BY THE NUMBERS OF VINTAGE BASEBALL SETS STARTED IN THE LAST 5 YEARS

 

                  I guess I should do my version of the blog bat-a-blog of my numbers. My version of the numbers is how many cards I need still as of the date of this post of the vintage sets I've started in the last 5 years. I think I will talk about them in chronically order. The 1st set is the 1961 Fleer Baseball Greats I had just finished the 1960 version of this set so I thought well during my hunt of the 1960s I found a lot of the 1961s so why not give it a go. So I have 14/154 cards to locate which is about  % of almost completing it a lot faster then my 1967 Topps Set which I have endlessly talked about a bunch of times on this blog. Here's the list of names that still have me searching in Vintage boxes most of them are from Series II of the set they made Series I for cards 1 through 88 & Series II was 89 through 154. Series II was suppose to be more tougher to locate but I have seen them just I don't have the deep pockets to pull the trigger on some of them just yet.

75-Babe Ruth
78-George Sisler
126-Joe McGinnity
129-Kid Nichols
131-Bob O`Farrell
132-Roger Peckinpaugh
133-Herb Pennock
136-Ray Schalk
139-Bob Shawkey
141-Billy Sullivan
143-Joe Tinker
149-Rube Waddell
152-Ted Williams

          Back in 2023 I was figuring out what vintage set I could make that would be fun to do that most people would have but wouldn't be to expensive to make as well where if I were to go to a huge show like The National Sports Card Conventions that I could find I was debating the 1964 Topps Stand-Ups or the 1964 Topps Giants & since my friend Greg did the 1963 Fleer Set I really didn't want to try to make that set so I went for the 1964 Giants & after getting a Short Print like the Sandy Koufax is & as well getting some great stars for under $10 I was hooked so here's the remaining cards for that set making it another set 6/60 at 10% remaining to find that includes 3 Short Prints of my namesake,Willie Mays, & Bill Skowron. Of course 4 Hall of Famers but they are the highly sought after ones for this set so they are reasonable to locate.

11-Roberto Clemente

25-Mickey Mantle
42-Dick Stuart
49-Hank Aaron
51-Willie Mays
60-Bill Skowron

                   Next up is a set that I started in December of last year on the 14th to be exact when I attended my monthly show in Livonia Michigan. Where I picked up an 800ct box of 1968 Topps for the price of $80 when the dealer knocked off $20 for what he was asking cause he heard I was down to my last 2 cards on my 1967 set so he didn't call my bluff & after wondering why I did what I did cause I thought no way would I do this set after starting the next set I will discuss later on those 2 sets would be harsh to do especially 1968 in Michigan the Tigers cards as well the Ryan & Bench RCs are mirror reflections of the 1967 Tom Seaver RC in my opinion.  Well when I first started I mentioned in my blog I needed at the time including the big name rookies still was at 181 well after a couple shops & trades later 4 months into making this set. I can say & I still need the Ryan & Bench RCs I am at 99/598 cards not counting the 33 Inserts at a remarkable 17% to complete the set. Again I have enclosed my list of the remaining ones I need. I want to thank a very special friend of mine Señor Emilio Ruiz of Puerto Rico who sent me a couple of nice 1968 cards to me in a trade including the 1968 Tigers Team card to help me get closer as it looks I might be making this number smaller if I continue at the pace I am getting the commons leaving me with the stars left to get for the National in July.

4 5 6 10 11 13 20 22 26 40 45 46 49 60 78 80 103  110 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 122 123 125 129 130 131 133 138 142 144 147 149 150-Roberto Clemente 152-Yaz Hits 2 (Game 2)  154-Gibson Hurls Shutout (Game 4) 155-Lonborg wins Again (Game 5) 156-Petrocelli Socks 2 Homers (Game 6) 158-Cardinals Celebrate WS!!! 160  167 169 172 175 177-Mets Rookies (J. Koosman/N.Ryan) 178 184 185 196 230 238 240 247-Reds Rookies (J.Bench/R.Tompkins) 250 256 264 280-Mickey Mantle 285 288 307 309 314 333 364 365 368 369 370 372 374 378 410 414 416 425 428 444 467 470 481  490 505 509 514 544 563 581 583-Gates Brown* 

