1951 Topps Red Back #15 - Ralph Kiner

Ralph Kiner (b. 1922) played in the majors from 1946 to 1955 for the Pirates, Cubs and Indians.  Tutored by the legendary Hank Greenberg when the latter was a member of the 1947 Pittsburgh Pirates, Kiner emerged as one of the premier power hitters in the history of baseball.  Kiner led the league in homers for the first seven years that he played.  Playing 10 seasons, he would hit more than 30 home runs in seven seasons; 40 or more home runs in five; and 50 or more twice.  He was a .279 career hitter with 1,451 hits and 369 home runs.  He finished as high as 4th in the NL MVP voting (1949) and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1975 (his 13th ballot with 75.4% of the vote).

Hall of Fame: 4

TTM Success - Bob Kuzava

I received a TTM success today from former pitcher Bob Kuzava.  Kuzava (b. 1923) played in the majors from 1946-47, 1949 to 1955 and 1957 for the Indians, White Sox, Senators, Yankees, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates and Cardinals.  He was 49-44 in his career with a 4.05 ERA and 446 strikeouts.  He was a member of the World Series Champion Yankees in 1951, 52 and 53 and finished 4th in the Rookie of the Year voting in 1949.

Kuzava is my 68th TTM success.  I mailed to him on November 20 and got my ball back today (November 29) making him a 9-day TAT.

1951 Topps Red Back #14 - Wayne Terwilliger

Wayne Terwilliger (b. 1925) played in the majors from 1949 to 1951, 1953 to 1956 and 1959 to 1960 for the Cubs, Dodgers, Senators, Giants and A's (Kansas City).  He had 501 career hits, 22 home runs and a .240 batting average.

Black Friday COMC Pickups - Nolan Reimold

So, here are the Nolan Reimolds I was able to get on Black Friday from COMC.  I only purchased two Reimolds and had another one shipped that I had picked up a few months ago.

The first card I got was this 2008 Donruss Threads Diamond Kings.  Reimold is seen here in his Bowie Baysox uniform.  This is pretty cool because it almost matches my Reimold bobblehead.  I got this card for $0.71.

This is the card I had already paid for.  I got it for my 2009 Topps Reimold Rainbow, and as far as I know, I have all of his parallels (except for the printing plate).  I got this one for $1.24  It is numbered 537/2009.

Finally, here is another Reimold RC, this one being from 2009 UD Ultimate Collection.  These were really premium cards back when UD still had their MLB license.  I got it for $1.15 and it is numbered 495/599.  I liked how Ultimate Collection looked, but it still pales in comparison to the Topps Sterling Brooks Robinson that I got the other day.  So far, that one is the sharpest of what I picked up.

1951 Topps Red Back #13 - Dale Mitchell

Dale Mitchell (b. 1921 - d. 1987) played in the majors from 1946 to 1956 for the Indians and Dodgers.  He had 1,244 hits, 41 home runs and a career batting average of .312.  He was quite the hitter during his brief career, hitting more than 200 hits in 2 seasons (204 - 1948 and 203 - 1949) and batting over .300 in 6 full seasons.  Mitchell was also extremely tough to strike out, he sits at 7th place all-time toughest to strike out with a 34 at bat to 1 strikeout ratio.  He had 640 at bats to 11 strikeouts in the 1949 season and never struck out more than 21 times in a season.  He was a 2-time All Star and finished as high as 20th in the AL MVP voting (1952).

Deceased: 11

Black Friday COMC Pickups - Brooks Robinson

I went a little nuts on COMC this past weekend.  I actually sold a good many cards on there, so I had a little bit of store credit to play with, so I picked up 10 cards on Friday; taking advantage of their free shipping offer and the tons of discounts.  When I shipped my cards, I also was able to get one shipped free that I had bought a couple months ago, but didn't want to spend the shipping on.  I wanted to post each card individually, but I'm in the midst of my 1951 Set, so I didn't want to flood the blogs just yet.  I do have another order coming that might get even more special attention.  For now, I'll break this shipment up a little bit.  Here are the Brooks Robinson cards that I was able to pick up.

