SABR 45: Masanori Murakami

One of my favorite presentations at SABR 45 featured Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese born player to join the Major Leagues.

1965 Topps #282 Giants Rookie Stars Estelle and Masanori Murakami

A discussion of Murakami's life and career was moderated by Rob Fitts who has written a biography of the Japanese pitcher. 

The SABR panel in Chicago also included Yuriko Gamo Romer who is putting a documentary together on Murakami. A rough cut of the opening of the film titled "Diamond Diplomacy" was shown, the clip included footage of Murakami from both the US and Japan. 

Fitts' Questions for Murakami focused on how he learned baseball in Japan despite the objections of his family, his initial experiences in the states (spring training in Tucson), and his first game which was at Shea Stadium.

Murakami cited Giants coach Bill Werle as a significant early influence when he came to the states. During the course of the presentation it became clear that Mashi was the perfect candidate to play in the states. He had a fascination with Western Culture and films - specifically he had become a John Wayne prior to his arrival in the states. 

Mashi - Robert K Fitts

The Masanori Murakami biography was penned by Japanese baseball authority Robert K Fitts who is from Philadelphia and when to UPenn. Despite this the Mashi Book tour is not making a stop in Philadelphia. 

The title of the book is MASHI, apparently a nickname - likely shorthand for Masanori - notice on the 1965T card above that Masanori uses the shorter Mashi when autographing items. I also must point out the incredible quality of the penmanship. 

2015 06 27 Masanori Murakami 

After Murakami signed my baseball card, he was even nice enough to pose for this picture simulating a throwing motion. Thanks Mashi - I just wish I would have thought to give him a baseball to pose with. 

For a review of the Mashi book check out examiner.com journalist Nick Diunte here. There Examiner also has a companion interview. 

Sources and Links 

Phungo SABR 45 Index

Rob Fitts

Nick Diunte Examiner.com

Flying Carp Productions 

Baseball-ref

 

Pete Rose 2012 Leaf Living Legend Auto

The Phillies are facing the Reds in Cincinnati which gives us the perfect opportunity to show off the Pete Rose auto we picked up via a 2012 Living Legends Blaster.

2012 Leaf Living Legend Pete Rose #AU-37

The signature itself is a little shaky but I do like the photo. I don't know what the break down of images for this set are, but it is nice that we got one with Rose wearing a Phillies Uniform.

Leaf had to airbrush out some of my favorite details so I dug up this version of the shot which I found at the now dormant Fielder's Choice Blog. 

Of course as Dave noted in his Fielder's Choice posting this picture will likely bring back the memory of a certain Fleer card for many Collectors

1982 Fleer #640 Pete & Re-Pete 

The phot on the above Fleer card was taken by Bob Bartosz. For a GREAT interview regarding Bartosz career as a baseball photographer check out Baseball Cards Come to Life.

1982 Fleer #640 Pete & Re-Pete (b-side)

Back in 1982 Pete Rose was not yet the all-time hit king, but as noted on the card in 1981 he passed Stan Musial as the NL career Hits Hits Leader.

2012 Leaf Living Legend Pete Rose #AU-37 (b-side)

And just to wrap up we present the flip side of the Pete Rose Auto which limits itself to your typical COA verbiage.

Pete Rose Index
1977 Topps #450 AS - 1976 ASG feature / #14 Reds Jersey Retirement
1983 Topps #101 Super Veterans
1985 Andy Warhol Portrait
1986 Topps #206 Rose Breaks Ty Cobb's Lifetime Hits Record

I know Pete ain't in the Hall of Fame. I am not going to get into that discussion here, but I am going to add him to our HoF Index as an honored star of the game.

Sources and Links
Baseball Cards Come to life

Garo Yepremian (1944-2015)

Woke up this morning to the sad news that NFL Kicker Garo Yepremian had died.

1999 Fleer SI Autograph Collection Garo Yepremian

Garo Yepremian was the kicker for the undefeated Superbowl Champion 1972 Miami Dolphins. He is also known for an interception he tossed in that Superbowl that nearly cost the Dolphins their perfect season.

The above card features the cover of Sports Illustrated from the week that Yepremian kicked the game ending field goal for the longest game ever played. On Christmas Day of 1971 the Dolphins Beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in double overtime. Yepremian kicked a 37 yarder for the Divisional Playoff game victory 7 minutes and 40 seconds into the 2nd OT. The games total time was 82:40 outdoing the second longest game by about 5 minutes (77:54 Dallas Texans 20, Houton Oilers 17 - December 23 1962)

Garo Yepremian is not in the Hall of Fame, however he was elected to the 1970s All-Decade team by the HoF.  Strangely, the only kicker in the Hall happens to be Yepremian's opposition in the longest game, Jan Stenerud. During that 1971 Chiefs vs Dolphins playoff game Stenerud missed a 22 yard field goal at the end of regulation, that would have prevented the tilt from going into overtime.

Local Guy
I have no idea how Yepremian ended up here, but Garo Yepremian lived in the Philadelphia Area. I remember for a time he hosted a weekend fishing show on the NBC affiliate in Lancaster PA. He died at a hospital in Media PA, which is about 20 minutes from Phungo HQ. I believe the hospital is across the street from a mall where I have gone to a couple of card shows.

Brush with Greatness
This isn't my BWG story but was related to me by co-workers. A few colleagues of mine were out for a golf outing and needed an extra to fill out their foursome. They pick up a fourth and filling out the scorecard this conversation ensues:

Colleague: "Gary?"

Fourth: "No, Garo"

Colleague: "You mean like Garo Yepremian"

Yepremian: "I am Garo Yepremian"

My friends said Yepremian was a good guy and wore a baseball cap that honored the undefeated season. The youngest guy in the group who is probably in his early 40s didn't know who Yepremian was.

Garo Yepremian Foundation
The Yepremian foundation was inspired by Garo's daughter-in-lau Debby-Lu Yepremian who at the age of 19 in 1998 discovered she had brain cancer. Debby-Lu outlived a six months to live prognosis by six years, passing in 2005.

Oddly Garo Yepremian's death was also to brain cancer, He had first learned his own diagnosis in May of last year. 

sources
Garo Yepremian Foundation
Beasley Reece (Twitter @beasleyreece /CBS3)
Lancaster OnLine
Pro Football HoF
football-ref

1967 Topps #290 Bill White

This is a companion posting to the column earlier this week on AL league president Bobby Brown.

1967 Topps #290 Bill White

Like Bobby Brown, Bill White was a former player who became a league President. White led the NL from 1989-1994. 

His playing career was 13 years 3 of which were spent with the Phillies. We ran a more thorough profile last year on the occasion of White's 80th birthday - click here to read the more.  The 80th Birthday Column also contains a 1966T card of White for those of you that are interested in 2015 Heritage Originals.

John Hancock

2009 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary #1014 Subway Series/Interleague Play  

The 1967T card at the top of the post has a facsimile signature that clearly reads "Bill White", a more familiar and less formal monicker than the "William D White" which appears on the NL Baseball above.

Contrast this with Bobby Brown who we featured on Wednesday. Brown stuck with Bobby rather than sign as Robert on the AL Baseball 

Pencil
When grading cards or commenting on their condition, there are several words or phrases that come up: Creasing, Rounded Corners, Faded, Tape, Gum Residue etc. One of those terms is Pencil or Ink for whenever there is writing on the card. At some point someone had scrawled the number 10 on Bill White's Chest. This was his uniform number while with the Phillies. Noteworthy Phillies to where the number were Larry Bowa and Darren Daulton, Michael Young was the most recent active player to don #10, which has now been returned to Bowa in his current role as Bench Coach. 

Sources and Links
SABR Bio Bill White by Warren Corbett
New York Times
Baseball-ref

OSCARS: "The Grand Budhapest Hotel" - Al Hrabosky

I saw two of the 2015 Best Picture Oscar Nominees. One of those was "the Grand Budhapest Hotel" 

As a Wes Anderson fan I try and see most of his films. Budapest delivers a lot of what Anderson fans want, strange characters, unique camera angles, and favorite actors - like Bill Murry.

It is a good movie and a fun ride but not up to Rushmore or Tenenbaums status. The film doesn't have a pop soundtrack in the way that my favorite Wes Anderson films do, the music is good, just not my style.

If the film receives the Oscar I believe it is more for Wes Anderson's body of work than this specific film.

