The Angels, In Order

Angels Debut #109 Norm Siebern

2012-02-02T05:34:00.000-08:00

Norman Leroy Siebern
Positions: First Baseman and Leftfielder
Bats: Left, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 200 lb.
Born: July 26, 1933 in St. Louis, MO (Age 78)
MLB Debut: June 15, 1956 New York Yankees
Final MLB Game: July 30, 1968 Boston Red Sox
Years with the Angels: 1966

ANGELS TRANSACTIONS:
December 2, 1965: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the California Angels for Dick Simpson.
December 14, 1966: Traded by the California Angels to the San Francisco Giants for Len Gabrielson.

ANGELS DEBUT:
(Second of five Angels to make their debut in this game)
In the top of the 9th of a 2-2 tie with 2 out and a runner on first, entered the game as a pinch hitter for starting pitcher Dean Chance, and singled to off Eddie Fisher. He stayed in the game as the first baseman until the top of the 14th when he was pinch run for by Willie Montanez (Angels Debut #110)after leading off the inning with a walk. The White Sox eventually won the game 3-2 in the 14th on Tuesday, April 12, 1966 (D) at Comiskey Park I.

ANGELS RECORD:
Hit .247 in 336 AB with 63 walks over 125 games. Made 7 errors in 886 chances at first base.

Best Angels Performance:
Hit a base-clearing double off Hal Reniff to give the Halos a 7-3 lead in the 7th, and ended the day 3 for 3 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI in a 7-4 win against the Yankees on Friday, May 6, 1966 (N) at Anaheim Stadium.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
- Originally signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1951.
- Named Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News (1957)
- Named first baseman on The Sporting News AL All-Star Team (1962)
- Won AL Gold Glove as left fielder (1958)
- 3-time AL All-Star (1962-1964)
- Won 2 World Series with the Yankees (1956 & 1958)
- Had eleven 2-HR games.
- Was part of a trade with Kansas City that netted the Yankees Roger Maris.
- Also played for the Yankees (56-59); Athletics (60-63); Orioles (64-65); Giants (67); Red Sox (67-68).

Read Norm Siebern's SABR biography here.

Cardboard Don Done Sent Me Angels

2012-02-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

And it was a package stuffed with all sorts of Angels goodness. The deeper I went into cards the more surprised and excited I got.

Here's just the icing on the cake:

I love the design on this 1994 Score Select Jim Edmonds rookie card. This card was not already in my collection. But the more I looked at it the more something told me that it's not a picture of Jim Edmonds on the front. My 2010 Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards says it's Jim Edmonds. Ebay says it's Jim Edmonds.

So I did some more research, and guess what? Jim Edmonds is left handed. Bats left handed, throws left handed. This is not a picture of Jim Edmonds.
So who is it? Dunno.

Look at this beautiful Diamond Sparkly Peter Bourjos card. Do you see what I see? Do you see something in his back pocket? I don't think he just dropped a load diving for that ball, so what would an outfielder have in his back pocket? Not an extra ball, that would be against the rules. What could it be? Again, I dunno.

A duo of Tim Salmon. Tim facing off to Tim. Tim hits a bomb and watches it leave Yankee Stadium. Tim hits a bomb and watches it leave Fenway.

A 2011 Topps Mark Trumbo Chrome Awesome Rookie Card. Nothing more needs to be said. I need to catch my breath.

Check it out. This is Don Baylor. Not only that it's an Xograph 1981 Visual Panographics, Inc. Series of 65 - No. 15 3-d Super Stars.

In other words, a bitchen 1981 Kellogg's.

I never had a problem with Brandon Wood. I always liked Brandon Wood and really, really wanted it to finally click for him with the Angels. I still want that for him now with the Pirates. I have several Brandon Wood autographs in my Angels collection. I dig me some Brandon Wood. So I went ape-shit when I saw this in the pile. This my friends is a 2006 Just Limited Gold Edition Brandon Wood Autograph, sealed and numbered 9/50. And look! Somebody wanted 40 bucks for this at one time.

This just might be the holy grail of Brandon Wood cards.

Can you believe this Ortega, Wicked Don guy? Look at that card! It's numbered 68/99! It's Howard Kendrick! It has a simulated manufactured bat barrel. IT"S AWESOME!!

Wow Cardboard Don, I never expected anything like this. And like I said, these were just the icing on the cake. Thanks, Man.

How Did I Let That Slip?

2012-02-01T05:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the Express's 65th Birthday! January 31st!

Sorry Man. But Happy Birthday anyhow.

Smed, Trout, and Trumbo

2012-01-31T04:44:00.000-08:00

As a part of a very nice selection of Angels cards sent gratis from Smed, I found these two cards. Sweet.

Trouts in my Trout Collection:
2010 Topps Pro Debut #181 (signed)
2010 Bowman Platinum PP5
2011 Obak #16 Mini Green 09/25
2011 Topps Heritage Minors #44 (signed)
2011 Topps Pro Debut #263
2011 Topps Update US175
2011 Tristar Pursuit #1 (signed)
2011 Bowmans Best Prospects BBP9
2011 Bowman #101
2011 Bowman #101 Blue 413/499
2011 Bowman Chrome #101
2011 Bowman Chrome #101 Refractor
2011 Bowman Chrome #101 Refractor Purple
2011 Cedar Rapids Pocket Schedule

Trumbos in my Trumbo Collection:
2005 Just Minors Justifiable #81 Orem Owlz
2006 Bowman #B14
2006 Bowman #B14 Gold
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14 Refractor 102/500
2006 Bowman Originals #BO16
2006 Bowman Sterling Prospect #BSP-MT
2007 Kernals Team Set #22
2011 Bowman #193
2011 Bowman #193 Gold
2011 Bowman #193 Blue 021/500
2011 Bowman Topps of the Class #TC10
2011 Bowman Brightest #BBR3
2011 Bowman Platinum #21
2011 Bowman Platinum #21 Gold
2011 Bowman Platinum #21 Emerald
2011 Bowman Platinum #21 Ruby
2011 Topps #57
2011 Topps #57 Diamond Anniversary
2011 Topps #57 Gold 0086/2011
2011 Topps Update #57 Cognac Diamond Anniversary
2011 Topps Update Next 60 Certified Autograph #N60A-MT
2011 Topps Chrome #178
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Autograph
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Refractor
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Refractor Orange
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Xfractor
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Atomic Refractor 045/225
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Sepia 54/99
2011 Topps Chrome #157 Refractor Purple 083/499
2011 Topps Chrome #157 Refractor Blue 96/99
2011 Topps Chrome Heritage #C122 1458/1962
2011 Topps Allen & Ginters #263
2011 Topps Heritage #404
Custom All-Time Angels Team Set

Can You Guess The Airplane?

2012-01-29T19:45:00.000-08:00

Went to a local Air Museum on Saturday and took a bunch a photos of aircraft in the static park and restoration area.

Below are a bunch of close-ups of some of the airplanes. Can you guess what aircraft they are?

Score a point for manufacturer, one for number designation, and one for aircraft name. So Northrop (1), B-2 (2), Spirit (3), would net you three points.

You are only allowed one response for your answers.

I might award a prize...we'll see.

1)

10)

Bible Card Sunday - Jeff King

2012-01-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

Jeff King was the first overall pick of the 1986 amateur draft and was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made his debut on June 2, 1989 and went on to play 11 seasons for the Pirates and Royals, and was a key member of the Pirates Division Championship teams in 1990, 1991, and 1992. He's also #69 on the Royals Top 100.

Plagued by back injuries most of his career he still had fielding percentages above the league average at first, second, and third bases and a range factor above average at both infield corners. He abruptly retired 21 games into the 1999 season citing a lack of love for the game that he once had.

Jeff's favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

I got this signed Jeff King card through a trade on sportscollectors.net.

I Needed An Albert Pujols Relic

2012-01-28T03:16:00.000-08:00

Since he's an Angel now, I wanted to add a relic to my collection. And until now I never had one.

I went for the 2008 Goudey because I think it's a sweet design, and I dig the colors. Plus, Albert just plain looks so cool.

Can't wait to see what kind of Angels relics he comes out with.

Cliff Chambers 1922 - 2012

2012-01-27T03:18:00.000-08:00

Cliff Chambers passed away last week, he was 90.

Aside from his 6 year Major League career from 1948-1953, and a no-hitter for the Pirates in 1951, he was originally signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1942 out of Washington State University. The Cubs assigned him to their AA minor league affiliate Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League.

Chambers played for the PCL Angels in 1942 and then again in 1946 and 47. The gap in years being because he enlisted in the military during WWII. Returning to the Angels in 1946 Chambers went 18-15 with a 3.02 ERA and then 24-9 with a 3.40 ERA for the Angels in 1947. In 1948 he finally got the call from the Cubs.

That 1947 PCL Angels team went 106-81winning their first league championship since 1934. The Angels and San Francisco finished tied, so there was a one-game playoff in Los Angeles that the Angels won 5-0. They then went on to beat the Portland Beavers 4 games to 1 in the first round, and defeated the Oakland Oaks by the same margin for the Championship.

Can You Spell BOX?

2012-01-25T19:15:00.000-08:00

Any serious 1997 Skybox football collectors out there that want these cards for their set?

(Or anyone that wants them at all? But a set collector gets first dibs.) Sorry I don't have the first 3 that spell S K Y.

Stacks Upon the Stacks

2012-01-24T04:03:00.000-08:00

You remember that my wife gave me for Christmas 3 books on my Christmas list: Always and Angel; Once They Were Angels; Odd Man Out. Well, she also gave to me in my stocking a gift card for Amazon.com. A FIFTY DOLLAR GIFT CARD! She really loves me.

I really love her, and I also love baseball books. So I went gangbusters. The last book arrived just today.

With a fifty dollar gift card you can get a TON of books on Amazon since you can almost always get a used, library, softcopy for 5 cents (plus 3.99 shipping) The books I like however, are hardback, with a relatively intact dust jacket, and if I can, a first edition. But with that criteria I still usually try to keep it to under seven bucks a book.

Even with those parameters I was able to snag 8 books, plus a ninth that I'll get to later.

Let's dig in.

Birdie by Birdie Tebbetts with James Morrison

This one actually is a library book, but more of a never-even-seen-a-shelf library book. It's like new, but it does have the old-school library sign-out card and pocket inside.

Now that I can dig. Some little fifth grader helping out in the library's handwriting. Note that It's never been signed out.

Hardball The Education of a Baseball Commissioner by Bowie Kuhn

This is a pretty fat book, I guess Bowie has a lot to say. I was looking over his shoulder trying to see what books are on his bookshelf. Don't think I have a few of those.

Kiss It Good-Bye by Shelby Whitfield

Ex-library but again, in great shape and the dust jacket is practically perfect except for the sticker on the dust jacket spine with the Dewey number.

I kinda stumbled upon this one searching out baseball books. Its about the Washington Senators becoming the Texas Rangers and all the politics involved. Should be interesting especially after recently finishing The Dodgers Move West.

Lou Boudreau, Covering All The Bases by Lou Boudreau with Russell Schneider

You just can't go wrong with a book about Lou Boudreau.

The Wrong Stuff by Bill Lee with Dick Lally

Fits right in my wacky section with The Umpire Strikes Back and Ball Four, among others. I believe that this is Lee's first book. If it goes well I'll search out his others.

Out Of My League by George Plympton

I resisted this book for a long time. I'm not really sure why I did. But I couldn't pass up this beautiful first edition with nice dust jacket. When I got the book in my hands it's like a light turned on. I'm glad to have it and looking forward to reading it now.

Jocko by Jocko Conlan and Robert Creamer

I already have most of Creamers other books. He's one of my favorite baseball authors. I was very happy to find this first edition copy as well, and under six bucks. The dust jacket is a bit tattered but I don't mind in this case. I'm curious to find out what kind of character Jocko Conlan was.

I know that Creamer was one of the first hired on the staff of Sports Illustrated in 1954 and that he served as a senior editor from inception to 1984. But I wonder if this might be his first book? It was published in 1967.

Rhubarb in the Catbird Seat by Red Barber and Robert Creamer

See? Another Creamer. This was the last book I had enough money left on the gift card to purchase. This one however is the dreaded softcopy. I had originally selected and purchased a hard copy with a dust jacket (of course) but when I opened up the package I was aghast to find this, this, dufflebag! I quickly jumped on Amazon and contacted the seller to let them know (very nicely) that they had sent the wrong book. The seller apologised, said to keep it, and refunded my moolah. Keep it? Cool!

