1960 Topps Warren Spahn

I learned something new today. Warren Spahn hit 35 homers in his career —ranking him third behind Wes Ferrell (38) and Bob Lemon (37) for pitchers all time.

He was around a long time, playing 21 seasons and acquiring 363 wins. His cards are readily available and relatively affordable.

And I've got my share.

I must have more poor old Warren Spahn's than any other player. And this card does not disappoint. Take a look: creased, rounded corners, scuffed, pen marks, glued to a scrapbook and glasses drawn on his face.

When it comes to poor old baseball cards this one checks all the boxes except for ripped in two.

For all it's flaws, I love it. How can you not love Warren Spahn?

1934 Goudey Frankie Frisch

I once had a colleague propose that baseball's Hall-of-Fame should be limited to a certain number of members. An interesting argument. 

In other words, if a new player is deserving, an older player must be removed. Top 100 players only.

Frankie Frisch would not approve. Some say it's his fault the Hall has so many mediocre players.

As a member of the Veteran's Committee, Frisch is said to have used his influence to usher in what some consider the Hall's least-deserving members.

My thought is this: Either you're a Hall-of-Famer or not. If you need to make an argument for a player's inclusion, maybe he's not deserving. A Hall-of-Famer should be automatic, you should't need to think long about whether they're worthy.

Rickey Henderson: No argument.

Derek Jeter: No argument.

Lee Smith: No dice.

Is baseball's Hall-of-Fame oversubscribed?

1962 Topps Roger Maris

I've been waiting for this card for a while. As a collector of poor old baseball cards, I've been looking for that perfect 1962 Roger Maris.

And by perfect, I mean perfectly poor.

As I've mentioned before, I rarely purchase any baseball card that is not in poor condition. I can't justify spending big bucks for a card I can get for a fraction of the price.

Plus, I like my cards to tell a story. And this card's story probably includes the back of someone's jeans pocket.

As the new single-season home run king, Maris was on top of the baseball world in 1962 and must have been one of the most desirable cards of that year's set. That, along with the fact it's card No. 1, means condition will always be a concern.

I can just imagine unwrapping this gem in the summer of '62. I'm sure it's new owner couldn't help sharing it with friends, keeping it in his back pocket for safekeeping.

Come to think of it, that's where I kept it when it arrived a few days ago – in my back pocket (in it's rigid sleeve) ready to show the world my latest find.

1948-50 Japanese Menko Tadayoshi Kajioka

This arrived today.

A month after a winning bid on eBay, my first Japanese baseball card arrived from half-way around the world.

The listing said it's of Tadayoshi Kajioka, a pitcher who would win 131 games in the Japanese league.

Is it really Kajioka? I have no way of knowing.

Does anyone out there read Japanese? I'd love to know what the card says.

Regardless, it's a valued addition to my poor old baseball card collection.