My first Christmas away from my family...

I will be visiting my girlfriend's family in Rhode Island from December 25th - 31st. This will be my first Christmas without my parents. They are digging themselves out of the snow in Seattle. Hopefully they can make it to my sister and brother-in-law's house for Christmas goose. (I believe they are planning on having duck or roast pork... I was always fond of the pizza we had each year on Christmas eve, but duck or pork sure beats the bag of peanuts I'll be eatin' on the plane.)

Here's to starting new traditions, but not forgetting the old ones.

Yes, my dad's dog licks his bald head (while my nephew looks on in amazement.) Little Hansen has taken to waggling his finger and saying, "Bad Dog" whenever Scout is around... and he's almost always right.

My Gift to You...

Aside from not posting for a week, my gift to you is the gift of cards...

For anyone new to this blog: I make cards. It is not a profession, merely a hobby. Some people have gone so far as to say:

"You're killin' me!"

"This one looks really good!"

"Aww yeah... That's the stuff right there."

"Great card. Watched a Charlie Brown Christmas with my daughter last night."

"We watched Charlie Brown the other night too. Wonderful card, thanks for posting it."

"Nicely done."

"i like your blog......" (possibly sent by robot, but appreciated nonetheless.)

"That is a very cool card. Keep up the great work."

"that is awesome."

And who could forget...

"This post has been removed by a blog administrator."

You folks have said such nice things, I would love the opportunity to return the favor (via cardboard.)

If you email me a picture, I will make a card of YOU!!! Send your picture (bigger the better) along with your name, any applicable statistics, favorite team, favorite card set, etc. to punkrockpaint @ gmail dot com.

If you drop me your mailing address, I will even send you a hard copy.

I wish the happiest of holidays to you and yours...

PS- if you send me an event used item in the mail, I will be happy to embed it into your card like these "fine" examples:

Please don't send anything "dirty" in the mail. If I don't want to touch it... I won't put it in your card.

If you need my address, email me...

Tony Gwynn - a History (Part 6)...

The 1975 season was a milestone in the career of Tony Gwwwhat???


I just realized that if Tony Gwynn was born in 1960 and made his Padres debut in 1969... He won his third batting title at the age of 15!!! That HAS to be a record!


I love his card from the 1976 set. It really shows his playful side. Tony attempting to mimic the batting stance of, new second baseman, Tito Fuentes really cracks me up. I love that he continued the theme with his own name taped to his hat (ala Tito.)

1976 Topps - Tony Gwynn #350

This card was the first of many Gwynn cards that show his quirky side. I am especially fond of the 1993 SP card with Tony in Scott Sanders jersey. I went to several spring training games that year... I may have been there! (Wondering who the new guy, Sanders, with the sweet swing was.)

Tony Gwynn - a History (Part 5)...

Tony Gwynn continued his hot hitting into the 1974 season. After an .875 September, Tony led all major leaguers with a .454 batting average through June. You have probably seen the Sports Illustrated cover story from July of '74. Unfortunately, we had to wait until 1979 for Tony to hit .400 for an entire season.

Tony ended the '74 season on the disabled list. A "wild pitch" by the Cy Young award winner, Mike Marshall, of the Los Angeles Dodgers hit Tony in the left eye... WHILE TONY WAS IN THE ON DECK CIRCLE!!!

To this day, Marshall claims that the "pitch just got away" from him. Tony was 3 for 4 with three home runs and eight RBI against Marshall on the season.

To this day, Padres fans will squint their left eye and spit on the ground every time the name Mike Marshall is mentioned.

1975 Topps - Tony Gwynn #350

Shoulda been Sundays (No Card)...

I have to apologize for not having a card ready for today's post. I am feeling a little distraught. Not winning Dayf's contest took a lot out of me. I spent the entire day in bed yesterday. I appreciate everyone that voted for me, and tip my cap to the winner.

Next time someone has a Make a Fake Tony Gwynn Card contest I won't take my competition so lightly.
Well played, sir. Well played.

Ambassadroid...

Vote for me!

Blatant pandering...

I need your help. Cardboard Junkie threw together a little contest, and I need your votes!



While, I admit, some of the other entries are pretty cool...



COME ON FOLKS!!! IT IS A FAKE TONY GWYNN CARD MAKING CONTEST!!!



I gotta win. I need your votes to do it. I am 4 points back after the preliminary judging.



