The Quest

The Baltimore Orioles have been in town since '54 and have had over 900 men don their uniform. My goal is to obtain a signed card of each player. If you have something I need, or see something you want, don't be shy, we can make a deal.

Collection Statistics

Total Players 877/977 = 89.25%
1991 Orioles Crown Set
Total Players 309/465 = 66.45%
Alive Players 274/369 = 74.25

Friday, December 28, 2012

Down On The Farm Friday: Ronnie Welty

 
Ronnie Welty 2011 Bowman Chrome Prospects #205
Ronnie's 2012 campaign was much better than his autograph I received back TTM.  It looks like a combination of a shoddy rubdown on my part and quick stacking on Ronnie's.  It is nice to see a great deal of consistency from his facsimile and original signatures.  Many times there is a huge discrepancy.

Spreading his time across the GCL Orioles, IronBirds, Keys and BaySox, Ronnie solidified himself as a top Outfield Prospect.  He hit .333, banged 13 home runs and drove in 55 runs, most of the power output coming at AA Bowie.  Welty struggled to stay healthy in 2012 appearing in just over 50 games, the lowest of his minor league career.

His main knock entering 2012 was the frequency of his strikeouts.  He struck out 31.5% of the time in 2011 and only 22.7% last season, all-the-while raising his average and power numbers.  His health seems to be the biggest hurdle for him moving forward, that and super glossy baseball cards.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Joyce To The World

My company employs a mentoring program, and as a Manager I was assigned a new hire to help throughout his career.  HR finally did some good research when pairing me up, my mentee is a huge sports fan and we have a lot in common.  After our first meeting he invited me to an Orioles game, I was happy to oblige.

Sweetening the deal, his close personal friend is Tampa Bay Rays Outfielder Matt Joyce, and we had field passes.  For the first time in my fandom I was on the field for batting practice, rubbing elbows with big leaguers.  I didn't even mind that they were the enemy that evening.  Until I took my seat.  In the Rays family section.  Surrounded by true Rays fans.

It hurt.  Not being able to cheer and openly root for my Birds stung.  The Orioles 9-2 victory took the sting out very quickly though.

Joyce came through and recently gave me this, I will count it as a Christmas gift.

 
Hopefully I have brought a little Joy(ce) to the blog-o-sphere.  Merry Christmas to all.  Can't wait to see all the new cards that come in this week.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Christmas Came Early

I have documented man times before that Wifey does not like baseball cards.  Especially purchasing them.  I am lucky to get a pack or two a year.  I am very happy that she and her father are nothing alike.

He visited earlier this month bearing gifts for The Kid, Wifey and I and I was shocked there was a gift specifically for me.  It was the first time in six years that they weren't all joint gifts.  Here is what I received:

Boog Powell 1962 Topps #99
 
Brooks Robinson 1959 Topps #439
Each one of these beauties fills a void in my Orioles vintage collections that has been long overlooked.  I had been thinking of liquidating that portion of my collection but these two cards have made me reconsider. 

These are most likely the only cards I receive for Christmas, couldn't be more pleased.

Monday, December 3, 2012

There You Are...

Drungo Hazewood.

Drungo who? 

Hazewood.  The former first round pick of the Orioles from Wifey's Alma Mater, Sacramento High School, who played five games in the 1980 season, then fell off the planet.

OK, he didn't fall off the planet, but he did hide very well.  He had been a notoriously difficult autograph go buy, trade for or get in person.  He only has five minor league issue cards and the 1991 Orioles Crown card produced during his entire career. 

That was until Chris Potter knocked on his door and set up a private signing.  I learned about the signing at the National Convention this year and jumped on the opportunity.  I was expecting a lofty price tag as sales of his signed card at the 2010 Convention were around $90. 

$15.  A deal that could not be passed up.  Now I have this beauty in the collection.
 
