Re-Experiencing Early Hobby Memories!

Hey guys, Drew back here! As I mentioned yesterday, I met a solid group of players at last weekend's JP's Sports March Madness card show! First of all, a big thank you and shoutout to the guys from JP's Sports for doing a great job as always! When I look back on my early days in the hobby there's no way I could ever forget my experiences meeting so many legendary players. Although I met 6 former players that day, I've shaken all but 3 of their hands in the past. I'll explain further in a minute. But, to kick things off, I jumped on the free signer's line early because those lines always seemed to grow quickly. Not many people seemed to be in attendance that day, as the show was relatively quiet. But nothing is worse than being stuck in lines for hours!

This show's free signer was former Orioles' Rookie of the Year Ron Hansen! Hansen battled injuries throughout his prime and later career, which severely impacted his opportunity for success in the big leagues. However, the 6'3 shortstop had a great rookie year, batting .255 with 22 home runs, 86 RBI in the lower half of the O's lineup. He made both All Star teams from the season, but never was the same player.

Hansen was a real nice guy, signing a ball for William for me, as well as a 1961 Topps for my collection! He assumed me to be a big Pirates fan, judging by my McCutchen jersey and Pittsburgh hat, so he asked me if I was excited to meet the Pittsburgh players signing. Of course, as you all know, the Pirates are my second favorite team but I don't love them nearly to the extent that I love the Yankees. Hansen posed for a picture and I was off on my way to meet some former Bucs. 

The first of three Pirates I visited that day was 4 time batting champ Bill Madlock! I've met Madlock along with the following two players at my first White Plains show back in the summer of 2009, and he was a fairly nice guy. I believe he signed for free that day, however Sunday he charged $15 with a free inscription. Last time the "Mad Dog" had a clean look to him, which was uncharacteristic for a 70's Bucco. This time around, he was sporting a beard and the New Era Pirates hat. He didn't say a whole lot, similar to the last time I met him, but he signed my ball and posed for a picture. 

I figured that I should take advantage of the free inscription, so I got him to add "Mad Dog" in between his first and last names. He has a clean signature, but it isn't exactly easy to read. In my ball display area, he'll be placed right next to the Crime Dog, Fred McGriff, to make for a pair of tough dogs you certainly wouldn't want to mess with during their primes.

 Next up was a player who ended up becoming one of my favorite old school players following the first experience I'd had with him, Mr. Dave Parker! Parker had all of the tools, but never really used them to the fullest extent that he could have. Unfortunately, drugs and hysteria got between Parker and the Hall of Fame, because most people knew he had the potential to reach the hall. Dave looked good today; it appeared that he lost some weight since last time, and he was really friendly as usual.

He signed my ball, and I asked him if he could put his "Cobra" nickname on it. He replied "how did you know about that nickname?", and I told him that I didn't know, and that I made it up. He laughed and then told me his trainer gave it to him because his batting stance was coiled. He started writing Cobra on the ball, and then below it he continued to inscribe it. I wasn't sure what he was doing until I looked at it a minute after I left him.

 Below Cobra, he wrote his number 39, with a cobra in the shape of a 9! I don't normally shop for his memorabilia on eBay, but I checked later on to see if it was a commonality or if I was lucky. There were no balls like that currently on eBay, so for now I'll go with me being lucky! I wouldn't sell it, but it is really cool to think of how few people may have what I have throughout the world. Thanks to the Cobra once again for making my day!

The final signer (for this installment of drewscards) was 2 time batting champion Al Oliver! Oliver was also a free signer back in 2009, but this time he was $15 per autograph with a free inscription, exactly like Madlock's. Oliver was friendly the first time and he didn't disappoint the second time, although he was shocked to see a New Yorker decked out in Pirates gear. "You a true Pirate fan, kid?" he asked me. "These jerseys aren't cheap Mr. Oliver," I replied, and he said "Now I hear ya on that man!" Always something interesting when Oliver is around.