So with enough money now to pick out another book, I snagged this one:

Righteous!

Big Hair and Plastic Grass by Dan Epstein

Brand-spanking new. Seriously can't wait to check this bad boy out.

Comments on what to expect from any of these books are welcome.

Quick and Easy Trade for Rookie Cups

2012-01-23T04:07:00.000-08:00

Made a quick and easy trade with Thorzul after I saw his post (and watched the video) about a Topps Rookie Cup box break. I inquired about the Angels he pulled from the box, and before long we agreed to a trade.

I pulled a bunch of minis and other cards from his wantlists, he threw in a couple extra Angels, we agreed on a relic swap, and away went went.

There were a couple more Angels Rookie Cups in the package than I expected (guess I didn't pay close enogh attention to the video). Close to a team set in fact. Thankfully I'm only short the Devon White and the Adam Kennedy. Most of the cards above are the base-colored cards. The green Garret Anderson however is numbered 129/199.

I had started collecting the Tim Salmon rainbow a while back, and only need the tougher cards to complete the Salmon set: /50 Blue, /5 Silver, and 1/1 Gold. Toughies I know. The parallels are numbered and colored as such:

Gold Parallel (160) - Hobby Exclusive. Each is a 1 of 1!
Silver Parallel (160) - seq #'d to 5
Blue Parallel (160) - seq #'d to50
Green Parallel (160) - seq #'d to 199
Yellow Parallel (160) - seq #'d to 299
Orange Parallel (160) - seq #'d to 399
Red Parallel (160) - seq #'d to 499

I'll have to check on the rookie cup reprint cards, like the last two in the picture above. Is there a rookie cup reprint card for each player in the Rookie Cup set?

Also included in the package was this 2011 Bowman Platinum Dan Haren Refractor 487/999.

2008 Topps Kendry Morales Gold 0265/2008.

And the relic: 2011 Topps Lineage Vernon Wells 1975 Mini Jersey 75R-VW.
I really dig the grey jersey as opposed to the white. White is so boring.

Thanks Thorzul. Very pleased.

Bible Card Sunday - Gary Carter

2012-01-22T06:26:00.000-08:00

We all know who Gary Carter is, a great guy and super athlete elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

I will point out that his health has been rapidly deteriorating of late. He has been falling a lot and a recent MRI revealed a torn rotator cuff. A subsequent MRI on his brain revealed several new tumors. He was diagnosed last May with a malignant brain tumor.

His daughter keeps an online journal here.

Gary's favorite verse is John 14:6
"I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except by me."

I recieved this card through the mail sometime before February 2004, that's when I started tracking my requests on sportscollectors.net. I imagine that Gary included this card along with the card that I had sent him to sign.

This may have been the card that got me hooked on this particular style of Bible card - the colored frame with the players name in white on the bottom.

If you're of the praying type, put Gary and his family on your paryer list.

The Trout Files

2012-01-21T04:53:00.000-08:00

CARDS I HAVE:
2010 Topps Pro Debut #181 (signed)
2010 Bowman Platinum PP5
2011 Obak #16 Mini Green 09/25
2011 Topps Heritage Minors #44 (signed)
2011 Topps Pro Debut #263
2011 Topps Update US175
2011 Tristar Pursuit #1 (signed)
2011 Bowmans Best Prospects BBP9
2011 Bowman #101
2011 Bowman #101 Blue 413/499
2011 Bowman Chrome #101
2011 Bowman Chrome #101 Refractor
2011 Cedar Rapids Pocket Schedule

Angels Debut #108 Jackie Warner

2012-01-19T04:15:00.000-08:00

John Joseph Warner
Position: Rightfielder
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 0", Weight: 180 lb.
Born: August 1, 1943 in Monrovia, CA
MLB Debut: April 12, 1966 California Angels
Final MLB Game: July 27, 1966 California Angels
Years with the Angels: 1966

ANGELS TRANSACTIONS:
Before 1962 Season: Signed by the Los Angeles Angels as an amateur free agent.
June 15, 1967: Traded by the California Angels with Jack Sanford to the Kansas City Athletics for Roger Repoz.

ANGELS DEBUT:
(First of 5 Angels to debut in this game)
Started the game in right field, but had no chances in the first. With 1 out and a man on in the second inning, off Tommy John, he flew out to right fielder Floyd Robinson. He ended the day 2 for 6 with 3 strikeouts in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, April 12, 1966 (D) at Comiskey Park I.

ANGELS RECORD:
In 123 ABs over 45 games hit .211 with 7 HR, 4 doubles and a triple, 16 RBI and .431 SLG.

Best Angels Performance:
Went 2 for 4 with a HR, 2 RBI and 3 R in a 13-2 win against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, May 4, 1966 (N) at Anaheim Stadium.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
- First year in the minor leagues (1962), set a California League record for home runs (21).
- Hit 75 HR in his first 3 minor league seasons.
- His first 3 Major League HRs were game winners.
- Injured his shoulder crashing into OF wall making a catch.
- Hated to face Al Downing - 4K in 5AB, .000 BA.

The Stack of Mail That Greeted Me Home - Part 3

2012-01-18T03:39:00.000-08:00

Trade mail.

Fat packages. Padded envelopes. Self-sealing. Metered mail. Team Bags. Mmmmmm.

I'll highlight just a few of each's contents.

#1. Overweight, stiff get-well-card-sized envelope from the Troll.

Minis are pretty with a black background aren't they? And numbered cards are always nice. Jered Weaver Gold 1333/2011.

#2 Crinkly Wrappers shows up with a self-sealing, moisture resistant 4x7 Scotch padded envelope.

Contents included six nice cards for my 2008 Upper Deck X set. Nice chunk to check off. And two really sweet 2011 Topps Heritage Joel Pineiro variations: Wal-mart blue tint and a regular green tint. Joels gone now. Is there a black tint?

#3 The largest envelope was a 6x9 USPS issued, self-sealing padded stuffed with a LARGE team bag appropriately stuffed with Team Angels.

Five, count'em five...wait four and a half, oh three and a half and one with a hole...how many does that make...SALMONS! A beautiful assortment.

Two, two-thousand-one Topps Archives Angels. Very nice.

A really sweet 2001 Fleer Ultra Garret Anderson Gold Medallion Edition #136G. Again, gold looks good.

Practically a whole team set of 2011 Lineage PLUS a Diamond Sparkly Jered Weaver! Oh hey! You know what? Troll sent me the Vernon Wells card that makes it a complete team set! Did you two work together behind the scenes?

That's the best I could do on this extra little surprise in the envelope, a little bitty Vladdy from something. Not sure what this is from but the bottom says whizkidgames.com. Went there and didn't see any kind of MLB game that would have a little Vladdy as a piece. Dig it for the collection though.

#4 Same as #2 but from Nomo's Sushi Platter.

Good, good stuff Spiegel, good, good stuff. (Thats a Piedmont back!)

Thanks everyone.

The Stack of Mail That Greeted Me Home - Part 2

2012-01-17T03:50:00.000-08:00

I did some trading for some signed cards. They came.

I also like signed Angels cards, and most of these Angels are guys that I've had a hard time getting to sign.

First up, Zach of Autographed Cards (an awesome autographed card blog by-the-way) posted this 2006 Fleer Tradition Tim Hamulack card:

Well, I'm collecting this set, autographed, so I inquired about the card. Zach said it was available so we set up a trade.

His next post was of a signed 2006 Fleer Tradition Ryan Shealy card that I also needed. But alas, that one was unavailable. Zach must have felt bad for me because when I received the Hamulack card he also included an unsigned Bowman Mark Trumbo gold card, and this:

Sweet! Thank you for being so thoughtful Zach.

Francis aka frosejr on sportscollectors.net had a bunch of autographed Heritage cards for sale. A bunch that I needed too. And at 2-bucks a card I couldn't pass these up.

Three times I've tried to get that Jarrod Washburn card signed through the mail only to have them gone forever. I tried getting him when he came to the stadium too, but never could get him to come over. Now I finally got him. Watch, all three I sent will show up in the mail this year now.

Also on sportscollectors.net I was contacted by Andy who had interest in a signed Ryan Sweeney card I had on my trade list. We finally worked out a deal that got me this Willie McGinest Patriots card.

Look for Willie to be an Autographed Patriots Card of the Month in the future.

The Stack of Mail That Greeted Me Home - Part 1

2012-01-15T19:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging words after the passing of my mother. Although it was difficult to leave my siblings in California and return to my home in Texas, it was kinda nice to find a stack of good mail to go through. I love getting mail.

The through-the-mail autograph returns.

Former Angel Morris Nettles (1974-1975) signed this 1975 and beat up 1976 Topps card in 22 days sent to his home in Venice, California.

Steve Lubratich (1981, 1983) was nice enough to sign 3 cards for me: 1984 Donruss and Fleer, and a 1991 Line Drive AA. I dig that 84 Donruss swoopy thing going on. Steve lives in New Hampshire and signed these in 15 days.

I originally sent Ron Swoboda a 1966 Topps card and $5 back in June 2011. I was tracking it on sportscollectors.net for months seeing everyone around me getting returns in roughly 10 days. Months went by so finally last month I wrote him a nice note asking if he could please take a brief look, that the PO probably lost it, and if he could kindly let me know so that I could send him another one and another $5. I enclosed a SASE for his response.

Well, he sent me this signed 1966 Topps. I dont know if this is the original one I sent or a replacement, but I'm thankful that he took the time to sign and send me one. I'll send him another and tell him to keep it for someone else that has the same issue I did.

If I count from the time I originally sent the card, this return would be 202 days.

Bobby Wine played for the Phillies and Expos from 1960 - 1972, then coached for many years thereafter, and signed this sweet 1965 Topps card as well as the 1973 Topps and an index card in 29 days from Pennsylvania. Wine won a Gold Glove in 1963.
Next up on the 73 Topps is Ray Rippelmeyer.

Fifteen days after dropping in the mail John Boccabella (1963-1974 Cubs, Expos, Giants) signed and returned this 1970 Topps and a 1964 Topps already signed by former Angels Billy Cowan. John was selected for the National League expansion team Montreal Expos. In 1973 he was only the second catcher ever to homer twice in the same inning.

One of Chris Bermans best nicknamed ballplayers, Oddibe "Young Again" McDowell, my Brother, personalized and signed this odd little 1988 Starting Lineup Talking Baseball card and a 1989 Upper Deck card in 37 days from Hollywood, Florida.

In 1985 he became the first Texas Rangers player to hit for cycle. And this I did not know: McDowell actually played in the Angels system briefly. The Angels signed him in Spring of 1992 but after six games with the AAA Edmonton Trappers he was released on May 14.

This is not the first time Bob Gladieux signed this 1972 Topps card. The first time he signed it and returned the card with this thoughtful questionnaire:

However, when I got the card, half of the autograph had rubbed off because he had used a dry-erase marker. I knew Bob was a good sport and a gracious signer so I wrote him a nice note explaining the situation, and included the card and a fine point blue sharpie for him to keep. After rubbing off the remainder of the first autograph and then resigning the result was the above card (much better than the first) and another nice note shown below.

Bob Gladieux rocks!

Bible Card Sunday - Kyle Abbott

2012-01-15T06:24:00.000-08:00

Kyle Abbott was a Major League pitcher from 1991-1996, playing for the Angels and Phillies. He began and finished his career with the Angels. Abbott was drafted by the Angels in the 1st round (9th pick) of the 1989 amateur draft.

He went 1-3 with the Angels with a 7.23 ERA in 23.2 innings.
He also had a difficult year with the Phillies when he went 1-14 in 19 starts in 1992 the same year he gave up 20 home runs.

Kyles favorite Bible verse is Phillipians 4:13
"I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me."

Patriots Autograph of the Month - Sam Cunningham

2012-01-14T10:21:00.000-08:00

Sam "Bam" Cunningham was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1st round (11th overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft out of USC where he had just won a National Championship. He was named Rose Bowl Player of the Game having scored 4 TD's in the 42-17 beating of Ohio State.

Cunningham was a fullback solely for the Pats from 1973 - 1982 and finished his career with 5,453 rushing yards, 210 receptions for 1,905 yards, and 49 touchdowns. In 1974 he had the longest rush in the NFL with a 75 yard run. He was a 1978 Pro Bowl selection. Cunningham was the 2010 Inductee to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Sam Cunningham is the older brother of former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham. How about that.

He signed two cards for me including this 1978 Topps, and sent a short note, from his home address in 2005.