Drungo Hazewood 1991 Orioles Crown #189 
I found it fitting for my first real post in over a month to be about a lost Oriole.  Enjoy.
 

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Where Did November Go?

For the first time since I started blogging I took a hiatus.  A long one.  It wasn't planned.  It wasn't even wanted.

It just had to happen.

Something had to give.

Work has been stressful to say the least.  It has meant even longer days then before.  Including my commute I am away from home for over 14 hrs a day.  Throw in some sleep and I have less than three hours free.

Wifey and The Kid need their time with me as well.  The lone hour I have completely void of responsibility, I spend vegging out. 

No blog.  No baseball cards.  No eBay.  No thoughts.  And that can be exhausting. 

I thought with my time away my blog presence would be zero, and it may very well be, but blogger analytics says differently.  I think I am getting more hits by not posting than by actually writing.

We shall see what the truth is, as I hope to put out a few posts.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Down on the Farm Friday: Nick Delmonico

A couple months ago I was able to secure an Auto of infield prospect Nick Delmonico.

Nick Delmonico 2012 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autograph #BCP92
Nick is listed as a third baseman on this card, yet failed to play an inning at that position in his first season in professional ball.  With DelMarva he played 57 games at first, 31 and second and DH'ed for 7 games.
 
He showed a little bit of pop, jacking 11 home runs during the season and hitting at a .249 clip.  There was a little speed taking 8 bases during the season.  His fielding was suspect at first and bad at second, but what do you expect from a 19 year old?  They can't all be Manny Machado.
 
I look forward to his spring and see how he performs in Frederick next year.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Welcome Back Aaron

Another huge Orioles fan Aaron Waddell left the hobby for a while, but is now back.  We have made nearly 20 trades and sales in the past as all of our collecting needs have run parrallel. 

He looked me up and started a trade.  I sent a few newer O's to fill in his needs and I got a couple of sweet upgrades.

Norm Siebern Orioles Photo

Cla Meredith 2010 Orioles Topps #BAL17
I now have a signed Index Card of Siebern and a signed Orioles Crown card of Meredith available if anyone is interested.
 
 
 
 

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Procrastination

It's not all bad.  I tend to delay many things as more important life items and work items pop up.  Many times baseball cards and shipping and purchases are pushed aside (Sorry Unclemoe and Mariner1).  But sometimes it pays off.

This time the pay off was instant gratification.

I have utilized the contacts of Chris Potter Sports on numerous occasions and signed up for another private signing.  Two months ago.  SO naturally I forgot to send him the cards I needed signed.  The last day before he left for a month of signings I was scrambling.  I couldn't find my Orioles Crown card of Rich Coggins, the lynch pin of my purchase.

I was fortunate to find Chris had an extra copy, signed.  SO when I went to drop off my Drungo Hazewood card for the signing I scooped up one for the collection.
 
Rich Coggins 1991 Orioles Crown #79
He also had a binder full of signed 1991 Crown cards and I was able to find a few I needed.  Cash was in short supply so I was able to snag this elusive autograph as well.

Dave May 1991 Orioles Crown #284
I can't wait for my Drungo Hazewood auto from his trip.  It cost $15 and I had seen some completed sales as high as $90.  Very happy O's fan right here.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Post-Season Baseball

Before the season started I had a lot of questions about the Orioles.  We all did.

I also had the answers, some right, some wrong.  Let's take a look back.

First Base
Will Chris Davis finally step up and become a full time big leaguer? Full time hitter, part time reliever.  Will he strikeout more than 200 times this season?  Not even close, only 169 K's.  Can he find a consistent power stroke?  Can't be more consistent than 6 straight games.  Can Nick "Journeyman" Johnson still play and provide a spark to the lineup?  Wrong journeyman, Wilson Betemit filled in admirably early in the year.
Second Base
Will Brian Roberts ever play again? If so, will he ever be effective again? Hopefully not.  I like the core of this team.  Can someone please get him some more HGH or clear, whatever he used in the past would be fine? Any chance Robert Andino or WIlson Betemit could fill his void? Add in Omar Quintanilla and Ryan Flaherty.

