Anybody have Royals cards?

I have bought a Jumbo pack and 10 regular packs of 2009 Topps. I have only pulled two Royals cards. If anybody can help a poor Royals collector please contat me at bartm@ckt.net

A day at Coach's Corner

It has been a long drought, first we had high gas prices then the economy crashed. However, I did work a little over-time this week so I had a little extra cash on hand. So I decided to take an adventure to "Coaches Corner" a card shop in Belton, Missouri. I found that it had been 14 months since my last visit. Well anyway, nothing had changed, you couldn't even tell the economy was bad by looking at this card shop. The owner's nickname is "Coaches", he was talking baseball and the chances that the KC Royals have this coming season, it reminded me of the old days when there was a card shop on every corner.

Coaches Carshop

I bought a jumbo pack of 2009 Topps, and got this George Sisler along with many other good cards.

I also picked up another Carlton Fisk for my collection, YEAH!

Link Exchange with The Golden Age of Baseball Cards

Wow!! I haven't did a link exchange in a long time. But today we have one with The Golden Age of Baseball Cards
This is a great site I like the The Greatest Baseball Card Ever part of this site. The manger of this site says: "How can anyone classify a baseball card as the greatest ever? I don’t know, but I’d like to try. Who is the greatest player? Babe Ruth? Mickey Mantle? Ted Williams? Hank Aaron? Barry Bonds? Many others come to mind. However, in trying to determine the “Greatest Baseball Card Ever”, we will examine more than the particular player’s ability, the scarcity of the card or its worth today. Certain criteria will constrain the choices to a reasonable number of cards. The cards eligible for this honor will be limited to those that were most popular with boys growing up, when cards were purchased throughout the summer as each series became available, before factory sets could be obtained, and when collecting cards was something that kids did for fun, not for investment purposes. Other considerations are listed in the “Greatest Baseball Card Ever” section of this website."
Right now the 1956 Mickey Mantle is listed on his sight. It is also one of my favorite cards eventhough I do not own one. The Mantle card definitely is one to see. click on the above link and view it for yourself!
Baseballcardman

Times are Hard

Times are hard as everybody already knows. Thankfully my wife and I still have our jobs. It is always good to let people know that you are a baseball card collector. You never know what may happen. This is my blog for tonight. A friend of mine came upon a whole binder of baseball, football, & basketball cards. Well, he just gave it to me because he new I loved the cards!
Below are some of the cards that were added to my collection from this find and my friend.
I am really happy with this Ken Griffey All- Star card that I didn't have. I remember in 1990 this card was really a "hot" item.

This 1991 Nolan Ryan Golden Arm card was my next great find in the album. I had several of these Pacific Trading Cards of Nolan Ryan but this is baby picture card is a happy edition to my collection!

This Willie Mays Baseball Heroes is another card I didn't have, I am really happy with this card. I always liked to say "Hey Kid!"

This Ken Griffey Sportflics yet, another great find for me. I have only purchased 2 packs of Sportflics in my whole life. However, I have traded for quite a few and this card really helps my Sportflics collection.

Last but not least this 1993 Topps Gold Card of Dave Winfield is my favorite of the five cards posted from my lucky friend find.

More Topps Updates&Highlights Cards

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

I'm Back!

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!

Sorry, I have been gone!

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 has been overseas two years and Richard, two and a half years. (Official U. S. Marine Corps photo)

Joliet Illinois Newspaper 1945

Obituary James Anton Skocy SR.

James Skocy, departed naturally from this earth, on September 23, 2008, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mount Vernon, Missouri.
He is pre-ceded in death by his parents Anton & Juliette Skocy, one sister Juliette Homan, two brothers George & Robert Skocy, the beloved mother of his children Anna Mae (Williamson) Skocy and one son Allen Skocy.

James Anton Skocy Sr. was born January 30, 1922 at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet Illinois. James served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, the United Stated Marine Corps during WWII and the Korean War. He took the oath to serve his country in the Joliet Township High School with 164 other men from the Joliet community. He served in the 1st Marine Division 9th battalion in New Guiness, Peleliu, Okinawa and Rukyu Islands. After completing his military service James married Anna Mae Williamson and raised twelve children. He worked as a Lead Man at Seneca Petroleum Corporation in Lemont, Illinois until he retired in 1987. James was a life-long member of the Illinois VFW.

He is survived by his brother Richard Skocy of Rich Hill, Missouri, 11 Children: Mary (Andrew) Helgeson, Pittsburgh, PA. James (Ronna) Skocy, Rich Hill, MO, Chris (Kathy) Skocy, Marine City, MI. Dan Skocy, Channahon, IL. Diane (Kenneth) Kassner, Rich Hill, MO. Nancy Skocy, Tucson, AZ. Robert Skocy, Rich Hill, MO. Greg (Rachel) Skocy, Rich Hill, MO, Kenneth Skocy, Rich Hill, MO; Lynn (Bart) McClaughry, Rich Hill, MO, Amy (Neal) Mitchell, Rich Hill, MO; Twenty-eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services for James Anton Skocy Sr. will be held at 10:30 A. M. on Saturday September 27, 2008 at the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home in Joliet with an Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Missouri Veterans Home or the Illinois VFW c/o Heuser Funeral Home, PO Box 42, Rich Hill, MO 64779.

Cards For Eric

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

Allen & Ginter's 2008

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

Trade with Eric

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

1991 Topps Cracker Jack II - 2 Carlton Fisk

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
28Bob 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

My 5th Most Memorable Trade of all Times

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 Traded another guy walked up to the table with it and we made that trade. I left that particular show really happy because I had never made so many trades on cards that I really wanted before.

I Can't Quit!

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 companies wouldn't keep charging that much. I know that the major card companies have tried to market a cheaper pack of cards in the past but they just don't sell! One thing I do agree about with Houston cards collectors article is I wish cards were in the local stores more.

I would like to see as many baseball card collectors come back to the hobby that I love. Because unlike those collectors that have quit collecting I can't quit!

My 4th Most Memorable Trade of all Times

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 kept my old cards. The ladies husband passed away so she closed the shop down after just a year. The building she had her card shop in is now condemned and has a fence around it. Sometimes when I drive buy the old building I think to myself that there used to be a sports card shop in this town.