For the love of the game...

 I started playing baseball when I was 5 years old. There was a church league way back then and my church had several teams in all different age groups. The pastor of our church asked my dad to coach a team and that's when my love of baseball began. I wasn't old enough to actually play, but my dad let me practice with the team and I was the batboy. We wore those old gray wool uniforms with green trim, the church acronym across the front in green letters and green and white stirrup socks with a green ball cap. My first uniform and back then it was awesome. 

I found out later in life that my dad had never played baseball and really didn't know that much about the game. When he agreed to coach the team, he went out and bought a couple of books on how to play the game, read them and brought what he had learned to teach the team.  

Dad always brought a bag of bubble gum to every practice and game. I remember one time, a kid came running off the field after the third out in an inning of a game smiling and telling everyone that he had blown his first bubble! 

Baseball shaped some of the most important parts of my life. First, I got to spend a lot of quality time with my dad. Even if it wasn't practices and games, it was playing catch when he came home from work. There was many a time when I would be sitting on the front step with gloves and a ball waiting for him to pull in the driveway. There were a lot of times when he wouldn't even change clothes and just start tossing the ball with me. 

Second, I made life-long friends from those teams. We played ball together for 13+ years. We grew up together. It didn't matter that we all went to different high schools, we still hung out together all the time. The stories we have about playing baseball or going to Ranger games are endless. We were in each other's weddings and still talk today. Best friends for life.

Third, I developed a love of baseball. When I was young, it was just the opportunity to play. Catch with my dad, practices, games, neighborhood games and playing a our own version of grounders and flyballs-just play. It moved from there to listening to Ranger games on the radio and catching a rare game on TV. Saturday mornings were reserved for watching "This Week in Baseball". I started reading about the game in newspapers, magazines and anytime I had to read for school it was a book about baseball. Baseball cards were just a natural extension for my love of the game. I'm not sure why it took until my high school years to find baseball cards, but it did.  

I've been blessed to share my love of baseball with my family. All three of my boys love baseball. My daughter too. Baseball was something that we got to do together. I coached all three of my boys as they grew up. Went to and watched so many Ranger games that I can't even begin to count. Now, none of my kids got into baseball cards, but two of my sons coach high school baseball. When my daughter got engaged, she took her non-baseball fan fiance to a Ranger game. At that game, she caught an opposing team's home run ball and threw it back! My wife was not a baseball fan when we first met, but with me taking her to Ranger games, watching it on TV all the time and most importantly, watching her boys play, she became a fan too. Now, I get to share that love of the game with my grandsons. I'm blessed to watch them play T-Ball and coach pitch and I've gotten them into card collecting... a little bit. They're still pretty young so it's a little too much right now, but they are beginning to enjoy it. I get pictures from my kids of my grandsons sitting in the floor surrounded by cards. 

I guess to wrap this up, baseball has been and continues to be an important part of my life. (I didn't even mention that I get to do baseball for a living too!) 

This started out as an intro to my ramblings post, but turned into something entirely different. I can't post this without at least a couple of pics of baseball cards. These are just some of the cards I've picked up recently.

These are all for my players collection.

   

These are all for my subset builds. 

This gets me down to 3 cards for the '24 City to City subset and the others I've really just started and don't have a clue how many more I need. I need to spend some time updating my lists.

That's all for this post. Hope you didn't get too bored with my piece on the love of the game.

Peace, 

Michael 

Isaiah 40:31

Ramblings of an old card collector

 

Life is so busy right now. Coaching, kids, grandkids...It never seems to stop. This busy life makes it difficult to work on my collection or write this blog. Especially, write this blog. It's probably pretty obvious by the lack of posts that I've made this year. It's not what I envisioned, but its reality. I really wanted to grow this blog, but I realize that blogging is not a growing thing anymore. I think about doing a vlog, but to be honest, I think that would entail even more time that I don't have. 

Growing the blog is not really about me having a space to share my opinions, but more about building relationships with fellow collectors. It's worked a little. I just wish there was more. 

On the ramblings! 

* I really thought I'd put this in my next 5 questions post (Yes, there will be another one!), but don't want to wait. I keep seeing posts, comments and honestly, actions that say set collecting is waning or coming to an end. For those of us that are in the blogging world set collectors were the norm. Now, it sounds like people are bailing on it. I still love it. What am I missing? Why is set building becoming such a drain to collectors?

