Bought A Vowel

I was finally able to find another 2009 Topps Legends of the Game letter patch that I needed for my Brooks Robinson 'Vacuum Cleaner' series.  I started this in 2009 and have been unable to find any more letter patches for probably over a year and a half or so.  I was chatting with Andrew the other day and out of the blue, I decided to do a search for them and there this one was.

The Letter A.  Luckily, I got this one before it got away, so I can finally make a change on my want page for this set.  Cool thing is, soon after this one went off, another patch became available and I snatched it, too.

Solve The Autograph Mystery

I was sent an email on Friday from a guy who found my blog.  Apparently he came across several signed baseballs.  He was able to identify Yogi Berra on one and Carl Yastrzemski on another.

This ball, however, the fellow has yet to identify.  I tried and was unsuccessful in identifying who signed it.  I was wondering if anyone in the blogosphere could tell who, if fact, signed this ball.  There aren't any awards for figuring it out, merely solving a mystery.  Any ideas?

Hall of Fame Signed Baseball - Rod Carew

I was able to add another Hall of Famer by taking advantage of an Ebay auction that my buddy Andrew sent me in an instant message the other day.  This Rod Carew baseball was ending in about 45 minutes and he sent it to me thinking it was low enough that I might bid on it.  He was right.  I ended up getting this ball for $46 including shipping.  Carew baseballs run for approximately $75-$100 on Ebay and $100 on Carew's own website.  So, I got a nice deal.

The ball is a JSA authenticated Selig ball and it comes with the "HOF 91" inscription.  He is my 68th total Hall of Famer and my 66th player/manager/executive.

Rodney Cline Carew (b. 1945) was born on a train in the Panama Canal Zone.  His mother went into labor on the train.  A physician who was on the train delivered the baby.  Carew's mother appreciated it so much that she named her baby Rodney Cline Carew, after the doctor whose name was Rodney Cline.

Carew played from 1967 to 1985 for the Twins and Angels.  He was the 1967 AL Rookie of the Year, which is kind of funny, because I got the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year yesterday (Tom Seaver).  Carew also was the 1977 AL MVP and a 7-time batting champ (1969, 72-75, 77 and 78).  He retired with 3,053 hits, 92 home runs and a .328 batting average.  Carew was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991 (his first year of eligibility) when he was named on 90.5% of the ballot.

Wow, I just noticed this was post #900.  What a way to celebrate, huh?

Hall of Fame Signed Baseball - Tom Seaver

I was able to knock another Hall of Fame baseball off of my list with the help of my good friend Andrew over at Andrew's Baseball Cards (he needs more followers).  Andrew knew I needed Seaver, so, during one of his sessions on Ebay, he located an auction for a Seaver ball that was ending soon and sent it my way.  $39.99 (and free shipping) later, it was mine!

Tom Seaver (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1967 to 1986 for the Mets, Reds, White Sox and Red Sox.  He was the 1969, 1973 and 1975 NL Cy Young Award winner and the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year.  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1969.

Seaver retired with a record of 311-205, 3,640 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.86.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992 (his first year of eligibility) when he was named on 98.8% of the ballot.  His voting percentage is the highest all-time.

Seaver is my 67th Hall of Famer (65 of whom are players/executives/managers and 2 of which are broadcasters - I have added broadcasters and writers to my HOF needs list, check it out!).

So Behind on Mail

Yeah, I could have broken this up into separate posts.  I'm sorry about that.  I do have a few things on the way that should keep this blog busy until Series II comes out next week.

I've gotten mail lately from all over the blogosphere.  Today, I got a package from my good buddy Scott, over at Mr. Baseball-Scott.

 Scott sent me a few Orioles cards and a 2012 Bowman Tim Lincecum for Chris.  Thanks Scott!  Scott is quite the ball player himself.  Check out his blog and follow him, it might encourage him to post a bit more.

Next, I got a nice stack of cards from my good friend Andrew from Andrew's Baseball Cards.  In the stack was this nice 1st Bowman card of Orioles minor leaguer Ronnie Welty.  I've actually seen Welty play, when he was on the Frederick Keys, and he is a pretty good ball player.  So, I was really happy that Andrew sent me this card.  Andrew's a really nice kid who need more blog followers!

I got some mail from another good friend, Dustin, over at No Relics Pulled, but I have already put those cards in top loaders and have added them to my collection.  Sorry Dustin, but I did want to acknowledge the package you sent and that it was much appreciated.

Finally, I completed a rare trade.  Rare for me because I usually just send people cards that I think they would like and don't expect anything in return.  Well, The Rhubarb Runner contacted me about a trade for the Johan Santana patch that I pulled out of 2011 Topps Marquee.

 In exchange for the Santana, I got this Bowman Heritage auto of former Oriole Brandon Snyder.  The auto is on card, and the card itself looks sweet.

Among other cards I got from the rhubarb smuggler, was this really nice Playoff Class Reunion Brooks Robinson/Juan Marichal.  I love the seriously old school Oriole logo on this card.

So, thanks for all of the mail, guys.  Keep it coming!

Adam Jones Signs Extension

Today, the Orioles and Adam Jones finalized a 6-year, 85 million contract extension that will keep Jones in Black and Orange through the 2018 season.  The contract includes a full no trade clause, no option years at the end of the deal and a portion of Jones' annual salary will go toward Orioles' charities.

It is really great to see that Jones will be an Oriole for a long time and that the team is serious about winning.  They have faltered over the last 5 games, but still remain atop the AL East, leading Tampa by one game.  If they take today's game against the Royals, they will still gain another series win.

This season is shaping up to be a special one for the O's and today's signing of Adam Jones is yet another highlight.

Cautiously Optimistic

The Orioles are playing some great baseball right now.  I have been reluctant to post about it because they got off to a good start last year, only to fall apart quickly and fade to the basement of the AL East for yet another season.  They have had 14 straight losing seasons since 1997 when they last went to the playoffs.

I have a friend who is a Red Sox fan who is still talking trash.  I don't want to respond to his trash talk because, one, I don't gloat, and two, I've been fooled before.  The Orioles were playing great baseball in the 2005 season.  They spent much of the first half in first place.  I believe 4 of their players were selected to the All Star team.  Then the wheels fell off.

This season, I'm sensing a much different feeling than in the years since my senior year of High School.  The Orioles are playing good baseball.  It isn't quite great.  Not yet.  They still have too many errors.  Jake Arrieta and Tommy Hunter have been inconsistent.  Brian Matusz's season last year left such a bad taste in my mouth, it'll take more than Crown Royal to burn it out.  Yet, he has won his last 3 decisions.  He has looked pretty good doing it, too!  I hope he is back to his late 2010 form.

Chris Davis is flirting with .300 to add to his 0.00 ERA and 1.000 win percentage.

Adam Jones has emerged as a superstar and is about to be paid handsomely.

Matt Wieters has emerged as the best catcher in the game.  I want him calling the games for all of the O's pitchers, but I know he needs rest.  His bat is mired in a tough slump, but I know he will get out of it.

Brian Roberts is about 3 weeks away from returning, after many pundits felt that his career was done.

Nolan Reimold was on the verge of busting out before a bulging disc in his cervical spine derailed him.  If he can get back and resume his early season form, watch out!

Jason Hammel has been a pleasant surprise.  What a pickup!

I don't like to brag or gloat about my team doing well, but I deserve to enjoy the good times.  It has been so long since I have been able to look at the box scores and have a good feeling about them.  I'm not sure if they can sustain this for the whole season, but, WHY NOT?  Why not the O's?  Let's keep it up, it has been a fun season so far!