It's Embarrassing

I'm pretty organized... until I'm not.  There's a special place in my office where I put things like side projects, eBay and flea market purchases, and other random items like blogger care packages get added into the stack.

Over Spring Break, I started tackling some of the packages.  There were a couple of boxes from John over at Johnny's Trading Spot and Woody over at Sports Card Forum.  I sorted those cards, but they still need to be scanned and documented.

Last week, Reader X commented on a post that reminded me that he sent me a box back in January that I've been sitting on for far too long.  Well I opened it up and was blown away.  Like John and Woody's cards, they've been sorted... but not scanned.

Stuff is piling up, so I'm making their packages... along with padded envelopes from Dennis @ Too Many Verlanders, Bob over at The Best Bubble, PWEs from Jeremy at Topps Cards that Never Were and Adam at Thoughts and Sox, Ryan's advent calendar, and three new packages I received from Rod at Padrographs a priority on this blog.

I would take a photo of this stack I've built, but honestly it's embarrassing.  The fact that I have stuff dating back to last year that still needs to be documented is embarrassing.  It's time to sit down and hammer out some thank you posts.

I'm gonna kick things off with a twenty-seven year old item that I never knew existed.  But before I get to it, let's start with a cardboard appetizer:

1996 Zenith Mozaics #20

This mid 90's insert featuring dufex technology and my top two favorite baseball players of all-time were inserted at a rate of 1:10 packs.

The third player featured is Wally Joyner who spent four seasons with the Padres from 1996 to 1999.  He was their starting first baseman all four seasons, but I'm a little surprised that Pinnacle chose him over Ken Caminiti who won the 1996 NL MVP Award.

Okay.  Time to show off the main course:

1999 Salvino's Baby Bammers

Now I'm familiar with Salvino's version of a Beanie Baby.  But until I saw this staring at me from the bottom of Reader X's care package... I had never seen one packaged like this.

Every Bammer I had ever seen prior to this was sold individually and free from a carded back.  I love it!  It's items like this that I'd never buy... but I'll proudly display.  Unfortunately I don't really have any wall space in my office.  That means... I'll be taking this into my classroom and hanging it up there.

Can't wait to see how long it takes for one of my students or colleagues to see it and comment.  When they do, I'll say I'm proud to have a teddy bear version of my favorite baseball player and some guy named Wally.

Thank you Xavier!  Sorry it took me four months to open up your care package.  Hopefully it only takes me a few weeks to hammer out the highlights from the rest of your box.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!

When Beanie Babies Meet Baseball Cards

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Beanie Babies and baseball cards hooked up and produced offspring?  Well look no further...

I present to you a box of 1999 Salvino/Team Best Baseball.  Each box contains a Salvino's Rookie Bammers bear, a corresponding trading card numbered to 10,000, and six packs of 1999 Team Best baseball cards.

Salvino created bears featuring: Lance Berkman, J.D. Drew, Rick Ankiel, Ryan Anderson, and Pat Burrell.  I ended up with Baseball America's 1999 #2 top prospect:  

Ankiel has been in and out of the MLB the past fourteen years.  He's currently a free agent, but earlier this season he hit home runs playing for the Houston Astros and New York Mets.

In fact, he's the first player since Babe Ruth to hit 50 home runs and win 10 games as a pitcher.

As for the six packs of baseball cards...

Unfortunately, there isn't much to show you.  I failed to pull any inserts and the biggest name I found was a guy who has been out of the MLB for almost 10 years.

Bottom line... was busting this box worth the five bucks I spent at the card show?  Probably not.  But it brought back a few memories, gave me about ten minutes worth of entertainment, reminded me of the risks of collecting prospects, and left me holding onto a purple teddy bear with the #22 stitched on its back.

Happy Saturday and sayonara!

Flashback Friday #3: Beanie Babies

Christmas is just two days away... and Santa Claus & Roger Goodell have brought all of us one heck of a present. This year, NFL's oldest rivaly resumes when the Chicago Bears visit Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.

As a Packers fan, it's simple. They need to win, so they can wrap up home field advantage and allow some of their wounded players an opportunity to heal.

But it's the season of giving, so I'm going to stop thinking about myself and honor the Chicago Bears & their fans by flashing back to the 90's & showing off some Bears.

Beanie Baby Bears to be exact.

If you were born in the 90's or earlier... then you know what I'm talking about. And if by chance, you don't... then just be thankful.

Beanie Babies Insanity struck in the mid 90's and were hot collectibles for several years. They were so popular that even my Mom joined the hype. Thankfully... she didn't turn out like this:

I felt bad after watching this video... but it's a healthy reminder to myself to collect for "fun", instead of "investment". Now onto my personal Beanie Baby collection:

Valentino Bear

Birthday: 1/27/95

Retired: 12/31/98

In honor of Coach Lovie Smith... I give you Valentino for reasons that should be obvious.

Peace Bear

Birthday: 2/1/96

Retired: 7/14/99

In honor of former Chicago Bears Chairman of the Board, Michael McCaskey... I give you Peace. McCaskey served in the Peace Corps from 1965 to 1967.

Princess Bear

Birthday: 10/29/97

Retired: 4/13/99

In honor of Hall of Fame running back, Walter Payton... I give you Princess. Payton's jersey was worn by Fred Savage in The Princess Bride (thank you Google for helping me out with this connection). I considered honoring Jay Cutler... but that's not my style.

Actually... as I wrap up this post, I should clarify something... I DON'T COLLECT BEANIE BABIES... seriously... you have to believe me.

I purchased these three bears for $3 from a buddy who was dumping them. He had hundreds to choose from, but these three stood out... because they're bears. And back in the 90's... bears seemed to be really popular. I'll most likely end up handing them over to my Mom's collection. And if she doesn't want them... then I'm sure one of my students will find a good home for them.

But since I'm keeping it real... I figure I ought to come clean and share the only Beanie Baby that I actually have & intend to keep:

Rosa

Birthday: 8/19/04

It was a gift from one of my best friends and holds a lot of sentimental value.

It's your turn...

Did you ever buy into the Beanie Baby insanity?

C'mon... be honest. You can trust me... I own a pink guinea pig Beanie Baby, named Rosa. Do I really have any right to judge? LOL.

Happy Holidays everyone... TGIF... and sayonara!