Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brought you plenty of sports cards this year!

TTM: Sean Casey

Everyone knows that Sean Casey, aka "The Mayor", would engage fellow ballplayers in conversation. But legend has it that he would get offended if a player jolted for second in the middle of a conversation.

TTM: Lou Piniella

Lou Piniella not only managed the Reds to a 1990 World Series championship, but he also holds the record for distance in throwing second base.

TTM: Brandon Phillips

In my opinion, the greatest second baseman to play for the Reds, those who are interested can also follow Brandon Phillips on twitter at DatDudeBP.

TTM: Dave Parker

Who needs Kung Fu Panda when you have Dave Parker...The Cobra!

And the winner is...

There were a total of eight entries for the Holiday Cheer Giveaway I was hosting on my blog. I would like to thank all the participants. I randomized the list eight times to give everyone an equal opportunity to claim the cards. I've posted the rankings from 3 to 1 below. So, without further ado...

Congrats to Hackenbush! Please send me your address and I'll get those cards out to you. Thanks again everyone and have a Merry Christmas!

TTM: Bill Bonham

I did not know that Bill Bonham shares a major league record (with 49 other pitchers) of striking out four batters in the same inning.

TTM: Grady Hatton

Did you know that Grady Hatton was an important contributor to the early years of the Houston Astros? Neither did I. He was also an excellent second/third baseman for the Reds back in the 1940s and 50s.

Some Love from a Phillies Fan

A few weeks back I was lucky enough to win a copy of The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book from Jim over at The Phillies Room. The package arrived last night and I am very excited to dive into the book. I was also blown away by Jim's generosity to see that he enclosed a relic card from a Hall of Famer and member of the Big Red Machine. It's a dual relic card with a piece of lumber and swatch of jersey. A very beautiful card and I'm very appreciative of Jim's generosity.

TTM: Charlie Puleo

Something I did not know, the Mets traded Charlie Puleo to the Reds in 1983 so that they could reacquire Tom Seaver.

TTM: Kurt Stillwell

Kurt Stillwell will always be remembered by Reds fans as the guy who was going to be the next shortstop after Dave Concepcion, until Barry Larkin showed up.

TTM: Merv Rettenmund

Not only did Merv Rettenmund win a world series with the Reds in 1975, he also won a world series with the Orioles in 1970. Not too shabby.

TTM: Jeff Reardon

I will always picture "The Terminator" as an Expo or a Red Sox, but it was great to see Jeff Reardon wearing a Red's jersey in 1993.

When is enough, enough?

For the past month I've been mulling around this question and I've come to the following conclusion. I'm not going to possess every single Reds card that was ever made. Nor am I ever going to have in my possession one set from every manufacturer that has been or will be produced. It's just not possible and as far as I'm concerned that's great. I would never want to undertake such a task that transforms this hobby that I've loved for almost thirty years to a chore. It's just not worth it. Sure, I'll continue to collect baseball cards as long as Topps releases their flagship product so that I can add a Reds team set each year to my binders, but when it comes to adding new sets to my collection I'm finished. What's currently on my want list will be it for me. That will be my enough. As I get older I realize that the hobby for me is the nostalgia, not the latest and greatest product to hit the market. Flipping through a binder of 1991 Stadium Club baseball instantly transports me back to the small card shop I frequented in Cincinnati while my mom was grocery shopping next door. Glancing at a 1989 Score football rookie of Thurman Thomas takes me back to my childhood bedroom I shared with my brother who proudly displayed that card on the entertainment center. I love those memories and I miss those moments. It's amazing to me that these little pieces of cardboard can invoke so much for so many people.

And then there were three

Scratch another goal off my 2012 list. I recently completed my 1961 Topps Cincinnati Reds team set. While this may have seemed like a small goal, to me it was a huge accomplishment. Not only did I acquire my final Frank Robinson card, but I also knocked out the 60s decade as a whole. I know things won't be so easy as I pursue the cards I need from the 1950s...especially since most commons start in the $4-$6 dollar range. Let's not forget also that the 1952 Topps high series will be a killer to the wallet. For now, I'm just going to enjoy the fact that I'm happy that I've wrapped up the 60s and will now be concentrating solely on the 50s. Onward and upward!