Emerald Trumbo, Ruby Trumbo, Auto Trumbo

2012-01-14T02:52:00.000-08:00

Completed Loose 1962 Topps Angels Stamps

2012-01-13T06:26:00.000-08:00

I went ahead and picked up the last stamp I needed for my loose team set of 1962 Topps Stamps.

The Great Steve Bilko was all that I needed to complete this set

Remember, I already had the stamp set affixed in the Topps album.

Now, on to the 1961 Topps Stamps Angels team set.

Angels From Across The pond

2012-01-11T14:23:00.000-08:00

Did you know that John who runs the blog The Pursuit of 80's(ness) is in the UK? I sure didn't, at first. But now I do. John collects the Red Sox, you should check out his Jacoby Ellsbury collection, holy cow.

John sent a nice plastic chessmen box full of Angels on a long trip to Texas. Many 80's(ness) through current Angels made the ride. Here's a select few from those he sent.

Sweet 1996 Pinnacle Jim Abbott #228. This one is from Jim's second stint with the Halos from

1995-1996, after he had thrown a no-hhitter with the Yankees. Thanks for that Jimbo. I still love ya.

An interesting 1999 Bowman's Best Mo Vaughn #5. Mo shows off a white Angels hat which I don't recall them ever having. I'll have to look this up.

Goldish retro-y 2010 Upper Deck Portraits Jered Weaver #SE-39. Thats a good looking card.

Kendrys Morales on a 2011 Allen & Ginter's #205 Mini. Mini's are nice aren't they?

1986 Donruss Highlights #10 showing Mickey Mantle reluctantly giving up his 5th place on the All-Time Home Run list to Reggie Jackson. The Mick looked good in 1986, even though he's holding tight to that trophy.

1998 Pacific Online Rich Robertson #21 I think the only Rich Robertson in an Angels uniform card I have. I typed in that web address for players.bigleaguers.com and it doesn't seem to be active anymore. Bummer.

2011 Topps Diamond Sparkle Shine #632 Scott "Short-Lived" Kazmir. Well at least his card sparkles.

Did not know this 1992 Donruss Studio checklist #261 with Rod Carew card existed. Cool. I wonder if this means my 1992 Donruss Studio Angels team set is now complete.

Thanks a ton John.

Bible Card Sunday - Sid Bream

2012-01-08T15:29:00.000-08:00

Sid Bream is probably most remembered for his slide at home plate in Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series winning the game and sending the Braves to the World Series for the second year in a row.
Bream played with the Dodgers, Pirates, Braves, and Astros from 1983-1994. Bream won the 1990 Hutch Award for a player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of Fred Hutchinson.

Sid signed this card with Gal. 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Sid's favorite verse is Romans 5:8
"But God commended His love toward us, that while we were sinners Christ died for us."

Angels Debut #107 Jim McGlothlin

2012-01-04T03:27:00.000-08:00

James Milton McGlothlin (Red)
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 1", Weight: 185 lb.
Born: October 6, 1943 in Los Angeles, CA
MLB Debut: September 20, 1965 California Angels
Final MLB Game: September 28, 1973 Chicago White Sox
Died: December 23, 1975 in Union, KY (Aged 32)
Years with the Angels: 1965-1969

ANGELS TRANSACTIONS:
Before 1962 Season: Signed by the Los Angeles Angels as an amateur free agent.
November 25, 1969: Traded by the California Angels with Pedro Borbon and Vern Geishert to the Cincinnati Reds for Alex Johnson and Chico Ruiz.

ANGELS DEBUT:
As the Angels starting pitcher the first batter he faced was Luis Aparicio who flied out to right. He went 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 8 hits with 3 strikeouts ending up with the loss in a 4-2 victory for the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, September 20, 1965 (D) at Chavez Ravine.

ANGELS RECORD:
In 133 games (110 starts) he won 33 and lost 43, had 7 shutouts and 22 complete games with a 3.37 ERA.
Led the AL in shutouts (6) in 1967.
AL All-Star in 1967

Best Angels Performance:
Threw a complete game 2-hitter against the Washington Senators on Sunday, May 7, 1967 (D) at Anaheim Stadium.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
- Also played for the Reds (70-73); White Sox (73).
- Had 4 games with 10 or more strikeouts.
- Loved to face Frank Howard who hit .154, 24AB, 10K against him.
- Died of Leukemia at age 32 in 1975.

Good Night, God Bless Ya

2012-01-03T06:58:00.000-08:00

My Mother always said that when it was time for bed. Sadly she passed away unexpectedly in her sleep early Monday morning in our childhood home, she was 82. She had had a fun day taking down Christmas decorations, several of my siblings were there to help. They took her out to dinner, she went to bed, and when my sister went to awaken her in the morning she was gone. She was in good health, not quite the same since my Father passed away November before last, but she had been well.

We fly to California Wednesday for the services and to spend time with my family.

Good night, God bless ya Mom.

Autographs in the Mail

2012-01-02T03:51:00.000-08:00

Lee Stevens signed this 1991 Topps Stadium Club #293 and the back of this 1993 Upper Deck Gary DiSarcina card already signed by Bobby Rose, and Gary DiSarcina. Sent to his home in Colorado after 31 days.

This is how I got them to sign the back:

Gotta love stickies.

Larry Gura requires $2 a card, which I sent along with these two 1983 Topps set cards I needed. Signed after 11 days from his PO box in Arizona.

I saw a recent success for Jay Howell on Autographed Cards, or was it AutoMatic For The People, no it was Card Buzz..oh I can't remember, but they had a success and I knew that I needed Jay Howell for several sets, so I sent, and I got. 1984 Topps #239, 1992 Stadium Club #457, and 1991 Upper Deck #558 signed in 12 days from Georgia.

Oh duh. Two of the cards are Dodger cards, bet it was Nomo's Sushi Platter!

These cards were a huge surprise, I thought they were long gone. I mailed these cards to Glenn Hubbard in April 2007. Only 1718 days later! According to sportscollectors.net Glen Hubbard is spotty at best TTM so I knew I was taking a chance when I sent these. Glad to have this 1983 Topps, 1983 Fleer, and 1984 Topps back and signed!

And now on to some Patriots.

I know that I said recently that I was only focusing on Boston Patriots, but I already had all these New England Patriots cards so I figured I might as well send some out to some good TTM signers.

Patriot Great Gino Cappalletti has signed for me in the past, but I had this nifty 1969 Topps card begging for an autograph. Some folks get annoyed with personalization like the "To Tom" but I don't mind at all. These cards aren't going anywhere but my collection.

Gino also was kind enough to answer a few handwritten questions.

Can players still "ask" for a tryout? I imagine the days of Rudy or walk-ons are long gone. Pretty cool he walks on and ends up staying for 10 years.

Two more Patriot cards returned were these from Randy Vataha who signed his 1972 Topps #158 and 1977 Topps #64 after 10 days from where else but Massachusetts. Vataha played for the Pats from 1971-1976.

Bible Card Sunday - Scott Fletcher

2012-01-01T10:01:00.000-08:00

Scott Fletcher was an infielder from 1981-1995. He played for the Cubs, White Sox, Rangers, Brewers, Red Sox, and Tigers. He was drafted three times (by the Dodgers, Astros, and Athletics) but did not sign prior to being taken by the Cubs in the 1979 amateur draft.

Scott added John 3:16
"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life."

Scotts favorite Bible Verse is Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Angel Loses in 2011

2011-12-31T13:29:00.000-08:00

Tribute to those former Angels we lost this past year.

Ryan Duren (1961-1962)

Ron Piche (1965)

Chuck Tanner (1961-1962)

Gino Cimoli (1965)

Tom Silverio (1970-1972)

Mel Queen (1970-1972)

Dick Williams (1974-1976)

Jesse Jefferson (1981)

Merritt Ranew (1965)

Ricky Adams (1982-1983)

Mickey Scott (1975-1977)

Mike Napoli 2007 Topps Gen Now Want List

2011-12-31T03:00:00.000-08:00

I want to collect this 2007 Topps Generation Now Mike Napoli set, hopefully through trades. I have a few cards already, here is what I need.
GN103, GN104, GN105, GN106, GN107, GN108, GN109, GN110, GN111, GN112, GN113, GN114, GN114, GN115.

Baseball Stuff I Got For Christmas

2011-12-30T02:13:00.000-08:00

All throughout the year my wife insists that it's going to be a small Christmas. "Let's keep it simple, the kids don't need anything, we don't really need anything. We have debt to pay off."

I always heed her wisdom.

Then a couple weeks before Christmas she goes into flat-out gang-buster spend mode.

And I laugh and love her for it.

Aside from all the "necessities" like clothes and socks, and a couple other items like tools and such, here's the baseball stuff she got for me, most of which were stocking stuffers:

Once They Were Angels - Robert Goldman 2006
One of several books I've wanted for a long time. An Angels history book with interviews with some of the most well-known Angels.
Dig that old-time Nolan Ryan picture.

Odd Man Out - Matt McCarthy 2009
Angels minor leaguer tell-all, supposedly. I'll take this one with a grain of salt. I know that many of the "facts" in this book have been challenged and many disproved or shown to be exagerated. But it's a must for the Angels library.

Always An Angel - Tim Salmon 2010
How can an Angels collector not have a book by Tim Salmon. Now I do. This book has had a reserved space next to my Nolan Ryan books for the last year.
My two most favotorite Angels.

My wife also gave me an Amazon gift card in my stocking. There are several other books I've had on my want list for a while. Time to see if I can get some crossed off.

Next up- baseball cards.

Two packs of 2011 Bowman Platinum and 2 packs of Bowman Chrome.
Nice cards but not a single Angel.

Blaster of 2011 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects. Nice cards but not a single Angel in the box. Hmmm.

She did well though. I was Toppsed-out so I put "No Topps, Bowman OK" on my Christmas list.

Be looking for a trade bait post coming soon.

Two books of stamps for my TTM autograph requests.

Mike Napoli Rangers jersey t-shirt. Yes I actually asked for this. I go to a lot of Ranger games, and only wear my Angels gear when the Angels are in town. So I combined the 2 - Nap will always be an Angel in my heart.

Baseball Activity Book - goes immediately to my toilet reading rack.

Here's a puzzle for you all before this little book gets Red Flagged!

Any Football Guys Out There?

2011-12-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

House cleaning. Looking to sell this box of about 550-600 football cards.

Box includes stars, rookies, parallels, numbered, SPs, chrome, foil stamped, just about everything from about 1990 - 2000.
Topps, Bowman, Fleer, Collectors Edge, Upper Deck, Pacific, ProSet, Skybox...
All are in excellent condition, many in penny sleeves.

UPDATE: I FOUND MORE SO I'M MAKING THIS A MEDIUM PRIORITY RATE BOX FULL - PROBABLY AROUND 600-1000 CARDS. BEST OFFER PLUS SHIPPING.

PM me with an offer and I'll get back to you.
Here's a sampling.

That Jeff Blake Collectors Edge Masters is numbered 131/150.

This (Angels) Card is Cool

2011-12-27T15:32:00.000-08:00

Actually all three of these Angels cards are cool.

Made a trade with Ryan, from This Card is Cool, who was offering up trade bait. He had some sweet Angels to offer which I took him up on.

2008 Topps Update All-Star Stitches Ervin Santana AS-ES. This would be a nice team set to complete. Now I just need the Saunders and K-Rod.

2011 Topps Update Black Border Parallel #US146 Jordan Walden 34/60.

2006 Topps Highlights Authentic Autograph Kelvim Escobar HA-KE.

Sweet Goodness.

Angels Debut #106 Jackie Hernandez

2011-12-26T12:30:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I have no cards for Jackie Hernandez.

Jacinto (Zulueta) Hernandez
Positions: Shortstop and Third Baseman
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 5' 11", Weight: 165 lb.

Born: September 11, 1940 in Central Tinguaro, Cuba
Debut: September 14, 1965 California Angels
Final Game: October 1, 1973 Pittsburgh Pirates
Years with the Angels: 1965-1966

ANGELS TRANSACTIONS:
May 15, 1965: Signed as a Free Agent with the California Angels after being released by the Cleveland Indians.
December 2, 1966: The California Angels sent a player to be named later and Dean Chance to the Minnesota Twins for Pete Cimino, Jimmie Hall and Don Mincher.
April 10, 1967: the California Angels sent Jackie Hernandez to the Minnesota Twins to complete an earlier deal made on December 2, 1966.

