2024 Baseball Whatever act 3 - That One Card Show
The 2024 Baseball Whatever was planned as three acts.
But then... A sudden event appeared that necessitated it's own act in the Whatever...
Entering November of this year, I had yet to attend a card show. My mom sent me a text, asking if I knew about the card show in Golden Valley that weekend. She saw a post about it on Facebook. After thinking that I should, just for story's sake, I texted her back saying I wanted to go.
Life had been very hectic and I wanted to spend an hour or so, looking for some cheap Twins singles I didn't have. Hoping to snag a few things I'd never considered before finding them at the show. Zero interest in new unopened product. This was about walking in with $150, and walking out feeling excited about how it was spent.
In that sense, the King of Grace Lutheran Church Sports Card Show, in Golden Valley, MN, on Saturday, November 16, 2024, was a massive success. They did a great job with this show, I was really impressed. It filled the (small) gymnasium of the church school. They had places for people to sit, sold drinks and snacks, and brought in a nice variety of dealers. Many of which I hadn't seen at a show before. Not that I make it to a great deal of card shows...
But I completely blew it by forgetting to take ANY pictures of the card show. No exterior shots. No shots of the floor or tables or the popcorn machine. So I can't tell this story the way I want to.
Instead, I'll fill in the gaps with some of the treasure uncovered over Thanksgiving weekend. Laura was out of town, so I was enjoying the weekend alone at the house. I decided it was time to go through some of the boxes that came over from my parents house. Stuff from both before and after the May 2020 house fire.
There had been a pile of boxes sitting in the middle of New Baseballcardland, since we moved into this house in 2018. As I got behind on sorting the stuff, it never moved to permanent homes. If it was something I was going to keep at all. But with a decent chunk of quiet free time, the Thanksgiving weekend was the perfect time to tackle those boxes.
Which of course meant unearthing some treasures while sifting through the future trash.
Here's something awesome I didn't know I had...
1991 Minnesota North Stars Stanley Cup coffee mug
Former A's Fan Rob, was in Dallas with his family. On Saturday November 29, 2024, they saw the Colorado Avalanche take on the Stars at American Airlines Center. (Had to look that up...) As he put it: "Watching the Quebec Nordiques play the Minnesota North Stars."
Several hours before the game, I found this coffee mug! Don't remember the mug, but I remember the North Stars run to the Stanley Cup Finals, in the spring of 1991. Most of the crew at the old Coon Rapids Perkins were following it close. If a North Stars playoff game was live during my shift, it was on the break room training TV. Which was covered in cigarette ashes.
North Stars beat the Nordiques, which upset Current Av's Fan Rob. (I need an updated selfie Rob... Unless you want me to associate you with the Sacramento Athletics...) To ease his pain, his daughter bought him an official warm-up puck from the game. Complete with authentic scuff marks!
Whatever...
That's right, it's time to begin the countdown of the Top 80 cards picked up at the King of Grace Lutheran Church Sports Card Show, in Golden Valley, MN, on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Ranked solely in the order of how much I like them.
******
Top 80 King of Grace Lutheran Church Sports Card Show Whatever
These days, I judge a successful card show by the amount of variety between tables, and how many of them carry what I'm interested in. There were a few tables today that were carrying exclusively Pokemon and gaming cards. Just like the tables full of strictly NFL cards, or nothing but graded slabs, that's not for me. But I can't deny their importance to the hobby.
But in order for it to be a really good show, you have to provide multiple tables with "dime boxes" to search through. You don't find dime boxes that often. Quarter or 50 cents are more common today. The cards I'm specifically looking for a most likely to be found here. But I don't know which ones they are until I see them.
Completing my initial walk around the auditorium, the last table I looked at was the best by far. There were several boxes of sleeved singles for a quarter each. Sorted by sport and star players. One of the boxes was dedicated to Twins cards. Nearly all of them were 25 cents, but a few more were a buck or two. By the time I'd left the show, I spent probably half of my card budget at his table. Two $20 singles and over 100 sleeved Twins cards. He gave me a significant bulk discount for the Twins singles.
Meaning this Whatever is over 80% from one dealer's table.
A ratio I'd never seen in a Card Show Whatever. (Not like I've done that many...)
Whatever...
Here's number 80...
#80 - 2010 Upper Deck - Joe Mauer & Joe Nathan
Major League Baseball pulled Upper Deck's license after the 2009 season, but they still had a contract with the MLB Players Union to make a 2010 set. Upper Deck couldn't use any logos or team names on the cards, but defiantly put in zero effort on covering up logos on the hats and jerseys. MLB was not impressed and threatened legal action. Upper Deck said they wouldn't release any more baseball sets and the issue was dropped.
That was almost 15 years ago now, and not a season goes by that I don't wish Upper Deck was still printing baseball cards to compete with Topps. For a short period of time in 2010, I was trying to complete this set. But with the terrible collation and overall blandness of the product, I gave up on it. I would buy one if I found one at a decent price. Just to bookend with the iconic 1989 Upper Deck set.
Too bad the company had to go out with a whimper after such a game changing start.
I miss Upper Deck, but the 2010 set was pretty awful...
#79 - 2003 Donruss Classics - Torii Hunter
Did like the old Donruss Classics line, even if I never bought a pack back in the day.
#78 - 2023 Bowman Draft - Brooks Lee
Between the astronomical prices and lack of mainstream availability, I sat out 2023 Bowman Draft. Just as I'll be sitting out 2024 Bowman Draft. Which sucks a whole lot. Following the MLB Draft is one of my favorite things each summer, and I looked forward to seeing the first cards of the newest draft picks in their Photoshopped major league uniforms.
But those days are gone now...
