Jim Palmer, 2003 Topps Gallery Hall of Fame #28B

Say, here's a really lovely portrait of Jim Palmer mid-pitching delivery on a sunny afternoon in Memorial Stadium. But what's with the letter "B" appended to the card number, you may ask? Well, the Topps Gallery Hall of Fame set had 74 base cards, but each had a one-per-hobby-pack variation insert. For Jim Palmer, the base card featured the white-paneled Orioles cap. This is the variation, with black-and-orange cap. I assure you that all of the other "variations" are just as pointless, if not more. Earl Weaver is pictured at night, instead of in the daylight. Brooks Robinson has a green background, rather than a yellow one. Frank Robinson swaps his wood-grain bat for a black bat.

This hobby really is a silly thing at times.

Earl Weaver, 2003 Topps Gallery Hall of Fame #48

I usually pride myself on my persistence when attending Orioles games. I rarely leave early, be it extra innings, rain delays, or just a run-of-the-mill ugly blowout. But when you combine a sloppy, lousy game with miserable 95-plus degree temperatures, I'm going to ask for a mulligan. I was happy to receive my Earl Weaver replica statue, and to hear the legendary manager's pregame remarks following the unveiling of the life-sized sculpture in the picnic area, but the Birds couldn't do old #4 justice today (save for Chris Davis' monster three-run homer onto Eutaw Street. My sister and I suffered through four drawn-out innings, and the O's were down 7-4 when we finally checked out of the ballpark. Now it's 10-5 and Earl is probably instinctively reaching for the pack of cigarettes he used to keep tucked in his hidden uniform pocket. Oh well...at least I can gush about new Oriole Jim Thome for tomorrow's blog entry!