SURPRISE!!!! TO ME 5 MONTHS LATE!!!!!!!

           

GET OUT!!!!!!!

       Last week Friday the day after Christmas I got a surprise that was 5 months late show up. The day started like every day of Christmas like for me sleeping in until 11am having then being asked where I was hoping to go shopping I had a choice either go out of state to an antique mall that I like going to in Ohio or stay nearby but to a shop that I'd been to only a few times to pick up a couple of 2025 Topps Heritage High Number boxes since this years boxes I was told they were hobby exclusive only.  After seeing them just a few days prior to Christmas I thought go there after all I just thought pick up a couple of the 1968s singles but I forgot that list when I left. I also thought if I didn't find much I could go to another nearby shop within 10 minutes of that one to put a little more down on my payment on my 1967 Tom Seaver card after all I did have a $25 gift card that I could put that down as my payment. 
                  I get dropped off at the shop after I got a quick lunch at McD's after cashing my paychecks. I proceeded in going through the usual dime,quarter, & $1 boxes trying to find something for the 1968 set maybe some better conditioned checklists cards or perhaps maybe the St Louis Cardinals team card for the binder identifier or the card where the Cardinals are celebrating after taking down the Impossible Dream Boston Red Sox team 4 games to 3 the previous year. I was all done by 4:30pm I reached out to my girlfriend saying can we possibly go to the shop where my Seaver awaits me she told me not yet maybe around 5:30 I said its fine Ill wait until then after all that shop doesn't close until 8pm anyways. So I made my few singles purchases ( I did pick up 1 checklist card for $1 unmarked & a 1968 Gil Hodges card also for a $1 & 2 boxes of the High Numbers grand total $250 the boxes alone were $120 plus the few singles I did find were $8). So I couldn't complain it was a good hunting day so far. 

                  I tried calling my girl telling her to meet me at the Dollar Tree so I could pick up a case of my 1 liter coffee bottles cause I was running low even though I had at least enough to last me 8 days since I go through 7 bottles a day. We met up at the card shop instead she said she wanted to go in to find some Pokemon for a kid at her school job not on a problemo I said so I went back into the store proceeded to show her where the Pokemon was we started going through them when my phone rang I told her its maybe my mother calling asking what I am doing for dinner. Turns out it wasn't my mother instead it was fellow blogger & my good friend Greg from The Collective Mind calling me to see what I was doing I told him I was at a shop getting ready to leave for Seaver shop he told me I couldn't go there I was like man why not he said I find out in a few minutes then hung up on me just then turning the corner I hear a voice say cause I am here to see you I was shocked I was all set to do the Elaine Benes shove like you see up on top of this post instead I went for a hug to my good friend who was with his special friend too

                 We made some small talk while he looked at some cards at the shop we were at. I still wanted to pay some $$$$ for my Seaver card but that had to wait until yesterday to do that cause he was only in town for the weekend yes it was a nice surprise I did pay on my Seaver as well yesterday. It was worth the 5 months wait. I am hoping Greg had a good time despite only spending a little time with me but having him visit truly was the best surprise/gift a friend like me could enjoy. I welcome to any other blogger that would like to come for a visit & Ill guarantee you will like to have me show you my collection as well take you to a couple of shops for you to get your fix in cards. With all the excitement this last weekend I need to end this post so I can read your comments about it & yes some of you will be getting a package of perhaps some of the High Number Heritage inserts I have for a selected people that on my mailing lists so stay tuned to your mailboxes until then I am reminded what Rogers Hornsby once said about autographs "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

1968 TOPPS PROJECT PART II

       

            Back on December 14th most of you are aware I purchased an 800ct box filled with 1968 Topps baseball that were conditioned sensitive for $80.00 

           Well.....I finally finished sorting them out in numerical order as well placed them in the 9 pocket sleeves & I have about 181 remaining to get to finish up the set not counting the 33 game card inserts bringing the total to 214 cards, which is a far less number when I started my 1967 Topps set back in 1990 back then it was 387 which is dwindled down to 2 cards as of the posting of this post. I am hoping to get that blasted 1967 set down to 1 before next year's National Sports Card Convention. As I mentioned before I lack a bunch of the major stars still including all 29 cards that features a Detroit Tigers player on them as well the Johnny Bench & Jerry Koosman/Nolan Ryan RCs respectively & the 2nd of last card during his playing career of Mickey Mantle.  
       
             What do I expect in 2026 will I complete the set I surely hope I can or get it down to at least 2 digits but I guess you'll have to see what happens so keep reading my blog. Until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby who said "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

                       Merry Christmas to you hopefully you have a great day with family & friends. Stay Tuned for a special 2026 contest sorry once again for a short message but been very busy working alot at Dollar General. Remember what Rogers Hornsby once said "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

1968 TOPPS PROJECT BEGINNINGS

 

                          As I mentioned in my last post last Sunday December 14, I attended my monthly show outside of the Detroit area in hopes to find some singles from my ever growing wantlists. While I was talking to one of my dealer friends whom I haven't seen since last year cause he usually attends another show within the area & only sets up when there isn't any conflict with the other show. So as I was catching up with him I noticed he had an 800ct box of 1968 Topps baseball with a disclaimer in the box "Condition Sensitive"  for $100 considering I asked how low would he go he said $80 & weighing the pros & cons in my head I figured what the heck after all hopefully I can get the 1967 Topps set done in time for the 2026 National Sports Card Convention in Rosemont, Illinois & maybe it won't take me 35+ years to finish this set so I took it. 

