Facebook Pickup - Signed 1965 Topps Luis Aparicio

Recently, I saw a post on one of the Facebook autograph groups I'm a part of that someone was selling extra Luis Aparicio autos from a past signing.  I had only gotten him on something more recent, so i decided to buy the 1965 Topps he had available. 

Since the card shows Aparicio as an Oriole, I was glad to pick this one up and add it to the album. The guy has some more cards available, so I may pick another up soon.

Aparico, at the age of 90, is now the oldest living Hall of Famer.

TTM Success - Luis Aparicio

Here is a TTM success from a private signing that I got really excited about.  I had a few Luis Aparicio cards put aside ready to send out, then they got moved around and mistakenly placed into a box.  When this private signing popped up, I freaked out because the cards weren't where I thought they would be.  I tore through a ton of boxes until I finally found this 2015 Topps Tribute (and the other cards I had put aside).  One of the other cards was a Topps Tier One, but that card was damaged a bit, so opted not to send it.  Also, the price point of the signing convinced me not to send in the 1991 Crown Orioles Aparicio.

I wanted to send two cards, so my decision was down to this 1973 Topps and a lower grade 1959 Topps.  I went with this 1973, because I thought it looked really nice, and I don't often think of the Red Sox when I think of Aparicio, so I thought it would be something a little different in my album.

Aparicio (b. 1934) played in the majors from 1956 to 1973 for the White Sox, Orioles and Red Sox.  He had 2,677 hits, 83 home runs and a .262 batting average.  He also had 506 career stolen bases; leading the league in nine consecutive seasons from 1956 to 1964.  He was an All Star ten times (1958-1964 and 1970-1972) and a Gold Glove Award winner nine times (1958-1962, 1964, 1966, 1968 and 1970).  His best MVP finish was second in 1959.  He was the 1956 AL Rookie of the Year.  He won the World Series with the Orioles in 1966.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1984 (his sixth ballot) and received 84.6% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on August 14 and got the cards back on October 8, for a 55-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $90/card.

Card Show Pickup - 1956 Topps Luis Aparicio RC

Ok, I know I said yesterday that I was done buying cards at the show,  but we all as collectors know that when we see something we have been looking for at a great price, we had better jump on it.  I was looking around today (I wish you all had come, because it sure was dead there today) and stopped by my favorite vendor, Kurt, and saw that he had two of the Aparicio rookies in his display case.  He had this one, which is in really good shape, for $20.  I had to do it.

So, I have knocked off three cards from my Top Ten Wishlist so far this year, and we are only halfway through February.  Not bad!  I have been wanting this Aparicio for a long time, and now I have it.  I have quite a few big names from 1956 Topps.  I might have a decent shot at putting this set together at some point, and would definitely consider this one as my next 1950s set to do.

Another Package From Judson

Judson from 'My Cardboard Habit' sent me another package that I got yesterday.  In the package was a bunch of Orioles cards that he thought I would like.  All of them were greatly appreciated.  I was definitely surprised when one of the cards was the above 1967 Topps Luis Aparicio.  The 1967 set isn't one of my favorites by any means, but it is still an iconic set and the more that I think about it, the more I realize that I already have a ton of good cards from the set.  I might consider putting it together in a few years, once 1959, 1969 and 1971 are finished...

I also really liked this 2012 Bowman Chrome Futures Game Dylan Bundy.  It really is too bad that Bundy is hurt right now.  Kind of par for the course for big time pitching prospects.  I'm hoping he heals up quickly and can get back on a mound sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the package, Judson!  I will have to get some more stuff together to send your way.

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.

Trading With Eutaw Street Cardboard

I got this SWEET Luis Aparicio card in the mail yesterday from Kirk over at Eutaw Street Cardboard in exchange for a Ronny Paulino Topps Stadium Club auto.

The Paulino card was nice, but I think this one is a bit nicer.  It is a 2001 Upper Deck Cooperstown Collection bat relic.

Aparicio played only 5 seasons in Baltimore, and most of his career in Chicago, but he was a key member of the Orioles and won a World Series with them in 1966.  Actually, that was the only World Series that he won.  I get it though, he played a lot of years for the White Sox, so I understand him going into the Hall with them.

