44 REMAINING TO FINISH

 

                  First off I want to thank Mr Night Owl's help in getting in touch with his friend Jeff Scott who lives in Ontario Canada on Thursday after a hard day working my school job as well Dollar General I came home to see that I had a PWE from Mr. Scott. I reached out to Jeff through Mr. N.O. to see if he could send me some of the 1975 O-Pee-Chee for my set that I am building. He was only able to locate 2 of them the 2 you see before you. They are beautiful for turning 50 this year. I am left with 44 to finish off this remarkable set I have enclosed the list of what I need still to finish off my set.

1975 O-Pee-Chee:

1-Hank Aaron
5-S.Busby/D.Bosman/N.Ryan
16-Frank Tanana
37-Dave Freisleben
57-Davy Johnson
60-Ferguson Jenkins
61-Dave Winfield
80-Carlton Fisk
142-Bob Reynolds
147-Pedro Garcia
150-Bob Gibson
162-Willie Montanez
166-Woodie Fryman
172-Boston Red Sox team(Unmarked)
185-Steve Carlton
200-1962 MVP M.Mantle/M.Wills
219-Ed Herrmann
228-George Brett
245-Mickey Lolich
260-Johnny Bench
266-Sandy Alomar SR.
312 1974 Strike Out Ldrs (N.Ryan/S.Carlton)
323-Fred Holdsworth
373-Bill Sharp
378-Darrel Thomas
386-Checklist (Unmarked)
391-Don DeMola
428-Dave Hamilton
430-Luis Tiant
437-Al Cowens
455-Don Wilson
461-Game 1 of the 1974 World Series
463-Game 3 of the 1974 World Series
471-Bob Stinson
500-Nolan Ryan
519-Jim Todd
557-Larry Gura
579-Skip Pitock
600-Rod Carew
616-Rookie Outfielders (Jim Rice)
620-Rookie Catchers/Outfielders (Gary Carter)
623-Rookie Infielders (Keith Hernandez)
658-Vic Harris
660-Hank Aaron

          I only hope that I can finish it off later this year so if someone wants to help me out I would be very appreciated with the help. It would make my Milestone year extra special knowing I completed this set up. Every show or shop I go to I hope to stumble upon them to get me closer to completing this set. In other news I went to a new shop on Friday that my girlfriend located for me during the holidays when she was trying to locate some of my needs off my Christmas list I waited until we each had a day off together so we could check it out well....mainly me. Soon as I walked in I was surprised to find dime boxes again all I could think about is Nick would be in his glory going through these boxes. I found a good portion of my needs mainly from the `03/`04 Upper Deck Basketball set that I am currently working on cause I found a right vein of singles plus at $.10 I couldn't object the price was good enough that I can't wait to go back again to look for more of my needs when I am not on a time frame. While I was there I happened to stumble up on a good portion of the 1978 Jack Wallin Grand Slam Set. 

This is the Sandy Koufax from the set 1 of 8 that I still need to complete my set.

                  There's 200 cards in the whole set prior to getting the whole lot I did my research & figured 200 cards a small odd-ballish set plus the lot was more than 80% complete I only need 8 cards to complete it so what the heck I'll try to see if I can complete it I said in my head & who knows maybe one of my readers might have some dupes of the ones I need or someone can send me the missing 8 guys left I copied my list for you to look at it otherwise its on my wantlist page.

1978 Jack Wallin Grand Slam:

5-Hank Greenberg
28-Charlie Gehringer
45-Stan Musial
51-Joe DiMaggio
84-Pee Wee Reese
148-Gene Woodling
150-Sandy Koufax
193-Billy Rogell

              As you can see its not filled with high profiled guys unless you count DiMaggio & Musial as well Koufax high profile. While at the shop I also picked up another 1993 Pinnacle set for $25 I had made it once back in 1997 but unfortunately I might had placed it in a tote that was placed into a pod that my late older brother had but eventually lost due to lack of paying the fee for it I had some other sets I lost as well but that's a story for another time & plus I hate thinking about those sets I lost as well. I am also excited about this shop cause it will be a place I can't wait to go digging again at.  

           That brings me to what I have to say is I am not afraid to look at others wantlists its one reason I mainly have traded with some of you like Night Owl,my friend Greg,Bo, Angel Tom, Chef Jeremy whom I had a pleasure meeting last year when he was visiting his family in Michigan & yes Jeremy if you come back & maybe come to my city I can try to send you to this place as well to have you hunt for more Tigers & Rays. I know my lists look complicated but at least take a look at them please. Well I'll just stop babbling about on my blog so it can be published & I can work on the goodies I got at this place as well update my lists & think what I can only hope to find down the road so with that said I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby who once commented on signing autographs for kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

MY MR. BASEBALL STORY

 

                 This is a post in a tribute to a great guy in baseball. This is my Bob Uecker Tribute that hasn't been said by many considering that yes its another story about my friend Greg of The Collective Mind Blog. It takes place 2 years ago at The National Sports Card Convention in Chicago where it is again this summer.  You see Bob's 1964 Topps card on the top of the page it was on Greg's most wanted list so usually on the first night of the show I usually do a walk around looking around seeing what deals I can get for the next 2 days respectively.  I noticed as I was walking around this dealer had some vintage cards one being the 1964 Bob Uecker it was at a price I figured that Greg would pounce on it if he saw it $40 was a steal so being a nice friend I picked it up for him sending him a quick text telling him Bob is off your list unfortunately as I was picking this card up Greg was at another booth picking it up as well. 

