Graygator's 300 and other pickups
graygator
Posts: 486 ✭✭✭✭✭
I'm renaming and reusing this thread, which used to be a query about cool or interesting baseball cards.
I really enjoy the various collecting threads on here, so I'm starting my own, reusing a thread I started as a way to ask about cool or interesting cards for a small wall display. It seems most people have a favorite team or a favorite player or a favorite set, but I mostly just love baseball and cards. I've decided to slowly pursue the 300 Great Cards registry based on the book by Mike Payne, which includes many of the cards suggested by CU members below and many other iconic cards, including many HOF rookies, which is my other pursuit. I'm going to use this thread to track my progress, with a goal to eventually get to 80% complete with representative cards from every era. This will all be low to mid-grade stuff, especially for anything before 1970, but I'll be trying to find cards with nice eye appeal. I'll also be showing other cards that I find cool or interesting as I get them. Ultimately, I hope to put together a wall display that tracks the history of baseball and baseball cards. Thanks for reading
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So far I've limited my graded card collection to the HOF Rookies set, and I almost always buy those already graded. I've decided to expand a bit and put together a collection of 25-50 cards that are funny or interesting or have a great photo or otherwise just seem cool to me, regardless of the player (though great players are certainly eligible if the card would be great with any player). The idea will be to grab these raw at shows, etc., as much as possible so that I have a good reason to dig through everything and then get them graded and put together a wall display. I've just started brainstorming and here are the first 11 I came up with:
1952 Topps Gus Zernial
1953 Bowman Color Pee Wee Reese
1954 Topps O'Brien Twins
1957 Topps Elmer Valo
1957 Topps Hank Aaron (this is probably the most player dependent card on the list, since there are plenty of reversed negative cards out there, but it's my list so I can make an exception!)
1972 Topps Roberto Clemente
1973 Topps Tito Fuentes
1976 Topps Traded Oscar Gamble
1984 Fleer Glenn Hubbard
1989 Fleer Bill Ripken FF
1990 Score Bo Jackson Football/Baseball
I realize my ultimate list will be somewhat idiosyncratic, but to get ideas I'd love to hear what your favorite cool or interesting cards are, since there are many, many years and issues that I don't have a great knowledge of. Thanks!
My Additions
1954 Topps Hoyt Wilhelm
1971 Topps Thurman Munson
1970 Topps Jim Fregosi
1973 Topps Pat Corrales
1986 Topps Jorge Bell
1933 Goudey Jim Elliot
1991 Topps Benito Santiago
1991 Topps Walt Weiss
1993 Topps Kirby Puckett
1995 Topps Orel Hershiser
1999 Fleer Tradition Terry Steinbach
1984 Donruss Eddie Murray
1975 Topps Herb Washington
Suggestions That Are In:
1976 Topps Bevacqua Bubble Gum
1986 Fleer Mickey Hatcher
1963 Topps Ryne Duren
1984 Fleer Jay Johnstone
1990 Upper Deck Bill Buckner
1970 Topps Ken Berry
1958 Topps Red Wilson
1952 Topps Larry Jansen
1957 Topps Ted Kluszewski
1982 Donruss San Diego Chicken
1991 Studio Steve Lake
1972 Topps Billy Martin
Suggestions That Are A Maybe:
1989 Bowman Doyle Alexander
1989 Score Paul Gibson
1985 Topps Gary Pettis
1969 Topps Aurelio Rodriguez
1959 Topps Lou Burdette
1996 Score Bip Roberts
2015 Heritage Fernando Rodney
1985 Topps Tony Gwynn
1952 Topps Clyde King
Definitely Not Ever:
1996 Pinnacle Bob Hamelin
Comments
<< <i>Always liked the Bevaqua bubble gum blowing champ card. >>
Me too! Don't know how I forgot that one. I think maybe I'll update the first post and keep a running list.
Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007
Al
1985 Topps Gary Pettis
1952 Topps Larry Jansen - I read somewhere he was holding up 7 fingers because he had 7 kids. I also read in a book a long time ago it was a different (but not totally unrelated) 7 that he was proud of. Either way, good for him.
How about the 1969 Aurelio Rodriguez - whose picture is really of a batboy!
And along the lines of the pettis card I think one Aurelio Rodriguez card is actually a bat boy. Edit: oops already mentioned.
Ball players adjust themselves so often I'm surprised this hasn't happened more often
<< <i>Frank Thomas "finger" card-91 UD. >>
You know, I never noticed that about that card. Does make me think I should add the 1972 Billy Martin too.
But I don't know how you could possibly not add Bob Hamelin!
Snorto~
Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007
Al
So many cards come to mind. Some "interesting" and some just terrible. The article snorto posted brings up the 1982 Fleer Jack Morris, but there are many many cards in the 1982 Fleer set that are terrible. It's almost as if Fleer wasn't allowed on the field to take the pictures and had to sneak up on people or snap it while the players are moving. I picture some 12 year old kid taking polaroids of players that had no idea they were being photographed. I read somewhere there was a problem with the printing company they used, but still it's a comically terrible set. There also many photos that Fleer seemed to buy from Topps, including this one:
But I've grown to love it for it's character.
Here's a good one if anyone starts the funny name set:
Some more cards for the interesting category:
1991 Stadium Club Eric Show
1987 Fleer Cory Snyder
1985 Topps Tony Gwynn
1976 Topps Traded Oscar Gamble
And my personal favorite:
TheClockworkAngelCollection
So many cards come to mind. Some "interesting" and some just terrible. The article snorto posted brings up the 1982 Fleer Jack Morris, but there are many many cards in the 1982 Fleer set that are terrible. It's almost as if Fleer wasn't allowed on the field to take the pictures and had to sneak up on people or snap it while the players are moving. I picture some 12 year old kid taking polaroids of players that had no idea they were being photographed. I read somewhere there was a problem with the printing company they used, but still it's a comically terrible set. There also many photos that Fleer seemed to buy from Topps, including this one:
But I've grown to love it for it's character.
Here's a good one if anyone starts the funny name set:
Some more cards for the interesting category:
1991 Stadium Club Eric Show
1987 Fleer Cory Snyder
1985 Topps Tony Gwynn
1976 Topps Traded Oscar Gamble
And my personal favorite:
TheClockworkAngelCollection
Link
<< <i>But I don't know how you could possibly not add Bob Hamelin!
Snorto~ >>
I just . . . I mean I can't even . . . No.
I have edited the original post to add these:
1933 Goudey Jim Elliot
1991 Topps Benito Santiago
1991 Topps Walt Weiss
1993 Topps Kirby Puckett
1995 Topps Orel Hershiser
1999 Fleer Tradition Terry Steinbach
1984 Donruss Eddie Murray
1975 Topps Herb Washington
1972 Topps Billy Martin
1991 Studio Steve Lake
I also picked up a 1952 Gus Zernial today, so we're off! There's a show here this weekend so maybe I will be able to knock one or two more off the list and start building towards having enough to sub them.
and I decided I also wanted to have this card as part of this project:
I also changed my original focus somewhat. About the time I started thinking about this I also found out about the 300 Great Baseball Cards book and registry. It combines my interest in Hall of Famers and cool cards into one pretty good set that includes a good number of the cards already suggested in this thread, so I started that registry. graygator's 300
I don't ever hope to complete it because of the ultra rare and expensive items on it, but I like the checklist so I'm working on it slowly. I'll be subbing the Zernial above on my upcoming renewal sub along with 5 other cards from that set. I'm also picking up ungraded copies of the other cards in the list in the first post as I find them and have gotten quite a few already. Those may or may not end up in holders eventually, but I'm not making that a priority right now. I'm always open to new suggestions of cool cards to pick up.
