Rangers posts around the web.

In 1998 Pacific had the idea of mixing cards and the Internet. The result was the Online set, demonstrated here by card number 743. Like most Pacific ideas, this one was not real well done. The set was huge and confusing. Not everyone had the Internet yet. Trying to look up your favorite players on a dial-up connection took days. Literally.

Fast forward to today. Pacific is defunct but their idea isn't. Seems like a new card blog pops up every few days to join the hundreds already out there. Like a lot of folks, I read several blogs regularly and a lot from time to time. A normal way for me to get drawn into a blog is through a Rangers-oriented post. With that in mind here are a few from recently.

Night Owl continues to plug away at the 1975 Topps set. His write-ups are always fun to read. The most recent Rangers card is Jeff Burroughs.

Carl Crawford cards takes a lighter look at John Ellis' 1978 Topps card. At least there's no stale smell about this one.

Goose Joak always has some great custom cards he makes up. His recent return to an earlier design is no different. Great way to get a look at a possible ace and new player in their Rangers threads.

Do you know that some Nolan Ryan collectors out there have actually worked for the man? I didn't either until I read Bo's recent post at Baseball Cards Come to Life. May have to see if I have any extra cards of Nollie.

Sully says that the Rangers shouldn't trade Michael Young. I agree Sully, welcome aboard. Sully usually writes and commentates well in spite of living in California and being a Red Sox fan.

While not card related, T.R, Sullivan's blog is some good Rangers reading. Watch for the Latin quotes and cultural and historical references. Don't worry, Toby won't bite.

Well, that's the links I can come up with for recent Rangers posts. Let me know in the comments section if I missed any. If you happen to stop by and leave a comment for any of these guys feel free to let them know that Spiff sent ya.

Trading with Dubbs.

Got a box in the mail yesterday from Dubbs over at Cheese and Beer. This was his end of a team lot trade that we had set up recently. Inside was a nice group of Rangers. Included was this Laynce Nix 2006 Upper Deck First Pitch #197. I needed quite a few of the cards sent but this particular one completed a team set for me. Thanks for the trade Dubbs, let me know when you're ready for another.

As you may have guessed from the name of his blog, Dubbs is a Brewers fan. He does an excellent job with the blog and I am adding him to my links list. Take a gander at his writing and tell him Spiff sent ya.

In other news, all the Rangers except Omar Vizquel and Jose Vallejo are in camp. They are expected soon. So far things are looking good. Michael Young has started the transition to third and the increased training with the pitchers continues. Hopefully both will work out well.

Book 1, Page 26.

Only nineteen days until pitchers and catchers report and still no Pudge signing. I am beginning to get worried that he will have ended his career as a Yankee. Surely that won't mean that the Hall of Fame will put a Yankees cap on his plaque. That would be a disaster.

Oh well, on to happier times. Let's see what today's page holds for us.
1995 Pacific Prisms #137
1995 Panini Stickers #28
1995 Pinnacle #122
Empty pocket
1995 Pinnacle FanFest #10
1995 Pinnacle Museum Collection #122
Empty pocket
Empty pocket
1995 Score #367

The empty pockets are being held for the 1995 Pinnacle Artist's Proofs #122, 1995 Pinnacle Samples #122, and 1995 Rangers Crayola #28.

So, Texas is still talking to Ben Sheets but is "cautious" due to his injury history. Apparently they think that if he remains healthy he could make an impact. Any Brewers fans care to chime in with your thoughts?

I recently added a link to RangersCards.com. This is a pretty cool website that has scans of various Rangers cards as well as stats for players from their Rangers' years. It is linked, by a drop down menu, to sister sites for the other MLB teams. You owe it to yourself to check out the site of your favorite team.

I am also adding a link for I Heart Halos. RWH loves the Angels and his family. He is currently working on getting his two year old daughter addicted to cards and the Angels. He has a lot of interesting Angels commentary. Along with Tastelikedirt, that now gives my links list the whole A.L. West with the exception of the Mariners. Anyone know of a good blog for them?

Book 1, Page 25.

Monday again. It's been one of those days for me so I can say that I am glad to be hitting the books. The Pudge books that is. Much better turn out this week than last. Here is what we have in today's page:

1995 Fleer All-Stars #1
Empty pocket
1995 King-B Discs #19
1995 Kraft #13
1995 Leaf #107
1995 Leaf Great Gloves #16
1995 Leaf Limited #131
1995 Pacific #433
1995 Pacific Latinos Destacados #31

The empty pocket is reserved for the 1995 Fleer Update Smooth Leather #9. Hard to say which of these eight cards I like the best. Perhaps the Kraft one. It actually folds, kind of like a pop-up book and out comes Ivan at the bat. The rest of the card forms a base to hold him up. I guess that was so you could display your collection on your desk at school. Got to give Kraft marks for creativity.

