In less than twelve hours, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's will kick off the 2019 MLB season at the Tokyo Dome. Now I'm 100% for bringing MLB baseball to other countries. I also think it's really cool that Ichiro will have the opportunity to play in front of fans who have been supporting him since the early 90's. I just think it's silly that they'll play two regular season games, then come home and play three more Spring Training games. #shakingmyhead
I realize that there are probably some really good reasons for this scheduling decision, but I'm just not in the mood to try to comprehend it.
Instead, I'll just show off this Ichiro I purchased off of COMC back in 2011 for $2.83:
I realize that there are probably some really good reasons for this scheduling decision, but I'm just not in the mood to try to comprehend it.
Instead, I'll just show off this Ichiro I purchased off of COMC back in 2011 for $2.83:
2001 UD Collectibles #SE2
I actually had to do a double take when I saw this card on my purchase history:
I've never actually submitted any cards to PSA, but I'm curious to know if single card submissions were ever $2.83 or less. And even if they were... I'm still surprised they'd sell a PSA 10 graded Ichiro rookie year oddball issue for this price. #shakingmyhead
Well that's it for today. Although I'd love to see Ichiro have a great outing in the Japan Opening Series, I'd love to see the A's sweep the Mariners a tad bit more. Worst case scenario is watching Ichiro go 0 for 8, while seeing the A's start the 2019 season 0-2. If that happens, I'll definitely be shaking my head.
Okay peeps...
What are some things about the 2019 MLB season or the hobby that currently have you shaking your head?
Happy Tuesday and sayonara!
We are going to Seattle next Monday to see them play against the Padres on Monday and Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteGreat grab on that Ichiro!
ReplyDeleteCool card!
ReplyDeleteMine is probably doing away with Bunt for Big League. I know I’m in the minority but I liked Bunt a lot more. I also don’t like this year’s Big League design.
I'm at an age where I shake my head over something every day, so "too many to mention" for both baseball and the hobby. Also, that thing where people refuse to use their turn signals: STOP DOING THAT.
ReplyDeleteSome of the rule changes are surprising, like the drop in the number of players on the roster in September. You would figure that more roster spots means more money for the players so the Players Union would want the 40 man roster in September to stay instead of losing 14 or so spots per team.
ReplyDeleteFor the hobby, the 150th Anniversary online set is kind of surprising. You figure with the Topps Now and the Throwback online sets that the 150th Anniversary set wouldn’t have too much appeal except for player collectors. I am also kind of surprised that Beltre, Mauer, Wright, and Victor Martinez didn’t get a sunset card in Series 1. They don’t do that many true sunset cards anymore, but some star players like Jeter, Rivera, Konerko, etc got one, so you would figure Mauer, Beltre, and Wright could’ve got one. Maybe in Series 2.
The whole state of the hobby has me shaking my head, but that's not new. I could go on for quite a while on 'super short prints', exclusive licensees, expensive packs and why a set like Opening Day even exists. But rather than whine I just happily ignore it all and stay busy with what I like. That's what makes the hobby fun...there is something for everyone.
ReplyDeleteOn that Ichiro...there was a thread on Net54 not long ago about graded cards worth less than the cost of submitting them. I recently bought a pair of NY Rangers vintage cards in PSA holders for a couple of bucks total. Baffled me as well.
I hate when regular season MLB games are played anywhere else but In the U.S.Exhibitions I'm fine with.I feel that's precisely what threw the Mets off their season in 2010 when they went to P.R. to play the Marlins.
ReplyDeleteGreat snag for that price.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Commishbob in that there's a lot going on. Exclusives, Archives + Heritage + flagship insert reprint redundancy, insert bloat and now scarcity in packs, parallel inserts, and on and on.
ReplyDeleteI feel a disconnect from the real-life game too. Mostly since last year my teams tanked badly. It seems that the hype machine (both cardboard and media) is running in the red part of the meter all the time over any little event. Or maybe it's just normal coverage, but I don't care nearly as much.
I can really see myself quitting current product except for the occasional A&G or GQ set that I like in the next year or two. Filling in vintage, and up to the 2000s, plus my player and other misc collections leave plenty to strive for.
Awesome card for the price paid.
ReplyDeleteI am shaking my head that Trout, Arenado, Machado, and Harper contracts signed this year are more than the Rays payroll has been in 21 years of exisistance. That is mind boggling that these 4 superstars got paid more than an entire teams payroll history.
Issuing an intentional walk without throwing four pitches makes me shake my head, for sure. As for the Ichiro card, great pickup at a great price!
ReplyDeleterod (padrographs) - hope you're able to add a few signatures to your frankenset.
ReplyDeletejohn miller - thanks. it's been interesting going back and reviewing all of my older comc purchases
the lost collector - i'm not a big fan of this year's big league product. but i did enjoy the 2018 product
night owl - yeah i can't stand the lack of turn signal thing either
jeremya1um - i'm sure hoping those guys you mentioned get a sunset card in series 2. maybe someone at topps is reading these comments
commishbob - the whole thing about graded cards being sold for less than the submitting fees is definitely one of sports card's conundrums.
big tone - i'm sure it's tough on the players... especially if they have to cross several time zones
parts of my past - yeah... one of my best comc deals
gca - i agree 100% with you on the insert bloat issue we're currently facing in our hobby
collecting cutch - wow. that's an awesome piece of trivia.
gregory - yeah. i agree the pitcher should have to throw. it's part of the game. i've seen batters crank some of those intentional walk pitches before.
Awesome! Just in time as I heard he retired today!
ReplyDelete