Red Cardboard

Monday, March 30, 2026

That Guy Was a Red? - Autograph Edition

In the annals of "Dudes you didn't know were a Red", nothing comes even CLOSE to Christy Mathewson. Pitched ~4800 innings and piled up 373 wins for the Giants over 17 seasons, then, as the Reds "player"-manager in 1916, he came out of de facto retirement for one game to pitch against rival Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, who was also retiring. Both went the distance. Reds won 10-8.

Autos I also don't have are Reds minor league legends Trevor Hoffman and Randy "Macho Man" Savage (né Poffo) as well as American icon Jim Thorpe.

No card of Mathewson as a Red existed until a 1980 Exhibits release, so a Reds auto is highly unlikely. Similar for Thorpe in '81. Hoffman has a few minor league Reds releases and a '92 Bowman. That'll run ya a hundred bucks. The Macho Man? Never blessed with baseball cardboard. His signed wrestling cards go for four figures. Feel free to send me one.

Here's what I do have.

Jeff Conine. 17-year career. Marlins Hall of Fame. 80 games for the Reds in '02.

Ron Gant. 30-30 man for the Braves. 16 year career. 119 games for the Reds in '95. He was an All-Star that year, so maybe people are aware.

Kent Tekulve. Teke! A Cincy native. Finished his 16-year career with 52 innings for the Reds in '89.

Terry Francona. This would've hit harder a few years ago. Our current skipper played 102 games for the Reds in '87.

Roger Craig. Legendary Giants manager. Lost the 1989 Earthquake Series to the A's. Pitched 64 innings for the Reds in '65.

Kevin Mitchell. This is the only entry in which the player was with the Reds for multiple seasons. Doesn't really fit, I just want to show off a Kevin Mitchell auto.

Jeff Montgomery. 12 years as a Royals All Star closer. But he began his career with 19 innings for the Reds in '87.

Terry Pendleton. 15-year career. 1991 NL MVP (f outta here, Barry Bonds). Played 50 games for Cincy in '97.

Yasmani Grandal. Bounced around the Bigs for a dozen years, making multiple All Star games, but began as a minor leaguer for the Reds. We traded him and others for Mat Latos.

Ruben Sierra. Twenty(!) years in the majors. 80's and 90's baseball royalty. Played for 9 teams, including 96 games for the Reds in '97.

Honorable mentions that I also do not have: Lee Smith, Leo Durocher, Al Simmons, Mordecai Brown, Rogers Hornsby (manager only).

Go Redlegs.

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Columbus Clippers Ab-Az

The Columbus Clippers are the AAA affiliate of the Guardians since 2008. They began in 1977 with the Pirates, then the Yankees, then the Nationals. I don't care about these teams, but I live near the stadium, so I go see em. Particularly when the Reds' affiliate Louisville Bats are in town. 20-30 bucks gets you a cushioned seat behind home plate. Have I been asked if I'm a scout because I sit there keeping score the old fashioned way by hand? Yes. Yes I have.

The goal is a card, any card, of every player who passed through the Clippers organization on their way to the majors. And what the heck, throw in the managers. Because they have only existed since the 70's, this is possible. As of the end of 2025, there have been precisely 1099 players to do this. Add the 22 managers and I'm sitting at 1075/1121 toward completion. A few recents will be easy enough. A few more are sitting in my Sportlots box. A few obscure ones from non-overproduction eras are proving tough. Or at least, tough to find cheaply. I refuse to pay two bucks for some minor league card from the 80's.

The letter A is complete. 44 players from Kurt Abbott to Oscar Azocar as well as 1980 manager Joe Altobelli. I pick up an auto when I can. Jonathan Albaladejo gets the honors. And yes, until I have a solo card from Dave Augustine, his RC alongside Ken Griffey is holding the place.

Go Redlegs.

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Reds Opening Day Starting Nines: 2024, 2025

First installment of the Reds Opening Day binder. Simple concept. The starting nine on Opening Day, pitcher in the middle, catcher below, then going counterclockwise 1B, 2B, RF, CF, LF, SS, 3B. Brings me much satisfaction. If I can upgrade a card on accident, I will. But I don't try very hard. Did the NL adding the DH a few years ago ruin it? Kinda. DH gets the rear.

Posting this as I'm watching my Redlegs against the Sawx on this beautiful day.

Here's the two most recent.

2024: March 28 vs. Nationals. Reds win 8-2.

1. India 2B

2. Benson CF

3. Encarnacion-Strand 1B

4. Candelario 3B

5. Fraley RF

6. De La Cruz SS

7. Steer LF

8. Martini DH

9. Stephenson C

SP Montas

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2025: March 27 vs. Giants, Reds lose 6-4

1. Friedl C

2. McLain 2B

3. De La Cruz SS

4. Lux LF

5. Candelario 3B

6. Steer DH

7. Encarnacion-Strand 1B

8. Fraley RF

9. Trevino C

SP Greene

Go Redlegs.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Single Card Post - 1957 Topps #35 Frank Robinson RC

There are many like it, but this is mine. Snagged it for 20 bucks a decade ago. A steal. '57 is my least-represented Topps flagship set, by percentage complete. That needs remedied.

His first year in the bigs, as a 20 year-old: 38 dingers, 83 RBI, .290/.379/.598, league-leading 122 runs, 143 OPS+, 6.6 WAR, unanimous ROY. Decent.

Go Redlegs.

Sunday, March 22, 2026

The Only Blog Post About Cincinnati Minor League Hockey Autos on the Internet

I mean, it's gotta be.

Cincinnati has had five minor league hockey teams, from what I can tell. The Mohawks (1949-58), The Swords (1971-74), The Stingers (1975-1979), The Cyclones (1990-now), and The Mighty Ducks (1997-2005). Mark Messier played for the Stingers, which may be the grandest highlight in the history of Cincinnati hockey. For yours truly, Cyclones games were a fun time back in the day.

Five autos have found their way to my desk:

Mark Popovic played for The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks from 2002-2005. Found his way into one game for the NHL's Mighty Ducks and 80 games for the Atlanta Thrashers.

Cory Pecker played for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks 2002-2005. Never made the NHL.

Robbie Ftorek played for the Cincinnati Stingers from 1977-1979, played 334 games in the NHL for the Red Wings, Nordiques, and Rangers, won silver for team USA at the '72 Winter Olympics, and was an NHL head coach for the Kings, Devils, and Bruins. Pictured here in a Phoenix Roadrunners uni, but it has the Stingers logo on the card, so it's good enough for me.

Jamie Linden played for the Cincinnati Cyclones from 1993-1995. He found his way into 4 NHL games for the Florida Panthers in 1994-95.

Dave Tomlinson played for the Cincinnati Cyclones 1994-1996. Made his way into 42 NHL games for the Maple Leafs, Jets, and Panthers.

And now I wish to drive home and catch some Cyclones action. My hopefully playoff-bound Columbus Blue Jackets will have to suffice.

Go Redlegs.

Friday, March 20, 2026

Reds Manager/Coach Autos

I did not realize I had so many manager autographs until I started pulling em. Still on the lookout for an 1869 Harry Wright. Until then, let's run through the collection.