Tribute to Duke Snider

Life lost a good man; baseball lost a great ballplayer; and the hobby lost a gracious and generous signer.

Some Duke Snider autographs from my collection.

Completed Team Sets 1970 and 1971 Topps Super

The second year Topps produced its larger-sized Super series was 1970. The cards were a postcard size 3-1/8" X 5-1/4" and were made on heavy stock with rounded corners. The set comprised of 42 cards, with the Angels making up 2: #25 Andy Messersmith and #30 Jim Fregosi.



Topps followed the successful 1970 printing with another issue in 1971, and enlarged the set to 63 cards. The only Angels in this set were #8 Alex Johnson and #39 Clyde Wright.



The inaugural set of 1969 were not really very "super" in size as they measured only 2-1/4" X 3-1/4", but were "super" in that they had a high-gloss finish. The 66 card set was a limited production so they are hard to come by today without much expense. Needless to say, I dont have the Angels in this set #7 Jim Fregosi, #8 Rick Reichardt, or #9 Vic Davalillo.

Angels Want List 2009

2009 Allen & Ginter - ANGELS
10 Chone Figgins

2009 Bowman DPP & WBC - ANGELS
BDP3 Trevor Bell

2009 Bowman Prospects - ANGELS
BP18 Jordan Walden

2009 O-Pee-Chee - ANGELS
420 John Lackey
566 Kevin Jepsen (RC)

2009 O-Pee-Chee Black - ANGELS
HAVE - 420, 333, 395, 28, 197, 64, 16, 304, 106, 541, 378, 237, 490, 344, 417.

2009 SP Authentic - ANGELS
111 Torii Hunter
123 John Lackey
165 Sean O'Sullivan RC
206 Bobby Abreu FW FB

2009 SP Legendary Cuts - ANGELS
27 Vladimir Guerrero

2009 Topps - ANGELS
332 Chone Figgins

2009 Topps Update - ANGELS
done

2009 Topps Update Short Prints - ANGELS
UH232 Nolan Ryan
UH253 Reggie Jackson
UH325 Frank Robinson

2009 Topps Attax - ANGELS
2 Garret Anderson
53 Chone Figgins
58 Jon Garland
67 Vladimir Guerrero
88 Torii Hunter
102 Howie Kendrick
129 Gary Matthews
207 Jered Weaver

2009 Topps Heritage - ANGELS
434 Jon Garland

2009 Topps Heritage Hi Numbers - ANGELS
691 Bobby Abreu SP
705 Kendry Morales SP

2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom - ANGELS
16 Gary Matthews Jr.

2009 ToppsTown.com - ANGELS
done

2009 Topps 206 - ANGELS
done

2009 TriStar Prospects Plus - ANGELS
19 Randal Grichuk
20 Michael Trout
70 Alibay Barkley
81 Diamond Duos - Randal Grichuk & Michael Trout

2009 UD A Piece of History - ANGELS
45 Vladimir Guerrero

2009 Ultimate Collection - ANGELS
25 Vladimir Guerrero
86 Sean O'Sullivan RC
100 Trevor Bell (RC)

2009 Upper Deck - ANGELS
189 Jon Garland
686 Erick Aybar
695 Maicer Izturis

2009 Upper Deck First Edition - Angels
136 Mark Teixeira
137 Vladimir Guerrero
141 Francisco Rodriguez
145 Ervin Santana
146 Joe Saunders
339 Bobby Abreu
340 Vladimir Guerrero
393 Kevin Jepsen (RC)

2009 Goodwin Champions - ANGELS
202 Chone Figgins SP

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Mini - ANGELS
79 John Lackey

2009 Upper Deck Goudey - ANGELS
86 Chone Figgins
296 Vladimir Guerrero HU SP

2009 Upper Deck Icons - ANGELS
done

2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars - ANGELS
26 Chone Figgins
56 Jered Weaver
61 John Lackey
91 Scott Kazmir
96 Torii Hunter
112 Sean O'Sullivan RC

2009 Upper Deck Spectrum - ANGELS
47 Vladimir Guerrero
48 Torii Hunter

2009 Upper Deck Sweet Spot - ANGELS
98 Vladimir Guerrero

2009 Upper Deck X - ANGELS
42 Vladimir Guerrero

2009 Upper Deck X XCut - ANGELS
44 Bobby Abreu

Angels in the Packs Day

Bought 3 packs today, each had at least one Angels card. Todays my kinda day!

I needed to go buy some padded envelopes at Walmart at lunch today. I cant seem to ever pass up the card aisle, so I stopped to search some 2011 rack packs. Several packs in I spotted an Angel as the top card of the bottom blister. I decided that I must have it. First Angels card of the day Howie Kendrick.

