Can't Have Too Many Anniversaries

Today is the 2nd anniversary of Can't Have Too Many Cards.  Yeah!!!

I've had a lot of fun doing this blog over the past two years.  Thanks to everyone who's stopped by and special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to comment.  

Thanks are good you might say, but how about something a little more tangible?  Ok.  How about a really complicated contest?  Maybe something that requires calculus.   You all know calculus, right?  Naaaah!

This will be an easy one.  

Over the last couple of weeks I've posted every card from the 1983 Donruss Action All-Stars set.  Now here's your chance to win the whole thing.  OOOOH!  

(box for illustration purposes only)

All you have to do is leave a comment here telling me which card is your favorite and why. In about a week I'll randomly choose a winner.

Big Cards Need Love Too -- #'s 55-60

I guess I'm in the minority but I think these 3-1/2" x 5", 1983 Donruss Action All-Stars are nice.   Here they are in numerical order. (Click to enlarge particularly if you want to read the backs).

If the comments I've been getting on the first half of the set are any indication these cards do have some fans.  Anyone want to comment that doesn't like them?

Well, it looks like we're going to finish strong with three out of the last four cards being Hall of Famers.

"The Kid".

 548 Legit Home Runs

 I like him better as an Expos than a Met.  I wear the hat all the time.

 Great looking card.  1975 ROY and MVP.  

Just for Fun Cubs Trivia

When Ararmis Ramirez hit his 19th home run this year he passed Gabby Hartnett to move into 6th place all-time with 232.  Just for fun,  (without using outside sources) can you name the five Cubs that are still ahead of Aramis?

Fan Pack Fun 2011 -- Houston Astros

This fan pack from the Houston Astros came yesterday.

 I still get a childlike thrill when I go to my mailbox and pull out an envelope with a major league logo on it.

Postcard of Hunter Pence.  Even my wife likes him.

As you're looking at this is Hunter still an Astro?

 Postcard back

Random Pack break -- 2005 Fleer Ultra

I just opened this pack of 2005 Fleer Ultra:

These are really nice cards.  As opposed to some of the following years the names on the front are easier to read.  I like the borderless look.  The backs are well done with both a head shot and the team logo.  This would have been a really great pack if I were a Yankees fan.  The JD Drew is a parallel that is 1:3 packs.

Big Cards Need Love Too -- #'s 51-55

I guess I'm in the minority but I think these 3-1/2" x 5", 1983 Donruss Action All-Stars are nice.   Here they are in numerical order. (Click to enlarge particularly if you want to read the backs).

If the comments I've been getting on the first half of the set are any indication these cards do have some fans.  Anyone want to comment that doesn't like them?

Joe went 17-12 in 1982 for the 5th place Astros.  I still think the rainbow jerseys are great.

The portrait is good here but what a lousy action shot!

Fernandomania was in full swing in 1983.  I don't think the helmet is particularly flattering.

"Pitch at risk to Richie Zisk."  What a great slogan.  It was in use when Richie was part of "the South Side Hitmen" in 1977 with the White Sox.  I remember him killing the Cubs when he was with the Pirates.

Leon looked like he was going to be a superstar but never quite got there.  He made a key error in the 1984 NLCS loss to the Padres.

Dr. Strangeglove or: How I Made 29 Errors at 1st Base in One Season

I recently picked up this 1962 Topps Dick Stuart for under 2 bucks on Ebay.

As the back of the card states, Dick hit 66 home runs in the Western League in 1956.  I think I read somewhere that when he signs he often adds "66".  I first saw Dick on an episode of  "Home Run Derby" from 1960.  I swear announcer Mark Scott pronounces his name "Sturett".

Dick's fielding was not as good as his hitting, to say the least.  In 1963 with the Red Sox, he led all major league first baseman in errors with 29.  The next closest was was Orlando Cepeda in the NL with 21.  Second in the AL was KC's Norm Siebern with just 12!  In Stuart's defense (no pun intended) he did lead the AL in both putouts and assists.  Nevertheless over his career he did earn nicknames such as "The Man with the Iron Glove", "Stonefingers" and my favorite, "Dr. Strangeglove".

Big Cards Need Love Too -- #'s 46-50

I guess I'm in the minority but I think these 3-1/2" x 5", 1983 Donruss Action All-Stars are nice.   Here they are in numerical order. (Click to enlarge particularly if you want to read the backs).

If the comments I've been getting on the first half of the set are any indication these cards do have some fans.  Anyone want to comment that doesn't like them?

Ok, this group has no Hall of Famers but it does have some fan favorites.

 Bob was an All-Star in 1982 and finished the season with 32 HR and 97 RBI.  Injuries shortened his career.

 Dave was the shortstop of the Big Red Machine of the 1970's.  Should he be in the Hall of Fame?

 As far as pitchers go Stieb is Mr. Blue Jays.  He was a 7 time All-Star.  His 175 wins are a team record.  Roy Halladay would have surpassed him had he not been traded but they did have virtually identical ERA's.

 Herbie played his entire career for the Twins and his #14 was retired in 1995.  He is a two time World Series Champ.

 Lance was an 8 time All-Star, 3 tiem Gold Glove winner, won 6 Silver Sluggers and was part of the 1984 Tigers World Champions.