1954 Johnston Cookies John Cooney

This is an interesting set from 1954 that featured Milwaukee Braves players.

John Cooney was actually a coach for the Braves in 1954.

These cards were distributed with packs of cookies and have a wax-like feel.

Through a mail-in offer on the back of the card, you could also get a display to hold the cards. It was sort of a template-like display where each card would show through an opening.

It's kind of a weird set but a pretty cool one nonetheless.

1954 Red Heart Bob Lemon

Other than the 1980 Topps set, I have never really put together a complete baseball card set.

That's not to say that's the only set I have in my collection. I have my share.

But with the exception of 1980, I have never put together a set, one card at a time.

Before August, I had one 1954 Red Heart card (Alvin Dark). After picking up today's mail I have 12.

"Wow, 12," you may say.

Well 12 cards is more than a third of the set. There are only 33 cards: 11 with a red background, 11 with green and 11 with blue.

You can follow my slow, but steady trek to complete the set at redheartcards.com.

So far it's cost me about $300. More than half that amount for a pretty-bad Mickey Mantle.

Bob Lemon cost me $20.

1958 Topps Don Zimmer

Most remember Zimmer for his scuffle with Pedro Martinez in the 2003 American League Championship Series.

But what some may not recall is that Zimmer played 12 years in the majors. He also managed for 12 seasons.

He was an All Star as a player (1961) and a N.L. Manager of the Year in 1989.

But what I remember is Zimmer being a character, a larger-than-life individual who is an asset to the game.

And when I saw this card a few years back, I had to have it. The fact that it is autographed doesn't hurt.

1963 Fleer Tommy Davis

Fleer really did a nice job with their set in 1963. They produced a very attractive set with a clean and simple design.

The back of this card reflects Tommy Davis' excellent season of 1962.

Davis finished third in the MVP voting, finishing the season as the league leader in batting average (.346), hits (230) and RBI (153).

One interesting thing about this set: Apparently Fleer issued their cards with cookies instead of bubble gum. The set really didn't fare well because Topps sued Fleer, keeping their monopoly on the baseball card market.

Cookies? I wonder if they were chocolate chip?