Oliver went above and beyond on inscriptions as well, signing his nickname "Scoop" and writing 1971 WS Champs below his name, which may be disheartening to you Orioles fans, but it is what it is. All of the balls came out spectacular, and I'm glad I added them all to my ever growing signed baseball collection!

That's not all though! Stay tuned for the final two players I got to add to my Mantle photo! In the meantime, go Pirates!

See Ya!

My Secondary Collection Choices

Hey everyone, Drew back here. I decided to completely re-design this page and update it so it will be easier for you all to see what I have, what I need, or what I just may want to have of several of my other favorite players who aren't necessarily my mainly collected guys. I wrote how many autographs, game used, and rookies I have of the players, that way you could possibly help me complete a trifecta or just add to what I have. If anyone has anything I would like to help this page out, please email me at yanks1996wsc@gmail.com and we could try to work a deal out. Thanks!

Reggie Jackson (GU: 3, AU: 2 , RC: 0 )

I've always been a fan of Reggie's, ever since I became a true Yankees fan. Sure, he thought he was the straw that stirred the drink, and he had his way with words, but think of him as the older version of our modern Manny Ramirez. I've gotten a lot of his cards already, but I still need his rookie card.

Reggie's Most Wanted: 1969 Topps Rookie Card

Thurman Munson (GU: 2, AU: 0, RC: 1)

I really like Thurman, he was my dad's favorite baseball player when he grew up, and he just seemed like a great leader and player. It's so unfortunate what happened to Thurman, so I'd love to honor him and start to get more of his cards. An auto would be unbelievable but very unlikely.

Munson's Most Wanted: 1975 Topps Regular/Mini

Goose Gossage  (Trifecta Complete)

I already completed the trifecta of Gossage, but I'm still very interested in collecting more of his game used/autograph cards. He was so intimidating on the mound and was one of the first top closers in the game, and with that awesome signature and moustache, I can never go wrong with more Goose!

Goose's Most Wanted: Any Autos/Relics

Mariano Rivera (GU: 2, AU: 1, RC: 1)

I never met the Sandman but people say he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. With nearly 600 saves and one of the best pitches in baseball history, Mariano will surely be a first ballot Hall of Famer. I have a Rivera signature on a large picture, however, I'd also like to add one on a card at some point.

Rivera's Most Wanted: Any Autograph

Players I've Met

I always have loved meeting players, and normally, if they act kindly and nicely towards me, or at least didn't seem overly angry, I enjoy collecting most of the players I've met. So far, I haven't met one overly annoyed player yet. Here is a mini list of who I've met, my trifecta pieces of theirs that I own (rookie card, game used, auto), and what I want most of each of them:

Baseball:

Roy White- GU: 0, AU: 4, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Any Game Used Relic Card

Brian Bruney- GU: 0, AU: 3, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Any Game Used Relic Card

Al Oliver- GU: 0, AU: 3, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Any Game Used Relic Card

Bill Madlock- GU: 1, AU: 2, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1974 Topps Rookie Card

Dave Parker- GU: 4, AU: 2, RC: 2, Most Wanted: Any Certified Autograph

Cecil Fielder- GU: 0, AU: 4, RC: 0, Most Wanted: Any Game Used or Rookie Card

Don Mattingly- GU: 7, AU: 3, RC: 3, Most Wanted: Anything I Don't Have (see PC page)

John Montefusco- GU: N/A, AU: 2, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Any Certified Autograph

Dale Murphy- GU: 1, AU: 1, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Another Game Used Relic Card

Scott McGregor- GU: N/A, AU: 2, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1975 Topps Rookie Card

Ralph Kiner- GU: 1, AU: 1, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1948 Bowman Rookie Card

Dwight Gooden- GU: 0, AU: 2, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Any Game Used Relic Card

Mel Stottlemyre- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Any Game Used Relic Card

Luis Tiant- GU: 0, AU: 2, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1965 Topps Rookie Card or Game Used

Ron Blomberg- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1972 Topps Rookie Card/GU