                   Next up is a set I started in 2023 cause I picked up at a garage sale an 600ct of 1971 Topps & whole bunch of other oddies at this sale cause the lady selling them didn't realize what she had in the box cause she mainly knew it was baseball cards but didn't know how old they were cause they looked to beat up for anyone to care about. She had about 7 boxes of wax she was selling as well but she told me someone else was purchasing them at a later time & at the prices was asking for they can have them at $200 a piece mainly it was 1988,1989,& 1990 Donruss so when she told me about the 600ct box that this person passed over I was shocked. She only wanted $10 for the box again she thought this person would be interested but they weren't they wanted packs only so I bought the remaining stuff (which was a bunch of the `89/`90 Fleer basketball & other mid 90s to early 2000s basketball singles in 4 binders) for a great price of $25 I tried to offer her more but she just wanted them gone before the other person returned cause I was honest with her about what they normally go for she said it doesn't matter knowing someone like me would take beat up 1971s & make good use with them. Plus she figured the guy who was buying all those wax boxes would have asked her to sell the rest of them to him for $1 so I am not the bad guy in this needless to say this set & my 1968 Topps will be 2 sets where Ill figure if I want to go out & make an Immaculate set of them or just if the condition isn't too bad Ill keep it for the set & enjoy it when its done. I am at 46/752 cards remaining which is a nice 6%. I have some en route eventually to make the number a little smaller again I have enclosed what is remaining for me to find again I am patient in finding them when I can in the vintage boxes at shops & shows I am excited when I do find some of them especially the Short Prints from the last couple series & as well some big names for some decent prices cause if the condition fits what I would like for the set I'm happy to get that player removed from the list. 

503-Gates Brown*
513-Nolan Ryan
525-Ernie Banks
549-Jim Brewer
559-T.Cox/B.Gogolewski/G.Jones
572-Jerry Kenney
598-Rick Wise
599-Norm Cash*
600-Willie Mays
612-L.Camilli/T.Ford/S.Mingori
625-Lou Brock
630-Roberto Clemente
635-Bobby Murcer
644-Jimmy Stewart
648-R.Folkers/T.Martinez/J.Matlack
650-Richie Allen
651-Jerry Robertson
655-Mike Epstein
656-Gerry Nyman
661-Chuck Tanner
664-A. Reynolds/B.Reynolds/K.Reynolds
669-Ike Brown*
670-Bill Hands
671-Bill Voss
677-Jack DiLauro
679-Don O`Riley
680-Don Mincher
683-Bill Burbach
688-Sparky Anderson
692-H.Haydel/R.Moret/W.Twitchell
695-Joe Niekro*
698-Milwaukee Brewers Team
706-Joe Foy
707-Fred Lasher
708-Russ Nagelson*
712-Jose Martinez
713-Mike Marshall
719-Jerry May
720-Matty Alou
723-Vicente Romo
725-Gary Gentry
726-Paul Popovich
736-Mel Queen
738-Russ Gibson
748-John Purdin
750-Denny McLain

                As I look over the numbers I think I am doing well better than I did when I first started my 1967 Topps Set in 1990 I guess its cause of the internet to help me find these cards as well finding new shops that have stuff whether if its something I need or not as well my loyal readers who have helped me get closer to accomplishing the set to completion to even going to out of state shops & shows to find some of the great finds I have. My goal is to have each of these sets I mentioned are as follows by the time the National rolls on in July. I like to have the 1961 Fleer be down to 8 cards,1964 Giants be down to 3 cards,1968 Topps All the Tigers gone & be down to 40 cards, & finally the 1971 Topps down to 30 cards. Until then I will be patient & continue to look for them one thing for sure once I get closer Ill be sure to talk about it on here until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby talking about signing autographs for little kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

THE RETURN OF ART FERN

 

Hello friends Art Fern here to give you the answers you're all waiting on to hear. As I reveal them you'll then will see that only 1 dabbling collector came close that being Peterborough's own blogger reader got the most correct a Mr. Mike Matson. NOW WITHOUT FURTHER ADO LET ME TELL YOU THE ANSWERS & THE HIDDEN DETAILS IN THE QUESTIONS THAT REVEALED THAT PLAYER.

1. I am a Hall of Famer I can't tell you the year I was inducted cause that would be too easy for you to figure me out. I played for a team that went to the first ever League Championship Series back in 1969,however I had a teammate that hit a total of 3 Home Runs also a Hall of Famer couldn't help out in advancing to the World Series. I never reached the playoffs again until 1982. I never won a Cy Young Award. I only played 3 games with a team that gave me a Milestone It's that team most people don't realize I played for them in my career cause they only associate me with the team I talked about in the previous clues Who Am I??????? I am Phil Niekro I got my 300th career win against the Blue Jays & I played only 3 games with them late in my career. The Hall of Famer who hit 3 Home Runs that League Championship Series was Hank Aaron.

