Category Archives: Toronto Baseball

Before Dickey, Before Candiotti, There was Knucksie

Posted on January 4, 2013 by

The wildest thing that happened while I wasn’t writing was the complete transformation of the Blue Jays, who suddenly seemed to realize that a) Toronto is a large market, b) Rogers has a lot of money and c) the Canadian … Continue reading →

Posted in Toronto Baseball, Vintage Baseball | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Someone on eBay is dumber than me

Posted on June 26, 2012 by

The lesson, apparently, is never to let the vintage guy loose amongst the shinies. Ever since I was given the shiny Alex Rios in a trade from Shane at Shoebox Legends, I had been thinking it would be pretty awesome … Continue reading →

Posted in Toronto Baseball | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Why are the Leafs called the Leafs?

Posted on May 29, 2012 by

One of the things that confronts every Leaf fan at some point in his or her existence is the oddity of the team name.  This usually comes in the form of some meathead who offers up a gem like “Hey, … Continue reading →

Posted in Toronto Baseball, Vintage Baseball, Vintage Hockey, Vintage Miscellany | Tagged , | 17 Comments

My first MLB game as captured by Topps

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

On Oct. 6, 1985, I went to my first big-league game (I’d seen a number of minor league games in Calgary).  My best friend had gotten tickets and his dad was going to bring us down to Exhibition Stadium to … Continue reading →

Posted in New Baseball, Toronto Baseball | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

In praise of shiny things

Posted on March 28, 2012 by

I’ve collected cards on and off since 1976 or ’77 and in all of that time I’ve never had a shiny one.  There have been shiny stickers, I suppose.  I don’t think those really count. This absence of shininess was … Continue reading →

Posted in New Baseball, Toronto Baseball | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The ’69 Perranoksi variation that wasn’t and a 1971 milestone of sorts

Posted on February 1, 2012 by

This is a 1969 Ron Perranoski – once of the Dodgers, now of the Twins.  Sharp-eyed observers will note that Ron’s cap still displays a partly-visible “LA.”  Most ’69 Perranoskis do not.  The “LA” is covered with a dark-coloured blob … Continue reading →

Posted in OPC, Toronto Baseball, Uncategorized, Vintage Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Tief the Chief, a baseball Leaf

Posted on January 23, 2012 by

Former Leaf Bobby Tiefenauer was a 6’2″, 185 lb knuckleballer who spent two decades in pro ball as a reliever for six major league teams (a couple of them twice) and a dozen minor-league ones.  He’s shown here coming off … Continue reading →

Posted in Leafs, OPC, Toronto Baseball, Vintage Baseball | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Top 11 of 2011 – A double-folding Mecca Leaf and a boy named Dit

Posted on January 5, 2012 by

Nothing like a couple of wins in a row (one by shutout, yet!) to get one’s outlook back to where it should be.  This is one of those seasons where there is almost no margin for error if you’re a … Continue reading →

Posted in Leaf of the Day, Toronto Baseball, Uncategorized, Vintage Baseball, Vintage Hockey | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Top 11 of 2011 – a clown, the old ball yard and a moment of rememberance for Johnny Wilson

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

Before getting back into the list of cards, I wanted to take a minute to remember Johnny Wilson – former NHL player and coach and uncle to current Leafs coach Ron Wilson.  Johnny passed away on the 27th at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Leafs, Parkhurst, Toronto Baseball, Vintage Baseball, Vintage Hockey, Vintage Miscellany | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Running goalies and Reggie Smith’s batting crown

Posted on November 14, 2011 by

Elliotte Friedman of the CBC does a wonderful column called 30 Thoughts.  I’ve fired all the synapses I seem to have available and  can only come up with two.  I’ll blame this on being Monday. 1. Running the goalie The radio was all … Continue reading →

Posted in Leafs, OPC, Toronto Baseball, Vintage Baseball, Vintage Hockey | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment