Three More Munsons!

"The Walrus" Project is slowly, but surely coming along.

Last week, my COMC package arrived and brought me his 1975 Topps regular issue base card:

Plus I picked up an eBay lot that contained his 1977 Topps and 1979 Topps regular issue base cards:

Which means there are only two more cards for me to chase down. His 1970 Topps rookie card and his 1972 Topps regular issue base card. Neither are considered rare or hard to find, so it's just a matter of finding copies in my price range. I've added both cards to my eBay watch list, but I figure, it took me a year to collect these eight cards... so there's no rush to find the final two.

Here's a peek at the eight I've acquired so far:

Happy Monday everyone. I hope all of you have a great week. Sayonara!

"The Walrus" Project

When I first started collecting cardboard in the early 80's, I was obsessed with quantity over quality. I was the kid who would trade you a Pete Rose card or a Nolan Ryan card for 50 commons.

But as soon as I realized that baseball cards had monetary value, that philosophy quickly changed. The card that helped me see the light was a 1970 Topps Thurman Munson rookie card. One day, a neighborhood buddy came home from the local sports store with that card. He told us how the store owner explained that Munson's untimely death would eventually increase the values of his cards.

From that moment on, I've wanted to add his rookie card to my collection. Over the years, his reputation and legacy has slowly stirred my curiosity to the point where he's become somewhat of an icon that represents both my youth and hobby. This led to me wanting to pick up all of his regular issue Topps cards from his playing days.

Eventually, I acquired his 1972 and 1979 Topps cards, but when I purged my collection in 2001, the Munsons were sold off and the project was put on the back shelf.

Then last April, I bought a box of vintage sports cards at the flea market for $10. And inside of it, I found this 1973 Topps card of Munson:

A few months later, I picked a 1978 Topps card for a dollar at the GTSM Card Show:

And just like that, the project was rekindled. Fast forward to last week, when I came across this eBay lot for three more Munsons:

His 1971 Topps base card:

His 1974 Topps base card:

And his 1976 Topps base card:

I was so stoked to be able to pick up these three cards for $5.24. I know they're not in the greatest condition... but for the price, I'm not complaining.

Plus, I just picked up this 1975 Topps base card off of COMC for $2.50:

Which means... I just need four more to complete my project: 1970 (rookie card), 1972, 1977, and his 1979 Topps base cards. My goal is to have this project completed by the end of the year. But I'm not making any promises, since I'm on a fixed budget and will only pick singles up if they're cheap.

Okay, today's question is...

Do you remember the first card you absolutely wanted to have in your collection? How long did it take for you to get it?

I'm not sure when I'll finally pick up the Munson rookie card. But if I get it this year, that means I only had to wait around 30 years to get one.

Happy Thursday everyone.. and sayonara!

Hidden Treasures #7: Hockey Enforcer Autographs

In 1991, the Sharks arrived on the scene in the NHL. Since then... I've become a huge fan and have grown to admire and respect the enforcers of the league, who are willing to give up their bodies to protect the team's superstars and/or help turn a game around.

Recently, there has been some controversy regarding In The Game's upcoming release, "Enforcers", which is a set that will commemorate past and present NHL tough guys.

I won't waste your time by repeating what others have said... so if you're not sure of what I'm talking about... I encourage you to check out these articles on the issue:

A Blood-Splattered Disgrace

In The Game Responds

Personally... all of the hoopla motivated me to research some of the NHL's greatest enforcers of all-time and then peek into my own collection to see if I owned any cards of them. Surprisingly, I found a bunch in my hockey tradelist, which I've since removed to start a new PC:

