Thank You For Your Service

Thanks for the 2005 World Series. Best of luck in Colorado.

Rooting For A Dodgers World Series Championship

Class. Grace. The gentleman will be missed.

Thome was traded to the Dodgers.

Catching Up

Another reason to follow me on Twitter? You would have known about this awesome contest from Oral Sox. The Out-Bacon Beckham contest was a huge success, even if I didn't win. Even if you're not keen to listening to two hours of White Sox talk and hilarity, this podcast included all the entries for the contest.

The Out-Bacon Beckham contest consisted of listeners suggesting their favorite 80s-ish cheesy song, which would be played after their name was called to bat. Since Beckham chose "Your Love" by The Outfield, it was everybody's task to out cheese him.

I chose "Lovin' Every Minute Of It" by Loverboy. That song is one of my secret shames of the mid eighties. The caveat was that it also had to be a song which you liked and somewhat was appropriate.

The eventual winner? I won't spoil it, but I'll say that there was tough competition and inspirational cheese prevailed.

Today is the debut for Steve Stone's blog. Great idea! I've been following him on Twitter and he has a lot of good gems about the White Sox, the Cubs and baseball in general.

The White Sox death march road trip is currently at 1-6, with the team going into the Metrodome for the very last time for a three game series. I can't wait for Target Field to open up next year. Hopefully, they won't bring the Hefty bags.

The Ex Files: Scott Fletcher

Scott Fletcher's first tenure with the White Sox was from 1983 until 1985. He was dealt to the Texas Rangers as part of a deal that brought pitcher Dave Schmidt and infielder Wayne Tolleson to the South Side.

While his arrival in 1983 helped spark a division title, his departure left a noticeable void in the middle of the infield, starting in 1986.

How did he fare in his first season away from the White Sox? He excelled in his first year in Texas with a career high .300 batting average and Scott was named AL Player of the Month in July 1986.

The void left by Scott was so bad, that in 1989, the White Sox traded for him (along with Wilson Alvarez and Sammy Sosa), dealing Harold Baines and Fred Manrique. With Scott back in the fold, the Sox dragged themselves out of last place and took a shot at the division once again in 1990.

Harold Enters The Orioles Hall Of Fame

We're getting closer here! Tonight Harold was enshrined into the Orioles Hall of Fame. Next stop Cooperstown!

Check out this great post by Kevin, who provides some awesome statistical analysis.

Check out the story on MLB.com.

Congrats, Harold!

Safe Or Out?

Derek Jeter was called safe on this play, when Jayson Nix clearly has possession of the ball, during the pickup, and has his foot on the bag. Not that it played a significant part of a 10-0 loss, but one would hope that the umpires get obvious calls right.

Slip Slidin' Away

Slip slidin' away
Slip slidin' away
You know the nearer the playoffs
The more you're slip slidin' away

Slip slidin' away
Slip slidin' away
You know the nearer the end of the season
The more you're slip slidin' away

Slip slidin' away
Slip slidin' away
You know the nearer your postseason
The more you're slip slidin' away

Slip slidin' away
Slip slidin' away
You know the nearer your October
The more you're slip slidin' away

Slip slidin' away
Slip slidin' away
You know the nearer your destination
The more you're slip slidin' away

Card Spotlight: 8-28-09

1963 Topps #66 - Mike Joyce

In a previous post, a reader left a story about uniform numbers and little league teams. While discussing that, he mentioned that his number was 23 and at the time Mike Joyce was the player who corresponded with that number on the White Sox.

Unfortunately, I was never on any little league teams in my youth. Other activities, like cub scouts, occupied my time away from school. This hasn't stopped me from wondering what number I would have had and if that number would have resulted in a collection of an additional player.

When we are kids, strong bonds are formed through association. Let's say, for the sake of argument, I was given the number 26, if I had played little league. Would I have followed the career of Mark Ryal? He wore the number for the Sox in 1985. Maybe I would have followed Bobby Bonilla or Jose DeLeon. They both wore 26 in 1986.

Mike Joyce only appeared in 31 games over two consecutive seasons for the White Sox before having his contract purchased by the Mets. He never played in the majors after his two seasons in Chicago. That doesn't usually translate into many people remembering you, let alone remembering the uniform number you wore. Somewhere, for whatever reason, someone will always remember the little details like that, due to something connected with their own life. That's just another Major League perk.

The Next New White Sox Player

He could fit right in with that attitude.

Screaming Yellow Theater

There is a tradition in Chicago with low budget, tacky (yet funny) things. For those of you who saw the title of the post and thought it was something different, you must have grown up in or around Chicago and are probably at least forty years old.

While that Screaming Yellow Theater exists in some form today, the same cannot be said for Fleer baseball cards. Fleer has had many ups and downs since its inception. Is it our fault that it has been mostly downs? No!

When I think of Fleer, I think of poorly executed design, with a few gems scattered throughout the years. I thought that 1988's confetti motif was bad, then they topped it in 1989 with the bland pinstriped gangster suit look. 1990 got a little better, then they unleashed the unholy monster that is Screaming Yellow Theater upon the world.

It's not interesting. It's not unique. (1990 Donruss did the design much better. Thanks, Mario!) It's just yellow! I would refer to this set as Screaming Yellow Theater for many years. I still do on occasion. It's yellow. It's blinding. It features ACTION and cheesy posed portraits which cause painful memories of chain reaction vomiting during elementary school Christmas plays.

Sadly, 1991 Fleer is not one low budget thing that this Chicago born guy is ready to embrace. 1991 Fleer is like the drunk relative at a wedding. You have to put up with it because it's technically family, but given the choice, you'd rather it just went away.

