March Urbandale Card Show

This past Sunday was the third Sunday of the month, so that means it's time for the monthly Urbandale American Legion card show. With 70+ degree temperatures and generally gorgeous weather, this month's show was very well attended, both from a dealer's standpoint and as far as the number of collectors in attendance.

 

The nickel and dime boxes were definitely out in force, so it was a no-brainer to pick up these San Diego Padres cards - a 1995 Topps Embossed Andy Benes (#40), Bip Roberts (#57) and Joey Hamilton (#87), 2000 Stadium Club Trevor Hoffman (#18), 2002 Topps Reserve Xavier Nady (#31), and 2003 Donruss Champions Sean Burroughs (#220).

And then there was this bunch of 2000 Pacific cards, which included Wally Joyner (#367), Andy Ashby (#361), Ben Davis (#362), Ruben Rivera (#372), and Sterling Hitchcock (#364). If you know of my love for minor league cards, then you also know I couldn't pass up this 1992 Waterloo Diamonds Fleer/Procards Shawn Robertson (#2154). Signed as a free agent by the Padres in 1991, he only played two seasons of minor league ball, in Spokane of the Northwest League (Low-A ball) and in 1992 with Waterloo (Class A). After that, he appears to have fallen off the face of the earth.

 

I also picked up these 1995 Stadium Club Andy Benes (#26), 2001 Bowman's Best Sean Burroughs (#129), Mat Latos (#50), 2011 Bowman Platinum Bold (#50) Stadium Club Members Only Parallel Dustin Hermanson (#107), 1997 Pinnacle Jason Thompson (#180), and 2001 Upper Deck Vintage Ryan Klesko (#289).

While I've only picked up one or two packs of 2015 Topps cards, I have yet to pull any Padres cards. Fortunately, I was able to find seven 2015 Topps cards, which included Yonder Alonso (#99), Yasmani Grandal (#338), Rene Rivera (#3), Jesse Hahn (#145), Everth Cabrera (#28), and Carlos Quentin (#32). I also grabbed a 2015 Topps team card, as well. Of these six cards, only half - Alonso, Hahn and Quentin are still with the club - everyone else has been traded to make up the new-look 2015 Friars.

Even though I wasn't able to attend last month's show, Myron, one of my favorite dealers was still looking out for me and had these Padres cards set aside for me, as well as a few team sets. I was more than happy to find these gorgeous Tony Gwynss, which included a 1991 Topps Cracker Jack I (#36), 1998 Revolution Showstoppers (#35), and a 2015 Donruss Tony Gwynn Tribute (#2), as well as2013 Pinnacle Artist's Proof Jedd Gyorko (#187), 2014 Bowman Platinum Toolsy Die-Cuts Austin Hedges (#TDCAH), and a 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospects Autographs Jose Urena (#BCAPJUR) of his hands.

He also had a1993 Upper Deck 28-card team set and a 1994 Collector's Choice 19-card team set put aside for me.

I'll have a boxful of Nacho's, please

Another package I've recently received in the mail (but have taken forever to post) is from Christopher over at Nachos Grande. An avid Legos collector, I had sent him a Christmas card with a Lego mini character.

He was touched by the card and elated with the Lego character. In return, he sent me this wonderful collection of San Diego Padres cards and goodies.

You know, it's always great to be gracious and good enough to send a gratuitous group of Gwynns, so Christopher saw fit to send along a few cards of Mr. Padre, himself. Here's his 2000 Impact Mighty Fine in '99, 1997 Collector's Choice All-Star Connection, 2008 Upper Deck Heroes, 1998 Collector's Choice, 1987 Topps, and a 2014 Stadium Club.

For a team created in 1969, it's hard coming up with vintage cards. However, Christopher saw fit to include these Padres "Vintage" cards - a 2004 Upper Deck Vintage Miguel Ojeda, 2007 Topps Heritage Brian Giles and Adrian Gonzalez, 2004 Upper Deck Vintage Brian Lawrence, and 2007 Topps Allen & Ginter Kahlil Greene and Edwin Moreno.

How about a 1996 Circa Fernando Valenzuela, Wally Joyner and Andy Ashby, 1991 Studio Tony Fernandez, Brian Lawrence. Oliver Perez and Shane Victorino, 2002 Fleer Fall Classics SP Steve Garvey. A friend and I used to have a blast mimicking a few pitchers' pitching motions and Valenzuela was one of them that was so much fun to copy, especially due to his heaven-directed look, as part of his wind-up. Al Hrabosky, the Mad Hungarian, was another one that was fun to mimic.