2. I am a Hall of Famer like the previous player & I am not telling what year I was inducted again too easy for you. I also played in the first ever League Championship Series back in 1969 but in the other league from #1s. I won 2 major awards but they were 10 years apart. My first year was also the same as a fellow Hall of Famer & he won the other Leagues Award that I won in our rookie years but we both made history the same day but I did mine against the same team I broke in with while his historical moment came against the city he broke in with weird thing it was for the other leagues teams. In 1991 & 1992 I pulled the honors of doing something only Ted Williams did but he did his in 1983 & 2002. Who Am I??????? I am Rod Carew I had 2 Donruss puzzles 1 from the 1991 Studio & 1 from the 1992 Donruss much like Ted Williams did in 1984 my bad in the wrong year question In the Donruss  Action All-Stars & 2002 Donruss Originals. Also the feat I shared with was with Tom Seaver he won his 300th win against the Yankees while a White Sox & I got my 3000th career Hit off Frank Viola of the Minnesota Twins while I was with the California Angels on August 4th 1985. 

3. I'm sure by now you can say that I am a Hall of Fame member as well. When I went to the Hall I was lucky to be included with someone else from my home state as well with the player who would replace me. Prior to going to Hall I would beat another member by a very slim margin in winning a batting title. When I retired I would be found working with 2 Hall of Fame members 1 of which never played the game. Who Am I?????? I am George Kell. Whom did I beat by a slim margin that would be Ted Williams & I went into the Hall of Fame the same year as Brooks Robinson who like me is from Arkansas, & when my playing career was over I became a broadcaster for The Tigers where I was with non-player Hall of Famer Ernie Harwell then my broadcaster partner later was Hall of Famer Al Kaline.

4. I hope by now you have guessed that I am a Hall of Fame member too but my story is that I was a throw-in a trade 2 years prior to winning the MVP award all cause of a GM saw potential in me. I attended the same college as a fellow Hall of Famer from a different sport. I even won a Home Run Derby in my home park you can see the outcome on 1 of cards the following year. Who Am I??????? I am Ryne Sandberg I won the 1990 Home Run Derby contest at Wrigley Field unfortunately I didn't attend the same university as I thought I did with John Stockton. I was traded prior to 1982 Season & 2 years later I won the N.L. MVP Award.

5. I was inducted to the baseball hall of fame yet like the #4 player I played the position that he started at before he was moved to & I was traded too but I only played 1 year for a team I was traded to before I called it a career. I was heartbroken when I saw a foul ball become an omen besides a black cat that well crossed my path when I played. I never got to enjoy seeing my team go all the way nor even was able to see myself in Otesaga Lake in upstate New York because I believed that my homepark when they honored me with my Jersey retirement # that I was lucky to be a member of that team & I mentioned that it was my Hall of Fame. Who Am I??????? I am Ron Santo I played 3rd base the  position that Sandberg played prior moving to 2nd base. I then later was traded to White Sox played the 1974 season with them, then I retired.

In 1969 we were in 1st place until the cat crossed our paths

How we forgotten about the 2003 NLCS against the Florida Marlins.

                                    My Hall of Fame at Wrigley Field when they retired my #10.

6. My road to Cooperstown was very interesting as well I played as a teammate of #4 & I got to play with in Postseason 2 times each time my team was eliminated. My RC I'm surprised didn't get a blown up version compared to some of the others that played for the American League team that was making their debut when I had my RC released. I won the top Rookie Award as well MVP which I won 10 years after my rookie season. Who Am I?????? I am Andre Dawson if you look at the 1977 O Pee Chee set I am not in it & The American League team was the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

I won the Rookie of the Year award in 1977 

10 years later I won the MVP where I was teammates with Ryne Sandberg.

7. I like the previous 6 players also am a Hall of Famer. I would win 4 batting crowns if ya saw some of my other seasons that I didn't win the title ya had to wonder who did. When I retired from the game I made a leap to become a broadcaster. In my last year of my life the All-Star Game was featured in a ballpark where I played at as a player they even played a tribute to me prior to the game for I had passed away before the midsummer classic. 1 of my ex-Teammates told me I had made it to Cooperstown even though I hadn't yet until the following year. Who Am I?????? I am Harry Heilmann the year I died was in 1951 the same year the All-Star Game was held at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. The ex-teammate who told me that I made it to Cooperstown was Ty Cobb.

8. I will tell you yes I am enshrined in Cooperstown. 1 of my teams that I played for had 3 years of 4 players enshrined in the Hall in consecutive years. After my playing career I was busy carrying another title that I feel proud serving in. The team I represented in Cooperstown can boast that I am 1 of 2 players to do a feat that was later matched by another Hall of Famer though ya could say when I did mine I was a proud Father. Who Am I????? I am Senator Jim Bunning. I served in Congress as well the House of Representives I felt proud serving the great folks of Kentucky during my terms in the politics. I was inducted the year after fellow Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt & Richie Ashburn 1995 & 2 years before me was Steve Carlton 1994. All of us played for the Phillies. I threw a perfect game on June 21st 1964 against the New York Mets which happened on Father's Day making my day extra special for being a father of 9 kids.