Cardboard Budapest Hotel

2001 Topps Archive Autograph #TAA128 Al Hrabosky

How does one come up with a card to represent a non-baseball, non-sports movie?

You get creative

Budapest is the capital of Hungary which directed me to one of the more colorful ballplayers of my youth, the Mad Hungarian - Al Hrabosky.

Hrabosky pitched 13 MLB seasons, most of which were with the St Louis Cardinals. He tallied 97 career saves including a leading the league with a whopping 22 in 1975. His lone playoff year was 1978 when he was the closer for the Royals who lost to the Yankees in four games.

Today Al Hrabosky works the broadcast booth for the St Louis Cardinals. He has been a color commentator on TV for the team since 1985. Hrabosky is an active member of the St Louis community and is involved with several local charities. 

2001 Topps Archives

2001 Topps Archive Autograph #TAA128 Al Hrabosky (b-side)

Topps Archive featured reprints of popular MLB alums on their rookie and final cards. With Hrabosky we have a bit of a curiosity. His first card was a rookie stars triple photo. For Archives Topps elected to place only Hrabosky's photo on the front, while maintaining the integrity of the back.

One of the drawbacks of going with the full photo on the front of the card is that apparently the negative for the picture was not detailed enough to fill the frame. While the photo on the original 1971T Card looks ok, it is a bit blurry on the 2001 Archives reprint.

Sources and Links
2015 Phungo Oscars coverage
IMDB
St Louis Cardinals
topps card database
Baseball-ref
Google Maps
Budapest Travel and Tourism Guide
Baseball Cardpedia

2015 HoF Ballot Tony Clark: 1997 Donruss Signature Series

Tony Clark was a switch hitting first baseman who spent the first half of his career with the Detroit Tigers and the remainder as a journeyman with 5 other clubs.

1997 Donruss Signature Series Tony Clark Autograph (#d 488/900)

During His 15 year career Clark's teams made Postseason Appearances: 2004 Yankees - he was the 1B tasked with holding on Dave Roberts in Game 4 of the ALCS  and 2007 Diamondbacks. Other career Highlights include tallying 251 Career Homers, representing the Tigers at the 2001 All-Star Game and finishing 3rd in the 1996 AL RoY voting which was won by Derek Jeter.
 

1997 Donruss Signature Series

1997 Donruss Signature Series Tony Clark Autograph (#d 448/900 b-side)

Ran into something interesting here, An autograph card featuring a photo of the player yes signing an autograph. It isn't that complicated to put this card together, but I am not sure I have ever seen it done elsewhere. Is there a -graph collector out there that has any insight on this?

In 1997 the Donruss Signature Series came in 3 parallels: Red which were the commons, Green shown here - typically numbered to 1000 although Clark is serialed to 900, and finally Blue which are numbered to 100.

Phungo HOF Verdict
YES - a surprise Yes vote team Phungo. Last December Tony Clark became the head of the MLB players association (MLBPA), He is the first former player to lead the union. Clark is the fourth person to lead the MLBPA, a position that was originated by Marvin Miller.

My Tony Clark YES HoF vote is a protest vote against the various folks that have rejected Marvin Miller over the years. Miller may have never played on the field but his leadership changed how players in all sports are compensated, All one has to do is look at the salaries players are earning to realize what Miller has meant to the sprot.    

Sources & Links
2015 HoF Ballot
MLBPA
Baseball-Ref 
Bob Lemke's Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards    

Million Dollar Arm: 2009 Bowman Sterling #BSP-DP Dinesh Patel

This is our second Mad Men related posting of the weekend. Jon Hamm, who portrays Don Draper/Dick Whitman is starring in the upcoming film "Million Dollar Arm"

2009 Bowman Sterling Autographed Prospects #BSP-DP Dinesh Patel

The story is based on a recruiting trip/reality show opp that the Pittsburgh Pirates initiated to India in 2008. The premise is basically that cricket players can become Major League Pitchers

The Pirates found two pitchers, Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel who is featured above. Both came to the States and trained at USC.

Dinesh Patel pitched 13 2/3 innings in 15 games for the Pirates Gulf Coast League team over two seasons. His first season was pretty good, but he regressed in 2010. Since then he has returned home.  



The Left-handed Singh remains with the Pirates despite missing 2013 with injury issues.  He was in the Pirates spring training camp in 2014, but I was unable to find his progress or status beyond the Grapefruit League.