I put up with 1991 Fleer because of the White Sox cards. I almost wish that the White Sox were skipped in this set. Almost. I'm glad of this sets existence. It shows the entire world what not to do with a card set.

After enduring the torture that is 1991 Fleer, I'll leave you with a picture of the host of Screaming Yellow Theater. The original Svengoolie!
Is it wrong to think that Jerry G. Bishop looks like he'd be right at home playing a fictional Rob Zombie in one of the director's movies?

Collective Troll 6: Odds N' Ends

You think by now, I would have run out of White Sox materials to pull out of the Collective Troll box. You'd be wrong.

I've debated for two weeks on how exactly I was going to present the odds and ends of the box. The stuff that just couldn't fit with any other post. I decided to just lump them together in a big coverall post.

Pieces of metal and paper and plastic all with their own specific distinction are listed here, simply because they had no place else to be. I will take in these last refugees of the pale hose and give them a decent home, where they will be lovingly displayed for the rest of my life.

The listing that follows was put together with the utmost care. I wish I had the picture space to show everything, but I want to be able to still post pictures next year. This box goes out with not a whimper. Nay! It goes out with a bang!

1976 Isaly's Discs
Carlos May

1981 Donruss
158 - Jim Morrison (autographed)

1982
This Date In Chicago White Sox History
by Art Berke & Paul Schmitt

1983 "1969" MLBPA Pins
Nellie Fox

1983 Topps
362 - Bill Almon (autographed)

1986 Drakes Panels
Harold Baines (Rose, McGee, Murray)

1994 Beckett
106 - Frank Thomas cover
116 - Frank Thomas/Ken Griffey Jr. cover

1995 Tuff Stuff
Sept. '95 - Frank Thomas cover (and Thomas Leaf ad back!)

1996 White Sox Spring Training Program

1997 Donruss Preferred Tin
Albert Belle

1997 Spring Training Schedule & 40 Man Roster List

1997 Starting Lineup Figure
Frank Thomas (mint in package)

A White Sox logo baseball (in package)

Thank you so much!! I cannot begin to express my gratitude for these White Sox treasures! I am officially done with the Collective Troll box. This has been a fun experience and one that I will never forget!

Pondering Peavy

I'm in a Tarantino mood, but as I'm sitting here with my adult beverage, that being a Kahlua White Russian, I feel more like the Dude.

I'm not drowning my sorrows, but I should be after tonight's inexcusable loss to the Red Sox. It figures on the exact night that the offense shows up, the pitching is stuck in transit between Chicago and Boston.

The pitching woes can be summed up in one play. The swinging bunt. If Jose Contreras picked up the ball, at any time, the damage wouldn't have happened. If Contreras let the ball go through to a waiting Konerko, the massacre of that inning would have been nonexistent.

Instead, Contreras opted to swipe unsuccessfully at the ball and fall down in front of Konerko, impeding the ball's natural movement towards Paulie. Everything that can go wrong in an inning, went wrong for the White Sox in that inning. It will be shown for years to freshly signed players, serving as a warning of what could happen if they don't prepare.

Stick a forkball in Contreras. He is done. Jose was sent to the bullpen, after the game. This leaves the door open for an early Sox debut of Jake Peavy on Saturday against the Yankees and C.C. Sabathia. Will Peavy be ready? The answer should be known within 24 hours.

Let's hope that "Big Game" Freddy Garcia shows up. If the Sox need to go to the bullpen early another night, they are finished on the road trip. No matter what happens, expect Garcia to be out there at least six innings. What would be nice would be seven or more innings from Sweaty Freddy.

I'll finish my Dude drink and ponder the fate of the White Sox over the next week. With the Twins winning their game and Detroit close to winning theirs, this week should be very interesting.

Keep The Contests Coming

My very generous friend at The Collective Troll is running a contest. I am declining to enter, since I am still technically sorting through a gigantic box of baseball related goodies that I received from him two weeks ago. If I do have an entry in, it's only because I am a follower. I'd like to give everyone else a better chance at winning fabulous prizes.

The last day to enter is August 30th, so hurry! Winner take all.

The last of the Collective Troll box content should be up sometime tomorrow.

Coolio Contest

Coolio Cards is having a very generous and easy contest. There's not even any math involved, unless you consider picking unpicked numbers to be math.

Plus, it gives me an excuse to put up a picture of Kwanzaa-bot. For those of you still scratching your heads, rap star Coolio voiced Kwanzaa-bot.

Good luck! I hope you win something!

Angels In The E-mail

I get a lot of mail and it seems to be piling up lately. It's probably because of a lot of real life interfering with my leisure time.

Cue the music.

"Thank you, for all your cards and letters..."

We interrupt these moldy oldies to bring you this important message!

In all seriousness, I had an e-mail from someone looking for Angels cards. The original e-mail is buried somewhere in my inbox and I have not been able to find it.

I have Angels set aside, but I have no way (presently) of responding back. I'm embarrassed, because I'm usually better organized, but the original e-mail seems to have fallen through the cracks. Please e-mail back, so I know who and where to potentially send these cards.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog.

Cashe In!

Card Cashe is running a contest for free 2009 Allen & Ginter loot! It's free to enter, so you have a decent chance at winning.

This would have been up much earlier, but I ran out of gas. I, I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts.

OK, only the old friend came in from out of town part applied, but how often is that Blues Brothers quote more appropriate? I'm also studying weather variations in 1976 Oregon and layouts of 1976 Washington for a book that I'm in the middle of writing. It sounds a lot more boring than it actually is.

