Monday, March 31, 2014

Well, what did you expect?

If I have learned anything, it is "be careful what you ask for"? I can say, in my life, there are many times I wished I had shut my mouth, cuz you end up getting far more than you want, or need, in return for a simple request.

In baseball card collecting, though, asking and receiving is a pretty cool thing. I have made mention about my love of miscut cards. You, the readers, took this to heart and I have received quite a large amount of miscuts in the mail over the past 7-10 days.


First up is Mr. Dime Box himself, Nick. Nick and I just send packages back and forth. I am certain, of all my mailings, Nick has been the collector I have sent to the most. With Nick, it's really easy to find cards that fit into his collection. For you that are wondering what he likes, I made this chart to narrow down his binders.


It's pretty much that. He's easy to shop for. Nick said found that load of miscuts from his last card show in a dime box (shocking!) and thought I would like that (I did). But that was not all he sent.


A lot of throwbacks. I could have swore I had that gorgeous Peavy, and then I realized it was in my '08 set, so it was needed. You can see the ChiSox need to add the pants numbers to their now alternate uniforms. They are not an exact match to the softball tops.


My bunting binder has 'SPLODED with all the bunting cards I have received recently. Nice of Nick to give up a pitcher at the plate card. I am hoping it's a dupe.


A few double plays, with a rare multi exposure. Again, for Nick's collection, I hope it's a dupe.


And some great oddballs, WITH A HOYT. Nick - are my binders becoming offsite storage for your collection???? Thanks again, bro.


Jeff from One Man's (Junk) Wax dropped two PWEs on me over the week. The first had 11 micuts and the note "now I know what to do with these things". Yes - send them to meeeeeeeeeeee! That Cecil is unique, but you can't tell until I post the back of the card.


Perfectly (for the most part) centered. Did they print the back after the first cut and before the panels were split? Jeff's other PWE had the know "hope there is one or two you need" in an envelope with 36 early 80 Fleer.


I needed 29 of the 36, much better than the one or two desired return. Thanks Jeff.


Here's part of a couple packages from Matt at Once a Cub. If it wasn't for Nick, Matt would have the distinction of the most cards back and forth. Here's a group of 4 miscuts he sent. None of the edges match up, so I wonder where the true mates to each card ended up. There was a lot of other greatest with these cards, plus the other package from Matt, but those will be posted another day.

Remember, if you don't know what to do with a miscut card, I'll give it love. Otherwise, send it to Nick.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

plus 6, minus 4

I have talked in the past about the greatness of a PWE of cards. Another amazing package of 6 cards showed up the other day, and what those 6 accomplished is quite incredible. Dennis from Too Many Verlanders (or do you visit Too Many Manninghams) dropped 6 cards on me at the start of this week.


Just your straight forward group of Allen and Ginter. But the addition of these six remove four lists from my A&G needs. The three 2011 at the top finish the base with SP set of 2011. The Reyes was the last card I needed to finish the base with SP for 2008. Centaur completes "One Little Corner" and the Bastille is the last card needed for the "Palaces & Strongholds" insert set. I had all these in my shopping cart at Sportlots but haven't pulled the trigger on the purchase. I've since replaced them in my list.

Thanks Dennis. Anyone else who likes math, feel free to check out my needs.

Friday, March 28, 2014

BOOM!!!

There are constants in the world. Good always triumphs over evil. The McRib comes back every few months. The flow of the seasons in Chicago (winter, winter, construction, winter). The Cubs will disappoint again (look - it's been been 105 years. I guess everyone can have a bad century, right?).

One constant in blogland is the ritual of being bombed by Wes at Jaybarkerfan's Junk. I like to consider myself generous, and then Wes does what Wes does, and I end up looking like a hoarder. A week back...

Ow.

...Wes dropped a small USPS box stuffed with White Sox. You can really jam those things full of cards if you tape closed the overstuffed team bags. Just when I thought I was close to getting all my ChiSox sorted, this box arrived. Though, in the long run, the timing was perfect. Since I was in cleanup/organize mode, I just shifted to the bags and got them all put away. Had to do some scanning, however, so I choose the best three from each bag.


Got a few Flair from Nachos Grande's recent box breaks. But not from this particular year for the Thomas. Durham is a dupe, but only by team set standards. He is a great bunting binder addition. And the Fleer? You cannot tell, but that is a glossy card from the full set boxes.


Iguchi throwback, but it goes into the player binder. Nice Fleer Metal of current manager Ventura I freed from the protective cover. And a chrome of Big Hurt. For the record, I think on of the bags would have filled with all the Thomas cards Wes sent.


More Frank. Skybox this time. Love that parallel from Pinnacle. He included the base card. The foil looks just as cool in person. And Topps Laser. What can be said about Laser?




