The Gems of Junk Wax, Pt. 54: 1991 Upper Deck #175 Fernando Valenzuela

It can't be said enough.

The sheer amazingness of the cards I've received during my time here has been staggering. 

I never thought trading would become this big of a part in my "blogger" life. It seems like more packages are arriving on my doorstep with each passing day.

That's probably a testament to all the terrific people we have here in the blogosphere.

However, as the number of incoming packages have increased, I've noticed another special trend that always seems to put a big smile on my face. 

People are finding more creative ways to package their outgoing cardboard.

The cards I recently received from Jeff over at "2 by 3 Heroes" are a fantastic example of that.

From what I can tell, Jeff is a fairly regular reader of this blog. He seems to have a pretty good handle on a lot of the different things I collect.

Given some of my past praises of the sacred "multiple exposure" field, Jeff had a feeling that I'd enjoy this "gem" of Mr. Valenzuela.

And that I did.

While Upper Deck may have hurt the hobby in other ways, I don't think there's much denying that they helped improve the world of cardboard photography.

They were the first ones to introduce the "multiple exposure" tactic, after all. I'll always give them a huge amount of credit for that.

Although all of them are awesome in their own ways, this multi-image shot of "Fernando" might be the best of the best.

For some reason, the blurred nighttime background gives it a very "cosmic" feel to me.

However, the Valenzuela was only a small part of Jeff's "grand plan" with this package.

As you see above, he composed a little "checklist" for this group of cardboard.

A list that included quite a few of the many "mini-collections" that make up my vast array of binders.

Like I said, just the way some people have been sending cards lately has been enough for me. It shows that a good amount of thought goes into the things people send my way.

It makes me feel extremely lucky to have found this wonderful place.

So, let's take a look and see what this "checklist" had in store, shall we?

"Pitchers batting".

Check.

Jeff included quite a few of these, most of which I'd never seen before.

That '01 Upper Deck issue is only the second shot of the "Big Unit" at the plate in my collection.

Most pitchers look at least a little awkward with a bat in their hands. But, for some reason, Johnson looks especially out of place in that department to me.

Although preferred, I don't limit my "pitchers at the plate" shots to just the fronts of cards.

As shown by the Saberhagen, backs are perfectly acceptable as well.

"Sunset card".

It's been awesome to see that my "sunset" label has been catching on around here.

I've seen a few other bloggers use the phrase in their writings as of late.

Although I couldn't locate a true "sunset" card within Jeff's group of cardboard, I was extremely happy to see the inclusion of the term in his little "checklist".

This Carter was about the closest I could find.

His final cards actually came in '93. I still have a hard time deciding between his Topps and Upper Deck "sunset" issues.

But, hey.

Even though it might not be a "sunset" card, I'll never be able to turn down a card of "The Kid" and his million-dollar smile.

"Baseball with other sports".

Another check.

With these two, I now own cards of ballplayers partaking in football, hockey, basketball, and golf. 

I'd be interested to see what other "multi-sport" pieces are out there.

"Baseball not doing baseball".

This little "theme" could extend in a ton of different directions.

However, aside from any music-related baseball cards I own, these "behind the camera" pieces are probably the best of the bunch.

For whatever reason, they were a fairly regular sight during the overproduction era, as shown by Mr. Van Slyke's 1994 Upper Deck issue.

I have to wonder what he was using that camera for, though.

Perhaps he was checking out the babe in row 26 in a...creative way.

We'll never know for sure.

"Multi-image".

Although the Valenzuela was my favorite of the ones Jeff sent, it was far from the only "multiple exposure" card in the package.

This spectacular issue of Bernie Williams was certainly new to me. It takes the term "in-action" to an entirely new level.

To my knowledge, he's now the only player in my binders with both a "band" and "multi-image" card to his credit.

"Mark Grace and Jim Abbott".

Check...and check.

Although I collect quite a few different players, both Grace and Abbott are easily in the "Top 10" as far as that goes.

I can't help but get excited whenever I can add new cards of theirs to my binders.

As a "low-end" collector, it's still one of my most basic pleasures.

"Submarine pitcher".

Big time "check" right here.

Jeff included my favorite "submariner" of them all with Chad Bradford. In fact, the regular version of this one managed to make it pretty high into my "Top 100".

For now, I think I'll let the photography speak for itself.

And, finally, we have...

"Bat barrel".

Jeff sent along a prime piece for my newest "mini-collection" with this one.

These kinds of shots give off a very "old school" vibe. And any card that can do that is definitely okay in my book.

Plus, they're just...cool. I don't really know how else to put it.

I honestly can't see how anyone could not like cards of the "bat barrel" variety.

