I was given these two cards by one of the instructors I work with. He brought in a large stack of 1950's Bowman that he's had since he was a kid. I put them in penny sleeves for him. He let me pick two that I liked. I picked the Enos Slaughter, because it was a double. The other Enos was in much better condition. (I felt guilty enough taking these). I picked the Westrum from a small stack of Giants. The NY Giants were my dad's favorite team when he was growing up and Westrum was the manager for the Mets between Casey and Gil. It seemed like the right card.

There weren't any big stars in the group, nor would I have taken those. There was a Pesky, a Doby, Antonelli.... I advised him to take the cards to a card shop here in town if he was interested in selling them. They could tell him what they might be worth. But, he's decided to keep them because he just found out he's going to be a grand-dad. I like that much better.

The cards are not in great shape. But, I like them because right now they are the oldest cards I possess and because of the way I obtained them. I always think of Joe when I look at them.

Anyway, I share this because like the Mets this blog is limping into the end of the season.

The Good, the bad and the Ugly

I was going to post this last night, figuring the Mets would lose to the Braves. Lo and behold, the Mets scored a record high 8 runs in one inning and won the game. It was great. But, the Good, the Bad and the Great just didn't work. So I didn't post. 24 hours later the Mets haven't disappointed me. They are losing to the Braves 14-2 right now. So, here it is...the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Good

A package from Joe at i am the average joe. He contacted me out of the blue a week ago and sent me a link to the cake he made for opening day. It was a reference to the cake my wife made me for my birthday. Anyway, Joe buzz sawed my 2008 U&H & Series wants to a sliver of the cards I needed. Joe's a Met fan so I'm sure he's feeling as bad as I do about the Mets season. Joe I have a package on the way. Many thanks...

The Bad

The NY Mets Line-Up

Angel Pagan

Luis Castillo

Gary Sheffield

Daniel Murphy

Jeff Francoeur

Fernando Tatis

Omir Santos

Anderson Hernandez

This is not a Major League line-up. They are pieces to a team, bench players, AAA-players and trade fillers (I'm looking at you Anderson.

I really like D. Murphy at first, but he has to be surrounded by a strong team with good defensive skills. Francoeur has always impressed me with his arm in right field. I always thought the Braves should fire a cannon shot when he throws, now the Mets should do it. It would upset the runner coming into homeplate.

As for the rest of the team. If they aren't around next year, I won't miss'em. Tatis is 1-30 with two outs and runners in scoring position. Come on. Sheffield needs to be a DH in the AL or in old folks home. Don't get me started on Castillo or Pagan. Santos is a back up catcher.

The Ugly

Braves and Mets August 19th

15-2, final

Ouch

They say it's your birthday....

Yesterday was my birthday. How old am I? 42. What a non-significant number. But, a number of good things did happen to me on my birthday. Not big things. Just nice.

1) I got birthday cards from family members

2) My wife got the oil changed in my truck (I hate doing stuff like that) while she was out getting stuff to make me a birthday cake

3) a birthday cake shaped like a baseball

4) Watched the 1976 All-Star Game on mlbtv.

5) Had dinner at a great pizza place in N. Charleston (evo pizza)

6) Mets beat Astros 9-3 (really nine to one but K-Rod gave up a two run homer in the ninth. He hasn't had many save opportunities lately and is probably rusty)

7) Night Owl sent me a HUGE stack of 09 topps and some other Mets. Thanks Greg!

So, let's see what Greg sent, shall we?

41-2009 Topps Series 2 base cards from my want list. That's one card for each year I have successfully navigated :) With those cards (and a few I picked up at Target) that cuts my Series 2 want list in half.

Very thoughtful, Greg. Thank you.

Here is the other random Mets goodness.

A 2009 UD Johan Santana. Great photography.

A 1986 Topps Doug Sisk. The only card in the bunch that I already had. A reminder of

happier days for the Metropolitans.

Here are cards for sets I've started.

Tim Teufel. Another met from the good old days. I got Tim's autograph last year. (Or was it the year before? My memory is going). He was the manager for the Savannah SandGnats. Now he's the manager for the St. Lucie team.

Willie Randolph, Dave Gallagher. Did you know that both of these guys were born in NJ? Matter of fact, so was I. 42 years ago.

Dave Magadan. He was born in Tampa, FL. I already knew that. I spent my formative years in St. Petersburg, FL. That's right across Tampa Bay from Tampa. St. Pete is where the Rays play. NOT IN TAMPA. Sorry, I'm getting cranky in my old age. Magadan is the hitting coach for the Rays rival Red Sox. I saw him in the dug out at the playoff game last year, but was too far to get a photo.