How did I miss 2010 Topps Sterling?  Oh, $400 a pack, you say?  I'll pass.  I do have to say, though, the cards are SHARP!  I saw this one and picked it up for $1.38.  Not bad.  The card is numbered 197/250 and you really have to see it in person to appreciate how nice it truly is.  Man, I wish they had Nolan Reimold in that set.  That'd be a rainbow to complete.  Might have to go after Brooks instead.

Here is the 2011 Triple Threads Brooks Robinson base card.  I might already have a copy of this one, but it is numbered 1,396 of 1,500 and I was able to grab it for $0.45.

Here is the 2012 Topps Triple Threads Brooks Robinson Sepia parallel.  It is numbered 154/625 and I got it for $1.10.

Finally, here is a 2000 Topps Stars Brooks Robinson.  I thought this was a nice looking card and I picked it up for $0.37.

Stay tuned for the Nolan Reimolds I picked up on Black Friday.  I also got a rookie card of an NL MVP candidate, a 2011 Topps SP of a Hall of Famer and more, all to come!

1951 Topps Red Back #12 - Jim Hegan

Jim Hegan (b. 1920 - d. 1984) played in the majors from 1941-42, 1946 to 1960 for the Indians, Tigers, Phillies, Giants and Cubs.  He had 1,087 hits, 92 home runs and a .228 batting average.  He was a 5-time All Star and finished as high as 19th in the 1948 AL MVP voting.  He won the World Series in 1948 as a member of the Indians.  He appeared on two Hall of Fame ballots (1966 and 1967) and received as much as 1.7% of the vote.

Deceased: 10

1951 Topps Red Back #11 - Gene Hermanski

Gene Hermanski (b. 1920 - d. 2010) played in the majors from 1943, 1946 to 1953 for the Dodgers, Cubs and Pirates.  He had 533 career hits, 46 home runs and a .272 batting average.  He appeared in 2 World Series with the Dodgers (1947 and 1949) collecting 7 hits in 32 at bats for a .219 batting average.  The Dodgers lost both of those World Series to the Yankees.

Deceased: 9

1951 Topps Red Back #10 - Mel Parnell

Mel Parnell (b. 1922 - d. 2012) played in the majors from 1947 to 1956 for the Red Sox.  He had a brief, yet stellar career.  He went 123-75, had a 3.50 ERA and 732 strikeouts.  He won 25 games for the Red Sox in 1949, a season in which he was named to the All Star team and finished 4th in the AL MVP voting.  For six seasons (1948 to 1953) he would win 15 or more games in 5 of those seasons, and would win more than 20 twice (25 in 1949 and 21 in 1953).  Parnell threw a no hitter for the Red Sox in 1956 shortly before his career was prematurely ended with a torn muscle in his throwing arm.  I would think that if the types of surgeries that exist today were used back when he played, Parnell would have likely went on to have a Hall of Fame career.

I looked up two other pitchers who are in the Hall of Fame with similar length of career as Parnell, Addie Joss (pitched 9 seasons) and Sandy Koufax (pitched 12 seasons) and although his won-loss record is similar (a career .621 win percentage) to those other two (Koufax had a career winning percentage of .655 {165-87} and Joss had a career winning percentage of .623 {160-97}), he doesn't hold a candle to Koufax's accolades (one MVP, 3 Cy Young Awards and 3 World Series Rings) or Joss' other career numbers (1.89 ERA or 4 seasons with 20 or more wins).

I feel like Parnell could get some HOF consideration via the Veterans Committee, but I doubt he will ever be enshrined in Cooperstown.

I do wish I had tried to get him TTM last year before he passed, his autograph would be a nice addition to my collection.

Deceased: 8

1951 Topps #9 - Roy Sievers

Roy Sievers (b. 1926) played in the majors from 1949 to 1965 for the Browns, Senators, White Sox and Phillies.  He had 1,703 career hits, 318 home runs and a .267 batting average.  He was the 1949 AL Rookie of the Year, the first year the award was given out  in each league.

