Sunday, July 31, 2016

More 2016 Topps Stadium Club finds

From another stash of 2016 Topps Stadium Club at a card shop, I grabbed 52 more TSC cards - I printed out a generic checklist as a worksheet to mark off the cards I've found, to mark out priorities I'm looking for and to mark cards that are not priorities.

2016 Topps Stadium Club Matt Kemp #3
2016 Topps Stadium Club Kevin Kiermaier #4

2016 Topps Stadium Club Brandon Phillips #6
2016 Topps Stadium Club Marco Estrada #19
2016 Topps Stadium Club Nolan Arenado #23
2016 Topps Stadium Club Brett Gardner #31

2016 Topps Stadium Club Frank Thomas #38
2016 Topps Stadium Club Harold Baines #48
2016 Topps Stadium Club Lucas Duda #64
2016 Topps Stadium Club Ender Inciarte #65
2016 Topps Stadium Club Blake Swihart #82

2016 Topps Stadium Club Tom Seaver #83
2016 Topps Stadium Club Logan Forsythe #84
2016 Topps Stadium Club Max Scherzer #92

2016 Topps Stadium Club Adrian Beltre #94
2016 Topps Stadium Club Francisco Cervelli #95
2016 Topps Stadium Club Andrew McCutchen #113

2016 Topps Stadium Club Paul Goldschmidt #115
2016 Topps Stadium Club Willie Stargell #123
2016 Topps Stadium Club Dallas Keuchel #128
2016 Topps Stadium Club Jason Heyward #130
2016 Topps Stadium Club Carlos Correa #132
2016 Topps Stadium Club Matt Harvey #139
2016 Topps Stadium Club Mookie Betts #141
2016 Topps Stadium Club Johnny Bench #146
2016 Topps Stadium Club Randal Grichuk #156
2016 Topps Stadium Club Javier Baez #168
2016 Topps Stadium Club Kevin Pillar #169
2016 Topps Stadium Club Randy Johnson #171

2016 Topps Stadium Club Monte Irvin #177
2016 Topps Stadium Club George Brett #180
2016 Topps Stadium Club Melvin Upton Jr. #193
2016 Topps Stadium Club Jose Fernandez #200
2016 Topps Stadium Club Anthony Rizzo #207
2016 Topps Stadium Club Carlos Santana #217

2016 Topps Stadium Club Evan Longoria #222
2016 Topps Stadium Club Robin Yount #227
2016 Topps Stadium Club Jayson Werth #230
2016 Topps Stadium Club Sean Doolittle #232
2016 Topps Stadium Club Russell Martin #235
2016 Topps Stadium Club Jhonny Peralta #238
2016 Topps Stadium Club Brock Holt #240
2016 Topps Stadium Club Jon Gray #251
2016 Topps Stadium Club Rusney Castillo #256
2016 Topps Stadium Club Joe Morgan #257
2016 Topps Stadium Club J.D. Martinez #263

2016 Topps Stadium Club Michael Conforto #272
2016 Topps Stadium Club David Peralta #275
2016 Topps Stadium Club Joe Mauer #282
2016 Topps Stadium Club Rougned Odor #283

2016 Topps Stadium Club Freddie Freeman #284
2016 Topps Stadium Club Jose Abreu #288

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Featured autograph - Jairo Beras

Despite receiving a $4.5 million signing bonus in 2012 - Beras is probably still figuring out the nuances of playing the game, so his hitting numbers are underwhelming, particularly in the hitter friendly California League.

I've gotten him to sign just a few times and as a general greeting, he asks how you are doing - maybe the greeting isn't so unique or personal, though I don't usually expect it from foreign born players who might not have a good grasp of the English language.

I do want to say Beras is a Sharpie killer with the way he holds the pen with his knuckles and signs autographs - his 'form' is kind of unique and makes me cringe at the same time.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Featured autograph - Orlando Cepeda

I don't think the Hall of Famer's autograph is rare, but he's old and you typically have to pay to get him to autograph something through a private signing perhaps - so while an outing to get someone's 'free autograph' at MLB All-Star Fan Fest isn't without its expenses, waiting time and other inconveniences, it's kind of a ritual to get something signed in-person as opposed to purchasing an autograph from a memorabilia dealer on eBay or something.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Featured autograph - Chris Cannizzaro

Cannizzaro was in rough shape but managed to sign autographs at MLB All-Star Fan Fest - he first San Diego Padres All-Star and was on both the Padres expansion team in 1969 and the New York Mets expansion team in 1962.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Featured autograph - Randy Ready

I got five cards [all MLB authenticated for what it's worth] signed by the former utility player and longtime coach at the MLB All-Star Fan Fest - Ready played in the middle of the junk wax era so even as a rank-and-file player, he had a lot of cards made.

