Keeping up with the Joneses

I have failed to keep up with the Joneses in my Oriole collectiong. Out of the seven Joneses to don the Orange and Black, I had only kept up with three, Adam, Doug and Ricky.

Then, out of the blue, fellow Oriole collector Russ reached out. A few emails and a Kam Mickolio duplicate autograph later, I am one step closer to keeping up with those pesky Joneses.

Stacy Jones 1992 Score #882

To say Stacy Jones was a short timer, may be an understatement. He made his debut for the Orioles in 1991 and lasted a whopping 4 games. Stacy fought hard to make his way back to the big leagues and after 5 seasons, finally got the cahnce with the White Sox. 1996 were his last 2 major league games, totaling 6. He stuck out the 1997 season before calling it quits.

He has been hit or miss TTM so I can save on a stamp. I do have his Topps Debut card which is pretty sweet though. Who knows? Maybe I will send to him at some point. For now, no need.

Anyone holding on to the final Joneses, Gordon, Odell or Sam?

Christmas Cards For Trade, The Collectible Kind.

My family has been growing each year and we now chose names to buy gifts for. I lucked out and was drawn by my step-brother Nutzo. I lucked out because unlike others in my family, he will buy baseball cards.

I present my 2011 Topps Lineage Hobby Box:

Derek Jeter Lineage Giants


Jayson Werth 197 Mini Relics


Charlie Morton 1952 Autographs


Daniel Hudson Lineage Autographs (on card auto)


Diamond Anniversary
Hunter Pence
Josh Johnson
Troy Tulowitzki
Tim Lincecum
Aroldis Chapman
Austin Jackson


Diamond Anniversary Platinum
Stan Musial
Andrew McCutcheon
Joey Votto
Ty Cobb
Chipper Jones
Paul O'Neill


1975 Minis
Elvis Andrus
Larry Walker
Victor Martinez
Rickie Weeks
Al Kaline
Starlin Castro


Rookies
Brandon Belt
Craig Kimbrel
Mike Minor


Stand-Ups
Brooks Robinson
Ryan Zimmerman

Stickers
Whitey Ford
Sandy Koufax

3-D Holograms
Buster Posey
Troy Tulowitzki


There are no base cards listed because for the first time in 14 years, I will be trying to put together the set. So here is my need list:
4,60,61,66,69,78,90,97,103,107,112,121,130,133,135,142,148,152,163,169,172,180,191,199
LMK

Tis the Season

Aside from a raging cold, I had a great Christmas. My brother and step-brother came through with new wax to open and Wifey stepped up to the plate as well.



I am now an Oriole season ticket holder. Even with our coming child, she is willing to part with my company for 13 games. God bless her. In addition to the tickets I received am Orioles jersey, 4 Fanfest tickets and Opening Day options. If anyone is looking for a Fanfest ticket, let me know.

Now I just hope my son, due April 10th, will respect Opening Day and not change my plans.

Birds of a Different Color

Another segment of Orioles players hiding in other uniforms on baseball cards.

Jim Brower 2005 Topps #553

Chris Davis 2008 Topps Update #UH231

Willie Eyre 2006 Topps #643

Aubrey Huff 2003 Donruss Team Heroes #507

Julio Lugo 2003 Upper Deck #378

Keith Osik 2001 Topps #509

Victor Santos 2006 Topps Heritage #184


I am looking to upgrade Aubrey Huff to an Oriole autograph if anyone out there is selfishly holding on to one. Let me know.

"O" Oriole Graphs, "O" Oriole Graphs

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you are enjoying time with the fam, relaxing, eating or just being off work. Whatever the day brings, I hope happiness follows.

I received a lage package with some new additions to the collection. Both feature pitchers as a Bird, where I had previously not had.

Kerry Ligtenberg 2004 Topps #71

Ligtenberg can be described as a journeyman pitcher with a career spanning 8 seasons with 4 different teams. He began his career as a Braves reliever in 1997. He became their closer in 1998, saving 30 games. Then his role diminished and he was granted free agency. He came to Baltimore as his next stop. His season is Baltimore was no differnt than his previous 5, solid. He recorded a 3.34 ERA in 68 games, finising with 4 wins. His careeer tailed off in Toronto and Arizona before being relegated to the Independant Leagues in 209. A kneew injury summarily ended his pitching career,

Willis Roberts 2002 Topps #372

I remember hating WIllis Roberts when he was in town. I habe no real idea why though. He wasn't awful, but every time I hear his name or see his picture, I cringe. I probably remember seeing each one of his 27 surrendered homeruns vacating the park.

Please view my Ligtenberg and Roberts cards for trade.

Here's wishing you a very Orange Christmas.

