The Ghost of Don Denkinger.

As we sit here and marvel at the poor decision of Ned Yost to pull his starter and put in a rookie I can't but to think this may be payback for the Royals' "winning" of the 1985 World Series.

All Yadi all 2014 N.L Central Division edition

I was finally able to read the STL Post-Dispatch division celebration recap article on the mobile app. As a side note when I was growing up there were two papers in the STL, one the PD and the other the Globe-Democrat, one liberal and one conservative. Just a blast from my past when there were many cities with many papers. So here are several pictures with Yadi and one with John Mo' the GM which I find hilarious.

In 2004 when Yadi came up Mike Matheny went home to his wife and told her that he "saw the kid that was going to steal [his] job." That was then and this is now.

Yadi and Carlos Martinez came out to thank the members of Cardinal Nation that came to the game in Phoenix. Phoenix is to STL what Eastern Florida is to folks on the East Coast.

                                                              Yadi and Danny Double D            

A cold shower of Missouri Sparking Wine and Bud.

GM John Mo' having a slug, one of the owners Bill Dewitt Jr. Bill's father was the owner of the STL Browns and it was Bill's bat boy uniform that Eddie Gaedel wore as he took an at bat during a Browns double header on August 19, 1951.

2014 N.L Central Division Champs!

The Cardinals were able to back into the playoffs thanks to the Bucs.

                                                           "I can't believe we made it"

I don't have much faith the "Boys" will get much further because of their often absent offense, but then again I thought last year they would go all the way because off their offense. What could have been if Allen Craig didn't get hurt? Any who I am proud of them and whatever happens from this point on is icing on the cake.

Better than a Blaster #8

It has been a little while since I have posted a BTAB because the few that I have been picking up have been too bad to write about-I know that it shouldn't determine whether I blog about it but I hate to be negative too much. So this BTAB is one I bid on within the last hour of the Bay auction.

Here is the description

"HUGE Cardinals Lot_285 dif cards with 18 TRUE ROOKIES & 34 INSERTS_FREE S&H!

This auction consists of 285 all different cards of St. Louis Cardinals players from the years 1992 to 2013.  Many different brands are represented including Donruss, Fleer, Bazooka, Bowman, Stadium Club, Topps, and others.  Of the 285 cards 34 cards are inserts and 18 are TRUE ROOKIE cards.  All cards are in GREAT condition and the rookie cards and insert cards are pictured in the scan.  Inserts include parallels and 1 re-print (Ozzie Smith). "

So what did my winning $8.00 bid get me?  It go me exactly 285 all different cards. So accurate description is a plus in my book.

Number of cards in lot: 285
Cost of lot with shipping: $8
Cost per card: 2.8 cents per card.
Cost per card of cards needed (139): 5.75 cents per card
Quality: 3 out of 3 Blasters
Value: 3 out of 3 Blasters
Expectations: 1 Blasters

This was a solid blaster and I surmise this person was a collector of Cardinals since the cards were by player across several brands and years. As of late I have been burned by expectations and bad if not misleading descriptions. This one delivered on its promise and I was able to add quality cards-and only a couple of junk wax cards. The lot was heavy on late 90s early 2000s Bowman, Fleer, and Topps. Surprising the Upper Deck and Donruss were not so representative. I do wish there were some Pacific included but the lot only consisted of the aforementioned brands above plus Score and Score Select. So what were the highlights? How about some cool 1997 Score Select Brian Jordan and Ray Lankford, and Alan Benes.

A 1998 Fleer Ultra Brian Jordan as a catcher, a 2001 Fleer Ultra J.D Drew, a 1998 Fleer Sports Illustrated Eli Marrero, and 1999 Stadium Club Ray Lankford.

These beauties as well, Fleer Sports Illustrated Eli Morrero, 2010 Turkey Red Matt Holliday, and a 1998 UD Collector’s Choice Starquest Lankford. All in all a great BTAB.

Jury duty and some autos I have picked up over the last few months

I have lived in California for 9 plus years and have received 4 or 5 jury summons. I lived in Missouri and Michigan for another 19 years while being of voting age and was called once. So I have been chosen to sit on a jury-I don't mind it but I have a ton of work and I will start studying next week for the last exam I need to pass and I wanted to spend the free time before and after work blogging-as a matter of fact I have misplaced the results of the last Retail GAC some where in a stack of study papers, at least I hope it is. So over the last few months I have been picking up reasonably priced autos of Cardinals' projects, rookies, and veterans. I have already mentioned the Leaf autos but here are some other autos I have picked up.

