Raleigh Card Show - Day 3 Recap

I have to say, I had one of my most successful card shows to date.  Not only with selling, but with the overall atmosphere of the show.  It was by no means busy, which would have been even better, but sales each day were pretty good for me.  I was able to meet up with several people throughout the show, and also got a couple new blog readers out of it.  That was really cool.  I hope it sticks.

I met up with a fellow blogger, Tim from I Love The Smell of Cardboard In The Morning.  He came by my tables at the end of the show and introduced himself.  We chatted for quite a while, and he was nice enough to hand deliver a care package.  I'll post that tomorrow.

Also, my buddy Tyler was able to have his own table today and did pretty decently selling.  Better yet, my son Chris got HIS own table, and actually sold a few cards himself so he would have a little spending money for the National.  In all, it was a really fun and successful day.

I did break my rule again (rules are made to be broken, right?  Or is it supposed to be records?  I forget) and buy a few "well loved" vintage cards from fellow dealer, Kurt.  I bought from him at the last show, and figured I would see what he was offering today.

The above Mike Cuellar rookie is a card that I already had in my collection, but I also needed one for my '59 set.  This one is in really good shape, and will fit nicely into the set.

I do quite enjoy the 1949 Bowman set, so when I saw this Dom DiMaggio for a couple bucks, I figured I would pick it up.  It is pretty rough, but still looks so cool.

The last of the vintage cards was this 1956 Topps Bob Feller for the Feller PC.  I will probably upgrade it at some point, but for now, this one will do just fine.

Something really cool that happened at this show started on Friday and continued into today.  I met a guy named Kevin on Friday evening.  He saw that I had a lot of Orioles stuff for sale, so he mentioned that his son would like what I had and would be back on Saturday.  They did, in fact, come back and his son, Brian, bought a couple cards from me.  They were really looking for some Chris Davis rookies, but I didn't bring any of the extras that I had with me.  So, I promised Kevin that I would send them a few in the mail since he didn't think that they would be back today.

Well, Kevin made a point to come back today, and was kind enough to give me a gift after he had checked out my blog.  He gave me the above 1983 Orioles World Series Champions Coke Bottle, which I really appreciated.

The bottle is something that Kevin has hung onto since it was produced, and now I have it.  That was really cool of him to hook me up.  In return, I will be hooking Brian up as well.  Pay it forward, as they say.

So, I would like to thank everyone who came by my tables this weekend, and I hope you know that the time I spent talking cards was something I truly enjoyed.

Birthday Gift From Mom and a Trip Home

I went to my parents' house last weekend for my birthday and was surprised when my mom gave me a card as a present.  I had already thought that the tickets she got us for the Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions game was my birthday present, but Mom couldn't resist going to the local card shop in Clemmons, NC (Lucky Dog Collectibles) and picking up some cards.  She found the above 2010 Topps National Chicle Adam Jones artist's proof card and thought I would like it.  I do, and it is really cool that the card is signed by the artist who painted the portrait on the card, Jeff Zachowski.  The card is numbered 5/10 as well.  I always liked the National Chicle cards.  I'm sure Topps will bring them back sometime soon.  I also like that this was an Adam Jones card.  I realized the other day as he was doing the victory lap around Camden Yards that I don't have enough Adam Jones cards in my collection.  He is the leader on this team and I am happy that he has a long-term commitment to Baltimore.  Thanks for the card, Mom!

While I was in town, I wanted to get a few cards for myself, so I went to Lucky Dog on Saturday and checked out their vintage wares.  While I was there, I met up with old friend of the blog, the wonderful Babe-O-Licious (or Babe for short).  While we chatted it up with Babe for a while, Chris and I picked through the vintage boxes in the shop.  I got one 1959 Topps card for my set and 16 1969 Topps cards for that set.  I also picked up some cards I knew that I needed for my 1967 set, like the above Pete Rose.

The highlight of the 1969s that I got was another Pete Rose (it must have been Pete Rose Day in my brain).  Both of the Rose cards are in great shape, and the owner of the shop gave me a great deal on them.  I also picked up a sweet Ron Santo rookie card for a future trade with my buddy Max S., the Cubs fan.

I saw this 1972 Topps Traded Frank Robinson and had to pick it up.  I don't believe that I have seen a Frank as a Dodger card.  He definitely looks odd wearing the white and blue.  The card is beat up, but the owner only charged me a couple bucks for it.  I wasn't about to complain.

