The 94th PGA Championship

Switching things up a little bit here with a golf post, but there WILL be some collecting involved!

I was very fortunate and had the opportunity to attend the PGA Championship's final round yesterday at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course.   This was the second major I've ever been to and my first time visiting Kiawah Island.   The Ocean Course lays claim to the title as "Golf course with most holes on the Atlantic Ocean" and it is, perhaps, most famous until now for hosting the 1991 Ryder Cup - a mere two years after being completely destroyed by Hurricane Hugo.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy for his second major title after a masterful blowout victory, setting a new record by besting the rest of a very talented international field by 8 shots!   Up until yesterday, the 23-year old was probably best known for his two painful Sunday collapses at both the Masters and the U.S. Open.   Pundits everywhere have been questioning whether Rory was a flash in the pan......

The pundits have changed their tune, now!   Including fellow European, Sir Nick Faldo.  

(.....for the collectors...)

I wasn't able to spend much time with Nick (sarcasm), as he was busy taping various TV spots after the closing ceremonies had ended......but I stayed the course and patiently waited for a chance at his autograph.   I was also praying for the [impossible] remote chance that some of the players, maybe even McIlroy himself, might decide to come yuck it up with us common-folk.   I had a nice-looking tournament flag in hand from the gift shop and a trusty sharpie in the other hand.   I had carried it around with me during the entire second-half of our day.   Never miss an autograph opportunity, right?!

Right.   But wait - why a big 'ol flag, Ryan?

I've decided to snag a commemorative flag from every Major Championship, when I am lucky enough to be able to attend.   I have one from Augusta, which you will all see in a future post next spring......and I was sure to pick one up yesterday.   Since it was a tournament round, there would be LITTLE chance for interacting with the players.   Especially since the previous day's weather delay caused the field to finish their 3rd round early on Sunday.   They would be tired and exhausted....not a good recipe for fans and autograph seekers like us.   But I understand.   Sometimes it is just not meant to be.   That's fine - unsigned Major flags are always welcome on the Ryan's Pitch Man Cave wall!   Sports is sports, after all.

...now back to me, loitering around like a TMZ reporter.....

The tourney came to a close yesterday.   Seagulls and pelicans were flying overhead in victory formation.....I smoked a victory cigar with my good friend and we watched as McIlroy made his way through the post-victory obstacle course of picture sessions, interviews and VIP well-wishers.   He never came towards us for a potential miracle signing, but that's okay.   The salty breeze was blowing during a fine, Low-Country sunset.   It was time to soak it all in and not get too stressed out over autograph possibilities.   However, I've learned that patience does pay off sometimes - you never know.   I waited and waited.   Finally, a production assistant began to herd Faldo back towards the TV booths that had been set up across from the Ocean Club clubhouse near the beach.   There was just a few of us fans who had waited around (hey, who wants to stand in line for a shuttle bus to the parking lots, anyways?!?!), so Nick let us know, "...follow me, guys - I'll sign a few while I walk."


SWEET!

I made sure that the small kids got in there first and then my chance came.   The previous auto-seeker had handed Faldo a green sharpie to use (the course's logo colors included green).   I had brought my trusty black sharpie......Sir Nick kept the other fan's pen and used it to sign my flag - and I think it turned out pretty nice.   Thanks, random green-sharpie fan dude!   I thanked Mr. Faldo and parted with my best "cheers", which got a little chuckle and nod of approval from the 6-time Major Champion.   Here she is:

Boom!

...and here is the herd after I hit the "eject button" with my new "Faldo Flag" in hand.   He's in there, I promise - the light blue shirt in the middle, behind the gentleman in the yellow.   Sir Faldo:

Looks like a Southwest boarding gate....

He has been known to be somewhat of a tough autograph to snag and I can believe it.   He was constantly being bombarded, questioned, followed and told what to do - by TV colleagues, not fans and autograph seekers!   And while he usually works in a jab against my favorite, Bubba, during telecasts.......Sir Nick comes out of this one with a thumbs-up from me.   Thank you for your time, Mr. Faldo!

(...and now, for the golf fans....some of the actual golf that I was able to witness....)

I posted up at the tee box of #7 as the leading groups made their way through the front nine.   My usual preference is to find a place where I can get as close as possible and stay put while the players come through....and #7 ended up being a terrific spot.   I was "right on the rope" and was able to listen to the players as they discussed club/shot selection with their caddies, go through their pre-shot routine and, of course - blast a tee shot.    I try to absorb the rhythm and idiosyncrasies of these guys so that I can put it to use with my own game.   That never works :) 

These fans absorbed shade instead of rhythm.   And I was jealous.

John Daly and Miguel Angel Jimenez's group came through in all of their glory.   Long John Daly continues to be a crowd favorite, more than two decades after his improbable victory at Crooked Stick.   These days, he lets his wardrobe do MOST of the talking for him.   Jimenez  (the "Mechanic") has become one of my favorites.   The quirky Spaniard is a big fan of red wine loves to smoke Cohiba cigars while he plays.   YouTube videos of his pre-round stretching routine are a MUST-see.   Both of these guys launched perfect drives off of #7, with Daly's driver flailing WAY past parallel on his back swing - just as it always has.

Just a weeee past parallel there, Fruit Stripe :)

Big John and the Mechanic!