Sievers would finish as high as 3rd in the AL MVP Award voting (1957, when he hit a career high 42 home runs) and was a 4-time All Star.  He was a member of the St. Louis Browns during their final year of existence (1953), but was traded to the Washington Senators for Gil Coan before he could me a member of the Baltimore Orioles.

Sievers signed a baseball for me TTM a while back, you can read about it here.

Awesome Mail From Pete

Pete from 'Dropped Third Strike' was one of the two guys who got me started with this blog.  I haven't seen him recently, since the card shop closed almost 2 years ago, but we have still kept in touch.  His collection has stalled a bit, but he has still been 'in the game', so to speak.  He did find his 'holy grail' recently, the 1990 Donruss Aqueous Test Don Mattingly.  I was really happy yesterday to find a large bubble mailer in my mailbox from Pete.  Here is a little bit of what was inside:

This 2008 Topps Triple Threads 3pc jersey/auto Troy Patton is really nice.  Patton emerged last year as one of the Orioles' best relievers, and this was especially evident when he went down with an ankle injury late in the season.  J. C. Romero was picked up and proved ineffective, so Brian Matusz was moved into the bullpen.  Patton would come back and help the O's to the playoffs, but you have to wonder, had he not been hurt, would we have seen Matusz flourish in the bullpen?

Here is an advertising panel from 2011 Topps Heritage featuring the Orioles manager, Buck Showalter.  Showalter has been a great addition to the Orioles.  I liked Dave Trembley as a person, but Showalter's preparedness and attention to detail has been phenomenal.  I think he should have won the AL Manager of the Year Award, but you can't really argue with the job Bob Melvin did either.  Oh well, there's always next year.

Here is a 2011 Topps commemorative patch of Brian Roberts.  A lot of people don't like the manufactured patches, but I actually enjoy them.  I have a few, so I was happy to add this Roberts to my PC.  I didn't have any of him, so this was really nice to see in my box.  I sure hope Roberts can come back and reclaim his starting spot at second base and not continue in his role as the Orioles' Grady Sizemore.

Finally, here is a 2011 Topps Chrome Orange Parallel Adam Jones.  I always enjoy the Chrome parallels, and since the Orioles' primary color is orange, these really pop for me.  Jones had a great year and even finished in 6th for the AL MVP award.  Not bad!

So, thanks for the package, Pete.  I hope we can catch up at one of the upcoming card shows really soon!

TTM Success - Herbert Simpson

I got my 67th TTM success today from former Negro Leaguer Herb 'Briefcase' Simpson.  Simpson (b. 1920) played professionally in the 1940s and 1950s.  He got his nickname of 'Briefcase' when he was playing alongside Harry 'Suitcase' Simpson.  Since they both had the same last name, and Herb Simpson was shorter, he becane 'Briefcase.'

I mailed to Mr. Simpson on November 13, 2012 and got my ball back signed today (November 23, 2012), making him a 10-day TAT.

Along with my baseball, I sent a note to Mr. Simpson asking him the following questions:

Who was the greatest hitter you ever saw? Cool Papa Bell

Who was the greatest pitcher you ever saw? Satchel Paige

What one thing do you treasure most from your playing days? Playing against Mr. Paige, Josh Gibson, Bell, Doby, Mays.

I always like to see who players admired when they were playing, so this was really interesting to read.

1951 Topps Red Back #8 - Early Wynn

I hope everyone has had a great Thanksgiving.  I am full from turkey and German potato salad.  YUM!  I fulfilled my goal of not going out of the house today into all of the craziness that is Black Friday.  I have sold a few cards today during my Black Friday promotion (special thanks to GCRL for picking up some stuff from me).  I have a promotion going all weekend, through Cyber Monday, so keep checking my COMC for deals and help me clear that stuff out.

Now onto our regularly scheduled blog for the day:

Here is card #8, Early Wynn.  I posted about Wynn recently when I picked up his signed baseball.  You can read about that here.