Finally, I picked up another 1967 Topps card, this one being Mike Cuellar, prior to his Orioles years.  Cuellar is such an underrated pitcher and it was a shame he lost his battle to cancer a few years ago,

Instagram Trade With Michael S.

I completed a trade over Instagram with a guy from Texas named Michael when I sent him some set needs from 1958 Topps in exchange for some vintage Orioles and cards that he originally thought were 1969 Topps, but turned out to be 1968 Topps.  Honest mistake.  Luckily, I haven't tried to build the 1968 set, so any and all cards from that year are welcome.

The above 1967 Topps Frank Robinson is a PC need that I had yet to pick up and I was glad Michael added it into our deal.  The 1967 set is really growing on me and I have gotten quite a few star cards that I really like.

The 1968's that Michael sent me were more than common fillers.  There were a couple Hall of Famers and some other stars, like the above Mike Cuellar.  This one is in really good shape.  I think I have one, but I'm not completely sure, but I'm still happy to have this one.

Another star card I got was this Gil Hodges.  At some point, I imagine that Hodges will be in the Hall, but at this moment, he isn't.

Finally, one of the Hall of Famers I got was this Ron Santo.  I don't have very many Santo cards.  I was really happy when he was elected to the Hall, but it was a shame that it came a year too late, as Santo passed away before he could enjoy enshrinement.

So, thanks for the trade, Michael!  I hope you finish your 1958 set soon!

Random Orioles From The Card Show

I picked up a bunch of Orioles cards from random tables at the December card show.  I really came away with a bunch of stuff,but I won't show it all.  I did get this nice 2013 Topps Finest Adam Jones refractor for a quarter at one of the tables.  I also bought a few refractors for some buddies of mine, like Andrew, Drew and Scott.  I liked this year's version of Finest.  Actually, I've always liked Finest, I just can never afford it.

I got a 2012 Bowman Ice Kevin Gausman in a bulk insert purchase that was a couple bucks.  I'm a big fan of the Ice parallels (is it just me, or does Bowman set the standard for inserts/parallels these days?).  I still don't own a purple ice parallel of anyone, but I'm working on that.

Finally, this was a really cool pickup, a 2002 Topps Super Teams Orioles card.  The card shows Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, Jim Palmer and Dick Hall and discusses the 1970 Orioles pitching staff.  The card looks really cool and is reminiscent of the early 1990s Upper Deck cards.  I was actually surprised it was a Topps card.

So, I'm starting to get caught up as far as posts go, so I'll need some more trade proposals to come in, along with myself making some more card purchases.  I've blogged non-stop for quite a while, now, so let's keep it going!  I did complete a couple trades recently, which will be highlighted soon, so you guys have that to look forward to.  I also have a couple more cards from the December card show that I may show off.  We'll see.

Card Shop Pickup - 1976 Topps Mike Cuellar

I picked up this 1976 Topps Mike Cuellar last week at the card shop when I found it in the bargain bin.  I have been quietly putting together a Cuellar PC recently.  He is one of the best pitchers in Oriole history not named Palmer or Mussina.

I figured since I haven't had much mail coming in and am waiting on a ball I got in an auction, I would show this card off.  The 1976 set was a pretty decent one.  It featured Dennis Eckersley's RC, some pretty awesome hair and some even more awesome uniforms.  The Orioles of the era were very good, but were on the tail end of their AL dominance.

Vintage Finds From the LCS

Chris and I went to the Local Card Shop yesterday to pick up a few supplies and discovered that the proprietor had a box of vintage cards that I have not gone through before.  In the box were some 1969 and 1971 Topps that I needed for my sets as well as a few other cards that I picked up for trades and for myself.  Some of the cards were in mint condition while others were probably VG-EX.  I had to have the above Mike Cuellar for my Cuellar PC.  It is a 1967 Topps, showing Cuellar with the Astros, just before he was traded to the Orioles and became a superstar.

Here is a 1964 Topps Jim Gentile that I picked up.  I grabbed all of the '64s that were in the box because I knew Wendell would give me a good price on the stack of cards (and I was right).

So, I was able to chip away at my sets.  1971 is looking like it might get completed this year.  I'm not so sure about 1969.  We'll have to be a bit more patient with that one, I think.

