A Random Giant - contest results

A note of thanks to those of you who took the time to read Ump Day and welcome my friend to the blog world!  Your kind words were an encouragement to her!  I hope she joins us on another Wednesday, maybe even this week.

Last week I offered a book to this blog's interested readers.



I was elated to find six interested persons,  since the book would go to the fifth person on the list, after five times in the Randomizer. Let's take a look at the results:

ARPSMITH is making room on his shelves for the Piazza book.  ARP is one of the biggest Giants fans out there.  He entered a contest for a former Dodgers' autobiography saying he'd like to give it a read.  ARPSMITH, congrats and I hope you enjoy the book!

A good many of us are enjoying the latest of Heritage and Donruss.  I busted my own boxes with much ado about nothing.  NO auto from Heritage, one pitcher auto and two pitcher relics from Donruss.  I do have a few 2015 packs of Bowman Chrome to bust later in the week for the #supertraders group.  By a few, I mean seven.   Looking forward to sharing these with you then.  Have a good week all!

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Greetings, to be more specific.   Yes your calendar is correct.  One week into February on this hallowed Super Bowl Sunday, I am sharing cards received way back in 2015. True only five weeks have passed, but it seems a year ago. 

There's a good variety to share with you this evening. The first round is from Adam's Cardboard Clubhouse. The very name of his blog evokes what this hobby should be - and that is simply fun.  Except fun isn't as simple anymore. But I'm not here to rant over 2016 Topps. 

Reds' man Adam sent a fun greeting card complete with a note of thanks:

 

I can't remember the last time I received a thank you card from Topps much less one with a touch of gold inside!

 

Because I HAVEN'T!

 

Topps apparent lack of gratitude doesn't go unnoticed but  I  appreciate these 2015 Tigers from that Topps company, or rather from Adam.

 

1992 Upper Deck - great images front and back. Not a Topps card.



1980 SPPC  and 1987 Hygrade

Two cards from unlicensed companies; one a bit 75 Topps themed, much to my liking.

And finally this gem, in a different set of stripes, my favorite Yankee Yogi Berra.  I love this particular photo.  It happens to appear on one of my least favorite Topps designs.  Yogi makes this card look good.  Adam, thanks so much for sharing your cardboard with me!

 

There's another Adam, one who calls himself ARPsmith's Sportscard Obsession.  He sent a touch of the bug.  It's contagious, and beginning to make the rounds among baseball fans everywhere.

 

2015 Topps

 

Most unfortunately, the cure is not 2016 Topps!

Artist Proof, Purple Spectrum, Refractor/399 - the un-Topps 

 

2015 Donruss Jersey Kings and 2013 Tier One

 

It pains me to say it but Tier One is usually an attractive release.  It hurts more that it's not affordable for  the average collector.  The market is flooded with relics and autos while prices at retail are soaring. When will it end or, at the very least, level off?? 

Four new additions to my Caminiti PC. I love these and must point out that four of these are not Topps branded. The Pinnacle Museum with its early Dufex foil background is gorgeous!  Such a nice lot of cards!  Rewarded for simply sending Giants to Adam!  Thanks so much!!

Angus blogs at Dawg Day Cards, predominantly a football based site but full of good reading.  It seems only appropriate to share a few football cards on the big game day!

Library of Parliament Greeting Card

Fathead Stick um

 

I don't collect football cards at all.  My favorite seven year old boy does.  Angus was giving away stacks of cards so I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask.  He was so generous to send the teams my little fella likes, including players like his fave Flacco!  Angus found some baseball to send as well:

 

 

 

There were two fun oddballs in the lot: 1991 Petro-Canada Standups.

 

Not long after I received this package, another envelope arrived.  It contained this gorgeous 1947-66 Exhibits Johnny Groth.  Exhibits are oversized and not for all collectors.  I happen to love them, keeping a special box for bigger cards.

Angus, thanks for your generosity!  I'll have something for you very soon!


The last thank you for this evening goes to Daniel,  It's Like Having My Own Card Shop:

A touch of spring in this classic yellow design from FLEER, completes the set!

