From One Crack to Another

In November, I sent one little ole card to Mark of Collector's Crack.  He is a Brewers fan and Robin Yount collector.  I had an oddball card from his want list:

I would've sent more but he was stocked up on all I had to offer. I was happy to drop a PWE his way and expected nothing in return.  Mark was more than grateful to receive a card which had been on his list for over two years. He sent a nice stack of Tigers and a player favorite my way.

The Musial is gorgeous, from the 2008 UD Masterpieces issue. 2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom is a cool design.  I may look for more of my player favorites from this set.

Four more great additions to my collection. I don't stock up on rookies as I did in my collector beginnings of the 90s. No more prospecting for me. Nick is the only rookie I really added this year.  I've picked up several of his more unique cards.  As for sabermetrics, I doubt it will catch on with me. I'm too "old school".  I can figure BA and ERA and am happy with this knowledge.  I have learned enough regarding Wins Above Replacement to know a bigger number is better.

 

 

A nice grouping of 2014 Topps parallels. The gold Iglesias and blue foil Nathan are numbered.  Nathan's card is just plain pretty!  The holographic foil is gorgeous.

 

 

Not all collector's keep these cards.  I do - and did not have this Cabrera.  I wouldn't call it an oddball but an advertisement with redemption code for MLB 14 The Show in-game currency.  The last and only gaming console I ever purchased was the original Nintendo, 1990-ish.  I did however receive the Atari Flashback 5 for Christmas this year!  Now that is fun gaming! 92 built-in games that defined a generation.  Pong being one of these.

 

Mark, thanks for these nice additions to my collection!

 

 

Catching Up: a trade post

I received another fantastic trade package from Jared.  Catching Up with Collecting is one of my regular reads.  If you haven't had the opportunity, please check out his blog!

 Jared sent these cards early last month.  I managed to get them scanned before I left for vacation on the 17th.   Sadly the photos have since been sitting, seemingly abandoned in a desktop folder. They cry for their freedom so today is Liberation Day!

 

 He included a couple of fun Chipz.  I haven't and probably won't purchase these little tokens but it's certainly fun receiving them within a trade. PAWS is a cool-looking cat. Verlander is one of the golden boys.

Keeping them company are 2012 GQ minis of Fielder and Verlander with Straight Cut and Gypsy Queen backs.  I didn't care for this design early on but it's growing on me.  The color is a bit bland for my tastes.

I have a LOT of cards from the 90s but few from either 92 or 93 Ultra.  I like these early full bleed photos and needed both of these cards. Jared included a mint 83 Topps Lynn Jones. Over eight seasons Jones played for the Tigers and Royals, winning a championship ring in 1985.  The Royals won in seven games over the Cards.

 2007 UD Masterpieces Andrew Miller RC.  The scan doesn't reveal the beauty of this set. I like the canvas-like matte finish.  Fryman appears on a mint 93 Topps with Verlander on an 08 Upper Deck.

                                                                        2007 Tristar ProDebut

2008 Bowman Chrome


                                                                       2005 Donruss Elite

2000 Pacific Vanguard

                                                                        2013 Topps Chrome

                                             2013 Topps World Baseball Classic

                                                   2012 Bowman Platinum

 

 

I've often wondered if any fans ever see their image on a card. I don't specifically collect cards depicting the many differing expressions found on their faces. On the 2012 Topps Raburn below I see fear, joy, and drunk - just to name a few.                                                                     



2013 Parallels of WM blue and emerald foil,  2014 red hot foil. Great throwback uni on Valverde!

 

2012 and 2013 Topps Heritage

 2013 Heritage New Age Performers    2013 GQ Avasail Garcia RC

 

 

The card below is a foil mini, non-sticker. After looking through Beckett Online, I still can't identify it.  Alan Trammell is number 12 with 1988 stats and 1989 Topps copyright line. Any ideas? 

 

I'm currently building the 2012 Panini Cooperstown set. This card puts me one closer to completion. 

2012 Topps Golden Greats

 

Upon my re-entry into the hobby last year, one of my first discoveries were these beautiful Cut to the Chase cards.  I also learned how undervalued this die cut set is.   At 48 cards, this hasn't been an easy collection to complete. Thanks Jared! I now need only four - Trout, Jeter, Clemente and Ripken!



2013 Topps Cut to the Chase

I realize I may be one of the few collectors who enjoys Triple Threads base cards.  These are quite thick and not made for paging.  I can't afford to purchase these boxes so when I can find them in big lots, Ebay is my friend.  I hope to score more in 2015 and share them around the blog-o-sphere.

2013 Triple Threads

2014 Triple Threads - Miggy front,  Torri back

 

Hank Greenberg, Denny McClain and Norm Cash from the 1994 Ted Williams issue. 

Someone is always stickin' it to me...

 

Jared sent a mailer full of great cards.  Of all these, this card was my favorite. An oddball from 2013 Panini Golden Age.  A food issue type die cut bread card made to look old:

 

 

Jared, I can't thank you enough! Trading with you is just plain ole fun! Looking forward to more in 2015!