1955 Bowman Hugh Taylor (Football)

While on eBay last week, this card got mixed up in my usual search for baseball cards. And while Hugh Taylor is not wearing a glove or swinging a bat, I still think it's an AWESOME card.

I've tried collecting poor old football cards, but it's just not my thing. Even so, this card is more than worthy to be included here.

First off, it's trashed. Deep, deep creases scuffs and severely rounded corners make this card a beauty. Rich color and a classic uniform only add to it's greatness. By the way is that a leather helmet he's wearing. Sweet!

As for Taylor: he once held a record for gaining 212 yards receiving in his first game as a pro and first game of the season. He was also a two-time Pro Bowler and even served as the Houston Oilers head coach in 1965.

I know it's technically not a poor old baseball card but come on, you know you love it. I do.

1965 Topps Joe Morgan

I didn't do it. It wasn't me. Someone put a piece of tape over Joe Morgan's face and I'm leaving it there.

I'm getting to the point where I'm starting to repeat cards on this blog. An earlier version of this card can be seen here.

But this example has so much more personality. The more I look at this card the more I'm fascinated by that sticky piece of paper.

Who would put that tape over his photo? Why? All indications show it's been there a while.

Should I? No, I can't. It staying right there.

1948 Leaf Johnny Vander Meer

When it comes to condition I'm just as picky as the next guy. But instead of grading up, I'm always looking to grade down.

After all, this is Poor Old Baseball Cards.

In 2009, I posted this card here. And while it's not in the best shape, this example is far worse. And I love it.

You really need to click on the card pictured above to get a sense of its awesomeness.

If you don't own a 1948 leaf card, you should. The simple design and vivid, bright colors are amazing.

I recently read that while these cards have both 1948 and 1949 copyright dates, they were actually distributed in 1949. Any oldtimers out there remember collecting these cards as children?

I know it's a long shot but it would be great to hear from someone who was an original owner.

1933 Goudey Morris "Moe" Berg

Do you remember that old Heinz Ketchup commercial? The one with the "anticipation" jingle?

Well that was me this week. I've wanted this card for 35-plus years and today it arrived.

As a kid of the 80s, I always wanted certain cards: any Mickey Mantle, any Babe Ruth, any Ty Cobb, any Honus Wagner and this very card.

Mantle, check. Ruth, check. Cobb, check. Wagner, check. Berg, check.

One of the only cards I still really, really want is a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth. But any of those cards (there are four) may be out of my price range. Even a poor old version is likely to set me back close to $1,000. And then there's the fake factor. I've come to the realization that if I ever were to purchase such a card it would have to be graded. And you know how I feel about having a card encased in plastic.

Moe Berg actually played with Babe Ruth as part of an All-Star team that traveled to Japan in 1934. What was a light-hitting, backup catcher doing on an All-Star team? Well, he did speak Japaneese. He actually spoke seven languages and was a graduate of Princeton and Columbia Law School. It could be argued that Berg was the smartest baseball player to ever play in the Big Leagues. He couldn't hit, but was very intelligent.

While in Japan, Berg filmed parts of the Tokyo skyline and harbor. It is said that Berg's footage was used to identify targets as the U.S. bombed Tokyo during World War II.

Did I mention Moe Berg was a spy? After his life in baseball, Berg joined the OSS, a precursor to the CIA. He even traveled to Europe during the war and gained intelligence on Germany's nuclear program. He was a real hero.

As a kid, Moe Berg fascinated me. As an adult, Moe Berg fascinates me.

Oh, and by the way, I have another Moe Berg card in the mail, a 1940 Play Ball. I will be happy to see that card arrive also, but not as happy as when this one landed in my mailbox.

As I said, I've been waiting a long time.