Bubba Watson, as I've mentioned before, is definitely my favorite player.   He put together a pretty solid performance for the week and racked up some more FEDEX points as the playoff season approaches.   His Ryder Cup selection is almost certainly a guarantee at this point as well - an event that should be TRULY exciting as golf's "olympics" ventures back onto American soil next month, at Medinah Country Club in Illinois.   I can't wait.   No longer a "I can't believe I'm here!" kind of tour player, Bubba seemed to have a Champion's confidence about him.   Later in the day, I had moved to 18 for the tournament's finish and was just in time to watch Bubba's approach shot and eventual birdie putt.   His drive had split the fairway and came to rest at least 40 yards ahead of the rest of his group.   Typical!   He then calmly lobbed (what must have been) a wedge into the air and stuck it close for his birdie.   Good stuff!   Here's Bubba swinging "out of his shoes" during a drive.   This extra "oooomph from the tippy-toes" is what gives him an extra power boost - not textbook at all, but..........that just doesn't matter anymore!   Go get 'em Bubba!

Post-impact. Note pink shaft, ball to right of tee marker and Jason Dufner looking on...

Phil Mickelson had a horrible final round and doesn't seem to be finishing up the 2012 season very well.    He's still a heck of a golfer, true champion and, usually - nice guy who interacts a bit more with the crowd when he's relaxed.   He certainly seemed to be relaxed yesterday.   He even smiled.   When he talked to his caddie, he spoke loud enough for all to hear, which in its own way, was very cool and unique.   Someone was a bit too loud on their phone as Lefty was preparing to tee off and a marshal quickly 'shushed' them.....Phil actually waved it off and smiled and said, "....that's okay......".   That's awfully big of him.   I've had less kind reactions myself to noise during my swing.....with a LOT less money on the line.   Here's Lefty, about to make impact.

Go get 'em, Phil!

The state of Tiger's return has been the topic of choice for golf critics all year.   He has shown moments of brilliance with a couple of tournament victories.....but has also befuddled his fans by suffering through completely UN-Tigeresque, final round disasters.   Though he was somewhat in the hunt, he couldn't get things going during yesterday's final round.   I actually saw him completely "airmail" (hit it OVER the green) an approach shot on the front nine, something that he NEVER used to do.   BUT, he's Tiger Woods and I was pumped as ever to watch him display his game.  

I must say that he was very calm, cool and collected.   He hit some bad shots but he never lost his temper as bad as Tiger tends to do sometimes.   In fact, I even witnessed a very kind act by Tiger - after teeing off on #7, he strode off down the fairway as he normally does.   The cameras and necessary circus went with him but a PGA Tour official quickly walked up to a young golf fan standing next to me with his father and handed him a very shiny, nice looking ball marker.   I couldn't hear exactly what he whispered but I learned after the fact that the ball marker had been Tiger's and that he had asked the official to give it to the kid after he (Tiger) left the tee box.   Very cool.   Bo Van Pelt later tossed his ball at the kid (which hit me gingerly in the foot before the kid scooped it up.......made me laugh.   BOY, did that kid make out!)  

Here is Mr. Woods, conferring with his caddie about the next shot......or maybe they spotted Tiger's yacht out in the water?

Tiger....will he find it again?

Finally....our Champion!   Rory was great to watch come through.   Everyone was wondering - would he fall again?   The answer was no, of course.   Being able to see the concentration in his eyes and confidence of his swing was pretty powerful.   Sure, going through the painful learning lessons of two "final day" major losses should help most people get the butterflies out of their system.   Or does it make it worse?   Regardless, Rory made it look easy as he grinded out an amazing, error-free, final round and pulled away from the field amidst the usual substantial coastal winds and tight course conditions.   He quipped to his caddie after teeing off on #7, "...I didn't catch all of that..." - but he certainly had.   #7 is a reachable Par 5 with a dog-leg right that occurs RIGHT where the drives land for most of the pro's.   especially with the wind coming in off the South Carolina coast.   I heard Jimenez's caddie report that it was a 325 carry to the "apex" of the turn, with a huge bunker/waste area along the right side in case anybody drifted too far right or couldn't cut the corner.   I hustled down the right side of the hole to find that Rory's ball did INDEED clear all of the trouble.   He lofted an iron onto the left side of the green, precariously close to the left-side trap......and promptly two-putted for birdie.

Watching the players consider their options on the tee box of 17 was also a tremendous experience.   #17 at Ocean Course is usually considered to be that track's signature hole.   The 230-yard par 3 skirts the beach so wind usually forces the tee shots to the left.   There is a sizable lake between the tees and green and the green is a fairly long one, approximately 40 yards from front to back with he putting surface reaching out into the water as you go back - making the Sunday pin position a true challenge.   Trevor Immelman (blast from the past!) made the finest shot while I was there - attacking the pin head on , water in front be damned!   He stuck it close and made his birdie.   Rory got to 17 and was looking at a 6 stroke lead......pretty comfy, but we all know what he must have been thinking.   As they said in The Sandlot - "Don't be Goofus!"

#17, Par 3, Ocean Course

And he wasn't.

He played a perfectly placed safe shot to the back left portion of the green.   It was something to watch.   I admired the smooth, calm swing that he had.   He had a long putt but he had avoided the water.....no matter.   He sank the putt anyways!   He even birdied 18, just for good measure....and the record.