For lack of a better term, they're just so bad-ass.

If the awesome "checklist" was any indication, we have quite a few creative minds here in the blogosphere.

It's apparent that Jeff is indeed one of them.

I could've never come up with a neat little concept like that.

And, yes, these cards did indeed cover quite a bit for me. Every card was like exploring a new avenue of my collection.

Honestly, I couldn't have asked for much more out of a trade package.

Fifteen minute heroes

By now, I'm sure most of us have heard the famous Andy Warhol quote.

"In the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes."

For some reason, that saying has always captivated me. It's comforting to wonder about a world where everyone gets their time in the spotlight.

On top of that, I've always had a deep fascination with people who were actually famous for those proverbial "fifteen minutes".

Especially when dealing with the vast history of baseball.

A search through the game's history results in quite a few players of the sort. Guys who enjoyed their brief time on top of the baseball world, but are all but forgotten in today's day in age.

Before I went on the "hunt" for cards to feature in this post, I never much thought of building a specific collection geared towards this little obsession of mine.

Now, though, I'm actually half-thinking about chasing down more of these "fifteen minute heroes" for my collection.

In a way, I guess I've been doing it for years. I just never took the time to actually give it an appropriate label.

So, here they are, folks.

Here are a few of my favorite "fifteen minute heroes".

The first names that came to mind were Don Larsen, Harvey Haddix, and Bucky Dent.

While none of them enjoyed terrific careers, I wouldn't quite put them in the "fifteen minutes" category. After all, their names are still widely revered in the game today. I doubt their "fifteen minutes" will ever truly expire.

Guys like Geoff Blum are more what I had in mind.

Seeing as how I had school the next day, I didn't stay awake long enough to see his pinch-hit, game-winning dinger in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series. 

Truthfully, I didn't even know who the heck Geoff Blum was before that.

Although he did play in the bigs for 14 years, Blum was pretty much the epitome of a "career utility man". 

Ever since that homer, though, he's been one of my favorite "fifteen minute heroes". 

Blum wouldn't even get another at-bat in the '05 World Series. Although he retired after 17 games with the Diamondbacks last year, he hadn't had a card issued since 2010.

Sadly, I think Blum's time in the spotlight is over.

His "fifteen minutes" were up a few years ago.

Here, we have another "fifteen minute" hometown hero.

Mr. Dewayne Wise.

Interestingly, he's the only player I'll be showcasing in this post who hasn't yet warranted a spot in my binders. 

He's also probably the only guy who's still enjoying his fifteen minutes of fame.

Much like Geoff Blum, I missed Wise's moment in the spotlight.

I was out with some friends when he made his unbelievable perfect game-saving catch in 2009, one that would cement Mark Buehrle's name in the record books.

Needless to say, I still regret it to this day.

Ever since "The Catch", though, Wise has been an expendable player for quite a few times. He has played for four different teams in the three years since his "fifteen minute" moment, even finding his way back to the South Side near the end of 2012.

If ever happen to come across one of the cards that document his famous grab, then I really wouldn't have much of a choice.

He'd have to become part of my binders at that point.

I'm crossing my fingers.

When dealing with the greatest catches in baseball history, though, one name always seems to come to mind.

Willie Mays.

His famous grab in the '54 Giants-Indians World Series is one that will be replayed over and over again forever. I've probably seen the clip around a hundred times, and I still can't help but be amazed at the heroics of "Say Hey" Willie.

But, obviously, Mays is nowhere near anything resembling a "fifteen minute hero".

Vic Wertz, on the other hand, is.

If he's remembered at all in today's game, it's because of his role in the historic catch. After all, the ball did come off of his bat.

Although he was a big leaguer for 17 years and a four-time All-Star, this is one of just six cards I own of Mr. Wertz.

Even so, he was far from the first "fifteen minute hero" in Indians history.

As far as cardboard goes, Bill Wambsganss is criminally underrepresented.

This is one of just two cards I own of the guy. The other is a Conlon Collection piece as well, for the record.

Still, most casual fans of the game probably have no idea who he is.

In the 100-plus-year history of the World Series, he's still the only player to pull off an unassisted triple play, doing so on a line drive by Dodger pitcher Clarence Mitchell in Game 5 of the 1920 contest.

You'd think turning an unassisted triple play in the freaking World Series would shed someone of the  "fifteen minute hero" status.

But, in the case of Bill Wambsganss, I don't think it has.

Unfortunately.

Unlike the other players in this post, Zoilo Versalles isn't a "fifteen minute hero" because of a particular moment in time.

His moment in the spotlight actually lasted an entire season.

