Error?

2008 Ballpark Collection. My question to you cardboard collectors is this, is this card an error card. Look closely at the Kazmir swatch, have the Rays ever worn pinstripes? Did the Big Unit's swatch get swapped with Kazmir's? I have been curious about this ever since this card landed on my doormat.

Arms Race.

With opening day almost upon us I thought I would highlight the Rays probable rotation. Tops of the pile is David Price,shown here on a gold bordered Bowman 2010. Price finished second in the Cy Young race in 2010 and Rays fans are hoping he goes one better in 2011.

Number two in the rotation is my guy James Shields. He had a down year in 2010 going 13-15 with an ERA over 5. This year I expect him to knock at least on run off his ERA. Shieds is a proven innings eater so expect him throw 200+ again this year.

Third is Jeff Niemann, the 6'9" hurler had a solid year in 2010 going 12-8. If he can stay healthy and improve his pitching with runners on first, he was easy to steal off last year. I think the big guy could have a break out year. He has all the tools to become a star.

Wade Davis will be fourth in the Rays rotation this year. Wade was 12-10 last year. He has had a pretty rough time in Spring Training, but expect a solid year from the big righty. Another who needs to stay healthy. Like Niemann he was another high draft pick who is finally seeing his potential realised.

Fianlly we have the great hope for the Rays pitching staff. Jeremy Hellickson is a highly touted prospect who is going to fill the cleats of the departed Matt Garza. A brief stint in the Majors last season where he went 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA. Much is expected of the Young Mr Hellickson, but as with David Price in 2009 it will be a big learning curve for him. I fully expect him to hit his full potential in 2012. He should be ready for the opening of the season after a hamstring problem shortened his spring training.

Hank Makes a Bad Week Good.

The past seven days have not been too happy on a card colecting
front. First off there was the Topps 2011 James Shields Platinum 1/1, sniped at last second. Next was the Bowman Chrome James Shields Superfractor 1/1, sniped at the last second. Curse you slow I-Net connection. So all in all I was feeling a tad glum about cards in general.

My week was certainly perked up by a package from the good ole US of A yesterday though. Inside was a Hank Aaron 1961 Topps. I had completly forgotten that I had purchased this card. Getting old is a bugger you know. Anyhoo, the card is in a very good condition,I'm not sure how it would rate on the BGS/PSA grading scale, but it is a nice looking card and I'm happy to have a Hank in the collection.

In 1957 Hank hit 44 Homers 132 RBI's and had a batting average of .322. A great year rewarded with the NL MVP trophy.

Shuffle Up and Deal.

I love playing Poker and watching Poker. So I am very happy to have this Razor Poker Auto of poker legend T J Cloutier. T J has won 6 WSOP bracelets and finished in the top 5 of the main event 4 times including runner up twice. As well as being a great player he is also a prolific author of poker books. T J has made over $9.5 million in tournament winnings with neary $5 million being won at the WSOP. What I like most about T J is that he is an old school player,no baseball cap on backwards, no shades and not covered in website ads. If you play poker I can heartily recommend reading his books, very easy to follow and very very helpful. Mr Cloutiers advice helped buy me a new car once!!!

Silky Start to 2011

With the release of Topps 2011 comes a new year of tracking down James Shields. The first card is the good old base card. This came via a trade with Tony from Collecter Across The Pond. I got this and a few extra Shields that Tony didn't want, in exchange Tony recieved a Allen and Ginter mini of a dinosaur. Next comes the trusty Gold Border card short printed to 2011!!! Not much to say about this one apart from it didn't cost too much.

Next is the Diamond Anniversary card, I really like the design on this card. There is just something about shiney cards I really like. Topps have really done a nice job with their 60th anniversary cards, this makes a nice change.

Last but not least is the Silk Collection card 3/50. Picked this one up for $5 on ebay, this was a bit of a steal as all the other ones were listed as BIN at around the $10 mark. This one goes with the 2008 and 2009 Silk cards I Shields I already have.

Just need the Wal Mart black and the low numbered Black Border now. Sadly Topps neglected to put Shields in the fake leather glove set, which is a bit of a shame as it would have been nice to have one in my collection. Maybe next year when Topps has a Manufactured Jock Strap set.

Hello Again Kaz.

Scott Kazmir along with James Shields was one of the first players I really collected. The reason behind collecting Kazmir was simple, he was the only really good player on a very bad Rays team. Since he was traded away to the Angels I have not really collected any of his cards. Over the last few weeks I have decided to continue to collect his cards,but only the ones that really catch my eye. I just can't be bothered to collect his base, but nice auto's and GU will be added. The first new Kazmir card I got is the above, 2007 UD Black Pride of a Nation. I love UD Black

and this is the third Kazmir I have. I really miss Upper Deck baseball cards, they really did do higher end cards better than Topss.

Preaching from the Mound.

I thought I would show off something different today, I think we were all getting bored of looking at James Shields or Wade Davis. Anyway, here we have the two of oldest cards I own (having just sold my 1912 c64 card). Above is the 1954 Topps Preacher Roe and Below is a 1952 Bowman. For some reason I have a soft spot for the old Brooklyn Dodgers, I'm not really sure why though as I wasn't alive when they played in Brooklyn. Maybe it's Roger Kahns fault with his wonderful stories of the Dodgers glory days. Maybe it's because they had players with nicknames such as Pee Wee, Oisk, Preacher and Shotgun. Maybe it's because the greatest named player was a pitcher with the old Brooklyn club, take a bow Mr Van Lingle Mungo. Whatever the attraction I will still pick up the odd Brooklyn card when not looking for other pc stuff. To everyone who moans about Topps cards being off centered in 2011,don't worry folks as Topps were doing it over 60 years ago.