1953 Topps Dizzy Trout

Since I really don't collect "modern" baseball cards, my trips to the local baseball card shop consists of looking through major/minor stars of the 1950, 60s and 70s.

So on a recent trip I came across this 1953 example of Dizzy Trout.

I'm not going to lie: The thing that first drew me to this card was Trout's glasses. I know it's a dumb reason to buy a card but his glasses had 1953 written all over them.

The next reason I bought the card was the individual on it. While I had heard of Dizzy Trout, before buying the card I probably could never tell you a thing about him.

You see, one of the reasons I buy poor old baseball cards is to learn more about the player. Once I get back from the LBCS, I usually head straight for the laptop and either google or wiki the players name.

Thank God for the Internet.

And while this card cost me about $5, I consider it a good investment. At least it gets me to learn more about an old baseball player I would otherwise be clueless about.

1983 LAPD Fernando Valenzuela

When deciding whether to post this card, I wasn't so sure if I could technically call it an old baseball card. But then I realized, it's over 25 years old. So for argument's sake I think it qualifies.

I'm not sure where I got this card. It was probably at one of the dozens of weekly baseball card shows that could be found at the local Elk's Club lodge in the 1980's. Remember the good ol' days when you could spend hours on a Saturday morning going from baseball card show to baseball card show?

Today, it's hard to find a show at all. And it's not like I live in the middle of nowhere.

This card was given out by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department to children do-gooders.

For example, if you were seen looking both ways before crossing the street, you could be stopped and given a baseball card and a pat on the back by one of L.A's finest.

Or, you could get a card after a "Say no to Drugs" assembly in school.

Looking back on it, getting a Fernando Valenzuela baseball card in 1983 was probably a good reward after being stopped by the LAPD.

You think?