                        On Tuesday I started to sort through my find getting them sleeved up so I could figure out how many more cards I need to go other than needing the obvious cards any card that features a Detroit Tigers player on it as well the Mickey Mantle 2nd to last card during his playing career the 2 big rookies of Johnny Bench & Jerry Koosman/Nolan Ryan cards. I was lucky to get the Willie Mays in my box sure its not the top notch type cause it has a crease on it but, that was the key card that made me want to pull the trigger on this lot cause his card would be one less star player I would have to find cause I saw it poking out of a small stack laying on top of the other cards in the box. I have a good portion of the set as I type this post I'm currently working on the 200s getting them in order & sleeved up (109 cards needing & counting). Before anyone asks me what I am planning to do with the dupes well.....I know of a fellow blogger who wouldn't mind them for his set pending I have some of the cards he needs for his set. I will keep you posted on the progress of my building of the set so stay tuned for future developments on the 1968 project. 

I still have an extra `25/`26 Topps Basketball hand collated set available if anyone is interested in it just let me know until then I am reminded of Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs for little kids "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

ATTENTION K-MART SHOPPERS

 

                 On Monday last week I had a rare night off from Dollar General so I took advantage on doing some holiday shopping. With my lists with me I got some good things,for the people on my list. Then I made my way to  shop that I enjoy going to when I am in the area of when I entered the head boss was in so I was lucky enough to talk to him about getting a card on a payment plan. He's said it was doable & he knocked off $100 from the asking price I just have to everytime I go there put some money on it cause I figured if I want the card sure its a graded a 2 but I am going to release the card from its shackles once I own it to join the other 608 cards leaving me with 1 to find. The 1 remaining is the blasted Ed Spiezio rubbed out name variant he remains the missing link to complete my 1967 Topps set that I have started working on since 1990.

                    Here's what I am looking forward to owning.
            
             I had to show the front & back cause it means a lot to me getting this card.

                        Now if one of my readers should have a raw version of the card & don't mind a 2 grade I would be willing to trade the graded version for the raw one so let me know otherwise I am waiting to hear back from SCG about what steps I can do about getting it removed from the case as well from its database so yeah it might take a huge hit in comps reports but I don't give a Shitaki Mushrooms about the comps. 

              In other sports card news if anyone is interested in a hand collated version of the `25/`26 Topps Basketball set let me know I have 1 available for trade otherwise I will have offer it when I set up for a show next month.  Also yesterday I picked up a nice 800ct starter lot of the 1968 Topps baseball Set for about $80 the dealer was asking $100 but since he heard about my conquest for the 1967 set he gave me a fair price for it Ill be working on that perhaps during my holiday break if I am not too busy working at DG so stay tuned for my list of them.  Now with that said I am reminded of what Rogers Hornsby once said about signing autographs "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American He's a Communist."

COTTON BOWL AWAITS & OTHER STUFF

 

              I am not blaming Jayden Fielding for doing a Scott Norwood on Saturday nights lost to IU. Instead I am looking forward to the winner of the Texas A&M vs Miami Hurricanes on December 31st for the Cotton Bowl hopefully I will have that night off from Dollar General to watch it Ill just have to wait & see what happens with work as well to see who we play next. In other news on Friday prior to me going to my school job I had a package waiting for me to enjoy. As I type this post I have yet to open the package to inspect it for to see if their is any damages to a Mirror that I am very thankful from a fellow Blogger "Not Another Card Blog" run by a great Canadian Historian of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame one Mr. Mike Matson. I reached out to Mike wishing that he had a PayPal Account Low & Behold he said he did I asked if he was willing to help me out on getting a couple of Mirrors I need for my Man Cave I have yet to do a more featured post on these maybe Ill get to it at the begining of next year since I am very busy as of late at work & such. I sent the Mike the Payment for it on Friday hopefully he gets it soon so thanks again Mike Ill let ya know how it turns out when I open it. I still need 2 more of the Mirrors check my personal PC for the list of the remaining ones I hope are the last 2 I need. 

