Reversing Course

I've had a complete set of 1989 Upper Deck in my possession for longer than I can remember, but it's always seemed incomplete. The reason...I've always wanted the reverse negative Dale Murphy card that was immensely popular when the cards first hit the streets in 1989. I'm not a Dale Murphy collector, nor am I a Braves collector, but I always thought that the reverse negative of card number 357 was cool. Not bad ass cool as the 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken (which I also hope to add to my collection someday), but cool as in Superman-Bizarro cool. This past week I finally pulled the trigger for this card and I was happy I could grab it for the price of a blaster on eBay since people were asking $40 on comc and it was nowhere to be found on sportlots. $40 is waaaaaaay too rich for my blood, but to grab it for half of that is a bargain to me. So now, I no longer have the feeling that my 1989 Upper Deck set is incomplete and I can sleep much better at night.

TTM: Wayne Granger

Did you know that Wayne Granger was part of the trade that sent Vada Pinson to the Cardinals in 1969? Did you also know that Granger is the only player in World Series history to surrender a grand slam to an opposing pitcher, that being to Dave McNally in the 1970 World Series.

TTM: Bruce Berenyi

Did you know that Bruce Berenyi is the nephew of Ned Garver? Did you also know that Bruce finished fourth in voting for Rookie of the Year in 1981?

TTM: Alex Grammas

Did you know that not only was Alex Grammas a player with Cincinnati during the 1950s, he was also a coach for the Reds during their 1975 championship year.

Another Smokin Card for my Collection!

It's been almost two weeks since my last post. Sorry for the delay, but I was with my family taking a much needed spring break in the Outer Banks. First time visiting and it'll probably be the last since I wasn't too impressed. But hey, at least I traveled to a place I had never been before. When I returned this nice little addition to my card collection was awaiting me in my mailbox. This is the third tobacco card I now have in my possession...and by far my favorite. It would be an understatement to say that Larry McLean lived life through a bottle. His career ended when he was involved in a brawl with Giants manager John McGraw and coach Dick Kinsella in 1915. McLean died on March 14, 1921 when he was shot by a bartender in Boston during a barroom brawl.

TTM: Jack Billingham

Did you know that in seven World Series games (including three starts) for Cincinnati, Jack Billingham went 2–0 with a 0.36 ERA, allowing just one earned run in 25.1 innings pitched.

TTM: Danny Graves

Did you know that Danny Graves is the only Vietnam-born player in the history of the major leagues? Did you also know that Graves is the 2002 recipient of the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award?