Smoltz Collection: 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Relic #AGR-JS

Another thanks to Derek for another awesome Allen & Ginter framed relic. I'm now starting to catch up with my Smoltzie collection. If I could just find about 20 or more cheap relics ...

Smoltz Collection: 2007 Upper Deck Game Materials #UD-JS

Thanks to Derek of Tomahawk Chopping for this AWESOME Smoltzie relic. My Smoltz collection is way behind my Glavine and Maddux collections. I'll have to put some time into it next year. It shouldn't be difficult since I don't see myself buying much new Topps at all next year. 

Smoltz Collection: 2006 Upper Deck Game Materials Relic

I've probably added more Smoltz cards to my collection from Thorzul's group breaks than through any other method. This is a dull card, but you know what, I want every Smoltz card I don't already have, and I don't already have this one. Thanks Thorzul!

Smoltz Collection: 2005 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Sweet Threads #ST-SM

Until Thorzul's summer mondo break, I felt low on Smoltzy relics. Now I feel like I have a decent amount. Oh, I'll get more ... I'll always get more. At least I don't feel low now.

Smoltz Collection: 2008 Upper Deck A Piece of History Stadium Scenes Relic #SS5

I won this awesome relic in Thorzul's incredible Mondo Summer Break. Instead of opening stuff, he has this knack for occasionally finding an auction with tons of cool stuff. This was his best break yet. There wasn't a single bum card in the break.

Smoltzy is looking fierce!

Smoltz Collection: 2012 Allen & Ginter Baseball Highlight Sketches

One thing about collecting in 2012, I've gotten a few new Smoltz cards for my collection. That's never a bad thing.

Braves Collection: Triple Threads, Triple Relic, The Big 3

Well, here's my latest pickup and I can't really say that it's one of my favorite cards of my favorite three players. In fact, I'd say it just looks off. There's just something weird looking in the faces of all the players. I'd go as far to say it's off-putting. That's not really a surprise because Triple Threads sort of Triple Sucks.

On the other hand, it's a card of my three favorite players. I like the Maddux patch and the Glavine bat. It has a nice home in my collection, even if I won't be pulling it out to show off.

Smoltz Collection: 1995 Finest #313

This card is going to sit in my Smoltz binder. It may never be touched by human hands again. Why have I left the protective film on the card?

I love that they've highlighted Smoltz's 10-1 record down the stretch in 1991. He was truly amazing during the pennant race. In one of those stories that people seem to forget, Smoltz needed the help of a shrink to get over an awful first half and dominate the second. The shrink even had a seat behind home plate on days when Smoltzie would pitch. I'm not poking fun. It worked. What do you think, does the shrink get the credit he deserves for the role he played in Smoltz's career? (Yes, I am too damn lazy to look up the shrink's name.)

Smoltz Collection: 2007 Upper Deck First Edition #182

A great photograph of Smoltz from a rather pointless set. First Edition was even less useful than Opening Day. There are a lot of things I miss about Upper Deck producing baseball cards, First Edition is not among them. (Thanks to Adam at Thoughts and Sox for the card.) 

Smoltz Collection: 1989 Upper Deck #17

And here's the post where I commit card collecting blasphemy. (First, thanks to Derek for the card!) Allow me to acknowledge that 1989 Upper Deck is every bit the game changing set that it is hyped as being. No doubt.

I just find it overrated. The photography is awesome of course and the card stock was excellent. The hologram was probably a necessary addition to the back. So why do I find the set overrated? Easy. I cannot stand the base line up the side of the card.

I won't even go into the reasons why this set was the beginning of the end for me as a collector. Well, at least until I discovered 2005 Topps Total and jumped back into hobby. 

Smoltz Collection: 2007 SP Authentic #3

Oh SP Authentic, how I love thee. Let me count the ways.

Eh, never-mind.

Great card though. Thanks to Adam at Thoughts and Sox!

Smoltz Collection: 1998 Sports Illustrated #114

Thank you for the cool large font name and position! Thank you for the great shot of Smoltz getting ready to fire one to the plate. Thank you Fleer for putting out the Sports Illustrated set. Thank you Derek for the card!

Smoltz Collection: 2007 Bowman Chrome #138

Bowman designs are just so similar at this point that I have a hard time remembering one year's design from the next. I've loved black borders forever ... at least from the first time I laid eyes on 1971 Topps and two of my favorite sets from the 80s are 1985 and 1987 Donruss. Still, Bowman just seems tired. At least the Chrome is slightly more interesting than the base. (Thanks for the card Derek!)

Smoltz Collection: 1995 Flair #108

Ooh, look at Fleer getting all fancy. I love the pictures on this card, but that occasional fancy script? No thanks. (I will, however, thank Charlie at the Lifetime Topps Project for the card!)

Smoltz Collection: 2008 Topps Stadium Club #49

For reasons I don't understand, Topps rendered the returning version of Stadium Club in 2008 pretty much uncollectable to your average set builder such as myself. That's too damn bad because I love these cards. I especially like Smoltzie's menacing glare in the camera. I miss Smoltz. (Thanks Derek!)

Smoltz Collection: 2003 Topps Finest #37

I've never made it a secret that I prefer "old school" baseball cards. Give me pictures without fake backgrounds on cardboard and I'm a happy camper. That said, I still love me some Finest. I'm awfully glad that Derek sent this card my way!

Smoltz Collection: 1997 Limited Counterparts #16

Sure, the design is a little on the boring side, but this is TWO future hall-of-fame pitchers on a single baseball card. You can't beat that. (Thanks Derek!)

Smoltz Collection: 1990 Topps #535

It would be an understatement to say I don't see eye to eye with a lot of people on the interwebs about the design of baseball cards. I think from 1983 though 1990 Topps was on a hell of a roll. Sure, the cards from 86 on are just one step above worthless, but I liked all the designs. The 1990 is nice. If every card in the set had the same border (see Donruss 1990) it would be tiresome and a mess. Fortunately, Topps didn't fall into that trap.

If you're reading the stats there on the monthly scoreboard, you'll notice that Smoltz didn't see much action that September. It was the first of his elbow injuries. (There's no truth at all to the rumor that he faked the injury because the 1989 team was so bad.)

Smoltz Collection: 2007 Fleer Ultra #11

One of the sets that came out not long after I left the hobby in the early 90s was Fleer Ultra. I was more or less oblivious to its existence until I got back into the game in 2005. Of course, Fleer was almost immediately snatched up by Upper Deck. Looking back now, I think Ultra is easily one of my favorite brands of the 90s, and Upper Deck's 2007 resurrection of the set is terrific. I love this card. (Thanks Derek!)

Smoltz Collection: 1998 Donruss Preferred #61

Ooooooohhhhhhhh. Purdy. Berry, berry purdy. (Thanks, yet again, to Derek over at Tomahawk Chopping for the purdy card.)