Spreading Some Christmas Cheer!

A few weeks back I posted about wrapping up my 1962 Topps Reds team set and if there were any interested parties out there that wanted to make a trade with my duplicates to contact me. Well, needless to say, I haven't heard from anyone. So, I've decided to give away the 29 cards to someone this Christmas season. Here's how this will work: if you follow my blog I'll give you one entry into the drawing and if you give a shout out to this giveaway on your blog then I'll give you an additional entry. The drawing will be closed at 11:59pm on December 16th and I'll announce shortly afterward who will be receiving this package in the mail. Here's a list of the cards that will be given away: 2, 16, 41, 80, 103, 120, 148, 151, 171, 172, 193, 205, 258, 263, 267, 282, 302, 331, 364, 381, 393, 414, 440, 450, 465, 487, 508, 524, 552. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

TTM: Wayne Krenchicki

Wayne Krenchicki - a cool name and a cool photo. For some reason I just like this card. Maybe it's because whenever I look at it I wonder if Krenchicki was thinking to himself "Damn, I'm smooth!" when the photo was being taken.

TTM: Todd Benzinger

While Barry Larkin and Pete Rose are my favorite Reds, Todd Benzinger will always hold a special place in my heart. Benzinger not only recorded the last out of the 1990 World Series, he's also a graduate of New Richmond High School (New Richmond, Ohio) where I too am a proud alumni.

TTM: Bronson Arroyo

I enjoy watching Bronson Arroyo pitch. His high kick delivery is a thing of beauty. I just wish I had his bobblehead.

Marty and Joe Bobblehead

I picked this up on eBay a few weeks ago to add to my Cincinnati Reds bobblehead collection and all I can say is WOW!!! This is one of my favorite bobbleheads I have in my collection. I've always wanted to add this to my collection and for less than $25 shipped I think it was a steal. Growing up in Cincinnati, if I wasn't watching a game on TV, I was listening to it on the radio and thanks to Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall it was a treat to listen to a Reds game on 700 WLW.

TTM: Lloyd McClendon

I did NOT know that Lloyd McClendon is currently the hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers. Then again, I'm not a Tigers fan and this blog isn't titled Detroit Tigers Baseball Card Collector.

TTM: Tom Carroll

Tom Carroll only played two seasons in the majors (1974-1975) but you can't complain if you're Tom when one of those seasons you play on a world champion team!

TTM: Jim Brosnan

Did you know that Jim Brosnan was born on October 24, 1929...the day most commonly referred to as Black Thursday and the beginning of the Stock Market Crash! Coincidence?

TTM: Ron Oester

Ron Oester was another one of my favorite Reds growing up. Maybe because he didn't live too far from my childhood home.

TTM: Joe Nolan

Joe Nolan, seems as though there were a lot of Joe's who caught for the Reds during the 80s and 90s.

TTM: Dave Bristol

I wonder if Bristol Palin was named after Dave Bristol?

TTM: Joe Oliver

Did you know that Joe Oliver was a member of the 1990 Reds World Champion team? Well, he was!!!

TTM: Mike Cameron

Looking back at the Griffey trade, I think I would have preferred that the Reds held on to Mike Cameron. He didn't wind up on the DL as much as Griffey did.

TTM: Jack McKeon

Still bitter that the Reds let Jack McKeon go back in the 2001, even though he is older than dirt.

TTM: Ed Bailey

One of my first successes in obtaining autographs through the mail. A fact I did not know, Ed Baily had a brother, Jim, who also played in the majors for the Reds.

TTM: Frank McCormick

Did you know that Frank McCormick is one of only three national league players with three consecutive Hits titles (1938, 1939, 1940). Ginger Beaumont and Rogers Hornsby are the other two. My apologies for the crappy scan.

TTM: Ewell Blackwell

Did you know that Ewell Blackwell's nickname was "The Whip"?  Whip it good!

My Very First Trade!