#77 - 2021 Bowman Chrome Mega Box Dawn of Glory - Aaron Sabato
I remember after the 2020 MLB Draft how I waited for Aaron Sabato cards. Topps held him out of the 2020 Bowman Draft set, so I had to wait for 2021 Bowman releases for Sabato cards. For some reason, his cards were inflated for a first round, early 20's pick. Sure he was a power hitter, but that was all he was. Hitting under .200 in the low minors with hundreds of strikeouts, but a few home runs, isn't any sort of Dawn of Glory.
More like Dawn of Hope You Saved Your Signing Bonus.
#76 - 2005 Upper Deck First Pitch - Joe Mauer
Upper Deck First Pitch was the Topps Opening Day of pointless sets.
But I'll take this Mauer for a quarter.
#75 - 2013 Pinnacle - Joe Mauer
This one too. Just for the flashback theme and lack of obvious logo removal. Plus, it's a quarter.
#74 - 1986 Fleer Star Stickers - Kirby Puckett
Not sure if I had this or not.
But for a quarter, I do again!
#73 - 2022 Bowman Chrome Draft Blackjack - Connor Prielipp - Brooks Lee
This was an insert I REALLY wanted out of 2022 Bowman Draft, but didn't pull. Prielipp has dealt with more of the same arm injuries that reduced his pre-draft stock all the way down to a second round pick for the Twins. Brooks Lee has a decent shot at starting at either third or second base, for the Twins next year. Which base depends on where the Twins decide to play...
#72 - 2022 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary - Royce Lewis
I did not have this Lewis rookie card, and it set me back a whole dollar. Lewis played third base for the Twins in 2024, when he wasn't injured. Minnesota management has been suggesting they'd prefer Lewis at second, and Lee at third. But Lewis has resisted that move over the summer. This will be an interesting development to follow next spring.
#71 - 2004 Fleer Draft Edition Hot Prospects - Joe Mauer
in 2004, Donruss/Leaf/Playoff, Fleer and Upper Deck all released draft and prospect heavy sets towards the end of the year. MLB's meddling in the baseball card market dictated that only Topps would be allowed to produce draft and prospect cards in Major League licensed sets, starting in 2005. So there was a rush to produce their last draft and prospect sets. Draft Edition was 2004 Fleer's answer to Bowman.
#70 - 2013 Topps Opening Day Superstar Celebrations - Joe Mauer
(Co-starring Justin Morneau and Josh Willingham.)
These were kind of cool cards, for an insert set aimed at the younger collector.
#69 - 2013 Topps Opening Day - Justin Morneau - Blue
Always liked Topps Opening Day's blue sparkley parallels. A quarter makes these an instant pick up.
#68 - 2013 Topps Opening Day - Trevor Plouffe - Blue
Plouffe ranks slightly ahead of Morneau, due him having a quality podcast (with Chris Rose) in addition to a part time gig as color analyst during Twins TV broadcasts. Just slightly. Sorry Laura...
Whatever...
Say Honkass, show us some stuff you pulled out of boxes on Saturday, November 29, 2024!
How about this Pac Man Colorforms Play Set (circa 1982) and a generic VCR Baseball game (from 1989), that was really awkward to play!
A few years ago, I wondered whatever happened to this book in my Abandoned Choo Choo - Caboose Hobbies story. It was an X-Mess gift in 1981, and I had a photo of a 6 year old me holding it up. Well I found it today!
Inside of a box of stuff salvaged from the house fire, I found a sealed deck of Looney Tunes Playing Cards. They showed no smoke damage, and since they're sealed and Looney Tunes, I'm keeping them.
Whatever...
Number 67?
#67 - 2021 Bowman Chrome - Ryan Jeffers
Quality rookie card that I needed.
#66 - 1998 Pacific Omega - Paul Molitor
Looking back at the late 1990's Pacific cards, today, I think they were a bit ahead of their time. I like a lot of what they did back then, even if it didn't exactly work out.
#65 - 2019 Bowman Sterling - Royce Lewis
Not the best design in the legacy of Bowman Sterling.
#64 - 2019 Topps Heritage Chrome - Nolan Arenado
Heritage Chrome cards are almost always nice looking, this being one of the nicer ones I've seen.
Up next we have a 4-way tie for 63rd place on the Whatever.
Why wouldn't you just make the Top 80 a Top 83?
Because it makes more sense for me to do it this way.
#63 - 1993 Fleer ProCards - Portland Beavers Checklist
One table had a 1993 Fleer ProCards Portland Beavers team set for $2. Uh... Yeah! I would have paid twice that! Looking at the checklist of the was a flashback to the fringe prospects, legit prospects, and hangers-on that populate any AAA roster. A Junk Wax Prospector edition. With now 30 years of perspective on how their time as Beavers fit into the bigger picture of their career.
#63 - 1993 Fleer ProCards - Derek Parks
Unlike the Derek Parks I mined from a 1990 Classic Pink Twins team set for $1, I did not purchase this team set for $2, just to get the Derek Parks card. This was simply added value.
#63 - 1993 Fleer ProCards - David McCarty
I bought this set mainly for the David McCarty card. Not just because the photographer forgot about proper lighting.
#63 - 1993 Fleer ProCards - Dave LaPoint
LaPoint was a surprise for this set. He pitched in nearly 300 major league games between 1980 and 1991, mainly for the Cardinals, White Sox and Yankees. After taking 1992 off, LaPoint was in Portland Oregon, making a comeback attempt with the Beavers. He started 13 games for Portland in 1993, but the results were not good.
You know where I could have probably picked up this minor league set?
Probably at the Baseball Card Show held inside Aldrich Arena, in Maplewood, MN, during the weekend of March 18-20, 1994. Already having autographs from Juan Marichal and Catfish Hunter, my mom got autographed baseballs from Steve Carlton and Tom Seaver.
#62 - 2019 Bowman Chrome Mega Box Rookie of the Year Favorites - Kohl Stewart
Even with the promise of a fresh season starting for 2019, there was NO ONE calling Kohl Stewart a Rookie of the Year Favorite. Though I do appreciate the card, Bowman. it looks great! And he did have promise when the Twins drafted him 4th overall in 2013.
#61 - 2017 Topps Fire - Harmon Killebrew
Contrasting a 50+ year old photo with the design of 2017 doesn't normally work.
This doesn't either, but I don't hate it.
#60 - 2015 Finest - Trevor May - Prismfractor
May pitched a few decent seasons in the Twins bullpen. Then a few with the Mets and one in Oakland. His final season was in 2023, with the Athletics. He announced his retirement on Twitch and blasted A's owner John Fisher.
Amongst his statements, May said: "There's actually people that give a shit about the game. Let them do it. Take mommy and daddy's money somewhere else, dork." And my favorite: "If you're going to be a greedy fuck, own it. There's nothing weaker than being afraid of cameras. You're too soft to take any responsibility for anything you're doing."
So yeah, May makes the Whatever for calling out John Fisher.
I was surprised he retired as early as he did. He was only 34, and had pitched to a nice 3.28 ERA in 49 games, out of the Athletics bullpen. Given the state of pitching in the game, May would have had no trouble getting another major league contract for 2024. Some team would have probably given him a 2 year guarantee. Working for John Fisher had to really sour him on baseball to turn down a likely few more seasons in the major leagues.
#59 - 2020 Stadium Club Chrome Emperors of the Zone - Jose Berrios
Didn't know there was a Berrios card in this set. That's cool.
#58 - 2018 Bowman Chrome - Zack Granite - Green
25 cents for serial numbered Refractor parallels of failed Twins prospects?
Could this box be any better?
#57 - 2015 Bowman Chrome - Aaron Slegers - Purple
I mean, I'm only at #57!
#56 - 2022 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary - Max Kepler - Red Atomic
I'm knocking Kepler down this far (on a cool card) as punishment for a track record of underperformance. Interested to see where he ends up in 2025. Seen rumors of interest from the Angels, Braves and Pirates. But he's a one year contract, January signing, as far as priority goes right now.
#55 - 2021 Bowman Chrome Mega Box - Aaron Sabato
Would have cost me A LOT more than a quarter in 2021.
Whatever...
One of the trips down the way back machine uncovered some swag from my old elementary school!
Like a Morris Bye Elementary School Tigers blue leather bag!
Circa 1984 if I remember correctly. It was still early 1980's vintage.
Far better logo than the cross-eyed kitten Morris Bye Elementary School screen printed on this late 1970's era T-shirt.
Not far away from it was my Coon Rapids High School, Class of 1993 T-shirt. The Anchors Away theme didn't work for me, brother. Unless we are sailing down the Mississippi River, Coon Rapids is pretty land-locked. I get the analogy, but it's rather cliché and weak. At least I do have it in T-shirt form again.
Hadn't paid any attention to it, but I recently saw that MTV Classic plays 120 Minutes (in 60 minute episodes, much to my DVR's annoyance) on Saturday and Sunday nights. They're not "new" episodes with Dave Kendall or Matt Pinfield or anyone else hosting, no guest musicians, live recordings or new music updates, either. Just videos from that era. I've taken to playing them in the background of writing the last few stories, so it's appropriate to air it as I write about Anchors Away...
Whatever...
We're up to #54 now...
Here Comes the Pain!
#54 - 2021 Prizm NFL - Brock Lesnar
I saw that Panini made a card in tribute of Lesnar's 2004 Training Camp audition for the Minnesota Vikings. Always though if I could pick one up cheap, I would. Well, $2 seemed reasonable to me.
Huh... huh... 69... Get it?
#53 - 2023 Bowman Draft - Charlee Soto
Can't remember who it was that tweeted: "Twins invite Soto to 2025 Spring Training (Charlee)" as a play on the ongoing Juan Soto drama. Of course, I'm writing this before he signed a ___ year contract, with the _____________, for _____ hundred million dollars. If he signs before I finish this story, I'll try to remember to fill in those blanks.
Ooopsie... I forgot.
Pretend it's a miniature Mad Libs and fill in your own answers.
#52 - 2018 Bowman's Best - Eddie Rosario - Refractor
I got an Eddie Rosario Washington Nationals card out of a pack of 2024 Topps Update. Forgot that he played for them. Either way, Rosario hasn't had near the success after leaving Minnesota, than he had while playing here. Still, he's logged close to 10 years in the major leagues, plus a World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves. That's worth something.
#51 - 1990 Topps All-Stars - Kirby Puckett
Think I have this already. But 25 cents for this cool Tiger Stadium dugout shot is a bargain at twice the price. That's the problem with all of the new stadiums. They are all variations of the same look today. One look at that dugout bench and it screams Tiger Stadium. I'd never recognize the dugouts of Comerica Park.
#50 - 2022 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary - Carlos Correa - Black & White Mini-Diamonds
Topps was onto something good with their "Lite" Hobby box idea. If you can give me a similar hobby box opening experience, at a substantial discount, by removing the disappointing guaranteed autograph, I'm all over that idea.
#49 - 2016 Optic - Byung Ho Park - Prizm
Talked about Byung Ho Park in Act 1, where I acquired his 2016 Bowman Chrome autographed Blue Refractor. This one for a quarter is less satisfying, but still a welcome addition. Though I'm willing to bet I already have it.
#48 - 2020 Topps Home Run Challenge - Max Kepler
Yeah... Like Max Kepler hit home runs after 2019...