Plus, today, I plan on thoroughly searching through boxes of cards to complete trade requests from the past two weeks. You know who you are and you'll be getting e-mails from me very shortly.

Card Spotlight: 8-21-09

2006 Bowman Heritage #76 - A.J. Pierzynski

A.J. is in the middle of the best overall season in his MLB career. In most major categories, his stats are career highs or just shy of that mark. Most catchers (on the wrong side of thirty) slow down and become less productive. A.J. has put the work in and is experiencing a renaissance in his career.

This card reminds me of A.J.'s work ethic. He is ready to play at any given moment during a game. If you need him to catch 15 innings, he play it (and want to play in the next game). If you need him to smack a double, he'll send one screaming past an outfielder. I love the way Topps captured the intensity in Pierzynski's eyes.

This 2006 release celebrates the classic 1949 Bowman set. It may not be the prettiest to look at, but there is beauty hidden in the muted hues and undertones. There is a grace that lies in the artwork. Simplicity incarnate, as A.J. grabs his mitt and bat, ready for anything.

The longer I have this card in my collection, the more I appreciate it. The card may go back to a simpler time in collecting, but sometimes it's OK to go back. Those of us who were old enough to collect the original set are flooded with memories. Those of us who are being introduced to the set are getting a great lesson in history. Unlike the 1952 Topps design, the original Bowman designs have yet to become cliche. Let's appreciate them before they do.

Garland Cleared Waivers

Jon Garland cleared waivers today, so the Diamondbacks are free to trade him if they so desire. Why can I see Kenny Williams wheels already in motion?

Oh yeah. The current fourth and fifth starter positions.

Separated At Birth: Ozzie Guillen And Jerri Blank

Ever since I saw Amy Sedaris' very funny portrayal of Jerri Blank on Strangers With Candy, I thought she looked similar to this awful shot of Ozzie Guillen from the 1994 Score set. Ozzie was caught in mid-moment of... I'm not sure what.

I remember that this card was one of the last cards I ever pulled out of a pack in 1994. This may have led to my long time away from the hobby. Until I saw Strangers With Candy, I had no idea that Ozzie had a long lost sister. What a small world.

Going For The Gold?

Where are the White Sox going? More importantly, when are they going? As in, when are they going to gel and win this easy division?

On paper, the White Sox should be running away with the division. As is the case, what looks good on paper, rarely translates to on the field success. The numbers even look good, but the downfall of the 2009 team will be the defense.

I was simply flabbergasted to find out that the Sox went 0-49 to start the season, while trailing in the ninth, before finally winning in the ninth. 0-49?! That sounds like Washington Nationals territory. The lack of clutch hitting in the ninth isn't the culprit here, it's the defense.

When you give a team four or five outs in an inning, more times than not it will come back to bite you in the butt. The same goes for leadoff walks. Mix in leadoff walks and poor defense, in the same inning and you have a calamity waiting to happen.

That's not to say that the defense hasn't gotten better. It has, but an upgrade from poor to fair isn't that much of a difference. It puts an unbearable strain on the pitching staff and that will cause poor pitching performances.

Do I still think that the Sox can win? Sure. They have the luxury of being in one of the worst divisions. I'm not counting on Peavy this year. I'm counting on Rios and Pena and Garcia. Those are the players that are trying to help at the Major League level right now. Could Peavy be a help this year? He sure could, but until he is here, Jake Peavy is not on my radar.

The Sox are the underachieving team in an enviable position. If they can start just achieving, not overachieving, they will win this thing. When the playoffs start, you throw the regular season out the window. In order to do that, you have to get there first. This team is certainly capable of doing that. Will they?

Goose Joak Originals: Freddy Garcia

Check out the full set here.

The Return Of The Stealth Gifter

In the cover of daylight, a gifter strikes. Sometime during the afternoon hours, he leaves packages on my windowsill unannounced. When will the stealth gifter appear again? How about today.

When mysterious packages are placed upon my windowsill, only one man could be responsible... John of Johngy's Beat! Of course today would be the perfect day for this to happen. It's only been a few days since I hooked John on my new Facebook White Sox application.

Enjoy some 70's White Sox greatness. Take care.

And some 70s White Sox greatness I shall enjoy! Just when I think that John couldn't possibly be generous enough to gift again, poof, another package appears. This time the contents are from a lifetime ago. My lifetime to be exact. I was a bicentennial baby and all of these cards are from 1975 and 1976.

Let's dig in!

1975 Topps
110 - Wilbur Wood
276 - Chuck Tanner
313 - Terry Forster (Firemen Leaders)
327 - Jerry Hairston
614 - Jack Kucek (Rookie Pitchers)
619 - Nyls Wallace Rex Nyman (Rookie Outfielders)
653 - Lee Richard

1975 Topps Mini
59 - Ken Henderson
82 - Pat Kelly
110 - Wilbur Wood
137 - Terry Forster
161 - Stan Bahnsen
184 - Jorge Orta
219 - Ed Herrman
243 - Jim Kaat
276 - Chuck Tanner
299 - Bucky Dent
313 - Terry Forster (Firemen Leaders)
327 - Jerry Hairston
338 - Rick Stelmaszek
348 - Tony Muser (2)
422 - Brian Downing
446 - Bart Johnson
504 - Buddy Bradford
528 - Eddie Leon
572 - Roger Nelson
614 - Jack Kucek (Rookie Pitchers)
619 - Nyls Nyman (Rookie Outfielders)
624 - Jim Otten (Rookie Pitchers)
634 - Cy Acosta
653 - Lee Richard

1976 Topps
23 - Brian Downing
180 - Rich Gossage
368 - Wilbur Wood
391 - Jery Hairston
413 - Pete Varney
464 - Ken Henderson
488 - Claude Osteen
513 - Bart Johnson
560 - Jorge Orta

Thanks, John! I can't believe I'm one card away from completion of the 1976 Topps set. I am so much closer to the end of each of the 1975 Topps sets too. I can't begin to thank you enough. Your generosity is stupendous!

