3D ROUND FOUR WRAP with a Visit from Krukberry

Who wins the Gwynns? Round four of Dupe, Dump or Dwindle featured cards from my diminishing collection of this HOFer. Diminishing is not to say dumping.  I'll be honest, and not because my posts are usually filled with atrocious lies because that just isn't true.

Going over my collection, I initially considered dumping him. Gwynn is greatly deserving of recognition but one day may be relegated to a binder page which I'd consider a dump. I simply was not ready to dump him. It felt wrong. It also felt silly to feel wrong about dumping him, even a touch guilty. Perhaps that has do with his premature death. I seem to enjoy collecting mostly the deceased and elderly.

HEADSTONE

A new commenter, Trevor of Bump and Run Football Card Blog was the only one to guess DUMP. I was actually glad to see this guess because one day it will be correct. I do have some good names hitting the dump pile; small PC collections started but never pursued.

A card kept - 94 Fleer All Star

This 3D round was a dwindle. I kept 50 Gwynns, with the remainder going to a new home. We had four correct guesses before comments were closed. These fine gentleman are:  reader Fred Pike, Dimebox Nick, defgav and Jafronius.

Before the winner is revealed - of course you won't jump ahead, will you? - I have a late trade flash. I found a nice little scan buried in my email FROM JANUARY!! Oh the shame. Mr. Peter Steinberg of Baseball Every Night, All the Freakin' Time sent a nice little envelope of Heritage from my wantlist and included A DEAD GUY! See, Steiny knows me!

2003 Heritage

DEAD GUY

{Fleer put out a nice product. Well maybe not ALL the time but Greats and Fall Classic are pretty sweet.}

My dearest Krukberry, thanks for keeping me as a trade pal. I'm addled - er - grateful!

*****

I've kept you waiting long enough, nearly three weeks actually! Our good friends at Random.org have made a decision on my behalf. Four correct comments mean four times around - and away we go!

Jafronius! Jafronius, as long as the link on your blog is correct you'll receive an email from me. If you don't want these cards then Tony goes to defgav.

The next round of Dupe, Dump or Dwindle will feature one of the Bash Brothers.

ALIVE AND WELL

A Fashionably Late Thank You to Collating Cardboard Jones

2018 keeps moving along with me running behind, grabbing at coattails. Why has this year been so hard on me? You stink '18!  Back in March, I received a nice package of cardboard from the cardboard jones-ing man himself, Steve Cornell.  Steve is quite active in Twitterland and can also be found on blogging on Wordpress. 

There were too many cards for scanning. Selecting a few to share wasn't an easy task. I prefer easy. Not to say I'm lazy but the least I can do...usually means just that.  Catchers dominated the package, adding some unique pieces to my collection.

The handsome and smiling face of Javy Lopez can be seen on these SGAs and BBC Magazine cards. Perfect for my Lopez collection! Lykes was the stadium hot dog supplier; Bryan another meat-maker.

I was big on Flair when it entered the market in 1993. It's still my favorite Flair issue. The rolling waves behind the rookie prospects were beautiful.  1994 wasn't the ocean but a watercolor tie-dyed background which worked for me...and it's always about me. If you forget, I'll remind you.

TIGER POWER

UPDATE THROWBACKS - the hideous design of 2015 steals nothing of the glory these cards possess!

2017 TOPPS MANURELIC  Heavy Duty Metal #/99
I like this, especially when gifted!

A pocketful of Poseys!

but not just any Posey - a SSP New Era Cap card!

2015 - Buster's a hitter!

He entered the HOF a Met but Mike will always be a Dodger to me. He was one of my firsts the year I began collecting. We were both Rookies in 1993.

PIAZZA DELIVERY

I've grown fond of Panini.  They are logo-deprived through no mistake of their own. Unless you can say not outbidding Topps [aka paying off MLB] for rights, their fault. Golden Age is one of the best products Panini has given us. Behold the bread winner below:

2013 Golden Age Bread; 1983 Kelloggs

Bread is a breakfast staple but so are cereals. Kelloggs gave us some lenticular goodness throughout the 70s and early 80s. Breakfast hasn't been the same without them.