Carl Everett was also born and raised in Tampa. I didn't know that. Carl now plays for the Newark Bears. He didn't play for the Mets for very long. There's a nice post about Carl on Paul's Random Stuff blog. I hope he doesn't mind me linking to it. (Paul, I mean, not Carl).

Finally, '09 Goudey D-Wright. He looks like some sort of alien. Still I like the card.

I will spend the rest of the weekend sorting and counting and collating and wondering what the

next 42 years will bring.

Dismal

I haven't posted in over two weeks. If you're a Mets fan, you'll understand. So, why am I posting on the day that brings disturbing news about a member of the Mets front office staff and another pathetic performance against one of the worst teams in baseball? Because my friend at Nightowl cards emailed to inquire about my 2009 Topps Series 2 needs. I sat down and did a survey of what I had and what I needed (as I watched another Mets loss).

The quick answer is; I need more than I thought.

The long answer is at this link.

Thanks to Greg.

BTW, Let's hope the Dodgers can keep on winning. I couldn't stand another season of the Phillies (or the Braves) in the WS.

Mail and Redemption

First off thanks to Jeff@cardjunkie.com. I sent him a handful of cards and he returned the favor by sending me a couple of NY Mets cards that I didn't have from the '09 Topps Series 2 collection. So, whether I decide to finish the Series 2 set or simply collect the Mets, I'm covered. Thanks, Jeff!

Next, I was searching e-bay for something (I don't even remember what I was looking up) when I ran across a Topps Red Hot Rookie, #1. It turns out it's Mets Rookie OF'er Fernando Martinez. I am doing this with my eyes wide open and will be rewarded after 30+ weeks with a shiny F-Mart card. By then he will no longer be a rookie, the Mets season will (thankfully at this point) over and I hope to be planning my return to Spring Training for the 2010 season.

30 Weeks!

Topps Series 2 - Jackie Robinson Cereal Box

I've been having trouble tracking Jackie down, but my wife found him in Target. SInce this is my third box of Series two, I guess I'm now "officially" collecting the set. I'm still 2 short (229 Cesar Izturis, 305 Ivan Rodriguez) on the Series 1 base set. I'll lasso them up soon. (I hope). I'm also all about the inserts in this years Topps.....

Luke Scott from the "hey, what'cha doin' down there" subset

Andy Pettitte

Troy Glaus

Pat Neshek

Billy Butler

Shaun Marcum, two goofy poses in one box. Wheeee.

Luke Hochevar

Robinson Cano

Chris Perez

Ted Lilly

Carlos Lee, wants to be on a Wheaties box

Bengie Molina

Steve Pearce

Jeremy Bonderman

Brandon Phillips

Joel Pinero

BJ Ryan, Yeah!

Ryan Howard

Freddy Sanchez

Chris Iannetta

Johnny Damon

Carlos Beltran, Finally a Met card. Great Action!

Yovani Gallardo

Chris Young

Adam Jones, 1160/2009 Gold Variation

Scott Baker

Kevin Millwood

Matt Harrison

Tony LaRussa

Chris Carpenter

Dustin Pedroia, Another good action shot

Placido Polanco

Chris Davis

Braden Looper

Derek Lowe

David Patton, Rookie

Randy Wolf

Khalil Green

Paul Konerko, part of the White Sox synchronized fielding team. (I give them an 8.7 for the artistic portion, but a 5.5 for degree of difficulty :)

Adam Jones (again, but no gold border)

Trevor Cahill, Rookie

Donald Veal, Rookie

Edwin Morneo, Rookie

Kenshin Kawakami, Rookie

Coco Crisp

Brian Anderson

Milton Bradley

Miguel Olivo

Bob Melvin

Nick Johnson

Eugenio Velez

Ron Washington

And Now the Inserts:

It's hard for me to believe that guys that I grew up watching (Sandberg and Carlton) are now considered "Legends." I don't feel that old. It doesn't seem that it was that long ago.

Friday night at "The Joe"

Here are some pics from my Friday night at Joe Riley stadium. The Riverdogs hosted the Sand Gnats and I can't say I was disappointed in the results. I love the Riverdogs, but seeing so many future Mets play and hit so well...It was enough to reinvigorate me as a Mets fan. Sand Gnats over the R'dogs....10-5. Lots of HR's (in fact I can't remember that many HR's in a single Riverdogs game, but my memory may be fuzzy. Man they have cold beer).

