You Drive 26 Miles

To the local card shop
And what do you get?

A new pack of Heritage
And nary a Met.

I made a trip to the local card shop today - Clayton's Cards in Roy, UT - to thumb through the game used and low price boxes. What did I find? Gaze upon the metallic and solid cardboard works of art and prepare to be awestruck.

Card 1 - $3.00
2006 Bowman Heritage
Pieces of Greatness Bat Card
No. PG-EE Edwin Encarnacion
This is how a game used card should be made. Thick, industrial grade cardboard. What John Wayne Toilet Paper wishes it could be. This card could be used to pry open a window that was painted shut 5 years ago.

Card 2 - $3.00
2006 Topps Heritage
Clubhouse Collection Bat Card
No. CC-AD Adam Dunn
Look at Adam smile as he knows he's gonna smash a tater out of Great American Ballpark off of Ol' Huddy. Look at that bat that drove in Kearns and Ross to win the game. Even I am smiling.

Card 3 - $3.00
2005 Leaf Certified Materials
Mirror Blue Fabric 083 / 100
No. 2 Adam Dunn
I like these cards. One more Blue and I can make my special lady a nice pair of earrings. Look at Dunn setting up to wiff on the fastball from Zambrano.

Card 4 - $3.00
2005 Leaf Certified Materials
Mirror White Parallel 089 / 250
No. 2 Adam Dunn
Look at the brilliance as the card shines. It puts the BAAAAAAMMMM! In Peanut Butter and Jammmmmmm! Marvel at Adam as he learned from the previous Zambrano pitch and hangs back to crush a deep double to drive in Encarnacion.

Now on to the Topps Heritage pack.
Can we remain Cub free?

Please let there be a God and
let Him love thy Reds fan.

Card 1
Not officaly a Mets card. He is with the Twins here. I predict that the 3 times Johan matches up with the Reds this year he will experience tightness in the chest, slight dizziness from the mind numbing hitting and possible fainting. They are all signs of looseritis.

Card 2
Rookie card of the younger brother of this guy. A former Red.

Card 3
How dumb was the joke the school photo guy told Orlando to get this face? Did the guy say he was a Cubs fan? That is all I can figure to get a look like that.

Card 4
Chrome Parallel of some pitcher. 1387 / 1959. Looks like he plays for some baseball team in New York City. Not a Red so I don't care.

Stick of Gum I left at the store for some near diabetic kid.

Card 5
This is a pretty good card. Ivan looks happy knowing he is batting in that lineup. Who would have thought that I Rod would be batting 8th in a lineup because the rest of the batters were that good to make him bat there? But still not a Red so who cares. If Joey at Squeezeplay cards wants this card let me know.

Card 6
Some kid that had a good rookie season. If he was a Red I would be able to pronounce his name.

Card 7
Tiny Surfers. Big waves. Why is this a card? What next? 1960 Presidential candidates cards?

Card 8
Let me explain how I view cards

Step 1
Holy Frejolies! I got a Red! Out of all the cards! With only buying one pack!

Step 2
They mean Edwin?

Step 3
How freekin Un Bee Live It Able is this card? Juan Encarnacion of the St. Louis Cardinals? In a Reds hat and uni? What the heck?
Juan last played for the Reds in
July of 2002
In 5 years they could not find a photo of Juan in a Cardinals outfit?
They could not do a bad photoshop job?
Not even this?
How hard is that? And I do not even go to photoshop academy
to learn how to copy and paste.
I would rather have a 1959 Ernie Banks card cut in half and taped with blue Duct Tape then gold foil stamped on the tape than this lazy card. But. It will go at the end of my Reds Team Set when I get it because of the hat. Shame on you Topps! Shame! Make me sully my Reds Team binder with a Cardinal.

Now that I have that out of my system.

It was a good trip to the store. For under four sawbacks I got 4 Game Used Cards of my Reds. 3 Dunns at that. And a pack of Topps Heritage. The pack was a good one and the Game Used are going into my Reds Game Used binder. I look forward to next week's trip as I passed up 5 George Foster G/U and some other Reds parallels and 2 autos. All GU/ are 2-3 dollars and the parallels under 2 dollars. I am gonna be stocking up on the players from the 2008 World Series Champion Reds.

Not a card

But still funny as all get up.

http://tinyurl.com/35uc7e

I had to buy one for myself and will enjoy wearing it.

Hot off the press!