                      He got my text responding by what did I mean that's when I asked where can I meet up with him to show him. So we met at the booth where he was going through some of his 1962s needs when I showed him Bob he then showed me what he picked up as well. He got a better deal on his but now he has 2 of them I am not sure if he still does or not maybe he'll say on his blog if he still has 1 available. 

          Now the 1967 Topps is my only Uecker card I have that was during his playing career. The other thing I own & will cherish everytime I listen to it is this CD that Hall of Fame Announcer & former partner of Bob's on the Radio Pat Hughes produced It talks about Bob's career as a player as well his Broadcasting career that came to be when he was fired as a Scout for the Milwaukee Brewers after turning in a scouting report that had KFC gravy stains as well other foods on the unknown report of a player. Its part of his series called Baseball Voices I recommend anyone who follows the game to listen to these legendary baseball broadcasters from the likes of Mel Allen,Harry Carey,Jack Buck, & even Bob Uecker. Pat talks about the careers of these great men with famous calls that made the announcer famous for as well great stories their careers as well each announcers speech he made when inducted to Cooperstown after being awarded to Ford C. Frick Award. 

                      As I conclude my piece of remembering Bob Uecker we can only imagine what the conversation would be like once Bob appeared before the golden gates & God lets take a peek.

Bob: Say God is this Iowa.

God: No Bob this is Heaven. 

Bob: Man I knew I didn't see any corn when I arrived.

God: Bob you'll be covering the Angels now.

Bob: I guess I best be moving on to the front row eh!!!

God: No Bob Juuuuuuust a bit outside!!!! & Get up!!!! Get up!!!!! Get Outta here!!!! Gone!!!!

Bob admiring the pearly gates from afar watching new entries awaiting to go into heaven: Great view eh!!! God!!! are ya there!!!!!  I am missing my halo!!!! my halo!!!!!

Bob Uecker will be missed by this baseball fan thanks Ueck!!! With that I am reminded by Rogers Hornsby when talking about autographs to little kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, he's a Communist."

PLENTY OF FOOTBALL LEFT

          

      Then there was 1 game left as I type out this post around 6:45 am est. Outside the building in the town of Livonia,Michigan where I pilgrimage every month to the show where I have gotten some great stuff in the past. I only wish that my boss at Dollar General would have let me start work later than 1pm but it is what it is.

           I'm gearing up for the National Championship Game on the January 20th where THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY is going to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Ever since THE GAME!!!!! Coach Ryan Day had a new Mantra saying during his press conference once the playoff pairings were announced "There's Still Plenty of Football left to play." The players taken Coach Day's words to heart. So they took down the Voles giving them the rematch that they wanted in playing the Little Ducklings from Oregon. Those poor little ducklings were shocked to see that THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY wasn't the same team that they beaten back in October. Next up were the Longhorns of Texas giving a sneak preview of Next year's season opener. Unfortunately Capt. Jack Sawyer said excuse me while I Scoop it & score it.

         So that's what brings us to say again "There's Still Plenty of Football Left."  I know that some Muchigan fans say they're still the National Champions but I didn't see them in the playoffs nor did THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY have 4 losses like them. So to them I say you had a chance to have a dynasty but you didn't make the playoffs so bring on those Irish Little Peoples Capt. Jack & Coach Ryan Day are waiting to show you again for the 3rd year in a row that THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY will be ready to play on the 20TH. With that I will say this O-H !!! 

HE"S GOING TO KILL ME LATER THIS YEAR

         Today is my friend Greg from The Collective Mind blog birthday & well I just wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday. He turns 58. I'm glad to know that he's a great guy especially talking about cards. He might not have the knowledge like me or know the historical aspect of a player but he can hold the topic good. I know that he will kill me as I post this post or he's going to seek revenge somehow later this year as my milestone birthday comes around. It's hard to believe that I have known him since 2007. Every year we try to go to a National whether it was his first in Baltimore or where this years at Chicago we usually have a blast finding cards. 

Greg with Manny Sanguillen one of his favorite player collection guys talking about his career.

                 As I got to know Greg through the years of friendship I wouldn't have this blog without his help so thanks Greg I hope that you have a great birthday & I know that you will get some revenge. 

          In other news around my collection I just recently went to the Maumee Antique Mall this last Friday in Maumee,Ohio outside of Toledo area & I found myself a bunch of things off my list including the 1983 Card Collectors 1953 Bowman Black & White reprint set as well the 1953 Bowman Color reprint set for a great price of combine of $10

 The Black & White set was $5

The Color set also was $5. Not too shabby if I say so myself.

