Some Vintage Reds

Enough shiny, foil covered bling. Here comes a vintage fireballer from 1963 Topps.

No. 70 Jim O'Toole

Classic! A fuzzy picture. Lines off center. The dirty looking uniform. The Ultimate Warrior snarl.
But the best part of this card is the back. That's right people! Not only is Jim's wife a hottie toddie but we learn that the pennant winning 1961 season started by proving one thing:

STARTING ON OPENING DAY

THE CUBS SUCKED!

For that special someone's Birthday

I give him something to laugh at. Just a little piece of growing up in the New Orleans area.
Brad - I'm Gonna Let Ya Have It!

Yes. The hair is real.
Yes. The Special Man is a columnist now.
Yes. This is not the funniest one. There are 5 more out there.

Have a great birthday and let me know if you file bankruptcy after the wedding and wind up with 12 kids. I know a good furniture guy.

Need some info please

If anyone knows the variation cards or has a list of them from 2007 Topps, please let me know. I just picked up the set and wanted to know how many more cards are needed.
Have a great weekend all. Even Mets fans. Going to be in Texas this weekend and will be back Monday night.

Joe

A Full Reds Team Set of

2000 Fleer Tradition

This is one cool set. The HD pictures that show the players in all their wrinkled glory. The colors that POP! SMACK! and PAHYAH! at ya. The thick old time fiberboard you can use as a toothpick if this is your smile. But a little known gem is the card backs. I don't know who the unemployed comic book guy was that did these but they are original to say the least.
Normally this is where I show you the cards. But today I am going to add a link to a site I have been working with others on.
http://redscards.com This is a sister site to Twins Cards that most of you have seen already.
We are slowly building a database of QUALITY scans of as many cards as we can do. I have uploaded a few complete sets and some Reds team sets. Stop by, sign in and enjoy the show. If you are interested in other teams (and why would you be?) just look on the left and click on your team name and check out what they have. Feedback is appreciated.

But I have to show some funny cards from the set:

The only hat Paul could find to put him in competition with this guy

How creepy is this cartoon?
You can't tell me this was NOT a
turned down Spider Man Foe idea first.

How many cards are brought to you by the letter Q?

Reds card or not?

I read a funny post today at I Heart Halos.

Seems Bip Roberts is the Babe Ruth of baseball cards. The post got me to wondering if I am the only collector that adds guest appearance cards and wearing uniform but with another team cards to the team sets.

Case in point:

1996 Topps
Freakin Braves player Jeff Blauser's card.

But it has Ron Gant in a Reds uni on it. So I have it at the end of my 1996 Reds team set in the binder. This is clearly a Braves card. Am I a bit too possessive when it comes to Reds?

Or this:

Card one from 2000 Fleer Tradition clearly belongs in the Reds team set. But what about Greg? He is a Devil Ray. Not a Reds player. But he is in a Reds uniform. Therefore I have him at the end of the team set.

Are there any other collectors out there who do this or have any of you even thought about doing this? Just wondering if I am the only one.

Also. Does Wax Heaven consider this a Canseco card?

1991 Score
Steve Sax - Yankees
If so there are two more in the set showing Canseco sliding.

Fleer sticker madness

Who out there did not slap these bad boys on your notebooks next to the hand written, yet decorative, Randy Rhodes Lives!
As much as I like Mr. Redlegs, this is my guy.
The Reds Running Man.
Mascot of the 1975, 1976 and 1990 World Series Champions.
The Running Man that watched over the blossoming of Barry.
The cannon throws from Bench.
The slick fielding of Morgan.
The epic chops known as sideburns on Griffey and Foster.
The dominance of Soto.
The fireballs of Rijo.
The mullet of Dibble.
The pivots of Concepcion.
The record breaking hit from Rose.
The destruction of Ray Fosse's career in one slide.
The no hits for you of Seaver.
The homers from Davis.
The poop from Schotzie.

