10,000!

Today I passed the 10,000 visits mark. Sure, most of you other card bloggers out there probably average that in a month, but not me. Anyway, that's to everyone that stops by to read my meaningless rants about a hobby I've enjoyed for twenty seven years.

TTM: Johnny Edwards

Did you know that during the off-season while with the Reds, Johnny Edwards worked as an engineer for General Electric in research and development for nuclear fuel elements. Very impressive!

Bronze Sparky

Last week I decided to nab a stadium giveaway that has eluded me for quite some time...the bronze Sparky Anderson statue that was given away at Great American Ballpark on May 14, 2011 when the Reds took on the Cardinals. While it's not on my list of collection goals for 2013, the price was too good to pass up ($20 shipped) since most of them listed on eBay have been going from $35 to $50! It complements my bronze Nuxhall statue quite nicely!

TTM: Leo Cardenas

Leo "Chico" Cardenas was a five time All-Star (three of those with the Reds) and a Gold Glove Award winner. An interesting tidbit, Cardenas led the National League in intentional walks in 1965 and 1966.

TTM: Don Gullett

Although Don Gullett played only nine seasons in the majors, he was on six World Series teams and four consecutive World Champion teams!

TTM: Mario Soto

Did you know that in 1983 Mario Soto finished second in voting for the National League Cy Young award? Now you do.

Two in the Box, Ready to Go...

I be fast and they be slow! I'm already out of the gate when it comes to knocking off my card collecting goals in 2013. This past week I was able to complete TWO of my ten goals for this year. Due to the generosity of my wife's grandfather, I was able to get a 1989-90 Hoops complete set and a T206 Tom Downey. The Hoops set is more nostalgia than anything else. I collected basketball for only three years when I was growing up 89, 90 and 91. Although Cincinnati didn't have a team, I was a Bulls fan with Jordan, Pippen, Grant led by Phil Jackson. My favorite card in the 89 Hoops set though was the Robinson rookie and now I can say I own one of my favorite childhood cards. As for my other Christmas present, I love tobacco cards and I'll buy any Reds tobacco card all day long if there aren't any creases on the card and it's less than $30! I just happened to stumble upon this Downey on eBay right after New Years and I'm very excited to add this to my collection. I know that not all of my goals will be as easy to accomplish as these two, but it's nice to stumble across great bargains, especially when those bargains wind up as part of your collection.