That's right. A genuine press plate.
This is a 2005 Finest Magenta Press Plate
1 / 1 of Austin Kearns
This one is a little different from most press plates in that it has a cardboard wrap over it.
This protects it from scratches and chips. i also like how it adds some color to an otherwise bland looking piece of metal. When I was 12 I worked with my grandfather making plaques and we did this type of plate making. They scratch easily.
I hear a lot of grumbling from fellow collectors about press plates. They are just something else for the companies to make money off of. I would never buy that. They are ugly. It's just a piece of trash they did not throw away.
I don't care. These are fun to track down. They are unique. This is what made the piece of cardboard you just bought. What made the card you enjoy of your favorite player. They are cheap for a 1 / 1 type card.
This one shows Austin slapping a frozen rope to left off of Schilling to drive in Dunn for the win. The smooth swing. The confident release of the bat.

As we climb aboard the wayback machine

Do Do Do
Do Do Do
Do Do Do

We go back to the early days of Topps
Nineteen Hundred and Fifty Six

Jinkies! These were dark days for the nation. The New York American League Baseball team and the New York National League teams were in the World Series year after year. And winning them. Only the Braves were strong enough to defeat the dreaded New Yorkers.
Now 1956 was not a bad year for the Redlegs from 'Nati. So renamed in 1954 as to not play into the nations fear of dirty commies. The team finished with 91 wins and 63 not wins. 2 games back of the blue New York team. A new guy on the scene in Cincinnati was making a name for himself. You might have heard of him. Frank Robinson. Frank won the Rookie of the Year Award for 1956 after posting a line of 122 Runs / 38 HR / 83 RBI and a .290 Avg. Not to mention an almost error free year in the field.
Shown here in vintage 1959 gear is Mr. Robinson. Getting ready to wallop a home run. Crap. Those 1986 Topps are rubbing off. What's up with the pants? I have only seen paratroopers do their legs like that over boots. Not ball players over leggings. The small jersey swatch lets us know that this is actually a rare jersey. Not many to be found. Plus you get Frank's uni number and 1.5 Reds logos. Who does not like that? Behind Frank faded into the background are the empty Chicago baseball team home stands. The only good use I have seen of them. Providing shade for the Reds.

I Gots Some Reds Cards

And You Aint Got None!

At least none from Cardboard Junkie. I contacted Ol' Dayf (as his closest friends know him) about a certain card. I wondered what it would take to pry it from his warm, live fingers and we swapped auto cards. He also included this smorgasborg of extras.

A near complete Team Set of 1988 Topps Big
If anyone has card 167 Nick Esascky let me know.
I like this set. Just a smidge bigger than normal but cool back and good photos of both portrait and action shots on front.

No. 20 Eric Davis
No. 48 Kalvoski Daniels
No. 74 Barry Larkin
No. 96 Tom Browning
No. 144 Dave Concepcion
1982 All-Star Game M.V.P.
No. 214 Jeff Treadway
No. 232 John Franco

2 Holgram Stickers from Upper Deck

2003 SP Legendary Cuts
No. 40 Ernie Lombardi
Ernie was a Hall of Fame catcher before there was such a thing. A good hitting catcher who was great defensively. Runner did not run on him often and he was known as a great game caller. A key member of the Reds 1940 World Series team and 1938 M.V.P. The card itself shows Ernie warming up before a shutout of the Chicago National League Team on July 9, 1938 at their own field. 11 - 0. The card itself is ho hum and too dark for my liking.

1989 Topps Sticker Cards
No. 65 John Franco
No. 47 Eric Davis
Both cards have no stickers on the back.
They must be on Junkie's English notebook next to the I love (Wife's name) drawing.

A 2002 Bowman Heritage of
NOOCHIE!
Man I wanted Noochie Varner to make the big leagues. The name alone would have made him a star. Alas it was not meant to be. He was traded in 2002 to the Tigers I think and has not made it. Plus I have a friend who everyone calls Nootchie because he says Nootchie Rats instead of Nutria rats.

You down with O-Pee-Chee?
Yeah you know me!

A Hockey Stick Set Card
No. 427 Ron Oester

1983 Topps No. 554 Mike Vail.
This guy is one of the variation cards in 1981 Donruss. Good luck finding both versions.

Vintage 1987 Woodgrain Set
No. 412 Eric Davis
Is it just me or he have a look of "Who the heck does this Larkin kid think he is? Autograph a ball for is Mom?

