From One Crack to Another

In November, I sent one little ole card to Mark of Collector's Crack.  He is a Brewers fan and Robin Yount collector.  I had an oddball card from his want list:

I would've sent more but he was stocked up on all I had to offer. I was happy to drop a PWE his way and expected nothing in return.  Mark was more than grateful to receive a card which had been on his list for over two years. He sent a nice stack of Tigers and a player favorite my way.

The Musial is gorgeous, from the 2008 UD Masterpieces issue. 2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom is a cool design.  I may look for more of my player favorites from this set.

Four more great additions to my collection. I don't stock up on rookies as I did in my collector beginnings of the 90s. No more prospecting for me. Nick is the only rookie I really added this year.  I've picked up several of his more unique cards.  As for sabermetrics, I doubt it will catch on with me. I'm too "old school".  I can figure BA and ERA and am happy with this knowledge.  I have learned enough regarding Wins Above Replacement to know a bigger number is better.

 

 

A nice grouping of 2014 Topps parallels. The gold Iglesias and blue foil Nathan are numbered.  Nathan's card is just plain pretty!  The holographic foil is gorgeous.

 

 

Not all collector's keep these cards.  I do - and did not have this Cabrera.  I wouldn't call it an oddball but an advertisement with redemption code for MLB 14 The Show in-game currency.  The last and only gaming console I ever purchased was the original Nintendo, 1990-ish.  I did however receive the Atari Flashback 5 for Christmas this year!  Now that is fun gaming! 92 built-in games that defined a generation.  Pong being one of these.

 

Mark, thanks for these nice additions to my collection!

 

 

Catching Up: a trade post

I received another fantastic trade package from Jared.  Catching Up with Collecting is one of my regular reads.  If you haven't had the opportunity, please check out his blog!

 Jared sent these cards early last month.  I managed to get them scanned before I left for vacation on the 17th.   Sadly the photos have since been sitting, seemingly abandoned in a desktop folder. They cry for their freedom so today is Liberation Day!

 

 He included a couple of fun Chipz.  I haven't and probably won't purchase these little tokens but it's certainly fun receiving them within a trade. PAWS is a cool-looking cat. Verlander is one of the golden boys.

Keeping them company are 2012 GQ minis of Fielder and Verlander with Straight Cut and Gypsy Queen backs.  I didn't care for this design early on but it's growing on me.  The color is a bit bland for my tastes.

I have a LOT of cards from the 90s but few from either 92 or 93 Ultra.  I like these early full bleed photos and needed both of these cards. Jared included a mint 83 Topps Lynn Jones. Over eight seasons Jones played for the Tigers and Royals, winning a championship ring in 1985.  The Royals won in seven games over the Cards.

 2007 UD Masterpieces Andrew Miller RC.  The scan doesn't reveal the beauty of this set. I like the canvas-like matte finish.  Fryman appears on a mint 93 Topps with Verlander on an 08 Upper Deck.

                                                                        2007 Tristar ProDebut

2008 Bowman Chrome


                                                                       2005 Donruss Elite

2000 Pacific Vanguard

                                                                        2013 Topps Chrome

                                             2013 Topps World Baseball Classic

                                                   2012 Bowman Platinum

 

 

I've often wondered if any fans ever see their image on a card. I don't specifically collect cards depicting the many differing expressions found on their faces. On the 2012 Topps Raburn below I see fear, joy, and drunk - just to name a few.                                                                     



2013 Parallels of WM blue and emerald foil,  2014 red hot foil. Great throwback uni on Valverde!

 

2012 and 2013 Topps Heritage

 2013 Heritage New Age Performers    2013 GQ Avasail Garcia RC

 

 

The card below is a foil mini, non-sticker. After looking through Beckett Online, I still can't identify it.  Alan Trammell is number 12 with 1988 stats and 1989 Topps copyright line. Any ideas? 

 

I'm currently building the 2012 Panini Cooperstown set. This card puts me one closer to completion. 

2012 Topps Golden Greats

 

Upon my re-entry into the hobby last year, one of my first discoveries were these beautiful Cut to the Chase cards.  I also learned how undervalued this die cut set is.   At 48 cards, this hasn't been an easy collection to complete. Thanks Jared! I now need only four - Trout, Jeter, Clemente and Ripken!



2013 Topps Cut to the Chase

I realize I may be one of the few collectors who enjoys Triple Threads base cards.  These are quite thick and not made for paging.  I can't afford to purchase these boxes so when I can find them in big lots, Ebay is my friend.  I hope to score more in 2015 and share them around the blog-o-sphere.

2013 Triple Threads

2014 Triple Threads - Miggy front,  Torri back

 

Hank Greenberg, Denny McClain and Norm Cash from the 1994 Ted Williams issue. 

Someone is always stickin' it to me...

 

Jared sent a mailer full of great cards.  Of all these, this card was my favorite. An oddball from 2013 Panini Golden Age.  A food issue type die cut bread card made to look old:

 

 

Jared, I can't thank you enough! Trading with you is just plain ole fun! Looking forward to more in 2015!  



Bob Does the Walking

...and walk he did. Right to the mailbox with cards sealed in a little mailer. I'm sure they felt secure in their little bubbled world.  Once delivered, I wasted little time ripping open the package.  The first card to free itself was Juan Gonzalez. This was no surprise.  He often put himself before his teammates.

2001 Fleer Feel the Game

I did examine this card closely for any trace of cork. The back of the card states this relic is a piece of an authentic game-used bat used by JG.  This card and its three associates - it isn't known as to whether JG has friends - were ushered into the postal system by none other than our friend Matt from Bob Walk the Plank already.

The second escaping specimen was a Jeremy Bonderman 2005 Zenith Jersey, closely followed by fraternal twin 2005 Zenith Z-Graph 108/200.  Good-looking red foil featuring a patch of grey, and signature on a refractive background.  The confident swatch says it was cut from an authentic jersey personally worn by JB in an official MLB game.  Bonderman has come full circle, returning to the Tigers bullpen in August 2013.  He began his career as a Tigers starter in 2003.  In 2006, he saw his best record 14-8 and 4.08 ERA. He was released in 2010 and spent the first half of 2013 with the Mariners.

                                                                           2005 Zenith

 The last card needed some coaxing but quickly realized the potential of being a collected player.  It would remain sleeved and top-loaded, holding a space behind a little tab with his name on it. Safe.

This pretty little Porcello is numbered 12/99, a sparkly Golden Moments from 2012 Topps.  The white swatch is bright against the orange background and tells us it isn't from any specific game, event or season.  Yes, this swatch has identity issues but will be cared for as if from Porcello's very own closet.  The ugly line to the right-side of jersey is from a stray cat hair. No, a stray cat did not wander onto the scanner.  I assure you, I am not-yet-a-crazy-cat-lady.

Matt, thanks for thinking of me when you mailed these little goodies!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays!  I've been traveling and hope to catch up on my reading this week.  This post was actually prepared right before leaving town for nearly three weeks.  I came home this weekend to a pile of trade mail!  Looking forward to sharing these with you soon.

Happy New Year!

WAXING ORANGE AND BLACK

Michael Kaiser of Orange and Black Wax was kind enough to drop a few cards off via the Big Brown Truck last month.  He had a few extra 2014 Allen & Ginter's to share.  They were all of the Tiger variety, of course.

 

 

What a great dent Michael made in this team set!  I was left needing only the Newhouser, which oddly enough came as  filler  in an Ebay package this week!  Filler.  So wrong.

The self-proclaimed Kaiser the Great's blog has a humorous bent.  He hasn't posted in a few weeks, since the Giants won the pennant actually.  I didn't find any humor in that, by the way.

Michael, if you're still out there - thanks again!

The Cubs Win the Pennant!

The Cubs in 2015?  Waiting 'til Next Year's P-town Tom is wishin' and hopin'.  He's a faithful fan through n through.  With the addition of John Lester to their rotation, it appears the Cubs mean business this year.  I'll be cheering them too!

