2012 Phungo Cards Bryce Harper

2012 Phungo #15 Bryce Harper

I made it to two of Harper's game last season, both for AA Harrisburg.  The picture on his 2012 Phungo Card above was taken at a game he played versus the Reading Phillies.  My impressions of that game are here.

The nature of the long season of Baseball makes it hard to judge a player from a single game or series.  In  the two games I saw, Harper had one strongly hit ball a Flyout deep to the RCF alley that was caught on the track.  He was just beginning to play LF and had trouble coming in on balls.  He was fast on the basepaths and I would think that skill would translate to the OF. 

The other game I saw him play was in July for Harrisburg versus the Akron Aeroes - My game report on that game here.

Bryce Harper RC first Impression

Is it me or does this guy lead the league in eye-black? 

Scan stolen from Cardboard Connection

Oaks Card Show Express Report

The Oaks Card Show has free admission on the first day, I only had a small window but decided to pop in since the price was right.  Here is a brief synopsis of very off-condition vintage cards that were found - Lots of 1951 Bowman.  

 1951 Bowman #256 Ken Silvestri 

1951 Bowman #260 Carl Erskine
1951 Bowman #56 Ralph Branca
1951 Bowman #122 Joe Garagiola  

1966 Topps #195 Joe Morgan

1960 Topps #173 Billy Martin 
1963 Topps #439 Don Zimmer

The 1951 Bowman Cards were $1.00 each as was the '66 Joe Morgan.  The Martin and Zimmer were in a 3 for a buck bin. 

The 1966 Topps Joe Morgan is his 2nd year Card and the first card of his where he appears solo.  It is in ok condition - some creasing.     

The Silvestri and Erskine cards are both HI numbers in the 51 Bowman series.  Any Bowman Brooklyn Dodger is probably worth a buck unless it is in really horrible condition.

Joe Garagiola was a big part of my youth as he commentated on the game of the week when I was a kid.  Glad to have finally picked up one of his cards. 

So yeah I had a real successful show on Friday and fully intend to get back to the show for a fuller day on Sunday.   

Phungo 5 with Wrigley Wax

The Phillies return home this weekend for a 4 game set with the Chicago Cubs.  Today we talk with Wrigley Wax who fills us in on both the Cubs and the classic Chicago Dog.      

See Below for an explanation

1) The Cubs 2012 season is off to a rough start.  What would you like to see happen this year to consider this campaign a success?   

I want to see the culture change that Theo keeps talking about.  I want to see smart, heads up play and lots of hustle.  I know there's going to be a bunch of losses this year, but if I at least see a change in attitude, that will make the losses more bearable.  I'd also like to see Starlin Castro's defense catch up to his offense.  But the ultimate success of the season would be if Theo can find a team to take Alfonso Soriano off our hands.  

2) In the three years that you have been publishing Complete Set Prices, have you seen a set that has consistently risen or declined in sale price?    

It's strange, but there's no consistency with the price of any of the sets.  They all seem to fluctuate pretty wildly. I've attached a chart (below) for each of the four decades I cover.  They all look like some crazy mountain range, going up and down.  

 

1970s Card Set Prices Graph

3) Last week the Red Sox did a nice job celebrating Fenway 100.  What would you like to see as part of Wrigley 100? 

I really liked the way the Red Sox brought back all the living former players for a celebration...I'd like to see the Cubs do something similar.  The Red Sox celebration was when their biggest rival, the Yankees were in town....and then the Yankees put a damper on things by winning.  I hope the Cubs can have a patsy in town when they celebrate.  Unfortunately, right now the Cubs are the patsy everyone else wants to schedule.  The big question for me is when do you celebrate Wrigley 100...in 2014 when the park turns 100, or in 2016, celebrating the Cubs 100 seasons at Wrigley.  When ever they decide to celebrate, the ultimate would be to raise a World Series championship flag at the same time (I can dream, can't I?).

4) Who would be the Cubs starting pitcher on their alll 2000s team.  

If you go by one season, it would have to be Mark Prior, who absolutely dominated during the 2003 season.  If you want someone who covers the decade, it would be Carlos Zambrano.  He was the decade leader in wins, games started, innings pitched, strikeouts, and psychotic episodes.

5) Which is the bigger culinary contribution Chicago Style Pizza or the Chicago Hot Dog?  

