Swag from Cards on Cards

Got home form a typical lousy Monday to have my mood quickly changed by a very nice card package from Kerry of Cards on Cards. Here are some of the highlights

2006 Bowman Heritage Pieces of Greatness #PG-RH Ryan Howard

The picture of Ryan Howard is a little odd as Topps is trying to capture the style of the classic 1949 Bowman here. Cool card with a nice striped Jersey snippet.

2013 Topps Heritage Chrome #HC98 Darin Ruf/Tyler Cloyd (refractor/purple)
2013 Topps #83 Darin Ruf Green Parallel

Couple of nice Darin Ruf parallels. Ruf is a bit of a fan favorite but the Phillies latest moves regarding several bench players seem to indicate that Darin isn't in their plans for 2014.

2012 Topps #243 Justin DeFratus (blue parallel)
2013 Topps #US71 Cody Asche

Two more Phillies RCs for the collection. Kerry must be busy out there getting new product, the Asche card is part of the Update Series - feels like it just came out.

ConC sent over two team bags of cards, here are some of the rest

Phungo 5 with Cards on Cards

The Reigning World Champion St Louis Cardinals were in town this weekend.  To fill us in on what has been going on since then, we are talking with Kerry from Cards on Cards.  

1) Which player needs to step up for the Cardinals to return to the World Series? 

Clearly, Albert Pujols needs to step up big time if they’re going to make a repeat run. Why, he hasn’t done so much as score a single run for St. Louis this year! In all seriousness, though, I don’t have a lot of complaints about the offense or the rotations right now, and Jason Motte has been on a nice run lately. I don’t think you can expect much from Rafael Furcal right now and Lance Berkman may be at the end of his career, so of the able bodied Cardinals I’d like to see more from Jon Jay. It feels like the offense works best when Jay is hitting, and they really need someone to step up and take hold of the leadoff spot with Furcal’s physical struggles.

2) What is your favorite release for airbursh cards? 

My favorites are probably some of the Traded sets from the ‘80s. I used to get one of the Traded sets each year for my birthday, and it always fascinated me to see players in their new uniforms. It also didn’t take me long to notice how ridiculous some of them looked.

3) What are your thoughts on Rick Ankiel's recently being DFAd?

It’s really unfortunate. I was a huge fan of Ankiel’s when he was a sudden star pitcher as a rookie. To see him come back and succeed, if only for a season or two, as an outfielder was pretty amazing. I’m sure that he could walk away from the game right now and know that he’s done things very, very few could ever hope to achieve. I read recently that he helped Strasburg with his curveball, though, and some part of everyone who has followed him will always wonder what would happen if tried to pitch again competitively.

4) Has there been any word on Minor League Ball returning to Portland ?

The Yakima Bears, a short season A-league team is moving to the area next season, to play in Hillsboro which is a suburb to the west of Portland . AAA baseball has left Portland several times before and always returned, but the big difference this time is that they have no stadium to return to as their former home became a soccer-only facility last year. A new minor league stadium in Portland proper would have to be built from the ground up, and in the current political and economic climate, that’s about as likely as Pujols being traded back to the Cardinals for Marc Rzepczynski.

5) What is your favorite perfomance by a Cardinals player on TV or Film?

As an actor or player? I’m not sure that I’ve actually watched any Cardinals act, although I know that David Freese was supposedly in some awful sitcom episode last season on a show that I believe had already been cancelled by the time it aired. As far as performance in a game, it’s tough to think of anything more enjoyable than watching Chris Carpenter shut down the Phillies in the NLDS clinching game last year. Collectively, I’ve never seen anything more exciting than Game 6 of last year’s World Series, but as an individual performer, Carpenter sweated and cursed and hurled his way to the NLCS last year. He hauled the entire team on his back on his way to pitching more innings than anyone in professional baseball last season. And he’s paying for it dearly this year, where he’s basically getting the season off due to having a rib removed in someone experimental surgery to relieve pain he’s dealt with for a long time. I have a short memory, though. Ask me on a different day, and I might bring up the Pujols blast off of Brad Lidge or any number of amazing defensive displays by Jim Edmonds and Ozzie Smith.

ScoreCard

Have to ding ConC for #5. Any mention of 2011 NLDS game 5 and stomachs start turning for team Phungo.  Still a respectable 4 of 5 for ConC and we thank Kerry for is always thoughtful responses. 

Replay - 2012 Phungo 5 Postings
 

Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies Room. 

Atlanta Braves - Cardboard Junkie 

Miami Marlins - 30-Year Old Cardboard

New York Mets - Paul's Random Baseball Stuff

Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Wax

Pittsburgh Pirates - Pirates Treasure Room

Los Angeles Dodgers - Night Owl Cards

San Diego Padres - Padrographs

Kansas City Roayls - Autograph Cards

Oakland A's - The Fuji Chronicles

Seattle Mariners - Emeral City Diamond Gems 

Texas Rangers - Play at the Plate

Cards on Cards replays 

Cards on Cards 2010 

Cards on Cards 2009 

Phungo 5 with Cards on Cards

Now I am falling way behind. The Phils series with the Cardinals is already over and I still have not posted the Phugno 5 from Cardinals fan, Kerry, from the great Northwest. Kerry from Cards on Cards demonstrates his versatility here by giving us some feedback on not just the Cardinals, but also the Portland Trialblazers and one of our favorte bands.