A few cards under that, BANG! Danny Haren Topps Town TT-2 for Angels card #2.

Then I moved to the top blister, and I came across this card: Nolan Ryan 60 Years of Topps 60YOT-27. Third Angels card of the day.

3 Angels cards in one rack pack. And my awesome day was just beginning.


Along with the Angels were some other really nice inserts like this Stan Musial The Lost Cards 60YOTLC-10.

Topps 60 Felix Hernandez #T60-8.


Diamond Anniversary Seth Smith #301. I'd have to say I'm not a fan of these. I have yet to see one that really catches my eye.

Champions of Games and Sports David Price KC-15.

Diamond Duos Cobb/Cabrera DD-CC. Maybe it's just me but everytime I see these cards I first read them as Diamond Duds.

And of course a Diamond Giveaway. I'm going to hold off on redeeming these for a while. I haven't seen anyone getting any decent cards yet.


On the way home from work at the end of the day, I figured I'd stop by the local Dollar Tree to see if they had any new dollar packs of cards. I cleaned them out on 2008 Upper Deck X last year.

I found one pack of X and a pack of 2008 UD Timeline. All the rest of the cards they had were either Hockey - blech, Basketball - boring, or Ninja Turtles...nah.

Timeline is the pack I opened first.

And what did I find? Mark Teixeira #9. Woohoo! Fourth Angels card today!


Also in the pack were some nice base set cards...

A Yankees Legacy which I'll throw on the stack to sell or trade later...

And a J.R. Towles rookie. Nice looking card.

I kinda like these 2008 Timeline cards. I might see if I can pick up some more packs. My birthday IS coming up....

Next pack to open was the Upper Deck X. I love this set. I'm close to completing the set of base cards, and Die Cuts. I just can't pass a pack of these up.

Will my Angels luck continue?

Yes-in-deedily-doodily.


Even though I already had it, it's still and Angels in a pack. Fifth and final Angels of the day. The reat of the pack contains #9 Brian Roberts. Got it.

A-Rod Die Cut #68. Needed it.

Carl Crawford Gold Die Cut #93. Needed it.

A dupe of Prince Fielder.


And finally an Xponential Ivan Rodriguex X-IR.


3 packs = 5 Angels and a nice day.

Debut #93 Dick Wantz

Richard Carter Wantz
Pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 5", Weight: 175 lb.
Born: April 11, 1940 in South Gate, CA
MLB Debut: April 13, 1965 California Angels
Final MLB Game: April 13, 1965 California Angels
Died: May 13, 1965 in Inglewood, CA (Aged 25)
Years with the Angels: 1965

ANGELS TRANSACTIONS:
Before 1961 Season: Signed by the Los Angeles Angels as an amateur free agent.

ANGELS DEBUT:
Started the eighth as a pitching replacement for Don Lee, and struck out Max Alvis on Tuesday, April 13, 1965 (N) at Chavez Ravine.

ANGELS RECORD:
1965
Pitched 1 inning of relief giving up 2 runs on 6 hits with 2 Ks for a 18.00 ERA.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
- After his debut he complained of headaches and was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He died one month later.

Farm Boy Danny Buxbaum

1997 Bowman #392

Danny Buxbaum played in the Angels minor leagues from 1995 - 1998. He was a first baseman. Highest level he reached was one season (his final season) in AAA at Vancouver where in 100 ABs hit .320 and drove in 17. Also while at Vancouver he had a 1.000 fielding avg, comitting no errors in 191 chances at first base.

Danny left baseball after the 1998 season.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Northwest League MVP and batting champ (.329), had 58 RBI in 61 games in 1995.
Hit 42 doubles (3rd most in Texas League) for Midland in 1997.
Hit .330 with 17 HR with 53 RBI for Midland in 1998.

TEAMS:
1995 22 Boise Hawks Northwest League A- CAL
1996 23 Lake Elsinore Storm California League A+ CAL
1997 24 Midland Angels Texas League AA ANA
1998 25 Vancouver Canadians Pacific Coast League AAA ANA
1998 25 Midland Angels Texas League AA ANA

1998 Bowman #76

Debut #92 Jose Cardenal

Jose Rosario Domec Cardenal (Junior)
born Jose Rosario Domec Cardenal
Outfielder
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 5' 10", Weight: 150 lb.
Born: October 7, 1943 in Matanzas, Cuba
MLB Debut: April 14, 1963 San Francisco Giants
Final MLB Game: October 3, 1980 Kansas City Royals
Years with the Angels: 1965-1967

ANGELS TRANSACTIONS:
November 21, 1964: Traded by the San Francisco Giants to the California Angels for Jack Hiatt.
November 29, 1967: Traded by the California Angels to the Cleveland Indians for Chuck Hinton.