 

                                            My Senator profile for the House of Representatives. 

9. I will start by saying yes I am the last Hall of Fame member that you will have to identify. I was like #5 inducted after I had passed away unfortunately. Some of the things that I accomplished well I did something that hadn't occurred in baseball since the 1950s as well as what #8 did in the 1960s. I like another Hall of Famer did on his plaque in the 1980s decided that was the best way to avoid problems with the teams so they couldn't say that I went into Hall to represent them only cause I played what I think was equally for them plus the teams I played for were nice to not let anyone else wear my uniform. Who Am I?????? I am Roy Halladay I was inducted to Cooperstown in 2019. It was 2 years after I had passed away much like Ron Santo. If you look at my plaque it has no team logo on my cap much like Hall of Famer Jim "Catfish" Hunter who was inducted in 1987 & both the Blue Jays & Phillies retired my jersey number. The thing I did in MLB history for the first time since the 1950s well.....I threw a Post Season No Hitter against the Reds in 2010 the first was of Don Larsen who threw a Perfect Game against the Brooklyn Dodgers on October 8th 1956 & earlier in the season I threw a perfect game much like Senator Jim Bunning did & we each did it wearing a Phillies uniform but I did mine against the Florida Marlins.

                       Now if the Tie Breaking question came into play what do all 9 of these players have in common other than being Hall of Famers is none of these 9 players ever got to play in the World Series. Some were lucky to play in playoffs but still no World Series. I could had players like Ken Griffey Jr. be included on this contest but I felt like I might want to do another sometime down the road so ya never know you'll just have to keep reading my blog.  I want to thank everyone who tried their best to enter the contest so Mike let me know what you like to get as your prize. I am planning to do another contest sometime in May I know I mentioned I would do one in March but with it fast approaching I have other things to gather around in time for that contest until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs "Any ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for a little kid ain't an American, He's a Communist."

ITS CONTEST TIME AGAIN!!!!!!!!

 

                            Step right up folks that's right I Art Fern have a great & wonderful deal in regards to trading bubble gum cards that's right I am talking about bubble gum cards that features your favorite players on your favorite teams. This is one contest that I know that anybody who is anybody can enter this contest to win it. All you have to do in order to win the contest is simply answer 9 questions about 9 different players in a simple game of "WHO AM I......."  there are actually 10 questions in hopes that we don't have to resort to playing extra innings as always there is no cheating I am hoping for the honor system intact that no one I repeat no one tries to cheat. Now what are we playing for you ask real simple folks. You'll be playing for either your choice a Mystery Autograph photo of a player we can't simply name cause if we name this player no one I repeat no one will want this autograph because the autograph doesn't come with a COA nor does this player sign anymore items for he is dead.....Thats right this player is dead so he won't sign anything more unless the rumors of his death are misleading which I Art Fern will be the first to say I am simply amazed that this player is alive.  If you pass on the Mystery Autograph you can have your choice of a Mystery Set of cards that will be more than 200 cards in the set or if ya don't want the Mystery Set you can try your luck by naming your favorite MLB Team when you submit your answers to the questions after the Tie Breaking question (Yes duplicated teams are fine yes I am pointing you out you Mr Night Owl & Mr GCRL both out in your Dodger loving plans) & Ill send you a Mystery Lot of 50 cards of that team that will consist of stuff from the 1960s to the present provided I have 50 cards of your team for you. Also couple more disclaimers in case we do go into extra innings the earliest time stamp on the post will win the prize if no one can answer the questions then I will roll out another contest sometime later on in March just remember no cheating cause I will know if you cheating cause Ill have a way of knowing how ya looked up the answers. In my next post I'll provide the answers & reveal the winner of this contest then you'll see what I mean when I know my baseball & hopefully some of ya will understand me better. Now WITHOUT FURTHER ADO Let the contest begin.

1. I am a Hall of Famer I can't tell you the year I was inducted cause that would be too easy for you to figure me out. I played for a team that went to the first ever League Championship Series back in 1969,however I had a teammate that hit a total of 3 Home Runs also a Hall of Famer couldn't help out in advancing to the World Series. I never reached the playoffs again until 1982. I never won a Cy Young Award. I only played 3 games with a team that gave me a Milestone It's that team most people don't realize I played for them in my career cause they only associate me with the team I talked about in the previous clues Who Am I???????

