I Bought (and Opened!!!) Three Packs of 2019 Topps Series Two

My wife and I were at Target yesterday.  I bought her a scented candle and she bought me a three pack of 2019 Topps Series 2.

These are the first packs I've bought in a year and a half.   A couple of gripes aside I was pretty happy with my gift.  Here are the highlights:

I picked up four Cubs in three packs.  That's a definite win for me.  The fact that three of my favorite players are represented is even better.  Rizzo should end up being one of those guys, like a Ripken, who everyone likes even if they're not Cubs fans.

 

You may not love these guys if you're not a Cubs fan but they sure are fun to watch.

Don't know what's going to become of Russell's career but he'll always be a WS Champ.

 I like the 84 design.

 Farming?

From box scores to apps.  Yes, we have come a long way.

I pulled four stadium cards.  In my book this is the golden age of ballpark design.

This one is foil.  It works especially well with the fireworks.

Each pack had one of these Historic Through-Lines cards.  Can't disappoint me with a dual Aaron/Griffey.

I can't like the Cardinals but I do like their uniforms.

I guess this is a bonus card.  

There were a lot of pitchers and catchers in my three packs.  Two of the better photographs were of catchers.

This Ian Kinsler card will go into my "Celebrating Jewish Heritage" collection.

I like the design of this year's set.  It's one half full bleed and Topps has kept the "fade" to a minimum.  My gripe is the color.  It's very muted.  This is where Upper Deck excels.  Maybe some of you like this but give me bright and saturated over dark and dull.

Here's Anthony.  I don't have the original file so this is the best I could do with Picassa.  Not quite there but it gives you an idea of what I mean.

Two Brave Women Who Took to the Skies

On this date in 1918 Amelia Earhart (as a passenger) landed near the village of Pwll in Wales becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.  

I'd really like to see another edition of Chicle.

Before the flight.

Coincidentally, astronaut Sally Ride became the first woman to fly into space, on this date in 1983.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there.  I don't have kids and my Dad has been gone for a couple of decades. 

Here he is outside of his School in Chicago

My Dad's favorite player growing up was Cubs third baseman, Stan Hack.  He acquired the autographed card below as an adult but I'd like to think he had a copy as a kid.

Coincidentally my favorite player growing up was also the Cubs third baseman, in my case Ron Santo. I miss my Dad and I miss Ronnie. Both Hall of Famers in my book.

I got this card signed TTM right after Ron retired.

Robot Umpires are Here

People have been talking about using robot umpires.  I think MLB snuck one in this afternoon in Denver.

Rafael Nadal Makes Tennis History at the French Open

I don't know how many of you follow tennis these days.  I'm really just a casual fan myself.  

I was aware that he was playing in the Franch Open this week but I didn't know that the Spaniard was  about to  accomplish something that no one else ever has.  On Sunday Rafa became the first tennis player to win the same major 12 times.  He had been tied with Margaret Court who won the Australian 11 times.  That's a pretty amazing feat!

I don't own many tennis cards and I had to seach through a bunch a boxes but I found this one of a young Rafa.