Halladay Who?

As you may have already heard, the Phillies have worked a deal with the Cleveland Indians for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco (pending physicals, of course). Above images shamelessly lifted from Homerun Cards because I am too lazy to look through boxes.

Cardboard Spotlight: 2008 SP Legendary Cuts Generations #GEN-MA

(If there are actually people who read this blog on occasion, you may know that I had a sporadicly regular post called Card O' The Day. Well, I changed the name because obviously there were more days without a card than with. So now a Cardboard Spotlight will occur whenever I feel like it. Live and learn, I guess.)


I probably should have posted this card during the Phils - Cards series, but I procrastinate and I never got around to it until today.

Basic Info --
Year: 2008
Brand: SP Legendary Cuts
Subset: Generations Dual Memorabilia
Number: GEN-MA

How did I acquire this card? I don't remember exact details, but I don't believe I traded for it. I'm pretty sure I bought it off of another collector through one of the forum sites, not Ebay.

Why spotlight this card? It's Mike Schmidt, duh. And that Pujols guy. I hear he's a pretty decent player, too. But, no really, it's Mike Schmidt and a minuscule piece of bat that is certified to have been used in an official MLB game. What's not to love? And it seemed fitting since the Phils recently rocked St. Louis' world.

Anything else you should know? Memorabilia cards were inserted 4 per box on average. A hobby box of this stuff will run you about $93.00 from Dave & Adam's Card World. According to Beckett *gasp* this card is valued between $6 and $15; you can pick one up on Ebay, Buy It Now for $14.95.

Recently Acquired Cards, part 2

I have a rapidly growing pile of cards sitting on my table that need to be accounted for, scanned, badly blogged about and put away. This would account for why I am actually posting 2 days in a row (yay, me!). Hopefully it's the start of a trend because even if no one actually reads my post it is very cathartic for me. No one in my house wants to hear about cards -- even my husband who does try his hardest to be interested. This is my outlet. Any way...

Mr. Night Owl himself sent me a nice stack of cards and all it cost me was some lousy Dodgers that were collecting dust here in Phillies country.
I love flashy 90's cards. They make me giggle in a little girl kind of way -- but I digress. Greg was nice enough to send me some stupendously shiny cards. I love the Burell ornament. I think I have one somewhere, but now I have one for my collection and one for my Christmas tree! This just might push my husband over the edge. The mid-90's Metal sets are so tacky that I can't help but love them to pieces.
More old stuff -- less shiny, but appreciated none-the-less. Looking at these cards, I just noticed that the Upper Deck Steve Jeltz has a fabulous mid-air moment on the back that the ladies over at Dinged Corners would be sure to appreciate. Another casual observation -- if you squinch your eyes and look at George Vukovich he bears a slight resemblance to Jack Black.
My first 2 Topps variations. I believe this is the Target variation. If I may make a suggestion to Topps... I think they should print all their cards on this thicker stock. It makes for a much nicer card.
Some 2009 Upper Deck. Insert your own witty comment here, I got nothin'.
A couple of 09 Goudey. I still find these cards mildly unnerving. But any Schmidt is a good Schmidt, I always say. (Actually that is the first time I've ever said that and probably the last.)
Love these almost as much as the original 1960 set. Partly, I think, because of the nice thick stock. That's the second time this post I've mention cardboard quality -- most newer cards feel so flimsy and cheap. I don't like.
Shiny, gold, and Chase. In that order. 09 Bowman.
And, finally, a couple for the minor league binder. I have had the pleasure of seeing Vance pitch in AA Reading this season. If I make it to another game, I just might try to get this one signed.

Send some Dodgers Greg's way and stay tuned for more recently acquired cards.

Recently Acquired Cards, part 1

I love when cards I have sitting in a box in the corner finally find a home that will love and appreciate them in ways I never could. This recently happened with a stack of Red Sox cards that I happened to have sitting around. In return, I received quite an assortment from Adam over at Thoughts and Sox.