Or was consistently healthy...
Or was actually productive at the plate...
Or wasn't selfish and played center field when Buxton was hurt...
#47 - 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft - Max Clark
I paid $2 for Clark's 1st Bowman Chrome card. Detroit had the #3 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Twins had #5. Detroit had been rumored to take Walker Jenkins at #3, with the Twins expected to take Clark, if he was still available. Both were very athletic high school center fielders, with highly developed hitting skills. If the 2023 draft weren't so deep, both could have been legitimate first overall picks. After Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews went 1-2, to Pittsburgh and Washington, the Tigers went against prediction and took Max Clark. The Texas Rangers had the #4 pick, and was set on Wyatt Langford, the advanced college outfielder, who was close to major league ready. Minnesota snapped Jenkins up at number 5, and have already been rewarded with the #2 ranked prospect in major league baseball.
I'm interested to see how the Max Clark vs Walker Jenkins battle plays out in the American League Central division. Who makes it to the majors first? Clark made it to High A West Michigan in 2024, Jenkins made it as far as 6 games at AA Wichita, as a 19 year old. Clark has posted a ,268/.374/.414 over 130 minor league games. Jenkins has put up a line of .302/.400/.473 over 108 minor league games.
#46 - 2014 Bowman Chrome - Joe Mauer
Pretty sure I had this already, but it's a nice card.
#45 - 2023 Finest - Edouard Julien
1996 Finest wasn't a set I have fond enough memories to want to relive.
#44 - 2023 Finest - Matt Wallner
Though I bet these spoiled Grey Poupon borders look better as Refractors.
#43 - 2023 Finest - Simeon Woods-Richardson
Just not a design I liked at all.
Whatever...
As I'd mentioned, there was a fire at my parents house in May of 2020. The house was salvageable, rebuilt and sold. Before that happened, we had to go through the house to see if there was anything we wanted to keep.
This cabinet filled with souvenir glasses, mugs, steins and whatnot suffered a great deal of smoke damage. It was located in the dining room, adjacent to the deck where a BBQ grill started the fire. This room and the kitchen, saw the worst damage from fire. The whole house was heavily smoke damaged, the interior demolished down to the studs, before rebuilding. These glasses were all thrown out, except for one. The glass on the far right of the top shelf, obscured by light reflection, was the only one I wanted to try and save.
Didn't think of taking a "before" picture, but it was absolutely coated in think black tarry soot. I couldn't scrape it off with my fingernail, but if you held it up to light, you could faintly make out the logos underneath.
Taking it to the kitchen sink, I coated it in Dawn Powerwash spray, then let the foam do it's trick for 10 minutes. I repeated the cycle a few times, then I dropped it in the sink filled with Dawn and White Vinegar, and let it soak for 8 hours. After all that, and much scrubbing and rinsing, I was able to restore the glass to this:
Worked hard on cleaning the glass rim, but couldn't do much more than this. I may try again at a later date, but it's not like I'm ever going to drink out of it. This glass was important to me, both as a souvenir and a piece for a planned future story. Boardwalk & Baseball was a failed baseball themed amusement park, in central Florida. They only operated from April 1987 to January 1990. Boardwalk & Baseball was a remodel of the old Circus World amusement park. The Kansas City Royals were brought on board to hold Spring Training games inside the amusement park. Their Low A minor league affiliate would play their regular season games at Boardwalk & Baseball, as well.
I visited Boardwalk & Baseball in April 1988, with my family and Mr. Rux. He tagged along on our family trip to Florida, that year. That's a story I look forward to writing in the future.
Glad I was able to save the glass...
Years back, I had given my dad a bunch of classic Hot Wheels cars. They had been inside a plastic bag, inside of a box in the dining room. Getting close enough to the fire to start burning and melting the plastic bubble on the backing card, while not damaging the packaging in any other way.
I kept the car, but threw the packaging away.
Whatever...
#42 - 1996 Sportflics - Paul Molitor
I'd never seen this card before. Love the "signing with the Twins press conference" photo.
Too bed it's not as clear as it could have been because of the gimmick of the card itself.
#41 - 2013 Topps - Jamey Carroll - Emerald
One of only five players to appear in games for the Twins, Expos and Rockies.
#40 - 2021 Select - Brent Rooker - Prizm
Nice looking yet bittersweet rookie card. Minnesota traded Rooker to the San Diego Padres for current payroll drag, Chris Paddack, at the end of Spring Training, 2022. Given the state of the Twins lineup, Rooker would have fit in very well the past few years. I can't fault the Twins, Rooker didn't put it together for either the Padres or Kansas City Royals, before breaking out in Oakland the last two years.
#39 - 2019 Bowman Chrome Draft - Anthony Pratto - Refractor
Know very little about Pratto, just really liked the card.
#38 - 2018 Topps - Michael Pineda - Black
A common Twins card, serial numbered to 67, for a quarter?
Who didn't take this before me?
#37 - 2020 Bowman Chrome Mega Box - Alex Kirilloff - Purple
With his shocking recent retirement, I notice a big bunch Kirilloff in the quarter box, that you wouldn't expect to see. Always liked 2020 Bowman Chrome. The logos in the border really worked for me. I have yet to see a Refractor from this set that didn't look great.
#36 - 2020 Stadium Club Chrome - Luis Arraez
Just as any Stadium Club Chrome card will look better in person, than it will scanned.
#35 - 2019 Bowman Chrome Draft - Keoni Cavaco - Refractor
Failed Twins first round draft pick, possible future Houston Astros minor league pitcher?
I'll take a flyer on that for a quarter.
#34 - 1996 Upper Deck - Kirby Puckett
Remember when Cranky Tom Kelly put Kirby Puckett at shortstop? How about second base? How about third base?
