Flip it over

I first saw reference to the Just Commons site back in March on the Wallach blog.  I've ordered a couple of times, working on player collections  (Tony Gwynn, Nolan Ryan, Lou Whitaker, Bobby Grich, Brian Downing, Kole Calhoun, and of course Rod Carew), set needs  (1979 Topps, last 3 cards for 1982 Fleer, 1978 Topps).

I just received my fourth order.  This time I just wanted some vintage Angels cards.  I trolled the lower end of the price ranges and got some

1967:

I know the design is simple, but I like it.  Probably because its simple.  Although, green nameplate for the Angels?

1968:

I've read alot of opinions about the burlap border, but again, I like it.  Except that not all the borders are the same.  Mincher's burlap is much bigger than everyone else's tightnit pattern.

1969:

Again, simple.  I like simple.  For a long time, my 1969 Topps Rod Carew was the oldest card in my collection as a kid.  Maybe its just nostalgia for me...

1970:

Another set that I don't think gets the love it deserves.  Maybe the grey border is uninspired, but its clean.  And the backs are actually rather attractive.   I like the blue/yellow combination they used.

Speaking of backs of cards, you can learn alot on the backs of cards.  I don't know about anybody else, but I usually flip a card almost immediately when I get one.  I like looking at the stats, reading the commentary, seeing the minor league cities if they're listed.  And this batch of cards reveals some good information.

For instance, I solved the mystery of Tom Egan's hat:

It seems that the Angels couldn't find him a hat with a logo in 1967, and they still couldn't afford one in 1969.  Well, now I know why:

Look at all the "huge bonus"es the Angels were handing out in the 60's.  Forget hats, we'll throw money at amateur players.


I also learned why the Angels weren't winning on the field:

Too busy perfecting their skills in the pool halls.

But they were good in high school:

I guess that's why they were throwing around all those bonuses....



We can also learn how one player "led the club in batting", while his teammate "paced the Angels with a .276 mark"

Nice Topps.  Confusing kids.


Here we learn how a major league career ends:

When the only thing a bio writer has to say about your career is that you were assigned to the minor leagues...not good.  This card serves as a sunset card though.


Here we can learn about ballplaying relatives:

I knew about Spencer's grandfather.  McGlothlin's brother is new to me though.  Good stuff


A little cross-promotion:

Brunet is the answer to the trivia question on Rojas' card, and Rojas is the answer on Brunet's card.  I'm probably the only one who finds that interesting.

I think we collectors spend alot of time admiring the fronts of cards, or critiquing card designs and photos.  But see how much fun is on the backs of cards?