In 1991 Topps released Stadium Club, featuring a glossy UV coating on both sides of the card, gold foil stamping on the front and a nice, borderless action photo on the front. Christopher made them part of his package, including these Topps 1995 Stadium Club Andy Benes, Brad Ausmus, and Andy Ashby, 1994 Stadium Club Archi Cianfrocco, 1996 Stadium Club Glenn Dishman, 1992 Stadium Club Paul Faries, and a 1996 Stadium Club Joey Hamilton. Oh yeah, here's a 1995 Topps D3 Andy Benes, too.

 

Here's a 2008 Upper Deck UD Game Materials Morgan Ensberg, 1982 Topps Luis Salazar and Joe Lefebvre, Ken Caminiti 1996 Pinnacle, 1997 Collector's Choice, 1997 Collector's Choice Crash the Game Exchange, 1997 Collector's Choice All-Star Connection.

And finally, here's a Jake Peavy 2005 Upper Deck Classic, 2008 Topps Year in Review, 2005 Topps Opening Day, 2000 Topps Stars Sean Burroughs, Derrek Lee 1997 Collector's Choice, 1994 Score RC, 1998 Upper Deck, and 2000 Topps Stars Ryan Klesko.

He also included a Padres pencil and Padres Sportsclix character (of course, I can't find the box with his cards again, so I can't tell you who the Padres player was).

February goodies from COMC

Its time once again to post my monthly booty earned from the COMC (Check Out My Cards) website. As you may well know, if you complete more than a few of their COMC Challenges, you can earn enough COMC dollars to pick up a nice little stack of free cards

 

I'm now up to 240,055 points, good for $240 worth of free sports cards (and yes, I've spent almost every penny of that on COMC cards). As a matter of fact, I'm more than happy to share some of my most recent purchases accumulated through COMC in this post.

 

For starters, I had a great opportunity to add some new cards to my Tony Gwynn collection. I was able to find some food issues, newer cards, minis, serial numbered, glossy, and other unique Gwynn cards. I'll begin with this 1990 Sunflower Seeds #11, 2000 Metal Hit Machines #H4, 2013 Panini Father's Day Museum Collection #MC3, 1993 Duracell Power Players I #14, 1988 Drake's #14, and 1998 Metal Universe Universal Language #19.

When it comes to Gwynn minis, you can't go wrong with these 1987 Hostess Stickers #16, 1992 Topps Micro Gold #G270, 1993 Topps Micro #5, 1991 Topps Cracker Jacks I #26, and 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen Mini #287B.

And then there's the glossy and serial numbered, including a 1998 Fleer Tradition #315, 2000 Bowman's Best #40, 2000 Topps Gold Label Class 3 #11 1998 Pinnacle Inside #37, 1998 Leaf Rookies and Stars Standing Ovations #5 S/N 3490/5000, and 2001 Post #17.

Of course, I'm always looking for "older" Padres cards, so I grabbed these 1974 Topps #250A Willie McCovey, and 1974 Topps "Washington" cards, #148B Dave Hilton and #32B John Grubb. And then there's this 1979 OPC #95 Randy Jones (one of my favorite Padres pitchers), 1970 Topps #151 Dave Roberts, 1973 Topps #268 Jerry Morales, 1971 Topps #548 Don Mason, and 1971 Topps Coins #133 Ollie Brown. I had won a stack of these coins on a bid board at a local sports card shop, but the only Padre to be found belonged to Mark Davis.

And then of course, I just had to pick up a Padres autograph card, in this case a 2005 Origins Old Judge Autographs  #AO Akinori Otsuka. A pair of Ken Caminiti cards beckoned, including these 1998 Tops Tek Patterns 32 #68 and 1997 Donruss Preferred X-Ponential Power #10b S/N 492/3000. And then I just had to have these 2005 Reflections Purple #78 Mark Loretta S/N 54/99, 2003 Sweet Spot #212 Miguel Ojeda S/N 332/1430, 2013 Panini Father's Day #41 Jedd Gyorko S/N 48/499, 1987 Fleer Limited Edition #16 Steve Garvey, and 2009 Upper Deck Goudy #168 Trevor Hoffman.

 

Lately, it seems as if COMC is finally catching up on their inventory listings, so it appears that the challenges are starting to slow down. If that's the case, then it may be awhile before I'm able to tap into this mother lode again.

Cards from across the Pond

I know I've been rather remiss in posting up some of the wonderful packages I've received from fellow bloggers, so this specific post will address that situation plus provide a belated congratulations to one of my favorite bloggers.

