One more for this year!

This will be my last post for 2013 as I hurry to wrap up my Christmas shopping, wrapping, etc. and spend the next week with family and friends. I did want to share with everyone my latest pickup that completes another 2013 card collecting goal. This 1957 Topps Kluszewski was the last card I needed for my 1957 Topps Reds team set. I'm happy that not only do I now have the 57 Reds team set, but I now have a complete run of Topps Reds team sets from 1954 to 2013. That includes the base set as well as the traded/update sets. While I wanted to wrap up my 1953 Topps Reds team set, that will just have to wait until next year. I'm very happy with what I added to my collection this past year. Not only did I knock out some vintage Topps wants, I was also able to complete a few sets I've always wanted (1992 Bowman, 2005 Studio and 1989-90 Hoops). I nabbed a few more tobacco cards this year and I've whittled down my wantlist for 1986-87 Fleer basketball to just 7 cards! (unfortunately 2 of those are the Michael Jordan base and sticker cards) So I guess you're all wondering what's in store for next year. I will be concentrating on more vintage Reds cards, but I think 2014 will be the year that I devote more towards my set collecting. I decided to start a project where I'll be collecting my favorite Topps set within a given decade. As a result, I've updated my wantlist with some vintage Topps sets that I've always wanted to complete and this coming year I'll start down the road to adding them to my card collection. I still haven't decided what set I would like to collect for the 2000s and I'm still torn between 1990 and 1991 Topps. I know that it'll take a few years (or perhaps a decade) to complete these sets, but I'm excited to get started and I can't wait to share this journey with the rest of you. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

TTM: Scott Service

Did you know that Scott Service pitched for the Chunichi Dragons? Neither did I, but now you do!

TTM: Scott Scudder

Did you know that Scott Scudder has coached Sweden's national baseball team?

TTM: Herm Winningham

Did you know that Herm Winningham scored the winning run in game four of the 1990 World Series? Did you also know that Herm's middle name is "Son"?

And then there were two!

Yesterday I received the final 1952 Topps Cincinnati Reds low numbered card I needed for my collection. While I'm excited to get the Edwards card knocked off my list, I know that I still have a daunting task ahead if and when I decide to grab the nine high number cards I need for my team set. With my 1952 Topps Cincinnati Reds Low # team set now in hand, that only leaves me with the wrapping up my 1953 and 1957 Topps Reds team sets to accomplish all the goals I made back in January of this year. Onward and upward!

Another Goal Accomplished!

This past week I was able to wrap up another 2013 Card Collecting Goal. The goal that fell this time, my 2013 Topps Reds Team Set. It was probably the easiest goal to knock off my list considering that I'm not chasing after Teddy Kremer (sorry Teddy, $150 is a bit too expensive for a new card). With this goal now in the bag, I'm now down to three goals remaining for the year. I know that I won't be able to accomplish all three, but the 1957 and 1952 are within reach so I'm aiming for those as we wind down the year. Onward and upward!

TTM: Dick Simpson

Did you know that Dick Simpson got his first career hit off Mudcat Grant?

2013 Topps Update

I'm a little late to the game with this posting. I know most, if not all, of my fellow bloggers have probably picked up their 2013 Topps Update packs from their local hobby or retail stores. Not me. I've gotten sidetracked this past week with a few things. First, I had to travel to St. Louis last week for my job - nothing worse for a Reds fan than to be in St Louis for the start of the World Series. Second, I was tempted to pick up some cheap 1986-86 Fleer basketball cards I needed for my set. As a result, my baseball wants will have to wait until next week to be addressed. My 2013 Topps Update set shouldn't be too difficult to obtain had it not been for this card. A super short print! With Teddy going for more than $130 on average on eBay, my guess is that it'll be quite some time before Teddy makes an appearance in my collection. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a fantastic card about the greatest bat boy in the majors. I just wish Topps had make more of these than they did. For the time being, if I can grab all the base cards of 2013 Topps Update with the Votto short print, then I'll bend the rules and call this set complete.

TTM: Mo Sanford

Did you know that Mo Sanford made his major league debut with the Reds on August 2, 1991? Did you also know that Mo's first name is actually Meredith?

TTM: Dave Sisler

I was fortunate to get Dave Sisler to sign before his death in 2011. Did you know that Dave's father is none other than Hall of Famer George Sisler?

TTM: John Roper

Did you know that John Roper played three seasons in the major leagues? He played for both Cincinnati and San Francisco with the majority of that time with the Reds.

TTM: John Tsitouris

Did you know that John Tsitouris was part of the trade that sent Joe Nuxhall to the Kansas City Athletics in January 1961?

