Jason Kipnis - Kickstart My Heart

Over the course of his nine-year career in Cleveland, Jason Kipnis has experienced every emotion a ballplayer can possibly encounter. In recent years he's routinely had fans get on his back, constantly question him and demand his removal from the team on social media.

But how quickly things change.

Last night, Kipnis was a hero for the Indians like he has been so many times before, thanks to his 10th inning home run that brought a victorious end to a rain-delayed 3-2 victory over the Royals.

As a fanbase we're very quick to assign blame when the Indians are struggling. This is not unique to Cleveland, or even baseball. Sadly, Kipnis has found himself on the receiving end more than most. Once upon a time he was a fan favorite, but the fickleness of a sports fan can be a cruel beast, and before long Kipnis was catching flak for his below-par batting average and inability to stay on the field (hardly his fault).

There can be no doubting his effort though, and just when you think he might be done, the 32 year-old surprises you.

Some of the Kipnis cards added to my modest collection this month - good timing!

This month, Kipnis has helped spark the Indians back to life, putting the Tribe in the win column with regularity, posting a 15-6 record in June to keep the pressure on the Twins, still atop the AL Central.

Since the start of the month Kipnis has a batting line of .286/.325/.500 (BA/OBP/SLG) for a .825 OPS over 19 games and 70 at-bats. He's hit 4 home runs in that span, plus a double and a triple, with 17 RBIs for good measure. It's a small-sample size of course, but is much more like the Kipnis we came to love in his prime just a few years ago.

Kipnis was still struggling when the calendar flipped to June but on Father's Day he made an adjustment with his hands, and our second baseman has been on fire ever since; he's hit .471 with a 1.411 OPS in nine games, including all 4 of his home runs this month. After last night's win, Terry Francona said of Kip, "he has such good hitter’s hands that when he feels good he’s pretty dangerous.” Kansas City pitcher Wily Peralta learned that the hard way.

If the Indians are going to contend for a postseason berth, they will need their leaders like Kipnis to raise their game and continue performing at this level. This month the signs have been very good and the veterans like Kip, Carlos Santana, and Francisco Lindor have restored an air of positivity to this ballclub. It's perfect timing ahead of Cleveland hosting the All-Star Game in just a few weeks time.

Partnered with Jose Ramirez (hitting .326/.388/.558 since the middle of June) and the rookies Oscar Mercado and Bobby Bradley making an impact, things are starting to look up for both Kipnis and Cleveland.

Baseball Cards: All Tribe Additions

Every year around spring training the baseball card bug bites me. It must have something to do with all that pre-season anticipation and Topps releasing all of their new designs. And each year when this feeling hits me, I head over to Check Out My Collectibles and see if I can score a bargain or two. Recently a small batch of Indians cards I'd ordered in the spring arrived and I thought I'd share them. Like my previous baseball card posts in the past, none of these are very special to serious collectors, nor are they worth a lot of money. I just buy them because I like the player and/or I like the design.

Let's begin with this Mike Clevinger 2016 Bowman Chrome - Prospects Autograph. It's a really clean auto in blue ink. It's not a particularly noteworthy card but I've been an admirer of Clev for a while now and am hoping he features for the big club in 2017. The card was just $2.74, which I think is a decent price for an autograph.

Up next is a card from the same set but from the year before, a 2015 Bowman Chrome - Prospects Autographs featuring third baseman Giovanny Urseha and his signature. The auto isn't the greatest but I still like the card a lot, and at $1.73 I added it to my basket without a second's thought. I've long been a fan of Gio's defensive prowess at the hot corner and despite Yandy Diaz beating him out for the Opening Day roster spot, I still want to see Urshela get some time in Cleveland in 2017.

This was the most deluxe card I bought from my mini haul. This Andrew Miller 2016 Topps Tier One - Prime Performers Autographs set me back $8.25. It's numbered 240 out of 249, and I don't tend to fuss over numbered cards too much but it's an added bonus. Despite Miller being in his old Yankees uniform, I still think it's a lovely card, especially with the extra large auto and gold trim. I'm like a magpie, I love shiny things.

Next up is a bit of a strange one, which I bought for a couple of reasons. When I fully got into my Indians fandom in 2008, Fausto Carmona was one of my favorite players. Coming off the back of a superb 2007 season, in which the Dominican posted a 3.06 ERA and a 19-8 record, I thought this guy was going to be a star. Unfortunately his 2008 season was a train-wreck but it did help teach me a lesson about pitchers. The second reason is because in 2012 it was revealed that Fausto Carmona was actually Roberto Hernandez, and Carmona was his alias (he was also three years older than he claimed to be as Carmona.) This got me thinking: how many people own an autographed card by a fake player, signed with a fake name? I thought it made this quite a unique pick-up and it also helped that it's a quality card, with very heavy stock and numbered out of 300 too. For the record it's a 2011 Topps Marquee - Monumental Markings that cost me $3.70 and I love it. I am still a big fan of those Indians home jerseys with the navy piping too.