Rory hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy!

See you next time, Ocean Course.....I can't wait to make a tee time here!   Need to start saving...

The Ocean Course Clubhouse at Kiawah Island

Well, I hope you enjoyed that.   Something a little different - but still a sport that I am very passionate about and enjoy collecting memories and memorabilia for.  

Thanks for reading!

Indiana Jones and the Emerald Panda

Ha!   I couldn't resist.   That title totally works though, doesn't it?   And it would probably be WAY better than Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls or whatever that was......what a bomb.

Anyways, I tried my luck at some 'ol Bowman Platinum again, this year.   I told myself not to after last year's dabble - but you know me.   There's just that craving to rip some crinkly wrappers that is inescapable.   I also saw everyone posting beautiful relics and signatures on the blogs and Twitter so I figured I should go and remove some of the non-hit packs from getting in their way.

I succeeded, as always.

BUT, I still pulled some decent "non-hit" cards.   The cards are very reminiscent of last year's Platinum.   Yes, they're beautiful - but they just don't seem like baseball cards to me.   Oh well.   I'm an old fuddy-duddy, I guess.   They DO still come complete with that sweet maple-syrup scent, though.

Here are a few of the highlights.   I also pulled my FIRST Manny Banuelos card but couldn't find the top-loaded Manny for a picture......I'll snag him later.   (If you wanna see you some Manny, I'm sure The Lost Collector can satisfy your need!   Tell him Ryan sent you.....)   Manny has been out for most of this season with elbow trouble.   I'm hoping it resolves itself.   Ah-hem......here are the other cards of note, in no particular order:

He's dirty, you can see the ball and he's blowing a bubble.....Pablo Sandoval, everybody.

Funny.   The further along in the season we get, the less and less excited everybody is to pull a Yu card.   I like the card, though.   It's a perfectly balanced photo of Mr. Darvish with a great look at the Texas flag on his sleeve and a tidy little "RC" logo in the corner, just so there's no confusion.   In today's world of infinite variations, it's nice to know when you have a rookie card of somebody.

JP has cooled off a wee bit lately, along with some of the other young, A's pitching sensations.   But their collective talent as a whole, along with Mr. Parker's, is unmistakable.   I kind of hope that Oakland keeps these guys together and that the A's can make a return to greatness.   While I am a Yankees fan through and through, the A's were my other favorite team as a kid.   The Bash Brothers, Rickey, Dave Stewart, Eck.....loved 'em.   So seeing this staff and their brethren in the field (Cespedes, Reddick, etc.) would be great.   This card is another winner, too.   Great balanced shot with the ball hurling towards you and the RC logo in the corner.   This one might be TTM worthy, yes?   How do signatures handle on the Platinum glossy finish?   Any advise or warnings?

I think this one is a special chrome version or something?   All I hear about every day is how many SB's Billy Hamilton has on the season.   Probably because he has....as of today, 8/10/2012.......FREAKING 133 SWIPED BAGS THIS YEAR!   The record is 13 away, set by Vince Coleman in 1983.   Rickey Henderson set the major league record of 130, which could certainly be in danger one day after Billy is called up.   Wow.   Hamilton also had a great showing in the future star All Star Game.   I think he will do great things for the Reds and is a nice compliment to the power of Votto and [not lately] Bruce.   If Latos and Bailey and Chapman and all the others get the pitching together.....Cincy could be a Big Machine for many years.

SO, I'm glad to pull this (yet again) well-balanced, shiny, nice looking card of Mr. Hamilton.   I'll tuck it away and we'll see what happens.   I just wish I knew whether or not it was a rookie card?

:)

So there's some Platinum for you.   Everybody have a great weekend.   I'll be heading to the coast with the family tonight for a few nights of guaranteed fun.   I have, with great fortune, managed to land a pass to Sunday's final round of the PGA Championship at Kiawah.   I will go watch golf while Mrs. Ryan's Pitch drives the wee ones back home.   Let me be clear: I love her and she is perfect.

As far as the PGA is concerned, I am hoping for Bubba to win his second major of the year - though at +3 after yeaterday's 1st round, it's not looking good.   My other wish is to smoke a fine cigar and eat M&Ms with John Daly in the parking lot while sipping Diet Coke out of the Wanamaker Trophy.

Take away Daly and the Trophy and it could happen.

Thanks for Reading!

Two Birds With One Stone

I'm a golfer.

I've played golf my whole life.   When my baseball playing dreams died on the final day of tryouts during my freshman year, it was golf that was there waiting for me as I figured out what kind of student athlete I would be.   In high school, that is.   I also played football to complete my bizarre, full year, 2-sport cycle - but my fall semester adventures on the gridiron are for another time.

I retired from football after that final game in '96 against Hillsborough HS in central Florida.   I remember it vividly.   Mostly proud, a little sad and yes - relieved, too.   Since we weren't State Champions.....it was a loss.   You learn and move on but I never played again.   I didn't, however, stop playing golf after my my final match the following spring, though.   My passion for the game, as a player, continues today.   I love the game and you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm already introducing it to my daughter.   Heck, my toddler son even has a plush putter and little 'mock' golf hole to get that part of his sports brain active early.   What can I say?   The dream is a family golf outing one day......I hope we'll get there.   But even if we don't and my clan goes the route of soccer or swimming or violins or clay sculpting......golf will always be there for us all.