ANGELS DEBUT:
Entered the game in the 8th as a pinch runner at first base for Joe Adcock, he then stole second and went to third on a throwing error by catcher John Romano, then later scored on a Rick Reichardt single in a 7-1 win against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, September 14, 1965 (N) at Chavez Ravine.
Was also the Debut game for future Angel Bill Voss for the White Sox.

Earlier that month the Angels announced they were officially changing their names to the California Angels in anticipation of thier move to the new Anaheim Stadium for the following season. This made Jackie Hernandez debut the first debut for a California Angel.

ANGELS RECORD:

In 29 ABs hit .103 with 1 double and 3 RBI. Committed 6 errors in the field.

Best Angels Performance:

Went 2 for 2, scored a run and had an RBI in a 10-6 loss to the Orioles on Friday, September 24, 1965 (N) at Memorial Stadium.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS

- Originally signed by the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent in 1961.

- Also played for the Twins (67-68); Royals (69-70); Pirates (71-73).

- Regular shortstop for the expansion 1969 Kansas City Royals.

- Won a World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971.

Completed Team Set 2011 Topps Throwback Commemorative Patch

2011-12-25T14:41:00.000-08:00

The Angels had 1 card in Series 1 and 3 in Series 2.

2011 Topps Series 1 Torii Hunter TLMP-TH

2011 Topps Series 2 Jered Weaver TLMP-JW

2011 Topps Series 2 Nolan Ryan TLMP-NR

2011 Topps Series 2 Reggie Jackson TLMP-RJ

The Angels have no patches in the Topps Update Series, which would have been the perfect opportunity for Topps to at least have an Angels patch from the 60's, the first decade of the Angels existance.

I don't understand the reasoning behind not matching up a player to the patch they would have worn. Nolan should have Hunters patch, Reggie should have Weavers patch. Or if it's a throwback patch then show the player in the throwback uniform that matches the patch. That would have worked great for Weaver and Hunter.

I dig these patch cards, but I think Topps missed the boat on this one.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T07:44:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas fellow bloggers and readers!

I appreciate you all and thank you all for your friendship.

Tom

Additional Correspondance

2011-12-24T01:55:00.000-08:00

The more you send out, the more you get back. And if you do your research you end up not losing too many never to be seen again.

I do my research and send only to guys with good return numbers. As I mentioned before I belong to sportscollectors.net.

JERRY DON GLEATON

I had a bunch of these Talking SLU cards so I looked up who were good signers and sent a bunch out. Jerry Don Gleaton is a good signer and he also adds a Bible verse, something I don't mind at all. Mr. Gleaton signed these cards in 12 days.

I asked him some questions about his faith.

Awesome.

DANNY TARTABULL
I saw recently on sportscollectors.net that Danny Tartabull had been signing stuff. I knew that he had cards in several sets I'm collecting so I took the chance to send him 4 cards.

And it paid off. He signed all 4.

And, although brief, he did answer my questions.

Returned after 35 days sent to his home in Agoura Hills, California.

KEN ROWE
Ken Rowe took only 9 days to sign and return this 1965 Topps card.

Take a look at question #3:

Sweet! He's a collector. I wonder how he goes about collecting autographs...same as we do? I'm sure he has a lot of connections inside baseball too. I'll have to write him again and ask him some questions about his collection.

MARTY BROWN
Marty Brown not only signed my cards and answered the questions but left some interesting comments along the way.

Notice the "True Fan!" he wrote on the Score card. I wonder if (and hope) he's referring to me: maybe since I took the time to ask him some personal questions he knows that this is a personal hobby of mine, that I am genuinely interested and that I'm not in to sell autographs on ebay.

Or, it may be in reference to this:

My return address label has an American Legion logo. We get a sheet of address labels regularly from them since we've contributed before. Mr. Brown wrote that he's a "Big fan: American Legion".

Marty is the manager of the Las Vegas 51's the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Not sure what he means by the "...talent from New Hampshire!" comment for question #2.

Another answer that I didn't understand was that his "...ancestors started the Kory League.." He knew I wouldn't know what that was, hence his comment to "Look it up!" Well, I did look it up and still have no idea what the Kory League is.

He likes puzzles this Marty Brown. He made that statement again on the back of the envelope:

Somethings Missing Here

2011-12-23T01:34:00.000-08:00

I was going through a box of well worn junk: mostly 1991 Topps, Donruss and Fleer baseball, 1991-92 football, and a scattering of basketball. I was getting ready to donate the shoebox but figured I'd go through it first just in case.

I did a double-take when I came across this Karl Malone card:

What kinda card is this? What's that black box all about? I put my thumb on it thinking it was a heat sensative hidden image. Nope. Then I turned the card over and realized it was a Fleer Ultra Rebound King insert card.

Here's the back:

What do all Fleer Ultra have in common folks? Gold! There's no gold on the front. There's the error!

Here is a similar card from the 1994 Ultra Rebound King subset:

So, see all the gold that's missing from the Karl Malone card? No gold Karl Malone, no gold 93-94 Fleer Ultra, and no gold Rebound King logo.

Sweet. If you dig this card and want it for you collections of errors and variations, I posted it on sportlots. Please keep the wagering friendly.

Jaybarkerfans Blog of the Year contest.

2011-12-22T20:04:00.001-08:00

Nominate someone you love. Win Prizes!

HERE

More Mail Autographs

2011-12-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

Former Ranger and local boy Bobby Witt signed this sweet little 1988 Kenner Starting Lineup Talking Baseball card and this 1992 Topps Stadium Club set card for me sent to his home in nearby Colleyville after 9 days.

Another set card i needed was this 1983 Topps that Marvis Foley signed. He also signed the '85 Donruss sent to his home in Bradenton, Florida in 9 days as well.

Greg Porter Got Traded Today

2011-12-22T03:53:00.000-08:00

To Me!

Justins Worlds own Justin saw a couple 2011 Bowman I recently picked up and asked about them. He had this signed 2007 Bowman Heritage Greg Porter card to offer, so I accepted.

Two non-Angel Bowman for a signed Greg Porter Angel card...you bet!

Angels Mailbag: Dalesandro and Morris

2011-12-21T03:53:00.000-08:00

Mark Dalesandro signed 2 cards for me and graciously answered some hastily written questions after 49 days sent to his home in Plainfield, IL.

Mark played for the Angels in 1994 and 1995.

1991 Classic Best #259 Quad City Angels

1995 Score #278

You can see why I usually type these things out. I'll transcribe for you:

Were you up long before you made your debut against the Twins on June 6, 1994?
"I was up about 3 days before my pinch hit against Larry Casian."

What was that like?
"I was a little nervous but it was the greatest moment of my career. I had a lot of different emotions at the time."

How did you prepare for "life after baseball?"
"I was fortunate to go to a great high school and 4 years of college helped me prepare for life after baseball. I think my experiences as a player have helped me handle life situations even more so than my education."

I'm always thankful when a player answers my question, I'm especially thankful when they put an extra amount of effort into it.

Hal Morris became the Angels new Director of Pro Scouting last month so I quickly shot a card, index card and letter to him at Anaheim Stadium. Thirty-five days later I get the 1991 Upper Deck set card back, no IC, and some answers to my letter.

A faded thick black sharpie will do. Glad to have it and cross him off my 1991 Upper Deck set list and my All-Time Angels list.

Oh how I wished he would have elaborated on the Chris Sabo answer. Is it safe to assume Sabo got him trouble too?

In reference to the last question I asked Mr. Morris, below is an overview of the book from Amazon.com:

In this landmark work of deep scholarship and insight, Eric Foner gives us the definitive history of Lincoln and the end of slavery in America. Foner begins with Lincoln's youth in Indiana and Illinois and follows the trajectory of his career across an increasingly tense and shifting political terrain from Illinois to Washington, D.C. Although “naturally anti-slavery” for as long as he can remember, Lincoln scrupulously holds to the position that the Constitution protects the institution in the original slave states. But the political landscape is transformed in 1854 when the Kansas-Nebraska Act makes the expansion of slavery a national issue.

That actually sounds like a good read.

Completed Team Set 1962 Topps Stamps

2011-12-19T03:56:00.000-08:00

This was the second year Topps issued player stamps. They were issued in two-stamp panels as an insert with Topps baseball cards. Unlike the 1961 set, team logos were included on stamps as well. There are 201 stamps in the complete set (originally 200 but Roy Seivers was pictured on the wrong team, and then corrected). An album was available for the stamps to be stuck in, a tab on the two-stamp panel advertising the accompanying album.

The Angels in the set included 9 player stamps plus a logo stamp. My team set came already affixed to the Angels page in the stamp album. If you look closely you'll also see that all the stamp edges have been trimmed, and several are damaged with tears and scuffing, but I don't mind that.

The back of the page includes an overview of the Angels 1961 season, and then 1961 and career records for each player pictured.

I said earlier that I didn't mind the condition of the stamps in the album above, but that's not entirely true. The trimming of the perforations conflicted with the perfectionist in me so I purchased most of the stamps in a lot:

I used the black background so you could really see the jagged edges of the stamps.

I only need the Steve Bilko stamp to complete it.

Patriots Autograph of the Month - Stanley Morgan

2011-12-18T04:46:00.000-08:00

Morgan was drafted out of the University of Tennessee by the New England Patriots in the 1st round (25th overall) of the 1977 NFL Draft. He played 12 of his 13 pro years with the Patriots.

Known as one of the fastest receivers of his time he led the NFL in yards per reception in 1979, 1980 and 1981. He totalled 1,000-plus receiving yards three times (1979, 1981 & 1986), appeared in four Pro Bowls (1979, 1980, 1986 & 1987) and was selected 2nd Team All-Pro in 1980 & 1986.

He caught six passes for 51 yards for the Patriots in Super Bowl XX, a 46-10 loss to the Bears.

Stanley finished his career with 557 receptions for 10,716 yards and 72 touchdowns, along with 121 rushing yards. His 10,352 receiving yards with the Patriots set their franchise record.

Stanley Morgan signed this 1979 Topps card I sent to his home in 2008.

Christmas Contest at SportsCardBlog.net

2011-12-17T18:42:00.000-08:00

Go check out the blog and enter the contest. YOU could be a WINNER!

Some Additions to the Collection

2011-12-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

There's a lot of cheap stuff to be had on ebay. A lot of cool stuff for team collectors like me.

Here's some cheap and cool Angels stuff I've picked up recently on ebay.

A 1962 Ticket stub from and Angels/Yankees game at Chavez Ravine (Dodger Stadium). Yankees beat the Angels 4-3 on a 2-run Yogi Berra home run off Dan Osinski in the 8th inning. Leon Wagner drove in all the Angels runs by hitting his 30th home run of the season, a 3-run shot in the first inning off Whitey Ford.

1976 Hostess #79 Nolan Ryan. Badly cut but still a nice little Ryan Angels card.

This one's a beauty. A 1978 Kellogg's #51 Nolan Ryan.

Another Kellogg's I picked up is this 1980 version #20.

And a sharp 1965 Topps #11 Strikeout Leaders which includes the Angels Dean Chance. Dean was third in the AL in 1964 with 208 strikeouts.

Some TTM Autographs I've Gotten

2011-12-16T04:05:00.000-08:00

These are the TTM autographs I received recently where the ballplayer chose not to answer the questions I included, but still graciously signed and returned the cards.

1965 Topps #288 Jack Hamilton, 38 days from his restaurant in Branson, MO. Hamilton played for the Angels from 1968-1969.

Two set cards signed by Kevin Elster, a 1989 Toys-R-Us and a 1991 Upper Deck. I included $2. Kevin lives in Huntington Beach, CA and returned these after 10 days.

Another set card I needed was this 2006 Fleer Tradition #169. Mike also signed a 2006 Fleer #340 sent to his home in Santa Fe, CA. 27 days. He's a Brother.

I sent Paul Hartzell just an index card along with the questionnaire. He was very nice to not only sign the index card but to include this signed 1979 Topps and this team issued postcard. Very cool. 10 days from his PO box in Hailey, ID.

Catching Up With Some Correspondance

2011-12-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

Billy DeMars signed this 1973 Topps #486 Phillies Coaches card and graciously included the signed Diamond Signatures card. He sent them back, and a signed index card, in 9 days from his home in Florida.

Billy was also a radioman in a PBY Catalina flying boat during WWII. Fascinating.

I recently came across this Tim DeCinces card in a quarter bin recently, so I figured I'd give it shot trying to get him to sign it. Eleven days later I got it back. I mailed it to the Beach Pit BBQ Headquarters. Tim, if you haven't figured it out, is the son of Doug DeCinces.

