Night Owl Cards

I am trying to rid myself of the habit of referring to certain major league ballplayers as "nobodies." I know it's a common phrase used by baseball fans. It refers to players who are on the fringe of the major leagues. They could be rookies, and others not so hopeful, who are called to the bigs. They could be pinch-hitters, mid-inning relievers, and late-inning substitutions. But the phrase has gotten myself into trouble a few times. In this hyper-sensitive world, some people have objected to reading my reference of a player as a "nobody." The protests usually come from those connected to the player -- family members, etc. -- or those connected to the team, fans proud of their knowledge of their squad and eager to share it with the less informed. I'm not trying to rid myself of the term because of those people. Those are their hang-ups, not mine. I'm trying to do so because calling players "nobodies" is in direct opposition to my colle...

We have moved past the period when current or future major league players would serve in the military. The Vietnam War period of the late '60s/early '70s is the last time references to military service commonly appeared on cards. You'll probably never see it again. But as a child, it was nothing to see "In Military Service" on the back of baseball cards. The early '70s was a time of change for ballplayers. While hippies and other counter-culture club members were everywhere in the '60s, it took ballplayers a little while to catch up with everyone else. So, the early '70s was a crazy mix of humanity on the ballfield, as evidenced by these 1973 Topps cartoons: Some players served in the military. So others could have the freedom to enjoy their degenerate, freaky music. Or chase skirts. Or marry in high school. Or be really, really creepy. But there were other straight arrows on the field in '73. Brainiac types. Working-class ...

I redeemed this Topps Diamond Diecut card a couple days ago. If you're keeping track -- and you don't have to because I will not allow you to forget with my constant yammering -- this is the fifth Diamond Diecut I've redeemed. Don't worry. I am not tempted to go after the whole set. But there were times in my life when I would not have been able to say that. For review, here is what I've done with the Diamond Diecuts I've redeemed: 1. Babe Ruth: Swapped it on the Giveaway site for a much more desirable Jackie Robinson diamond diecut, which is now in my possession. 2. Marlon Byrd: Swapped it on the Giveaway site for a 1962 Larry Sherry, which is also here with me. 3. Roy Halladay: Traded it for several Dodgers cards from '50s and a Duke Snider autographed card. 4. Reggie Jackson: It's still on the Giveaway site, fending off idiot offers daily. That brings me to Tommy Hanson here. I've got no interest in Hanson. He is officially in "...

It's my third Jackie Robinson post in a row! We're celebrating the Memorial Day weekend with all Jackie Robinson all the time! It's Jackie Robinson Weekend! More programming brilliance of the kind you've come to expect from the dedicated folks at Night Owl Cards! Actually, it's just coincidence. And there's only one folk. And this is a poorly disguised trade post. If you haven't figured out, every Topps card set put out in the last three years is lousy with Robinsons, so I could probably extend Jackie Robinson weekend into the Jackie Robinson Summer of 2011 if I wished. Gypsy Queen is just one example of a set with countless Jackies. I showed the relic Jackie yesterday . There is also the Great Ones Jackie at the top of the post. Here is the framed green paper Jackie that arrived from Shane of Off the Wall . I didn't mean to steal Shane's thunder by showing the relic Jackie before this one. But just about all of my life is out of order ...

It's been awhile since I received a Clayton Kershaw card in a trade. I did receive a couple from Project '62 recently that broke a prolonged slump. And I'll post them ... eventually. But other than those two, it's been quiet. On top of that, I've noticed Kershaw's cards going up in price in the online shops. Nothing drastic. But apparently people are finally getting wise to the idea that he's something special. It only took them four years. So, with everyone marching behind the Minotaur, I decided to do a little something and grabbed some Kershaw cards myself. Collectors collect, right? They can't wait by the mailbox all the time. I didn't get anything flashy. I don't have the cash. So that means no autographs, no relics and definitely no patch cards (some of which are gawdawful). But it does mean: COLORED PARALLELS!!!!!!!! My favorite parallel of all-time! Zowie! I love the colored parallel. I hope it stays around forever. First,...

I'll keep this short. It's been a long week, I'm not pleased about some things, and I don't want to risk accidentally straying into vintage cards and inadvertently offend someone by my critique of their condition. I received this lovely item from Smed . It was slipped amid the bounty sent my way in his fit of spring cleaning. I appreciate the gesture more than I can say. Most people on ebay call this a bat relic. Smed called it a bat relic, too. It probably is a bat relic. Of course, the back of the card doesn't call it anything. It's merely termed a "Certified Relic Card of Jackie Robinson." To me, since the relic seems to be wooden in nature, that reference, as it is worded, implies that Jackie had a wooden leg, since the relic is "of Jackie Robinson." I have to say I have never read any reference of Mr. Robinson having a wooden leg in all my readings about him. Yes, I know I'm being silly, but humor me for a second. Sin...