1997 SP
No. 54 Hal Morris
Hal was born in Fort Rucker, AL.
I once drove through there. On my way to someplace nice.

1988 Topps
No. 282 Pat Perry
What kind of career have you had when after 4 seasons in the majors the highlights on the back are that you played Little League and American Legion ball, Has a wife and 2 daughters and was traded by the Cardinals?

1994 Leaf
No. 426 Erik Hanson

1994 Pinnnacle
No. 510 Bret Boone

1990 Topps
No. 176 Luis Quinones

2001 Topps
No. 570 Sean Casey
No. 593 Ken Griffey
How much does Topps dislike Griffey to give him No. 593?
Isn't that kind of card number reserved for a Cub?

Eh? You want more Canadian cards?
1986 Leaf
No. 179 Tom Browning

2003 Topps
No. 18 Jason LaRue
No. 30 Ken Griffey Jr.

2003 Game Face
No. 33 Aaron Boone

2000 Stadium Club
No. 30 Barry Larkin
Gaze in awe at the effortless Larkin Leap over Barry Bonds to complete the double play.

2004 Donruss
No. 251 Ken Griffey Jr.
I miss Donruss. They may have had 200 parallels per card but they made some nice ones

2005 Topps Cracker Jack
No. 49 Adam Dunn
Look at Dunn as he shows just how bad the Cubs sluggers are. Notice that it seems they barley get it to the outfield? OOOOOOO. It looks like Adam fears them about as much as facing Kerry wood fresh out of rehab. Again.

1986 Topps
No. 54 John Franco
Who was writing card backs for Topps in 1985?
This is the third card I have come across that says someone walloped a Home Run.
What up with that?
Might have to do an All-Time Wallop card countdown.

1996 Pinnacle Aficondio
No. 177 Steve Gibraltar

I like these cards. They are like an early 2000 Fleer Gamers with the silver textured foil and a good smooth photo on the front together. They could have done a better job of making his name fit on the front. Looks out of place and off center. Like a Cubs fan.

For Austin Kearns Cards click here. I am enjoying this blog. I have met plenty of great people. Made some good trades to rebuild the Reds collection and have had a lot of fun writing this. Thanks to all who check me out and feel free to contact me about ant trades or offers. Especially if you play for the Reds or live in the Cincinnati area. I would like to hear from you.

Who wants some?

Just a little bragging about my Yahoo fantasy team. I had to use auto draft (never good until now) because it kept giving me an error message when I tried to do live draft. I have drafted possibly the greatest team ever! In my league that is.

Starting 9 For Bay Rats

Catcher - Joe Mauer - Twins
High Avg. and a few RBIs

1st Base - Sexy Texy - Braves
What do I not get?

2nd Base - Dustin Pedroia - Red Sox
High Avg but avg everything else

SS - Khalil Green - Padres
89 RBI / 27 HR / 97 Runs / . 254 Avg.

3rd Base - Alex Rodriguez - Yankees
Who's your 40HR / 120 RBI / 120 Run guy? I got mine.

OF - Ichiro - Mariners
30+ SB / 110+Runs AND .350+ Avg this year

OF - Magglio Ordonez - White Sox
What can this guy not do with Cabrerra / I. Rod and Sheff all around and Granderson leading off?

OF - Adam Dunn - Reds
The best 40+ HR guy not named A. Rod

Utl - Grady Sizemore - Indians
KAPOW!

Bench
OF - Shane Victorino - Phillies
30+SB this year. Good trade bait for a decent 20 Saves guy.

2B - Aaron Hill - Blue Jays

OF - Austin Kearns - Nationals
Good power in a hitter friendly park? BINGO!

Pitchers
Cole Hammels - Phillies
Dan Harren - Diamondbacks
Chad Billingsly - Dodgers
Carlos Zambrano - Cubs
Aaron Harrang - Reds
Brad Penny - Dodgers
Roy Oswalt - Astros
Bronson Arroyo - Reds
Homer Bailey - Reds
Billy Wagner - Mets

My only question is:
What were the other
owners smoking before setting
their rankings to land me all this?

I traded Johan Santana to take over Dunn's contract. I think it is fair trade considering what it gave and what I had in reserve. I can pick up a decent reliever and stay in it with saves. If I do not win it all this year I will know the Tim McCarver is my Commencement Announcer curse is on.

Last but not least.....

Stats on the Back also sent something unexpected cuz dat Statsy is one heck of a guy!

A VINTAGE PACK OF 1986 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS!