TTM Success, Paul Shuey

It has been a little while since I sent out TTM requests, so my infrequent successes are to be expected. Last week I received my latest success:

Paul Shuey 1999 Fleer Tradition Warning Track #555

Shuey is best known for his nine seasons as a Cleveland Indian, but did spend a season in Baltimore. He was out of the big leagues following the 2003 season recovering from a hand injury. He made a hasty retirement 2005 but felt he could still go. He made his comeback as a Bird in 2007. Somehow, he was able to pitch in 25 games, with a staggering 9.82 ERA. He was released before the season ended, thus ending his career.

Unfortunately for me, I added a Shuey autograph in a trade a couple of months ago. I don't get to cross a name off my list on this one. Bummer. His short time in Baltimore didn't allow for him to appear on a card as an Oriole, Indians will have to do. But I do have a

2002 Topps autograph

Available for trade.

Happy Chanukah

I am not Jewish but it's still a big holiday starting tomorrow. I received an early Chanukah gift this week from my generous 1991 Orioles Crown benefactor. Let me show you my newest addition.

Cal Ripken 1991 Orioles Crown #383


Seriously.

Ridiculous.

He is the man with the connections and he has yet again hooked me up. And an Ironclad seal of approval to boot. I would have settled for his word about authenticity, but this will definitely do the trick.

I have to figure out a way to repay him. I think I will be working on that for quite some time.

That leaves two high priced guys left on my wish list, Eddie Murray and Reggie Jackson. Anyone have connections there?

Rack Pack Mojo

Merry Christmas to me. I went with wifey to do a little Christmas shopping over the weekend and couldn't resist snagging some cards. I was torn between regular Topps Chrome or the Bowman Draft Prospects. I think I made the right choice in grabbing two rack packs of 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects. Here are the goods.

The Base:
Mark Hamburger 2011 Bowman Draft 13 Rangers
Jose Ceda 2011 Bowman Draft 16 Marlins
Cody Eppley 2011 Bowman Draft 33 Rangers
Cole Kimball 2011 Bowman Draft 52 Nationals
Al Alburquerque 2011 Bowman Draft 60 Tigers
Aneury Rodriguez 2011 Bowman Draft 74 Astros
Amauri Sanit 2011 Bowman Draft 78 Yankees
Kyle Crick 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects BDPP24 Giants
Tyler Goeddel 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects BDPP33 Rays
Justin James 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects BDPP60 Yankees
Javaris Reynolds 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects BDPP65 Astros
Matthew Budgell 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects BDPP71 Mets
Bryson Brigham 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects BDPP93 USA
Joe Demers 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects BDPP97 USA
Austin Meadows 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects BDPP100 USA
Alexi Amarista 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft 3 Angels
Brandon Laird 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft 26 Yankees
Tommy Hottovy 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft 48 Red Sox
Kenneth Peoples-Walls 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects BDPP7 Cardinals
William Abreu 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects BDPP91 USA

Inserts:

Tim Collins 2011 Bowman Draft Gold 22 Royals
Paul Goldschmidt 2011 Bowman Draft Gold 108 Diamondbacks
David Cooper 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors Purple 24 Rockies

The MOJO:
Matt Lollis 2011 Bowman Draft Prospects Autographs Red #'d 17/25

Big fan of this card and pretty rare. I hadn't heard of Lollis so I looked his cards up on the bay, very impressive. This bad boy will be listed tomorrow afternoon on eBay unless a swell private offer comes my way.

I appreciate the look and all else are available.

Some More Trade Bait, 2011 Style

I also have a bunch of base looking for a great new home

Updated Trade Bait

With a few new additions to the colection I have some Hall of Famers looking for a good home. With my contest getting zero play I would try and speed things along.

For Trade:

Brooks Robinson 1976 Topps #95


Frank Robinson 2004 Fleer Greats of the Game Autograph #GBA-FR


Cal Ripken 2003 Fleer Splendid Splinters Home Run Club Autograph Black #'d/300


Going deep on this one. I never thought the Ripken would be up for grabs, but I am hoping this can bring a few toughies home. Who knows?

LMK if there is anything you like and check out my trade lists as well.

Hall of Fame Upgrades

This is my biggest collecting coup to date.

I have a friend who helps out with a sports promotional company. We have talked about shows in the past but I had never been able to get to one. This last time was no different, but I had an inside man. What I didn't have was the premium to pay these legends for my newest additions. What I do have, is a friend and family discount he could not do without. Seemed like a fair trade to me.

Brooks Robinson 1991 Orioles Crown #385

I think the small card threw Brooks for a loop. He tends to sign his name quite large, but it appears he didn't want to hide his lovely head shot. I also felt if odd he left off the "s" in Brooks, until I checked other examples. I wonder what he has against the letter?

