GETTING READY FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON

First, congratulations to Boise. They've kept the price down on their set to $6, and it includes top Cub prospect Ryan Harvey. I've done well loading up on the Cubs that I'm likely to see in Peoria. Harvey, in particular, has a lot of cards out there, and I think that I've procured one of each of every one of his but the Topps black and the UDPP autograph card. I've also managed to acquire 4 different jersey cards for Grant Johnson, another high draft pick who should make it to Peoria. Thank you too, goes to STB Sports. I know, I'm usually down on minor league dealers. "Avoid the middle man" I usually say. STB has filled a big void for us Burlington Bees fans though by printing an Idaho Falls set, which includes high draft picks Billy Butler and Matt Campbell, among others. This was a set that begged to be made, and I thank him for doing so. A hefty chunk of coal goes to Everett (Yes, again). When I first called the team to order three card sets, I was told that sets would be $10, but to wait to order, because they were going to have a Matt Tuiasosopo card added to the set. "Great!' I said. I decided to wait. Imagine my surprise when I call about a month later to find that the one card had jacked the price of the set up to $15, and worse yet, the greedy folks at Everett figured that to send me 3 sets would cost an additional $7 S&H. Thanks guys. I realize that you assholes up in the Northwest gave us overpriced coffee with the Starbucks chain, but must you apply that same elitist pricing to card sets?

A "Thank you" to Princeton, West Virginia too. With Tampa Bay now having a team in the Midwest League, I ordered Princeton sets for the past 3 seasons, and as is my practice, I also ask if they have any pocket schedules or pictures that they can send along my way. Princeton was kind enough to send me 5 nice black and white pictures of players and their mascot that had been distributed during the season. They lent me a hand. Everett just shoved me. Billings was another team really nice about sending me schedules. They even sent along one of their magnetic ones. For you people unfamiliar with the musical chairs played in the Midwest League this year, we lost the Yankees and the Brewers (it will seem awfully strange not to see a Brewer team in the MWL) but gained the Blue Jays and the Devil Rays. I'm guessing that some of the big names that will see come through as prospects are Ryan Harvey, Grant Johnson, Richie Robnett, Landon Powell, Billy Butler, Matt Campbell, J P Howell, Homer Bailey, Richard Lewis, Kyle Waldrop, Luke Hughes and Trevor Plouffe, among others. Should be a fun season.

A couple Upper Deck sets have come out worthy of note. The first one is a Prospect set that will include most of the Top 2004 draft picks.  It's a little pricey at about 90 bucks a box. (Why don't we say A LOT pricey) , but each box will include 5 autographed cards. I've ordered a couple of boxes. Nancy raised her eyebrows a bit, but I work a lot of overtime. I should see quite a few players from this set in the Midwest League.  The other set that looks very intriguing is the one that Upper Deck has put out in conjunction with Team USA Baseball.  This one is being sold for $49.95 plus an exorbitant $8.95 shipping through Team USA baseball.  Each set will consist of 200 cards paying tribute to the many top players who have played for Team USA.  Each set will also have 3 autographed cards and a jersey card.  There's a slim chance that you can pull cards autographed by Mark McGwire or Will Clark, and other alumni of Team USA.  The autographs were "donated," and all proceeds from the sale of the set will benefit USA Baseball's athlete program.  For more information check out info@usabaseball.com.  I ordered a set. The new 2004 Topps Traded also has some good young prospects that I should see in the MWL including J P Howell, Richie Robnett and Homer Bailey.

Congratulations to readers R Butler and Dillon, who e-mailed me at the right time to get the autographed Chris Lubanski pictures from me.  I got a lot of feedback on my proposal to "out the dealers" at the ballpark this year.  All supportive.  No feedback or rebuttals fromany dealers out there, which surprised me.  John O"Meara writes "we can always spot the dealers, and after reading your article, believe that your idea is worth a try when the season starts again."  Rick Czaplewski writes "Try going to Miller Park, you will find a bevy of such autograph fiends."  R. Butler "I too am having a hard time with the dealers," and Nick Devlin writes "I think that you're right on the money about the dealers.  The players should be made aware before it starts to ruin the hobby for the rest of us."  I would recommend though, that you download a copy of their eBay listings as well, at least a page.  That's the best way to refute a denial.  Or just ask them  "Why do you need 18 similar cards of a player signed?"  No doubt you'll get some interesting responses.

Before I log off, Congrats to the Red Sox fans.  This Cardinal fan would've liked to seen the curse continue, but at least there was some consolation in that it was your team rather than the Yankees.  Now the monkey on the Cub's back looks like King Kong.  The big question over the off-season for them is where will Sammy be dealt to and what will they get for him.  Anyway, I've rambled on enough for now.  Take care, and have fun with the hobby.  I sure try to.