2. I am a Hall of Famer like the previous player & I am not telling what year I was inducted again too easy for you. I also played in the first ever League Championship Series back in 1969 but in the other league from #1s. I won 2 major awards but they were 10 years apart. My first year was also the same as a fellow Hall of Famer & he won the other Leagues Award that I won in our rookie years but we both made history the same day but I did mine against the same team I broke in with while his historical moment came against the city he broke in with weird thing it was for the other leagues teams. In 1991 & 1992 I pulled the honors of doing something only Ted Williams did but he did his in 1983 & 2002. Who Am I???????

3. I'm sure by now you can say that I am a Hall of Fame member as well. When I went to the Hall I was lucky to be included with someone else from my home state as well with the player who would replace me. Prior to going to Hall I would beat another member by a very slim margin in winning a batting title. When I retired I would be found working with 2 Hall of Fame members 1 of which never played the game. Who Am I??????

4. I hope by now you have guessed that I am a Hall of Fame member too but my story is that I was a throw-in a trade 2 years prior to winning the MVP award all cause of a GM saw potential in me. I attended the same college as a fellow Hall of Famer from a different sport. I even won a Home Run Derby in my home park you can see the outcome on 1 of cards the following year. Who Am I???????

5. I was inducted to the baseball hall of fame yet like the #4 player I played the position that he started at before he was moved to & I was traded too but I only played 1 year for team I was traded to before I called it a career. I was heartbroken when I saw a foul ball become an omen besides a black cat that well crossed my path when I played. I never got to enjoy seeing my team go all the way nor even was able to see myself in Otesaga Lake in upstate New York because I believed that my homepark when they honored me with my Jersey retirement # that I was lucky to be a member of that team & I mentioned that it was my Hall of Fame. Who Am I???????

6. My road to Cooperstown was very interesting as well I played as a teammate of #4 & I got to play with in Postseason 2 times each time my team was eliminated. My RC I'm surprised didn't get a blown up version compared to some of the others that played for the American League team that was making their debut when I had my RC released. I won the top Rookie Award as well MVP which I won 10 years after my rookie season. Who Am I??????

7. I like the previous 6 players also am a Hall of Famer. I would win 4 batting crowns if ya saw some of my other seasons that I didn't win the title ya had to wonder who did. When I retired from the game I made a leap to become a broadcaster. In my last year of my life the All-Star Game was featured in a ballpark where I played at as a player they even played a tribute to me prior to the game for I had passed away before the midsummer classic. 1 of my ex-Teammates told me I had made it to Cooperstown even though I hadn't yet until the following year. Who Am I??????

8. I will tell you yes I am enshrined in Cooperstown. 1 of my teams that I played for had 3 years of 4 players enshrined in the Hall in consecutive years. After my playing career I was busy carrying another title that I feel proud serving in. The team I represented in Cooperstown can boast that I am 1 of 2 players to do a feat that was later matched by another Hall of Famer though ya could say when I did mine I was a proud Father. Who Am I?????

9. I will start by saying yes I am the last Hall of Fame member that you will have to identify. I was like #5 inducted after I had passed away unfortunately. Some of the things that I accomplished well I did something that hadn't occurred in baseball since the 1950s as well as what #8 did in the 1960s. I like another Hall of Famer did on his plaque in the 1980s decided that was the best way to avoid problems with the teams so they couldn't say that I went into Hall to represent them only cause I played what I think was equally for them plus the teams I played for were nice to not let anyone else wear my uniform. Who Am I??????

10. TIE BREAKER!!!!!!! Other than all 9 of these players are Hall of Famers what feat did they have in common?????

Reminder to tell me what team you would like a lot of should you be the winner if you choose that prize & I wish you all good luck. Until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby once saying about signing autographs for little kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

 

MICKEY & THE DONUTS

 

                    Yesterday I got a text message from my friend Pat who I sometimes help out once a month at a show in Livonia she wanted me to know that we lost a good friend of ours Mickey Lolich. Mickey was a pitcher from 1963 through 1975 with the Detroit Tigers,1976 the New York Mets,1978 through the 1979 San Diego Padres.  He was only 85 which is a long life for the left-handed Strike out artist in the 1960s. When he was with the Tigers he made his mark by being an Unsung Hero for the 1968 World Series Champions by being 3-0 with an ERA of 1.67 besting Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson in Game 7 on 2 days rest & all 3 of his starts in the were complete games which is a rarity of the game nowadays. As a bonus Mickey in his first at bat in Game 2 he went deep for his only Home Run in his career helping out his own cause to get the victory.