Frank Robinson 1991 Orioles Crown #388

This is an awesome graph. It looks exactly like the pack certified one I had in my collection. These cards have me one step closer to completing the Robinson portion of my Crown project. Now I just need to track down the ever elusive Jeff Robinson.

Thanks again K, I still owe you.

Sweet Lou Piniella

How do you remember him?

Ballplayer? Indian? Royal? Yankee?

Manager? Yankee again? Red? Mariner? Devil Ray? Cub?

What, The first thing that comes to mind is not the 21 year old making his major league debut for the Orioles in 1964? Seriously, how can four games, one at-bat and no hits not make a lasting impression on you?

His time was so fleeting that he never appeared on any card as an Oriole. The only picture I was able to find involving Piniella and the Birds is of the 1993 Mariners-Orioles brawl. Very fitting for the tenacious Lou.

I remember spittle, venom, anger and bases being thrown. And I have this to immortalize him in my collection:

Lou Piniella 1991 Orioles Crown #364

I think he is wearing a wig in that picture.

I Never Have to Post About Nate Snell Again

Finally, the journey to add a signed Nate Snell 1991 Orioles Crown card to my collection has come to an end. This particular card has eluded me multiple times, starting with the 2010 Orioles Fanfest. He has dipped, dived and dodged at every corner. Until I shelled out some cash.

Nate Snell 1991 Orioles Crown #430

Chase to 755

This contest is an homage to a crappy insert set from 2003 Upper Deck, featuring the likes of Shawn Green and Lance Berkman. Night Owl referenced Green's pawltry 192 bombs at release date, but Berkman was barely over 100 when the set came out.

755 is also the untainted home run number, so I thought it was very fitting. But I digress.

I have just eclipsed a pretty large milestone, 700 Oriole autographs and I wanted to do a contest. In the spirit of the contest season in the blog-o-sphere, I am placing a bounty on number 755. The contest ends when the 755th different Orioles player autograph is in my possession. That leaves a good amount of time and 43 autographs from this point.

On with the contest details.

This could be a long contest, unless you guys move quickly and unload all those Orioles autographs you have laying around.

The rules to gain entry are simple:

1. Become a new follower to my blog. All you must do is post a comment that you are following anywhere on my blog. Sorry to those of you who already follow, you will have to work for it.

2. Referral bonus. Any new follower you refer can drop your name when posting their comment and you get an entry as well. I am not asking for pimpage just a little word of mouth.

3. One entry for every autograph for my collection.

4. Upgrades will count. Upgrades are new cards featuring an Oriole where I currently have one of a different team. An upgrade is also a new addition to the 1991 Orioles Crown set.

5. Grand Prize Winners The person who helps grow my collection the most will get first choice. The person who is responsible for the most new followers of my blog will win second choice. Other selections will then be randomed off to participants.

Because a lot depends on how many people enter the contest exact break down of prizes are yet to be determined.

Prizes thus far:
10 card lot of IP/TTM autographs (your choice)
8 card game used lot (your choice)
Cal Ripken 2007 SPx Iron Man Platinum IM64 #'d 1/1
Mickey Mantle 1995 Upper Deck Metallic Impressions 10 card set in tin

More prizes will be added in the future.

I appreciate everyone who currently follows or pays any mind to my drivel and for those in the future who can help me attain my goals.

Have no fear, I am not just relying upon the blog world, I will be working the crowds, trade sites and any avenue possible to get to 755, then 900.

Updates can be accessed by the link in my "Vault" on the right of the page, or here.

My Autographs available are here and my game used are here.

The entire Oriole Autograph list can be found here.

