Anyone Want to Trade?

I'm looking for people to trade on the Diamond Giveaway.  I'm on the hunt for some 1969 and 1970 Padres cards.  Everything is pretty much on the table, save for the Gwynn DDC and my ultra sweet '64 Pete Runnels.  The last post worked pretty well with Jeremy.  Thanks, man!

Anything post-1973 will not be redeemed, so I'd like to get those cards a happy home, especially if it means an old Padre heading my way.  Just drop a comment!

Here's mah booty.  Look at it.  My booty.  Look.  

Perv.

Begging and Pleading

An FYI that the Diamond Giveaway site is back up and running.  Also, if you're trying to complete the 1973 Topps set, today is your lucky day if you've got a few hundred codes to enter.  Since last night, the Giveaway has unlocked only 1973 Topps.  I've completed that set, so I'll hold out on entering my lone remaining code.

Anyways, the Giveaway is set to end on December 31st (apparently).  From my original six codes and one gimme code, I've parlayed those seven cards into 33.  The whole make my way back to a '52 project has or is Dead on Arrival.  So, being a true Padres fan, I'm working on getting some 1969 & 1970 Padres.  I have a good start already at home on these team sets, but I'm always looking to land those cards in the 400+ range.

Take a look at what I've got, and drop a comment if you want to trade for something.  I do have three of those 1987 Ryans, and for some reason my 1983 Eddie Murray didn't show up on the picture.

Only thing I will not trade is that 1964 Pete Runnels.  I love that dude.

Thanks!
Doc

Nightmares on Cardboard - Terror Cards I - Father Merrin

Have you ever paused, found yourself staring at something and your brain is screaming, “This isn’t a good idea.”?  That something could be the “send” button on that email to your boss; that last shot of tequila; the pool below the balcony you’re on; or that 16 year old checker girl at the local grocery store.  All logic tells you, that something should be left alone, but do you think the Fonz considered the consequences of ski-jumping a shark?

 
Sorry, I was staring at something.  Where was I?  Of course not, the Fonz jumped the shark because he’s The Fonz.  Sure, he probably couldn’t swim wearing that leather jacket, and being a transplanted New York Italian Jew from Wisconsin that hung out with nerdy redheads, he likely had no idea how sharp that shark’s teeth really were.  Although, they couldn’t have been sharper than Leather Tuscadero, but nevertheless, the Fonz jumped.  He jumped because, um, because, well, I don’t remember that episode too well, but he jumped the shark.  Hence a phrase was born that will forever live in infamy to describe those who have gone from being The Fonz to that guy who was Chachi’s Uncle.

    
Ladies (who am I kidding?) and Gentlemen, I present my shark jumping moment.  As described in a previous post, I’ve been sitting on these custom cards for over two years.  These were intended for Thorzul’s Nightmares on Cardboard Contest, but like certain things in my life, I prematurely made them and subsequently disqualified myself from the contest two years running.  Beat that.

Since these cards fall under the horror movie motif, I will painfully drag them out in Roman Numeral fashion, where the first card will get the most hits, and by the time the last card rolls around, you’ll be asking, “What the hell is this?”

In case you missed the wrapper from the previous post, here it is:

 

 

And inside we find the first Terror Card, a gem mint Father Merrin.

 

Father Merrin was the Trevor Hoffman of the Washington Padres.  His save record was spotless until his first (and last) blown save that drizzly, pea soup laden Georgetown night.  Prior to being called up to the Savior Circuit, Father Merrin spent considerable time in the African Pazuzu League.

Coming into his final game, Father Merrin was sporting a Eucharist Receiving Average of 1.45 with an unheard of Communion to Confession ratio of 2.37.   In his last save attempt, Father Merrin suffered a heart attack and was replaced by Father Karras.  Immediately following the game, the Padres traded Merrin to the Angels.

Let’s flip the card over.  

 

Oh, I sense an homage to 1970s movie/TV show cards!

Why the Diamond Giveaway Site is Down

Posted this on the Topps Facebook page.  I wonder how long it will last?

Answer: Off the main page in less than one minute.  However, it did make it to their photo album.