 

For starters, there was this really great package from new father Marcus over at All the Way to the Backstop. In case you've been away from the card blogging world the past few weeks, Marcus Pond, a Texas schoolteacher and his wife, recently celebrated the birth of their newborn son, Maxwell Coleman Pond. And yes, the middle name is in honor of the late San Diego Padres sportscaster Jerry Coleman.

 

I wonder if maybe Marcus was passing out sports cards instead of cigars celebrating his son's birth, as this package came completely out of the blue and, yes, it contained a healthy gathering of brown and gold (and blue) Padres goodies.

  

For starters, he included a few newer San Diego Padres cards, to include some Jedd Gyorko cards - a 2013 Topps Wal Mart Blue Border, 2013 Topps Chrome RC, and a 2013 Bowman Platinum Sapphire. Also, a 1993 Donruss Dave Staton, 2005 Donruss Greats John Kruk, 2013 Bowman Top 100 Prospects Max Fried, 2009 Topps 50th Anniversary All Rookie Team Khalil Greene, and a 2014 Topps Update Seth Smith.

One of my favorite Padres, Trevor Hoffman, was well represented in this package, as evidenced by his 1997 Pacific, 2000 SPx, 1997 Score Premium Stock, 2006 Flair Showcase, 2002 Upper Deck Vintage, 2001 SP Authentic, 2009 Topps Heritage, and a 1994 Stadium Club.

I think Marcus knows I always like finding Padres players minor league cards and these cards truly fit the bill. Here's some 2012 Pacific Coast League Top Prospects Multi-Ad Blake Tekotte and James Darnell, 2011 Lake Elsinore Storm Coke Phil Plantier, 2012 Topps Pro Debut Jonathan Galvez, 2008 TRISTAR PROjections Kyle Burke, Danny Payne and Jonathan Galvez, and a 2013 Topps Pro Debut Max Fried.

And of course, there's some old-school San Diego Padres cards, at least as old school as a franchise originating in 1969 can boast of. Here's a 1970 Topps Al Ferrara and Chris Cannizzaro, 1975 Topps Chris Cannizzaro, 1975 Topps Jerry Turner RC (also with Benny Ayala, Nyls Nyman, and Tommy Smith), and 1969 Topps Alan Foster RC and Willie Davis.

I have a natural affinity to the late '70's Padres cards, especially since that's when I was living in "America's Finest City." So these are great cards of the 1978 Topps Jerry Turner, Gene Tenace and Gene Richards, 1976 Topps Bob Davis RC, 1981 Topps Dave Cash and Mike Ivie RC (with Darcy Fast and Derrel Thomas).

And finally, here's a hand-signed 2010 Topps National Chicle Will Venable, 2013 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Zach Eflin, 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Top Prospects Refractor Max Fried, 1979 Kellogg's Gaylord Perry (1973-315 hits), 1989 Panini Stickers Marvell Wynn, 2012 Topps Stickers and 2014 Topps Sticker Swinging Friar. You have to admit the Swinging Friar is a great mascot, especially when compared to other teams' fishes, birds and other assorted animals.

Once again, thank you Marcus and belated congratulations on the birth of your newest son.

Zen and the art of Zistle

Recently, I discovered the joys of Zistle, which bills itself as "The easiest way to organize and trade your cards online." Basically, it's a free card trading website, created by "collectors for collectors," which allows you to inventory cards you want to trade and helps find trade partners to get the cards you want. You can also pay to add Zistle Gold, their premium service, but they also provide a seven-day free trial of Zistle Gold.

Once I registered, it took a little to figure out how to post up cards. However, once I got the hang of it, I started listing several basketball and football cards. In reality, I could care less about basketball, but I've managed to accumulate a good-sized stack of it through picking up various and sundry sports card collections. So I posted a few of them, along with other cards I'm looking to trade away, and quickly logged in about 1,080 cards - 55 baseball, 516 football, 207 basketball, and 302 hockey - generating 4,078 points.

It wasn't long before I received my first trade proposal from member bdlehman18. He was interested in a couple of my football cards - a 2011 Panini Rookies and Stars Longevity Danny Coale and a 2001 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Antonio Freeman. I already had the Tony Gwynn cards he offered, so after some negotiation, he sent a pair of Tony Gwynns, one a 1993 Fun Pack and the other, a 1999 Upper Deck MVP Swing Time.

I promptly mailed my cards, he promptly mailed his, and the next thing I knew, I had a PWE sitting in my mailbox and the deal was painlessly completed.