Like everyone who has eyes, I love the 1960 Topps set. I love it more when it has a Phillie on it.
Keeping with the trend, he also sent some nice "retro" type cards. I like the OPC set, and the Bowman Heritage is a set I wish they would have continued, but Goudey is a bit scary. Mr. Rollins is not nearly as bad as some of the art I've seen though.
Wow, a Bowman card from waaaay back in 1997. For the life of me I had no recollection of Ryan Brannan, so I turned to the ever faithful Baseball Cube for some info. Apparently Ryan spent 3 seasons in the Phil's farm system, making it as high as Scranton/Wilkes Barre (AAA). And now you know...and knowing is half the battle.
Some 2005 Topps...
...and a couple 2009 Upper Deck.

But wait, there's more.

A nice jersey for my 2004 Cracker Jack set and, what I believe is, my very first Phillies patch card -- a magnificent piece from Mr. Jim Thome.

Thanks again for the trade, Adam! And if any of you have spare Red Sox you want to part with, be sure to head over to Thoughts and Sox.

1990 Phillies Wantlist

Here is a list of cards I need from the glorious year of 1990. If you happen to have any of these cards please contact me at phightinphils5@verizon.net.

BOWMAN: 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 153 154 155 156 157 160 161 162

AGFA: 20

CLASSIC BLUE: 32A (Ricky Jordan ERR) 32B (Ricky Jordan COR) 80 98 113 127
CLASSIC UPDATE: T12 T18 T36
CLASSIC YELLOW: T3 T14 T62 T69

DONRUSS: 21 44 75 193 251 278 312 369 430 548 549
DONRUSS AQUEOUS TEST: All
DONRUSS NL BEST: 8 20 32 44 49 57 62 69 81 93 106 118 140
DONRUSS BONUS MVPS: Complete
DONRUSS ROOKIES: 3 47

FLEER: 565 650
FLEER CANADIAN: 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573
FLEER LEAGUE LEADERS: 21
FLEER SOARING STARS: 11
FLEER UPDATE: 41 42 43 44 45 46

HOF STICKER BOOK: 44 55 78 94

HOTTEST 50 PLAYERS STICKERS: 23
HOTTEST 50 ROOKIES STICKERS: 21

KENNER STARTING LINEUP CARDS: 22A 22B (Dykstra RY) 42A 42B (Jordan RY)

LEAF: 20 52 78 131 151 184 210 236 262 284 316 342 369 395 448 474 500 526

O-PEE-CHEE: 74 129 216 384 515 542 662 686

PANINI STICKERS: 197 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320

PHILLIES TASTYKAKE: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

POST: 27

PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL STICKERS: 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 615 634

RED FOLEY STICKER BOOK: 28 129

SCORE: 16 183 364 376 389 421 427 445 467 507 542 545 623 633a 633b 649 678
SCORE MCDONALDS: 14
SCORE RISING STARS: 12 31 75
SCORE ROOKIE DREAM TEAM: B2
SCORE ROOKIE/TRADED: 31T 59T 75T
SCORE YOUNG SUPERSTARS: (I) 38 (II) 4 35

SPORTFLICS: 36 63 75 124 147 153 156

TOPPS: 39 74 384 469 489 493 515 607 625
TOPPS BIG: 69 115 136 150 172 191 206 214 230 269 300
TOPPS DEBUT '89: 24 47 79
TOPPS DOUBLEHEADERS: 38 61
TOPPS MINI LEADERS: 69
TOPPS TRADED: 1T 41T 68 T

UPPER DECK: 20 27 35 71 92 404 416 418 420 437 439 474 488 491 706 763 785

Behind the Scenes Action

Working on some behind the scenes stuff today...scanning cards, getting posts ready. Hopefully updating wantlists...

Clear off the shelves, Grandma finally kicked the bucket!

Be forewarned -- this has nothing to do with baseball, cards, or anything related.

This is bizarre and morbid, yet oddly intriguing all at the same time. Furniture that doubles as burial equipment (or should that be the other way around?). Apparently this is a concept that the funeral industry is marketing as a way to lessen the high cost of a funeral. I almost have no words for this. (Photo courtesy of Casketfurniture.com)

Recent TTM Successes, part 2

My first TTM successes post was all OPC-centric. Today let's focus on some good ole' 2009 Topps cards. Again, clean design, nice photography; these cards are much glossier than the OPC and required a rubdown before being sent out. I prefer the baby powder method as it has rarely failed me in the past. (Yes, I am that anal retentive about cards I send out to get signed)

For the most part this batch of signatures were fairly legible, so I will try to keep my penmanship comments to a minimum.

