...and what have we done? Another year over, a new one just begun.
Oh man, that's my favorite Christmas song. Classic... Except that Yoko Ono can be heard. Uggh. Anyway, in this season of giving, I thought it'd be cool to recall some of the best Christmases that I have been a part of. Too bad I can't discern the years... That's asking a bit much.
Ask me, or any of my brothers, the best Christmas we call can remember is the year when we woke up, walked into the living room and each of us has a brand new bike. We rode bikes up and down the road all day that day. Mom still has pictures of us as we came into the room and caught the initial looks on our faces.
The Christmas gift I got the most use out of (and still do to this day) was the year my grandfather got all of us foot lockers. My mom took the foot lockers and personalized them for each of us. I now use mine to hold my sports magazines, pictures, etc. It usually stays locked, unless some unsuspecting friend comes over and shows a shred of interest in my sports memorabilia collection.
One of my favorite gifts that wasn't really a gift was the year (maybe 4 or 5 years ago) when my mom gave me a box of stuff I had done in elementary school that she had found while she was cleaning the attic. I went through the box and found a letter my great-grandmother had written me when I was in second grade. She has been gone for 18 years now. My mother-in-law took the letter and framed it for me, so it is something really cool that was on the wall in the house. When we get in another house, I definitely look forward to hanging it back up again.
Last year, my mom gave me her entire Cal Ripken baseball card collection which she had housed in my great-grandfather's tin cigar boxes from the 1920's. My dad wasn't too happy that my mom had 'stolen' the cigar boxes from him, but he knew I'd take care of them, haha.
My FAVORITE part of Christmas is the giving part. I'd much rather give a great present to someone and get a genuine response instead of receiving something.
I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Specifically, Max, P. A., Pete, Jim; I will see you guys very soon. Having you guys come and see me means a lot to me. I won't be at the shop the day after Christmas, but I intend on resuming my time there uninterrupted on January 2.
Max, I miss you man, its time we busted some boxes... Like SOON. P. A. and Pete, I'm ready to start some friendly baseball debates!
Jim, I got my 84's ready for you man.
Everyone who reads my blog, I really appreciate it. Continue to come back anytime. I'm glad you enjoy.
Thanks guys!!!
2006 Topps Triple Threads Brian Roberts Cyan Printing Plate.
I got a Brooks card. Woo Hoo! Too bad he shares the card with David Wright. Mr. Un-Clutch himself. Yuck.
A nice Brandon Snyder Bowman Sterling Auto. I really like Snyder and have been following him since we met him at a Winston-Salem Warthogs vs. Frederick Keys game. He was nice enough to give Christopher a ball out of his equipment bag and sign it for him. I really hope he makes it to the majors and has a successful career.
I got 3 more 1970 Topps cards for my set. After my success yesterday, I think Im going to take it easy for about 5 minutes on set building. Maybe do a 'breather set' like 1998 topps. Something easy.
I think this is a pretty cool card. Its fitting that a Baltimore Oriole was my first tobacco card. Awesome huh?
Hey look, an Orioles minor leaguer that we will be hearing about once Brandon Snyder and Josh Bell get called up, Xavie Avery. I believe he was taken the same year as Wieters, but I could be mistaken. It has been a while, but from what I understand, he is going to be quite good.
With all the mail I'm expecting, I intend on enjoying attaching awesomely bad sequel titles to my mailday posts. Can't wait baby.
I think this 2005 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Absolutely Ink is a damn good looking card. Don't you agree? I know I bought it off ebay cheap a while back... It hase been maybe 3 years or so, so I don't remember much.
Now, this above card could definitely pass as the O's Mitchell Report card. With Roberts, Larry Bigbie and Jay Gibbons. My opinion of Roberts didn't change at all when he admitted to using steroids once in 2003. I never cared for Gibbons because he was always hurt. Now, Bigbie, well, I hate that he was blackballed and forced to play in Japan to keep his career going. He had a lot of talent. I went to 2 games in 2005 and he hit homers in each game, but he, too, was injured a bunch, and when he was traded, I was a little sad.
This Upper Deck Ultimate Signatures Roberts is just one GOOD LOOKING card. I really like this and forgot I had it. Isn't that sad?
A very nice 2005 Bowman Heritage Mahogany. I like the feel of these cards. I'm not one who enjoys the super glossy cards (another blog for another day). I really like the rough cardboard of yesteryear and this card really captures it.
I challenge anyone to tell me that this is not a beautiful card. In today's world, you have something like eleventeen different inserts and then you have the parallels of the inserts, the printing plates, the original conceptual drawing of the insert, the inside out version of the insert, the sine/cosine/tangent of the insert... you get my point.
I had gone through my Roberts cards a few months ago and realized that my 2004 Roberts was MIA. Uncool. I have now replaced it! Yaaaay.
Can't go wrong with Brady! Brady Anderson was great. I know there is much speculation about how he put up the 50 home runs in 1996. He swears that if he were on 'roids he would have put up more than 50 home runs for more than one year. Let's not think about that right now.