Show and Tell #133: Bean's Ballcard Blog Booty

Back in the spring, kin from Bean's Ballcard Blog asked for my address to send me some cards from my need list. At the time I was in the process into moving into a new house and I gave him our address with an "East" when it should have been a "West." This started a chain reaction of card being sent to me that would eventually get returned to Kin. It went out again to me and I think floated around my local post office undelivered until someone finally thought try "west" instead of "east." That note was written on the package when it found its way into my mailbox at the start of August. 

Inside was a great collection of cards featuring many of my favorite players. The overall highlight was this Bill Madlock jersey relic card from 2002 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic. Madlock is the favorite son of my current home of Decatur, Illinois and over the course of his career he won four National League batting titles.

He also included another Madlock card I was looking for on my needs list, his appearance in 1981 Topps. The reverse of his card highlights Madlock's role in the Pirates 1979 World Series championship where he had a four-hit performance in Game 5. 

Next up is a collection of cards featuring another fan favorite originally from Central Illinois. Jim Thome hails from Bartonville, Illinois which is just outside of Peoria and about an hour and a half from in Decatur.

Thome spent about two seasons with the Twins and his card from that era are my favorite Thome cards overall.. 

Also included were several Thomes that I didn't have yet, including this Home Run Heroes insert from 2011 Toppys Gypsy Queen and the ultra shiny Blue Sapphire insert from 2013 Bowman which features a reprint of Thome's Bowman rookie card from 1991. I also particularly like the die-cut Gold Medallion card from 2000 Fleer Ultra. 

One player in the PC that I really need to get a checklist together for is Jordan Zimmermann. Kin included a couple Zimmermanns (you always have to remember that second "n" in his last name) in the trade package and after leading the league in wins in 2013, Zimmermann has had a couple rough seasons with the Detroit Tigers. My collection of Zimmermann cards as a Tiger is almost nonexistent and I should really jump on that while they are still easy to find. 

Thanks again for the trade Kin!

Numerous New Niekros

My Dad has taken up as a hobby to take a look at my needs list and go eBay hunting for deals. A man has to fill his free time somehow now that he is retired! So when my parents take the trip down to Central Illinois for a visit he will bring a stack of cards along with him and the most recent group included numerous new Niekros for me to enjoy.

Without a doubt the highlight is personalized autograph of Joe Niekro. Some jabroni named Matt had it personally signed by Niekro and then sold it on eBay. There loss is my gain and it has taken its place as one of my favorite autographs. Now I just need to find an Andy Pafko autograph inscribed "To Matt" as well. 

"Okay Mr. Niekro, we're ready for your Topps baseball card photo. Please come over and stand directly into the sun Mr. Niekro. Okay, go ahead and squint those eyes. The more squinty the better as far as we're concerned! A little more please, I can still see one pupil. Okay great, say cheese!"

Phil Niekro pitched for the Braves from 1964 to 1983 and here is his 1976 Topps card. His home is listed as Decatur, Georgia on the back of card which is a sort of "brother city" to my home here in Decatur, Illinois as both cities were named after War of 1812 hero Stephen Decatur.

Recently, the King of the Baseball Card Blogs, Night Owl, tweeted on the supremacy of red-bordered team cards. I think that extents to all cards, including one of my favorites from the 1988 Topps set which features Phil and Joe winning their combined 530th game which broke Gaylord and Jim Perry's brotherly record.

Now this is a heavy metal card, literally. The No-Hitter Pin cards from 2016 Topps Series One are some of the heaviest cards ever made as that is big and made of metal. Phil's card honors his no-hitter from 1973 against the San Diego Padres and he threw nothing but knuckleballs from the 7th inning on.  

Becoming The Collector

For my birthday a few months ago my friend Scott gave me this amazing Lego mini figures case that holds 16 figures. He must have noticed me enviously looking at his during a visit to his house and I finally dug out my mini figures to fill it up this week. I went with eight Simpsons and eight Doctor Who mini figures with five doctors and some villains. 

I think it looks great but I will admit that I felt a little bit like The Collector when I placed the case on my shelf.