This year has been a great year of golf for me.   My old junior golf circuit nemesis, Bubba Watson, claimed a Green Jacket at Augusta.   This was THE pinnacle of my vicarious professional golf career.   What might have been, you know?!   I wasn't able to snag tickets this year, but possibilities for 2013 are looking great - and you can bet that I'll be looking for that spot in the trees and pine needles on #10.   The shot......awesome.

I've also had some once-in-a-lifetime chances to play at some extraordinary private courses.   Through various wonderful circumstances and good fortune, I had the opportunity play at Sage Valley (Graniteville, SC) and Palmetto Golf Club (Aiken, SC) earlier this spring.   Leading up to these two rounds (which I played on back-to-back days), I could barely contain myself.   I turned into a woman, needing new clothes and equipment for the huge occasion(s).   I needed new irons as I had been desperately clinging to the illusion that I was better than I truly am at this point in my life......I had been playing Hogan blades since about 2003.   Sure, they provide a beautiful sensation when you hit them flush.   But it was becoming more of a rarity for me.   Chalk it up to old(er) age or a lack of time to keep my game up (family).   A dose of reality but two very unavoidable and GOOD reasons.   SO, it was time to embrace modern technology and go shopping.   I had utilized the Bay of E for many cardboard needs over the past year - why not peruse for some new irons?

SUCCESS

They were Taylor Made Burner 2.0 (steel, stiff flex) irons, for those of you keeping score at home.   Taylor Made hasn't produced a lucrative offer for sponsorship yet - but I haven't given up hope :)  I didn't play my best during my two epic rounds, but the fault didn't rest with my irons and I GREATLY enjoyed two fantastic rounds of golf on two beautiful courses.   Awe struck = me.

So what does this have to do with baseball or baseball cards or ANYTHING related to Ryan's Pitch?   I'm glad you asked and I'll move quickly to the point - that little incentive called "Ebay Bucks", of course!   My new set of irons was definitely the most expensive item that I had ever purchased through the site and, therefore, produced the LARGEST lump sum of Ebay Bucks that I could have ever dreamed of.....................like $9.    Jackpot!   I couldn't find myself a new putter for $9 but I could certainly wrestle up some cardboard.

So what did $9 and some change bring me?   Less than half the price of a blaster..........this is what I ended up with:

Cecil Cooper! And Carlton Fisk, too.

 I know.   Red Sox.   Bleh!   But Pudge was one of the finest competitors the game ever saw and I have a soft-spot for vintage cards, nay - ROOKIE cards of Hall of Famers.   At $6, I couldn't turn this one down and am stoked to add it to my collection.   The 1972 design is so bizarre and colorful!   I am building all Topps sets from my birth through the end of my first collecting period ~ 1994.   I'm about 60% right now (you can check it out under my Sets Needs tab to the right).   Once I finish these, I'll work my way backwards for newer older (see what I did there?) set-building challenges.   And I seriously hope that I make it back to '72.   Just to do some more exploring of this set!

This Fisk is completely crease-free and while the centering is contentious, I am pretty pleased that I can still see at least some of the white border around the entire card.   I saw many for sale where this wasn't the case - and were more expensive.   YES!   The corners are the roughest aspect of this Fisk Rookie Card, but that's okay.   It cost the same thing as lunch at Subway (less, actually).   I love it.

Here's the second card I picked up:

Way to finish strong, Harvey!

I'm not a Cardinals fan or a Harvey Haddix super-collector.....but I love vintage cards and I especially LOVE the 1956 Topps set.   This set is routinely a favorite amongst collectors and I can easily say that this design is in my personal Top 5.   The full color action & mug-shot combo is terrific alongside the neat and symmetrical boxes of name/position/team.   Topps even threw in Harvey's signature for good measure - BONUS!   1956 is also one of the issues that came with those GREAT, colorful comic strips on the back.   Haryvey's card has a baseball-playing cat.   It doesn't get any sweeter.

Since I wasn't a Harvey Haddix expert, I did my usual research.   Not too shabby!   Mr. Haddix was a 3-time All Star and 3-time Gold Glove winner.   He won a World Series ring with the Pirates in 1960.   Hmmm, I wonder if he had anything to do with that whole "Mazeroski" incident?   Why yes.   Yes he did.   After winning Game 5, he came in for relief in Game 7 and got the W upon Mazeroski's ball clearing the fence in the 9th inning.   Dammit.   But that's awesome.

One more great fact about Harvey - he is often remembered for his near perfect game against the Milwaukee Braves on May 26, 1959.  I say "near" because Harvey finally relinquished a hit in the 13th inning.

UH......yeah.   The 13th inning.

Harvey Haddix pitched 12 innings of perfection until Joe Adcock made a hit (that was eventually ruled a double) that scored one of the two base runners on base at the time.   So close.   Harvey's fraternity at Texas A&M was nice enough to send a congratulatory letter that read:

"Dear Harvey, Tough Shit."

