Going a different way...

After messing around with this new-old template, I began thinking how this might make for a much bigger historically significant set. Like 100 Cubs from 100 Years at Wrigley. Or maybe an All-Time 40-Man Roster set. But in either set, there are a bunch of guys that I probably wouldn't be able to find good, usable, color photos of to be included. Guys like Gabby Hartnett, Cap Anson or Hack Wilson.

So I decided against an official set but here are a few cards I put together just for fun.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I grew up with the Boys of Zimmer so this is one of my all-time favorite cards I've made now.

I'm too young to have seen Ron Santo play, but he is definitely under represented in these recent Topps sets that include retired players.

One of the newest Hall of Famers, set to be enshrined in Cooperstown this summer is Greg Maddux. I love the look of thought from the "Professor" in this photo so even though he isn't in a home jersey for a Wrigley Field themed set, I used it anyway.

And finally, I can't go wrong with either of these two Hall of Famers. But before Wrigley Wax gets on my case about using these two overused photos, in my defense, there aren't too many good color photos of these guys!

Maybe I can do a 25-man roster of players from the "color photo" era. Or at the very least, a starting nine. I'll save that list for a future post.

Hump Day Hits

As I've been sorting and scanning cards, I realized I have a bunch more relics and autographs (your typical cards considered the "hits" of the pack). I love me some alliteration so to help get through Wednesdays of the offseason, I've come up with Hump Day Hits where I'll show off a random hit from my collection.

A few weeks ago, an eBay seller was clearing out their Chicago sports collection that included dozens of relics and autographs from the Cubs, Bulls, and Bears. Some of the listings had Buy It Now prices but many more started at just $.99. I think I did pretty well, picking up 24 new pieces for just about a buck and a half apiece after shipping.

For some reason the Hall of Fame ballot for 2014 was "released" yesterday. Maybe I'm a bit more computer savvy but I thought this information was widely available on Baseball-Reference and even the Hall of Fame website for years. I'll tie this together by starting this new theme off with a big name from the list.

In 2005, Greg Maddux was in the midst of his second stint with the Cubs and had already more or less cemented his Hall of Fame status. I haven't known the Braves to wear pinstripes so I can reasonably assume this is at least from a Cubs uniform. In fact, I'll willing to believe that this is from the actual jersey that Maddux wore in 2004 when he secured his 300 career victory. Ok, probably not.

I never really thought about how many swatches a company could manage to get from a game used jersey. This card is numbered to 250, which sounds like a lot. Even for a Prince Fielder and Pablo Sandoval jersey. But these squares are probably less than one square inch so I guess it's possible.

Maddux is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame and I can't think of any reason not to vote for him. He's gotta be as close to unanimous as it gets. Especially to reach the milestones he did that included 10 seasons with the Cubs!

And the winner is...

In what turned out to be a pretty tight race, my new set will be called Please Autograph Sweet Spot  or "PASS" for short. This title was suggested by Macey225 so send me your want list, Donnie!

I have really enjoyed making this set and love the flexibility it gives me with other teams and sports. The name suggestions were all pretty good and gave me some ideas for other designs to tinker around with so thanks to all for participating!

Here are a few more I threw together just for fun.

Kirk Cousins is decent TTM according to sportscollectors.net so I might try to send these out before the end of the season. I'm not a Redskins fan persay but I live outside of DC in Virginia so work is always a bit easier on Mondays when the Redskins win. It was funny to listen to the outrage when Cousins was drafted so quickly after RGIII and now the about face once he stepped in with a big win last weekend in RGIII's absence.

As a Patriots fan this guy kills me. But also as a younger brother with a big shot older brother that casts a long shadow, he gets my respect. I also had made a Peyton but for some reason I can't find the file to post. Oh well.

Last but not least (and to keep this blog on target), a Cubs legend. Although, when he gets the call to Cooperstown next year, he'll probably go in as a Brave. Booooo! Haha.

I have also added a new tab at the top that showcases all the cards together that I have posted here so far. So check it out in case you missed any along the line.