Calling Their Bluff

I'll be honest, I'm not too thrilled with the Reds chances of advancing in this year's playoffs. In fact, I think it would probably take divine intervention for them to make it past Pittsburg in the Wild Card game this coming Wednesday. I just haven't gotten the vibe from this team that I did the past few years. Perhaps I'm just being cynical, but probably not. So, I'm not betting on a Reds World Championship this year. I will say that I'm glad I picked up these Topps Chipz from sportlots last week. I was able to grab all four Reds chips for 50 cents a piece. I'm starting to appreciate the oddball stuff that Topps releases and perhaps I'll even go after the Joey Votto Big League mini that Topps released earlier this year.

TTM: Mike Vail

Did you know that Mike Vail won the 1975 International League Player of the Year award? Did you also know that in 1975 he proceeded to set a modern major league rookie record 23 game hit streak? It has since been broken.

TTM: Jeff Treadway

Did you know that Jeff Treadway used the hidden ball trick in 1989 when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves? He picked off Marvel Wynne of the Padres in the bottom of the ninth for a 6-5 Braves victory.

TTM: Ron Robinson

Did you know that Ron Robinson's nickname was "The True Creature"? Did you also know that it was Pete Rose that gave him that nickname?

TTM: Ray Rippelmeyer

Did you know that Ray Rippelmeyer spent less than a full season pitching in the majors, but went on to become a pitching coach in the Phillie's farm system?

My First eTopps Card

A few weeks ago I decided to start searching for an Aroldis Chapman rookie for my trifecta that I'm currently in the process of completing. I took a look at all that Topps had to offer with their Bowman sets as well as their high end products and then I stumbled upon this. I had never purchased an eTopps card before and I knew that Topps had shuttered the program last year. I knew that if I took the plunge on this card that I would purchase it from someone who already had it in hand as compared to buying it from someone's portfolio since the shipping rates are astronomical. Numbers to 999, I decided to bite and I'm glad I did. This is truly an amazing card. I don't think I'll free him from his plastic prison, although I have been tempted. While I probably won't chase all the Reds eTopps cards, there are a few that I'm most certainly pick up sometime soon. Now that I have a printing plate and a rookie card, I just need an  autograph to complete my Chapman Trifecta.

Keeping Score

This past week I picked up my second Cincinnati Reds scorecard, this time from old Riverfront Stadium. The black background with the running Mr. Red looks spectacular. I also appreciate the fact that this scorecard hasn't been written in. The inside of the card looks great as well with advertisements for Frisch's and Budweiser. To top it all off, the team logos serve as backgrounds in the scoring tables. A very nice piece of memorabilia to add to my collection. I still need to pickup a scorecard from Great American Ballpark and there are still a few that I would like to grab from the 1960s that were given out at Crosley Field, but that will have to wait.

Give him the heater!

I love "Major League" and that quote seemed fitting for this particular post. I finally picked up my first printing plate a few weeks ago, and it's a doozy if you're a red's fan! Behold, an Aroldis Chapman 2012 Bowman Chrome yellow printing plate. I've decided to persue a trifecta (rookie card, autograph, and 1/1) for the Cuban Missle. Back to the printing plate. I was thrilled that I could pick this up for a little less than the price of a blaster. I'm in the process of grabbing an amazing rookie card to boot. I'm still trying to find the perfect autograph card, but I'm hopeful to have this completed before the end of the year.

1962 Cincinnati Reds Scorecard

Last week I grabbed another piece of memorabilia for my Reds collection, a scorecard from August 18, 1962 when the Reds played the Los Angeles Dodgers. I was thrilled that I was the only bidder for this, probably due to the fact that the seller misspelled Scorecard as Scorecad in the item description, but I'm not going to complain. I like seeing names like Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson and Chico Cardenas as well as the old beer advertisements (Burger beer....mmmmmmm beer). Now that I have my first scorecard, I'm excited to add more to my collection.

Another Piece of Piedmont

This past week I picked up another card for my Reds collection, a T206 Ed Karger. I've been on the lookout for the past eight months for this card that was in decent condition at a price I thought was reasonable. This marks the fourth T206 card in my collection and the first tobacco card depicting a batter. With the purchase of this card I'm now halfway through my 2013 card collecting goals.

Most Ridiculous Baseball Cards of All Time

I found a slideshow today over at Bleecher Report, and while it is more than a year old, it was a very intriguing slideshow. They showcased 30 various baseball cards that they termed "Ridiculous" and while that may be true to some, to me they're standouts. My favorite is a 1989 ProCards Keith Comstock where it looks like he was nailed in the twig n berries. I just might have to track down this card. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1055430-30-most-ridiculous-baseball-cards-of-all-time/page/14