* I finally finished all of the '24 Topps sets. Now comes the fun of putting them in binders and getting the sets to my grandsons. 

.    

I still like the design, but not as much as I did when it first came out. 

* As a head baseball coach, I've seen a lot of baseball this year already. We've been going strong since mid-January, but I'm really enjoying the MLB right now. Looking forward to going to a few Ranger games this year. 

* The ABS is in full swing and I'm still not sure where I stand with it. There are times I really like it and of course, there are times that I don't. I am a big fan of the human element. There's already so much technology in our lives that just the human interaction is a positive. I do think overall it will end up being a good thing. I still don't like the 2 pick-off attempts rule. 

* I had pretty much decided that I was done with Heritage. The SPs are just too much of a pain, the cost on top of collecting the set and the time. Plus, I haven't finished the other two sets that I started. The thing is I started seeing some of the cards and I really like them. I think I'm about to dive in again. I must be crazy!

* Speaking of sets, I've made the decision to stay out of Stadium Club. I did '23 and '24 because I was bored, but I still haven't finished them either. I really like the cards. I think the pics on them are some of the best. I'll still pick up the individual players I collect, but no set building or opening packs for me. For now. I'm too wishy-washy say I'll stay away forever. 

* I sell on buysportscards.com and have done pretty well over there. Most of what I'm selling are .25 to $1.00 cards. Most of the cards I list there are inserts that I don't want or need. I will throw it out there if you happen to shop there and run across something that I've listed, reach out and maybe we can trade or work some other deal. 

I think that's a wrap! 

Peace,

Michael

Isaiah 40:31

5 Questions for Collectors Part 3

 

There aren't a lot of card collectors in my circle. There's one guy I get to talk to on a regular basis and I really enjoy it, but that's it. Back in the day (boy, do I sound old!), hanging out in the LCS and talking baseball and cards was the best. When I get to visit card stores now, it's just not the case anymore. 

That's what makes the blogging world so awesome. I get to see things others are collecting, share what I'm collecting and get to know others who have the same kind of passion that I do. One way that has helped me are my previous "5 Questions for collectors" Part 1 and Part 2. People take the time to answer questions and we are able to build card collecting friendships! If you've answered those previous questions, I've got 5 more for you...if you haven't, click on the links and give it go! Answering the previous questions isn't a prerequisite for these!

1. Do you stop collecting a player when they leave your favorite team?

There have been players that have left my Rangers that I basically quit on. I think maybe it's how they left the team. For instance, when Ian Kinsler left, he didn't leave on good terms in my opinion. He's consulting now with the team, but I pretty much quit on him when it came to my collection. You could probably put Josh Hamilton in there too, but I think I quit on him for all of the off the field antics. 

That being said, I'm still collecting Marcus Semien, Pudge Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez...all players who left the Rangers (Pudge did come back). As a matter of fact, here's 3 cards I got this week.

2. Have you ever thrown a card/cards away?

Don't judge me but, I'm sorry to say that I have actually thrown cards away. Let me preface that with they were newer cards and they were pretty jacked up. They were commons with major creases, I mean they looked really bad. I haven't and I can't imagine there being a vintage card that I would toss. Heck, half of the appeal of a vintage card is that it looks vintage!

3. How has your collecting changed since you've started collecting?

When I first started collecting it was about sets. Topps, Donruss, Fleer, etc...complete the set. I still collect sets. I don't buy completed ones, I open packs to get the majority of the set and then trade or pick up the ones I need to finish. I have added player collections. I've got a handful of players that I will pick up any of their cards. I also collect Topps playing days cards of certain players. The majority of these are newer players which makes it pretty easy to do, but I'm starting to branch out into older players. I've also added few subsets of insert cards that I try to get. It changes from year to year, but I do chase one or two for each release.

4. What's one tip that you would give a new collector?

I know this sounds cliche, but collect what makes you happy. Don't try to get everything, because there's just too much out there to chase. If you get too caught up in the chase or chase dollar signs I think you'll burn out or get frustrated and get out. Remember, its a hobby and is supposed to be fun!

5. What's one trend in the hobby that you don't like right now?

There is a growing trend that base cards are worthless and the only thing that matters are the parallels or inserts. It literally breaks my heart to watch people bust open a pack of cards, pull the inserts and leave the base cards on the counter at the LCS or to hear people say they toss them in the trash or burn them. If all you want are inserts and numbered cards, there are products out there for you. Quit wasting the other cards, there are those who want to collect them. 

