February's Urbandale American Legion Card Show

This month's Urbandale American Legion card show was rather ho-hum, to say the least. There were probably about three of the regular dealers who were missing, and a first - I don't think there were any tables with dime boxes. Unfortunately, I didn't have a great amount of time in which to look to be totally sure of that fact.

 

Due to time constraints, I had only an hour to shop. I'm a track and field official, and we had our officials training for April's Drake Relays set up for that afternoon. It was originally scheduled two weeks ago, but a rather nasty winter snowstorm forced cancellation. There are other track meets I work, but the Relays are always special, due to the world-class athletes we always attract.

 

Like my wife joked, God forbid I'd miss the monthly card show.

 

Trying to shop smartly, however, I did find some nice Padres cards within the many 25-cent boxes found at most of the dealers' tables. One dealer had a $1 per card box marked down to four-for-a-dollar. Through these, I was able to find a few Padres bargains, as well as pick up some nice Jedd Gyorko cards. 

 

 

Let's start out with a little color, like a 2013 Bowman Gold Casey Kelly, 2013 Topps Chrome Orange Refractors Jedd Gyorko, 2012 Topps Chrome Orange Refractors Cameron Maybin, 2011 Bowman Prospects Purple Nate Freiman, 2013 Bowman Prospects Purple Max White  (oops, actually a Colorado Rockie, scanned by mistake and headed to a certain Rockies collector), and a 2009 Topps Unique Mat Latos S/N1275/2999.

And then there were the hometowners, die-cuts, serial number cards and of course, another Gyorko. 2013 Bowman Prospects Hometown Matt Stites and Matt Wisler, Elite Extra Edition Aspirations Mallex Smith S/N 75/200, 2008 Topps Moments and Milestones Adrian Gonzalez S/N 110/150, 2013 Topps Making Their Mark Jedd Gyorko, 1999 Topps Power Brokers Greg Vaughn.

As I'm digging through the boxes, I find, "squirrel"...2012 Topps Gold Sparkle Brad Brach, 2007 Topps Chrome Refractors Brian Giles, 2011 Topps Update Cognac Diamond Anniversary Anthony Rizzo, 2007 Topps Chrome White Refractor Brian Giles S/N 490/660, and a 1982 Donruss Diamond Kings Ozzie Smith.

Lastly, I was able to find a 2013 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs Jedd Gyorko at a very nice price. These 2007 Fleer Crowning Achievement cards of Greg Maddux and Trevor Hoffman were the first I've seen of these, and I must say I rather like them.

By the way, did you know that "If a javelin breaks during the throw, or in the air, it shall not count as a trail and a replacement throw shall be awarded."

I am so ready for spring, spring weather and track and field season.