Thank You Ebay Bucks

I had a notification that my Ebay Bucks were available, so I took a look around on Ebay to see if I could find something to buy.  I found this 1987 Topps signed by Earl Weaver, and after verifying the signature with a friend of mine who has built the signed 87 set, I picked the card up.

I only paid $6.65 shipped after using my Ebay Bucks coupon.  Not bad at all for a card of someone who I couldn't get to sign anymore.

The deceased players will be tough, but after looking at some of the prices of some of them, they won't be too difficult.

Card Shop Pickups While I Was In Charlotte

I had to spend a few days at the end of this week at my company's corporate office in Charlotte for the open house of the new office building and our annual OSHA refresher course, among other things.  The new location of the office is a straight shot to the card shop in Matthews, NC, which I try to get to every time I'm in town.

Yesterday, I was able to make it by the shop and pick up a few supplies for some friends as well as some set needs for myself.  The highlight of which is the above 1969 Topps Nolan Ryan.  This card is his second year card and a tough one to pick up.  I had narrowly lost too many to count, so when I saw that they had one at the shop for a decent price, I had to grab it.

Something I had completely forgotten was that this card was on my Top 10 Wishlist.  With this acquisition, I now have knocked out half of the cards on the list and still have a little less than half the year to go.  I also have already met one of my goals that I set forth at the beginning of the year; to have half of the cards knocked out.

I made great strides on my 1959 Topps set by picking up 31 cards that I needed for my set.  I now need 130 cards to complete the set.  Those high number All Stars are really kicking my butt, but they can be had.  I foresee the Mantle being added to next year's Top 10 Wishlist, if I don't find a deal on it in the meantime.

In the bargain bin at the shop, I got this Earl Weaver relic card.  It has some damage around the relic, which I didn't see initially, but for $2, I wasn't going to complain.

I got this lava parallel Brooks Robinson Panini Museum Collection for $3, which I thought was fair.  I had laid my notebook down on the counter to mark off some cards, and saw this, so I had to have it.

I'm really happy with my pickups, and I had a great weekend.  I know I've dropped quite a bit recently on cards, but I really hope to have the 1959 set wrapped up soon so I can concentrate on other sets.  We'll see if I can move it along, but at this pace, I feel like I'm doing pretty well.

1969 Topps Pickups From The Antique Shop

I finally was able to sit down and scan some 1969 Topps cards I got from the antique shop in Columbia last weekend.  I picked up 29 cards total and several of them were higher end cards.  I picked up this really cool Bobby Cox rookie.  Someone at the card shop in Winston-Salem had asked me to look for one for them, but they never were willing to pay to get it.  So, I never picked one up for them and completely forgot it was in this set.  Anyway, I'm happy to have it and it is in really good condition.

I saw this Earl Weaver (look how young he is!) and had to add it, too.  He began managing the Orioles halfway through the 1968 season, so this is also his rookie card.  Not bad!

I was especially happy about this card.  Ernie was on the tail end of his career here, but he still looks like he is happy to be playing ball.  I seriously would consider starting an Ernie Banks PC.  Off of the top of my head, I can think of some awesome cards that he has.  The fact that I was also able to get him to sign for free TTM is just a bonus.  Quick trivia question: What do Ernie Banks and I have in common?  Answer: We both attended a Pearl Jam concert in 2013.

Rounding out the Hall of Famers I picked up, I got this nice Joe Morgan.  The card is really sharp.  Morgan is a super nice guy and was amazing to Chris the few times he has met him.  I'll never forget that and I'm sure Chris never will either.

Some other notable cards I got were Orioles: Boog Powell and Elrod Hendricks; rookie cards: Graig Nettles and Amos Otis; and other notable names such as Tommie Aaron, Mayo Smith, Roy White (whom my buddy Drew has met) and Ken 'Hawk' Harrelson.

I think I did really well with these 1969s.  I definitely enjoy this set and can't wait to add more to my collection.

2013 Orioles Fan Fest Thoughts

I'll be able to space them out for an undetermined amount of time, but here is the first of many posts about my trip to Baltimore this weekend for 2013 Orioles Fan Fest.  On the trip was myself, of course, my son Chris (seen above with his awesome toothless smile), my friend Ryan from "O No Another Orioles Blog", and his friend Scott and Scott's son Austin.

