Short Term Stops: The All-Blue Jays Team (Pt. 2)

Shortstop

 

2008 UD Goudey #194 David Eckstein

"Short Term Stops" Blue Jays Accolades:

David Eckstein (2008 Blue Jays, 76 games, half-year stint)

In continuing from Part 1 of this mini-series, we start off tonight with the other half of the Blue Jays "Short Term Stops" infield.

David Eckstein will forever be one of my favorite players because of his underdog approach to the game. Granted, he kind of fell off the map during his last few years in the bigs.

After a number of wonderful years with the Angels and Cardinals, Eckstein found himself in Toronto for the 2008 season. 

He'd post a solid .277 average in 76 games for the Blue Jays before being dealt to Arizona in late August of that year. Eckstein spent a couple of years with the Padres before retiring after the 2010 season.

UD Goudey may have been a bust of a brand, but they definitely got this card right.

It's one of the centerpieces of my Blue Jays binder.

Honorable Mentions:

Cesar Izturis (2001 Blue Jays, 46 games)

Royce Clayton (2007 Blue Jays, 69 games, half-year stint, sunset season)

Third Base

1978 Topps #651 Doug Rader

Blue Jays Accolades:

Doug Rader (1977 Blue Jays, 96 games, half-year stint, sunset season)

One of my earliest vivid memories about baseball cards is picking up a few team bags of vintage at an indoor flea market.

I couldn't have been more then ten or eleven years old at the time. The bags were a quarter each, and most of the cards inside had some sort of condition flaw. Many were water-logged.

But, of course, I didn't care. I even remember the vendor letting me pick out an extra bag on the house.

As you might be able to tell from the scan, Doug Rader's 1978 Topps issue was a part of that early vintage haul. It had to have been my very first card of his.

Rader played in 96 games with the '77 Blue Jays, yet Topps still needed to airbrush him into the uniform for the following year's set.

Doug Rader isn't one of the bigger names from the '70s, but I like to think that the personal history behind this card is what made him a permanent member of my binder system today.

Honorable Mention:

Mark DeRosa (2013 Blue Jays, 88 games, sunset season)

Outfielders

1993 Score Select #32 Dave Winfield

Blue Jays Accolades:

Dave Winfield (1992 Blue Jays, 156 games)

Dave Winfield kicks off a rather star-studded Blue Jays "Short Term Stops" outfield.

Depending on how you look at it, Dave Winfield is probably either a Padre or Yankee in your mind. You really can't go wrong either way.

After those two teams, however, I tend to think of him most as a Blue Jay. Which is weird, considering he only spent a single season in Toronto.

That season was a memorable one, though. Winfield's .290-26-108 stat line was good for fifth in the AL MVP voting in 1992, as he helped lead the Blue Jays to their first-ever World Series championship.

It's one of the more memorable tenures in "Short Term Stops" history.

1994 Collector's Choice #131 Rickey Henderson

Blue Jays Accolades:

Rickey Henderson (1993 Blue Jays, 44 games, half-year stint)

In 1994, Collector's Choice featured Rickey Henderson doing what he did best.

Running the bases.

While I'm not sure they knew it at the time, Collector's Choice also featured Henderson in one of many unfamiliar uniforms he'd wear during his hallowed career. (He already made an appearance on the Angels' roster.)

The Blue Jays acquired "Rickey" at the trade deadline in 1993 for (then) hot prospect Steve Karsay. He hit just .215 with the Jays, though he did post an impressive .356 OBP with 22 steals in 44 games with Toronto.

Like Winfield, Henderson won a World Series during his lone year in Toronto, as the Blue Jays repeated in a wild six-game triumph over the Phillies.

Though "Rickey" was one of the best players in baseball history, I'm sure this won't be the last time you see him in this theme.

2008 Topps Update #UH-176 Brad Wilkerson

Blue Jays Accolades:

Brad Wilkerson (2008 Blue Jays, 85 games, half-year stint, sunset season)

First, it was Dave Winfield.

After that, Rickey Henderson.

And then...Brad Wilkerson?!

It's tough to expect a guy like him to follow a couple of Cooperstown inductees. But, for reasons I can't quite explain, I've put a great deal of effort into developing a formidable Brad Wilkerson collection.

After time with the Expos/Nationals and the Rangers, Wilkerson finished out his career in 2008, splitting the season between the Mariners and Blue Jays. He hit .216 with four homers in 85 games for Toronto. This was his last card.

And that's the last time anyone ever mentioned Brad Wilkerson in the same breath as Dave Winfield and Rickey Henderson.