Maybe my favorite card was this 1984 Topps Traded 'XRC' - I probably dated myself with 'XRC' reference but I think that's what you called the first cards of players included in late season update sets as opposed to just referring to them as rookie cards [that were supposed to come from a nationally distributed card set].

Topps used a cleaner, thinner card stock for the traded set - the backs are brighter as opposed regular 1984 Topps cards.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Featured autograph - Kevin Mitchell

I picked up the 1994 Topps Gold for my 'inking it up' mini-collection and go figure, ended up getting the card signed at the 2016 MLB All-Star Fan Fest - the focus of my 'image based' mini-collections is on the cards and I like the keep the cards unsigned because when a card is autographed, it usually obscures the image on the card.

On the other hand, an autograph signed in a controlled, organized situation - can make a 5-cent card with a unique picture stand out a little more than a similar, unsigned card.

Monday, July 25, 2016

Featured autograph - Jesse Orosco

I've gotten his autograph in recent years, though I didn't see him this year until he made an MLB All-Star Fan Fest appearance - Orosco was a 24-year MLB veteran who appeared in a record 1252 games for 10 teams.

While a nomad after he left the organization - Orosco was a 2-time All-Star in his eight seasons with the New York Mets and closed out Game 7 of 1986 World Series.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Featured autographs - Dodgers prospects

Pitchers Grant Holmes, Josh Sborz and Andrew Sopko maybe just the trade bait needed to land an ace like Chris Sale - who seems an obvious fit for the Dodgers now that Clayton Kershaw could be out for the season.

The trio of Holmes, Sborz and Sopko have each shown they can pitch in the hitter friendly California League - but regardless of their performance or ceiling, the Dodgers maybe less reluctant to deal either one or all three as opposed to Julio Urias, Jose De Leon or Yadier Alvarez.

Sborz and Sopko were drafted out of college, so as long as they are healthy and effective, they may get to the big leagues by some point next year - while a team like the Chicago White Sox can wait for Holmes to make the progression a level at a time.

I really don't ask for inscriptions [particularly on cards], but it's cool to get something a bit more than an autograph [especially when the player has more of a scribble] - if a player is willing to add the inscription and it looks clean.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Featured autograph - Will Clark

The former MLB superstar made an appearance during a minor league game in Lancaster California and I was able to get my 2001 Fleer Tradition set card signed - it was great for me to get his autograph for the first time and knock out a 15-year old set card.

Team staff from the host Lancaster Jethawks were adamant that Clark would signing for a 6:30-8:00 p.m. and with the volume of people who lined up for an autograph - there were no photo ops taken with him and it was strictly one autograph per person.

After the fact, I saw Clark was fairly accommodating, typically putting 'Thrill' inscriptions on non-card items like balls, flats and jerseys - while the team staff was watching over Clark, he would sign multiples if you plopped them down in front of him.

If you attended the signing with a family of people - then you racked up at least one time through the line, if not a second time through.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Award winner adds - miscellaneous MVPs

2002 SP Legendary Cuts Dazzy Vance #16 - 1924 National League MVP

1991 Conlon George H. Burns #309

2007 SP Legendary Cuts Charlie Gehringer #32 - 1937 American League MVP

2001 Topps Archives Jackie Jensen #145 - 1958 American League MVP

2001 Upper Deck Decade 1970s Joe Torre #144 - 1971 National League MVP

Thursday, July 21, 2016

$2 vendor 'pile of' repacks - Giants #2

The players with the most cards in this repack - J.T. Snow x5, Jeff Kent x4, Kevin Mitchell x4, Robby Thompson x4, Mike Aldrete x3, Bob Brenly x3, Bill Laskey x3, Tim Lincecum x3, Barry Zito x3, Rod Beck x2, Vida Blue x2, Matt Cain x2, Kelly Downs x2, Darrell Evans x2, Noah Lowry x2, Don Robinson x2, Jason Schmidt x2, Jose Uribe x2 and Randy Winn x2.

