Baseballcardman

I had so much fun I bought three more packs of 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights. List of Cards Chipper Jones#UH5 Matt Holliday#UH11 Andy Phillips #UH18 Johnny Estrada#UH19 Darrell Rasner#UH21 Lance Berkman#UH25 Jason Bartlett#UH43 Jim Edmonds#UH60 Matt Albers#UH62 Willie Harris #UH79 Ervin Santane#UH77 Classic Combos#UH99(Hanley Combos&David Ortiz) Classic Combos#UH124(Alex Rodriguez&Even Longoria) Nick Adenhart#UH129 Jose Arredondo#UH135 Jon Lieber#UH139 Justin Morneau#UH167 Emmanuel Burriss#UH177 Sidney Ponson#UH182 Chase Utley#UH184 Dan Ugglla#UH196 Russell Branyan#UH206 Angel Pagan #UH224 Carlos Quentin#UH227 Milton Bradley#UH239 Clayton Kershaw#UH240 Brandon Webb #UH244 Pedro Feliz#UH250 Jose Castillo#UH254 Rich Harden#UH275 Adam Dunn #UH293 Dan Haren#UH298 Edinson Volquez#UH322 Jorge Velandia#UH323

When gas was up to $4 a gallon every penny counted. I couldn't go anywhere or do anything extra. I almost felt like I was hibernating. I didn't feel like doing any Baseball card blogging because I couldn't afford to buy any baseball cards. Today I gased up for $1.32 a gallon and this particular store happened to sell cards. So, I bought a pack. I know the National Economy is terrible but right now at least mine is a little better. 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights Sean Casey#UH2 Ryan Ludwick#UH49 Chad Moeller#UH69 Armando Galarraga#UD153 Chase Utley#UD184 Guillermo Mota#UD212 Chris Davis#UD231 Gregorio Petit#UD267 Ruben Gotay#UD319 Ken Griffey Jr. #UD324 Yeah!!!!!! That was Fun!

I know this is not a baseball card but this is in memory of my father in-law James Skocy that passed away Tuesday.He is on the Right. For the first time in almost three years , the Skocy broth­ers. Pfc. Richard L. Skocy 22, and Corp. James A. Skocy both of the ma­rines, met recent on Okinawa. The sons of Mr., and Mrs. Antone Skocy, Route 1, Joliet they had promised their moth­er, a picture of themselves together the first time their paths crossed, so they enlisted the aid of a marine corps combat photographer to record the occasion. .'James is shown trying a.Jap soldier's cap on his brother. Although both participated in the Okinawa fight, it was- not until hostilities had ceased that they met. James, with the headquarters battalion, first marine division, fought at Cape Gloucester and Peleliu, while Richard participated in the landings on New Georgia and Tulagi. He is with the sixth marine division. Both enlisted in the ma­rines in September, 1942, with the Joliet unit. James ...

Eric I will be sending your cards out tomorrow! I sure appreciate the contribution you made towards my Royals collection. I only hope I can contribute to your Yankees Collection with the same effort. Baseballcardman

It is amazing how sometimes it is so easy to blog and other times it is so hard. Right now, I am in the hard stage. Tonight I am posting another one of Eric's cards. This is Allen Ginters just like Upper Deck I haven't bought any Allen Ginters card this year. So, I really appreciate this card from Eric too. I have reached the half way point on my most memorable trades of all times. But don't think I have forgotten I still have 5 more to go! I want to thank all of you who do read my blog. Baseballcardman

About two weeks ago I got an e-mail from a guy named Eric stating he wanted to make a trade. Eric wanted to trade Yankees for Royals. He told me he had a Gil Meche Jersey card. I e-mailed him back and told him to keep it because I didn't have anything to trade him for it. He said he was thinning his collection and he would rather a Royals fan have it that would appreciate it. I definitely appreciate it! I am still going through the cards he sent me over 100 cards. I will probably do some more post on his cards later on. Another thing I enjoy in the cards he sent me are the 2007 & 2008 Upper Deck card. I haven't broke open any 2007 or 2008 Upper Deck packs trying to get Royals cards as I was hoping to trade for them and he sent me some. Thanks Eric! I am trying to gather Yankee cards to send to you. Also, I haven't blogged lately as I have been on vacation. So, it is back to work tomorrow! baseballcardman

