Pops, Mad Dog, the Cobra, and the R-O-Y

If only it could have been Teke or Omar Moreno that appeared on this card instead of Jason Bay

Don't get me wrong, I love Jason Bay, but adding someone else from the 1979 We Are Family Pirates would have been a lot better.

This eBay 1/1 or as normal people should call it 100/100 was purchased using some eBay bucks a few months ago.

The problem I always have when adding multiplayer cards I collect is who to file them under. Normally it goes into this kind of ranking
1)PC player (Cutch or Morton)
2)Hall of Fame credentials (then by Year of induction)
3)Number of MVPs or Cy Youngs
4)Number of All-Star Games
5)Pick a player, any player

So since this card doesn't feature Cutch, I filed it under Pops because he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and the other 3 players have not (although Dave Parker could arguably be considered since his stats are nearly identical to HoFer Jim Rice).

Dave Parker 1/1 Bat Barrel from 2015 Museum

I am always on the hunt for one definitive card of a player I collect.  I now have a grail for my Dave Parker collection.

I've got several bat nameplates in my collection that I have already shown off. This 2015 Topps Museum started a massive purchase of some incredibly sick cards that I have been waiting to show off.

In case you're wondering, yes that is a Dave Parker 1/1 Bat Barrel from 2015 Topps Museum.  I purchased a large lot of cards from a seller and this was the main card in the lot.

He included these two Dave Parker autographs as throw ins to the deal.  Yup, free Cobra autographs as throw-ins...you just can't beat that.

I will be showing off more cards from my purchase in the next few weeks. I got some booklets, 1/1s, dual relics, jumbo jerseys, etc.

#tbt: There's a Cobra in the Mailbox

It's been a long time since I added a piece of cardboard signed by the Cobra.  You'll have to go all the way back to October 2013 to see that post.  I was able to meet Dave at this past year's PiratesFest and got a program signed by him.

My latest addition is a card that I aggressively tried to win on nearly a dozen chances and I kept losing it.  I finally bit the bullet and bought one for $29 which is about $5 more than what I was willing to spend on it.

Notable Nicknames might be my favorite group of autographs from the National Treasures release.

Dave Parker may never make it into the Hall of Fame despite having similar numbers to Hall of Famer, Jim Rice.  A great article was written in 2013 about the very similar career accomplishments by both.  You can read the article on 30 year old cardboard's blog here.

Trade Post: Phungo, It's where the fun goes...

I recently made a trade with Paul of the blog Phungo, a Phillies card blog.

 

Paul had posted his thoughts on a rack pack of 2014 Allen & Ginter he bought back in August and had pulled an Andrew McCutchen mini.  I instantly jumped on calling dibs on it.

In addition to the A&G mini, Paul sent a package with his usual Phungo cards he produced himself.  Some of my all time favorites were included.

He also included a bunch of new cards I didn't already have in my Pirates collection including the well worn, but brand new to me 1993 Fleer Atlantic Collector's Edition Andy Van Slyke.  All 10 cards pictured above are new to my collection except for the Cutch which I have one signed in person.  The 75 mini of Al Oliver and Bowman Heritage Aramis Ramirez are probably my runner up favorites to the playing card of Barry Bonds.  I just love those unique oddball items featuring players from the 80s and 90s.  I wish they would do stuff like that again.

He also included this unique 2007 Upper Deck NL Central Pennant Chasers insert of Freddy Sanchez.  The Bucs actually had a shot at winning the NL Central Pennant in 2007 despite having a losing record.

Paul thank you so much for the awesome cards.  Your package should be arriving next week.  I went to a card show last weekend and got some extra stuff for you.

Throwback Thursday: Clemente, Parker, and Bay ON ONE CARD???

I really don't have a lot to say about this card because fellow Pirates blogger, BobWalkThePlank, has already shown it on his blog back in May.  I wish I had more Clemente relics in my collection, but when this card was offered for around $40, I had to pounce on it.

The timeline of the different uniforms and cool stiching on Bay's uniform piece were the main reasons I decided to get it.  Oh and it has Clemente.  That probably had more to do with it than anything else actually.

2008 Upper Deck Premier Teams Clemente, Parker, Bay 11/50

I hope you guys are enjoying these Throwback Thursdays where I highlight Pirates players of yesteryear.  I will try to keep things interesting going forward and focus on more obscure players if possible.

Cobra in the Mailbox: This is why baseball cards are fun...

Collecting and having a hobby should be fun.  It shouldn't consume your life or try to make a profit.

I collect baseball cards because they're fun to look at the stats, read the backs, and see nice photography.  In recent years though, a lot of that has gone away.  Maybe it's because, I'm older, but it doesn't seem fun anymore.  It seems like a job.

Then something like this insert set comes along and makes me feel like I'm 8 years old again and I suddenly fall in love all over again.

The backs are just as fun filled as the fronts.

If you're a team collector, player collector, or just like fun unlicensed cards check out the Nicknames inserts from 2013 Hometown Heroes.  There's a lot of fan favorites, under the radar names in this set.

Cobra in my mailbox: 2004 UD Memorable Moments AUTO

Everytime I get a Dave "The Cobra" Parker in my mailbox I tend to call it a Cobra in my Mailbox.

Dave Parker was one of the best talents the game had seen in the late 70s early 80s.  In 1978 he won the MVP and the following year, he helped lead Pittsburgh to the 1979 World Series.

The above card celebrates Parker's memorable moment in 1979 when he helped the Pirates to the 1979 World Series Championship.  The on card autograph ran me $11.21 shipped.

Oh how I miss competion in the card market, especially you Upper Deck.

Dave Parker is battling Parkinson's Disease

I recently became aware that one of my favorite Pirates players of all time is battling Parkinson's disease.  I think this is a good time to really point out why HOF players should be voted in during their 15 year eligibility.

Dave Parker never received more than 24% votes for his HOF candidacy.

He often played hurt and one time even played with a football helmet to protect his broken jaw.

While Parker was involved in some off field battles that may have ruined his chances, there is no doubt that he was one of the best outfielders in the 70s and 80s.

He finished in the top 10 MVP voting 6 times in his career and won the award in 1978 (95%).  In addition to the MVP honors, he also won 3 gold gloves, 3 silver sluggers, 7xAll-Star, 2x NL Batting Champ, and won the 1979 All-Star game MVP.

He finished his career with more RBI than other HOF players Mickey Mantle, Jim Rice, Billy Williams, Orlando Cepeda, etc
His doubles total are higher than many HOF players also.

His career ended with a .290/.339/.471 line with 339 HR and 526 doubles while collecting 2,712 hits while driving in just shy of 1,500 RBI.

Below you'll see my entire hits collection of the Cobra.
I have 6 autographs, 15 jerseys, and 12 bat relics along with 1 Three Rivers stadium seat relic.

Cobras in the mailbox

I added a few more Dave "The Cobra" Parker cards to my collection recently through the world wide web.  First up...

2005 Donruss Prime Patches AUTO PATCH 52/72

A stunning auto and patch card from 2005 Donruss Prime Patches.  This lil piece of cardboard has everything I want in a Cobra hit.
photo of Parker in striped Pirates hat? check
AUTO? check
Yellow Fabric? check
Nameplate letter? check
Under the price of a blaster? check
I managed to grab this for only $19.99.

Next.........................................

2012 National Treasures Signature Materials 

While not as nice as the 2005 Prime Patches, this card is a nice grab for the $13 price tag I paid for it.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, Dave Parker deserves more consideration for the Hall of Fame.  If not for the cocaine charges against him in the 80s, his on field and off field contributions to the Steel City were beaten by only one other team mate (Stargell).  He was considered one of the top outfielders in the 70s and early 80s and posted 2,712 career hits despite 7 seasons which he played in less than 125 games.  He was in the MVP top 10 for voting 7 times through out his career and won it in 1978 while also winning a batting title, 3 gold gloves, 3 silver sluggers.