Huge 1994 Topps Package From Michael A.

I got a small box in the mail a couple days ago from Michael A, in Arizona.  In the box was a bunch of 1994 Topps that I needed for the set that I have been slowly working on for quite a while.  The deal for the cards was in the making for a long time, as well.  Michael finally got them in the mail, and I spent last night knocking the list down and updating my wishlist.

I have had a few people tell me that they can help me close out that set, which would be very welcome.  I'm glad I finally got the box from Michael and got my list updated.  I think I counted last night that I need only 47 cards to complete the set.  Not bad at all.  It will be a goal of mine to finish this set in 2016 and move on to 1995 Topps.  I have been really slow in finishing those sets, but once I do, I will have a string of Topps sets from 1973 to 2015.  Seeing that really makes me want to get them done!

Thanks for the package, Michael!

Ebay Pickup - 1993 All Star Game OMLB Ball

I was browsing Ebay last week and saw a great price on a 1993 All Star Game OMLB ball and decided to pick it up.  The 1993 game was thelast All Star Game that was held in Baltimore. Rumor has it that Camden Yards will be the site of the 2016 All Star game, but it has not been confirmed, yet.

I got the ball for $18.00, which is about typical for a normal OMLB ball, so I feel like I got a pretty good deal on it.

1993 was the 64th All Star Game and was won by the American League 9-3.  Kirby Puckett won the All Star Game MVP award by hitting a solo home run and later, a run-scoring double.

Future Hall of Famers on the NL side were Tom Glavine, Tony Gwynn, Barry Larkin and Ryne Sandberg.

Hall of Famers playing for the AL were Roberto Alomar, Wade Boggs, Paul Molitor, Puckett, Cal Ripken and Frank Thomas.

Card Show Rookie Card Pickups

One thing I was looking for, or one type of thing, rather, was picking up some notable rookie cards for my collection.  At the card show, I was able to do just that.  I got several copies of a couple rookies with the intention of keeping one of each for myself and flipping the rest on for a small profit.  That should tell you that I got these pretty cheaply.

I remember when the above Mark McGwire and below Roger Clemens rookie cards were really expensive.  $50 each, if I remember correctly.  My how the mighty have fallen.  I got each of them for a few bucks each.  I got two copies of each card.  I already had one of each in my 85 set and now I have one each to put with my notable rookies.

Each card I got is in really good shape.  If I were into it, I would consider shipping a couple off to be graded.  However, I really don't care for grading cards, so they will stay in top loaders in my collection.

One card I found really cheap and am unable to explain why was the Kirby Puckett RC.  It was the same price as the Clemens and McGwire.  Oh well, I took advantage.  I already had an additional Puckett RC, so the two I added at the show are sale able or trade able.  They look good and I enjoy the retro Twins uniform.

This card I was able to get for $10.  A 1962 Topps Joe Torre RC.  This one if strictly for my RC collection and not for sale or trade.

I was looking for this specific card before I even embarked on the card show trip and was glad to find it at a reasonable price early on.

Hall of Fame Signed Baseball - Kirby Puckett

My first HOF ball in a little while came today.  I got it off of Ebay (I got bored while my wife and son were out of town) and actually got it for a whole lot cheaper than his baseballs are selling in Buy It Now style auctions.

Puckett (b. 1960 - d. 2006) played in the majors from 1984 to 1995 for the Minnesota Twins.  Beloved all throughout baseball and especially Minnesota, Puckett was one of my favorite players growing up.  It was a shame to hear about some of the trouble he had gotten into toward the end of his life.  Also, it was one of the saddest days that I remember when I heard that he had a stroke.  It was just a terrible end to such a beloved player.

He played only 12 seasons in the majors before his career ended after he lost vision in his right eye.  He had 2,304 career hits, 207 home runs and a .318 lifetime batting average.  He was the 1989 AL batting champion.  He won the World Series with the Twins in 1987 and 1991.  He hit over 200 hits in five of the twelve seasons in which he played.  His number 34 was retired by the Twins in 1997 and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001 with 82.1% of the vote (his first year of eligibility).

Puckett is my 83rd Hall of Famer.  The ball was one of the Historic Autographs Ball of Fame offerings and is PSA/DNA graded and authenticate.  It has an autograph grade of 7, ball grade of 6 and an overall grade of 6.5.