Thorzul's Nightmares on Cardboard

For two years straight, I did not enter Thorzul's Nightmares on Cardboard contest.  Although it wasn't from a lack of trying or desire, it just so happens the spirits did not want me to enter.  Not that I ever had much of a chance based on PunkRockPaint's winning entry this year, but I am still stuck with them damn cards.

I started on these cards two years ago, just after Halloween 2009.  I was so impressed by the entries that year, that I thought I should give it a go.  I'd already been making custom cards, and thought, why not enter?

A year later, Halloween was fast approaching.  I was printing my cards and preparing to iron paraffin onto a custom made wrapper, when all hell broke lose.  First, Thorzul, in his Pabst Blue Ribbon rage decided to in essence ban all 1975 Topps entries.  Shit.  Two, I ended up spending most of the month of October with my father in intensive care.

I was going to ignore Thorzul's "rules" because I thought he'd like the design, since I did pretty much cater to his favorites.  Yet, that whole father in the hospital episode pulled me right out of collecting/blogging, and I've never really recovered from that.

Fast forward to Halloween 2011.  I still have the cards.  They are still sitting there wrapped in wax and waiting for the contest.  Thorzul opens the entries and the one requirement is "NO TOPPS." Double shit.
 

I sent Thorzul an email practically begging to bend the rules.  Nope, no-can-do.  "Rules are rules."  His classroom must be awfully close to the Governor's Mansion and all that bad mojo is corroding his wonderfully twisted mind.

In the end, I'm still sitting on a pack of custom cards that I haven't seen the light of day since late 2009.  Triple shit.

Anyways, I'm sure I'll somehow be preemptively disqualified in 2012, so I'll just start showing those cards here.  Behold the one and only wax pack of Terror Cards - '75 Whacks Pack Serial One in the world!

 

"Topps, We Have a Problem"

Look what just greeted me this afternoon.  FINALLY.

Wow, actual acknowledgement of an "issue."  If you complain on Topps' Facebook Wall about the Giveaway site, your post will be deleted almost immediately.  I was beginning to think that the Topps Diamond Giveaway was being run by Iraqi PR dude during the Second Gulf War...

Diamond Givea…Server Error – Timed Out Application

Life is short.  Time is fleeting.  Time is even shorter until the Diamond Giveaway joins the Million Card Giveaway in the great cyber pasture in the sky.

This year marks the first time since 2000 that I last bought more than one pack of baseball cards.  The reason being my fascination with the Topps Diamond Giveaway concept, and my desire to hand collate a 2011 Topps set. 

Set wise, I’m two short of Series One, and oh, exactly 330 cards short on Series Two.  I haven’t bought a single Series Two pack.  Why might you ask?  Because $2 a pop for 12 cards is still mighty high for this Ebenezer, and with the exponentially decaying Giveaway site, I’ve been tempted not once to try and get another code card.

I figured with the site on the fritz, I’d just wait until Series Two hit the bargain bin and then finish the set.  I’ve never really been one to be on the forefront.  Case in point, my kids played Atari last night.  Seriously, Pitfall and all.

Yet, while I spin my icon, I mean wheels, fix the damn Giveaway site already, or extend the Giveaway to make up for the month plus snafu.  And while you’re at it, bring back this little feature…

 
If I have to keep individually turning down every 1987 Rich Yett trade for my DDC Tony Gwynn card, I’ll quit.  But I don’t want to quit!  I’m trying to redeem the 1969 Padres Team Set.  Please fix the site, or at least give us this option.

Name the Game - 1971 Vada Pinson #275

Before I get started, thank you to those of you who sent your well wishes concerning my 4-year old son.  He is doing great with the new glasses, and if I can ever get him to sit still long enough, I’ll be sure to make a custom card of/for him.  By the way, his first words after getting the new specs were, “Daddy, I can see where I am going!”  Awesome.

Alright, I’ve been wanting to do this Name the Game post for a long time now.  I have researched this bad-boy for going on six months, well, actually like two hours if you combine all the time spent, but it took me six months to produce this.

The 1971 Vada Pinson has to be one of my all-time favorite cards.  I am surprised that Play at the Plate hasn’t had this card as his header, yet.  The card shows a sprawled out Thurman Munson, and Vada Pinson emerging from the home plate dust.  Classic card that surprisingly has a huge back story.

