The Rockies traded Chris Iannetta to the Angels tonight for 21 year old pitcher Tyler Chatwood. As someone who always followed catchers more closely than other players, Iannetta was one of my favorite Rockies. I followed him through the minors until he and Troy Tulowitzki made their debuts in late 2006 and it looked like they would form a solid base to build around for years to come, but the consistency was never there for Iannetta and he lost playing time over the years to Yorvit Torrealba, then Miguel Olivo before playing in a career high 112 games in 2011. I will always remember traveling to Denver in July of 2010 and seeing Chris hit a walk-off home run in the first baseball game I had went to since 1997 and the same night I got bought his jersey before the game started.
Baseball card blog focusing on 1971 Topps, cards of catchers and the Colorado Rockies, sometimes drifting of into other areas or sports.
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Tuesday 29 November 2011
1971 Topps Variations: Buddy Bradford #552
Smudged Above |
Friday 25 November 2011
CotD: 2006 Heritage Sean Taylor #80
Sunday will mark four years since Sean Taylor's death. Taylor was my favorite player, someone who gave hope to an organization that has had little hope since Dan Snyder took over. He had everything, size speed and natural instincts for the ball, and there is no reason not to think had he stayed healthy, that Taylor would have been a Hall of Fame player, and one the greatest to play the safety position. I remember following him from the Hall of Fame game in 2004 in which he intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown in his pro debut. As a Redskins fan it was exciting to his progression from a rookie having to earn his playing time under Joe Gibbs to a potential star earning his first Pro-Bowl invite in 2006. The 2007 season is when this really started to come together for Taylor and he was playing at an Defensive MVP level. Then tragedy struck and he was shot in his home during a home invasion and died in hospital the next day. I think one of the reasons we love sports is that it is an escape from real life, but this is one of those times when real life reminds you its always there. I still remember the 10 man defense to open the Buffalo game, leaving Taylor's safety spot empty to begin the game. Unfortunately the Redskins are on the road Sunday, but I hope whoever is covering the game with make some mention to remember #21.
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Custom Card: 1987 Topps Joe Beimel
There is something I love about the 1987 Topps design, one of the first sets I collected, although in Canada we got the O-Pee-Chee version, I still love those tacky wood borders. The hardest thing about making customs of this year is the weird font Topps used for the player name, and the fact that no real Colorado Rockies cards exist before 1993, I think I got fairly close here after a some trial and error. This Joe Beimel fills a hole in my 2009 Rockies playoff roster team set, as I could not stand looking at the placeholder of him with the Dodgers. I printed it off on photo paper and it looks good in a binder, but the final product was a little flimsy. Back of card after the jump.
Monday 21 November 2011
1971 Topps Variations: Boots Day #42
"No Stadium Light (above)" |
Continuing with the 1971 Topps variation series, card #42 featuring Boots Day. Two versions exist, one with a light tower behind his right ear, and a later version with the tower airbrushed out, but still slightly visible. The graded cards I have seen mention "No Stadium Light" on the variation with no mention on the version with the light. The "No Light" version is the harder to find version and seems to have a price premium over the card with the light. All the OPC versions I have seen have the light tower, but the sample size is fairly small on this.
Friday 18 November 2011
1971 Topps Variations: Jack Hiatt #371
With Dot |
Thursday 17 November 2011
1971 Toppps Variations: Carl Morton #515
No Black Line |
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Card of the Day, 1971 Thurman Munson
Here it is in all it glory. The 1971 Topps #5 Thurman Munson. Not his rookie card, but his first solo card and what a beauty. This is probably my favorite card of all time, 1971 is my favorite set of all time, frustrating to collect (inspiring the name of this blog) but also rewarding when you find a well centered, sharp cornered diamond in the rough. Open up binder with a 1971 set and first page, right in the center is this card, impossible not to notice. Also as a huge fan of action shots featuring catchers all geared up, this card is brilliant. And who doesn't love the Topps All-Star rookie cup trophy in the corner. The weird thing about loving this card is that I usually hate horizontal cards, but with the awesome photography this one works. The card was reprinted in 2010 as part of the "Cards Your Mom Threw Out" insert set, giving collectors a cheaper option to add this classic card to their collection. Random fact: The Oakland A's player sliding head first has been found to be Chuck Dobson, a pitcher. Just think, if the AL had the DH in 1970, this work of cardboard art would have never happened. Another reason to dislike the DH in baseball.
Intro
Another Baseball Card blog to get lost among the masses, if someone reads this, fine, if not, at the worst it will help me to keep some stuff organized, so here it goes.
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