Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Auto Collection: Al Campanis

With the recent news of the theft and quick return of Jim Campanis's World Series ring I figured it would be timely to highlight this card. Here is my 2006 Upper Deck Exquisite Cuts autographed card of Al Campanis- Jim's Dad. It is numbered 13 out of 65.

As you may recall, Al Campanis ended his career as the Dodgers GM on a sour note. I won't get into the details (go here for background), but I will say that I never faulted him. I understand what he was trying to say even though he may have said it poorly.

2010 Topps Update Inserts

Now, I am just trying to catch up from my recent bout of posting laziness. I had meant to post these weeks ago. Here are some more inserts from the 2010 Topps Update set. Check out these previous post for more Dodgers from this set: here, here, here and here.
Here are on-card Peak Performance autographed cards of Andre Ethier and John Ely.
Here are 3 old-time Dodgers from the "Vintage Legends Collection."

Roy Campanella
On a 2001 Topps card design

Jackie Robinson
On a 1981 Topps card design

Pee Wee Reese
On a 2003 Topps card design

Group Break: 2010 Topps Chrome

From time to time I have participated in a "group break" with other Baseball collectors online. It gives me an opportunity to get a bunch of cards from a particular product, usually of just one specific team, without spending an arm and a leg to buy box after box.

Recently, I threw my hat in the ring on a small break of 6 boxes of 2010 Topps Chrome and staked my claim to the Dodgers. I've never been much of a shiny card collector, but figured I would give this one a try. The "group break" was put together by Georgia Mindset.

Anyway, here is some of the bounty. The recently released 2010Topps Chrome offering consist of shinier versions of the 2010 Topps set, plus a couple of extra versions only found in Chrome. In fact, see the below Jon Link and John Ely card below.
Yes, Link and Ely have cards in Topps prior offerings this year, but these two cards offer brand new poses. I know, that seems a little obsessive, but when your a Dodger collector you can't help but chase them all.
I also got two refractor cards in the break. As you can see the Ely refractor below is an even shinier version of the basic chrome card. If you tilt it just right under a light you can blind someone.
Here is the other refractor- a Russell Martin on a 1961 Topps design. Below that is the reverse of the card.
Since I didn't get any "hits", i.e. a Dodger auto or relic piece, Georgia Mindset offered the below extra unclaimed hit from the break. It is a blue bordered autographed rookie card of DBacks outfielder Cole Gillespie.