The 1965 season, to be specific.

Although he sported one of the coolest names in baseball history, Versalles might well be the most obscure player to ever take home an MVP award.

His '65 campaign with the Twins basically came out of nowhere. After hitting just .259 the year before, Versalles led the AL in at-bats, runs, doubles, triples, and total bases in 1965, winning a Gold Glove in the process.

Just three years later, he'd hit .196 in 122 games with the Dodgers. Versalles was out of baseball by 1971.

I've collected Versalles for as long as I can remember based on his fifteen minutes of fame. Luckily for me, they've come pretty cheap.

My sparkling copy of his epic '61 Topps "Zorro" rookie card only set me back about fifty cents.

Still, Versalles, Wertz, and Blum all take a backseat to my favorite "fifteen minute hero" in baseball history.

To me, this conversation begins and ends with Chris Shelton.

Heck, I devoted an entire post to his fifteen minutes of fame back in the day.

Whenever I find myself thinking about the spring of 2006, two things come to mind.

A captivating end to my freshman year of high school and Chris Shelton.

But mostly Chris Shelton.

After hitting nine homers in the first 13 games of the '06 season, people thought Shelton was the so-called "next big thing".

Several members of this hobby banked on that train of thought. I distinctly remember seeing autographs and rookie cards of his trading hands at mind-blowing prices.

Obviously, all those "investors" took a monumental loss.

Shelton has been out of baseball since 2010.

He'll always have those "fifteen minutes" to cherish, though.

As anyone who reads this blog probably knows, I collect a lot of different players. A whole lot.

However, I can honestly say that Chris Shelton is one of my favorite guys to collect. Something about his "fifteen minute hero" story has always intrigued me.

I'm only now starting to see what that "something" was.

The sheer absurdness the hobby went into after Shelton's "fifteen minutes" probably played a part in pushing me towards the more "low-end" side of this hobby.

It showed me just how crazy the whole memorabilia market could get. Around that time is when I shifted my focus towards base cards and dime boxes.

I guess I've always collected Chris Shelton to thank him for that.

Without "fifteen minute heroes" like him, I don't know that I'd be the type of collector I am today.

The stories of the Chris Sheltons and Geoff Blums in the world mean a whole lot more to me than some little piece of fabric ever could.

A whole lot more.

Well, it happened again...

No, that's not the same photo I featured on this blog a few days ago.

This is not, I repeat, not a duplicate post of my "spoils" from this past weekend.

What you see above is a different huge box of cards.

I know. I can't believe it myself.

This one came via another member of the blogosphere...or rather a former member.

A couple weeks ago, Ted from "Crinkly Wrappers" contacted me, saying he'd recently found some cards he thought I'd enjoy.

Ted was one of the first "blogging buddies" I ever made around here. He'd sent me a few tremendous trade packages in the past, including a simply staggering box of minis.

Sadly, he decided to hang up the proverbial "blogging cleats" a few months back. Needless to say, I was devastated to see him leave the community.

Still, in the email he recently sent me, Ted said that he still prowls around the blogosphere from time to time, keeping up with the goings-on around here. He even plans to pick up a couple packs of 2013 Topps.

Obviously, it was great to hear from him again.

And, judging by the seemingly endless array of cardboard he sent, it's obvious that he's still every bit as generous as he was during his blogging heyday.

Just look at all those cards he sent me. 

Look at them.

Again, I could easily break this thing up into two different posts. But, again, I want you to get a feel for just how much cardboard goodness Ted sent my way.

And, believe me, there was a lot.

So, let's dig in, shall we?

Believe it or not, there was actually a little more to the box than that initial photo would have you believe.

In order to achieve full "dramatic" effect, I had to leave out the array of oversized pieces Ted sent my way. After all, the sheer size of them would've blocked out every other aspect of that photo. 

But that's not taking anything away from the larger pieces of cardboard.

They're actually pretty awesome.

In fact, Mr. Templeton was the very first person to greet me out of the cards from Ted. Although it might not show in the scan, this piece is huge.

It basically covered the entire box from end to end.

Although it'd definitely make for a great addition to my collection, I'll probably ship it off to one of the growing number of Padre collectors in the blogosphere.

I doubt I'll be able to find a toploader big enough to fit this thing, though.

Was that giant '86 Donruss card not odd enough for you?

Okay...

How about an uncut panel of M&M cards?

I'd never seen any single cards from the set before this week, in fact. Much less any uncut panels.

As if it couldn't get any better, Ted actually sent two of these my way.

The other one featured Dale Murphy and Jose Canseco. But I spared you the indignity of having to see Canseco's roided-up face again.