I guess that's it for now. I hope you take the time to answer questions. I'm all about making friends, talking cards and trading cards.

Peace,

Michael

Isaiah 40:31

Ramblings of an old collector

 Pitchers and catchers reported, the rest of the teams reported and Spring Training rolled along and has come to a close.  I've never been to Spring Training. Those of you who have been or get to attend regularly, I'm a little jealous. Okay, I'm real jealous. One day, I will make it to Spring Training. Now, it's baseball time! Is there a better time of the year? 

Time to ramble.

* I completed my first set of 2026. Okay, its not a set, but a subset. I finally finished my 2023 Topps Father's Day patch set.

 

 

 

 

When I was down to about 10 cards, I found a pair of them on Facebook for a really good price so I picked them up. After that, I really started looking on TCDB to trade, but I couldn't find anyone willing to trade for the cards I needed. So I do what every other collector does, I went shopping online. I could find the cards pretty easily, but what people were asking for them I wasn't paying so it took awhile. Pete Alonso was the last card that I needed and found it on Ebay for a price I was willing to pay so I could finish the set. 

* Like I said in my last ramblings, I've been picking up card lots lately. I've recently got my hands on a 1980 and 1976 Topps lots. I'm about 50% on the '80 set, but only about 200 of the '76 set. I'm definitely not in a rush to complete these sets. The '80 set is in better condition than the '76 set, but its a start. 

* I'm not sure I know what I think about this MLBPA stuff. What I do know is that I don't want a strike next year. I hate it when there's a strike. 

* For the first time in a long time, my TCDB trade queue is empty. Part of the empty queue is on me because I haven't thrown any offers out there. I will say that I haven't been real successful lately finding trade partners. I guess I'm going to have to spend some more time figuring it out. 

* Shout out to Johnny's Trading Spot for sending me a bunch of Ranger cards. Johnny went above and beyond in sending these cards. It is greatly appreciated.

There are a few doubles in what was sent, but they will end up with my grandsons. All of these pictured made the collection!

* I'm a very patriotic person. When it's the USA versus anybody, nobody roots any harder for the Red, White and Blue than me. Now, I wouldn't say that I got into the WBC, but I was rooting for us to win. I understand there was some kind of controversy in that last game. I didn't see it, but okay. 

* Bought my first 2026 Topps baseball cards. I bought the last two fat packs at Walmart and this is what I pulled.

This is not a card for my collection, but I've got no idea what its worth. Anybody got any ideas, let me know. 

* Something else about the WBC. I was never an Aaron Judge fan, but I absolutely loved the way he talked about the honor and pride of wearing the USA jersey. Kind of changed my thoughts about him.  

* I went back to Walmart on a "honey do" run and picked up a Blaster box and really didn't do too bad. 

I like the All Topps Team cards, but I'm just not feeling it as far as choosing that to complete. I do think I'm going for the Big Ticket Players though. 

* One last thing to come out of the WBC...I call myself a baseball fan, but how in the world did I not know what kind of player Brice Turang is?? He's definitely someone that I'm going to start to follow a little bit more. 

I guess that's a wrap. Till next time!

Peace, 

Michael

Isaiah 40:31

Ramblings of an old collector

 

I love baseball...the smell a leather glove, the weight of a baseball in your hand. The pop a catcher's mitt, the knee-buckling curve ball, 6-4-3 double play, the diving catch in the outfield, the play at the plate...it doesn't get any better. Those that don't like the game, that say it's to slow or boring, don't see the artistry or the strategy that goes into it. They don't appreciate the one on one battle between pitcher and hitter. They don't understand what it takes to hit a round ball with a round bat coming at you at 90+ miles an hour or moving in a manner that seems to defy logic. Maybe, its one of those games that you had to play to understand and appreciate, I don't know. I do know that I can watch a game that ends 1-0 or 12-10 and enjoy both. 

I really love the history of the game. Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Satchel Paige, etc...I could go on forever. I think that's why I really enjoy collecting cards. No, my collection is not that diverse, or exploding with vintage cards. My collection is not full of graded cards in order to flip for profit. My collection is just that, my collection. I collect what I like and try not to get too wrapped up in all of the other stuff that goes on in the hobby. If you enjoy the other stuff, grading, flipping, breaks, more power to you, that's not just for me. I hope you do it because you enjoy it and can appreciate the cards. 

