Lindor's Set

Around the time of the All Star Break, I saw that Topps was releasing a special set that was put together with the assistance of Indians' star Francisco Lindor.  The set was devoted partially to Lindor's home country of Puerto Rico, also the home country of Sandy Alomar Jr.  I was cautiously optimistic that he would include a card of Alomar in it, particularly since he is a coach with the Indians.  When the checklist dropped, I saw that there was indeed a Sandy Alomar listed, but it did not specify whether it was Jr. or Sr.  I bought one anyway, thinking it was likely that it would be Jr.  And I received the above card.  Yep, that's Jr. alright.  So, now Alomar has appeared in two online only sets this year.  Pretty exciting.

Topps Now: July 9, 2019

What?!

Yep, Sandy Alomar Jr., a coach, has appeared on a Topps Now card.  The card celebrates the All Star Game tribute in which retiring former Indians star pitcher C.C. Sabathia threw out the first pitch to Alomar.  This is pretty damn cool.  I never thought I would see Alomar on a Topps Now card.  There were autographed versions too, but they were ridiculously expensive.

By the way, Sabathia never pitched to Alomar in a Major League game.  Alomar left the Indians to join the White Sox after the 2000 season.  Sabathia debuted in 2001.

More Archives Buybacks Part 3

And here is yet another White Sox buyback.  This is not anything really special, other than that it is a Chrome card.  I do kind of like the pose here though.  And of course, it is nice to add another White Sox autograph. 

More Archives Buybacks Part 2

This one has two things going for it.  First, the number of cards Alomar has with the White Sox is shockingly small considering he played with them for most of five seasons, due to the focus on high-end, smaller sets packed with stars and rookies.  He actually has far fewer White Sox cards than he has with the Padres, a team for whom he played in eight games.  Second, that is a great action shot.  This one was a no-brainer for me. 

More Archives Buybacks

I generally have a method for which buybacks I will be grabbing.  You have to have a method with as many of these things as there are out there.  The lesser teams in Alomar's career get priority.  I am still on the lookout for a 2005 Topps Total Rangers card.  Then the more premium brands.  Then, if the picture is a great one.  Guess which one this is?  I don't know what is going on in that picture, but it looks like a catastrophe of epic proportions.  Even though this is just a basic 1994 Topps card of Alomar with the Indians, it was a pretty easy decision to grab it. 

Rediscovering 1999 Topps

This is one of those silly Rediscover Topps buybacks.  This is the Silver version for the 1999 Topps card.  I don't really hate these things, at least they are a means to adding more cards.  I just wish they would not do buybacks of the same cards every year.  This though is the first time I have seen the 1999 card. 

Ultimate Victory

Recently I have been picking up a few more Alomar cards.  Some have been rare cards that have popped up.  Others have been new cards released (we will get to those), and others have been some of the Archives autos.  This one falls into the first category.  Cards from the 1990's numbered to 100 or less are very hard to find these days.  It is almost an event when one pops up.  And so it was with this parallel, numbered to 100.  I'm just damn happy to add an older card to my collection again.

All Star Fanfest Bobble

This year, the All Star Game was held in Cleveland.  Which means that there were some Indians-centric Fanfest items available.  Given Alomar's status as a current coach and a six-time All Star for the Indians, it was only natural that something pop up of him.  One item was a trio of bobbleheads honoring Jim Thome, Francisco Lindor, and of course, Alomar.  Here is that bobblehead.  It is not very tall, only about three to four inches, but it is just the second bobblehead in my Sandy Alomar Jr. collection.