And finally we have something a little simpler but still a great card. How can any Francisco Lindor card not be great? This is a 2016 Topps Update Series - [Base] card that cost $0.70 and features Lindor in his All Star garb from last year's midsummer classic in San Diego. It's the photography I love most about this card, the shot of his name across his jersey and the way his head is tilted away from the sun. Frankie is such a dude, and I pray to the baseball gods he can remain in Cleveland for the next 20 years.

Baseball Cards: Two Mariners Pickups

I got two new cards in the mail yesterday, two Mariners in fact, so thought I'd share them here:

Up first is a 2014 Topps Chrome Rookie Autograph #12 of Abraham Almonte, formerly of the Seattle Mariners and now the lightning bolt of a center fielder for the Indians. Ever since the almighty Almonte debuted for Cleveland, he has played above expectations and has been one of the sparks pushing the Tribe into playoff contention. Despite being considered short for a center fielder (he's a stocky 5'9 and 210 lbs), he does a more than admirable job out there and his bat has been instrumental to the Indians offense. In 29 games with us he's batting .267 with a .324 OBP and a .505 SLG, and a very respectable .829 OPS. He currently has 3 HR and 19 RBI with 9 walks.

I'm a big fan of the 26 year-old Dominican and I hope he can use the rest of this season to stamp his mark on the team and cement a spot on the 2016 roster. This card set me back just $1.50, which is a steal for a beautiful on-card auto.

We come to the main event now, a card I've wanted for some time. It's a 1989 Topps Traded #41T Ken Griffey Jr. card, PSA graded to a Mint 9. This is the first sealed PSA card I've bought, and I am hoping to add a few more in the future, as they look great.

Ken Griffey Jr. was the first baseball player I ever knew. When I was very young, my brother came back from a trip to the States with a Rawlings Ken Griffey Jr. glove and I saw his printed signature in the pocket of the mitt and always wondered who he was. When I started to take a serious interest in baseball I thought back to my glove and remembered the name, and ever since I wanted to get one of his cards.

Now most fans go immediately for his his iconic 1989 Upper Deck rookie card but I actually prefer this Topps card as far as overall appearance goes. His Upper Deck rookie has him sporting a bit of a goofy grin, whereas I think his Topps card has a better, more serious pose. I don't care that these were mass produced and have little to no value; that's not why I collect these cards. 

It cost me $7.55, which makes it my most expensive card in my collection to date, but I was happy to pay that for a PSA card. It's one of, if not the best, looking cards in my fledgling collection.

I don't know if I'll be buying any more cards this season, but if I do I'll make sure to share them. 

Baseball Cards: Retro Legend Additions

It's been a while since I posted any cards here at England Tribe (nearly two years actually). I recently picked up a few nice looking ones and thought I'd share them. They're nothing too special, but I think they look good.

Up first are two Jackie Robinson cards. Before you get too excited, no that is not an original 1952 Jackie Robinson on the left. I'm not that lucky, or rich. Instead, it's a 2001 Topps Through The Years #5 reprint of the 1952 Robinson. It has a nice shiny Topps 50 Years Anniversary badge on it, on his bat. I really like this card, and it's from a really iconic set too. 

The card on the right is a 2010 Topps 206 #25 Jackie Robinson. I love the design of the Topps 206 cards, with their faded cigarette card look. The picture of Jackie is really nice too, and I've not seen many cards of him without a hat on. 

Jackie is right up there with my favorite players of all time, maybe even number one on the list. I wrote my dissertation at university on the man, spending an entire year researching and writing about his exploits on and off the field. The guy is the definition of the word legend. Somehow these are the first two cards I own of him. They definitely won't be the last.

Here we have a 2006 Topps Rookie of the Week Card Shop Promotion (Base) #7 of Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. It's a similar design to his 1955 rookie card, the Topps #164 from that year, but Topps have changed the photos from the original (here is what his rookie card looks like). I think it's pretty nice and for $0.55 I thought why the hell not.

Clemente sits next to Robinson on my shelf of baseball legends, the greatest Latin player in history. He's a total boss in my book and he has some of the nicest cards around too. I'll be looking at getting many more of them.

More Roberto Clemente's up next. Here we have, from left to right:

1998 Topps Roberto Clemente Reprint #7. It's a reprint of the 1961 Topps Clemente #388, and is a damn fine card. In the top left-hand corner, you can see a small bronze Clemente 25th Anniversary badge which I love. I don't know if you can make it out from the photo, but it has 1972-1997 on the bottom and in the center is Clemente tipping his cap. It's a really nice card I had to grab, for just $1.85. A near-mint version of the 1961 original goes for nearly a grand. I'm happy with my 1998 reprint thanks.

