Ramblings of an old collector

 My Rangers season came to a close with a loss to the Twins and finished the year with an 80-82 record. If you read the newspaper here in Big D you'd think they finished last instead of one game back in the division. What is even more interesting the paper makes it sound as if the Rangers had managed to make the playoffs everything would have been okay. To be honest, I was okay with finishing 2nd and letting the Disastros own the record for of the worst winning percentage to make the playoffs. 

Now the the beat writer for the Rangers thinks they need a total overhaul. Give me a break. Despite the massive number of injuries the team faced, they were right there. I'm sure that you could go back through the season and find 5 games that the team lost that they should have won. Changing those games to wins and now the Rangers are sitting at 85-77 and the beat writers are saying something completely different. 

There's no doubt that there does need to be changes made, but that doesn't mean a complete overhaul. Chris Young the GM said that the team needs to be tougher and play a grittier game of baseball. I agree. Who's the one responsible for that? If you ask me, it's the manager. It starts with developing a mindset in the offseason and pushing it through Spring training and into the season. In my opinion, the issue of the Rangers this year falls at the feet of the manager, Skip Schumaker. I think he overmanages. Tries to play the analytical game too much. I can't tell you the number of times he pinch hit for someone in the 4th or 5th inning at a pitching change only to have it comeback later in the game and not have a bench. On top of that, I don't think he managed the bullpen very well. Case in point, in the next to the last home game against the Mets, he brought the closer, Jacob Latz in the seventh inning in a 2-2 game with 1 out. He got out of the jam. All good right? Was he trying to get him to get 8 outs? I don't know what the thought was. When Semien hit the go-ahead homer in the 8th, Latz had already gotten 4 outs. With Latz done and unavailable to close out the game, Schumaker had to use a bullpen without his closer and the team gave up 4 more runs to lose 7-2. Now, no one knows what the score would be if Latz doesn't pitch the 7th, but if another pitcher throws the 7th and gets out of the jam or gives up a run or two, the Rangers would still have 9 more outs to get the runs back and a closer to finish the game. Doesn't make sense to me. 

All of that to say, the Rangers are closer to the playoffs than people think and they just need some tweaking instead of an overhaul or maybe just a little luck. Rant over. Time for some ramblings. 

* I used to be able to pick up quite a bit of cards on Facebook claim sales and auctions. Not so much anymore. People don't seem to be selling the stars as much and if they are, the prices are way higher. Same for the inserts. I've started watching to see what the cards are selling for on Facebook and then looking them up on Ebay and Ebay is way cheaper. 

* Went to the Dallas Card Show in July and picked up some cards. 

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Got a really good deal on the Maris. I've been looking for the '61 in honor of the 61 home runs breaking Ruth's record. I'm also a big fan of Ernie Banks. I always loved his love and joy of playing baseball and the phrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame...let's play two!" Plus, we were both born in Dallas! 

* I realize that this is not a Question from the Dugout post, but was wondering what everyone thought about card grading? Companies freezing receiving cards, increasing prices, etc...I keep hearing about the issues and wonder what others think and why still grade?

* I did pick up another card at the July Dallas Card Show...

I am a Mike Trout fan even though he kills the Rangers. This has been a target of mine for a very long time. I have looked on Ebay, online, auctions, card shows, etc...everywhere and couldn't find one that matched my price range or one that wasn't graded. Then it got to the point I couldn't even find a graded one at card shows. I was literally making my way out of the show and came across a display case with this card sitting on on top of a stack of cards. I asked to see it, made an offer and it was a done deal. So excited to finally get this card.

* At the same card show, I came across a '57 Mantle that looked really good. The '57 was my original chase for a Mantle card that I still don't have in my collection, but I walked away from it. The price wasn't bad, I just had my eyes set on finding a '60 Mantle. Pretty sure that '57 Mantle is going to rank right up there with the '57 Clemente that I walked away from and still regret passing up. Oh well. 

* The playoffs are in full force and so far, it's played out as I thought it would. To be honest I haven't followed it too close, but will start paying more attention when it gets to the NLCS and ALCS. 

That wraps up another rambling! Let me know what you think!

Peace,

Michael

Isaiah 40:31

 

Questions from the Dugout

I've read that Blogger has been having problems and I've noticed that a lot of us bloggers don't seem to be writing as much. I know I haven't written as much. Kind of hard for me to see if blogs are being viewed as often either as I haven't written consistently and my readership numbers have never been that big anyway. No complaints, just curious as to what others think. Since I've put that out there I might as well ask some more Questons from the Dugout(new name!).

Question: What matters more to you: the player, the card design, rarity, or value?

I thought this question wouldn't be too difficult, but it wasn't an easy answer for me. After much thought, the player and the card design are the two most important aspects to me. I'm going to collect the annual Topps set, so that design and those players are a given, but when it comes to subsets, Heritage, or anything else the design is what gets me to chase it. 

I was so done trying to collect Heritage, but dang it, these cards look good. So now, I'm trying to complete the set. Along with 2023, 2024, etc...I'm a glutton for punishment!

When it comes to players, I'm going to collect the Topps playing days cards of those players that I really like. There are several out there that I want to collect that I haven't really started, but will one day. Plus there are my player collections too. 

Rarity and value are the least two. Rarity does get frustrating when I'm set building, but I get it and plow on. Value does come into play because there is only so much money to spend. Cost has really stopped me from chasing older sets that I think would just be out of my price range. 

Question: Would you rather have a great local card shop or a great card show once a month?

This one was easier for me. I'd rather have a great card show than a great local card store. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a great LCS nearby, but I'd want it to be like the old card stores. You know, the ones that had a ballgame on the TV, cards sorted by year for set builds, stars sorted by player. You could go hang out, talk sports and look at cards. Those don't exist around here anymore. Public Service Announcement-If you have a LCS like that around you, make sure that you support it. They are a dying breed. Now back to the regularly scheduled show...

The best thing about a great monthly card show is options, options options! There are more variety of cards and more price points on something you are looking for. There's also a revolving inventory. Plus, you get to meet people from all over. The one drawback is timing. Having to wait for the monthly show and having my personal schedule cleared in order to attend.

Speaking of card shows, I picked these two cards up at a show recently.

You know how I said there were players that I haven't really started collecting yet, but I plan to? Yeah, Evoaldi is one of those. Not only is he a heck of a pitcher, but he's a Texan too!

Question: What makes you walk away from a dealer’s table?

There are two things that make me walk away from a table. First, its non-sports cards. I 've got no interest in TCG cards, president cards, pirate cards, TV shows, etc...More power to those who collect those, to each their own. As a matter of fact you don't have to worry about me competing with you for cards. 

The second thing that causes me to move on from a dealer's table is nothing but graded cards. If you've read any of my blogs, it's pretty obvious that I'm not a fan of graded cards. It won't take long for me to move on from a table that has nothing but graded cards.

In reality, there are three things. The third is no baseball cards. I don't collect football, basketball, golf or hockey. Just baseball. Now I've thought about football cards and I've even considered basketball cards, but there are just too many things to chase and there's still a ton of baseball cards to chase too. I just can't do it all. 

With a new name for the blog, comes a new format...Not as many questions at one time. I hope those of you that read the questions will answer them too! Answer one or answer all three!

Peace,

Michael

Isaiah 40:31