The Delinquent Trade Files

Yes,  the juvenile in me is a delinquent - the adult no better.  I continue my streak of misbehavior with months of unshared trade packages lurking in the closet.  This week we open the door just enough to allow a few into the dimly lit room.

Play at the Plate - Brian Snider

Brian has been a good trading partner.  Over the last few years he posted several times a week.  In 2016, Brian blogged somewhat sporadically with his last post occurring some five months ago.  If any of you know what may have happened to Brian, please comment or email.  I reached out to him via comment and email but have yet to hear anything.  Brian if you're out there, thank you!  We miss you!

Brian sent a #supertraders package:

Certainly there was room for more red foil on the 99 Fleer Warning Track Parallel!!

Addiction is Therapy - Adam Pankratz

I'd been concerned for Adam because several months had passed without a post from him.  I'm happy to see he's still blogging.  I received two packages from him over these past months.   The first contained a 2015 GQ Verlander mini relic and Heritage lots from 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2011.  All were needed for my Tiger team sets!  The second package included Fleer Sticker fun and a Victor Martinez relic!

Adam, thanks for the great selection of cards - and for your patience!  I truly appreciate your generosity!

Mark Hoyle - infamous non-blogger

I received my first ever mailer from Mark!  His mo has been the pwe.   The package was filled with vintage and oddity!  Take a look at those 72 babies! One of my fave all-time designs!  For the odd, he sent two cards from 1968 Atlantic Gas.  There is a 92 Fleer sighting here as well.  This set toys with me.  When I began collecting in 1993, my friend had stacks of these all over her house. Literally.  I'd never seen such disorganization!  I thought these were some of the ugliest cards ever produced. When Fleer fell out of the mailer, I had a little touch of that nostalgic feeling a warm memory can bring.  I was also running a low fever at the time so perhaps it had nothing to do with 92 Fleer.  None the less, I was falling in love with the hobby back then.  92 Fleer was a big part of those days!

Mark, thanks for the cards!  This package was all over the park - super variety!!!

During my absence, I avoided email and wished later that I'd not done so.  If I'm ever going to be away for any length of time, this information will be posted!  Of course, an early demise could prevent me from sharing this info with you directly but arrangements have been made with a good friend to post on my behalf.    Those other arrangements - well - I keep putting them off.  On a back-burner, if you will.

No Trades Left Behind - first edition

So I took the summer off, though unintentionally. During my absence, my trader friends were kind to think of me, often sending little and/or fat packages to my new home.  It's more than past time I shared some of the many cards received. 

Mark Hoyle, notorious non-blogger and heckuva trader, sent one of his famous PWEs before I left Texas.  It was packed before I could scan and share.  Mark has a serious stash of old cardboard and sent a few Tigers:



1963

1964 - love that Freehan!

 While all are sweet cards, this little charmer won me over!  An unlicked? unused? unstuck? Norm Cash stamp from 1969 Topps.  Thanks Mark!  I know it's taken awhile to share and you've been more than patient while awaiting a return package.

Cubbie loving P-Town Tom - Waiting Til Next Year - dropped a little PWE in the mail too. I'd commented on a Sandberg card he received.  He must have had a dupe because Tom wasted no time sending it.  The card was special to me as Ryne is listed as an Oklahoma City 89er. 

    2001 Upper Deck Minors Centennial                               2015 Panini Prizm base

I'm an Okie who spent some time at that old ball park on the fairgrounds.  I don't recall seeing Sandberg play unfortunately.  I went to the games back in those days for the concerts....Oak Ridge Boys, The Monkees, Hermans' Hermits...to name a few.  But let's pretend I didn't just fess up to that.  89er Stadium is long gone, paved over for more fairground parking.  

I wish I could tell you there was nothing else in the PWE from Tom...

Yes, it's time for Pass the Bieber.  Tom, blaming Zippy?  Will the Bieber madness ever end?  Who will be the first to step up and say I will be the change. Bieber stops here with me.  Must we go to the Bieber source, begging for mercy? merci?  which translates loosely into uncle, thank you. ???   What is a mind so twisted capable of???  So many unanswered questions. 

Shall we explore further, this madness?  It's origin?

Kevin Papoy



Behold. The great mastermind behind the Biebering.  A man so generous, Kevin dedicates time and Euros to be your personal shopper.  He searches far and wide and mostly eBay to find the perfect cardboard to share with his friends across the deep blue.  Recently le Papoy thrust a bulging mailer into the hands of a French postal clerk.  I found this package crammed into my roadside mail depository, tired from the long journey. 

                                                            1964 Topps                 1966 Topps

2013 Heritage Chrome/999  and refractor/544

2006 Turkey Red

Pretty little Verlanders

Ovation baseball put out a nice product.  I love the texture on these cards!  2015 Diamond Kings have been my favorite release so far this year. A lot of color and texture on these cards too.  I'm working to complete the base set.

Kevin added a few of my fave players to the mix. A player stew of sorts. 

2015 Tier One - a design I like but can't afford to add more than a card here and there.  Sweet addition!

Did I mention Kevin's generosity?  He picked up some good-looking autos and fancy patches specifically for me.  His thoughtfulness should wipe away any suspicions I have regarding his motivations.  A Bieber mind cult?  Surely not.  The Bieber cards are used as filler only, to protect the prizes inside on their long voyage across the seas. 

        Burn the Bieber?  or Repurpose?   Choose wisely.

Hoyle Can Do 90

Mark Hoyle, uber popular non-blogging trader, is known for vintage.  When he sends it, he lays it on heavy.  Vintage should  be heavy.  I've been a victim, casualty, grateful recipient of Mark's vintage vendetta in the past!  Mark threw me a curve with his most recent package.  He stuffed a  PWE with some 90s cardboard. Thinner cardstock means more cards in an envelope. 

We start with 1995 Ultra and work our way back in time...to the 80s:

95 Ultra held some promise.  The foil around last names was too thick. First names are much easier to pick out on these cards. Photography was good!  Promises were broken with the card's backside.  Name and stats hard to read against the two-toned pictures.

Keeping me a bit off-centered which isn't too difficult, Mark Trammelled me:

                                             1993 Triple Play                    1989 Fleer Super Stars

                                                1988 Score                                 1989 Donruss

   I can't say any of these designs are favorites but I do like the color of Score. These Trammell's were needed.  Below, we have a pair from 1992 Triple Play.  I believe the design catered to younger collectors.  For some reason, this hot red, orange and yellow combo makes me crave sunflower seeds.  Makes NO sense.  I don't like them in the first place.

Here's a little splash o'green just in time for St. Patty's Day with 1993 Select.  This set is probably best know for a condition sensitive Jeter rookie.   Behind all the hoopla, there were the proven players making their humble appearances:

                                     1993 Ultra       1989 I'm Bigger and Better than all of you Bowman

Mark, thanks for taking the time to fill an envelope.  It's always appreciated!  I have a little something on the way to you!

I do want to share another card I received in January.  It was a kind thank you from P-town Tom at Waiting 'til Next Year.    From 2013 Topps, the Kaline 1954 RC patch.  I love the blue borders.  The orange really stands out. The manu-patches are either hit or miss, even within the same set.  This one works for me.  Tom, thank you!