First off a hoop question is the Trail Blazers season a success or failure?

If you’re talking about the regular season, then I’d have to say it was a resounding success. I’ve never seen another professional franchise have to deal with so much adversity, more in terms of volume than just severity, that the 09-10 Blazers went through. After Greg Oden went down, I really did not expect the team to make the playoffs considering all of the talent available in the Western Conference right now. The move to pick up Marcus Camby proved to be a critical one in terms of solidifying their playoff position. However, if you look at the end result, the bottom line is that the Blazers did not improve as a playoff team and improvement is what you strive for.

2008 Topps Heritage #433 Adam Wainwright

Do the Cardinals have the best rotation in baseball?

Yes, absolutely. But we’re in Week 5 of the season right now. Adam Wainwright is among the select few elite pitchers in baseball, in company with Roy Halliday and Tim Lincecum. Chris Carpenter is simply amazing at 35. But when you look at the rest of the rotation, we’re getting the best case scenario from all three pitchers. Brad Penny has been the All-Star caliber pitcher he was in 2006-2007, albeit with a Dave Duncanized groundball rate (which means fewer strikeouts.) Kyle Lohse has looked, at times, like the healthy 2008 version of himself. And Jaime Garcia has lived up to his pre-Tommy John surgery top prospect billing. I think it would be quite a leap of faith to count on the latter three situations continuing for the rest of the season, but if one or two of them continue to play out that way I’ll be a very happy Cardinal fan.

Best Year of Topps Heritage for Cardinals Collectors?

I’m going to go ahead and say 2002 for purely aesthetic reasons. I think the most interesting Heritage Cardinals cards end up being short prints, so it’s hard for me to say whether that becomes a “best” situation or is just simply annoying. Also, I don’t have many 2002 Heritage cards, so feel free to send me some!

Last year you introduced us to Daryl Jones - He appears to be struggling this year after a pretty decent 2009. Any updates on his progress?

I suppose I’m admitting to being a bad fan if I reveal that I haven’t followed the minor league clubs at all so far this season. I guess you could blame it on the big club getting off to a huge start. When things aren’t going right, you naturally look to the minors to see what’s on the way. I suppose that it’s probably a bit disappointing that Jones is still in AA, but the AAA club does have two outfielders with big league experience on the roster and are loaded right now in the majors.

TMBG Question - What Album would you like to hear TMBG do a Concert of?

Ordinarily, I would say Apollo 18 without skipping a beat as it is one of my favorite albums of all-time. However, I know that they have done that one a few times on the east coast and I have actually been listening to the Then: The Earlier Years compilation lately. (I recently scored a used copy.) As far as I know, I’ve never heard of them performing Lincoln in its entirety, so I’d love to see that.

Phungo 5 Boxscore

Thanks to Cards on Cards and we have a 5 out of 5. I think Kerry is correct in his analysis of the Cardinals rotation. As with all aspects of the game, the assumption that whatever happens in April is automatically replicated during the rest of the season is certainly dubious. That being said and despite their recent power outage in Philadelphia, I believe the Cards are in the race for the long haul. The Phils and Cards have both been in the mix the last couple of years, but have yet to meet in the playoffs - I think it would make for an exciting series.

Looking Back

For a look back at a previous Phungo 5 with Sports Locker click here.

Swag from Cards on Cards

2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospect #BDPP84 Pablo Sandoval
2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospect #BDPP69 Andrew McCutchen


Originally this trade started out with Some 08 Heritage heading to Cards on Cards for a couple of 2008 Bowman Draft Futures Game cards. I was able to knock 6 cards off of my want list from this set. Hard to believe the 08 Futures Game was only a year and a half ago and these two players are already making a significant impact. If anyone can help I am collecting the 2008 Bowman Draft Cards that feature players in the Futures Game. They are numbered BDPP66-BDPP110.

C on C and I then thought it would be prudent to expand the trade out to include some Phils and Cardinals. Kerry sent out a great package including these highlights:


2007 Topps Heritage Flashbacks #FB9 Richie Ashburn
2007 Topps All-Star #AS7 Chase Utley
2009 Topps #UH218 Cliff Lee (#d 1984/2009)

I am not sure what set the Utley All-Star card is from, I know I have seen lots o these but just don't remember the set - I am pretty sure it isn't Updates and Highlights.

And a bunch of O-Pee-Chee Cards that are all new to me:


1987 O-Pee-Chee #255 Juan Samuel
1978 O-Pee-Chee #93 Garry Maddox

And a good mix of new and old cards from various products


The Carlton Card in the middle is an old school mini.

Thanks to ConC for the trade - and enjoy the Heritage Cards!

