Night Owl Cards

I'm not one to think that Topps seeds packs with cards representing the cities in which they're pulled. In other words, I don't believe that if you live in New York, you have a greater chance to pull Yankees or Mets, or if you live in Kansas City, you pull a whole bunch of Royals. But sometimes I wonder. I took a trip to see some relatives over the holiday break. A bunch of them live in the Buffalo area, which is about a half hour from the Canadian border, sometimes less depending on where you are. I happen to live close to the Canadian border, too (also about a half hour away), but for some reason, I think of being closer to Canada when I'm in Buffalo. I guess that's because Canada is talked about as more of a realistic destination for activity when you're in Buffalo than when you're in my town. Plus, there's all that hockey talk in Buffalo. We don't get that where I live, although we should. So, while in Buffalo I received some cards f...

Soon, probably before the year is out, I will have added the 700th different Clayton Kershaw card to my collection. No, no, please, don't applaud. No, really, it isn't necessary. It's merely accumulation. I'll probably make a big deal about card No. 700, or at least make an announcement. But my heart won't be in it. There really isn't a lot of effort going into accumulating a lot of cards of a certain superstar. Topps makes a lot of cards of certain superstars, a whole bunch of unnecessary cards of superstars. Accumulate to your heart's desire, they're right there for the taking. Throw them in your cart and watch the totals grow. All-Star cards, insert cards, parallel cards, leader cards, online specials, buy, buy, buy. I'd actually be more impressed if someone collected 700 different cards of someone not so recognized. Say, maybe 700 different cards of Matt Lawton. I'd be kinda awed by that. This is why I am a set-collector, o...

I stayed true to my vow to avoid viewing most of the League Championship Series. After the NLDS debacle, my heart wasn't in another round of baseball. I did sit down for a little bit of Game 4 of the Nats-Cards and, of course, I had to watch the highlights of Game 6 of the Astros-Yankees. But that was about it, and I placed a "TBD" on the World Series, too. "We'll see how I feel," I said. Well, the World Series starts tomorrow and I fully plan to watch it -- at least the portions that do not air when I am at work. I've decided that I'm just not done with baseball yet. The Astros-Nationals appeals to me a bit just because of all the fantastic starting pitching matchups. So, baseball, you're off the hook. I'll still watch you. Your trading card sets, however ... That's another matter. I'm finished with buying 2019 cards. I knew that a few weeks ago, probably a few months ago. But it hit home when I was opening the five lo...