Wynn (b. 1920 - d. 1999) played in the majors from 1941 to 1944, 1946 to 1963 for the Senators, Indains and White Sox.  He finished his career with exactly 300 wins (paired with 244 losses), a 3.54 ERA and 2,334 strikeouts.  He is one of two pitchers (Lefty Grove being the other) who retired with exactly 300 wins.

He appeared in two World Series (1954 and 1959) with the Indians and White Sox.  He also won a Cy Young Award in 1959 and was a 7-time All Star.  He finished as high as 3rd in the AL MVP voting (1959).

Wynn was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972 (his 4th ballot) when he received 76.0% of the vote.

Hall of Fame: 3
Deceased: 7

Black Friday Sale

Head over to my COMC page and check out the deals that I will have running for today and the rest of the weekend.  I would really like to clear out some of this stuff, so please buy some of it!  Thanks guys!

Here is the link: http://www.comc.com/Users/wregenthal,sl

1951 Topps Red Back #7 - Howie Pollet

Howie Pollet (b. 1921 - d. 1974) played in the majors from 1941 to 1943, 1946 to 1956 for the Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs and White Sox.  He had a career record of 131-116, 3.51 ERA and 934 strikeouts.  He was a 3-time All Star and finished as high as 4th in the NL MVP voting in 1946 when he went 21-10 with a league leading 2.10 ERA.

He won 2 World Series with the Cardinals in 1942 and 1946.

Deceased: 6

1951 Topps Red Back #6 - Allie Reynolds

Allie Reynolds (b. 1917 - d. 1994) played in the majors from 1942 to 1954 for the Indians and Yankees.  He had a career record of 182-107, 3.30 ERA and 1,423 strikeouts.  He was a 5-time All Star and finished as high as 2nd for the AL MVP in 1952 when he went 20-8 with a 2.06 ERA.  He won the World Series
with the Yankees a total of 6 times and had a career World Series record of 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 15 World Series games.

He appeared on 13 Hall of Fame ballots during his eligibility, yet only received a high of 33.6% of the vote in 1968.  He has been on a few Veterans Committee ballots, and still had not garnered enough support to gain entry to the Hall.  Why is this guy not in the Hall of Fame?  Your guess is as good as mine.

Deceased: 5

A Third Trade With Joe Average Collector

I completed another trade with Jason from the blog: Joe Average Collector when his package came in the mail yesterday.  I sent him the 2012 Bowman Chrome J. P. Arencibia blue parallel and Miles Head auto for the following cards...

I needed this 1959 Topps Brooks Robinson for my 1959 set.  I already had one in my PC, so this one was filed away into my 1959 box and removed from my needs list.

I didn't have this 1961 Post Brooks Robinson in my collection yet, so I was glad to see if in Jason's offerings.  I need to pick up some more of Brooks' oddball 1960s cards, so that may be a project I can tackle at some point, or at least give me a few things to add to the want list.

I already had one of these 1968 Topps Game cards, given to me by my good friend, Jim, but I like how these look, so I definitely wasn't adverse to adding another one to the Brooks PC.

Finally, here is a 1977 TCMA Don Larsen.  I really need to send to Larsen TTM.  That is on my to do list.  My buddy Drew keeps getting onto me for procrastinating on it, so, yeah, I need to make that happen.

Anyway, thanks for another awesome trade, Jason!  Let's lock up again for another one real soon!

1951 Topps Red Back #5 - Phil Rizzuto

Phil Rizzuto (b. 1917 - d. 2007) played in the majors from 1941-1942, 1946-1956, all for the Yankees. He retired with 1,588 hits, 38 home runs and a .273 batting average. He was the 1950 AL MVP and was a member of 7 World Series Champions (all with the Yankees of course - 1941, 1947, 1949-1953). He was also an All Star 5 times (1942, 1950-1953). He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1994 by the Veterans' Committee.

Hall of Fame: 2
Deceased: 4

1951 Topps Red Back #4 - Verne Stephens

Vern Stephens (b. 1920 - d. 1968) played in the majors from 1941 to 1955 for the Browns, Red Sox, White Sox and Orioles.  He had 1,859 career hits, 247 home runs and a lifetime average of .286.  He won the AL Home Run Crown in 1945 with 24 homers.  He also won the RBI Crown in 1944, 1949 and 1950.  He finished as high as 4th in MVP voting twice (1942 and 1948) and was a 7-time All Star.  His numbers as a shortstop fall short of enshrinement in Cooperstown, but he definitely was one of the great hitters of his era.

