That guy played pro baseball!?

While I was born in the early '80s, I grew up in the '90s. Baseball players resembled comic book superheroes. Obviously many were aided by needles and pills and clear creams, but when I think of baseball players, I think of hulking dudes in their late 20s.

Even today, these guys - for the most part - are in tip top shape. Mike Trout looks like a machine. Judge and Stanton? Huge. Whether they use supplements or are more diligent about off-season training and weight-lifting, these guys continue to resemble the players I knew in the late '90s.

One of my favorite things to do when looking at cards from the '80s and earlier is to think, "that guy played professional baseball?! He doesn't even look like he could catch a fly ball." It's judgmental, as I'm very much judging a book...or a card...by it's cover. Case in point?

This guy! Maybe unfair since he was like 46 or 47...but even so, I don't know many mid 40s guys who look that old!

I always laughed at Gene Harris on Major League because he didn't look like a real major leaguer the way Pedro Cerrano did. But you know what? He wasn't that far off. Just look at Phil!

You go back even further in the 80s and 70s, and these guys looked so unathletic - just based on a picture of a piece of cardboard - that I find it funny.

Before you get bent out of shape, yes, I know many of them were great players and it was a different time. It's just funny that guys who looked like my nextdoor neighbor could be MLers.

Happy April Fool's, everyone. Stay safe.

You're fooling' me, that's not Tino!

A few days ago while browsing eBay, I came across a listing for a Tino Martinez card I didn't have.

The only problem was, it wasn't Tino who was shown!

The description was for Tino, but pictured was former Mariner Carlos Guillen. I wasn't sure if this was meant to be a Tino card, or a Guillen card.

Luckily, it ended up being a Tino card once I notified the seller and he updated the listing, and for $2 I was able to secure a Tino #'d to 99 that I didn't have!

I liked Pacific Private Stock a lot. I believe it was Pacific's answer to Topps Gallery. While the set wasn't around for long, it did look pretty nice. Plus, I have a soft spot in my heart for Pacific.

I'm glad that in the end, the bogus listing ended up being for a card I needed!

TTM Success: Derek Jeter

April Fools'. Got ya, suckas.

I did get a TTM success yesterday though. Brandon Pinder returned my 2015 Topps with a signature from Yankees spring training. I sent it on Feb 19, so we're looking at a 6 week turnaround. I'll take it! Given how bad my spring training success rate has been, I'm glad to see this come back. Hopefully a few more will trickle in as camp wraps up.

I sent a card to Pinder last spring and did not get a return, then I saw Zippy Zappy get one from him earlier this week, so I was bummed I was going to be going 0 for 2 on him. That happens sometimes, for whatever reason. There have been players I've seen other guys get, and I just can't seem to get a return. It's all part of the game.

Regardless, I complained to ZZ on Twitter, then it shows up in my mailbox. Now I feel bad. Sorry for not trusting you, Brandon Pinder.

Anyhow, Pinder is an excellent reliever in the Yankees system. He pitched in 25 games for the Yanks last year, and I expect him to ride the Scranton shuttle a bit more this year. He pitched well this spring, and was one of the last cuts a few days ago. Although now with Andrew Miller and Bryan Mitchell experiencing injuries, he might be back sooner than expected. Regardless whether or not he makes the Opening Day roster, it won't be long before Pinder is back in the Bronx.

Thanks for the autograph, Mr. Pinder. Good luck!