Shortstop
How good can J.J. Hardy be? Good but inconsistent all season long.   How long before he moves to second base?  Perhaps never.  Is Manny Machado ready? Damn right he's ready.  Can we please find out?  Absolutely, just not at the right position.

Third Base
Did the demotion to first base make Mark Reynolds realize he has to field ground balls in order to play third? Yes he realized that.  No, it didn't matter. Will Reynolds injure a fan in the first row of the stands with an errant throw? Fortunately, no fans were harmed in the making of this Playoff run. Has he realized the right and left field lines are pretty damn short? Can he hit 50? Health issues kept him well short, not to mention he was awful starting the year.  Will he strike out more than Chris Davis? Biggest shocker of them all here, 10 K's behind Smash Chris Davis.

Catcher
How good can Matt Wieters be? Team MVP if you ask me.  The staff would have been so much worse without him. Will anyone steal a base against him? Matt threw out nearly 40% of base stealers.

Left Field
Can Nolan Reimold capture some of the magic from his rookie campaign? Uh No.

Center Field
How long will Adam Jones be in Baltimore? Long term deal.  Thank God.  Jones is here for a while.

Right Field
Where did Nick Markakis' power go? Does he have the ability to protect the power hitters in our lineup? Best hitter on our team before his second injury.  Not your conventional lead-off guy, but effective.

Starting Staff
Can a staff loaded with #3 starters develop an ace? Will Jake Arrieta and Brian Matusz make strides toward their potential? Will the new Asian Persuasion be effective against MLB batters? Can Chris Tillman develop and build on his good Spring? Can Zach Britton get healthy?  Only Chen and Tillman made an impact.  I wasn't even in the ballpark regarding starting pitching.

Bullpen
Can Jim Johnson get it done in the closer role? Best closer in baseball this season and Oriole history.  Pretty good year.  How often will Kevin Gregg pour gasoline on a fire? Good riddance.

April 2012, a Herculean effort would be needed for the Orioles to make a Playoff run.  Each player would have to have career years with little mistakes.  Perfect baseball and execution and they might have had a chance. 

And...that was no the case.  They are just a good baseball TEAM.  No one willing to let down their fellow players and come through clutch.  I LOVE this baseball team.  Now all they have to do is play perfect baseball and beat the Rangers.  Then Yankees.  Then Detroit, Then Washington.  Not too much to ask, right?

Friday, September 28, 2012

Name Your Team-Revisited

There has to be more than 4 brave team collectors in the Blog-O-Sphere.  Doesn't there?

Heck a Canadian Dodger fan even got into the mix.  So as of today, I have sent 200 Dodgers to Grcl and Spiegel, 200 Mets to Benny and 200 Tigers and Pirates to some random dudes.  I am looking to package up more.  I had a ton of fun pulling cards I hadn't seen in years, and hopefully making some collectors out there happy.  Please let me know what you think when they arrive.

Help me, help you.

For those who may be interested in the original post, check here.
For any lazy ones, look below.


All you have to do.

Tell me what team you want. Tell me how many cards of that team (25, 50, 100, 200, 500) you want. Send me your address.

I will package together an assortment of your team from 1980-2012 (base, inserts, stars, HOFers, autos) and send it to you. There will be little to no duplication in the lot. Then you open, enjoy and send what you feel the lot is worth to me. Including shipping costs of course.