Deceased: 3

TTM Success - Bob Savage

I got my 66th TTM success today from former big leaguer Bob Savage.  Savage (b. 1921) played in the majors from 1942, 1946 to 1949 for the Philadelphia A's and St. Louis Browns.

Savage, a pitcher, had a career record of 16-27 with a 4.32 ERA and 171 strikeouts.  He played alongside Eric McNair on the 1942 Philadelphia A's for a brief period of time.  As you may know, McNair is a constant subject on this blog and his family reads it from time to time.  One of my TTM goals lately has been to try to get some correspondence from some of McNair's former teammates.  Unfortunately, Savage did not reply to the letter I had written asking about his possible interactions with McNair, but it was worth a shot.

Savage did include this Diamond Signatures card along with my baseball.  It is a really sharp looking card that I will add to my PC.  I mailed to Mr. Savage on November 13 and got my baseball back signed today (November 19), so that makes him a 6-day TAT.

1951 Topps Red Back #3 - Ferris Fain

Ferris Fain (b. 1920 - d. 2001) played in the majors from 1947 to 1955 for the A's (Philadelphia), White Sox, Tigers and Indians.  He had 1,139 career hits, 48 home runs and a .290 batting average.  He won the batting title in 1951 (.344) and 1952 (.327) with the A's.  He finished as high as 6th (twice) in the MVP voting and was a 4-time All Star.

Deceased: 2

TTMer Freddy Schmidt Has Passed Away

One of the better TTM successes I received was that of Freddy Schmidt, back on February 14, 2012.  This was just days after Mr. Schmidt's 96th birthday.  Schmidt passed away Saturday (November 17) at the age of 96.  Check out this article on more about Mr. Schmidt's life and career:  http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/1241227.html

1951 Topps #2 - Sid Gordon

Sid Gordon (b. 1917 - d. 1975) played in the majors from 1941 to 1943, 1946 to 1955 for the Giants, Braves and Pirates.  He had 1,415 career hits, 202 home runs and a .283 batting average.  He hit as high as 30 home runs in one season, 1948, and also finished 4th in the NL MVP voting that year.

Deceased: 1

Time to Give Something Back

I never sign online petitions.  I just never believed that they were worth the effort.  I mean, really?  There are 7 online petitions for states to secede from the Union?  Really people?  Jeez.  Anyway, I didn't sign an online petition (that I can remember) until I saw one posted on another blog.  This petition is directed toward generating publicity on trying to get a friend of the hobby and this blog in particular another look at the Hall of Fame.

I know, we can't let every player into the Hall for sentimental reasons, but hear me out.  Virgil Trucks was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era.  He missed 2 seasons in his prime when he enlisted in the Navy for World War II.  He is one of only three pitchers to throw two no hitters in one season.  Also, he played on some very poor teams.  Had he been on the Dodgers or Yankees for the bulk of his career, no doubt would he have the magic numbers to make the Hall of Fame.

Mr. Trucks has given to his fans for the entirety of his baseball life.  I believe it is time for his fans to give back to him.  Take a second and sign the online petition.  What could it hurt?  Let's at least show him that he is in OUR Hall of Fame.

http://www.change.org/petitions/bud-selig-commissioner-of-major-league-baseball-induct-virgil-fire-trucks-into-the-baseball-hall-of-fame

Also, please take a look at this great blog and their update(s) on Mr. Trucks' health:  http://baseballbytheletters.blogspot.com/  I know Mr. Trucks would appreciate any kind words during his health crisis.  He has retired from signing through the mail, so don't request an autograph.  Just send him a note wishing him well or thanking him for everything he has done.  He is a really good man whom I admire, so please, let's all show him our support!

Thanks guys!