50% off Topps 2008 Series 1

Picked up a box of 2008 Series 1 from Wal-Mart. I went in looking for 2009 Topps Series 2 cereal boxes (Jackie R.). They had none. Anyway, I walked away with a consolation prize. Half price Topps Series 1...If your want list is in need of any of these, e-mail me.

Here are the numbers:

21,24,28,31,38,43,45,46,150,52,58,61,65,66,75,83,99

105,114,117,118,122,124,134,135,139,144,181

207,211,217,219,222,236,239,240,244,256,258,259,262,292,299

301,306,310,312

Highlights

Longevity

Last week I bought a cereal box of 2009 Topps Series 2. I opened it and sorted it and realized that there wasn't one NY Met in the whole lot. What are the odds? I don't know.

Today on the way home from work I went by Wal-Mart and picked up another cereal box. Would this one be loaded with Mets? Nope. One. One lonely NY Met. Francisco Rodriguez. That brings my collection of Mets from '09 Topps Series 2 to a grand total of 2. Ollie and K-Rod. (I picked up Ollie in a stray pack).

But, if we were to base Series 2 on the box cover, longevity would be the theme.

First up,

Ryan Braun, the Hebrew Hammer. Turkey Red. What a coincidence. In the last cereal box I bought I received a Turkey Red Prince Fielder. If I was a Brewer fan I would be in heaven. As far as longevity give this guy some time. I think he has it in him.

Next, Mel Ott. As a Met fan I appreciate the connection with the NY Giants. Ott played 22 seasons with the Giants. Pretty solid.

World Baseball Classic. Fu-Te Ni, Chinese Taipei. In the description they say Fu-Te "paced his old circuit in strikeouts in '08, after being his nation's workhorse in the previous year's Baseball World Cup".

Next insert, Larry Jones, Legends of the Game. You may not know this guy by that name, but I'm a Met fan. This guy has been killing the Mets, (and a lot of the NL teams) for some time now. 15 years is long enough. If he goes much more, his next kid will be named "Citi".

Stadium Club 2008 - Complete Set

Well, sometime last year I bought a box of Stadium Club. Before I knew it I was collecting baseball cards. The blogs are full of stories about guys who started collecting when they were kids, then dropped it, only to pick it up again as an adult. I am not one of those guys. I never collected cards as a kids. I didn't have the focus. I started and stopped hobbies like most people change clothes. I get distracted eas...

oh look shiny!


Get the point. So, it gives me great pleasure to say that, not only have I stuck with collecting, I've managed to finish a set! Hooray, me. Here is the card that finished the 2008 Stadium Club. Carlos Lee, OF, Houston Astros.

I do NOT have a complete set of First Day's or Photographer's Proofs, or whatever. I do have a complete base set that includes, 1st Days, Photographers Proofs, Autos, etc. I don't think I'll ever be that kind of collector. Also, (and I'm learning about collecting as I move along) I'm a "retail" guy. The card shops scare me. I will talk to the nice people at flea markets and garage sells. I buy a lot of "junk wax". Most Goudey cards look creepy to me. I don't know how to pronounce "Goudey". I do like Turkey Red cards & the chrome inserts in the 2009 Topps series. I stick to Topps for the most part but I do like any brand that has a NY Mets player on it.

Oh, look.....shiny Upper Deck.

Charleston Riverdogs

Here are few photos from Sunday's game at Joe Riley Stadium to see the Charleston Riverdogs vs the Rome Braves. The weather was warm but great. The beer was cold. To top it off I had a great seat right behind the visitor's dugout.

Riverdogs pitcher, Manuel Banuelos, pitched a good game. He scattered 6 hits and struck out 4 over 5.2 innings. The Riverdogs won 4-1.