Some of you eagle-eyed observers may have discovered one oddball card in the listings. It is not a White Sox player. It is a Cubs player.

For those of you who may not be aware, I helped John with a "Cards That Never Were" project on Rick Stelmaszek. I take great pride in being able to bring to reality an injustice to a player who was robbed of a card. It's that spirit that will always keep the mini card of Stelmaszek in a special place in my collection.

Collective Troll 5: 90s And The Aughts

Despite what the card would have you believe, Michael Jordan was never the Rookie of the Year in baseball. In basketball, definitely. In baseball, sadly no. You actually have to make it to the majors to be in the running for that one. Maybe he would have been a September call up, if the strike didn't happen in 1994. The world will never know.

I am finally in the home stretch of the Collective Troll box. It's been a journey of fascination and wonder. Unexpected surprises have popped up all over the box. This leg of the journey is probably one of the most interesting for me. I didn't collect from mid 1994 until early 2007. I missed out on a lot. I always get a kick out of cards from that era. I think I might have quit after seeing some of the lackluster designs and the endless parallels, but luckily I skipped that part. I only get to see the tail end of that era, in today's cards.

Let's see what surprises pop up!

1990 Bowman
309 – Wayne Edwards
311 – Robin Ventura

1990 Donruss
28 – Robin Ventura
135 – Ozzie Guillen

1990 Fleer
532 – Dave Gallagher
543 – Donn Pall

1990 Upper Deck
69 – Ron Karkovice
79 – Ozzie Guillen TC
503 – Ivan Calderon

1991 American Sports Monthly
40 – Frank Thomas
45 – Frank Thomas

1991 Donruss
220 – Ron Karkovice
748 – Harold Baines

1991 Topps
8 – Bobby Thigpen RB
93 – Ivan Calderon
121 – Eric King (2)
166 – Harold Baines
219 – Jack McDowell
243 – Lance Johnson
393 – Carlton Fisk AS
396 – Bobby Thigpen AS
420 – Bobby Thigpen
568 – Ron Karkovice
609 – Jeff Torborg
717 – Phil Bradley
768 – Donn Pall

1991 Topps Archives 1953
156 – Jim Rivera
196 – Bob Keegan
229 – Rocky Krsnich
250 – Bob Wilson
270 – Vern Stephens
322 – Paul Richards
331 – Nellie Fox

1992 Classic Best
323 – Larry Thomas

1992 Donruss
495 – Wilson Alvarez HL
630 – Wilson Alvarez

1992 Diamond Kings
DK-14 – Harold Baines

1992 Leaf
78 – Wilson Alvarez
105 – Ron Karkovice
126 – Harold Baines

1992 Score
326 – Joey Cora

1992 Triple Play
74 – Alex Fernandez
121 – Matt Merullo

1992 Upper Deck
7 – Roberto Hernandez
190 – Melido Perez
436 – Ozzie Guillen
571 – Carlton Fisk
724 – George Bell

1993 Donruss
37 – Wilson Alvarez
95 – George Bell
169 – Scott Radinsky
403 – Roberto Hernandez

1993 Topps
70 – Roberto Hernandez
286 – Ron Karkovice
770 – Robin Ventura

1993 Topps Gold
345 – Harold Baines
737 – Wilson Alvarez

1993 Ultra
170 – Wilson Alvarez
175 – Ron Karkovice

1994 Leaf
71 – Wilson Alvarez
167 – Roberto Hernandez
184 – Ron Karkovice

1994 Pinnacle
408 – Harold Baines

1994 Stadium Club
462 – Wilson Alvarez

1994 Stadium Sports
69 – Michael Jordan

1994 Ted Williams
105 – Rube Foster

1994 Topps Archives 1954
173 – Jack Harshman

1994 Ultra
333 – James Baldwin

1994 Upper Deck
468 – Roberto Hernandez

1995 Bowman’s Best
77 – James Baldwin

1995 Collector’s Choice
502 – Ron Karkovice
503 – Wilson Alvarez
507 – Roberto Hernandez

1995 Fleer
119 – Roberto Hernandez

1995 Fleer Prospects
2 – James Baldwin

1995 Leaf
164 – Roberto Hernandez

1995 Pinnacle
68 – Ron Karkovice
123 – Wilson Alvarez
413 – James Baldwin
416 – Ray Durham
422 – Harold Baines

1995 Summit
24 – Robin Ventura
146 – James Baldwin

1995 Ultra
29 – Roberto Hernandez

1995 Upper Deck Minors
43 – James Baldwin
208 – Lyle Mouton

1995 Zenith
123 – James Baldwin

1996 Collector’s Choice
507 – Mike Cameron
508 – Ron Karkovice
509 – Matt Karchner

1996 Donruss
378 – Mike Cameron

1996 Fleer
67 – Roberto Hernandez
69 – Matt Karchner
74 – Lyle Mouton
76 – Mike Sirotka

1996 Pacific
282 – Lyle Mouton
289 – Dave Martinez

1996 Pinnacle
188 – Chris Snopek

1996 Score
192 – Roberto Hernandez

1996 Select
163 – Chris Snopek

1996 Stadium Club
54 – Lyle Mouton

1996 Upper Deck
306 – Wilson Alvarez

1997 Bowman
285 – Roberto Hernandez

1997 Bowman’s Best
96 – Harold Baines

1997 Collector’s Choice Teams
CW4 – Lyle Mouton
CW5 – James Baldwin
CW9 – Ray Durham
CW12 – Roberto Hernandez
CW13 – Jaime Navarro

