Card Shop Pickup - 2008 Topps Stadium Club Johnny Podres

I got this awesome Stadium Club Johnny Podres auto from P.A. when he busted a box at the shop on Saturday. This was given to me as a Christmas present from P.A., so it will not be made available for trade. I'm excited that I hvae this card, now, because I have been learning more and more about the history of the Dodgers. It sure is too bad that Podres died in 2008. I definitely would have liked to have tried TTM with him. Oh well, I have his auto now. Thanks P.A.!!! Merry Christmas!

1955 Topps #70 - Al Rosen

Al 'Flip' Rosen (b. 1925) was a heck of a ball player for a brief period. He played from 1947 to 1956, all for the Indians, but didn't really establish himself until the 1950 season. He was the 1953 AL MVP and led the league in home runs in 1950 and 1953. He missed the batting title (and thus the Triple Crown) in 1953 by less than a percentage point. Ouch. Back and leg injuries shortened his career and he retired at the age of 32 in 1956. He is another player where you have to wonder what if he had the medical technology back then that we have available now. He retired with 1,063 hits, 192 home runs, and a .285 average. He was a part of the 1948 World Series Champion Indians and was also an All Star in 1952 through 1955.

Another Mailday and Another Virgil Trucks Card

Wooo Hooo!!! I got another Virgil Trucks card in the mail today, this one coming from my good friend Jim who I can always count on to find some awesome vintage stuff. Jim has been coming in the card shop for a couple years now and hooks me up from time to time. I only hope that one day I can get him some cool stuff in return.

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I am a huge fan of the 55 Bowman design. I think that this is a design that definitely would be popular if it had been introduced this year. If I recall correctly, I have 4 cards out of this set already, the Trucks, Eddie Mathews, Whitey Lockman and Smokey Burgess. Thanks Jim! You're a hell of a guy!

1955 Topps #69 - Ed Bailey

Ed Bailey (b. 1931 - d. 2007) played in the majors from 1953 to 1966 for the Reds, Giants, Braves, Cubs and Angels. He was an All Star in 1956, 57, 60, 61 and 63 and was a part of the 1962 NL pennant winning Giants. He retired with 916 hits, 155 home runs and a .256 batting average.

(DECEASED 39)

Mailday! 1950 Bowman - Virgil Trucks

Virgil Trucks has fast become a popular figure on my blog because of his TTM generosity. You can read about what I have received from him here and here. I was a little upset when I realized that I didn't have a single one of his cards from his playing days, so I went to Ebay and fixed that issue. I like the 1950 Bowmans, I already have the Kiner and Feller from that set. I'm happy that I have this one now. I can finally say that I have one of his Bowman cards and I plan on adding a lot more to the list.

1955 Topps #68 - Jim Davis

Jim Davis (b. 1924 - d. 1995) played in the majors from 1954 to 1957 for the Cubs, Cardinals and Giants. He had a career record of 24-26 with a 4.01 ERA and 197 strikeouts. In 1956, he once struck out 4 batters in an inning.

(DECEASED 38)

Whitey Ford TTM Success

I sent off for Whitey Ford on Monday, November 29 and got the signed ball back today, making it a 7-day turnaround. The signature cost $30, and as you can see, it was completely worth it. I'm definitely not a Yankee fan, but as a baseball fan, I am really happy to add this pitching legend to my collection.