You can laugh.   I did - and I am pretty sure that Harvey eventually did, too.   Haddix also appeared as a major league player, for the last time, on my birthday.   FACT.   So there you go - a random piece of '56 Topps goodness for 99 cents.   Love it - and the card is in really good condition, too.   The centering is a little high, but just like the Pudge - I can still see the white border all the way around.   There are no creases and, most importantly to me, there is no paper loss.   If I snag a piece of history like this, I want to be able to read it!   Great pick up that came with a great story!

One more card to go!   It's another Red Sox (Boo!) but it's another great ballplayer.   And it's his Rookie Card.  And it's from another 'groovy' design year from Topps.   take it away, Mr. Lynn:

This is the worst conditioned card from the trio.   Creases and rounded corners galore.   This one was 59 cents.   Mr. Lynn was a 9-time All Star and 4-time Gold Glove Award winner.  He was even the AL MVP AND Rookie of the Year in '75.   Freddy!?!   That's amazing.   Imagine if Mr. Trout were to pull that off this year?   Think it's possible?

So yes - it's a Red Sox rookie card, but Fred Lynn is no slouch.   The card is in pretty bad condition, but I couldn't even buy a coke out of the machine for the price-tag on this great '75 card.   Very excited to add it to my collection.

So - there you go.   These three cards for about $9.   Three completely random cards - but I am really digging them.   How do you think I did?

Thanks for reading - and don't forget to watch Bubba go for another Major this weekend at Kiawah!



It's Great to Have That Feeling Again

It happened.

I've mentioned several times on this blog how I yearn for the collecting days of old when we were all excited to pull plain old cards - the cards we now refer to in our after thoughts as "base cards" - of the best players of the day, rookies or our favorite teams.

Granted, what you feel is completely within your own control so I feel somewhat silly saying that I miss feeling a certain way...but you guys probably know what I mean.   As expensive as cards are nowadays and as exciting as the 'hits' and inserts can be to pull, it's tough not to feel a tad bit shorted when you manage to avoid pulling anything beyond what's promised to you on the wrapper.

Forget that - check out this sweet card I pulled from an Allen & Ginter blaster!

Well-Balanced

I'm not even a Cubs fan but I am really excited to add my first card of Anthony Rizzo to my son's collection.   I'm building the base set for him (please see NEEDS & FOR TRADE list in the side bars) so I would have come across this card anyways - but we all know there's something special about pulling a card you were hoping for from a pack.   There's no signature.   There's no swatch of jersey.   But I still dig this card.

I had been following Rizzo, his minor league offensive numbers and his potential call-up to the parent club all season.   You already know I'm a Yankees and Braves fan.   Am I a prospector?   Nah, but I AM playing fantasy baseball for the first time ever.   And loving it!   It has caused me to have some strange feelings:

"Okay.   Soriano just gave up a run.   That's okay......now he's eligible for the Save."

Twisted, right?   Yeah, it's weird but I'm enjoying the depth to which I've taken a dive back into the sport as a fan.   I haven't had a knowledge of current MLB players and their skills this comprehensive since I had recess five days a week.   And it feels great.   Mike & Mike in the morning on the drive to work?   Not anymore......my new friends are Scott, Adam and Cory - every morning on XM 87.   They fuel the statistical and fantasy sports fire.   The Roto Experts they're called.   I'm pretty sure Mrs. Ryan's Pitch thinks my brain has gone a little "roto"....but such are the tests of champions (wink).

WHOA - I've gone off course.   Let's bring 'er back.......

So I managed to pick up Rizzo in one of my two leagues as the moment approached for his call-up.   He came up and has really been a much-needed source of joy for Cubbies fans everywhere.  He represents the future and potential greatness: key ingredients as north-siders and Cubs fans everywhere await redemption.   For me, he's helped out my fantasy roster when I've dropped him into the line-up, so the guy's become a favorite for me as well (as long as it's not against my Braves!).

So I knew about him, followed him in the news and was aware that he had cards in this year's sets.   I hadn't seen one yet......but then, there it was!   Seriously, an actual "SWEET! A Rizzo!" escaped me as I thumbed through the freshly busted pack.    AH, sweet cardboard time machine.   Again - no ink, piece of clothing or fractorization required.

This Rizzo base card will probably not put my kid through college (cause it will be HIS after all, big daddy - duh).   There will be millions of them in gem mint condition in 40 years.......but for now, I am really stoked to have this card of a great ball player who may become an enduring star for the Chicago Cubs.   Oh yeah - here's the back!

Card #270: "Batting One Hundred Forty One" - Not Anymore.

And THAT is what this hobby is all about for me.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

What is "iconic"?

That was one of the topics du jour in the twitter-sphere of Ryan's Pitch, today.

Rick Klein (@rickklein) put forth a great discussion piece on Cardboard Connection that cited his desire for Topps to return to its roots with the flagship release.   With no frills or parallels or inserts or whatever, Rick channeled his childhood roots as he cited this phenomena when explaining his stance:

"For all of baseball card history, until the 1990s, the star cards were the chase cards. You pulled a Willie Mays, a Nolan Ryan, a George Brett, a Ken Griffey Jr., and that was the value in your pack. They made the pack or the box worthwhile."

I tend to agree, for the most part, and I have found myself suffering through the same thought process as I've torn through wax for the past year or so.   I would fight an inner struggle to thumb quickly past base cards (ANY base cards) in the hopes of finding that strikingly rigid relic card or seeing some beautiful ink surface from behind the preceding, boring base card.