What a rare collectable of BASEBALL GREAT CARLTON FISK!!! I got this card on a ebay auction! This is a tiny 1991 CARLTON FISK TOPPS CRACKER JACK CARD. It only measures 1 1/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches. AWESOME!! I have to get it in my collection fast before I lose it. Checklist of TOPPS CRACKER JACK 1991 Series 2 1 Eddie Murray 2 Carlton Fisk 3 Eric Anthony 4 Kelly Gruber 5 Von Hayes 6 Ben McDonald 7 Andre Dawson 8 Ellis Burks 9 Matt Williams 10 Dave Stewart 11 Barry Larkin 12 Chuck Finley 13 Shane Andrews 14 Bret Saberhagen 15 Bobby Bonilla 16 Roberto Kelly 17 Orel Hershiser 18 Ruben Sierra 19 Ron Gant 20 Frank Thomas 21 Tim Wallach 22 Gregg Olson 23 Shawon Dunston 24 Kent Hrbek 25 Ramon Martinez 26 Alan Trammell 27 Ozzie Smith 28 Bob Welch 29 Chris Sabo 30 Steve Sax 31 Bip Roberts 32 Dave Stieb 33 Howard Johnson 34 Mike Greenwell 35 Delino DeShields 36 Alex Fernandez

This trade happened when I was actually a dealer. A friend of mine whom I a have known for a long time, said that Preacher Roe was going to be at card show in Joplin Mo. He asked me If I would go along to help him because he was going to have his own table at the show. At first we were worried because the weather was really bad as it was icing outside. So, there was a chance the Preacher might not even show up. The Preacher was a little late but eventually he showed up. My friend ended up spending most of his time over at Preachers table getting signatures. Anyway I sold a lot of baseball cards for my friend. This one guy showed up at his table, and he had a lot of good cards that were on my want list. Several of them I have already listed on this blog and on previous blogs that I have done. He had a 1966 Catfish Hunter, an 1989 Fleer Ripken F Face, and some other cards i traded him out of which I can't remember right now. I had also been wanting the 1989 Jim Abbott Topps Trad...

I am taking a break from my blogs on my top 10 Trades to comment on Houston Card Collector article "I Quit!" As for me personally, I can't quit. I love collecting baseball cards. I have tried to quit several times throughout my life. However, collecting baseball cards just keeps coming back to me as a hobby. I get real joy when I read blogs or e-mails where guys say I quit collecting but I have started back up again. For the hobby to remain healthy we have to have collectors returning back to the hobby. I think we have to learn to adjust to what the hobby is doing. I would love to ride my bicycle to the local quick stop and buy cards for 15 cents a pack as I did when I was a kid. But the times have changed, you can see that clearly when you go to any gas pump or grocery store. Houston card Collector talks about in his article that the card companies are charging 100 dollars a pack on some products. Apparently people are buying them at 100 dollars a pack or the card compa...

I am changing this blog from best trade to most memorable trade of all time because some people wouldn't consider these good trades but they are the most memorable to me. In 1989 my wife and I had just moved back to our home town and the baseball card boom was on. I couldn't hardly believe it but the little town that we grew up in now had a card shop. Anyway I packed up several of my cards from the 1970's and headed to the card shop to do some trading. It is funny but I still remember looking around the ladies shop and it was like my dream of being a collector and having a card shop to go to trade at. I told they shop owner that I would trade her several cards from the 1970's for a complete set of 1988 Topps. I remember her picking out a 1977 Johnny Bench and a Pete Rose and a 1976 Dave Winfield. I remember walking to my car thinking what a good deal. I traded just a few cards for a complete set what a good deal. But now as I look back on it I would have rather have ke...