In the middle is a 1998 Topps Roberto Clemente Reprint Finest #9. What makes it "finest" you ask? It's a shiny chrome card, and it's all the better for it. I really nice reprint of the 1963 Topps Clemente #540, it cost me $2.65, the second most expensive card in my haul. The 1963 original in mint condition goes for over $2,200. Yeah, my reprint doesn't seem so pricey anymore. I'm fine parting with $2.65 for this excellent card.

Last but not least is a 2012 Topps Archives Reprint Insert #440. It's another reprint (sensing a theme now are we?), this time from the 1964 Topps set, one of my favorite card sets in Topps history. These cards look so good and I made sure to get a Clemente. Just $0.95, not bad value for under a dollar.

Something a little more recent now. Here is a 2014 Topps Heritage #250.1 base card of the reigning AL MVP, Mike Trout. It's hard not to be a Mike Trout fan. Following on from what I was saying about my love for the 1964 Topps set, in 2013 I pulled a Trout shortprint from a pack of 2013 Topps Heritage. I couldn't believe my luck because, A) I don't really buy packs and B) I got a Trout card in my first pack, just as he was blowing up after his sensational rookie year. Since then I've always wanted to get more Trout cards and couldn't pass up this 2014 Heritage card. It's such a nice design and the photo is awesome too. It cost me $1.45, which isn't bad for a card from the year he won his first MVP.

This one I didn't purchase with all the others but it came recently so I thought I'd include it. Here we have a 2015 Topps Series 2 #616 Kris Bryant rookie card. I quite often buy team sets of Indians cards from a UK seller on eBay and decided to get the Cubs Series 2 set essentially for the above card alone. Bryant has been everything we expected in the majors this year and to own his rookie card is great. I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to get this one, especially if he goes on to become something special. If you had the chance to get a Mickey Mantle rookie card back in the day, you would right? Which leads me onto...

OHMYGOD IS THAT A 1952 TOPPS MICKEY MANTLE ROOKIE CARD?! No, no it isn't. I told you already, I'm loving these reprints. The card on the right you mistakenly thought was the infamous 52 Mantle (admit it) is actually a 1996 Topps Mickey Mantle Commemorative Reprint #2. I will never, ever be able to own a real 1952 Mantle rookie so to own this beautiful replica will just have to do. It really is a very nice card and I can see why people go crazy over the original. Mine has that golden badge in the top left corner, commemorating Mickey's life (1931-1995). I'm a big fan of these little holofoil badges, as they're a really nice addition to what was already a very iconic card, arguably the most iconic card of them all. It set me back a whopping $2.75, the most expensive card from this bunch. A mint condition of the 1952 original is going for over $650,000. $2.75 doesn't feel so bad now.

The card on the left is another Mantle, a 1996 Topps Mickey Mantle Commemorative Reprint Finest #13. Again with the "finest." Yeah, these chrome cards are just too nice. This one even comes with a Topps protection coating on the top, hence the black writing sprawled across it. It's a reprint of the 1963 Topps Mickey Mantle #200. It cost just $1.40, a bargain, so I snapped it up. There are 19 of these 1996 commemorative Mantles and I already have 2 of them. I'm tempted to see if I can get the whole set. As long as they're not more than $3...

That's it for this haul from the fine folks at COMC. This is the third time I've ordered from them and I will definitely be returning for more. I have my eyes on a Ken Griffey Jr. card or two and of course I'd like some Indians players too. Watch this space.

Baseball Cards: More Allen & Ginter

Howdy y'all, apologies for not posting the White Sox and Royals recaps recently. Current events (GTA V) have kept the majority of my free time occupied and I just never got around to getting online to write. Since my last post, the good news has been the Indians have managed to battle their way into one of the wild card spots.Now the hope is that they can stay there. As I'm writing this they're closing in on a sweep of the lowly Astros, getting one step closer to the post-season in the process.

Regardless of what happens, I'm pleased for the team and more pleased at the fact we'll have posted our first winning season since 2007. So really, it's my first year as a Tribe fan where we've ended the year above .500 (I only started following the team properly in 2008). That's a cause for celebration in my book.

Anyway, I received some new baseball cards in the post over the past few days so I thought I'd share my new pick-ups here. They're all from the beautiful set that is 2013 Allen & Ginter. Let's begin:

Another Justin Masterson card to add to my PC I'm working on. Here we have a 2013 Allen & Ginter jersey relic that I got for just $1. A bargain and a really nice card (although I would have preferred the jersey patch to be from the home whites).

