Lineage Linking

Topps Lineage was not a favorite among collectors in 2011 (though they sure did seem to buy a lot of it).  There's already a lot of talk out there of its deficiencies and general malaise with the pack-opening process for this product.  A Spanish language card?  Experimental ideas from the '60s?  More detail was found months ago here about questioning ideas and motives behind a certain number of the presentations.

There is one great thing about this set: the opportunity to expand my 1950 Phillies auto collection by one.  Here we have Bob Miller, signing straight onto a 1952 Topps reprint. 


Bob Miller played for the Phillies (and his entire career) from 1949-1958.    He had a career best year in the pennant winning season of 1950, going 11-6 with a 3.57 ERA  (113 ERA+), finishing 2nd in the ROY behind Sam Jethroe.  He was a low K pitcher, even for the era,  with a career 2.9 K/9.   It looks like injuries struck him in 1951-1952, but he managed to come back up to the Phillies as a starter 1953-1954, then converting to a relief pitcher for the rest of his career.

This is actually one of the few times where I had not known anything at all about this long-time Phillie before receiving this card.  I think that there should be similar autos in sets like this of fan favorites (wait....that is happening this year) or even those who played at least 5 consecutive years on the same team who may have been overlooked.  I mean, when's the last time you saw a card of Harry Walker as a Cardinal or Ferris Fain as an Athletic?  (Note: These may have existed recently without my knowledge)

As the 2012 introduction to cardmania commences....


Stand up...

Try to be seen....

Dress fashionably in the latest fabric....

And try not to follow the crowd.....

Because you can shine (with some direct light)...

And be focused on your goals...

even when just beginning the collecting journey...

just don't get cut out of what you love to do....

Today's uplifting message was brought to you by the 2011 Topps Lineage Phillies inserts and an uncanny optimism now that the groundhog has seen its shadow. Knowing that there is less than 20 days to spring training is what keeps hope alive and the scattering of foil wrappers around my living room gives me a veritable hobby pool to jump in. The cycle doesn't end....