Return of the Bullpen Cart

OK this is ancient news since it happened back in 2018. For some baseball fans it isn't anything special to write about, but to some old-timers like myself it reaches back to our childhoods. I'm talking about the bullpen carts, modified golf carts designed to look like a motorized batting helmet. Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s the MLB had bullpen carts to escort relief pitchers onto the field. Actually now-days they drive around the warning track. They probably did that back then as well, my recollection of them are more vivid because of the plastic toys of the time. More so the NFL helmet carts which were the carts they drive onto the field to take severely injured players off the field. The football carts of course had that full football helmet design. Back in the day the baseball carts were more shaped like a baseball cap and the carts for both sports looked a bit bulky.

So for the 2018 baseball season the bullpen cart returned. The design uses a batting helmet for the main body and the support bars are shaped like bats. The Arizona Diamondbacks were the team to debut the new wave of bullpen carts. If memory serves it was the Washington Nationals then closer Sean Doolittle who was the first pitcher to use it. Maybe he was the first visiting pitcher.

Long story short Topps made a Topps Now card to celebrate the event (there is even an Allen & Ginter card that I plan on getting) I eventually got it. I waited way too long to get it at the original under ten dollars prices. I even went through a period of it not being available on Ebay for a few months. When it finally did come back the prices were super high, higher than I like to pay. Anyway I eventually paid $15 for a copy. I almost had to go up to $20 or more. Also of interest with this card is the seller sent the Topps Now packet "case" the cards come in when you get them directly from Topps and not from some dealer who has already opened the pack to scan the card for their listings.

So here is the card:
Front:

Back:

and the packet/envelope front:

Blogiversary: 10 Years And Still Stumbling

Hey this post was published at a weird time of the day. The reason is it is my 10th Blogiversary for this here Trading Card Blog.

For these special occasions I like to go back to my original posts check the time they were posted and post the anniversary announcement or reboot post at the exact same time of day as the original post instead of my usual High O'Clock Noon posting time. You can see my very first post for this blog here. OH boy there are/were a couple of links to dead websites there, well Zistle technically isn't dead yet but might as well be. My personal website "klandersen.com" though has long been gone. Mostly due to letting the domain name registration for it drop. Long story kind of short: Some years back I let the website domain name registration run out because 1) the company I had originally registered with had been bought by some other company and at the time I couldn't recall which company held the current registration. 2) They refused to recognize my membership info or take my money. A few months to a year or two later some Chinese company bought the domain and it was some weird poetry site written in Chinese for a few years. Eventually they let the domain registration go, but I never got around to renewing it after them since it is a pain do keep track of that and when I am dead and gone it will run out again but that time never renewed and all my info would be completely lost. I toyed with the idea of renewing it, but maintaining a personal website is a lot of work that I don't have time for anymore. Blogging takes up plenty of time I don't have already and I have 3 blogs to maintain.

I did make an edit on the opening post to un-link my website and to make an Edit/Update notice explaining the reason for removing the link. I'm sure I have a ton of other posts that need some similar cleaning up. Some I may get to some day and update others I might never get around to updating.

Just because I like this one.

Oh here are some cards that were released in 2009 to help me celebrate and to make this a post about cards and not my sob story about an abandoned personal website. With one or two exceptions most of these cards I have had since 2009 either from a group box break or an online purchase. I chose these randomly since the only thing I really had planned was the fact I was going to show some cards from 2009.

I don't Think Freud would agree with that.

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter's - 158 Sigmund Freud Psychiatrist

Maybe he'd remind us not to forget the Alamo:

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter's - 108 Alamo Mission Compound

He would also think that women throwing the discus around was some plan to humiliate men.

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter's - 213 Stephanie Brown Trafton Discus Throwing Champion

OK so I didn't plan on making those 2009 Allen & Ginter's cards some kind of tall tale but it worked out that way. Sticking with the retro set idea one of the sets from 2009 I enjoyed was Upper Deck's Goodwin Champions. One of the sets from that year that I have in recent months sort of completed. I have the few remaining cards I need for my set bought at COMC and in my "to be shipped" queue. Ages ago I showed the Alex Ovechkin card (a few times think).

