Baseball Card #444 Aaron Altherr

Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr is card #444 in the 2018 Topps set.

I pulled this card out of a factory set that was recently given to me.

Interesting note that Altherr was the first to hit a grand slam off Clayton Kershaw.

Happened in 2017, 1,922 2/3 innings into Kershaw's career. I wonder if the photo on the card is of that grand slam. He's kinda in a grand slam pose, eyes to the sky.

I also wonder if Altherr got drilled the next time Kershaw faced him. I do know that Retrosheet indicates that the grand slam was the only hit Altherr has gotten off Kershaw in 6 career at bats.

The Hitting Crosschecker's Autograph

I was pulling some autograph cards out of my "for sale" box to contribute to Padrographs Autograph Frankenset. As I'd pull a card I'd google the player to see if he has/had any association to the Angels. If he did, I kept that card for myself. Jason Ellison's card is one that I kept for myself, even though he never actually played for the Angels. This card will now go in my Angels Autographs binder.

2005 Topps Total #563

Turns out, Jason is a member of the Angels Amateur Scouting Staff, as the Hitting Crosschecker. Basically he's a scout that gives a second opinion on the reports filed by scouts in the field.

I originally received this autographed card in person, I think at a Rangers game when he played for them in 2008.

2017 Vladimir Guerrero Angels HOF Induction Card

Found this card in a box of stuff my sister brought on her recent visit. There's usually some baseball and Angels stuff for me, and a bunch of clothes for my girls to dig through. Always fun.

She's thoughtful that way.

I don't know if she was actually at the game, but chances are good she was. My family lives close to Anaheim Stadium, and often the Angels stuff she brings was picked up at a giveaway night by one of my siblings.

Vladdy was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame during a ceremony prior to the game on August 26, 2017. This card was a handout at the gate that night, I believe.

Baseball Card #444 Robbie Grossman

Robbie Grossman of the Astros holds down the #444 card in the 2014 Topps Baseball set.

I have his base card already in my Master #444 set, but this blue parallel is pretty sharp too.

Card came in a recent trade package from reader Bob.

1990 Donruss Best N.L. - Need It?

Anyone out there need any cards or a team set from the 1990 Donruss Best N.L. set?

The only cards I'm keeping are: the two checklists, #62 Dale Murphy Braves, and the #55 Tim Wallach that goes on the Tim Wallach Collector's stack.

Claim now before I put them in the donation box. But please limit any requests. I'm mailing solely in PWEs these days.

Book Store Find 2 of 4

Second of four issues of Legends Sports Memorabilia that I recently found at a Half Price Books.

November/December 1991

That's probably one of the prettiest covers I've ever seen.

Too bad I have no room to keep many full magazines, so I'll tear this one up and keep the card sheets.

Very nice group of Legends.

This might be considered Sergei Fedorov's rookie card. I remember pulling several of his rookies out of 91-92 Upper Deck Hockey.

Another cool part of the magazine is this subscription return envelope. Since it features Nolan Ryan, I'll include it into my Ryan binder.

Three different sports represented on the post cards this issue. I especially like the Bradshaw artwork.

I remember enjoying the Steelers teams of the mid 70's for a short time. I always wanted to be like Lynn Swan. After that though I couldn't stand them anymore and I was wholly devoted to the Patriots and Rams. The Steelers are one of my least-liked teams now.

Bookstore Find 1 of 4

On a recent trip to a local Half Price Books, I came across 4 old issues of Legends Sports Memorabilia; you remember, the magazine that had the beautiful artwork cover, silver or gold bordered card sheet, and a postcard sheet inside. I'm a sucker for a card sheet, and at only a buck each I couldn't pass them up. 

Here is the first issue:

Nolan Ryan Cover, September/October 1991

After reading some articles, usually I'll separate card sheets from magazine and then toss the rest, like I do with SI For Kids, but this magazine will stay intact in my Nolan Ryan collection.

Back in the day these were considered high-end with the thicker stock card and silver foil. This sheet has a nice selection of various sports superstars.

I especially like the Nolan Ryan of course, but the Kevin Costner is pretty sweet too.

This issues postcard sheet:

I'd have to agree that the three subjects selected for this issue of postcards are indeed Legends.

There were a couple of nice articles on Ryan and on David Robinson, but the other interesting thing I found inside was this Starting Lineup ad.

I collected SLUs in the early 90's and I don't remember these.

I thought it curious that the ad said [only] "30 LEFT!"

Better hurry folks!

The other 3 issues I found will be in subsequent posts.