For the Collector
I picked up the above Dinesh Patel auto for $2 at a recent card show. Both Patel and Singh are included on the Autograph Checker for 2009 Bowman Sterling Prospects. I think the two were added to the set late and neither player has a base card in the set. Prominent players in the autograph include Mike Leake, Donegal/Messiah alum Chris Heisey, Zack Wheeler, and Mike Trout 

Sources
Baseball Cardpedia
IMDb
Barry M Bloom - MLB.com 
Baseball-ref

Interview: Alex Novick Topps Assistant Brand Manager - Bowman

Last weekend during the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game or Fall Star Game MLB network featured an interview with Bowman Assistant Brand Manager Alex Novick. The event is heavily sponsored by Bowman and the segment was more promotional piece than interview.

Alex Novick with Addison Russell autograph card (also Paul Severino center with partial of Joe Magrane)

The discussion took place over a half inning which ran about 4 1/2 minutes. Novick stated that the relationship between AFL and Bowman has been extended 3 years. It was unclear if that was inclusive of 2013 or if the extension is 2014-16.

Other observations made by Novick included the following:
- "It's All about the Autographs Now,  Everybody wants the Autographs"
- "Almost all of our boxes have one autograph in them"
- "We have some products that have actually have 5 autographs in them"
- "Bowman has 42 of 54 players selected for Fall Star Game signed to Autograph deals" .
- "Bowman has deals with "About" 40% of the players on AFL rosters"
- "That is what our collectors want, That is where the value is"
- "Bowman is the first time a player will ever see themselves in a Major League Uniform on a baseball card, Typically it's the most collectible card they'll have throughout their career."
- "Our Editors back in New York put a lot time and a lot of effort into picking the best shots possible" 

Those quotes aren't quite verbatim, but I think I captured the spirit of Novick's points. I have felt that card collecting has become driven by high end and Topps appears to agree.


Addison Russell
Novick displayed the Addison Russell Bowman Platinum card because he was batting at the beginning of the inning. Russell grounded out 4-3.  When asked about the value of the card Novick stated "$20-$30".

I am not sure if the card is a serialed parallel, but I found that a similar looking Addison Russell Bowman Platinum closed at auction at $7.77 - that is 60% under Novick's $20+ estimate. However, a "Platinum Ice" version of the card serial#d/10 did go for $110.


Joe Magrane
During the segment Joe Magrane (partially shown in the lefthand side of the frame above) added the following player perspective on trading cards:

"Sy Berger was the most popular guy in Spring Training....(He'd) hand us our Topps Checks and we'd get our cards and it's one of the biggest thrills. That was one of the biggest thrills...you knew you arrived when you saw a baseball card of yourself"

1989 Topps #187 Darren Daulton - autograph appearance Granite Run Mall Media PA Sat November 2nd

Darren Daulton will be one of several 1993 Phillies at the Granite Run Mall this weekend for a Poppell.com sponsored card/autograph show.

1989 Topps #187 Darren Daulton

As Phillies fans know, this past summer Darren Daulton was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Poppell is billing this is a rare public appearance and sadly it could one of Daulton's last in the Philadelphia area.

I plan on hitting the show for at least of part of Saturday afternooon, Daulton is scheduleds for 11-1. Other 1993 Phillies expected to appear are Mitch Williams, Lenny Dykstra, Mickey Morandini and Dave Hollins. The Phillies 2 World Champinonship teams will be represented by Dallas Green, Brett Myers, Pedro Feliz and Eric Bruntlett. Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers is also on the Schedule.

There will also be a contingent of Flyers Alums in the house including Rick MacLeish and Jim Watson.

For More info on times and pricing click here.

Card Show Granite Run Mall Media PA - This Weekend April 4/27 - 4/28 - Steve Rogers and PHIL LINZ Lots of Eagles Watters Garner Byars Bryce Brown

There are a lot of bigger names at this weekend Poppel Show at the Granite Run Mall, but none of those guys are Phillies Alums.

1966 Topps #522 Phil Linz

Phil Linz played two unremarkable seasons for the Phillies in the middle 60s. His Phillies tenure like much of his career was spent primarily as a utility infielder and pinch hitter and runner.