                  As I mentioned before Mickey was a left-hander but he wasn't always he was right handed but he was learning to become a left-hander due to a motorcycle accident when he was a youngster later on he admitted that accident helped his path to the majors faster. The back on the forementioned card from the 1976 Topps Traded how Mickey became a Met he was traded for Rusty Staub many of Detroit fans were upset about the trade as I mentioned he pitched the one season with the Mets before retiring to become a baker making donuts (I had one of his creations once & it was between Tim Hortons & Dunkin Donuts but with his special recipe of goodness). After the 1 year of hiatus Frank Cashen reached out to him to comeback to pitch 1 year for the Padres he ended pitching 2 for them mainly in relief as set up roles for Rollie Fingers then retiring for good after the 1979 season.

                Mickey returned to his bakeries & continued to sell donuts make appearances at shows in the Detroit area as well mainly Tigers Old-Timers games & events honoring the 1968 team. He later in 1996 was asked to be the color man for the Lansing Lugnuts. 

I was lucky to meet up with Mickey on 3 different venues & he was impressed with this bloggers knowledge of the game he even shocked that I knew that his cousin played for the Indians & White Sox.  Each time we would talk about his career as well eat a couple of his donuts as well. This picture was taken May 2017 he wasn't feeling great cause he had a slight temp but made through cause we talked about how Vida Blue beat him for the 1971 Cy Young Award as well the greatest practical joke he did.

Cousin Ron's RC 

                           The practical joke story goes as he did as a player it took place when he was still with the Tigers. You see Tiger Stadium had a scoreboard located along the left-field wall that would be in play during the games. Well that's all Mickey needed for he thought he unscrew a light bulb that resulted in doing over 25 different bulbs unscrewing them then walking away without making a scene. Later that day which was a Sunday it was time to play the game so they flicked on the switch everything lit up on the field except that scoreboard the Detroit officials couldn't figure out what happened so they turn off the switch then flicked on again to see if it was just a simple glitch still no lights then they called an specialist electrician on this day to investigate the problem he checked the fuses they were working fine but they couldn't figure out why they were lighting up. Then one of the grounds crew was talking to team president Jim Campbell saying they claim they saw Mickey was near the scoreboard earlier that day doing something near the scoreboard but couldn't get a good view of his wrong-doings so Jim wondered ya don't think he unscrewed a bunch of bulbs so he told the electrician to see if that was the case sure enough the first bulb he screwed in *bzzzz* the light came to life he proceeded to screw in the rest between innings meanwhile in the Tigers Dugout Mickey sat there quietly whistling innocently chuckling each time a light would turn on then the phone rang from the dugout Manager Mayo Smith answered the phone it was Campbell on the other line he demanded to speak to Lolich ASAP!!!!! He asked Mickey what was he doing around the scoreboard earlier that day Mickey told him absolutely not a damn thing meanwhile smirking that he was found out by Campbell.  Then Campbell told him that it would come out of his paycheck to pay for to have that specialist to come out on a Sunday meaning time & half just to check on the lights & to rescrew in all those light bulbs. As for the paycut it never occurred cause Mickey convinced Campbell he was innocent. Another story that Mickey once said had he didn't have to take time off during the 1967 Season to do active National Guard duty on the weekends he missed about 12 games which would have been 2 starts in the time frame & those 2 games he could helped the Tigers win the pennant that year instead of the Boston Red Sox who won the American League just by 1 game over the Twins & Tigers that season. Mickey was a great friend Tiger fans across the whole state of Michigan will miss him in conclusion as you know I normally end it with my Rogers Hornsby quote but instead Ill leave you with a quote Mickey once said about his stature being a fat guy "Say Helen take a look at this pitcher for the Tigers he weighs in at 275,a World Series MVP, a 20+ winner in the majors, An 3 time All-Star pitcher & you say I am overweight." Rest In Peace my friend. 

30 YEARS LATER WE HAVE THE 1st INDUCTEE

 

                   This year marks the 30th Anniversary here in my hometown. It was 31 years ago when the Class 'A' Midwest League team the Springfield Sultans packed up & made their way to Michigan. They landed in the state's capital city known as Lansing, there they became the Lansing Lugnuts.  During the summer of 1996 its where this blogger was 3 years removed from High School graduation reading some scouting reports on the upcoming team to make their debut in the reports they listed the top 5 players that were stated to play for the Lugnuts who were at the time the Class 'A' affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They were Gary Coffee,Mark Quinn,Carlos Febles,Jose Cepeda & Carlos Beltran.

Gary Coffee was stated to be the 1st Baseman/DH he was to hit like Cecil Fielder with more power though.

5 Stars that didn't result into not even a half a star with Coffee bad enough he never got a cup of coffee in the Majors. But Gary wasn't the first to be featured in a major set that had Lugnut collectors look for at shops at the time.

                       Mark Quinn was rated with 4 stars for a possible speed & arm to help the young outfield that Kansas City developed for the next millennium. Sadly Mark was a great prospect to watch that year & he even made the Midwest League All-Star game in 1996 however Kansas City gave up on him too quick cause he wasn't anything like another prospect Johnny Damon whom he was suppose to alternate with & Johnny was on the move by 2001 to Oakland.