1997 Donruss
199 – Harold Baines
289 – Albert Belle

1997 Finest
54 – James Baldwin

1997 Leaf
202 – Albert Belle

1997 Pacific
49 – Wilson Alvarez

1997 Pinnacle
87 – Harold Baines

1997 Pinnacle Certified
15 – Albert Belle

1997 Pinnacle Xpress
47 – Albert Belle

1997 Score
218 – Lyle Mouton

1997 Score Hobby Reserve
348 – Jaime Navarro
495 – Albert Belle GY

1997 Score Premium Stock
131 – Roberto Hernandez

1997 Score Showcase Series
419 – Chris Snopek

1997 SP
45 – Albert Belle

1997 Studio
98 – Albert Belle

1997 Topps
197 – Dave Martinez
407 – Lyle Mouton

1997 Ultra
40 – Roberto Hernandez

1997 Ultra Gold Medallion
G420 – Jaime Navarro

1997 Upper Deck
39 – James Baldwin
238 – Mike Cameron

1998 Bowman
42 – Albert Belle
84 – Brett Caradonna
117 – Jeff Liefer
124 – Jason Dellaero
147 – Jeff Abbott
199 – Mario Valdez

1998 Collector’s Choice
336 – Jaime Navarro
426 – Mike Caruso
501 – Roberto Hernandez

1998 Collector’s Choice StarQuest
SQ8 – Mike Cameron

1998 Finest Power Zone
P17 – Albert Belle

1998 Leaf Fractal Materials
12 – Jeff Abbott (0705/3250)

1998 Pacific Crown Royale
34 – Mike Caruso

1998 Pacific Online
181 – Chris Snopek

1998 Pacific Paramount
26 – James Baldwin
30 – Jaime Navarro
31 – Magglio Ordonez

1998 Pacific Paramount Copper
26 – James Baldwin
30 - Jaime Navarro
31 – Magglio Ordonez

1998 Score Rookie/Traded
RT108 – Mike Cameron
RT140 – Ray Durham
RT244 – Magglio Ordonez

1998 SkyBox Dugout Axcess
58 – Albert Belle

1998 SkyBox Thunder
67 – Mike Caruso
151 – James Baldwin
175 – Magglio Ordonez

1998 Studio
50 – Mike Cameron
59 – Albert Belle

1998 Topps
331 – Albert Belle
399 – Harold Baines

1998 Topps Chrome
41 – Mike Cameron
473 – Carlos Castillo

1998 Ultra
264 – Mike Caruso
273 – James Baldwin
380 – Magglio Ordonez
464 – Roberto Hernandez

1998 Upper Deck
288 – Tom Fordham
332 – Matt Karchner
333 – Keith Foulke
556 – Carlos Lee
564 – Mark Johnson
567 – Mike Caruso
570 – Magglio Ordonez
734 – Roberto Hernandez

1999 Collector’s Choice StarQuest
SQ17 – Frank Thomas

1999 Sports Illustrated Fabulous 40s
5 – Albert Belle

1999 Upper Deck Black Diamond
22 – Albert Belle

2000 Topps
214 – Rob Purvis, Jason Stumm

2006 Bowman Heritage
76 – A.J. Pierzynski

2006 Bowman Heritage Chrome
104 – Juan Uribe

2006 Bowman Heritage Prospects
3 – Lance Broadway
75 – Kyle McCulloch

2007 Bowman Chrome
BC21 – Aaron Cunningham (2)

2007 Bowman Heritage Rainbow Foil
21 – Mark Buehrle
166 – Joe Crede

2007 Fleer
255 – Jose Contreras
262 – Joe Crede
264 – Javier Vazquez
265 – A.J. Pierzynski

2007 Fleer Crowning Achievement
CA-JT – Jim Thome

2007 Fleer Year In Review
YR-JD – Jermaine Dye

2007 Goudey
190 – Jermaine Dye

2007 Topps
92 – Joe Crede (2)
121 – Alex Cintron
224 – Matt Thornton
226 – White Sox Team
284 – Jerry Owens
292 – Josh Fields
359 – Jon Garland
389 – Gavin Floyd (2)
451 – Bobby Jenks
481 – Jim Thome (2)
485 – Tadahito Iguchi
513 – Jermaine Dye
544 – Juan Uribe

2007 Topps Heritage
11 – Rob Mackowiak
56 – Ryan Sweeney
74 – Juan Uribe
75 – Scott Podsednik
100 – Jose Contreras
219 – Joe Crede
256 – White Sox Team
359 – Bobby Jenks
362 – Paul Konerko
475 – Ozzie Guillen, Phil Garner

2007 Topps Opening Day
12 – Paul Konerko
56 – Javier Vazquez
107 – Jon Garland (2)
130 – Jermaine Dye
142 – Jim Thome
143 – Jose Contreras
175 – Josh Fields (2)

2007 Topps Own The Game
OTG8 – Jim Thome (2)

2008 Spectrum
22 – Jermaine Dye

2008 Topps
144 – Jerry Owens

2008 Topps Heritage
94, 137, 263, 410

2008 Topps Heritage Black Backs
23, 90, 92, 94, 338

2008 Topps Heritage Flashbacks
1

2008 Topps Heritage Then & Now
3

2009 Topps
30 – Ken Griffey Jr.
488 – Ozzie Guillen

Five parts down, one to go!