Here is my entry:

Note the details:

Nine Chipper Jones cards (playing to Cardboard Junkie's love of Larry Jones.)

A package for Dayf under the tree.

Chipper as "Elf of the Month"

A completely redesigned "Pro Set" logo

... and if I do say so myself - AWESOMENESS!!!

So vote early, vote often. Tell your friends.

Make me proud to be an American (that also loves Canada.)

Feel free to copy this into your comments on the contest:

Wow! That one by PunkRockPaint is awesome!

Signed,

Not PunkRockPaint

Tony Gwynn - a History (Part 4)...

The 1973 season ended in turmoil for the San Diego Padres. The team was on the verge of being sold... and moved to Washington D.C. Were it not for Ray Kroc and his Big Mac-millions, the team would have moved away.

Tony didn't let the situation with the team effect his season. In September of '73, Tony set a major league record by batting .875 in 94 official at bats!

1974 Topps - Tony Gwynn (WASH) #150

Tony Gwynn - a History (Part 3)...

The 1973 card holds a special place in my heart. I was born in '73, and this card was given to me as my first Christmas gift. It was taped to the headboard of my crib, so the back of the card is damaged beyond repair. Nonetheless, it is my favorite card in my entire collection.

The 1972 season represented on this card, was one of Tony's finest years in the power department. Tony belted a career best 32 home runs. The power outburst, along with his 130 RBI and .316 batting average, brought him his first National League MVP award. Tony edged Johnny Bench in the voting largely due to his speed on the base paths. For the second year in a row, Gwynn finished only two stolen bases behind Lou Brock for the league lead (63).

1973 Topps - Tony Gwynn #250

I find it somewhat spooky how much his face looks the same in this shot as it does in the card from the previous year. The two photos show the same steady glare; same focus and intensity; same shadows. If it were not for his hair, you could certainly claim that these were the same doctored photo. Since Photoshop wasn't around back then (and Topps' art department wielded a heavy airbrush back in the '70s) you have to assume it is just an eerie coincidence.

Tony Gwynn - a History (Part 2)...

Tony Gwynn won his first batting title in 1971, edging Joe Torre .365 to .363. The 1971 season also marked the first year that Tony led the league in doubles (46) and triples (15). He began to show the other aspects of his game as well. Tony fell two stolen bases short of leading the league (62), and won his first Gold Glove award.

1972 Topps - Tony Gwynn #450

Shoulda been Sundays - Card #5

This one's for Dayf at Cardboard Junkie.

1936 Diamond Stars - Babe Ruth

Tony Gwynn - a History (Part 1)...

When it is cold and rainy here in San Diego, I like to let my imagination run wild. In other words, three times a year I let my imagination run wild. On this gloomy day, rather than clean the house, I have convinced myself that Tony Gwynn has always been on the San Diego Padres.


Sure, you may say, he played his entire career with the Padres, but he didn't get his start in the big leagues until 1982. In my rainy-day state of mind, I would kindly remind you that Tony began his career with the expansion-year 1969 Padres. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 1968 draft out of San Diego State College. As we all know, San Diego State wasn't called a University until the early 70's, well in to Tony's historic career. Snatched from the Dodgers in the expansion draft, Tony has led the Padres to six world titles. Tony's career has had many ups and downs. The highlights include:


- 32 National League batting titles

- 36 All-Star game appearances

- 4 Most Valuable Player awards

- 23 Gold Gloves


- .338 career batting average


- 7,020 career hits


- 1,385 doubles

- 2,642 runs batted in


The only lowlight has been his four year retirement from 1983-86. As point guard for San Diego and Los Angeles Clippers, Tony led the league in assists only once (82-83 season- 11.4 assists per game.)


As Tony prepares to enter his 40th season in Major League Baseball, I will spend the next few weeks recapping some of Tony's greatest moments and milestones.


First up, Tony's rookie card:

1970 Topps - Tony Gwynn #513

I have several of Tony's rookie card in my collection, but my most prized possesion is THE BIG ONE!!! I am the proud owner of a 2nd year Gwynn! Back in '94 I sold my car and bought this bad-boy. Even though for the next two years I had to take the bus to and from college (a two-day trip,) it was worth it.

Tony's second year card is even more coveted by collectors than his rookie card. The condition sensitive black borders make finding cards in excellent or better condition next to impossible.

