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.