It's Always Something (or No Trades Left Behind - Second Edition)

 Something is always coming between us. Recently, it was work.  The big tax 9/15 deadline. How can our relationship flourish if we don't communicate, if I am not fully present on this page - and yours?  There is progress to note: packages are hitting the mail box!  Yes, it really did happen! Three out in the past week!  Naturally, only after packing and sealing these up did I find the cards I've been searching for - for over two weeks - in the last place I looked.  You may ask - why would she keep looking for them afterwards???  Because I am cracked! 

The last time we met here I shared a few overdue trades.  Well, guess what?  More overdue sharing! Our first featured guest is the ambulance chasing Tony, Off Hiatus. A little harsh you say? Hush. Who asked you. < --- No question mark.

                                                            A complete set of 77 Topps

                                                      COOL 1987 LEAF (Canadian Donruss...)

A lot of minis from 86 Fleer along with a 2012 GQ mini for size comparison:

Kelloggs cards are always welcome here.

2013 Topps Cut to the Chase inserts have been some of the prettiest I've seen in a very long time - likely since the 90s.  Beauties!

The Mark Grace and Alan Trammell below are the two cards that began this trade with Tony.  He received a few packages from back home full of magazines, books and memorabilia long forgotten. Mom did NOT throw them out!  One of these items was a Sports Collectors Digest from 1990 with these cards inside:

I love oddball issues and welcome these to my collection of special cards.  Oddball = special = me.  I am especially odd.

Tony was one of my first trading partners.  He has been more than thoughtful, dropping all of these great cards in the mail as a kind of house-warming gift.  He sent many more than shown here.  It was a wonderful surprise!  Thanks Tony!

Nick, our friend from the world of Dimeboxes sent a fat package too!  Here's a sampling of the awesomeness contained within:

Similar to 1987 Donruss in all but color. 1987 Donruss Opening Day cards have a maroon border instead of black. I didn't have any of these cards! Willie Hernandez spoke from within his papered borders asking to be scanned alongside these unique collectibles for he too, is special.  Willie is cut from an 86 wax box!

Nick remembered my love for the old guys and included vintage and unique cardboard:

Top: 1956 Topps, 1981 Galasso   Bottom: 1985 Woolworth's Topps, 1988 Sporting News

2012 Cooperstown Ballparks- love it!  I'm assembling this insert set so this is greatly appreciated! and I can't say no to a 75 mini!  Shown below is the backside of Brad Ausmus (stop it) aka a colorful 2000 Ultra reverse... Also a Sleeth making an appearance on an auto 2004 Topps Chrome. His signature is a bit hard to make out, just below his elbow.  1994 Collector's Choice Kirk Gibson and Chad Kreuter.  I had hundreds of 94 CC years ago.  I was a card snob and gave them away.  Now I love the design.  What an idiot! 

The back of Gibby's CC.  Such a playful side of Kirk here, rarely seen on the field.  For those wanting the full reveal, Brad's Ultra front side is shown for your viewing pleasure.

Nick, thanks for these sweet selections from your dime boxes!  It was a fun package!!!

Readers, if you've stuck with me this far, you deserve a chance to win a tacky prize! 

1992 Score Rising Stars.  Still sealed, plastic is slightly yellowed.  A lovely edition to your collection of worthless cards from the 90s!  It is a bit unique actually.  I don't own any of these cards. None in my collections anywhere.  If you win and decide to bust and share, I'd love to have the Tigers.   Comment and mention you'd like a chance in the Randomizer.  Three times around and a winner will be chosen! We'll do it Saturday the 3rd, sometime later in the afternoon. 

 Giveaways will continue here at Cracked Bat.  You'll never know what's next unless you check in!  

Have a super week!



No Trades Left Behind - first edition

So I took the summer off, though unintentionally. During my absence, my trader friends were kind to think of me, often sending little and/or fat packages to my new home.  It's more than past time I shared some of the many cards received. 