My second Zistle trade, this one with BucCollector, was a little more involved. I sent him a mix of basketball and hockey cards, which included a 2010 Topps Allen and Ginter Mini Akinori Iwamura, 1973-74 Topps Dave Bing, 2000-01 Topps Heritage Jason Collier RC, 1993-94 Hoops East Team Photo, 2013-14 Upper Deck Artifacts Evgeni Malkin, and then 2007-08 Upper Deck Artifacts Sidney Crosby, Evegeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury, 2010-11 Upper Deck Artifacts Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, 2002-03 Atomic Johan Hedberg and Alexei Morozov.

From BucCollector, I received a trio of 1974 Topps cards, both of the Washington and San Diego Padres variety. While the Willie McCovey card has the San Diego Padres listed, as it should, the Johnny Grubb and Dave Hilton cards feature the Washington "Nat'l Lea." It was assumed to be pretty much a done deal for the Padres to be purchased by a Washington, D.C. group, but it fell through. It was then that Ray Kroc, of McDonald's fame saved the San Diego franchise (and not Bud Selig), keeping the team in San Diego.

I also received three Tony Gwynn cards, including a 1988 Fleer Baseball's Best, 1990 Donruss All-Star Error, 1988 Topps Tony Gwynn/Benito Santiago, as well as a 1987 Fleer Limited Edition Steve Garvey

You do have to be careful when you post feedback, however. You can give a range of 1 star, for a bad trade and up to 10 stars for a great trade. Unfortunately, when I went to post feedback, I had intended to give BucCollector a 10 and thought I clicked on all 10 of the stars, but accidentally hit 9 of the stars instead. Easily enough corrected, I found out - you just post up a message to one of the moderators and they'll help you fix it.

And then I had yet another trade offer, this one from halos17, a Martin St. Louis hockey fan. We agreed on the trade and I sent my cards out into the U.S. Postal system. Due to other obligations and issues, halos17 had a delay in getting his cards into the mail.

When he did get my package in the mail, he included these 2009 OPC Black Back cards of Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez, as we agreed, while I sent a couple of Martin St. Louis Artifact hockey cards.

 

But, talk about being a very conscientious collector!

 

 

Beside the cards we agreed to, he also included these Tony Gwynn cards with the above note.

 

Overall, I'm sort of taking a shining to trading on Zistle. Once you figure out how it works, it's a fairly easy and effective trading tool to get rid of, and to find needed sports cards.

San Diego State to retire Tony Gwynn's #19

Tony Gwynn will never be forgotten on Montezuma Mesa, the campus of San Diego State University, where he played college baseball and basketball and later coached the school’s baseball team.

 

Two Tony Gwynn San Diego State Aztec cards -- 2012-13 Fleer Retro 97-98 Z-Force Rave and a 2013 Upper Deck National Convention.

 

A two-time All-American as an outfielder, he led San Diego State in hitting his final two seasons. In 1980, he posted a .423 batting average with six home runs and 29 RBI, garnering third-team All-America accolades from the Baseball News. As a four-year point guard for the basketball team, he was twice-named to the all-Western Athletic Conference team and is the only athlete in WAC history to be honored as an all-conference performer in two sports. He still holds the Aztec game, season and career records for assists.

As a 12-year Aztec baseball coach, Gwynn posted a 363-363 record at SDSU, guiding the Aztecs to three Mountain West Championships and a .500 or better record in five of the past seven seasons.

Associate head coach Mark Martinez took over the day-to-day coaching duties for the majority of the 2014 season, as Gwynn’s health deteriorated in his battle against cancer. “Mr. Padre” passed away June 16, 2014 at the age of 54.

The Aztec baseball team will honor the memory of alumni and former head coach Tony Gwynn during their season-opening weekend, Feb. 13-15, when they play host to the Valparaiso Crusaders. Gwynn's No. 19 SDSU jersey will be retired, there will be an Aztecs vs. Cancer event and other activities are planned to memorialize Gwynn.

 

And just as the San Diego Padres wore a Gwynn “19” commemorative patch on their uniforms during the 2014 season, the Aztec baseball team, as well as several other Mountain West teams, will wear commemorative Tony Gwynn “TG” patches on their uniforms throughout the 2015 season.

Everyone is aware of Gwynn’s 20–year career with the Padres, but how much do you know of his 12-year San Diego State coaching career? He became only the fourth head coach in SDSU baseball history, after being hired Sept. 21. 2001. However, he served as a volunteer assistant coach under Jim Dietz, who was his coach during Gwynn’s collegiate days, before assuming head coaching duties at the end of the 2002 season, when Dietz retired.

Gwynn was named Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Aztecs to the league's regular-season title in 2004. In 2009 his Aztecs sported a 43-21 record and its first trip to the NCAA Regionals since 1991. In 2013, thanks to a pair of wins over 13th-ranked New Mexico, they again earned the MWC Tournament title and another berth to the NCAA Regionals.