ANGELS DEBUT:
Had no chances in the top of the first, but leading off the bottom of the first he lined out to first baseman Chuck Hinton and ended the day 2 for 4 in a 7-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, April 13, 1965 (N) at Chavez Ravine.

ANGELS RECORD:
1965 - 1967
In 396 games batted .257 with 31 stolen bases. Had a fielding percentage of .984

Best Angels Performance:
Went 5 for 8 with HR and 3 RBI on Tuesday, May 31, 1966 (N) at Anaheim Stadium.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
- Cousin of Bert Campaneris
- Originally signed by the San Francisco Giants as an amateur free agent in 1960.
- 1965 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- Hit 2 HRs in a game 4 times.
- Loved to face Al Downing - 21 for 66, .318, 4 HR, 6 WALKS.
- Hated to face Mickey Lolich - 14 for 71, .197, 16 Ks.
- Also played for the San Francisco Giants (1963–64), Cleveland Indians (1968–69), St. Louis Cardinals (1970–1971), Milwaukee Brewers (1971), Chicago Cubs (1972–77), Philadelphia Phillies (1978–1979), New York Mets (1979–1980) and Kansas City Royals (1980).
- Tied a major league record for outfielders by making two unassisted double plays in 1968.
Sold by the Phillies to the New York Mets on August 2, 1979, between games of a double header between the two teams. Cardenal was a member of the Phillies for the first game and switched uniforms and dugouts to join the Mets for the second

Trading for Angels relics

As a part of streamlining, and focussing on my Angels collection I'm looking to trade these relic cards for Angels relic cards. Post a comment and send an email with a scan of what you would like to offer. Thanks.


2008 A&G Johnny Damon bat AGR-JDD Yankees
2007 A&G Paul Lo Duca jersey AGR-P Mets
2008 A&G Carlos Zambrano jersey AGR-CZ Cubs
2008 A&G John Smoltz jersey AGR-JS Braves
2008 A&G Tom Gorzelanny jersey AGR-TSG Pirates
2010 Topps Peak Performance Matt Gamel jersey PPR-MG Brewers
2005 Bowman Chris Young jersey BDP150 White Sox
2008 Goudey Jack Wilson jersey M-WI Pirates
2009 Goudey Trevor Hoffman jersey GM-TH Padres
2009 Upper Deck Game Materials Brian McCann jersey GM-BM Braves
2007 Bowman Heritage Gary Sheffield bat PG-GS Tigers
2007 Topps Turkey Red Nick Swisher jersey TRR-NS A's
2007 Bowman Heritage Jeremy Boderman jersey PG-JB Tigers
2010 Upper Deck Nick Markakis jersey UDGJ-NM Orioles
2008 Topps Bobby Crosby jersey TR-BC A's
2007 Goudy Mini John Smoltz jersey 64 Braves - TRADED

Mantle/Maris/Angels 1961

I've been home from work with a nasty infection so I had time to watch 61* that masterful movie Billy Crystal directed about the 1961 Home Run race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris (both Thomas Jane and Barry Pepper are great in this movie) to break Babe Ruths single season home run record of 60.


1961 was an expansion year, first year for the Angels, so the season went from 154 games to 162 and that played into the home run record having an asterisk: Ruth hit 60 in 154 games, Maris took 162 games to break the record so Commisioner Ford Frick decided there should two separate records, thus the asterisk. Mantle finished the season with 54.

So with that I decided to see how Mantle and Maris did against the watered-down expansion American League Los Angeles Angels. Here's the home runs they hit:

April 20 at NYY Mantle 2 (3, 1st inning off Grba 1 on 2 out,5th inning off Grba 2 on 2 out)
May 6 at LA Maris (3, 5th inning off Grba 0 on 1 out)
June 11 at NYY Mantle (18, 1st inning off Grba 2 on 1 out); Maris 2 (20, 3rd inning off
Grba 0 on 1 out, 7th inning off James 0 on 2 out)
June 26 at LA Mantle (23, 2nd inning off McBride 0 on 0 out)
June 28 at LA Mantle (24, 9th inning off Duren 1 on 0 out)
August 22 at LA Maris (50, 6th inning off McBride 1 on 1 out)

Maris hit 4 and Mantle hit 5, most of them coming off Eli Grba.

So the next question is how many HRs did Grba give up that inaugural season? Twenty-six - ninth most in the league. Interesting that he had come from the Yankees where he had played the previous 2 seasons. You'd think he would have known how to pitch these guys.

Anyhow...I was just curious.

Crinkly Wrappers contest

Join in on a great contest for vintage Topps cards at Crinkly Wrappers. And take the time to check out the blog. Nice work.

New Contest

Hey there's a contest for a nice limited edition set over at Clear Cut Cards. Enter soon.