Seriously, self?!

Then, of course, I would feel the shame and return through the piles to pay my respects to the cards upon which the foundation of our hobby is built - the base cards.   "We are cards, too" I can almost hear them screaming.   And they're RIGHT.   Turn them over when you get a chance and just READ.   Even if it's one of the simpler designs like Gypsy Queen, read what's there.   The stats, the facts and, if you're lucky - the cartoons (Archives, Heritage).   read the words, gain the knowledge and behold - there's the value in your baseball card.   Flip it back over and look at the front design.   Is the picture cool?   Do the colors work?   Can you find an airbrushing or printing error?   Enjoy it.   Critique it.   Share it.

And now...........collect it.   Trade it.   Put it on a dart board (Red Sox).   Check the number off your list and add it to the others.   Send it to the player in a TTM request or slide it gleefully into a 9-card page.   There's the value in your baseball card.   You might not be able to flip it for your car payment on the Bay of E - but you can get something out of it.

Let me get back to the twitter conversation...........

SO, Rick, along with several other collectors, industry players like Beckett's Chris Olds and even Topps themselves (@ToppsCards) bantered back and forth about how Topps might be able to satisfactorily meet Rick's request.   It is a healthy debate and very logical, too, as all seem to respect the fact that Topps IS a business and would need to be profitable while heeding Rick's recommendations.

What is iconic?

Rick made another excellent point in his article, referring to the Topps designs of years gone by, albeit mostly from the years of our (us 30 somethings +) youth along with those wonderful vintage editions.   He cited how easily all of us could recall the designs in our minds, with specific cards for certain years and how those designs thrive today in our collective hobby conscious as "works of art" and artifacts of sporting sentimentality.  

How much of this is due to our own hearts and memories clouding our judgment?   Have we simply not allowed enough time for current cards to achieve the same status in our mental display cases?   Perhaps....but then again, the obvious excitement surrounding this year's Archives release is undeniable.    I am a victim myself!   I vowed to stop at the flagship and Gypsy Queen releases this year but fell like a middle-schooler for Erin Andrews when I picked up a few 'sample' packs of Heritage and Archives.  

Now a "Fox" in more than one way...

Yes.   Gratuitous........

I've said it before - well done, Topps.   So, what is it about seeing today's stars in yesterday's designs that makes it all so exciting?   Is it the gimmickry of it?   Is it the allure of 'something new as something old'?   We may never know.   But ask yourself this - would you be as stoked to see McCutchen in the 2002 design vice this:

....or this?

Oops.  An insert......okay, score one for Topps.   But hang with me!

So, what do you think?   What does iconic mean to you?   Will the 'surfboard' design of 2012 flagship develop into an iconic design - eventually?   Have we, as a hobby, lost our ability to appreciate beautiful designs if they aren't accompanied by the chance to pull on-card autographs, jumbo relics or maple syrup glaze parallel SSSSP's?

Perhaps, but in the meantime - here's my two cents:   I don't believe iconic designs are behind us.   The iconic designs of my youth are exactly that - the iconic designs of my youth.   The '87 mini inserts from this year's release made me tear up a little while they very well might cause a 12 year old kid today to mutter, "What the heck is this?"  It's true, fellow geezers.   The iconic designs of the golden age and beyond are iconic for the legendary players they picture, I believe....and they're just old....and can be kind of tough to find.   2012 base cards will be old one day and probably hold some value for collectors who are riding bikes today that will remember watching Pujols or Cano or Kershaw as children.   One thing that WON'T be the same, however, is the scarcity.   We may never see that phenomena associated with present-day releases so I think that is a unique contributor to the allure of designs and plain old base cards from vintage (50's and 60's) releases.

For the record - here's MY iconic:

EPIC

Where was I 6/24/83?!? I don't know.....

And THIS.....this just doesn't seem epic to me.   Not yet.   But perhaps one day?

Golden Mouuuuus

Overall, this is a great question and a healthy debate.   Topps truly can't stand to lose too much from trying to find an answer, either.   There will probably be a 'swing and a miss' from time to time, yes.   But they might as well try, though.   You KNOW that we will all be there to at least pick up a few packs!

Let me know what you think and thank you for providing the discussion point, Rick.

Thanks for reading and before I forget - GO YANKEES, BEAT THEM SOX!!!!!!!!!!

You Cool Summer, Yu!

Okay, not so cool.   Maybe even a little "Cruel" on some days..... 

.....but I sincerely hope that each and every one of you are having a great one.   The baseball season is now in full swing as we approach the mid-summer classic in Kansas City.   The divisions are shaking out.....somewhat.   Some close divisional races this year, actually, if you can call them races already in June.   Gotta love it!   A bunch of web gems on display, some good pop also as the dingers start to fly in the warm air.

A knuckle-baller who has penned a book and climbed Kilimanjaro is the best pitcher in baseball!!!   How sweet is that????