Joe Collector Box Break Loot

It's been pretty hit or miss, when I've entered a box break. I've gotten some absolutely fantastic hits, but more often than not, I get stuck with a bunch of cards that I already have.

The only reason that I bought into the 2007 Bowman's Best break was for the chance at the random autos. I already have multiple copies of the Jim Thome card and the Josh Fields rookie card hasn't been beating a path to my door. The only option was the autos.

I received one autographed card and I think it was a pretty decent one.

I was holding off on purchasing a lot of 2009 Allen & Ginter because I was looking forward to this box break. I wasn't disappointed. I actually knocked out a good chunk of the White Sox base cards from the set. I managed to get a few cool oddball base cards, a Chicago American Giants base card and a few nice surprises.

2007 Bowman's Best
8 - David Ortiz (2)
30 - Jim Thome (3)
84 - Michael Bourn auto

2009 Allen & Ginter
33 - Florence Nightingale
42 - Mark Buehrle
97 - Art Pennington (CAG)
167 - Jim Thome
200 - Carlos Quentin
234 - Wyatt Earp
261 - John Danks
265 - Paul Konerko

2009 Allen Ginter National Pride
NP30 - Jose Contreras

2009 Allen & Ginter Mini
167 - Jim Thome

2009 Allen & Ginter Relics
AGR-CQ - Carlos Quentin

I would have been extremely happy with that box break, but it didn't stop there. The next card pulled would put a smile on Albert Belle.

2009 Allen & Ginter Bazooka Back
167 - Jim Thome (07/25)

I'm one happy White Sox fan, thanks to Joe Collector's box break!!

Capewood's Customs

Custom cards seem to be all the rage lately. I can't even begin to say how many bloggers are creating their own masterpieces out there because the number has dramatically risen since last year.

So far, all of the custom cards that I've personally seen have been great. Everyone takes on a different perspective and brings something unique to the field. A few days ago, I received an e-mail from Cliff of Capewood's Collections.

Cliff has thrown his hat into the custom card ring and the results that he has shown me have been spectacular. He attached six different custom cards and I will share them with you.

The cards range from the unique to the action to the close shots. Great job, Cliff!

Collective Troll 4: 60s, 70s And 80s

I'm still sifting through the ginormous box of White Sox goodies from The Collective Troll. It's been a fun experience and has resurfaced many memories long forgotten, like going to old Comiskey Park with my best friend back then, Ray.

I have no clue how, but I always seemed to weasel my way into group outings to see the Sox in the eighties. I guess that everyone saw me decked out in Sox gear all the time and took pity on me. More likely, the teams were so awful that they couldn't give the extra tickets away, so they asked me to tag along.

Unlike in this decade, I can remember the Sox winning the majority of the time, when I went, having those bad teams. The past two decades, with the really good teams, my track record isn't as spectacular.

Enough chit-chat though. Let's see what treasures are in this part of the box!

1966 Topps
319 – Gene Freese
374 – Bob Locker
398 – Danny Cater

1967 Topps
29 – Tommy McCraw
81 – Eddie Stanky (2)

1968 Topps
265 – Tommy Davis

1972 Topps
618 – Rich Robertson

1973 Topps
20 – Stan Bahnsen
150 – Wilbur Wood
356 – Chuck Tanner

1974 Topps
46 – Pat Kelly
221 – Chuck Tanner

1976 Topps
47 – Jesse Jefferson
597 – Rookie Pitchers – Jack Kucek

1976 Topps Traded
127T – Larvell Blanks

1977 Topps
232 – Minnie Minoso RB

1978 Topps
182 – Jim Spencer
231 – Wayne Nordhagen
421 – Junior Moore
463 – Kevin Bell
672 – Don Kessinger

1979 Topps
35 – Ed Figueroa
186 – Eric Soderholm
266 – Jim Willoughby
275 – Junior Moore
514 – Mike Proly
559 – Greg Pryor
704 – Prospects – Ross Baumgarten, Mike Colbern, Mike Squires

1980 Topps
35 – Luis Tiant
186 – Junior Moore
242 – Lamar Johnson
399 – Mike Proly
412 – Thad Bosley
466 – Mike Squires
487 – Wayne Nordhagen
552 – Bill Nahorodny (2)
589 – Chet Lemon (2)
608 – Alan Bannister
647 – Milt May (2)
702 – Ed Farmer (2)

1981 Donruss
39 – Kevin Bell
41 – Ross Baumgarten
279 – Britt Burns
281 – Chet Lemon
399 – Marvis Foley
401 – Wayne Nordhagen
596 – Mike Proly

1981 Fleer
343 – Kevin Bell

1981 Topps
186 – Wayne Nordhagen (2)
272 – Bruce Kimm (2)
323 – Jim Morrison (2)
589 – Lamar Johnson
646 – Marvis Foley
664 – White Sox Team
716 – Glenn Borgmann
735 – Tony Bernazard

1982 Donruss
269 – Lamar Johnson
395 – Jim Morrison

1982 Fleer
337 – Ross Baumgarten (2)
338 – Tony Bernazard (2)
339 – Britt Burns
345 – LaMarr Hoyt
350 – Ron LeFlore (2)
351 – Chet Lemon
353 – Bob Molinaro
354 – Jim Morrison
356 – Greg Pryor

1982 K-Mart
21 – Rich Allen (2)

1982 Topps
13 – Lamar Johnson
44 – Britt Burns
299 – Steve Trout
461 – Rich Dotson
493 – Chet Lemon
521 – Billy Almon
622 – Dennis (I Love) Lamp
714 – Jerry Koosman
748 – Marc Hill (2)

