Showing posts with label baseball cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baseball cards. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

MLB and MLBPA Discussing 2020 Season - Baseball Cards Timeless Importance





Major League Baseball's current discussions with the Major League Baseball Players Association about the proposed start of the 2020 season are beginning. My old baseball cards are once again in mind as a result...

St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols has hit over 400 home runs, but has never hit more than 49 in one season. Alex Rodriguez, who is in sixth place on the all-time home run list, was traded by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees in 2004. In 2010, Roy Halladay pitched a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies.

All of the information shown above is easy to access through any baseball website, could be shown on a number of cable television sports programs, or heard on a variety of sports talk shows. But, back in the day, baseball fans learned that type of information through newspaper box scores, magazines and on the backs of baseball cards.

Finding your favorite players
My elementary school friends introduced me to baseball cards in the 1970's. During that pre-internet, pre-video game era, those thin, rectangular encyclopedias were our passion.
While complete sets could be ordered through Topps, it was so much more fun to buy packs at local convenience stores. Opening the wrapper, smelling those pink gum-scented cards and earnestly looking for our favorite players was thrilling.
Local card shows, which were similar to farmer's markets, offered another collection building option. A kid convention filled with a buffet of bubble gum cards. Instead of testing the tomatoes, you looked for that Tom Seaver who was sorely needed to complete the Cincinnati Reds team set.
Those events were nothing short of paradise.
Trading
The free market is a wonderful thing and we had no summer trade deadlines. Duplicates of a Ron Guidry, Catfish Hunter and Thurman Munson could be just the incentive that was needed to obtain the Oakland Athletics' Reggie Jackson card my buddy finally was willing to deal in September.
If there were any disputes about the balance of a deal, Becket's Baseball Card Price Guide was used as a silent arbitrator. We didn't know who Beckett was, or how he determined the card values, but using his book made us feel like we were operating on the up and up.
Proper Storage
Like fine wine, all cards needed to be properly stored. Plastic cases, with individual slots for each team, had to be obtained through the use of accumulated allowance money. Price was no object, as $8 was well worth the investment.
From there, the bedroom closet served as the primary storage vault. As part of a mental fire drill, if the house ever went up in flames, I would grab the dog along with my baseball card boxes and head out the side door to safety. Let the homework burn.
Bygone days
Baseball cards are still available today in larger chain stores, in specialty hobby shops and at card shows. They also continue to hold a spot in the hearts of all who learned to love the game through them.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)
Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, or through Facebook. 

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Spring Training 2020 - Classic Post: When Baseball Cards Were King



Here's a classic post that I wrote about a favorite childhood hobby. It's fitting to re-read as the first games of spring training 2020 get set to begin...

St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols has hit over 400 home runs, but has never hit more than 49 in one season. Alex Rodriguez, who is in sixth place on the all-time home run list, was traded by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees in 2004. In 2010, Roy Halladay pitched a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies.

All of the information shown above is easy to access through any baseball website, could be shown on a number of cable television sports programs, or heard on a variety of sports talk shows. But, back in the day, baseball fans learned that type of information through newspaper box scores, magazines and on the backs of baseball cards.

Finding your favorite players
My elementary school friends introduced me to baseball cards in the 1970's. During that pre-internet, pre-video game era, those thin, rectangular encyclopedias were our passion.
While complete sets could be ordered through Topps, it was so much more fun to buy packs at local convenience stores. Opening the wrapper, smelling those pink gum-scented cards and earnestly looking for our favorite players was thrilling.
Local card shows, which were similar to farmer's markets, offered another collection building option. A kid convention filled with a buffet of bubble gum cards. Instead of testing the tomatoes, you looked for that Tom Seaver who was sorely needed to complete the Cincinnati Reds team set.
Those events were nothing short of paradise.
Trading
The free market is a wonderful thing and we had no summer trade deadlines. Duplicates of a Ron Guidry, Catfish Hunter and Thurman Munson could be just the incentive that was needed to obtain the Oakland Athletics' Reggie Jackson card my buddy finally was willing to deal in September.
If there were any disputes about the balance of a deal, Becket's Baseball Card Price Guide was used as a silent arbitrator. We didn't know who Beckett was, or how he determined the card values, but using his book made us feel like we were operating on the up and up.
Proper Storage
Like fine wine, all cards needed to be properly stored. Plastic cases, with individual slots for each team, had to be obtained through the use of accumulated allowance money. Price was no object, as $8 was well worth the investment.
From there, the bedroom closet served as the primary storage vault. As part of a mental fire drill, if the house ever went up in flames, I would grab the dog along with my baseball card boxes and head out the side door to safety. Let the homework burn.
Bygone days
Baseball cards are still available today in larger chain stores, in specialty hobby shops and at card shows. They also continue to hold a spot in the hearts of all who learned to love the game through them.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)
Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, or through Facebook. 

Monday, May 25, 2015

When Baseball Cards Were King




St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols has hit over 400 home runs, but has never hit more than 49 in one season. Alex Rodriguez, who is in sixth place on the all-time home run list, was traded by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees in 2004. In 2010, Roy Halladay pitched a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies.

All of the information shown above is easy to access through any baseball website, could be shown on a number of cable television sports programs, or heard on a variety of sports talk shows. But, back in the day, baseball fans learned that type of information through newspaper box scores, magazines and on the backs of baseball cards.

Finding your favorite players
My elementary school friends introduced me to baseball cards in the 1970s. During that pre-internet, pre-video game era, those thin, rectangular encyclopedias were our passion.
While complete sets could be ordered through Topps, it was so much more fun to buy packs at local convenience stores. Opening the wrapper, smelling those pink gum-scented cards and earnestly looking for our favorite players was thrilling.
Local card shows, which were similar to farmer's markets, offered another collection building option. A kid convention filled with a buffet of bubble gum cards. Instead of testing the tomatoes, you looked for that Tom Seaver who was sorely needed to complete the Cincinnati Reds team set.
Those events were nothing short of paradise.
Trading
The free market is a wonderful thing and we had no summer trade deadlines. Duplicates of a Ron Guidry, Catfish Hunter and Thurman Munson could be just the incentive that was needed to obtain the Oakland Athletics' Reggie Jackson card my buddy finally was willing to deal in September.
If there were any disputes about the balance of a deal, Becket's Baseball Card Price Guide was used as a silent arbitrator. We didn't know who Beckett was, or how he determined the card values, but using his book made us feel like we were operating on the up and up.
Proper Storage
Like fine wine, all cards needed to be properly stored. Plastic cases, with individual slots for each team, had to be obtained through the use of accumulated allowance money. Price was no object, as $8 was well worth the investment.
From there, the bedroom closet served as the primary storage vault. As part of a mental fire drill, if the house ever went up in flames, I would grab the dog along with my baseball card boxes and head out the side door to safety. Let the homework burn.
Bygone days
Baseball cards are still available today in larger chain stores, in specialty hobby shops and at card shows. They also continue to hold a spot in the hearts of all who learned to love the game through them.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)
Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOBthrough Facebook, or on LinkedIn

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

When Baseball Cards Were King

St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols has hit over 400 home runs, but has never hit more than 49 in one season. Alex Rodriguez, who is in sixth place on the all-time home run list, was traded by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees in 2004. In 2010, Roy Halladay pitched a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies.

All of the information shown above is easy to access through any baseball website, could be shown on a number of cable television sports programs, or heard on a variety of sports talk shows. But, back in the day, baseball fans learned that type of information through newspaper box scores, magazines and on the backs of baseball cards.

Finding your favorite players
My elementary school friends introduced me to baseball cards in the 1970s. During that pre-internet, pre-video game era, those thin, rectangular encyclopedias were our passion.
While complete sets could be ordered through Topps, it was so much more fun to buy packs at local convenience stores. Opening the wrapper, smelling those pink gum-scented cards and earnestly looking for our favorite players was thrilling.
Local card shows, which were similar to farmer's markets, offered another collection building option. A kid convention filled with a buffet of bubble gum cards. Instead of testing the tomatoes, you looked for that Tom Seaver who was sorely needed to complete the Cincinnati Reds team set.
Those events were nothing short of paradise.
Trading
The free market is a wonderful thing and we had no summer trade deadlines. Duplicates of a Ron Guidry, Catfish Hunter and Thurman Munson could be just the incentive that was needed to obtain the Oakland Athletics' Reggie Jackson card my buddy finally was willing to deal in September.
If there were any disputes about the balance of a deal, Becket's Baseball Card Price Guide was used as a silent arbitrator. We didn't know who Beckett was, or how he determined the card values, but using his book made us feel like we were operating on the up and up.
Proper Storage
Like fine wine, all cards needed to be properly stored. Plastic cases, with individual slots for each team, had to be obtained through the use of accumulated allowance money. Price was no object, as $8 was well worth the investment.
From there, the bedroom closet served as the primary storage vault. As part of a mental fire drill, if the house ever went up in flames, I would grab the dog along with my baseball card boxes and head out the side door to safety. Let the homework burn.
Bygone days
Baseball cards are still available today in larger chain stores, in specialty hobby shops and at card shows. They also continue to hold a spot in the hearts of all who learned to love the game through them.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)

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Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOBthrough Facebook, or on LinkedIn

Sunday, May 19, 2013

When Baseball Cards Were King



Over the next few weeks I'm going to provide inside information about some of my favorite story links. 

