Some Quickie Monday Vintage for the Mix

Aloha, everybody, 

I stopped by the card show to see what I can see, and I saw these...

I'd already collected these 1979 Topps All-Time Record Holders, but a couple needed upgrading.

The card this upgrade is replacing is still in very good shape, in case anybody out there wants it. 

Here's one I picked up for my World Series collection. Little did I know one of these was already coming my way courtesy Robert from $30 a Week Habit. 

Do you need this one, Matt? 

Here's one that's neither upgrade nor a double...

I need Games 1 and 3 to complete the 1970 WS subset. 

I just couldn't pass up this sweet 1955 Topps "Ripper"...

These dual-player cards from 1975 Topps are an easy and inexpensive way to grab Hall of Famers...

So I double-dipped...

Finally, a little something I picked up with my friend, Mark Hoyle in mind. Give a shout if you want this one. 

If not, 1961 Pumpsie will sit just fine in my binder...unless someone needs it? 

Aloha! 

Binder Page Heroes - Harmon Killebrew Edition

Aloha, everybody, 

The start of the new year has seen a lot of bloggers rolling out their cardboard resolutions for 2016. While I'm not the kind of collector who sets many goals - at least not the kind with deadlines - I was inspired by Night Owl's post about the stuff he "wants to do" in 2016. One of the things on N.O.'s to-do list was to keep his blog series' alive, which spurred me to revive one of my own. 

Ladies and gentlemen, let's return once again to Binder Page Heroes, the series in which I showcase a page from one of my binders. 

This time it's a page featuring one player - someone I don't see getting a whole lotta love from the blogs. Which is probably because there aren't many Twins collectors in the blogosphere. But the man definitely deserves some prime time, so it's hats off to the Killer (no, not Jerry Lee Lewis)...

I'm a big Dodgers collector, but don't forget, I also love cardboard from baseball's heroes who played for other teams as well. In no particular order, these are my favorite Harmon Killebrew cards. Leading off are two from 1968 Topps...

You can blame my scanner for slicing off the edges of these. I love the old timey stadium tiers lurking there. Is this the Twins' home stadium? 
 

I like collecting these All Star cards, but I'm always let down by the puzzle backs. Gimme some substance! I wonder if this photo was taken in the same sequence as the one from the base card above?

A great batting stance photo, combined with a lousy color scheme which pretty much washes out the player's name. 

Coming up is one that Arpsmith would probably consider a McCovey card...

Back when I used to haunt the weekly card show, these 1975 Topps dual player cards were easy to find, and were a pretty cheap way to grab some vintage cardboard - with double Hall of Famers to boot.  Now I wish I had the foresight to have bought every one of those '75's I came across. 

Killer started out with the Senators before they moved to Minnesota and became the Twins. I'm glad Masterpieces featured him in the old Senators uni. 

Killebrew looks like he popped one up here. Nevertheless, these In Action cards are some of my faves. 

More "Killebrew in action"...

Next up is a beautiful swatch of old time, grey uniform...

The card is thick and feels substantial in hand. The flannel (?) has darkened with age and feels like baseball history. 

Last ups brings us to colorful 1972 Topps and a vintage bat shaft shot for Dimebox Nick. ...

 Killebrew was a Minnesota Twin for 21 years. He was an 11-time All Star and hit 40 or more home runs eight times.

Here's one for ol' Harmon, "Another Place, Another Time" from the other Killer ...

Aloha!

Did Somebody Say "Tradition"?

Let's Go...

Batter up...

We're taking...the...afternoon...off!

It's a beautiful day for a ballgame...

Those are the opening lines to a 60'ish song they used to play before every Dodger radio broadcast when I was growing up.  And I listened every chance I got. That song always meant Vin Scully, the Boys in Blue, and an escape into the wonderful thing that is my favorite team playing ball.  

Night Owl's great Opening Day post reminded us today that Baseball is indeed, Tradition.

For about 10 years straight it was my tradition to attend Opening Day.  Not so this year, but as the song says..."I'm taking the afternoon off"...and I'll be watching every pitch from the comfort of my living room, and Vin Scully will be right there too.  Aint life grand?

I hadn't yet come up with an idea for my Opening Day post, but good ol' Night Owl inspired me.  While our favorite teams deal with baseball tradition between the chalklines today, I'll deal with tradition as a cardboard blogger should...

Presenting some mighty fine cardboard baseball tradition: 1954 Bowman.

What better day than Opening Day to enjoy the Dodger Blue running throughout Labine's card? We've got the magnificent blue Brooklyn cap, blue silk Dodgers lettering, the Big Dodger in the Sky providing a great blue background, and don't forget Clem's baby blues. 

How 'bout a little more traditon, you say?  Here ya go...a little bitta tradition from today's opponents...

We're gonna cheer...

and boo...

and raise a hullaballo...

at the ballgame, tooooo-daaaaayyyy !

Here's to tradition !   PLAY BALL!