The Ebay Bargain Bin-- Random Quartet

Here are four more recent free shipping pick-ups from ebay.

Allen & Ginter's is a great source for women on cards.  Ms. Bernstein was 25 cents.

I'm not a huge Gypsy Queen fan but for a 9 cent Frank I'm in.

An Eight Cent Aiken

This may cross the border from being a bargain at 30 cents.

1987 Topps Traded My Favorites Part 2 Benny and the Rookies

I was recently looking through my set of 1987 Topps Traded cards.  I thought it would be fun to share my favorites.  Here are a group of notable rookies:

"I'm going to stare at you until you call me Benito."

 "Hey equipment manager.  I'll be needing the XXXL cup, ok?"

"My brother said I'd look good with a mustache.  Maybe he was just kidding."

"I come from France!"

Blow Out the Candles April 14

One of the All-Time greats Greg Maddux is 46 today.

If there was ever a card of a pitcher that should show him fielding, it's Greg Maddux.  He won 18 Gold Gloves!

 1990 Upper Deck #213

August 14, 1995

Greg's #31 jersey has been retired by both the Cubs and Braves.  He dressed the same for both ceremonies. :)

All time hits leader Pete Rose is celebrating this 71st birthday today.

 1967 Topps #430

This is from my childhood collection, creases and all.

Charlie Hustle!

Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar is celebrating her 35th birthday today.

Sarah spent 7 seasons as Buffy the Vampire Slayer.    

Do It Yourself COMC Packs #6/35 Late Bloomers

I recently had 8 months worth of Check Out My Cards purchases shipped.  I divided the 153 cards into 35 groups.  I like to think of these as hand picked "packs".   I'm posting them in random order.  "Pack" #6, four cards, was $1.39 including shipping.

This pack is made up of some shiny 90's goodness.

Mark Grace, now a broadcaster, looks like he's talking here.  The photo is definitely from 1998 since you can see the Haray Caray patch on Mark's right sleeve.

"Jimmy Baseball" (really?) impressed me in his brief 85 game stint with the Cubs.  He hit 19 home runs. His swing looked effortless and the ball just kept carrying, especially to left field.  Good guy.  I'll forgive the fact that he was a Cardinal for eight seasons.  At least he's an Angel here.

The first two guys could really hit.  The last two could really pitch.

Don't you just love seeing Mad Dog with the glasses?  A little like Clark Kent and Superman.

Fun with Stats: A Tim Wakefield Coincidence

I'm not even sure how this post got started  in the first place but it starts with Tim Wakefield who, coincidentally is announcing his retirement today.

Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is currently 7th on the all time list of hit batsmen with 186.  He's accomplished this in just 3226 innings.  That's 1 batter hit for every 17.3 innings pitched.

43rd on the list is fellow knuckleballer Phil Niekro who plunked 123 batters in 5404 innings during his long career.  That's 1 for every 43.9 innings.

Future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux appears on the list at #31 with 137 hit batsmen in 5008 innings, or 1 in every 36.6.

Which is more surprising here, that knuckler Niekro hit so few batters compared to Wakefield or that pinpoint control pitcher Maddux hit more than Niekro?

A couple of others for comparison?

Tom Seaver 76 HBP in 4783  IP = 1/62.9

Charlie Hough 174 HBP in 3801 IP = 1/21.8

Blow Out the Candles April 14

One of the All-Time greats Greg Maddux is 45 today.

If there was ever a card of a pitcher that should show him fielding, it's Greg Maddux.  He won 18 Gold Gloves!

 1990 Upper Deck #213

August 14, 1995

Greg's #31 jersey has been retired by both the Cubs and Braves.  He dressed the same for both ceremonies. :)

All time hits leader Pete Rose is celebrating this 70th today.

 1967 Topps #430

This is from my childhood collection, creases and all.

Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar is celebrating her 34th birthday today.

Sarah spent 7 seasons as Buffy the Vampire Slayer.