1971 Topps - Tony Gwynn #280

High condition Gwynn second year cards fetch upwards of $5,000 when seen at auction. Despite the rumors of magic markered edges, the famous McNall/Gretzky (PSA 8) sold at Sotheby's last June for $27,750.

Counterfeit examples, so common in the late '80s and early '90s, helped coin the term "real Mr. Padre" to describe anything that was authentic. The Upper Deck corporation still uses "real Mr. Padre" to describe autographs signed in the presence of their authenticators.

The market for the counterfeits is still high, as older collectors look to fill the holes in their 1971 sets without endangering their childrens' dreams of a college education. The "cut-T" counterfeit is the most impressive and most famous example of the fake Gwynn cards. The FBI estimated that in 2005, 50% of all professionally graded, 2nd year Tony Gwynn cards were in fact "cut-T" counterfeits.

Mine is the real Mr. Padre... is yours?

I exaggerate less than anyone in the ENTIRE WORLD!!!

This is going to be the greatest blog posting in the history of the entire universe!!!

Not this post... THIS post!

I can not wait!!!

EDIT- THIS post! It was worth the wait. Perfect. Simply, perfect.

This Date in History...

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. What some have called the "Modern-Day Magna Carta," the declaration outlines the human rights standards the UN believes should be enforced by all nations—among them "the right to life, liberty and nationality, to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, to work, to be educated, [and] to take part in government."

That day in 1948 could arguably be called the birth of the modern human rights movement. With widely agreed-upon universal standards in place, "atrocities" could be more concretely labeled "violations" and could be more readily acted against. States that have embraced these standards have, since 1948, observed December 10 as Human Rights Day.

I stole the text from Wikipedia on this post... Lazy? Yes. Sorry, no quality time for posting today.

This Date in History...

Today's card was a tough call. There are three contenders:

In 1990 Lech Walesa was elected president of Poland. From electrician, to activist, to prisoner, to president is an amazing story. Solidarity was the first word I learned in Polish... Okay, it is the only word I know in Polish.

December 9th, 1958 the John Birch Society was founded. I was a history major and I have to admit, I had never heard of the John Birch Society until Eric Show passed away. Show was one of my favorite Padres when I was growing up. I at UC Davis when he died. I did not hear about it until several months later. Reading his obituary, I was saddened when I learned of the rough times he went through. He was an interesting and troubled man. I also learned that he was a member of the John Birch Society. He was, indeed, an interesting and troubled man.

Today's choice was actually rather easy after the previous two days:

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!!! A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered on this date in 1965.

This Date in History...

December 8th is yet another sad date in history. John Lennon was shot and killed in the entrance hallway of the Dakota in 1980.

The 73-track, four disc Lennon box set were the first CDs I owned. I bought the set exactly ten years after his death. It is had to believe that it has been 18 years since I bought them. Actuallly, seeing the boxes upon boxes of compact discs that are still packed from my most recent move, I am not surprised that I have nearly 20 years worth of music on, yet another, dying format.

The move from vinyl and cassettes seemed daunting. I had built a substantial collection of records and tapes. To this day, I refuse to store music on my computer. I do not own an iPod. I think it is the collector in me that needs the "permanence" of a hard copy.

Oddly enough, I have hundreds of baseball cards that I have "created" stored on my computer. I suppose that if necessary I could recreate them. Here's hoping I never have to do -----------

-SYSTEM ERROR- REBOOT - FATAL ERROR 462

This Date in History...

December 7th, 1941 is a date that will live in infamy. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II. Thousands died that day. Millions more died in the war.

Is a baseball card a fitting tribute? No, but it is what I do.

Shoulda been Sundays - Card #4

This one-post-a-week thing is pretty weak. I know I get pissed when bloggers don't post anything for an entire week. I will try to do better.

For my first post (of many) this week, I give you another card that should have been:

1988 Topps Steve Garvey

Ten time all-stars deserve to have a card for their final year. Garvey played 27 games for my Padres in '87. News of a couple of paternity suits filed against him also led to one of my favorite bumper stickers: Steve Garvey is not my Padre. The Sons of Steve Garvey Blog came up with the name based on the same lawsuits.

Anyone who helps bring my favorite team from perennial losers to the World Series deserves a card for their final year.

