Switcharoo.

Looks like things are in the final countdown frenzy with free agents. Lots of players moving from one team to another. Trevor Hoffman is going to Milwaukee, Rocco Baldelli to Boston, and Jason Ellison is leaving the Rangers' organization for a Spring Training invite with the Phillies. John Smoltz is set to sign with the Red Sox while Milton Bradley is waiting on some preliminaries to ink a deal with the Cubs.

This autographed 1989 Donruss card of Ray Hayward was recently involved in a move as well. On January third I sent a 1988 Topps Traded card to Mr. Hayward and asked for his autograph. I got this card back today. I must say that the turn around was super fast. Was it so fast that it morphed the card? Does Ray get so many requests that he mixed up mine and another? Does he buy his own cards, pre-sign them, and then switch them out for a faster turn around? Inquiring minds want to know

Irritating.

No, I'm not talking about how irritating it is to have to read about Manny Ramirez's contract drama. I am talking about what Bowman and other card brands have become over the years. While most brands are guilty, Bowman seems to have led the charge. Today's card is a prime example.

Today we see pitcher Eric McCray on card number 281 of the 1991 Bowman set. Eric is listed on the card as a Texas Ranger and appears in their uniform. So far so good.

Where things break down though is that McCray never appeared in a Rangers' game. In fact, he never made it past AA ball. His last game was in 1992 with the Gulf Coast League Rangers on the rookie ball level. So, while he appears on a "major league baseball card" he never made it to the majors.

I really don't mind getting cards of career minor league players, I have quite a few. I would rather get them on minor league cards though. In it's rush to become "The home of the Rookie Card" Bowman has issued hundreds of these types of cards. I understand, to some extent, the rookie sensation who can't miss, but McCray was drafted in 1988 and made his professional start the same year. By the time this card was issued he had been throwing for two years and I don't ever remember hearing about him. Hardly a hot prospect. This is one reason I don't buy many Bowman packs.

If a company wants to issue cards of minor league players then issue a minor league set. Please don't take up space in a pack with major league players.

Number one!

On his blog, T.R. Sullivan lists the top 25 pitchers in Rangers' history. He lists Hough, seen here on card number 371 of the 1981 Topps set, as number one on the list. Jon Matlack is number 25. In between are a wide variety of guys, included several Hall-0f-Famers.

T.R. is right when he says that from 1984 to 1988 Charlie was about all the Rangers had. I remember him being as big a name as Nolan Ryan before Nollie came to Texas. Charlie was always a great signer too. It seemed that he always signed and returned any cards that I sent him. That kind of fan interaction is hard to underrate.

I have managed to nail down the 1981 Topps base set but am still missing some of the Traded set. Here is what I am still hunting:
1981 Topps Traded
749 Larry Cox
772 Rick Honeycutt
801 Mario Mendoza
825 Leon Roberts
836 Bill Stein
852 Mark Wagner

Book 1, Page 23.

Wow! Derek Lowe turns down the Mets and it looks like Milton Bradley may soon be a Cub. With only about 40 days left until pitchers and catchers report it looks like things might finally be moving a little. Ok, let's take a look at what we have today for one of the still unsigned catchers out there.

1995 Classic $10 Phone Cards #55
1995 Collector's Choice #391
Empty pocket
1995 Collector's Choice SE #188
Empty pocket
1995 Collector's Choice SE Silver Signature #188
1995 Collector's Choice Silver Signature #391
1995 Donruss #423
Empty pocket

Three empty pockets today. They are waiting for the 1995 Collector's Choice Gold Signature #391, 1995 Collector's Choice SE Gold Signature #188, and 1995 Donruss All-Stars #AL2.

Had a dentist appointment today and stopped by Wal-Mart afterwords. Picked up a blaster of 2008 Upper Deck Documentary just to check them out. While I have my gripes with the set I am intrigued by the idea and have decided to try to nail the Rangers set. Should be kind of fun. Almost all the rest that I got are for trade.

Got home from the dentist and opened the mail. There was a nice box of Rangers from Cliff over at Capewood's Collections. Awhile back he and I had agreed on a team lot trade and the 300 card box of Rangers was in exchange for a similar box of Phillies and Astros. Haven't had time yet to really look through the box but it looks like I will be able to fill several holes in the collection. Thanks Cliff! Let me know if you ever want to repeat.

The second package I received was the result of winning a year-end give away on The Bench. Bench member MrMopar is a great guy who loves his odd-ball stuff. He had to thin things out a bit though and thus the giveaway. I got a bubble mailer full of odd-ball Rangers. Minis, stamps, over-size cards, even a few cards written almost completely in French! Way cool. If you haven't gotten on The Bench yet, you really need to get there. Tell 'em Spiff sent ya.

1972 Topps - Dick Bosman.

Seeing as it has been a slow day on the baseball front and a couple of weeks since we have seen anything from the Rangers' first set, I decided to revisit 1972. Today we see Topps card number 365, featuring Dick Bosman.

After six seasons with the Senators, Bosman would last only a season and a half with the Rangers. He would return later though as a pitching coach for the team.

1972 Topps is a team set that I would really like to complete. Since it is the inaugural set I have been placing special emphasis on it lately. Here is my current want list from 1972 Topps:
510 Ted Williams
529 Dave Nelson
577 Mike Paul
598 Hal King
654 Horacio Pina
668 Rangers Team
737 Lenny Randle
767 Tom McCraw
If you have any of these and think we might be able to work a trade please let me know.

Booo!

Decided to post card number 257 of the 1991 Score set today to welcome Steve Buechele back into baseball full-time in his position as A ball manager. I like this card of Boo. It shows him doing what he did best, fielding.

My Grandfather always used to say that Boo had the softest hands in the Majors. The back of this card seems to agree, calling him "one of the league's better defensive third basemen." When my family visited and got to see the Rangers on TV it was a real joy to watch Boo man the hot corner.

1991 Score is one of those sets that I would like to put to bed. I am just two cards from completing it and would be interested in working a trade with anyone who might have them. Here is what I have left from this rather large team set:
1991 Score
900 Nolan Ryan COOP
1991 Score Rookies & Traded
82T Ivan Rodriguez RC
If you have either or both of these cards and are willing to let them go please contact me and let's see if we can swing a deal.

Catching up...

Well, I made it back all in one piece from visiting family this past week. I trust that everyone enjoyed the holidays and is having a great start to the new year. As always, I have to catch up on things after getting back from a trip.

First off is this 2008 Topps Trading Card History #TCH71 of Michael Young. I received this card on December 24th from Matt over at Heartbreaking Cards. Matt and I had agreed to a trade earlier in the month and in exchange for some 2004 Bowman Heritage cards he needed, I got this card and 15 others. The assortment was great and it looks like I will be filling holes in my collection with most of them.

Looks like the Giants nailed down Randy Johnson. I had doubted that the Rangers had much of a chance but it was nice to do a little daydreaming. It does make sense though, that an aging N.L. pitcher would want to avoid the A.L. if possible.

Big news that Steve Buechele is back! Texas hired him as their single A manager. It is great to see "Boo" back in the game and I wish him all the best. Still think he had about the softest hands ever.

Ivan Rodriguez still hasn't signed with anyone. Not sure that anyone is even talking to him. What are his chances of finding a home? Will he be able to or is this the end of the trail?