Check out all the photos here:

2007 Topps Series one, Box 3

Pack 1:

Huston Street, A's

Cincinnati Reds, Team Card

Anibel Sanchez, Marlins

Rich Hill. Cubs

Checklist

Robinson Cano, Yankees

Royce Clayton, Jays

Pack 2:

JD Drew, Dodgers

Classic Combo, Tigers, Ordonez & Rodriguez

Alex Cintron, White Sox

Chad Tracy, D-Backs

Stephen Drew, D-Backs

Ritchie Sexson, D-Backs

Pack 3:

Derek Jeter, Yankees

Phil Garner, Mgr, Astros

Barry Zito, Giants, Gold

Justin Morneau, Twins, Own the Game

Chase Utley, Generation Now, 34 Game hit Streak

Students: Work Hard, Get Cards

Ramon Ortiz, Nats

Pack 4:

Geoff Jenkins, Brewers

Philip Humber, Mets (Rookie)

Mike Piazza, A's

Bob Feller, Indians, Distinguished Service

Chris Snyder, D-Backs

Prince Fielder, Brewers

Pack 5:

Jason Grilli, Tigers

Hanley Ramirez, Marlins, NL ROY

David Ross, Reds

Frank Thomas, Jays

Checklist

Orlando Hudson, D-Backs, NL Gold Glove Award

Pat Neshek, Twins

Pack 6:

Jeff Kent, Dodgers

Houston Astros Team Card

Hank Blalock, Rangers

Brad Lidge, Astros

Ryan Howard, NL MVP

Orlando Hernandez, Mets

Pack 7:

Joe Crede, White Sox

Mark Ellis, A's

Josh Bard, Padres

Justin Morneau, Twins, Generation Now 28

Students: Work Hard, Get Cards

Scott Kazmir, D-Rays

Tim Wakefield, Red Sox

Pack 8:

Kendry Morales, Angels

Jack Wilson, Pirates

John Lackey, Angels

Justin Verlander, AL ROY

Josh Gibson, HR 600, Home Run History

Shane Youman, Pirates (Rookie)

Pack 9:

Justin Morneau, Twins, AL MVP

Jamey Carroll, Rockies

Andrew Miller, Tigers (Rookie)

Mickey Mantle, HR#259

Jim Thome, White Sox, Own the Game

Checklist

Shannon Stewart, Twins

Bonus Pack: Same Three as Last Box (Odds?)

2007 Topps Series one, Box 2

Pack 1:

Adam Loewen, Orioles

Barry Zito, Giants

Brian Burres, Orioles

Andruw Jones, Braves, Own the Game

Checklist

Aubrey Huff, Orioles

Alfredo Amezaga, Marlins

Pack 2:

Andre Ethier, Dodgers, Gold Cup

Carl Crawford, D-Rays

James Loney, Dodgers

Matt Capps, Pirates

Bobby Kielty, A's

Bob Wickman, Braves

Pack 3:

Austin Kearns, Nats

Red Sox, Team Card

Jim Edmonds, Cards

Carlos Beltran, Mets, NL Gold Glove Award

Ryan Howard, Phillies, Generarion Now HR#19

Students: Work Hard, Get Cards

Classic Combo, NL All-Stars, Soriano and Beltran

Pack 4:

BJ Ryan, Jays

Chris Gomez, O's

Kenny Rogers, Tigers, AL Gold Glove Award

Jason Marquis, Cards, Gold Card

Brandon Inge, Tigers

Brad Penny, Dodgers

Pack 5:

BJ Upton, D-Rays

Billy Wagner, Mets

Nick Punto, Twins

Ervin Santana, Angels

Checklist

Emil Brown, Royals

Eric Byrnes, D-Backs

Pack 6:

Elizardo Ramirez, Reds

David Wright, Mets

Scott Rolen, Cards

Josh Gibson, HR #4

Curt Schilling, Red Sox

Dontrelle Willis, Marlins

Pack 7:

Bronson Arroyo, Reds

Atlanta Braves Team Card

Cla Meredith, Padres

Unlock the Mick MLB 2K7 Video Game Cheats

Chester Nimitz, Distinguished Service

Clay Hensley, Padres

Pack 8:

Edwin Encarnacion, Reds

Greg Maddux, Dodgers, NL Gold Glove Award

Tom Gordon, Phillies

Mickey Mantle, MMS11

Checklist

Chris Duncan, Cards

Chuck James, Braves

Pack 9:

Edgar Renteria, Braves

Alert Pujols, Cards

Aaron Rowand, Phillies

Alex Rogriguez, Seattle, Road to 500, 18th HR

Eduardo Perez, M's

Chone Figgans, A's

Pack 10:

Drew Anderson, Brewers, (Rookie)

Albert Pujols, Cards, NL Gold Glove Award Winner

Brandon Webb, D-Backs, NL Cy Young Award Winner

Jim Tracy, Mgr, Pirates

Justin Morneau, Twins, Generation Now HR 11

Students: Work Hard, Get Cards

Classic Combo, Delgado and Wright, NY Mets

Bonus Pack: