Backside Appreciation Part 5

Just a quick write up for today as I should be out and about doing the Mother's Day thing by the time this posts.

During my collection organization, I've come across cards where the often under appreciated backside outshines the front. With this running series, I hope to right some of these injustices.

1997 Upper Deck Collector's Choice #285 Brian McRae

I know a few bloggers have shown off some cards that feature a player and their kid(s), but how often do you see one that shows off a player and his dad? Of course, it helps when your dad is also a former player and current (at the time) coach of your opposition.

Son Brian McRae (left) was an outfielder for the Cubs from 1995-1997. His father, Hal McRae had an All-Star career with the Royals and later coached and managed in the big leagues. At the time of this photo, Hal was a hitting coach for the Cincinnati Reds.

Upper Deck made a great "Choice" with this photo on the back of this 1997 Collector's Choice card but I think it works much better as an understated backside photo than had they put it on the front.

And as can happen with a card that is 17 years old, the "Did You Know?" trivia question is now outdated. As controversial as it may be, Sammy Sosa is now the team leader in home runs with 545 during his Cubs tenure.

And for those that like the fronts of cards, here you go. 

Brian McRae Part II - ATCRCS

As promised yesterday, here is my ATCRCS card for Brian McRae.

There is a small blue smudge in the upper left corner but overall I'm pretty pleased. I wouldn't call his signature legible necessarily but it is definitely better than some players that just sign their initials with lines.

This card makes number 30 for the autographed ATCRCS collection. My original goal when I started these at the beginning of the year was 100 but I really slacked off on sending these out TTM. I had a little too much fun breaking boxes and making other designs. I'm going to have to tighten this ship up in the coming year!

Brian McRae

I had an opportunity to send in for a Brian McRae private signing a few weeks ago and just recently got my cards back. At first I was just going to send in my ATCRCS card but there was a special that if I paid for 4 cards, I'd get a 5th one free. I know, I'm a sucker. But the price point was pretty reasonable and I believe the money was going to a charity of some sort too. So it's all good.

I have about a dozen McRae cards where he is featured on the Cubs. I don't need or want them all signed like I did with Jerome Walton so picking the four wasn't super easy. I've always been a fan of Topps so I narrowed it down to that brand.



1995 Topps Traded Brian McRae



First off we have a 1995 Topps Traded. McRae was traded to the Cubs from the Kansas City Royals in early April 1995. There was still a strike going on so the season didn't start until later that month. By then, the Topps set was already produced for the year and they weren't doing two separate series yet. So his first Cubs card through Topps had to wait for the Traded set.



1997 Topps Base Brian McRae



Skip ahead past 1996 to 1997 and we have another Topps Base card. I have no recollection why I passed on the 1996 and opted for the 1997 card other than this one looked cooler. He looks like he may be about to steal home or score on a passed ball or something fun like that. From the blurred out batter, it doesn't look like a sacrifice. Any amateur sleuths want to find that game??

Another Topps branded card although not from its flagship product is this Bazooka release from 1996. Not sure what's going on in this play either and the player in the background doesn't really help by looking at first. If McRae was stealing the base, I doubt the fielder would be looking towards first like that. Did he break up a double play? I imagine if it was a successful double play, the fielder would be up in the air or otherwise avoiding the contact . Plus his right arm still looks half-cocked like he's thinking about making the play btu deciding against it. Or he could be safe altogether...

Another one for the amateur sleuths I guess.


1996 Topps Laser Brian McRae



And for the final card in today's post (ATCRCS tomorrow!) we have one of my favorite cards I received in a trade a few months ago from Jeroen (AKA The Dutch Card Guy). Take a favorite card, slap an autograph on it and it becomes even cooler, right? Pretty much!