Tom and I did a little trading recently.  I'm not sure how I discovered his blog, perhaps through Matt's Bob Walk the Plank.  Ryne Sandberg is one of my players. Not coincidently, Tom collects Ryne as well.  I went through his wish list hoping I had a dupe he could use. I struck out on Ryne.  However, we have another collection in common.  We both attempted to build 2002 Topps Total.  I knew there had to be at least one other crack out there! I was a set builder then and thought this will be so much fun!  Is it any wonder I gave up collecting the same year??

                                                                      Attractive Base Card

                                                                              Ugly Insert
The base card design was simple, attractive enough at $1 a pack.  Not a product for anyone looking for nice inserts or hits.   I found a dozen or so cards for Tom. (I have about 200 more, if anyone is interested - hint hint...)   He may be a bit crazier than me!  In his gratitude for these simple cards, I received an incredible selection of cards:

 

1988 Topps UK Mini Trammell - awesomeness!

 

 

 Fun fact: since retiring in 2001, Rico Brogna has coached high school football and basketball.  Rico managed the Diamondbacks AA affiliate Mobile Bay Bears in 2010.  In 2011, he left baseball for good to continue as a high school football coach.

Fun fact:  Tigers re-signed Martínez to a four-year, $68 million contract on November 12, 2014.  Fun for Victor anyway. He plans to retire as a Tiger.

Fun fact: As a teen, Cabrera was a contestant in the Star Quest dance competition back in the early 90s.  He danced to Puttin' on the Ritz, winning fourth place.* 

• 1987 Sportflics Jack Morris
• Gibson running from the Score photographer. 
• Super Cool Fryman! I love this shiny, black bordered card!  Must-have-a-set.  33 cards, high book $4.  Come on Santa!

 

BIZ BRIGHT white swatch of  Jackson, traded to the Mariners this past Summer. Good-looking card!

And now, the Sandberg Report:

WHAT A HAUL! Gorgeous cards and I had only one of these (Gypsy Queen.)  Tom was tremendously grateful for a handful of Topps Total.)  Could it get any better?  Yes?  Yes!!

From 1976 SSPC:

The Good Book offers info on this set for the price of an online subscription. Known as the 1976 Pure Card set due to the lack of borders, logos and signatures. It differs from other sets produced by TCMA in that it cannot be reprinted because of an agreement with the manufacturer.  (A summation offered to you at no charge.)  I like these cards.  Simple, clean, smooth cardboard.

Tom, thank you so very much!  I'm tempted to send you my Total starter set (400 cards or so) in return for your generosity!  I doubt I'll ever finish it anyway.  Perhaps I'll pick it over for cards you still need, so update your list! A fun trade indeed!

If anyone out there has 2002 Topps Total for trade, please check out Tom's list.  He appears to be desperate.  Hey, if the Cubs could win the pennant, then surely Tom could finish this set.
Naysayers, yes he could.


 *This is a  complete fabrication.

Tis the Season

My shopping is complete!  The last items arrived yesterday and I personally thanked my mail carrier for the packages.  I've kept her quite busy this past month. Now it's time to tackle the Christmas cards.  I'm sending a few more this year. Chunky envelopes with gift cards carefully tucked inside.  I only need to personalize the greetings and send them merrily on their way. 

No matter if or how you choose to celebrate this holiday season, I want to wish all of you the best in Season's Greetings. If nothing else, it's a good time to reflect on this year past.  I want to thank those of you who welcomed me into your trading community.  I'm a rookie trader and there were a couple of minor mistakes while organizing trades.  I am THE Cracked Bat, for good reason.  I am human.

Peeking isn't allowed at Christmas. But I'm not traditional, so here's an inkling as to what will be in the cards hitting the mail this week:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !

Post of Shame

I'm a bit or big?  behind sharing some fantastic trades.  I'm ashamed. 

