Now Contributing to Philliedelphia.com!

A quick post to promote the fact that I am now a weekly contributor to the Phillies-themed blog, Philliedelphia.com.  Rest assured, this activity is not replacing The Phillies Collector blog.  Instead it will be another outlet for me to talk about Phillies memorabilia, and hopefully expose my writing to a audience that might not otherwise be seeking information on the topic.  As someone who has always wanted to write material that people read, it is a great opportunity.

Here is the link to my contributions.  Please note: all posts on Philliedelphia.com are "new content", not copied from this blog.  Also, in case you want to check back, I usually upload my posts to the site on Sunday morning...

Thanks for the support!

LIfting the Lid on Charlie Manuel

Charlie Manuel staring out from the dugout last year

Two weeks ago I bought Charlie Manuel's 2012 red hat from the Phillies.  My general thought on collecting game-used, is that items you buy should have long-lasting value - and although I do not have much game-used equipment, I couldn't resist the opportunity to add a hat connected to the team's winningest manager.  It cost a little more than the Michael Schwimmer hat, but it seems safe to assume that Ol' Cholly will be remembered a lot longer than Ol' Whatshisname...

When I opened the package I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of use the hat displayed.  Clearly he wore this hat for most, if not the whole season.  There was a lot of wear, especially on the bill which shows the marks of many nervous pulls.

One of the most interesting things for me was having the opportunity to get a good look at the trademark hat-dent that he seems to prefer.  If you have watched games, you know this look well.  After some observation, I can report: the dent is well worked, and definitely intentional.  From what I can tell, the lining has been pulled to allow the fabric to take the desired form.  I tried pushing it out, but no matter what I did, the dent always rebounded into it's original form.

Charlie Manuel
2012 Phillies hat

2013 Phillies Phesival Wrap-up

Another Phillies Phestival is in the books!  From reading through comments on social media outlets, I can tell it was a success for all.  The autograph news highlight had to be that the Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley lines opened for cash donations fairly early in the night. And, of course, for you Chad Durbin fans, the good news was the Durbin/Bastardo booth started accepting donations 20 minutes in...

Like last year, I again was splitting my evening: half Dad, half Phillies Collector.  It's a tricky line to walk, trying to fill out a few projects while keeping it fun for a 4-year old.  Luckily the Phillies helped me out by filling my ticket allotment with the likes of Durbin/Bastardo, Kratz/Frandsen, Valdez/Samuel - which I did not mind skipping if necessary.  My "big guys" were Cole Hamels and Ryne Sandberg.  Here are a few things I came away with...

Cole Hamels

Side panel - 2009 WS Team ball

I was happy to add Hamels to my 2009 World Series ball.  With this addition I now have 16 members of the National League Champs.  Being one of the few guys my son knows to see, getting Hamels was a bonus for him, too.

Ryne Sandberg
Sometimes, as a collector, you can get caught up in getting, or needing an autograph because of a certain implied value that comes with it.  It is always fun to me to meet one of baseball's immortals, and the experience with Sandberg is really much more valuable than the autograph.  For me, as Dad, it was an opportunity to relay that Ryno was "one of the best baseball players ever.."

Ryne Sandberg - single signed ball

Antonio Bastardo

2009 World Series lithograph

We zipped through this booth, and I added Bastardo to my 2009 World Series lithograph.  Although, I really wanted either Utley or Charlie Manuel to sign it, I'll take any at this point.  Bastardo brings me up to nine on this...

Chad Durbin

Chad Durbin card

I loaded up on CD back in March at the Chamber of Commerce event (so, it figures I would get this booth).  One of the things I have worked on over the years was getting 2008 photo cards signed.  I had seven or eight, but didn't have Durbin yet.  Now I have eight or nine signed...

Phillies Phestival Autograph Booth Listing Posted!

Thanks to @smulls11 for providing the photo!  Give him a follow on Twitter...

Phillies Phestival Wish List

Alright, here we are on the eve of the 2013 Phillies Phestival.  A few of us have been talking about this year's event since November or December, yet I have managed to put off planning what I need/want signed until this week.  At this point, most choices are pretty clear cut: World Series team balls are first priority (2008, then 2009), and if I have them on both of those, I'll go to the 2009 Dick Perez lithograph, then individual items.