UNOPENED!!!

UNSEARCHED!!!

UNREAL!!!

So click on this before you gaze upon the freshest cardboard treasures I have seen in a long time.

Card 1
No. 68
Ed Lynch of the Mets

Stat on the Back:
A mets player WALLPOED a home run.
A Titanic Tater no doubt.

Card 2
No. 203
Record Breaker!
Keith Hernandez of the Mets

Stat on the Back:
Keith broke the record established by White Sox player Harold Baines in 1983.




Card 3
No. 771
John McNamara MGR Red Sux

Stat on the Back:
Home: Cincinnati, O.
Why did Topps get cheap on black ink all of a sudden? They could not afford to put the H after the O for Ohio's abbreviation? There are 28 cards of Red Sux but they could not print an H?



Card 4
No. 401
Turn Back the Clock of a 1981 Fernando Valenzuela

Stat of the Movie:
Fernando breaths out of his eyelids while pitching like the Fire Lizards of Guadalahara and the ancient Mayans. And once Nook LaLoosh learned it he went to the Show! And Crash was let go. Bummer.



Card 5
No. 397
Steve Buechele of the Rangers

Stat on the Back:
The first Rangers pitcher to author a no-no was Jim Bibby on July 30 of The year of our blog creator 1973.





Card 6
No. 605
Dennis Boyd of the Red Sux

Stat from me:
This guy was a local hero back in Mississippi for a while when he was throwing that stinky cheddar. And he is from Merridian, MS. Only 30 minutes fro Newton. Birthplace of former Red Joe Gibbon.



Card 7
No. 701
All-Star Keith Hernandez of the Mets

Stat of the Pack:
Two Keith Hernandez cards in one pack? And both are subsets?
Un Frickin Believe It Able! Staty gave up all these Mets cards for a non Mets fan!



Card 8
No. 279
Al Pardo of the Orioles

Stat on the Back:
Born in Spain






Card 9
Freakin filler card of a contest I never saw anyone win.

Stat on the back:
For name of winner mail a SASE addressed to:
TOPPS SPRING FEVER BASEBALL WINNER
Who actually does this? I remember when you could mail in 3x5's for a chance at cards and was actually sent a 2002 Roger Clemens Own the Game insert. Out of 150 SEPARATE envelopes I mailed.


We have reached the halfway point of the pack. So if you need to go the lavatory and release all that built up excitement I will wait.

OK. Back to the
1986 TOPPS VINTAGE UNREAL PACK BREAK

Card 10
No. 308
Ray Fontenot
(FONT UH NO) of the
Cough Cubs Cough Cough.

Stat on the Back:
Cubs Suck

Card No. 11
No. 497
JOHN STUPER
OF THE
CINCINNATI REDS

THE GREATEST
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM
ON THE PLANET
Stat on the Back:
Cubs Suck

Card 12
No. 377
Joe Carter of the other Ohio baseball "team"

At least he did not hit a game winner off of a former Red in the World Series. That honor goes to a former Cubbie!

"I wanted to kill Mitch.
But they told me I couldn't, it was illegal."
1993 by John Martin Kruk of the Philadelphia Phillies

Card 13
No. 450
Graig Nettles of the Padres

Stat on the Back:
My name is not Craig






Card 14
No. 77
Charlie Leibrandt of the Royals

Stat on the Back:
Charlie won 10 games for the Reds in 1980.
And has the same first name as my nephew,
Charlie Breath





Card 15
No. 672
Rob Picciolo of the Oakland Athletics

Stat on the Back:
Rob had 22 RBI in 419 AB in 1977. How did he last 9 years in the Majors when that was only 5 RBI lower than his CAREER BEST ?




Card 16
No. 387
Steve Kemp of the Pirates
Stat on the Back:
Pirates cards are the best for keeping gum off the rest of the cards.

And there you have it!
A GENUINE UNOPENED PACK OF 1986 TOPPS HAS BEEN OPENED!
1986 Topps is dead! Long live 1986 Topps!

These ah nice too

When we last saw our beloved blog it was going over a mailer from Stats on the Back.

And now. The rest of the story.

1981 Topps
The first set this Reds fan ever bought. Because his grandmother was too aggravated to not buy him some packs.
Tom? What up with the no stache? Don't you know to be a truly great reliever you need one?
Stat on the Back:
Tom was tied by Rollie for the NL Fireman of the Year with 34 points.

