Finally, the time has arrived where a package from the great Night Owl slipped into my mailbox. These cards were actually (consolation) prize winnings from his contest. It was a ton of fun just participating so these were great to get as a bonus! Thank you!
My own little tribute to Night Owl's contest. I only spent 2 minutes ripping his design, where he probably spent an hour or more.
First, some Topps cards. He sent three base cards for my set (here's one).
He also sent three Kimball minis for my set! Two of them are Dodgers - I bet he gets lots of random current Dodgers in trades.
I like making minis look bigger than regular cards.
I think he works in threes, because in addition to three Topps and three Kimballs, there were three Bowman Platinum USA cards, including a purple refractor! The refractors look so much better with my scanner than the regular foil cards.
Yeah, you guessed it. Night Owl went after my Women in Sports collection with a small handful of SkyBox/Hoops cards.
I have to say, the WNBA cards got better over the years - these early issues aren't too inspiring. But, they're women on sports cards!
It's only a matter of time. Ken Griffey Jr. will be immortalized in a statue of some sort in Seattle. It may be 2015 after his election to the Hall of Fame, maybe sooner, maybe later, but when you think superstars of the 1990s Griffey has to be mentioned. He's a 13-time all-star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, 7-time Silver Slugger winner, MVP, All-Star Game MVP, 3-time Home Run Derby winner, and the 2005 NL Comeback Player of the Year. He has 630 home runs - currently fifth on the all-time list, with steroid user A-Rod right behind him. Amongst all the allegations and evidence of players around him using steroids, Griffey has never been linked to steroids, while still dominating the sport.
Another one of those oddball products to come out of the late 90's (1997 to be exact) is this relief sculpture of Ken Griffey Jr. As far as I can tell, Griffey is one of four products made - Babe Ruth, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt are the other three. It's not a statue, but it's close, and it fits on a shelf, unlike a life-size bronze tribute.
It's pretty easy to see why these weren't too successful. The batting profile looks good, but that portrait makes Griffey look like a 70 year old. A little color wouldn't hurt, either (though I get the fact that sculptures aren't necessarily supposed to have color). The real kicker, though, is the price. Would you pay $20 for this product that probably cost around $2 to make? The plaque is about 3" by 5".
As you can see from the back of the box, the plaque comes with a stand (visible in the scan above, as well) and a decent back design reminiscent of a trading card. The portrait image looks better in the photo than in the actual piece, possibly due to the angle. But he still looks old and tired.
Despite the shortcomings, I love this product. It's one of those oddball items that would look great on display alongside Starting Lineup or McFarlane figurines, bobbleheads, and other souvenirs of your favorite player or team. I'm happy to have it, and I got it for a great price - one dollar. I probably wouldn't have bought it otherwise.
Do you have any unique souvenir items in your collection?
A little Cantaloop for you. Just in case you don't get the title reference.
I picked up a few more Obak retail packs as punishment for some reason. I say that because there are almost zero hits in retail. I think I'm done with this stuff until I can afford (and desire to purchase) a hobby box.
Almost all these cards are for trade, just ask!
Frick me! The good thing about Obak (in my mind) is the inclusion of all these random stories from early baseball history.
There is the occasional superstar mini with an airbrushed cap. But if Panini did a set somewhat along the lines that you see here, airbrushing wouldn't be too big a deal.
Start was an innovator in that he was the first first-baseman to play off the bag at ... um, first. Did first basemen not field most balls hit their way before him?
Several of the cards, including this Whitey Ford mini, pay honor to players' service.
Notice that most of the historic player cards don't mention a team on the front.
More-modern players mention a team, but logos are almost completely hidden or airbrushed away.
The cards of innovators and record holders are the most interesting to me. I'm sure there are plenty of other people who want a Brandon Belt card.
Cap Anson was the first to get 3000 hits, and 27 more have reached that plateau. He retired with 3011 hits.
O'Neill didn't just hit any old grand slam. He hit the first pinch-hit grand slam, and the first pinch hit as an NL pitcher in the 1900s. Yes, he was a pitcher who pinch-hit, and hit a grand slam! This was in 1902, so as expected of the era, this was an inside-the-park home run.
Powers is one of those rare historic players listed with a team. If you've seen the movie The Natural, you're familiar with Powers - he inspired the character "Bump" Bailey. Powers died after crashing into a wall while chasing a pop-up.
Wow. That's a horrible card to get in my last pack. Let's end on a happy note.
Nothing cheers me up as much as singing a little song!
"I'll teach your grandmother to suck eggs!"
Here's a happy note: for the price of a retail pack (plus a couple bucks shipping), I picked up a few autographs:
Three Tim Pyznarski signed cards. One of the /100 regular autographs is available for trade, with the other two cards headed to the type collection. All three are sticker cards, but the sticker is done well. The "frame" around the autograph is part of the card itself, not the sticker, and the sticker is very clear. This means any minor off-centering isn't noticeable. Not that these stickers are off-center.
