Shades Of Greatness

Postcard from Shades of Greatness: Art Inspired by Negro Leagues Baseball, a traveling exhibit presented by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum which visited St. Louis earlier this year.

Image: Kadir Nelson, “Low and Away” (Click on image for larger image)

Mr. Nelson’s art can also be found in his book, “We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball.” Click on the bookcover on the right to view a slideshow of images in the book. While its targeted towards younger readers, the stories, paintings & illustrations make this book HIGHLY recommended for baseball fans of any age.

Retail Therapy

The local Quik Trips have carried trading cards for the last year or so and the ones I frequent started putting up 09 Heritage a week or so ago. Avoiding the retail vs. hobby debate, the sheer convenience of picking up a pack or two along with the morning coffee outweighs the base card blues found inside. Or does it?

I ended up buying two packs earlier this week and, surprised by the retail goodness, picked up another two packs this morning at a different location. Out of four packs, only one yielded 100% base cards and that one had a Sizemore so Isaac was pretty excited. All in all, 2 short prints, a Flashback, a Berkman /1960, and a Molina /560 out of four retail packs.

2009 Dad Packs!

2009 Dad Packs are live! I travel quite a bit and have been picking up singles here and there of Cardinals, Isaac's favorite players, and the occasional oddball I think he'll like. Isaac is also turning seven soon and has started doing chores around the house. What better way to reward him (instead of an allowance) than homemade Dad Packs?!? Look for auto's, game used, and even 09 Topps and Heritage packs inside!

Can you tell which ones Dad the Engineer / IT guy did and the lone pack designed by Mom the Art Teacher?

Follow Up: Topps 2008 Red Hot Rookie Redemption

Guess what was waiting for Isaac today? That's right, the first of two 2008 Red Hot Rookies: The Rangers' Chris Davis.

I'll say this for Topps support, while they weren't proactive about correcting the wrong email dates they support representative was honest and provided accurate information. He said the email should have said "4 - 6 weeks" and sure enough, this card arrived four weeks to the day.

The card itself is pretty blah. Davis's face is obscured by the helmet and sunglasses. He appeared in 80 games for the Rangers last year yet this picture appears to be from spring training, batting practice, or a minor league game. Topps couldn't get a major league shot for a guy who played half a season in the majors? One last thing, is "Rangers" airbrushed / Photoshop'd on his jersey or is that just me?

More ‘70’s Brock…

Bought these on ebay months and months ago and only just received them last week… wrapped in a paper towel and held “together” with a folded piece of cardboard. Did I mention the package was sent with insufficient postage?!?!?

1970 Topps

1974 Topps – This one is a double and is headed to another Cardinal fan.

 

1975 Topps

 

1977 Topps

 

Topps 2008 Red Hot Rookie Redemption Update

PSA for those waiting for their 2008 Red Hot Rookies.

Like many others, we received emails in late February and early March that Isaac's 2008 Red Hot Rookie Redemptions were in the mail and should be delivered within 10 - 14 business days. After waiting well past that timeframe with no cards in hand, I called Topps this morning for an update.

I was told that the emails were erroneous and that the cards would not be arriving within 10 - 14 business days of the email sent date. Instead, the wait is actually 4 - 6 weeks for the cards to be sent, with a 10 - 14 day delivery window after they leave Topps.

No great shakes, just an FYI for others waiting for their redemptions. We're waiting for #6 and #8... I've forgotten who they are and am too lazy to find out right now. Isaac would know though.

More Vintage… 1958 Topps

Local shop had a bunch of vintage in the 50 cent box. Here’s the first of many.

#125 Al Dark - I wonder if this qualifies as an honorary Night Owl card?

#287 Sam Jones  - Not *THE* Sam Jones who, as a child of a Celtics fan, I patterned by bank shot after in middle school.