Card of the Day: 1994 Cardz – Muppets Take The Ice – New York Islanders #40

How To Take The Topps RBI Baseball 19 Cards One Step Further

Gamers heading to Walmart planning to pickup a copy of RBI Baseball 19 have the opportunity to score an exclusive set of Topps baseball cards.  Specially marked copies of the game will contain an entire 7-card set.  The cards have been printed using the 2019 Topps Baseball flagship design, and also feature the RBI Baseball 19 logo.  Players in the set include:

• Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees
• Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
• Jack Flaherty, St. Louis Cardinals
• Khris Davis, Oakland Athletics
• Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
• Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves

XBOX One and Nintendo Switch copies will have a special label on the outside indicating whether or not the set is inside.  No label means no cards.  You better get your hands on them while supplies last.  Not every copy has the set.

How about we take this idea of baseball cards and video games one step further?  Lets say you’re playing RBI Baseball 19 and you get a big hit or make an incredible play.  I’d like to see the gamer be able to capture a screenshot of that play, export the image to Topps, and have them make it into a card.  Who knows?  Maybe even autographed versions could be made.

Topps is constantly looking for ways to attract new collectors.  During their recent Industry Summit in Scottsdale, AZ they announced an interesting statistic.  According to Topps, 93.4% of MLB fans are not collecting cards.  They would really like to change that.  In order for that change to happen, you have to see how MLB fans are enjoying the sport.  If not through cards, then what?

Video games are very popular.  MLB fans spend countless hours playing them.  Its a large source of enjoyment.  In an age where everything is about the individual (nonstop Facebook updates, selfies, etc…) being able to own a physical baseball card containing an image of a play I made would be quite innovative.  Not to mention cater to that “look at me” mentality of the world today.

Cardboard Double Take – Reese & Rollins

Collectors were astonished when their eyes fell upon the 1953 Bowman Color set.  Never before had they seen such beautiful imagery conceived on cardboard.  One of the most impressive looking cards considered by many would be #33.  It features a leaping Pee Wee Reese attempting to make what looks like an impeccable double-play.  Up until this time, collectors didn’t get to see many action shots like this featured on their cards.  Some believe this to be a reverse negative, because it looks as if the runner is going from third back to second.  The runner could have been running in the wrong direction too.  Given that this photograph was taken during a spring training game, you have to imagine that anything could have been going on.

Centering and focus are the two main issues with this specific card.  Some can be blurry.  If you are looking to add one to your collection, poor condition examples can be found for under $100.00.  Ones that are pack fresh and look fantastic can be worth thousands.  If you want a nice one, expect to pay $300.00 to $500.00.

Since the production of the ’53 Bowman Color Reese, there has been countless action shots included within card sets.  It has become a hobby standard by now.  I’m sure there are shots similar to the Reese, but not as similar as this Jimmy Rollins 2007 Topps Turkey Red #10.  Not only is Rollins throwing in the same direction, but the runner is facing the same way too.  I’m sure the Reese inspired this piece of work.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” USPS Pin

In 2008, the United States Postal Service commemorated the 100th anniversary of the song “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” with the above pin that looks like a stamp.  They can be found very easily and are inexpensive.

Flashback Product of the Week: 1994 Cardz – Muppets Take The Ice

Who doesn’t like the Muppets?  I’m not quite sure what Cardz was thinking when they decided to go through with this product.  Upper Deck’s Comic Ball sets didn’t do well, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to release something like this.  Either way they are entertaining to look at.  Each box contains 36 packs, and collectors can look for randomly inserted Tekchrome cards.  Whacka-Whacka-Whacka!!!

Why Do Managers Do This?

I am by no means and expert on all the rules of baseball.  But I do have one question that has been on my mind for awhile.  Maybe someone can clear up my confusion.  My question is this:  When a starting pitcher is doing very well, and winning the game, why does the manager take them out?  I know this doesn’t happen all the time, but it happens often enough.  If a pitcher is “in the zone” why decide to put somebody else in?  I have seen it backfire so many times this season.  I just finished watching the Phillies beat the Giants 7-6 in 11 innings.  I’m very glad they won, but Tim Lincecum had them down 4-1 and then the manager decided to take him out.  If Lincecum would have stayed in, I bet they would have won.  This was a mistake by Bruce Bochy that I’m glad he made and worked in the Phillies favor.  But what is the reasoning of decisions like this?

Card Show Advice

Reason #2,682 why you should take your girlfriend/wife to a card show.