FYI- Though Garvey won game 4, it was my man, Tony Gwynn, that had the go-ahead RBIs in game 5 that sent the Padres to the 1984 World Series.

Shoulda been Sundays - Card #3

Since I am still on vacation, this week's shoulda-been card is one from the vault.

1982 Kellogg's 3-D Cal Ripken:

Rest in Peace, Scott.

I was lucky enough to have met Scott Zensen last year. Sadly, Scott passed away unexpectedly yesterday.


Scott meant so much to the San Diego music scene. He was an avid photographer, tremendous fan of the scene, and published My Week in Music. What began as a myspace blog, turned into an amazing online chronicle of San Diego music. I hope someone can carry on his work. Since he took most of it on by himself, sadly, I find it unlikely that dozens of people working together full-time could keep it going.

I am thankful that I knew Scott Zensen.

I made this card a couple of months ago. It is one of my favorites. I don't know if he ever saw it. The Post cereal cards from the early 60's are some of my favorites. Scott was one of my favorites.

4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42...

I am thankful to be with my family this Thanksgiving. Spending a week away from the office is a blessing as well. I am usually grateful for mass quantities of food. Unfortunately, I started a diet a couple weeks ago. Turkey day will be a test of my will power.

My strategy for cutting back on Thanksgiving is to adopt the losing game plan of many teams. I will look past this week's opponent. Not unlike what the Chargers have done for the first 13 weeks, I will simply look beyond my adversary. It won't be that hard. Thanksgiving is nothing compared to the biggest danger to my belly...

No, not christmas cookies... Not boozin' it up on New Year's Eve... I need to be very careful of the enemy that arrives in 57 days...

LOST is coming back in 57 days! I just wanna be like Hurley! I may have misled you when I said that my two passions were baseball cards and music. Those two should only be classified as hobbies. LOST is my passion. If it seems strange to you that someone might be passionate about a TV show... you have never seen this show.

December 9th through December 11th there will be no posts due to a pending illness.

Shoulda been Sundays - Card #2

We received quite a few requests for "shoulda-beens" this week. I have quite a few ready to roll, but this post is titled "Shoulda been Sundays - Card #2" not "Cards #2-14".

This request was one of many Dodgers (yecch!) from the good folks at the garveyceyrusselllopes blog (gcrl for short.) I presented all of the cards that I had finished to our editorial department; she chose this one. So, in the spirit of National League West unity, I present to you the 1970 Topps Don Drysdale:

This photo was, once again, brazenly stolen from Steve's Baseball Photography Pages.

Keep sending those requests in to punkrockpaint@gmail.com. PunkRockPaint will be in the Pacific Northwest this week to celebrate Thanksgiving with family. If we get the chance to hop down to Portland from Seattle, we hope to bow at the alter of Padrographs.

I would like to thank everyone that has sent packages o' Padres my way in the last couple of weeks. Parcels shipped yesterday to Thoughts and Sox, The Nennth Inning, Dinged Corners, Indians Baseball Cards... and then some, Thorzul Will Rule, and Eric Slette.

I still owe a HUGE debt to John in the UK and Rod in Portlandtown, Oregon.

PS- If anyone comes across a color photo of Juan Marichal in a Dodgers uni... let me know.

Field Trip...

If you are ever in Illinois, do yourself a favor and visit Uglee, Inc.

I have always been a big fan of their work.

For my friends at Dinged Corners...

It is good to know that Lucy could grow up to be anything she wants to be...

Shoulda been Sundays - Card #1

First card for a new series - 1977 Topps Hank Aaron:

Photo borrowed from Steve's Baseball Photography Pages (Awesome!)

I am accepting requests for future posts. Please submit your requests via email punkrockpaint@gmail.com

Requests via the comment section will NOT be accepted.

Hope is the last thing to go...

I had to go to Wal Mart yesterday. I had to. I needed... stuff. The lines to check out were ridiculously long. Luckily, they opened a new lane just as I walked by. I barely noticed that it was the aisle with the sports cards. It was merely coincidence that I happened to be standing near that aisle, and even more coincidental that there was one lonely blaster of Allen & Ginter on the shelves.


Sure I picked it up. Maybe I stared longingly at it. I may have held it under my nose and inhaled deeply. It is entirely possible that I caressed the plastic wrapped tightly around its sharp corners.




I have completed the set, but the memories remain...




