Sinus headache-influenced post

By all rights, this should be a "What's the Best Card in the Package?" post. The cards I received from gcrl are distinct and eclectic enough to unearth a third edition of every card collector's favorite game show.

But the show's been pre-empted.

I've got a searing sinus headache that doesn't want to leave. Those game-show posts take a lot of time and a tiny bit of thinking. Plus, there's the matter of tonight's college football championship game. Unfortunately, I've got stay up for that thing (translation: I've got to work), and it's annually the most difficult big sports event to get into the paper because it's guaranteed to last exactly a half-hour after deadline. So I need some rest before the "big game."

So, I'm just going to show some cards. If you're disappointed by the no game show thing, just read this post in your best game show host voice. Out loud. With people in the room. Get the people to cheer wildly. I guarantee it will help.

I'll start out with a bunch of early 2000s guys that are basically here because I need to complete some sets. It's sad when I have nothing nostalgic or warm-and-fuzzy to say about players. But these were not warm-and-fuzzy times. And they are not making the headache go away.

Gary Sheffield representing the whole Dodger team with his mug on the front and a checklist on the back. But the checklist is a list of Dodger players, not a list of people who have wronged Gary Sheffield. Or maybe it's both. You all know Shef.

He was once The First Baseman of the Future for both the Dodgers and the Cubs. ... Bleah. I hate it when the Dodgers get lumped in with the Cubs.

Jim wants me to RESPECT THE OPC! He sent a few OPC cards to help put the respecting into action. This is the best one because there are all kinds of letters jumbled together on the front that can't possibly form words. Oh, that wacky OPC.

Oops, that wasn't a show of respect.

Jim also wants me to respect the 1992 O-Pee-Chee. I'm afraid that's not possible.

This is a contribution to my new quest for the 1977 Topps set. When I get a binder for it, I'll see about putting up a want list. Bonds looks rather contorted on this photo. I think that's cruel. The guy was injury-prone! You can't be moving his limbs in eight different directions!

Here come the night cards. This fine night card -- or night-day card -- will look excellent in my night card binder. Jim featured this card on his blog, and it was the first time I had ever seen it.

Some of the night cards he sent are being saved for future Awesome Night Card posts once the tournament is over. But since this is a card from the Night-Gamers insert set I will make a special case and display it now. It's snazzy, and I like the night game factoid on the back.

Bobby Bonilla signed a night card and sent it to gcrl! Wrong Dodger fan, Bobby! Fortunately, Jim forwarded it to the right guy. It is my second signed night card.

Collectors who grew up in the '70s know how important Kellogg's cards were to the collecting scene back then. In the 1970s, you were starting your day right by sticking half an arm into a cereal box to fish out the 3-D card inside.

Willie looks like he took one in the eye during the act of yanking the card out of the box. But I'll let it pass because Davis was nicknamed "3-Dog" and he is No. 3 in this set! Nice work, Kellogg's.

This is a card featuring a piece of jersey cut from an "Authentic Jersey" personally worn by Shawn Green in an official Major League Baseball game. Phew! I hate it when players wear their jerseys impersonally.

THE most awesome card in the package. (Did you read that in your game show host voice?). This is from the 1968 Topps game set. It's the only Dodger in the set, and consequently the only card I care about in the set, although you can pick the whole thing up pretty cheaply.

The final item is not a card, obviously. A couple of months back I received an email from Jim that asked if I had a unocal volpe 8x10 Cey.

As is my practice when I read nonsensical words combined with the name of my favorite player, I am intrigued, and request that it be sent to me so I may examine its contents, all the while hoping that a "unocal volpe" is not a deadly substance.

It turns out I vaguely recall these paintings. They're portraits created by artist Nicholas Volpe for a set put out by Union 76 (now called "76" and owned by Unocal) in 1982. I'm sure I really, really coveted this particular portrait back in the day.

Happily, Jim sent it along in its own page for perfect storage.

And there you see the variety of items sent on behalf of gcrl.

Unfortunately, I have to end it here. The sinus thing isn't going away and game time is quickly approaching. I'm off to find a quiet corner before the nonsense begins.