Model Building Update

 Here's the latest builds that I've completed, all based on the Ford Model T. I love Model T's.

I've never built a traditional long-nose, or rail, dragster. It was not an easy build, and the decals were crap, but I managed to pull off a decent looking Model T dragster.

This kit version is a re-release from 2007.

I decided to go hot rod with the Tall-T portion of this two-car kit. I wish it had come with red-tinted windows, that would have looked awesome.

This version of this kit was released in the mid 60's. I dig the old box art.

I had been wanting to do a more tradition Tall T version, but could not bring myself to paint it all black, which would have been more accurate. I went with a plum body color instead to break it up a bit.

This version of this kit was released in the early 70's.

More cars are in the works.

Checking Out O-Pee-Chee

By now you probably know that I also collect baseball checklist sets. Scoping out Listia recently netted me four checklist sets (1982-1984) from O-Pee-Chee, all won in different auctions. O-Pee-Chee was traditionally a smaller size than the standard Topps set it mimicked, 396 cards to be exact; therefore, only three checklist cards were needed for the set.

1982 O-Pee-Chee

1983 O-Pee-Chee

1984 O-Pee-Chee

1985 O-Pee-Chee

Aren't they pretty?

One Page of Ned Garver

This series will highlight "one page" at a time from my binder of correspondence and autographs from former Angels and Patriots players and personnel.

   Ned Garver, RHP Los Angeles Angels 1961

Correspondence recieved prior to 2005.

Garver passed away February 26, 2017 at the age of 91.

Pink Means Awareness

Collecting Cutch is raising funds this month to contribute to breast cancer awareness. For several years now he only posts pink cards in the month of October and with each comment he'll donate a dollar to help towards breast cancer early detection. What a great effort.

I'm creating this post with pink cards because Cutch will also donate a dollar for every comment on OTHER bloggers awareness posts. I wont be able to keep up with only pink cards for the whole month, so I'll knock out five with this one post.

I decided I'd dig through my box of special top-loader cards and pick out the first five I see with pink. Here they are:

2013 Topps Update US33 Pink 14/50

Initially I wasn't impressed with the pink parallels for 2013, especially since the sea turtle design is in red (at least on the Angels cards) and gets lost in the pink. They've since grown on me but I still wich the sea turtle was in black or a color that stands out more.

1971 Dolly Madison

I was 7 when I pulled this card from a box of Zingers, it's the card I've had longest in my collection.

1989 Topps #573

I remember how badly I wanted one of these cards when they came out in 1989. It didn't take me to get one, but it wasn't until several years later that I finally sent one TTM for his autograph.

1980 TCMA Baseball Immortals #171

Al Kaline has always been a pretty good TTMer, so I took the opportunity to get his autograph on this one long before he started asking for a fee.

1992 Kenner Starting Lineup

Its probably time to revisit my Angels needs for Starting Lineup cards. I'm pretty sure that Im close to having them all. This 1992 reminds me of some of the A&G framed minis.

GCRL Olerud

GCRL had a free card post a week or so back, and I was able to pick up this John Olerud card I didn't already have in the PC.

1991 Sports Cards News #7

This card originally came on a 9-card insert sheet in the Oct-Nov 1991 issue of Allan Kayes Sports Cards News Magazine. The page also included a sweet Nolan Ryan card I'll have to keep my eye out for.

Jim also threw in the 1996 Topps Laser checklist set. These are a bit of an odd shape, a little bit larger than a standard card, and a tight fit in a 9-pocket page.

And he checked out my want list and saw that I needed cards for the massive 2009 Upper Deck and Upper Deck First Edition sets.

Free is always fun!

Thanks Jim!

Today's TTM Return From Johnny Giavotella

I saw recently that another blogger (I think) got a success mailing to former Angel Johnny Giavotella. I didn't have his autograph in my Angels collection yet, so I popped a couple cards in the mail. I'm not one of those guys that stuffs 6-10 cards in each request, that's a bit excessive if you ask me.

2015 Topps Update #US164

2016 Topps #657

Johnny was an Angels second baseman in 2015-2016, having the best season of his career in 2015. He was DFA in 2016 and then opted for free agancy. I was a little bummed to see him go, he was one of those fiery, spark-plug guys.

Johnny returned these from his home in New Orleans after only 12 days. He opted to not answer any questions.

Today's TTM Return From Rick Sanford

Rick Sanford was a defensive back for the Patriots from 1979-1984, and for the Seahawks in 1985. He then spent 27 years as a chiropractor, retired, and was a longtime football voice on sports radio. Recently he has had to retire from broadcasting due to suffering from a "neurocognitive disorder associated with CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) that makes continuing his on-air duties all but impossible". Sad to hear. Rick responded to my request in 12 days from his home in Lexington, SC.

1985 Topps #141, 1982 Topps #141

I do pray, and I will be praying for Rick and his family.

Today's TTM Return From Don Blackmon

Don Blackmon played his entire career (1981-1987) as a linebacker with the Patriots. He then served as a coach in the NFL for several teams through 2007.

1987 Topps #108

1987 Fleer Live Action Football #34

I mailed these cards to Don at his home in Suwanee, Georgia 20 days ago. He decided to not answer any questions. Totally cool with that.

Todays TTM Return From Ed Reynolds

Ed Reynolds was a Patriots linebacker from 1983-1991, and then spent a year with the Giants before becoming an NFL league office executive. I mailed a couple cards to him at his home in Stoneville, NC recently and asked him a few questions.

Mr. Reynolds returned these after only 17 days, but they were postmarked Cincinnati.