Trade With Fellow Blogger Roger

I received two trade packages today, one of which will be featured tonight.  I got a package from fellow blogger, Roger, from I Don't Know...3rd Base, today after discussing a trade with him for one card that he had that I was looking for.  I was elated when I opened his mailer and found TWO team bags full of goodies that I needed for some various PCs and a couple sets that I have kind of neglected lately.  Roger sent me 21 1969 Topps and 8 1971 Topps for my sets.  SWEET!  I like the above card from 1971 Topps, but it should read underneath the Reds Stay Alive - Not For Long.  You know, because Brooks Robinson was lights out when anything was hit toward him during that series.

I liked this 1969 Topps Royals Rookies, but I had no idea that Billy Butler has been with them that long!

This Bob Chance is seriously airbrushed, don't you think?  Looks it to me.

My first comment when I saw this 2004 Sweet Spot Classic Ripken was "Ooh, pretty!"  I mean, it is, don't laugh at me!  I might seriously consider finding a box of these at some point.  Really nice design.

I opened something like 5 boxes of 2010 Topps Chrome and didn't pull a single parallel.  Weird, right?  Well, I was happy to get this Orange Refractor Brian Matusz in the trade.

Mike Cuellar has to be one of the more underrated pitchers ever.  He won a Cy Young Award (he shared one, I meant to say...), won 20 or more games 4 times and was on 3 World Series teams (winning in 1970 with the Orioles).  I really need to make a PC of him; I probably already have a ton of his cards as well as a signed baseball.

Looking remarkably like the aforementioned 1972 Topps Cuellar, the above Cal Ripken was a welcome addition.  I didn't have it yet, so that was good.  I have always been a fan of the 1972 Topps design and look forward to putting the 1972 set together at some point in time (once 1969 and 1971 are done for sure).

Finally, I present the card that our trade was centered around, this 2013 Topps Emerald Chris Davis.  I am well on my way to putting this thing together and I sincerely appreciate all the folks who have emailed me with trade proposals to assist me in completing the set.  It'll be a long road, but I really look forward to completing it.

Thanks so much for the trade, Roger.  I saw on Roger's blog that he hasn't posted since 2011, so maybe we all can coax him into writing again (unless I missed an updated blog during my search...).

Mike Cuellar Autographed Baseball

Now that I have sown all of the Hall of Fame signed baseballs I picked up at the National Card Show (4 of them), now I can show off the non-Hall of Famers I got.  First up is this steal I got on Sunday from a vendor who I had bought a bobblehead from the day before.  He had another bobblehead I was eyeing, so I bundled it with the ball and got both for $40.

Mike Cuellar (b. 1937 - d. 2010) played in the majors from 1959, 1964-1977 for the Reds, Cardinals, Astros, Orioles and Angels.  He was best known as an Oriole.  He was co-winner of the AL Cy Young Award with Denny McLain in 1969.  He had a career record of 185-130, 1,632 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.14.  He won 20 or more games four times over 15 seasons.  He is probably the second greatest pitcher to have played for the Orioles behind Jim Palmer.  I would put Mike Mussina at third only because he never took home a Cy Young Award or won the World Series with the O's (Cuellar won in 1970).  I think Cuellar deserved more of a look for the Hall of Fame, but I suppose his numbers just don't stack up.  He didn't get a single vote in his first year of eligibility (1983) and was removed from the ballot after that.  I think, historically speaking, he is definitely underrated.  I'm glad I was able to add his autograph to my collection and I'm amazed at how cheap it ended up being.  The next historic Oriole I want to add is Mike Flanagan, so I will be on the lookout for his auto very soon.

Some More Topps Diamond Giveaway Cards

I got my final package from Topps Diamond Giveaway the other day, which included the following vintage cards:

This really nice 1968 Topps Mike Cuellar.  Cuellar is probably the second or third greatest pitcher in Orioles' History.  I really love this card and was glad when I unlocked it.

I love the 1962 Topps set.  It's just something about that wood border that does it.  Others must like it, too, because it has been done three times (1955 Bowman, 1962 Topps and 1987 Topps).  I'm not counting the Topps Heritage from last year or the 1987 Topps minis from this year.

I like this 1977 Topps Tito Fuentes because it definitely speaks "70's".  With the awesomely ugly uniforms, of course.  Man, some of those uniforms from the 70's were a sight.

This really jacked up 1975 Topps Mike Tyson also came in my order.  I was going to use it as trade bait for some Cardinals fans I know, but I would feel terrible sending someone a card in this condition.  I'm not sure what I will do with it now.  If anyone wants it, comment me and let me know.  I definitely won't ask for anything in return.

