MONTHS MAY PASS But These Cards Still Matter

Holy Calendar Batboy! It might appear I'm lacking in gratitude but it's only poor time management. I have scans saved which date several months back. Happiness would abound could I only manage a weekly post. I have fantasies wrapped around daily posts but these are truly dreams. During the week, I have three hours of free time available each day. That's all.  It's simply impossible to live a whole life within those three hours and a weekend. So while we are here, let's take a trip back in time...

It's September 2017.  Days are warm but evenings are beginning to cool into the 50s. The Astros are two months away from winning their first championship. I'm in the midst of a filing deadline.  Our resident Rockies collector Infield Fly Rule just sent over a few cards missing from my Tiger team sets and some for a mini-collection:

1993 Ultra

1992 Topps

Adam sent my first J. Owens three or so years ago.  Before I'd begun a full-on catcher collection,  these were simply fun.  I do keep any new cards that come my way with an Owens on front. The exception would be HENRY.  I have one HENRY and that's more than I [or anyone] ever needed.  Send me no Henrys and we'll all remain friends.

Around this same time, Chris The Collector was doing rounds of  50/50 Trades.  He sent 50 cards of your team for 50 Reds.  I believe we managed a 100 card swap. I received Tigers, Astros and a few for PCs. This was our first trade:

                        

So much greatness going on here. I was most excited to find cards for my PCs. With the exception of Piazza, many of these guys were/are Astros! These Caminitis are special.  Thank you for reaching out!  We must do this again!

Skipping October, November brought much cooler temps and cards from Angels in Order.  Tom sent my first Manwaring. I gave his cards away countless times over the years. Now, I want them. Tom had a nicely framed 2013 Topps #'d 4 of 10 Scherzer on hand as well.

                                                                       1993 Topps

Four of Ten Scherzer?  Super indeed! But the real gems were these 1977 Pepsi cards with tabs still intact:

Inserted into cartons of Pepsi,  these discs pop-out of a glove-shaped tab which includes a checklist.  I've wanted a few of these!

This post was ready to go when another package from Tom arrived. One hundred cards evenly split between Astros and Tigers with a couple of pc guys tucked in! Tom collects checklists. He had the missing piece of my 1985 Wendy's set! Several cards were included from smaller set releases.

Ginter Stros! 2010 Pence and 2008 boys:

How about this 1996 Leaf Steel Derek Bell? My first taste of heavy metal cards. I know I purchased some of these upon release but have none left to prove it. I lightened the scan but it doesn't show well.

And finally, a classic from Classic - diggin' the beach umbrellas! Swinging for the shoreline was this Astros'  2nd round, 48th pick:

Thanks for your patience guys! If you've sent cards, I will share them!  'When?' is the question.  Hmm, another contest idea.  

My next post will be a Dupe Dump or Dwindle winner and round three edition. I don't have space for all the cards being offered in my 3D posts. If you find a player has been ditched from my collection, it is not a reflection on his career, but rather my personal interests. Don Mattingly was the first to be completely eliminated. To keep this in perspective, I love Babe Ruth but don't actively collect a man that many consider the greatest of all time. It takes a special or oddball card to make it into my small Ruthian collection.  The hobby is big enough for all of us to collect in whatever way suits our interests.  Gotta love that!

Thanks for reading y'all!

Frankly, It's a Trade Post

Is there an obligation to share when trading? This post is a tribute to a good number of trade partners. Until I can share some of the cardboard glory from bloggers kind enough to send it, trading doesn't seem right.  That's my conscience talking certainly, but those are my rules.  We all live busy lives and when the cardboard comes a knocking, there isn't always time for scanning.  It certainly put me behind.  Once I found time to return to the blog community, I had a massive amount of trades to scan and share.  My aging scanner gave me the opportunity to take an easier path and use the smart phone camera.  

