Seinfeld and Coffee Inspired

Seinfeld is one of my all-time favorite television shows.  Favorite character?

1994 Parker Brothers Picture Pursuit #2A

George Costanza and it's not even close.  Yesterday, Matt over at Cards Over Coffee referenced both in his latest post when he announced that next year will be The Summer of Matt.  Since I'm not teaching this summer, I figured I'd proclaim this The Summer of Fuji.

The idea comes from the Seinfeld episode titled "The Summer of George".  If you're bored and confused, feel free to click here to learn watch some clips.

A big part of my eight weeks away from the classroom involves some short trips, catching up with friends, and lots of rest and relaxation.  However in regards to collecting, I'm working on organizing, sorting, and taking inventory.

Yesterday I spent a few hours digging through some boxes searching for my two largest basketball player collections:  Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.  Most of you prefer baseball over basketball, so I won't show off any of those cards today.

Instead I'll be showing off six baseball cards that Matt sent me last month.  Let's start off with a hall of famer:

2025 Topps Allen & Ginter Wicked Curves #WC-30

During the Oakland Athletics' playoff run from 1972 to 1974, Hunter pitched in 13 games with a 7-1 record and a 2.24 ERA.  Based on this insert, a lot of his success had to do with his wicked curveball.

The A's pitching staff has struggled this season, but one of their young arms is showing his coaches, teammates, and fans that he's reliable coming out of the bullpen:

2026 Topps Gold #273

While discussing struggling players, it's hard not to talk about Brent Rooker:

2025 Topps Chrome Refractor #54

Rooker has been a stud for the Athletics the past three seasons averaging 33 home runs and 90 RBI's.  He's still crushing the ball, but his strikeout rate has soared and his batting average has dipped.  Hopefully he'll figure things out when he returns from IL.

The other fan favorite that's struggling at the plate this season is Lawrence Butler:

2025 Topps Update Stars of the MLB #SMLB-85

The A's don't normally offer up long contract extensions, but they hooked up Butler last year with a fat contract.  His batting stats are low across the board compared to his past two seasons.  And this year he's hitting below the Mendoza Line.

That being said, this insert card finished off my 2025 Topps Update Stars of the MLB set:

Matt also sent me an insert card of the A's brightest young star:

2026 Topps Heritage Raw Power #RP-NK

Nick Kurtz won last year's AL Rookie of the Year Award and after a slow start to his sophomore season, he's showing fans that he's the most reliable bat in the lineup.  As of yesterday, he was leading the AL in walks, runs scored, and RBI's.  He's also been in the Top 10 among AL home run hitters the past two seasons.  Topps got it right.  Kurtz has raw power.

The final card is a pretty pink parallel card of former A's centerfielder:

2026 Topps Heritage Chrome Pink Sparkle Refractor #236

JJ Bleday drove in 2 of the A's 3 runs in their final home game at the Oakland Coliseum.  That's the memory I will always cherish when his name is mentioned.

Thank you Matt for this generous six-pack of A's cardboard.

While digging through my basketball boxes yesterday, I thought of you and decided to show off five New York Knicks cards in honor of them winning this year's NBA Championship.

I know you appreciate 90's inserts as much as I do, so let's start with:

1993-94 Ultra Jam City #4

Patrick Ewing is the Knicks all-time leader in almost every statistical category.  This is the most attractive insert card I could find of his.  Unfortunately my scanner does not do this card any justice.  If you want to see a better image, click here.

As much as I love this insert, this might just be my favorite Knicks card in the collection:

1997-98 Stadium Club Co-Signers #CO-12

I know The Mailman wasn't a New York Knick, but he shares this card with John Starks:

The early 90's Knicks with Ewing, Oakley, Smith, Rivers, and Mason were fun to watch.  My favorite was Mr. Starks.  Who remembers him dunking on the Chicago Bulls in the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals?

Two years before I was born, this guy helped the New York Knicks win their first NBA Championship:

1998-99 UD Century Legends Epic Signatures #WR

Willis Reed played his final NBA game when I was still wearing diapers, so I never saw him play.  Regardless, he's a legend and a hero to Knicks fans for courageously playing in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals with a thigh injury and helping them win their first title.

Here is another 90's Knicks fan favorite:

2012-13 Panini Intrigue Immortalized Autographs #52

Sadly... Mason passed away at the age of 48 back in 2015.  When I heard the news, I wanted to add an autograph of his to my collection.

The final Knicks card I picked out is their current superstar:

2018 Sports Illustrated for Kids #697

I didn't watch the NBA Finals this year (or any other NBA season since the late 2000's, but I definitely heard about Jalen Brunson.  His name was tossed around at school, on the radio, and in highlight videos the entire series.  Pretty sure this is the only card I own of him.

Congratulations again on the Knicks winning it all!  I had fun picking these singles from my collection and reminiscing about basketball and cards.

Happy Sunday and sayonara!