A Childhood Favorite

One of my biggest regrets in life was not appreciating and embracing the Japanese culture earlier in life.  My parents encouraged me to take Japanese classes when I was in middle school.  They signed me up for the local Japanese baseball league... as well as the Boy Scout troop located in San Jose's Japantown.

Sadly... I actually wanted to separate myself from the Japanese-American label and focus on only the American part.  I know it's crazy... but when it came to school and my neighborhood... I could count the number of Japanese kids on the fingers of one of my hands.

But once a year... I would toss that ridiculousness aside and take part in Obon Festival in Japantown.  It's a Buddhist event that celebrates our ancestors and a place where the community gets together to hang out, listen to taiko drumming, eat delicious food, play games, and dance.

These days, I don't attend very often.  I'm not a fan of large crowds.  But my friend asked me to join her and her mom this past Saturday... and I couldn't pass up the invitation.

I'm glad I did... because the food was yummy and the company was even better.  I even ran into a few familiar faces... including a couple of former students, my dad's physical therapist, and an ex-girlfriend.

The best part about it is we left before the large crowds started showing up.

Anyways... I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to show off some singles of Japanese baseball players that John over at Johnny's Trading Spot sent me a few months ago:

This first picture shows off all of the Japanese baseball players he sent me over the past few months... sorted by player.

Unlike him... there's no way I have the patience to scan all of the singles.  But I did pick out a few of my favorites...

2008 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor #217

I've got to admit... I have no idea who Kazuo Fukumori is.  But this card is gorgeous.  I'm a big fan of the 2008 Topps design and I love how the blue border matches his Rangers jersey.

2016 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP142

2016 Topps Chrome #92

I was a little surprised that I didn't already own these two rookie cards of Kenta Maeda.  Did you know that Maeda has the second most wins among active pitchers born in Japan?  It's not very likely he'll ever catch Yu Darvish.  In fact... it's more likely that this guy will pass him up:

2023 Big League Roll Call #RC-3

This was the only Ohtani in the care package, but it sure is awesome!  By the way... Ohtani probably won't catch Maeda this season.  But there's a decent chance he passes this guy up as the MLB home run leader among players born in Japan:

2003 Upper Deck #501

Just like the Maedas... I was surprised I didn't already own this particular rookie card.  And just like Ohtani... this insert looks awesome:

2021 Archives 1989 Topps Big Foil #89BF-8

The next card was probably worth a pretty penny when it was pulled from a pack back in 2008 (assuming it was pulled in 2008):

2008 Finest Refractor #1

At the time, I was just getting back in the hobby... and Dice K was one of the hottest players in the hobby.  In fact... he's one of the handful of players that got me interested in collecting Japanese athletes.  The guy is truly a WBC legend winning the first two WBC MVP Awards.

It's kind of a shame that his MLB career wasn't as successful.  Although his 2008 season was pretty impressive.

Here's one more card of Matsuzaka that John sent that I wanted to share:

2007 Topps #630

This fits goes well with the other 2007 Topps cards I have of him:

If you're bored... you can look for some of the variations on the backs...

Next up are three new Ichiros for my binder:

2018 Heritage #300

2018 Topps Gallery #148

2017 Topps All-Time All-Stars #ATAS-32

And last, but not least... my very first cards of Masataka Yoshida:

2023 Topps Big League #58

2023 Topps Big League Electric Orange #58

2023 Bowman #58

I've been following his season... and hopefully he doesn't end up being the next one-season-wonder.

Thank you John for donating over 100 new cards to my Japanese athlete collection... and for helping me embrace my Japanese heritage.  I'm just sorry it took so long for me to publish this post.

Side note... this post was actually delayed an additional three weeks.  I originally scheduled this post for Tuesday, July 11th... but I guess I never hit the "publish" button.  Just realized it this morning.

Happy Thursday... and sayonara!

Extra Innings

Just a quick Gwynn giveaway update.  I know that three people who requested some free Gwynns have received their packages.  But there are at least two who haven't:  

Sorry Anthony and Dan.

This was sort of a postal experiment for me.  Each PWE I sent weighed a little over 2 ounces, so I tried out a few different postage options.  Guess these two fell a little short.  I'm going to reship these two packages using the traditional rigid envelopes with non-machineable stamps.  I'll put them in the mail tomorrow.  Sorry about the delay.

