Gypsy Queen vs. Vintage: The Halfway Point

This post marks the halfway point in the comparison between my $40 GQ purchase and my $40 vintage purchase from Blowout.  That means you only have to suffer through 4 more of these posts and I'll be finished. 

I know you're suffering, because you're reading, but not commenting.  I think that will change a bit when we near the end. 

Gypsy Queen Pack 7

Victor Martinez, Tigers-mini.  What can you say about V-Mart?  He's probably out for the season, so we'll see how he does next year. 

Frank Thomas, White Sox Moonshots.  The Big Hurt is putting on a big gun show. 

Gypsy Queen Pack 8

Bud Norris, Astros Straight Cut mini.  He's 1-1 with two no decisions this year.  Umm...yeah, that's all I have to say about Bud. 

Craig Kimbrel, Braves Future Stars.  Seven saves already.  Maybe the future is now.


Vintage "Pack" 7

1973 Topps Ellie Rodriguez.  This is one of those crazy '73 Topps photos.  The umpire with the old-school chest protector is awesome.  The infield trying to field a bunt and Ellie about to gun down...someone.  I'm not normally crazy about pictures of player's backs, but this is just crazy enough to be cool. 

1973 Topps Ed Herrmann.  At first glance, I'm digging the huge mitt and the cool red White Sox uniform.  Then I'm completely distracted by the purplish jumpsuit on the guy in the background.  That is one bold choice sir. 

1973 Topps Dick Dietz.  Classic catcher card.  The "pose", the mitt, the 1000 yard stare.  During the 1968 season, while with the Giants, Dietz was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  The pitcher was Don Drysdale and it should have ended Drysdale's scoreless innings streak.  The umpire, Harry Wendelstedt, ruled that Dietz hadn't tried to avoide the pitch and didn't allow Dietz to take his base.  Drysdale ended up getting Dietz and the next two batters out to continue his scoreless streak which would eventually reach 58 2/3 innings. 

1973 Topps Dave Rader.  You, Mr. Concepcion, are OUT!



Vintage "Pack" 8

1972 Mike Ryan.  Say goodbye to 1973, we're moving on to 1972.  It looks like someone used the white edges of this card to wipe the dirty face of a two year old. 

1972 Topps Chris Cannizzaro.  I guess the guy in the purple jumpsuit wasn't at camp this day. 

1972 Topps Bob Barton In Action.  Is there a more exciting play than a catcher not being able to reach a foul ball?  That security guard doesn't think so. 

1972 Topps 1971 World Series Game No. 6.  The 1971 World Series was a classic.  The Orioles won the first two games at home.  The Pirates won the next three in Pittsburgh.  Game six was a chance for the Pirates to close it out and a must win for the O's.  The Pirates struck first scoring single runs in the 2nd and 3rd.  The O's tied the game with runs in the 6th and 7th.  Still tied after 9 innings, the game goes to the bottom of the 10th. 

The Pirates' Bob Miller gets Boog Powell to ground out.  Frank Robinson walked and Marv Rettenmund singled to center, moving Robinson to 3rd.  Brooks Robinson hit a flyball to short center and Vic Davalillo threw the ball home.  Robinson comes barrelling in from third and we have a World Series play at the plate!  Robinson was safe and the Series would go to Game 7. 

The Pirates would go on to win Game 7 by a score of 2-1.