It's a Box Break! Part 2, 2009 Tristar Obak Packs 6-10

Let's continue the journey into baseball figures of the past, present, and future.

Pack 6
29: Angel Villalona-current player, Giants system
42: Buzz Arlett, 1910 Back Variation-Voted as "Best Minor League Player Ever" by SABR

46: Spencer Harris-holds minor league hitting records
56: Bob Crues- Holds single season RBI record
68: Herb Score-1954 Player of the Year, 1955 MLB ROY
Mini 56:Fritz & Louis Rueckheim-Henry Eckstein-inventors of Cracker Jack



Pack 7
10: Michael Ynoa-current player, Athletics system
42: Buzz Arlett
47: Joe Hauser-hit 60+ HR twice in a season
39: Tom Seaver-HOF
56: Bob Crues black variation 7/50

Mini 45: Emmett Ashford-first Africa-American umpire


Pack 8
33: Stan Musial-HOF
41: Ted William-HOF
54: George Brunet-career minor league K record
2: Robbie Grossman-current player, Pirates system

3: BJ Hermsen-current player, Twins system
51: Monty Stratton***

Mini 17: Josh Vitters-current player, Cubs system


Pack 9
9: Dayan Viciedo-current player, White Sox system
37: Nolan Ryan-HOF
53: Ike Boone-highest career minor league AVG
64: Gregg Jefferies-two-time minor league POY
43 Black (16/50): Walter Carlisle-only known outfielder to perform unassisted triple play

Mini 52: Jackie Mitchell



Pack 10
27: Chris Tillman-current player,Mariners system
36: Al Rosen-1953 AL MVP, Indians
8: Junixhi Tazawa-current player, Red Sox system
A17 (13/25): Chris Johnson-current player, Astros system, autograph, green variation

Mini 23: Nolan Ryan 1911 back variation


***The Story of Monty Stratton

This was already immortalized in a movie called the "The Stratton Story" produced in 1949. Even so, Monty Stratton's career path was fascinating. He was an all-star pitcher with the White Sox from 1934-1938. During that offseason, a hunting accident caused such a horrible injury that he had to have his right leg amputated. He was fittedwith a wooden leg and gradually relearned the art of pitching and fielding. He was able to rejoin the professional ranks briefly in the minor leagues in 1942 at the age of 30, and then for an extended stretch in 1946 at the age of 34, winning 18 games with a 4.14 ERA in the class C league. He pitched until 1953 and the age of 41, becoming a symbol of perseverance.

Phillie Project Update: mid-1970s Edition

Here's the general update on the Phillies project I instituted very,very long ago on this blog. I am now two cards short for Mike Schmidt career collection, six cards short for the Steve Carlton career collection, and 29 cards short of all the Phillies cards of the all the players who made an appearance for the 1980 Phillies team(click on the links on the sidebar under the wantlist heading for more detail).

In the meantime, I have been completing team sets. Here are some of the cards that appeared as I aimed to fill in this collection. This includes the touted and not so touted players of that bygone era.

Bill Robinson 1975 Topps: Had first of 4 career 20 Hr seasons as a Phillie with 25 HR in 1973.
Tony Taylor 1975 Topps: 4th all-time in games played as a Phillie (1669) and 11th all-time in hits as a Phillie (1511)
Jim Lonborg 1975 Topps: Placed 3rd in the NL with 16 complete games in 1974.
Mike Schmidt/Dave Kingman/Greg Luzinski HR Leaders 1976 Topps: Luzinski and Schmidt both had >135 OPS+ from 1975-1977.
Mike Schmidt/Graig Nettles HR Leaders 1977 Topps: Mike Schmidt led the NL in HRs 8 times in his career while Nettles had two 30 HR seasons including 1976.
Terry Harmon 1974 Topps: As a utility infielder for the Phillies in the 1970s, Harmon did not get much opportunity to play. Hit his only 2 Hr in 1972 including one on the last day of the season.
Mike Ryan 1974 Topps: Batted .193 for his career and had a 51 OPS+. Ranked 815th all time in OPS for the Phillies. I remember him as a bullpen coach in the '80s.
Willie Montanez 1974 Topps: Led the league in assists as a 1B three times in his career. Had a 100 RBI season in 1975 while hitting only 10 HR.

There's always familiar faces and faces which I have never seen before in Phillies lots from the 1970s. I hope to receive all the cards at some point to imprint even these names to memory. The project marches on.

It's a Box Break! 2009 Tristar Obak packs 1-5

Review to come at the conclusion of the images of the box. If there's a story to be had with one of the people on the cards, I hope I have tracked down relevant ones. I'll aim to put at least one in each part of the box break. The set is a short one (114 cards) with some back variations, color parallels, and a smaller mini partial parallel set (68 cards) that also has back variations and color parallels. The design is a stylized rendering of the 1909-1911 Obak design.

