I went outside my usual comfort zone to add this 1990s insert of Barry Bonds. It is very shiny.
Oh my o-pee-chee! The 72 opc hodges is a tough card to find. That jim Brown is up there with the 71 fregosi and 73 alvarado as far as background vehicles go. Nice haul!
ReplyDeleteOPC Raines and Mattingly rookies, very nice. BTW package for you left today.
ReplyDeleteThanks John! I sent the cards from the Free Friday haul on Monday, hopefully they make it to you in the next couple days!
DeleteCard shows are awesome to rediscover for the real, in-person, tactile joys the hobby can provide. I've lost count of how many shows I've been to over the years, but they've never stopped feeling new and exciting. Lots of great finds here but I'm especially enamored with the OPCs!
ReplyDeleteThat Jim Brown card is iconic and I love that OPC Carew!
ReplyDeleteNice getting a lot of o-pee-chee.
ReplyDeleteI've got a '72 Hodges for you. I'll add it to our next trade.
ReplyDeleteCrazy how Ron Santo aged 20 years from 1963 to 1973.
Great stuff! BTW, Brian, got your package yesterday.. THANKS! I'll post about it soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't collect football but want that Brown card! Sure looks like you had a little fun. It's been nearly a year since I went to a show. Just not in the budget right now.
ReplyDeleteGeez, that Jim Brown sure was a great purchase! Love the Barry's too, and the slice of vintage basketball. The '63 Santo looks really sharp, that's usually the kind of card that vendors put a premium on, if only because they think someone will pay more a gradable card.
ReplyDeleteAs far as ABA books go, there aren't a lot of them out there. Loose Balls is usually recommended, but there are a number of inaccuracies in there, so I don't think as highly of it as most people do. If you do go ahead and read it though, just take a few of those stories with a grain of salt. The Colonels book that came out a few years ago isn't bad, but for the most part it's only about one team, so it might not help you learn too much about the ABA as a whole. I guess Loose Balls is probably your best option, at least it'll familiarize you with a lot of the names and personalities.
Awesome, thanks for the recommendations!
DeleteThe 63 Santo is mostly sharp, but the lower left corner is a bit messed up. Makes it a perfect card for my collection! Great eye appeal, but didn't cost me an arm and a leg.
Whoa. That's a nice haul. The Jim Brown is fantastic and I'd love to stumble across a box of OPC baseball. Congratulations!
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