Night Owl Cards

(One year ago today, the Dodgers signed Aaron Harang for their 7th pick up of the offseason. They had already signed Jerry Hairston Jr., Chris Capuano, Juan Rivera, Matt Treanor, Mark Ellis and Adam Kennedy. This offseason, they have signed no one to this point, because they're waiting to see where Zack Greinke's former cheerleader wife wants to live. Such is life as a fan of the No. 2 payroll team. Time for Cardboard appreciation. This is the 167th in a series): Green doesn't go with the Dodgers very well. Sure, it's a pretty card -- supplied by The Angels, In Order -- and one I desperately wanted. But it's not the Dodgers' color. I think of this every time I see one of these parallels. Green. Red. Orange. They're all very nice. Exotic, even.  And I love colored parallels. But they don't go with the Dodgers. Angels In Order sent this parallel, too. Purple doesn't work any better with the Dodgers. Blake Smith looks like he's battin...

I've heard the complaints from Wordpress users who say they aren't able to comment on Blogger blogs anymore, or are only able to through a great deal of effort. That's tough to hear. I like comments. But even a Blogger user like me has noticed the comment set-up isn't the way it used to be -- Blogger is tinkering with something for some unknown reason. But I have a different complaint about Blogger and it has to do with following blogs. I follow many, many card blogs. Blogger lets you officially only follow 300 (why, I don't know), but if I could follow more I would. I have been at the maximum for probably a couple of years now. Not being able to follow as many blogs as you want is a minor inconvenience, but for a long time it wasn't too difficult to handle. If a new blog came along, I would merely search out a blog that hadn't posted in like a year, delete that blog from my following list, and add the new blog. That way I'd still be at the 300 n...

You'd better get over to my other blog while you can. The new posts are going to last for only 20 or so more days, and then it's going to be history. ... Well, you'll be able to consult it whenever you want, but it'll be frozen in time, kind of like all the guys in the 1975 Topps set. But the '75s will never end on this blog. Between Lineage and my new '75 mini quest, I'm going to assault your senses with contrasting colors until I get the cease-and-desist order. You'll be walking around in a hot-pink and sunburst-yellow stupor. But you'll be ultra happy. Because '75 minis are the happiest cards to ever grace the earth. Except now ... This is not in the spirit of the '75 mini. Althought I love Clayton Kershaw cards, and still enjoy relic cards, and am really appreciative to Play at the Plate for sending this to me, we do not mar the classic '75 mini with one of those modern fool inventions. The '75 mini is perfect as it is...

I believe you know that I love 1975 Topps minis. I'm hardly unique in that area. How can you not love them? It's impossible. But I have a few extra reasons why I love them, which you probably also know if you've read the blog for long enough. 1. The '75 minis came out in the first year that I collected cards. They were only available -- as far as my 9-year-old self knew at the time -- at one corner store several blocks from my home. I've been told over and over that the minis were released only in Michigan and California, yet I found them in small story in upstate New York. That makes them extra special. 2. I took to them right away. What kid doesn't love miniature stuff? My first trade with someone other than my brothers involved acquiring a bunch of minis. 3. I've got a color fixation. Have since I was a tyke. It's wired into my brain through a condition called synesthesia . So, the '75s are a natural. 4. I have a blog devoted to the ...

Hello, Night Owl here. How many times have you gone to your local collectibles shop and watched the owner chat up the cute, teenage, mall walkers while you stood there, money in your hand, unattended? Plenty, right? Put on a belly shirt and some lip gloss and maybe you'll get some action, but until then, you're just a loser with cash. Or how about this? You're at one of those anonymous big box stores. If you can find the cards at all, they're in a jumbled mess, mixed with pictures of fire-breathing dragons and stickers of New York City! What are those all about? They never have what you're looking for! Who wants 2010 Topps Series 2? Or this? You're cruising your favorite online card store. They have loads of great product. Inventory through the roof. But it's so mundane and disconnected! You get the cards safe and sound, but who is shipping them to you? A guy in China trying to rob you of your identity? Ha, ha! Kidding! But the internet is so cold. ...

Clayton Kershaw won his 16th game tonight. He wasn't in dominating form, but he's already one of those guys who doesn't have to be to get results. He's won 14 of his last 16 games, leads the league in wins, strikeouts, and opponent's batting average, and is third in ERA. Aside from Roy Halladay and Justin Verlander, I don't think there's another starter in the majors who inspires confidence like Kershaw. And don't forget, he plays for a team that sucks. He inspires confidence on a team that sucks. And he's 23. Now that is worth noting. But I came across something a couple of days ago that I found unsettling about Kershaw. I didn't like it when I heard it. If he was a lesser pitcher or a lesser person, it might cause me to bestow favorite player status on a different Dodger. Kershaw was a Will Clark fan growing up. Oh, yuck. That's why he wears the No. 22. Oh, yuck, yuck, YUCK. Get it off me! Get it OFF me!! As you know, I don...