It's not cardboard, but needs to be highlighted

So everyone knows that I'm a Charlie Morton supercollector...well my legacy continues as I have added a Charlie Morton bat to the collection.

This is my first Morton game used bat and my 18th game used Pirates bat.

Charlie makes his 2015 debut today as the Bucs hope to extend their winning streak to 4 games.

More Game Used Charlie Morton Equipment

Back in December, I showed off my Charlie Morton game issued jersey. from the 2011 season.  It's no secret that I might be the biggest supporter of Charlie Morton on the planet.

I've recently come across a seller on ebay that is selling many game used baseballs and they are all authenticated by MLB.com.

My most recent purchase for $19.99 shipped is a ball that Charlie threw in the dirt against Jesus Guzman from the September 18th, 2013 season in PNC Park.  After rewatching the game, I noticed that this is the same ball that was used to get Tommy Medica out on a groundball out 2 pitches earlier.

Here's a few pics of the ball.

Charlie Morton Game Used Autographed Jersey

Charlie Morton is my favorite pitcher in the game today.  He doesn't have that wipeout slider or high 90s heat.  He doesn't have a sick 12-6 curveball or a mind boggling knuckle ball.  However, he has a nasty sinker that generates A LOT of groundballs.

While browsing online I came across someone selling game used jerseys.  The MLB authentication sticker proves that Charlie did in fact wear this jersey August 2, 2011.  Charlie didn't pitch that day as the Pirates loss 11-6 to the Chicago Cubs thanks in part to Kevin Correia giving up a terrible line of 10hits, 4 HR, 8 earned runs over 2 innings pitched.

Here's a highlight video of Ground Chuck from 2013 jsut for fun.

Game used hats, an auto, a bat relic, and another printing plate

There was no Pirates baseball yesterday, but there was plenty of great stories in the Minor League system.  Chase D'Arnaud and Alex Presley were both making rehab starts in high A ball Bradenton.  Unfortunately, the Bradenton Marauders just had their 9 game winning streak ended against the Twins A Ball club.  Earlier in the year Pirates left handed veteran bullpen specialist Joe Beimel and starting catcher Chris Snyder had made rehab starts in Bradenton and I won the charity auctions for their game used hats.  You can see both my winnings above.  I got both of these game used hats for about the price some people are paying for a Bryce Harper BASE Bowman card.  Yup, $20 shipped.

Even though this is a card blog, I think it's nice for me to show off some of my other Pirates memorabilia from time to time.  I don't have any high end things like a Clemente bat or Mazeroski glove, but I got some cool things that I've picked up cheap over the years that I think are fun to show.  What do you guys think?  Interested?

Also in Minor League news, Tony Sanchez (ranked #2 prospect in Pirates organization prior to 2011) had a great night for the Altoona Curve (AA) yesterday.  He went 2 for 5 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Tony projects as a future gold glove backstop and he proved that yesterday by gunning down Evan Bigley attempting to steal 2nd base. This is one of my favorite Tony Sanchez cards I own. It's a red ink Auto from Tristar and is numbered 5/5.  The photo of Tony looks badass and the coloring of the card resembles the Pirates team colors.  On top of that he signed the card PITTS #1PICK.

In AAA action the Indianapolis Indians beat the hell out of the Columbus Clippers 9-1.  Matt Hague, Josh Harrison, Jason Jaramillo, and Jordy Mercer all had huge games by collecting at least 2 hits a piece.  You may remember in a previous post I bought a Matt Hague auto for $4.  That's looking like a damn good buy at this point as he has 13 RBI in his last 10 games while batting .349.

HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY JOSE TABATA!

Jose Tabata was in the lineup making another rehab start this time as a DH.  He went 0 for 4 with a BB and was caught stealing.  Jose is still batting .333 during those 6 games and has collected 4 extra base hits and scored 5 times.  Today Jose turned 23 years old.  In his 173 games played at the Major League level, he has collected 189 Hits (46 of which were for extra bases), stolen 33 bases, and is hitting .287.  He also had 2 walk off hits this year.  It looks like the Pirates organization plans on moving Jose to RF when he returns and keeping Alex Presley in Left.  I like this idea a lot not only for the sake of preventing Jose from pulling another muscle in that spacious left field, but there's also history for him in right.  As everyone knows Roberto Clemente is the greatest Pirates right fielder of all time.  Hell, they have the Clemente wall (21 feet high) in PNC Park.  Well Jose's idol is Roberto Clemente and he has a tattoo of him on his forearm.  I think it would be great motivation for Jose to play and try to live up to what Roberto accomplished.

Pictured above is a 2011 Topps Opening Day 1/1 Yellow Printing Plate of Jose along with the 2011 Topps Heritage Bat relic.

Stargell Printing Plate 1/1 and 1/1 Bat

I just received my first Willie Stargell printing plate in the mail yesterday.  As I've said before I really like the quirkiness of a printing plate.  They're very unique, as proven by their 1 of 1 nature. I always prefer getting the black or yellow printing plates of the Pirates just because I think they look cool being in the team's colors.  This is now my 6th Pirate Printing Plate.  I will share another one with you tomorrow.

Earlier in the year, the Bradenton Marauders were auctioning off a bat signed by the entire team for charity.  Some of the notable signatures include FSL All-Stars Aaron Baker (recently traded to Baltimore for Derrek Lee), Kyle McPherson (promoted to AA), Jarek Cunningham, and Robbie Grossman.  This is a 1/1 collectible and I could not be more happy to be the winning bidder and help a good cause at the same time.  

On another note, I received the autographed Robbie Grossman card I bought off eBay last week that I had highlighted in a previous post.  The card is sweet looking, but Robbie's got to make that signature better.  LOL!

There's a really interesting article about Robbie's progress this year here.  I expect big things out of Robbie and suspect that he will emerge as a top prospect in the coming years.

My girlfriend wants to get in Ross Ohlendorf's pants & MY 1ST TRADE POST!!!!

My girlfriend is also a Pirates fan and her 2 favorite players are Ross Ohlendorf and Garrett Jones.  When she told me she wanted to get into Ross Ohlendorf's pants, this is not what I was expecting.  Fortunately I am a little relieved. LOL!  These were won on eBay about a month ago and arrived not too long ago. 

She has over 60 cards of Ross Ohlendorf in her PC and also has an autographed game used jersey of his that she had bought at PiratesFest this past year.....and now she has his pants from a throwback game.

Today is Ross Ohlendorf's birthday.
Happy Birthday Ross and continue to get better.  The Pirates pitchers need you back either in the rotation or bullpen.

Call it coincidence, but today I got a package in the mail from Greg at plaschkethysweaterisargyle.blogspot.com/.  He sent me this sweet Ross Ohlendorf 2010 Allen & Ginter Auto for a 2011 Topps 60 Matt Kemp Jersey Relic.  I had pulled the Kemp in my very first 2011 Topps pack I bought earlier in the year.  I am really digging this blogging trading community.  To my pleasant surprise he sent me a nice care package of Pirates cards too.  A lot of late 80s early 90s Donruss & Score, but I don't care. I love the Pirates!!!!!


Here's 5 of the highlights:

2010 Allen & Ginter This Day in History Andrew McCutchen which I previously didn't have that is now going straight into the PC binder.

2010 UD Lastings Milledge card that shows him actually hustling

1996 Pacific Collection (spanish) Denny Neagle

1988 Score Bob Walk (look at that mullet/mustache combo!!! It's breathtaking LOL!)

2010 Ryan Doumit Topps Opening Day (going straight into the PC)

Thank you so much Greg for the trade and I hope you enjoyed the extra goodness I put in your package.