Yesterday, I convinced Janet to join me at the Avanti’s Dome in Pekin, Illinois for our first card show together. She came in pretty handy looking up cards so I didn’t buy a Xander Bogaerts 2020 Heritage I already had. She was willing to twin with me in matching Blowout Cards t-shirts. But, I decided that was overkill.
Regardless, let’s see what gems I found in the quarter box!
Vintage and Real Vintage
I found a 1983 Donruss Julio Franco rookie (#525)! Whoa! And 1983 Topps Tony Perez (#715). A 1996 Upper Deck Mike Mussina (#281) and Rickey Henderson (#445) that got my face to light up.
The 2022 Topps ’87 Throwback George Springer (#87TB-13) was cool. Found a 2022 Topps Archives Marcus Stroman (#155). A nice, albeit off-center, 1981 Donruss Bake McBride (#404). And, sadly, it has some pen mark on the side I missed but a 1982 Fleer Phil Niekro..
Sarah-approved
First, a 2021 Donruss Trending (Rapture foil) Jesus Luzardo (#TR8). I had to explain why I called him “Jesus Lizard.” Next, a Liberty-meme 2022 Donruss Brandon Crawford (#191). Then, a 2022 Topps Heritage ’73 Comics Christian Yelich (#73TC-39).
On the bottom, a 2022 Pristine Reggie Jackson (#53) that cost me a whole dollar, two 2011 Topps Diamond parallels: Seth Smith (#301) and Andres Torres (#194). The guy who got a dollar for Reggie took me for TWO WHOLE DOLLARS for a 2023 Topps Chrome Spencer Steer pink refractor (#146). Everything else? A quarter.
Best for last ...
First up, probably the best find of the day: a 1977 Topps (#490) Rookie Shortstops Billy Almon and Mickey Klutts (not meaning to slight Tommy McMillan or Mark Wagner). Mr. Almon is one of the few players I’m trying to collect all of his cards and it was great to get his rookie.
Then, a great 1982 Fleer Gaylord Perry (#445). I do like the 1988 throwbacks from 2023 Topps and got a Sonny Gray (#T88-80). Then, to continue my recent love for mid-80s Padres, I found a 1984 Donruss Steve Garvey (#63).
Two 2020 Topps Turkey Red inserts: a dreaded Oriole (not Sarah-approved) Cal Ripken (#TR-9) and Steve Carlton (#TR-67). Finally, a 1995 Emotion Deion Sanders (#18). His emotion? LIGHTNING
Pretty fun. Didn’t see too many people looking to buy graded cards so the three I took from home returned home. Definitely will have to do it again sometime!