As a Yankee Linz did have a brief shining moment. He batted leadoff for the Yankees in game 7 of the 1964 World Series and with 2 outs in the 9th inning hit a Home Run off of Bob Gibson.  Unfortunately for the Yankes and Linz, they were down 3 runs at the time.  Gibson went on to record the final out, the Yankees would not return to the post season for over a decade.\

Phil Linz Wiki Bio does contain some reference to both "Ball Four" and "The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book" 

1966 Topps Mid Series (447-552)

The 1966 Topps Phil Linz card is the final card of a somewhat scarcer middle series in the set.  For commons in this series I look for a pricepoint of around $1.50  

Poppel Show at Granite Run Mall 

I enjoy the Poppel Shows.  There are probably less than a dozen dealers but they have a strong enough variety to enjoy a couple of hours. The bulk of this weekends signers are Football Related, Ricky Watters, Charlie Garner, Keith Byars, Blair Thomas, Current Eagles RB Bryce Brown.  The big Baseball name is Expos Ace Steve Rogers. The others are Tito Landrum, Jack Fisher, and Linz

More information on the show can be found at Poppel.com. 

Philly Show in Valley Forge Friday Through Sunday

The PhillyShow returs to Valley Forge this weekend. Team Phungo is a bit under the weather so I am not sure I will be attending. Game time decision for Saturday. Tix for the show are $8. Some local papers have a $1 off coupon in the Friday Sports sections.

1992 Topps #754 Charlie Hayes
Among the autograph guests this weekend are HoF and Politician Jim Bunning, Steve Bedrosian, Charlie Hayes, Eagles RB Brian Westbrook, Ravens and Rutgers RB and recent SuperBowl Champ Ray Rice and Wrestler Ric Flair.

On Saturday Sixers Alum and ambassador Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins is scheduled for complimentry autographs.

For a synopsis of the PhillyShow in December click here.

The Phungo Card Show info Post is here.

  

Philly Show in Valley Forge Today through Sunday

The PhillyShow returns to the Valley Forge Convention Center (and now casino) this weekend.  Show is FSS 12/7 - 12/9 with $8 admiission per day ($1 off coupons are in local papers)   

 

1984 Topps #300 Pete Rose (image from Baseball Card Database)

 

 

Schedule Autograph Signers include Steve Carlton, John Kruk, Darren Daulton, Tim McCarver, Tommy Greene, Dave Winfield, Frank Robinson, and Pete Rose.

 

 

Pete Rose appears on Sunday - Auto's start at $59.  Of course if you don't care to meet Mr Rose for your autograph you can just go to Dave and Adams Card World  and buy the new Leaf Living Legends Hobby  Blaster for $18 which guarantees a Rose auto in every box.

 

 

Team Phungo is going to miss out on Charlie Hustle - I am planning on hitting the show on Saturday for a few hours and digging for some cheap vinatage.  Been looking at 1934-36 Diamond Stars recently.

 

For additional Card Show infor click here

 

 

Card Show Today In Oaks PA - BWG Rick MacLeish

Today there is a Poppel produced Show in Oaks PA.  It is at the Arnolds Family Fun Center.  Arnolds is the place behind the Target comples which houses the Go-Kart Track.  It is near the Expo center where CSA used to produce some larger shows.

The Poppel shows are a good local show. There small with only a handful of dealers but those dealers have an interesting mix of things.  Typically good for an afternoon thumbing through dime boxes with some oddball items, perhaps some good vintage.  I think the 35 tables is a bit of an overestimate on their part.  Their shows are about a dozen dealers.


Todays show will have 3 autograph signers including Rick MacLeish

Brush With Greatness

Night Owl is in the process of sifting thru some BWG stories - currently he is doing non-baseball which likely will consist of the Buffalo Bills and Hockey players.  In that spirit I will pass along one of my encounters.

During the summer of 2000 I think - I was involved in a summer shore house rental in Sea Isle City NJ.  One of the bars we frequented (I think it was called the Carousel) was a friendly outdoor deck with great drinks service and fun patrons.  One of the regular customers was Rick MacLeish.  I can't remember a single conversation we had beyond saying hello - but I remember always enjoying the fact he was there.

Additional signers today including NFL vets Tom Woodeschick and Lou Michaels.   

