Max With the Last of the 2024 50-50 Returns

Catching up came be tough when you've got a lot going on and a lot to do in the coming weeks.  I made time today to scan a ton of cards so I could pre-load some blog posts that should carry me through Thanksgiving. 

One of the most important batches of cards that needed to be scammed was the final box of signed stuff that Max took care of this past season.  He really helped me out with moving cards out of my boxes.  He also hooked me up with some great autos, like the above 2022 Topps Heritage Andrew McCutchen.  I haven't been able to get Cutch TTM or IP, so this was an awesome addition to the autograph album. 

Max sent me thhis 2023 2023 Topps White Sox team set carx signed by Pedro Grifol.  It appears that Max got Grifol pretty close to the time he was let go by the White Sox.  I loved Max's note on the penny sleeve.  I kept it on the card in the album. 

I was glad to finally get this 2015 Bowman Chrome mini shimmer of Kyle Freeland signed.  I kept coming across it in the boxes; it is nice to fi ally have it locked in place in the autograph album. 

Max always helps me move these random team cards.  They always come in handy while graphing, whe. You run into guys who either don't have cards or you weren't able to find any in a pinch.  He got me: Jeff Bannister x 3, Brody Basso, Cam Boozer, Henry Blanco, Bob Carpenter and Ryan Borucki.

This batch of cards consists of: Darnell Coles, Hunter Gaddis, Willie Harris, Porter Hodge, Marcus Jensen and Chris Johnson x 3.

This next batch: Chris Johnson, Don Kelly x 3, Torey Lovullo x 2 and Tyson Miller x 2.

Here are Carlos Narvaez, Mickel Otanez, Max Schuemann, Derek Shelton, Cade Smith and Caleb Thielbar.

Finally, this Yankees card is signed by Luke Weaver.

These landscape-oriented cards are of Jorge Lopez, Torey Lovullo, Joe Ryan and Will Venable.  I was crossing my fingers that Max could help me out with the Joe Ryan.  That is such a cool card, I would have hated for it to stay in the Bowman box missing ink.

These are Spencer Arrighetti, Javier Assad, Brandon Bielak, Daz Cameron x 3 and Willi Castro x 2.  A couple team set cards got taken care of, which was good.  I don't know if I ever would have gotten a chance to get the Arrighetti signed.  Getting those Daz Cameron cards really helped me clear out some room in the Box Of Shame because I had those left over from when he was with Norfolk last season.

The next cards are: Travis Chapman, Enyel De Los Santos x 2, Ezequiel Duran, Damion Easley x 4 and Carlos Febles.  Check out De Los Santos's autograph. It is a pretty nice one, especially on that 2019 Bowman Heritage.  I also got some Febles done that I had left over from when he was a coach with the Red Sox.

Here are some more: Carlos Febles x 2, Kyle Finnegan, Jake Fraley, Kevin Frandsen, David Fry, Ryan Goins, Brad Goldberg and Jon Gray.  Even more Febles got signed, which pretty much wipes me out of his stuff (other than one I found tonight while looking for something else).

This batch: Mark Gubicza x 2, Ricky Gutierrez x 2, Willie Harris, Nico Hoerner, Jeff Huson, Tim Hyers and Jimmy Jones.  The Ricky Gutierrez 1995 Topps are cool cards.  I happened to have the base and the Cyberstats parallel.  I also had the Willie Harros for a long time, since he came through Kinston as a coach for Myrtle Beach in 2017.  The card got buried in a box following that season, and I was able to locate it and get it out to Max.

Even more: Jimmy Jones, Jakob Junis, Andrew Knapp, Justin Lawrence, Korey Lee, Luke Little, Jorge Lopez and Nicky Lopex x 2.  A lot of these came out of a box that I had kept aside of guys who I thought I'd see in Kinston (like the Korey Lee, Luke Little, or the 2018 Heritage Minors Nicky Lopez).  I was glad to ckear stuff out of that box.

These cards are of Luke Maile, Nick Martinez, Sam Moll, Eli Morgan, Jerry Narron x 2, Tomas Nido, James Paxton and Mitchell Parker.  I've gotten Narron in person, finally, but had several cards left over.  He's not the easiest to graph, so these getting done was great.  I had the Tomas Nido left over from when I saw Syracuse last year and missed Nido.  I had bought the card with the hope of getting him IP, but he wouldn't stop.  With Max's help, the Bowman Hi Tek is now signed.

These cards are of Bo Porter, Mike Redmond, John Schneider, Jon Singleton, Josh Staumont x 2, Tyler Stephenson and Ross Stripling x 2.  The 2016 Freddie Freeman signed by Bo Porter was a cool touch by Max.  I doubt I'll be able to get Freeman, but you never know.

Here are: Ross Stripling, Brent Suter, Jayce Tingler, Ezequiel Tovar, Ildemaro Vargas x 2, Will Venable, Jeff Ware and Ron Washington.  Obviously, I have Washington in my 1987 set, so this one goes in my regular autograph album.   I'm also surprised that I didn't already have that 1992 Topps Jeff Ware signed already.

This final batch is of Ron Washington, Alika Williams x 2 and Jacob Wilson x 3.  My buddy Josh probably would love these Jacob Wilsons, since he's a huge Jack Wilson fan.  I'm pretty sure I sent him a few unsigned Wilsons. 

This Jacob Young 2024 Topps retail blue parallel looks pretty nice.  I had forgotten I pulled this one.

Finally, this Tanner Banks 2022 Topps update wraps up the stuff Max sent.  I need to look at trying to get Bennett Sousa to sign his side of the card at some point.