That guy.
Plus the bad ass color stripes make me feel good. Soooooo good.

The Long Lost

First posting of Wax Heaven


Who knew Mario was such a player back then? Better watch Mario's little man around the playground with the ladies fellow bloggers.

FAIL!

Found this the other night.
Not since Babe Ruth then and apparently still not since.
By the way - 1990 ROY's David Justice and Sandy Alomar. Not quite Babe material.

A Reds Team Set of

2005 Donruss Studio

Silver Press Proofs

Below is a great set of cards. As stated in an earlier post this was a mistake buy. I was just bidding on the regular set of 2005 Studio I thought. READ THE AUCTIONS PEOPLE! The cards have a thin but sturdy make up with nice smooth gloss surfacing. The background shows the view of the Natti looking from Kan Tuck E over the river into downtown. I can't stand that bridge. Too many people slow down on it going into a nearly blind curve where the interstates split to look at the area. The photos are well made and cropped. Nice shadowing around them so they blend into the background. Old advertising rule: Want a great looking design: Black, White and Red. Studio did that perfectly with these cards. Enjoy.

77 Adam Dunn

78 Austin Kearns

79 Barry Larkin
2010 Hall of Fame Member

80 Bubba Nelson

81 Danny Graves

82 Eric Milton

83 Ken Griffey Jr.

84 Ryan Wagner

85 Sean Casey

So there you have a peek at some great cards. Now if I can only find something like this for the Gold and Platinum proofs on the bay I will be set.

Closer Than Yesterday!

I got these two Be Utes in today:

1998 Topps Tek
Pattern 8

1998 Topps Tek
Pattern 84

That brings the Tek total to 9
Only 81 more patterns and I will
be able to crown myself
King of All That Is Wrong with The Hobby!
And I shall wear a cape of Red Velvet with
a Mr. Redlegs logo wherever I go.

HOLY F'N FRIJOLES

I have been a little slack since being sho'd up by Braddior the other day. Classes and sickness do that.

But over the past week I have been
gathering bargains on the bay in the form of complete sets.
08 SPx w/ all inserts - 1.99
06 Fleer w/ 3 insert sets - 2.27
07 Topps w/ highlights - 4.77
07 Topps red backs all three series - 17.86
00 Fleer Tradition w/ 45 inserts - 5.96

But the grand daddy of them all:
08 Studio full set - 17.50

What is so special about that?
I did not read the auction carefully.
I thought I was bidding on a great set
I have been wanting since it came out.
I bid on the wrong set.

ALL CARDS ARE
SILVER PROOFS NUMBERED TO 100.
All for under twenty dollars!

How often does this happen in life?
You find something you want only to find out it is way better!
Kinda like seeing the Reds for the first time
when all you've known is a Chicago team
that has sucked for over 100 years.

Scans coming soon.

Braddior's All-Time Favorite Reds Didn't Make The Cut List

DISCLAIMER : NONE OF THESE LISTS ARE FOR STATS, RATHER JUST MY FAVORITE REDS PLAYERS

Didn't Make The Cut Favorites

Deion Sanders

Joe Morgan

Frank Robinson

Bob Boone

Dave Concepcion

Tony Perez

Bronson Arroyo

Homer Bailey

Josh Hamilton

*

Yeah, I can see it now. Scrutiny abounds! But I had to 'keep it real' here and go with my all time favorite players in there respective positions as Joe had instructed on or around New Years Day. I think his curiosity finally got the best of him and he wants to know the True side of this Reds fan/collector. I spent a couple weeks or so thinking about it and finally broke down three lists per Joes guidlines of favorite Reds player in there position of all time...

.

Starting Lineup List

.

Relievers Lineup List

.

Didn't 'Make The Cut' But Still Favorites

.

Well Joe, there's a little about me and the players I like the most. Batter Up...

