This Could Explain the Bat Rack...

It turns out that the bat rack received earlier this week DID have something to do with the e-mail from Erin of Matrixx Pictures. Yesterday, I received a second e-mail stating that she "just wanted to check in with you and let you know that another package is on its way to you…if you’ve received one and are slightly confused, don’t worry, it will all start to make sense soon!"

Well that package came today. Would you like to see what it is??? Hope you're hungry!!!


Yes, sandwiches from Schlotzsky's Deli. There is some sort of promotion at all locations where if you "collect any three Schlotzsky's Big League Clubz baseball cards to get your personalized mini-bat (limited to the first 1,000 online redemptions, and probably explains why I and others got a bat rack in the first place). You can also register for a chance to Win A Trip To St. Louis to see all the stars play in July! (translation, you could win a trip to St. Louis to watch the All-Star Game this summer.)

Honestly, I've never been to a Schlotzsky's Deli. And that's probably because there are none in Chicago. The closest one (based on my zip code) is in West Allis, Wisconsin. Guess I should be glad I have three cards...wait...

I think I'll go get a bat...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2011 Topps Archives: Barry Larkin

Inspired by the request of the Bay Rat North West, the next player chosen for the 2011 Topps Archives Project became the face of the Cincinnati Reds going into the 21st Century. Our subject, born and raised in the Queen City, had the privilege of playing for his hometown team for an amazing 19 years. He is a World Series Champion, playing shortstop for the 1990 Reds. He represented the team twelve times in the All-Star Game, and was named NL MVP in 1995. This man is none other than Barry Larkin.

While players like Eric Davis, Chris Sabo, "The Nasty Boys," and others got all the headlines, Barry Larkin was a key player for the 1990 Reds team that shocked the world by beating a powerful Oakland Athletics team in four games. In that series, he hit .353 (6 for 17), scored three times, and stole four bases.

During his 1995 MVP season, where he led the Reds to the NLCS, he hit .319, 15 HR's, 66 RBI's, won both the Gold Glove and the Silver Slugger for the SS position. What a year indeed.

As another player who spent his entire career with one team, he has a very good shot at Cooperstown when he is among the candidates for next year's HOF ballot. For this, and more, we are going to add this future Hall-of-Famer to the 2011 Topps Archives set.

First card: 1987 Topps #648. Last card: 2004 Topps #636.
And because the Bay Rat commented that "You gotta go with Mr. Reds in the 90's - Barry Larkin. 1989 Topps Big design of course." This one special request goes out to you:

1989 Topps Big #199.
We need 197 more players to complete this set, and we have not yet even considered highlights, record breakers, managers, league leaders, and other essentials to tie this set together. We have all year, I'm sure we can pull this off.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Coming Soon via the USPS...Collin Balester

I just received an e-mail this morning from the Topps Company (actually Topps Support) stating that the 2008 Topps Red Hot Rookie card that I redeemed last year has been shipped and should be on it's way soon.

I received and redeemed card #19 from this fun little set (came with the 2008 Topps Series II box I opened last year). If you're wondering who card #19 is, it's Washington Nationals pitcher Collin Balester.


Balester won the decision in his major league debut on July 1 against the Marlins, and finished the 2008 season with a 3-7 record, with a 5.51 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 80.0 innings of work. He is competing for a spot in the rotation for the Nationals in 2009.

Something to look forward to until the season starts.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2009 Topps Attax is on the Bay!!!

I read today from the Card Junkie (not to be confused with the Cardboard Junkie) that 2009 Topps Attax is now live. As mentioned in a previous post, I said I'd be interested in going after a full set, since I'm not going to into the same frenzy I did when Hot Button Baseball came out a few years back.

Anyway, there is one complete, full, set on the Bay right now. The BIN on it is $350.00. Too expensive for now. I'll wait. But that isn't what got my attention.

If you collected Pokémon cards a decade ago, you'd remember that while the most expensive card was the Charizard, the most powerful card was Mewtwo (and before you ask, I have a nephew who grew up on this stuff in the late 90's, early 2000's. I know this stuff...to a point). Get enough Mewtwo's, and 40 Psychic cards and you'd be unstoppable (and your friends would never talk to you again...but that's beside the point...stop looking at me funny).

Anyway, guess what the most powerful card in the whole deck is???

No, it's not Mantle. It's not Ruth. Heck, it's not even A-Rod. Please take a look at this stock eBay photo, and take a look at the card on the bottom left corner...

Could that be???

I can't get a bigger picture up, and heck no, I don't have this card...but, yes, it's a Topps Attax card of the President of the United States...Barack Obama!!!

And look at those scores. I don't know what the rules are of the game yet, nor do I know if the POTUS is here as a pitcher or a batter, but check out those numbers. All in the triple digits. He's either a powerful pitcher, or the heavy hitter in this game. If I had this card, be sure he'd be in my lineup. I'd be unstoppable.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Wait, I don't even have the cards yet...

