2025 National Pickups - 1964 Topps Set Needs

My trip to the National this summer wasn't only about getting autographs.  I also wanted to pick up some PC stuff and also chip away at a few of the sets I've been working on.   It turns out that I focused on the 1964 Tipps set solely this year.  It was unintentional, but the 28 cards I bought for the set made a huge sent in the needs list.  By the time I left the show, I realized that I hadn't worked on my 1955 Bowman, 1962 Topps or 1967 Topps sets at all.

One of my main goals for the show was to right the wrong of last year where I failed to pick up the 1964 Topps Pete Rose.  I had a dollar amount in mind for what I was willing to spend on the card and came in well under that amount.  The only issue I see with the card is that the back is a bit faded.

Because I saved so much on the Rose, I went ahead and added the above cards (Tommy John rookie, Roger Maris and Sandy Koufax).

I was glad to cross the cards off of the needs list.  Maybe next year I'll hit a couple of the other sets harder.

TTM Success - Jack Fisher

A private signing came along that afforded me the opportunity to get the above 1991 Crown Orioles card signed by Jack Fisher.  Of course, I'm not officially going for the set, but it does add some guys I can pursue via TTM and I've been a little more active in going after the older and/or lesser known guys.

A cool thing about this signing was that I paid for the 1991 Crown to be signed, but Fisher included these two signed cards showing that he gave up Ted Williams's 521st and Roger Maris's 60th home runs.  While dubious honors, it's cool that Fisher has accepted his place in baseball history.

Fisher (b. 1939) played in the majors from 1959 to 1969 for the Orioles, Giants, Mets, White Sox and Reds.  He had a record of 86-139 with 1,017 strike outs and a 4.06 ERA.

I mailed to the signing on January 30 and got the cards back on February 16, for a 17-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Randy Maris

I don't mind getting a baseball legend's card signed by a relative, if the legend himself has passed.  In this case, I got a couple Roger Maris cards signed by his son Randy.

Maris (b. 1934 - d. 1985) played in the majors from 1957 to 1968 for the Indians, A's (KC), Yankees and Cardinals.  He had 1,325 hits, 275 home runs and a .260 batting average.  He was a 2-time AL MVP (1960 and 1961), a 7-time All Star (1959-1962, with double honors in 1960, 1961 and 1962) and a Gold Glove Award winner in 1960.  He won the World Series with the Yankees in 1961 and 1962 and with the Cardinals in 1967.  He was the single-season home run champ until Mark McGwire hit 70 in 1998.

Maris appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot for the maximum of 15 times (1974 to 1988), but never got more than 43.1% of the vote (and that was in his final year of eligibility).  Arguments can be made for and against Maris's Hall credentials; I'm not sure his two good seasons and one epic season among his 12 in the league qualifies him, but if he did get in at some point, I wouldn't be upset.

I mailed to Randy Maris on October 28 and got the cards back on November 9, for a 12-day TAT.

Instagram Pickup - 1959 Topps Roger Maris

Normally, I really dislike any type of writing on a baseball card.  To me, that might just be at the top of cardinal sins of card collecting.  You know, right up there with wrapping rubber bands around a stack of cards or storing them in plastic bags.  I remember one time when I was helping at the card shop, a young man, probably about 14 or 15, came in with his card collection.  He wasn't really wanting to sell, he just wanted to proudly show off what he had.  I took the time to listen to him, to admire his card, and when it came time for him to leave, I handed him a storage box, free of charge.  When he asked me what it was for, I told him that it would help him preserve his cards a lot better than the plastic grocery bag he brought them in.  Naturally, the kid was appreciative that he got something for free, but I think he also appreciated that someone took the time to help him better his collection.

Anyway, back to the card that I got.  I bought the card from a nice kid named Joey, whom I have traded with before.  He made me an amazing deal for this card that I really couldn't turn down.  Writing or not.  So, I have this Roger Maris card.  With the KC A's scratched out and NY Yanks written in on it in what is seemingly the handwriting of a kid from back in the early 1960s.  It also looks like someone tried in vain to erase the ink, but clearly they failed.  My 1959 set is far from Mint, so I technically could keep this card as part of my set, or I could hold onto it as a separate card.  I looked and I would be very lucky to get another Maris for my set for less than $50, so I really may be inclined to mark this one off of my checklist for good. I just don't know.

Regardless, I appreciate Joey hooking me up with th card and I really do enjoy it.  We'll see if it makes the cut, so to speak.  As of right now, I am leaning toward putting it in the set.  Anyone have any thoughts?

2012 Topps - The Inserts

2012 Topps is loaded with inserts and busting 3 jumbo boxes left me with a ton of trade bait.  I got a couple Orioles, too, so that is always a bonus.

 Ok, the mini 87 Topps are a pleasant surprise.  1987 was one of my favorite sets and was one of the first ones I completed.  I still have a 5,000ct box of 1987 Topps (in order) if anyone is interested in it.  I was happy to get this Adam Jones.

 I was able to add some Ripkens to my PC.  They look similar, but that's ok.  The card design is reminiscent to the stuff that Topps has issued over the last few years, so I guess these fit right inline.

 I was slightly disappointed that Topps didn't use the shot of 'Complacent Reynolds' from last season.  Oh well.  The Golden Parallels look really nice.  Ryan, if you want this Reynolds, let me know.

Here is another new Ripken added to the collection.  I'm pretty much over the dual cards that Topps has put out for the last several years.  Oh well.  They look sharp at least.

 The classic walk-offs look nice.  A lot of empty space.  Probably for sticker autos.

The Golden Moments inserts look nice.  More room for sticker autos.  I like this Kaline who is a very underrated player.

For my Yankee fan friends, here are a couple featuring some classic Yankees.

This Don Mattingly is already spoken for, I'll be sending it to Pete.

All in all, I like the inserts.  I don't feel like the inserts dominate the set like in years past.  I could do without the dual cards.  I also think there is a good bit of wasted space on some of the cards.  Gone are the Topps Town and Topps Attax.  Probably a good thing.  I like the Golden parallels and they would look pretty awesome in some other colors.  What do you all think?

Stay tuned for a post on the base cards!