Honorable Mentions:

Lee Mazzilli (1989 Blue Jays, 28 games, half-year stint, sunset season)

Kevin Mench (2008 Blue Jays, 51 games)

Designated Hitter

1992 Upper Deck #522 Dave Parker

Blue Jays Accolades:

Dave Parker (1991 Blue Jays, 13 games, half-year stint, sunset season)

Of all the Blue Jays "Short Term Stops" roster spots, this one was the hardest to choose.

I had a tough time choosing between my man Al Oliver and Dave Parker. "The Big Hurt" was also in the mix.

In the end, I went with Parker. There's no hope of ever getting used to the sight of him in a Blue Jays uniform.

In fact, I didn't think any cards existed of him in the uniform until I came across this 1992 UD issue not too long ago. I'm starting to think it's the only one in existence.

After being released by the Angels, Parker latched on with the Blue Jays for the final 13 games of the 1991 season. He hit .333 in 36 at-bats with Toronto.

Though he'll forever be remembered as a Pirate, Dave Parker will always have those 13 games with the Blue Jays on his career accolades.

That's what I like most about these "Short Term Stops" rosters.

Honorable Mentions:

Al Oliver (1985 Blue Jays, 61 games, half-year stint, sunset season)

Frank Thomas (2007-08 Blue Jays, 171 games, sunset season in '08)

There you have it, folks.

That's the all-time Blue Jays "Short Term Stops" squad.

Short Term Stops: The All-Blue Jays Team (Pt. 1)

Thanks to about a -20 wind chill right now, I'm off school yet again today.

With that kind of weather, I guess it's only appropriate that we'll be taking a look at the All-Blue Jays "Short Term Stops" roster today, the only current franchise from north of the border.

While I'm a fan of the Jays, I still think baseball needs another team in Canada. Whether it be another expansion squad or simply moving a team to the Great White North (preferably the latter), it's something I'd like to see happen in the next ten or fifteen years.

For now, though, I will say that I have a vested interest in the Blue Jays. That said, they're a prime example of why you can't just get big-name players and expect to compete.

Their huge trade with the Marlins last offseason (along with the R.A. Dickey acquisition) was good for a 74-88 record, which was last in the A.L. East.

I'm looking forward to seeing where they go in 2014.

Along with the nightmarish "Highlights" card you see above (which came from Nabisco cereal boxes in Canada), my Blue Jays binder has quite a few good "Short Term Stops" candidates.

We start off with one of the more unfamiliar stints in baseball history.

Pitchers

1988 Classic Red #199 Phil Niekro

"Short Term Stops" Blue Jays Accolades:

Phil Niekro (1987 Blue Jays, 3 games, third-of-a-year stint, sunset season)

If I were to make a revised "Top 100" list, this one would definitely be on it.

I have yet to see another card that features Phil Niekro as a Blue Jay, and I'm about 99 percent certain that this is the only one in existence.

In a stint sandwiched between 22 contests with the Indians and a short one-start farewell with the Braves, "Knucksie" spent all of three games with the 1987 Blue Jays. He went 0-2 with an 8.25 ERA before being released by Toronto.

The short three-game stop didn't give card companies much of an opportunity to snap a shot of Niekro with the Blue Jays.

That makes the efforts of the Classic brand so much more impressive. 

 2011 Topps #512 Octavio Dotel

Blue Jays Accolades:

Octavio Dotel (2011 Blue Jays, 36 games, half-year stint)

We move on to the master of "Short Term Stops", Octavio Dotel.

At times, it seems like he's pitched for every team in the bigs. That's only a slight exaggeration. Dotel has suited up for thirteen franchises during his fifteen-year career, the most of any player in baseball history. (He's still intent on pitching in 2014, from what I hear.)

Toronto was the eleventh of those thirteen stops, as he spent the first part of 2011 north of the border. Dotel posted a 3.68 ERA in 36 games out of the bullpen with the Blue Jays.

But that's not what made his 2011 season so memorable.

Dotel was dealt to the Cardinals at the trade deadline that year, becoming an important arm out of the bullpen for their stretch run. St. Louis, as you might know, went on to win the Fall Classic in 2011.

It's still the only World Series ring of Dotel's long career.

2012 Topps #463 Francisco Cordero

Blue Jays Accolades:

Francisco Cordero (2012 Blue Jays, 41 games, half-year stint, sunset season)

I'm sure Francisco Cordero wishes he retired in 2011.

After a stellar 37-save season with the Reds, he split 2012 with the Blue Jays and Astros. He posted a bloated 5.77 ERA during his 41 games with Toronto, earning just two saves in the process.

Though he just missed making the Astros' roster, "Coco" earns the final pitching spot on this "Short Term Stops" squad.

