I should've passed on this one

I've been a lot more careful in recent years when it comes to buying. A large part of that is due to the fact that I just don't have as much as play money as I used to. I also seem to have reached a point where I don't want stuff just for the sake of having stuff. Stuff takes up a space, and space is always at a premium. Because of these two things, I will often go back and forth over whether or not I really need a particular item or not, especially when it involves something for sale online. When it comes to cards, and more specifically, those of the auction variety, more often than not, other folks usually end up making my decision for me by pushing the price of whatever it is up; and out of my range. Occasionally though, something will slip through the sewer grate...

The listing for this card ended two days after the Joe Rudi that was in the last post. Had there been a larger gap in which Joe had been able to arrive before this one came up, I never would've bought this one. I do sort of collect Bert Campaneris, though I'm still a bit down on him for not signing the 1969 Topps card I sent him about 5-6 years ago, which I only did because he was supposedly signing quite actively at the time (and yes, I know, this is a terrible reason to be down on someone). That being said, and despite my usual waffling, the seemingly complete lack of interest from other bidders is ultimately what swayed me into bidding on this card. I figured, for five bucks, I couldn't go wrong. Well, I went wrong!

Having never owned any autographs from the 2001 Topps Archives set, I didn't know about the glossy finish, and if you saw the last post, then you already know how I feel about it. If you didn't, I hate it. It's so distracting. If that wasn't bad enough, Bert's card also features a slightly blurred image (it wasn't noticeable in the auction photo), which wasn't a feature of his rookie card. One would think that Topps could've reproduced one of their own cards without blurring the image, but I guess that was too much to hope for in this particular card.

I haven't looked, but I really hope that there isn't anyone else on this checklist that I feel like I need to own, because I do not like these cards, and if there is, I have no doubt that I'll forget at some point and buy another one. 

Despite my dislike for the card, I have hung onto it, and will continue to do so for the time being. Though, if I end up dropping Bert's player collection (which is very possible), I will find someone else to send this too, as it won't be worth me keeping just because it's an autograph.

I realized as I was starting this post this morning (Saturday the 2nd), that this'll be my third post in six days on here. That may not seem like much to some, but I haven't done that on this blog in what seems like years. Seeing as how Monday is a holiday, I won't be doing four in eight days, but I should have something up on Tuesday. After that, I'll probably work on some stuff for the other two blogs, one of which has been terribly neglected this summer (there's only so many hours in the day!).

Hey Joe

The Oakland A's were in Cleveland for a three-game set from April 23-25, 1976. The first game saw Dennis Eckersley get the win over Vida Blue as the Indians managed a 3-0 victory. 

For the second game, on Saturday the 24th, Cleveland went with the veteran, Fritz Peterson, while Oakland trotted out their young right-hander, Mike Norris. The Indian batters overwhelmed the future one-year phenom from the get-go, scoring two runs in the 1st, and two more in the second, which were enough to end the youngster's day after just 1.1 innings pitched. Oakland responded in kind by scoring five runs in the 3rd inning, which included a 3-run HR by Don Baylor. Four of those came off of old Fritz, which were enough to chase him out of the game. The A's padded their lead by adding another run in the 4th to make it 6-4, but Cleveland wasn't ready to call it a day yet, as they would score a run in the 7th, and two more in the 8th to take a 7-6 lead into the 9th. Oakland wasn't done though. With two outs in the top of the 9th, Tom Buskey walked Claudell Washington, and then Joe Rudi made him pay for that mistake by conjuring up some of his old postseason magic and hitting a two-run homer that wound up ending this slugfest in the A's favor, 8-7. The win ended a four-game skid for Oakland as well. Five pitchers were used by each team, with Rollie Fingers gave up two runs but was still able to pick up his second win of the early season (he'd go on to win 11 more). Tom Buskey was given the loss for Cleveland.

The A's cruised to a 9-1 victory on Sunday to close out the series. Mike Torrez got the win over Pat Dobson. Joe Rudi hit another 2-run homer as well, this time in the first inning.

Despite the game's overall insignificance, I bought this ticket stub earlier this year thinking that it would be a fun addition to my Joe Rudi collection. He did after all have a bit of a moment. Once shipping and taxes were factored in, I paid roughly the same price that the ticket originally cost. Initially, it felt like a bad (but cheap) purchase, but after reading the play-by-play (twice now), looking at in with Joe's cards a few times since, and now writing about it; I find myself being rather pleased with this get, and could easily see trying to add a few more tickets to his collection.

In addition to the ticket, I added two more cards to the collection earlier this year as well...

I paid seven bucks for this 2001 Archives autograph back in March(?). It seemed like a good price, and I was looking forward to getting it. Once in hand though, I was a little less enthused. Topps must've used an industrial buffer for the surface on these. It is so shiny. Too shiny for my liking. When I look at it, all I see is gloss; which isn't very 1969-ish. I think I would've been much more content with just getting the original version of the card signed.

Now, here's a fun one! I probably overpaid for this 1977 Hostess error, but it's pretty unique, so this was one instance where I didn't mind doing so. The lettering is all misplaced, but the double-negative effect is the real star of the piece. It almost looks like Joe's soul is beginning to ascend (knock on wood that Joe still has many more years left on this plain), which seems even more appropriate given the team. I would've loved to have seen/gotten this panel before it was cut, but this card was the only one available. And for those curious, the back is completely normal. I can't say enough good things about this purchase. Despite the food (Twinkie?) stains, and one small wrinkle (in an unimportant place), I was more than happy to pay a little over $5 for this particular copy. I can't imagine that there are too many more out there like this.

My Joe Rudi collection, though not being overly impressive in terms of numbers, has become one of my favorite player collections in recent years. I don't add items to it nearly as often as I would like, but that just makes it all the more better when I do.