I love that image of Mark Johnson. Not much of a career, but he is the manager of the local single-A club for the Cubs. Chrome Thome - sweet. And a nice Crede futures card for the player collection.


Oddball city. Oh baby, that wave of the future is sweet. All raised and beautiful.


More Hostess as well as that great MooTown Snackers. Those two cards alone are making me hungry. Nice triple exposure from Donruss.


A new Star Sticker for my collection. Love these Victory cards. I still miss the vested unis from the Sox. Finally, an amazing shot of the Big Hurt launching another one into the stands. Look close and you can see the baseball right in the middle of his bat. That thing is about to feel pain.


Last bag. Nice purple refractor for the throwbacks binder. So 90's with Harold in the middle. Who doesn't love the horribly focused early Fleer releases?

Wes, thanks as always for the card drop. Most appreciated.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Throwback Thursday - 03.27.2014

Every Thursday, I post a card showing a ballplayer wearing a throwback uniform from my collection. Hopefully, he will be wearing it well, with proper pants blousing. I'll try not to duplicate a uniform. The picture may be from the front of the card, or the back. Enjoy the uniforms from years past.

Dennis Cook - 1993 Topps Stadium Club - Cleveland Indians

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Two year anniversary contest winners

We are going to suspend Trade Me Tuesday one week. Instead, let's just get these two cards off to the winners of the 2x3 Heroes two year anniversary gala extraordinary blowout extravaganza soiree.

Whoop-dee. Frigging. Do.

All total, there were 39 entrants. There were 40 entries, but some goofball (I'm not naming names) decided to click the update me button on the post. So 39 names into Random.org:


As I said, I ran the randomizer a total of six times. Place #1 got choice and place #39 gets the one that is left over. So who's smiling?


Tony L and Marcus are the winners. I am not sure if I have either of your mailing addresses, so hit me up a 2x3heroesATgmailDOTcom and let me know. Tony, you pick between the Kingman and the Lo Duca.


For the rest, thanks for taking part. And cuz I like mentioning silly facts, plus I know he will laugh along with the rest of us, Fuji came out the worst. Dead in the middle, farthest from either winning position. We all still love you, Fuji.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Loading the harpoon

It shouldn't take much for most of the readers to get my reference in the title. I'll be honest, it took me a few reads over different posts to fully grasp the phrase "white whale". As with Captain Nemo, it's the one exclusive item that you must conquer.

At first, I thought a white whale referred to something very expensive. Now, those seeking white whales find they can get expensive, but that is just a factor in their rarity. A Michael Jordan autograph is definitely a pricey item, I don't think one would consider it a white whale. There are plenty available, if your wallet can afford them.

Next, I thought a white whale was something old. Again, in one sense it can be, however, there are plenty of modern white whales in existence. Those of us trying to complete a card rainbow know the search for a printing plate or a platinum border. White whales for sure, but not by age.

No, the definition I come to, and I hope I am not wrong, is that a white whale is something rare and hard to find. Be it new or old, the difficulty in tracking down the item is the thrill of the chase. In my Billy Pierce Project, I have labeled a pod of whales:

1955 Robert Gould W605
1957 Swift Meats
1959 Bazooka
1961 Topps stamps
1964 Topps Venezuelan back

I have seen the Gould and the Swift Meats on Ebay, but nowhere near a price I can afford. The '61 stamp I saw as an empty slot in a binder of stamps at a card show, so I assume it used to be there. The Bazooka and the Venezuelan back cards may be myths, as I have yet to see either in the real world, and only via internet images.

But recently, what I would consider less of a white whale (maybe like a cod, sturgeon or halibut) showed up on Ebay. And not just one, but both from a specific set. I had seen the one before, but never both. I had to make sure to win them, so in the end I am not sure whether I overpaid. But it doesn't matter - I am still very happy to add them to my collection, both for the cost of a blaster.


I am quite satisfied with the condition of both. I knew of the one with Billy's face, but had no clue of the existence of the autograph tattoo. I did consult a checklist and it's valid. Of course, that checklist does identify tattoo #73. Hey GCRL.....sorry.

So while not quite the nemesis for Nemo, or myself, I reeled in these great white....tunas.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Sunday SIL: Other collections, I have. Yes.

I like Star Wars.

There, I said it. For those that have emailed me, or follow me on Twitter, this is pretty much a no brainer. If you can't figure out how much I like the trilogies (yes, I pluraled that), then you really need to visit a doctor for an examination. For a rough guess, I have seen A New Hope at least 60 times. Maybe more. However, I used to have the story on 8-track which I listened to nightly for years. If you factor that in, I have easily "seen" the movie over a 1000 times. I collected the toys in the early 80's, and again when Hasbro started rereleasing them in the late 90's. I have a Star Wars tattoo on my left arm. And while I am not an official member of either the 501st or the Rebel Legion, I do Jedi up when the need arises.