You're welcome.

Still not odd enough?

Then how about an awesome '80s fold-out card of George Brett?

From what I can gather, this one comes from some sort of All-Star set, courtesy of Donruss. Evidently, the 1985 All-Star game was played at the old Metrodome.

Although the stadium itself wasn't much to look at, it sure makes for a tremendous backdrop on a baseball card.

At least in my opinion.

Well, it finally happened.

To my knowledge, this is the first time I've shown anything from '89 Bowman on this blog. My least favorite set in the history of baseball cards, without a doubt.

As you might be able to tell from the first few cards I've shown so far, I'm normally a fan of oversized cards.

But not these.

Still, if I had to show one, I guess this Griffey rookie makes for a nice "debut".

It's actually a pretty cool piece.

Uh-oh. Did I just say I liked something from '89 Bowman?

Please, let's move on.

I think I might be going crazy.

Even with all the other oversized awesomeness I've featured thus far, these were easily my favorites.

One of these neat N-43 inserts came with every box of A&G back in the day. I haven't bought a box of the product in a few years, so I have no clue if they still do.

Given my absolute fascination with the early days of baseball history, it's safe to say that this magnificent Cap Anson insert will make for a terrific display piece for my room.

Ted actually sent me two of these outstanding N-43s. The other featured Mark Teixeira.

Speaking of which...

As you might be able to tell from the photo at the top of this post, Ted absolutely flooded me with minis.

I think that had something to do with the "big box o' minis" I referenced earlier. He must've remembered that.

About half of the gigantic box was made up of minis.

Minis here. Minis there. Minis everywhere!

However, this particular mini of "Tex" was the first one to catch my eye. I wasn't quite ready for it.

Although I don't collect cards of him in a Rangers jersey, I couldn't help but notice the numbering at the top of this one.

"4/5".

Only five copies of this card exist in the entire world!

And I have one!

Truthfully, I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with it. I'm still debating on whether to keep it or not.

Still, the "Tex" was far from the only neat mini in the entire box.

Very, very far from it.

I don't know if I've ever seen a better variety of minis.

There were Topps 206 minis.

But this isn't just any ordinary mini.

For one thing, it's a neat bite-sized piece for my new player collection of David Freese.

On top of that, it's one of the treasured "Cycle" minis, numbered to just 99 copies. 

Awesome. Simply awesome.

I know I'll be keeping this one.

A great deal of the minis came from Topps' recent "Sticker Collection" set.

These are the first ones of the sort in my collection. I'd repeatedly seen them at my local Target, but never pulled the trigger on a pack.

I just wasn't quite sure that they were "binder-worthy".

But, after receiving this smattering of stickers from Ted, I'm convinced. They're most definitely deserving of a spot in my binders.

And what you see above is only about a quarter of all the stickers Ted included in the box.

Seriously.

The minis just kept on coming.

There were Gypsy Queen minis...

More Gypsy Queen minis...

Spooky A&G minis...

Regular A&G minis...

Floating head Heritage minis...

A ton of 1987 minis...

And even some classic Kellogg's minis.

I'm basically swimming in minis over here. 

I couldn't be happier.

I'm all for some good ol' mini madness.

But Ted did send over some normal-sized cards, too.

As you'll soon see, he sent me a slew of terrific inserts from a couple of terrific "throwback" sets.

First up, Topps Lineage.

Compared to other years, I didn't buy a whole lot of packs in 2011. After all was said and done, I think I only busted a retail pack or two of Lineage.

Now, as far as the base cards go, I didn't miss much. They were okay, but nothing that spectacular.

The inserts are another story, though.

I missed quite a bit in that department.

This is the first I've seen from the "Stand-Ups" set. They're a tribute to the original '64 Topps inserts of the sort.

But this isn't just any insert.

It's a Sandy Koufax insert, folks.

That makes it about a zillion times cooler. 

There's Mr. Koufax again.

Along with the "Chairman of the Board".

Although they're featured on the "meh" Lineage base design, I do like these "cloth" inserts. I imagine they're a nod to the '77 Topps stickers.

Like the "Stand-Ups", these are the first pieces from the set in my collection.

Needless to say, I think I'm off to a good start with this pair.

Here's a couple more "throwback" inserts, again courtesy of Lineage.

I will always love 3-D cards. Always.

No matter what shape or form they might take.

Strangely, I've found myself collecting a few failed Japanese "imports" in the last few years. I still enjoy picking up cards of Tsuyoshi Shinjo.

And I "inducted" Mr. Nishioka into my binders last year.

I guess I've just always had a fascination with players from Japan.

Especially this guy.