2000 Upper Deck Legends Jeff Kent #38
2001 Topps Chrome J.T. Snow Jr. #350

2007 Topps Turkey Red Barry Zito #41
1990 Topps Terry Kennedy #372
1990 Topps Ernie Riles #732
1983 Fleer Bill Laskey #264
1982 Donruss Darrell Evans #398 
2000 Fleer Ultra J.T. Snow #17
1981 Donruss Darrell Evans #192

1982 Donruss Vida Blue #4 - Diamond Kings
1981 Fleer Vida Blue #432 
2007 Upper Deck First Edition Dave Roberts #271
2005 Topps Nate Schierholtz #301
1989 Upper Deck Mike Aldrete #239
1989 Upper Deck Bob Brenly #479
1989 Upper Deck Bob Melvin #227
2000 Upper Deck Black Diamond J.T. Snow #74
1988 Donruss Mike Krukow #116
1988 Donruss Kelly Downs #145 - x2
1988 Donruss Bob Brenly #189
2011 Topps Heritage Jonathan Sanchez #71
2008 Topps Updates and Highlights Tim Lincecum #UH313
2008 Topps Updates and Highlights Brian Wilson #UH262
2008 Topps Updates and Highlights Jose Castillo #UH254
2008 Topps Finest Barry Zito #72
2008 Topps Allen and Ginter Randy Winn #161
2008 Topps Chrome Barry Zito #2
2009 Topps Heritage Matt Cain #410
2009 Topps Heritage Bengie Molina #421
2009 Topps Heritage Randy Winn #407
2009 Topps Heritage Ryan Garko #675
1988 Topps Giants Leaders #261
1991 Upper Deck Kevin Mitchell #247
1989 Donruss Jose Uribe #131
1989 Donruss Bob Brenly #453
1989 Donruss Don Robinson #571
1999 Topps Stadium Club Joe Carter #98
1999 Topps Stadium Club J.T. Snow Jr. #81
1987 Topps Robby Thompson #658
1987 Fleer Robby Thompson #285
1984 Donruss Bill Laskey #358
1984 Fleer Bill Laskey #376
1997 Topps Noah Lowry #158 - Red back

1992 Fleer Rod Beck #627

2005 Fleer Ricky Ledee #256
2005 Fleer Brett Tomko #22
2005 Fleer Jason Schmidt #178
2005 Fleer Jerome Williams #209
2005 Fleer Dustin Hermanson #280
1992 Fleer Rod Beck #627 - x2
1987 Donruss Robby Thompson #145
1986 Topps Traded Robby Thompson #113T
2009 Topps Heritage Freddy Sanchez #661
2009 Topps Heritage Travis Ishikawa #637
1981 Fleer John Montefusco #439
1991 Fleer Kevin Mitchell #267

1990 Score Kevin Mitchell #343
1989 Topps Jose Uribe #753
1989 Topps Joe Price #217
1989 Topps Kevin Mitchell #189
1989 Topps Mike Aldrete #158
2006 Bowman Heritage Jason Schmidt #97
2002 Donruss Jeff Kent #30
2000 Fleer Tradition Robb Nen #140
2000 Fleer Tradition Ellis Burks #108
2001 Upper Deck Vintage Kirk Reuter #259
2001 Upper Deck Vintage J.T. Snow #255
2001 Donruss Studio Andres Galarraga #141
2001 Fleer Authority Rich Aurilia #31
2001 Pacific Ryan Vogelsong #489
2001 Topps Fusion Jeff Kent #120
2001 Upper Deck Prospects Premieres Noah Lowry #41
2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Aubrey Huff #259
2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Tim Lincecum #84
2011 Topps Lineage Miguel Tejada #176
2011 Topps Lineage Tim Lincecum #135
2011 Topps Lineage Matt Cain #119
2011 Topps Heritage Bruce Bochy #322
2001 Donruss Studio Jeff Kent #42
1989 Topps Atlee Hammaker #572
1989 Topps Don Robinson #473
1989 Donruss Mike Aldrete #140
1989 Donruss Kirt Manwaring #494

1989 Donruss Francisco Melendez #611
1974 Topps Dave Kingman #610

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

$2 vendor 'pile of' repacks - Giants #1

This was the first of two Giants repacks I picked up - I think the reason I grabbed a couple of Giants ones was I wanted an assortment as different cards as possible, even if I didn't really collect the team represented.

The players with the most cards in this repack - Rich Aurilia x5, Matt Cain x4, Kevin Mitchell x4, Robby Thompson x3, Vida Blue x2, Jeff Kent x2, Mike LaCoss x2, Tim Lincecum x2, Noah Lowry x2, Willie McGee x2, Mike Remlinger x2, J.T. Snow x2, Jose Uribe x2, Omar Vizquel x2, Matt Williams x2 and Barry Zito x2.