Danny Graves Bobblehead

There was a time when the dominant closer for the Reds didn't have the last name of "Chapman". This closer was a lights out kinda guy who you could call up from the bullpen with the game on the line as you nursed a one-run lead with the tying run at the plate and not worry about blowing the save. That is until he started having issues with getting guys out (after some solid seasons of success), the fans lose confidence in him and start to boo as he jogs out from the bullpen, and finally said closer gives the one finger salute to the fans thus ending his stay in the Queen City. I was always a fan of Danny Graves due to the fact that being the closer has to be the toughest job of any ballplayer. You're either the hero or the goat and there's a very fine line separating the two.
This past week I was able to cross off another bobblehead from my wantlist, bringing my collection of nodders to 29. The Reds gave out 10,000 of these nodders on August 17, 2001 as they took on Milwaukee. Needless to say, Cincinnati lost that game 5-1 with their only run being a Griffey RBI in the bottom of the fifth. It's interesting to note that Jose Rijo pitched the last two innings of the game for the Reds and didn't surrender any runs to the Brewers.

1953 Topps

Last week I was FINALLY able to start making a dent in my 1953 Topps Cincinnati Reds team set. I have mixed feelings for the 1953 set when I compare it to the 1952 set. While the photos seem so much more alive with color than 1952, I'm a little disappointed that Topps placed the signatures on the back of the card, sort of as an afterthought, instead of having them front and center on the front. I do find comfort in the fact that every single Reds card in this set has settings from the ballpark in the background instead of just a plain background color that was on some Cincinnati cards in the 1952 set. I will say that this is one of the better designs of the 1950s that Topps put out, IMHO, compared to the 1954, 1955, and 1958 sets. Besides, you really can't go wrong with vintage cardboard now, can you.

Another Goal Put to Bed!

For the past few months I've been neglecting my card collecting goals for the year by opting to chase after some bobbleheads and a World Series ticket that I had always wanted. This week, however, I decided to take a break from the nodders and chase after some vintage Topps cards that I had been eying for a while but just never pulled the trigger on. I'm very happy to announce that I have now completed my 1954 Topps Redlegs team set. One of the last remaining cards in the set was this Ted Kluszewski card. I was also able to grab my first 1953 Topps Reds cards in the process (which I will be posting about next week). Not everything was rainbows and unicorns this week as I found out that I had missed a card from my 2011 Topps Reds team set. Card #198 is MIA and has been added to my wantlist. The regular version of this card is Buster Posey, but I'm not after that one. Nope, instead I found out that there's a short print 198 that's none other than a Johnny Bench parallel. These short print parallels will be the death of my collecting!

Another Cincinnati Reds Man Cave

It's amazing what you can find when your browsing around online. Yesterday I decided to take a look on ebay for some game used Cincinnati Reds memorabilia and I came across a listing from cincykid-dan61 for a Ramon Hernandez autograph jersey and noticed some of the additional pictures he had posted. I can only assume that the photos are of a room in his house that he has dedicated strictly for displaying his Reds goodies. Very impressive if I do say so myself, especially the giant Mr. Redlegs statue. While I am working on completing my very own Cincinnati Reds Man Cave, I don't think that I'll pack it to the gills because, in my opinion, that's sensory overload. I don't think I could sit back, relax and watch a Reds game surrounded by that much stuff. Then again, I guess it all comes down to showing off your collection and your love for the team.

Homer Bailey Bobblehead

I was fortunate enough to purchase this nodder a few weeks ago just before Homer Bailey threw his second no-hitter. I like that the sponsor for this promotion was Kahn's (I guess they do more than baseball cards). There were 30,000 of these handed out to fans on July 31, 2010 when the Reds faced Atlanta. Cincinnati ultimately won the game 5-2. This marks the 28th addition to my Reds bobblehead collection. 

Bobblin Bench

In addition to the 1940 World Series ticket I snagged from selling my 2011 Toppps Gypsy Gueen master set, I had enough left over to add this outstanding bobblehead to my collection. There were only 10,000 of these nodders given away at the game on May 31, 2002 when the Reds were blanked by the Atlanta Braves 7-0. I will say that this is probably my most favorite bobblehead that's in my collection, followed closely by my Pete Rose and Dusty Baker bobbleheads.

1940 World Series Ticket

Last year I completed my master set of 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen. While I was happy with the design of the cards, for some reason I just had this nagging feeling that it didn't belong in my collection. The old school ballplayers were great, but the more I thought about the set the more I started feeling as though those cards were always second class compared to a card from the year that player graced the field. So, I got rid of the set and decided to pick up a few things that I had my eye on for quite some time but never had the funds to grab them. The first is what you see above, a ticket from the 1940 World Series. This is my fourth World Series ticket (1975, 1976, and 1990 being the others) in my collection. The Reds won this series in seven games over the Detroit Tigers. This will probably be the last ticket I have in my collection until the Reds win another title. I've decided not to chase tickets to series where they were the bridesmaid for that season. I know that I could still go after a ticket from the 1919 World Series, but $2,000 seems a little steep for me at this point in my lift. I will accept donations though from anyone out there that has one lying around that they no longer need.