This all happened in one game, in September 1995, against the Angels. I was watching on TV that day, as Kelly went completely haywire. Moving players to different positions depending on whoever was batting, while dealing with unexpected roster shortcomings when the Twins shockingly tied the game.
Already had this card, but I'll take another for a quarter.
#33 - 2020 Bowman Chrome Draft - Alerick Soularie - Refractor
See what I mean about 2020 Bowman Chrome Refractors?
#32 - 2021 Topps Chrome Update - Gilberto Celestino - Pink Wave
Given many chances to help the Twins backing up Byron Buxton, Celestino never could get it together. He was let go after the 2023 season. He signed with the Pirates for 2024, but never advanced out of AAA. Half way through the 2024 minor league season, Celestino moved on to the Cubs organization. But he got hurt and didn't get called up to the Majors.
#31 - 2021 Topps Chrome 1992 - Alex Kirilloff
Not sure which Topps Flavor this card came from. Have always been a fan of the 1992 Topps design, so a currrent player in Refractor form makes for a highly desired card.
#30 - 2018 Bowman Chrome - Stephen Gonsalves - Aqua Shimmer
Guess how much I paid for this one?
Less than 26 cents!
#29 - 2016 Topps Opening Day - Miguel Sano - Blue
The Blue parallels for 2016 Topps Opening Day are so much more interesting than the typical Blue parallels...
#28 - 2012 Bowman Chrome - Chris Parmelee - Blue
A Blue Refractor parallel of a former Twins first round draft pick, who played parts of 5 seasons in the majors.
All for the same price as a game of Pac Man.
#27 - 2017 Bowman Chrome - Wander Javier - Blue
The exact same price for a Blue Refractor parallel of a former Twins international signing. Unlike Parmelee, Wander Javier never came close to the major leagues. His last professional game action came in 2022, culminating in 7 games with the St. Paul Saints. The Twins didn't re-sign Javier after the 2022 season. He signed a minor league deal with San Diego, but didn't appear in any games. For his career, Javier hit only .218/.292/.362 over 342 minor league games.
Wander Javier wouldn't be born for six years AFTER this card show.
June 19-21, 1992 - Baseball Card Show at the Columbia Ice Arena in Fridley, MN.
I got Zoilo Versalles to autograph a 1965 Topps card, notating his American League MVP award from the year. Wish I still had it. I sold it for $20 to a guy that was trying to complete an autographed 1965 Topps Twins team set. He posted a "looking for" ad on the usenet alt.sports,baseball.card-traders platform. $20 seemed like a good price in 1997. Hope he was able to finish his goal.
Columbia Arena closed in 2007. It was left to rot for 8 years, before being demolished in 2015. The land is now being used by a new Fridley City Hall, with Police and Fire on site. This photo was taken September 24, 2011, when a friend and I wandered the property for an hour with our cameras. That's a story I have yet to write.
#28 - 1984 Donruss - Greg Gagne
Greg Gagne was still a current Minnesota Twin in 1992. Our starting shortstop in fact. So his 1984 Donruss rookie card would have been selling for more than the dollar I paid today. Collectors today probably don't realize how big a deal 1984 Donruss was in the Junk Wax Era.
Whatever...
I found something in the boxes that could have easily been sold at the 1992 Columbia Arena Card Show...
1991 Classic Draft Picks Set
Less than a year after it's release, it was probably at least $10. Bet it was in focus too. Legendary failed Junk Wax Era Prospect, former Yankees first overall draft pick, Brien Taylor featured on the blister pack. But to me, the greatest part of this nearly completely worthless set, is the Shinders special price tag. I miss those... Willing to bet that I bought this for $3, specifically to break it for singles. Then put it in a box and forgot about it.
After you get past that hilariously ridiculous "Certificate of Limited Edition", serial numbered to 165,000!!!!, take a look at the checklist. So many failed prospects... And Manny Ramirez... Cliff Floyd had a Hall of Very Good career as well. There's a handful of 5-10 year veterans (Young, Estes, Perez, Sele, Jones and Hatteberg) and a bunch of cup of coffee guys. I followed the 1991 MLB Draft class very close, so I'm pretty familiar with how most of these 50 players ended up.
I'll probably keep it sealed.
After all, there were only 165,000 set printed!
All we need is for Brien Taylor to get back on his future Hall of Fame worthy career, and this set will skyrocket in value!
Speaking of horrifying...
Inside a bunch of old photos and papers, I found this...
January 1989, A 13 year old Captain Honkass and Mr. Rux, at Twins Fest, posing with the 1987 World Series Trophy.
So much acid washed denim...
Whatever...
It's (Funny) 25 Time!
#25 - 2023 Topps Heritage Chrome - Ezequiel Tovar
Been wanting to add this into my growing Ezequiel Tovar collection. I think he has a chance to become a star in Colorado. The Rockies made a surprising-yet smart- move, in signing former Minnesota Twins utility infielder (and terrible pitcher), Kyle Farmer. The exact type of veteran that could really help Tovar.
#24 - 2022 Bowman's Best - Adael Amador - Autograph
Just as he could really help Amador, if he makes the team and plays second next season. With the Rockies non-tendering Brendan Rodgers, Amador has a clear spot to play. And if he's not ready, well the Rockies signed Farmer. All around smart move that didn't cost the team all that much. Colorado doesn't make a whole lot of those.
And just as I'm finishing this story up, the Rockies had to prove they're the Rockies... Signing second baseman Thairo Estrada to a 1 year $3.25 million contract. Same position as Kyle Farmer. Blocking Amador at second, with two identical players. Again Colorado is fully committed to making the most confusing moves possible.
Sell the team Monforts. You have no clue how to run a MLB Franchise.