Adding to any of these items signed would make my night (and give me more time at the Phanatic playground with my son)...

2009 World Series Ball
- It would be great to get either Ryan Howard or Cole Hamels on the ball.  They are the last "big guys" I am missing.  Luckily, both will be around a while, so I should have another chance if I don't get them this year.

2009 World Series Lithograph
- Unlike Howard and Hamels, two of the guys I need for this project are (potentially) appearing at their final Phestival.  I have pulled tickets for both Chase Utley and Charlie Manuel in the past...it would be nice to add one (or both) before they leave town.

Carlos Ruiz
- I would be thrilled to have Chooch sign the 2008 World Series, Sports Illustrated cover (11/03/08) for me.  As you may know, I have many of autographed SI covers, but don't think I'd be willing to pay in-person prices for him to sign this one.

2013 Team Ball
As part of my annual routine, anyone who I don't have something single for, will go on a team ball.  I do bring balls from prior years, so there is also a little backfilling that happens, too.  Some years (see 2012) were clunkers, others (2008 or 2009) provided a good base for potentially valuable collectibles.  I have a team ball - originating from the Phestival - from every season back to 2001.

Ghosts of Phestivals Past: Part II

This Thursday will be the annual Phillies Phestival, to benefit The ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter.  The Phillies have hosted the autograph party since 1984, and if it hasn't improved every year, it's certainly gotten more popular.

Through the years there have been a lot of memorable moments at the Phestival, whether it was scoring a key signature, pulling a cool item from a grab bag or chatting up a player.  Last year I introduced my son to the festivities and had a truly unique experience.  As I look forward to making some new memories this week, I'll share a few from the past...

Kevin Millwood (2004)

Kevin Millwood Signed Photo

Comments: As a Sunday-game ticket plan during the early 2000s, I had the opportunity to see Millwood pitch his no-hitter in April 2003.  As is typical during the Phestival, I found a trading partner to exchange autograph booth tickets, and got this Phan Photo signed.  One of many pieces in my collection with a personal connection.

Tony Taylor (1988)

Tony Taylor signed ball

Comments: Guess I've been collecting the 1964 Phillies for a while! A coach at the time, getting Taylor on my ball did not mean too much.  I was more interested in getting Von Hayes and Ricky Jordan.

Michael Bourn (2007)

Michael Bourn signed ball

Comments: Michael Bourn wasn't Michael Bourn when we crossed paths in 2007.  Instead, he was an occasional outfielder, and more often appeared in games as a pinch-runner than he did as a starter.  I considered skipping his booth, opting to get in line for a bigger name, but with NO ONE in line I had to stop.  It was memorable in that Bourn seemed miserable, and completely bored.  I always think of that encounter when his name is mentioned.

As I have mentioned before, it is a great event - even if you are not an autograph collector.

In case you missed it: Ghosts of Phestivals Past: Part I

2013 Bowman Baseball Released

Jesse Biddle - Bowman Prospect
Autograph Card (2013)

If you even "somewhat" follow the baseball card market, you are likely aware that 2013 Bowman Baseball was released earlier this week (May 8th).  While there are base sets for each of the 30 teams, the real draw are the prospect cards, particularly, those of the Chrome Autograph variety.

In this year's set, there are twelve Phillies cards.  Inclusions are "highlighted" by one card for Darin Ruf in the base set, and two Chrome Prospect Autographs (Jesse Biddle and Roman Quinn).  As in previous years, besides the basic autograph cards, there are several additional auto variations: basic refractor (#/500), Super Refractor (#/1) and multiple refractor parallels.  The base cards are pretty nice, too (considering they don't get as much attention).  I pulled cards for Michael Young, Ruf and Carlos Ruiz in my blaster box.  Below are the checklists for both the base and Chrome Prospect Auto cards:


Phillies Base Set Checklist:
31 -   Michael Young
34 -   Ben Revere
81 -   Cliff Lee
102 - Roy Halladay
130 - Tyler Cloyd
135 - Cole Hamels
172 - Darin Ruf
190 - Ryan Howard
197 - Delmon Young
211 - Carlos Ruiz

Chrome Prospect Autograph Checklist:
BCP - JBI Jesse Biddle
BCP - RQ Roman Quinn