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions - 34 Alex Ovechkin Hockey Washington Capitals

(Ouch one of my older poorly cropped images not corrected by photoscape Sorry)

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions - 101 Cal Ripken Jr Orioles

Next Topps did a similar sort of retro set in the style of the old T206 cards:

2009 Topps T-206 - 21 Ivan Rodriguez Astros

2009 Topps T-206 - 217 Garrett Atkins Rockies

Notice that picture/image of Atkins Topps also used for Allen & Ginter's (at least on this Rip card) Notice though his eyes are different it looks like he is squinting on the 206 card and sort of stunned on the A&G.

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter's - RC43 Garrett Atkins Rockies Rip Card #29/50

I didn't scan the back but Yes I am keeping it unripped. I hate the rip card concept. They need to find a way that the "wrapper" card can be kept in decent condition after being "ripped".

Next We have yet another sort of retro card, this time Heritage which is more a direct updating a 49 year old design with the modern players. Some years Topps did this very well other years they blew it. 2009 I think was a good year:

2009 Topps Heritage - 372 Brian Schneider Mets

Meanwhile O-Pee-Chee does a mean retro card. I love 2009 OPC. I have the Nationals team set, and need to work on the full set, and also the parallel black bordered sets:

2009 O-Pee-Chee - 518 Washington Nationals team card/Checklist

In 2009 Topps had a little fun online. I've mentioned these before. I'm too lazy right now to provide the link to my previous post. ACK I'm not even sure what tags I used for those. Oh Well.

2009 Topps Million Card Giveaway Code Card - TMC-5 Mickey Mantle Yankees

Of course I had to include some mascots right?

Previously Shown:

 2009 Disabled American Veterans DAV - 191 Lucky The Beaver Portland Beavers

Previously Shown:

2009 Disabled American Veterans DAV - 123 Uncle Slam Patomac Nationals

2009 Multi-Ad Sports - 29 Sherman Shorebird Mascot Delmarva Shorebirds

OK this last card is a PC player for several reasons first played for one of my fave teams The Rams, secondly he was a super Quarterback and he is also a Similar namesake niche player;

2009 Upper Deck Football: 1 Kurt Warner Cardinals

Major Blog Acheivement

Well sometime a day or two ago something happened to this blog that I hadn't expected but was pretty excited about A few months ago I wouldn't have even thought it was possible... a week or two ago it started to become apparent that this would happen sometime soon.

So yeah take a look at this:

take a closer look:

Yep it says 100 Followers Officially: In reality now I have probably about 10 people who read this regularly I think it is really only about 3 or 4. Then about 20 who read this blog once or twice a month maybe, and about 60-65 who read the blog once signed on as a follower (probably just to join in on a contest and they probably won since only 2 or 3 people entered), and the other 5-10 who followed years ago and have since disappeared either by death or some other reason they no longer come around.

OH OK I'll show a card maybe.... let me look in the old PC that has been scanned...

 1961 Fleer Baseball Greats 68 Mel Ott NY Giants

(Front and Back)

1961 Fleer Baseball Greats a nice vintage set of pre-war guys some of whom had never been on cards before (and never again maybe) This is one of those vintage sets I really need to get off my butt on and try to complete it. I only have 3 out of the 154 of the set.

 2007 Topps Allen & Ginter's 72 Bruce Lee Martial Arts Master

(Front and Back)

*sigh* Allen and Ginter's A&G or just plain Allen & Ginter I have to get a handle on what I have from this and many other years of this wonderful cardboard product. I know the last 2 or 3 years I haven't gotten any A&G. I want to at least get the full base sets of the regular sized cards. At one time I also wanted to get the mini base set as well but that is too ambitious a goal so for the minis I will have to settle for probably just my homie teams, the non-sport/non-baseball folks and some of my "binder" guys (usually HOFers and guys who played 1960s-70s)

Soccer? NO WAY I don't hit women

In my Ebay shopping I picked up a trio of A&G cards two USA Women's Soccer Champs and one Supernanny? I've been meaning to pick up some USA Women's Soccer cards for ages and ages now. So What did I get? From one dealer I got 3 cards at BIN prices shipping was $2.49 combined. Individually shipping would be $2.49 each. I am so glad many sellers allow for combined shipping and you can "Ask seller for total" before you finish the checking out completely. OK so in reverse order of preference I got:

First I got the Supernanny Jo Frost. I'm not a reality TV lover in fact I usually shout and complain about the entire genre of reality TV, but it has been here for several years and looks to have a permanent hold in the universe of television. I eventually need to get the rest of the base set so it was a set need.

