Beer, Chips, and One Stunning Lady

Last weekend was the Serramonte Mall Sports Cards, Toys, and Collectibles Show.  When it comes to card shows, it's really the only one I look forward to and clear my schedule for.  It's mostly toy vendors, but there are at least ten to twenty vendors set up with cards, so I'm always excited to look around for good deals and pray I stumble across a reasonably priced 1973 Topps baseball card set.

The show also gives me an opportunity to hang out and talk shop with fellow collectors.  Many of you are familiar with one of these gentlemen:  Mr. Haverkamp.

I've had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Jim for several years now, so it's always nice to catch up.  This time around we talked about how rough of a year it has been for a few card bloggers who have lost loved ones, including myself.

He cheered me up by pulling this out of his bag:

AleSmith is a San Diego based brewery that specializes in handcrafted ales.  According to their website, Tony Gwynn reached out to them about producing a distinctive beer for the baseball legend that was "light with a kick".  The final product resulted in a golden pale ale full of American hop flavor and aroma, with a subdued bitterness and a malty sweet finish.  I'm not really a beer guy, so this bottle will end up becoming a display piece in my office.  However the next time I'm in San Diego, I am looking forward to having one in honor of my all-time favorite baseball player.

Jim also threw in the beer carrier:

AleSmith did a great job with the design.  Gwynn and the Padres were wearing completely different colors the year he hit .394, but that's okay.  I absolutely love the use of the brown, gold, and orange color scheme.  The early 80's Padres home jerseys have been my favorite since I started rooting for them.

The next thing he pulled out of his bag was this 1977 issue of Sports Illustrated:

Sports Illustrated: August 15, 1977 

When it comes to Japanese baseball players, Sadaharu Oh reigns supreme.  He hit 868 home runs during his twenty-two seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in the NPB.  That's 106 more than Barry.  113 more than Hank.  And 154 more than Babe.

This issue came out a few weeks before Oh broke Hank Aaron's home run record.  It's an awesome piece of baseball history and an excellent addition to my Japanese Athlete PC.  As an added bonus, Jim mentioned that he is the original owner.  I've edited it out, but you can still see his name and address from the 70's on the label.

The third item he pulled was a biggie... 

1981 Granny Goose A's #13

I've written about this card on a few occasions.  Most recently on May 18th of this year.  To make a long story short... it's a short printed card in this regional oddball issue set and they don't pop up too often.  I picked up my first copy a few years ago, but this one is definitely an upgrade.

The last item that Jim pulled out of his bag is this Ginter mini of my boy Kurt Suzuki:

2012 Allen and Ginter Mini #69

Jim seems to be a good source of information when it comes to Ginter minis.  He mentioned that this particular back was tougher to pull and that I probably didn't have it.  He was right.

Thank you Jim for this awesome care package!  I'll definitely dig through my collection and scour the internet for a few nice Mike Schmidts for your collection.

 

I also got a chance to hang out with my buddy Mike, who brought the autographed Asuka Funko Pop I bought a few months ago:

 

This is actually the second signed Asuka Pop he's given me.  The first one he gave me has a smeared signature, so he ended up giving me two for the price of one.  Before he went to ToyCon Las Vegas (where Asuka was signing), I also asked him to get me a signed 8x10 as well:

He hooked me up with a pair of free Funkos too:

I'm slowly putting together a respectable Stomper PC.  I've already picked up a two or three bobbleheads and ten different cards.  Thanks to Mike... I've added my first Funko Pop too.

Next up is this signed Jason Voorhees Funko Pop: 

If something looks off with the signature, it's because Ari Lehman (the actor who played the first Jason) accidentally signed the Funko Pop upside down.  

Here's a better look at his signature:

Well that's it for now.  I'll try my best to get the rest of the card show pickups scanned over the weekend.  Until then...

What's your favorite beer, potato chip, and/or horror movie?

Happy Thursday and sayonara!