At the hardware store last weekend, I was surprised to find baseball cards for sale at the checkout counter. Single packs with sticks of desiccated pink gum weren’t on offer as in my childhood days — just cube boxes containing eight Topps packs.
I hadn’t bought or even seen baseball cards for sale yet this season. I figured with the playoffs under way, it was time to make a purchase and celebrate the season.
Upon opening the packs, I was pleased to find several potential Hall of Famers: Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani. I was disappointed to find only one Cleveland player, Joey Cantillo of the Guardians.
There were some “throwback” cards in a couple of designs, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Pedro Martinez. Those cards have never done much for me; I want the real-deal, current-season issues. I also got a few current players with sparkly borders, evidently marking them as potential stars.
One card left me puzzled — a “clubhouse collection” card of the Phillies J.T. Realmuto. Inset into the card is a swatch of “game used memorabilia.” It’s a piece of white cloth, and as much as I like J.T., I hope the material was not clipped from his underwear.
Like all his teammates, J.T. won’t be putting on a Phillies jersey until spring training comes around. I watched the Phillies go down to defeat to the Dodgers, and I listened to most of the Guardians games as they fell to the Tigers.
Of the four remaining teams, I’m rooting for the Brewers, Mariners and Blue Jays. I’ve lived in Milwaukee and Seattle, so those allegiances are long established. I’m also a big fan of our neighbors to the north, and I’d be happy to see the Jays take it all.
As for the Dodgers, I’m a Giants fan. Any questions?
The Ball Caps Blog 
I’m with you on a Seattle – Milwaukee series. I’ve got all the good luck charms in place for that…….what a storyline with the Brewers originating in Seattle as the Pilots. I loved that line about J.T.’s underwear. Cracked me up.
🙂