Not my dog (who poops rainbows anyway)

 

All the Way to the Backstop's Marcus Pond sent a great package a few weeks ago.  Five or so weeks anyway.  Please do not think I am unappreciative of your generosity Marcus! 

There are two sets I dream of completing: 1972 and 1975 Topps.  Mr. Pond sent several bright 75s urging me onward. I now have about 25 of the 660 cards I need.   These 75s are sharp cards.  My favorite color combos are green/purple, purple/pink, yellow/blue and yellow/red.  Here's a colorful batch of White Sox:

Of all these players, I'm most familiar with Jerry Hairston. His father was Sam Hairston.  Jerry is the brother of Johnny and father of Jerry Jr.  The Hairston family is one of only three families to have three generations play in the Majors. The Boones and Bells being the other two.  If there are more, please educate me. I'd like to know. *  The back of Jerry's card reads:  In 1971 Jerry led Midwest League 2nd basemen with 121 games, 260 put-outs, 333 assists and 77 double plays.  

Jeter.  He was the one, the only, Yankee I've followed since beginning my collections. His debut coincided with my first player collections.  My other Yank collections include Berra, Mantle, DiMaggio, Ruth and Gehrig.  Those were some mighty cleats to fill and Jeter did.  He wore them well.  So very young on the 93 UD.  Twenty years later, the 2013 A&G.  Marcus, I was quite surprised to find this sweet, condition sensitive Upper Deck card.  Thank you!  It looks pretty darn good!

Here's a couple more great Yanks, and two favorite Tigers:

The Fond Farewells inserts are excellent!  I believe these are from 2014 Topps Update, featured above - Al Kaline.  This may be a little set I'd like to assemble.  Newhouser looks great on this 2013 A&G.   1954 #251 Mantle on The Lost Cards - 60 Years of Topps.  Super gorgeous card!  Unless someone here generously bestows the original upon me, reprints are what I'll own - and happily at that!   The Sporting News graced early collectors with Ruth in 1916 on what is commonly considered his rookie card. Appearing as a pitcher in his itchy scratchy woolen Red Sox uni. The most slender-looking Babe I can recall seeing. This is a 2011 Topps CMG Reprint.  I seriously want this insert set!

Another player fave of mine is Cal.  Featured below on 1992 Topps Gold Pre-Production Sample,

a 2012 A&G and the glorious yellow Bumble Bee 91 Fleer.  This is a fun yellow set of cards.  I am adding it to a list of cheap pick-ups.  Want want want.  Never enough.  See shame photo above.  I'm pathetic.

The newest PC addition is Jose Altuve.  I only wished could watch him play more often.  He's so much fun.  Altuve enjoys the game. One minute he's on first, smiling and talking with his opponent. In the same minute, he suddenly appears on second base still smiling and talking. The second baseman isn't quite as gullible to the friendly Altuve, 2014 AL Batting Champ.



1972 TOPPS MINI

Marcus didn't forget the Tigers, new from the Update set.  I like the All Star cards in this issue.

 A few more Tigers, for good measure.

 Marcus included an auto'd mini from 2014 A&G - Diana Nyad.  In 2013, the 64 year old gained international fame after swimming from Cuba to Key West, Florida without the aid of a shark cage.  This was her fifth attempt.  Man, that is determination! An incredible feat of athleticism. A very cool card to own.  Thank you!

 

 

 My shame is easing just a little.  Marcus is a regular blogger and great trader, and very patient!  Thanks again Mr. Pond!



My Pup, who knows NO shame

*Editor's note:     My friend The Ump has informed me of another three generation MLB family, the Pitching Colemans.  Joe Sr pitched for the As, Os, and Tigers from 1942-1955.   Joe Jr pitched for the Senators, Tigers, Cubs, As, BJays, Giants and Pirates from 1965-1979.  The youngest Coleman is Joe Jr's son, Casey. He is the first third generation pitcher in MLB history.  Drafted by the Cubs, he recently signed a minor league deal with the Royals.  Only time will tell if he too, pitches for the Tigers.