A Patch from Potch: The Cardinal Side of Things

I finally did it . . . a real trade. Look out world, Chef's slingin' cards.

Work has been busy with the changing of the seasons. Spring has come, ramps are on the pork belly, and asparagus is juicy as an apple. I am going to commit myself to blogging more, as baseball season too has begun. I will probably only buy two types of sets this year, Allen and Ginter and the Topps Flagship. So, if anyone has Cardinals or Royals from the other sets released this year, check out my "have's" page and let's see if we can help each other out.

Anyways, on to the cards from Potch. I sent him a bunch of 2012 Topps inserts that he needed, and in return he sent a slew of sweet Cardinal's and Royals. I am going to split the trade in two posts, one for the Redbirds and the other the Royals.

Let the parade of World Champions begin:

Okay, while Todd was technically not a World Champion, he did pitch in game seven of the World Series in 1987. Let that fact not distract you from the man's superlative mustache. Look at it and feast. Todd had a great start to his career for the Cardinal's, garnering Rookie of the Year and Rolaids Relief Man awards in 1986. If he hadn't had two back-to-back injuries I think he could have been one of the best of his era.

There he is. The long-necked fleet-footed center-fielder World Champion. This card is seven years after his amazing rookie and champion year. Game 3 of the Series, Willie smacks two homer's and makes a spectacular catch in the outfield. Man, it seems like the Cardinal's always have great speed in the outfield, and just consistently great management. Willie was a part of the "Whiteyball" era, good times to grow up in Missouri!

A great reprint from last year's 60 Years of Topps inserts. The back of the card says that for the first time in 15 years Topps left the player positions off the cards. Ozzie certainly didn't need the reminder, as he was the gold standard of shortstops at the time. He was an All Star this year, 2nd in MVP voting, a Gold Glover and a Silver Slugger. Right in the middle of 12 consecutive All Star seasons, just an unreal player. Long live the Wiz!

That's right . . . two Chris's for the price of one. I really like the Masterpieces card, this is my first of that insert set.  I hope his nerve irritation heals well, and Chris is able to pitch at the level he did last year. The battle between him and Halladay was epic. Carpenter's humble attitude and huge arm have endeared him to the St. Louis population, and all wait with baited breath for his return.

That's it for the Cardinals. Potch sent me a bunch more, perhaps they will find their way sprinkled into posts in the future.

Look for the Royals post tomorrow.

And once again, thanks Potch!!!

They Sparkle Because They're Champions

That's right. They did it!!!

They weren't the zombie cards, as the pundits liked to call them. They were the Vampire cards . . . vampires sparkle.

Busy day tomorrow at work, gotta keep it short.

The only Texas Ranger I was afraid of was Chuck Norris.

Now please resign Albert.

Woo Hoo!!!

Absolutely amazing. Silly amazing.

Game 7 here we come.

This also means that Royals week continues. This last installment is brought by my first "trade".

Tom at angelsinorder.blogspot.com sent me some awesome Cards and Royals, several Ozzies, and several types of cards I didn't have yet. Totally fun, and you will probably read atleast one more post on it. I say "trade" because he sent me these cards with only the promise of me sending any Angels cards I might have. One caveat, he had more then enough 80's and early 90's cards. Lol. I don't blame him. After just recently starting to collect, I can certainly see how someone would have a copious amount of, and more then enough of those cards.

I did luck into some sweet Angels cards through a group break, and can't wait to send them out to complete my "trade".

Back to Royals Week. With a Card for good luck.

Probably unbenknowsnt to Tom, he sent me my 2nd and 3rd card of literal foodstuff. I hadn't thought about it before, but they both feature a food that is probably in a great number of baseball photos.

Chewing Gum.

If I could be Bo, would I be Bo? Something about the sentence begs for a "would a wood chuck" treatment.

The second and bonus Card is something I collect exactly.

An Ozzie Smith Food Card!
Never even imagined one would exist.

18th year in the bigs here. And still just a sweet day in the sun chewin' gum.