Up next is a mini jersey relic of Tribe right fielder Drew Stubbs. He hasn't had the best debut season in Cleveland and has really struggled with the bat all year but I've been impressed with his defense in right field. Despite his troubles, I couldn't resist bidding for this card. I really like it's design and Drew comes across as a pretty likeable guy, with that Texas drawl of his. For $1.49 I wasn't going to say no.

Here we have a jersey relic of former Indians ace and 2008 AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee. I know, it's not  a Tribe card but come on, he used to play for us. And he's still tearing it up at the age of 35. I was a big fan of Cliff and will never forget his super-heroic 2008 season. All for just over $2 as well. Not bad.

Ok, from here on all connections to the Indians disappear I'm afraid. Why did I pick up this Carlos Gonzalez card? Well the star outfielder for the Rockies has been the heart and soul of my fantasy team this year and for the grand sum of $1 I thought why the hell not. It's a pretty nice card too, although I wish the pinstripe on the patch was slightly more centered. 

Last but not least is this delightful card of the reigning AL Cy Young winner (for just a tiny bit longer) Mr David Price. For just $2 I wasn't going to pass on getting a mini jersey relic of a Cy Young winner and it's a beautiful looking card too. Plus the patch is home-white too, so it's win-win for me. 

So there you have it, my latest additions to my fledgling card collection. As you can probably tell I really love those jersey patch cards, particularly the framed mini's. I expect I'll be looking to add some more before the year is out, maybe in the off-season when the prices drop slightly. We'll see...

Thanks for reading.

Baseball Cards: New Acquisitions

This year I decided to start collecting baseball cards. Not seriously, not like those dudes on Youtube who break box after box. Just casual collecting, of certain players, or getting a set of Indians players. I particularly look for autograph and relic cards of players I like, whether they play for Cleveland or not.

Over the past couple of years I've managed to get the odd Topps team set of Indians cards from a UK seller on eBay, but apart from him it is pretty difficult to get cards here in Britain. The postage from America is now pretty high and I'm lucky to get cards sent here for under $10. So I never really bothered with it, plus I spend too much money on useless crap as it is.

But after finding some cheap Justin Masterson cards earlier this year from sellers in the States, including a few that were autographed, I decided to scour eBay for deals and it's become a bit of a habit. So I currently have a Justin Masterson PC I'm working on (which I'll show off in a future post) but I still keep my eye out for any other cards that look good and more importantly, that I can get for a decent price (aka, a bargain).

So here are some new cards I've received in the post over the past couple of weeks:

Let's start with this Jason Kipnis card from Topps 2013 Series 2. It's a signed Chasing History insert that I bought for under $5 and is the first autographed card by Kipnis I have gotten so far. It's not signed on-card which is a shame, but an autographed sticker is better than no autograph at all. The young second baseman is one of my favourite guys on the club, how can you not love the guy, and I'll be looking to acquire more of his signed cards in the future.

Up next is this gorgeous on-card autographed Trevor Bauer from Topps 2013 Gypsy Queen. It set me back $6 which I thought was a pretty good price. I know, it kinda sucks that he's still in his Arizona gear despite this being a 2013 card but I don't really mind. It's quite nice to have an Indians player not in his Cleveland uniform. I just love that autograph too, it's absolutely perfect. This card had some trouble being dispatched so the seller was kind enough to throw in a couple of Bauer's rookie cards from the Topps 2012 base series as well. I hope Bauer can finish the season strongly in Columbus and I expect he'll get called back to Cleveland in a few days as part of the September call-ups. Fingers crossed he can impress.

This mini Asdrubal Cabrera jersey relic from Topps Allen & Ginter 2013 arrived just today. I couldn't wait for it to show up as its been a card I've had my eye on for a while. I love how the mini card is framed, it's a beautiful effect that really makes it stand out. The Allen & Ginter series produce some stunning cards and these 2013 editions are no different. This Cabrera card is the first jersey relic I've ever received and I just love the idea that I own a piece of game-used uniform he wore. I'll be buying a lot more from the Allen & Ginter series in the near-future, it's a set I absolutely adore. This card cost me just $2 as well. Now that's my kind of bargain.

I received another card along with my Cabrera relic today and it was this Adam Wainwright mini jersey relic, again from Topps 2013 Allen & Ginter. It cost me $3, which is a great price for an NL Cy Young contender (ok, so Clayton Kershaw should have it in the bag, but you never know). The Cardinals ace is having another great year, so I wasn't going to turn down the chance to grab one of his cards at such a great price. I know, he's not an Indian, but he's a pitcher I like and a pretty damn good one at that. So I jumped at the chance to add one of his cards to my collection and it's a beauty.

I hope you enjoyed this post, a slight detour from the normal run-of-the-mill stuff you get here at England Tribe. I've got some more cards lined up to buy in the near-future, especially some Allen & Ginter autographs, so watch this space for more.

Thanks for reading.