The Quinn Essential Collection

I get a surprise package a couple times yearly from the mysterious Mr. Quinn, non-blogger, non-tweeter. It's harder for me to reciprocate as he collects players I don't find as easily or often: Alex Gordon, Mark Ellis, Hideki Matsui, Zito, Cespedes and good old deceased Billy Martin.  My return packages are always half the size. Folks should be trading with him! He is unbelievably generous. I just can't tell you how to reach him.

Here's a SMALL sampling of cards from the past year.  Jackie Robinsons are always included, even subtly with other players in 42 jerseys.

Tiger cubs sprinkled throughout. In this case a nice blue graph on 2017 Contenders. Not to imply the Tigers are contenders...

The quiet man knows my fondness for the Blackhawks - their jersey in particular. The OPC design featuring Kero is awesomely retro!! Cards like this make me want to add another sport to my inventory.  If you must send these, how can I refuse? Your feelings are important!

Tek-nicolor and gold abound:

Always the shiny stuff:

Always something a bit older than me. [Don't argue. The 1973 date on this card is a misprint.]

These arrived not long ago...cell photos here so quality isn't as nice but oh, the variety is! Shine on, shine on...

Vintage in delightful condition. Please pardon the glare on Eddie's forehead. He forgot his hat.

Hints of Jackie with this good-looking manu-relic.

What's this glorious beast from the Topps Vault? Anyone? I know it's a legit blank back from Topps but I found no place to research the serial number from the card back.

All of this is cardboard at its best, loved and appreciated. Choosing favorites among these children is no simple task but as any good parent must do, the decision was made. POSTERS FROM 1998 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED! Now I know what you're thinking.  These are older than me too. Shucks guys, you are sooo kind.  The only thing I have in common with these are the deep creases right across the middle - of my forehead.

This magical shot of Piazza should've been on cardboard. 

I don't know when I'll hear from Q again. If he happens to read this post then THANK YOU!  Once again, you've added some essentials to my PCs.  I'll never be able to trade with you at this level but will continue to boast of you here!

Unibiased and Dependable - or No Trades Left Behind, third edition

Yes the game of catch-up continues.  If all goes according to plan, only one more post will be necessary for sharing the colorful cardboard contents of mail received over the past few months.  Then I can write with carefree whimsy from my list of blog post ideas! 

From Highly Subjective and Completely Arbitrary came this introductory package of Tiger cards.  Brian reached out to say hello:

I'm a fan of 2015 Tier One.  The black and gold combo is stunning.  The olde English D really shows itself off, just not so well in the scan.  Great design but not in my budget.   2015 Buck Farmer Finest refractor auto.  Bucky is approaching 25 years of age.  It's show time - or no time in the Show. 

Above we have 2008 SPX Joel Zumaya auto, 2001 Private Stock Juan Gonzalez bat chip and 2005 Champions Magglio Ordonez. Of these three fellas, I'm most familiar with Juan Gone-zalez.  He was a big part of my collection in the early 90s.  We broke up when he became a Tiger, oddly enough.  He brought nothing to the team.  The fans here were welcoming and excited to have Juan in Detroit.  He was to wrapped in his own reflection to notice - or care.

2013 Chrome auto RC Bruce-Duck-Rondon.  I say duck because when he's on the mound...you're on the ground.  A little wild at times, other times on the DL.  2008 AG Pudge.  Ivan Rodriguez - a favorite player on any team. 

1959 Topps Johnny Groth, a sweet piece of cardboard history!  Look at that centering, will ya? Coloring, corners - it's a thing of beauty!  1949 Bowman RC George Vico isn't looking to shabby either!

1956 Topps Frank House with a play at the plate.  Who among us would find such action boring?  I demand you speak up!   As cool as this card front is...check out the back:

the classic cartoon!  This is one feature that can't be duplicated.  Even Topps today with cartoon backs, wouldn't touch this magic from the 50s. 

Thank you Brian, for these cards.  Old and new and in-between, all appreciated!  It seems you've waited quite patiently for a return package.  A lot of that going on of lately.  I'm stuffing a mailer this weekend.

And now we come to the contest portion of our blog reading.  Last week, I announced a cheesy giveaway.   If you didn't read or scroll through the post in its entirety, you missed it. There were only six entries which were Randomized tonight.

Cynical Buddha, you are the cheesiest! or is it most cheesy?  Congrats Mark! Let me know if you've moved in the past few months. Thanks to all who read, and to those who entered.  I'll dig through my box of disposable baseball and cardboard memorabilia to find the next prize, to be given away...next time?? Will it be an indecipherably autographed baseball?  Team sets?  Oversized cards?  Bobble-head?  The Claw knows.

Frankie's Yankees

I was away for nearly three weeks during the holidays.  Seems I'm still celebrating Christmas!  Several packages came during that time, one of these was from Frankie Massa.  His blog is My Life in the Sports Card Hobby.  This mature young man is a 7th grader who loves his Yankees.  We are talking about some BIG love!  He contacted me for a trade back in November. After looking over his lists, I didn't have much to offer in the way of excitement - relics, autos etc.   Frankie still wanted to send cards.  I now have some more nice additions:

                              2014 Bowman Platinum Chrome Prospects

                                                                                             2014  89 Bowman Is Back

 

                                                   2014 Panini Prizm Prizms and Prizm...confused?

                                                          2008 Heritage Chrome   #/1959

                                                                  2012 Topps    #/2012

                               2010 Heritage Chrome   #/1961  - one of my fave Topps designs

                                                2014 Bowman    #/250    very nice parallel!

Most all the cards Frankie sent were numbered or signed.  At such a young age, when so many teens are concerned with getting,  Frankie has a very generous nature.

                                                                   2004 SP Prospects  #/400

                                                                 2012 Extra Edition  #/799

                                                            2013 Platinum Prospects  #/175

                                                                       2013 Gypsy Queen relic

From 2009 Upper Deck, these Icons are really attractive foil cards despite the dark scan.  Miggy is #d/999 with his buddy Joel sporting a bright white patch.

So far, we've had a nice variety of future and former Tigers.  Frankie threw in one more card and went w-a-a-a-y back for it - another Frank:

                                                                            1959 Topps
                 
Frank Bolling played 2nd for the Tigers and Braves during his twelve season career. He hit only 106 homers but one was a grand slam off Sandy Koufax on Sept. 22, 1965.  Bolling was a four-time All Star, and Gold Glover in 1958.  His young brother Milt played shortstop for the Tigers in 1958.

Frankie, you're a generous trader.  No doubt your generosity is spread throughout the whole of your life!  I hope you're playing ball again - sooner than expected!