6/30/2010- Random Thoughts

Hey everyone. This particular blog isn't going to be one of my usual blogs where I show off the goodies. I had a few things I wanted to get off my chest.

First, an apology for my lack of updates recently. I had a death in my family a few weeks ago and I really didn't feel like blogging atthat time. Plus, I have had my usual problems with my laptop ranging from issues with connecting to my wi-fi, slowness, stalling and freezing. I wanted to post last night, but ihad so much issues with it I almost put my fist through the screen. Right now, I am using my blackberry to write this. I would actually do this more often if it wasn't for the my inability to post pictures with the blackberry. I heard you could but this dumb thing won't allow me to. Its a sprint phone, go figure.

Honestly, I'm really not too sure how many people read my blog. I created this blog because I wanted to combine two of my favorite hobbies:writing and collect sports memrobilia. I have a blast writing this blog and I will keep it going if not just for my amusement only. I also created it because I wanted to make new friends and join this growing community of fellow bloggers. I'm just wondering how to go about getting more readers and followers. Any feedback from the community would be greatly appreciated. What can I do to make my blog a must read? Change the layout? Become a better writer? Blog more often? Write about other subjects? What do you all think?

Anyway, thanks for letting me use this forum to get this all out. I want to thank the followers and readers I do have for your continued support and hopefully, I can clear up my laptop issues and show my recent additions to my collection.

Told You I Had A Lot.....

See that picture above? Remember what I said last week about having some boxes of cards to look through? Say hello to my little friend...

2 monster boxes form the bottom with various size boxes creeping toward the heavens. All filled to capacity with Yankee cards. I guess I have a few doubles and triples in there. I'm gonna have some fun going through them and putting them in their binders, but I also know it's gonna take a while to finish. Maybe there are some cool inserts in there I forgot I had. Gonna start tonight during the Hockey and Basketball games. My game planis to go but makers. Tonight I will start with Topps cards only. I'll let you know if Ifind anything sweet.

The TTM Gods Have Smiled Upon Thy

Today, I finally get former Yankee pitcher Chien-Ming Wang in the mail. I tried him 2 years ago and got nothing back. I sent him these in care of the Nationals spring training facility back in feburary and just got them back. I'm rooting for him to make a full recovery from injury and regain the form that made him a 2 time 19 game winner for the Yankees. I just hope he doesn't comeback and stick it to the Yankees in an important game....

6/3/2010 Mail and The Countdown To 200 Continues..

Yesterday, the God's of cardboard saw fit to visit my mailbox. I got two ebay wins and a TTM.

Blair Thomas signed this custom card for me, sent to his home address. Thomas is a former first round pick (second overall), who played running back for the Jets, Patriots, Cowboys and Panthers. He led all AFC rookies in total yards and yards per carry in his rookie year, but really didn't pan out as hoped. He co-owns a chain of bars in Pennsylvania called KoKoMos.

My first ebay win was this 2 card auction for a Panni Threads Walt "Clyde' Frazier autographed card and this triple autographed card of Ernie Vandewege (Yes, Kiki's dad played for the Knicks), Eddy Curry and Spencer Heywood from SP Authentic. I was able to win both cards for under 15.00 dlvd. Sorry abouth the picture. For some reason, it came out small. You would think I would have invested in a scanner by now.

My other ebay win was this In The Zone insert from 2007 Fleer Baseball of Mark Teixiera. It is my 192nd diffrent card of his and I am inching closer to my goal of 200 before the end of July. I would like to have 400 by the end of the calender year, but we all can't get what we want.

It's 2010, but I'm looking at 1971

As a Yankees team collector, I try to complete as many sets as possible. One set I have been wanting to attempt to complete for a long time is the Topps 1971 set. Why? Because it was the year I was born. I hadn't really tried to start it until I saw some very nice cards on a table at the last card show I was at. I picked these up for less than 12.00


Neither Mitchell or Colson saw time with the Yankees in 1971

Kline was the Yankees number 4 starter in 1971. He finished going 12-13 with an ERA of 2.96 and had 15 complete games. He struck out 81 batters and walked 37 in 222.1 innings pitched. Not bad for a number 4 guy.

Hansen played in 61 games in 1971 and finished with a .207 batting avg, hit 2 home runs and drove in 20 runs.

White was the left fielder in 1971, as he was on the Yankees 2 world championship teams in the late 70's. In 1971, he batted .292 and hit 19 home runs with 84 RBI's and 14 steals. I always remembered him as a steady defensive left fielder.

Stottlemyer was the Yankees ace after Whitey retired. In 1971, he led the Yankees staff in wins with 16 and had the lowest ERA amounst the starters at 2.87. Most remember him today as the pitching coach on the 1986 World Championship Mets team and the pitching coach on the Yankees 90's dynasty teams.

I used to love the team cards for some reason. glad to see them back in the Topps Heritage series

Michael was the starting SS in 1971. From what I was told, he was a defensive wiz at SS. Wasn't much of a hitter though as he batted .224 with 3 bombs and 35 RBI. Was a better GM as he was the GM when George Steinbrenner was suspended and put the emphasis on getting players who played and wanted to win. He was behind drafting Jeter and trading for O'Neill and Cone. It was with his blueprint that the Yankees started to win again in the 90's and I always felt he was run out of his position too soon, although the Yankees won the titles AFTER he vacated his position, but Steinbrenner kept him around and he is currently an advisor to Brian Cashman, the current Yankee GM.

I think I have a few others. I really need to look throw the monster boxes I have.

The countdown begins...

The 2003 eTopps card shown above represents my 191st card in the Mark Teixeira collection. The countdown toward 200 has begun. Unfortunately, the picture above doesn't show how georgous this card really is. Unless you own an e-Topps, you won't be able to see how cool this card actually is. I believe Teixeira has 2 other e-Topps cards and you can bet I will be snatching them up as soon as possible. There is an Angels card in particular that looks pretty awesome. I like the e-Topps cards and want to start a Yankees collection of them. I believe I have only one other in my Yankees collection and I'm almost certain it's a Jeff Weaver. I'll have to look tonight for it.

And while we're at it, how 'bout some love for Javy Vazquez? It looks like he's getting out of the early season funk that had the makings of him being ridden out of NY. He's at 4-5 with a 6.06 ERA. May not look like much, but consider he started the year at 1-3 with an ERA hovering around 9.00. His last 5 starts he's 3-2 with an ERA of 2.77 and striking out 23 in 26 innings. Yeah, I know baseball is a long season and this could only be a temporary thing with Vazquez, but if he can pitch well out of the number 4 spot, then I'd stack the Yankees rotation against anyone in baseball. The card shown above is a 2004 Sweet Spot Signature from My Yankee autograph collection. Got if off the bay for under 5 bucks. Love them cheap adds.