Teams Available
Baltimore Orioles--Any size
Boston Red Sox--Any size
New York Yankees--Any size
Tampa Bay Rays--Any size
Toronto Blue Jays--Any size

Chicago White Sox--Any size
Cleveland Indians--Any size
Detroit Tigers--25, 50
Kansas City Royals--Any size
Minnesota Twins--Any size

Los Angeles Angels--Any size
Oakland Athletics--Any size
Seattle Mariners--Any size
Texas Rangers--Any size

Atlanta Braves--Any size
Miami Marlins--Any size
New York Mets--Any size
Philadelphia Phillies--Any size
Washington Nationals--25, 50, 100

Chicago Cubs--Any size
Cincinnati Reds--Any size
Houston Astros--Any size
Milwaukee Brewers--Any size
Pittsburgh Pirates--25, 50
St. Louis Cardinals--Any size

Arizona Diamondbacks--Any size
Colorado Rockies--Any size
Los Angeles Dodgers--Any size
San Diego Padres--Any size
San Francisco Giants--Any size

Montreal Expos--25, 50, 100

If looking for larger than 200, LMK. Many teams are manageable up to 1000 cards.

Please respond here or email potziecards@yahoo.com

Friday, September 21, 2012

I Need Another Break

Another group break that is.  I have become fascinated group team breaks and have been involved in a few over the last few months.  What I haven't done, is pursue just Orioles.  The hits in most breaks don't hit my needs list, so I have been prospecting.  Sometimes with better luck than others.

My favorite Dimwit and his monthly breaks were the original culprit.  He is changing the process of his breaks but I will still surely be there moving forward.  The last break I took a shot at the Reds.  Then decided to go for the Orioles as well.  My random teams the Royals and Pirates.

I should have stopped at the Reds.

Topps Pristine Title Threads Cesar Geronimo
Topps Pristine Leading Indicators Dave Parker
UD Masterpiece Captured on Canvas Ken Griffey Jr.
 

Some Masterpiece Orioles was pretty much the only other bright spot in my break. 
 

I decided to try my luck at an expensive half case of Chrome and half case of Finest break from Freedom Cardboard.  It was a random break and I was hoping for the Rangers, Nationals, Yankees, Angels or A's.  Then the Rangers, Angels and Nationals were removed from the break to random off.  BOO.  It was too late to back out and I got the Cubs.  Correction, I got Starlin Castro and a 5 other guys.
Starlin Castro Finest Refractor
Starlin Castro Topps Chrome Refractor (2)
Yu Darvish Topps Chrome (Freebie)
 
 Yeah, my break was bad, real bad.  So a few more freebies were sent my way.
Nelson Cruz 2012 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor
Chaz Roe 2008 Bowman Chrome Auto
AJ Cole 2011 Bowman Chrome Auto
 
My nemesis friend Spankee is having a ridiculous Moneyball Break, and what better way to try and profit once.  I sold my soul to Satan for this one, we shall see how it pans out.  I couldn't resist.  I am a numbers guy and the volume was too much to turn down.  Now I just hope the Yankees and Red Sox yield maybe a hit or two more than last year.   I will let you know once the break is revealed.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Name Your Team.

Name your price. 

I have decided to try something different to move along some volume from my collection.  And it all centers around YOU. 

YOUR team.  YOUR quantity.  YOUR price.

How what you have to do.

Tell me what team you want.  Tell me how many cards of that team (25, 50, 100, 200) you want.  Send me your address.

I will package together an assortment of your team from 1980-2012 (base, inserts, stars, HOFers, autos) and send it to you.  There will be little to no duplication in the lot.  Then you open, enjoy and send what you feel the lot is worth to me.  Including shipping costs of course.

Teams Available
Baltimore Orioles--Any size
Boston Red Sox--Any size
New York Yankees--Any size
Tampa Bay Rays--Any size
Toronto Blue Jays--Any size

Chicago White Sox--Any size
Cleveland Indians--Any size
Detroit Tigers--25, 50
Kansas City Royals--Any size
Minnesota Twins--Any size

Los Angeles Angels--Any size
Oakland Athletics--Any size
Seattle Mariners--Any size
Texas Rangers--Any size

Atlanta Braves--Any size
Miami Marlins--Any size
New York Mets--Any size
Philadelphia Phillies--Any size
Washington Nationals--25, 50, 100

Chicago Cubs--Any size
Cincinnati Reds--Any size
Houston Astros--Any size
Milwaukee Brewers--Any size
Pittsburgh Pirates--25, 50
St. Louis Cardinals--Any size

Arizona Diamondbacks--Any size
Colorado Rockies--Any size
Los Angeles Dodgers--Any size
San Diego Padres--Any size
San Francisco Giants--Any size

Montreal Expos--25, 50, 100

If looking for larger than 200, LMK.  Many teams are manageable up to 1000 cards. 