       There's 3 good parts of this antique mall to shop at for cards 1 guy had a bunch of stuff I was looking for for a great price I thought of Dime Box Nick when I went through his stuff for a minor $.10 yes Nick they still have boxes for you to venture west to Ohio for at a price you can't complain about. Another booth this guy had about 12 3200ct boxes of stuff for me to go through ranging from $.10 to $3 again I hit pay dirt in finding a bunch of my basketball needs that I was excited about inching me closer to completing one of many sets I have working on at the moment. The Last booth this guy had some great things from uncut sheets from the Dynamite Magazine from 1978 Topps where 1 time Greg & I found a couple of them having his player guys in them as well I think we found once a Uncut Hostess box that featured Mr. Night Owl's man PC Guy Mr. Ron Cey in it & later Greg mailed it out to him cause I didn't have much contact like I now have with Mr. Owl. My girlfriend had a good time with me finding some great things she wanted to have around the house she even found a nice Ty Cobb picture to hang in the hallway towards our bedroom. We have a bunch of Detroit Tigers pictures hanging in the hallway leading to the bedroom including a shirt she got from a co-worker of hers from the 1984 World Series of the the Detroit Tigers taking on San Jose Fuji's loving San Diego Padres framed up sorry Fuji but as you know Goose Gossage thought he could strike out Kirk Gibson in game 5. 

Before I leave I have to do one more thing about Greg you see one year he came up in the middle of his spring break from his school job for a visit & well.....just say all things went to Hell including Greg so here he is standing in Hell.

Yes those white specks you see are bits of snow so yes Hell did Freeze over that day at a nice 13°F that April day. So Happy Birthday Greg enjoy your Birthday with the Princess of Wales,Muggsy Bogues,The Late Dick Enberg, & Bart Starr Bob 'Gilligan' Denver,as well Buckeye Nations own J.K. Simmons, & with that I am reminded of the great Rogers Hornsby talking about autographs "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

2025 NEW YEARS CARD RESOLUTIONS

              

              Its 2025 I didn't think I would make it this far in my life talking about cards. The truth is later this year I will embark on a milestone in my life that I hope to be part of. On the 14th of this month will mark the 4th anniversary of my older brother's death he was 48 when he died. I can clearly see him still in his old bedroom 3 days earlier trying to figure out why his little brother was at his parents house watching a damn college football game even though his team was losing the National Championship Game to Alabama. His last words to me "Maybe they'll win it next year stay safe going home brother say hi to your girlfriend for me & we'll get together real soon." As I was going home I had hoped my older brother would get back custody of his 2 boys (Harlan & Heath my 2 nephews whom I won't get a chance to watch grow up & be a great Uncle to them & try to convince them collecting cards is better then their old mans hobby of comic books).

               Sorry for the early downer part of this post but as the year progressed I was able to travel down to see a friend named Steve in Mississippi & bring him back with me to Michigan in time for the National Sports Card Convention in Rosemont,Illinois (Chicago again where the 2025 National will be). I'll discuss the details about this trip sometime later this year & how I planned my trip to the results on what happened as well. I just hope that I can make my milestone a great celebration with my readers of my blog & hopes I can achieve my New Years Card Resolutions compared to my fellow bloggers whom I have seen struggle in accomplishing their goals of the New Year. So with that I present to you my 10 Resolutions for this New Year here in 2025. Ill be doing a follow up every 3 months to see if there's any success or not.

1. Try to completing either my `03/`04 Topps or Upper Deck Basketball sets by getting LeBron James RCs.

2. Try completing my `79/`80 Topps Hockey set by finding an inexpensive Gretzky RC.

3. Meet at the National Sports Card Convention at least 3 people from the blogging world or 4 from Sportscardforum.com that aren't my friend Greg from The Collective Mind blog.

4. Purchase a 1967 Brooks Robinson #600 under $300

5. Take down at least 10 names from my 1975 O PEE CHEE baseball list before the end of September. 

6. Celebrate my milestone birthday by getting some great cards off from my lists.

7. Celebrate my 1 year anniversary of blogging by still blogging & have more insights for my readers to enjoy.

8. Hope by March madness rolls in to have at least 6 people take on an upcoming challenge that aren't my friend Greg from The Collective Mind blog.

9.  Find the elusive Bob Gibson Seagram's 7 baseball legends mirror (Stay Tuned about a piece about these mirrors) for under $100. 

10. Delete 10 sets from all 4 Sports by Game 1 of the 2025 World Series. 

       Those are my 10 Resolutions for the year I hope to accomplish some of the as for the card on the top of this post it was 1 of the 3 Autographs I was lucky to get within the case break that my friend Greg & I did way back in June when I first started my blog it was a fun time I wonder when the High Numbers will be released & what sorta inserts will be within them I guess Ill have to wait & see until then I am reminded about another thing about autographs that Rogers Hornsby once said about signing for little kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, he's a Communist."