Brad's Blog: givin' it away

Brad was moving.  Hauling cards ain't easy.  To lighten the burden, Brad offered up cards to any and every one.  I wasn't familiar with his blog and not sure how I stumbled across this opportunity.  Who says no  to free anyway?  Three days after the post, a fat mailer was on the way to my place.  Brad sent nearly 100 cards, all Tigers.  Elated was I.  It was hard to choose a reasonable number to share. 

There were the shiny and tiny:

Topps Lineage is a favorite of mine. The 75 styled minis make this a favorite release from 2011.  Topps Chrome, Bowman Platinum and Upper Deck Spectrum add great color to this lot.

Vintage - UD style:

It's always a bit sad to see the manner in which Upper Deck chose to cut their own throat.  These cards did not help their cause.  I happen to like the black borders and design.  In fact, I've liked them since 1971 - or since I discovered 71 Topps, I should say.  Upper Deck released Vintage in 2002.

Courtesy of Google Images, 1971 Topps:

Really.  How did the once flourishing Upper Deck Company think this
would fly?  No one at Topps would be paying attention??

Here's a fun card which somehow escaped my knowledge:

 2003 Fleer Double Header: one half of Fernando Rodney unfolds to reveal a full-figured Barry Wesson. The card back lists stats for both boys.

A couple of hits:

 At 16, Aussie Rikki Johnston signed with the Tigers, receiving a $400,000 signing bonus.  This card is from 2000 Royal Rookies.  According to Beckett's catalog, he disappears from all card releases after 2003.  4,950 hand-signed cards.  Just what does that do to a pitcher's hand?

And finally these gems.  I'd like to have a complete set of the Conlon Collection, color version.  My first of these is a Cobb, my all-time favorite Tiger.  That's one beautiful card!

I appreciate these and more so, our introduction.  I needed a Phillies fanatic on my trader list.  I owe you Brad.  Thanks for your patience!