Reds Future Stars
Bruce Berenyo / Geoff Combe / Paul Housholder
Stat on the Back:
Paul was born in Columbus, Ohio

The favorite set of mine from the 80's
1983 Topps

Red's Batting & Pitching Leaders
Cesar Cedeno w/ .289 Avg. and Mario Soto w/ 2.79 E.R.A.
Stat on the Back:
Tom Seaver's uniform is 41

1989 Fleer
Ken Griffey
Stat on the Back:
Home Runs before the All Star Break: 2
Home Runs after the All-Star Break: 2

1987 Donruss
One of the most under rated sets of the 1980's
Pete Rose
Stat on the Back:
Baseball's All-Time hit leader and future Hall of Famer....

Barry Larkin
ROOKIE CARD!!!!!!!!
Stat on the Back:
Signed by the Reds as their No. 1 choice in June 1985 amateur draft.

1985 DONRUSS BIG
How can you not love these oversize cards?
Black border that easily chips? Check.
No storage for them? Check.

Mario Soto
Stat on the Back:
Led league with 18 complete games in 1983
Dave Parker
Stat on the Back:
Led the Reds in HR, RBI and Avg. in 1984


1988 Topps:

Reds 1987 Team Leaders
Stat on the Back:
Runs Eric Davis 120
RBI Eric Davis 100
SB Eric Davis 50
HR Eric Davis 37
Avg. Eric Davis . 293

1986 Donruss The Rookies
Tracy Jones
Stat on the Back:
Earned a place in the Reds outfield in 1986

1987 Fleer Limited Edition
John Franco
Stat on the Back:
12 wins and 12 saves in 1985

1988 Topps Sticker
Barry Larkin
Stat on the Back:
None. Barry is so good he does not need any. Just his picture.

1989 Score
Danny Jackson
Stat on the Back:
Danny throws a hard fastball

Van Snider
Stat on the Back:
led all Reds farmhands with a .290 avg. in 1988

Tom Browning
Stat on the Back:
Pitched the 14th Perfect Game in MLB history against the Dodgers

Jeff Treadway
Stat on the Back:
Jeff is a crisp contact hitter who sprays the ball all over the field

1989 Toys R Us Rookies
Chris Sabo
Font on the Back:
The inspiration for Dirk Digler's name in neon. POW!


1990 Score
Paul O'Neil
Stat on the Back:
Paul is a dead fastball hitter with a natural swing.

1993 Kellog's
Tony Perez
Stat on the Back:
The only Major Leaguer to drive in 90+ runs for 10 straight years

1995 Ultra
Hal Morris
Stat on the Back:
.335 Avg in 1994

1994 Collector's Choice
Jose Rijo
Stat on the Back:
227 K's in 1993

1994 Pinnacle
Reggie Sanders
Stat on the Back:
.730 Stolen Base percentage

1992 Studio
Rob Dibble
Stat on the Back:
Loves to face Andres Galarraga who is 0-7 with 7 k's

Norm Charlton
Stat on the Back:
Norm was once a cook at Wendy's

Jose Rijo
Stat on the Back:
Don't tell anyone but his favorite singer is Micheal Bolton

2002 Topps Opening Day
Ruben Rivera
Stat on the Back:
Went 4 for 5 in the 1998 World Series against the Yankees

Some 1990 and 1991 logo Stickers from a certain company that is not Fleer
But this one is from Fleer

1981 Donruss
Jerry Narron of the Mariners
Stat on the Back:
Lifetime Avg. of .186
Autographed

That's A Nice. Yeah?

This mailer was sent from Stats on the Back. A card blog believe it or not! I enjoy the blog and the writer, Mark, is a COUGH Met's COUGH Fan COUGH COUGH. Sorry something was stuck in my throat.
Now on to the goodies.
I go through different emotions when I receive a package in the mail I have no idea what is inside.
Will it be:
I hope this is not another Donate to the Cubs Failed Player's Fund

or

will I be:
Such cute little cardboard. I shall name him Adam and love him and pet him and feed him and play with him.

Well after opening the mailer and going over the cards here was my reaction
This is part of the card I shall be sending Stats on the Back in thanks for the package of now loved and no longer neglected Reds cards.

Let's take a looksee at what Statsy, as his close friends call him, sent to Cincy Reds Cards.

a 1969 Gerry Arigo
The only person scared of being on cardboard from 1969. I guess he truly believed in the "A picture steals your soul" saying from the Olden West days.
Stat on the Back:
Gerry tossed a one hitter against the Mets. Right after he was trade by them to the Reds.