My third best trade is all of the trades I have made on the Internet building up my KC Royals collection. I actually wasn't trying to build my Royals collection until I started my Baseballcardman Blog. Steve at White sox cards and David at Indian baseball cards always looked liked they were having great fun collecting their team players so I decided to start building mine too. Once again, thanks for inspiring me guys! Since I have started trading on-line I have built my Royals up to about 1500 of course not all of my Royals came through trading but quite a few of them did. It has been great fun to come home and see what is in the packages! I really enjoy being surprised by the cards people have surprised me with. So, if you happen to be one that I have traded with THANK YOU and may we have many more trades in the future! Baseballcardman

D uring the summer of 1990 I was in between jobs and kind of hurting for cash and I wanted a Catfish Hunter Rookie Card really bad. So, I took my 1977 Steve Largent Rookie and headed to Kansas City to a Tri-Star Show. It was a lot of fun taking the Largent card around to the dealers and seeing what they would give for it. Then I would go around to all the dealers to find out who had a Catfish Hunter Rookie. This one dealer had a Catfish Hunter and he wanted me to give him some cash to boot along with my Largent Card. So, I went to another dealer and sold him the Largent card and I ended up with the $10 to boot and my Catfish Hunter Rookie card. I miss the big card shows/ sports memorabilia of the past. I sure do wish that I could have went to the national show this weekend, I always really enjoy bartering with the dealers. Baseballcardman

I was watching the NFL channel tonight and they had the top 10 draft trades of all time. This made me think, what are my top 10 trades of all times? I am going to list my top ten although not in order. Tonight I am going to talk about one of my best trades the "Official 1966 Kansas City Athletics Score Book." A guy I work with came by the scorebook by accident. Since the guy I work with didn't care about baseball he decided he would trade it for some football magazines I had. I tried not to act to anxious. However, it was very difficult for me not to get anxious as not only was it an Official Scorebook with 6 signatures on it, the best one being Billy Martin, Al Worthington, Cesar Tovar, and Ted Uhlaender and a Minnesota Twins pin attached to its cover. I now keep my prize trade locked away, and protected in a black case. More of my top ten trades in future posts as I think of them. Baseballcardman

I waited then I almost forgot to post this card! Steve and I are alike we both collect Carlton Fisk cards. Upper Deck 2001 The National Pastime Card The Back of the cards Says: Fisk was one of the Game Premier Catchers for nearly two decades and set the standard for durability among backstops. He Owens the records for catchers in games(2,229) and home runs (351). Fisk is perhaps best known for his 12t h -inning Home Run in game six of the 1975 World Series between the Red Sox and the Reds. The game-winning Homer capped one of the most remarkable World Series contests in history. Fisk was the Al Rookie of the year in 1972 and was an 11-time All-Star.He was elected to Hall of Fame in 2000.

Now that the dust is settled on Ben Henry, the writer of the baseballcardblogg who had a button that bloggers could make a donation thru their pay-pal accounts. I thought I needed to just tell him Thank you, because he is the one who got me started on baseball card blogging. You see, about a year ago, I kept looking into building a web-site so that I could share my experiences with collecting baseball cards. I even tried building a site on free webs. I didn't like trying to build the site, it was too difficult, and I didn't know how anyone would possibly ever find my site to read it. Then one day I was typing in google and it took me into Ben Henry's baseball card blogg. I thought to myself, alright! this is what I have been looking for! Baseball collectors sharing their experiences. So, I just wanted to take a moment to tell Ben Henry, Thank You.

I have been looking through my old Beckett's again. This time I picked out the August 1995, issue 125, with Frank Thomas on the cover. I sold several Beckett's at garage sales through the years. Apparently this one never sold as it looks like I had a price tag on it. In 1995 I was going through a stage if the baseball card wasn't a 1979 or older, I didn't even consider it a baseball card. I would usually buy one Beckett a year to keep track of baseball card prices. This issue of the Beckett had good stories about the careers, of Nolan Ryan, George Brett, Carlton Fisk, Robin Yount & Dale Murphy. The story that caught my eye the most was on page 4, where Dr. Beckett announces that they now have "The Beckett" on-line now. I had almost forgotten the day when "The Beckett" first came on-line! We didn't have a home computer in 1995 so, I would have to go to other places that had a computer. I would go to friends houses, and the library to see what ...