Honorable Mentions:

Steve Trachsel (2000 Blue Jays, 11 games, half-year stint)

Cory Lidle (2003 Blue Jays, 31 games)

Chad Gaudin (2005 Blue Jays, 5 games)

Catcher

2010 Upper Deck #518 Michael Barrett

Blue Jays Accolades:

Michael Barrett (2010 Blue Jays, 7 games, sunset season)

Michael Barrett is a pretty well-known name amongst Cubs fans.

Sadly, most don't remember him for the solid seasons he posted in the mid-2000's. Nope, he's best known as the guy who wasn't afraid to throw a punch.

He decked A.J. Pierzynski in 2005, triggering a wild crosstown brawl. About a year after that, he was involved in an infamous dugout altercation with Carlos Zambrano. 

Because the Cubs weren't ready to give up on "Big Z" at that point, Barrett was basically run out of Chicago, being dealt to the Padres not long afterward. That was the last I heard of him for a while. 

I don't think I even knew Barrett was still in the bigs when I pulled this card from a pack of 2010 Upper Deck. He was, if just barely. He spent seven unspectacular games with the 2009 Blue Jays.

Farewell, Mr. Barrett.

Honorable Mention:

Bengie Molina (2006 Blue Jays, 117 games)

First Base

2009 Topps Heritage High Numbers #623 Kevin Millar

Blue Jays Accolades:

Kevin Millar (2009 Blue Jays, 78 games, sunset season)

I don't have a whole lot of "must-watch" TV shows nowadays.

One of the few, however, is MLB Network's Intentional Talk. It's a fun little talk show hosted by Chris Rose and former Red Sox "idiot" Kevin Millar.

Because of how much I enjoy the show, I've done quite a bit of research on Mr. Millar. Here's a few fun facts for the day.

1) He was undrafted out of Lamar College before signing with the Marlins.

2) He was one of the players who crossed picket lines during the 1994 strike, which meant that he was never a part of the Player's Union during his career.

3) The Marlins were just about ready to sell him to Japan after the 2002 season until the Red Sox swooped in and acquired him. Had Boston not saved the day, he would've never taken that famous walk against Mariano Rivera in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.

4) He finished his career with the 2009 Blue Jays.

After his 78-game stint in Toronto, the Cubs signed him to a minor-league deal. He was cut by the Cubbies during Spring Training, however, and retired.

I'd say Mr. Millar has had a pretty nice post-baseball career, though.

Second Base

1992 Pinnacle #522 Jeff Kent RC

Blue Jays Accolades:

Jeff Kent (1992 Blue Jays, 65 games, half-year stint)

Like a lot of other people, I'm not a Jeff Kent fan.

I've tried to avoid showing cards of his on this blog, but I'd be lying if I said he wasn't deserving of a spot on this roster.

In a rare "half-year" rookie stint, Kent was traded to the Mets after just 65 games with the Blue Jays. (The swap brought David Cone to Toronto.)

Statistically speaking, he probably does have a resume worthy of the Hall of Fame. His 377 career homers are more than any second baseman in history.

Because of his tumultuous personality, though, I'm not so sure Jeff Kent will ever make it to Cooperstown.

He did, however, make it onto this "Short Term Stops" squad.

That's enough for me.

Honorable Mention:

Ryan Freel (2001 Blue Jays, 9 games)

As usual, be on the lookout for Part 2 this evening.

The dime box frankenset, Page 14: Numbers 118-126

I hear 2014 Topps is on the shelves.

If you must know, I did take a trip to Target yesterday to check. And I even convinced my friends to drive down to Wal-Mart as well last night. 

I still haven't touched the Target and Wal-Mart gift cards I received for Christmas, and I was planning on saving them for 2014 Topps madness.

No luck on either front. Whether from Target or Wal-Mart, my hope is to have some 2014 Topps in hand by Tuesday.

Until then, I'm more than happy to indulge in another frankenset page this afternoon. 

Completion status: 9/9...completed page!

Numbers needed: None.

The card: 1994 Upper Deck Minors #118 Dave Stevens

Why it made the cut...

One thing I like about my frankenset is that it's not relegated to just mainstream major league checklists.

Minor league cards are fair game as well.

That's good news for the UD Minors releases from the early and mid '90s, as I've found quite a few fun frankenset additions from the relatively obscure sets.

Take this one of former Cubbie farmhand Dave Stevens. He's a pitcher, but he's shown here having some laughs in the batting cage.

I also find the "Twins Top Prospect" labeling interesting, as he's clearly in Cubs gear in that shot. (He was dealt to the Twins before UD could get a shot of him with the club, apparently.)