Quick reference for those players I need:
Abrams, Cal 
Adair, Jerry 
Adams, Bobby 
Adams, Ryan
Alexander, Bob 
Alexander, Doyle
Anderson, John
Angle, Matt
Aparicio, Luis
Avila, Bobby
Belanger, Mark 
Bell, Juan
Bertaina, Frank
Bickford, Vern 
Blefary, Curt 
Bowens, Sam 
Brideweser, Jim 
Brock, Chris
Brower, Jim
Brown, Kevin (1986-2005 P)
Brown, Mark
Brunet, George 
Byrd, Harry 
Carrasquel, Chico 
Carreon, Cam 
Castro, Bernie
Chakales, Bob
Charlton, Norm
Chevez, Tony
Coggins, Rich
Coleman, Rip 
Cook, Mike
Courtney, Clint 
Cox, Billy 
Cubillan, Darwin
Davis, Chris
Davis, Eric
de la Rosa, Francisco
Dedrick, Jim
Dorish, Harry 
Dyck, Jim 
Dykhoff, Radhames
Eyre, Willie
Finigan, Jim 
Fisher, Jack
Fisher, Tom
Flinn, John
Foster, Kris
Fox, Howie 
Freed, Roger 
Freel, Ryan
Freire, Alejandro
Gabino, Armando
Gallagher, Dave
Garcia, Chico 
Garcia, Luis (2002 Orioles)
Gastall, Tom 
Goodman, Billy 
Green, Gene 
Greene, Charlie
Grimsley, Jason
Guerrero, Vladimir
Guillen, Ozzie
Gutierrez, Jackie
Haddix, Harvey 
Hamric, Bert 
Hardin, Jim 
Hardy, J.J.
Harris, Gene
Harris, Lum 
Hartley, Mike
Havens, Brad
Hazewood, Drungo
Heard, Jay 
Hernandez, Leo
Hitchcock, Billy 
Hobgood, Matt
Houtteman, Art 
Hudson, Kyle
Huff, Aubrey
Hulett, Tim
Hunter, Tommy
Jackson, Lou 
Jackson, Reggie 
Jefferson, Jesse
Johns, Doug
Johnson, Darrell 
Johnson, Davey
Johnson, Mike (1997-2001)
Jones, Gordon 
Jones, Odell
Jones, Sam 
Jones, Stacy
Kellert, Frank 
Kerrigan, Joe
Kilgus, Paul
Kinnunen, Mike
Kirkland, Willie
Knight, Ray
Kokos, Dick 
Koslo, Dave 
Lau, Charlie 
Lee, Derrek
Lewis, Richie
Littlefield, Dick 
Lockman, Whitey 
Lopat, Ed 
Lopez, Carlos
Lopez, Javy (catcher)
Luebke, Dick 
Lugo, Julio
Mabe, Bob 
Machado, Robert
Majeski, Hank 
Marquis, Roger 
Mathews, Terry
May, Dave
McDonald, Jim
McElroy, Chuck
McGuire, Mickey
McNally, Dave 
Melendez, Francisco
Miksis, Eddie 
Millar, Kevin
Miller, Bill 
Miranda, Willy 
Molina, Izzy
Moore, Ray 
Mora, Andres
Moreland, Keith
Murray, Eddie 
Myers, Greg
Myers, Randy
Narum, Buster 
Nelson, Roger
Nieman, Bob 
Nixon, Donell
Nokes, Matt
O'Connor, Jack
Oertel, Chuck 
Orosco, Jesse
Osik, Keith
Palica, Erv 
Pardo, Al
Peterson, Buddy 
Phillips, Zach
Piniella, Lou
Pope, Dave 
Portocarrero, Arnie 
Powers, John 
Powis, Carl 
Reinbach, Mike 
Reyes, Al
Reyes, Jo-Jo
Reynolds, Mark
Rice, Del 
Richards, Paul 
Robles, Sergio
Rodriguez, Vic
Rogovin, Saul 
Rowdon, Wade
Royster, Willie
Rupe, Josh
Salmon, Chico 
Sanchez, Orlando
Santos, Victor
Schilling, Curt
Shelby, John
Shetrone, Barry 
Siebern, Norm
Slocumb, Heathcliff
Smith, Al 
Smith, Lee
Smith, Nate
Sosa, Sammy
Stephens, Vern 
Strop, Pedro
Stuart, Marlin 
Sundin, Gordie
Taylor, Joe 
Temple, Johnny 
Thomas, Valmy
Throneberry, Marv 
Tibbs, Jay
Trout, Dizzy 
Viola, Pedro
Virgil, Ozzie (1956-69)
Waitkus, Eddie 
Walker, Greg
Webster, Lenny
Wells, David
Werley, George
Wertz, Vic 
Wiggins, Alan 
Wight, Bill 
Wilhelm, Hoyt  
Wilson, Jim (1948-58) 
Young, Bobby 
Zambrano, Victor
Zaun, Gregg
Zupo, Frank 

A-B
C-E
F-I
J-M
N-R
S-T
U-Z + NON-PLAYERS

Orioles Mail Day Part Deux

These "less desirables" are all in need of upgrades but are seven more names to cross off my list.

Joe Borowski 2007 Topps Heritage #469


Joe Carter 1993 Stadium Club Members Only #749


Juan Castro 2003 Topps Total #107


David Dellucci 2007 Topps Heritage #171


Rick Helling 1992 Stadium Club Dome #81


Rudy May 1975 Topps #321


Andy Van Slyke 1985 Topps #551

Orioles Mail Day

Today is part one of a 13 card haul I just got in the mail. It was the first score in a large while and will be a good start moving in to contest time. Yes I am almost there, just putting the finishing touches on the details. Enjoy the images of my newest Oriole additions.

Marty Cordova 2003 Topps #410


Scott Erickson 2001 Topps #567


John Halama 2006 Upper Deck #531


Brian Matusz 2010 Upper Deck #5


Guillermo Quiroz 2008 Topps Update #UH-272