If You Build It, They Will Come

This will start my series on the minor league managers of the different minor league teams from Iowa.  Today we will start with the Iowa Oaks, the predessessor of the current Iowa Cubs.  Based in Des Moines, Iowa the Oaks existed from 1969-1981.  They were the minor league affiliate of the Orioles, Astros, White Sox and finally the Cubs.  Currently the team still lives on as the Iowa Cubs.   Of note, there is one rather big name in the list below (Tony La Russa!), and one rabbit trail that I dug into.  Randy Hundley was the coach for half a season, and his son, Todd Hundley, was alive during that point.  Did Todd Hundley live in Iowa for that short period?  So far, no information, so I will lean probably no.  One just a few months there, its more likely he stayed in Illinois during that period.  But maybe? Jimmy Williams 1969 Iowa Oaks Manager (Orioles Affiliate) 7 cards in TCDB Houston Astros  (1975) Baltimore Orioles ...

 Its been a couple of months now, and I am still Wander-less.  I have purchased 3 blasters, 1 hanger and 1 jumbo pack and have not had the pleasure of pulling his rookie card.  Yes, I have found his Home Run Challenge card and a couple of the cards with Vlad, but no base.   Prices on his base rookie have dropped a bit as supply has started to fill up.  We all knew that would keep value down, but I really would like to have one of his flagship rookies.  A Heritage or Bowman would be neat, but I'm a basic guy so I'd like the one with a pretty cool photo. Now, I could just buy it.  Nothing is stopping me.  I'm pretty much done with sorting 2022 Topps at this point, there is no insert set that is really grabbing me that I need to get.  So it make sense to just buy the single card.  But.....gosh it is way more fun to pull one out of a pack. That why I'm here.  I love this hobby, and I want to have fun with it.  I want to collec...

 New additions to the Autograph lineup at the National, and new additions to the Iowa Acquaintances.  Here's the additions: Vida Blue, Burlington Bees, 1968 / Iowa Oaks, 1970 Ok, it's only one addition out of the group, but a fun one as Vida had two minor league stops in Iowa.  Does that mean I'd need two autographs for my mythical collection. Obviously!   Name - Iowa Connection $(auto price) + $(inscription price) Vida Blue, Burlington Bees, 1968 / Iowa Oaks, 1970 $40 + $20 So added to the $750 in the previous post, we are up to $870 now.  Woo!