Behold.
This is the greatest night card of the 1990s. Yes, I know I could shoot down that statement with my very own collection in no more than five minutes. But why spoil the fun? Look at that card and tell me it's not the greatest thing you've ever seen.
I generously received this fantastic Omar Vizquel item from T.J., the Junior Junkie. (I didn't know yesterday was "show your cards from Junior Junkie day." Late again).
What I love about this card, other than the always terrific electrified light against a blanket of black, is the customary Collector's Choice way of submitting a fairly bizarre photo without comment. There is no explanation for this picture on the card back. What? You don't lean against your yellow Porsche 911 with a couple of golden glove trophies in the middle of the night, too? You've got to get out more.
The best I can tell, from my usual "I have no time for this" internet researching, is that Vizquel won this car during the course of landing his 11 Gold Gloves. This card was issued in 1997, meaning Vizquel would have won four straight Gold Gloves at the time. Achieve four Gold Gloves, get a car free? I don't know.
I also found a reference to Vizquel driving his yellow Porsche to a diner, sitting down with some fans who asked for his autograph, talking to them for an hour, and picking up the tab. It seems like that Vizquel was a pleasant guy to everyone but Jose Mesa.
This card also makes me wish that I owned a yellow sports car. And that I owned a yellow, blue and black print style shirt. But unfortunately, as a white American male, I'm not allowed to do that. Unwritten rules, you know.
So I have this card. And I will live vicariously through Vizquel.
But not the part about fielding one of the most difficult positions in sports with the artistry achieved by only a few for 24 years. But the part about driving a yellow sports car onto a green field in the dark of night, placing a cap on my head, and posing for a baseball card.
What a life.
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Night card binder candidate: Omar Vizquel, 1997 Collector's Choice, #86
Does it make the binder?: Of course.
Comments
Plus, I have always thought yellow sports cars were a waste. This card at least found one good use for one.