1951 Topps Red Back #1 - Yogi Berra

Look familiar?  Yeah, I've been meaning to do this for a while, but since I 'misplaced' my 1951 Topps Red Back set, this idea was shelved.  No longer!  Yes, I intend (every day) to blog the 1951 Topps Red Back set, card for card.  Why?  Well, it's my blog and I want to!  Well, I thought my 1955 series was fairly successful, so I figured this would be a formidable sequel.

This set was given to me for Christmas one year by my Mom (who reads this blog, by the way).  So, thanks Mom!  The scans will be of the actual cards in my possession.  Some are NM, some are Fair, but they all have character and are fun to look at.  Oh, also, I apologize, but since I was so comprehensive with my 1955 series, I did recycle some information.  I also liked keeping track of stats at the bottom of eventual managers, Hall of Famers and those players in the set who are no longer with us.

What better player to lead off with than Yogi Berra?  In 1951, Topps jumped into the baseball card scene with two separate 'sets' of 52 cards.  They were designed as a game that kids could play.  The sets were either 'Blue Backed' or 'Red Backed.'  The Blue Backed sets are rarer than the red ones due to a discovery of a cache of Red Backs in a warehouse, not too long ago.  Completed Red Back sets go for hundreds of dollars, while Blue Back sets can reach thousands of dollars.  I don't own a single Blue Back 1951 Topps.  Christmas IS coming up though, just saying...  Anyway, here we go!

Yogi Berra (b. 1925) played in the majors from 1946 to 1963 with the Yankees and returned for 4 games in 1965 with the Mets. He is one of the most popular players of all time and is widely considered one of the greatest catchers ever. He retired with 2,150 hits, 358 home runs and a lifetime batting average of .285. Here is a look at some more of Yogi's accomplishments:

• 15-time All Star (1948 to 1961)
• 3-time AL MVP (1951, 1954, 1955)
• 10-time World Series Champion as a player (1947, 1949-1953, 1956, 1958, 1961 and 1962)
• 3-time World Series Champion as a coach (1969 - Mets and 1977 & 78 - Yankees)
• Managed the Yankees to the AL pennant in 1963
• Managed the Mets to the NL pennant in 1973
• New York Yankees #8 retired in 1972
• Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972 on 85.6% of the ballot (2nd ballot)

Hall of Fame: 1
Manager: 1

I Finally Found It!

I was looking for an old photo album in my card room closet and guess what I found hidden in a Topps bag, under a bunch of Orioles yearbooks and magazines...

My 1951 Topps Red Back set!  I was so worried that it got lost in the move, but nope, here it is!  I don't have to tell you that this problem will not present itself again, as I will be putting the pages into an album and will be putting it in a very safe place.

I knew I would find it when I wasn't looking for it.  Today was a good day for me to find things.  I also found my great-grandmother's tablecloth that had gone missing as well as the old photo album that wasn't where it was supposed to be.  These issues have been corrected.  The only major thing that is missing now from the move is my 1890s map of Baltimore.  I think I handed it to my mother-in-law for safekeeping, but she doesn't recall it.  I think I'm right, though.

Anyway, stay tuned to the blog because I will be profiling each card of this 52 card set in the coming weeks.  Once I get off my lazy butt and actually scan them.

On the Passing of Lee MacPhail

I know I'm late on this, but I did want to weigh in on the passing of Lee MacPhail.  MacPhail had been the oldest living Hall of Famer until his passing at age 95. He was a former executive for the Orioles and Yankees and also served as the American League President.

MacPhail was very gracious and generous to collectors.  He would sign TTM for free and return very quickly.  I knew things were't looking good when his son, Andy, stepped down from his role as Orioles' GM to spend more time with his family and friends' of mine having mail they had sent to MacPhail come back RTS.

MahPhail was my 4th TTM success, way back on October 26, 2010.

It is really sad to see some of the guys that I have sent TTM to start passing away, but I suppose that is the case, since most of them are nonagenarians.

My Thoughts on 2012 Bowman Chrome

I mentioned yesterday that I picked up some packs of cards from my LCS.  Today, I will discuss the two packs of 2012 Bowman Chrome.