Phungo 5 with Cards on Cards

The Phils are on the road for a couple of short series this week, the first of which features the Red Hot St Louis Cardinals. For Phungo 5 we are checking in with Cards on Cards. ConC is based out of Portland Oregon and also covers the upstart Portland Trail Blazers and was also good enough to send me a great lot of Phillies Minor League cards earliar this year. We cover a good bit of ground here including some Cards past and future and the quirky band "They May Be Giants"

1) St Louis is hosting the All-Star Game this year, Do you know of any interesting events the Cards are planning to give it a St Louis Flavor? Anything special you would like to see the Cardinals do? and Do you think they will bring back Mark McGwire for the weekend?

I’m not sure of all of the details, but I know that many former players have strong connections to the team still and they are often brought back for smaller events. I could see a huge group of former Cardinals on hand for the festivities. I know that Pujols is going to be at the center of a lot of what they’re doing. I don’t know about McGwire coming back. If he’s involved, I’m sure it will be very low-key. I find it interesting that you asked that because I was just reading a discussion the other day about how McGwire was a player who seemed to be a lot more popular with casual baseball fans around the country than he was with the St. Louis fanbase itself. I have a lot of mixed feelings about the guy as I’m sure many Cards fans do. I do know that he does seem to be a pretty nice guy, all things aside.

Phungo: This is interesting - I had not known that there was such a ambivalent reaction to McGwire in St Louis. Oddly this is just the opposite of the opinion on Barry Bonds, who is still fairly popular in San Francisco, and generally disliked outside of his home city. Perhaps because the Cardinals won a world Series without McGwire (and a more notable first baseman) St Louis fans have moved on.

2) I have Brett Wallace on my Fantasy squad - is he the real deal and just blocked? Are there any other Cardinal prospects that you woud consider their Autos a good investment.

Brett Wallace is a big-time hitter. I think he’ll find his way onto a team somewhere and at some position, too. I don’t think you’ll see him before September call-ups because the organization likes to work players in slowly, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t see any big league time at all this season even with Troy Glaus’s season a big question mark at this point. I’m sure it’s far too late in the prospecting game to get in on Colby Rasmus. Watch out for Daryl Jones, especially if Rick Ankiel doesn’t stick around.

3) Is there anything going on with the Portland Beavers that we need to know about?? I saw that Kyle Blanks swinging the bat in spring trainging looks like a real monster.

The Beavers seem to be in this sad state of being the split squad San Diego Padres these last couple of seasons. So many of their players seem to float up and down because the Padres have just been atrocious going back to the beginning of last season. I know they’re pretty big on Blanks. They had an even larger guy a few years back named Walter Young, but I would hope that Blanks will turn out more useful than he was.

4) From your profile, I see that you are a "They Might Be Giants" Fan. what song would you pick for their "request a cover" segment?

I think it would be fun to see them do a Queen song or just some really bombastic arena rock. Basically anything but Bohemian Rhapsody.

5) Favorite Molina?

There’s only one true answer to that. As a Phillies fan, I think you should be a Yadier Molina fan by proxy, with what he did to the Mets in the 2006 NLCS.

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Yep - always good to work in a dig on the Mets - 5 out of 5 for Cards on Cards, Thanks for another batch of terrific answers. Good to hear the optimism on Brett Wallace, Queen was a great choice for TMBG I wonder what they would do with Bicycle Race?

For a look back at a previous Phungo 5 Click here to find out whats going on with Sports Locker.

And we are looking forward to a future Phungo 5 with Waxaholic.

Phungo Cards - Ryan Ludwick and Cards from Cards on Cards

Today on Phungo Cards we feature another player from a team other than the Phillies. This is for Cards on Cards who was good enough to send me a great bunch of minor league cards.

Ryan Ludwick played his first full major league season in 2008 and put together a fine campaign. The first time all-star hit .299 with 37 homers and 113 RBI, good enough to earn him a Silver Slugger award. It felt like he got about half those dingers vesus the Phillies.

2009 Phungo #47 Ryan Ludwick

Nothing new on this card. I used the same color template for the Cardinals and Phillies. As noted with the Pat Burrell card earliar this week, I denote the specific position for Ludwick as right field. As you can see Ludwick's card number (47) matches his uniform number.

This card is from July 8th when Joel Piniero shutout the Phils. Ludwick was responsible for one of the two runs the Cardinals scored as he hit one of his aforementioned homers.

This is not one of my favorite camera angles, however anytime I can capture an action shot with the baseball actually in the picture I consider the photo a success. I also think I read at some point someone mentioning that there wasn't a Ludwick card available in Series 1 and I wanted to create a card for him.

While I am not fond of the behind the batter shot, apparently it is good enough for Topps, Especially if the batter is Casey Blake.


2008 Topps Gold Foil #231 Casey Blake
2006 Topps #391 Casey Blake

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Here are a couple of the highlights from the minor league cards sent out by Cards on Cards. I had asked for Phillies minor leaguers and anything from my local minor league teams, such as Harrisburg Senators and Wilmington Blue Rocks. CoC sent me two team bags with lots of Phils. I particularly loved these two cards.


1991 ProCards #259 Matt Stairs
1989 Star #120 Mike Morandini

Mickey Morandini, Identified by his given name, Mike. And one of 2008 World Championship Phillies playoff hero Matt Stairs. Stair stole 23 bases for the 1991 Senators. Hard to imagine.