Did he or did he not? The Abner Doubleday legend/myth Abner Doubleday The story that Abner Doubleday invented baseball in 1839 was once widely promoted and widely believed. There was and is no evidence for this claim, except for the testimony of one man decades after the fact, and there is more persuasive counter-evidence. Doubleday left many letters and papers, but they contain no description of baseball or even a suggestion that he considered himself a prominent person in the history of the game. His New York Times obituary makes no mention of baseball at all, nor does an encyclopedia article about Doubleday published in 1911. Contrary to popular belief, Doubleday has never been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame , although a large oil portrait of him was on display at the Hall of Fame building for many years. The legend of Doubleday’s invention of baseball was itself baseball's invention, in a sense that of Al Spalding , a former star pitcher, then club executive, who had ...

Trade With stlcardtrader at the Bench sports card trading. I gave up 1989 Upper Deck: 332,603,722,717,704,351,314,88,391,456and I got 10 2007 Turkey Red Cards 86,129,72,181, 17, 6, 38, 99, 112, & 133. Very Good Trade I believe. I reallly like the Turkey Red cards! I never thought when I was opening up the 1989 Upper Deck that 19 years later I would be trading them for some other cards. I think we may do some more trading later on with stlcardtrader he has some Carlton fisk cards I would like to have. Thanks again for the trade! Baseballcardman

I couldn't think of much to write about tonight, so I decided to dedicate this blog to my wife! I know wives and baseball card collecting don't mix but I am out of thoughts for a blog . Anyway Sean Casey as most of us know, is really a nice guy. Both he and my wife are happy to say that little people are the most valuable and important resource of our society! Baseballcardman

I really enjoyed the All-Star game last night even though I couldn't stay awake until the end. Through all of the good and bad plays in the game what caught my eye and attention the most was when the camera kept flashing over to Clint Hurdle the National League manager and former KC Royal. I thought to myself it seemed like only yesterday that he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. I remember thinking when I was young ,that I wanted to wear my like his hair, so that I could look like him because all of the girls thought he was a hunk! Oh well, I am having a little bit of mid-life crisis here. Like I said, I really enjoyed the game to bad I couldn't stay up to the end.

Home Run Derby last night was a fantastic contest, and if I'm honest, had a climax and finish that I did not expect. Morneau finished the night with 22 home runs, six fewer than Hamilton hit in just the first round, but it was enough to win him the trophy. Hamilton simply defeated himself! Anyway my wife and I had a really good time watching the homerun derby last night and tonight we are planning on watching the 2008 All-Star game. I really like Justin Morneau and I consider myself fortunate to have his Topps Traded rookie card.

Yeah! I am finally getting to do a Link Exchange again. It has been a long time! This one is with Poor Old Baseball Cards , this blogg I really like! The blogg is about those baseball cards that have been "Put through the ringer" It is not about all tose "Gem Mint Ten" cards. This blogg has taught me that I shouldn't be embarrassed about posting some of my older cards that aren't in the greatest shape. So tonight I am posting my 1966 Topps Bob Uecker card. I have had this card for over 32 years it is one of my first cards that I got in a trade during my "early trading days."

Here is how I voted on the Topps Rookie All-Star . I only voted for the cards that I owen. 1st Baseman Mark Grace 1988 2nd Baseman Willie Randolph 1976 Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra 1997 3rd Baseman Chipper Jones 1995 Catcher Carlton Fisk 1972 Outfielder Buddy Bell 1972 Outfieler Ken Griffey 1989 Outfielder Jim Rice 1975 Pitcher Jim Abbott 1989 Pitcher Mark Fidrych1976

Baseball card " DT's " things have slowed for me since the fourth of July is over. So, I have been doing a lot more baseball card blogging. Anyway about 6:00 PM I had a the "URGE" to buy some cards. The problem is I live way out in the country. So, the best I can ever do is Wal -Mart. I was in no mood for E-baying as I couldn't wait for the cards because of the DT's from not buying any! So, my wife and I loaded up and headed some 30 miles to Wal -Mart. In my 35 years of collecting baseball cards I have learned to adjust to different situations. You see, I went from riding my bicycle to the local dime stores and quick stops, into the late 1980's when card shops were everywhere, to now when I either buy my cards on E-bay, trade over the web or travel to the local Wal -Mart 30 miles away. When you finally make it to Wal-Mart, the isle where the sports cards are located is right in the way of the ckeck out lines, so people are backed up into the sport...

