Thrice Harper

Wifey decided giving birth to our son was a good enough anniversary present for me.  I would have agreed if new baseball product wasn't on the market.  So, I forced her hand a threw a blaster of Bowman in the shopping cart at Target.  I hid it below the infant clothes and baby gas drops.  Sneaky. Sneaky.

The first four packs I opened had these:

Bryce Harper Bowman Chrome Prospects (x2)

Bryce Harper Bowman Prospects

Yu Darvish Bowman SP Rookie

Bowman Gold Allen Craig #57

Bowman Gold Ian Desmond #115

Bowman Gold Lucas Duda #171

Bowman Gold Dan Haren #37

Bowman Gold Desmond Jennings #136

Bowman Gold Cory Luebke #130

Bowman Gold Brian McCann #70

Bowman Gold Jimmy Rollins #80

Bowman Silver Ice Vance Worley #105

And the best card of the box, not for trade.

Adam Jones 2012 Bowman International #45

Such a gorgeous card.  This is going at the top of the IP list.  Hopefully when I get to a game this year, this bad boy will come back with some blue scribble across the front.  Everything else is available, just let me know.



I Like Autographed Cards

A little contest for those interested in NCAA baseball and Autographed Cards, just go on over and check it out.  Doesn't seem too, hard, let's see if I can get one right.

Down On The Farm

With every call up and roster move the Orioles make, I find myself pushed further and further away from my ultimate goal.  Typically I have to then scramble, pick up cards of the new Bird and try TTM or IP attempts.  Recently I have made scooped up a few cards of the players waiting in the wings. 

Here is my first success from Norfolk.

Jamie Hoffman 2008 Bowman Heritage Prospects # BHP-61

Currently has played in the most games for the Tides, patrolling the Outfield.  He is waiting for his second chance at the big leagues.  His two game stint with the Dodgers in 2011 being his lone promotion to the majors.  Currently, he is hitting .252 with 2 home runs and 18 RBI, good for second on the team.  He is a good overall player but the solid play of Xavier Avery after his ascension might make the roster a tough cookie to crack this season.  If he does, I got this one all locked up.  If not, I know a few Dodgers collectors I could deal this one to.

Comparison Shopping

So I snagged a few packs of Bowman and Topps Heritage, checking which I liked more.  The answer...neither.  Not a huge fan at all of either.  Nothing appeals to me in the least.

Except Gypsy Queen.  Yep.  The product is growing on me, quickly.  I don't enjoy its hobby price tag but it was the only product I felt good enough about to buy a blaster.  And I got another "Hit".  Check out everything below.  All is available for trade.

2012 Bowman Gold

Vance Worley #105

CC Sabathia #190

2012 Topps Heritage Inserts

Matt Moore Sticker #45

Target SP's

Davis Price #61

Shaun Marcum #67

Pablo Sandoval #82

2012 Gypsy Queen

Matt Kemp Sliding Stars #SS-MK

Evan Longoria SP #230

Ty Cobb Hallmark Heroes #HH-TC

Joe DiMaggio Hallmark Heroes #HH-JD

Frank Thomas Moonshots #MS-FT

Derrek Holland Future Stars #FS-DH

Mike (Giancarlo) Stanton Future Stars #FS-MS

Trayvon Robinson Glove Stories GS-TR



2012 Gypsy Queen Mini's

David Ortiz Straight Cut Mini #1

Luis Aparicio Gypsy Back Mini #224

Phil Hughes Green Mini #23

Nolan Ryan Mini #256

Paul Molitor Mini #247

Al Kaline Mini #242

Brandon Belt Mini #310

Dustin Ackley Mini #349



C.J. Wilson Gypsy Queen Relics #GQR-CW

Bowman Base Cards:

8
9
21
38
58
73
103
116
152
191

Bowman Prospects:

BP108

BP42

BP66

BP96

Bowman Chrome Prospects:

BCP23

BCP27

BCP29

BCP66

Topps Heritage Base Cards:

37
51
58
106
112
120
122
200
218
225
229
250
255
266
281
284
285
332
352
420
424
431
463

Gypsy Queen Base Cards:

5
11
32
45
50
51
78
83
91
114
116
130
131
133
139
141
155
157
163
210
215
223
242
244
257
258
261
266
268
283



One Of A Kind

Xavier Avery has had a very solid campaign in Norfolk this season with much speculation about his being promoted.  The poor play of Endy Chavez and the nagging back of Nolan Reimold landed him in the big leagues. 

