Goals, Trades and Contests - OH MY!

Happy New Year!  I hope your holidays were peaceful, joyful and filled with good cheer!  I've been under the weather with no desire to even log on to the laptop.  It seems like only a couple months ago I bragged about being caught up with trade posts.  Pride goeth before a fall. By mid-December, I was buried by generosity from so many of you.  Posts will be forth-coming, and coming, and coming...

I've been pondering my hobby goals recently.  One thing that must change is how I send trade packages.  For example, this past month I shipped to three different gentlemen named Adam.   I'm honestly not sure if the contents reached their correct destination.  I know these were delivered...but to which Adam?  Did each Adam get the cards intended for him, or those of another Adam?   Only Adam knows.  I think I'll limit shipping to no more than five packages and one Adam at a time.

I'll also be updating my want list with specifics.  I still enjoy blind trades but also plan to offer a trade bait page to encourage a card for card exchange.  Plans are to have my want list and bait page updated by the end of 2016.  I like hard deadlines.

 Let's begin the trade portion of this post with an envelope filled with some homemade holiday cheer.  Baseball Card Breakdown's defgav spread some joy around and was kind enough to include me:

1993 Action Packed          2015 Pro Debut



2000 Gold Label
2015 Bowman Chrome auto

These are sweet new additions to my collection!  But there was another card, numbered 11/12.  Gavin has too much fun as this card reveals:

 I certainly laughed aloud at the sight.  LaMarr would be flattered to know he is still bringing joy to baseball fans - at least twelve of us anyway.  Gavin, you're too much!  Thank you!

SH from ATBATT spread PWE love around the card-o-sphere this Christmas.  I'm not sure how I was chosen as a recipient of his goodness but am grateful!  I collect Jackie Robinson and he had a few to share:

All nice additions to the JR pc!  I hope to repay your thoughtfulness with some Dodger Blue soon!  Thank you and Happy New Year!

 The Night Owl came calling as well.  Greg sent a nice selection of Tigers and a little JR too.  Here's a sampling:

 



Ron was serving 5-15 years for armed robbery before his baseball redemption.



NO wrote that he hoped these did the trick.  I'd say yes, these were a treat!  Thanks as always!!!

Only 20 trades or so left to share. At the rate I post, I should be caught up by mid-May. Any wagers?  No? How about a contest then?  Comment below and specifically mention you'd like a chance at this lovely sealed 1992 Classic Minor League Baseball Set:

Yes there are a LOT of young faces in this set who were never called up. There are also a few familiar faces: Jeter, Piazza, M  Ramirez, Damon, Delgado, Edmonds and more. High BV according to the omniscient Beckett is $25, with a breakdown value of $100.  You want a chance?  Two things: you must live in the USA and should comment specifically to say you want in on the Randomizer.  I'll end the contest sometime next Saturday afternoon, randomize twice and post the results a bit later in the evening.

 

Thanks for reading and sharing this hobby!  I enjoy collecting so much more now that we are friends! 

French Toast

Kevin Papoy sent a package of cardboard collectibles all the way from France (cuz well, he lives there.)  I looked up papoy after discovering his blog, The Card Papoy.  Apparently papoy  is a word that means toy, used by the minions in the movie Despicable Me.  (I'm obviously out of touch with the modern world, surprised by my ability to use today's technology.)  If there is a better definition, do share it with me!

I received a good number of cards not yet in my collection:
                                           
                                                                                 1996 Leaf

       96 SP              95 Upper Deck       93 Upper Deck

 

I enjoyed Leaf issues when I began collecting in 93. I would've preferred less border and more picture on the 96 cards but thought the backs were attractive. Simple stat lines, team logo, two pictures, player name and info without appearing overly cluttered.    96 SP was a nice-looking release though I would've left off the inset photo. Great bunting shot on this Trammel!    95 Upper Deck, simply and beautifully designed. One of my favorite Upper Deck releases.  Kirk is looking quite fit in this pic.  The blurred background appears to hide a limo and hearse, but I could be wrong.  The back of the 1993 Upper Deck card is clean. Good size pic, personal info and a few years of stats.

 

A couple of Hennemans from 94 Upper Deck. I never cared for the smaller photo on the card front but the overall photography is great. One of these is an Electric Diamond, an early 90s parallel.   Cecil looking a bit lost on this 94 Collector's Choice CL card. I like this pic.  Fryman calling his shot (a strike-out) on this UD, also from 95.

Andy Dirks, now a Blue Jay. I hope he has a chance for regular play as a Jay.  I'll certainly keep up with him but will miss his fan-friendly personality - 2013 Topps Emerald foil.  The back of the 93 Stadium Club Fryman reads ...Fryman is being talked about as the next major star - the next Cal Ripken, people are saying.  After a 13 year career:  .274,  223hr, 1022 rbi  in 1698 games.   Ripken gave us nearly 20 years with 3001 games played:  .276,  431 hr,  1695 rbi.    Beloved Sparky Anderson, one of only two managers (La Russa being the other) to win the World Series in both leagues. With the Tigers he held a W/L record 895/777.  Sparky is featured on a CL from 96 Upper Deck, another very attractive set.    Cecil is featured on a Silver Slugger insert from 91 UD and 2013 A&G, both great additions to the Fielder collection.

                                           1996 Stadium Club                        2010 Upper Deck

 

I believe these two attractive Stadium Clubs are the first Tigers I have from the 1996 issue.  All World Insert from UD of the new Venezuelan Mayor. 