Todays Mail: Bobby Wilson

Current Angels catcher Bobby Wilson returned two signed cards after 732 days. Yes that's right. I mailed these to Bobby at 2009 Spring Training. Guess he misplaced them, but he was nice enough to sign and return a 2008 MultiAd Salt Lake Bees card and a 2008 DAV Bees card.

Completed Team Set 1978 Topps

Completed this 1978 team set with the addition of several cards I picked up on a business trip to Kansas City.





Autographs in the group include Don Baylor, Ike Hampton, Paul Hartzell, Ron Jackson, Dave LaRoche, Dyar Miller, Balor Moore, Rance Mulliniks, Gary Nolan, Jerry Remy, and Gary Ross.

Debut #91 Costen Shockley

John Costen Shockley
First Baseman
Bats: Left, Throws: Left
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 200 lb.
Born: February 8, 1942 in Georgetown, DE
MLB Debut: July 17, 1964 Philadelphia Phllies
Final MLB Game: June 7, 1965 California Angels
Years with the Angels: 1965

ANGELS TRANSACTIONS:
December 3, 1964: Traded by the Philadelphia Phillies with Rudy May to the California Angels for Bo Belinsky.

ANGELS DEBUT:
Credited with first putout of the game (made 10 total) when visiting Dick Howser grounded out to him at first. Later in his first at bat in the top of the second he singled off of Ralph Terry and was stranded in a 7-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, April 13, 1965 (N) at Chavez Ravine.

ANGELS CAREER:
1965
Batted .187 in 40 games. Committed only 1 error in 266 chances, mostly at first base.

Best Angels Performance:
Broke open 1-0 lead in the 5th with a grand slam off Bostons Dave Morehead on Tuesday, May 4, 1965 (N) at Chavez Ravine.
From Retrosheet:
ANGELS 5TH: Knoop singled; Lopez reached on a fielder's choice
on a sacrifice bunt [Knoop to second]; On a bunt Piersall
singled [Lopez to second, Knoop to third]; Pearson singled
[Piersall to second, Lopez to third, Knoop scored]; W. Smith
forced Lopez (pitcher to catcher) [Pearson to second, Piersall
to third]; Shockley homered [Piersall scored, Pearson scored, W.
Smith scored]; Fregosi grounded out (third to first); Rodgers
flied out to center; 5 R, 4 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Red Sox 0, Angels 5.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
- Originally Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1960.
- Hit 36 homers, a team record, for the 1964 Arkansas Travelers of the PCL.
- Quit baseball after the 1965 Angels told him he was being sent down to the minors.

Business trip

I got home late Friday night from Kansas City where I was all week, well actually I was in Warrensburg which is about an hour East of Kansas City.

I wanted to be able to hit a card shop sometime on the trip, so ahead of time I contacted Matt of Heartbreaking Cards knowing he was from the area. Matt told me about the Baseball Card Store a place he adequately described as "what they lack in organizational skills they make up for in quantity"...or something to that affect.

I found this to be true. The place was a shambles but the guy knew right where to go to pull the box of the cards I wanted to go through. Super nice too. I highly recommend a visit if you're ever in the area.

I didn't have a whole lot of time as I was on my way to the airport to fly back to Texas, but I had time enough to go through a couple boxes of vintage Topps towards my Angels team sets.



With the cards shown above I was able to get within 1 card of the 1977 team set (Bob Grich All-Star anyone?); within 2 cards of the 1980 set (Chris Knapp and Joe Rudi); and I was able to complete the 1976 set. SWEET!

Also picked up these game inserts from the 1980 Topps box I went through. I love these old Topps inserts. I have a bunch from 1983 and 1984 and some other randoms, but if anyone has others I'd be willing to trade for them.



Picked up a nice little 2001 Topps team sticker as well. I love team logo cards. I can see that he used the little sticker in the corner for the redemption card. If anyone has the AL West redemption card, I'd trade for that too.


Snagged a couple random cards. I see Tom Grieve often at Rangers events, and occasionally Mike Bacsik. Mickey Hatcher is always a good signer when the Angels come to town.

And I just HAD to have this 1977 Paul Reuschel. Dig those glasses. We called those BC or birth control glasses in the Air Force, guaranteed to keep the women away.

Next trip to KC I plan on going a day early.

Todays Mail: Tanana, Green

Angel Great, good Christian man, and one of my Top 10 Angels Favorites Frank Tanana returned several signed cards after 25 days. He also included a signed tract describing his testimony and offering guidance if you too would like to put your faith in Jesus Christ. He answered a couple questions as well.

Tanana won 102 games for the Angels from 1973-1980.

Dick Green signed and returned his '65 and '67 Topps cards. Green played for the Athletics, both KC and Oakland, from 1963-1974. He was a career .206 hitter against the Angels.