I put down the A&G and grabbed a 16 pack "cold shower" repack. If anything can make you forget your addiction, opening 16 unwanted packs of cards will make you quit cold turkey... Or will it?

The first pack was 1989 Donruss... Mmmmm, Donruss! I snapped some photos of the "unopened" packs, just in case you don't believe that they would really put such rare and valuable packs in a "repack" box.

I am pretty sure I have a few of these packs hiding around the house. You never know when you'll have to pay your electric bill with a Ken Griffey Jr. Rated Rookie.

Before you ask... I don't have a Tupperware container for brown rice.



They say microwave cooking tastes like cardboard...



I always thought the '89 design was cool...





Clean lines, sparkling design, with no caked on food or grease...


Okay... That was lame. Sorry.





I will show you the best card that I pulled out of each pack too! Try to contain yourselves!



"Flash" Gordon rookie! Sweeeeeet!











Next came a pre-opened, unopened pack of 1990 Topps. Those darn pack searchers broke my gum!










Wow! I am bummed. If they left these cards in the pack, they must have stolen a Frank Thomas NNOF rookie card. I always wanted one of those... So I could write his name in the box

















Awesome! Another pack of 1989 Donruss!













This Would have been a great pull in 1989. Now... Meh.

Nowadays, this pull is pretty awesome... for Dayf, at least.

Ooh! I never opened any of these... I heard that they are so red they have been banned at the bullfights in Tijuana for fear of inciting stampedes. In Mexico, these cards are supposedly called "Los Tarjetas del Dia Primero." Which loosely translated means "The Devil's Cards."

Don't quote me on that. My spanish is none so bueno.








Man! How does Eric not burst into flames? Oh, wait. He's a Sundevil... Mt. Carmel High School Rules!!! Suck it, Poway!

I like the Big Papi puzzle.












Topps 2007 Updates and Highlights: Not much to say...

What is this??? A patch card??? Cool!

2007 Upper Deck. Boring.

Well this card is anything but boring! That is an action shot! Sorry, Justin. No matter how much you kick your leg up or lean backwards, that ball is leavin' the park.

1990 Upper Deck Series One. No Reggies for me to find :(

WHAT IS THIS??? The SUPER-RARE 1990 DALE MURPHY REVERSE NEGATIVE!!!

I can't find it in my price guide... It must be priceless!




On to the next pack... 2005 Leaf. I bought a box of this stuff back in ought-five and pulled NOTHING!!!

Okay. That is freakin' cool! Downright awesome... I guess I should have waited a couple years before buying that box. Is that TWO patch cards in one "repack" box??? So much for cold turkey. I am goin' back to Wal Mart tomorrow!!! (or maybe I just beat the odds.)

And it is numbered... TO HIS MOM'S FAVORITE NUMBER!!! Woo Hoo! 1 of 1!!!

Next pack: 2007 Bowman. Let me guess... Chrome Superduperfractor Autograph...

Nope. Larry.

2006 Upper Deck Series Two:

I feel stupid for not reading the fine print. Why have I been buying these things?

Hey, Arod. Your speed's not the only thing that'll burn if you keep hangin' out with Madonna.















Sorry it is a little dark, but this is a pack of 2005 Donruss Leather and Lumber. The way this box is going, I am almost excited to see what I pull from this pack...

Yup. The blank anti-search card was the best thing in the pack. I was actually kind of surprised it wasn't some kind of autographed, game used, one of one, insert card. Oh, well.

Next up, another dark pack. This one is 2004 Donruss Team Heroes. They claim it is the "Ultimate Set." Hmmmm.

Well, that is cool... Ultimate? Not so sure.

After a couple of Donruss sorbet to clense the palate, back to Upper Deck- 2005 version.

I guess I never bought any Upper Deck cards in 2005... Strangely unfamiliar. Not much in this pack.

TOPPS 2007 BATTLE: SERIES ONE vs. SERIES TWO

12 cards each, best card wins!!!

Does a gimpy Mantle beat Joe D's streak? Or does a shiny Biggio win? Or do I care?

This is my free bonus. Um, thanks... I guess.

The final tally: 6 Padres - 147 Non-Padres
Two came from the '90 Topps pack and two from the '90 Upper Deck.
That was the year the Padres had a 600 man roster, apparently.

And thanks to the pack searchers, I doubled my haul of gum!!!