Ever had an idea? And then had an idea off of that idea? Then, you find out that someone already did your idea? Well, I was going through some of my old Beckett's the other night in theJune issue of 1989 Beckett one of the writers Tom Wheatley did a story on the 1987 Topps Set. I thought this is really interesting. I wonder** what ever happpened to this guy and his card collecting? Then I remembered that his son Tommy used to write the "Kids Korner in the Beckett. I wondered** what every happened to him? I am going to write a story about them. I was excited! Then I found out through Google that some other Bloggers already beat me to it. BUMMER! Oh well, nice idea. So, as I read through the interview the guy asked Tommy Wheatley why he quit collecting cards? He basically stated that he quit because the adults had taken it over. There is now too many cards, packs became to expensive, too many insert cards. After reading his article and talking to other used to be collectors tha...

I got this Pic. out of the June 1989 Beckett.

I don't know why but I have always liked the 1991 Score. Like I have probably said before, I used to work construction in the early 1990's. I was working in a town in western Kansas, the town had a card shop . Every night after work I would go to this card shop . Not every night just the nights I got off early enough to get there before they closed. Anyway, I bought several boxes of the 1991 Score. I transferred to another company, and over a year later I was at a card show . The dealer that ran the card shop out in Kansas seen me and remembered me. He said, "I remember you! What happened to you?" I replied., " I transferred to another company." He remembered and said, "You still collect Score?" I always thought this story was funny, as I never thought of myself as a Score collector. Baseballcardman

I thought I would post some more of the cards that I got from Steve. Just posting one of Steve's cards didn't do our trade justice! Baseballcardman

The cards that Steve sent me on the trade came in the mail Saturday. Steve is better known as whitesoxcards . It was really hard to pick what I wanted the lead card to be but I ended up picking the 2007 Topps Turkey Red #45 Billy Butler (RC). I just love the looks of the Turkey Red cards.! Steve also sent me a Carlton Fisk Card that I didn't have. I enjoy reading Steve's Bloggs I have told him more than once that he ought to be a sports writer or something along those lines that he could make a living at it. Anyway thanks for all the cards Steve! The cards were a great surprise! BaseballCardman A List of Cards from Whitesoxcards 1. 2007 Topps Turkey Red #45 Billy Butler (RC) 2. 1991 Classic Blue George Brett. Card #T46 3. 1991 Classic Blue Brent Mayne #T50 4. 1991 Classic Blue Brian McRae #T49 5. 1991 Classic Blue Jeff Conine #T47 6. 1991 Classic Blue Bo Jackson #T48 7. 1991 RED Classic GEORGE BRETT # T 70 8. 1989 Topps Jamie Quirk #702 9. 2006 Topps Odalis Perez#UH48 10. 1990...

I know I am a day late with my patriotism but, the city I work for has a huge Fourth of July Celebration that I have to help with so I am a little late with my blogg. I am sure all collectors have cards that are their favorites even if the cards aren't worth anything. The 1991 Score Flag Card is one of them cards for me. I hope everyone had a nice and safe holiday. BaseballCardman

A lot of people don't know that I used to collect Catfish cards. Every card show I used to go to I would ask the dealers "What do you have for Catfish Hunter Cards?" I don't know why I ever quit collecting him, I guess I just moved on to other players. Still, I always liked the " Catfish" he was one of my favorite players. This 1967 Topps card of Jim Hunter alias "Catfish" on the back says, "the righthander had one heck of a year as a sophomore in 1966. Jim was named the opening day pitcher for the Athletics and although he hurled a brilliant four-hitter he was defeated by the Minnesota Twins,2-1. One of the K.C. kiddie corps, twenty-year old Jim hunter was named to the 1966 All-Star squad. Appearing in thirty ballgames, the hurler was the second most active man on the pitching staff. Jim topped the Athletics' squad with 103 strikeouts and finished second on the staff in complete ballgames.

I bought these 2007 Upper Deck Goudey 54 Card Lot on E-bay I got 30 Green-backs including Goudey heads up short print of CARLTON FISK . Yeah!!!!!! I also got ROOKIES OF DELMON YOUNG AND BILL PERKINS.