When Baseball Cards Were King

The hobby that introduced me to the game of baseball was the collection of baseball cards. 

Buying packs of 'cardboard gold' during my early childhood remains a treasured memory. 

These pre-sabermetric items were mini-encyclopedias in 3-D form. 

So many great moments were shared with family members and friends/classmates in the late 1970s and early 1980s, some of which are listed in this feature. 

'When Baseball Cards Were King' has been one of my most popular features, having been seen by well over 10,000 people since I first wrote it in May, 2011. 

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Random personal favorites that I've written over time... 
(Each story only takes a few minutes to read.)

Horror Story: It Was Crawling Up My Chest!
Television Haiku Poem
The Best Holiday Memories
My First Car Was An All-Time Classic
Could One Baseball Shatter The Summer?

The Night Lenny Dykstra Was Swinging In The Rain
5 Traits of Hardcore Philadelphia Phillies' Fans


Philadelphia Flyers' Topps Hockey Card Mystery Revealed
5 Lessons Flyers' Fans Have Taught The Hockey World
5 Traits Old School Flyers' Fans Possess


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Interviewing athletes and other sports' personalities happens after a series of steps have been taken. Hard work and smart choices can lead to success if you remain persistent. 

Read between the lines of each interview to learn how you can make your own connections...

My interviews with famous athletes and sports' personalities

Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls

Fox Television's Erin Como Reveals Her Timeless Model for Success: Interview
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I intentionally used Amazon.com to publish my first ebook: 
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff  because that platform is the number 1 eBook publishing site in the world. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit my Rant Sports Author Pagemy Examiner Contributor Pageor my Yahoo Contributor Page.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Coolest Old School Philadelphia Phillies

In preparation for the new baseball season...
(Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.)

I wanted to post one of my recent online features here for my blog readers to see in preparation for the arrival of the Phillies' opening day on April 1.

The Coolest Old School Philadelphia Phillies feature is one that will make mature fans smile and newer fans wish that they were alive way back when. 

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Yesterday's Post: Pope Francis Makes Great First Impression


For those who choose not to be in whatever, we must allow them to believe in themselves...because that is who they are at the moment. However, everyone has the potential to be better. Time, effort and relentless persistence can change hearts. 

First impressions are always important in life. As a faithful Catholic I have not be deterred during the past decade, or so, as some others have. And that's not because I'm naive.

All large institutions have their problems, because human beings populate them. Hearing those who aren't Catholic offer their expert opinion about the church is something that I take with a grain of salt. 

Along those lines: Pope Francis truly appears to be a "Salt of the Earth" type of guy. His record with the poor is impeccable, his humble nature and rejection of the trappings of power is consistent and his election was smart for many reasons. 

One of those reasons involves the Cardinal electors wanting to refocus everyone's efforts where they should be: On the faith through the people. 

This man has already shown the potential to fulfill expectations. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some GREAT links to some fine digital friends:

The Paris Review The best site for readers and writers in the world.

Blessed2Play by Ron Meyer via EWTN

Meltzer's Musings by Bill Meltzer via HockeyBuzz.com 

Jen Groover Her name says it all. Click and you'll know why.

The Sports Critic by Raymond Bureau

Awaken the Magic by Maryellen Brady

Positive Calm by Solvita Bennet

(Over the years I've been honored to write guest posts on various friends' websites. Social media connections, just like all other friendships in life, build trust.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB
Visit my RantSports Author Page,
my Examiner Contributor Page,
or my Yahoo Contributor Page 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Digital Creation
Writing my brief eBook was enjoyable. Making it available to the public by publishing it was exciting.  

A strong thank you to everyone who has been downloading: 
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff on Amazon.com. Your response has been heartwarming. Humor, horror, mystery, adventure, travel, sports and a few selected stories are all wrapped inside this mini-tome. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of 2012, I was ranked among Yahoo.com's Top 100 Contributors. Yahoo cites more than 600,000 paid writers. Click on my Contributor Page to learn more.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My most recent Examiner Television feature on the mystery surrounding J.R. Ewing's killer.