Fan Fest began on a somber note when we found out that former Orioles manager, Hall of Famer Earl Weaver, had passed away.  They showed a video tribute to him right before the Fan Forum Q&A.  I'll admit, I cried.  Chris clapped really hard for Earl when the video tribute was over and he turned to me and said "I'm sorry Earl Weaver died, Daddy."  He understood the importance of Earl, that's for sure.

Fan Fest was PACKED this year.  Autograph vouchers sold out in less than 45 minutes after they went on sale.  Manny Machado vouchers sold out in less than 5 minutes.  Craziness.  The crowd began to clear out soon after lunch time, though, so by the end of the day, it wasn't too bad.  The giveaway line was crazy the whole day, and all of the really good stuff in the memorabilia room was gone by the time we got there.

As far as the autograph sessions go, we met Jim Palmer for a second time.  Palmer was really nice to Chris and talked about left handed catchers with him.  Palmer seemed to be in pretty good spirits, even tough you know the loss of Earl had to be weighing on him.

Quickly becoming one of my favorite players, Chris Davis is seen here chatting with Chris about last year's Fan Fest, in which my Chris was picking his nose.  I yelled "Chris, stop picking your nose", to which Davis replied "I didn't think anyone saw that..."  Davis remembered that exchange.

Chris took some hacks at the air T-ball station again this year.  As always, he did very well.  He even Barry Bonds-ed the bat when he was done.  Well played, my son.  Haha.

We were fortunate to meet Dylan Bundy in the last autograph session.  He was really nice in the 5 seconds we were able to chat with him.

Here is Nolan Reimold signing Chris' Official Carolina League ball.  Chris had a ton of game used balls from that league that he has been picking up over the years, so he brought a bunch to have signed.  He ended up getting Nolan on one, and a group of other signers on another one.  I was able to introduce myself to Nolan and remind him that I was the guy who sent the Bowie Baysox bobblehead to him for Christmas in exchange for his Red Sox beating batting gloves.  Nolan chatted with Chris and I for a bit and we went on our way.  I really wanted to get a better photo-op with Nolan because I am still a little embarrassed by my appearance in our last photo together (I had just come from work to a Norfolk game and was a bit disheveled).  I think I'll be able to get another photo-op sometime soon, as Nolan is a really cool guy.  Man, I hope he busts out for about 35 homers, 110 RBIs ans a .330 batting average this year.  He deserves it.  Probably my favorite Oriole right now.

As I posted last night, we all went from the Convention Center to Camden Yards to pay our respects to Earl Weaver.  We first stopped by the retired numbers, where some folks had already laid flowers beside his retired number 4.

Earl's statue was the only thing lit up in the statue yard.  How lucky are we that the statue dedications were done last year and that all of the recipients were able to attend?  I'm so glad Earl was able to see his dedication.

Here is a look at the dark Camden Yards.  Laying dormant following the great season that it was witness to in 2012.  Hopefully, the place will be just as packed this upcoming year and will finally get to see a championship.

Finally, as we said goodbye to Earl, we departed the park and made our way back to our parking spot.  I enjoyed myself, yet again at Fan Fest.

So, here is a look at all of the stuff Chris and I picked up.  One of the signed balls is already committed to a trade with my good buddy, Drew.  Some other stuff is possible trade bait and a good portion of it will be assumed into my massive collection.  In all, I feel like we made out really well.  I can't wait until next year's Fan Fest.

A Sad Day for Baseball

I was at Orioles Fan Fest this morning when my wife sent me a text message "Sorry to hear about Earl Weaver."  My response to her was "Huh?  What are you talking about?"  It was then that I went by the MASN booth at Fan Fest and learned that the Orioles' legendary manager had passed away this morning while on a Carribean cruise.

After that moment, my son and I went to the Fan Forum and watched a tribute video about Earl and listened to Gary Thorne break the news to the capacity crowd at Fan Fest.  It was a really tough moment.  I shed some tears, that's for sure.

After we left Fan Fest today, we made our way to the retired numbers and paid our respects to Earl, then made our way to the statues that had just been dedicated last season and paid more respects to Earl.

