Generosity Abounds, Part 1

Surprise! I got a nice bulky package today in the mail from the even nicer blogger-friends at Dinged Corners today, chock full of Cardinal goodness. There were so many cards (of Cards) to write about that I had to break this up into two installments. I tried to limit myself to 10 pictures (or less), but somehow 12 sneaked in here anyway. First up is the 2003 Donruss card of Edgar Renteria, who my girlfriend still calls "Bacteria." He has a very intense gaze on his face here. I'll always fondly remember him if for anything because he was the only player who had a decent game during my first Cardinals game seen in person, going 2/3 with 2 doubles in a 10-0 loss to Seattle at Safeco Field.


1987 Topps Jeff Lahti - A genuine Smile Card if you've ever seen one...

2008 Upper Deck Anthony Reyes - He's been outstanding since being given away to Cleveland. Count me in as not surprised at all. One of the true failings of the Duncan/La Russa System. (See also: Haren, Dan)

2005 Topps Reggie Sanders Division Series '05 - I like these snapshot cards of the playoff moments. It's one reason I'll continue to be interested in the Updates and Highlights sets (well, moreso when the Cardinals actually make the playoffs.)


1984 Jeff Lahti - Well Lahti-dah... another Jeff Lahti card. Lahti was born in Oregon City, just a handful of miles south of my hometown Portland and went to Portland State University. He was out of baseball at 30 with shoulder problems.

2003 Fleer Authentic Matt Morris - This ticket-like card is even perforated like a ticket. I've never seen anything like it. I wonder what the barcode scans as.


2006 Upper Deck Sidney Ponson - It's nice to see that Sir Sidney has stuck around with all the problems he's dealt with. He had a nice run with Texas, but then he got run off the team. He's had some statistical issues with the Yankees, however.

2006 Upper Deck Skip Schumaker - This card was definitely on my "to get" radar. Skip has been one of the top platoon players in all of baseball this season, getting hits galore off of right-handed pitching.


2006 Topps Co-Signers Jim Edmonds - Jimmy needs a shave. Actually, that picture on the left is just way too close.

2004 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Jim Edmonds - Another super-shiny Edmonds card. This card is from 2004, if you couldn't tell.

2008 Tristar Projections Jaime Garcia - Garcia curiously has not been recalled to the team now that the rosters have expanded. He is a strong prospect starter that the team decided to use as a second LH reliever when Randy Flores went down with a case of noodlearmitis. Then La Russa & Co. sent him back down explaining that "he came here on an emergency basis to help us and he did. But he's a starting pitcher, he's not really a left-handed reliever." Sooo... okay, then why was he coming out of the bullpen exactly? (UPDATE 08:03PM: It turns out Garcia may be headed for Tommy John surgery. Ouch.)

2007 Bowman Chrome Thomas Eager - Eager's 1st Bowman Chrome Card and my 1st Bowman Chrome Card as well. He is in his second year of pro ball and finished the year at single-A Quad Cities.