Thanks for the card, Kirk.  It is really awesome and I definitely appreciate it!!

1969 Topps Hall of Famers From The Kinston Shop

Last Friday, when I picked up those 1959 Topps I wrote about, I found a bunch of 1969 Topps for my set.  The highlights are two Hall of Famers that I was able to get very cheaply.  The first is the below Hoyt Wilhelm.

I also got this Luis Aparicio.  It was an Aparicio day that day because I also got his 1959 card.  I thought I had grabbed an Orlando Cepeda as well, but I think I got mixed up between Aparicio and Cepeda.  that gives me a good reason to go back through his vintage offerings this week when I go in there to redeem my Prime 9 redemption.

It is still a long road ahead for my 1959 and 1969 sets, but I made a nice dent in them this past Friday.  I think I will attack them even harder at the upcoming card show on April 7th.

I Picked Up Some 1959 Topps

I decided to take my son to the Kinston card shop yesterday so I could to my first Prime 9 redemption and was able to pick up 3 1959 Topps for my set.

I knocked off a Hall of Famer with this Luis Aparicio.  The card was $2.00, which isn't too bad.  It is in great shape.

I got an Oriole in this Gus Triandos.  I thought I already had this card, but I guess I didn't.  Oh well, I have it now.

Finally, I found this Gino Cimoli.  I like the blue.  Actually, I like all the cards.  I think the design is one of the best Topps has done.  I'm excited to add more of these to the set.  So far, my favorite card that I have seen is the Ernie Banks, which is on a green background.  It looks pretty sharp.  I hope to add it to my collection soon.

Hall of Famer Number 56 - Luis Aparicio

This is the only baseball that I bought straight up from anyone at this show.  I picked up 'Little Louie' from the same guy that I traded my Albert Pujols Stadium Club triple relic auto for my Bill Mazeroski and Don Drysdale balls.

I was able to get Aparicio for $40.  He is someone I have been wanting to get for a while now, since he was a former Oriole.

Aparicio played in the majors from 1956 to 1973 for the White Sox, Orioles and Red Sox.  He won the 1956 AL rookie of the year and the World Series with the Orioles in 1966. 

He retired with 2,677 hits, 506 stolen bases and a .262 batting average.

Lots of Mail From my Good Buddy Drew

I can always count on my good buddy Drew to send me cool stuff periodically, and this latest batch of mail from him was no different. He was kind enough to share some of his spoils from the great and wonderful mystery binder.First up is this awesome 1968 Topps 'Bird Belters' card showing Brooks and Frank Robinson (no relation). I love the 1968 set, and this card is an awesome part of it.

He also included some Topps Jumbos (I think these are from 1967). First is former Oriole shortstop Luis Aparicio. I just missed landing an Aparicio auto off of ebay the other day, but I was outbid at the last second. He is definitely someone I plan on knocking off of my list very soon.

I also got this awesome Warren Spahn jumbo. You can never go wrong with the winningest lefty of all time. Spahn was amazing, and I'm glad Drew included this card!

Drew had a couple extra 1991 Upper Deck Mike Mussina RCs, so he threw one in for me. I'm sure I have this card somewhere in my collection, but I can't find it, so when I saw Drew had thrown it in, I was really happy. Mussina was a great pitcher who is vastly underrated, in my opinion. He should be enshrined in Cooperstown in the not too distant future.

Speaking of Oriole hurlers, Drew included a Topps Diamond parallel Brian Matusz. Matusz has yet to throw a pitch this season but is scheduled to make his 2011 debut on Tuesday against the Mariners. He can't get into the rotation too soon. The O's definitely need another starter who isn't a guaranteed loss.

Finally, Drew included his damaged custom that he had signed by Bobby Shantz. Drew was having some issues with the type of glue that he was using, so when this came back damaged, he sent off another one, to much greater success. I just think it is a cool card and was glad that he thought of me to give it to.

So, if you haven't checked his blog already, please head over to http://drewsbbcards.blogspot.com and give him a read. He is a great blogger, and an even better friend. Thanks buddy!!