From 1970 Topps we have:

Ray Washbun
Stat on the Back:
Ray is an avid Country and Western Music fan!

Gary Tolan
Stat on the Back:
Bob's Uncle Eddie won 2 Gold Medals at the 1932 Olympics!

Wayne Granger
Stat on the Back:
Wayne hit 2 batters in one inning in the 1968 World Series!

Darrel Channey
Stat on the Back:
Darrel turned down 35 football scholarships to sign with the Reds. He was named the Starting QB on the 1966 High School All-American team!

Camilo Pasqual
The Latin Lover of Cincinnati
Stat on the Back:
Camilo tied major mark for hurlers with 3 sacrafices on 5/27/1956 with the Senators.

From 1971 Topps I am honored with
Tony Cloninger and Bobby Tolan having a career game during his career year.
Stat on the Back:
3 Runs on 3 Hits with 1 RBI.

A little selection from the 1972 Topps New York Region Vintage

Joe Gibbon
Stat on the Back:
Joe was born in Newton, MS. Just a 3 hours from were I was raised.

Jim McGlothlin
Stat on the Back:
How much does a baseball weigh?
Between 5 and 5.25 oz.

Ross Grimsley
Stat on the Back:
Ross pitched his American Legion team to a national title in 1968.

Ed Sprague
Stat on the Back:
Ed's first pro win was a 3 hit shutout

Clay Carroll
Stat on the Back:
Clay was member of the Braves. Then was traded to a GREAT team.

Don Gullett
Stat on the Back:
What was Connie Mack's real name? Cornelius McGillicuddy



From the Year of our Blog's Creator 1973

Bill Plummer
Stat on the Back:
Bill played for the Cubs. Then was traded to a GREAT team. Only to backup Johnny Bench.

Joe Hague
Stat on the Back:
Joe won a game for the Reds just after joining the Reds. He had 4 RBI's in a 5-3 win over the Mets. How ya like dem big apples?

Jack Billingham
Stat on the Back:
Jack is a distant cousin of Christy Matthewson

From 1974 Topps:

Denis Menke
Stat on the Back:
Denis tied a N.L. record w/ 3 intentional walks on 5/23/64

Tom Hall
Stat on the Back:
The call Tom "The Blade"

Fred Norman
Stat on the Back:
12 and 6 in 1973 with the Reds

Merv Rettenmund
Stat on the Back:
Merv hit .400 in the 1970 World Series with the Orioles against the Reds

Phil Gagliano
Stat on the Back:
Phil pinch-hit for the Cardinals in the 1967 and 1968 World Series

To be continued........

Where do I start?

Having arrived home after another week on the road I have 2 bubble mailers waiting on me to open them. The 1st is from Cardboard Junkie. A guy who likes the Braves for some reason. All I did was send him some lousy Braves cards. And he overflows a mailer with these gems of cardboard inking technology.

Fleer Team Logo Sticker with Fun Facts on the Back!
1988 Topps All-Star Glossy Set of 60
No. 16 Eric Davis

1985 Topps
No. 54 Cesar Cedeno
A base stealing machine until he came to the Reds.
No. 175 Dave Parker
The Cobra!

1977 Topps World Series Highlights
Cather on Catcher Violence as Thurman bum rushes Bench.

2003 Topps Heritage
No. 347 Sean Casey
No. 325 Adam Dunn

2000 Upper Deck
No. 88 Scott Williamson

2000 Topps HD
No. 76 Sean Casey
This is one of the greatest bad facial photos ever! 2000 photos and they choose this one.

2002 Upper Deck Vintage
No. 257 Dmitri Young

2002 Stadium Club
No. 82 Barry Larkin

1999 Topps Gold Label
No. 71 Class 1 Greg Vaughn

2001 Topps Archives
No. 37 Jim Maloney
No. 273 Tony Perez


2002 Filler Card
Dunn and Pujols? On one card? Jackpot!
Just find 20,000 more of these and I can retire after having them graded.

1982 Topps
No. 459 Bruce Berenyi
The best record in baseball and did not make the playoffs. Stupid strike and damn Braves!

1979 Topps
No. 354 Bill Bonham

Facts on the back:
Bill had 4 strikeouts in one inning against the Cubs in 1972.