2001 Topps Relic

The tragic life of Ken Caminiti...his last days were sad ones. This is the first relic for my Cam PC! This card is greatly appreciated! I've also tried a few times, to pick up an auto but am always outbid. 

Steve, thank you for this package of odd and sensational cards!

DUPE, DUMP OR DWINDLE ROUND FOUR: TONY GWYNN

I can hear the haters already; those who assume I'm dumping Tony. She must be out of her ever-lovin' mind, they say. Maybe she's cray cray. Too much anesthesia in August.  Oh the judgement you rain down upon me. It's entirely possible I don't have room for all Tony's cards. It's just as likely I have an enormous amount of dupes. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

HALL OF FAME - 2007

One of the game's all-time best hitters, Gwynn fits my player collection profile. I love base-stealing hitters. [Though oddly enough, I do NOT collect Rickey Henderson.] Tony was a thief over the first several years of his career. Leg injuries and weight gain took what speed he had away. I never watched the Padres unless they played the Braves or Cubs. Tony was another player I collected because he was good. Wasn't I suppose to collect him?  [If you've read the first three rounds of DDD, you might notice a pattern developing.]

Unless you're new to the game, you know Gwynn's career is legendary. Mr. Padre played 20 years for the same franchise, ending his career with a .328 BA; 3141 hits; 319 stolen bases and 135 long balls.  He struck out only 434 times in total! White Sox Yuan Moncada had 217 SOs in 2018 alone. Stanton was right behind with 211!

The strike of  '94 ended what may have been the closest attempt to hitting .400 any player will ever have again. The season officially ended on August 12th that year with Tony batting .394!  The question will always remain: could Tony have have hit or surpassed a .400 BA that year?  Ted Williams was the last to do so - in 1941.  Gwynn did have 19 consecutive seasons hitting .300 or better.

Five Gold Gloves and 15 All Star Appearances

Stole 56 bases in 1987

May 9, 1960 - June 16, 2014

So why are these cards up for grabs? Am I cracked? Freeing up space? Shedding dupes?  Only I know the answer.

THE FINE PRINT

Do you want these cards?  If so, you must be a regular reader with a USA mailing address, be the Card Papoy or a regular Canadian reader. No contest hounds. The rules are simple: determine why I’m giving away these cards.  You must comment with a correct response to have a chance via Randomizer.   Your only response choices are:

•      DUPE  (duplicates)
•      DUMP   (player booted from my collection)
•    DWINDLE  (player collection thinned, only select cards kept)

The next edition of Dupe, Dump or Dwindle will reveal the reason for the removal of these cards from my collection, and our randomized winner.  Remember, only correct responses will be randomized.

Do you need any of these cards?  Leave one of the only three correct responses for a chance to win a stack of Tony Gwynn cardboard. 

I'll wait at least a week to close out this edition's commentary with my own response noting the end of this round.

Accidental Set Acquisitions

I wasn't certain if the Taylor MI show would be viable a couple weekends ago but made it thanks to my bestie needing a Jim Price auto.  I took $80, picking up Heritage High singles and dime card finds.  I was leaving with $25 in my pocket which never EVER happens. My friend stopped to look at one more table. I'm so glad she did because ....

Old Guy on the right.

The next table over was loaded with 1000 count boxes containing two or three sets each.  No mixing of cards allowed. Boxes were 'as is.' There was an older gentlemen with boxes already set aside. Fortunately, he didn't know much about the years 1996 - 2006. He was looking through each box.  I chatted with him politely while working the other end of the table. The only cards in front of him that caught my eye were UD Vintage.  It was quite obvious to me, he hadn't made it to this end because...

Most of these boxes would've been in his stack. I pulled every box that contained cards I wanted or thought would be fun trade material. None of these cards were specific to my want list, which by the way, has been greatly revised.

One by one, I've gone through each box to find complete base sets. The original owner included the parallels pulled too! I've decided to keep the majority of them intact but am busting a few for trading.