Jake Westbrook c/o Indians
Jake returned this card to me in exactly 2 weeks. Ok, I can't help myself...it looks to me like he wrote "Tulu Wuthl". Does anyone else see this?

Koji Uehara c/o OriolesAnd 4 days later saw the return of Koji. I feel like he should put at least 1 exclamation point after his signature. I also like that he only signs his first name. Like Cher. Or Maddona. Koji!

Matt Harrison c/o RangersThe same day as Koji!, Mr. Harrison also appeared in my mailbox. I have no snide comments for Matt. It's a decent, readable signature and looks nice on the card. Color me commentless.

Jered Weaver c/o AngelsHmmm, while the photograph defies the laws of gravity, the signature defies the laws of chirography. Ponder on that for awhile.

And so ends another installment of my recent TTM successes. Overall, 2009 Topps looks pretty nice signed, especially in blue, but that's just my personal preference. Stay tuned for more to come.

Card O' The Day: 2004 Bowman Chrome Draft #77 J.A. Happ

J.A. Happ is having one hell of a season. Currently 7-0 with a 2.86 ERA for the season, he is 5-0 with a 2.74 ERA as a starter. A few more good starts and he could be a contender for ROY. He could also become a Blue Jay, but that's just random speculation which I don't like to do. Bleh.

Anyway, enjoy this gem of a rookie card. And in case you were wondering, his name is pronounced "Jay." Random bits of information...it's what I'm best at.

Recent TTM Successes, part 1

You may or may not know that I also collect TTM autographs. I am very sporadic in this pursuit though. I usually start out the season strong and by this point I hardly send out anything. I've recently sent a few things out here and there and a few older items have been trickling in. I've been a lazy blogger and haven't been posting, so get ready for a couple post dedicated to recent TTM successes I've received.

When I first saw the 2009 OPC cards, I thought how nice they would be for TTM requests -- not only are they non-glossy and cleanly designed, they feature a wide array of players not always seen in other sets. I sent off a bunch and have gotten 4 back so far.

(While I always appreciate a card being returned to me -- I understand that players are busy and they don't have to sign anything -- but, if I may, suggest a manditory MLB penmanship course.)

Cla Meredith c/o San Diego PadresCla's signature is not unattractive, it just looks nothing like his actual name. Here's what I see: "lu M+W". Although, to make up for it, Cla returned this card very speedily -- a little under 2 weeks.

Dan Wheeler c/o Tampa Bay RaysI'm pretty sure this is some sort of code. I see: "a music note W 8 8".

Jon Garland c/o Arizona DiamondbacksOk, this resembles a name. I am pretty impressed; I see: "J Gld". Those are all letters in his name -- way to go, Jon!

Joe Inglett c/o Las Vegas 51s
Joe doodled on my card, I think. That symbol at the end looks to me like a heart with an arrow through it.

Well, no matter what the signature looks like, in general the OPC cards look great signed and I'm super happy to get them back at all.

2008 Phillies Wantlist

Putting this list together made me realize that card companies must have had too much time on their hands in 2008 because the amount of cards produced is ridiculous! That being said, here's the list of base cards I need for 2008, I'm also looking for parallels and inserts. Contact me if you want to trade at phightinphils5@verizon.net.

Cards in bold are pending.

BOWMAN CHROME
12 Cole Hamels
59 Pat Burrell
67 Jimmy Rollins
121 Chase Utley
173 Brett Myers
190 Ryan Howard
196 Brad Harman RC

BOWMAN CHROME DRAFT PROSPECTS
BDPP66 Carlos Carrasco FG
BDPP73 Greg Golson FG
BDPP85 Jason Donald FG
BDPP94 Lou Marson FG
BDPP117 Anthony Hewitt AU

BOWMAN CHROME PROSPECTS
BCP21 Chance Chapman
BCP87 Matt Rizzotti
BCP99 Brad Harman
BCP135 Carlos Monasterios
BCP199 Dominic Brown