I plan on hitting the show for a few hours around noon.  Say Hi - I am the good looking guy with the Red Phungo Binder of checklists.  I can't think of a better way to spend Small Business Saturday then supporting some curmudgeonly old card dealers. 

For additional info on Philadelphia area card shows click here.

Card Shows in PhilaPa for the Weekend of 11/2-11/4

There are a couple of mall card shows in my area this weekend. 

Poppel.com is producing a show at Granite Run Mall on Route 1 just outside Media PA this weekend. The show will feature lots of Eagles Alums signing autographs plus a few other football Players including Denver Brocons Hall of Famer Floyd Little.  Among the Eagles featured are Wes Hopkins, Claude Humphrey and Jeremiah Trotter.  The Flyers Gary Dornhoefer will also be present.  Hit the Poppell link above for times and pricing.  This show is Sat and Sun only.  Looking down the road a few weeks Poppel has Flyers Great John LeClair scheduled to sign autographs on 11/30.   

Just up the road from Granite Run at the Plymouth Metting Mall S&B will also be hosting a show. No signers at this show. 

Both of these shows are small, but typically large enough to have something of interest for most collectors.  Good for killing a few hours in dime boxes anyway.

Saturday November 3rd is also customer appreciation day at Carls Cards in Oakmont.  Hollis Thomas formerly of the Eagles will be on hand to sign FREE autographs.  On December 7th Carl's will also be hosting John LeClair.

Future Shows

The Hunt Auctions produced PhillyShow will be December 7-9.   The signers includes a bunch of Phillies.  Hall of Famers listed include Steve Carlton, Dave Winfield, Dennis Eckersley, and Frank Robinson.

At one point I believe there was a CSA show scheduled for the Expo Center in Oaks for 11/10 but that show appears to no longer be happening. 

Local Autograph and Card Show this weekend Granite Run Mall, Media PA

Poppel.com is running an  Autograph Show this weekend at the Granite Run Mall on Route 1 in Media PA.

2009 Phungo #54 Brad Lidge

There only other Poppel show that I attended at Granite Run didn't have a lot of dealer tables, but they had enough low end stuff to keep me interested.  My show review here.

There are a bunch of autograph signers at this weekends show including Brad Lidge, Dallas Green, Darren Daulton, Geoff Jenkins, Garry Maddox, Bake McBride, Milt Thompson, Greg Gross, Warren Brusstar.  For full list and times go here and click tab for this weekend.

For additiona Philadelphia area card show info click here

Bobby Shantz Autograph Signing at Philadelphia Athletics Museum

1961 Topps #473 Bobby Shantz

This Saturday July 14th the Philadelphia Althletics Historical Society is  hosting an autograph session with Bobby Shantz.  Bobby Shantz was the NL MVP in 1952.  He also pitched in the World Series as a Member of the 1957 and 1960 Yankees.  Shantz is a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame and was profiled here last August.

Recently a couple of really nice Bobby Shantz posting have gone up on card blogs including these. 

Cards by Sooz

Baseball by the Letters

Drews Cards

Bobby Shantz is scheduled to appear at the A's society from 11:00a till 12:30p on Saturday.  For more information on signing click here.

For the Collector: Matt Cain - 09 Goodwin Champs Autograph

FTC: For the Collector

2009 UD Goodwin Champions #A-MC Matt Cain

16 Months ago you could have picked up a Matt Cain On-Card auto for under $5.  Not so sure you could do that today.  Click here to find out more.

Last Card Show of the Year

I know I have been blasting Card Show posts repeatedly over the last month and a half, but other then a possible recap next week, this should be the last one of the year. 

On Saturday Team Phungo plans on hitting a new show - This is only in the interest of professional resarch - it isn't because we have a bad card habit or something like that. 

This is a show sponsored by Poppel.com at the Bucks Co Technical Institute in Bristol Twp PA.  I have only ever been to one previous Poppel show at the Granite Run Mall - which may  have had a dozen tables.  From what I understand the shows hosted at Bucks Technical are their bigger shows. 

2009 Phungo #37 Chad Durbin

There are a bunch of low-level autograph guests scheduled for the show including former Phils Chad Durbin, Greg Dobbs, Wes Chamberlain, and Ben Riviera.  Flyers Great Ed Van Impe and Phils Broadcaster Chris Wheeler are other notable guests. 