I received some great cards from Tribe Cards. I picked David up something at a garage sale a while back so now, I guess I will have to send it to him now. At first I had a hard time trying to figure out which card to make the feature card out of the selection from Tribe cards. But when I seen this Storm Davis 1990 Classic card I picked it. This past Wednesday Evening I was going through my Royals Cards when I noticed my 1990 Storm Davis card had a crease in it. Then low and behold I get one in the mail. Thanks David for the great cards! 1974 topps Ed Kirkpatrick #262 1979 Topps Joe Zdeb #389 2008 Topps Miguel Olivo#441 2008 Topps Matt Tupman #534 2007 Topps Opening Day David DeJesus #162 2007 Topps Opening Day Ryan Braun #169 2002 Topps Raul Ibanez #458 2008 Upper Deck Spectrum Alex Gordon 2007 Fleer Mark Teahen #24 1992 O pee chiee George Brett 2004 Donruss Team Heroes Amos Otis 2004 Donruss Impact Jermaine Dye 1996 Topps Finest Prodigies Sal Fasano 2007 Fleer Joey Gathright 1989 Fle...

Where most women have closet full of shoes and clothing my wife has a closet full of baseball cards. The kitchen table is always full of baseball cards so full you can't even clear the table for food. However, my wife solved that problem she simply got a second table for the kitchen! I appreciate my wife and the 26 years of cards cluttering our house.

In the mid 1990's I decided that I didn't like where the hobby of ball card collecting was headed. I decided that I was only going to buy and collect cards from the 1970's or later. But having the true collectors blood and enjoying the hobby, I decided to start buying some of the new cards in the late 1990's. Well, I missed out on some years, one of the years I missed out on was 1996. So, I decided I wanted to buy a large lot of cards. I always liked opening vending boxes more than I did opening a wax box. I finally found a guy that was selling 466 , 1996 Topps cards on e-bay. The dealer said,"They would have a book value of $110." So, I thought this is too good to turn down. I got a lot of doubles of star players that I can use as trade bait with other traders. In my opinion, I missed out on a good looking card in 1996. Topps had good photography, and the picture takes up most of the card space without a lot of border, unlike the 2008 Topps. Anyway if you a...

I bought 4 Value packs from Wal-Mart today of Series 2 I pulled this 2008 Topps GOLD Twins CRAIG MONROE Card! The back of the card says: The Twins are confident Craig can return to his power-hitting form of 2006, when he led the Tigers in Home runs, then swatted five more in postseason. He is capable at all three outfield positions. I like to read the back of cards, then see how real life turned. In real life when the Twins acquired outfielder Craig Monroe in the offseason, they asked the former starter for the Tigers to adjust to life on the bench as a pinch-hitter and occasional bat against left-handers. As of June the 19th Monroe is only hitting .208 in 120 at-bats. In the 144 cards I pulled ,I also found 4 Royals cards. Yeah!!!!!!!!! I must also add this is my "100th POST"

fyretiger at Sports Card Forum posted this thread "I've got a whole bunch of base that I don't really need and they're taking up a good amount of space. I'd be willing to give some away since I'm sure someone else could use them more than me. I can either fill set needs, or if there's a player/team you collect, I can just give an assortment. I am only giving away base cards! Most of them are from 2005 to 2008. I have cards from the following sets:08 Co-Signers08 Bowman08 Topps (Series 1)08 Spectrum08 Topps Opening Day08 Finest07 Bowman07 Bowman Draft 07 SP Rookie Edition 07 Spectrum07 SP Authentic 07 Topps (Series 1,2,UH)07 Future Stars07 Topps Opening Day07 Topps 52 Rookies06 Bowman06 Future Stars06 Special F/X05 Donruss Champions and a few singles from the 80s-90s.Since these are going to be free, I'm going to ask that you be fair in the number of cards you ask for. Also, please don't request Jeter, Pujols, Griffey, A-Rod, Bonds, or other huge st...

I never thought there would be a time that I would find this card in the commons bin. Living around Kansas City in the late 1980's and early 1990's Bo Jackson cards were a "Hot Item!" Now, you find them in the commons bin pretty regularly. My favorite memory of Bo with the Royals is the play they call the "Wall Walk." Jackson performed his famous "wall run", when he caught a ball approximately 2-3 strides away from the wall. As he caught the ball at full tilt, Jackson looked up and noticed the wall and began to run up the wall, one leg reaching higher as he ascended. He ran along the wall almost parallel to the ground, and came down with the catch, to avoid impact and the risk of injury from the fence. What other people don't remember about that play is right before that he dropped an easy fly ball, I was so mad at him. In all my years of watching baseball and football I have never been so mad at a guy at one moment and at the next moment go W...

