April 29, 2023 Graphing of Long Island Ducks at High Point Rockers

Graphing independent ball is a challenge that is a bit different than affiliated ball.  You have to have a wide range of cards, and a lot of time devoted to finding stuff of the guys on the teams you're going to see.  I had found out that Daniel Murphy had signed with the Long Island Ducks and that they would be visiting High Point on a weekend that the Down East Wood Ducks were out of town.  So, I planned early for a trip to High Point, and took a bunch of cards with me from some older boxes.

I got Murphy on two cards, which was nice.  I got him inside pre-game, and outside after the game.  I wish I had put the Gypsy Queen parallel that I had in my book by itself so I could have gotten that signed, but I was still happy that he hit this 2016 Topps Chrome.

He signed this 2019 Topps outside.  I had hoped he would do more than one outside, but I am still happy with what I was able to add to my album.

Wally Backman was the first signer for me yesterday.  He signed two inside pre-game and one outside as he was walking to the bus.  He was nice enough, even though he didn't say a whole lot.  I was glad to add a couple of these 80s Topps and a 1992 Upper Deck to the album.

I had to raid my factory sealed 2006 Topps set to get the two Lew Ford 2006 Topps cards.  I also had to raid my hand-collated 2005 set for that card, as well.  I went ahead and ordered replacements in case I was able to get him on all three, and I did well.

Adieny Hechavarria was really cool.  I got him on everything in my book pre-game, right before the National Anthem.  I refilled what I had left, traded a 2015 Bowman for the 2010 Pro Debut and got him again outside after the game.  He was super nice, and commented on how he liked the 2018 Topps Big League card.

I was surprised that I had some Sam Travis cards.  He was nice, as well.  I felt bad but I presented a ton of cards to Edward Salcedo, since I didn't want to put any 2010 or 2012 Pro Debuts back in the box.  He didn't seem to mind signing a bunch of the same cards, so I have some stuff I can send out in some blind trades.

Al Albuquerque was nice.  He made like he was going to sign for us, walked away with a hat, then made like he was coming back; then he finally did come back and signed everything I had.  I don't think he was messing around, he looked like he was trying to find someone.

Ian Clarkin was the starter, so I was unable to get him before the game.  So, it was guaranteed that I was going to try to get some autos outside after the game.  He was really cool outside.  He talked to me, along with a couple other graphers about his night.  He also commented on how fun these mini Bowman Chromes are.

I also got three other different Bowman Clarkins signed; his 2014 Chrome, 2014 paper and 2015 Chrome.  He signed some extras, no problem, so I have even more trade bait.

I was worried that I missed Kyle Lobstein, so when a pair of players walked outside, I asked them if Lobstein was still inside.  One of them said "I'm right here" and he signed my cards.  We laughed a bit, but he was really nice.

Matt Vogel got shelled in the game, but was still nice enough to stop and sign my two cards at the dugout post-game.  I appreciated him stopping, even though he didn't have to.

Finally, I got Frank Viola to hit a page in my book of a bunch of different cards.  I was surprised that out of all of the cards he signed for me, only one of them was one I had gotten before.

I had a snap case sitting on a desk here at the house from a past trip to High Point.  I was glad I had found it and got some Violas out of it and into the autograph album.

In all, I got the following autographs: Al Alburquerque x 5, Wally Backman x 3, Ian Clarkin x 7, Lew Ford x 3, Adeiny Hechavarria x 9, Kyle Lobstein x 5, Daniel Murphy x 2, Edward Salcedo x 10, Sam Travis x 4, Frank Viola x 8 and Matt Vogel x 2 (58 total autographs).

TTM Success - Lorenzo Cain

With the sheer amount of cards that I have, sometimes I am lucky to find a nice card that I'd like to get signed when a private signing comes up.  I knew about this purple refractor from 2016 Topps Chrome when I saw an announcement for a Lorenzo Cain signing, but figured it was well buried in my boxes of cards.  I happened to find it fairly quickly when I was looking for something else, so I went ahead and sent this off to the signing.  I figured if I didn't send it off then, I wouldn't have another chance to get it signed.  The card turned out nicely.

Cain (b. 1986) has played in the majors since 2010 for the Brewers and Royals.  He has 1,220 hits, 87 home runs and a .283 batting average.  He is a two-time All Star (2015 and 2018).  His best MVP finish was 3rd (2015, AL).  He won the World Series in 2015 with the Royals.

I mailed to the signing on October 28 and got the card back on November 21, for a 24-day TAT.