2011 Topps Allen & Ginter's 165 Jo Frost Suppernanny (0.99¢)

(Front and Back)

Next the first of two of America's Sweethearts of the Soccer Gridiron Brandi Chastain. What you don't remember her? Maybe if she takes off her jersey...

OK NOW you remember her!

2006 Topps Allen & Ginter's 304 Brandi Chastain USA Women's Soccer ($2.00)
(Front and Back)

Third comes the sweetest sweetheart of the World Cup Champion USA team Mia Hamm. The poster girl for the team for several years.

2007 Topps Allen & Ginter's  272 Mia Hamm USA Women's Soccer ($2.00)
(Front and Back)

Four Cards For Less Than Four Bucks Fishing On Bay

This post is going to be one of those that I will duplicate on my Curly W Cards blog because it is has some Nationals. The post over there will be slightly different so it will not be a true cut and paste or just plain link up deal.

OK so from Ebay I had bought some cards from one seller each card at 99¢ with Free Shipping. Four cards total two of which are Nationals players in a Nats Uniform.

Lets just get on with the cards I will make some comments about them after showing them.

2000 Fleer Skybox 1 Cal Ripken Jr. Orioles

(Front and Back)

Hows that for planing the first card being shown is card number 1. OK so I didn't plan it that way, I planned it going in chronological order and of these four cards I'm showing This Ripken from 2000 lands first.

2005 Donruss Zenith 162 Nick Johnson Nationals

(Front and Back)

When I saw this card I just had to have it. I don't recall coming across the Zenith brand from Donruss before, maybe I did but this Nick Johnson card is the only Zenith card I have. I plan on getting at least all the Nationals and Orioles from the set, and eventually the entire set of 250 cards. I like the simple yet complex design. It seems that the Zenith brand was only produced in 2005.

These next two cards and the final half of the four are from the same set 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter's. Yes most people just say Allen and Ginter or simply abbreviate to A&G but as long as Topps includes the apostrophe es I will label it that way (or just A&G or A and G)
 

 

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter's 212 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 19th Century Composer

(Front and Back)

This is one of those cards from A&G that either makes you love the sets or hate them. The Non-Sport and more to the point Non-Baseball card. The A&G brand is primarily a baseball set but technically is an All-Sport all inclusive set since it has the Non-Sport as well. I personally like the Non-Baseball cards as well as the Baseball.

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter's 271 Paul Lo Duca Nationals

(Front and Back)

Paul Lo Duca is one of those players that only spent one season, actually only part of a season, with my beloved Nationals but he quickly became a favorite. 

I was going to post my CWC post simultaneously with this one but I will now wait till this one is published so I can link to it.

Billy The Marlin 2009 A&G Auto

ON Saturday 23 February 2013 I got a one card package from Ebay. 2009 Allen & Ginters Autograph Card AGA-BM Billy The Marlin Marlins Mastcot On-Card Blue Sharpie Auto. It was near the top of my willing to pay for cost at $19.99 plus $3.99 shipping. But it was worth it. So here it be:

 2009 Topps Allen & Ginters Autograph AGA-BM Billy The Marlin Marlins Mascot

(Front and Back)

I am always on the lookout for Mascot cards. I also accept Mascot Postcards and team issued promo cards/photos of mascots.

Not Following the Trends

Just thought I'd toss this out.

2009 Upper Deck SP Authentic 227 Brett Anderson Athletics RC Auto

Serial numbered 064/371 blue Sharpie (on sticker built into card)

NO NOT THE CARD SILLIES The idea/concept I'm about to talk about!

