Throwback Thursday

 

Is there anything sweeter than Sweet Lou? How about Sweet Lou, presented by Coca-Cola? One can of Coke has 39 grams of sugar. That's pretty sweet!

This card is from 1981, and of course it has a pretty much identical design to 1981 Topps, save for the Coke logo in the corner. Of course, Coca-Cola and the Tigers have been linked to each other for a long time. The Georgia-based soda giant was one of Tiger great Ty Cobb's first big investments. 

At first glance, nothing too special about these early to mid 70's cards (maybe you notice that the position "Outfield" is missing from Jesus Alou's card), but flip them over and see... 

O-Pee-Chee! I don't really keep any kind of checklist for these, but I picked these up on eBay for a reasonable price. Everything in this post came my way in either November or December.

My brother pointed out this 1963 Fleer to me, and I sent one to him for Christmas. But I kept the saved search in eBay and eventually found this one to add to my own collection. The buy it now prices are out of control right now, but the auctions are the way to go if you can find one. 

Roberto Clemente - good at baseball.

Putting Your Best Stamp Forward

Nick of the World Famous Dime Boxes Blog reached out last week to confirm my address, then sent over this stuffed plain white envelop overflowing with Twins.

Most impressively, all of these cards were sent with just one stamp! Let's Get It On. What's Going On in this PWE?

Max signed a contract extension during spring training with the Twins, and he's been tearing the cover off the ball all season long. He's on the bench tonight after taking a fastball off his elbow, but he'll be back soon.

As always, Nick combines new cards, vintage cards, junk wax, stars, legends, etc in every trade.

Some great finds from 2019 Big League, including the fan favorite Willians Astudillo, who recently returned from a temporary stay in AAA. He's primarily a catcher, but tonight he's playing in left field. Jake Cave will be his opposite number in Right Field, with Buxton still recovering on the IL. Cave was tearing up AAA himself, and is getting another chance to stick with the big league club for the moment.

Shifting gears was this oddball of should-be Hall of Fame hurler, the 16X Gold Glove winner, Jim Kaat. This is a 1969 Milton Bradley card from their baseball themed board game. Johnny's Trading Spot recently found the game itself, if you're curious what the board and some more of the cards looked like.

Continuing on the vintage theme, Nick added these three Twins (triplets?) to my collection. The note in the envelope asked me to be sure to check the backs:

sacré bleu ! O-pee-chee!

Here's 4 more Unusual Twins, taken from the 1990 and 1991 Baseball Card Price Guides / Magazines.

I didn't know that Harper was a converted pitcher! Learn something every time you trade with Nick. If you're counting, that's 17 cards in one envelope! One Stamp! Thanks very much Nick, these were a blast to go through.

Lanceurs et Voltigeurs

Ceci n'est pas une pipe.

I've got to start with an apology - December has gotten the best of me and I haven't really been posting since the World Series ended. I guess it is the off-season for some of us after. Several folks have sent over cards, and I'll be sharing those over the next week - starting with Douglas from the blog Sportscards from the Dollar Store

O-Pee-Chee is notorious for ragged edges and centering issues, but these cards still look *pack fresh* ! I literally have only seen OPC cards this sharp come out of a sealed pack, and those were from 1978 and 1979.

My scanner cut even more harshly than the Canadians on this 1975 Steve Braun.

On the back, we learn some very personal info about Braun's offseason plans in 1973.

If that wasn't enough, Douglas also included a stack of Twins from more recent stock, including another one of those oddball Hobby game cards.

Last but not least a serial numbered Phil Hughes! This was right after the season Phil set a major league record for his ratio of strikeouts to walks. He fanned 186 batters and walked . . . 16. For the whole season! He's been sidelined following Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, but there's always hope in December that he'll return to pitch meaningful innings for the Twins in 2018.

Thanks so much Douglas! I've really been dogging it this month, but you're on my list for return packages in the new year. Happy Holidays everyone!

Trade Post: O-Pee-Chee and the North Star(s)

See what happens when you trade with Canadians? You get cool O-Pee-Chee cards in return!

 Chris From Diamond Cuts and Wax Stains put together a trade involving my 1965 O-Pee-Chee doubles. If you like Hockey, customs, and/or O-Pee-Chee, Chris is the blog to read!

 Oh Boy - now there's a good Hockey face!

"Gump Doesn't Wear A Mask."

 More greats from the Frozen Tundra...

These are great! Lots of fun facts on the backs, too:

 This was my favorite - I mean, Fleetwood Mac is pretty great!

 Baby Face Butch Wynegar! I think "Voltigeur" is the best translated position.

Here come the heavy hitters. The best part is the backs of the 1971 Topps.

Luis Tiant's floating head in a sunburst? Perfection!

Last but not least are these cards that traveled even farther to get to my door via Canada:

Superbia in Proelio (Pride in Battle) is their motto!

These are super cool - Topps football cards from England!

Chris, thanks so much for this awesome package!