PWE from 2x3 Heroes

I feel like I type that post heading often enough that it should start auto-filling. Later this week, I'll be driving out to Minnesota and back. I was debating on whether or not I should take a break from posts for a few days while I prep for the trip and just post my team set on Saturday and Pro Debut on Sunday.

But thanks to Jenerous JediJeff's most recent PWE, I'm going to squeeze three posts out of it to help bridge that gap. Three posts from six cards in a PWE? Challenge accepted!

1981 Donruss #483 Ivan DeJesus

This Ivan DeJesus card was a collection upgrade. The one I already had was rectangular, but was cropped all cockeyed like. I may have to send that one to Jeff for his mis-cut collection.

1992 Fleer Ultra #477 Hector Villanueva

Hecor Villanueva was one of five Cubs catchers in 1991 and logged more time behind the plate than both Damon Berryhill and Joe Girardi. He had careers highs in batting average (.276), home runs (13) and RBIs (32) that season. Sadly, Cubs fans would probably take those numbers this year from that position.

1992 Topps Gold Winner #509 Doug Dascenzo

I had the base card. And I had the regular Gold card. And now, I have the Winner variation as well. Nice! I'd be surprised if there were many other Cubs Dascenzo cards I didn't have. If he had played in this era, he would probably be a guy I'd chase parallels of on the cheap.

1993 Leaf #224 Ryne Sandberg

This sweet Ryne Sandberg card must have been a duplicate for Jeff's double play collection but I will gladly add it to mine. As of now, my Ryne Sandberg collection has not been integrated as part of my Cubs collection so a lot of my team sets are missing Ryno. I have the cards and I don't know that I need second copies of Sandberg base cards but...is this how hoarders start?

2014 Bowman 1989 Bowman is Back
Silver Diamond Refractor
#89BIB-KB Kris Bryant

Is that really what this card is called? What a mouthful! This is a card I didn't think I would own for quite a while and marks Kris Bryant's entry into my collection. I passed on one at the card show last month because it was in one of those protective cases that cost more than what I was willing to shell out for the card itself, under a glass case surrounded by relics and autographs. It was unmarked but what's the old saying? If you have to ask, you can't afford it. I may have been able to but if I don't see prices, I keep on walking.

One of these cards will show up later week in a Backside Appreciation post. The sixth and final card belongs in the Ivy Collection and will get its own post Friday.

Thanks for the collection injection, Jeff!

1991 Topps Desert Shield Doug Dascenzo

I'm in the homestretch for completing this set now so I'm trying to knock out the remaining few. Unfortunately, after this one and next two I have waiting to post, it's down to some big money guys. Today, I have former outfielder and four time relief pitcher, Doug Dascenzo.

I'm assuming this photo was taken during the 1990 season, in which Dascenzo played in four games against the New York Mets that also included Tim Teufel. I'm not sure if Dascenzo was trying to steal second or what, but I'm going to try to figure it out.

In Dascenzo's first game against the Mets at Wrigley Field in 1990 (JUNE 12), he entered the game in the top of the 9th as a relief pitcher. The Mets were winning 19-6 so Dascenzo probably couldn't have done much worse than anyone else the Cubs trotted out that day. In fact, he went three up, three down. He did allow a hit to future Cub Dave Magadan, but got Tim Teufel to ground into an inning ending double play. Could that have fueled Teufel's diving attempt to tag Dascenzo out?

According to the boxscore for the bottom half of the inning, Dascenzo led off with a single. That was followed by a ground ball up the middle by Curt Wilkerson, advancing Dascenzo to second. I can easily see this play as Dascenzo rounding too far off of second and having to dive back in after the center fielder came up throwing.

Let's take a look at the other three games though to see if there's anything there.

In the next game (JUNE 13), Dascenzo was on base twice. The first time he walked but the inning ended without him advancing to second or being involved in a play at the second. In his next at bat, he doubled with a line drive to short LF-CF. I take "short" to mean this was one of those hustling doubles that was stretched from a single. The photo could easily be that play too because if the ball was hit to the left side, the shortstop would be the cutoff man and the second baseman would be covering the bag.

A few weeks later (SEPTEMBER 21), the Mets come back to town. Doug Dascenzo enters the game as a defensive replacement for Derrick May in left field but is pinch hit for when his turn to bat comes around. Tim Teufel was playing first base that day anyway as Tommy Herr played second. Not that a first baseman can't cover second, but Dascenzo didn't bat or pinch run so its a moot point.

In the fourth and final match up at Wrigley Field that included both Doug Dascenzo and Tim Teufel (SEPTEMBER 24), Teufel entered the game late as a pinch hitter and never took the field. Another moot point.

So the choices are revenge tag attempt on an overrun base (safe) or a hustling double (also safe). What say you?

If you like this kind of breakdown stuff (and shameless self promotion), check out my 2014 Topps Blog where I am doing something similar for all of the cards in the 2014 Topps set on a daily basis.

5 Pack of ATCRCS

It's been less than a week since I did a non-Archives post but it feels like a month. What a long week! The packages are out and once I update my Want and Trade Lists, I'll be done with it. Hopefully both lists will be updated for tomorrow's post.

I'm going to post a few of the ATCRCS cards I have posted over on Facebook in the last week or so for those who haven't been clicking the link at the bottom of my posts. I thought posting on Facebook would be a fun way to interact with more collectors but it hasn't gone very well. Is anybody even clicking over? Does anybody miss seeing the backs?

I know it is a pretty specific niche but now I have to decide whether to hold a contest to drum up some readers/followers or just abandon ship. I can take it or leave it, just some thing I thought would be some good cross-promotion. Should I make a separate post later in the day to feature the ATCRCS card of the day? Thoughts?

I realized I was posting a lot of newer guys, 1980's-present, so I'll try to work on adding some of older guys.

Vance Law, the Long Arm of the Law

Doug Dascenzo, Outfielder and Emergency Backup Pitcher

Ralph Kiner, Hall of Famer...for the Pirates.

Joe Garagiola...from the Today Show?

Hobie Landrith, journeyman Catcher spent one season with the Cubs.



Wantlist Wednesday - Now with more Wants!

With all the readers Dimwit sent my way this past weekend, a few new trading partners emerged as well. The initial burst was a little overwhelming with making sure I still had what I said I did and needing what I still said I needed but I think I have responded to everyone. I have piles of cards that I'll package up tonight and mail out Thursday morning. Thanks for your patience.

As promised yesterday, I have added my Bowman needs to my Want List. Also looking for any extra Cubs from the set, parallels and all. I made a strikethrough notation for any cards I have made arrangements for and deleted any cards that have arrived from trades. After posting my Kerry Wood McFarlane figure last Saturday, I decided I'd like to add the rest of the Cubs McFarlanes (unsigned) to the collection. If you have any, loose or packaged, let me know. I would prefer loose but in good condition to reduce shipping costs since I'm going to open them anyway. I do have all three variations of the Ryne Sandberg as well as the regular Kerry Wood.

I also scanned in a couple of the Tony Campana cards and posted them in the TCPC tab. Nothing you haven't seen before, just the base, diamond anniversary and cognac from the 2011 Topps Update set. More scans to follow as I continue my quest to be organized. Since I don't have any other photos today, and to save you a click, here they are:

Today's ATCRCS card of the day over on Facebook:

Doug Dascenzo