2000 Upper Deck Black Diamond Rookie Edition Jeff Kent #66 - this is a 'retro uniform' card I can add to my mini-collection, but wasn't a card I'd immediately seek out, so I figured I might as well grab the random 'pile of' repack with this featured.
2007 Topps Noah Lowry #158 - Red back
2000 Bowman Mike Glendening #54
2005 Fleer Ricky Ledee #256 
2005 Fleer Brett Tomko #22
2005 Fleer A.J. Pierzynski #290
2005 Fleer Marquis Grissom #91
2005 Fleer Dustin Hermanson #280
1992 Donruss Mike Felder #182
1992 Donruss Willie McGee #60
1992 Score Dave Anderson #167
1992 Score Willie McGee #112
1992 Score Mark Leonard #499

1992 Topps Kirt Manwaring #726

1992 Upper Deck Robby Thompson #286
1992 Upper Deck Paul McClellan #563

1992 Upper Deck Mike Remlinger #585
1992 Upper Deck John Patterson #778
1988 Score Bob Melvin #477
1988 Score Mike LaCoss #465
1988 Score Dave Henderson #228
1988 Score Jose Uribe #165
1988 Score Bob Brenly #134
1988 Score Kelly Downs #27
2000 Bowman Freddy Sanchez #51
2008 Upper Deck Spectrum Omar Vizquel #83

2008 Upper Deck Goudey Matt Cain #160
2009 Bowman Barry Zito #77
2008 Topps Noah Lowry #523
2008 Topps Bruce Bochy #598
2008 Topps Aaron Rowand #655
2008 Topps Heritage Jose Castillo #552
2008 Topps Heritage Fred Lewis #364
2008 Topps Heritage Matt Cain #182
2002 Upper Deck Honor Roll Rich Aurilia #2 - x2
2002 Upper Deck Honor Roll Rich Aurilia #51

2002 Fleer Benito Santiago #251
2002 Upper Deck Ovation Jeff Kent #46
2008 Upper Deck Dave Roberts #119
2008 Upper Deck Rich Aurilia #636

2008 Upper Deck Ray Durham #640

2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces Tim Lincecum #80
2008 Upper Deck Opening Day Barry Zito #2
2011 Topps Heritage Giants team card #226
2009 Topps Rich Aurilia #69
2009 Topps Jonathan Sanchez #53
2009 Topps Omar Vizquel #2
2009 Upper Deck Goudey Michael Young #191 - obviously not a Giant but these are repacks so who knows what card (s) I might find besides the general stated contents.
2009 Upper Deck Goudey Matt Cain #171

1997 Pacific Crown Collection Bill Mueller #446
1997 Pacific Crown Collection Robby Thompson #448
1997 Pacific Crown Collection Matt Williams #450
1991 Line Drive Andres Santana #393
1991 Line Drive Jim Wilson #397
1991 Line Drive Alan Bannister / Larry Hardy #400

1999 Topps Opening Day J.T. Snow Jr. #74
1999 Fleer Mystique Ellis Burks #60

1999 Upper Deck Black Diamond J.T. Snow #74
1990 Fleer Craig Lefferts #60
1990 Fleer Randy McCament #64
1990 Fleer Donnell Nixon #66
1982 Topps Jeffrey Leonard #47
1984 Fleer Darrell Evans #372

1982 Donruss Darrell Evans #398
1982 Donruss Vida Blue #4 - Diamond Kings
1981 Fleer Vida Blue #432
1988 Donruss Kirt Manwaring #39 
1988 Donruss Scott Garrelts #80
1988 Donruss Kevin Mitchell #66
1989 Score Kevin Mitchell #39
1988 Donruss Kevin Mitchell #66
2011 Topps Update Series Tim Lincecum #US58
2011 Topps Update Series Carlos Beltran #US305
2007 Topps Matt Cain #187
1991 Fleer Mike LaCoss #264
1991 Bowman Matt Williams #618
1991 Bowman Kevin Rogers #638
1991 Bowman Mike Remlinger #227
1991 Bowman Bill Bathe #234
1991 Bowman Kevin Bass #240
1989 Upper Deck Rick Reuschel #194
1989 Upper Deck Jose Uribe #181
1989 Upper Deck Rob Thompson #172
1989 Upper Deck Kevin Mitchell #163
1992 Donruss Will Clark #214

Monday, July 18, 2016

$2 vendor 'pile of' repacks - Angels

One of the vendors at MLB Fan Fest was selling team repacks and while I want to stay away from repacks because I 'generate' my own 'repack content' through the loose cards that come into my collection - for a couple of bucks, I like going through various assortments of cards even if it's junk wax era [gasp] and/or cards that have been obscured through the years.

It seemed like only A's? / Dodgers $3 / Angels / Padres $$ / Giants were represented - I grabbed an Angels and a couple of Giants ones to see what type of mix I could get [even if it's just one team represented per repack, I figure there might be some cards of interest].