*

Mahalo and Aloha, Brad

Braddior's All-Time Favorite Reds Relievers Lineup

Relievers Lineup

Sean Casey - First Base

Bret Boone - Second Base

Don Zimmer - Third Base

Barry Larkin - Shortstop

Pete Rose - Left Field

Jay Bruce - Center Field

Ken Griffey Sr - Right Field

Benito Santiago - Catcher

Don Newcombe - Starting Pitcher

Edinson Volquez - Relief Pitcher

George Foster - Designated Hitter

Sparky Anderson - Manager

*

Yeah, I can see it now. Scrutiny abounds! But I had to 'keep it real' here and go with my all time favorite players in there respective positions as Joe had instructed on or around New Years Day. I think his curiosity finally got the best of him and he wants to know the True side of this Reds fan/collector. I spent a couple weeks or so thinking about it and finally broke down three lists per Joes guidlines of favorite Reds player in there position of all time...

.

Starting Lineup List

.

Relievers Lineup List

.

Didn't 'Make The Cut' But Still Favorites

.

Well Joe, there's a little about me and the players I like the most. Batter Up...

*

Mahalo and Aloha, Brad

Braddior's All-Time Favorite Reds Starting Lineup

Starting Lineup

Joey Votto - First Base

Brandon Phillips - Second Base

Aaron Boone - Third Base

Pokey Reese - Shortstop

Wily Mo Peña - Left Field

Ken Griffey, Jr. - Center Field

Austin Kearns - Right Field

Johnny Bench - Catcher

Tom Seaver - Starting Pitcher

Rob Dibble - Relief Pitcher

Adam Dunn - Designated Hitter

Lou Piniella - Manager

*

Yeah, I can see it now. Scrutiny abounds! But I had to 'keep it real' here and go with my all time favorite players in there respective positions as Joe had instructed on or around New Years Day. I think his curiosity finally got the best of him and he wants to know the True side of this Reds fan/collector. I spent a couple weeks or so thinking about it and finally broke down three lists per Joes guidlines of favorite Reds player in there position of all time...

.

Starting Lineup List

.

Relievers Lineup List

.

Didn't 'Make The Cut' But Still Favorites

.

Well Joe, there's a little about me and the players I like the most. Batter Up...

*

Mahalo and Aloha, Brad

Why would anyone want

An entire set of parallels? I guess it's just that desire to horde stuff. The guys at Topps tapped into this with me when it comes to 2001 Topps Fusion. There is almost no difference between regular 2001 Topps Gallery, Finest and Bowman's Best than the Topps Fusion logo on them. Talk about a great way to get rid of excess material for printing.

2001 Topps Fusion
No. 233 Scott Williamson
Topps Gallery

That's right.
THE SCOTT WILLIAMSON.
1999 Rookie of the Year!

I did not know that Scott was born in Ft. Polk, LA, until this morning. That is were they train National Guard regulars for Mississippi and Louisianna for basic training. Bet you did not know that.
Look at those eyes boring into Sammy Sosa as the Dominican Pop Up Machine begins to wonder if a swing is worth it against the All-Star. Williamson iss fixn to throw some two seam stinky cheddar Sosa's way. As you can tell by the set glove and the power push in the leg this contest was over before it started.
So if anyone out there has any of the following let me know. It's the last of the Fusion set I am looking for to complete it. I have doubles from the set I will gladly trade. Or just check out the link for Overtime Cards in the top corner and send me the link to the checkout page and the cards will be on their way to you.