            Come later on today I am looking forward to my 2nd chance to do my holiday shopping I went yesterday to start it I am not sure how many days Ill get to do my shopping as I mentioned before I am either at school or at Dollar General jobs & with a new store manager they have to work the kinks out on the scheduling so hopefully I am not running myself crazy wondering when I might be able to have time to myself as well spend time with my significant other of going on for 11 years next year. Sorry I do apologize for making this post short but I am exhausted from walking around carrying presents that aren't meant for me I leave ya with the wotds of Rogers Hornsby when it comes to autographs "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

WHAT DO THESE 9 TEAMS & I HAVE IN COMMON

             

            What do the Atlanta Braves,Baltimore Orioles,Colorado Rockies,Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,Minnesota Twins,San Diego Padres,San Francisco Giants,Texas Rangers,Washington Nationals & this Blogger have in common? Were all getting new managers. Care to have me explain well....back on November 21st when I got a rare night off. Yes!!!!!! its true Virginia I got a rare night off from my job at Dollar General. Anyways I was downtown preparing to watch the lighting of the State Christmas Tree when I noticed I had a text message from a co-worker as well a missed call but I thought maybe I might have butt-dialed the district manager so I thought I call her back saying sorry about the butt-dial I tried to call her but her voice mail was full so I couldn't leave a message so then I refocused on my coworkers text message that I had to read it said "Man I have some News our Store Manager just got fired right in front of me" my reply was "WTF!!!!!! no way" I was just about to ask details when my phone rang it was the district manager she said "I have some news to tell you that So-so is no longer with Dollar General your still employed so don't worry" after wiping my brow & catching my breath I was like "Otay what's next" "We'll we will have a new manager for your store sometime after Thanksgiving in the meantime work the remaining scheduled hours as scheduled if you have any problems with the schedule contact me & here's the new # for the combinations to the safes as well the alarm codes (more on the Alarm later) talk you down the road" I then relayed the information to my coworker what I just gotten in the call he was like "I know she told me the same thing before she left." Anyways so yeah I am getting a new manager much like the teams I mentioned before.

                     I don't know what to expected when this new person will start if its a male manager or are we staying with a female again either way I hope they will work with me in letting me have my summer vacation when I go to Chicago in 2026 as well let me continue to come in at a later time on when I attend my monthly show in Livonia as well let me have time off when if I request it in months of advance unlike the previous store manager did. As well give me a raise in pay for all the backlash I had to endure this year. I doubt that last one will occur but I can dream. As I type this message lately I have been getting messages from the District Manager she wonders why I am not doing everything expected for me to do what more can I do when theres only 2 of us working in the store at all times I have so much dirt on some employees why am I being singled out on what I do as well what I don't do communication is one thing my coworkers sometimes have problems with when I ask what is there for me to do especially when I do get those rare times when I am not scheduled to work.  

Heres the Christmas Tree at the state capital of Michigan ain't it pretty.

           Like the teams I mentioned at the top hopefully they can get along with their new manager & I hope I can as well stay tuned I am sure Ill have more to say about this adventure until then I am reminded what Rogers Hornsby once said "Any Ballplayer who doesn't sign autographs for little kids ain't an American, He's a Communist."

BRING ON IU

     It was 2091 days ago since the last time that THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY won against the Team up North playing at the Outhouse in Fanny Farbor on Saturday. As Sage & I were sitting down, me with my 3 hot dogs, cheesy breadsticks, cheese curds, 4 bottles of 1 liter Pepsi & Sage had her snacks of Friskies Delickables of chicken,fish,steak & egg gearing up for THE GAME. We were ready all week long we both said we don't want to have the streak reach 5 games. On Friday we watched the 1987 game as well the 2006 game. So we sat down turning the TV on then saw them moving to score the field goal hoping that was the only time they would score today. Then we saw the interception Sage let out a huge hiss I agreed with her that they should have thrown a flag after the play cause they did a cut throat celebration but no flag instead they kicked another field goal 6-0 comes from a friend of mine in a text saying as well ".....5 in a row I should start preparing for my singing session as well having my wardrobe in corn (maize) & Bleah (blue)" I responded like legendary ESPN analysis & former Indiana University Head Coach (more on IU later keep reading) Lee Corso said once to a little kid "Not so fast ya Flamingo(I think ya know what I said instead) Midget we'll be scoring soon." Sure enough before the 1st quarter was done we got on the board 6-3 quick message to the friend ".....No shutdown tonight & at least we're not afraid to throw it or run it compared to a certain 5 *coughing* tooled frosh Quarterback that was supposed to throw bombs on us or scramble if needs to run to avoid our defense" his response was "its cold outside" I responded "I'm Jul ian Sayin (like that little play on THE OHIO STATE quarterbacks name) our quarterback is outside too but he's hotter than yours"

           

        2nd quarter we watched as Jeremiah Smith haul in a touchdown catch to put them up 10-6 & then we saw them score another field goal then just before the end of the 1st half we see Brandon Inniss tight walk the line to make the score 17-9.

        Once the start of the 2nd half Sage ran out of snacks as we watched the snow fall on the field & watched Brutus making a snow angel as well watch the field crew trying clean up his effort.

Brutus's snow angel 

Just have to wonder if he got a raise for cleaning up the field but missed a bunch of the Bleah 💩 on the sideline. 

Then we saw Carnell Tate make a nice 50 yard catch to say the score 24-9. Unfortunately by then I turned to Sage said well.....we got IU next week she then got off my lap looking at me saying she was off to nap & then she left me alone to watch the celebration on the field.  The final score cause we got another field goal to make it 27-9 so bring on IU!!!!!!

Now I leave it to Coach Day instead of Rogers Hornsby to leave the quote "The best thing to do is win with humility"

Well said Coach congratulations.