Ramblings of an old card collector

 Just some random thoughts about baseball, baseball card collecting and life. 

* Went to a 2nd card show in my own part of town. This one was worse than the last one when it comes to baseball cards. There were only 3 or 4 tables that had baseball cards. All the other tables were full of Pokemon or gaming cards. For those people, it was probably a pretty good show. I was able to pick up some cards from the few baseball guys that were there. 

The '75 MVP fills a hole in my set. I've only got a handful of '72s and '74s, but when I actually start trying to collect the sets I'll have some of the star cards. 

* I haven't seen any 2024 Topps Heritage High Numbers at all. I've seen some cards on Ebay, but that's it. Definitely haven't seen any retail. Did they release retail? I think I'm going to pass on this one. Maybe just pick up a few cards of players that I like. 

* The Rangers are off to a strange start. They are leading the West and its all based on pitching. If this team can figure out how to hit, they would be dangerous. 

* These 2024 cards being released in 2025 has gotten old. I understand the delay during COVID, but this is getting old. I say the card companies need to bite the bullet and just skip a year to get back on track. I know they won't because its money in their pockets. 

* Picked up the my Goudey Lou Gehrig reprint for my Favorite Players that I don't collect: Yankees edition. 

Wish it were the real deal, but this will have to suffice.

* It seems like every time a write about the coaching side of my life it feels like it's negative. It's really not. First, I've got great kids in the program. Just like any family, there's a one or two who will make me want to pull what little hair I have left out, but they're still good kids. Second, I still feel blessed to be their coach. 

* Gotta put a plug in for buysportscards.com. In the last month I've had 17 sales for a little more than $230.00. Most of my sales are in the $3 to $5 range. The good thing is I get a little spending money and move some cards out that I don't collect!

* Not sure what I think about the "torpedo bats". I know that they've been around awhile and it's not something new. If you go back and look at the bats from the late 1800s and early 1900s, the bats have evolved quite a bit anyway. I don't think I've got a problem with it. It's within the rules so more power to ya! I do think its funny that the Yankees go nuts hitting homers in one series and all of a sudden its the greatest thing ever to come to baseball.  

* I did pick up one other card at the small show I went to. I got this really cool Adrian Beltre card.

I thought this '24 Topps Museum Quad relic was a cool looking card. I think if I get the opportunity to get it autographed I will.

* Instant replay is starting to get on my nerves. I've seen more and more calls that are challenged and really look as if they should be overturned and they aren't. The most recent was Wyatt Langford vs the Dodgers. You run the video in slow-motion and you can see that his foot is back on the base before he is re-tagged. I can't find just the play, but it's at the 9:15 mark of the highlights from the game. I get it as to why the ump thought he was out originally, but if you're going to use replay at least get it right. 

* The regular season for my team has come to an end. We came in 2nd place and start the playoffs next week. Overall our record is 16-6-2. The team has been inconsistent throughout the year. I guess the best way to describe it is that they play to the level of their competition. Wish I had a magic answer to fix that. 

* Johnny's Trading Spot correctly guessed that Mattingly was the Yankee who got bumped from the Yankees that I don't collect. He was the first one to respond and got it right off the bat. I immediately started trying to think if I had said something in the past that gave it away. Then others responded with different players and it made me think I didn't necessarily give it away.  Anyway, Johnny I'm putting something together now to send out to you! 

That will wrap up this rambling. 

Peace, 

Michael

Isaiah 40:31

My favorite players that I don't collect: Yankee Edition Part 2

 

As I've started working on the list of "My favorite players that I don't collect", I've revised how I'm going to do it. First, I'm limiting it to 9 players max for each team. That means I'm going to have to make some tough decisions. Second, the list is fluid. Just because someone is on the list, doesn't mean that they won't get replaced. As a matter of fact, it's already happened. I'll get to that later. 

Just to recap Part 1, Mantle, Berra, Gehrig, Ruth and DiMaggio are on my list of Yankees that I want at least one card of from their playing days. To reiterate, there are financial limitations to which cards I acquire, but I will do what I can. 

Next on my list of favorite players that I don't collect is Billy Martin. Now, this one is a little different. Billy Martin isn't on my list for his playing as much as he is for his managing. I absolutely loved it when he was managing the Rangers. I loved his fiery, take no prisoners attitude. I actually felt bad for him when he was managing the Yankees and dealing with Steinbrenner all the time. I thought about going with a manager card, but I'm going to go with either the 1954 or 1957 Topps cards. 

     

I'm telling you, the more I look at '54 Topps cards, the more I like them. I think I will always be a fan of '57 Topps.

I remember Reggie Jackson and the A's winning it all in the early '70s. Despite that, I mostly remember Reggie as a Yankee. His postseason play with the Yankees was something to remember. 

The '78 Topps is my favorite Reggie Jackson card. It reminds me so much of that ferocious swing he would take. It's funny, but I don't ever remember him hitting singles or doubles. He had over 2500 hits and 463 doubles! I do remember the home runs though.  

If I liked a Yankee during my childhood it was Ron Guidry. He always seemed to dominate when he pitched. I definitely feel as if he is underrated when it comes to great pitchers. Cy Young, 5 times Gold Glove winner, 2 times World Series winner, 2 times ERA winner. 

'84 Topps is my favorite Guidry card. I almost went with the '78 Topps because of the year he had in '78, but this one is my favorites. 

Okay, the last one was a little harder to decide. I went back and forth before I came up with my choice. I am literally changing my mind as I type this. The last one of my favorite players that I don't collect is...Derek Jeter. I think Jeter is overrated as a player, but I like the way he played the game with hustle and giving it all he's got every time I saw him on the field. 

When I think of Jeter, I think of defense. He wasn't the best shortstop defensively, but he was a 5 time Gold Glove winner. Because of the defense, I chose the '98 Topps card. I always love an action shot and I wanted defensive picture on the card instead of him swinging a bat. 

Well, that's it for the Yankees. I think I'll throw this out there...If you can guess who my other choice that Jeter beat out was, I'll send you something. I don't know what, because I just thought of this, but I will try and make it for your favorite team. (This is a limited time offer!!!) 

Peace, 

Michael

Isaiah 40:31