Ebay Bargains Mark Grace

Here's another of my 11 cents shipped ebay purchases.  What's not to like?  Great photo, full bleed, nothing too obtrusive in the design.

I'm more of a fan of complete yearly stats but at least there's a second photo on the back.

Blow Out the Candles June 28

Cubs fan favorite and Diamondbacks WS Champ and broadcaster Mark Grace is celebrating his 48th birthday today.

1988 Topps Traded #42T

Mark had the most hits of any player in the 1990's, 1754 -- also the most doubles 364.

Mark finished his career with 2,445 hits and a .303 average.

 Unfortunately, any player who has wanted to go to the World Series has had to leave the Cubs.

Mark presiding over "kangaroo court".

 Legendary Broncos QB John Elway is celebrating his 52nd birthday today.

All around funny guy Mel Brooks is celebrating his 86th birthday today.

 

 

 Comedy legends Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks

 

 

Comedienne and actress Gilda Radner was born in Detroit, Michigan on this date in 1946.

Who didn't love Gilda?

Some of her characters:

 Candy Slice

 Emily Litella

 Judy Miller

 Lisa Loopner

Roseanne Roseannadanna

Baba Wawa

 Bill Murray

Dan Aykroyd

 John Belushi

 Alan Zweibel

Gene Wilder

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.

Autographed Baseball Cards A-Z

When I got back into collecting five or so years ago one of the things that excited me was the availability of autographed cards.  Perhaps I went a little overboard but I think I picked up some nice cards.  This will be an A-Z series of posts with varying numbers of cards.

I'm not exactly sure why I bought this one.  I like Gracie.  Maybe it's because I couldn't score an affordable dual Santo/Grace at the time.  That doesn't make a lot of sense though.  Maybe he hypnotized me with his steely blue eyes.

2005 Topps Rookie Cup #RC-MG

Mudcat went 21-7 for the Twins in 1965.  In 2006 he published  Black Aces, a book about the only African-American pitchers to win 20 games in a season.  This card features a nice bright blue on-card signature.  

 2004 UD Timeless Teams #8

It's a coincidence that there are two cards from the same set back to back here.  I collect autographs from the Swingin'A's and Dick was the second baseman on all three championship teams.

2004 UD Timeless Teams #89