One of the first sets broken was 2001 Fleer Futures. These were some of the last cards I purchased when I stopped collecting in 2001. With their sandpaper finish, I thought they were ugly then but bought them anyway. As a collector, that's what I was supposed to do...buy everything. 

The future was ugly.

The same box also contained 2001 Ultra and Greats of the Game.  I was fortunate the stranger started at the other end of the table. He now had at least ten boxes set aside, greedy old snot. This was mine! I didn't have a complete Greats set. Looking all 'Stadium Club', Ultra has been on my wish list for years - one of its best issues.

Great find!

My favorite Ultra is Michelob but these will do in a dry moment.

ULTRA GOLD

The second box contained 98 Ultra and Dugout Axcess. Though I don't care for the font, this Ultra had been on my radar for many of the photo selections used. Now I have the whole set!!  I'd come across an Axcess card or two in dime boxes. Thin and flimsy cards, I can't help but wonder what these sold for originally. I've plucked some keepers including the Name Plates. The rest - bye bye.

EXCESS

Cam, catcher beauties, floating bats, musicians and baseball! Piazza Pizzazz!

Gold Parallels here too!

Box three provided 2006 Fleer Tradition, Fleer Showcase and Ovation. Tradition does nothing for me. I kept the Verlander rookie and Tigers but the remainder is...meh.  The choice to break Ovation wasn't as easy. Of 126 cards in this set, 41 are short-printed and not included here. I love these cards but have no space for sets I'll never complete.

NON-TRADITIONAL

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO

Showcase? A beautiful set headed for the binder! Hey old guy. Look what I got!

SHOW-OFF

Two boxes remain.  One contains 2000 Skybox and Skybox Metal. What a cool set Metal was in its time.  There are a healthy number of parallels too. No need to rush a decision on this one. I lean toward keeping it intact.  Skybox on the other hand, or three arms...

made the decision easier.  Favorites kept. Cards like the one above and these:

fit nicely into my collection. While the full bleed colors are sharp, most of the set has a blurred or shadow effect that doesn't appeal to me.

METALISTS

EMERALD GEMS

The final box was nothing less than miraculous as far as 90s sets go. I couldn't believe my eyes. Stealing a quick glance at the old guy to make sure he wasn't encroaching upon my territory, I calmly removed this box from the bottom of a stack. Every single card of the three 1998 Fleer sets within were accounted for: Sports Illustrated, SI Then and Now and SI World Series Fever.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

THEN AND NOW

WORLD SERIES FEVER

If you've stayed with me to this point, you may wonder what all of this glorious cardboard cost.  The old guy had someone take ten boxes to his car but he was still stacking 'em high. Why he didn't just buy out the table, I'll never know. I do know I saved him at least $25. That's all I had left.  $5 a box. All sets but one were complete.  I still can't believe the deal.

Thanks Old Guy!

3D - ROUND THREE RESULTS: JEFF BAGWELL with a side of PWE

I took my sweet time with this one, blaming surgery. I wonder how long I can get by with this??  While I've been away, a couple more Bags were found and added to the stack. There was a fair amount of participation this time but hope to see as many, if not more, responses in Round Four.

On the chopping block??

We had a few guessers guessing for the fun of it, I guess. Of all six official Dupe, Dump or Dwindle responses, there were three dwindles, three dupes and zero dumps.  RAZ commented: I have to guess DUPE. He's too good a player and you have that grand slam memory associated with him. You can't abandon that sort of player collection.  And he is correct.  I pulled my dupes for offer to someone with equally refined taste.  There is no true dwindle here. I have over 100 Bagwells but currently no intention to add more cards - unless of course, a gorgeous Stadium Club presents itself. That or some wildly colorful 90s oddity.

There were three correct responses. We'll use this number to randomize and determine Jeff's new address. 

While I have your attention, take a look at these beauts  from Oscar @ Stealing Home aka ATBATT. He sent a pwe hoping these cards would fit into my collection. Oh yes, Oscar. Indeed they do! New, old and auto'd!  Thank you!