After baseball Tim founded Beach Pit BBQ, a BBQ chain in Southern California. I hear it's really good.

John Gelnar signed his 1965 Topps #143 rookie card and a 1970 Topps #393 Seattle Pilots card in 18 days from his home in Oklahoma.

John was nice enough to answer a few simple questions for me.

I recently received this 1993 Fleer ProCards Nate Oliver card. I didn't realize Nate had been a coach in the Angels farm system, (he actually managed for 3 years) so I picked up a 1965 Topps at my LCS and sent them through the mail for an autograph. Nate used a ballpoint so they're kinda hard to see, but signatures are there and I'm happy to have them.

Nate is currently an instructor for Cal Baseball Club which is where I sent the cards.

Angels Autographs I've Added Recently

2011-12-11T15:44:00.000-08:00

2011 Bowman Platinum Autograph BPA-PC Pat Corbin Refractor

1969 Jack in the Box Aurelio Rodriguez (signed on back)

1961 Topps #272 Tom Morgan

Terry Forster CIC

Brad Mills (hasn't played a game yet as an Angel) on a 2009 Topps Heritage #523

Not an Angel, but included with the Brad Mills trade was this Nate Robertson signed testimonial card. I have a side collection of signed testimonial cards.

One Down Two To Go

2011-12-10T04:40:00.000-08:00

Picked up the 1954 Bowman Gil Hodges I needed for the Dodgers team set.

Cheap, again, on ebay...

Get ready for it....

A buck-four and a buck-fifty shipping.

Now I just need what I thought was the more expensive cards, but at this rate they can probably be had for pocket change:

#58 Pee Wee Reese
#170 Duke Snider

Where to Start?

2011-12-09T07:28:00.000-08:00

I admit it, a small Albert Pujols collection was started several years ago. It was more like I'd set aside any Pujols card I came across as I ripped packs, keeping them all together at the front of one of the rows of a 5000 count box of trade cards.

And I have traded out a few of those, quite recently actually.

But now that Albert's an Angel I need to start hanging on to what I have left.

I don't want to go back and start collecting every card he has, that would be too overwhelming, there are other players I'd rather concentrate on. I will keep all his future Angels cards I come across, but probably won't aggressively collect him.

But of his Cardinals cards I decided to pick one design and try to collect all the variations of that design. Kind of as a representation of the FIRST HALF of his career.

I decided on this design:

2005 Donruss Diamond Kings.

This is the only one I have, so the collection will start here. I'll have to do some research to find out all the variations on this design. Any help with a checklist would be appreciated.

Any frustrated Cardinal fans or Pujols collectors ready to dump their Diamond Kings? Let's trade!

The Numbers on Albert Pujols

2011-12-08T19:20:00.000-08:00

From Mark Whicker, ocregister.com:

Here’s a quick look at Albert Pujols, by the numbers:

He hit .300, with 30 home runs and 100 RBI for his first 10 years in the big leagues, every year, first player ever to do so.

For the past 10 years he has had more walks than strikeouts, and has only struck out 70 times in one season in those 10 years.

He has never had fewer than 643 plate appearances in any season and has led the National League in runs, doubles, home runs, RBI, on base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS at various times. His OPS has been over 1.000 eight times in those 11 years.

His .299 average and .906 OPS in 2011 were career lows, although both would have led the Angels.

He is a .330 hitter in postseason play with 18 home runs in 74 games, and a 1.046 OPS.

He has won three N.L. Most Valuable Player awards and has finished in the top five among MVP candidates nine times.

He has won two Gold Gloves at first base.

He is 927 hits away from 3,000, at age 31, and is 17th among active players.

He is fourth alltime in slugging percentage behind only Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig.

He is sixth alltime in OPS, behind Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, Barry Bonds and Jimmie Foxx.

He is first active in batting average at .3284, ahead of Ichiro Suzuki (.3256).

That’s all. Well, actually, that’s not even close at all.

But you National Leaguers already knew that.

HOLY COW!!!!!

2011-12-08T07:38:00.000-08:00

Albert Pujols!!

AND CJ! (He's an afterthought now though)

Completed Team Sets 1981 and 1982 Topps Squirt

2011-12-07T17:39:00.000-08:00

These Topps Squirt cards were issued as 2-card panels in 8-pack cartons of soda. The backs are the regular 1981 Topps backs but with different numbering to follow the 33-card set.

There were 22 different card panels, with cards numbered 1-11 appearing on 2 different bottom panel combinations. The Rod Carew card (#9) fits in this catagory, so in actuality, if I wanted the whole Angels panel set I would need the Rod Carew/Johnny Bench panel as well.

Fortunately, I have the individual team set also. These were cut from the panels at some point.

The 1982 Squirt panels were issued similarly except the cards themselves were completely different from the regular 1982 Topps issue and they came in one or two cards panels, with an additional scratch-off or grocery game card. Twenty-two different players were in the set, and the card panels came in four variations.

Reggie Jackson was the only Angels in this series, but I suppose he appears on different combination panels.

The Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards doesn't mention what the punch-hole was for, but I assume it's to hang the panel over the neck of a soda bottle.

A very attractive design in my opinion, especially with the color combination, and especially with the panel intact.

Oh No More Trumbo

2011-12-06T04:35:00.000-08:00

Trumbos in my Trumbo Collection:
2005 Just Minors Justifiable #81 Orem Owlz
2006 Bowman #B14
2006 Bowman #B14 Gold
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14 Refractor 102/500
2006 Bowman Originals #BO16
2006 Bowman Sterling Prospect #BSP-MT
2007 Kernals Team Set #22
2011 Bowman #193
2011 Bowman #193 Gold
2011 Bowman #193 Blue 021/500
2011 Bowman Topps of the Class #TC10
2011 Bowman Brightest #BBR3
2011 Bowman Platinum #21
2011 Bowman Platinum #21 Gold
2011 Topps #57
2011 Topps #57 Diamond Anniversary
2011 Topps #57 Gold 0086/2011
2011 Topps Update #57 Cognac Diamond Anniversary
2011 Topps Update Next 60 Certified Autograph #N60A-MT
2011 Topps Chrome #178
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Autograph
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Refractor
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Refractor Orange
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Xfractor
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Atomic Refractor 045/225
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Sepia 54/99
2011 Topps Chrome #157 Refractor Purple 083/499
2011 Topps Chrome #157 Refractor Blue 96/99
2011 Topps Chrome Heritage #C122 1458/1962
2011 Topps Allen & Ginters #263
2011 Topps Heritage #404
Custom All-Time Angels Team Set

There's Room In My Heart For The Dodgers

2011-12-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

But not too much room.

One of the few team sets I collect outside of Angels team sets, is the 1954 Bowman Brooklyn Dodgers.

I love 1954 Bowman. And you can't go wrong with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

I truly feel that every baseball card collector should have at least one Brooklyn Dodgers team set.

I recently obtained four more cards towards this set. Now all I have left to obtain is the Big Three:
#58 Pee Wee Reese
#138 Gil Hodges
#170 Duke Snider

Big because they're the EXPENSIVE ones no matter what shape they're in.

Here's the four I recently picked up very reasonably in 4 separate auctions on ebay:

#154 Don Newcombe $3.36 with a dollar shipping.

#202 George Shotgun Shuba $1.50 and 2 dollars shipping.

#26 Billy Cox was had for $2.75 and $2.50 shipping.

And one of the tougher ones to get cheap #90 Roy Campanella for a whopping $3.14 and $2.56 shipping.

Now don't everyone go out and start bidding on the cards I need to complete the set. That would just make me grumpy.

Thanks.

End of a CERA

2011-12-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

The Jeff Mathis era (or CERA if you're Mike Scioscia) has finally and thankfully ended. Mathis was traded to Toronto for pitcher Brad Mills.

Bye Jeff.

Complete Team Set 1969 Boston Patriots

2011-12-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

Like I've said, I haven't collected football cards in years. Many years.

I never really collected older football, I got started on them in the early 90's and finished in the early 00's. I have probably a 5000 count boxfull some where. Someday I'll get around to trying to trade them.

Let me know if you're interested.

But of those that I collected, I pulled out all the Patriots cards and binderized them. I then went about and picked up some of the older Patriots cards here and there, and then started sending to old Patriots for autographs. Again, actively collecting football cards ended 10 years ago, autographs maybe 5 years ago.

I went through that Patriots binder the other day, and although I no longer have the desire to collect any Patriot card I come across, I did make a minor decision to try to complete some Patriot team sets but limit it to only cards from the 1960's when they were the Boston Patriots.

With that in mind, I hit my LCS yesterday and searched through the box of 1969 Topps football. I found several Patriots in the box but only 1 Patriot card that I knew I didn't have. What I didn't know is that one card is all that I needed to complete the 1969 team set.

So here it is. The completed set:

Autographs of Art Graham and Larry Garron.

Platinum Chromium From Play at the Plate

2011-12-02T04:21:00.000-08:00

All these cards are beauties. I'm stunned by their blinding brilliance.

Thanks Man.

2 Autos, 2 Packs, 2 Weeks

2011-12-01T02:25:00.000-08:00

I scored an autograph card in two separate Bowman DPP Value Packs in two separate weeks from the same Walmart.

Week 1 Pack:
71 Joel Carreno Blue Jays
108 Paul Goldschmidt Diamondbacks
BDPP16 Jed Bradley Brewers
BDPP74 Kyle Kubitza Braves
BDPP87 Kellen Moen Royals
BDPP66 Adam Ehrlich Cardinals

106 JB Shuck Astros Chrome

101 Mike Trout Angels

BDPP110 Matt Vogel USA Chrome Blue Refractor 050/199

BDPP96 Zach Collins USA Chrome

BPA-JK Joe Kelly Cardinals Prospects Certified Autograph

4 Anthony Bass Padres Gold

Week 2 Pack:
12 Salvador Perez Royals
53 Alan Johnson Rockies
49 Jose Iglesias Red Sox
44 Mark Hamilton Cardinals
BDPP39 Jake Hager Rays
BDPP5 Pratt Maynard Dodgers
BDPP46 Adrian Houser Astros
BDPP30 Michael Fulmer Mets

14 Matt Carpenter Cardinals Chrome

BDPP44 Logan Moore Phillies Chrome

BCAP-RS Robert Stephenson Reds Chrome Prospects Certified Autograph

64 Daniel Moskos Pirates Gold

Should I go for a third?

L.A.A. From G.C.R.L.

2011-11-30T03:02:00.000-08:00

Not only LAA, but also CAL, and Anaheim. Jim from GCRL sent over a box of assorted Angels cards of all types, styles, and varieties.

Ideally this box would have travelled down the 405 from LA (Jim collects Dodgers) to Orange County (I collect Angels).

Unfortunately, the Dodger fan lives in Minnesota, and the Angel fan lives in Texas. Go figure.

I grabbed several dozen to show you what the box included.

Oh and how could I forget. The best card in the trade.

A little piece of Garret Anderson.

Thanks Jim! Hope you enjoyed your Dodgers.

Oscar Sent Me Salmon, Many Salmon

2011-11-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

I saw a couple of Angels trade bait posts on All Trade Bait, All The Time so I contacted Oscar. I was interested in the Salmon he has showing and any Trumbos he might have.

He was quick to reply that he would gladly send me his Salmon, Trumbo, and a nice little stack of other Angels.

When I got the package today I was so excited about the Salmon he sent that I had to show them off right quick.

1995 Pacific Prisms #21. What a bitchen card! This from 1995 beats out most refractors I've seen.

1997 Pacific Prisms #5. You know, I've overlooked Pacific for a long time. I always thought of them as "those Spanish cards." But Man am I wrong. These are some of the sweetest cards and most unique and appealing cards from the overproduced 90's. Please accept my appologies.

1994 Flair Outfield Power #9 of 10. A well done combo picture card but I would have switched the photos and put hitting on top with the catching underneath.

1994 Ted Williams #158 Dawning Legacy. One of my favorite all-time sets Ted Williams.

1995 Fleer Ultra National Packtime #8. Never saw this card before but I've gotten two in the last 10 days.

1996 Topps Laser #110.

1994 Score #539.
The other Angels and the Trumbo are pretty sweet too.

Thanks Oscar. I'll get your Dodgers in the mail.

More Gems From My LCS

2011-11-27T18:32:00.000-08:00

Along with all those sweet Angels and Topps Special Offer Cards I got on my LCS trip, I also picked up a sealed wax box of 1993 Upper Deck Series 1 for 5 bucks.