The 2023 Blogger National BBA

It's that time of the year again... when thousands and thousands of collectors are flocking to the National Sports Card Convention... while I'm chilling at home.

Part of me is okay with that.  Some of you know that I'm not a big fan of crowds, so the idea of competing with a pack of collectors over some dime boxes or dollar bins isn't exactly appealing.

On the other hand... I would be there in a heartbeat if it was held somewhere in the Bay Area.  I'd even consider traveling down to Southern California or up to the Pacific Northwest... if they ever decided to host it out on the West Coast again.  But ultimately... three things prevent me from going out to New Jersey, Illinois, or Ohio.

#1:  Anxiety

I'm not the biggest fan of flying.  This is something I've been dealing with the past ten to twelve years... and it's specifically related to confined spaces.  I'll still fly from time to time, but I try to keep the flights under two hours.

#2:  Time

I'm currently on summer break... but that means spending more time with Papa Fuji.  He trumps card shows.

#3:  Finances

I'm not saying I can't afford to take a short vacation to Illinois.  I'm just not willing to.  I'd rather use the money I'd spend on my flight, hotel, food, car rental, and other travel expenses... on adding new cards to my collection.

Speaking of new cards... Matt over at Cards Over Coffee kicked off a blog bat-around this morning titled:  The Blogger National 2023.  He's asking fellow bloggers to show off some cool cards, favorite cards, or even a recent mail day.

I just so happen to have some cards that I've recently added to my collection that fit these requirements.

Let's start off with this some autographs I would definitely consider purchasing at the NSCC... had some very generous people not donated them to my collection:

2023 Topps 1988 Baseball Autographs #88BA-DAS

Rod over at Padrographs sent me this sweet on-card autograph of Stew and I've been waiting for the right time to showcase it.  I remember when he pulled it back in February while looking for a 2023 Topps #70 for his buddy.

Oh how I do enjoy myself an on-card autograph of a fan favorite.

Here's another one I recently added to the collection:

2022 Topps Archives Fan Favorites Autographs #72FF-AN

Alyssa Nakken is the first full-time female coach in MLB history and back in 2020 she became the first woman to coach on the field in an MLB game.

I've been targeting this autograph ever since I saw her name on this checklist, but I've been waiting to find a copy in my price range.  Then last month, Reader X sent me a large box of cards and this autograph was included.

He also sent me this really cool Vida Blue autograph:

2021 Topps Archives Signature Series 1982 Topps Buyback #431 (#'d 02/99)

I had planned to use this card in a tribute post after Vida passed away back in May.  But life happens and I'm finally getting a chance to show this card off.  Like Stewart and Nakken... Blue is a Bay Area legend and fan favorite.  And I'm very thankful to Reader X for these autographs.

By the way... I don't just sit around waiting for people to send me autographs.  Here is a stack of them I picked up off of COMC that I recently had shipped to me:

2004 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Autograph #FFA-WW

In 1972, left-handed Wood (and Cleveland's Gaylord Perry) led the American League with 24 wins.  I bought this card for a collection involving my birth year... and it only set me back $3.  This is one of those deals that was too good to pass up.  

Here's another on-card autograph of a 70's star:

2003 Team Topps Legends Autographs #TT-JR

Joe Rudi was an integral member of The Swingin' A's who won back-to-back-to-back World Series in the 70's.  I'm always on the lookout for affordable signatures from these teams.

The last three autographs were a little more expensive, but worth the price (in my opinion):

2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Refractor Auto #PA-JC

I feel like Canseco is one of the most polarizing players in our hobby's history.  Collectors tend to either love him or hate him, but I'm actually somewhere in the middle.

Back when he was crushing balls for the Athletics... I loved him.  But after years of following his shenanigans on and off the field... that love has turned bittersweet.  That being said... I really wanted this card when I saw it and as a result... overpaid for it.

I paid $18.25 for it... which is the same amount I paid for this:

2015 Topps Star Wars Tek Signers #93

Asajj Ventress has one of the most fascinating character arcs in the Star Wars universe and I've been a fan of her since I started watching The Clone Wars.  Last year I had the opportunity to meet and talk to Nika Futterman who voiced the character in the show.  She was really cool, so I decided to add her signature to my Star Wars PC.