BOWMAN DRAFT PROSPECTS
BDPP66 Carlos Carrasco FG
BDPP73 Greg Golson FG
BDPP85 Jason Donald FG
BDPP94 Lou Marson FG

BOWMAN PROSPECTS
BP21 Chance Chapman
BP87 Matt Rizzotti
BP99 Brad Harman

BOWMAN STERLING
CH Cole Hamels Jsy
CU Chase Utley Jsy
JR Jimmy Rollins Jsy
RH Ryan Howard Jsy

BOWMAN STERLING PROSPECTS
AH Anthony Hewitt AU
CC Carlos Carrasco Jsy AU
JD Jason Donald Jsy AU
MR Matt Rizzotti

DONRUSS ELITE EXTRA EDITION
31 Tyson Brummett
47 Jeremy Hamilton
104 Anthony Hewitt AU
121 Dominic Brown AU
130 Jason Knapp AU
148 Michael Taylor AU
170 Zach Collier AU
172 Anthony Gose AU
176 Vance Worley AU
195 Mike Cisco AU

DONRUSS SPORTS LEGENDS
63 Pete Rose
120 Mike Schmidt

DONRUSS THREADS
38 Mike Schmidt
39 Steve Carlton
85 Carlos Corrasco
94 Lou Marson
135 Dominic Brown AU
184 Zach Collier AU

PLAYOFF CONTENDERS
21 Dominic Brown
27 Jason Knapp
39 Mike Cisco
49 Vance Worley
58 Anthony Hewitt AU
105 Michael Taylor AU
129 Zach Collier AU

PRIME CUTS
62 Mike Schmidt
69 Pete Rose
75 Richie Ashburn
113 Anthony Hewitt AU
118 Zach Collier AU
130 Michael Taylor AU
140 Jason Knapp AU
148 Anthony Gose AU

SP AUTHENTIC
27 Chase Utley
28 Jimmy Rollins
39 Ryan Howard
49 Cole Hamels
163 Brad Harman AU

SPx
71 Cole Hamels
72 Jimmy Rollins
73 Ryan Howard
74 Chase Utley

STADIUM CLUB
1 Chase Utley
69 Cole Hamels
75 Ryan Howard
87 Jimmy Rollins

SWEET SPOT
24 Chase Utley
28 Cole Hamels
54 Jimmy Rollins
56 Joe Blanton
90 Ryan Howard
105 Brad Harman AU

TOPPS
35 Cole Hamels
58 Holliday/Howard/Cabrera
298 Fielder/Howard/Dunn
573 Tom Gordon

TOPPS ALLEN AND GINTER
49 Shane Victorino
110 Chase Utley
140 Jimmy Rollins
216 Brett Myers
255 Cole Hamels
286 Pat Burrell
293 Pedro Feliz
300 Ryan Howard
302 Brad Lidge SP
317 Geoff Jenkins SP

TOPPS HERITAGE
8 Philadelphia Phillies GB SP
57 Brad Lidge SP
75 Cole Hamels
85 Jayson Werth
101 Carlos Ruiz
108 Pat Burrell
203 So Taguchi
227 Shane Victorino GB SP
254 Freddy Garcia
289 Brett Myers
300 Chase Utley
350 Jimmy Rollins GB SP
372 Ryan Howard BT GB SP
380 Ryan Howard
385 Geoff Jenkins
408 Utley/Rollins
421 Jamie Moyer
462 Kyle Kendrick SP
499 Cole Hamels AS SP
625 Greg Dobbs
703 Matt Stairs SP

MOMENTS AND MILESTONES
Any and all.

TOPPS STERLING
154 Mike Schmidt
155 Mike Schmidt
156 Mike Schmidt
157 Mike Schmidt
158 Mike Schmidt
159 Mike Schmidt
160 Mike Schmidt
161 Mike Schmidt
162 Mike Schmidt
163 Mike Schmidt
164 Mike Schmidt

TOPPS TRIPLE THREADS
22 Steve Carlton
24 Chase Utley
56 Jimmy Rollins
69 Mike Schmidt
75 Pat Burrell
106 Robin Roberts
123 Ryan Howard
133 Tom Gordon
199 Cole Hamels Jsy AU