I figured for 5 bucks I'm sure to find something that I'll like, perhaps a few inserts that I don't already have, and I'll get to enjoy ripping 36 packs of baseball cards. Who wouldn't dig that for 5 bucks!

I am certainly NOT in need of any 1993 Upper Deck base cards. I have a zillion already.

But pickup some cool inserts, and a few player cards I collect, I did.

This Walter Iooss Collection Tim Salmon was the first insert I came across as I was ripping through foil packs. How appropriate. And one I didn't already have.

This Kirby Puckett was a second Iooss Collection card I got. Not bad at 1:9 packs.

Snagged these two Tim Salmon Star Rookie Checklist cards. One of my favorite Tim Salmon cards.

The only other Star Rookie that was worth mentioning is the #2 Mike Piazza. Too bad it's a dull cut on the left side.

At 1:27 packs, I pulled two Then and Now Hologram cards from this box. This really nice George Brett...

...and this Rickey Henderson that I already had. Dang!

There were two different 1:9 Willie Mays Baseball Heroes cards. I'm glad that one was this checklist card. Good looking card.

I actually got 3 of the Nolan Ryan base cards and 3 of the Community Heroes cards.

And I thought I'd show a card for the only non-Angels player I collect - John Olerud.

Anyone need any 1993 Upper Deck Series 1 cards?

Royals and Randoms Big Pile

2011-11-27T18:21:00.001-08:00

Its a contest here. Go enter.

Junk Gems From My LCS

2011-11-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

I spent 2 hours going through junk, and I mean junk at my local card shop and came away with, you guessed it, junk. But junk that I love to collect.

I love Special Offer Cards, especially the ones Topps put out in the 80's (did they do any in the 70's? I don't know, but if they did I would love them equally).

I found a treasure trove of them on this trip.

1986 Topps 1987 Spring Fever Baseball/1986 Glossy All Star and Hot Prospects Collectors Edition set.

1987 Topps 1988 Spring Fever Baseball/1987 Glossy All Star and Hot Prospects Collectors Edition set.

1989 Topps Company Store cards A, B, C, E, and F. I'm missing D. Anyone have an extra D laying around?

1990 Topps Magazine/1991 Spring Fever Baseball.

1991 Topps Instant Win Game.

1991 Topps Match the Stats Game. Dare I scratch off the bonus offer?

Nice selection of the above mentioned Glossy All-Star cards from 1983-1986.

I had to do a double-take to catch Garret Anderson on this 1996 Pinnacle #200 Chase Checklist card. I wasn't aware he was on this card.

A shiney and foily (and looking rather pudgy) 1996 Leaf Limited #2 Darin Erstad Limited Rookies.

See the little Angels logo on this 1994 Leaf checklist card? That's why I grabbed it. Anything with an Angels logo.

I almost blew right past these two minor league cards. Tim DeCinces is the son of Doug so he counts as an Angel. Jared Abruzzo was in the Angels farm system for a while, making it into the top 10 of Angels prospects.

Picked up a team set of 1994 Score Rookies and Traded. Not very pretty cards, but I needed them.

Grabbed this Gold Rush version of the Jim Edmonds rookie card in that set.

Also grabbed about an equal sized stack of other Angels cards as well.

Another nice trip to the shop.

Off Season Fan Pack From the Kernels

2011-11-25T04:06:00.000-08:00

We actually got two of these envelopes in the mail, one addressed to me and one addressed to the family. In the off season we accumulate Angels associated stuff to get us through the winter.

Both envelopes were nearly identical so I combined them here.

Nice Kernels brochure highlighting Mr. Shucks, Mike Trout, tee-shirt cannons, and Klement's Sausage Racers. Good Times.

A single 2007 DAV Mike Napoli card. Mike Napoli.

A single 2010 DAV Manaurys Correa card.

A single 2009 DAV Rafael Rodriguez card.

And a Mike Trout pocket schedule.

The perfect little fan pack. Thanks Kernels!

There's That T-Bo Again

2011-11-23T21:21:00.000-08:00

Not T-Bo as in Tim Tebow silly. T-Bo as in "I got me two more Trumbos."

Trumbos in my Trumbo Collection:
2005 Just Minors Justifiable #81 Orem Owlz
2006 Bowman #B14
2006 Bowman #B14 Gold
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14 Refractor 102/500
2006 Bowman Sterling Prospect #BSP-MT
2011 Bowman #193
2011 Bowman #193 Gold
2011 Bowman #193 Blue 021/500
2011 Bowman Topps of the Class #TC10
2011 Bowman Brightest #BBR3
2011 Bowman Platinum #21
2011 Bowman Platinum #21 Gold
2011 Topps #57
2011 Topps #57 Diamond Anniversary
2011 Topps #57 Gold 0086/2011
2011 Topps Update #57 Cognac Diamond Anniversary
2011 Topps Update Next 60 Certified Autograph #N60A-MT
2011 Topps Chrome #178
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Autograph
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Refractor
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Refractor Orange
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Xfractor
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Atomic Refractor 045/225
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Sepia 54/99
2011 Topps Chrome #157 Refractor Purple 083/499
2011 Topps Chrome #157 Refractor Blue 96/99
2011 Topps Chrome Heritage #C122 1458/1962
2011 Topps Allen & Ginters #263
2011 Topps Heritage #404

Angels Debut #105 Jim Coates

2011-11-22T19:10:00.000-08:00

James Alton Coates (Mummy)
Pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 4", Weight: 192 lb.
Born: August 4, 1932 in Farnham, VA
MLB Debut: September 21, 1956 New York Yankees
Final MLB Game: September 30, 1967 California Angels
Years with the Angels: 1965-1967

ANGELS TRANSACTIONS:
Obtained through trade from the Cincinnati Reds with a player to be named to the California Angels for Bobby Locke on July 28, 1965.
Released from the Angels in 1967 but remaining in their minor league system until 1970.

ANGELS DEBUT:
With the Twins leading 3-1 in the top of the 9th, with one on and one out, he entered the game as a pitching replacement for starter George Brunet and facing Sandy Valdespino gave up a run scoring single. He then got Jerry Zimmerman to ground into a double play to end the inning in a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Friday, August 20, 1965 (N) at Chavez Ravine.

ANGELS RECORD:
1965 - 1967
112 innings over 51 games went 4-3 with 3 saves, 70 strikeouts and a 4.02 ERA.

Best Angels Performance:
Threw a complete game, 4H, 3K shutout against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, August 14, 1966 (D) at Comiskey Park I.

OTHER INTERSTING FACTS:
- Originally signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent prior to the 1951 season.
- Also played for the Yankees (56-62); Washington Senators (63); Reds (63).
- AL All-Star (1960)
- Won two World Series with the New York Yankees (1961 & 1962)
- He threw with a side-arm delivery and turned his head away from the batter at the last second, often resulting in a hit batter.
- Last Yankee pitcher to win both games of a doubleheader.

A Flyby At The Local Antique Mall

2011-11-21T18:36:00.000-08:00

Ran into my local antique mall, hit the spots that I knew usually had toys and collectables, and found several packs of 1984 Topps Photo Rub-Downs.

Grabbed 3 at a buck a piece, took them home and ripped them open.

Angels in the set are Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, Fred Lynn, Bobby Grich, and Tommy John.

Here's the back of the package just for grins.

Pack 1

Pack 2

Pack 3

No ANGELS! Blast!

I dig the instruction card. This one goes in my Special Offer card binder.

The back is a checklist card for all the dudes that have a rub-down.

I'd be willing to trade if anyone has a sheet with an Angel on it.

I also picked up a small baggie full of 1990 Starline, Long John Silver's cards. There were 18 cards in the baggie, but I wasn't able to open it to see what was inside so I took a gamble that there would be a card I'd want. There wasn't. But it was only a buck.

Turned out to be these 8 different cards, the rest were all dupes. These are for trade.

My Kids Call Me Daddo...

2011-11-21T07:08:00.000-08:00

... but these cards are from Baseball Dad.

Three Joyners I can cross off my Wally Joyner list: 1987 Fleer #628; 1987 Fleer Limited Edition #23; 1986 Donruss Diamond Kings #1.

Two 2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary sparklies #75 Jered Weaver and #49 Angels Team.

2011 Topps #185 Peter Bourjos Walmart Black.

2011 Topps Gold #31 Erick Aybar 0352/2011 and #49 Angels Team 0803/2011.

And a nice 1990 Score Young Superstar #30 John Orton.

Thanks Jack for these and the rest of the Angels you sent!

Cards From A Bit Outside

2011-11-20T12:57:00.000-08:00

From the package of Angels cards I received from Kyle of Just A Bit Outside, came not only a nice stack of assorted Angels cards but also these little goodies:

This is the card the trade revolved around. A nice 2010 Bowman Platinum Autograph Ryan Chaffee BPA-RC. Beautiful card.

Probably the best looking Scott Kazmir card I've seen, and the scan does not do it justice. The colors are vibrant on this magnificant 2010 Topps Heritage Chrome C143 Scott Kazmir 1308/1961.

Itty Bitty 2011 Topps Allen & Ginters #196 Jered Weaver Mini Black Frame. I could get used to this.

Oh how I had hoped I would get the Angels logo sticker from the 2011 Topps Stickers set. I had been waiting for someone to offer me one in a trade and Just A Bit Outside came through. EE-YES! I can cross it off my Christmas list now.

Rod Carew in an Angels cap is somewhere in this 1986 Sportsflics #74 Tri-Stars card with Alvin Davis and Lou Whitaker. Helloooo? Mr. Carewwwww?

Kyle checked my wantlist and found two 2008 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes that I needed for the set. Two cards closer now.

Nolan Ryans I don't already have. How did you know? A sweet airbrushed hat oddball 1987 Purina, and two 1988 Panini stickers.

Thanks for a bunch of sweet cards.

The Trumbo Tickets

2011-11-18T18:01:00.000-08:00

By now you know that I'm collecting Mark Trumbo. He's one of a handful of players that I actively collect. With all the variations Topps produces now-a-days I'm thinking it will be close to impossible to keep up, and will probably bankrupt me.

But I wanted more than just cards. I decided I'd also go for ticket stubs from his career milestones.

I felt I had to act fast as he was a leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year. If that happened I foresaw not only his cards but anything related to him going up in price and scarcity. I went for ticket stubs to his first several career milestones.

And here they are.

1. Mark Trumbo Major League Debut.

Mark made his Major League debut on Saturday, September 11, 2010 (N) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim when he entered the game as a pinch hitter for Mike Napoli in the bottom of the 7th with the Angels leading the Mariners 7-0. He struck out against Jamey Wright in his only at-bat. Trumbo stayed in the game at first base and made a putout in the 8th.

2. Mark Trumbo First Major League Hit.

In the last game of his rookie season in 2010, Trumbo got his first Major League hit. After striking out in the 3rd, grounding out in the 5th, and flying out to center in the 7th, in the 9th Mark singled to center off the Rangers Mark Lowe scoring 2 runners and increasing the Angels lead to 6-2 which held up for the win on Sunday, October 3, 2010 (D) at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

3. Mark Trumbo First Major League Home Run.

He grounded out to start the 2nd. He struck out to end the 4th. He hit his first career homer, a solo shot, in the 7th with one out off Fausto Carmona giving the Angels a 2-0 lead and Danny Haren his 3rd win (a one-hitter) against the Indians on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 (N) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

4. Mark Trumbo First Career Grand Slam.

Wasting little time against Brian Duensing and the Minnesota Twins, in the bottom of the first inning Mark Trumbo hit his first career Grand Salami. From retrosheet.org:

ANGELS 1ST: Bourjos grounded out (second to first); Callaspo
singled to center; Kendrick singled to center [Callaspo to
third]; Hunter walked [Kendrick to second]; Trumbo homered
[Callaspo scored, Kendrick scored, Hunter scored]; Wells flied
to center; Trout flied to left; 4 R, 3 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Twins 0,
Angels 4.

He only started the 10 run 14 hit schellacking against the Twins on Saturday, September 3, 2011 (N) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, which gave Jered Weaver his 16th win of the season.

Did you happen to notice that his milestones were in a cycle order: debut, hit, home run, grand slam.

He's The Natural.

Completed Team Set 1973 Topps

2011-11-17T09:41:00.000-08:00

Recently completed this 1973 Topps Angels team set. The team consists of 26 cards plus one leaders card featuring Nolan Ryan and Steve Carlton.