#23 - 2023 Topps Big League - Byron Buxton - Blue
Biggest casualty in the Twins change to the stupid Nike created logos, is the dropping of the cool TC inside a Minnesota outline Spring Training hats. The blue foil really works for this card.
#22 - 2020 Prizm Draft Thunderstruck - Max Meyer - Green
Keep waiting for Meyer to put it all together. But between injuries and the Marlins keeping him at AAA for no apparent reason, I'm starting to think it may not happen. Max Meyer was the highest drafted Minnesota Gophers baseball player in history, going 3rd overall to Miami, in the 2020 MLB Draft.
#21 - 2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary - Matt Capps
That's "Proven Closer" Matt Capps to you!
But I'll gladly pay 25 cents for ANY 2011 Twins Diamond Anniversary cards. They are some of my favorite Topps parallels they've done over the years.
#20 - 2012 Bowman Chrome - Justin Morneau - Xfractor
Miss those old Twins throwback uniforms. So much better than the crap Nike dresses the team in today.
#19 - 2016 Bowman Chrome - Travis Blankenhorn - Yellow
Love the 2016 Bowman Chrome Yellow Refractors.
#18 - 2001 Donruss Signature Series Century Marks - Adam Johnson - Autograph
Johnson was the 2nd overall pick in the 2000 MLB Draft.
Minnesota would like a do-over on this pick.
#17 - 2016 Bowman Chrome Draft - Ben Rortvedt - Refractor
Rortvedt has carved out decent backup role for the Twins, Yankees and now, Rays.
Didn't realize his 1st Bowman card came all the way back in 2016. I would have thought 2018.
Time flies these days.
#16 - 2016 Bowman Chrome Turn Two - Jose Berrios - Green
There's another two way tie for 16th place on the Whatever. Because it's the same card!
Twins top pitching prospect, Jose Berrios on the front...
#16 - 2016 Bowman Chrome Turn Two - Tyler Jay - Green
And failed Twins pitching prospect, Tyler Jay, on the card back. Both sides are Refractory, and it's serial numbered 13/99. It also features the card number of TT-BJ. Which makes my inner 13 year old giggle. This is the first card I've ever seen from this insert set. Granted, I bought very little Bowman product in 2016.
#15 - 2022 Bowman Chrome Draft - Walter Ford - Green
Sticking with the Green Refractor parallel theme, here's Seattle Mariners pitching prospect, Walter Ford. According to Wikipedia, Walter Ford's nickname is: "The Vanilla Missile." So if Ford is called up to the Mariners next season, and Cal Raleigh is catching, the Vanilla Missile will be firing sliders to "The Big Dumper". You can almost hear the lame double-entendres from broadcasters right now!
Walter Ford entered my radar shortly before the 2022 MLB Draft. Preparation for my story led me to pick up a hobby box of 2022 Panini USA Baseball Stars & Stripes, and Ford was one of the autographs inside. Since he was one of the box hits, I was more anxious to see where he would land in the draft.
2022 Panini USA Baseball Stars & Stripes - Walter Ford - Autograph
I still like that his signature kind of reads: Blah.
The answer to the draft question was: Seattle Mariners, 2nd Round, 74th overall. So far he hasn't had the greatest of starts to his pro career, but he hasn't turned 20 yet. His walk rate is very good for someone his age. But his hits per 9 is too high and the strikeouts are too low for the levels he's pitched. Given that he's become a player I'm following, I'll absolute pay $1 for a Green Refractor parallel of his 1st Bowman card.
#14 - 2023 Topps Chrome - JJ Bleday - Autograph
Looking on the bright side, "JJ Bleday the Sacramento A", flows better than "JJ Bleday the Oakland A".
So there's... That...
#13 - 2024 Topps Baseball Stars - Dane Myers - Autograph
Ranked this high solely for the 1993 throwback Marlins uniform.
#12 - 2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary - Jerar Encarnacion - Green Shimmer
Really thought Encarnacion was a decent prospect, after signing with Miami in 2015. They finally brought him to the majors for 23 games in 2022. He apparently didn't impress. Miami kept him in AAA for all of 2023, his 200 strikeout were just too many and they let him go after the season. He signed with San Francisco, and played in 35 games for the Giants. He hit a little better, but the strikeouts were too high.
But I'll gladly pay 50 cents for a card that looks like this.
#11 - 2019 Topps Fire - Trevor Story - Jersey
And $1 for this. Glad Topps used a purple jersey chuck for this card.
Matches the photo and design perfectly!
Whatever...
Before we get to the Top 10, lets look at some more old stuff I found over Thanksgiving weekend!
It's a rubbery Art Goebel Ford Keychain!
With whichever car's keys still attached!
Art Goebel Ford was one of Coon Rapids oldest car dealers. Always did like that logo. He eventually sold the dealership (either before or after his death? I can't remember...), which was renamed and then moved. This keychain is from the days the operated on a piece of land on Coon Rapids Blvd. But since the city killed commerce there, the newly named "North Country (Cunty) Ford" opened a larger complex off Highway 10 and Foley.
For whatever reason, there was a bunch of early 1990's plastic fast food drink cups in one of the boxes.
Does anyone need a Bel Biv Devoe Taco Bell Cup from 1992?
Did anyone ever?
However, the Fuddruckers plastic cup is a keeper. (Paper towel added to show the logo.) This will make a nice addition to the planned Coon Rapids Fuddruckers story. They were an eating anti-establishment, you know! There's nothing conformist about a burger toppings bar!
Found another old Baseball Card Show Flyer! This one from May 4-5, 1991, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Inside the Modern Living building. The State Fairgrounds card shows were twice a year, and they always brought a big name in for autographs. Can't get much bigger than Willie Mays.
He autographed my 1972 Topps card that day!