San Diego State’s tribute to Gwynn began on Feb. 11, when the baseball team received their 2014 Mountain West Championship rings during halftime of the men’s basketball game. Gwynn’s family members will led the Aztecs’ traditional “I Believe” chant before the game, and then accepted his championship ring at halftime. Gwynn’s daughter, Anisha, sang the national anthem.

The Aztecs also gave commemorative T-shirts featuring Gwynn’s basketball number 24 to the first 2,500 fans at the game.

On Friday, Feb. 13, the Aztecs will host a VIP reception, open to SDSU baseball letterwinners who played under Gwynn, as well as his former teammates and invited dignitaries, at Tony Gwynn Stadium prior to the baseball game. Commemorative Tony Gwynn pins will be distributed to the first 1,500 fans attending the game.

On Valentine’s Day, the baseball team will sponsor an Aztecs vs. Cancer event in Gwynn’s honor. Prior to the game several players will shave their heads in support of Gwynn’s fight against cancer, as well as someone in their lives who has been struck by the disease.

On the final day of the series, Feb. 15, the Aztecs will host the West Covina Little League, an organization that held a special place for Gwynn. San Diego State players and coaches will hold a clinic for the little leaguers following the game.

Gwynn was last with his San Diego State team on March 25, 2014, just before he began his leave of absence. His Aztecs rallied around a Gwynn bobblehead doll they would set near the bat rack during games, enroute to winning the Mountain West Conference tournament and advancing to the NCAA regionals. 

2015 San Diego Padres Game Giveaways

The San Diego Padres have announced their 2015 promotions schedule and Friars fans can once again look forward to such Padres traditions as Taco Tuesdays, College Nights, Friday Night Parties, and Military Sundays, featuring the U.S. Marine Corps.

Some may feel, compared to last year’s freebies, there doesn’t appear to be as many goodies available to the Padres faithful this season. However, I think the baseball team the Front Office is finally fielding at Petco Park this season, which includes the recent addition of pitcher James Shields, more than makes up for any perceived shortcomings in the promotional department.

As for promotions, “Baseball Night in San Diego” returns, while retro Padres brown makes a triumphant return this season as the team debuts five evenings featuring “Way Back Wednesdays,” with players wearing home brown pinstripe uniforms from 1985 to 1990. Last season, San Diego celebrated the 30-year anniversary of their 1984 NLCS championship versus the Chicago Cubs by both wearing, and giving away a replica 1984 brown and yellow jersey during their May homestand against the Cubbies.

After opening the 2015 season on the road at Los Angeles, the Padres celebrate their regular season home opener on Thursday, April 9 against the San Francisco Giants, with the return of the Padres Fedora, presented by Sycuan Casino, as well as a 2015 schedule cling.

 

When it comes to Padres clothing, San Diego has you covered. There are four opportunities to get these Friars freebies – On Saturday, May 30 (Pirates), you can get a Padres Replica Camouflage Jersey presented by Petco;  As part of its Armed Forces Day celebration, there’s a Padres Hoodie, presented by Toyota,  Saturday, May 16 (Nationals); You can get a Throwback Replica pin-stripe jersey, presented by FOX Sports San Diego, Saturday. Aug. 8 (Phillies); and finally, fans can receive a Padres Dir-Fit T-Shirt, presented by Mission Federal Credit Union, Saturday, Aug. 22 (Cardinals).

Perhaps the most intriguing giveaway this year is the Petco Park Replica, presented by Fanatics Authentic, on Saturday, July 18 (Rockies).  I’m curious as to the size and scale of the mini-Petco, as well as how detailed this replica will actually be.

And just like last year, fans can once again get a free beach towel, presented by National University, Saturday, June 27 (Diamondbacks); Knockaround Sunglasses, Wednesday, July 22 (Giants) and another bag –a MLB Network reusable bag, given away Saturday, May 2 (Rockies) before the post-game fireworks.

Other freebies include a 2015 calendar, courtesy of Cox, Saturday, April 25 (Dodgers); a Grab Bag Giveaway, Saturday, Sept. 5 (Dodgers); and a Padres Team Photo, presented by the Mighty 1090, on Saturday, Sept. 26 (Diamondbacks).

 

While all these giveaways are nice, once again I applaud the Padres Front Office for actually making and effort to put a competitive team on the field. After years of watching San Diego's Front Office Follies, I almost feel as I'm watching the Bizarro-Padres.

 

Suffice it to say, I'm definitely looking forward to Baseball's Opening Day!