Ted also sent along quite a few gems from the "sister product" of Lineage, Topps Archives.

As far as inserts go, they're fairly similar.

However, one notable addition to the Archives checklist was the "Deckle Edge" insert series. They make for some of the more overlooked cards in the history of this hobby, as far as I'm concerned.

To see Ichiro on the awesome "Deckle" design sure is something else.

It's almost like a dream come true for me.

Much like Lineage, Archives featured 3-D and cloth-themed inserts in their insert checklists as well.

However, I'm much happier that Archives showcased the original '77 design on their cloth pieces. It gives them a much more "authentic" feel.

When dealing with a "throwback" set, that's pretty much the goal.

Isn't it?

I wholeheartedly thank Ted for including quite a few "reprints" in the big box o' cards.

As many of my readers might know, I'm an absolute sucker for them. Yes, I understand I'm probably in the minority with that train of thought.

The authentic/reprint "combos" are one of the main reasons I love binders so much. And, luckily for me, I do own an actual copy of Dave Winfield's '78 Topps issue.

It's most definitely a classic.

Just look at those sideburns.

One of the my favorite aspects of anything the hobby had to offer in 2012 came from Archives.

Specifically, its short-printed "Fan Favorites" series.

With names like Ed Kranepool, Bill Madlock, and Oscar Gamble, it featured a lot of players that rarely see the light of day in the current industry.

Ted sent me one of the remaining SPs I needed with the Mitch Williams. Although I've only had it in my possession for a day, it's easily one of my favorite cards of 2012.

Without a doubt.

Even with all the amazing pieces I've showcased so far, two cards managed to separate themselves from the rest.

These were a complete surprise to me.

My exact reactions upon seeing these went a little something like this...

What?!

A Greg Luzinski autograph?!

An on-card autograph?

Of "The Bull"?

In the powder blues?

On the '78 Topps design?!

Could it get any better than this?!?!

WHAT?!?!?!?!

A friggin' Dick Groat autograph?!?!?!?!

On-card, too?!?!

With an awesome action shot?!

I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

I just couldn't believe it.

Although I don't much like to drop "big bucks" on autographs anymore, that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy them.

Especially ones that feature some of the more "under the radar" players of the game like Luzinski and Groat.

They are beautiful, beautiful pieces of cardboard.

And, despite my "low-end" mentality, I am amazingly happy to add them to my collection.

So, let's give a standing ovation to this week's pair of "culprits".

Marcus, for sending me the awesome "spoils" from a few days ago.

And Ted, for adding all these new "gems" to my collection. From Anson, to Koufax, to Groat, I enjoyed each and every bit of it.

You guys have made this one of the best weeks of my life.

Heck, we're not even a month into the new year right now.

Judging from what I've received in the mail thus far, though, I've got a feeling it's going to be a good year for me.

A really good year.

Dime Box Heroes: Finding a place

2000 E-X "Generation E-X" #GX-13 Nick Johnson

When I initially joined this wonderful community, I was a bit of a blogosphere "loner".

Although I'd read blogs regularly during the summer of 2011, I never commented. I mainly kept my thoughts and cards to myself.

It quickly became apparent that the blogosphere was a special place. But, at the time, I didn't feel that I had the skills or the "niche" to start a blog of my own.

There were all these people out there giving me new perspectives on the hobby. Amidst all that, one thought basically stopped me from starting a blog sooner.

"How could I possibly compete with any of this?"

I mean, I didn't even know these other bloggers' real names. All I knew was that I'd been reading blogs run by people supposedly named hiflew and Spiegel83. And some guy named Night Owl.

Plus, everyone seemed like "old friends". I wasn't sure if I'd ever find my place in the blogging world.

To tell you the truth, I was a bit wary of dipping my toes into the blogging waters at first.

Would people really enjoy reading my dime box stories? Would they care about some cool card I found at a show last year?

Did these people know dime boxes existed, for that matter?

But, in one of the best decisions of my entire life, I did wind up starting my very own baseball card blog. I finalized that historic first post way back on December 7, 2011.

Over a year later, I'm proud to say that I do have a small following of readers. As far as I know, people have enjoyed reading about dime boxes.

And I still love writing about them. This is already the 45th post in the "Dime Box Heroes" series.

Of course, I love posting more and more with each passing day. And it is truly an honor and a privilege to be a part of this amazing community.

Needless to say, I have found my niche in the blogosphere.

Plus, I know a lot of my fellow bloggers on a first-name basis now. 

They're no longer hiflew, Spiegel83, or Night Owl to me.

Instead, they're faithful collectors and wonderful writers that go by Johnny, Michael, and Greg. That's not even mentioning the countless other names I've learned during my time here.

