Don't mess with a Red

in Rangers clothing.
Unless he is a manager.

Just look at this man.
The Bad Ass Buddy Bell.
1986 True Value Super Stars
Card No. 20

The man exudes what it's like to be a Red. The the "I dare you to throw a nasty curve" glare. The cocky look in his eyes. He is so bad ass he wears mesh hats. IN PUBLIC.

This card exudes the excess of 1980 "Collector's Series" cards. Rare? You betcha. The closest True Value store was 90 miles away growing up. I know because I worked in the town hardware store for 4 years. Do-It for those you know. Colorful? Yep. No team logo? Yes sir e Bob. Unnecessary add ons? Bats - Check. Balls - Check. Stars - Check. Collector Series - Check.
Admit it. You have 12 of these cards because you fell for the hype. I share your shame fellow collectors.

New Writer

As I wrote about the Austin Kearns press plate a few days ago I wondered if there were any other Reds baseball collectors out there. I figured "Hey. This is the greatest professional baseball team out there. Just ask me. There must be someone besides me who collects Reds cards and players."

Well ladies and gentlecollectors - I found him

I introduce to you

Brads55

I clicked on the team collector link on The Bench and found Brads55 and decided to check him out. I was horror struck when I saw he had an Oakland American League baseball team logo as his symbol. Then I read his credentials.

Players collected: Rick Ankiel, Ryan Braun (Brewers), Travis Buck, Eric Byrnes, Sean Casey, Eric Chavez, Bobby Crosby, Andre Dawson, Adam Dunn, Andre Ethier, Prince Fielder, Eric Gagne, Ken Griffey, Jason Isringhausen, Austin Kearns, Austin Kearns, Terrence Long, Russell Martin, Dice K , Fred McGriff, Jonathan Papelbon, Wily Mo Pena, Brandon Phillips, Pokey Reese, Huston Street, Kurt Suzuki, Nick Swisher, Frank Thomas, Troy Tulowitzki, Jered Weaver, David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman

You have to respect a man who will list Austin Kearns twice.

Teams collected: THE CINCINNATI REDS, Oakland A's

He also collects the New Orleans Saints (My second favortite football team being from the area) and the Pittsburgh Penguins - My favorite hockey team.
It's almost like he is my brother from another mother.

I contacted Brads55 about working with me on the blog to make it more Reds fan friendly and he has agreed to share his LOOOOOOOOOTTTTS bigger Reds and card collection with us Reds fans and those who are in denial about being a Reds fan. (New York Metropolitan "fans" come to mind)

A little about our newest Cincy Reds Cards team member:

Mind doing a little interview so I can let people know who you are?

Absolutely! Its a pleasure to be part of this Blog and I'm excited to make some new friends!

Who are you?

I am 28 years old and was born in Los Angeles, CA. I lived there for 12 years and moved right after the Northridge earthquake (1994). My family and I moved to Vancouver, WA (across from Portland, OR) and I graduated high school and started college there. Moved from there in 2000 and went to Reno, NV. After a few years I opted to move to Hawaii for a change! Been here ever since!

When did you first start collecting cards?

I first started collecting cards in 1986. My uncle bought me a box of 1987 Donruss and let me put together a set into a binder (still have it). I've been collecting ever since and haven't looked back!

Is it tougher being a collector in Hawaii as opposed to the mainland?

Most definitely!!! When I moved here 5 years ago there was 2 card shops on this island (the big island of Hawaii). After 3 months the card shop on my side of the island (Kona) had closed. That left me with a 2 hour one-way drive to the only card shop left (in Hilo). As I made a special trip after XMAS a couple months ago to pick up a box and some protectors it turns out that after the long drive that card shop is closed as well (SIGH). So that leaves me with just Wal-Mart for cards. So as you can tell its incredibly tough to collect on this island. If it wasn't for my trading sites I'd have a hard time continuing to collect. The best trading site hands down is thebenchtrading.com . As a matter of fact thats where I met Joe (Bay Rat North West).

Why are you a Reds collector?

It has to be because of Ken Griffey Jr./Sr. I followed them close as Mariners and once the trade was made I was a FAN FOR LIFE!!! A few Reds favorites of mine are :

Ken Griffey Jr., Austin Kearns, Brandon Phillips, Wily Mo Pena, Adam Dunn, Aaron Boone and Bret Boone

What else do you collect outside of the Reds?

As Reds are my National League Team, the A's are my American League Team. I will list the other collection interests below.

How varied is your collection? (Base set / Inserts / GU / Oddballs / Other sports)

My collection hits every realm of the hobby...

The Sports : I Collect Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Golf, Nascar, and Non-Sports Cards.

The Types : Everything - Base, SPs, #'d, Die-Cuts, RCs, G/U, Autos, Oddballs, Vintage, Unopened Packs/Boxes. You name it, I collect it.

Why do the Cubs stink so much?

Because they don't have Griffey on the team!

Any other info you want add to this that I did not ask you?

