As much as I would love to continue posting about how awesome the cards that Chris sent me for doing that custom card 7,000,000 years ago, I need to finish this out. So here’s the final push, and it should be no great surprise that I saved the best for last.

1957 Topps #39 Al Worthington

We all know that I like beat up cardboard. Knowing that, it comes as no surprise that I own my fair share of creased and bent cards. This one is by far the creasiest, bentiest card that I own. That creasing bisecting Al at the waist is so bad that it acts as a hinge. If you hold the card out horizontally, it flops down right there.

Always one to pay attention to things that someone might be interested in, Chris also sent me 3 1966 Philadelphia Gum Giants cards, shown here in order from boring to awesome.

1966 Philadelphia #123 Jerry Hillebrand

1966 Philadelphia #129 Steve Thurlow

1966 Philadelphia #122 Tucker Frederickson

Next up is another card for the old manager collection.

1963 Topps #402 Mickey Vernon

I really love that despite Mickey’s disheveled looks – 5 o’clock shadow, collar all messed up – and the fact that all the grass on the ball field he’s on looks to be dead, he still has that shit-eating grin on his face.

And what would a card package from someone who runs a blog called Project 1962 be with some cards from the 1962 Topps set?

1962 Topps #67 Harvey Haddix

I never knew until now that Harvey, who once threw 12 perfect innings against the Milwaukee Braves only to loose the game in the 13th, was a Mets coach from 1966 to 1967.

1962 Topps #55 American League E.R.A. Leaders

The only thing more fun than disembodied heads on baseball cards is Don Mossi’s disembodied head on a baseball card. Especially when it’s on a blood red background.

1962 Topps #58 National League Win Leaders

I wonder why on the above A.L. leaders card, it seems like they made at least a passing effort to make Bill Stafford, Don Mossi and Milt Pappas’ heads roughly the same size, but clearly put forth no such effort with Joe Jay and Jim O’Toole. It also seems a little messed up that even though Spahn and Jay were tied with 21 wins a piece, Warren gets top billing visually. I mean I know the guy’s a Hall of Famer, but you didn’t know that at the time, Topps.

Now’s the final stretch and 4 cards that I enjoyed the most.

1969 Topps #375 Harmon Killebrew

Aside from this being a card of an awesome player, who unfortunately passed away right after I got this package, the thing I like most about this card is that it was completely unexpected. I was thumbing through the stacks of stuff Chris sent and WHAM! There’s a 1969 Harmon Killebrew. It was like the feeling you get when you snag a hit out of a retail pack. Awesome. R.I.P. Killer.

1969 Topps #564 Gil Hodges

And what could be better than the manager of one of the most beloved teams in the history of your favorite franchise? How about not one…

1973 Topps #1 All-Time Home Run Leaders

1971 Topps #513 Nolan Ryan

But two awesome vintage cards that you needed for your team collection that have been eluding you forever. Talk about a big finish.

Thanks again Chris, I hope you enjoyed the custom at least 1/10 as much as I enjoyed these.

Tags: 1957 Topps, 1962 Topps, 1963 Topps, 1966 Philadelphia Gum, 1969 Topps, 1971 Topps, 1973 Topps, Al Worthington, Babe Ruth, Bill Stafford, Cardboard Abuse, Dick Donovan, Don Mossi, Football, Gil Hodges, Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew, Harvey Haddix, Jerry Hillebrand, Jim O'Toole, Joe Jay, league leader card, manager card, Mickey Vernon, Milt Pappas, Nolan Ryan, Steve Thurlow, Tucker Frederickson, Warren Spahn, Willie Mays
Filed Under: Trade by slangon
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