TTM: Adam Dunn

Did you know that Adam Dunn set a National League rookie record for the most home runs in a month by hitting 12 in August 2001?

TTM: Pat Corrales

Did you know that Pat Corrales become only the fourth manager to manage in both leagues in the same season?

Batter Up!

Very excited that I picked up this item. I've always wanted a piece of baseball memorabilia that was game used (although not in the sense of being out on the field - but the dugout is the next best thing). I did some research on this card before pulling the trigger and found out that during the game Votto hit a 2 run homer and Chapman struck out two batters in his brief appearance on the mound. This would have been even sweeter had the Reds chalked up a "W" but I guess that's asking too much. Another score for my Reds collection and a nice addition to my man cave. Speaking of which, I found a nice video of a Detroit man cave that's nicely done. I hope I can have mine finished someday soon.

TTM: Vic Correll

Vic Correll was the backup catcher to Johnny Bench in the late 70s. My guess is that he probably didn't see much playing time.

TTM: Tom Hall

Did you know that Tom Hall was nicknamed "The Blade" for his slender physique.

TTM: Eddie Milner

Did you know that Eddie Milner is regarded as the all-time major league leader in breaking up no-hit attempts with five.

TTM: Norm Charlton

Did you know that "Nasty Boy" Norm Charlton holds three degrees from Rice University? Did you also know that his middle name is Wood?!

TTM: Ryan Dempster

Did you know that Ryan Dempster stated that if his career as a closer began to tumble, he would pursue ninja training. I like ninjas, especially of the turtle variety.

TTM: Chris Hammond

Did you know that Chris Hammond has a 200+ acre horse farm with a 60 acre lake. Giddy up little doggie!

TTM: Ross Grimsley

Did you know that despite being a premier starting pitcher for the Reds, Ross Grimsley was traded to the Orioles for Merv Rettenmund after the 1973 season, largely in part for his constant resistance to the Reds organization's conservative grooming rules?

Finding the Time

It's been tough recently to find time to blog. My life has been hectic recently with the demands of work and home life. Not that that's a reasonable excuse or anything. I'm also beginning to ponder the future of this blog. I've reviewed most of the Topps Reds team sets I have from 1952 to 2013 as well as the T 206 set, but I haven't touched on the Bowman sets from 1948-1951, the Play Ball sets, the Goudey sets, the American Caramel set or the original Cracker Jack sets mostly because I still don't have a single card from these sets and I don't want to judge something that I don't have in my possession as of yet. Basically, I'm to the point where I have no time to blog on a daily basis nor the desire really to do so. I do want to finish what I started so I plan on wrapping up this blog by the end of the year. I just hope I have enough enthusiasm to do so :)

TTM: Tim Birtsas

Did you know that on June 4, 1990 Tim Birtsas struck out four batters in one inning? That's un-possible!

TTM: Jim Greengrass

Did you know that Jim Greengrass share the major league record for most doubles hit on opening day? He belted four of them on April 13, 1954.

Dusty Baker Bobblehead

This past week I was fortunate enough to add another bobblehead to my collection. While I haven't had much success with completing my 2013 card collecting goals, I've knocked off half of the remaining bobbleheads I need for my collection. This amazing bobblehead was given out to the first 30,000 fans on July 2, 2011 when the Reds fell to the Indians. This is probably one of my most favorite bobbleheads I have in my collection for three reasons: a bobblehead of a manager, he's wearing the gray uniform (which is by far my favorite), and it comes with toothpicks! Very sweet!

TTM: Gary Nolan

Did you know that Gary Nolan was third in voting for Rookie of the Year Award in 1967? He lost out to some guy names Seaver.

It took me a while but...

I finally finished my 2005 Studio set. I started on this set back in 2011 and I had every intention of finishing up this set last year, but I became sidetracked with acquiring some bobbleheads I needed for my collection. I've always thought the Studio sets were some of the best sets that Donruss released in terms of design and photography. Granted, the set doesn't scream out ACTION with its laid back imagery of ballplayers but that's what makes it so appealing. The one gripe I have with this set is that I wish Donruss had stayed true to it's original 1991 release and had the card backs consists of personal information about the ballplayers instead of laden with stats. I think it's fascinating to know what someone's favorite movie is, who their hero is, and what their favorite food might be. Does that stuff deal with baseball? No, but it does give us a glimpse into the player beyond the numbers they post from season to season. Baseball is more than numbers. It's about the guys we love to cheer for each and every night as they take the diamond to play a game they love.

TTM: Austin Kearns

Did you know that Austin Kearns was named to the 2002 Topps All-Star Rookie team? Kearns spent the first four years of his career in Cincinnati. He's currently a member of the Miami Marlins.