Sometimes, minor league cards offer fun that the big leaguers just can't match.

The card: 1990 Upper Deck #119 Brett Butler

Why it made the cut...

Forgive me, but I'm going to make a list of all the things I love about this card.

1) It's a "double dip" shot.

2) Given that the featured player is the baserunner rather than the fielder, it's kind of like an inverted double play card.

3) That's a young Roberto Alomar sprawled out on the infield dirt there.

4) I love how both players are intensely focusing on the out-of-frame action going on at first base. 

That's why it made the cut, folks.

The card: 2013 Topps Update #US-120 Matt Tuiasosopo

Why it made the cut...

While 2014 Topps is sure to have its fair share of nominees, this remains one of the more recent additions to my frankenset.

I found Matt Tuiasosopo's story to be one of the more intriguing tales that came to light last year, and I'm not sure enough people know about it.

After pretty much flaming out as a one-time hot prospect for the Mariners, Tuiasosopo was without a job last offseason. Desperate for a way back in to baseball, he sent out a mass email to every general manager in the bigs.

Luckily for him, the Tigers decided to take a flyer and signed Tuiasosopo to a minor league deal. He shocked pretty much everyone by making the club out of Spring Training, and went on to have a respectable year for the Tigers in 2013, hitting .244 (with a .351 OBP) with seven homers in 81 games for the team.

Topps rewarded him with a spectacular nighttime "play at the plate" shot in 2013 Update.

Tuiasosopo was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks this offseason.

I'll be pulling for him in 2014.

The card: 1998 Fleer Tradition #121 Jay Bell

Why it made the cut...

After about 15 years of ignorance, I'm finally starting to realize how awesome 1998 Fleer Tradition truly is.

I've been adding these to more and more trade packages lately. I think I even threw a few into Adam's contest winnings a couple weeks ago. (He recently started a blog by the way. Check it out.)

When it comes to 1998 Fleer Tradition, this fun "cards with kids" shot is just the beginning.

The card: 1994 Upper Deck #122 Jose Vizcaino

Why it made the cut...

Double dip!

Like the aforementioned Butler, this is also one of the "inverted" variety.

The card: 1997 Topps #123 Mike Greenwell

Why it made the cut...

Next to Wrigley, Fenway Park is probably my favorite ballpark in the bigs.

As you might know, it's currently the oldest yard in the game. And it opened just five days after the Titanic disaster.

Given its history, I'm partial to any card that sheds Fenway in a favorable light.

Topps did just that with Mr. Greenwell in 1997.

The card: 1994 Upper Deck #124 Eduardo Perez

Why it made the cut...

I think 1994 Upper Deck often gets overshadowed by the legendary set released the year prior.

While UD may have taken a big step back with the design in '94, they sure didn't with the photography. This frankenset page alone features three cards from the overlooked checklist.

I'm a big fan of this post-"play at the plate" shot of Eduardo Perez, who obviously has some issues with the ump's call here.

It's cards like these that make me miss Upper Deck from time to time.

The card: 2004 Topps Traded #T-125 Tim Hutting FY

Why it made the cut...

I can't say I've ever heard of Tim Hutting, but this nifty "bat barrel" shot was enough to earn him a spot in this frankenset.

It's also a "zero-year" card, as Hutting never played a single game in the big leagues. As the back informs me, however, he's a cousin of former outfielder Aaron Rowand.

You learn something new every day.

The card: 2009 Topps Update #UH-126 Matt Tolbert

Why it made the cut...

We close out today's post with the third "double dip" card from this frankenset page.

Like most double play shots, this one focuses on the fielder and not the baserunner. Former Twin Matt Tolbert is the subject of this wonderful horizontal "double dip" piece.

I wonder how many double plays we'll see in 2014 Topps?

Whoops. There I go again.

I really have a one-track mind around this time of year.

Surprise

Once upon a time, I was a member of a trading forum.

I'd make specific trades with other people. They get this, and I get that. I knew when I had to mail packages, and I knew when they were coming.

That meant that during trading dry spells, I knew not to expect anything in the mail. I'd go downstairs mailbox with 100 percent certainty that there wouldn't be anything for me.

Do I make specific, hammered-down trades now that I'm a tenured blogger? Sure do. And I enjoy them.

But what really makes the trading world of the blogosphere so special is the fact that I literally have no idea what to expect on a day-to-day basis. I may not think I'm due to receive anything in the mail, but then, boom, there's an envelope with my name on it.

Almost every one of the cards you'll see in this post had that "surprise" factor to them. And we start off with perhaps the king of surprises here in the blogosphere, Jeff of the awesome blog "2 by 3 Heroes".

