Collecting Cleveland Indians Topps team sets from 1952-present, as well as post-war minor and major league autographs.
Andrew Calica was drafted in the 11th round of the 2016 draft out of UC Santa Barbra. I was lucky enough to snag him prior to him getting drafted when USB came rolling through Hawaii in 2016. Since going pro he has moved steadily through the system, advancing[…]
George Valera was signed out of the Dominican in 2017. He was considered one of the best international prospects at the time. Because he was raised in the United States for 13 years before moving to the Dominican he was able to skip the island summer league and jump right[…]
Albert Belle had a very impressive career. It was short and loud…but impressive. When I saw this card I jumped on it. The 2013 Topps Museum Collection is easily one of the most attractive autograph sets out there…and the card costs about half what I would have to pay at a[…]
I have been trying to get a copy of this card for the better part of a year. I finally was able to snag it this past month. Bert Blyleven was a very good pitcher who–I think–deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. I get why people don’t like[…]
I got these from a private signing. It’s kind of exciting to finally knock out some nice Carlos Baerga autographs on sweet spot cards. Up until now, I have only ever been able to get one, and it was a rushed in-person autograph. I remember very clearly when Baerga was[…]
Dante Mendoza was drafted by the Indians in the 12th round of 2017 draft. In 2018 he spent the season in the Arizona League and went 2-2 with a 4.58 ERA/1.42 WHIP over 37.1 innings. The 19-year old only allowed 33 hits and struck out 37. He walked 20. The[…]
More autographs from a late-season consignment. Nick Ciuffo, c, Rays – Ciuffo was a 1st round pick of Tampa’s back in 2013. From 2013-2017 he ranked as one of the organizations Top 30 prospects five times, though much of this was due to his plus defense. He hit .262/.301/.380 this[…]
Some new stuff that has come in over the last couple weeks. Alex Bregman 2017 Gypsy Queen – Very nice looking card of a player who is already looking like he will be one of the best players in the game come 2019. Last season he hit .286/.394/.532 with 31 HR,[…]
There were all acquired late in the season from consignments. Some neat stuff. Emilio Pagan, p, Oakland Athletics – 10th round pick of the Mariners back in 2013. Came to the A’s in 2017 as part of the Ryon Healy deal. He got 62 innings in with the big league[…]
I am really bummed out about the Yandy Diaz trade. This season he hit .312/.375/.422 over 109 at-bats–good for a 115 OPS+. I know that he was not a traditional power hitter because of his low launch angle, but considering his exit velocity it’s not like he is having to[…]