Davey Johnson, 2004 Upper Deck Timeless Teams #63

I can't rave enough about 2004 Upper Deck Timeless Teams. After the 1993 flagship set, it's probably my favorite thing that UD ever did. It might be even better without the reliance on foil logos, but what can you do? The photos dominate the design, front and back. On the front you've got fresh photos of all of the great and the just plain good players on the most decorated teams in each franchise's history...even a good selection of in-game photos. Here's Davey Johnson roaming the infield pre-pitch, circa 1971 or 1972 judging by his uniform. The card backs feature a gorgeous full-color photo of the team's stadium. (Yes, it's possible for a photo of the utilitarian, 1950s relic that was Memorial Stadium to be gorgeous.) My only regret is that there were but 30 of these cards featuring the Orioles, and that the set as a whole is only 300 cards. I wonder why Upper Deck didn't keep this set going in subsequent years. Was it a poor seller? Or did they have the rare sense not to overdo a good thing? Probably option A.

Jim Palmer, 2004 Upper Deck Timeless Teams #227

This is turning out to be an eventful week for Orioles news after all. Today the Sun reported that the team will soon be honoring all six of their Baseball Hall of Famers - Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver, Eddie Murray, and Cal Ripken, Jr. - with individual bronze statues at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. These sculptures will be situated beyond the bullpens in left-center field. The O's will make an official announcement at a later date, including the timing of the dedications. I don't know what poses will be chosen for the statues, but I certainly hope that Jim Palmer's trademark high leg kick will be captured for all of Baltimore's baseball fans to see.

Ellie Hendricks, 2004 Upper Deck Timeless Teams #49

This is why you can't often go wrong with new cards featuring old players. There's an excellent action shot of Ellie Hendricks on the front, letting loose with the sort of powerful swing that inspired the nickname "the Babe Ruth of Mexico". But this card gets even better when you flip it over and see the beautiful, full-color photo of old Memorial Stadium. Just soak it in, and tell me you don't feel like you're back on 33rd Street with Rex Barney, Chuck Thompson, and the O's. "Ain't the beer cold!"

Boog Powell, 2004 Upper Deck Timeless Teams #61

I hope that all of you have had as enjoyable a Christmas as I have. I woke up at 8:30 (comparably late for me on Christmas morning), and joined my family in the living room for gift exchanges. Everyone liked their gifts, and I did well myself. There were a few CDs and DVDs, some nice sweaters (though it was surprisingly too warm to wear them today), and of course the Orioles stuff:

-John Eisenberg's oral history of the team, From 33rd Street to Camden Yards, featuring interviews from everyone from Boog Powell to Earl Weaver to Elrod Hendricks to Jim Palmer, and everyone else who ever had anything to do with the Birds.

-Courtesy of my sister, a four-game mini-plan for my dad and myself for 2009, including Opening Day against the Yankees. In the interest of fairness, I hereby promise not to bring batteries to toss at Mark Teixeira. We're a classier bunch here in Baltimore, compared to his new hometown fans in the Bronx.

-And of course, a brand-new 2009 Orioles road jersey, with "Baltimore" across the chest. It's really happening, folks.

Okay, time to digest dinner and dessert and decompress. Take care, folks.