Aloha, everybody,
If you saw my previous post, "What I Collect", you know I collect Mickey Mantle and a few subsets. Today I'm going to show you a mash up of these two chases, and a recent leap forward in that pursuit.
When I first got into collecting (circa 1991), I spotted this fantastic Mickey Mantle subset. These cards were inserts in 1992 Pinnacle. I really dug that Pinnacle issue, so I ripped plenty of packs. I got a good start on this 30-card set through my own pulls and picking up strays from dealers tables.
Eventually, the packs and strays dried up, and my chase stalled. Did I say, "Stalled"? It stopped dead in its tracks - for years.
On my last trip to the card show I came across a few more of these Mantles. I couldn't believe it! The dealer wanted an overpriced 75 cents for each, but I jumped!
The set covers Mantle from his childhood through his career and retirement.
Here's what the rear of the cards look like...
I couldn't believe I was able to find a few more of these and inch toward completion!
Are these Mantles magnificent or what?
As I mentioned, it's a 30-card set, and with these pickups I'm just over 50% towards completion.
I still need a good chunk of 'em. Cards needed: 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 13, 17, 18, 23, 24, 26, 28 and 30. Looks like my chase will go on about as long as Mantle's career.
Aloha!
Aloha, everybody,
I recently showed off some new trade bait, and ol' P-Town Tom jumped quick on a purple-framed Rizzo card.
A few days ago I received a package with some Dodgers goodies inside.
Shawn Green is on a lot of these cards with a floating body but no real background. He's also on a lot of those see-through cards.
Pinnacle had some nice sets featuring some of the best card photography in the industry back in the 90's. Here's a great shot of Nomo bringin' it.
Speaking of attractive sets from the 90's,1993 Flair is still one of my favorites.
Another favorite from the 90's, Mr. Piazza. I think that forlorn look on his face is because he doesn't like wearing the LA cap. Right, Michael?
Piazza's buddy from those Dodger years was Eric Karros. The card below is from Ultra-PRO. I think it's one of those that would have come inside a new binder.
This card is priceless because of Eric's ever-lovin', "Look mom, I'm lifting weights in a polo shirt" smile.
Did I say "priceless"? Apparently, this card was valued at $10. Or perhaps not. Lots of times I've slipped a card into a penny sleeve with a price tag on it, and the new card wasn't worth anything close to that price tag.
But one look at that shot of Karros with his James Bond tux has me convinced this IS the original $10 card.
They weren't all big names on the cards Tom sent me. He included a few young players as well...
I remember wanting Garcia to do well, but...he never really did.
Todd Hollandsworth was another one of the Rookies of the Year that LA pumped out year after year, but like so many ROY, nothing much happened after that initial splash.
Bonus: Lurking Keith Olbermann.
Finally, how about an autograph?
Josh came up through the Dodgers farm system and earned his first big league win with the club, but LA quickly shipped him out. He went on to play for a number of teams in both leagues, and is now pitching for the Lotte Giants in south Korea. If nothing else, baseball has given him the opportunity to travel.
Thanks for the fun cards, Tom. I have your Rizzo and some other cards put aside for you. I've been putting together a few trade packages, and I expect to send them out some time next week.
Aloha!