I hope to add an appreciation of Reds cards from every aspect of the hobby. Planning to add a DAILY scan of some of my Favorite Reds cards and also host a WEEKLY live yahoo webcam mailday and box breaks. This should be fun! Mahalo and Aloha everybody, Brad

And all 12 readers of Cincy Reds cards say Mahalo and Aloha to you, Brad. We look forward to your first posting that is gonna make all those Braves, Cubs, White Sox, Indians and even the WNBA lovin Mets fans out there envy us.

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.

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!

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.

Someone with better Reds luck than White Sox Cards

You buy one pack of resealed cards and what do you get:

http://tinyurl.com/2ra94n

enough Home Run Legends to shake a Louisville Slugger at.

Conrats go out to Jeremiah at Topps Trader.

A Late Thank You

Thank you to the people at Topps

Thank you to the people at Donruss

On August 29, 2005 my life changed.

At about 10 AM I watched as white caps formed on the road in front of my mother's home. For those who do not know what white caps are it is a term used to describe the white foam on top of a wave as it crests and breaks. Why is this unusual? I was one mile from the shore and 28 feet above sea level. That is what it was like when Hurricane Katrina came through. In under 10 minutes it went from water on the road to 6 foot in the home. I managed to get the six people there to safety quickly and save some artwork but all else was lost. My mother was lucky.

My home of two weeks that I had wanted to buy for as long as I remember was washed away. Along with 25 years of collecting and a lifetime of mementos. All the Reds cards, photos, autos and stuff I had made a special room for (I was single) were gone. It was tough but you move on. About two weeks later various card companies had sent packages. Topps and Donruss had sent cases of baseball, football and basketball. I have scanned in some of the better pulls from the boxes I was able to crack open in the midst of the uncertainty.

2005 Topps
No. 645 Reds Team Card
The Greatest Professional Baseball Team

2005 Donruss
No.151 Barry Larkin

2005 Donruss
Power Alley Insert
Ken Griffey Jr.
Sereil Numbered 572 / 2500

2005 Topps Bazooka
4 - in -1 Sticker Insert No. 3
Austin Kearns / J.D. Drew - A former Brave for certain blogger / Torii Hunter / Juan Pierre
How often do you have a card with 4 players all on other teams so soon?

2005 Topps Heritage
No. 57 Adam Dunn

2005 Finest
No. 95 Adam Dunn
Green X-Fractor 11 / 50

Home Run Dunn is watching the ball fly off of a Clemens mess up into the bleachers at Minute Maid Park. A fantastic ball park if you ever get the chance. And hot dogs are waaaaay less expensive that Turner Dogs.

2005 Topps Total
No. 53 Cin 5 Paul Wilson
Remember when this guy was on the Mets and was supposed to be the next Maddux? He did a good job with the Reds and was a good coah for the younger guys.

2005 Donruss Diamond Kings
No. 75 Danny Graves
Autograph 93 / 100
The autograph is well placed and the artwork is great! This is my favorite DK set. The card layout, the colors blend well and the portraits are the best of any set. The sticker is recessed in the card and not on the surface. I am beggining to like this way of doing it.

2005 Donruss Studio
No. 80 Bubba Nelson
Private Signings Autograph Silver 72 / 100

This was one of the best gifts someone like us collectors can receive in such circumstances. It was a very bright spot in my life at the time. The great feel of the packs in the hands and to hear the rip of the foil.

Notice the one company not mentioned (Fleer was bankrupt). They wrote a form letter to Matt that had in it "Sorry we cannot help with your project/charity" and "Good luck with your project/charity and remember us in your purcahsing future." I understand they cannot answer to everyone but that is cold. And I have never purchased another UD product new again. I am not saying never buy new Upper Deck, just letting you know why I do not.

Yankee Douche Fan Says:

I have a friend we shall name Yankee Douche Fan. He is a good guy at heart. But if this says anything about his thought patterns his favorite teams are :

The New York American League Baseball Club

The Los Angeles Lakers

The Dallas Cowboys

Tiger Woods


Need I say more?

Y.D.F. had this to say about todays card:

2002 Fleer Genuine
Touch 'em All Insert
Game Used Base Relic
Serial Numbered 23/ 350

"Man. They coulda done better than that."

This coming from someone who never bought any cards as a kid. Someone who's only retort is "Yeah? Well your team sucks!" And I agree. With his statement about the card that is. The card is just plain. This is not what The Beach Boys had in mind when singing "Good Vibrations." It isn't even red. It's rosy. Not quite pink and not quite red. The piece of the base used is about a half inch. Junior looks like he is scared he might have to face Randy Johnson. The photo is small by card standards. It just does not make me feel good. As for the back. Well, have a look for yourself.
The image of the base is just as big as Ken Griffey Jr. What up wit' dat? The man deserves better than that. Maybe Fleer was mad Upper Deck had him as an exclusive. I do not know. There is even no mention about anything Griffey. Talk about a disappointing card.
Glad I only paid $1.50 for it.