Please respond here or email potziecards@yahoo.com

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Losing Streak Snapped at 14

For the first time since my teenage years, my Baltimore Orioles will not be losers.  This afternoon they groud out a 14 inning marathon win against the rival Tampa Bay Rays.  Win number 81.

Huge.

The Birds are back, at least for this season.  They are playing spectacular team baseball winning their 13th straight extra inning affair and 16 of 17 one-run games.

If the Red Sox can help out a little tonight by beating the Yanks, Baltimore would be alone in first place.  Who'd a thunk it?

I thunk it.

OK Pittsburgh, now it's your turn.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Holy Cow!

I love the Orioles and watching my team play this year has made me a worse blogger.  I care about each game, pitch and off the field move more than flagging down an autograph.  Can you blame me?

This team is amazing.  I stress team.  No player in contention for MVP.  No Cy Young candidate.  Maybe one or two reluctant Rookie of the Year votes for Wei-Yin Chen.  Three Gold Gloves?  Nothing spectacular.

Just damn good baseball.

Tonight was no different. Jason Hammel pitched a helluva game coming off the DL.  The offense was potent.  Then the bullpen forgot how to throw strikes.  Blowing a five run lead in the eighth.  The Orioles charged back.  Three BOMBS in the bottom of the eighth told the Yankees to shove it.  Adam Jones and Chris Davis told the Yankees to shove it.   I tell the Yankees to shove it.

Mark Reynolds definitely tells the Yankees to shove it. Six times.

Eight home runs in his last seven games overall.  Six home runs in his last four games against New York.  Three, 2 homer games in the last week against the Evil Empire.  He started the last weekend series with 12 homers, finished today with 20.  Straight beast.

Go Birds.

Now I should probably finish my Operational Plan for my interview tomorrow.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Ed-die

Eddie Murray 1991 Orioles Crown #321
 
The last Hall of Fame autograph needed for the collection was another gift from "K".  He has taken good care of me over the years and it is much appreciated. 
 
All that is left is to upgrade Luis Aparicio, Hoyt Wilhelm and Roberto Alomar to Orioles cards.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!

I had a great time at The National and made a ton of great pickups.  I have two still left to show and they are my favorites.

The same friend that helped me with Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr., had a couple more tricks up his sleeve.
 
Reggie Jackson 1991 Orioles Crown #217
 
 
The Orioles served as the bridge between Reggie's two most remembered franchises.  The Orioles traded for Reggie in 1976, hoping to make another push to the World Series before free agency pulled him away.  Unfortunately, the Birds finished second in their division and Reggie would not make Baltimore a long term stay.
 
Not much to say about Reggie as an Oriole, just another Hall of Famer crossed off the list.  

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Bowman Platinum Blast Off

Picked up a blaster today, much to the dismay of Wifey.  Whoops.  Well here is what I got, pack by pack.
Pack 1:
Miguel Cabrera #6-Tigers
Drew Pomeranz #69-Rockies
Stephen Strasburg #80-Nationals
Taijuan Walker Prospect Autographs Green Refractor #AP-TW #'d 92/399
Even a $30 card right off the bat didn't make Wifey happy.  Oh well, I am.  Hopefully this could help pay for the blaster.  Not a bad pack to start us off.