While many trading card bloggers are scrambling to be the first one to post about opening up a pack of the latest long awaited product to be released (be it Allen & Ginter's, Gypsy Queen, Topps Archives, or Bowman) I tend to stay away from making any posts like that. My reasons? Well first I don't rush out and purchase a brand-spankin' New product because most of the time I can't afford it at the time it is released, or I don't pay attention to the official release date. My life does not revolve around the release dates of new trading card product like others apparently do. Also I like to see some of the previews and reviews of the product first to see if it is something I am interested in before making a major purchase of it. Most of the more recent Upper Deck products and Bowman I have not been interested in. Also I've never been one for crowds. Most products I will eventually get some of the team I collect due to group box breaks, trades or good Samaritan bloggers.

I suppose that puts me in the minority of card bloggers. That puts me into the batch of bloggers that will never have a cult following of hundreds upon hundreds of followers. Heck I don't  even have 50 followers yet (I'm pretty close though) Then again I'm used to being in the minority for some things after all I'm a fan of most of the DC sports teams. LOL!

It reminds me of people who HAVE to see a movie on opening night, or the Midnight Preview the night BEFORE. What they can't wait about 3 months or less to buy/rent the DVD or to stream it on Netflix (or a similar service)? It used to be 6 months or more between the time a movie left the theatres to when it was released on DVD, longer during the VHS/Beta videotape era.

Maybe I'm just "Middle Aged Man" babbling incoherently about some nonsense that is getting his goat.

 

Oh and "Get OFF MY LAWN you whippersnappers."

By the way for those of you interested in this stuff here is the back of the card I showed at the top of this post.

2009 Upper Deck SP Authentic 227 Brett Anderson Athletics RC Auto

Serial numbered 064/371 Back

A and G minis from Nick's Dime Box

On Saturday 07 April 2012 as previously mentioned briefly in this post (so this is sort of a repeat/recap), I received a package of 2011 Allen & Ginter Minis from Nick at Dime Boxes. I had sent him about 50 Vladimir Guerrero cards from Vlad's Expos years (a "Vlading" as it were it in reference to "Bipping" except I didn't send multiple duplicates, I think I only sent one dupe) and in the brotherly Trading Card Universe way he returned in kind, minus the Bipping er Vlad-ing by sending me 20 A&G Minis. I'll repeat the list of goodies and then highlight a few of them front and back.

Regular backs
27 Dillon Gee Mets
51 Jimmy Rollins Phillies
36 Eric Sogard A's
88 David Ortiz Red Sox
184 Pedro Alvarez Pirates
190 Sue Bird "Champion Women's Basketball Guard" WNBA Seattle Storm
195 Tommy Hanson Braves
201 Andrew Romine Angels
236 B.J. Upton Rays
259 Tim Hudson Braves
302 John Buck Marlins
322 Trevor Cahill A's
349 Yuniesky Betancourt Brewers

A&G Backs
44 Ozzie Martinez Marlins
113 Miguel Montero Diamondbacks
117 Jonathan Sanchez Giants
132 Colby Rasmus Cardinals
222 James Shields Rays
224 Jason Kubel Twins
288 Rickie Weeks Brewers

 All except one of these cards were of baseball players it is still a sports card not one of the Non-Sports cards. It is Sue Bird of the WNBA team Seattle Storm and according to the title on her card "Champion Women's Basketball Guard". I don't know much about women's basketball I've rarely watched even a few minutes of it as I'm not much into basketball but I'd rather see 10 women running back and forth on a wooden floor than 10 sweaty giant men.

 2011 Allen & Ginter's Mini 190 Sue Bird WNBA Seattle Storm

Champion Women's Basketball Guard

(Front and Back)

This next card I thought it was weird that a baseball player was carrying a football helmet. I didn't think about the fact that it could be and is his catcher's mask/helmet. D'uh.

2011 Allen & Ginter's Mini 302 John Buck Marlins

(Front and Back)

Now here is one one of the 7 A&G backs from this batch. I chose it because I wanted to at least show one of the A&G backs.

2011 Allen & Ginter's Mini 224 Jason Kubel Twins A&G Back

(Front and Back)