TTM Success - Troy Tulowitzki

Two attempts is what it took for me to get a TTM success back from Troy Tulowitzki.  Who knows where the first one that I sent ended up, but I was able to get some really nice cards signed.

I really like the Perspectives inserts that came in 2015 Topps.  I was glad that I was able to find this one in my boxes and get it back signed.

I also had Tulowitzki sign a 2016 Topps Chrome x-fractor and a 2010 Allen & Ginter sketches card.

Tulowitzki (b. 1984) played in the majors from 2006 to 2017 and 2019 for the Rockies, Blue Jays and Yankees.  He had 1,391 hits, 225 home runs and a .290 bating average.  He was an All Star 5 times (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015).  He won the Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award in 2010 and 2011.  His best MVP finish was 5th (2009 and 2010).

I mailed to Tulowitzki on January 11 and got the cards back on January 27, for a 16-day TAT.  I mailed to the University of Texas.

TTM Success - Jorge Soler

During the pandemic, I sent off to some current players at their home addresses with the hope that some of my cards would come back signed.  I had seen some players were signing, and I didn't really have much to lose, except for some cards and stamps.

I sent off to Jorge Soler after seeing that he had been signing, and came away with some really nicely signed cards.  The above 2016 Topps Chrome Future Stars really turned out well. 

Soler also signed a 2014 Panini Prizm and 2015 Panini Diamond Kings.  Both look really nice, and I am glad I was able to find these in my boxes and send them out.

Soler (b. 1992) has played in the majors since 2014 for the Cubs and Royals.  He has 424 hits, 91 home runs and a .265 batting average.  Last season (2019) he hit 48 home runs, leading the AL.  He finished 21st in the AL MVP voting last season as well.  He won the World Series with the Cubs in 2016.

I mailed to Soler on May 18 and got the cards back on June 4, for a 17-day TAT.

IP Autos From Nick

My good buddy, Nick, has been graphing in Columbus, and has hooked my up with a ton of autographs.  I lost count on all of the packages of cards that I have sent him, but he has come through by getting it all signed.

I was really glad to see that he got me this Nelson Rodriguez, because I love these cards.  I should be able to get at least one more of these cards signed this season.

Nick was able to get a few Richie Shaffer cards signed for me, most notably this 2016 Topps Chrome refractor.  It turned out really great, I think.

Nick also helped me with these two Shaffers, as well.  Here is a different Team USA card, but still a nice one.

He helped me get this Jerry Owens signed for my good friend, Josh.  Josh pulled this out of a repack box, and I told him I would try to see if Nick could get it signed.  Luckily, Nick came through, and hooked me up.  It looks nice; I wish I had one, as well, because deep down, I really like Fleer products.

These Owens cards also turned out really nice.  I liked the 2007 Topps Chrome.  The Upper Decks turned out great, as well.

I remember a time when I had no signed 2008 Topps, but now, I have a bunch.  This one is just the latest to make the list.

Here are some Steve Karsay cards that Nick helped with, also.  I added a nice 1998 Topps Chrome, along with the '98 base.  I also added another 2001 Topps to the album, another set that was really under-represented.

Finally, here are a few more cards that Nick got for me, that I really enjoyed seeing.  Karsay has a great signature, I think.

Nick is working on a few more cards for me, which I hope to see soon.  Thank you so much for the help, Nick!  I really appreciate it!

Instagram Trade With Wrigleywarrior

 I completed a trade on Instagram recently that landed me some nice Orioles parallels that I didn't have in my collection.  This 2016 Topps Chrome Zach Britton pink refractor is pretty cool.  I'd like to try to get it signed at some point.  These aren't numbered, but still a nice parallel.

I also got a Frank Robinson Gypsy Queen mini (unnumbered) and a 2005 Topps retired Brady Anderson.  This gold parallel from 2005 Topps Retired was also included.  It is numbered 313/500.

I am slowly catching up on my posts, but I still have a ton of cards that need to be scanned and posted.  Bear with me; I will be trying to mix in some more non-TTM posts over the coming days.

Chris Davis 2016 Topps Ebay Pickups

I picked up a few versions of the Chris Davis 2016 Topps/Topps Chrome recently for an attempt at a rainbow.  I always try to get what I can whe I see it on Ebay, even though I know the rainbow is almost impossible.

This 2016 Topps Factory Set Exclusive Foil Sparkle was something I didn't even know existed.  When I saw it on my Ebay feed, I picked it up for a great price.  This one is numbered 71/177 (why they're numbered to 177, I have no idea, but that's ok.  The card looks great!