He had an auspicious start to his big league career, taking the collar in four at-bats, but has rebounded mightily.  A single, triple and RBI against the Yankees is a good way to make a mark on the box score.

Xavier Avery 2008 Tristar Prospects Plus Farm Hands Purple Autographs 1/1 #FHXA

There are not a ton of certified autographs in my collection and very few numbered ones, so this card stands alone.  I traded for this bad boy a few years back and all I had to give up was some Mets inserts, I think.  So long ago, who can remember?  I am guessing I will continue to try and snag an IP or TTM of Avery in the future.  If/when that happens, hopefully I can get something nice in return for this 1/1.


**Note: Avery's stats are as of 9:56pm when this old man went to sleep.

Stop The Roster Moves...Please

The Orioles lead the American League East and I shouldn't be picky.  But I will be.  I haven't had the opportunity to get out to games this year and cache of autographs of players waiting in the wings leaves a lot to be desired.

The last 10 days has given Dana Eveland, Luis Exposito, Bill Hall, Stu Pomeranz and Steve Tolleson their first taste of life in the Orange and Black.

All I had waiting was this:

Dana Eveland 2012 Orioles Postcard

Eveland made his first appearance on Friday but didn't have his best stuff. He overcame a few tense innings and settled in late.  Dana came away with a no decision but he showed a lot of grit and determination going six innings.  The bullpen was able to come in and hold Tampa at bay allowing his offense the opportunity to win it.  They did.

If anyone has an autograph of Exposito, Hall, Pomeranz and Tolleson if anyone is looking to deal.  The O's keep winning, but all the roster moves are making it more difficult to keep up the pace.  Help me out.

Beating The Odds

I stopped in to my local card shop today for some supplies and decided to snag a few packs.  I hadn't touched any new wax since Topps Series I and needed a fix. 

I normally really like Bowman and the chance to pull some Orioles prospects I need but I wasn't feeling it today.  Heritage didn't call my name either.  2011 Topps Debut tugged me for a second but didn't have the staying power. 

I snagged three packs of Gypsy Queen.  Yep.  A set I don't particularly care for won out over all else.  Why?  No idea.  Maybe the set is growing on me?  Maybe I am clairvoyant.

Kyle Seager Gypsy Queen Autographs #GQA-KS

 Prince Fielder Moonshots #MS-PF
Chris Young Glove Stories #GS-CY
Starlin Castro Sliding Stars #SS-SC

Asdrubal Cabrera Mini Black #15
Eddie Murray Mini #263
Chad Billingsley Mini Gypsy Queen Back #46

I was expecting a lot of garbage in my packs like last year, but I was very pleasantly surprised.  Two mini parallels and an autograph, I can't be too upset.  Although, who the hell is Kyle Seager?

Either way, all the above are available for trade, LMK.  Here are the base cards:

5
9
19
38
46
66
81
82
93
136
165
172
187
198
202
213
230
242
246
258
261
266

The Best Series...Ever

This weekend marked the first time since 1994 the Baltimore Orioles swept the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.  They did so in quite a dramatic fashion...twice.

The series started with a 13 inning game showcasing more of the Orioles league leading bullpen.  They pitched eight innings in relief and allowed zero runs, waiting for the Orioles bats to wake up.  They did just that in the 13th inning, scoring twice.  A very nice start to the series, keeping their modest two-game winning streak alive.

Saturday afternoon they decided to make it easier on fans.  A 7 run third inning was all Jason Hammel needed to grab his third win of the season.  The bullpen was perfect yet again.

What did they have in store for the fans on Sunday?

Only the best game of the year.

