Yep, I'm following up a Jose Canseco post with a Mark McGwire post. I kinda collect the Bash Bros, but honestly it's mostly thanks to them appearing on The Simpsons: Jose in the classic "Homer at the Bat" softball ringer episode, and Mark showing up near the end of a later episode socking dingers and hiding sensitive documents under his hat.
I recently decided to get around to finally adding a McGwire auto to my collection, and here it is.
Looks pretty good! I probably should have taken it out of the penny sleeve before taking the photo, but with my luck, I would have instantly dropped it on the floor and done some bashing of my own to a corner. Taking it out of the top-loader was risky enough!
I had some patience waiting till a good one popped up that I'd be happy with. Definitely wanted it to feature an on-card signature. While I wouldn't have necessarily been against a bulked-up Cardinals era photo, I think I prefer him in an A's uniform. Pretty sure this is the first Diamond Icons card in my collection.. just another high-end Topps product line that means nothing to me, but whatever. It'll do fine. Not my first choice at a McGwire auto, but still very respectable.
And longtime readers know I'm crazy for cards numbered 12/25.. so if I'm gonna pony up for an auto of a guy whose cards aren't cheap, might as well try for a Christmas Card even if that means I might pay a little more than one with a higher print-run.
Bonus holiday unsubstantiated fact: Mark stole just twelve bases over the span of his 16-year career. The consensus is that he could have stolen many more, but he held back because he wanted his final total to stand at 12 to pair with his jersey number of 25. Yep, that's right, it was all in the name of representing 12/25! Now that's some serious commitment to yuletide cheer! Happy Holidays, Mr. McGwire!
Great acquisition! I have no McGwire auto's out of my 122+ unique McGwires. Because I'm cheap. But I like yours, and I like that Simpsons custom!
ReplyDelete1200 McGwires. I got fat fingers for typing.
DeleteThat McGwire looks great! Such a clean design and signature.
ReplyDeleteSilk robes and kimonos. Awesome! Just like this autograph. I grew up rooting for The Bash Brothers, so I can definitely appreciate both of those autographs sitting in your collection. By the way... I also read about Big Mac refusing to steal anymore bases after reaching 12. Pretty sure it's a widely known fact to all supporters of this blog.
ReplyDeleteVery nice add, killed two birds with one purchase!
ReplyDeleteNIFTY ADD!
ReplyDeleteI don't collect his cards, or even think too highly of him as a person, but if I did, and was gonna buy an auto of his, I'd want it as an A too
ReplyDelete