Pitchers Marco Gonzalez, Tim Cooney, Mike Mayers,

 Lots of Patrick Wisdom, Jordan Swagerty

 Hiters Oscar Mercado, Oscar Taveras, Steven Piscotty Mike O'Neil, and Charlie Tilson,

Veteran Jason Motte (will he be a Cardinal next year?), and a Hungo! 

None of these Autos were expensive and I think a Topps' Archives Hungo for less than a ten spot is a good deal.

Fantastic Catch Fantastic Cards

I received a wonderful and much needed package of cards from fellow Cardinals' fan and collector Wes at Fantastic Catch. Thank you Wes for the cards and I apologize for the delay in thanking you and posting them. First up, Yadi, Yadi, and more Yadi. I was looking at some of these on COMC right before they showed up in my mail box so perfect timing!

 Some Carp, my man crush Jimmy Ballgame,

Some Edgar, Skip, and a mini Cracker Jack, 

and one of my favorite pictures used on any card, 

 Thank you again Wes and you can expect another package sooner than later.

I have been away but not gone

Hey everyone, I have been out of touch as I studied my arse off for the last two months for the first of two exams  I need to pass to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am giving my self a few days off this weekend and next Saturday when I hit my first baseball card show in 30 plus years, before I study for the harder second exam in November.

So friends what should I bring with me to the show? I will bring my Yadi want list, but can I bring a "man bag" I.E messenger bag? If I am buying singles out of dime boxes etc. do I need to bring with me a card box? Or a cube? Any other tips? Fuji look for me in a Cardinals hat. I thank everyone in advance for the tips.

This is why I don't watch the NFL

Hey Friends-I know this isn't a posting about cards or the Cardinals (they lost a 1-0 game today to the Reds and those pesky Pirates will not go away). This is a posting on how I am ashamed of the NFL and why I don't watch it. The NFL is not what it was when I was growing up circa 1972-1985, it is a violent culture; the fans, the players, and the league. We sit here reading and watching news reports on Ray Rice and how he beat his now wife and we now learn the NFL had this information since April and has done nothing-I say to hell with you, you hate women. What is the reason for not standing up for what is right? I am a social worker and I work with the victims of domestic violence daily and I see the cycle of violence and how the victim is blamed for the perp's actions.

Going back as far as high school, professional athletes get breaks you and I never get. If I were to grab my wife by the wrist and the cops were called I am going to jail-no question. But if you are Ray Rice beating your partner in an elevator and law enforcement sends a tape to the NFL and they don't arrest this a'hole? Women, the NFL hates you. How can we say no to this? We can stop buying their cards, logo junk, and stop watching them. I know many of you will not do this-but perhaps this situation will help to plant seed of questioning in fan's minds so much so there will be true justice for victims of dv perpetrated by professional athletes. Thank you for letting me rant-I was prompted to do so when I saw one of the first frames of the film footage with Ray Rice cocking his fist.  So the question I ask you is where do you stand? Are you with the NFL or do you stand with the women?

Ravens Fans Still Loyal to Rice (article)

Video of Ray Rice beating his GF

Retail GAC Pack 16-18

Busy weekend studying but I wanted to make sure I keep up on the Retail GAC.

Pack 16. 3 points

Pastimes Shields +2 (+100)

David Freese Mini A&G Back +2 (+102) 

Yankee Teixeira -1 (+101)

Pack 17.  4 points

Erik Johnson SP +2 (+103)

Festivals and Fairs Carnival +2 (+105) 

Pack 18. 5 points

Kinsler SP +2 (+107)

Rosie FT +1 (+108) 

Air Supremacy F-86 +2 (+110) 

Retail GAC Pack 13-15

All down hill from here.

Pack 13 7 points

Tim Lincecum FP +2 (+73) another horizontal card, loving it.

Pastimes Chris Sale FP +4 (+77)

Mini A&G Braun this d'bag gets me +2 (+79)

Jolten Joe DiMaggio -1 (+78)

Pack 14 4 points

Erik Johnson SP +2 (+80)

Festivals and Fairs Carnival +2 (+82) 

Pack 14 12 points

C.C Sabbathia -1 (+81)

Pastimes Rizzo +2 (+83) 

Predators Great White +3 (+86) 

Full Size Relic Balfour +8 (+94) This one will eventually make to Fuji 

Pack 15 +3

Eck SP +2 (+97) Sweet card.

Natural Wonders Luray Caverns +2 (+99) 

Mini Carlito Beltran -1 (+98)