A more traditional offering from Topps, here is a black parallel numbered 29/65.  This one was pretty cheap, considering how much black parallels can end up going for.

Finally, here is a green refractor from 2016 Topps Chrome.  This is numbered 6/99.  These parallels always look great.  I just wish Topps would bring back the bubble refractors.

Ebay Pickup - 2016 Topps Chrome Blue Wave Chris Davis

I saw a few deals recently on Ebay for some Chris Davis 2016 Chrome parallels.  I decided to go ahead and pick a few of them up, and the first one to roll in was this blue wave refractor numbered 71/75.  It's a really nice card; I have always liked the wave refractors.

The card didn't cost much at all and will be nice in the Davis PC.  I'll keep trying to get the parallels as I can, but I highly doubt I will be able to get the rainbow.  Still, no rainbow is as nice as 2014 Bowman.  That was such a nice set, especially combined with 2014 Bowman Chrome.

Chris Davis Pickups From The National

A couple things before I begin this post.  I passed 500,000 page views yesterday.  That's pretty significant, so I would like to thank you all, and all of the bots clicking on my blog and maybe giving it a read.  I don't respond to all of the comments, but they are appreciated and I encourage you all to continue.  Thank you so much!

Also, I dusted off my lucky 2005 Brian Roberts jersey for today's game.  I figured there may still be some magic left in there after I called his walk off homer in the June 28, 2005 game.  The Orioles need to win today to assure themselves of a playoff spot.  An Orioles win and Jays and Tigers losses would give the Orioles the Wild Card game at home.  I really hope they can win.

I still have tons of stuff to show off from the National.  I believe I will be posting about the National up until Christmas.  I lumped all of the Chris Davis PC pickups into this one post because I didn't really find too many cards of him that really stood out.  Of course, there was the one Museum Collection quad that warranted its own post.  These were just a few base and parallel cards I needed but hadn't pulled or picked up yet.  I did find the Panini America's Pastime auto at the top of the page in a discount box for $5.  It is an on-card auto and is numbered 18/75.

The above 2016 Topps Archives is nice, but I really want to find the Desert Shield parallel.  I looked around the show while I was looking for the Cal, but didn't locate one.

I liked this year's Gypsy Queen.  I wasn't sure I had Davis's base card, and I couldn't access my inventory list since my phone dropped dead at the show every day, so at a dime, I didn't mind picking this up.

Finally, 2016 Topps Chrome had just been released prior to the show, so I didn't have any of the Davis cards yet.  I found a guy who had busted a case and took his Orioles for a cheap bulk price (that included the Joey Rickard auto I posted earlier).  I was wondering a few days ago why I didn't have them listed in the inventory list.  Now I know why; I hadn't posted them yet.

2016 Topps Chrome Chris Davis Pink From Instagram

Even though his bat is ice cold, and he was ejected today for the first time in his Orioles tenure, I wanted to show a nice Chris Davis card that a guy sent to me out of the kindness of his heart.  A guy with the handle @linklatercards messaged me a while back and asked if I had this Davis pink parallel.  I did not, and asked him his price.  He said no price, he just wanted it to go to someone who would want it.  I did, and he sent it on its way.

He didn't have to do that for me, but he did.  This is why I continue to love the card community, and the Instagram community.  I love the card and it is a welcome addition to the Davis PC.

Ebay Pickup - 2016 Topps Chrome Sapphire Chris Davis

I picked up this nice 2016 Topps Chrome Chris Davis sapphire parallel recently for a great price on Ebay.  The first one I saw was going to $18 or so, but this one was $4.95 shipped.  I'm glad I waited (not usually my strong point).

This card came from the 2016 Topps Chrome Sapphire set, of which 250 were made.  Not bad, but these aren't numbered.  The card still looks good!

Birthday Gift From Nick - Prospect Autos Galore

The best part of receiving birthday packages from the card community has been the originality and thought that fellow collectors have put into what they have sent.  I oftentimes tell my friends that I would much rather receive a nicely written note instead of them spending their hard-earned money on me.  I got a package from my little buddy, Nick, on Friday and loved what he sent along.