Edited to add:
I forgot to show that a while ago I picked up this guy, ungraded, off of Craigslist. Glue stain on the back, but this is such a cool picture of the Babe and about the only affordable card from his playing days, so it definitely fits with this project!
My latest pickup, from a fellow CU member:
Card: 1991 Bowman Chipper Jones
Is it one of the 300? Yes!
Current Completion: 46/300, 15.33% graygator's 300
Why I think it's cool: It's Chipper's rookie. He went to one of my high school's rivals and played for my favorite team growing up so I followed his career closely. Plus, it's a classic photo, using a low-angle shot appropriate for the star and future hall of famer.
Cards: 1953 Topps Harvey Haddix; 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle; 1967 Topps Mickey Mantle
Are they in the 300? No on the Haddix; Yes on the other two.
Current Completion: 49/300, 16.33% graygator's 300
Why I think they're cool: Haddix--Big smile, green background that pops, 12 perfect innings; 1957--Triple Crown stats on the back and from the year of his second of the back-to-back MVPs, ghost man; 1967--That toothy grin.
Nice! I missed that Sanella Ruth when you originally posted it. It would be hard to top that one for eye appeal vs. cost. Heck, even if the glue stain on the back prevents you from being able to read the back... it's in German anyhow!
Snorto~
<< <i>Nice! . . . Heck, even if the glue stain on the back prevents you from being able to read the back... it's in German anyhow!
Snorto~ >>
Thanks! Yeah, and it is a pretty light stain so everything is readable in theory. Doesn't bother me at all to have a glue stain on a card that was made to be glued into an album. Actually, I probably wouldn't have bought it if it didn't have the glue stain since the transaction was the epitome of sketchy Craigslist sale, complete with a story about the grandfather's collection. The glue seemed period appropriate (which I believe I figured out reading past threads here) and the price was right, so I went for it.
Card: 1949 Bowman Eddie Waitkus
Is it one of the 300? Yes!
Current Completion: 55/300, 18.33% graygator's 300
Why I think it's cool: Waitkus was shot by a female stalker and served as the inspiration for at least that portion of "The Natural."
Is it one of the 300? Yes!
Current Completion: 55/300, 18.33% graygator's 300
Why I think it's cool: His smile is playful but his eyes are menacing. Also, it makes me think of my Great Uncle, who was also named Early. After he died we thought it was funny to say "As my late Uncle Early used to say . . ." Kids.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
<< <i>Nice to see some of the additions to your set. Please keep us updated. >>
Thanks, Doug. The rest of the sub was three cards I've shown before: Zernial VG-EX 4, 1958 Mantle AS VG 3 (was SGC 3.5), and 1979 Molitor NM-MT 8. Here are the new scans.
The last one is my favorite of the sub:
Card: 1959 Mays Catch Makes Series History NM 7 (I thought it would get a 6, so very happy with a 7).
Is it one of the 300? Yes!
Why I think it's cool: One of the most famous plays in baseball history on a great looking card. In general I think the Baseball Thrills subset is excellent, and this is my favorite one. One of my favorite cards.
Card: 1956 Topps Hank Aaron White Back VG-EX+ 4.5
Is it one of the 300? Yes!
Current Completion: 56/300, 18.67% graygator's 300
Why I think it's cool: 1956 is my favorite Topps issue. Hank Aaron and a bonus Willie Mays. What's not to like?
Love the centering on this Reggie.
The Palmer has a bit of a veer to the cut, but is still well-centered, and the image is crisp. I like how his back angle mirrors the team-name bar angle. Card is composed well.
The always underrated Frank Robinson.
And finally, the big one. At my price point you have choose what's important to you, and I just couldn't pass up on the outstanding image here. So many are blurred or, in this grade range, have surface wear across the face, and I just couldn't live with that. The centering obsession pushes the price on well-centered cards so much that even in the lower grades it can get tough (see the 4, with a crease, that went for a good 5 price at auction recently). I made the call that waiting for a centered copy with the image quality I want, but with other technical flaws to bring the price down, then actually winning it, risked allowing the prices on cards I'd be happy with to get entirely out of my range. And I'm very happy with this one.