The Show runs 9:30-3:30 and admission is $3.  Autos are $10 and up.  for more information clikc here and then hit the Bucks Co Technical School Tab. 

On the Hunt

What will Team Phungo be looking for? 

1) My first priority will be completing my 1959 Topps set.  After a banner day at the Valley Forge Show last week and picking up a couple of cards on the Bay this week, I am down to the final 11 cards in this set.  Part of me thinks I am in the zone, the other part of me thinks the hot streak has got to be coming to an end.

2) Phillies Vintage.  I have been pretty busy working on getting my Phils vintage want list into a more user friendly form.  This will get it's dry run at the Poppel show. 

3) At each show, I try and add something to my Type Collection.  Last week I picked up my first 1963 Fleer Card. 

4) Would like to add to list of Hall of Famer's whom I have cards from their playing career collection.  I have been looking at Kiner, Rizzuto and Bobby Doerr cards recently, but haven't found anything suitable in my $$ range. 

5) knocking out a few checkers from my various want lists of recently issued sets.

Phiadelphia Sports and Memorablia Show returns December 2nd - 4th

Lately the majority of posts here have been card show related.  I am not doing this to make those of you that don't have nearby shows envious - we just happened to have 2 pretty decent shows running a few weekends apart here. 

The Philly Show returns to Valley Forge this weekend.  Team Phungo expects to hit the show on Saturday depending on the status of my sprained ankle.  In the vernacular of espn I am Day-To-Day (but then again aren't we all). 

The Show which is run by the local Hunt Auctions isn't quite as good for me as the CSA shows at the Oaks convention center, but it is still a decent show.  Show Admission is $8, typically there is a $1 off coupon in the local papers, the weekend of and prior to the show. 

Hunt Auctions is always giving more room and attention to their autograph guests - which are almost always out of my price range.  This year for the first time there are signers on Friday Night - Jockey Steward Elliot, and Brad Lidge.  Saturday is dedicated primarily to the 2008 World Championship Phillies team with Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino,  Chris Coste, Charlie Manuel and Pedro Feliz among the guests.  Sunday is focused on the 1983 NL Pennant Winners and includes SIX er I mean FIVE Hall of Famers Schmidt, Carlton, Tony Perez, Joe Morgan, Jim Bunning, and uhm some guy they played with named Pete Rose - All the above are $45 - $69. 

The shows complimentry Auto on Saturday is of local sportscaster Michael Barkann, while on Sunday it is Ike Reese.  The Barkann as the complimentry auto is insulting.  At the Oaks show in the spring they had 2 complimentry autos for a $5 adimission and they were both actual players (Gary Matthews Sr and Art Mahaffey). 

Regardless, the rest of the show is typically pretty decent.  There are two vendors I like to hit for dimers and off grade vintage cards one is a guy that comes down from Connecticut and usually has a dozen or so dime boxes of all sorts of singles and commons - The other is Uncle Dick who has a flourascent green theme and has lots of cheap vintage sorted by year.  Hopefully I will have some positive news to report on the show next week.

Show Link

Autograph Link

CSA Card Show in Philadelphia -Burbs this Weekend - FREE Admission Friday AND Sunday!

The Collectors' Showcase of America (CSA) Card show returns to the Expo Center at Oaks this weekend. 

The Show will have FREE Admission on Friday AND Sunday.
 

I think there only has been one prior CSA show here and it was pretty well done.  I thought it was better then the Hunt Auction Philly show that is held a short hop down the road in Valley Forge.

Top of the Autograph List is Jimmy Rollins - other notables are NFL HoFs Gino Marchetti, Tommy McDonald, and Lenny Moore as well as former Heavyweight Champ Michael Spinks.

2008 Topps Heritage #350 Jimmy Rollins

For the autograph guests CSA has yet to post pricing or a scheduling information on their site - other than to mention Jimmy Rollins will be there on Saturday - C'MON GUYS HOW HARD IS IT TO GET UP A LIST OF SIGNERS FOR YOUR OWN SHOW!!!

Team Phungo plans on being there on Friday afternoon/early Evening.  If you can make it out let me know (email in my profile), it is always cool to meet fellow collectors and bloggers.  There is a possibility I will try and trek out there on Sunday but that isn't real likely as of press time.