Well, I consulting Baseball Reference and found out that the Indians played at Yankee Stadium nine times during the 1970 season.  Of those nine games, one was a night game.  Scratch.  In another, Thurman Munson did not don the Tools of Ignorance.  Scratch.  In two more, Vada Pinson never reached base.  Double scratch.  And finally, in three of those games, Pinson never had a play at the plate.  Triple scratch.

This left two games where Vada Pinson was involved in a home plate dust-up.  Both games were on June 24, 1970 in AN EPIC DOUBLEHEADER.  Let me breakdown what happened on this day:

Four Home Runs – Bobby Murcer hit four consecutive home runs, tying Lou Gehrig.

Firecrackers! – A “fan” threw a cherry bomb from the upper deck, where it exploded next to Indians Catcher, Ray Fosse, causing burns through his stirrup, sock and shoe.  The fan was arrested, and Fosse played on.

Folly Floater – Yanks pitcher, Steve Hamilton, lobbed a high soft pitch to Tony Horton, who promptly popped it up.  Horton called for another one, Hamilton obliged, Horton popped out and then proceeded to crawl back to the dugout on his knees.

Fight Night – Pinson tried to score from second on a wild pitch.  Munson retrieved the ball and threw it to Stan Bahnsen at home.  Bahnsen tagged high and hard, prompting a response from Pinson.  Bahnsen threw the ball hitting Pinson’s foot, and then Pinson laid Bahnsen out with a single left hook.  BAM.

Here are the write-ups I found on this game:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nJ9RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Cm0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2691,3558315&dq=stan+bahnsen&hl=en

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19700625&id=UcNOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I0gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1174,4954923

http://bioproj.sabr.org/bioproj.cfm?a=v&v=l&bid=2079&pid=4613

Anyways, that all leads to WHAT IS THE PLAY ON THE CARD, ALREADY?  Unfortunately, it’s not the fight scene on the card, as that would be Bahnsen at home, not Munson.  Turns out in Game 1 of the double dip, Pinson and Munson were in a play at the dish.  Here’s the setting…

Top of the 8th, Indians Batting, Ahead 6-0, Yankees' Ron Klimkowski intentionally walks Vada Pinson.  Ray Fosse singles to CF and Pinson goes to third.  Nettles flies to center, and Pinson is thrown out at home on a sac fly. 

While fruitlessly looking for pictures of The Fight, I found something even more interesting.  Turns out there was a 1970s movie called Bang the Drum Slowly (You can read about it on Wrigley Wax).  In this movie, they used action footage of the real Yankees.  Check out this screen cap from a certain home plate encounter used in the movie.

Look familiar?  Munson is positioned to catch and tag from a center field throw.  Pinson is sliding into home.  The moment just before the picture used on Pinson’s 1970 Topps card was taken.  

How cool is that?

This One's for You, Son

Today is one of those days.  You know, a day that forever changes something in your life, or better yet, my son's life.  Today is the day he gets his first pair of glasses.

We thought something was wrong with his eyesight, and we were right.  Turns out he's about as blind as a bat.  Although we were very fortunate to catch this early, it still is going to take some adjustment on everyone's part in my little family.

When the ophthalmologist confirmed the need prescription, I was in shock.  My little buddy has had so many obstacles thrown up at him in his short life.  He is definitely our special child.  The other day my wife listed off how many specialists he has, and I was amazed:  an orthopedist, a neurologist, a radiologist, a urologist, another orthopedist, two orthotist, at least three physical therapists, and now a ophthalmologist.

He's four.

Last night, he wanted to look through one of "Daddy's books" for his bedtime story.  He picked out the 1978 Topps set, and we leafed through every page.  He loves Team Cards and Catchers.  He calls them squatters.  When we were done, he said, "I'm going to be a catcher!"  Such enthusiasm!  I LOVE IT.  Of course, he'll have an uphill climb in that regards being a pure southpaw.  But dammit, if my boy wants to catch, he's going to catch.  I was relegated to either pitching, first base or right field.  Not my boy.