Box details: 6 cards per pack, 20 packs per box, 9 inserts per box including parallels and autographs, one mini per pack


Here are the results of packs 1-5.

Pack 1

21: Mike Moustakas-current player, Royals system
30: Josh Vitter-current player, Cubs system
67: Phil Rizzuto-HOF
79: Bud Fowler-First African-American Professional Baseball Player in 1878
95: William Wrigley Jr-historical team owner (guess the team)
Mini 27: Ted Williams-HOF


Pack 2
4: Eric Hosmer-current player, Royals system
14: Madison Bumgarner-current player, Giants system


17: Jason Heyward-current player, Braves system
20: Jesus Montero-current player, Yankees system
25:Justin Smoak-current player, Rangers system
Mini 21:Satchel Paige-HOF

Pack 3
31: Brett Wallace-current player, Blue Jays system


35:Brooks Robinson-HOF
52: Joe Bauman-hit 72 HR in one season

72: Lena Blackburne-known for the mud to rub down baseballs
85: Jackie Mitchell-first woman to sign a professional contract

Mini 22:Brooks Robinson-HOF

Pack 4
58: Ron Necciai***


74:Alexander Cartwright-possibly the creator of baseball
76: Mike Coolbaugh-player and coach who had a tragic on-field death

89: George H Rawlings-sporting goods magnate
94: Harry and George Wright-some of the progenitors of professional baseball
Mini 14: Mike Moustakas, Royals system

Pack 5
19: Andrew McCutchen-current player, Pirates system
26: Mike Stanton-current player, Marlins system
50: Jigger Statz-holds many PCL hitting records
66: Jim Rice-HOF
86: Jack Norworth-wrote the lyrics to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
Mini 20: Stan Musial-HOF


***The Story of Ron Necciai
Ron "Necktie" Necciai started pitching in the minors at the age of 18 in the class D league in the Piratees system in 1950. He was known for having curveball with a lot of movement. He was still in the class D league two years later when he had quite possibly the greatest two game stretch in professional baseball history. On May 13, 1952, he pitched a perfect game, but not just any perfect game. All the outs were recorded as strikeouts. 27 consecutive strikeouts! He then followed that start with one in which he had 24 strikeouts. He had 51 strikeouts in two starts! Shudder at how many pitches he must have thrown for such a young arm. The Pirates called him to the majors later that year, and unfortunately, he was 1-6 with a 7.08 ERA and 31 BB vs. 32 K. The next year he had to serve two years in the army and when he returned, he developed a sore arm and left professional baseball by the age of 23.

Featured Card: 1991 Upper Deck Hank Aaron Hologram

Ghosted by the holographic technology and poised for the delivery, Hank Aaron demonstrates his oft-used batting stance that propelled him to success. Fittingly, this tribute was labelled as one of the original (2nd year) Upper Deck Heroes of Baseball. Aaron's professionalism and sheer statistical greatness earned him the title.

This was not the best scan that I had of the card, but it was the only one which was able to showcase both the foreground and background. Notice that the fans' expresssions are inscrutable behind their varied array of sunglasses while Aaron's is focused and tunneled towards the approach of the stitched spheroid.

This card was a surprise for anyone to receive in a pack in 1991; these were "special cards' inserted at rates never before seen (well, that's not exactly true) . In addition, this was a hologram, the multi-color 3D card tech that would keep me tilting and re-tilting the card until the entire image could be gleaned one piece at a time in my mind's eye.

Who needs superfractors when this type of card is there to tempt your optics?

Quick Weekend Pack Break: 2010 Topps Series 1 Retail Rack Pack

Have you ever noticed that the series 2 of the 'flagship' set is not usually as possible as series 1? Look at the difference in price for series 1 and 2 over the last few years (with 2009 and 2010 giving especially sharp contrast). Is it because they used up all the star power in the 1st series. Or does it just feel like the same set with higher card numbers? Even the insert sets have the same continuation feeling? Anyone else miss the mid-season traded box sets?

Since most people have seen the base set many times over, here's only a highlighted rendering of the cards received.

Card Your Mom Threw Out 1958 Topps Orlando Cepeda: The Giants had the foresight not to throw out Cepeda and decided to keep him and Willie McCovey during most of their prime years.
Tony Gwynn Jr and Ryan Doumit base cards: For some reason, the camouflage uniforms work with the Padres color scheme and I really enjoy the play at the plate depicted on the Doumit card.
Jackie Robinson History of the Game: April 15, 1947
Dizzy Dean Peak Performance: Jay Hanna (or was it Jerome Henry) Dean was as goofy as they came. Who else would get hit in the head with a ball while sliding into second in the World Series? Even so, he was a brilliant pitcher until he broke his big toe in 1937.
Zack Greinke/Nolan Ryan Legendary Lineage: Greinke has more Cy Young Awards than Ryan in his career.
Tales of the Game Jimmy Piersall: This reminds of the time when Germany Schaefer stole 2nd base and then 1st base on two consecutive pitches. Was that story in this set?