If you know Jeff at all, you probably already know how fond he is of the PWE. And you've probably already gotten one from him at some point.

For about the scagillionth time, he dropped an unexpected PWE on my doorstep, one that featured the Vlad you see at the top of the post. (I don't care what anyone says. I like Pacific Online.)

I'm sure it won't be the last time I get an envelope from the "PWE Club" foreman.

Another generous soul here in the blogosphere is T.J., the author of one of the best blogs around in "The Junior Junkie".

He was kind enough to hold a little giveaway to honor Ken Griffey Jr.'s birthday back on...let's see...November 21st?!?!

I really need to get caught up with some of these trade posts.

While I'm way late in showing these off, I hand-picked these two glorious inserts from T.J.'s pot. And, although I knew these were coming my way in the mail, Mr. Junkie himself recently dropped one heck of a cardboard surprise into my mailbox.

But more on that in a later post.

It's nice to know that I'm surrounded by at least a few other Cubs fans here in the blogosphere.

One who I've gotten to know recently is Tom of the terrific blog "Waiting til' Next Year".

He also dropped a PWE on me out of the blue a while ago. I think I might've actually asked for the Garza in one of Tom's past posts, but I'd forgotten about it until this envelope hit my mailbox. It's a wonderful new addition in my half-hearted quest to complete a Garza rainbow.

While I'm a big "Yaz" fan, I have no desire to complete his Panini Cooperstown rainbow. But that "cracked ice" parallel is a head-turner, no doubt.

Like T.J., Tom also sent me another special package that you'll soon see on the blog.

If, unlike me, you have some spare cash to donate towards a good cause, hop on over to Chris's great blog "View from the Skybox".

He's holding a charity break for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Although it's hard for me to scrounge up any kind of extra cash, Chris was still gracious enough to send a nice PWE my way a little while back.

The standout piece, shown above, features a Spalding Baseball Guide from 1886. It's from the Phil Rizzuto's National Pastime checklist, one that comprised the bulk of a recent trade package I received.

If anyone happens to be sitting on any more of these jaw-dropping beauties, I only ask one thing.

SEND THEM TO ME!!!!!!

If you read this blog, John of the spectacular "Johnny's Trading Spot" might be familiar to you by know.

He's sent me not one, but two flat-rate boxes of fun recently. And he followed those up with the neat oversized Nolan Ryan you see above, the spoils of a recent contest I won on his blog.

John also included a nice Christmas card with the "Ryan Express", something I'd never had happen before with a blog trade.

It only took me exactly a month after the holiday to post about it.

Bo of the super blog (I'm running out of adjectives here) "Baseball Cards Come to Life!" recently took on the role of hitman by knocking out one of my "Dime Box Dozen" needs.

We've pulled off a couple mega-trades in the past, but I appreciate Bo dropping a one-card PWE on me just the same. And what a card it was.

Topps was nice enough to give "Ryno" a combo mini-collection hit in 1994, as this former need of mine fits nicely under both my "multiple-exposure" and "double dip" themes.

It's a pleasure to finally have it off of my "Dime Box Dozen" list.

Art was never one of my better subjects in school.

I never thought of it as all that captivating, either. However, a new blogger in town has made me appreciate the world of art by combining it with the wonderful world of baseball cards.

You might have already seen some of Gavin's work on the awesome "Baseball Card Breakdown". If you haven't, go check it out now. There's something for everyone to like.

And, wouldn't you know it, I won a recent contest on his blog.

This nifty Adrian Gonzalez reprint refractor was in Gavin's prize pool, so I jumped on it. I did indeed shell out a few bucks for the original at one point, but it wasn't necessarily because I wanted an "A-Gon" rookie that badly.

No, the real reason is because despite being a #1 overall pick in 2000, Gonzalez never actually played for the Marlins.

It's a "zero-year" card!

Gavin also sent along a few surprise Cubbies with the Gonzalez.

The Grace is one of the shiniest cards you'll ever see, courtesy of the Pacific brand. Oh, how I'd like to see a Pacific revival in 2014.

The card on the left, however, is one of Gavin's artistic custom creations. It's hard to tell from the scan, but Mr. Wilkerson actually glows in the dark.

Needless to say, I've never been so much in awe over something from 1990 Donruss.

My good buddy William of the fantastic blog "Foul Bunt" was nice enough to drop a few things on me recently.

I've said this many times before, but William was one of the first people to show me how special the blogosphere was.

He's easily one of the more generous bloggers I know. Though I've been trading with him for almost two years now, he still surprises me with each passing package.