I recently completed my first trade since joining the cardboard blogsphere. While browsing some wantlists on the various blogs I read I came across a list for 1986-87 Fleer basketball over at the Cardboard Junkie. I contacted Dayf to see if he was interested in some cards he needed for the set and the rest is history. I received the package today in the mail and was very happy with the sixteen cards he sent me. My thanks to Dayf for the 86-87 Fleer cards.

TTM: Lonny Frey

Did you know that Lonny Frey was not only named the Red's All-Time Second Baseman, but also the last living player to play for all three New York baseball teams in the 1930s and 1940s.

Another one bites the dust!

Yesterday I received a package in the mail from a recent ebay purchase. Curious as to what was inside? Well, for the price of two blaster boxes I was able to land the last three 1962 cards I needed for my Reds team set. There were a total of 32 cards in the lot with all of them in vg-ex condition. When I first saw the listing I had to do a double take. Although I had most of the high number cards there was one that I was sure would take me FOREVER to acquire...594 Don Pavletich. It's not that Don was a superstar or anything, but he was fortunate to share the card with BOB UECKER!!! I haven't been able to find this card alone for less than $55 and, like I said, I had to do a double take when I saw this card included in the lot. The price I paid for all 32 cards was like getting a steal on the Uecker Rookie and having the other 31 thrown in for free. Other highlights I received was a Frank Robinson card and a Don Zimmer card. I'm very happy to cross this off my list card collecting goal.By the way, if anyone is interested in some 1962 Topps Reds cards, I have 29 cards I would be willing to trade on my wantlist. Here's what I have available (2, 16, 41, 80, 103, 120, 148, 151, 171, 172, 193, 205, 258, 263, 267, 282, 302, 331, 364, 381, 393, 414, 440, 450, 465, 487, 508, 524, 552)

TTM: Bucky Walters

Bucky Walters...not to be confused with Bucky Barnes.

TTM: Pat Zachry

Pat Zachry...the 1976 NL Rookie of the Year and member of the Big Red Machine. Very sweet, especially since he personalized it to me!

TTM: Ted Kluszewski

Ted Kluszewski aka "Big Klu" sported a massive set of guns. So much so that he cut off the sleeves of his uniform because the tight sleeves constricted his large biceps and shoulders and interfered with his swing.

TTM: Tom Seaver

Tom Seaver aka "Tom Terrific" is one of my most favorite autographs in my collection.

TTM: Jose Rijo

Another baseball season is in the books. While I'm less than thrilled that the Giants won the World Series this year, I suppose it could have been worse (i.e. the Cardinals being crowned World Champions). Regardless, I've been pondering the "What could have been" had the Reds only taken one more game from San Francisco in the NLDS. It's been a loooooooong time since the Reds have made it to the World Series (1990) when Jose Rijo helped Cincinnati win a World Championship and himself winning the MVP in the 1990 series.

TTM: Alex Johnson

Can't go wrong with a vintage card with a signature on it. Just a little disappointed that Alex decided to sign over the "Reds" text on the card.

TTM: Pokey Reese

Still sad that the Reds traded Pokey to the Pirates, but happy he won a World Series with Boston in 2004...especially since the Red Sox defeated the Cardinals that year!

TTM: Scott Hatteberg

Allen & Ginter's are great for autographs and this Scott Hatteberg is one of my favorites in my collection.

TTM: Johnny Cueto Autograph

I've finally gotten around to scanning my autographed baseball cards and, as a result, I've decided to start a new series on my blog - Through the Mail! In the past I've provided a short blurb about the player when I've posted their autograph, but I've decided against that with this series. I will, however, include a link to their profile on baseball-reference.com. So, without further ado, Johnny Cueto!

Wipeout!

I knocked out another of my 2012 Card Collecting goals today with the completions of my 2012 Topps Reds team set. Even though it was the the easiest on the list to knock out, it's still a great feeling to know that it's one less thing to worry about in terms of my collection. As I mentioned before in previous posts...I'm not a fan of this design. 2011 Topps "I Love"...2012 Topps "I Barf"!!! I can't stand the surfboard design. I will say that I'm looking forward to next years set since I think the design is a home run for Topps (not a grand slam, just a home run). Anyway, I'm keeping my fingers crossed today that the Reds can pull out a victory against the Giants to move on to the National League Championship Series, but with the offense being as anemic as it has the past two games I'm not holding my breath.