5 Alex Rodriguez Stadium Club
6 Alex Rodriguez Bowman's Best
7 Alex Rodriguez Finest
8 Alex Rodriguez Gallery
15 Barry Larkin Stadium Club
22 Ben Grieve Finest
24 Corey Patterson Gold Label
31 Brian Giles Bowman's Best
35 Christian Guzman Staium Club
43 Cal Ripken Gallery
47 Darin Erstad Finest
49 Josh Hamilton Gallery
50 Derek Jeter Stadium Club
54 Chin-Feng Chen Gallery
56 Derek Jeter Bowman's Best
57 Derek Jeter Finest
64 Roy Oswalt Gold Label
67 Frank Thomas Finest
73 Derek Jeter Gallery
87 Ivan Rodriguez Finest
102 Jeff Bagwell Finest
112 Jermaine Dye Finest
114 Ben Davis Gold Label
119 Jason Hart Gold Label
125 Jeromy Burnitz Stadium Club
132 Jorge Posada Finest
134 Danny Borrell Gold Label
138 Ken Griffey, Jr. Gallery
143 Larry Walker Gallery
146 Ken Griffey, Jr. Bowman's Best
148 Manny Ramirez Gallery
149 David Parrish Gold Label
150 Manny Ramirez Stadium Club
151 Kevin Brown Bowman's Best
154 Mike Jacobs Gold Label
155 Mark Grace Stadium Club
156 Larry Walker Bowman's Best
160 Mark McGwire Stadium Club
166 Manny Ramirez Bowman's Best
167 Mike Piazza Finest
171 Mark McGwire Bowman's Best
174 J.R. House Gold Label
177 Pedro Martinez Finest
184 Chriss Bass Gold Label
185 Raul Mondesi Stadium Club
187 Randy Johnson Finest
189 Erick Almonte Gold Label
194 Luis Montanez Gold Label
195 Ray Lankford Stadium Club
203 Randy Johnson Gallery
207 Sammy Sosa Finest
211 Sammy Sosa Finest
212 Scott Rolen Finest
216 Scott Rolen Bowman's Best
219 William Smith Gold Label
223 Sammy Sosa Gallery
225 Tino Martinez Stadium Club
244 Marcos Scutaro Gold Label

Catching Up

Over the past few days I have been catching up on blogs. Being out of the loop for a few months means a lot of reading.
Today I find out I am thankful for this one:

http://uglybaseballcard.blogspot.com/2008/11/give-thanks.html

Friggn hillarious. If you have never read Ugly Baseball Cards before this is one post you can not afford to miss. Even Chicago National League fans.

Name one person

Who does not love this card:
1979 Topps
No. 326 Pedro Borbon

Yeah. It's got a great action shot from this game.
Ol Pedro has the ratty looks like my Little League glove.
The FANTASTIC -SPACE AGE - ASTRO TURF!
Reds played the first World Series on Astro Turf by the way in 1975.
But did you look close in the background?
Between the glove and knee.
Looooook close.







A HELMET BULLPEN CAR!
Woot! Woot!
Who did not want one of these to cruise around
in when you were a kid (or today)?
How cool are those things?
A golf cart with a huge batting helmet on top.
Talk about a chick magnet.
Front row parking where ever you go.
People wishing they were you.
Granted. The one shown here is a Phillies cart but I would
take it out for a weekend.
Or just to stalk someone inconspicuously like ol Jake in Major League.

I do have question for some of you out there.
Has anyone else noticed a player's name in blue ink on other cards.
Every card from the Reds team is green except for Pedro.
Just wondering if I have a super rare variation
wanted by millions but owned only by me?
If so that means only one thing: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Just so you know

I have done some updating on a certain player:

2002 Donruss
Rookie Phenoms Subset
No. RP-21 30 / 75

on a certain blog.
So if Reds cards that are low numbered are your thing stop by and check 'em out.

One last for the night

This is a repost from a year ago but I just felt like rubbing Bradiors nose in it one last time. I know Brad is gonna come after me like a spider monkey in meth withdrawal after being trained to be a Chicago National League team fan.


What is so special about a 2006 Topps Co-Signers?
Well this little sweetie pie is
No. 95 Duo A
Ken Griffey Jr. w/ Austin Kearns
Changing Faces Hyper Silver / Gold
4 / 5

I got's a Griffey! And you aint got one! Cause your mom's on welfare!

REDS INSERT ALERT!