We are in the thick of things in the hobby as well.   Series 2 has been out for a wee bit and I'm chasing it along with completion of Series 1.   Please check out my lists to see if we can help each other (along with Gypsy Queen, Heritage and all of the others, too!).   There's a lot of high-dollar action on E-Bay, YouTube, the Blogosphere and Twitter regarding Topps' Tier One release and the 1/1 "Bat Knob" relics for some of the game's greatest legends.   They're definitely SWEET - and while I will probably never own one myself, it's been a lot of fun to watch others enjoy these amazing 'pulls'.   If you haven't spent some time on YouTube to check 'em out, I recommend spending a few moments to do so!

I have a few trades pending with a a few of you out there - I am sorry that I have been so slow to follow up and dig through my collection to update lists & those set-aside stacks for each of you.   I am also going on a family vacation next week, so I'll be on the Collector's DL for a little bit longer - thanks for your patience, guys.  And THANKS to those of you who have passed along some great trade packages (or just good will packages) in the past month or so.   I am truly thankful and can't wait to have some time to 'hit you back'.

And speaking of hits, I've decided to declare that I have, indeed, ended my "hit-less" drought for 2012!   No, I still haven't cornered an autograph or some game-used relics....this was one of those much loved and much hated short prints from Series 2 - the Yu Darvish SP, #660.   I would never have known it but I strategically pulled the STANDARD Yu two packs before this one popped out.

Again, not the greatest card out there but I was pretty pumped to enjoy some success and claim my first two Yu Darvish cards!   I will probably sell the SP on the Bay of E in order to fund other ventures but it's cool to enjoy for now - Without further ado, here Yu for you:

 

Stay cool, be safe and have some fun, everybody - we'll see you back here after a short break.

Thanks for reading!

One of My Favorite Cards: 1952 Topps #88 Bob Feller

GUILTY!

I've recently broken my own rules.   I told myself I wouldn't do it, I rationalized over and over again as to why it should be considered a waste of time and funds in my own mind......but I didn't listen.   Not even to myself.

I wasn't going to chase any more releases from this year.   I would make this the final year for hand-building the flagship set for my son.   From here on out, I would simply pick up a sealed factory set for him every Christmas and perhaps build the Updated Series to complete the circuit.   From there, I would choose my favorite release and maybe allow myself to chase that one.   This year, that set was Gypsy Queen.   I was a huge fan of the inaugural release last year and I couldn't wait for 2012.   The set delivered and I am well on my way to completion of GQ (PLUG - please check out my NEEDS/HAVES lists to the right and see if we can help each other out with a swap!).

Okay - so I picked up a ton of Heritage, too.....only to nip that pursuit in the bud with a very reasonable and enjoyable transaction with BrentandBecca for a complete set.  A great experience and I can't wait to go through the set and enjoy each card.

But then I got the itch.   The guilty itch of ordering the set outright.....I am a set-builder by nature but I can  have a flare up of collector's impatience.   It got the best of me and I'm not sure if I can go that route again.   So, with GQ almost done - you could say that there was a bit of a void.

And then it showed up.

The blog posts and tweets and website articles started popping up ALL over the place about the release of 2012 Topps Archives.   I scoured the pictures myself and couldn't look away!   There they were - so many of my favorite card designs from decades past: 1954, 1971, 1980 and the first set to capture my imagination as a young collector: 1984 Topps.

I picked up a pack or two and was instantly hooked - I would chase the set.   I should have those lists up shortly - let me know if I can help  you with anything!

One of my favorite aspects of the Archives set are the Reprints.   These are (almost) exact replicas of some of the most famous cards from the Topps' timeline.   A little bit brighter, a lot more mint-ier and the curious odor of maple syrup replaces that great old-school cardboard smell......with a tiny gold-foil stamp to remind you that you're OH so close.

But they're still a great way to do a little role-playing and enjoy some of our hobby's true gems.   One of my Archives packs yielded a copy of a card that I am actually fortunate enough to own and thought this coincidence would make for a great lead-in to a post about one of my favorite cards of one of my favorite ballplayers.

Bob "Rapid Robert" Feller's 1952 Topps card, #88 from the set.

  

Bob Feller was one of the first legends that I reached out to as I re-entered the memorabilia portion of our hobby in 2007.   It was that fall that I began sending out ROMLBs to Hall of Fame legends via TTM requests in the hopes of building a collection to honor the heroes of the game I love.   I made sure to read up on each player before I penned there letter and I can say that it was some of the most enjoyable research I have ever conducted in my life!   

Bob Feller is an American Hero.   I talk about it quite often on here, but Mr. Feller was one of those legends from the Game's Golden Age that managed to save the world amongst making his mark on the pages of baseball's history.   He was a Navy man like me!   He was the first major league ballplayer to step away from the game and raise his hand to volunteer for service - combat service, to be exact.   Mr. Feller was a Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama (Battleship) - which JUST SO HAPPENS to share the same namesake state as the submarine I served aboard during my time in the service.   In some weird, illogical way.....I like to think that this gives us some sort of bond?   I know, I know.....

One more quick fact - I grew up in the Florida panhandle and, as a young Boy Scout, spent several nights aboard the USS Alabama for 'camping trips' in Mobile, Alabama, where the good ship Bama is moored as a floating museum.   Bob Feller was a spark in my young collector's eye at that point in time, so I never noticed the bunk labeled with his name in the crew's quarters (or it could be the Goat Locker, as Mr. Feller left the Navy with the rank of Chief Petty Officer....and is the only Hall of Famer to retain that enlisted rank).   You had better believe that it is on my TO-DO Bucket List to make a return trip to Mobile for some great gulf seafood and an afternoon aboard that 'ol grey lady so that I can see where Chief Feller tried to find peace amongst the chaos of war.   Amazing....