Steve Garvey- GU: 1, AU: 1, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1971 Topps Rookie Card

LaMarr Hoyt- GU: N/A, AU: 2, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Completed
Tommy John- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1964 Topps Rookie Card/GU
Lou Piniella- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1964 Topps Rookie Card/GU
Ozzie Smith- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Any Game Used Relic Card
Bob Watson- GU: N/A, AU: 1, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1969 Topps Rookie Card/GU
Ernie Banks- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1954 Topps Rookie Card/GU
Denny McClain- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1965 Topps Rookie Card/GU
Mason Williams- GU: N/A, AU: 1, RC: 1, Most Wanted: More Rookie Cards
Gary Sheffield- GU: 3, AU: 1, RC: ?, Most Wanted: More Autographs
Goose Gossage- GU: 2, AU: 4, RC: 3-4, Most Wanted: More Game Used/Autos
Jon Matlack- GU: 0, AU: 2, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1972 Topps RC/GU
David Robertson- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: 2, Most Wanted: Any Game Used Relics/Autos
Bobby Shantz- GU: 0, AU: 4, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1950 Bowman RC/GU
Wade Boggs- GU: 2, AU: 2, RC: 0, Most Wanted: 1983 Topps RC
Andre Dawson- GU: 0, AU: 2, RC: 1, Most Wanted: Any Game Used Relic

Football:
Joe Klecko- GU: 1, AU: 2, RC: ?, Most Wanted: 1978 Topps Rookie Card (if needed)
Marty Lyons- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: ?, Most Wanted: 1981 Topps Rookie Card/GU
Abdul Salaam- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: ?, Most Wanted: 1978 Topps Rookie Card/GU
Mark Gastineau- GU: 0, AU: 1, RC: ?, Most Wanted: 1981 Topps Rookie Card/GU

Former/Current Hudson Valley Renegades

Yes, I collect a minor league team. But this is more than just a horrible single A team to me, it represents my childhood. I used to and still go to games plenty of times a year, and while the game is typically boring, it's always fun to go down there. Considering my baseball team played on the field, and I've been a counselor in training on the field, it's certainly a place I will never forget. Some players that used to be Renegades were Josh Hamilton, Evan Longoria, James Shields, Scott Podsednik, and many more. I will get some things of each of those guys, and I do also really like Hamilton and Longoria more than just I've been on the field that their careers began on. Also, one guy on the current team I met, who signed a card for me at the game, and has a decent shot at the majors, Derek Dietrich, and a guy I saw pitch for them years ago that I will also collect is Jeremy Hellickson.

Renegades Most Wanted: Jeremy Hellickson Game Used Relic

Finally, here are a few autographs that I hope to one day land in my collection:

- Tim Lincecum
- Roy Halladay
- Brian Wilson
- Albert Pujols
- Ryan Howard
- David Wright
- Ichiro Suzuki
- Ryan Braun
- Carlos Gonzalez
- Mike "Giancarlo" Stanton

See Ya!

Mail from Sports Card Forum

Hey guys, Drew back here. Sorry about all the mail posts lately, I'm behind and I've gotten a ton lately. I should be ahead after the weekend though, so that's good. I know you probably are getting a bit tired of all this, but I'm assuring you that one of those trading dead spots will be coming soon to a theater near me so the regular card news topic posts will be back. Anyway, I got a package from the Sports Card Forum, my 11th deal on the site now, and I'm impressed. Many of the Forum guys tend to be jerks but I kinda find that more on the Blowout Forum. Either way, they're both excellent trading sites, and that's why I'm on them both. Here is what I got this time:

First just a few random extras, nothing much here except for the fact that I needed the A-Rod/Jeter/Cano for the Cano PC. I have it in my 08 Heroes complete set but I did need a second for the PC, so that's cool.

