It's not ok...or is it?

Despite reassurances from Gus Zernial that everything is ok, something fishy is going on with this card.




You may recall that several bloggers, including me, mentioned Gus Zernial's passing recently. I have the great '56 play at the plate Gus and started looking at his other cards. I did a double-take when I saw this 1952 gem. I couldn't figure out why he had 6 balls stuck to his bat and then I read the back of the card, which may give a reason.





Over a three game stretch in 1951, Gus hit 6 homeruns, which tied a major league record. It sure makes for an interesting card in a set that has a lot of boring "shots".

RIP Gus.

Get your codes entered today!

I'm sure most of you know, but you'll no longer be able to enter codes on the Topps Million Card Giveaway (Accept for Outrageous Shipping Charges) after today. Here is the "rule" on redeeming codes from the Topps MCG site.

"When will my Million Card Codes expire?
The Million Card Giveaway will continue to accept codes until February 1st, 2011. You must take delivery of all cards within your portfolio before the end of the promotion, March 1st, 2011. Any item remaining in your digital portfolio after that date will be donated to charity. No exceptions will be made regarding codes pulled from product after February 1st or cards not ordered for delivery before March 1st."

That part about donating cards to charity was news to me. I thought they would find some other way to stick us with those cards. I'll bet they'll be taking "FULL" Beckett value for that donation too. I know I would.

Good luck!

Winner, Winner, Chrome for Dinner!

Most of you remember UncleMoe from My 2008 Topps Blog recently had a contest where he gave away a box of 2010 Bowman Chrome. I was really amazed that my lucky contest streak continued when I won the box.

Here is the great prize alongside a 2007 Jeff Conine card signed by Uncle Moe. I busted the box last night and as I did with the Gint-A-Cuffs box I won, I want to share with a lucky winner. I'm going to do February's contest using something from this box, so check back in tomorrow to see what that involves.

Uncle Moe, thanks for offering up such a generous prize!!

A Different Kind of Play at the Plate

Not all play at the plate cards show a catcher trying to tag out a runner. I was looking for some 1956 Topps cards to add to my wish list when I found this Billy Pierce card. While this play isn't technically "at the plate", it's near enough to the plate for me.



Billy pitched in the majors for 18 years, so he's obviously the runner in this shot. I'm guessing sac bunt maybe? Billy had a nice career. He was 211-169 with a 3.27 ERA and 1,999 strikeouts. One more call and he would have hit that 2000th K. He had back to back 20 win seasons in 1956 and 1957, both years in which he won the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award.

Billy was also a 4 time All-Star and pitched in the World Series twice, losing with the White Sox in 1959 and the Giants in 1962. As you can see from the card back, Billy was a very good pitcher in his day. He led the A.L. in ERA in 1955 with a solid 1.97. He had a 39 inning scoreless streak in 1953.

This is one card I'll be adding to my collection as my fascination with the 1956 set continues to grow.

How about some free Vintage?

Go over to the Vintage Sportscard Blog and get a shot at some free vintage cards from Chris.

Thanks for the generous giveaway Chris!

Topps, you're not fooling anyone!

This is NOT a shot at Topps over the Sterling Honus Wagner jersey card. That's been covered, and by better bloggers than yours truly.

No, this is something I noticed as I trolled around the MCG site looking for cards to trade for with my last few unwanted cards.

I was looking for some vintage catchers to add to my collection when I came across this 1968 Larry Haney. I'm not a big fan of the burlap look, but it has everything short of a play at the plate. I like the vintage catchers in their gear so I thought I might make an offer for it.

When I clicked on the card, I noticed the other Larry Haney cards that were available and did a double-take.

This is the 1969 Larry Haney. I know Topps is often guilty of using the same photo repeatedly, often times airbrushing them as necessary to make the player fit the team. I'm sure you notice the interesting thing about this card...it's a reverse negative of the '68 photo. No need to airbrush the photo, but I'm surprised they made a left handed catcher out of Larry!

Do you know of any other similar cards?

Of course, I made offers for both of these cards, because they'll look great sitting side by side in the catcher binder.

Win a Hall of Famer auto!

You've seen this all over the land o' card blogs, but go here to win an autographed Earl Weaver card.

Thanks to the Great Orioles Autograph Project for a generous giveaway!