Game show goodies

How often have you watched a game show and thought: "I should try to get on one of those shows. I wonder what you have to do?"

If you're like me, the thought ended there. I've never even attempted to find out how to get on a particular game show, let alone participate, and then appear on television. But I don't feel unfulfilled as a wannabe game show contestant, and that's because there are CARD BLOGGING CONTESTS! Every week or so there's another contest and it's one of the best parts of checking out other people's blogs. Hey, I'm all for reading -- I make my living because there remains a handful of people out there who read -- but when you get a chance to WIN CARDS that kind of makes the reading part a little more worthwhile.

It's about as close to being a game show contestant as I'm going to get anyway. I've been lucky enough to win a few prizes since Night Owl Cards began. In some contests I didn't even have to do anything and I ended up with some cards. I believe one time I commented that I was an idiot, and I got a prize for THAT.

My latest winnings came from Steve of White Sox Cards. Steve seems like a great guy, and I really enjoyed his series of posts in which he gave away White Sox cards. I made the right guess concerning a White Sox happening in 1988 and received a stack of cards in return!

Most, but not all, of the Sox cards are from 1988. That means doubles for me for the Topps set (which I have completed), but it also means 1988 SCORE! Have I mentioned that '88 Score has become one of my favorite sets? Have I mentioned that I have only 50 cards from the set? One of these days this set is going on my want list. But I won't need any Dodgers, because of my nice blogging friends, and I won't need Ozzie Guillen, Bobby Thigpen or Ivan Calderon because of Steve.

I also received a few 1988 Donruss White Sox, including this pair:

I always forget that Guillen and Williams were teammates. That must make the relationship between manager and general manager extra interesting, especially since they both are such colorful characters. Those must be some fascinating conversations between the two.

Along with the White Sox, Steve sent a bunch of other cards, which was unexpected and quite generous. In fact, he sent me 21 White Sox, but then he also sent 35 Dodgers!

He also sent a 2008 Topps Heritage card I need:

It's Brendan Harris rocking the photoshopped Twins cap (and not a very good photoshop job either). Both Steve and I are collecting the impossible Heritage set, and I have a feeling Steve will complete it before I will. Sometimes the thrill of the chase droans on and on and on, and I lose interest. Heritage is just so freakin' DIFFICULT.

Steve found my want list and sent me some 1993 Fleer Dodgers I need. I can't believe, after receiving that package from Mark of Stats on the Back, that I need any Hershiser cards anymore (he sent me 48 as you may recall), but I do.

I also can't believe there are 1992 Donruss Dodgers that I still need, but Steve thought I needed these two. And you know what? He's right.

He also sent a few 1992 Upper Deck Dodgers, including this great horizontal Eddie Murray card. I like '92 UD. Not as much as '93, but I enjoyed '92 quite a bit more than the first three years of UD.

I saw this card for the first time on a recent Dinged Corners post and my first thought was: "What a great card. I wish I had that one." Well, now I do! That's called bloggery osmosis.

Finally, Steve sent the Fleer Update Dodgers that I needed to officially, officially, officially put the '91 Fleer Dodger set to rest. That's very kind.

You know, back at the beginning, I said that Steve seems like a great guy, and then midway through writing this post I remembered something: A couple of weeks ago I expressed admiration for Steve's "cards that never were" creations, and some frustration that I couldn't figure out how to do what he does so well. Well, that same night I received an email from Steve with a detailed "how-to" on creating my own cards from photoshop. I haven't gotten around to trying Steve's instructions, but someday I will.

It was a great gesture and confirmed something for me: Steve doesn't seem like a great guy. He is a great guy. Thanks a bunch.