First up:  Jedi Jeff of 2x3 Heroes' has likely forgotten about these cards by now.  My favorites included a Cat and his litter along with awesome tattoos, a nice relic and a mini!!!  Thank you Jeff.  I appreciate the grace given for the time it's taken to share these!

 Our second Jeff of this post,  Bubble gummer Jeff Jones packed a lot of pop into a small mailer:

The 2008 Verlander First Day Issue is a sweet looking card.  Nice addition to the JV collection! Thank you Jeff! I appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Rolling along with the JJ's, here's a peek at a mailer from The Junior Junkie. There's a lot of shiny to be found with Pacific die cut base cards and Trammel in his Dufex Foil glory.  Hope to see you on the blogs again soon TJ - thank you!

Skipping over a few letters of the alphabet,  it's Angels collector Tom this time, who sent a package made to order.  A Porcello Rookie and a sweet Salt Lake Bees Ty Cobb can be found among a smattering of high school grad photos from 92 Stadium Club Dome and an overall great selection of cards.  Thanks for this fun lot of cards!!!

All of these packages contained more than the cards shown here. I have learned it isn't necessary to share all the cards however, it's always necessary to say thank you.

Happy Hot Dog courtesy Google Images

Ordered by the Angels

Tom is the host of Angels...in Order.  Tom began blogging in 2009, posting regularly. It took me several months to come across his blog!  Seems his Angels were hiding.  If you haven't traded with him, check out his want lists.  The one I found most interesting is a checklist collection.  I think of all those I tossed over the years.  You too, eh?  

We recently completed our first trade.  He sent a generous helping of Conlon Collection which I'll share another time.  Tom also included Tigers and favorite players from my list.


70s Topps Vintage
                                                           1979                                            1976

                                                          1973                                                  1976


                                                                          1976 Checklist

                                                                       2012 Topps Mini

I like holding these Minis.  The size of the card is comfortable in my hand. Reminds me of 50s Bowman I think.  Great card!

                                                                  2006 SP Legendary Cuts

A favorite card issue!  Two time Cy Young winner Denny McLain won 31 games in 1968.  Over 10 years, he racked up 131 wins against 91 losses.  Career ERA 3.39

                                                                  2009 Goodwin Champions

Nice looking Ripken - which is surprising to me. Blue sky reminds me of early Bowman.  I'm only familiar with Champions of the last two years.  Most of the images I've seen aren't too good...and I'm being polite. For instance:

This may not be too  awful.  How about Pete Rose:

 Nolan and Pete appear courtesy of Google Images.  I do NOT own these cards.  How does Goodwin compare to A&G and GQ?  How many of you like Goodwin, and why?  Hits?  Design?  I'm interested in your responses.

                                                                           1993 Ted Williams

                                                                             1994 Ted Williams

Did you know Bob Gibson played with the Harlem Globetrotters before beginning his baseball career?  Apparently he had quite the back-handed dunk.   

Rube Foster 1879-1930; known as the father of Black Baseball; founder and manager of the Chicago American Giants. He organized the Negro National League, the first professional league for African American players. An outstanding pitcher in his own right, Rube was elected to the HOF in 1981.

Elston Howard  1929-1980; began his baseball career in the Negro Leagues,  playing for Buck O'Neil's Kansas City Monarchs.  As baseball finally welcomed the Negro League stars, he became the first African American to play for the Yankees.
 
Willie Mays: say hey, he began his career in 1947 with the Chattanooga Choo-Choos.  Mays moved back home to Alabama to play with the Birmingham Black Barons, winning the pennant and advancing to the Negro League World Series where they lost to the Homestead Grays.

An oddball, Tigers style!  A 1999 Ballpark Franks giveaway celebrating 75 years of Tiger Stadium.  A ten card set, passed out two cards per game over five games from May thru September. These two cards were still in the giveaway envelope, from Sept 25 1999 set #5 :

Tom, how awesome, totally!  In my best valley girl voice...  Thank you for these cards and the beautiful Conlons!  I hope we can trade again.  I'm stocking up on Angels, but you'll have to put them in order.