I've also included a link to my most recent Yahoo entertainment feature article: Dallas and the Legacy of J.R. Ewing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball cards
Bygone spring days spent with elementary school days and family members opening packs of Topps cardboard gold never truly fade away. 
Here is my special feature that highlights many of our collective childhood memories:  When Baseball Cards were King.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hockey cards
Whenever the NHL playoff season nears, I recall those great days when I first began to love this great game. Nothing has topped the meaning that the hockey cards mentioned in this piece still hold for me. Here's a link to the article that continues to rank among the most-read features that I've written since 2010...
Topps Hockey Card Mystery is Revealed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philadelphia Flyers' LegendsEach of these Flyers' legends (Brian Propp, Dave Poulin and Tim Kerr) deserved their own article. So, that's why these three features were written...
Here is a link to the story about Propp: 
The link to Poulin's piece: 
Philadelphia Flyers' Captain Dave Poulin Earned Permanent Respect
Last, but not least, here's Kerr's link:
Philadelphia Flyers' Tim Kerr Was a True Power Forward
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My recent feature: State of the Union Address: Commonsense Gun Response Warranted was written in response to an assignment from the Yahoo News editorial team.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name-dropper 
These are some of the high achievers I've had the opportunity to interview...
Not just sports though...

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Genuine People vs. Religious Bigotry


Pope Francis Makes Great First Impression

This item is being re-posted due to the strong response that it has received.


(Image courtesy of totallycoolpix.com)

For those who choose not to be in whatever, we must allow them to believe in themselves...because that is who they are at the moment. However, everyone has the potential to be better. Time, effort and relentless persistence can change hearts. 

First impressions are always important in life. As a faithful Catholic I have not be deterred during the past decade, or so, as some others have. And that's not because I'm naive.

All large institutions have their problems, because human beings populate them. Hearing those who aren't Catholic offer their expert opinion about the church is something that I take with a grain of salt. 

Along those lines: Pope Francis truly appears to be a "Salt of the Earth" type of guy. His record with the poor is impeccable, his humble nature and rejection of the trappings of power is consistent and his election was smart for many reasons. 

One of those reasons involves the Cardinal electors wanting to refocus everyone's efforts where they should be: On the faith through the people. 

This man has already shown the potential to fulfill expectations. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some GREAT links to some fine digital friends:

The Paris Review The best site for readers and writers in the world.

Blessed2Play by Ron Meyer via EWTN

Meltzer's Musings by Bill Meltzer via HockeyBuzz.com 

Jen Groover Her name says it all. Click and you'll know why.

The Sports Critic by Raymond Bureau

Awaken the Magic by Maryellen Brady

Positive Calm by Solvita Bennet

(Over the years I've been honored to write guest posts on various friends' websites. Social media connections, just like all other friendships in life, build trust.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB
Visit my RantSports Author Page,
my Examiner Contributor Page,
or my Yahoo Contributor Page 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Digital Creation
Writing my brief eBook was enjoyable. Making it available to the public by publishing it was exciting.  

A strong thank you to everyone who has been downloading: 
Fast Fiction and Other Stuff on Amazon.com. Your response has been heartwarming. Humor, horror, mystery, adventure, travel, sports and a few selected stories are all wrapped inside this mini-tome. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of 2012, I was ranked among Yahoo.com's Top 100 Contributors. Yahoo cites more than 600,000 paid writers. Click on my Contributor Page to learn more.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My most recent Examiner Television feature on the mystery surrounding J.R. Ewing's killer.

I've also included a link to my most recent Yahoo entertainment feature article: Dallas and the Legacy of J.R. Ewing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball cards
Bygone spring days spent with elementary school days and family members opening packs of Topps cardboard gold never truly fade away. 
Here is my special feature that highlights many of our collective childhood memories:  When Baseball Cards were King.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hockey cards
Whenever the NHL playoff season nears, I recall those great days when I first began to love this great game. Nothing has topped the meaning that the hockey cards mentioned in this piece still hold for me. Here's a link to the article that continues to rank among the most-read features that I've written since 2010...
Topps Hockey Card Mystery is Revealed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philadelphia Flyers' LegendsEach of these Flyers' legends (Brian Propp, Dave Poulin and Tim Kerr) deserved their own article. So, that's why these three features were written...
Here is a link to the story about Propp: 
The link to Poulin's piece: 
Philadelphia Flyers' Captain Dave Poulin Earned Permanent Respect
Last, but not least, here's Kerr's link:
Philadelphia Flyers' Tim Kerr Was a True Power Forward
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My recent feature: State of the Union Address: Commonsense Gun Response Warranted was written in response to an assignment from the Yahoo News editorial team.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name-dropper 
These are some of the high achievers I've had the opportunity to interview...
Not just sports though...

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