Random posting for the start of the division series

 

OK, back by popular demand, here is a look at my collection based on who is in the Division Series (what used to be the lowliest of the playoff series, but now we have a bunch of wild-card hoo hah and fandoodle).

 

There are four new teams to consider. Of course, there are four holdover teams that I've already considered, so for those four repeats, I'm going to select my second "oldest" and "newest" card for that team. The random is still random.

 

All right, I have the Dusty Baker card above that represents three teams in this postseason. Let's do this:

 

ORIOLES VS. RANGERS

 

Baltimore Orioles

(cards in my collection: 2,574. Overall rank: 14th)

 

Oldest card in my collection: 1956 Topps Chuck Diering (I decided to leave a lot of these uncropped, because I like the effect ... or did at the time).

 

 

Newest card in collection: 2023 Topps Heritage New Age Performers Gunnar Henderson. 

Random card in my collection: 1988 Topps Jim Dwyer

Thoughts?: The 1950s Orioles sure were an anonymous bunch, which makes sense because they just got done being St. Louis Browns. The Gunnar Henderson card reminds me that I sure hear about the young Orioles a lot but I haven't seen many of their games. And, finally, Jim Dwyer shows up on two posts in a row!

Texas Rangers

(cards in my collection: 2,367. Overall rank: 21st)

 

Second-oldest card in my collection: 1972 Topps Pete Broberg

Second-newest card in my collection: 2023 Topps Heritage Then & Now, Jeff Burroughs & Aaron Judge

Random card in my collection: 2022 Topps Mike Foltynewicz

Thoughts?: I had no idea Folty ever played for anyone other than the Braves. Also, Jeff Burroughs shows up on two straight posts! As for the Pete Broberg card, I relied on the TCDB scan and that was a mistake.

 

Who I want to win: Orioles

ASTROS VS. TWINS

Houston Astros

(cards in my collection: 2,422. Overall rank: 19th)

Oldest card in my collection: 1965 Topps Bob Bruce

Newest card on my collection: 2023 Topps Heritage Yuli Gurriel

Random card from my collection: 1979 Topps Wilbur Howard

Thoughts?: That's three distinct eras of Astros right there. Bob Bruce looks Texas-born but he was from NYC. Wilbur Howard is one of those players confined to the time when I was a kid collecting cards. Those players are special.

Minnesota Twins

(cards in my collection: 2,561. Overall rank: 15th)

Second oldest card in my collection: 1963 Fleer Vic Power

Second newest card in my collection: 2023 Topps Heritage Tyler Mahle

Random card on my collection: 1975 Topps Bert Blyleven

Thoughts?: Well, all right, one my favorite '75s for the random card! Not that I need any swaying in rooting for the Twins in this series but that's a nice excuse card for rooting for them! The '63 Fleer Vic Power isn't bad either.

Who I want to win: Twins

BRAVES VS. PHILLIES

Atlanta Braves

(cards in my collection: 2,773. Overall rank: 9th)

Oldest card in my collection: 1955 Bowman Ernie Johnson

Newest card in my collection: 2023 Topps Heritage Then & Now: Darrell Evans and Juan Soto

Random card in my collection: 1984 Donruss Bob Horner

Thoughts?: That Ernie Johnson Bowman card is one of my all-time favorite night cards and one of the oldest night cards in my collection. The '23 Heritage Then & Nows are full of players from my childhood and I need to have them all.

Philadelphia Phillies
(cards in my collection: 2,868. Overall rank: 5th)

Second oldest card in my collection: 1956 Topps Mayo Smith

Second newest card in my collection: 2023 Topps Heritage 1974 Stamps

Random card in my collection: 1984 Topps Al Holland

Thoughts?: The Super 1984 card that I pulled -- I bought just one pack back in '84 -- was Al Holland. As for the 1956 Mayo Smith, I remember the days when I desperately wanted that card, the cartoon version of Smith waving his arms is so comical. Now I finally have it and everyday I'm happy about that.

Who I want to win: Phillies

DIAMONDBACKS VS. DODGERS

Arizona Diamondbacks

(cards in my collection: 783. Overall rank: 31st -- I have fewer Diamondbacks cards than any other current team, as it should be).

Second oldest card in my collection: 1997 Topps David Hayman/Ron Hartman

Second-newest card: 2023 Topps Heritage Gabriel Moreno

Random card from my collection: 2016 Topps Heritage Diamondbacks Rookie Stars

Thoughts?: I absolutely hate viewing current Diamondbacks players' cards right now. What weasely player is going to have a career four games and then disappear off the earth this week? I have a few guys in mind. I miss the Socrates Brito era.

Los Angeles Dodgers

(cards in my collection: 27,689. Overall rank: 1st)

Oldest card in my collection: 1909-11 T206 Al Burch

Newest card in my collection: 2023 Topps Now All-Star Mookie Betts

Random card in my collection: 1999 Bowman Chrome Adrian Beltre

Thoughts?: I believe all three of those cards came from someone else, I did not acquire them by myself.

 

Who I want to win: Dodgers, duh.

I have the whole week off to watch whatever playoff games I want. I expect a whole lot of agony and some very unsatisfactory outcomes. Maybe about one in every six or seven of these postseasons ends in a pleasant surprise. I don't understand why that can't happen more often. Do I really hate too many teams?

I think I do. They just can't all be the Dodgers.