Spring Can't Come Fast Enough!

Another day and another 4 inches of snow here in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. To say that I'm sick of winter would be an understatement. While it's discouraging to look outside my window and see piles of the great white death and know that tomorrow night the low will be -6, I can take comfort in knowing that pitchers and catchers report next month. It's then that I think about the sun on my face, the bright blue sky and the return of baseball from it's long winter break. Sort of like this 1991 Upper Deck Edgar Diaz card, a new entry into my Album of Amazing. Just look at those clouds reflecting off those sunglasses. Spring can't get here fast enough.

To Infinity....And Beyond!

Not sure where I first saw this card but I knew that I had to obtain a copy for myself. Another entry into my Album of Amazing project, this is a 1993 Upper Deck Mike Perez that shows Mike holding a picture of Mike, who's holding a picture of Mike, who's - you get the idea.

Eric Lindros Played Baseball?!

No, he didn't but that doesn't mean I can't own a card depicting him on a baseball team. I had always wanted this 1990 Score Rookies and Traded card when I was in the hobby back in 1990s but never got around to picking it up. That changed a few weeks ago and now this card resides in my Album of Amazing. With it still being below freezing here in the Midwest I suppose hockey and baseball can go hand in hand - if only on a piece of cardboard.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

I know that the Christmas season is over, but with the current temperatures hovering in the single digits for many of us in the midwest I couldn't pass on the opportunity to showcase a recent addition to my Album of Amazing project. Behold, a 1998 Score Doug Drabek. Now where can I pick up one of those amazing hats to stay warm.

A Pink Votto to Add to the Rainbow

Late last year I was able to snag another Votto card for my 2013 Topps Votto rainbow project. This time it was the pink parallel to the base set numbered 43/50. I spent a little more than I wanted to for this card but considering that supply is limited, I wasn't sure when I would see this card again so I pulled the trigger. Out of more than 40+ cards that make up the rainbow (Topps base, mini, and chrome) I know I'll never have them all but it's my hope to at least grab 36 different cards. So far I have 22 different Votto cards and it's getting more difficult to find others that I need.

It's Going to be a Banner Year!

I recently made another purchase for the man cave recently off eBay. A friend of mine has a banner similar to this depicting the logo changes of the Cleveland Indians and I thought that if the company made one that showed the progression of the Reds logo since their inception in 1869. As luck would have it, Iwas able to find one for only $22 shipped! The banner measures 8"x32" and made entirely out of wool. There was another wool banner produced by the same company that was white with red lettering that said "Cincinnati Reds Man Cave" but I thought this item was much nicer as it detailed the history and tradition of the organization.

2014 Year in Review

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone has been enjoying the holiday season. With the start of a brand new year I decided it's a perfect opportunity to look back at last year and the progress I've made with the hobby. The past few years I've made collecting goals to try and keep me on track. While they've been very helpful, I feel as though they've pigeonholed me and it's taken some of the fun out of the hobby. This year I probably won't create goals but replace the list with a "10 Most Wanted" card list. This will still give me that ability to cross off a list when I pick up cards but it won't feel like a chore.

Looking back at 2014 I completed 8 of the 10 goals I had set. At first I was a little bummed that I left two unfinished, but when I looked closer at what I acquired this past year I have no reason to complain. So, what strides did I make for my Reds collection in 2014? Here's what I accomplished:

• Added 2 T206 tobacco cards to the collection (Ewing, Bescher)
• Started my 2013 Topps Joey Votto Rainbow Project (22 cards and counting)
• Started a Pete Rose player collection (289 cards and counting)
• Began chasing the Kahn's Reds team sets (18 team sets added)
• Purchased 3 vintage ball gloves for the man cave (Kluszewski, Greengrass, Burgess models)
• Completed 4 Trifectas (Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Aroldis Chapman, Johnny Cueto)
• Completed my 2011 Topps set (still chasing the short prints though but the base is complete)
• Completed my 1986 Topps set
• Started my 1971 Topps set (227 cards )
• Started my 1965 Topps set (85 cards )
• Started my 1949 Bowman Reds team set
• Completed my run of Cincinnati Reds Topps cards from 1952 to 2014 (excluding the 1952 high series)
• Began my "Album of Amazing" project (19 cards and counting)
• Attended my first National
• Added 3 scorecards to my collection (1960, 1961, 2003)
• Added 4 autographed 8x10 photos to my collection (Joey Votto, Chris Heisey, Devin Mesoraco, Billy Hamilton)
• Added a Mr. Redlegs All-Star edition bobblehead
• Added some Great American Ballpark dirt to the collection
• Added a McFarlane Johnny Bench figure

Not bad for a year of collecting. With the arrival of 2015 I have some ambitions plans that will hopefully come to fruition. I still plan on collecting vintage Reds cards and I'm hoping that I can complete the 1948-1951 run of Bowman Reds team sets. 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the Reds 1975 World Championship. It also marks my 40th birthday! To celebrate the occasion I've decided to try and complete my Cincinnati Reds Man Cave! I realize you all have been hearing me speak about picking up items for the cave the past few years and it is my intent to have the room completed with pictures to share before the end of this year. Here's to 2015 and all the adventures that await us!