The isn't the vodka you are looking for.

I have purchased a few cards from recent Topps releases. Of the original 5 sets (blue, red, yellow, green and orange), I think I am a couple cards short on blue, yellow and red are complete and I didn't buy a lot of green and orange. I plan to pick up a box of Jedi Legacy some day, and I have been putting together the most recent release, Star Wars Illustrated. 

It is in that for this post. I caught site in the blogroll of Paul from Random Baseball Stuff concerning his wants for the set. I had enough doubles that needed to not sit on my desk. Thankfully, Paul had enough that he didn't want on his desk either, so a quick exchange of mailing addresses and we both we able to erase numbers off our want lists. 


Technically, Paul sent me two packages. These three were in the first. If you said "man, that card on the right is so dark I bet it's foil", you win. Pat yourself on the back. 


Cards from package #2. All the base cards are horizontal, which works well. 


These are inserts. The two on the left are reimagining the iconic original poster. The last is an 18 card set called One Year Earlier. Just surmises the lives of people one year before the events of ANH. Paul didn't stop with SW cards, though.


Good bunch of ChiSox for numerous years. That Bazooka sticker rocks.


A few for the collection binders, and a sweet oddball from Mars Attacks. Lastly, we have this...


I know quite a few collect pocket schedules. I always pick some up when I see them locally, just cuz, and when on vacation, cuz they make great cheap souvenirs. If anyone is looking for a Chicago area pocket schedule, send me an email. I'll keep an eye out for any I can find and get them to you.

So thanks again, Paul. Best of luck completing your set......and I don't know, fly casual.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

The drive for the desktop

In a few posts in the past, I have taken photos of my desk here at the home of 2x3 Heroes. It's a mess. Though, who's isn't, right? The thing about collecting is the organization. If I was paid to sort cards, not only would my stress level be one tenth what it is with my current job, I would have a clean desk. But I have another career to pay the bills, so like you, I look through the cards and make piles.

The biggest issue with the cards is the need to scan and show them off. I think it's proper for public acknowledgement to the person that took the time to package up and mail over some cardboard. It's only right. I could file them away, but the mailings would become less and less frequent and I hate being called an inconsiderate jerk.

Image courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Says here this week you are a "insensitive jagwad".

 So in attempt to recover the top of my desk, let's scan and post. 


Two cards from Mark at Cardboard Conundrum. The Bollig was a swap for a Rusin auto I pulled from my box of Panini Pastime. And the Toews because it's Toews


Kerry from Cards on Cards dropped some ChiSox parallels on me. I can appreciate the softball uniforms from the 80's more now I am older. I hated them when they were in use. 

I took part in the box break on Nacho Grande that Chris ran. I came away pretty well.


I like Flair. I am sure enough don't, but I do enjoy them. 


I really like Stadium Club, and I am not in the minority. I have trepidations, though, it's return will be nothing but a money grab.


Lots of Big Hurt. The Topps Tek are my first two cards ever from that set. And know I understand why people love it so. Boy, those are sweet cards. My one hit from the break is that Thomas Gallery next to the Tek. It was a fun break and I pulled a lot of great cards. But Chris didn't stop there. He dropped a PWE on me a couple days later with a note reading "Prepare yourself for one of the worst miscuts I ever pulled".


Be still my heart. Oh my goodness that is pure beauty. The back?


You can see how that fake aging appeared on the back of the 206 cards. I am trying to figure out who the other card is. Will who from the Padres or the Giants?


Lastly, a nice envelope from AJ at The Lost Collector. Ton of great ChiSox cards I needed in numerous team sets over numerous years. 


Two really nice cards in the envelope. A sweet on card auto of Nestor Molina, and how about that Crede die cut. AJ referred to it as "awesome" As usual, the blogger is correct. Awesome it is.


This was an interesting sticker (front and back scanned). That jagged edge on the left side is strange. Soooooo 90's. And the rule on the back, while very basic, is incomplete. If you are going to teach the children, teach 'em right.

Rule 2.00
 
An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.

When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare “Infield Fly” for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare "“Infield Fly, if Fair".


The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.


If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly.


Rule 2.00 (Infield Fly) Comment: On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder—not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire’s judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire’s judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately.
When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05 (L). The infield fly rule takes precedence.
If interference is called during an Infield Fly, the ball remains alive until it is determined whether the ball is fair or foul. If fair, both the runner who interfered with the fielder and the batter are out. If foul, even if caught, the runner is out and the batter returns to bat.