I had cleaned him out of Orioles stuff long ago, so Nick scrambled to find some things that he gelt would suffice as a birthday gift, but he really could have just stopped at the above Topps custom card.  The card features Nick from several years ago when he met Houston Astros ace, Dallas Keuchel.  Nick signed the card and personalized it to me.  For someone so young, you can tell that Nick has practiced his autograph for quite a while.  The card is awesome.  Nick actually is a very talented ballplayer.  He messages me after each game that he plays, and they always seem to be wins.  I hope to hear his name called in a couple years during the MLB Amateur Draft.  I'll already have a pretty sweet auto!

Nick sent along some prospect cards that he had been holding onto recently.  This Patrick Leonard from 2013 Bowman Platinum is a really nice card.  It's not numbered, but the jumbo relic and auto are still nice.

Bowman Inception is probably one of the most appealing to the eye of any product you will see.  I watched my buddy Robert bust several cases of this at the National, and the cards just looked amazing.  I was really happy that Nick sent this along, this card looks great.

Not a prospect or an auto, this Masterpieces Randy Johnson relic is still a nice card.  Masterpieces was always a great offering from the last days of Upper Deck.  This is one of those products that I wish Panini or Topps would buy the rights of (can they do that?) and re-release into the market.

Finally, here is a really good prospect auto from 2016 Chrome.  I'm not a Red Sox fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I recognize that Owens is a pretty good prospect.  I know a lot of Red Sox fans who would want this, but since it was a gift from Nick, I won't let this leave my collection.  I will likely redeem it soon.

I met Nick through Instagram maybe two years ago and completed a couple trades with him.  We talked off and on after our initial dealings, but really hit it off earlier this year.  We pretty much talk every day.  He has to be one of the funniest people I have ever met; not for sheer comedy alone, but the fact that when Nick has something on his mind, he is not afraid to speak it.  Usually, that elicits some pretty candid responses from others in our Skype calls.  Nick cracks me up.  He is also amazing with my son, Chris.  Nick is always reaching out to Chris and chatting with him.  I think it is good for Chris.  Maybe one day, he will work on giving more than one-word responses.

Thank you so much for the birthday package, Nick!  I really appreciate it!

Birthday Gift From Michael - Lots of Autos

My friend, Michael, sent me a really nice birthday gift that had several autographs included.  He contributed to my Sonny Gray side-PC with this really nice Topps Chrome auto.  This is the Team Logo autograph and is numbered 1/25.

I haven't added too much to the Gray PC this year, but I probably ought to.  With the terrible season that he has had this year, the values on his cards and autos has gone down tremendously.  I got a few Gray cards at the National (that I will show soon) for really cheap prices.

Another guy who's stock has fallen is Orioles #1 draft pick, Hunter Harvey.  Harvey has frequented the DL more often than not in his brief professional career.  He has a long road ahead after having Tommy John surgery earlier this season.  This is an IP auto on a 2015 Bowman that Michael sent along.

Michael also included two Jimmy Nelson autos and a bunch of refractors from 2016 Chrome.  I have known Michael for almost 5 years now, and have spent a lot of time with him at Orioles Fan Fest and some Orioles games.  When I went to Baltimore in July, I was able to have dinner with him, and ride around the city (once going the wrong way down a one-way street.  Oops.).  Michael is a great guy and I am glad we are good friends.  He is off to college now, working toward a career that I am certain that he will excel in.  He is one driven kid.  Thank you so much for the gift, Michael!

Joey Rickard Pickups From The National

It seems that every year, the Orioles are able to find usable pieces in the December Rule V Draft.  Ever since they were able to pick Ryan Flaherty up in the 2011 version, they have been active in the draft and have been able to keep the guys they have picked.  They were able to stash T. J. McFarland and Jason Garcia on the roster and now they remain in the organization (although, McFarland was designated for assignment today to make room for the return of Tommy Hunter.

I didn't think too much this year when the Orioles added a Rays far hand to the roster via the draft, but based on his strong spring, Joey Rickard really raised some eyebrows.

Rickard made the Orioles Opening Day roster out of Spring Training, and performed strongly over the early part of the season.  He came back down to Earth, then was sidelined with a thumb injury that has put him out until mid-September.

Rickard has already endeared himself to many O's fans.  He's young (25), has some speed, and has been getting on base.  Currently, he has a .268 batting average with 5 home runs over the course of 85 games.  When he gets back to the active roster, I believe he will be an important table setter for a team that desperately is trying to make the playoffs.

I picked up these Chrome cards at various vendors at the National.  They are Rickard's first Topps offerings, and they look great.  I got his auto at the top of the page for around $10, and the other two cards (his base chrome, and the prism refractor) were in dime boxes.