2010 Topps Heritage Box

I usually don't buy boxes of new cards because they're usually a waste of money.  For $20, you get a bunch of 10 cent cards.  Today was no different.

I bought a box of 2010 Topps Heritage at Target today, hoping for that rare autograph.  Or even a game-used bat or jersey card.  But I didn't really get anything other than the 10 cent cards I should have known I'd get.

I got a few Twins cards, including Cuddyer, Liriano and Mauer.  Nothing rare or exciting.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Twins game.  They lost to Cleveland (yes, Cleveland) last night, but are ahead by a run in the second inning so far tonight.  Liriano will be on the mound so I'm hoping for a big win.

Metrodome Banners

I finally got some things hung on the walls in the basement. There's still a hole and some stains in the ceiling where the water line broke, but I'll deal with that later.

I hung the three Metrodome banners along one wall. These banners include Michael Cuddyer, Francisco Liriano and Mike Redmond.


I also hung my Hank Aaron photo next to my desk. There's still a lot of work to do including putting all my 1987 Bobbleheads back into their display case, putting the 1965 Twins items back into a display case, and hanging many, many Twins 8x10s on the wall. I also have a lot of old, signed magazines that I need to figure out where to put.

One Return and Basement Purchases

Today in the mail I received one response. Stan Williams signed and personalized a 1960 and 1968 Topps. On one card he added the years he played for the Twins, even though it wasn't a card with him in a Twins uniform. Mr. Williams has signed for me in the past and always personalizes the cards. He has written, "To Rog", "To Roger", and on one of these cards he even wrote "To Roger P.". On Monday, I sent out 8 requests, including 2008 Goudeys to Al Kaline and Rollie Fingers.


Today my wife and I did some shopping while my boys were at an Al Newman Holiday baseball clinic (which they really enjoyed). We happened to stop at the Twins Pro Shop in Apple Valley and it looked like they had just received a fresh batch of the banners that they hang outside of the Metrodome with players on them from last season. They are about 6 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. I couldn't resist and bought one of Michael Cuddyer and one of Francisco Liriano. I had my eye on one of Mike Redmond but didn't buy it. While driving away, I got about 2 blocks and decided to go back and get it.

These are going to look great hanging in the basement, once I get it all done and have inspired me to get going on the basement cleanup so I can get more painting done and get them hung up.

Twins Hot Stove League

Well, I finally got around to packaging up the bobblehead for Frank Viola from the 1987 Twins set. I'm a little nervous about mailing it because if it's lost or broken, I don't know how I'll replace it. It's a little more complicated to mail than cards or even a ball. I use two priority mail boxes, a smaller one inside with my address as the "to:" address, and a larger one that will contain the other box to be shipped off to Florida. My older son also wanted to get a ball signed so I am sending that along with another donation. It will probably cost about $16 shipping there and back.


This year's off-season (a.k.a "Hot Stove League") is a little boring for the Twins. No potential blockbuster trades like last year when Johann Santana was on the trade block. But there are some moves that need to be made. Nick Punto and Adam Everett have filed for free agency, leaving a few holes in the infield. Neither offer a tremendous amount of offense, but both are solid defensively and Punto is Mr. Web Gem. There is talk of needing a bigger bat to add to the infield, most likely at third base. With Tolbert, Buscher, Harris and Casilla, there seem to be enough infielders already. Punto seems like the logical choice as a utility infielder, if he's willing to take that role.

There's been some talk of trading Cuddyer to get a big-hitting third baseman. I really like Cuddyer and would hate to see him go. I'd rather trade Delmon Young who really doesn't appear to be playing up to his potential. With Gomez, Span, Cuddyer and Kubel, the Twins seem to have plenty of other outfielders.


We'll just have to wait and see what happens. The "Home Plate" channel on XM Radio is definitely less exciting than last year.

The cards shown in this post are all from the 2007 Topps Heritage set. I really like them because they are styled after the 1958 Topps set which I also collect. I received the Cuddyer card through the mail last season. I got Young and Everett to sign these cards at TwinsFest last year.