TOPPS UPDATE
63 Eric Bruntlett
158 Chad Durbin
184 Chase Utley HRD
228 Joe Blanton
236 Chris Snelling
241 Chase Utley AS
250 Pedro Feliz
278 So Taguchi
304 Brad Lidge AS

UD A PIECE OF HISTORY
72 Cole Hamels
73 Ryan Howard
74 Jimmy Rollins
75 Chase Utley

UD MASTERPIECES
69 Chase Utley
70 Jimmy Rollins
71 Ryan Howard
112 Mike Schmidt SP
113 Steve Carlton SP

ULTIMATE COLLECTION
10 Cole Hamels
11 Ryan Howard
12 Jimmy Rollins
13 Chase Utley

UPPER DECK
191 Jamie Moyer
192 Kyle Kendrick
193 Kyle Lohse
194 Antonio Alfonseca
196 Chris Coste
197 Chase Utley
198 Tadahito Iguchi
199 Aaron Rowand
200 Shane Victorino
604 Ryan Howard
605 Jimmy Rollins
606 Pedro Feliz
607 Adam Eaton
608 Brad Lidge
609 Brett Myers
610 Pat Burrell
611 So Taguchi
612 Geoff Jenkins
613 Tom Gordon
742 Jimmy Rollins SH

UPPER DECK BALLPARK COLLECTION
72 73 74 75 163 167 179 225 227 237 240 246 251 270 272 274 275 278 296 301 314 317 319 320 324 334

UPPER DECK DOCUMENTARY
201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 810 1101 1102 1103 1104 1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 1110 1401 1402 1403 1404 1405 1406 1407 1408 1409 1410 1701 1702 1703 1704 1705 1706 1707 1708 1709 1710 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2301 2302 2303 2304 2305 2306 2307 2308 2309 2310 2601 2602 2603 2604 2605 2606 2607 2608 2609 2610 2901 2902 2903 2904 2905 2906 2907 2908 2909 2910 3061 3062 3063 3151 3152 3153 321 3242 3243 3331 3332 3333 3421 3422 3423 3511 3512 3513 3601 3602 3603 3691 3692 3693 3781 3782 3783 3871 3872 3873 3961 3962 3963 4051 4052 4053 4141 4142 4143 4231 4232 4233 4321 4322 4323 4411 4412 4413 4501 4502 4503 4591 4592 4593 4681 4682 4683 4771 4772 4773 4861 4862 4863 4917 4918 4919 4920 4940 4941 4942 4943 4944 4950 4951 4952 4953 4954

UPPER DECK FIRST EDITION
158 Jamie Moyer
159 Kyle Kendrick
160 Kyle Lohse
161 Antonio Alfonseca
162 Chris Coste
163 Chase Utley
164 Tadahito Iguchi
165 Shane Victorino
435 Jimmy Rollins
436 Pedro Feliz
437 Adam Eaton
438 Brad Lidge
439 Brett Myers
441 Geoff Jenkins

UPPER DECK GOUDEY
140 Ryan Howard
143 Shane Victorino
144 Cole Hamels
145 Richie Ashburn
224 Mike Schmidt SP
225 Steve Carlton SP
255 Chase Utley 36 BW SP
269 Ryan Howard 36 BW SP
280 Mike Schmidt SR SP
291 Chase Utley SP SP

UPPER DECK HEROES
133 Ryan Howard
134 Jimmy Rollins
135 Chase Utley
136 Cole Hamels
137 Pat Burrell
138 Mike Schmidt
139 Steve Carlton
183 Steve Carlton/Santana
191 Chase Utley/Ryan Howard/Jimmy Rollins
195 Mike Schmidt/Banks/Robinson

UPPER DECK PREMIER
21 Chase Utley
22 Cole Hamels
23 Jimmy Rollins
24 Shane Victorino
25 Ryan Howard
26 Pat Burrell
27 Aaron Rowand
183 Jim Bunning
194 Mike Schmidt

UPPER DECK SPECTRUM
71 Jimmy Rollins
73 Cole Hamels

UPPER DECK TIMELINE
10 Chase Utley
148 Chase Utley 94 ATH
159 Jimmy Rollins 94 ATH
170 Ryan Howard 94 ATH
284 Cole Hamels 04 TT
286 Ryan Howard 04 TT
287 Jimmy Rollins 04 TT

UPPER DECK X
74 Cole Hamels
76 Ryan Howard
77 Chase Utley

Weekend Pack Break Blowout! (pt. 1)

The title may be a bit much, sure, but when have I had the opportunity to open a bunch of packs just for the sake of opening them? I'm hoping to make this a weekly feature and will try to save all my pack busting for the weekend.

