IP Autos From Michael

I am really behind on my posts.  It also doesn't help that my desk is a mess and I sat this stack of cards in a spot that conveniently made me forget about them.  About a month ago, I got a package from my buddy, Michael.  He had gone to a bunch of Orioles and Orioles affiliate games this summer.  I sent him some cards to 50/50, and he hooked me up!

From what Mike says, Mark Hendrickson is a tough signer, so I was really happy to get this 2009 Topps back.

I had sent Michael a few generic Orioles cards, just in case he had something to get signed if he ran into any Orioles alumni who he might not have cards of.  Conveniently, he ran into Ron Hansen, and got these done for me.

 I was able to add two more Ryan Ripken cards to my album, thanks to Michael.  Ripken actually had a decent year at low A Aberdeen.  The Orioles sent him to the  AFL, so maybe he can continue in the organization.  I wouldn't mind meeting him.  I know it is a very long shot for him to make the majors, but it is still cool to see him in the organization.

Michael is close personally with Adrian Marin, so it is a bit easier for him to get autos from Marin, as opposed to some other players.  He hooked me up with some nice cards.

Finally, here are two autos from DJ Stewart and Tim Berry.  Berry returned to the organization last year, and I was surprised that he didn't get called up when the rosters expanded.  Surely, he could have done better than Ubaldo.

Thanks for the cards, Michael!

Christmas Gift From Michael

Slowly, I am catching up on posts for Christmas, at least.  I know I have said that the last few posts, but I do feel like I am on the home stretch for the Christmas stuff that I received.  One of the biggest packages I got was from my friend, Michael.  He filled up a box with autographed stuff, and a few other items.

He gave me signed baseballs of Orioles 2016 #1 draft pick, Cody Sedlock, former pitcher Jason Berken, former O's coach, Jim Presley and also a balled Michael signed himself.  He also included an 8 x 10 of former closer Chris Ray, and an Orioles giveaway hat.

Michael also gave me this really nice bat that he signed and inscribed using a gold paint pen (I think it is a paint pen; it looks bolder than a sharpie).  The bat is really nice (and really heavy).  Had Michael not signed and inscribed it, I would be tempted to take a few swings with it in the batting cages.  Its a really sweet bat!

Finally, Michael sent along four signed baseball cards.  The Geovany Soto 2009 Topps is only the second 2009 Topps I have in the collection.  I have a ton of 1981 Topps, but you can never go wrong with adding a Hall of Famer.  Michael also has a relationship with Orioles prospect, Adrian Marin, so he was able to get the two bottom cards signed for me.

Thank you so much for the awesome gift(s), Michael!  You always go above and beyond, and it is definitely appreciated!

Adrian Marin IP Autos From Michael

My buddy Michael hooked me up recently when he took some Adrian Marin cards that I had sent him and got them signed for me.  He has met Marin several times and arranged to get me some autos.  Marin was a 3rd round draft pick by the Orioles out of a Florida high school.  He is currently in AA Bowie where he is batting .242 with 3 home runs across 79 games.

I really appreciated Michael going out of his way to get these cards signed for me.  I appreciated even more that I was able to go out to dinner with Michael recently when I was in Baltimore.  He has been a good friend for a long time, and any time I am in Baltimore, I try really hard to meet up with him.

Thanks so much for the autos, Michael!

Trading Again With Judson

I received another trade package from Judson over at 'My Cardboard Habit.'  I had sent him some Rangers goodies and he returned the favor with a stack of Orioles from 2012 Bowman.  You can see the above Kevin Gausman refractor, which is really nice, albeit crooked because of my scanner.

I also got this really cool Adrian Marin orange parallel numbered 38/250.  Not bad at all.  I like the Bowman offerings, except that I can never tell if it is Bowman or Draft Picks and Prospects, etc.  oh well.  It's all Bowman to me.  Thanks again, Judson!