I think I'll wait for the hysteria to die down. I'm sure I can get a full set for $100 if I'm patient enough...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

A Bat Holder??? I Don't Even Own a Bat!!!

I came home tonight to a package from the Cooperstown Bat Company. Confused as to why I got this packaged, I opened it anyway, And lo and behold, I am now the proud owner of beautiful wall mounted single bat rack.


To paraphrase that great 90's philosopher, Wayne Campbell:

"A bat rack... a bat rack. I don't even own "a" bat, let alone many bats that would necessitate an entire rack. What am I gonna do...with a bat rack?

Anyway, it seems that I am not the only person in the blogosphere to get one. Ask the guy who runs the White Sox Cards blog, or the guy at Sports Card Info as it seems that they were also gifted with one of these lovely wooden beauties.

I have a theory as to how this may have happened, and I have left said theory in both blogger's comments. I received an e-mail last week from Erin who works for Matrixx Pictures. She said that she saw my blog, and

"wanted to get in touch with you because I know about a sweet baseball sweepstakes that is about to be announced (because a couple of us here have been working on it for a big restaurant chain, and yes it has to do with cards!).

"They asked me to put together a list of a few top bloggers that we could let in on the secret. If you are interested, reply back with your mailing address and we’ll send you something cool this week before this all goes live.

"There are all kinds of cool prizes --- and even a trip to St. Louis to see all the stars play on July 14, 2009."

Now I did respond to her e-mail and gave her my address (can never say no to cards and a contest). I asked both if they received a similar e-mail, and if so, this may be where it came from.

I could be wrong of course...

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

2011 Topps Archives: Craig Biggio

Many names have been flying into my comments bin in the last few days for the 2001 Topps Archives project. And it looks like I should have no problems using most of them. Thanks to all who've suggested players for this ambitious task.

Anyway, I was thinking about what year to cut off the "first" cards for the players, further limiting the pool a bit. In 2001 Topps Archives, the last year of any of the "first year" cards reprinted was 1985. So guys like Kirby Puckett were able to make the set. Should we do the same? Should we have a cut off as well, say 1995? Can we go a couple of years further?

Back to the point.

Today's subject was chosen not only because of a reader suggestion, but because thanks to the MLB Network, I was inspired to use him as a subject. The Network had recently shown a segment about the day Craig Biggio got his 3000th hit. On June 28, 2007, Craig Biggio went 5 for 6, all singles. His 3000th hit came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Yes, he drove in a run, but he was tagged out at second trying to stretch his single into a double. Although the Astros won the game in the 11th inning thanks to a Carlos Lee grand slam, the day certainly belonged to "B-G-O".

I realized that we are now in an era where we are not going to see many players stay with their original team for their entire career. I am pretty sure you can count on your hand the number of active 10-5 players (ten year veterans with five years on the same team...guys who have a say on trade proposals) who've been with their first team for more than ten years. Biggio was one of them, playing in an astounding 20 seasons with the Astros.

A seven-time All-Star, he played wherever the Astros manager wanted him to play. From catcher, to second base, to center field, to left field, back to second base, he will always be remembered for his unselfishness, and the way he played on the field. For this, and other reasons, we are going to add this future Hall-of-Famer to the 2011 Topps Archives set.

First card: 1989 Topps #49. Last card: 2007 Topps #517.
Only 198 players to go. This should be fun. Keep those names coming.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama

Wanted: 2009 Topps WalMart and Target Legends of the Game Insert Cards

After weeks of agonizing over it, I have decided that I do indeed want the WalMart and Target exclusive 2009 Topps Legends of the Game cards. As you remember in this post, Walmart and Target are again offering the store specific exclusives. But this time, they are offering gold foil and platinum foil versions of the Legends of the Game (or Legendary Lineage, whatever you want to call them) cards. This time though, the backs of each card shows a different year in the career of the subject on the front.

Now I bought loose packs at Target, so I already have a few of these cards. Here are the cards I still need:

• LLG-1 Ted Williams
• LLG-2 Jackie Robinson
• LLG-3 Babe Ruth
• LLG-4 Honus Wagner
• LLG-8 Thurman Munson
• LLG-9 Cal Ripken Jr.
• LLG-10 George Sisler

Although I did go to WalMart for the "all-black" cards, I didn't buy any loose packs. So I need the full list of ten cards:

• LLP-1 Ted Williams
• LLP-2 Bob Gibson
• LLP-3 Babe Ruth
• LLP-4 Roy Campanella
• LLP-5 Ty Cobb
• LLP-6 Cy Young
• LLP-7 Mickey Mantle
• LLP-8 Walter Johnson
• LLP-9 Roberto Clemente
• LLP-10 Jimmie Foxx

I am adding them to the wantlist on the side of my blog. If you, or someone you know, have any of these cards and want to trade or sell them, please e-mail me at bdj610@hotmail.com.

Thank you very much in advance.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama