My Sports Card Bucket List

There are plenty of things I'd like to accomplish at some point in my life, but I'm sure you're not here to read about me going to the Smithsonian Institution or camping for 30 days straight at different places across the West Coast.

So today I'm going to write about some semi-realistic and not-so-realistic things I'd like to experience or accomplish before I kick the bucket.  But before I do... I want to give a shout out to Billy over at Cardboard History for inspiring me to write this list.  Last week he posted his bucket list over here.

Okay.  Let's kick things off with four things that are likely to never happen unless I win the lottery...

The Not Realistic Bucket List:

1.  Complete the 1956 Topps baseball set.  (Chance of Success: 3%)

1956 Topps #31

I've made it pretty clear to all of you just how much I love this set.  I'm in the process of collecting all of the hall of famers in this set, but it'd be so much cooler to own the entire set.  Money is the main thing that's holding me back.  I collect way too many things to focus my attention on this set.

2.  Own a 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson.  (Chance of Success: 10%)

Heritage Auctions Image

As a rookie card collector, I'd love to one day own a graded copy of #42's rookie card.  I've watched a few copies here and there, but I just can't justify spending four figures on a piece of cardboard.  Maybe one day.  Maybe.

3.  Attend The National.  (Chance of Success: 25%)

Like Billy... I'd love to one day attend the National Sports Collectors Convention.  The problem is I'd much rather go shopping on COMC or on eBay, than spend hundreds of dollars on airfare and a hotel room.  My best chance would be if it returned to the Moscone Center in San Francisco or possibly the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California.

4.  Own a complete run of Kellogg's lenticular baseball sets.  (Chance of Success: 10%)

1974 Kellogg's #51

1979 Kellogg's #18

1982 Kellogg's #4

Ever since I purchased those Kellogg's sets last month, I've been on a mission to complete the 1976 to 1983 run of Kellogg's cards.  I'm down to only needing the 1979 set.  If money was no object, I'd be chasing down the 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1975 sets as well.  Unfortunately, it's really hard for me to justify spending hundreds of dollars on these four sets when there are tons of other "more affordable" singles I'm currently targeting.

Okay... let's move on to some things that are potentially a little more realistic...

The Realistic Bucket List:

1.  Own a Mike Trout autographed card. (Chance of Success: 51%)

Google Images

There was a time when Greg Maddux, Barry Bonds, and Hank Aaron autographs were out of my price range.  But as they signed more and more cards, prices dropped lower and lower.  Hopefully the same thing applies to Trout.


2.  Complete my run of Topps baseball sets from 1972 to 1986.  (Chance of Success: 90%)

1973 Topps #142

Out of all of the things on my sports card bucket list, this is the one that's most likely to occur.  The only set I still need is the 1973 Topps baseball set and although it's vintage, these are pretty affordable.  It's mainly comes down to me finding a set in reasonable condition with a reasonable price tag.  I'm counting on this happening one day.


3.  Own a 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle.  (Chance of Success: 50%)

Heritage Auctions Image

This is the one 1956 Topps hall of famer that may or may not ever land in my collection.  Much like the 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson and the Mike Trout autograph, it'll come down to money and whether or not I want to dedicate such a high percentage of my hobby budget to a single card.


4.  Visit a baseball card shop in Japan.  (Chance of Success: 40%)

Beckett Baseball Advertisement

If I ever cross off this bucket list item, it means I crossed off a major personal bucket list item as well:  travel to Japan.  The one thing holding me back would be the eleven hour flight from San Francisco to Tokyo and my anxiety.  It's possible.  I hope.

5.  Streamline my collection.  (Chance of Success: 35%)

This is the only bucket list item that isn't in the "want" category.  It essentially needs to get done.

I collect way too many things and due to lack of storage space, I've been thinking about streamlining things and trimming the fat.  Unfortunately I face one major issue.  I really, really, really enjoy collecting all of these things.

Well there you have it: my sports card bucket list.  I'm sure most of you have already checked out Billy's list, but if you haven't you should.  Just click here.

So what are some things you'd like to accomplish in this hobby before you kick the bucket?

As usual... I look forward to reading and replying to your responses.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!

Sports Card Story Time

Every card has a story.  Whether or not it's a 1988 Donruss Alfredo Griffin that was pulled from a pack last year and thrown into a box that was eventually tossed into a dumpster or the 1975 Topps Robin Yount Mini I purchased when I was a kid that will stay with me until I draw my last breathe.

Today I'll be telling five short stories about some cards that were sent to me earlier in the week by Steve over at 1975baseballcards.  He sent me a care package that included a note that broke down the reasons he sent me specific cards.  The note was so impressive, I felt that some of it needed to be shared with you.

Card #1:  1973 Topps #117

If you haven't figured it out by now, Steve collects baseball cards from 1975.  One of the most popular cards from that year is the 1975 Topps George Brett rookie card.  Brett played for the San Jose Bees in 1972.  Ramon Hernandez played for the Bees in 1962 and 1964.

I started collecting San Jose Giants minor league sets a few years ago.  I don't own any San Jose Bees cards yet, but this card will make a nice place holder until I do.

By the way, did you know that the Baseball Hall of Fame has a series of articles titled Card Corner that feature interesting stories behind baseball cards?  I didn't... until Steve pointed out to me that this card was featured here.


Card #2:  1991 Topps #178

When I first saw this card, I had no idea why he included it in the care package.  But his letter mentions that this is one of the 1991 Topps Glow Backs.  I've known about these for awhile, but never checked to see if I owned any.

Last night, I tried to turn my iPhone into a UV light, but ultimately failed.  I'll just have to take Steve's word.


Card #3:  Vintage Packers and Seahawks

There was a nice stack of vintage Green Bay Packers, along with a pair of 1978 Seattle Seahawks, and a lone 1974-75 Topps Don Lever.  All of these were part of Steve's childhood collection, which is really cool.

If I could go back to 2001 when I sold off the bulk of my collection, I would have set aside more cards from my childhood.  Monetary value isn't everything.


Card #4:  Reggie Jackson Cardboard Icons

These 5x7 cards were originally available online as sets.  If I remember correctly, the sets were broken down by player and would contain reprints of their regular issue base cards.  I purchased three sets:  Rickey Henderson, Tony Gwynn, and Brett Favre.

Steve has been putting together a master set of all of the different players who has a 1975 Topps card.  The only one he's missing is a Nolan Ryan.  Anyone have one available?


Card #5:  1996 Leaf Signature Series #37

Much like the Hernandez and Valle, I was scratching my head a little trying to figure out how this card fit into my collection.  Eventually, I gave up and turned to the note.

This is actually a "two in one" card.  Steve knows I collect left-handed hall of famers and damaged cards.  Most people send me A's and Padres cards, so I completely forgot about the whole "left-handed" thing.

As for the card being damaged... well you have to look very closely at one of the corners on the back to see any damage.  Sorry Steve.  This one doesn't make it into the Damaged Card PC binder.  I did add it to the left-handed hall of famers collection though.

Before I wrap things up, I wanted to share a few more things Steve sent...

2016 Topps Mini Blue #119 (#'d 03/10)

Steve asked if this would fit into my Prime Number PC.  Unfortunately it doesn't.  That's reserved for "first in the run", "last in the run", and "jersey numbers".  However, it's a pretty awesome addition to my Oakland Athletics collection.

He also included these two stamps:

1950 3¢ California Statehood

1959 7¢ Hawaii Statehood

These are awesome!  If you're wondering why these were included in the package... I'm a lifelong Californian... and my parents were born and raised in Hawaii.

Thank you Steve for all of these wonderful hand chosen items!  I really had a lot of fun reading your letter and trying to figure out the significance of certain cards.  Don't really have a need for those Pro Set hockey cards, so I'll make sure to pass them along to Night Owl.