So, in honor of him and just to prove to him that Catchers do wear glasses, here's are all the Squatters on Topps cards that wore glasses...

 

He may wear glasses, but at least he won't look like My Achy Breaky Heart...

I love you, bud.

Daddy

They Must be Out of Cubic Zirconia

Is this some grand conspiracy against me, or is anybody else having a Hades of a time getting the Diamond Giveaway site to work?  I can easily log in, but whenever I try to get to the trade screen, the dreaded cog of doom spins, and spins, and spins, endlessly into the event horizon.

 

If the cosmos align, I either end up at my requested destination, which is the same odds as the Astros winning the World Series next year, or I get the BIG RED LETTERS OF SYSTEM FAIL-I-TUDE.

 

I could theorize that the Topps ledger boys crunched their numbers and realized they're going to lose money on this gig, so they decided to have the Topps Techies monkey with the source code.  Or, the internets are full, which is a more plausible hypothesis.

 

Either way, it is quite frustrating, as time is running out and I am trying to parlay my 33 cards into something.  I started with six "who?"s and have scrapped up an additional 27 cards that are more to my taste.  

 

Anyone else having problems?  Anyone?

2011 MLB Tournament Update - Final Round

The World Series has come and gone.  Tears of joy and sheer revulsion have been shed, or just plain indifference has reared its maligned head.  With bated, ahem, breath, I bring you the final results of the 2011 MLB Tournament.

The Tourney Finals had (1) Philadelphia up against the (2) New Jork Jankees.  Both teams played to a tie, 19-15, over the last 34 games of the regular season.  That miraculous Tampa Bay comeback sealed the Yankees fate. Since the Phils and Yanks didn't play head to head the last 34, the finals were determined by Run Differential.  Ooooh, exciting.

After Baseball Reference tabulated the results, the Fightin' Phils edged the Yankees by 14 runs, giving Dan the Sticker Man the win and Dawgbones le prix booby.

The consolation game was a laugher between the Rangers and Giants, a rematch of last years World Series.  The Rangers ran away with a 5 game advantage, thus giving that Play at the Plate Dude the bronze medal.

Originally, the winners were going to get their choice of their favorite NBA, NFL and NHL cards.  Well, those cards were donated to a friend of mine who evacuated to my house during Hurricane Irene. Somethings take higher priority in life.  Soooooo, I have decided to give all three winners a walk through the want lists.

I've already pulled about 300 Rangers for PatP, and have a stick-load of stickers for Dan.  Dawgbones has a pretty thin Want List, therefore, since he is a partial Yankee fan, he's getting something extra special from me.  I'll post pictures of the prizes before I mail them.

Winners, post a comment, and I'll get in touch with you for your addresses.

Thanks for playing, and we'll see you for the 2012 Tournament (maybe). ;-)

Curses

I'm sure some of you are actually cursing this morning.  If that was my team imploding last night, I wouldn't blame you.  Anyone reading this either already watched the game or saw the replays this morning, so I won't rehash a fantastic game.

What I will say is that throughout the entire game, I kept watching bad baseball.  The old adage about pitching and defense win championships was ringing through my head.  I understand that an elimination game is tense.  Nerves are abound, hands are shaky and otherwise good ballplayers make bad downright boneheaded plays.  

In an elimination game, there is always a goat.  Make that a scapegoat.  Errors were rampant, hanging curve balls were, well, hanging.  Through 7 innings, I was beginning to think that Matt Holliday had money on the Rangers.

If getting thrown out leading off of third by a catcher who nabbed you FROM HIS KNEES wasn't bad enough, that debacle in left field on a routine sky high pop up was down right embarrassing.

In the replays, you can read Holliday's lips telling a back-peddling, twisted around Furcal, "You got it, you got it."  Baseball 101 says that only the one fielding the ball speaks.  Chalk it up to nerves.  It's not like Holliday has a history of blowing easy big-game catches, right? 

I'm sure La Russa wasn't too distraught that Holliday bruised his pinkie and had to leave the game. 

Well, after 26 outs, I thought Holliday was going to bear the brunt of baseball black magic.  But I was wrong...