Unfortunately, Earl Weaver's passing wasn't the only bit of terrible news for baseball today.  Baseball lost one of its all-time great players this evening.  Stan Musial passed away with his family by his side at the age of 92.  Oft overshadowed by the likes of Joe Dimaggio and Ted Williams, Musial was one of the greatest hitters ever.  He is also regarded as the greatest Cardinal to ever play, and that distinction was cemented when Albert Pujols left St. Louis for Anaheim last offseason.

So, I am really sad this evening.  Baseball lost some legends.  I, as an Oriole fan, lost the first Oriole Hall of Famer.  Luckily, I was able to watch Earl at Brooks' statue unveiling last summer and I will always have that memory.

My prayers go out to both of their families.

Mail From Anthony - Earl Weaver SIgned Ticket

Back in August of 2010, I purchased a Juan Marichal ball from Anthony.  You might remember him.  He used to run the blog called 'Mike Pelfrey Collectibles.'  Sadly, that blog is no more.  I believe he blogs about women's soccer now.  Anyway, Anthony and I have chatted off and on since our initial transaction.  I sent him some Donruss Elite Extra Edition women's soccer cards recently in exchange for a couple bucks and some Orioles cards.  After that, I found three more cards he might like and sent them on to him.

In exchange, he sent me this signed ticket to the 2008 All Star Fan Fest!  The ticket is signed by former Orioles' manager and Hall of Famer, Earl Weaver.  This is a pretty lopsided trade in my favor.  Mainly because Anthony is an awesome dude.

He messaged me on Facebook saying that he had the ticket signed in person at the Fan Fest, the day before the 2008 All Star game.  The ticket was modeled to look like it was from a Yankee Stadium game.  I think it is really awesome.  I'm going to put it in a safe place.  Thanks again for the trade Anthony.  If I find more women's soccer cards, they're definitely on the house because I don't feel that I gave you enough for this ticket!

TTM Success - Earl Weaver!!

I mailed to Earl Weaver c/o the Miami Childrens' Hospital on January 18. I got the ball back today - 1-month TAT. I also sent $20.00 with it, which is what Weaver charges, but it went to a good cause. Earl is someone I have wanted to get for a while now, even more so since I was shoulder bumped by him at the Evening With Brooks thing in October 2009. I think the ball looks awesome! I only need Frank Robinson and Eddie Murray now as far as Orioles Hall of Famers. Time to get moving on that, for sure. Earl is my 20th autographed baseball by a Hall of Famer.

Christmas Presents From An Awesome Friend - Part One

It's no secret that Drew and I have become pretty good friends over the past 2 years. I sent him some stuff for Christmas, which he posted here. Drew sent me some really awesome stuff that I really loved. I broke the stuff up into 2 posts, here is the first:
A 2008 UD Heroes Brian Roberts Red Auto. SWEET! I didn't have this one, so I was really excited to get it. I love red cards, I think. I've noticed how they pop when they are scanned and posted. This one is no different. Just stunning.

I didn't have this Topps 206 Frank Robinson either. I don't have near as many Frank Robinson cards as I do other legendary Orioles. I think he is definitely underrated as far as hall of famers. I don't know that he would be too happy if he saw the amount of surface area that Topps devoted to his forehead in this card. It is a nice card, though and Im happy to own it.

Drew reads my blog all of the time and he knows how much I appreciate a Cal Ripken card that I don't have. I definitely didn't have this one. I really like Obak and may still look into getting a box. We'll see.

A 1999 Scott Erickson. I really liked Erickson when the Os picked him up in the mid 90s. He was the #2 on a great O's 1,2,3 punch of Mike Mussina, Erickson and Jimmy Key. I have heard that he was less than forthcoming with reporters and such, but that's ok. I respected him as a player and don't have near as many of his cards as I should.

I always chuckle when I think of Earl Weaver. "Team speed? Jesus Christ...." I bet you he's saying "Yeah, he touched the rubber..." I wonder how many of you get THAT reference, haha.

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I just want to take the time to sincerely thank Drew. He's a really great guy who always writes an interesting blog. If you haven't already, head over there and check it out. Add him to your favorites list and follow him! It's great for someone so young to be as heavily involved in cards. The future of the hobby rests in his capable hands. Thanks Drew!