"Bullet Bob" missed four potential seasons of his professional career while he defended the nation.   What might have been, right?   Well - turns out, it was anyways.   He finished his career with a record of 266-162 with an ERA of 3.25 and 2,581 strikeouts.   He never wore a different uniform than the Cleveland Indians threads that he donned off and on from 1936 to 1956.   There are many stats and milestones that I could review but I would like to save some of these for when I share my returns from that TTM request in '07.   For now, I would like to speak to the card above!

After re-entering the hobby last year, I quickly found the only - and soon to be extinct - Local Card Shop (LCS) in town, Rudy's Upper Deck.   I'd pop in whenever I could to chat with 'ol Rudy about the game, the players, the hobby and life in general.  It was great!   I was so sad to learn that Rudy would have to close things up last year but I am very grateful that I had the few months that I did to get to know Rudy and make some deals for some of the cardboard in his display cases.

One day I sauntered in to Rudy's and saw Mr. Feller's warm grin shining up from his 'vintage' display case.   Not only was it Bob Feller, but it was Bob Feller's 1952 Topps card.   1952 Topps is one of those legendary sets.   Sure, it's got the Mantle Rookie that we all know so well - but so many other cards from that set are incredible and timeless classics.   The design is simple but beautiful.   The background cartoon colors in some of the cards (like Bob's) are a bit odd.....but for the time period - understandable.   The old team logo's/mascots like Chief Wahoo above are fantastic.   Not necessarily politically correct for our times but they're a part of history and something to be understood.   My favorite part is the player's name and signature 'box'.   This rectangle, like the rest of the card, is very simple....but to me, the tiny yellow stars turn an ordinary box into a brilliant art-decco marquee - as in an old-fashioned movie theatre.   Think Jim Carey's "The Majestic".

I know....I'm a little weird.

So, I fell in love with this card and knew I wanted it for my collection - though I could never afford it and certainly couldn't afford the price that Rudy had marked on the card.   

BUT WAIT....what's that on the left-hand side?   A crease!

Yes, a crease often carries a negative connotation in our hobby.   We don't prefer to have the cards in our collection creased but for us mortals - these creases can become tickets to the possibility of actually owning some very epic, beautiful baseball cards.   Why?   Well, the creases detract from the card's condition and therefore - this 1952 Topps Bob Feller just garnered itself a severe discount from the 'Beckett High' price on the sticker.   I asked Rudy about it and pointed out the crease (along with the corners and slight stain on the back) for his consideration.   Rudy pulled the top-loader close to his thick spectacles and furrowed his brow.   I got the sense that he might not agree with my assessment, so I commented again on how nice the card was and went back to talkin' shop with Rudy so that he could make his decision in peace.   I talked about Bob Feller and the luck I had with him through the mail back in '07.    Rudy shared his favorite Feller story with me - the "Heater from Van Meter's" Opening Day no-hitter in 1940, against the Chicago White Sox.   Opening Day no-no?!?!?!   This day and age gives us pitchers with carefully monitored pitch counts and a middle-reliever system that makes it nearly impossible for starters to see the 7th or 8th inning.   Amazing!   

But what about this card, Rudy?

We all usually disparage the price guide mentality that governs the financial side of our beloved hobby. While it changed the game in so many ways, it DOES still provide a very useful and protective service by letting everyday collectors like ME know about what to pay in retail situations like this.  I knew the general condition descriptions along with the generally accepted percentage discount to be expected for the various degrees of degradation......

So I made an offer.   A low offer.  Not to be cheap or steal this thing away but an offer that could fit within my budget.   I was ready to let this '52 Feller go and walk away because I understood that Rudy had to make a living, too.   In fact, he even confided in me that he hadn't seen the crease when he bought it.   He shook his head on that fact and even let out a low whisper of self-deprecation, "Rudy!....."   It was truly charming.   You can't get THAT from CheckOutMyCards.com!   I felt bad for him, but he wasn't mad.....no, in fact, he said he was very appreciative that I pointed it out to him and thanked me for coming in to talk baseball with him when I could.

He took another $15 off my offer and I was going home with this legendary card!

And that's the story of my 1952 Topps Bob Feller.   Here's a look at the back for us to enjoy:

Classic design.   Biographical information, quick write-up (these were really good back in the day) and some playing stats to wrap things up.   Love it!   How about those four names, huh?

Thank you for your service to our country, Mr. Feller, and to your contributions to the game we love.   You are dearly missed but I can easily imagine that grin from the diamond in the sky.

As a side note - here are some images of the original '52 next to the reprint included in this year's Archives release.   A reprint will never be the same - but I feel like Archives and other reprint type releases provide a great way for collectors in the modern era to own a little replicated piece of history and get a sense of these hobby treasures for pennies on the vintage dollar.

The '52s were still the larger-sized cards so you can notice the difference there.  Then there's the golden archives stamp, too, of course.   Other than that, if you were to just fade some of that crisp white into soft grown......oh, and don't forget that smell and a crease or two!


Thanks for reading!