Short Prints......I HATE SHORT PRINTS

As the 2012 baseball season comes to a close and the start of the post season is on the horizon, it's time to take stock of the recently released 2012 Topps Update series. One of my 2012 Card Collecting goals is to wrap up the 2012 Topps Cincinnati Reds team set. While I was taking a look on eBay today to determine what cards I needed from the latest release, I was struck with terror as I saw Topps had released a short print of the Red's All-Star first baseman. First words that came to my mind, "Crap, not another short print!"
When Topps started including short prints in their base product a few years ago I thought it was a pretty cool idea. But as time has gone by and Topps has started releasing the SUPER short prints, my acceptance of the short print has begun to evaporate. There are two things that have made me a content collector with Topps flagship product: history and affordability. While the history is still there with over sixty years of product, the short prints are starting to put a nix on affordability. Spending more than $20 on a baseball card from the current year release is ludicrous to me. While I've been fortunate so far to not experience this problem (sorry Angel's collectors with your 2012 Pujol's SP), I fear there may soon come a time when I'm faced with this problem. That, in turn, will definitely lead to some serious soul searching regarding what should actually constitute a true team set.

GET OVER HERE!

It's always nice to finish a set. Today I was finally able to knock off my 1958 Topps Reds team set from my 2012 Card Collecting Goals list. The last card I needed from the set was the Frank Robinson All-Star card which I was able to pick up in excellent condition on eBay. With three months to go in 2012 it's becoming more likely that I won't be able to complete all my goals, especially since I was sidetracked earlier this year with picking up some World Series tickets from the 1975, 76 and 90 series for a steal. Here's hoping that I'll have to get a 2012 World Series ticket in the next few weeks!

Edd Roush Autographed HOF Postcard

Even though it's not an autographed baseball, this is still one of my most favorite pieces in my collection. I love the fact that Roush not only autrgraphed the front of the postcard, but the back as well. Very sweet to have a double autographed item from the Hall of Famer. Obviously Roush played before my time, but that still doesn't stop me from admiring the fact that he played ball during baseball's Golden Age. I won't bore you with all the details of his career, but I will point out a few amazing statistics. While he played for the Reds from 1917 to 1926 he never had a batting average below .321. He won the National League batting title while playing for the Reds in 1917 and 1919 AND he claimed he never broke a bat during his major league career (Roush used a 48 ounce bat while in the majors).

Marge Schott Autographed Baseball

Red Menace...that just about sums up Marge's last days as owner of the Cincinnati Reds. There are things that I like and dislike about Schott. Her love for the Reds - LIKE. Her outspoken political and philosophical views - DISLIKE. Growing up in Cincinnati in the 80s and 90s it seemed you couldn't turn on a Reds game without Marge being front and center. While she did contribute a lot to the Cincinnati community during this time, as with anything else though, she'll be remembered for her outspokenness and racially charged comments. She's still the only owner I know that brought her dog to the stadium and allowing him to run around the field and crap to his heart's content before a ballgame.

1954 Topps

In my attempt to complete on 2012 card collecting goals before the ball drops on December 31st, I've once again become distracted in my chase. I shouldn't be complaining since I've been able to find a sweet deal on some 1954 Topps Redlegs cards on ebay from a seller who's south of me near Cincinnati. I've always been under the assumption that dealers that close to their club's hometown charge a premium for their cards, but that's not the case here. I've been able to grab five cards that I need from that year for around $4 a piece which, in my humble opinion, is a steal. I'm not really a fan of the 1954 Topps set. I feel that the design is terrible when compared to its predecessors in 1952 and 1953. Facsimile autographs are always nice to see on cards, but the giant floating heads next to the smaller action shots is terrible. Here's hoping that I can get back on track and knock out one of my goals before the end of the month.