And... my obsession with guys I meet's tiny pieces of jersey continue. I really enjoy meeting players, and it makes me respect them more, which is what has happened with Mattingly, Al Oliver, Dave Parker, and Bill Madlock. That is why they all deserve a spot on my PC list. John Montefusco is nice too so I may attempt to get something of his as well. Anyway, that is a 2007 Sweet Spot Classic Dave Parker relic. I really like this relic set and have about 5 now, and here's another one in it...

REGGIE! REGGIE! REGGIE! This is my 1st jersey piece of his and although I'd prefer him in pinstripes this is a sweet card and I'm happy to own it. These 2 relics ain't going nowhere!!!

Thanks SCF dude! And before I go, I wanted to give the Troll a quick shoutout. Well, he doesn't need much of a shoutout anymore as he just surpassed 100 followers, but he is running a contest with some sick prizes, and I hope you all can check it out. All you have to do is leave a comment with your name, be subscribed, and have him on your blog roll if you have a blog. That's it. I'm not showing you anything here, so I guess you'll just have to go to his blog to find out...

TROLL'S CONTEST LINK
CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!!!!

See Ya!

Friday's Trip to the Card Shop

Hey guys, Drew back here, with a nice card shop recap. Blogging has been one of the last things on my mind lately as I've had projects flying at me from every corner of the room with the most corners in it in the world! I had to do 2 school projects tonight and just finished them now, and I had to do one ALL of yesterday with my friend. Tomorrow I have school, right after I have track, then confirmation class, and then baseball practice, yes, all of that in one day. Crazy. So, since I have some spare time right now here are some cards my dad got for me at the shop!

In 1 pack of 2010 Heritage, I got an Aaron Hill SP and a Whitey Ford/Justin Verlander Then and Now insert. I like the players a lot on that card, not so much the pairing though. It's pretty nice though. I really like the Newspaper SP's, they look sweet. Also got a Young Bucs card of McCutchen and Garrett Jones. 4 of the cards in this pack have players that are on at least one of my 2 fantasy teams. Not a bad pack!

I got shut out in 2 packs of 08 Legendary Cuts. I like the design of these cards a lot but never have good luck with them. There was a guy in the card shop at the time buying box after box of 07 Legendary Cuts. Unfortunately, he HAD to open them in the car. By the way, I already have that Don Baylor Yankee Stadium Legacy, which is ridiculous considering I have like only 50 of them.

I also tried some of the new 2009 SP Authentic football. A very clean and sharp design as usual, and not too expensive either at $5 a pack. I like the Kellen Clemens even though he kinda sucks and the Redskins insert is neat... I guess.

My shop has made some nice improvements. Now they have a nice little area full of Yanks. They aren't overly expensive, yet, aren't dirt cheap either. Oh well, figured I'd pick up a few. Nothing like Sparky Lyle for 60 cents and Roy White for 40 cents actually! Also got a nice Thurman and 3 cool Yogi Berras. I like all 3 but the middle one has some bad corner damage.

I almost fainted when I saw a huge box of relics and autos though! I went through each card and picked out these 4 relics. I got a 2008 UD Piece of History Joe Mauer jersey to 75, a 2007 SP Legendary Cuts Bill Madlock jersey, a 2008 SP Legendary Cuts Dave Parker jersey to 25, and a 2008 Legendary Cuts Smoltz/Lincecum dual jersey. None are for trade right now, Parker and Madlock will head into their respective PC's. I really like Mauer and Lincecum, and these are my first of anything of either of them.

I really enjoyed the last trip to the shop. I like going there, it makes me feel even better then when you order something online. Thanks dad for buying and See Ya! (on Wednesday or Thursday, maybe Friday!)

Catching Up.... All in One!

Hey guys, Drew back here. As you see I made it out of mid terms alive, wait not yet, Math test Monday. Argh! Anyway, since it's the weekend, I felt like catching up, and tomorrow my mom and I might go to the mall to try to hunt down some 2010 Topps. Maybe a stop at the hobby shop for supplies could help too, I'm low on binder pages and binders. I also need some thick quality paper so I can get these TTM customs printed and shipped. Wow, quite a list! Well, I got 4 packages in the past week, so let's get started!