I don't normally get all hot and bothered over Bowman Chrome, but I figured I'd see what I could pull from 2 packs and I wasn't disappointed, actually.  There are only 4 cards per pack, but I ended up with an Oriole, a Blue Parallel, a card for a PC and an autograph.  Not too bad, if you ask me.

 The design is pretty sharp.  I knew this year's Bowman offering would look good all chromed out, and I was not disappointed.  I pulled the above Manuel Hernandez out of my first pack.  He is the first Guatemala-born player signed by the Orioles.  This is cool for me because I remember the day that Roch Kubatko reported his signing on his blog on MASNSports.com.  I had forgotten the kid's name, but that is no longer the case.  I now have his first Bowman card.  YES!

I was able to add a McCutchen to the PC.  Not too bad.  'Cutch had a great year, but I think his fade down the stretch will cost him the NL MVP.

I got some COMC-bait in this Blue Parallel JP Arencibia.  It is numbered 159/250 and looks pretty sharp.  I might have to find out which Orioles are in this set and do a couple rainbows.

Finally, I pulled an autograph (on card) of A's prospect Miles Head.  It is too bad that this is a PG rated blog (is it?), because I can come up with some jokes as a play on poor Mr. Head's name.  Poor kid probably caught hell in middle school.  Anyway, I will take the high road on this and just say - Jeez kid, you need to work on that sig!

So, my thoughts are that Bowman Chrome is really nice and I definitely will be picking up some more packs in the coming weeks/months.

My Thoughts on 2012 Panini Cooperstown

I went to the LCS today after a bit of a layoff and grabbed a few packs to see what some of the new stuff looks like.  One thing I noticed was a box of 2012 Panini Cooperstown, so I figured, what the heck, I'll pick up a few packs and see what it is about.

I'm pretty much exclusively a Topps guy, especially since my decree earlier this year that I would no longer give any of my hard earned money to Upper Deck after some shady customer service encounters.  I have never had any issues with Panini, however, so I thought I'd give them a shot and I actually wasn't disappointed.  Albeit, they can't use MLB logos, the cards themselves look pretty nice.  I got the above Cal Ripken Induction Year card out of one of the packs.  It doesn't show Cal anywhere on the card, but it is still pretty cool.  It has a wood feel to it, which is nice.  I don't know how hard it is to get the card, but I was happy with it nonetheless.

This Luis Aparicio is a look at the base design for the set.  Pretty sharp looking card.  Again, you see no MLB logos, but I don't think it detracts from the card at all.  Just my opinion, though.  The proprietor of the card shop told me that he has seen a few HOF autos pulled, notably, Eckersley and Kaline.  I don't know if they have any cut signatures or anything like that, though.

In all, I think I definitely will be looking to grab a few more packs of this if they remain at the card shop the next time I go in there.  I suggest you also give them a try if you come across them at your LCS.

2012 Topps Mini Nolan Reimold Printing Plate

I made a surprise discovery oon Ebay a couple days ago when I saw that someone had the Topps Mini Printing Plate of Nolan Reimold listed for $20.

I jumped all over it when I saw it.  $20 for a printing plate that I definitely needed for my PC?  You know it.  I really didn't think I would be able to add any of the 1/1's from 2012 to my 'Reimold Rainbow', but I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.  I'd like to add some plates from his other years as well, but it is a matter of finding them, and being able to afford them.

I'd write more, but I'm still wore out from last night's Who concert in Greensboro.  What an awesome show!  I've now seen them twice, once in 1989 in St. Louis and again last night in Greensboro.

Showalter Is a Finalist for the AL Manager of the Year Award

In a surprise to no one, Orioles' manager Buck Showalter was named as one of three finalists for the AL Manager of the Year Award.

The other finalists for the award that will be given out next Tuesday are Bob melvin of the Oakland A's and Robin Ventura of the Chicago White Sox.  I anticipate Showalter bringing the award back to Baltimore for the first time since Davey Johnson won it in 1997.  If Buck wins, it will be the third time he has won the award, winning in 1994 with the Yankees and 2004 with the Rangers.