I collect: 80’s Rookies and 86 Fleer Basketball
"Where's George? I can't be sitting in here in this box without George. I need my buddy. Where's George?" And I kept telling him, you've got to be patient Robin. There are lots of George's out there, but we need one that will pair well with you. Most of them are off-center or tilted or have an ugly black print line running down the right side or have fisheyes. We don't want just any George. Be patient.
About 2 minutes after this was listed on a buy it now I grabbed it:
Now Robin has his buddy and is happy as can be.
Problem is, the first dadgum thing George said when he got here was "Hey Robin, hey Gary, where's Jim? We've got to get the whole gang together. Anybody seen Jim?"
Cards: 1943 R302-1 M.P. & Co. Johnny Vander Meer, Pee Wee Reese, Jimmy Foxx, John Mize, and Hank Greenberg
Are they in the 300? No.
Why I think they're cool: I was only vaguely aware of this set before today, and I think these are the first I've seen in person, but I did a little research after buying them. I like that they are part of one of the very few sets issued during WWII. They don't seem to be terribly popular, and people seem to not like the artwork in the set, but I actually like it a lot. The simple artwork and hand-cut cards combine to give the set something of an outsider-art feel. Plus, cards of Hall of Famers from the 40s issued during their playing days for less than $15 a pop is always going to be a win in my book. I may put this set together ungraded since it is only 24 cards, and only the Williams and Dimaggio seem to command much money. I may also either slab one of these or buy a graded one to be included in the overall cool-card-display project.
Dan, you have more willpower than I do, but I'm sure you'll find good use for the money you would've spent on that soon enough. Since it's usually the same off-condition vintage priced at NM prices over and over at shops, out of the ordinary stuff seems to find its way home with me (and tends to be priced better). Yesterday I also bought an oddball set of J.D. McCarthy photos of mostly Hall of Famers that was apparently put out in 1986 by something called Sports Design. The cards look just like the 1969 Topps design. Not sure why they picked that design (or even if they had permission, which seems doubtful), but it's a pretty cool little set.
Everyone’s so kind and humble. Don’t you know that I can see right through it?
Keeping all their comments down. You know it ain’t a boast if you can do it.
And everyone says “Say Hey!”
And everyone says “did you see that kid play?”
I’ve got to give the kid a hand but there’s nothing that he can do better than I can.
I’m Ted F'ing Williams!
People say it’s hard to like a man who doesn’t fail and show he’s a human.
But failure’s not a sign of grace. It only means you don’t know what you’re doing.
And everyone says “hey Mick!”
Mantle this, Mantle that—it makes me sick.
It’s just so hard to see. Why do they like him better than me?
I’m Ted F'ing Williams!
And everyone says “hey Duke!” like everything I did was some kind of fluke.
I gotta give the Duke a hand but there’s nothing that he can do better than I can.
I’m Ted F'ing Williams!
Card: 1954 Topps Tom Lasorda PSA 4
Is it one of the 300? Yes!
Why I think it's cool: Rookie of one of the game's great characters. Plus, the cartoon on the back of this card is classic. First, it describes Lasorda as a "little fellow." Then it describes a mound-charging incident in Cuba where Lasorda "tripped up the batter." Hard to imagine Topps putting any of that on a current card.
Card: 1976 Topps Kurt Bevacqua Bubble Gum Blowing Champ PSA 9
Is it one of the 300? Yes! (and part of the original "cool cards" suggestions above)
Current Completion: 67/300, 22.33% graygator's 300
Why I think it's cool: Baseball cards and bubble gum is what it's all about. And the bubble measurer is hilarious.
Last of the Ebay Bucks were spent on this one. Mostly posting to try out the new software. But I like two things about this card, which is part of the set: I like an action shot from when they were still rare, and I like Ryan's form (a bent front leg and that chest angle on release seem to be out of fashion these days).