Infield Fly with a side of Fuji - and the Holiday Claw

It feels so good to be catching up on life!  Even with a week off, I still managed to neglect the blog.  Although I was  tending to several blog-related activities...  I packaged and mailed card stacks to twelve bloggers, with three more going out next week. 

I hope you each had a special Thanksgiving Day, spent with friends and/or family - or maybe just a peaceful day at home...or work. Well the possibilities are numerous.  Perhaps I should just share two recent trade packages and pay a visit to the Holiday Claw!

Infield Fly Rule's Adam K. sent a fun package filled with a hundred or so cards, taking care of player collections and those Tiger boys. 

Eleven Tiger 2014 Topps Minis were included.  I love the size of these cards!  They simply feel good to hold, touch, caress...

                 Here are four alongside a full-size 1996 Collector's Choice.

 

I look at these 1992 Donruss cards scanned against a soft blue background and find myself liking them.  As soon as I turn one over, I realize how lucky I was to begin collecting in 1993!  TMI.

 

Piazza, Puckett and Ripken.  Kirby, I miss you.

How much money did Triple Play save using a cartoonist?  Thankful though I am to have these cards. I do prefer that others spend their hard earned money on them, even if it's a dime at a time.

Well Brad.  It's safe to say you got off to a rocky start as manager.  Maybe next year, eh?

Two great plays from Stadium Club.  Hand on hip, glove on knee, foot flat on bag.  I think you're out son.  Fryman on the fly, another out.

Adam has a knack for seeing more on a card than many of us do.  Me especially. My eyesight isn't the best anyway but I've always been keen on details, or so I thought.  He sees Tigers in places I never thought to check. Safe to say there are no plans in my future for a safari.

Then there's this one:

I looked and looked and decided Adam was sending subliminal messages.  I checked the front one last time.  There it was. 

 

Yep, my thumb was on it the whole time.  Seems The Parrett had a good laugh at my expense. The Chicken points in my direction while he shares the joke with Fielder.   Hey Cecil - that chair's gonna give out on ya.  Yeah, I'll get the last laugh.

1993 Topps Jayhawk Owens.    J Owens - that is a very cool card indeed.  Bearing no resemblance whatsoever to me, but a keeper!!!

Adam, thank you!  I had fun with these and know we'll do it again!

SIDEDISHING

The Chronicles of Fuji sent four top-loaded cards of Victor Martinez in his Indian head-dressing. While I enjoy Vic as a Tiger, cards from his Cleveland days are my favorites.  I missed his playing years there completely as they began at the time I stopped collecting.

2008 A Piece of History

2007 Elements

2005 Studio Diamond Cuts   87/300 - note the patched tribute to Larry Doby on his jersey

2005 Skybox Autographics - SWEET



Mark Fujimoto

Such a fun first trade!  I sent one card, pulled from a Panini box.  Mark sent a great thank you!

 

Bloggers like Adam and Mark keep it fun!  I've received much joy trading with so many of you.  To say thank you, I've begun having giveaways fairly regularly.  It's time for some Holiday fun.  To the Claw we go.....

 

 

 

The prize has been chosen!

 

 

 

 

Image borrowed from the invisible world of the internet, with no one to credit.  Thanks to you out there as I'm too lazy to do the photo shoot myself.  This is a NIB 2000 Hallmark Keepsake of Mark McGwire.  I have a soft spot for this guy but not his ornament  or  cardboard.  Comment and share what you will to do with or to this ornament. You will be included in the Randomizer.  Here's the fine print: you must live in the United States.  HOLY COW is that simple?!?!

 

Sometime next Saturday, the Randomizer will choose the new owner.  If you are lucky number five on the list, it's yours! 

Until then, have a great week - and thanks for stopping by!

 



It's Always Something (or No Trades Left Behind - Second Edition)

 Something is always coming between us. Recently, it was work.  The big tax 9/15 deadline. How can our relationship flourish if we don't communicate, if I am not fully present on this page - and yours?  There is progress to note: packages are hitting the mail box!  Yes, it really did happen! Three out in the past week!  Naturally, only after packing and sealing these up did I find the cards I've been searching for - for over two weeks - in the last place I looked.  You may ask - why would she keep looking for them afterwards???  Because I am cracked! 

The last time we met here I shared a few overdue trades.  Well, guess what?  More overdue sharing! Our first featured guest is the ambulance chasing Tony, Off Hiatus. A little harsh you say? Hush. Who asked you. < --- No question mark.

                                                            A complete set of 77 Topps

                                                      COOL 1987 LEAF (Canadian Donruss...)

A lot of minis from 86 Fleer along with a 2012 GQ mini for size comparison:

Kelloggs cards are always welcome here.

2013 Topps Cut to the Chase inserts have been some of the prettiest I've seen in a very long time - likely since the 90s.  Beauties!

The Mark Grace and Alan Trammell below are the two cards that began this trade with Tony.  He received a few packages from back home full of magazines, books and memorabilia long forgotten. Mom did NOT throw them out!  One of these items was a Sports Collectors Digest from 1990 with these cards inside:

I love oddball issues and welcome these to my collection of special cards.  Oddball = special = me.  I am especially odd.

Tony was one of my first trading partners.  He has been more than thoughtful, dropping all of these great cards in the mail as a kind of house-warming gift.  He sent many more than shown here.  It was a wonderful surprise!  Thanks Tony!

Nick, our friend from the world of Dimeboxes sent a fat package too!  Here's a sampling of the awesomeness contained within:

Similar to 1987 Donruss in all but color. 1987 Donruss Opening Day cards have a maroon border instead of black. I didn't have any of these cards! Willie Hernandez spoke from within his papered borders asking to be scanned alongside these unique collectibles for he too, is special.  Willie is cut from an 86 wax box!

Nick remembered my love for the old guys and included vintage and unique cardboard:

Top: 1956 Topps, 1981 Galasso   Bottom: 1985 Woolworth's Topps, 1988 Sporting News

2012 Cooperstown Ballparks- love it!  I'm assembling this insert set so this is greatly appreciated! and I can't say no to a 75 mini!  Shown below is the backside of Brad Ausmus (stop it) aka a colorful 2000 Ultra reverse... Also a Sleeth making an appearance on an auto 2004 Topps Chrome. His signature is a bit hard to make out, just below his elbow.  1994 Collector's Choice Kirk Gibson and Chad Kreuter.  I had hundreds of 94 CC years ago.  I was a card snob and gave them away.  Now I love the design.  What an idiot! 

The back of Gibby's CC.  Such a playful side of Kirk here, rarely seen on the field.  For those wanting the full reveal, Brad's Ultra front side is shown for your viewing pleasure.

Nick, thanks for these sweet selections from your dime boxes!  It was a fun package!!!

Readers, if you've stuck with me this far, you deserve a chance to win a tacky prize! 

1992 Score Rising Stars.  Still sealed, plastic is slightly yellowed.  A lovely edition to your collection of worthless cards from the 90s!  It is a bit unique actually.  I don't own any of these cards. None in my collections anywhere.  If you win and decide to bust and share, I'd love to have the Tigers.   Comment and mention you'd like a chance in the Randomizer.  Three times around and a winner will be chosen! We'll do it Saturday the 3rd, sometime later in the afternoon. 

 Giveaways will continue here at Cracked Bat.  You'll never know what's next unless you check in!  

Have a super week!