Morton on the Mound: 2014 Power Players

With the post season just around the corner and the likelihood that the Bucs will be facing the Cubs in a one game playoff, this will likely be Charlie Morton's last start for the 2015 season.  Even if the Pirates get by Jake Arrieta and the Cubs, they will almost certainly use a starting rotation of Cole, Burnett, Liriano, and Happ (likely not in that order of course)

I'm hoping that the Pirates can go on a 5 game winning streak to end the season and the Cardinals go on a 5 game losing streak, but that is very unlikely as the Braves are playing terrible baseball and will lose at least one game against the Cardinals.

As I am writing this, I am getting sad to think that baseball is almost over (just under a month left).  The Pittsburgh Steelers have just lost Ben Roethlisberger for a 4-6 week span so that greatly minimizes my excitement for football season.  I guess I can get excited about the Penguins, but they have looked terrible in the opening games of preseason. 

One thing I can get excited about is showing off cardboard of my main player PC, Charlie Morton.  This is a card that I didn't know existed until a few months ago and I was able to track one down (cheaply too) and add it to the collection. 

These /75 Power Players were redemptions cards  Topps sent for their Power Players online program last year.  Only 75 of each player were made.  They are beautiful in person as they are covered in a gold foil.  I've previously shown off the Pedro Alvarez power player card. 

Morton on the Mound: Chasing the Rainbow

As you all know I am a Charlie Morton super collector and am still trying to chase the rainbows of any and all Charlie Morton cards.  As of now I have all of Charlie's non 1/1s from 2015, but if anyone wants to send me unwanted parallels I will gladly accept them.

Morton on the Mound: Factory Set Orange is MIIIIIIINNNNNNEEEEE!!!!

I'm going to do a double posting today because my favorite pitcher is on the mound for the Bucs tonight. Charlie Morton will be taking on the Cardinals in a few minutes and I will be listening to the game as I drive back home from a little Florida vacation. It seems appropriate to finally show off this beautiful piece of cardboard as I drive through the Sunshine State. The Orange & Blue Florida Gators fan base is in full effect on the roads today.

Despite having a higher number of cards produced, these factory set orange parallels always seem to be tougher to find than pink, black, etc parallels.  The reason is simple.  The only way to get them is to bust open your factory set and get a pack of random orange parallels inside. 

I am still in pursuit of the 2011 orange parallel, but I can finally cross the 2014 from the Needs list.  Excluding 1/1s the 2011 Orange is the only card that I don't have of Ground Chuck.

Morton on the Mound: Pink Mini

Last year I showed the regular release Topps Series 1 pink parallel during the Save Second Base month long Charity event.

I was lucky enough to snag this mini for a cool $5.

Would you guys want to see another event like that?

Morton on the Mound: Black Mini

Numbered to only 5!!!!

The Bugs are hoping for some cooperation from the Mets and Marlins to bring their games back in the NL Central to only 5.

Let's Go Bucs!!!

Morton on the Mound: Smooth as Silk

Since 2011, I have been on the lookout for any of the Charlie Morton 2011 Topps Silk Collection cards.  A seller on eBay has been liquidating his 30,000+ card collection selling many cards in bulk lots, master brand sets, and even some individuals.  I had purchased close to a dozen cards off him along with many master sets (Upper Deck, Fleer Ultra, Donruss, Stadium Club, and Leaf).  During my discussions with him, I asked if he had any numbered parallels of my main PC player, Charlie Morton.

Lo behold he had a few and I swooped in to add this Smooth as Silk edition of Ground Chuck.

It's my 7th copy of the 50 produced.

Morton on the Mound: 2015 Topps Black

Some fans will start to panic if their team is playing only .200 baseball to begin the second half in a tight division title chase and you don't have your starting shortstop or third baseman. But not me...

Here's my reasons why I'm not panicing
1) The Bucs still have the 3rd best record in baseball.
2) Jung Ho Kang is one of the best utility players in baseball this year and his defense at SS and 3B is well above average.
3) They have a stacked farm system so they should be able to add clear upgrades at the trade deadline.
4) Morton is on the Mound tonight.

Morton on the Mound: 2014 Pocket Schedule

Since I have pretty much conquered adding Charlie Morton cardboard to the PC, I have been looking at other avenues to add to the super collection.

Adding to the oddball list is this 2014 Pocket Schedule featuring Ground Chuck and Francisco Liriano. It cost me $1.50 delivered and has been added to the Morton binder.

Morton on the Mound: 1/1 Platinum Topps Mini

Here's another 2014 Topps Mini of Ground Chuck and it's the Platinum version numbered 1/1.

This beaut was acquired for a bargain as it's a true 1/1 colored parallel and ran me less than $30.  My Morton collection is extremely impressive with the amount of 1/1s I have of the Jersey born sinkerballer. He is off to a great start this year with a sub 2 ERA and 5 wins through his first 5 starts.

Morton on the Mound: Back in Black

I have all the 2015 Topps parallels except the printing plates.  I will show off a different Morton each time he takes the mound in the 2015 season.

Because so many of the Pirates in their 2015 Series 1 cards are in the Black alternate uniform, I've considered building the team set in black parallels.  I tried this back in 2012 too, but fell through once Series 2 came out.  The same is likely to happen this year.  So far all I have is Morton and Harrison.  This particular Morton is numbered 28/64.

Morton on the Mound: 1/1 Printing Plate 2014 Topps Mini

Charlie Morton is on the mound today and you know what that means...

Another installment of Morton on the Mound.

Today's card ties in with the rest of the week's high end, super rare cards.  It's a 1/1 yellow printing plate from 2014 Topps Mini.

It goes perfectly with the 2014 Topps Yellow Printing Plate I showed off last year in July (also seen below)

Morton on the Mound: Graded rookie 9.5

I recently picked up a 2002 Bowman Chrome rookie of Charlie Morton graded 9.5

It seems appropriate to show it off today since Ground Chuck is facing off against his former team. It was just a little over 6 years ago when the Braves traded Morton along with 2013 All-Star Jeff Locke and minor league depth Gorky's Hernandez for Nate McLouth.

McLouth was coming off a 2008 All-Star appearance along with winning a gold glove in Center field.

Since the trade Morton and Locke have produced 1.3 WAR for the Bucs. Granted, it's nothing great but both men are still contributing to the Pirates success unlike McLouth who posted 0.1 WAR over his 3 years with Braves.

Morton on the Mound: 1st Edition

I still have about a dozen different parallels of Ground Chuck to show off from his 2015 release. Here is a card I bought this year, but hadn't heard anything about prior to purchasing it. Its a 2014 Topps 1st Edition. The card isn't numbered on the front or back and doesn't have any kind of special coding on the back either.

The only difference is the foil on front. Internet resources claim these to be made into a production run of only 10. If anyone has any more information about this card please let me know. I snagged this card for 99cents and $3 s&h.