Pack 2:
Derek Jeter #24-Yankees
Paul Konerko #58-White Sox
Carlos Gonzalez Cutting Edge Stars #CES-CG-Rockies
Wily Peralta Prospects #BPP33-Brewers

Pack 3:
Jose Bautista #22-Blue Jays
David Price #28-Rays
Rickie Weeks #42-Brewers
Billy Hamilton Prospects Refractors #BPP16-Reds

Pack 4: Texas Rangers Hot Pack
Mike Napoli #29-Rangers
Ian Kinsler #39-Rangers
Will Middlebrooks Top Prospects #TP-WMK-Red Sox
Jurickson Profar Prospects X-Fractor #BPP35-Rangers

Pack 5:
Lance Berkman #15-Cardinals
Matt Moore #99-Rays
Clayton Kershaw Gold #55-Dodgers
Allen Webster Prospects #BPP47-Dodgers

Pack 6:
Ichiro #8-Mariners
Roy Halladay #93-Phillies
Oscar Taveras Prospects #BPP51-Cardinals
Alex Gordon Emerald #62-Royals

Pack 7:
Pablo Sandoval #77-Giants
Justin Morneau #84-Twins
Matt Holliday #97-Cardinals
Starling Marte Prospects Refractor #BPP24-Pirates

Pack 8:
Desmond Jennings #53-Rays
Brad Peacock #60-Athletics
Madison Bumgarner #73-Giants
Matt Davidson Prospects #BPP96-Diamondbacks

I feel that I did extremely well.  A bunch of good prospects and the hit.  Can't beat that.  As always, all are for trade or sale, just LMK.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Some 2012 Ginter Available

I have picked up a few packs of Ginter and I looking to trade or sell any of them.  LMK.



2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball Highlight Sketches BH-5 Brooks Robinson
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball Highlight Sketches BH-16 David Freese
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Historical Turning Points HTP-9 Discovery of New World
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Historical Turning Points HTP-1 Declaration of Independence
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Murder in Willow Cove NNO Willow Cove High School
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Murder in Willow Cove NNO Klugman Residence
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-6  Ryan Braun
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-13 Carl Crawford
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-28 Elvis Andrus
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-40 Jemile Weeks
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-50 Mike Schmidt
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-61 Jim Thome
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-72 C.C. Sabathia
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-77 David Price
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-92 Paul Goldschmidt
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter What's in a Name WIN-96 Ozzie Smith
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter World's Tallest Buildings WTB-2 Taipei 101
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter World's Tallest Buildings WTB-10 Metlife Building
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Black Relic AGR-BB Balloon Boy

2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Black 62 Michael Cuddyer
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini Black 298 Dee Gordon
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini A&G Back 140 Mike Trout
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini A&G Back 209 Coco Crisp
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini A&G Back 246 Torii Hunter
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini A&G Back 258 Doug Fister
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini A&G Back 281 Matt Cain
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini 31 Jackie Robinson
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini 95 Felix Hernandez
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini 148 Carlos Gonzalez
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini 151 Jose Valverde
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini 152 Ryan Vogelsong
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini 160 Shane Victorino
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini 176 Babe Ruth
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter Mini SP 307 Jhonny Peralta

Short Prints
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter SP 304 Kyle Farnsworth
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter SP 309 Bela Karolyi
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter SP 318 Mike Moustakas
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter SP 327 Jon Lester
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter SP 332 Guy Bluford
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter SP 337 Matt Holliday
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter SP 342 Ryan Dempster
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter SP 346 Lefty Kreh
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter SP 348 Chase Headley


Base Cards
7
18
27
30
34
37
41
43
46
54
55
57
61
65
69
70
73
78
83
84
87
98
100
103
109
112
113
114
115
117
124
126
133
136
138
142
143
151
153
155
157
161
165
174
176
177
180
182
187
202
204
205
216
220
226
232
237
239
241
248
256
262
269
278
286
287
288
299