From what he tells me, William likes to hunt for random little goodies to send my way.

This "derp" card of "Operation Shutdown" himself, Derek Bell, made me chuckle.

On top of that, William likes to pull out the big guns on a regular basis.

I know he's added more cards to my Hoyt Wilhelm collection than anyone else I've traded with. I'm still not sure how he manages to hunt down so many good ones.

I'm not big on jersey cards anymore, but I can't help but get excited when a new one of Hoyt finds its way into my clutches. Especially one with a pinstripe.

This is the fourteenth memorabilia piece in my Wilhelm collection, and a rare one at that. It's limited to just 25 copies.

And it was a complete surprise from the ever-generous William.

This sort of thing is what makes me honored to be a part of the blogosphere.

Looking back on it all, my time on the trading forums seems so archaic.

Zero-Year Cards, Pt. 44

2005 Topps Fan Favorites #15 John Elway (Yankees)

I am eternally confused by this card.

I'm still not clear on why exactly John Elway was included in the 2005 Fan Favorites checklist. Was it Topps's way of stirring the pot, or was it simply a good-natured attempt at having a little fun with one of the better brands in recent memory?

I tend to think it was the latter. Though I'm sure quite a few collectors were baffled when they pulled this card from packs back in 2005.

Personally, I'm not even sure how or when I acquired my copy, which further strengthens the confusing aura this card has.

I'm still not even sure whether I should consider it an official "zero-year" card. The reason I bring this up tonight is because I can't seem to get away from all the Super Bowl hype that's going on right now.

So, right now, I'm going to answer the question once and for all.

Should John Elway be a member of the "zero-year" club?

The vast majority of my "zero-year" cards feature guys who played in the bigs at some point. Elway, of course, never did.

Still, he wouldn't be the first football star to be nominated into the exclusive club. My induction of Ricky Williams (who played in the Phillies' farm system for a few years) certainly helps Elway's case.

Even casual fans of the NFL might know the draft day saga of John Elway. The Colts took him with the #1 pick in the '83 draft. But, since the future HOF quarterback wasn't keen on the idea of playing in Baltimore, the franchise swapped him to the Broncos.

What some might not know, however, is that Elway was actually drafted by the Yankees in the 1981 MLB draft two years prior. In order to gain a little leverage in hopes of the Colts trading him, he threatened to abandon football and play baseball.

Of course, that didn't end up happening. However, Elway did play for the Oneonta Yankees in 1982, the Low-A affiliate of the Bronx Bombers. He hit a sparkling .318 in 42 games that year. Maybe he wouldn't have been half bad at the National Pastime.

Though Elway was never serious about playing baseball professionally, he does indeed have a couple baseball cards floating around out there.

So, yes, I do indeed consider Mr. Elway a part of the "zero-year" club.

It only took about nine years to decide.

Extra credit

As I alluded to in a recent post, I was all set to give a presentation about my collection in one of my classes today.

However, some complications led to it being delayed until next week. That's a shame, because I was really looking forward to my little speech.

Even though lugging around one of my Cubs binders in my backpack was all for naught, I'm still in an intense baseball card mood today.

So, since I've once again built a bit of a backlog in trade posts, I figured tonight would be a good night to feature yet another great mailer that recently hit my doorstep.

This one comes from a repeat offender. You may remember that John of the great blog "Johnny's Trading Spot" recently sent me a flat-rate box of fun a little while ago.

Well, just a short time after that one arrived, John dropped yet another flat-rate box on me. Like the first batch, this one included stacks upon stacks of terrific cardboard.

John started things off with the card you see at the top of the post. As yet another quirky piece in the saga of Orel Hershiser, I'd been planning to add to my "Dime Box Dozen" list at some point in the future.

As I found out, this seemingly random shot actually has a bit of a backstory. During a rather harsh losing streak away from home, the Dodgers took a piece of Dodger Stadium sod on the road with them for good luck. That's what Hershiser is holding on his 1994 Stadium Club issue.

"Bulldog" certainly knows how to make an interesting baseball card, I'll tell you that.

I've come to appreciate shadows on cardboard more and more lately.

This one is certainly a jaw-dropper in that department.

John managed to send over quite a few nice randoms.

Yes, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I did just use the word "nice" to describe something from 1989 Fleer. I can't help loving that nice tee shot (complete with a good old-fashioned "bat barrel") on the Presley. That said, it's still the exception to the rule when it comes to '89 Fleer.

I have a good relationship with my scanner. People often complain about not being able to properly show their 3-D cards, but I got that "munchies" shot of Mr. Cone on the very first try.

Good job, scanner.

Amidst all the randomness, John threw in a couple huge stacks of nothing but minor league cards.

