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Saturday, April 28, 2018

SEASON OF CHANGE: a collection in motion

Since the beginning of March, I've missed a lot of good reading around the blogs. Hey - at least I'm consistent, always missing a month or so at a time. I've been working longer hours so the time spent staring at three screens all day has allowed me the opportunity to consider the direction of my collection. I knew change was coming last fall, after months of Judge hoopla. Here we are again in the midst of an Ohtani hootenanny.  I seem to recall, when leaving the hobby in 2001, it was Pujols. Some rookie is hyped nearly every year. Well no longer!  Not in my court and not on my island!

Judge not
Other than new Tigers and the occasional Posey, I collect Altuve. How many Altuves? All I can afford to get my grubby tiger paws on.. Other than base, endless parallels, autos and relics, 2018 Gypsy Queen has no Altuves.  2018 Bowman- no Altuves although Springer and Correa made the cut.  Altuve was only the  2017 AL MVP so of course, I understand the apparent slight. I've resigned to making lists of wanted cards from new product. This will save millions [if not hundreds...] down the road with continued assistance of trade pals! Will I sometimes buy packs or a blaster? Of course! I need cards for you too. Like most of us, I love the sound of ripping wrappers.

My focus of acquisition has been moving towards vintage and mini-collections. My favorite dead guy - sorry - DEADBALL player is Ty Cobb. In fact, the Deadball Era is my favorite period in baseball, period.  I like guys that hit and steal without the homer pomp and circumstance. Lotto aside, I'll never afford his most valuable cards. 1961 Fleer is as old as it gets for now.  At least it was released during his lifetime. Maybe. He passed in July of 61.

Altuve is also a hitter and thief. While he added some over-the-wall drama last year, he is a dependable man on the bases. And he smiles- most of the time! Bonus points. These two men could not be more different but bring me the most joy when looking over their cards.

When I joined the blog family nearly four years ago, I was clueless about mini-collections. I thought there were bascially five types of collectors: new, vintage, team, player and set.  You taught me collecting diversity!  I now have my own mini-collections which feature historical events and music beginning with the late 60s and throughout the 70s, fun player names and shots along with bats and catchers in older gear. I've learned it's ok to collect what I like!

I've had quite a bit of help over the past few months in all these areas.  As I've spent less on new, pals have been filling my set needs. Hitting up my player collections too.  Thank yous are overdue.

      Bubba helped me out with an insert set from 2017 A&G.  I was drawn to the design.
      He included cards from 2017 X [SWEET] minis and foils. I appreciate the help! 
      Ginter got only pocket change from me last year.

Cards from the black X set are tremendous!

   What A Days are the first large insert set I've completed in years!  These were set needs:


       Fellow Tigers collector Phil sent a couple hundred cards including set help and Tigers.
       He included a few for my player collections. 




Ken Caminiti and Darren Daulton - guys who broke my heart, leaving us too soon.
 
       COURTESY OF IT'S LIKE HAVING MY OWN CARDSHOP
       Daniel dropped a pwe on me recently - filled with catchers in old style gear! Righteous!
     
83 and 84 Donruss - two of their best efforts!

Thanks to Matt, Phil and Daniel!  More thank yous ahead! 

A couple of posts back, I mentioned an upcoming first edition of Dupe, Dump or Dwindle. The post has been ready to go for a couple months but the timing hasn't been right. It will be up this week. I hope these upcoming card blasts find their way into your collection! Time to make room for vintage and catchers!

Thanks for reading!

22 comments:

  1. I don't what I hate worse--hooplas or hootenannies. There is a rookie craze each year, but I think it has felt different the past two seasons. I'm excited to see your first dupe, dump, or dwindle post.

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    1. Trevor, thanks for reading! At best, Hootenannies sound like more fun.

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  2. Another great post and a wide variety of cards to look at. Thanks.

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    1. thanks Fred! I've received some nice trades. Looking forward to ours!

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  3. I still owe you a return trade package. I haven't forgotten!

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    1. Hey - I did! :) No worries at all. Hope to see you for Dupe Dump or Dwindle!

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  4. I've cut back on picking up Altuves... but I did manage to snag an autograph of his on eBay this afternoon. It's been one I've been eyeing for awhile. Anyways... it's hard to imagine a product where Springer makes the cut (no offense Springer fans), but Altuve doesn't. SMH.

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    1. cool - what did you pick up? I like Springer too but no Altuve? Dollars remain in my pocket.

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  5. I spy a Marlins Piazza card!

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    1. Yes, indeed. You would be one to notice! Love this card and needed it!

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  6. You're right on about the rookie craze... I remember Harper and Strasburg... Yu Darvish when he came over... Bellinger and Judge last year. I bet other bloggers could help me fill in the gaps, but I bet there was at least one overly-hyped rookie every year.

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    1. There are certainly a few worth the attention but history shows more often than not, most are just average players with a good share of busts along the way.

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  7. I'm with you on the not reading blogs trends, but sadly it's been several months at a time. I'm really hoping my schedule is standardized enough I can keep up with everything. Great cards all around. Love the catchers and the Ginter X especially.

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    1. hi C Gum! nice to meet you (y'all?)! Thanks for stopping by. I'll be over for a chew soon!

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  8. Those 80's Donruss catcher cards are fantastic. I don't have nearly enough Altuve cards, which I realized when writing my Houston post. Couldn't even use that "How Many Altuves" reference like you did.

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    1. I'm not one to keep doubles for any of my PC guys. Altuve is the exception. This guy just outright makes me happy. I haven't inventoried my stash yet. It's safe to say, I have 1000 of his cards. He takes well over a row in a 3000 count box, shared with Ty Cobb. The box is nearly full.

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  9. I love the Ginter X cards. Mini collections are great. They make for a nice distraction when your main focus goes stale.

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    1. what happens if minis replace your main focus?

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  10. Wow those Black X's are pretty. I still have a package for you from my Year For Team Traders. You're next on the mailing list, just a matter of getting to it.

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  11. Prettiest A&G I've seen! you are next on mine as well :) have a stack for you! thanks for thinking of me!

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