Mark Hoyle, notorious non-blogger and heckuva trader, sent one of his famous PWEs before I left Texas.  It was packed before I could scan and share.  Mark has a serious stash of old cardboard and sent a few Tigers:



1963

1964 - love that Freehan!

 While all are sweet cards, this little charmer won me over!  An unlicked? unused? unstuck? Norm Cash stamp from 1969 Topps.  Thanks Mark!  I know it's taken awhile to share and you've been more than patient while awaiting a return package.

Cubbie loving P-Town Tom - Waiting Til Next Year - dropped a little PWE in the mail too. I'd commented on a Sandberg card he received.  He must have had a dupe because Tom wasted no time sending it.  The card was special to me as Ryne is listed as an Oklahoma City 89er. 

    2001 Upper Deck Minors Centennial                               2015 Panini Prizm base

I'm an Okie who spent some time at that old ball park on the fairgrounds.  I don't recall seeing Sandberg play unfortunately.  I went to the games back in those days for the concerts....Oak Ridge Boys, The Monkees, Hermans' Hermits...to name a few.  But let's pretend I didn't just fess up to that.  89er Stadium is long gone, paved over for more fairground parking.  

I wish I could tell you there was nothing else in the PWE from Tom...

Yes, it's time for Pass the Bieber.  Tom, blaming Zippy?  Will the Bieber madness ever end?  Who will be the first to step up and say I will be the change. Bieber stops here with me.  Must we go to the Bieber source, begging for mercy? merci?  which translates loosely into uncle, thank you. ???   What is a mind so twisted capable of???  So many unanswered questions. 

Shall we explore further, this madness?  It's origin?

Kevin Papoy



Behold. The great mastermind behind the Biebering.  A man so generous, Kevin dedicates time and Euros to be your personal shopper.  He searches far and wide and mostly eBay to find the perfect cardboard to share with his friends across the deep blue.  Recently le Papoy thrust a bulging mailer into the hands of a French postal clerk.  I found this package crammed into my roadside mail depository, tired from the long journey. 

                                                            1964 Topps                 1966 Topps

2013 Heritage Chrome/999  and refractor/544

2006 Turkey Red

Pretty little Verlanders

Ovation baseball put out a nice product.  I love the texture on these cards!  2015 Diamond Kings have been my favorite release so far this year. A lot of color and texture on these cards too.  I'm working to complete the base set.

Kevin added a few of my fave players to the mix. A player stew of sorts. 

2015 Tier One - a design I like but can't afford to add more than a card here and there.  Sweet addition!

Did I mention Kevin's generosity?  He picked up some good-looking autos and fancy patches specifically for me.  His thoughtfulness should wipe away any suspicions I have regarding his motivations.  A Bieber mind cult?  Surely not.  The Bieber cards are used as filler only, to protect the prizes inside on their long voyage across the seas. 

        Burn the Bieber?  or Repurpose?   Choose wisely.

The Ransomizer and First Contest Results

The results are in and the Ransomizer says....  What? 

Nothing like a typo to make things interesting. The Ransomizer.  A web site built to customize your next ransom note.  Who hasn't needed this help?  I know my creativity is lacking at times.

There were 11 official entries for  our 2000 Topps Factory set.   These contestants commented on the original post  with their intentions should they be the lucky recipient of this classic Topps set. Ahem...    Without further delay, The Randomizer shuffled three times and revealed our first ever Cracked Bat winner!!!!

The Randomizer included an IP address along with results which was deleted for privacy purposes.

Congratulations to our friend Matt at Bob Walk the Plank!   Matt wrote he would keep it sealed up and put it with the rest of his completed sets as his wife gives him a death stare for adding more "clutter."   I'm sure she will be pleased with the contest results Matt!

Over this holiday weekend, I'll select another item to throw to the wolves, unless of course someone out there would like to enter and beat the them to it.  Thanks to all who joined in the fun or commented!  I've missed meeting up with y'all - still a bit Texan.  Looking forward to making new acquaintances too, so come back now - you hear?