Personal Confession Time, pt. 1

Ok, I'm sorry that's not really true. False blog advertising, I guess.

Actually, this post is about my insomniac, e-bay addicted husband. Normally these two afflictions of his are a source of pain in the rear end for me. Sometime, just sometimes, it actually works in my favor. Today is one of those days.

He must have run out of motorcycles and GI Joes to look at because he won some auctions for me.

First up is a 1982 Topps Phillies team set. Obviously this is not a picture of the actual cards I will be receiving...I hope. If it is, then the seller is one confused individual. But they should look quite similar to some of those cards below.

Next up is a lot of 17 1975 Topps Phillies cards. Those cards look a little something like this...

Crazy ugly, I know.

Lastly, for now, a lot of 27 different 1961 Topps Phillies. Mmm, vintage goodness.

So, there you have it -- you know where I will be -- waiting by my mailbox, possibly drooling slightly in anticipation of ripping open some envelopes.

Werth Last Minute Addition to All-Star Roster

Outfielder Jayson Werth is set to replace the injured Carlos Beltran on the NL's All-Star Team. Jayson joins Phillies already going -- Shane Victorino, Rauuuul Ibanez, Chase Utley, and reservist Ryan Howard.

Did You Know...
Jayson comes from a very sporty family? His dad played in the Cardinals' farm system in 1978, his mom competed in the Olympic Trials in the long jump and 100 meter dash, his grandfather and uncle were both MLB infielders, and his stepfather played with the Royals and Yankees from 1978-1982.

He was a first round draft pick in 1997? He was chosen by the Orioles.

Victorino Headed to St. Louis

Victorino beat out Pablo Sandoval, Mark Reynolds, Matt Kemp, and Cristian Guzman with a record 15.6 million votes to make the NL All-Star Team.

Some Random Facts About Shane:

He was born in Wailuku, Hawaii.
He is an Eagle Scout.
Nicknamed "The Flyin' Hawaiian" and "The Pineapple Express."
Hit his first ever major league grand slam of off CC Sabathia in Game 2 of the NLDS.

Mailday! 7/9/09

I feel like this post should have a catchy title that I can use whenever I post a mailday. Unfortunately for you, dear reader, I am not feeling particularly witty today. So the title will remain Mailday! for now.

First up, a recently completed trade with Topher over at Crackin Wax. This was actually my first real "blog-to-blog" trade. We were able to swap some extra 2009 OPC cards that we both had laying around. Here's my end of the deal...
Next up is a large package of Phillie goodness from Collective Troll. There was way too much to scan in and show, but here is the whole reason for the package...

A complete 1987 Donruss Opening Day Phillies team set!

There was much more in the package that was greatly appreciated for not only putting a dent in my sets, but also for aesthetic value. Watch your mail, Troll, there's some Rays coming your way...

Many thanks to Topher and Collective Troll!

Take My Cards, Please!

So I've finally focused my collecting and one thing I have realized is that I have a lot of cards that I have no interest in and do not want. They are taking up way to much space in my current house and with an impending move somewhere in the near future, I need to be rid of them. This is where you come in... let me know what you are looking for and I will try to find something suitable to send you. No strings, no catch, I don't care if you send me anything in return (obviously I will not say no to some Phillies goodness, though :) ). So leave a comment or email me at phightinphils5 at verizon dot com and let me know what you are looking for..

A Trip To The Card Store and a Pack Break

I took a trip to my local card store today to pick up some storage for my big organizational project and also grabbed 3 packs of 2009 Topps Series 2. They were lacking any other enticing packs so 09 Topps will have to quell my desire to open some packs. I'm not putting together a set, only looking for Phillies, so any cards are up for trade to anyone who wants them. I'm also only going to open one pack today and save the other two for later posts. So, here goes...1. Joe Mauer (according to the back of the card, in 2006 Joe had the highest avg by an AL catcher in the last 70 years -- .347)
2. Mike Aviles (what is up with the badly Photoshopped rookie cup? Couldn't they make the bg transparent?)
3. Bill Hall (the first serial numbered card I remember owning was a Flair rookie of Bill Hall, and I thought it was the coolest ever for like a year until I had so many serial numbered cards that I couldn't give them away)
4. Mike Hampton
5. David Justice Ring of Honor insert (I don't think I like these inserts. This is the first one I have pulled and they are kind of ugly)
6. Robin Yount Legends of the Game insert (I do like these inserts, except the black bar across the top and bottom. They should have continued the green all the way to the edges)
7. Prince Fielder Toppstown insert (he sure does look chunky in that picture)
8. Randy Wolf (a former Phillie is better than no Phillie at all...not really, but it made me feel better to say that)
9. Willy Aybar
10. Darin Erstad

Ok, no Phillies, but I did get a former Phillie and a HOFer, plus 2 other inserts. Not a total bust of a pack, but nothing to write home about either. Hopefully the other two packs yield better results.

Card O' The Day: 1959 Topps #300 Richie Ashburn

Now, don't get me wrong, I like Jimmy Rollins just as much as the next Phils fan, but he's slumping right now. He came back after a four game vacay to hit leadoff and is now 0 for 27. Which leads me to the Card O' The Day...1959 Topps #300, none other than Mr. Ashburn himself. One of the greatest leadoff batters in major league history (not that I am biased, of course). This card is from the year after Richie beat out Willie Mays to win his second NL batting title, he hit .350 in 1958. Coincidentally, Richie is also the last Phillie to have won a batting title. Richie was traded after the '59 season to the Chicago Cubs and and retired after the '62 season with the Mets. So enjoy the vintage goodness and bask in the glory of Mr. Ashburn.