1983 Fleer
232 – Britt Burns
236 – Jerry Hairston
249 – Aurelio Rodriguez
250 – Mike Squires

1983 Topps
177 – Harold Baines
216 – Tony LaRussa
260 – Steve Kemp
362 – Bill Almon
514 – Rudy Law
618 – LaMarr Hoyt
705 – Victories Leaders – LaMarr Hoyt

1984 Fleer
51 – Harold Baines
63 – LaMarr Hoyt

1984 Topps
382 – Chris Nyman
434 – Harold Baines
459 – Kevin Hickey (2)
777 – Tom Paciorek

1985 Topps
221 – Ron Reed
364 – Rich Dotson
466 – Tony LaRussa
572 – Tom Paciorek

1986 Donruss
180 – Harold Baines

1986 Leaf
13 – Harold Baines DK
163 – Carlton Fisk
224 – Reid Nichols
234 – Tom Seaver

1986 Topps
14 – Julio Cruz (2)
64 – Floyd Bannister
123 – Greg Walker (2)
156 – White Sox Leaders
187 – Scott Fletcher
227 – Al Jones
239 – Joel Skinner
313 – Joe DeSa
346 – Bryan Little (2)
423 – Dan Spillner
447 – Jerry Don Gleaton (2)
467 – Bob James (2)
493 – Gene Nelson
531 – Tony LaRussa
552 – Marc Hill
612 – Richard Dotson (2)
637 – Rudy Law
657 – Juan Agosto (3)
719 – Carlton Fisk AS
724 – Tim Hulett
755 – Harold Baines (2)
778 – Jerry Hairston (2)

1986 Topps 1985 All-Star
9 – Carlton Fisk

1986 Topps Mini Leaders
8 – Harold Baines

1987 Donruss
429 – Harold Baines

1987 Donruss Opening Day
229 – Gary Redus
230 – Ivan Calderon
231 – Tim Hulett
232 – Carlton Fisk
233 – Greg Walker
234 – Ron Karkovice
235 – Ozzie Guillen
236 – Harold Baines
237 – Donnie Hill
238 – Rich Dotson
271 – Checklist

1987 Fleer
485 – Harold Baines

1987 Fleer Award Winner
17 – Ozzie Guillen

1987 Topps
27 – Joe Cowley
61 – Bobby Thigpen
113 – Neil Allen (2)
149 – Ray Searage
233 – Russ Morman (2)
454 – Luis Salazar
482 – Daryl Boston
511 – Steve Lyons
718 – Steve Carlton
720 – Richard Dotson
737 – Floyd Bannister
756 – Carlton Fisk (2)
772 – Harold Baines (2)

1987 Topps All-Star Glossy
14 – Harold Baines

1988 Donruss
211 – Harold Baines

1988 Fleer
391 – Harold Baines

1988 Pacific Baseball Legends
4 – Luke Appling
51 – Minnie Minoso
57 – Nellie Fox
91 – Luis Aparicio
95 – Early Wynn

1988 Topps
184 – Ivan Calderon
281 – Jerry Hairston
321 – White Sox Leaders – Harold Baines, Carlton Fisk
613 – Bobby Thigpen
739 – Daryl Boston

1989 K-Mart
22 – Harold Baines

1989 Pacific Baseball Legends
124 – Wilbur Wood
158 – Thornton Lee
171 – Hoyt Wilhelm
197 – Al Lopez
217 – Joel Horlen

1989 Topps
762 – Bobby Thigpen

1989 Upper Deck
211 – Harold Baines

More to come!

The White Sox Go Vintage

If you're looking for the White Sox on television today, you are out of luck. There is no television broadcast today. The only way Chicago area White Sox fans are going to be a part of the game is listening on 670 AM, the Score.

This may be unusual, but I seem to remember it happening before. My guess, since it is a 3PM Chicago start time, is that Fox was supposed to pick the game up for their Saturday afternoon baseball broadcast, but saw the last place Oakland Athletics against the second place White Sox and said no thanks.

So, it will be Ed Farmer and Darrin Jackson for me this afternoon. At least I can get some cleaning done or finally get into the pool, on a rare hot day. It sure beats flipping through the multitude of ESPN stations for an update.

New White Sox Facebook App

If you're a White Sox fan (or know someone who is) and are on Facebook, have I got an app for you!

A few days ago, I made White Sox Players, using the Gift Creator on Facebook. The app currently has 143 different items, so there should be a lot to choose from... once everything is unlocked. The more you send, the more items get unlocked.

In addition to White Sox players, there are individuals who have shaped the Chicago White Sox directly. Who are they? You'll have to keep unlocking items to see.

I decided to mix everybody up, so whatever era of White Sox baseball you enjoy, there should be something unlocked and something waiting to be unlocked. Players past and present are represented and I will be adding new items in the future.

It's just my way of trying to share my love of White Sox baseball with the messes. If you decide to check it out, enjoy!

Card Spotlight: 8-14-09

1983 Topps Traded #23T - Julio Cruz

When Harold Baines sacrificed Julio Cruz to clinch the AL West on September 17, 1983, the improbable was made possible. No one expected the White Sox to go anywhere or do anything in 1983.

In fact, no one could have foreseen those fan designed uniforms or the way that the White Sox won games that they had no business winning, hence the Winning Ugly nickname. The best example of all of this is the underwhelming trade with the Mariners, in June, that brought Julio Cruz to the White Sox.

For whatever reason, Julio became energized when he put on the White Sox uniform that year. The Sox were looking for a spark when they traded Tony Bernazard to Seattle. They certainly got it. Julio Cruz was the catalyst for the White Sox in 1983. Without that trade, I don't think that they would have climbed out of their early season funk.