Autographed cards I have: Steve Barber, Jeff Torborg, Lloyd Allen, Mike Strahler, Bob Oliver, Billy Grabarkewitz, Jack Hiatt, Bobby Winkles, Ken Berry, and Mickey Rivers.

Players in non-Angels uniforms: Frank Robinson and Mike Strahler - Dodgers
Players in airbrushed uniforms: Jack Hiatt, Bill Singer.
Pitchers - 10, Catchers - 2, Position Players - 13

And my favorite card:

No explanation needed.

Thanks again Number 5 Type Collection for helping to complete this team set.

Patriots Autograph of the Month - Larry Garron

2011-11-16T04:55:00.000-08:00

I used to collect football autographs, but barely. I mostly focused on the Patriots, my favorite team, but barely at that as well.

I have but only a handful of football autographs left, I've traded away most of them. Of the Patriots, I have maybe a few more than a dozen.

Thought I'd show some of them on a monthly basis.

First up is Larry Garron.

The old Patriots logo and uniform are my favorites, although the current logo is pretty awesome as well. Larry looks sharp on this 1969 Topps #141 that he signed TTM for me back in 2005.

Garron played his entire career with the Boston Patriots from 1960 thru 1968.

In a game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 1961 he had an 85 yard run from scrimmage, setting a team record (I'll have to verify if that still stands). In 1962 we averaged 5.9 yards per carry. In 1963 he had 1,168 total yards from scrimmage. Dude was a workhorse. Garron was also an American Football League All-Star in 1961, 1963, 1964 and 1967, and a member of the Patriots' All-1960s (AFL) Team.

After football he became a martial arts expert. He holds rank in Kenpō (fist law), Hakkō-ryū Jujutsu, Gōjū-ryū (hard soft system), Shintō Musō-ryū, Yoshitsune Jujitsu, and Taekwondo (don't ask me what those mean).

Cognac Trumbograph

2011-11-15T08:11:00.000-08:00

Added. Trumbos. Happy.

2011 Topps Update #57 Cognac Diamond Anniversary

2011 Topps Chrome #178 Autograph

Trumbos in my Trumbo Collection:
2005 Just Minors Justifiable #81 Orem Owlz
2006 Bowman #B14
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14 Refractor 102/500
2006 Bowman Sterling Prospect #BSP-MT
2011 Bowman #193
2011 Bowman #193 Gold
2011 Bowman Topps of the Class #TC10
2011 Bowman Brightest #BBR3
2011 Bowman Platinum #21
2011 Bowman Platinum #21 Gold
2011 Topps #57
2011 Topps #57 Diamond Anniversary
2011 Topps #57 Gold 0086/2011
2011 Topps Update #57 Cognac Diamond Anniversary
2011 Topps Update Next 60 Certified Autograph #N60A-MT
2011 Topps Chrome #178
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Autograph
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Refractor
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Refractor Orange
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Xfractor
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Atomic Refractor 045/225
2011 Topps Chrome #178 Sepia 54/99
2011 Topps Chrome #157 Refractor Purple 083/499
2011 Topps Chrome #157 Refractor Blue 96/99
2011 Topps Chrome Heritage #C122 1458/1962
2011 Topps Allen & Ginters #263
2011 Topps Heritage #404

More Overdue Appreciation

2011-11-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

goes out to Number 5 Type Collection for freely giving up the last 3 cards I needed to complete my 1973 Topps Angels team set.

I'm sure I sent something in return but it's been since the beginning of October and I haven't been keeping my trade log up to date. Matthew if you didn't get anything from me please PM me and I'll rectify it ASAP.

Heres the 3 final pieces of that 1973 Topps Angels team set.

#175 Frank Robinson. Frank is pictured as a Dodger in this Topps photo, he was a Dodger for the 1972 season. Traded by the Dodgers with Billy Grabarkewitz, Bill Singer, Mike Strahler and Bobby Valentine to the Angels for Ken McMullen and Andy Messersmith in November of '72, he stayed an Angel until September of '74 when he was traded to the Indians.

#543 Alan Foster is a high number card. The high numbered cards are mostly what I'm lacking in my earlier Angels team sets. Foster played his only season as an Angel in 1972. I really like this card in that it's a really nice and clean portrait shot of a happy Alan Foster.

The other high number I needed is this #636 Ricky Clark. Clark played his whole MLB career with the Angels playing for the big club from 1967 to 1972.

I'm VERY happy to cross this team set off my list. Thanks again.

The Sandlot, Long Overdue

2011-11-13T16:42:00.000-08:00

I received a trade package from The Sandlot right around October 1st. I'm pretty sure he received mine shortly thereafter. It's now November 13th.

Here's some of the awesome Angels cards included.

2010 Topps Heritage CLubhouse Collection Relics Jered Weaver Jersey.
Does anyone know what the TRACKING INFORMATION on the back of some relics is used for?

2006 Bowman Heritage Chrome Angels. See the purple background on Mike Napoli's card? You know what the color purple stands for don't you? Purple stands for royalty. That's right.

Trio of 2007 Upper Deck SP Authentic Angels. I set these up to show that K-Rod is giving up a long bomb to Guerrero, that then hits off the top of wall and Guerrero procedes to get thrown out at second, Howie Kendrick applying the tag.

A sweet little colorful and shiney 2007 Upper Deck Elements #21 Jered Weaver.

Quik Post Mail Autographs

2011-11-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

Heading out the door for the weekend, wanted to leave you with a little something.

DiPoto Signed My Stuff

2011-11-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

New Angels GM Jerry DiPoto signed these items I sent to him at Anaheim Stadium 8 days ago.

I like this guy.

I'll probably use this IC as a cut for my custom All-Time Angels set.

Angels Come South for the Winter (and Stay Forever)

2011-11-07T05:28:00.000-08:00

As I noted in the latest Mark Trumbo post, I recently completed a very nice trade with the very nice guy who runs the blog Pictures of Men. His name is Dennis and he hails from the Great Nation of Canada.

Dennis of course collects Blue Jays, and I, hailing from the Great State of Southern California, (but living in Texas) collect Angels.

Dennis sent a really nice assortment of Angels, and a very nice variety as well. I found chrome, refractors, parallels, numbered, SPs, gold, mini, and even several base cards!

I picked out a sampling of what I found in the enveope from Toronto.

2009 Goudey Heads Up #296 Vladimir Guerrero Black 17/21. Totally BITCHEN!

2009 Goodwin Champions #227 Ervin Santana Black Border Mini Gypsy back. AWESOME!

2009 Topps 206 #267 Jered Weaver and #96 Vladimir Guerrero Minis. YES!

2001 Topps Stars #114 Troy Glaus. What a sweet design. SWEET!

Two King Fish. 1993 Flair #177 the epitomy of high gloss cards, and 2003 Fleer Tradition #265. Dig the retro design. I've been toying with collecting this set. SALMON!

1988 Topps....oh, wait, these came from Canada remember? Look closely, they're O-Pee-Chee. And one's a Wally Joyner O-Pee-Chee at that. OH CANADA!

2009 Topps Gold #461 Mike Scioscia 0881/2009. SCIOSH!

An awesome looking 2008 Topps Heritage Chrome #C272 Erick "Gold Glove" Aybar 1640/1959. AY-RIBA!

And rounding it out, a clean shaven Mike "Should Be MVP of the Texas Rangers and MVP of Everything Postseason" Napoli. Love you Naps. NAP-O-LEE!

Thars Gold in That Thar Trumbo

2011-11-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

Dennis of Pictures of Men sent me this Gold 2011 Bowman Mark Trumbo card as part of a trade we made recently. It's the newest addition to my Trumbo collection.

Look for a post on the other cards in the trade coming soon.

Trumbos in my Trumbo Collection:
2005 Just Minors Justifiable #81 Orem Owlz
2006 Bowman #B14
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14
2006 Bowman Chrome Refractor #BC14 102/500
2006 Bowman Sterling Prospect #BSP-MT
2011 Bowman #193
2011 Bowman Gold #193
2011 Bowman Topps of the Class #TC10
2011 Bowman Brightest #BBR3
2011 Bowman Platinum #21
2011 Bowman Platinum Gold #21
2011 Topps #57
2011 Topps Diamond Sparkly #57
2011 Topps Gold #57 0086/2011
2011 Topps Chrome #178
2011 Topps Chrome Refractor #178
2011 Topps Chrome Refractor Orange #178
2011 Topps Chrome Refractor Purple #157 083/499
2011 Topps Chrome Refractor Blue #157 96/99
2011 Topps Chrome Xfractor #178
2011 Topps Chrome Atomic Refractor #178 045/225
2011 Topps Chrome Sepia #178 54/99
2011 Topps Allen & Ginters #263
2011 Topps Heritage #404
2011 Topps Chrome Heritage #C122 1458/1962
2011 Topps Update Next 60 Certified Autograph #N60A-MT

Colorful Community Gum

2011-11-05T16:25:00.000-07:00

I saw a post by Andy at Community Gum where he bought a ton of small 90's boxed sets and only wanted a handful of cards out of them. The rest were up for trade.

I saw Angels, and Angels I needed in those boxes. So we set up a trade.

Heres the rainbow of Angels that came to me in a size #000 bubble envelope.

Thanks Andy, I'm lovin it!

Call Him Mr. Servais

2011-11-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

New Angels General Manager Jerry DiPoto just hired his new Angels Assistant General Manager.

You can call him Mr. Servais.

Look how focused he is. I like it.

Three Packs for a Buck

2011-11-04T04:32:00.000-07:00

LCS has a little clear plexiglass card pack dispenser with an assortment of odd packs selling at 3 packs for a buck. I had picked up some of these '93-94 Fleer Excel here before so I figured I'd run over during lunch and grab another three. Makes for a nice quick lunchtime pack rip.

These Excel packs are notorious for the cards sticking together, so I had to do a little pack searching to find 3 that weren't brick-like.

14 cards per pack. Here's some of the betters.

There's that Todd Greene again. He never fails.

Then I came across this nice silver-bordered Todd Greene...even better. A 1:7 pack insert of the 1st Year Phenoms type. This one number 7 of 10.

I decided to show you this Brant Brown card because I don't particulary care for Brant Brown, based on first impressions. You see, a couple years into collecting autographs through the mail I sent a card to Brant Brown. It was probably around 1997-1998. I was so excited when I got a return in the mail but when I ripped open the envelope I found that Brant Brown had used a stamp for his autograph. And he didn't even do a good job with that. I just could not imagine why someone would do such a thing. I was kinda ticked.

Let me stop myself before I go on a rant about players using stamps or autopens.

Lets continue.

I next came across this card of Mike Busch (you can really see the specking where the cards stuck together). Mike Busch, Mike Busch, where have I heard that name before? I did a google search on mike busch baseball and ended up on wikipedia.

When I figured out why I remembered the name Mike Busch, I went to my index card binder and found this:

Ah yes. I got this through the mail, via the Dodgers, I think in 1994, actually during the player strike. You see Mike was a replacement player, a scab. And after the 1994 season, became the first replacement player promoted to an MLB roster.

On second thought, I probably got this in 1995 after he was on the Dodgers regular roster. That would seem more reasonable as to why I would want to try to get his autograph. He now had a claim to fame.

I compared this autograph to some on ebay and they dont really match up too well. Who knows, maybe when he signed it he was still on edge and looking over his shoulder a lot, what being a former scab and all.

I just liked this card because it shows a young Bob "You Can Call Me Bobby" Abreu.

And a nice Andy Pettite Prince William card.

Take Another Guess

2011-11-04T02:17:00.000-07:00

At The Common (Card) Man and win!

Debut #104 Jack Sanford

2011-11-02T04:54:00.000-07:00

John Stanley Sanford
Pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 0", Weight: 190 lb.
Born: May 18, 1929 in Wellesley Hills, MA
MLB Debut: September 16, 1956 Philadelphia Phillies
Final MLB Game: August 6, 1967 Kansas City Athletics
Died: March 7, 2000 in Beckley, WV
Years with the Angels: 1965-1967

ANGELS TRANSACTIONS:
Purchased by the California Angels from the San Francisco Giants on August 18, 1965.
Later traded by the California Angels with Jackie Warner to the Kansas City Athletics for Roger Repoz on June 15, 1967.

ANGELS DEBUT:
As the starting pitcher the first batter he faced was Zoilo Versalles who singled to left. A strikeout, single, stolen base, strikeout, groundout and he was out of the inning. He went six giving up 1 on 6 hits and striking out 3, getting the 3-1 win against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, August 20, 1965 (N) at Chavez Ravine.