I got a wild hair recently and did a search on Da Bay to try and find the last wanted magazine to complete a project. Didn't find it but came across a bunch of these:
for only $1.60 +$2.40 s/h I figured I would take a chance on learning how to make money with baseball cards and enjoy

FULL COLOR COVERAGE
OF 1990 SCORE!

But while perusing the issue I found these:

THE BEST IN INSERTS

SHOWING THE BEST IN BASEBALL!

A best confused Eric Anthony. A best timid Atlanta player know one remembers. A best superhyped Andy Benes. Another Braves best schlub. A John Wetteland who just saw the best shiny nickel.

REDS ALERT! REDS ALERT!

Joe Oliver. Reds Catcher. 1990 World Champions.
Nuff' said.

And just underneath the cards is an ad where I can purchase a

COMPLETE 1984 Donruss set for ONLY $279.00.

That's right! Cal is only worth $37 but Donnie Baseball is just under $300 so you are getting a STEAL! Goodness I miss the old days.

Wondering what the next panel has I discover:

The best hung-over Padres pitcher. The best who the hell is that glance Giants third baseman. The best infield combo that Los Angeles team will see for 20 years.

REDS ALERT! REDS ALERT!
REDS ALERT! REDS ALERT!

Scott Scudder. Rookie Pitcher. Reds.

2.1 flawless innings in the 1990 World Series.

3 K's. No Runs. 1 Hit.

Rosario Rodriguez. Rookie Pitcher. Reds

3.99 ERA IN 1990.

And just next to them I discover I can purchase a 1990 Topps Canseco for only 25 pennies on the dollar!
Who wouldn't jump at that over a measly Brett for a John Wetteland shiny nickel or an Eric Davis for an overpriced dime? Talk about a bargain!

Indian's fans always welcome here!

Fans of the Indianapolis Indians that is.
Any TRUE Reds fan would have known that.

The Reds have used the team a few times in the history of the Indians (even before snagging Casey and Phillips) as an affiliate.

• 1939-1941
• 1961 Division Title Team
  
• 1968-1983 League Champs in 1982, Division Champs 1971, 1974, 1978, 1982
• 1993-1999 League Champs in 1994, Division Champs 1994, 1995

So today I have a set I recently acquired of the 1978 Division Champion Indianapolis Indians


Sorry I had to use the ebay scans but these cards need flattening and are just a tad too big to fit in a 9 page.

So enjoy this great look at late 70's Reds goodies. Mario Soto, Harry Spillman, Mike LaCoss and the gang. And one question - when are the Major League card makers going to start adding Trainers and Bench Coaches to their sets?

Back to Reds cards

Enough with the slacking. I now have a card that will make you ruin a new pair of pants.

Barry Larkin 1992 Newsport French Magazine Insert

A little larger than a postcard this glossy paper insert was unknown to the hobby until early 1992. Or the time they were made. As you can see our hero, Barry Larkin is in the beginning of scooping and slinging another pathetic attempt by Lenny Dykstra to get on base. The card has a clean, neat design with only one flaw. B. Larkin. Has Barry not proven he is a Hall of Famer by 1992? Yes! Is he some common player like J. Canseco or R. Henderson? I think not. So why we got B. instead of Barry is beyond this Reds fan.

While the front has some English on it, because only Americans collect baseball stuff, the back is slightly less easier to read. Unless you know French. If you do please feel free to translate for a person who found a way to seep through two years of French and still have the highest grade in the class. I can make out Cincinnati and 1990. Hope that helps.


But what makes this card a great card? Is it the fact so few know about it? Nope. Is it the fact these are pretty rare? Nope. Is it because you can not name any other 1992 Barry Larkin card that books at twenty dollars? Nope. It's a lot simpler than all these put together:

He's rocking the Barry Larkin Portrait wristbands. ON BOTH WRISTS! How bad a$$ are you when you can do that and people say "Man! I wish I could pull that off!" When you can do that and not come across like this guy:
See. No portrait wristbands leads to people hating you. Even Chicago National League team fans.