Tuesday, November 11, 2014

An '84 Vending Stack


If you're a collector, you know what's in the picture above. If not, you're looking at an ancient method of dispersing picture cards, the vending box. At one time in American history, baseball cards were collected by young people (commonly referred to as chill-dren) who carried pennies and nickels in their pockets. The currency was used to pay off larger young people who threatened wedgies. The wedgie-givers then used the currency to purchase baseball picture cards in a contraption similar to the one below.


These vending machines were filled with cards from vending boxes such as the one at the top and the one below.


I recently purchased a 1984 Topps Baseball Vending Box on eBay and have had a blast going through it. I pulled out a short stack of twelve cards to share.


Rik Aalbert Blijleven is still considered Holland's #3 export, behind females and hemp clothing.


4-22-83 - Both hits were given up to SS Scott Fletcher.
6-21-83 - Carl Yastrzemski went 3 for 4 with a double.
7-8-83 - Rik gave up two singles, a double, a triple and a HR. Plus 4 BB's and an HBP.




4-12-83 - Moreland's HR was preceded by a Leon Durham single and a Ron Cey single.



6-29-83 - Carney's grand slam came against Paul Splittorff as part of a 5-run 1st inning explosion.



6-26-83 - Rhoden's performance increased Pittsburgh's odds of winning the game by an outstanding 28.9%. 



6-30-83 - Gross's RBI would be his only RBI during his rookie campaign.



5-25-83 - Kirk would hit two more inside-the-park home runs. The last came on June 5, 1989 with the Dodgers at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium on a ball to deep center hit off of 2nd-year phenom, John Smoltz.



6-25-83 - Spike's hit came in his first AB, against Jim Gott.
7-13-83 - Spike was batting .333/.394/.483 after this game. He'd finish the season batting .196/.257/.271.



6-24-83 - It took a walk-off single by Pete O'Brien in the bottom of the 9th to get Mike the win.



5-15-83 - Rozem retired Amos Otis, Pat Sheridan and Joe Simpson in order in the bottom of the 11th for the save. 



7-25-83 - Lubratich may have had an RBI if the batter in front of him hadn't gone 0-4. That batter was Rod Carew who was batting .373 at the time. 
8-1-83 - Steve got his 4 RBI's through a double, a sac fly and a sacrifice hit.





Dick Tidrow had a busy season. It would be his last decent year. The wheels fell off to the tune of a 9.19 ERA in 1984 for the Mets. 


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

My Immaculate Collection

If you're a logo-lover, this post isn't for you. If you like phat jersey relics on your cards, this post IS for you. I've been snatching up 2014 Panini Immaculate Collection Baseball cards for cheap. I'm in love with the simple design and how the it integrates the uniform pieces so seamlessly. Busy is not always better. 

If you see one you want/need, let me know, especially if I owe you something. I've been buying with a few bloggers in mind so don't hesitate to ask.


We'll start off with future retired baseball player, Raul Ibanez. I'd have preferred to get his autograph on a Royals Kansas City themed card, but this will do.


See that tear to the left of the pants swatch? That's what happens when you send 130 point cards via PWE without a toploader.






Jay Bruce is an underrated stud when healthy. I hope he returns to form in 2014.


Fun Fact: Jose Ramirez led the AL in sacrifice hits with 13. 


Does no one collect Adrian Beltre? I always end up with his cards for $1 or less.



Choice struggled mightily this season in big league action, but at 24 there's still plenty of time to deliver on his potential.



Now would be a good time to point out that I didn't buy a single box of this stuff, nor would I ever do so. If I had and pulled a Ryan Goins, I'd be Goin' to Panini with a torch and pitchfork. 




Holmberg isn't a hot prospect, but at 23 there's still hope he could develop into a middle of the rotation type starter.


Leesman pitched in 1 game for 2.2 innings and gave up 6 ER on 9 hits this season, for a 20.25 ERA. Shame on Panini for putting him in here and an even bigger shame on me for paying $.75 for this card.



This Votto is incredibly pretty.


No, you aren't seeing double, I own two separate copies of this same card #'d to 99 of a player I don't collect. If you squint you could pretend he's still in Dodger blue...


Fireballin'


Wait what? I own two Goins'sss's? 



I had to have this $1 pickup for the sock relic on top.



More socks please.




This is probably my favorite Immaculate card that I own. It's a batting glove relic. You'll get a better look below:



Gwynn prices have returned to earth, making this gem a bargain.




Enjoy your retirement Alfonso. I look forward to seeing you on cards for eternity and saying "Oh yeah, he was kinda good."












I grabbed this pre-playoffs and have been tempted to sell it while the hype is high, but I'm just as happy holding onto it.


I really like Semien and hope he sticks around in the bigs.



That's all for now. If you come across any not pictured here for a fair price, make sure to pass along the insider info to me!