 

Son, it's the final out of the World Series.  50 fruitless years of franchise futility are riding on a flyball.  You've got to make that catch, or die trying.  Eight homers is great, but defense is what wins ball games.  If Hamilton was in right, he'd have plowed through that wall, busted groin and all, probably broken several bones, and then had a Cherry Coke showered on him in the dugout.  That guy is grit.  

Fate will be watching tonight's game...

  

2011 MLB Tournament Update - 4th Round Complete

Well, if you've managed to be patient with me, here are the results of the Final Four.  Philadelphia manhandled San Francisco with a 10 game blowout, and New York squeaked by a plucky Texas team.  

The Tournament Finals look like what everyone thought the World Series would be: (1) Phillies versus the (2) Yankees.  The Consolation Game is a rematch of last years World Series with the (2) Giants facing off against the (4) Rangers.

I will post the final results sometime during the World Series, but based on the rules I set up, we all know that Dawgbones and Dan the Sticker Man are guaranteed prizes.  All that's left is finding out who gets Show.

I Can't Believe You're Gone

This post has nothing to do with baseball, but about the best athlete I have ever seen or met.  My all time favorite race driver, Dan Wheldon, died on Sunday.  I am in shock.  I was in denial on Sunday, and cried most of Monday.  I'm still too upset to convey how much his death effects me.  I know I will write about him in the future, but I can't do him justice now.

Dan, you were by far the best race car driver I have ever seen.  It was a riot talking to you those several times in Richmond.  Your charisma and antics were strong enough to disarm even me.  I will miss your presence immensely, and I am devastated for your family. 

Please read this wonderful writeup about Dan's life and career.  He was much more than a smile and a driver.

It was my pleasure seeing you all these times...

1. Suntrust Indy Challenge at Richmond, VA - June 28, 2003 - Finished 8th

2. Indianapolis 500 at Speedway, IN - May 30, 2004 - Finished 3rd

3. Suntrust Indy Challenge at Richmond, VA - June 28, 2004 - Finished 1st

4. Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead, FL - March 6, 2005 - Finished 1st

5. Indianapolis 500 at Speedway, IN - May 29, 2005 - Finished 1st

6. Suntrust Indy Challenge at Richmond, VA - June 25, 2005 - Finished 5th

7. Indianapolis 500 at Speedway, IN - May 28, 2006 - Finished 4th

8. Suntrust Indy Challenge at Richmond, VA - June 24, 2006 - Finished 9th    

9. Indianapolis 500 at Speedway, IN - May 27, 2007 - Finished 22nd

10. Suntrust Indy Challenge at Richmond, VA - June 30, 2007 - Finished 3rd

11. Suntrust Indy Challenge at Richmond, VA - June 28, 2008 - Finished 4th

12. Indianapolis 500 at Speedway, IN - May 24, 2009 - Finished 2nd

13. Indianapolis 500 at Speedway, IN - May 30, 2010 - Finished 2nd    

2011 MLB Tournament Update - 3rd Round Complete

No, I am not dead.  Life interrupted fantasy, and we all know who wins that battle.  Lest you think that I forgot about the tournament, no, I have not.  I already know who won.  I feel like I read the last page of a book, but I won't spoil the ending for you.

The Elite Eight is now the Final Four.

(1) Phillies versus (2) Giants - True to the seeding.

(2) Yankees versus (4) Rangers - No great surprise.

Three of these four teams will win a prize.  However, I've got bad news and good news on the prize front.  News at 11.

"Just when I thought I was out..."

These jokers pull me back in: Flippant Tyrant, Tournament Contest Winners, Ponies, '75 Topps and Rays.

Say Goodnight, Gracie. Goodnight Gracie.

Diamond Mining - Part VIII - Trade Review

The old tradefest continues to thrive on the Diamond Giveaway site, and I am up to 124 completed trades from my original six cards.  I haven't had time to update my massive graphic, so I thought for this week I'd show the original card I received when I used my code to the card(s) that I have turned them into.  Post a comment about your favorite/most improved trade!

Card #1

This gem has become...

 AND

Card #2

has magically become...

Card #3

 Turned into...

 Card #4

 

Is now an...

Card #5

Has evolved into the following...

and finally Card #6

 

has turned into...

Not too shabby, eh?