It's a go

On most Monday nights, I like to sit back and polish off one of my "Mondays with Hoyt" posts.

Not tonight, though.

For one thing, I'm having trouble coming up with something to write about that relates to Mr. Wilhelm.

But, more than that, it's because I have a bit of an announcement, as far as this blog goes.

It's something that I openly wondered about in one of my "Hoyt" posts from a few Mondays ago. I've decided to go forward with the idea I discussed in that post.

As a slight spin-off from Night Owl's "100 Dodger Cards" countdown, I'm going to finally rank my 100 favorite "binder" cards.

It's probably not a new idea in the blogosphere by any means, but it's been one that I've wanted to delve into for a while.

I can't provide an exact date as to when the "countdown" will start. If I had to guess, it would probably be within the next couple months, most likely when my winter break comes along.

However, I've already come up with a few ground rules.

Firstly, this list will comprise only of cards from 1981 to the present.

I have a feeling that vintage would comprise about 90 percent of the list if I didn't separate the two. Since '81 was the first year Fleer and Donruss entered the market, I figured it would make a good cutoff.

So, yes, Mr. Mendoza. You're eligible to make "the list".

For those who wanted to see some glorious vintage, don't worry. I haven't forgotten about you.

I fully plan on composing a "Top 100" list for vintage at some point in the future as well.

Rule #2.

No player can be represented more than two different times in the "countdown".

Otherwise, Jim Abbott, the "ultimate cardogenic", would make up about 20 percent of my list. Sorry, Jim, but I've got to keep it fair.

I've already picked out the two Abbott "nominees". This one didn't make it.

That should tell you just how awesome his cards have been over the years.

Onto the third rule.

I've decided that autographs, jerseys, shoes, jockstraps, etc. will not be included in the "Top 100".

There's a few reasons for this.

For one thing, it's like comparing apples and oranges a lot of the time. I absolutely love all my base and inserts of Bobby Doerr, but they can't be expected to compete with something like this.

Secondly, they're just not a main focus of my collection anymore. As I've recounted in the past, I was a "semi-mojo" guy for a short time in my collecting past. I still loved dime boxes and all, but I'd usually be more proud of the stack of jersey cards I'd come home with after a card show.

That's how I came to acquire this jersey/autograph card of Mr. Doerr, which frankly looks a little out of place on this blog.

Lastly, and most importantly, there's the whole memorabilia fraud thing that's come to light in the last couple months. A lot of bloggers have written posts about it lately, so I assume everyone knows what I'm talking about.

I'd grown sour on the whole "jersey" fad a while ago anyways, but that assured me that I'd never voluntarily purchase another memorabilia card ever again.

Who's to say that this is even an authentic piece of Bobby Doerr's uniform anymore?

I have no choice but to leave them out of the countdown.

Those are the only ground rules I have for now, although a few others might come to me in the future.

It doesn't matter whether it's an 19th century ballplayer on a newer card. It's eligible to make the "list".

This Obak issue of supposed curveball "inventor" Candy Cummings has a chance to crack the "Top 100".

In fact, it's a decent bet that you'll see it somewhere on there when the time comes.

There's a good chance that you'll see a couple Hoyt cards in the countdown.

That's probably not much of a secret, though.

Who knows?

Maybe a couple 2012 cards could crack the "Top 100".

Right now, I'd have to say that "Reed and the Birds" probably has the best chance of making it.

As is stands, though, I'm not making any promises.

You'll just have to wait and see for yourself.