               Carlos Febles the man was rated 4 stars & had tools like that of former Royals All-Star 2nd Baseman Frank White. Sadly Carlos lost the glove work & injuries caught up with him after being in the Majors for 6 seasons. Currently Carlos is the 3rd base Coach for the Toronto Blue Jays.  He made his MLB debut in 1998 the same day as a teammate of the 1996 Lugnuts made his debut we'll talk about that player a bit later.

                    Jose Cepeda he was rated 4 stars due to his blood line in the Majors he was the nephew of Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda. He was supposed to be the Royals replacement at 3rd base making Kevin Seitzer move to 1st base until Coffee was ready since legendary Hall of Famer George Brett was slowly heading to retirement in the next 3 seasons & was used as DH. Jose only made his debut in 1999 not with the Royals but made a short 10 game stint with the Atlanta Braves & not getting out of the shadow of his Uncle Orlando.
                     That leaves us with the man of the hour in 2026 the newest member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Carlos Beltran. Carlos was believe it or not had a 3 star rating according to this report.  As others were watching the previous 4 I quietly watched this upcoming outfielder. He was the 8th ranked prospect he only played in Lansing for 42 games before moving on to Eugene,Oregon before making his MLB debut the same day as his former teammate Carlos Febles back in 1998. After making his debut as a late season call-up in 1998 it was in 1999 Carlos showed everyone that he belonged in the Majors despite having a 3 star ranking on this report he was rewarded in 1999 as The American League Rookie of the Year winner. Carlos would eventually play for 8 teams & finally retired from the game in 2017. On Tuesday this week Carlos received a call saying by garnering 84.2% votes on only his 4th ballot he will be enshrined in Cooperstown to join the legends of the game. He goes into the Hall with Andruw Jones & Jeff Kent later this year. Even though when I type this post up in January I hope that later this year that the Lansing Lugnuts will do something to honor the 30th Anniversary team as well its 1st inductee to the baseball's Hall of Fame so stay tuned this blogger with my insights will let you know if anything should develop so in conclusion I say congrats to Carlos as well to Andruw & of course Jeff Kent who practically played the same era as these 2 gentlemen did in making to Cooperstown. It amazes me that after 30 years watching a young kid like Carlos making it to baseball ultimate goal in being a Hall of Famer despite what allegations he had when he was with the Astros the second time around when he was accused of cheating I just have to wonder what he will say come time for his speech in July in up state New York near Ostego Lake. Maybe he will have a quote like our favorite Hall of Fame member Rogers Hornsby once saying "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

2 DAY SHOW REPORT

     

I didn't want to take a picture of the cold weather. I prefer to be at a ballpark in weather suited for a game. 

       Last week Friday & Saturday I was in the town called Midland which is located near the Flint & Saginaw area its also home of the Great Lakes Loons of the Class 'A' Midwest League team whose parent ballclub at the time of this posting is the Los Angeles Dodgers basically where Clayton Kershaw started his climb to the majors for a set up for a 2 day show. It was held at the Dow Chemical Ballpark in freezing temps outside we were under the cover a great concourse level inside the weird thing is this is the first show I have ever been to as a dealer setting up that had 2 different levels of dealers I was happy to be on the main level cause how slow the elevator would run & having to make multi-trips to the car to get all my boxes & without anyone assisting me either day & plus dealing with the weather snowfalling on the Friday my cart didn't want to budge rolling into the slushy snow. The show had 2 signers both didn't sign long only for an hour they were former Tigers Relief Specialist Mike Henneman & former New York Giants Running back Tyrone Wheatley they were there on Saturday.

That's Mike Henneman from my view of my table in the green hat.

Again a view from my table catching Tyrone Wheatley signing for some scabs of fans of his college.....I mean preschool. 

            I was all set to surprise a great friend in the blogging world Matt aka Cards Over Coffee by maybe if Tyrone wasn't too expensive to get his signature & razz him about this years THE GAME & see if he was retained to work next year at the preschool with the new coaching staff by getting his autograph.....well Matt sorry Tyrone was too much for this guy at $30 for a flat & $75 on a mini helmet which I would have gotten a Mini Giants helmet along with a card for your Giants collection even though I know ya prefer the Bulldog guy of a certain Mr. Rodney Hampton over Tyrone & plus his he would inscribed the Helmet saying something about coffee for you but the inscriptions were limited 3 words at an extra $45 add it all up & I know ya wouldn't been able to reinburst me right away for the surprise so I had to do a hard pass so I tried Matt again I need my money for my coffee. I wasn't sure how much Henneman was charging but I didn't want to risk it if he also was $30 as well so I had to time it right to get the pics for you my lovely readers. 