First up is a few non-baseball packs I picked up at Target today. I don't get a chance to frequent Target much, but when I'm there I usually try to pick up a couple packs. I love the "discount" bin they have, but rarely find anything there that I want to buy. Today was no different -- I had no desire to walk away from Target with nothing but some 2003 and 2005 Topps, so I looked to the newer fare. I ended up buying 3 packs of UD Legends Masterpieces Hockey and a pack of Indiana Jones Masterpieces. Interesting...

2008 UD Legends Masterpieces is a great looking set. These are retail packs, so 4 cards each. I don't follow hockey and know virtually nothing about the sport. My 7 year old daughter, on the other hand, played her first season of ice hockey over the winter and loves it. She especially likes being a goalie. So I usually pick up a pack here and there looking for Penguins cards (her favorite) and cards of goalies (her second favorite). Lets see what luck we had.

Pack #1
38 Wayne Gretsky
34 Bobby Orr
39 Luc Robitaille
12 Mario Lemieux (Score!)

Pack #2
20 Wayne Gretsky
22 Cam Neely
49 Brian Leetch
9 Richard Brodeur (Goalie!)

Pack #3
63 Steve Shutt
20 Wayne Gretsky (again?)
7 Patrick Roy (this makes up for it -- another goalie)
85 Mr. Hockey

No big "hits", but a card in each pack that will make Abby happy, so that's alright with me.

Next is a pack of Topps Indiana Jones Masterpieces cards. I am a huge Indiana Jones fan and if I had had access to these cards sooner I probably would have a ton of them by now. That being said I think I may buy a box and put together the set because these cards are freakin' sweet. This is an all-art set encompassing comic art, posters, cover art, production paintings, etc. Very cool stuff, indeed. Here are a few of my favorite ones from this 7 card pack.
Stay tuned...there's more to come!

Card O' The Day: 1993 Upper Deck #436 Chad McConnell

Be forewarned...it's hot today. And at 7 months pregnant this does not make me a happy camper. That being said, I pulled this card randomly off of the top of a pile of cards that have not been organized yet. No thought or pre-planning was put into this post at all today.

Apparently, Chad McConnell was a "top prospect" back in good ol' 1993 -- at least according to Upper Deck. I can honestly say that I wasn't paying much attention to the prospects back in 1993. After seeing the smug look that Chad is giving the camera, I felt the burning desire to delve deeper into the mystery.

After 2 1/2 minutes of extensive research, here's what I discovered --

1. Chad was on the 1992 Olympic Team.
2. He was drafted in the first round of the 1992 draft. That's right, the same draft that produced Derek Jeter.
3. Poor Chad never made it to the big show, splitting his time between Clearwater and Reading.
4. He finished his career in 1996 with 119 strikeouts for the season.
   

Random Junky Pack Break

I recently purchased 2 boxes of 1988 junk wax on eBay for the steep price of $1.25 (plus shipping, of course). What can I say -- it was an impulse buy. Anyway, said junk arrived on my doorstep today and I decided to bust open one pack in search of some Phillie goodness.

I think today we will start with good ol' Topps. According to the wrapper, I could win a trip to 1989 Spring Training!

First things first, 21 year old gum that is surprisingly in one piece. Abby desperately wanted it, but I couldn't do that to a child.

410 Tony Pena
230 Pat Tabler
509 Bill Dawley
227 Ed Correa
343 Greg Gagne -- according to Wikipedia Greg is "arguably the greatest shortstop in the history of the Minnesota Twins."
222 Steve Farr
218 Dan Shatzeder
694 Eric Nolte
15 Chili Davis
308 Lee Mazzilli
384 Neil Allen
202 Glenn Hoffman
151 Bob Knepper
510 Dave Winfield -- guess this is the "hit" of the pack.
152 Jody Reed

No Phillies. Hmm, that was uneventful.