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! Ken Griffey hit his 600th homer today! I remember when Upper Deck came out and made his card the #1 card. Everybody was crazy about Upper Deck and they were even more crazy about the Ken Griffey Jr. card. I really thought he would get to the 600th homerun long before now. But when he went to Cincinnati he just couldn't stay healthy.

Here is a list of Royals cards I got in trades.This is the first group I will post.They are from the 70's Galen Cisco 1968 Topps #211 Dave Morehead 1969 Topps #29 Pat Kelly 1970 Topps #57,Al Fitzmorris & Scott Northey 1970 Topps #241 , Dick Drago 1971 Topps #37,Strikout Leaders Bob Johnson 1971 Topps #71,Aurelio Monteagudo 1971 Topps #129,Jackie Hernandez 1971 Topps #144,Tom Burgmeier 1971 Topps #431,Joe Keough 1971 Topps #451 Bob Oliver 1972 Topps #57,Paul Schaal in action 1972 Topps #178,Paul Splittorff 1972 Topps #315,Al Fitzmorris 1972 Topps #349,John Mayberry 1972 Topps #373, ,Cookie Rojas 1973 Topps #188,Freddie Joe Patek 1973 Topps #334,Dal Canton 1973 Topps #487 Kansas City Royals Team Checklist Topps 1974,Robert Floyd 1974 Topps #41,Amos Otis 1974 Topps #65,Freddie Patek 1974 Topps #88,John Mayberry 1974 Topps #150Jack McKeon 1974 Topps #166 Managers card,Al Fitzmorris 1974 Topps #191,Fran Healy 1974 Topps #238,Steve Busby 1974 Topps #365Royals Team Cards 1974 Topps #...

In 1976 I was real happy when I opened a pack of topps and got an all-time great card! At the time Walter Johnson, was the all-time strike out king. He is now 9th on the list. The all-time great cards after 32 years are still on the top of my list of best cards to have. They helped me to learn about the "Old Great Ball Players" and their statistics, which is why I like them the best. 1976 was also the first time I ever opened a cello pack.

Wax Heaven wrote a story about Randy Johnson not being much of an upgrade. I realize that Randy Johnson is no Nolan Ryan. When I was a young boy, Nolan Ryan was my hero with his blazing fast ball and his ability to strike out batters! But baseball in the 1990's and into the new mellinium would have been very boring without the "Big Unit" in a time when baseball was all about the hitter and not about the pitcher, he made the game fun to watch.

Kevin Kouzmanoff is the only person in history to hit a grand slam on the very first pitch in his MLB career, which he did on September 2, 2006

It has been a long time since I have had a link exchange but now I have two good ones. The first is Babe Ruth Card s, the writer is Andrew, he e-mailed and said that "Since I can't afford many of his old cards I thought I'd at least try to build a site that profiles them. " I can relate to Andrew and his affordability. The second link exchange is baseballcardref its writer is Cliff. Cliff has been one of my biggest supporters/ commenter's since I have begun posting. Cliff states,"My collecting goal is to own as many different cards as I can find. Base cards, inserts, subsets, auto cards, relic cards and odd-ball cards. I love them all. I have an extensive database of cards with scans and as much set information as I can find. So this blog will present my baseball card collection from 1980 to present." thanks Andrew and Cliff!

I haven't had much of a chance to do much blogging! I haven't had much time, with politics, work and my sixteen year old daughter wrecking my car. I thought I would use my namesake Bart Giamatti as much as I like Pete Rose, I thought Bart was a great commissioner. The reason I always liked him is that he was tough and he thought more of the fans then he thought of the players and the owners. Born in Boston, MA on April 4, 1938, Giamatti attended Yale University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in English in 1960. Giamatti went on to receive a Ph.D. from Yale in Comparative Literature in 1964 The Back of the card say's " It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer ,filling the afternoons and evenings and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it, buffer the pasesage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high shies alive, and t...