I'm not a Topps collector, but I enjoy buying packs of this diversionary set. Sadly, I have never pulled a Million Card Giveaway card.

Also, what do you think of the new layout and design? Is it readable? Easier or the same to navigate? Any suggestions?

2009 Topps Heritage Base Set Completion Journey : The First Three Trades

When I set out on the journey to complete the 2009 Topps Heritage Base Set, these were the first three people to heed the call. They were the proprietors of the blogs Nachos Grande, Roll out the Barrel, and Long Fly Ball to Because.... In addition to those cards, many Phillies cards were sent. The depth and breadth of trade packages always astound me. Please observe some of the highlights and cards that stood out to me.

2009 Opeechee Carlos Ruiz: Celebrating the shortest walk-off hit in World Series history.

2008 Upper Deck Heroes Jersey of Pat Burrell: I was happy to see Burrell recently get back on his feet with the Giants

1992 Topps Kids Von Hayes: I really don't understand this set; he has no legs.

2008 Goudey Mini, 2008 Upper Deck Heroes Charcoal, and 1987 Opeechee Michael Jack Schmidt: These are three Schmidts I didn't have, an increasingly rare occurrence to try and locate.

Here are some of the 2009 Topps Heritage cards traded to me. Every one was appreciated and put in its proper place in the set box.
2008 Stadium Club Jimmy Rollins: Jimmy shouldn't ever stop. Jimmy needs to get back on the field.
2006 Flair Showcase Wave of the Future Gavin Floyd: Traded to the White Sox for Aaron Rowand, and became a decent pitcher for a couple of years. One interesting type set to collect would be all of the Wave of the Future cards from 1993-2006. Achievable?
1986 Fleer Kevin Gross: This is what my childhood stadium looked like, the perfect concrete jungle.
2008 Upper Deck Timeline Ryan Howard: Ryan, bring back the power. You can can even gain back a few more pounds if that will help.
2008 Goudey Richie Ashburn: I remember him as an announcer. His voice just fit the Phillies.
2006 Fleer Ultra Diamond Producers Bobby Abreu: Oh yes, I remember, wasn't there an Abreu effect I should have written about months ago?
2009 Sweet Spot Pedro Martinez: Pedro was a wily old pitcher here.

2008 Topps Heritage Greg Dobbs: He's lost his magic touch; he couldn't hit a cockroach in a glass jar at this point (I read that somewhere today)

2008 Topps All-Rookie Team insert Jimmy Rollins: Too bad 2008 Topps didn't have much else going for it.

2007 Turkey Red Ryan Howard: Turkey Red looks much more elegant as an insert set rather than a stand-alone base set for some reason.

2008 Topps Gold Pedro Feliz: He had one great swing in the World Series last year.
2009 Goodwin Champions Dick Allen: Twilight dawns as a successful career begins. ROY 1964.
2008 Goudey Chase Utley: This is the first extended slump from Utley in awhile.
2007 Ultra Aaron Rowand: They call him fenceface...for that one catch against the Mets, still is incredible.
Lastly, for the scans 2003 Topps Heritage Travis Lee: I did not like him as a Phillie, but this is the first card of mine from this brand.

Thank you all. I hope you received the cards I sent to you. The journey will continue.

"It's MLB Draft Season!" or "I Just Wanted to Show a Couple 2008 Prime Cuts Cards

As most know, yesterday was the MLB draft. With prospects ranging from hyped (Bryce Harper, pick #1 to Washington) to the unknown (Biddle, pick #27 to the Phillies) and everywhere between. Already, pundits and bandits are making their grades and prognostications for these unfulfilled potentials.

Tools and skills are the focus at this point of the prospect evaluation. My favorite word in these exercises are "projectability" and "slot bonus". Unfortunately, you don't hear the term "upside" in the MLB world as much as the NFL and NBA ones.

Here is Rashun Dixon. He supposedly is very fast, though 10 3B in 45 games as a 17 year old can confirm this some. He has not harnessed his base-stealing ability at this time (at the age of 19).

Anyway, I'm too exhausted to continue this train of thought. 15 hour time changes are difficult to deal with. I hope to post some pictures soon of my trip. Let's just say that I'm happily jet-lagged and disappointed to find the Phillies fared very poorly during my absence. Luckily, the Flyers have hung in there in the Stanley Cup finals. I will be watching game 6 as long as I can before I collapse on the couch. And I missed the perfect game! I have to find it on MLB archives now. Was it exciting? Were there tense moments? Don't tell me the details.

There were 6 card packages waiting for me from various places (purchases, group breaks, the kindness of others, trades), so I really need to sort through them and find out what there is.



And here's Pete Rose. He had 4256 career hits or something. He hasn't been a prospect since 1963.


Now, I'm only two months behind for scanning cards.