Card O' The Day: 2007 Topps Opening Day Phillie Phanatic

Like most kids, the best part of a baseball game for my 7 year old daughter is the mascots. Luckily for us, the Reading Phillies and Harrisburg Senators (the two minor league teams we frequent) have, at least it seems like, about 5,000 mascots between the two of them. These mascots have autographed everything from hats to shirts to balls and everything in between for us. And we, Abby especially, appreciates every single one. But the end all, be all of mascots is of course the revered Phillie Phanatic. The Phanatic is as much a part of the Phillies as Richie Ashburn or Mike Schmidt and has been since being introduced in 1978. I've never known the Phillies without the Phanatic. Which is what makes this card so essential to my collection.

This specific card (which reached me by way of Collective Troll) is from the 2007 Topps Opening Day set. In the grand scheme of things there is nothing incredibly special about this card -- it's not a certified autograph, or game-used jersey, it has no bright green hair strands encapsulated within it (how cool would that be, though?) -- but it captures the Phanatic in his natural element of entertaining the fans.

BTW, if you're interested...
...the Phanatic stands at 6'6" and weighs 300 lbs.
...he hails from his homeland of the Galapagos Islands.
...I'm not actually sure what he is, but Abby likes to think he is some weird green anteater.

2009 Phillies Wantlist

Last Updated: 7/26/2009

This is just a list of base cards; I'm also interested in any inserts, parallels, etc. also. You can email me at phightinphils5 at verizon dot com.

BOWMAN
6 Jimmy Rollins
14 Ryan Howard
63 Raul Ibanez
70 Cole Hamels
75 Jayson Werth
103 Jamie Moyer
154 Brett Myers
159 Shane Victorino
195 Andrew Carpenter RC

BOWMAN CHROME PROSPECTS
BCP25 Jeremy Hamilton
BCP29 Tyson Brummett
BCP62 Michael Stutes
BCP120 Jason Knapp AU

BOWMAN PROSPECTS
BP25 Jeremy Hamilton
BP29 Tyson Brummett
BP90 Michael Cisco

FAT HEAD TRADEABLES
3 Chase Utley
31 Brad Lidge
111 Jayson Werth
114 Ryan Howard
129 Jimmy Rollins
132 Cole Hamels
147 Shane Victorino
L21 Philadelphia Phillies

FINEST
6 Ryan Howard
11 Jimmy Rollins
26 Chase Utley
35 Cole Hamels
39 Brett Myers
50 Jamie Moyer
104 Raul Ibanez
126 Andrew Carpenter RC

O-PEE-CHEE
10 Jimmy Rollins
29 Jamie Moyer
175 Cole Hamels
191 Ryan Madson
257 Pedro Feliz
286 Carlos Ruiz
341 Greg Dobbs
366 Jayson Werth
528 Phillies CL
534 Delgado/Dunn/Howard

SP LEGENDARY CUTS
6 Ryan Howard
11 Jimmy Rollins
26 Chase Utley
35 Cole Hamels
126 Mike Schmidt
127 John Kruk
128 Steve Carlton

SPx
31 Cole Hamels
38 Ryan Howard
80 Jimmy Rollins
92 Chase Utley
108 Greg Golson AU (RC)
114 Lou Marson AU (RC)

TOPPS
12 Andrew Carpenter RC
20 Brad Lidge
73 Shane Victorino
81 Howard/Dunn/Delgado LL
103 Kyle Kendrick
107 Pedro Feliz
139 Matt Stairs HL
147 Howard/Wright/GOnzalez LL
191 Shane Victorino HL
200a Chase Utley
207 Joe Blanton
245 Pat Burrell
278 Phillies HL
291 Chris Coste
299 Cole Hamels HL
397 Carlos Ruiz
428 Jamie Moyer
475b Mike Schmidt SP
500 Ryan Howard
525 Jimmy Rollins
557 Jayson Werth
632 Brett Myers
650a Cole Hamels
650b Steve Carlton SP

TOPPS ALLEN & GINTER
30 Ryan Howard
68 Jamie Moyer
148 Brad Lidge
151 Cole Hamels
156 Jayson Werth
162 Shane Victorino
165 Chase Utley
183 Pedro Feliz
187 Brett Myers
198 Raul Ibanez
350 Jimmy Rollins