Finally, what is quite possibly the most awesome name on a baseball card that I have seen.  I really hope the guy pronounced his name like I think it should be pronounced.  Mark LemonJello!  So amazingly awesome!  Top it off with the awesome 70's Astros jersey and this card is a keeper!

Picked Up Some 1969 Topps

I went to the Kinston card shop today with my wife, son and a friend to kill some time and I left there with a couple really nice 1969 Topps Orioles.  I was having a hard time finding stuff that jumped out at me until I decided to go through the vintage box.  I plan on working on the 1969 set really soon, so anything I could get my hands on was good.  These cards weren't in the best of condition, so I'll probably keep these with my Orioles stuff.

The first card shown is this Bird Hill Aces card.  I like this one because the history of the Orioles franchise has been built on pitching.  Funny thing, though, this card doesn't show the Orioles' true historical ace, Jim Palmer.  He was still young and erratic when this card was released.  Not to worry, though, Palmer would cement himself atop the Orioles rotation for the decade that followed the production of this set.

This card is awesome because it is a rookie card of one of the most beloved Orioles of all time, Elrod Hendricks.  Hendricks would spend almost 40 years with the Orioles organization until his death in 2005.  I met him in July of 2005 and got a ball signed by him.  I wish I hadn't gotten it signed in sharpie because it is slowly fading into oblivion.  Hendricks was a great bullpen coach for the Orioles over the years, and really, they should have retired his number 44 back in '05 when he passed.

Finally, I got 2 copies of this 1969 Topps 6th series checklist.  It was a Brooks Robinson card that I didn't have in my collection, which I need to tighten up on.  I don't think I have all of his all star or checklist cards, so that is something I need to research and add to my want list.  I like how the colors pop on this card.  It is a really sharp card, with a small stain on the left hand side, near the top.  You can hardly notice it.  The other copy I got has corners that are kind of soft, so that one will go in my Brooks PC and this one will go into my 1969 set.

In all, we enjoyed our trip to the shop, as always.  I almost bought 2 boxes of 1995 Topps to bust because I hadn't started that set, yet.  I held off, though because I spent some big money on Sportlots the other day.  You'll be seeing what I got in the coming days.

Early Birthday Present From My Buddy Drew

 Well, as you all know, Drew and I are very close and enjoy talking about cards every chance we get.  Since he knew my birthday was coming up (Sept 14), he decided to surprise me with an early gift.  The gift was actually a box in my mailbox that contained a multitude of baseball goodness.  One of which was the Ozzie Smith baseball that I had asked him to have signed for me.  There was a good bit of other stuff in there too...  Let's start with something off of my 'want list', shall we?

Drew knew that I had been watching this Mike Cuellar 1959 Topps RC for a long time.  I had even sent him an Ebay link to one (happens to be this very card).  The card is beautiful.  A bit off center, but otherwise in mint condition.  I'm really happy to have it added to my Orioles RC collection.

Sadly, Cuellar passed away last year at the age of 72.  He was the AL Cy Young Award winner in 1969 when he went 23-11.  He went 24-8 in 1970 but only finished 4th in the Cy Young Voting (behind Jim Perry, Dave McNally and Sam McDowell and one spot ahead of Jim Palmer).

Cuellar retired with a record of 185-130, 1,632 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.14.  those stats don't tell the full story, however.  Cuellar is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers to have pitched in Baltimore (along with Jim Palmer, Mike Flanagan, Dave McNally and Mike Mussina).  He had 4 seasons when he won 20 or more games and two additional 18-win seasons.  He had 4 seasons with an ERA of below 2.75.  That's a pretty darn good pitcher, right there.  He won a World Series ring with the O's in 1970, and would pitch for the O's in the 1969 and 1971 World Series as well, but they would come up short those years.

So, thanks for the early birthday present, buddy.  I'll be sure to post what else was in the box over the course of the next few days.

Rest in Peace Mike Cuellar

When I got home from dinner tonight, I was sad to see that Mike Cuellar lost his battle with stomach cancer today at the age of 72. Cuellar played in the majors from 1959 and 1964-1977 and played for the Reds, Cardinals, Astros, Orioles and Angels. He compiled a record of 185-130, had 4 20-win seasons and won a ring with the 1970 Orioles.

I'm too young to have seen Cuellar pitch, but from what I have heard and read, he was amazing. I'm really sad tonight to hear about the passing of one of the Orioles greatest pitchers in their history.

Mike Cuellar - 1937-2010