 

1974 Topps Mr. Tiger

 

and a couple of relics for my PCs.  All I did was drop some D-backs on him.  That simple!  Looking forward to another trade this season!

The game just ended.  Congrats to Peyton Manning for a great finish to a more than respectable career.  I don't collect football anymore, haven't since 1999 or he'd be in my collection.  Football season is over!!! Yay!!!   Spring Training begins! 

Obsession

Adam of ARPSmith's Sportscard Obsession posted this week regarding a trade we made near the end of 2014.  He was feeling badly for taking so long to share the cards I'd sent, and for having yet to send a return package.  It's coincidental that I am sharing this post today.  Adam was next on my list.  I try to post trades in the order received.  Adam, it seems we all get behind occasionally.  Some of us -me- stay behind.  In my defense, I did take a nearly three week vacation at the end of the year.

This was the first of what I hope to be many trades with this Giants fan.  He started with a sampling of crisp 84 Fleer Tiger stars:

Then Adam kindly knocked a few cards off my list:

I need a good many for 2013 Hometown Heroes completion but only three cards to finish 2014 Stadium Club!  Jeter, Henderson and Eaton are the holdouts, if any of you kind gentlemen could accommodate my efforts. 

2004 Fleer Sweet Sigs Donnie Kelly 79/99.  I didn't realize how long Kelly had been playing ball. Drafted in 2000, he's been in and out of the minors most of his career.  2007-2008 saw him doing time with the Pirates where he made his MLB debut, and with the D'backs.   2009 saw him back to the Tiger organization.  Over time he played every position on the field, including an appearance on the mound during a loss to the Mets in 2011.  He threw five pitches to Scott Hairston who flew out to centerfield.  He is currently signed to a minor league deal with the Marlins.

2004 Leaf Certified Materials Eric Munson  26/100,  and oh so shiny!  No relation to Thurman, Eric could have used Mr. Munson's baseball genes.  Riding the minor/major carousel for nearly ten years, his most recent stint was with the Bridgeport Bluefish, Atlantic League Professional Baseball.

2009 Upper Deck Spectrum of the Mayor  19/99. Card back:  Congratulations! You have received a trading card with Magglio Ordonez Game-Used baseball memorabilia...certified to us as having been used in an official MLB game.  We hope you enjoy this piece of baseball history...Enjoy your memorabilia card!   Baseball history?  Ty Cobb's spikes are baseball history.  A pine-tarred bat - history.  Maris home run 61 - history... The history of baseball is storied and I don't think the Mayor is highlighted in any major points.  How can I enjoy this "history" when the placement of the patch on the card front keeps me from it?  I'll admire it from afar.  It is a good-looking card.

Bryan Holaday's on-card auto  2011 FIRST Bowman Chrome. He is currently backup backstop to Alex Avila, with potential to see real playing time this year. 

 

Bob Kennedy began his MLB career with the White Sox in 1939, at 18 years of age. He lost three seasons to military service, USMC.  He won a World Series with the Indians in 1948.  Bob only spent one year with the Tigers in 1956, playing his last with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957.  Career numbers:  .254  with 1176 hits,  63 homers,  514 rbi  and .958 fielding percentage.  Bob gave managing a try with the Cubs in 1963-1965 and Oakland A's in 1968 with an overall record of  264-278.  He died in 2005 at the age 84.   1957 Topps, taped and trimmed.  Still colorful after these many years, like me.  But I could use some trimming.

 

Adam included one more beauty:  1969 Topps Deckle Edge of Bill Freehan, one of my favorite Tigers.   11x  All Star, WS Champ 1968 and 5x  Gold Glover with career BA of .262,  200 hr and 758 rbi.  Bill was a lifetime Tiger, retiring in 1976.  Until 2002, Bill held the MLB record for highest career fielding percentage .993, and once held the record for putouts at 9941.  Currently 73,  he is battling Alzheimer's Disease. 

 

So there you have it Adam.  You DID send a colorful and appreciated batch of cards!  Thank you!  Wanna have another go?   I have a stack of homeless Giants.