ANGELS RECORD:
Appeared in 71 games from 1965-1967 and started 20 going 17-11 with 4.12 ERA. Went 13-7 in 1966.

Best Angels Performance:
Retrosheet didn't really have a top pitching performance as an Angel, but he did hit a triple with an RBI in a 5-2 loss to the Yankees on Saturday, April 29, 1967 (D) at Yankee Stadium I.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
- Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1948.
- Served in the US Army in 1955.
- Won 16 straight starts in 1962.
- Went 1-2, 1.93 ERA in the 1962 World Series with the Giants.
- Played with the Phillies (56-58); Giants (59-65); Angels (65-67);
Athletics (67).
- Named NL Rookie of the Year by BWAA (1957)
- Named NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News (1957)
- NL All-Star (1957)
- NL Strikeouts Leader (1957)
- NL Shutouts Leader (1960)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 4 (1957, 1959, 1962 & 1963)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1962)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 6 (1957 & 1959-1963)
- Loved to face Don Zimmer: 52 AB, 14 K, .173
- Hated to face Eddie Matthews: 98 AB, 11 HR, 19 BB, .298

Take a Guess at Play at the Plate

2011-11-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

Go guess the manu-patch at Play at the Plate.

Sometimes You Forget...

2011-11-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

All the players that have appeared in your teams uniform.

Like Jose Canseco as an Angel on this 2001 Fleer Platinum.

Jose Canseco was signed by the Angels as a free agent on January 16, 2001. He was released by the Angels on March 28, 2001. He was an Angel for about 2 months during Spring Training and never played in a regular season game with them. What were the Angels thinking?

Apparently they weren't. Canseco failed to hit a home run in 39 at-bats that Spring. Based on that, the Angels released him.

Canseco said he was "stunned" by the release.

The White Sox took a gamble on him in June and he hit 16 HR in 76 games. Enough to stick around? Nope. He was out of the Majors after being granted free agency that November.

Accumulating Trumbo

2011-10-31T04:32:00.000-07:00

I've been beefing up my Trumbo collection. Man there are a lot of variations! I'm wondering how possible this is actually going to be.

Here are the one's I've recently received. At the bottom is the total list of what I have. I'm always willing to trade for any that I don't have.

Trumbos in my Trumbo Collection:
2005 Just Minors Justifiable #81 Orem Owlz
2006 Bowman #B14
2006 Bowman Chrome #BC14
2006 Bowman Chrome Refractor #BC14 102/500
2006 Bowman Sterling Prospect #BSP-MT
2011 Bowman #193
2011 Bowman Topps of the Class #TC10
2011 Bowman Brightest #BBR3
2011 Bowman Platinum #21
2011 Bowman Platinum Gold #21
2011 Topps #57
2011 Topps Diamond Sparkly #57
2011 Topps Gold #57 0086/2011
2011 Topps Chrome #178
2011 Topps Chrome Refractor #178
2011 Topps Chrome Refractor Orange #178
2011 Topps Chrome Refractor Purple #157 083/499
2011 Topps Chrome Refractor Blue #157 96/99
2011 Topps Chrome Xfractor #178
2011 Topps Chrome Atomic Refractor #178 045/225
2011 Topps Chrome Sepia #178 54/99
2011 Topps Allen & Ginters #263
2011 Topps Heritage #404
2011 Topps Chrome Heritage #C122 1458/1962
2011 Topps Update Next 60 Certified Autograph #N60A-MT

Who Did I Send This Set To?

2011-10-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

I sent someone this 1999 Keebler Dodgers set within the last two months, missing one card.

I found the missing card. Contact me.

Ricky Adams

2011-10-29T19:46:00.000-07:00

Ricky Adams, former Angel and a part of the Western Division Championship team in 1982, passed away Friday after a long battle with cancer. He was only 52.

The Angels signed Adams on May 2, 1980 and he made his Major League debut two years later on September 15, 1982. As a utility infielder Adams played in 66 games for the Halos from 1982 to 1983.

Stack-O-Mail Autographs

2011-10-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

Jean Segura signed one and kept one (I kinda knew he would but took the chance anyhow) mailed to the AZL Angels. Took 21 days.

Chevy Clarke signed both. Also sent to the AZL Angels. I just wished he hadn't used ballpoint. I mean who uses ballpoint? The only thing I can figure is that he signed these in his hotel room using the complimentary pen. 15 days.

Former Angels farmhand PJ Forbes was very kind to sign all 3 cards I sent to him at the Altoona Curve where he's the Manager. 20 days.

Longtime Angels minor league coach Kernan Ronan added his autograph to and returned these two cards. Kernan is coaching the AZL Angels right now. 9 days.

Tom Dukes played for the Big Club Angels in 1972. He now lives in Arcadia, California from where he autographed this 1968 Topps and 1969 Topps.

I told Todd Greene in the letter that of all the Angels I thought he has the best looking cards. I told him that I couldn't decide which to send so I was sending 5 and he didn't need to sign them all he could keep some. And I meant it too. Todd signed them all and I'm one happy camper.

Bob Chance wasn't offended at this rather beat up 1965 Topps and sweetly signed it vertically. He also signed the index card (to Me!) and took the time to answer a few simple questions. Bob lives in West Virginia and returned these after 15 days.

Inserts From The Sort Stack

2011-10-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

I've purchased several rack packs, jumbo packs and individual wax packs of Topps over the last month or so.

Since my sort and file stack is getting large I thought I'd pull out all the inserts and show them here.

Most of these are available for trade.

Updates and Highlights Josh Beckett All-Star Jersey AS-19

Lineage Platinum Justin Verlander #187

Lineage Stand Up Roy Halladay

Diamond parallels

Cognac Diamond Parallels

Gold Granderson 1918/2011 and Lance Lynn 0649/2011

Kimball Champions

And of course Angels!

Always looking for similar Angels in return for trade.

I Even Score From TV

2011-10-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

Game 6 of the 2011 World Series was a terrifying roller coaster ride.

Go to mlb.com and read the play-by-play. It's a good (or bad) read.

2011 World Series Game 5 Memories

2011-10-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

OMGoodness!

2011-10-25T04:26:00.000-07:00

I was at Game 5 last night.

My ears are still ringing.

Most intense game I've ever attended.

Mike Napoli.

OMG.

ALCS Game 6 Autographs

2011-10-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

Finally got a new scanner up and running. I have a lot of catching up to do.

In the meantime, here's the autographs I got in person at Game 6 of the ALCS when the Rangers won the pennant.

Photos from ALCS Game 6 Rangers Clinch

2011-10-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

I had the opprtunity to go to ALCS Game 6 to see the Rangers vs the Tigers on Saturday. I had hoped that the Tigers would win a game in Detroit so that I would have the chance to be at Rangers Ballpark when the Rangers clinched at home.

I had to go into work to get some stuff done first, but I left there at about 2 pm to head over to the stadium. The gates didn't open until 4, then the game was at 7.

To get there 5 hours before the game is bit extreme I know but I wanted to take in the whole experience, not just show up at gametime.

I left my car at work since I have a sticker on it that allows me to park there, and I made the hike to the stadium. This picture was taken from roughly across the street from where I work. You can see its about a long block to the stadium.

The Ranger offices came into view first. I've seen Jim Sundberg leaving here and crossing the street to his car many times. There's a little apartment in the tower on the right, where those 3 little windows are. Nolan Ryan has stayed there before.

I made a complete circuit around the stadium, I didn't want to miss anything. This ALCS banner is at the first base gate.

I realized that I had forgotten my water bottle back in the car, and since I had an hour and a half until gates opened, I decided to head back to the car. I retreived the water, marched back to the stadium, and made another circuit of the outside.

This time I paused at two separate media gates to see if I could catch any recognizable personalities for an autograph. I saw none.

I made it to the third base gate, the one I always use when I go to the game because its in the shade, to relax for about an hour until the gates opened. The crowd was still pretty small at that time, I was the second one in when the gates finally parted.

I headed over to the Rangers side of the field, the first base side, and parked it looking to get autographs. No such luck even though there were plenty of ballplayers, coaches and media around.

Watched a little Rangers BP. You can see in the background the sparse crowd so far.

I then went over to the Tigers side and hung out waiting for them to emerge from the dugout to stretch and begin batting practice. I was able to get the autographs from the Tigers. Joaquin Benoit, Don Kelly, Ryan Raburn, and coach Jeff Jones all signed cards (I'll scan and post them when I get a new scanner). Once they started BP I decided to make a route around the interior concourse of the stadium.

Made my way over to the FOX broadcast booth, hoping to catch AJ or Eric Karros for an autograph. I got Karros to sign a card here last year, but this time they never got up in the 20 minutes I watched the broadcast so I moved on.

The backside of Nolan Ryans statue out in center field.

Still an hour and a half before the game starts.

Home run porch in right field. It's finally starting to fill in.

First base gate ALCS banner from the inside.

First base concourse heading towards home plate.

Its about 6 now so I waited in the long line for the escalator to get up to the upper deck and to my lone seat.

The Death Star.

Big lighted baseball.

I grabbed a jumbo dog and a souvenir cup Coke and headed to the top.

Ah, the view from my seat. Dead-center behind home plate.

And 7 innings later, my scorebook. You can see "The Big Inning" there in the third where the Rangers batted around and scored 9 runs. Some other notes I had on there include: "First Pitch John Wetteland to Rusty Greer", "batted around", "37 minute half-inning", "Hamilton leaping, crashing catch off the wall", "NA-PO-LI!", "Rayburn and Jackson collide", and "ALCS record 6 HR and 13 RBI".

Michael Young just squeezed so-and-so's pop-up and the Rangers win the pennant!

Confetti, fireworks, pandemonium! It was awesome!

Of course I stayed for the trophy presentation. Fittingly (for me), former Angels owner Jackie Autry presented the trophy to former Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan.

Don't you just love how I work in those "former Angels" references all the time? I don't know if I'll ever get over it.

Look For Me!

2011-10-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

2011 ALCS Game 6.

I'll be there tonight! Section 326, Row 23, Seat 11. Directly behind home plate, upper deck, row 23 is the top-most row. Which is funny because my tickets from last years ALCS and WS were both on the top-most row. And these were randomly selected for me. Weird.

I sure do hope the Rangers wrap it up tonight. I'd love to be a part of that celebration. My three postseason games last year were all Ranger loses. Let's change that tonight.

Anyhow, look for me, I'll be wearing RED!

Chef's Cards

2011-10-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

Check out startup Chef's Cards when you can. The Chef is getting back into collecting and could use a little help with support and with building up his collection. He's a Royals and Cardinals fan, and he's focussing on collecting Ozzie Smith.

Give the Chef a shout-out, he'll appreciate it.

Repost from My Boys Old Cards: The Rocketeer

2011-10-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

My computer went down last month, this month it's the scanner. I'm all out of pre-written posts in the hopper, so I have to rely on reposts for now.

This is from a short-lived blog I started on a box of my sons old cards (he's 23 now).

It was originally titled 1991 Topps Walt Disney Rocketeer and was posted in June 2008.

Here we go.

Card number 40 HIGH FLYING HERO.

First we saw the movie. Then, being the collector that I am, came the box of cards, movie poster, coloring book, comic book, and whatever else I could get my hands on. The Rocketeer is one of my top ten all-time movies.

A couple years after these cards were released I picked up a wax box really cheap. The assortment was awesome as I got a complete set from one box. I put them nicely in order, in a binder, so you could follow the story from card-back to card-back. Then I gave the extras to Tommy, a nice creased one was in the box.

Back to the movie. I remember there were parts of the movie that were a little over his head, he was probably five or six when I first let him watch it. I had to cough or "blah-blah-blah" during a couple questionable words, and we both had to "look away!" during one brief barely immodest scene, but the rest of the action was awesome! Machine guns, thugs, airplane crashes, explosions, a Flying Rocket Man! The best kind of father-son bonding stuff ever.

We were so enamored with the Rocketeer that Tommy wanted to BE the Rocketeer, so I made him a costume that Halloween. Using cardboard and scotch tape, I transformed his styrofoam tricycle helmet into a real Rocketeer steerable helmet. I hot glued two liter-sized soda bottles together, spray painted them silver, and attached a strap...just like the real Rocketeers jet pack. Tommy creatively came up with the pants and shirt. He'd run around the backyard rescuing people and doing Rocketeer stuff. I took a picture of him posed on the ground like he was ready to blast off. We did it at night for some added drama, you can see the jet-pack flames better at night.

Of all the super hero costumes we ended up making him, the Rocketeer costume is still my most favorite.

Ah, good times.