For me, its the Chicago Dog.  The pizza has so many different variations, but there's only one Chicago Dog....Vienna Beef Wiener on a poppy seed bun, mustard, neon green relish, onions, tomatos, dill pickle slice, celery salt, and sport peppers (though I usually skip the peppers) and NO KETCHUP.    MMMMMMMMMM!!   

Scorecard

Great to see Mark Prior's name in print here - also I would like to mention Alfonso Soriano has to rank with the best signings that the Phillies DID NOT make.  I would probably pick Pizza over the Chicago Dog, but I can certnaly enjoy both.  5 out of 5 for Wrigley Wax. 

Looking Back. 

2012 Phungo 5 Postings
Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies Room.

Miami Marlins - 30-Year Old Cardboard

New York Mets - Paul's Random Baseball Stuff

Pittsburgh Pirates - Pirates Treasure Room

San Diego Padres - Padrographs

Oakland A's - The Fuji Chronicles

Seattle Mariners - Emeral City Diamond Gems 

Texas Rangers - Play at the Plate

 

CSA Card Show at Oaks this Weekend - Freddy Galvis, Ralph Kiner, Bob Boone, Mike Vick, Chuck Bednerick and More

Collectors Showcase of America returns to the Expo Center in Oaks - roughly 45 mins outside of Philadelphia on April 27th. 

I generally enjoy the CSA show more then the Hunt Auction/PhillyShow - Admission is cheaper ($5 rather than $7 or $8), parking is typically better.  The Valley Forge Convention Center can get really insane for parking.  Usually CSA offers an interesting complimentry auto, although this time out there doesn't appear to be one, and CSA also offers FREE admission on Friday. 

This weekends show is largely a football show for autographs, but they will be hosting Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, Phils Alum and 1980 WSC Bob Boone, new Phils infielder Freddy Galvis and Dickie Noles (1980 WSC).  Kiner will be at the show on Sunday, with the Phillies appearing on Saturday.     

2010 Phungo #48 Dickie Noles

Among the Notable Football players are Chuck Bednarick (HoF), Mike Vick, Jeremiah Trotter, Mike Quick and Jack Butler(HoF).  

Heads up for anyone looking for good+ condtion vintage, I ran into one of my favorite dealers last wkend and he said he will be at the Oaks show - he had a bunch of nice looking early 60s cards to move.

Right now I am thinking team Phungo will be their late afternoon on Friday, and possibly Sunday. 

2010 Phungo Cards - Ivan Rodriguez

Yesterday we published the 2011 Phungo card of Ivan Rodriguez.  Today we have his 2010 card. 

2010 Phungo #7 Ivan Rodriguez

This is more of an action shot which was taken in Baltimore.   This is not actually a live game action shot.  Had Pudge been tossing out a runner at 2nd, I am sure his catchers mask would be rotated around toward the near side of Rodriguez's head.  Here he is throwing down to 2nd following the pitchers warm up tosses preceding an inning.

Hall of Fame 

For me Ivan Rodriguez is a First Ballot Hall of Famer, Let's look at the Numbers. 

World Champion - 2003 Marlins (over the Yankees)
1999 AL MVP, 14 time All-Star, 13 Gold Gloves, and 7 Silver Sluggers.
311 Homers, 2844 Hits, .296 Career Average. 
2427 Games Caught (Most all-time)

Those are great numbers at any position, but at Catcher they are quite impressive. 

Phungo Games
By my count, I was able to catch I-Rod in 7 games including the 1996 All-Star game.  Rodriguez's teams  came out on the winning side on 3 of those 7 games.  Rodriguez Hit well in those games 9 for 27 with a pair of Home Runs.

Farewell and best of luck to Ivan Rodriguez - I am glad that I was able to see parts of his great career.

Sources and Links
2010 Phungo Cards Checklist
Ivan Rodriguez HOF Index 

2011 Phungo Cards - Ivan Rodriguez

Ivan Rodriguez officially announced his retirement Monday.  This marked the end of his 21 year playing career during which, I saw him play several times. 

2011 Phungo #21 Ivan Rodriguez

There are two Phungo cards of Pudge.  Multiple Phungo cards is pretty rare for a player that was never a member of the Phillies or Orioles.  This is the latter of the two cards and is from the 2011 set.

The Photo was take during BP of the Phillies 2010 home opener.  The card number is 21, which is a nod to Rodriguez's fellow coutnrymen Roberto Clemente.

Sources and Links
2011 Phungo Card Checklist
Ivan Rodriguez HOF Index