Oh wait... I almost forgot.  There was one more card that Steve sent that I wanted to share...

1992-93 Skybox David Robinson #R3

This card really stumped me, since I haven't collected basketball cards for a few years and David Robinson really doesn't fit into any of my team or player collections.  So, what's the story?  Well... Steve has started a new blog called... Athletes With Phones.  It's a blog that centers around trading cards with phones.  If you have a few moments, I encourage you to head over and check it out.

Well that's it for today.  Happy Saturday and sayonara!

Bronze Age of Baseball Cards

On one of my trips down to Las Vegas to visit my parents, I noticed that the upright freezer in their garage was gone.  That freezer had been a part of our family since the late 70's and stored everything from TV dinners to Costco hash browns to neapolitan ice cream sandwiches.   When I close my eyes, I can still picture the brownish red color on the outside and the rows of frozen orange juice lining the door.

It was a piece of my childhood that lasted close to four decades.

The saying "they don't make them like they used to" definitely applies to that freezer.  And after closely monitoring the hobby the past few years, I feel that it starting to apply to baseball cards as well.

Back in the 90's, card companies fought it out.  Sure these companies flooded our hobby with enough cards to last a lifetime, but at least the competition inspired innovation and creativity.

Companies started using foil, acetate, vegetable oil, wood, thermochromic paper, and metal in their cards, instead of the same brown, white, or gray card stock.  Card company ingenuity had reached its peak and it was it was truly a great time to be a card collector.

Today's post features one of our hobby's hidden treasures.  I'm not talking monetary value.  You can probably pick up an entire set for less than 25% of its original cost.

These 1995 Topps Legends of the 60's Medallions are a forgotten oddball issue that deserve more attention.  Each card in this set is made out of a solid chunk of bronze and are super beefy.  Imagine the Topps Traded Bronze Premiums on steroids.  If baseball cards were sorted into weight classes, than these would be heavyweights.

Unfortunately these cards were so thick and heavy, Topps couldn't put these into packs, so they were exclusively offered to Stadium Club members.  Each month a new card was released and members could buy if for $39.95.

Factoring in inflation, that's about $66 in 2018.  

Even though they're beautiful and came inside of a fancy booklet with a brief biography of the featured player, I can't imagine too many collectors would be willing to spend that kind of money.

That probably explains why it's easier to find cards of Mays and Clemente these days compared to Marichal and Killebrew.

Speaking of Marichal and Killebrew, here's a look at the set in its entirety...

#1 Willie Mays

#2 Hank Aaron

#3 Bob Gibson

#4 Don Drysdale

#5 Frank Robinson

#6 Carl Yazstrzemski

#7 Willie McCovey

#8 Roberto Clemente

#9 Juan Marichal

#10 Brooks Robinson

#11 Harmon Killebrew

#12 Billy Williams

Surprise.  Surprise.  The twelve card checklist was comprised of baseball legends of the 60's and replicas of one of their 1960's Topps baseball cards.

I wasn't able to figure out how or why the people at Topps chose the specific year and card design for each player, but eight of the ten card designs from the 60's were represented.  Only 1960 and 1963 Topps were left out.

As for the checklist itself, the San Francisco Giants have the honor of having the most players in the set.  Funny thing is... they only made it to the World Series once and didn't win.  The New York Yankees went five times and brought home two titles, yet none of their players made the checklist.

I think two of the biggest exclusions are Pete Rose and Sandy Koufax.  It's understandable why Rose was left out, but Koufax is one of the biggest names in our hobby.  It would have been nice to see him enshrined in bronze.

What do you think?

Did Topps nail this checklist?

Or would you make any substitutions?

Well that's all have for today.  I know that bulky, heavy bronze medallions aren't for everyone... and don't get the wrong idea... I still enjoy opening up blasters of Stadium Club.

But since I haven't been able to get my hands on any, I figured I'd switch gears and flashback to the Bronze Age of Baseball Cards.

Happy Thursday and sayonara!