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.

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!