I think I've mentioned my appreciation for these things in the past. I wouldn't say I specifically look to track down new minor league issues, but it's always a pleasure to dig through a stack of them.

While some of the names John sent along have been long forgotten, there were a few future stars in the mix.

I doubt anyone knew who the heck Jason Giambi or Andy Pettitte were when these sets were released.

Quite a few people have sent over those early '90s Bazooka "4-in-1" singles.

However, John is the first person to find one that features the Hoyt-ster. Between Garagiola (a future broadcaster), Roberts, and Stengel, he's in good company there.

One day, I'll make more of an effort to complete that "100 Years of the Fall Classic" insert series.

For now, I'm living off the ones fellow traders dig up from their collections.

This flat-rate box also featured a healthy stack of singles from Pacific's "Tom Terrific" set in 1992.

All 110 cards in the checklist feature, you guessed it...Tom Seaver. Now, on the surface, that might sound like one heckuva boring set. I used to think so, anyways.

Over time, though, I've found that these one-player checklists really aren't all that bad. (I'm planning to do a future post on the matter.)

Sure, some of them might be "same old, same old" after a while, but a select few can really be something special.

Take the card you see above, for instance. That's a neat shot of Mr. Seaver's 300th Win celebration at old Comiskey Park, complete with a framed newspaper cover from the day's Sun-Times.

Not sold yet?

How about now?

Of the 100-plus cards I own of "Tom Terrific", not one shows him at the plate. Before these came along, that is.

For the record, Seaver was a .154 career hitter, though he did launch 12 career dingers. So maybe the "Batting Star" label is a bit misleading.

Nevertheless, shots like these aren't something you'll see in your everyday baseball card set.

That's why I'm an unlikely advocate for these one-player checklists.

Speaking of "pitchers at the plate", John definitely knows his way around my mini-collections.

He already proved that with the first flat-rate box he sent me. The ones he included in this latest batch were kind of like extra credit.

John was amongst the first to find hits to my brand new "anthemic" mini-collection. If the name doesn't speak for itself, this latest theme is devoted to players honoring America's National Anthem.

I'm looking forward to digging for these in future dime boxes.

Throwbacks, anyone?

Why Mariano Rivera is wearing a 1905 New York Highlanders jersey in his underpants is anyone's guess. As is the beach setting in the background. (Though I'm guessing that the photo may have been taken in his native Panama.)

I think most of us can agree on one thing, though.

It's a pretty doggone awesome piece of cardboard no matter what.

Here's a couple Reds-centric mini-collection pieces.

Given the recent tragedy involving Ryan Freel, his 2004 Ultra issue is quite chilling. Still, I'm always on the hunt for new adds to my "cards with kids" theme. Plus, it gives us a glimpse into a time when Ryan Freel's life was pretty good. And that's a special thing.

Though I've loved the set for virtually my whole collecting lifespan, I'm still tracking down cards I need from the 2001 UD Decade checklist. I'd never seen that spectacular "interview" shot of Mr. Bench before this flat-rate box arrived.

It leaves me wondering what else I've missed from this awesome set over the years.

It's always nice to receive overproduction era mini-collection hits.

As you can see, John found a rare new piece for my "argument" theme. That pitch was right over the plate, Mr. Lansford.

I can't say I've ever heard of Rich Amaral, but that's one mean "double dip" shot right there.

Here's a nifty "play at the plate" specimen of new Nationals manager Matt Williams.

It's yet another chapter in Score's underrated run of great sets in the mid '90s.

John also managed to dig up this fold-out beauty, a rather unorthodox add to my "behind the camera" theme.

On top of that, Jose Cruz Jr. wasn't a Seattle Mariner for very long. He spent just 49 games with the franchise in 1997 (his rookie year) before being traded to the Blue Jays midseason.

I'm especially fond of these things because most show the player in a candid place of happiness.

That's certainly true with Mr. Cruz here.

If all this great cardboard is any indication, John earned quite a bit of extra credit with his second flat-rate box of fun.

With his generosity, though, I doubt he needed it.

Book value, swag, and other musings

I talk about this hobby's terminology quite a bit on this blog.

It's something I've posted about a couple different times in the past. Things like "PWEs" and "refractors" may seem second nature to us collectors, but I bet a lot of other people would look at us funny if we were to bring them up in everyday conversation.

The blogosphere certainly gave me a few new terms to add to my collecting dictionary. I didn't know what the heck "bipping" was. And I definitely didn't know the ins and outs of building a "frankenset" before this blog.