Still, up until about a month ago, something was missing.

I didn't have a nickname yet.

Although I'd come to know most of my "blogger buddies" by their first names, I thought it'd be interesting to have a nickname of my own one day.

When I originally started my blogger account, I simply chose "Nick" as my username. It was short and to the point.

Yet, lately, I've noticed a few other bloggers calling me by an "updated" form of my name.

"Dime Box Nick".

Hey, I like it! 

Again, short and to the point. But a little more "catchy" at the same time.

After all, isn't that what people do in communities? Don't they give each other nicknames?

It seemed like over half the kids in my high school went by some sort of flashy moniker.

Well, there's mine. 

Dime Box Nick.

Cool.

Now, that's not to be confused with fellow "Dime Box Nick" and longtime dime bin suspect Nick Johnson. I own about 75 cards of his at the moment, including this awkwardly awesome insert of his from the short-lived "E-X" brand.

You can chalk up about two-thirds of those to the dime box depths.

You can still call me Nick, if you want. But "Dime Box Nick" is an option, too.

Whichever one works for you.

Okay, I know what you're thinking.

No, I don't really expect people to start calling me that.

In all seriousness, I guess what I'm trying to say is pretty simple.

Don't be afraid to join this wonderful little group of collectors. I'm not sure if any of my readers out there are wary about starting a blog as well, showing the same concerns I did before I started this blog.

If you are, don't be.

As I've found, the blogging community is quite the welcoming bunch.

So start that blog of yours.

We'll be here to read it.

Making the hobby better

As far as cardboard goes, I can get jealous quite a bit.

Sure, sometimes I'll see a card on someone else's blog and secretly wish I had it as well. That's fairly natural in the world of collecting.

However, often times, I find myself wishing for something a bit larger. Something bigger than just a simple piece of cardboard. Something that I'll sadly never be able to attain.

Sometimes, I find myself wishing that I'd grown up during a past generation of collectors. 

As I said, it's obviously a wish that could never possibly come true. But it sure is interesting to think about every now and then.

It wavers back and forth, though.

With Flagship due out soon and all, I'm in "new" mode right now. This is one of the rare times each year where vintage takes a bit of a backseat to everything else in my collection.

Around mid-season, however, I find myself going back to "past" mode. A few months later, I'll be back to "new" mode. It's an ever-changing state of affairs.

Still, no matter what "mode" I may be in at any given time, one thing will always ring true.

I am truly proud to be collecting in the current era. Nothing or no one could ever change that for me.

However, I'm not saying that the hobby has been absolutely perfect in recent years. Far from it, actually.

I'd change quite a few things if I had the power to do so.

Although I've long since denounced the whole "memorabilia" market in recent years, I have no problem with people who want to collect jerseys or autographs.

Collect what you want to collect. That's what keeps the hobby fun, after all.

However, I would like to see more of a split market between the "low-end" collectors such as myself and the more higher-end memorabilia side of things.

Recently, Topps has started to include "special" manu-patches with every Flagship blaster box. Trouble is, I don't really want them.

I'd rather have a "bonus" standard pack of cards instead.

That being said, anything of Roberto Clemente will always be welcome in this household. This magnificent piece fell into my hands as an extra little gift from Ryan over at "Building A Better Collection" a while back.

Still, am I the only one who finds it confusing? 

Why is there a gigantic Indians logo on a card featuring a career Pittsburgh Pirate?

I understand the whole "All-Star Game" concept, but Topps could've taken a page from almost any other point in Clemente's career and just used a good ol' Pirates logo. Maybe it's just me, but I see a tremendous lack of execution here.

Truthfully, I'd do away with manu-patches all together.

I think that could help make the hobby a little better.

I'd do away with this whole "rookie" thing, too.

At the very least, I'd want them to be completely relegated to their own little set. 

I know Topps has done that with Bowman Draft over the years. And I appreciate it. I've never had the slightest urge to pick up a single pack of the product in all my years of collecting.

But I think the veteran/rookie "combo" has hurt some of their other releases.

I've previously mentioned my "non-Bowman" streak around here. I haven't opened a pack of the stuff in about five years.

It's not because I have that much of a distaste for the brand, though. As you can see above, even Bowman has managed to slot a few masterpieces into their checklists over the years.

It's mainly because I'm not a big fan of dropping three bucks on a pack where half the guys are no-name rookies. Rookies who I'll probably never have the desire to collect.

If I were in charge of this thing, I'd make Bowman an "all-veteran" set. On top of that, I'd expand the Bowman Draft checklist in order to squeeze in as many rookies as possible for prospect-centered collectors.