First up is a package from Tony over at Mike Pelfrey Collectibles. As you see he posted his share of the trade last Saturday, but the card show has been holding me up, and that's finally caught up, and I can FINALLY get back to regular blogging. Here are the cards, he sent me a ton of needed cards and says he has more for me, and we may get another trade brewing! Check these out:

6 2009 Topps Heritage Cards

Eric Hinske & Melky Cabrera Heritage Updates Base Cards, Ramiro Pena & Fransisco Cervelli Rookie Cards, and 2 Chrome cards of the newest Cub Xavier Nady and the newest Padre Jerry Hairston Jr numbered each out of 1960. Cool, needed them all! I really like the Rookie cards, Cervelli is going to be good.

8 2009 Ticket to Stardom Yanks

Wow, needed 7 out of these, I got the Jeter before but needed all the rest of them! The Granderson is a perforated parallel, and he is going to be great as a Yankee. I could use his 1st Yankees card, the shortprint in 2010 Topps, and of course, the Swisher & Cano Pie in the Face Short Prints. It's awesome that they are doing that. Out of this bunch though my favorite may be the Pettitte, Damon, or A-Rod. They used good pics on those cards.

2008 Finest Cano Topps Team Favorites
2009 Ticket to Stardom Swisher

Awesome, 2 more cards for my PC's. Swisher is barely hanging on to his pinstripes, but I think he'll stay. Very cool though. I saw a guy selling the Cano at the card show for I think like 10 bucks. Ridiculous!

2002 Playoff Piece of the Game Reggie Jackson Bat Card!

This is my first relic of Reggie and boy it's sweet. I have a bunch of his 70's cards and they are very nice, but it's cool to get something modern of Mr. October. Although it's just a small sliver of bat, it's very cool looking and it adds to my very small yet growing bat card group.

This is my favorite part about this card though. On the back it shows what jersey they or bat they took the relic from. How nice! If only Topps and Upper Deck could think of doing that! Thanks Tony for the cards, great stuff!

Next we have 2 Blowout Forum Trades....

2007 Bowman Sterling Melky Cabrera Bat Card

I traded my 2008 Donruss Threads Wilson Ramos Prospect Autograph for this, and you may be asking "why the heck would you want this since he's a Brave?" Well, needed it to complete his trifecta, so it's a nice card for that. You can check out the trifecta page here, as an update to the post will be added with the newest completed trifectas.

2007 SP Legendary Cuts Dave Parker Jersey /199
2007 SP Legendary Cuts Don Mattingly Short Print /550

This was the next trade on the Blowout Forum. I have officially made 7 trades on that site and I think 5 or 6 on the Sports Card Forum. You should definitely check those sites out if you haven't already, they're great for trading. It's cool that I met both the guys on the cards, and I needed the Parker for the trifecta. Since I did nothing to improve them at the card show I traded for a few cards for trifectas. I like the Dave Parker card but I hate the 3 blank spaces in the relic design. I have a Joe Torre triple relic from this set too and that's a sweet one. The Mattingly shows a nice picture and deserves to be a short print.

Last was a sweet eBay purchase...

2009 Topps Tribute Robinson Cano Blue Dual Jersey Auto /75

I love this card and suddenly it may be my favorite Cano card I own. This is my 5th Cano auto and it's numbered out of 75. I got it for about 15 bucks, which in my book is a pretty good steal. This set has some really nice cards but paying 50 bucks a pack for something like this, or the mass prodcution of Jay Bruce, Dustin Pedroia, Clayton Kershaw, Evan Longoria, and David Wright, is just not worth it. Now Topps is admitting that the Ruth triple relic is seat/jersey/seat. Yuck! People paying big money for cards that look like they have bat relics but really they're pieces of a seat that maybe your great great grandpa sat in! I heard these cards can get smudged easily so it's staying the plastic. I love the card and hope to get other versions of his cards in the set.

Hope you liked the cards, thanks to everyone I traded with in this post, and see ya!