Mike Piazza - a personal collection favorite.  Featured is the CL from 96 Score and a gorgeous die-cut, refractorish insert from 97 Upper Deck.  I've never seen this card. FANTASTIC addition to the Piazzas!

The first nine cards of 1997 Upper Deck featured the gifted and talented Jackie Robinson.  These are cards 6 and 7.  Le Frenchman Papoy is toying with me here.  Now I need (must have) the other seven cards. 

Kevin, thank you for the terrific assortment of cards!  I'm gradually updating my Collecting tab with items needed which includes cards from 2013 Topps Cut To the Chase insert series and 2014 Stadium Club base. 

I recently received my first official PWE.  Pat over at Hotcorner sent several great cards which I managed to mix into my collections without scanning.  I truly live up to the name Cracked Bat. Fat little packages also arrived, sent by Mark Hoyle (our community activist/non-blogger), Marcus Pond at Backstop,  Michael Kaiser's Orange and Black, and one just yesterday from Jared, the Masked One.  I'll share these soon, first up will be from Mr.Ten Cents, Nick.

Here's a toast to Kevin, living several thousand miles away and close as the send button. Thank you for your generosity!

Keep it Pink!

First Completed Trade

This is exciting for me!  I get such a kick outta sharing cards.  Recently I've taken to giving away handfuls of extras to young collectors.  (Well, they collect now anyway.) At four and six years of age, it's hard to have extra pocket money.  When they're ten, I doubt the hobby will be any more affordable for them.   But I digress...

The blogosphere's beloved Night Owl  (humble Dodgers fan and conveyer of  much wisdom) sent a sweet little package this past week.  I was fortunate to receive this gift before he began his traditional August hiatus.   Not always knowing what he wants or sometimes needs, Greg relies on his blog network to aid in set completion.  Earlier this Summer, I sent a care package to Greg. We are all busy people.  Taking time for a stranger speaks volumes, to me anyway.  Thanks N.O.!!!

In sharing these little prizes with you, please note I am new with this whole scanning thing.  I'm giving it a try in lieu of photos, as a time saver.  (At least it was suppose to save time.  Not working out that way.)

   

You may have already determined I'm a Tigers fan. If not, please take a moment to view this blog's background design.  I'll wait...

I do not live in Michigan - yet.  I was a local Rangers' fan for many years. Not a club with deep roots, I held on hoping to watch the team make history.  Year after year, one poor decision after another - Arod? - I allowed my loyalty to drift and became a player collector.  When Ivan left the club, I kept up  with him.  To see him in a Tiger uniform is more than sweet!  Pudge may have been 'roid tainted (hopefully by association only) but he still had one of the greatest arms  ever found on a backstop!  What Rangers fan didn't love seeing him make an out with a throw to the base, or a hard tag at the plate?  Ivan is still one of my faves.  I did not have any of the six cards shown.

Greg Maddux is the first pitcher I ever followed.  Thanks to TBS, I was able to watch a few games a week.  The 90's Braves had a phenomenal pitching staff. Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux were hard to beat, as long as the bats were producing.  Many a fan spent 7-9 frustrated innings waiting for the tie-breaking run to cross the plate for a Braves win. I did not have any cards showing Maddux in Dodger blue, nor did I have Tuiasosopo and Monroe.  Monroe was a fan friendly fellow. He signed a ball for me back in his AAA days.

 Dean looking sharp in Tiger duds.

I remember Dean from his days with the OKC 89ers.  He was plagued with injuries throughout his 14 year career. Not the best defensively, Dean had some pop in his bat and a .251 career average.  He's the assistant coach at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee according to the always reliable Wikipedia. This card is a nice addition to my Tigers collection.

 



 

I quit collecting when these two young men came onto the scene - most unfortunately, as their nicer RCs are a bit pricey.  Victor's most collectable issue is from 2001 Donruss Class of 2001 and numbered of 625. I must have picked up a pack of these because I have the Hafner RC.  I wish I'd had the opportunity to watch Martinez behind the plate but happy enough to see him as DH.  Cabrera - wow he looks all grown up!  Was he even 16 in that Marlin uniform?  I hope he has a few good years left in him, contract aside.  I'm paying attention now. Miggy is a great hitter.  His career average is currently around .320.   Both cards were needed.

 

 

I can add absolutely zero to all already written regarding this incredibly courageous  man's story. 

Love these cards - and also needed both! 


"I collect Workman's Comp."              "I'm on TV!"









This photo was not trimmed, nor is the card missing 3/4 of its borders.  The little Canon scanner that could, made the decision repeatedly shave off the edges of this card. Scanning 101 - course not completed.  Dave is a familiar face.  Les Cain is collecting $111 monthly from the Tigers for the remainder of his life.  I hope this amount has been adjusted for inflation, but likely not. I hope Les has had a good life.  I couldn't find information on any other career changes. Great card and a fave from the batch - needed.

 

The two remaining cards from N.O. were also needed and more than welcomed into my collection. While all have been great additions, these are by far the sweetest!

 

The three fine gentlemen pictured here were playing World Series ball when I was toddling around the house. As I get to know my Tigers, these fellows are becoming new favorites.

• Horton: .273 career avg;  325 hr;   1163 rbi.  
• Cash:     .271 career avg;  377 hr;   1103 rbi    
• Kaline:  .297 career avg;  299 hr;   1583 rbi

Classic baseball cards!  What a fun first trade!  Who's next? 

Night Owl -a good sport!