Really nice signature too!
Whatever...
#10 - 2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Rip Card - Justin Morneau
I've never pulled a Rip Card before. Not sure what I'd do if I did. If it was a player or team I didn't like, that makes tearing it apart an easy decision. Had I pulled this card from a pack, I'd probably have left it intact. Former Twins star, shown with the Rockies, serial numbered to 50... I don't think I'd destroy it.
Now if it was an Alex Bregman...
A one of one might not be enough to save it.
Ouch!!
Really wish the previous owner would have left a note, saying what was inside...
Wonder if I'd feel it was better than a unripped Rip Card, with both Twins and Rockies connections.
#9 - 2021 Stadium Club Chrome - Alex Kirilloff - Refractor
Huge amount of bonus points awarded for a photo from Kirilloff's debut in the 2020 playoffs. One of very few players to play his first major league game in the playoffs. Dead giveaway being the oversized cardboard heads, attached to the seats behind home plate. This was the Covid season, played in front of no fans. For the sake of TV, teams put cardboard cut outs of people where cameras would record. The Twins opted for blown up heads of all the team's Hall of Famers... And Bartolo Colon.
I loved them for that.
#8 - 2018 Bowman Chrome - Ryan Costello - Refractor - Autograph
Costello was a 31st round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners, in the 2017 MLB Draft. That was back when the draft lasted 40 rounds instead of 20. He was traded to the Twins in July 2018, for veteran reliever Zach Duke. (Completely forgot he was a Twin for a half season.) He made it to AA Pensacola in 2019, hitting .223/.343/.412 on the season.
Ryan Costello died on November 18, 2019, in Auckland, New Zealand. He was about to start winter ball with the Australian Baseball League, but he found dead in his hotel room by teammates. The actual cause of death was a heart condition that's far too medical for me to understand. He basically died of a heart attack.
Despite never playing in the major leagues, the Twins wore a small patch on their jerseys, with the letters RC, for the 2020 season.
#7 - 2017 Topps Chrome - Max Kepler - Negative Refractor
I like Negative Refractors. I've yet to see one that I didn't like.
Unless it's Alex Bregman.
#6 - 2002 Topps Total - Joe Mauer
Finally acquired the one card from 2002 Topps Total that I've wanted for 22 years. One of my favorite box rips was a hobby box of 2002 Topps Total, back in 2019, while on vacation in Delaware. I wrote about that a few months ago. I was hunting for this Mauer card, but I mainly just wanted to see all the familiar players in unfamiliar uniforms. The box yielded zero Joe Mauer's. This one set me back $5, which wasn't bad.
#5 - 2024 Topps Now Major League Debut - Brooks Lee
I paid $3 more for this Brooks Lee card. Which is an overpay for hype, but I really liked the look of this card. Surprisingly enough, this is only my third Topps Now card. One of the others is Joe Mauer, commemorating his final game, and the one pitch he caught, so he got to catch one final time. Cool moment. I was happy to see it on a card. The other one is an Alex Kirilloff call-up with a game used base. From that same 2020 playoff game, against the Houston Astros, featured on the Stadium Club Chrome refractor I talked about a few minutes ago. There's even a small dirt smudge on the tiny piece of base.
#4 - 2023 Topps Joy of Baseball - Sandy Alcantara - Green
From the Bob Ross themed Topps baseball set (really, Topps?). Something I'd never seen before, and I really don't need to see much more of it. Didn't even notice it was serial numbered right away (47/75). If Sandy Alcantara threw any of his pitches standing shin deep in water, he would likely never throw another pitch again. Also, those are not very happy trees in the swamps of wherever he is supposed to be.
It is ridiculous and it was a quarter.
#3 - 2022 Topps Archives - Kirby Puckett SP
Here's one I'd never seen before. Neither the card, nor the photo. And I'm a huge fan of pictures featuring the outfield stands and center field scoreboard of old Comiskey Park in Chicago.
This card had a price of $20 on it, and I knew I wanted it.
The card two away from it in the box had a price tag of $25, and I knew I also had to have it...
#2 - 2021 Bowman Chrome - Aaron Sabato - Orange Shimmer - Autograph
After I'd finished pulling close to a hundred cards, sorted into smaller piles by price, from 25 cents to a dollar, I said to the guy running the table: "How much for the Puckett, Sabato and all of these?"
"How about $70?"
"How about yeah!"
Now I finally got my Aaron Sabato autograph. I remember seeing a preview for 2021 Bowman in an old Beckett, and they used a Sabato autograph to promote the prospect autographs. Since he came out of the draft as a projectable -but one dimensional- slugger, his autographs were initially inflated. Even a base Chrome Aaron Sabato autograph was selling for around $100, when I stopped looking (not long after the set was released).
But he couldn't hit... And I stopped looking for his cards. Still wanted that Bowman Chrome autograph, but it was low priority. $25 was more than I wanted to pay at this point, but it was a nice parallel version, serial numbered to just 25. Not sure what the price was lowered to, since I got such a great bulk discount, but it was much more palatable included in the total package.
Whatever...
Before I reveal the number one card purchased at the King of Grace Lutheran Church Sports Card Show, in Golden Valley, MN, on Saturday, November 16, 2024, I have to reveal the number one item pulled out of a box, during Thanksgiving weekend, 2024.
Laying flat in the bottom of a box was a paper bag with some newspapers inside. One of which was an extra thick Sunday edition of the Minneapolis Tribune, from November 1971. Another was a copy of the Coon Rapids Herald, from October, 1985. But the grand prize in that paper bag of paper, was a special commemorative copy of...
Anoka County Union - Special Bicentennial issue - June 25, 1976.