What happened on September 27, 1935?
Cubs clinched the N.L. pennant.
Then lost to the Tigers in the series. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

1978 Topps
No. 326 Mike Lum

Play Ball Game on back:
Play - Strikeout.
Perfect play after Mikes's .160 Avg. in 1977.
Mendoza has bragging rights over someone at least.

1986 Topps Super Star (Woolworth's Box Set)
No. 27 Dave Parker
I feel like Riki-Tiki-Tavi with all these Cobras

1975 Topps
No. 133 Dan Driessen

1974 Topps
No. 287 Clay Kirby

1972 Topps
No. 311 Clay Carroll

1990 Leaf
No. 321 Hal Morris

1998 Donruss Signature
Aaron Boone
1955 Topps
No. 3 Art Fowler

For Austin Kearns cards go here.
Thanks to the Cardboard Junkie and all his brethren out there. If you have Reds cards to trade let me know. We will see what we can work out.

Taking over for Eric Davis in Left

1991 Donruss
No. 253 Glenn Braggs

Glenn was aquired mid season in a trade with the Brewers. Used mainly as a No. 4 outfielder, he came in after Eric Davis injured himself making a diving catch. Make the usal catches when need. And at the plate? Drive in the game tieing run in the eighth. Nothing much to see here. Move along. Move along. This is the man that drove in Larkin to tie it and allowed Hal Morris to redeem himself for not doing much all series by driving in the wining run on a sacrifice. Team Ball! That is what wins and that is what Braggs did!

Taking Over on the Mound

In relief of Jose Rijo here in the bottom of the ninth and up by one run. 1991 Donruss No. 209 Randy Meyers The biggest Tennessee Tuxedo on the team. He wore his uniform loose and the mullet long. He threw the leather orb hard and curving. He was the man with the save in Game 4 to guarantee the sweep of the A's in 1990. And piss off ol' Margie. Seems owners do not make money on the series until Game 5. She skimped on the celebration refreshments and food afterward.

Batting for Billy Hatcher

And taking over in Center Field

1991 Donruss
No. 695 Herm Winningham


Herm took over after Billy was hit by a pitch from Dave Stewart. I would more than likely be out after a fastball from Dave Stewart also. So what did Herm do with his oppotunity? Score the winning run for the Reds! After a bunt to get on and advancing Larkin. He was driven in by a sacrafice from Hal Morris to score the go ahead and winning run in the top of the eighth. That's what Herm did.
Too bad Donruss chose a single off of Tom Glavine for the card photo. They had plenty of time to put on his bunt being a second series card.

And Warming Up in the Bullpen

Starting Pitcher

1991 Donruss
No. 742 Jose Rijo



To look back on Jose's Game 1 and Game 4 performances brings one word to mind.
DOMINATION
He was inhospitable to A's hitters. Overpowering. 2 Games. 9 hits from the vaunted A's. One run. 14 K's in 15 innings. Retired 20 straight batters in game 4. Only taken out of a complete game by Pinella with 1 out in the ninth. After freezing Dave Henderson at the plate. Would have had a shutout if not for an intentional walk to Harold Baines in the first. The best part of the performance? He was being watched and studied by his father-in-law Juan Marichal. A scout for the A's at the time.
This card has a great shot of Jose Rijo throwing some stinky cheddar at Rickey Henderson and making him recoil in anguish for the strikeout. The shirt flapping from the burst of speed to throw the fastball. The head down because he knows it will not be hit. That is what I see.

Batting Ninth

Starting Second Baseman

1991 Donruss
No. 309 Mariano Duncan


Mr. Duncan had some pop and speed. How else do you explain leading the National League in triples for the 1990 season? His steady hands in the field in 1990 were the second half of a potent double play combo with Barry Larkin. Batting ninth in this game was a great plus. His speed on the bases for the big hitters to drive in. But for some reason he was rarely on base. Only 2 hits and no walks in the 4 games. One run scored. The A's pitchers owned him.

Hitting Eighth

and starting at catcher

1991 Donruss
No. 381 Joe Oliver


Here we have Joe hitting to right for a fly out. Isn't that what us catcher's named Joe do? We have our moments. 6 RBI in a game against the Cubs for Mr. Oliver in 1990. 6 RBI against Hancock Bank in 1985 for me. 3 Doubles and 2 RBI against the A's in the 1990 World Series. Too bad he was never as good at second base as I was. Not that I am bragging. He made on the field in the Majors. I buy tickets to stand next to the field.