A few of my favorite vintage years are featured here - 1960, 1972, 1975. I also love 1954 and 1958. 1971 and 1973 are nice too.  But then I like 51 and 52 Bowman. Of course there's also...

And now, the great and powerful Randomizer has spoken:

RAZ - if you are still interested in having the Bagwell stack, please email your address to: acrackedbat at gmail dot com.

Thanks to all who commented on the Bagwell post. Round Four will be up soon featuring yet another HOFer. Oh boy, I can't wait for the response.

The Way We Were

Where ever did I leave off? Oh yes. Elbow surgery. It's kept us apart and currently, aggravating the heck out of me. This elbow. It refuses to allow the simple pleasantry of extended keyboard time. I returned to work a couple weeks ago and there's no avoiding the keys there! The real job uses up most of the tolerance I have. By the time I'm home, the arm is done.  Card sorting is difficult as well. Keeping the elbow bent creates unhappiness.  One thing I have accomplished - sorting my Altuves  and Cobbs by year and logging these thru 2017!  On a printed checklist.  Don't go running to the TCDB. That would require my time on a keyboard. Many players remain to be sorted but there's always knee surgery...

I owe you an answer to my last 3D post: Jeff Bagwell. I assure you, it's forthcoming. There are more cards looking for homes too. I've overhauled my want list.  I continue to collect Tigers but more carefully. I just can't use cards from 1980-1994, having them many times over.  The list will be updated more often as well. Thanks to all of my many trade pals, whose generosity pushed me to eliminate player collections from the list for now.  I'll add specific player cards in the near future.

This is a good time to share a few more of the packages received in the past year. Each of these jolly good fellows deserves an individual post. I can't wait that long. They have waited months.

NIGHT OWL CARDS
A great mix of old and new here from the great repository of cardboard history, Night Owl. I can say new since these were rec'd less than a year ago and rather new at the time. Ha.  Really tho, 76 Topps, 81 Fleer. Player collections. Tigers. A very nice JD Martinez /99.  Always grateful to you,  N.O.!

PAWS wins here, hands down!

What's a Wockenfuss?  Snuffleupagus comes to mind.

Champ Summers belongs in every collection. Does too.

If flakes are gonna fall, better on the card than in the yard.

JOHNNY'S TRADING SPOT
John Miller is a crazy man. The proof has found its way to my porch twice - in July and this past week. Both packages contained THOUSANDS of catchers. THOUSANDS. This will keep me sorting all winter long. I have never been Zippy Zapped or Bipped but now know what it's like, catchers in the wry. Needless to say, catchers were also removed from my want list. Unless it's 79 or older, I won't need it. He also sent a mailer a while back filled with an assortment of shiny and colorful Tigers.

CROWN ROYALE NEEDS TO MAKE A COMEBACK!

1998 Skybox Thunder. Lightning and the Thunder.

2005 ZENITH

THE SHINING

My Tatas!

THE CARD PAPOY

Kevin - writer, collector, musician and my friend in France! He shops ebay and comc for his trade pals, always choosing a little vintage and snappy relics or autos. He sent a sweetly packaged mailer earlier in the year. Here are some of the surprises it held:

BIGGIO heavy duty 2016 VAULT METAL
02 MUSEUM SANDBERG /199

ATTRACTIVE GINTERS!

PUDGE 01 UD GLOVE RELIC
PIAZZA 02 HOT PROSPECTS

NEWLY RETIRED VMART - 2017 MUSEUM

2017 THREADS #/18 - sweet card!

2017 GOLD LABEL HEAVY DUTY AUTO
paper weight...that's a pun

I want to continue trading so if you don't mind waiting to see your cards posted, I'm the gal for you. What a crazy few months it's been. I can't help but feel good with the progress made regarding my own collection. I've had stacks of cards for trades on my hobby table for sometime. These are hitting the mail, a couple per day, over the next two weeks. Other than PWEs, I won't be shipping again til next year, late spring. Waiting til spring allows me time to work on my collection and get through another busy season at work. If I still have the same job... It also gives me time to find cards for you! It is all about you! Without you, I wouldn't be here today. You have only yourselves to blame.