05/06 BAP "Autographs" #BA Mathew Barnaby

00/01 Titanium “Game Gear” #143 Matthew Barnaby

98/99 BAP #14 Matthew Barnaby

94 Signature Rookies #18 Wade Belak (6721/7750)

98/99 BAP #298 Craig Berube

97/98 BAP #150 Kelly Buchberger

96/97 BAP Silver #62 Shayne Corson

05/06 Parkhurst "Signatures" #BE Ben Eager

97/98 BAP #137 Chris Gratton

98/99 BAP #101 Chris Gratton

06/07 Parkhurst "Autographs" #23 Stu Grimson

2000-01 Gold Label "Game Worn Jerseys" #GLJKT Keith Tkachuk

1999-00 Black Diamond "A Piece of History" #KT Keith Tkachuk

1995-96 Be A Player Autographs Die Cut #S6 Basil McRae

06/07 Upper Deck "Series 2 Game Jersey" #J2-DT Darcy Tucker

97/98 BAP #119 Darcy Tucker

In terms of the whole issue regarding In The Game's Enforcers product, I think that Brian Price should respect Georges Laraque and (especially) Wade Belak's family's request to be removed from the product. I'm sure legally, Price has covered his bases, but there's no reason to put the Belak family through anymore distress than what they've already gone through this year.

What about you...

Should Mr. Price pull Laraque's and Belak's cards from this product? Why or why not?

It's a pretty interesting topic with valid points from both sides and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Have a great week everyone. Sayonara!

Top 5: Ichiro Suzuki PC Possessions

I love hard working athletes. I love athletes who stay loyal to their teams. And in baseball... while many love the power hitters... I love players who are pure hitters. Regular readers of my blog probably know that one of my favorite players of all-time is Tony Gwynn... because he fits into all three categories. Ichiro Suzuki does too.

Today Ichiro collected his 200th hit of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays. He's the first player this season to do this, but probably won't be the last. What makes this feat special is that he's reached this milestone a record setting 10 years in a row. I am truly in awe when I see this guy hit. From the time he steps up to the plate... to the moment his bat connects with the ball it's a work of art.

So in honor of one of my favorite players of the game and his amazing feat... here are my top 5 PC items of Ichiro Suzuki:

#1: 2000 BBM #326

It's my favorite item for two reasons: I love the card design and it's from his playing days in Japan.

#2: 2002 McFarlane Rookie Piece

I love this item because it show's off his beautiful swing. This particular figure is his regular version (with black glasses). I also have the variant (silver glasses), but it's still sealed.

#3: 2005 Upper Deck Mini Jersey

I've always been a sucker for oddball items and mini jerseys are close to the top of the list. I'm impressed with the detail and the stitching on these jerseys. They're not worth much, but I don't have any intention of ever selling this bad boy.

#4: 2008 & 2009 Allen and Ginter Memorabilia Cards

I haven't busted a box of newer baseball cards in years. However if I ever start I can guarantee it'll either be Upper Deck Masterpieces or Topps A&G. Both sets have amazing designs and its for this reason that I picked them as my #4 favorite item.

#5: 2001 Upper Deck Play Makers

I actually have four of these, but I only busted these two because the packaging was damaged. They seem to be made out of the exact same mold (with the exception of the ROY sign and the color of paint. Bobble heads are another one of my favorite collectibles from my childhood. I have around 10 in my collection, but these are probably my favorite.

Honorable Mention: 2001 UD Victory Rookie (PSA 10)

If you can believe it... this is the only rookie card that I own of Ichiro. I can't afford his other stuff. Thank goodness UD produced products like MVP and Victory.

My Ichiro collection is pretty tiny. As of today, I only have 8 cards in all. Five of them are memorabilia cards, 2 are Japanese cards, and of course the rookie card mentioned above. I have a bunch of his base cards, but I don't really consider them to be part of my PC, since they're just sitting in 5,000 count boxes somewhere.

However, if you have any of his pre 2001 Japanese cards or any of his newer memorabilia cards and you want to trade them... send me a PM.

Now for today's question of the day: How many more 200 hit seasons does Ichiro have left in him? Remember he's no young buck... he'll be turning 37 in October.

I'll leave you with this little gem. We all know that this guy can hit (2,230 hits + counting with the Seattle Mariners). And we also know that he can field (9x Gold Glove award winner). But how many of you knew that he could pitch too. Here's a video of Ichiro pitching the final out of the 1996 Japanese all-star game.

Congratulations Ichiro!