The Sox didn't get into first place until July 18th. The Sox Cruzed into the postseason with a twenty game lead over the Royals. The Sox would get beat by a very good Baltimore team with a very young Cal Ripken Jr., in the playoffs.

Julio Cruz was never the same player after that magical 1983 season. He went downhill fast and was out of the majors in 1986. Still he is remembered for his great contributions to the Winning Ugly team and unlike some players, Topps granted Julio a place in their 1983 Traded set. Now, instead of just a bunch of 1983 Mariners cards of Julio Cruz, there is a Topps card to capture the moments of that wondrous season.

We All Have Strange Fans

We all have our "strange" fans that take their fanaticism to new levels.

I'm thinking that this is either a spoof video or someone really forgot when this was originally recorded. It is stated to happen in 1983, but the Ripken card used is clearly a 1984 Topps. They couldn't even spell Ripken's name right in the opening credits. Either way, it's still an odd little video. It's amazing the bizarre things you stumble across on the web.

The only thing this video managed to do was set Ripken's career on fire. Maybe Cal should thank them from Cooperstown. Truly odd and laughable.

Not So Average Trade

When I was in high school, I drew a comic panel (one panel does not make a strip) called The Average Joe. It included scenes that were out of left field. Every time I read The Average Joe, I am reminded of that comic panel.

Why do I mention The Average Joe? Simple. A package arrived in yesterday's mail from the proprietor of that site. It is a nice break from the behemoth box that I am still sorting through from another kind and generous soul.

I a well protected package, I received a handful of White Sox cards and a few Ryne Sandberg cards that I am collecting for my friend. Some I needed, others I didn't, but all are appreciated.

Let's dig in!

1989 Bowman
62 - Carlton Fisk
72 - Harold Baines

1989 Donruss
58 - Melido Perez

1992 Score
347 - Ken Patterson

1992 Ultra
40 - Jack McDowell

1994 Topps
384 - Frank Thomas AS

1998 Collector's Choice
21 - Frank Thomas CL
62 - Jeff Abbott

2000 Upper Deck
77 - Ray Durham

Ryne Sandberg cards
1987 Topps #680
1988 Topps #10
1990 Donruss #105
1990 Donruss #692 AS
1991 Donruss #433
1991 Fleer #431
1991 Topps #7 RB
1992 Donruss #576
1992 Stadium Club #50

Autographed Surprise!!!
1992 Upper Deck
7 - Roberto Hernandez

Thank you, Joe!! That was great. Especially the Roberto Hernandez. That is the first card that I have signed by him, amazingly. I actually found a framed autographed picture of him at a Salvation Army store a few years ago for five dollars. I thought that was an great find. I think that this tops that.

Thanks also for the contributions to the Sandberg collection that I am putting together for my good friend.

Goose Joak Originals: Alex Rios

See the full set here.

Collective Troll 3: 3,000 Words

Each picture is worth a thousand words. Courtesy of the gigantic Collective Troll box.

Collective Troll 2: El Capitan

Another few pages from the Collective Troll box, were filled with Ozzie Guillen as a player. It's very interesting to see, through cards, the transformation of Ozzie. From a young player who took Rookie of the Year honors to the "El Capitan" years to the end of his White Sox playing career. It also amazed me to see that Donruss captured him in some grand gesture or temper tantrum in almost every base card.

I don't think I had this much Ozzie when he played, so this makes up for years neglected. This collection pretty much covers his entire White Sox playing career. It's a nice retrospective.

As Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees" plays on shuffle through the iPod, let's list the Ozzie Guillen cards.

1986 Donruss #208
1986 Topps #254
1986 Topps All-Star Glossy #58

1987 Donruss #87
1987 Topps #89

1988 Topps #585

1990 Leaf #128
1990 Topps #365
1990 Upper Deck #267

1991 Donruss #577

1992 Leaf #149
1992 Stadium Club Dome #72
1992 Topps #210

1993 Topps Gold #474

1994 Leaf #107
1994 Score Gold Rush #93
1994 Stadium Club #389

1995 Collector’s Choice Silver Signature #494
1995 Fleer #118
1995 Leaf #117
1995 Pinnacle #107
1995 Select #185
1995 Score Gold Rush #428
1995 Studio #157

1996 Donruss #509
1996 Fleer #66
1996 Pacific #286
1996 Stadium Club #117
1996 Starting Lineup
1996 Upper Deck #41
1996 Upper Deck #206

1997 Collector’s Choice Team #CW11
1997 Score #160
1997 Ultra #39

1998 Score #62

And if I could be who you wanted
If I could be who you wanted
All the time, all the time

Ozzie helped bring a World Series championship to Chicago. That's all I could ever want, when these cards were produced. More cards from the box later.

Trimming The Fat

Some interesting things happen when a blog covers parts of three different years. You see other blogs come and go. Some blogs you hope will stick around. Others you know will fail. Some even surprise you and blossom into something else entirely.

It's time to trim some of the fat away. Some blogs have completely disappeared. No trace of them can be found. Others have naturally run their course. Still, others seem to have stopped for no apparent reason.

I have created a new listing underneath all the other links for the "retired and dead blogs" that have littered the link landscape on this blog. I have taken them out of the other hard link categories and I have weeded most of them out of the "long & winding roll'.

If your blog is on that retired list and shouldn't be, drop me a line stating so. If you have a baseball card related blog that is nowhere in the links, please, drop me a line and let me know about it. I'm only one person and I can't be everywhere at once, so if I've offended anyone, cut me some slack.