Aloha, everybody,
The Dodgers have sealed up their shot at the playoffs, and today's final game of the season is pretty much a throwaway, so I figured this would be a good time to show off some football cards that I recently picked up at the card show.
The Rams are back in LA, and I'm giving them my allegiance since they were my team before moving away. That said, when the Rams left LA, I became a Raiders fan.
The Silver and Black remain my number one team, and theirs are the cards I'm collecting. Of course, my favorite Raiders are the squad that brought a super bowl win to Los Angeles. That day at the show, I decided to pick up cards from that group, and even better if I could get the LA Coliseum as a backdrop.
The Raiders had a few great QBs over their long and storied history. Unfortunately, they had some of their worst when they were in LA. They also had my personal favorite QB, Jim Plunkett.
Speaking of personal faves, here's my vote for the greatest RB of my generation. Mr. Marcus Allen. What a joy it was to watch this man run. Through my binocs, I watched Marcus squeeze through holes that I didn't think a mouse could get through.
I wonder if there are any "Air Marcus" cards out there. I've got to get me one of those!
Timmy Brown. Nuff said.
And now my all-time favorite Raider. The man who's jersey I wore to every Raiders game...
The Legend...
...and his equally capable counterpart on the other end of the field.
While I wore Howie's jersey, my cousin (RIP) always wore Matt Millen's...
Unsung hero...
Finally, another legend...
Bo wasn't with the Super Bowl Raiders, but of course, he's gonna be in my collection. Boy, he was something to see in action as well.
I saw very few of Bo's baseball games, but watched him just about every time he was on the football field. I was at the Coliseum when he suffered his career-ending injury. What a shame.
Bo never seemed bitter or resentful that his playing days were cut short, so I'm sure not going to be. I'm just glad I had the pleasure of watching the man play.
Aloha!
Aloha, everybody,
Everyone loves personal time. Personal time plus spending money is even better. When this combination falls my way, I love to hop in the car and drive out to the Saturday card show. I was lucky enough to do that a couple of times last month, and I'd like to show some of the cards I came upon while I was out.
Leading off is a quick pick up of my favorite dual sport athlete. Step aside, Tim Tebow...
Back in the 90s, when Donruss used to be able to show logos, they were my favorite brand. One reason was their inserts. I loved chasing - and catching those inserts. One of my favorites was Press Proofs.
While browsing the dealer boxes I came upon this Press Proof, numbered 64/199. I picked it up with Matt in mind, but if Matt doesn't want/need it, I'll be happy to pass it on to someone else, or add it to my (very small) press proof collection...
Here's a new addition to my defunct teams collection. This comes from a 1962 oddball release...
I tried to come up with a "shadow shot" interpretation for the card, but I only drew a blank. I suppose I would fail a psychiatrist's ink blot test as well.
Coming up is one that I've seen around and been chasing for a while. Finally, I've got my own copy of the Flying Spikes card...
These next two will notch two more off my vintage Dodgers team sets. First up from 1958 Topps is Don Bessent. I can't believe I'm down to 11 needed for this year...
I've still got a long way to go for 1959, but Mr. Kipp chips one more away.
Check out his signature. It reminds me of my father's autograph. My father was a southpaw that the army forced to be a right-hander. He always signed like that afterward...
I don't usually pick up Fleer from this era, but I hadda have this one for a lotta reasons...
Sure, it's a little chewy, but what vintage lover would not love this Zinzinatti vintage? From 1960 Topps...
Here are a couple more Dodgers for the team sets...
These are for my World Series subsets, and I'm now just two cards shy of completion for the 1971 WS...
Finally, this guy...
I couldn't resist those glasses, and he fits right into my Defunct Teams collection, so I snatched it up.
I also picked up some surprises for a couple of my trade partners, but they're surprises, so you won't see them today.
Enjoy your weekends, everybody, wherever you may be.
Aloha!
Aloha, everybody,
While I was going through my trade bait box and putting together goodies for Operation PWE, I came across a few cards that I found a new appreciation for. As a result, these cards are going into my binders as new additions to my PC. How did I miss these the first time I saw them?
Leading off is Jose Lima as a DonRuss Rated Rookie...
If Lima was pitching against your team, you probably hated his on-field celebrations. I get that, but I'll gladly take a pitcher who jumps for joy over a job well done over one who scowls and curses at batters who hit home runs off of him. You know, like that bum from San Francisco.
Lima Time came to Los Angeles in 2004 and he quickly became a fan favorite. He earned a spot in my Dodger Blue heart in Game 3 of the NLDS, when the cheatin' St. Louis Cardinals were looking like they could sweep the Dodgers.
Lima pitched a shutout against the Cards and briefly returned hope to the Dodgers faithful. I still remember that game clearly.
Next up is a damn Yankee...
It's a great shot of Doc Gooden being carried on the shoulders of his teammates after pitching his only no-hitter.
Bonus: Mariano Rivera photobombing.
How about some vintage? Check!
From a defunct team? Check!
From a bullpen coach sportin' an old-time catchers glove? Check!
With ever-lovin' baby blues? Double check!
I passed this next one off as junk cardboard featuring scrubs...until I looked closer and noticed young Bo Jackson and Frank Thomas as teammates!
Bonus: Lurking Comiskey Park!
A Hall of Fame southpaw on Conlon cardboard...
The last card up comes with a bit of a disclaimer. This one isn't actually the card I found in the trade bait box, that one went into my binder as an upgrade. This one is now taking its place, and it's a sweet classic...
Unfortunately this card is stained from scotch tape. On the bright side it features a couple of legends, Don "World Series Perfect Game" Larsen and The Perfessor.
The simple act of going through cards from a shoebox yielded some great little surprises. Aint that what our hobby is all about?
Aloha!
Aloha, everybody,
As you know, Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr. were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this past weekend. Sure, that was a big deal, and I would have loved to be there, but living far from Cooperstown, there was just no way I could hope to attend the ceremonies.
As baseball luck would have it, the weekend before that, I had the opportunity to attend a slightly different induction. Legendary Dodger Don Newcombe, legendary athlete Bo Jackson, and some sportswriter were being inducted into the Shrine of The Eternals.
My plan was to get a scoop for my LA DodgersReport website and catch Newk for an LADR exclusive interview. Like I said, that was the plan. Things didn't exactly work out that way, but I did walk away with a story.
It turned out the sportswriter was the legendary Arnold Hano. You may know him from such writing exploits as his book A Day in the Bleachers, which immortalized The Catch, made by Willie Mays.
Spoiler Alert: I never did get that Newcombe interview, but nevertheless, it was an auspicious baseball day, that I did not see coming. You can check that story out here.
I'll get ya next time, Newk!
Aloha!