Here in a couple of minutes I will be adding a few blogs to my links list. These are blogs I have been watching and feel that they are updated regularly and are content appropriate.

First off is Tastelikedirt. Jim is an A's fan and avid A's collector. Those who bleed green and yellow have a hard lot in life. I feel some sympathy for them though, since a close family member is afflicted with the same illness. Please show Jim a little compassion and read his excellent and entertaining blog. The taste it will leave in your mouth will be nothing like dirt.

Next is Thoughts and Sox. I used to believe that Red Sox fans were not crazy, just sad. After two World Series wins in the last few years, Adam appears neither crazy nor sad. Being stuck in Missouri doesn't seem to dampen his spirits either. One thing about teams like the BoSox, their fans have an excuse to pick up some really neat vintage cards. Adam does just that, among other things. Check out his thoughtful take on the Sox.

Last, but certainly not least, is Wrigley Wax. This is a fairly new blog that is dedicated to the Cubs. Not sure if that constitutes madness or sadness, but the posts are very informative. I have had a ball reading them and learning stuff about the Cubbies I never even imagined. Failure to give this blog a gander would be like refusing to let a goat in to see the ball game.

1997 Donruss Signature Series - Kevin Brown.

Today's card is from the 1997 Donruss Signature Series. It is unnumbered and features Kevin Brown and his autograph.

While it might seem a bit strange to see an American League pitcher batting it helps to know that this is not the pitching Kevin Brown who played for Texas. This Kevin was a catcher who lasted just two seasons and seven games with the Rangers before being traded. Why he was deemed worthy to feature on a certified autograph card is beyond me.

In other news, I recently received an email from Chris at Topps Heritage Cards. He had added a link to here on his blog and asked if I would mind doing the same. After perusing his site I found it to be a wealth of information on Topps Heritage cards. If you are a set collector chasing this set you need to pay a visit to Topps Heritage Cards.

New link

Check out Dinged Corners if you get the chance. Patricia and Lucy are very selective in their collecting. The posts are great and if you're lucky enough to score a trade with them you just might receive some of Lucy's artwork in the bargain. Great site!

New links

A new link for everyone to check out.

The Hamiltonian - A player collector card blog dealing with the Rangers newest young talent. Great write-ups plus a founding-father sounding name.

New Link

Orioles Card "O" the Day - Kevin is a huge Orioles fan. He posts new cards almost every day and includes interesting tidbits on the team and players. Great site that is a good read.

New Links

Added three more links today. None are Rangers related but are good sites anyway. After all, if the other teams had no fans who would Texas play?

1. Cincinnati Reds Cards - This guys describes himself as a "A guy w/ more time than cents who enjoys his Reds cards." Pretty much sums it up, Reds mania occurring daily there.

2. White Sox Cards - A blogger with a "passion" for the White Sox. Nice blog. Easy to read. Perhaps the best part might be the "Sox or no Sox" posts.

3. Indians Baseball Cards. Always. - An ongoing treatise on The Tribe. Nice site.

New Links

I have added three new card links for your enjoyment:

1. TwinsCards.com - This is a huge database of Twins stuff. I say stuff because it covers cards, photos, publications, memorabilia, and lots of other Twins items. It is a "conglomeration of many different collections" that showcase almost anything a Twins fan would want to gaze at.

2. Topps Traders - Written by a Cardinals fan who loves to collect Topps sets. Jeremiah has a full run of Topps sets from 1974 - 2007 as well as an interesting blog.

3. The Fleer Sticker Project - This guy has an amazing knowledge of Fleer stickers. Very interesting blog.

New Links

Adding a couple of new links today. First is Peggy's. This is an online trading forum that is not near as big as The Bench. I started my online trading there and have enjoyed it. Not a whole lot going on but the members are friendly. As with The Bench, if you give it a try tell them Spiff sent you.

Second link is to the official Texas Rangers site. A must have for Rangers fans, especially if you aren't in the Rangers' home area.

New links

Going to add a couple of links to sites I enjoy. The first is to an online trading forum called The Bench. The site has over 5,000 members and yet is very comfortable. Pete, the owner, and his team of moderators do an excellent job and keep things under control. The trade manager feature is extremely nice as well. If you want to give online trading a shot and haven't tried The Bench yet you really ought to. Tell them Spiff sent you.

Second site is another card blog that I have enjoyed called Squeezeplay Cards. Joey collects more than just baseball and writes in a way that is very enjoyable. He has a few players he focuses on but overall just talks about cards in general.