The players with the most cards in this repack - Troy Glaus x9, Tim Salmon x4, Garret Anderson x3, Torii Hunter x3, Francisco Rodriguez x3, Joe Saunders x3, Jered Weaver x3, Darin Erstad x2, Chone Figgins x2, John Lackey x2, Troy Percival x2 and Luis Sanchez x2.

2012 Topps Update Series Mark Trumbo #US10

2003 Topps Garret Anderson #600
2003 Topps Brendan Donnelly #535
2003 Topps Darin Erstad #515
1984 Topps Luis Sanchez #258
1984 Topps Juan Beniquez #53
2009 Bowman Howie Kendrick #151
2009 Bowman Chone Figgins #168
2002 Topps Gallery Tim Salmon #102
2002 Topps Gallery Troy Percival #84
2002 Upper Deck Troy Glaus #51
2002 Upper Deck Diamond Collection Troy Glaus #1
2002 Donruss John Lackey #4
1997 Leaf Eddie Murray #124

2002 Fleer Ultra Garret Anderson #16
2002 Topps Traded Brian Hunter #T8
- not an Angels card but these are repacks so who knows what card (s) I might find besides the general stated contents.
2002 Fleer Tradition Troy Glaus #189
2002 Fleer Tradition Benji Gil #102
2002 Fleer Tradition Jarrod Washburn #327
2002 Bowman Chrome Troy Glaus #58
2002 Upper Deck Honor Roll Troy Glaus #83
2002 Upper Deck Honor Roll Troy Glaus #81
2009 Topps Heritage Chone Figgins #382
1999 Topps Gallery Troy Glaus #98
1999 Topps Gallery Darin Erstad #17
1999 Bowman Scott Schoeneweis #150
2003 Fleer Platinum Troy Percival #170
2003 Fleer Focus Jersey Ed. Tim Salmon #6
2003 Fleer Mystique Troy Glaus #20
2002 Donruss Troy Glaus #147
2002 Donruss Garret Anderson #54
1983 Topps Bobby Grich #790
1983 Topps Bruce Kison #712
1983 Topps Tommy John #735
1983 Fleer Home Run Threats #640
- feat. Oglivie and Jackson
1983 Fleer Luis Sanchez #100
1983 Fleer Fred Lynn #97

1996 Topps D-III Tim Salmon #16
2009 Topps Chrome Joe Saunders #85
2009 Topps 206 Erick Aybar #2
2009 Topps 206 Joe Saunders #283
2009 Topps Allen and Ginter Jered Weaver #134
2009 Updates and Highlights Torii Hunter #UH325
2011 Topps Lineage Vernon Wells #128

2004 Upper Deck Timeless Teams Dan Ford #164
2004 Fleer Ultra David Eckstein #169
2004 Playoff Prestige Jose Guillen #135
2004 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Mickey Rivers #18
2009 Topps Heritage Juan Rivera #615
2009 Topps Heritage John Lackey #268
2009 Topps Heritage Torii Hunter #307
2007 Topps 52 Nathan Haynes #19
2010 Topps Heritage Joe Saunders #412
2010 Topps Heritage Scott Kazmir #384
2010 Topps Heritage Brian Fuentes #263
2007 Topps Turkey Red Francisco Rodriguez #111
2007 Topps Turkey Red Gary Matthews #114
2007 Topps Updates and Highlights Francisco Rodriguez #UH234
2007 Topps Updates and Highlights Scot Shields #UH132
2007 Topps Updates and Highlights Reggie Willits #UH134
2006 Upper Deck Artifacts Francisco Rodriguez #43
1988 Donruss Gus Polidor #356
1988 Donruss Gary Lucas #579
1991 Upper Deck Scott Lewis #594
1992 Donruss Triple Play Lance Parrish #169
1988 O-Pee-Chee Mark McLemore #162
1988 Score Brian Downing #44
1991 Score Luis Polonia #587
1996 Score Gary DiSarcina #64
1996 Score Tony Phillips #165

1989 Swell Dean Chance #89
1989 Donruss Greg Minton #490
1989 Donruss Wally Joyner #BC-21
- MVP insert
1989 Donruss Terry Clark #607
1989 Donruss Willie Fraser #567
1993 Donruss Junior Felix #197
1993 Donruss Chuck Finley #225
1993 Upper Deck Rene Gonzalez #188

1993 Upper Deck Tim Salmon #25
1993 Donruss Lee Stevens #65
1993 Donruss Chad Curtis #93
2012 Topps Chrome Jered Weaver #52
2011 Bowman Platinum Torii Hunter #45
2011 Bowman Platinum Jered Weaver #56
1993 Pacific Nolan Ryan Angels' Number 30 Retired #242