In the two-plus years I've been here, I'm proud to see a few of my self-made terms pop up in other people's writings here and there. I've noted a few references to "zero-year" cards outside of my blog.

The same goes for "sunsets". Longtime favorite Ryan Theriot retired last week, so his 2013 Topps issue will go down as his "sunset" card. And quite a nice one, at that.

One reason I love our terminology is that it sets us apart from other hobbies. There aren't any "rookies" in coin collecting. (I don't think.)

That said, our little dictionary isn't perfect.

There are a few terms I could do without, as a matter of fact.

"Sick" -- adjective: A card that is just too awesome for the word "awesome". Usually relegated to high-dollar material.

Ex: Nick would go bankrupt if he chased sick Mike Trout rookie autograph patches, bro.

Using the word "sick" in any manner should not be a good thing.

To some people in the hobby, though, it is. I'm not exactly sure when using the term "sick" started to intertwine with a good baseball card.

I do know, however, that I've heard it on quite a few occasions at shows, namely when a bro has some "sick" Derek Jeter autograph for sale or something.

I'm not sure if I own anything that could be considered "sick". I'd guess that this UD Future Stars Dice-K insert walked the "sick" line when the hurler broke into the bigs.

Is it "sick" here in 2014? Thanks to Dice-K's flameout, probably not. I found it in a flea market quarter box last year, interestingly enough. (Funny that I should post it on the same day Mr. Tanaka agrees to a huge contract with the Yankees.)

Can we move on now?

I'm getting sick saying the word "sick" so often.

"Swag" -- noun: A big haul from a card show, contest win, etc.

Ex. Nick eagerly waited for his contest swag to come in the mail.

Swag.

Where do I start?

Well, it's short for "swagger". I know that much. Like "sick", though, I have no idea when the term started to be used in relation to baseball cards. But I hear people allude to contest "swag" all the time. I've never referred to certain finds as dime box "swag" or Hideo Nomo "swag".

I should note that "swag" is starting to pop up in everyday talk. People my age drop it into sentences quite often. It's starting to annoy me as much as the "hashtag" thing. (Don't even get me started on that.)

I guess I'm just not a swag-tastic type of person.

"Ebay 1/1" -- noun, adjective: A card labeled more valuable due to its serial numbering. Sometimes relegated to firsts and lasts in production, such as 0001/2013 or 2013/2013.

Ex. Nick was able to retire after he convinced some sucker to buy his Ebay 1/1 A-Rod, numbered 0001/1000, for a million dollars.

This is something a few other bloggers have already talked about.

I buy singles on Ebay about once every blue moon, so maybe I'm not the most qualified person to discuss the matter. But I do find it strange that people will fork over a few extra bucks for a card numbered to a guy's jersey number. (Like a Vlad Guerrero card numbered 0027/2000.)

Perhaps "Ebay 1/1s" can go even further.

Let's see...this Geoff Blum Highlights card is numbered 1969/2005. The White Sox won the World Series in 2005. Their crosstown rivals haven't won one since 1908. Perhaps the Cubbies' best shot at a World Series (before an epic collapse) was in...1969!

AN EBAY 1/1!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Besides, when you really stop and think about it, isn't every card an Ebay 1/1?

"Book value" -- adjective: The worth of a card according to the almighty Beckett.

Ex. Nick still can't believe his Jack Cust rookie card once had a book value of eight dollars.

I've gone on and on about this in the past, so I'll keep it brief here.

This Ryan Drese is one of my favorite "pitcher on the basepaths" cards. It's especially neat because Drese was a Ranger at the time, an American League club. Even with lack of experience at the plate, he somehow managed to find his way to second base.

Not only that, but this was one of the first cards I pulled when I started to get back into baseball cards around 2005. A friend and I used to bust pack after pack of Bazooka during our Target runs. It's had a secure spot in my Rangers binder ever since.

But what does Beckett say Mr. Drese is worth?

Forty cents.

Is it worth more than that to me?

You better believe it.

"Hit" -- noun: A good pull from a pack or a box. Usually a jersey or autograph card.

Ex. Nick's big hit from his box of 2012 Topps Update was a Jordan Pacheco autograph.

Listen.

I'm not against the word "hit" at all. If your idea of a nice pull is a jersey or autograph card, I have no problem with that.

The fact that "hit" seems to only be used towards jerseys and/or autographs is what kind of rubs me the wrong way.

I consider any card I need a hit.

When I opened my box of 2011 Topps Update, my big hit wasn't the jersey card I pulled. (I can't even remember who it was.)

No, my biggest hits came from the base checklist. Namely this Bartolo Colon card, the only one he'd ever have during his forgotten tenure with the Yankees.

That's a hit to me.