Once again... a card I overpaid for... but like the Canseco... I don't have any regrets.

The final card I'll share today is a buyback autograph of Graig Nettles:

2002 Donruss Recollection Buyback Auto (#'d 41/41)

Nettles is mostly remembered for his days with the New York Yankees... but as a Padres fan... I have been looking for a signed card of his featuring him in a San Diego uniform.  This is the only one I've ever seen... and when I saw it for $14.50... I bought it immediately.

Well there you have it.  Eight cards that I've recently added to my collection without attending the 2023 National Sports Card Convention.

Thank you Rod for the Stewart autograph!  Thank you Reader X for the Nakken and Blue signatures.  And thank you Matt for inspiring this latest Blog Bat-Around.

Hope those of you who are at the National are finding some awesome cards for your collection.  And for the bloggers who didn't attend... I hope you will join this year's Blogger National BBA.

Happy Saturday and sayonara!

Family Heirlooms and a Minor Delay

This is the busiest summer in decades... and that includes the twenty-plus years I taught summer school.  My father moved back to the Bay Area a few months ago... and we recently went back to his house in Las Vegas to clean it out and prepare it for sale/rent.

The process was both physically and mentally exhausting, while also being an eye-opening experience that hopefully inspires some changes in my own life.

Today... I just wanted to share a few items I brought home with me...

First up is this shoji lamp that Papa Fuji made decades ago.  He was pretty handy when it came to building stuff.  He's made everything from cabinets to craps tables and little things in between like this lamp.

Space at my place is very limited, so I knew before going down to Vegas that I had to be very picky when deciding on what to take.  This family heirloom was one of two no-brainers.

The other is this wall decoration:

With my father's memory in limbo... the history of this piece is a little blurry.  I'm pretty sure it was either passed down from my grandparents or possibly blessed by my grandfather.  Maybe both?

My parents had a pair of Hisashi Otsuka framed prints hanging on their walls.  My sister wanted one of them... and asked if I was interested in the other.  Although I don't really have any place to hang it up... I wanted it to stay in the family, so I grabbed it.

The last three items are San Francisco 49ers collectibles that I gave my parents years ago...

I wasn't the only collector in the family.  Back in the 90's, my mom went through a Beanie Baby phase.  I bought her this Jerry Rice bear back when I was working at the LCS in the late 90's.  I needed that job to help supplement my income when I was just starting out in the classroom.

That's also where I bought this Joe Montana signed print:

Upper Deck Authenticated

I always wondered where they put this frame.  My niece discovered it buried in one of the closets in my dad's bedroom.  I doubt this thing has seen daylight in over twenty years.

The final item is this custom display piece I made for my dad:

1999 Kenner SLU

1992 Pro Set #651

I took one of those puck and card holders, removed the puck holder, and replaced it with a Kenner Starting Lineup.  The autograph was the final piece of the puzzle.  It spent the past twenty-plus years sitting on my dad's desk.

Now I need to find a place for it in my office.

That leads me to a quick life update.  I've been extremely busy the past three weeks, but don't worry.  I haven't forgotten about shipping out all of those PWE's filled with Gwynns.  They'll hopefully be shipped out sooner than later.

As it stands, I have all of the cards in the temporary holders and they are ready to be slid into PWE's.

Here's a list of people who requested a Gwynn care package:

Ken Hawthorne

Laurens

Brett Alan (need address)

Elliptical Man

John Sharp

Vroomed

Crh614 (need address)

Jafronius

Bo

DRMustang

Hackenbush

jlcre2003

I'm pretty sure I got everyone.  If you wanted one and don't see your name... shoot me an email with your shipping address.  Brett Alan and Crh614... I need your addresses as well.

And rounding out this post is the obligatory baseball card of the day:

2000 Bowman Chrome DP&P #4

This graded rookie card of Barry Zito was part of a Reader X care package from last year.  Why show him off now?  Well... since our family just wrapped up another chapter in Las Vegas, I wanted to show off a player with ties to the city.  Zito was born there back in 1978.

Thanks for the card Xavier!  Thank you to all of you who are patiently waiting for your Gwynn care packages.  And thank you to everyone else who took the time to read this post.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!