TOPPS ATTAX
52 Pedro Feliz
73 Cole Hamels
90 Raul Ibanez
115 Brad Lidge
138 Brett Myers
170 Jimmy Rollins
197 Chase Utley
202 Shane Victorino
210 Jayson Werth

TOPPS ATTAX CODE CARDS
10 Ryan Howard

TOPPS ATTAX GOLD
10 Ryan Howard

TOPPS ATTAX SILVER FOIL
15 Cole Hamels
21 Raul Ibanez
27 Brad Lidge
45 Jimmy Rollins
56 Chase Utley

TOPPS HERITAGE
31 Raul Ibanez
103 Brad Lidge
138 Andrew Carpenter RC
140 Lou Marson (RC)
185 Kyle Kendrick
222 Charlie Manuel MG
238 Ronny Paulino
300 Ryan Howard
334 Jimmy Rollins
385 Chase Utley WS
387 Carlos Ruiz WS
388 Ryan Howard WS
389 Jayson Werth WS
415 Jayson Werth
416 JC Romero
438 Chris Coste SP
451 Shane Victorino SP
466 Thompson/Dubee/Lopes CO SP

TOPPS TARGET
12 Andrew Carpenter RC
20 Brad Lidge
44 Geoff Jenkins
81 Howard/Dunn/Delgado LL
103 Kyle Kendrick
107 Pedro Feliz
139 Matt Stairs HL
147 Howard/Wright/GOnzalez LL
186 Ryan Madson
200 Chase Utley
207 Joe Blanton
245 Pat Burrell
278 Phillies HL
291 Chris Coste
299 Cole Hamels HL

TOPPS WALMART BLACK BORDER
12 Andrew Carpenter RC
20 Brad Lidge
44 Geoff Jenkins
73 Shane Victorino
81 Howard/Dunn/Delgado LL
103 Kyle Kendrick
107 Pedro Feliz
139 Matt Stairs HL
147 Howard/Wright/GOnzalez LL
186 Ryan Madson
191 Shane Victorino HL
200 Chase Utley
207 Joe Blanton
245 Pat Burrell
278 Phillies HL
291 Chris Coste
299 Cole Hamels HL

UD A PIECE OF HISTORY
71 Chase Utley
72 Ryan Howard
73 Jimmy Rollins
119 Greg Golson (RC)
124 Lou Marson (RC)

UPPER DECK
290 Ryan Howard
291 Chase Utley
292 Jimmy Rollins
293 Pedro Feliz
294 Pat Burrell
295 Geoff Jenkins
298 Brad Lidge
299 Cole Hamels
300 Jamie Moyer
301 Adam Eaton
302 Matt Stairs
422 Greg Golson (RC)
472 Chase Utley CL
799 Jimmy Rollins
802 Chris Coste
803 Ryan Madson
804 Chan Ho Park
806 Kyle Kendrick
808 Cole Hamels
809 Brad Lidge
810 Greg Dobbs
811 Scott Eyre
812 Eric Bruntlett
813 Ryan Howard
814 Chase Utley
963 Jimmy Rollins AW
968 Brad Lidge AW
972 Raul Ibanez CL

UPPER DECK 1ST EDITION
224 Greg Golson (RC)
225 Joe Blanton
225 Ryan Howard
227 Chase Utley
228 Jimmy Rollins
229 Pat Burrell
230 Shane Victorino
231 Brett Myers
232 Brad Lidge
233 Cole Hamels

UPPER DECK GOUDEY
151 Cole Hamels
152 Lou Marson (RC)
153 Chase Utley
156 Greg Golson (RC)
157 Pat Burrell
158 Shane Victorino
159 Brad Lidge
225 Steve Carlton SR SP
229 Mike Schmidt SR SP
241 Cole Hamels SR SP
279 Ryan Howard HU SP
280 Chase Utley HU SP
281 Jimmy Rollins HU SP

UPPER DECK SPECTRUM
73 Chase Utley
74 Ryan Howard
75 Jimmy Rollins
106 Lou Marson AU (RC)
115 Greg Golson AU (RC)

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.