This extra thick, 156 page edition is filled with history of the county I was born in and back living in. One of the most valuable reference materials I could have added to the archives, just for the additional boost it will give to stories I have yet to write. As if it needed to get better, since it's a newspaper, their bills are paid through advertising. So there are hundreds of ads for local businesses from 1976.
Most important to me was this ad, found inside one of the first pages of the cover section.
Finally! Confirmation that Sylvester Salvage was indeed a thing!
I'd started to wonder if a 10 year old me had just imagined this place. I'd never really found any information about it online. My dad and I went here one afternoon. He explained it as a second-hand retailer that would buy bulk items that were either rejected from other retailers for flaws in packaging or whatever, and sell them at a discount. They would also buy items "salvaged" from retailers that for whatever reason, were no longer selling it. Be it bankruptcy or natural disaster.
The complex was several buildings, with lots of larger items spread out in areas around the property. The main store was a large metal building, that looked like it was ready to fall over. Propped up only by the add-on buildings, which looked just as crappy, but newer. Inside was a maze of tall shelves lining narrow aisles. Dim and dingy with flickering fluorescent lights overhead. A lot of their inventory consisted of clothes and small household appliances. Faint smell of smoke and rusty metal lingered in the air. Stronger in some parts of the store than others.
Thanks to this ad, I now know where Sylvester Salvage once operated. According to the satellite views of the Googles, 219th Ave. is now paved, and leads to several new houses. Spaced well apart from each other, as this part of Bethel, MN, hasn't yet seen the inevitable urban sprawl reach here.
Don't know when Sylvester Salvage ended business here, but the satellite images show no trace.
This Mad Magazine Super Special came from Sylvester Salvage. My dad and I went there in the summer of 1985, and the date on this is Fall 1984. So it was a year old when I found it in a box of boring magazines. The hand written .82 on the cover is what I paid for it. Pretty beat up now, but it wasn't newsstand fresh in 1985 either.
As long as we're back in the 1980's, it's time to reveal the #1 card purchased at the King of Grace Lutheran Church Sports Card & Collectible Show.
Which continues our newly established retro theme...
#1 - 2024 Select WWE - Honky Tonk Man - Autograph - Purple
I saw this in a case during my first walk around of the show. It was $40. I told him I'd think about it.
Decent price for the card, which appealed to me for multiple reasons.
Number one being an instant upgrade.
Which I'll explain in double flashback form!
******
(Story from post 253: Abandoned Packing Peanuts - Martin Plastics, Englewood, CO)
Directly across Santa Fe Drive and the Light and Railroad Tracks, was Red & Jerry's. Which was another of those giant adult indoor playlands that started popping up in the 1990's. Where you combine a video arcade, restaurant, several bars, limited physical games and other frat boy fun time activities, and you fill up an entire warehouse with all of it.
Red & Jerry's couldn't consistently fill up their giant warehouse of fun, and it closed for good in early 2017. By early Summer, the building was converted back into the warehouse it should have always stayed. This picture is of the demolished canopy over the main entrance. The neon used to be very colorful when lit...
I was glad to get this picture, because I only have one story of Red & Jerry's:
(Adapted from Wasted Quarter issue #61: Everybody Shut Up!)
On April 1st, 2007, Red & Jerry's had flown in the Honky Tonk Man for their Wrasslemania 23 bash. For a $5 cover, I could watch a show that I kind of wanted to see, yet didn’t really care all that much about. After the Pay Per View aired, some local indy wrasslers would toss each other around in the ring, set up in the middle of Red & Jerry's, between two of the bars and like a dance floor and DJ booth combo. I hated being inside here...
When I was a kid, the Honky Tonk Man was one of the more interesting wrasslers, given the casting of an evil Elvis impersonator as a chickenshit heel. One who always wins and keeps his championship belt by cheating, is pretty damn amusing. Even today.
My friend Cheryl and I arrived a little after 4pm, and the parking lot was already packed full. The pacing of the show was terrible. Too little wrasslin and too much filler. If I’d paid $50 for this, I’d be pissed. We grabbed a small table in one of the bars, and watched the show on some TV's set above it.
About half way through the show, I headed towards the exit for a smoke. In the entryway, I saw The Honky Tonk Man talking to the Pleasures Dudes. The Pleasures Dudes are not wrasslers, rather an obnxious combo that does cheesy commercials for their chain of Denver area adult bookstores (a co-sponsor of tonight's event), on local late night TV. I wasn’t going to interrupt any of that, as amusing as it was to watch, so I continued outside to smoke.
Radical!
When I came back after my cigarette, the Honky Tonk Man was sitting down at a table, autographing a guitar for the Pleasures Dudes. He wrote on the guitar (after pausing to ask how to spell Pleasures): “Keep the beer cold and the women bent over!” After handing the guitar back to them, I said a few words to him, he acknowledged me briefly, and scribbled on my pocket notepad. Before walking into an employees only area. Following close behind a giant plate full of hot wings, that a stripper brought up for his dinner. When he stood up from the table to leave, I was amused that I was taller than him.
And I'm not that tall.
I guess that scribble says Honky Tonk Man?
The Honky Tonk Man was in one of the feature matches of Wrasslemania 3, in 1987. In front of (allegedly) 93,000 fans, in Detroit, Michigan. 20 years later, he was headlining Red & Jerry's Wrasslemania 23 party, in front of a few hundred frat boys and their confused families, in Sheridan, Colorado.
One of the best $5 I ever spent!
And for only $35 more...
I now own a certified Honky Tonk Man autograph, serial numbered 21/35!
Still no idea whatever happened to The Pleasures Dudes.
******
And that wraps up Act 3 of the 2024 Baseball Whatever.
Act 4 should be along before too long.
Then I'm done writing about baseball for a little while.
YAY!!!
******
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