Three early home runs gave the Birds a 5-0 lead that was eliminated when rookie Will Middlebrooks hit his first career home run.  The grand slam knotted the game at 5.  Nine innings weren't enough to decide a winner as both bullpens were ridiculous.  Ridiculously good.  Troy Patton did give up a run in the 8th inning, ending a 20+ scoreless inning streak by the bullpen.

Then things got interesting.  Leadoff runners, awful bunts and double plays pushed the game closer to the six hour mark.  The Orioles had too many chances to win and seemed to give up in the 16th inning. 

Designated Hitter Chris Davis made his first ever professional pitching appearance in the top of the inning.  Not a good sign. 

Apparently Buck Showalter knew something we didn't.  Davis topped out at 90MPH and showed a great split finger fastball.  He actually looked like a pitcher.  He struck out the first batter he faced, recorded a second out, then Marlon Byrd reached via error.  A double to the gap in left-center seemed to end it all.  Adam Jones to J.J. Hardy to a diesel Matt Wieters at home plate cut down Marlon Byrd and the Red Sox.

The Red Sox then gave up in the 17th pushing Darnell McDonald on the hill.  A three run shot from Adam Jones gave lead for Davis to lose.  He made it interesting allowing two runners, striking out Adrian Gonzalez and inducing a game ending double play.

Truly amazing.  I watched nearly the entire game and was riveted the entire time.  Chris Davis is now my favorite player.  He went 0-8 at the plate and struck out five times and was able to go and win the game as a pitcher.  He is a first baseman people, not a pitcher.  After the game he said Buck talked to him in the 14th to see if he could go.  A two inning heads up and he can strike out Adrian Gonzalez, heroic. 

Hopefully they can continue to be hot, I will be watching.  How long until everyone else tunes in?

Chris Davis 2012 Orioles Fanfest Postcards

I am hoping to add a signed 2012 Topps card when I get to the stadium this year.

Big Pimpin'

Do you like free stuff?  I sure as heck do. 

Check out a sweet contest at 30 Year Old Cardboard

Autographs From Beyond

One of the sites that has served me well over the years is SportsCollectors.net.  It is a great reference for addresses, complete team listings, successes adnfor trading.  Paternity leave didn't allow for a ton of time, but I was able to carve out some baseball card time. Here are two additions of deceased players I was ale to add.

Curt Blefary 1966 Topps #460

Blefary made his Major League Debut in 1965 for the Orioles and put together a standout season.  He hit .260, drove in 70 runs with 22 home runs, enough to earn him American League Rookie of the Year honors.  Blefary could always hit, but his sub par fielding eventually limited his time in the starting lineup.  He bounced around after Baltimore, hanging up his spikes following the 1972 season. 

After his playing career ended, Curt migrated South as many Northerners do.  He lived in Florida until his passing in 2001.  He always had a connection with Baltimore and the fans here.  His burial wish was to be interned at Memorial Stadium, but that couldn't happen.  Instead, his ashes were scattered at the stadium in a private ceremony. 

Darrell Johnson Index Card

Johnson appeared in six games for the Birds in 1962 to finish off his ten year career.  He was ineffective at best and was soon able to start the second phase of his baseball career, management.  He was a scout before finally moving back into the dugout.  He managed the Red Sox for three seasons, reaching the 1975 World Series.  He became the original manager of the Seattle Mariners and then the Texas Rangers.  All in all, 30 years in professional baseball, not a bad run.  Darrell succumbed to leukemia in 2004.

Have A Nice "O'Day"

Corny title, I know.  I just couldn't help myself, it was way too easy when you receive this:

Who would have thunk it?  The Orioles have the best bullpen in baseball.  And Darren O'Day is a huge reason for that.  After Saturday's appearance, he has a minuscule .068 ERA.  What does that get him?  Fourth place on the team behind the 0.00 ERA of Luis Ayala, Jim Johnson and Pedro Strop.

Not too shabby for the doormats of the American League East.  Keep it going boys.

Yet another shout out goes to Ryan of The Great Orioles Autograph Project for the O'Day.  He actually has a few more postcards I can use, we shall see if I can pry them away.