At First Base

and batting seventh in the lineup

1991 Donruss
No. 640 Todd Benzinger


I really do not remember much about Benzinger. So I do not feel right commenting on hi. So if anyone out there would like to fill me in. Feel free.

Sixth in Tonight's Lineup

Starting at Third Base

1991 Donruss
No. 412 Chris Sabo



There a three Chris Sabo Cards in 1991 Donruss. This is the only one showing Chris Sabo's soft and tender eyes. Even though he has upgraded the goggles these days to sunglasses, you still think of him in those goggles. The main reason for the selection of this card is the background. MVP. What Sabo should have won for the World Series. Nine hits. 5 RBI. 2 Runs Sored. 2 Bases on Balls. 2 K's. On base percentage of .611. A double that was inches away from a game saving homer. Some dirty dives. Close throws to first. Granted Hatcher had a record amount of hits, but he did not mean as much at the plate and in the field as Chris.
The card has the way cool Jaws 3-D effect going on with the MVP in the background. Some funky little green baseballs and a get that camera out a here. I gotta win a game portrait from Sabo. It's a winner.

Batting Fifth

Designated Hitter
Freakin A.L. rules

1991 Donruss
N0. 141 Hal Morris


Hal Morris. Designated Hitter. Why does the A.L. still do this? I just do not see the value of it. A no field all hit player is not a player. Sure it helped player's extend their careers. But why?

Hal was acquired from the Yankees after the 1989 season and took over first base after the first quarter of the 1990 season for the Reds. Solid on the dirt and productive in the box he stayed there all season. The World Series was not a bright spot in his career as he had only 2 hits in 14 at bats. And only 1 walk. He made contact. Just not to areas away from A's players. But most importantly. No errors.

The blue borders on this card pop out at you. It is not as mellow as the green. Hal in position to scoop up a weak grounder from Walt Wies with that oversize glove. Rockin the single wrist band to wipe the sweat away.

Batting Cleanup For the Reds

Starting Left Fielder

ERIC THE RED

1991 Donruss
No. 84 Eric Davis



The powerful forearm muscles tight. The hands ready to whip the bat around. The determined stare. Mr. Davis ready to power a Spalding over the right field fence. His batting and fielding led the Reds all season to a stay in first place in the Western Division. Finishing 26 games over the Atlanta Semi-Pro Baseball Team. Who does not remember his diving catch in Game 4 where he lacerated his kidney? Eric's 5 RBI's in the series. The demoralizing 2 run homer off of Dave Stewart in Game 1 to get things rolling. He practically took the World Series trophy from the Oakland A's trophy room and taunted them from the plate with it. And the A's balked. And lost. Thank you Eric for all you did and your continued works in the fight against cancer.

Third in Tonight's Lineup

Starting in Right Field
1990 Score
No. 295 Paul O'Neill
Look at Paul as he slaps a frozen rope off of Orel Hershiser. He knows that opposite field shot is going for extra bases. While Paul provided spark at the plate throughout the season for the Reds he sort of fell flat in the World series. the A's pitching staff had his number. But his trained eye stayed sharp and he made them pay for following the scouting reports. 5 walks in 12 at bats. 2 runs scored and an RBI. Sure his Avg. was low. But whwn you walk 50% of your at bats what do you expect?
This card is a 1990 Score. The bright red border. Nice choice. A good photo of Paul in action. Clear and crisp for 1990 standards. The beveled button with the Reds logo 8 years before that became a huge fad with photoshop. Great layout. The back has a color portrait of O'Neill that takes up a quarter of the card. Great stat line and well laid out bio and layer info. I can understand why this set is not priced high in collecting circles because of the amount produced. However, everyone should own a monster set like this just to see that sometimes plain works. Simple designs that look good. It's easy to tell the player and team.
This set just looks good.

Batting Second

In Center Field

1991 Donruss
No. 763 Billy Hatcher


Billy started Spring Training as the fourth outfielder in Pittsburgh behind Bonds, Bonilla and Van Slyke. As fate would have it he was traded to start the season in ht e field for the Reds. And batted .333 against them in the NLCS. Billy was named the World Series MVP after a record seven straight hits and a pedestrian . 750 Batting Average. I say that because I hit .759 in Little League. Yet I did not win MVP honors.
This card is special for one reason. Notice the 1990 World Series Logo on the corner. The series where Canseco and McGwire were afterthoughts. The series where Dave Stewart couldn't get it done. Where the Reds swept the American League team. That series. My favorite.