That way, both parties can go home happy. 

The "low-end" collectors with the "prospectors".

This card is a perfect example of perhaps the most disturbing trend in today's hobby.

Wasted space.

These days, insert sets seem to be gearing more and more towards jersey cards, rather than the overall "feel" of the card itself. Last year's "Golden Moments" inserts ran along those lines.

Some variations of these "Legendary Lumberjacks" inserts feature pieces of memorabilia in place of the team logo.

As a result, these regular "boring" inserts contain a ton of blank space. Space that could be used in so many better ways.

I mean, is there any real reason why the photo Maury Wills has to be that small here?

No.

Do something with that extra space. Don't just let it sit there. 

If you can't do that, then just grant memorabilia cards their own special insert series. We don't need any "crossover" between the regular and memorabilia-based inserts.

Get rid of all that wasted space.

It's that simple.

Truthfully, the cardboard market has been working on my last little suggestion.

But I still think there's still a lot of work to be done with it.

There simply needs to be less "fluff" in this hobby. Less clutter. Less chaos.

I'll admit, the dreaded "Topps monopoly" has helped a little with this. We no longer see atrocious sets like Upper Deck Icons or Fleer Genuine on the market.

Still, I think Topps has its fair share of work to do.

Do we really need multiple "high-end" sets on the market?

Do we need more than one minor league set?

And do we really need knock-off Flagship brands like Opening Day or Chrome?

Probably not.

I should note one thing. There's a ton of potential with Opening Day. But if Topps isn't going to use it, then they should just discontinue the brand all together.

Having said that, I see no real reason for sets like Pro Debut, Heritage Minor League, and Bowman Draft to be on the market together. It just causes a lot of unneeded confusion.

Card companies seem to think that customers will flock to anything "new" on the market.

In contrast, I happen to believe that more people would embrace the hobby if there were less cards around.

I often hear of collectors dropping out of the hobby because "there's just too much to keep up with these days".

As they say, less is more.

I think that idiom could definitely be applied to the world of cardboard.

I'm sure we all have ideas of what we'd do to "fix" the hobby.

Ones that probably extend much further than my few simple suggestions. That's part of the fun of collecting, though.

True, we can't "fix" the past. In the end, we can only look toward the future.

Despite all the hobby's minor inconveniences, I'm definitely looking forward to that.

No matter where this hobby takes me, I'll happily go along for the ride.

"The Dime Boxes Top 100": Cards 20-16

Well, it's about that time of year again.

Around now is when I really start to get giddy about the upcoming Flagship release. Seeing those first cards of the new year on the shelves is still one of my biggest thrills as a collector.

Although I've heard conflicting "reports" on the exact release date, I'll probably be heading to my local Target this Friday to see if they've hit the market.

I'm already looking forward to the unofficial "Flagship bonanza" that usually hits the blogosphere around this time of year. Of course, I'll be here to share my initial thoughts about the set for the second straight season, whenever that time comes.

Rumor has it that I'll be indulging in a bit of a Flagship splurge once they hit the good ol' local Target.

But you didn't hear it from me.

So, to take my mind off all this Flagship business, I figured tonight would make for a perfect time to feature another "Top 100" post.

From this point on, I'll be revealing the remaining "nominees" in fragments of five.

Enjoy!

#20 -- 2008 UD Masterpieces #32 Justin Verlander

We kick off tonight's list with a common suspect from my "Top 100".

UD Masterpieces.

Some sets try to give themselves uplifting names in order to boost sales. Bowman's Best, Donruss Elite, and Fleer Showcase are a few that come to mind.

Needless to say, nearly all of those releases were quite forgettable. They definitely didn't live up to their respective "high-class" monikers.

When I initially saw that a set called "Masterpieces" had hit the market, I didn't think it'd have a chance to live up to its label.

But, much to my surprise, it did. I think most collectors would agree with me there. Although Upper Deck would discontinue the brand after just two years, the set did indeed include a wide variety of "masterpieces" within its checklist.

In terms of pure artwork, this card of Mr. Verlander may indeed be the "elite" as far as Masterpieces goes.

Whoever created this piece really went the extra mile. 

A nice, regular horizontal pitching shot of Verlander would've definitely been a nice card. But not anything that would've sniffed my "Top 100".

In the end, the magnificent backdrop is what puts this one over the top, one that chronicles his no-hitter against the Brewers in '07.

There's so much to love about it. Between the Brewers' lineup, the play-by-play, and the string of zeroes on the scoreboard, I really wouldn't know where to start.

This is a true "masterpiece" in every sense of the word.