Was that a ramble or preaching from a soapbox? Either way, on the ramblings!

* The design for 2026 Topps is out. Like most bloggers, I'm going to comment on the design. 

I like the white border. Hate it when the black or dark borders get nicked and show white. I like that the player's name is easy to read. I had a hard time with that in last year's design. I do think the design is kind of basic for the 75th Anniversary design. Overall, it's a decent design. Not spectacular but decent.

*Still missing 40 2024 Topps to complete my sets for my grandkids. I need 46 to finish 2025 Topps. Somehow, I've managed to put them on the backburner. I guess I figured I would just run across them. I'm going to have to put some effort into finishing these sets.

* No New Year's resolutions this year. Maybe a few goals. I haven't set them yet. I'll let you know when I know. 

*I've managed to purchase a few lots of Topps cards lately. The lots are of years I missed when I was on my hiatus from collecting or years I didn't have very many cards. I picked up 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016 and 2019 Topps lots. Now I've just got to get them organized. 

* I understand that MLB is going to use pitch challenges in Spring Training. I don't think I'm a fan of that. I like the human element in the game. I say that, even though I started out as a hater of the pitch clock and now I like it. I still think that MLB needs to tweak the pick-off throw rule.

* Huge shout out to my new friend Casey! He found my blog online and sent me a PIF gift of cards.

Casey sent a bunch of 2010s for my set and and a some Corey Seagers. The cards came at a great time because of some troubled times at my house. Thanks Casey! 

* The ice days around here have allowed me to do quite a bit of cleaning up in my card area. I'm still not done, but its way better than it was. 

I guess that's all for now. Hope everyone has a blessed day! 

Peace, 

Michael

Isaiah 40:31

Merry Christmas!

 

I just want to take a moment and wish everyone a Merry Christmas! There aren't enough words to describe how much I truly appreciate all of my blogging world friends. I hope everyone has a joyful and blessed Holiday Season.

Merry Christmas!

In Christ,

Michael

Isaiah 40:31

My Favorite players that I don't collect: The New York Mets

 Since I started this journey of getting one playing days card of my favorite players that I don't collect in New York with the Yankees, I thought I might as well do the Mets next and get out of New York! The Mets have had all kinds of great players come through their organization later on in their careers like the Great Willie Mays. Problem is I don't associate Willie Mays with the Mets. To me he will always be a Giant. That being said, there are players that I like that I do associate with the Mets. So, here are my favorite players that I don't collect who were New York Mets. 

My New York Mets list is pretty short comparatively to the Yankees. 

My first thoughts of Gary Carter will always be of an Expo, but if not Montreal, its the Mets. Since the Expos are no more, I'm going with the Mets. Now, I'm not going to say that I'm a big Gary Carter fan, but I did always seem to root for him. 

My favorite card of Gary is the 1980 Topps. As I've said before, you can't go wrong with a catcher's card depicting him making a play. One of the best to play the game.

Honestly, my first memories of Tom Terrific are with the Reds. As I got older and became more of a student of the game, that shifted. Kind of funny that my favorites off of the Mets so far actually come from other teams! Seaver was so dominant in '69 with a 25-7 record and a 2.21 ERA. I think he was even more so in '71. He was 20-10 and his ERA was 1.76. How in the world do you lose 10 games with an ERA that low?

       

'69 Topps or '71 Topps will be my choice to represent Seaver in my team collections. I'm leaning toward the '69, which I've already got, but I like the '71. I just don't know that I can find one in the condition that I would want. 

Being in an American League city and the fan of an American League team, I don't follow the NL as closely as I used to. I do keep up with the Braves, Cardinals and Dodgers more than the rest, but I always seemed to see David Wright on Sportscenter making a defensive play or coming up with a big hit. He always seemed to play the game with that characteristic of "whatever it takes for my team to be successful" attitude. You hear alot of players talk that way, but Wright seemed to walk the talk. 

I'm a sucker for the action shot, especially when you can see the ball that's being played, and the 2011 Topps card is a great one. 

That wraps up my favorite Mets players. Not near as many as the Yankees, but what do you do? Now, I'm sure that there are some that will ask about some other Mets, like Piazza, but for me, he's overrated. He's got a cool story and I appreciate the talent, but there's another catcher from that same time frame that will always rank ahead of him in my eyes.

Peace,

Michael

Isaiah 40:31