Thanks for my new favorite Ozzie.

Carpenter will pitch, I guarantee it!!!

Was That the Only Picture You Had? a.k.a. Wake up Lance

Go Redbirds!!!

It isn't fair that Lance is depicted in this "Animal House"-like fashion. Even if he went 0-3 in game 5, woke up on picture day hung-over, he deserves better. At least comb his hair photographer.

The humanity!!!

Bob is Great, Stan is Neat, and Osborne Rocks!

Kevin over at thediamondking.blogspot.com has sent me an amazing package.

This is the third package of awesomness I have received. Tribecards, the Troll and now Kevin have all hooked me up. Inspiring and giving great fun to this stranger.

The first card of the shipment tonight just might be my new favorite. The card is so sleek, clean and awesome. I can't believe Kevin would send me such a great Topp '74, made three years before I was born. Bob Gibson was from my Dad's era, when Grandad was a man and Dad was a boy.

What a classic shot. Gibson, wearing the weird spacesuit of orange textile beneath his sharp Cardinals uniform, stands alone in an empty stadium. Or, almost empty. Seems Chilly.

He played for so long, all for the Redbirds. Hoot really is, in the psyche of every young Missouri boy, along with Mark Twain and Daniel Boone.

The next card is amazing. An absolute treasure of a photo.

Donora Pennsylvania . . . home of stan the man. Around 14,000 people strong the year he was born. Obviously the home of high b-ball fashion. I think American Apparel sells gold lame like that. No disrespect Mr. Musial.

The Arch. Sweet. Architechtural Masterpiece. It says he was neat.

I have always wanted to build a statue across the Mississippi river in Illinois. The statue would be of a croquet player, and the viewer would veiw it with such perspective that the Arch was a giant wicket. That's sweet architecture.

Seriously though . . . there is a statue of the "Man" for a reason.
One of the greatest hitters ever.
Despite the kneepads.

The last card for this post is the first of the Ozzie's. Kevin sent me many Ozzie's. Thanks to him I already have double digit Ozzie.

But his Mama calls him Osborne Earl.

He can flip.
So many gold gloves. Baker's Dozen.

Dang.

Thanks diamondking.

Learning About VIntage

I liked the Topps redemption program this year. Putting the codes in online, and then digging a sqaure to find your reward was fun. I didn't really care for the digital rings as I would never get enough to matter. I did like getting the vintage cards. I didn't have any older cards before these, so it has been fun to see them.

This Cardinal wasn't known to me, which is no surprise considering he played his last year in 1973. This card is from 1967.

I can imagine this 25 year old kid from Memphis enjoying several of the Italian restaurants on the "hill" in St. Louis. Bear with me as we journey into a sweet food aside. I have been to the "hill" several times growing up, always going with my Dad and family to an Italian restaurant in the heavily Italian region of St. Louis dubbed the "hill". Red and white checkerboard scene. Fun, jovial rooms.

The home of Fried Ravioli.

That's right, digest that one.

The first fried ravioli were made right in the "hill". According to Missouri canon, a cook was making ravioli near the fryer, and one fell into the oil. Seeing the sublime creation and swiftly dipping it into marinara, that cook changed the world. Well, if not the world, than atleast a great deal of the overweight midwesterners waistline was changed by this genius. Don't argue with regional urban-folklore. Just accept it and repeat it to all who will listen. Such is the oral tradition.

Back to the card, just picture the young second-bagger above with a belly full of delicious.

Phil was born in Memphis. Attended high school down there with three other players he would team with on the Cardinals. in 1967, Phil had just played two full seasons in the bigs, preceded by two partial teams in the early 60's.

His brother Ralph played a few years in the bigs as well.

Searching Becketts.com for the player shows 24 cards, two of them minor league, many of them team issue. It is fun to think that you could choose a random card like this, and chase that player's cards.

Love the Cards uniform, but Gagliano will not be my first vintage chase. I'll know it when I see it.