            On Friday I was limited to the main level of the show so I saw a few tables had some possibilities of getting things from my lists or make some trades with my stuff for newer stuff lucky for me I found 2 dealers that helped me with some of my `25/`26 Topps Basketball inserts leaving me with 3 cards to find still which is better than having nothing. I know I made 1 kid very happy with a box of 1991 Series I Donruss I had an unopened box that I got for free from a customer at work when he saw that the price was $3 he begged his dad for the money the father 1st told him oh that guy is asking too much for it until the son spoke up & said no dad he's asking $3 not $300 the father asked me if it was $3 I shook my head & said its his for $3  the father handed him the money which the kid relayed it to me I told the kid Good luck I hope ya can pull an exclusive Elite insert & if ya do you'll have better luck then I did back in 1991 when it was released. So the kid left happy & then another kid noticed I had a gravity feed box of 2023 Topps Series I for $20 & he too went home happy with a new box to crack open.  Then around 7pm I packed up my stuff back into my car for the cold ride in the winter night back home & get ready for Saturday.

                    On Saturday I finalized my deals for my inserts then made a few deals with the stuff I selling then around 2:30 packed up my stuff headed back toward home but made a slight detour to the local casino on the Indian Reservation to play video poker since I don't want to play regular card games cause I count cards & I don't want to be banned from the casino so I stick with the video poker & keno games after being there for an 1 hour headed home to catch the end of the Broncos Vs Bills game. Overall it was a good weekend however one thing I forgot to pick up was a dealer had a binder of `81/`82 Topps basketball singles labeled if not stickered $1 per card to whatever was labeled so I counted them & there was like 42 out of 66 cards needed unfortunately I didn't realize my mistake until I was loading the last of my boxes in the car when I went back to that dealer he was long gone well maybe next show I might get lucky again one can only hope.  Anyways I hate to leave ya fellow readers but I have yet to unload my boxes back into my Man Cave basement but I leave ya in words of the Great Rogers Horsnby once saying about signing autographs for little kids "Any ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

NOT WANTED!!!!!!

                          

                                            On Monday I got a text from my new store manager at DG asking why I am asking people for their shifts well.......lately I have only been scheduled 1 night a week for a job that I hired in as full-time not getting full time hours & such. Sure I have griped about working a lot of hours without time off who hasn't but for me I need to work to pay my bills & to have some $$$$$ left over to maybe get a couple of cards if I have the time. All I am asking is to work Saturdays from 12pm to when ever a place closes the same on Sundays with a later start date on the 2nd Sunday of each month except July when there isn't a show that I like to help my friend out with & Monday to Wednesday from 3pm to close so I can continue to work my other job during the day unless I can get about $17 hour with benefits Ill quit my other job, & have Thursdays & Fridays free except when I request time off which is very rare for me cause I mainly want a week off to attend the NSCC Convention or have plans in which I will ask for it off in plenty of time to get coverage if needed.

                                  Lately I find myself not getting hours meanwhile others who are limited with their hours are getting scheduled more than me. Its hard for someone at the age 50 to find something when I should be slowing down cause I am not as young as I used to be. Plus some of the younger crowd they don't want to work long hours they feel like they're entitled to things instead. I am not a suit & tie type of a worker I am blue collar son. My dream job would to be working at a card shop sorting through boxes getting them in order or selling cards cause I know my cards in the sporting world get me on Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh Magic the Gathering forget it. I rather talk cards to people that come in claiming they have a million dollar top notched card only to be set down a peg or have me work a warehouse where if ya need commons sorted out from 3200ct to 5000ct boxes I am willing to do that for a paycheck. If I worked at a card company I would try to see what type of market is like so I can present to you a better product to produce.  

                         As usual I am turned down for those places cause I know too much or cause they don't want to hire someone that understands stuff or they say I am not motivated enough to do anything. I have some great ideas that I could see happening if a certain company would take the time to hear my pitch for another location for them to make it 2 times the business they could either send to the main headquarters or send to the 2nd location & it could just focus on a certain area of the country to make it easier on the main head building that's why ya see all these Amazons places across the USA so they can focus on that particular area & its just not the main Amazon building but alas this company doesn't want to do that they claim the main building is all they need. 

                   Anyways I know its not a typical card posting part but I just wanted to speak my mind on how I feel as of late cause its not a mid-life crisis for me its just upsetting that someone like me wants to work & yet I am like Milton shunned to the basement of work in hopes that someone doesn't take my red stapler.

Until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs for little kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign an autograph for a little kid ain't an American, He's a Communist."