I'm Back Yet Again...For a While Anyway

A couple of months ago, less than a week after I posted last, I experienced something that I had not experienced since 1997.  I was forced to live without the Internet for an extended period of time.  Finances alone forced that difficult decision.  It was not nearly as bad as I expected it to be.  I read the morning paper for news and box scores much as I did prior to 1997.  Surprisingly, life went on exactly as it used to without the information superhighway.  I didn't have instant access to any needed information anymore, but I learned that it wasn't necessary to have the information that instant anyway.  But I digress.

I was able to get my Internet access re-enabled due to a nice birthday windfall.  (Oh, by the way, today is my 36th birthday)  I got it back at the beginning of October and spent the last couple of weeks on a massive project that will appear on this blog throughout the winter, but more on that in a few days.


I want to take a little time to comment on a few happenings since I was last here.

1. The Rockies complete their worst season in history at 64-98.
All I can say is ugh.  Injuries were devastating in Denver this year, but that is no excuse.  Of all the 2012 offseason acquisitions, only Tyler Colvin performed better than expected.  Everyone else, from Cuddyer to Guthrie to Moscoso, was average (Cuddy) to horrid (Guthrie).  This season was just horrible and I have to hope that the Rockies have hit bottom.  If not I foresee the trading of both Tulo and CarGo (and probably more) next year to have a complete reboot of the franchise.  I don't think it is time for that now though.  Another 90 loss season in 2013 and it might be necessary.

2. Jim Tracy resigns as Rockies manager following the 2012 season.
Glory, glory hallelujah.  I have always hated the way that Tracy managed a game and the Rockies have steadily gotten worse since he started in mid-2009.  That being said, I would have preferred the franchise taking a stand and firing him rather than letting him resign.  This way makes it look like the Rockies ownership is cheap (which is probably true) and that Tracy was not really at fault for the poor performance (not true although it wasn't completely his fault).  I think it is time to get a first-time manager in Denver preferably from outside the organization (i.e. not Tom Runnells or Stu Cole).  I am holding out hope for Ryne Sandberg, but Sandy Alomar would be great as well.

3. The first images of 2013 Topps are released.
My first reaction was that I liked it, but it could be better.  The lack of positions on the front and a little bit too much border are the downsides in my mind, but it is still better than the average Topps set.  At least so far.  The pink and camo parallels tell me that it is time something new in cards.  The parallels have jumped the shark.

4. The story break that relic cards may not be what they appear to be.
I don't care in the least.  All of my relic cards have a picture of said player on the card along with a piece of cloth, wood, whatever.  As long as the player's picture is still on the card then it is what a baseball card has always been.  A photo of a major league baseball player.  Anything else that is added I consider part of the design anyway.  I understand why some folks feel cheated, but relics never meant that much to me anyway.

5. Blogger Chris Stufflestreet passes away way too young.
Obviously this is horrible news.  I did not know Mr. Stufflestreet personally, but I did enjoy reading his vintage blog.  I have never been as big on collecting vintage cards, but I always enjoyed reading the stories about the sets from long before my time.  I wish I had the chance to know him better because he had more knowledge of a subject that I love than just about anyone.  The world is a sadder place with one less card collector in its midst.


I don't want to make this a long winded post (well more long-winded anyway), so I will say that the 2012 edition of Quarry Cards featuring the complete 2012 Rockies roster will start as of tomorrow.  I have been working on it since spring training and was practically finished at the time of my Internet loss.  The design is 100% my own this year, after borrowing from the Topps site last year, although I was inspired by several sets.  49 players were active members of the Rockies roster this year along with a manager card and a team card for a total of 51 in this year's set.  I will start tomorrow with the first eight cards from this year's Quarry Cards.  I hope to see you then. 

Thanx for reading.