#19 -- 2010 Topps "Silk Collection" #S-163 Casey Kotchman /50

This proved to be one of the more esoteric cards to make my countdown.

After all, I can't imagine that Casey Kotchman would make an appearance on many other "Top 100" lists.

Next to Hoyt Wilhelm, I've probably put the most "work" into my Kotchman collection. 

Although it doesn't take anything away from it, I haven't had to look that hard for many of the 600-plus cards I own of Vladimir Guerrero. Most of them simply "found" me by way of dime boxes.

I built up my Kotchman collection through a variety of trades and purchases, scouring through people's trade or sale lists in search of one or two new cards of his for my binders. After all, guys like him don't pop up in dime boxes all that often.

However, with all the "work" I've put into it, I have to say that this is far and away the best piece from my cards of Casey Kotchman.

It was perhaps the luckiest find of my life.

A few years ago, after I was done digging through a vendor's dime boxes at a local show, I noticed a few other miscellaneous cards scattered across his table. Game-used, autographs, low-numbered cards, just stuff that wasn't quite dime box material.

Amidst all the rubble, I noticed a single, solitary "silk" card on the table. At that point, I'd never seen one of them in person.

A closer look revealed the player featured on that very silk card. Although I can't be sure of my exact reaction when I saw it, it had to have gone a little something like this.

"Holy [bleep], it's Casey Kotchman!"

The vendor could've had any of the 300-or-so "silk" cards that were released that year. But, luckily for me, the one he had was the Kotchman.

For just three bucks, I was able to take home my first (and still only) silk card that day.

The story and sheer awesomeness of this one made it a definite "Top 100" nominee.

#18 -- 1999 SI Greats of the Game #55 Ed Kranepool

This card has become kind of an "icon" during this blog's history.

Tonight has to be about the fourth or fifth time I've shown it around here. Up to this point, I'd imagine Mr. Kranepool holds the record in that department.

It just has all the makings of what I look for in a baseball card.

For one thing, it features Ed Kranepool. I've repeatedly mentioned my adoration for the more "under the radar" guys in baseball history. Guys like Kranepool and fellow Met Bud Harrelson fall into that category for me.

On top of that, it's a former dime box find of mine.

Actually, that's not entirely true.

It's actually a former 12/$1 box find of mine. To think that a card like this only cost me about eight cents still staggers me.

And, of course, it contains perhaps the quirkiest photo in cardboard history. 

Here, we see Mr. Kranepool enjoying a nice dinner at second base, the dirt complete with footprints as far as the eye can see.

We have what looks to be lobster as the main course. Couple that with a prime scoop of chocolate ice cream on the side and a nice lemon-wedged glass of beer, and we've got one hearty meal right there.

Seriously, how could I not love this card?

#17 -- 2004 Greats of the Game "Forever" #F-3 Zack Wheat /1909

I received this card as part of a trade about five years ago.

That means that I've had it in my collection for well over a thousand days.

And I can tell you that I've loved it more and more with each passing sunrise and sunset. For now, I have it at number 17 on this list.

If I were to revise this list a year from now, it could likely rank in the top ten.

It's just such a beautiful piece of cardboard. 

Because he played in an era that contained the likes of Ruth and Cobb, Zack Wheat isn't that widely known these days. So far, that has held true in the baseball card industry as well.

This is one of just seven cards I own of the Hall of Famer.

But what a card it is.

It pretty much has it all. Awesome color-appropriate borders. Rare old-time checkered Dodgers uniforms. A prominently featured Brooklyn logo.

And it's all featured on a truly striking design, to boot.

Cardboard doesn't get much better than this.

#16 -- 2007 UD Masterpieces #8 Lou Gehrig

Tonight's "Top 100" installment closes out with where we began.

On the topic of Upper Deck Masterpieces.

Even though it did a terrific job with the more recent stars of the game, I absolutely love what the set did with past greats.

A few of the slots in the checklist gave the collector a look at some of the more defining moments in baseball history.

Although it'd be hard to say for certain, one could definitely argue for Lou Gehrig's "farewell speech" as the quintessential moment of the game.

The setting is indeed a sad one. Gehrig would pass away just two years after his famous ceremony at Yankee Stadium in 1939.

Still, I can't help but feel lucky and truly honored to own such a terrific piece of cardboard. 

As shown by the onlookers both on the field and in the packed Yankee Stadium bleachers, this particular moment in baseball lore is nothing short of iconic.

Needless to say, this terrific cardboard masterpiece makes me feel like I own an actual little piece of baseball history. 

Because of that, it makes me feel closer to the game of baseball as a whole.

In the end, I guess that's why I started collecting in the first place.