And now you know. 


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Throwback Thursday - 03.20.2014

Every Thursday, I post a card showing a ballplayer wearing a throwback uniform from my collection. Hopefully, he will be wearing it well, with proper pants blousing. I'll try not to duplicate a uniform. The picture may be from the front of the card, or the back. Enjoy the uniforms from years past.

Clay Hensley - 2007 Upper Deck - San Diego Padres

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Trade Me Tuesday #4

I knew no one could resist die cuts. Will we get a bite on this week's offering?

Here's how this works. I will post 6-ish cards each Tuesday. If you would like them, first to claim in the comments takes them. The cost for the cards is 1 (one) card off my want lists. It could be a need from my general wants, my A&G wants or something that I don't have in my bunting, double play, throwback, miscut or broken bats binders. You can find the cards currently in those in my Zistle account. Any card not shown is a card I want. Hey - if you would like to send me something for one of my active (or inactive) Projects that I don't have, that would be lovely too. Random White Sox and/or Blackhawks cards, however, are not allowed.

After you claim the stack, email me at 2x3heroesATgmailDOTcom. Let me know your mailing address - the cards will go out the day I get your mailing address (unless I already have it in my database). Here's the main key: DO NOT TELL ME WHAT YOU ARE SENDING! I enjoy a good surprise.

How about 6 mini cards. Sorry for that tease, Owl.


So here we have 6 late 80's Topps minis. The first four are from the ''88 Topps UK mini set. The last two are '90 Topps Yearbook stickers. The sticker on the front of the Ryno is Albert Belle. The card on the back of Yount is Doc Gooden.

Comment away.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Ummm - Happy birthday to me. Let's have a contest.

Well, not to me, but to 2x3 Heroes. It was two year ago today that I decided to jump into these wacky and weird group of blogging. I had been visiting Heartbreaking Cards, Night Owl, Fuji and a few others for about 8 or 9 months and decided I could use an outlet for my collection and my humor.

Really? We going there again?

I had put a reminder in my phone a few months back and totally forgot about it. When I saw a weird notification icon on it, I was reminded about creating this post. 

So, what has two years taught me:

a) You really aren't as funny as you think. I know this, Ms. Doctor Buzzkill
b) Blogging can be hard.
c) Everyone is a better writer than you - face up to those facts, Jeff.
d) Dime boxes are filled with treasures.
e) Holy crap a lot of people like the Dodgers. 
f) Be careful what you ask for. Though, asking for Mantle rookies is pretty much a waste of breath.
g) Twenty bucks at Target and twenty bucks at a card show yield vastly different results.
h) Spouses of collectors are super patient. Thank God. 
i) Sooner or later, you will get something really really cool. 
j) If no one else laughs, if you think the post was funny, it was.
k) If no one else laughs, if you think the post was funny, it probably wasn't.
m) Filling other people's want lists can make you appreciate the cards you have when you search through them very closely.
n) There is no letter "n" lesson.
o) Do it right and you will enjoy going to the mailbox on a daily basis.
p) Then again, you may not enjoy the mess your desk will become.
q) Is there anything better than a completed project/set/collection?
s) Are you really reading this without clicking that link?
t) Just cuz you get rid of a lot of cards, in due time you will replace them all.
u) I am a fortunate man to have so many card shops within 30 minutes of my house.
v) Vintage. 'Nuf said.
w) Get an idea in you head and before long you can end up in a dark corner of YouTube.
x) Sooner or later, you will find someone that really likes 1991 or 1995 Fleer.
y) BIPPED!
z) Lastly, collectors are super generous and very kind.

Interesting stats about the blog:

- 70,444 total page views
- Most visits from the US, but surprisingly China is 2nd and the Ukraine is 3rd. HUH?
- Almost 50% of the visits come from people using Firefox.
- 210 visits came from someone(s) still running Windows NT
- 10 page views from someone(s) that searched "Kate Upton"
- 638 total comments
- 363 total posts (avg one every other day - I did the math for you)
- Top three visited posts
これは素晴らしい取引である
It's the Merry Christmas post 
Obligatory 2012 Topps Archive post 

Now, the first two I can see because the YouTube video linked may drive people to my site. But post three is both confusing and enjoyable. Personally, that is one of my favorite posts to write. The other post I really enjoyed was this. It's my humor.  

Ok - so to celebrate 2 years of stupidity, let's give away a couple cards. 


You know my rules - just comment. I'll close entries Sunday night at 11:59pm Central time. All the names go into Random. Since 2x3 = 6 (in the math world), I will random the list 6 times. Person in spot one gets choice. Person at the very bottom of the random gets what it left. Yes - you can be the worst loser and still win. I do what I like.