It took me longer than I wanted, but I finally get everything Max sent scanned and uploaded.  I hate that it took me so long, but life gets in the way sometimes.  I look forward to the next lists that Max sends me.  Let's hope some of the names come out of the Box Of Shame or maybe a few from what Max calls the Death Pile; the pile of stuff that gets sent back unsigned.  I keep all of those separated with the hope that either of us gets a second chance at these guys.

Thanks so much for hooking me up, as always, Max!

Instagram Deal With Dalton

I got a message from my buddy Dalton not too long ago saying that he was in a bind for money, and would be willing to sell me the above Andrew McCutchen relic/auto for a good price.  The price was so good, I can't remember what it was.  Oh well.  The card is pretty nice, I think.  I had one other McCutchen auto, and this one is the better of the two.

Dalton felt bad that he is always hitting me up for money, so he threw these relics/autos in the package.  I was really surprised to see the Killebrew in the package, as he is a huge Twins fan.  I have some other friends who PC Killebrew, so I anticipate some offers on that one.

This 2013 Bowman Inception Jake Marisnick auto is a pretty nice card as well.  I don't know much about the player, but the design of the card is really nice.

Finally, I got a laugh when Dalton included this IP auto of Dallas Mavericks player, Dwight Powell.  I do not follow basketball at all.  I just thought it was cool that kids are getting the wood floor samples from Home Depot and using them for autograph pieces.  Pretty ingenious.  It's a pretty big hunk of wood, too.

So, thanks for the deal, Dalton.  I like all of the stuff.

Picking Up Some Rookie Cards on Instagram

This is the last Instagram post for now, at least of stuff that I have gotten in recently.  I do have one more trade pending, which I think will be in sometime next week.  That being said, I completed a trade with a Dodgers fan names Javier in exchange for several rookie cards, three of which I kept (one obviously isn't a RC) and two I will flip on to friends.

I'm sure I probably owned the above 2008 Bowman Andrew McCutchen at some point, but I didn't make him a PC until a couple years ago.  The card doesn't sell for much, but it is still a RC, and I'll take it.

This Justin Verlander is one that I know I have, but it is part of my complete set.  So, I figured since Javier was offering it, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go ahead and pick up another and stash it with my RCs.  I also don't feel like I have shown enough 2006 Topps on here.  I remember the set being the first to come out after I jumped back into cards (2005 Topps was already out, of course) and I was just as excited when it was released and I saw it for the first time as I was when 1991 Topps came out. The feeling I got as a kid when the new set of cards came out is unrivaled, I think.  It kind of sucks now that we get the next year's design so early now.  I miss the days when you didn't know until you opened that first pack, and that's how it was for me when 2006 came out.  I do still have an empty box for 2006.

Finally, Javier had one 2013 Topps emerald parallel I needed for my set.  Yes, I'm still working on it.  I hope to have this set completed sometime soon, but it definitely has slowed down.  If anyone has Series 1 or 2 emerald parallels, please consult my wishlist and help me out!

Thanks for the trade, Javier.  I really appreciate it!

Last Post From The December Card Show

Thankfully, I have reached the end of my posts from the December card show that I went to with my good friend, Scott.  These last few cards are some inserts I got for various PCs.  The above card is the 2013 Bowman Platinum purple chrome parallel of Jonathan Schoop (pronounced - scope).  He is the Orioles' top position player prospect.  Hailing from Curacao, he impressed during the Arizona Fall League.  Schoop likely will begin the season at AAA Norfolk, but could win the Opening Day second base job if he outplays Ryan Flaherty.  No longer are the Orioles waiting on Brian Roberts to return from injury, he cut ties with them this winter and signed with the arch-enemy Yankees.  With Roberts gone, Schoop now has a much clearer path to the majors.

Another player who could start at AAA Norfolk, but could win a job out of Spring Training, Kevin Gausman is the Orioles' #1 pitching prospect in some circles.  If you have Dylan Bundy ahead of him, that's ok, they are 1 and 1A, pretty much.  Gausman has the potential to be very good, he just has to put it together.  I got upset at times last year, mainly because I'm afraid that he is going to end up like other much hyped pitching prospects, like Hayden Penn, Adam Loewen, Daniel Cabrera, Zach Britton, etc.  Let's hope Gausman puts it together and has a strong year.  I know the Orioles need him to, since they haven't signed any other starting pitchers.

Finally, here is an X-fractor from 2013 Finest of 2013 NL MVP, Andrew McCutchen.  I've had a McCutchen PC going for about two years now.  He is the only current non-Oriole that I have a PC of, but I probably will have a few more this year.  I definitely will continue to get Nate McLouth cards, but he was an Oriole, so I don't know if that counts.  Really, though, there aren't too many other non-Oriole players who interest me like 'Cutch does.  He's such a good player on a team that you can root for.  I hope he keeps up his production and puts together a Hall of Fame career.  At this point, he is definitely on pace.

My Latest Trade With Ryan

I recently sent my good friend Ryan (from 'O No Another Orioles Blog') several 2013 Topps Series One cards to help him along the way with his set and in return, he sent me a bunch of Orioles (and other) stuff.  One of the coolest cards he sent was the above 2012 Topps Chrome Chris Davis black parallel.  The card is numbered 80/100 and just looks awesome.  I know I'm not the only one, but black parallels to Chrome always look sharp.  It scanned really nice also.

I actually got several Chris Davis cards from Ryan in the package.  I already had this 2013 Topps Emerald parallel in my set attempt, so now I also will have one in my Davis PC.  Ryan was sly enough to figure out that the photo for this card was shot on September 6 (Cal Ripken Statue night) after Davis' 9th inning home run against the Yankees.  That was an amazing game and I'm really happy that a card is in my collection to remind me of it!

Finally, there was a 2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Chrome Andrew McCutchen card in the package as well.  My McCutchen PC is growing rapidly, so I was really glad to add this card!

Thanks for the trade Ryan!

Another Trade With Kalib

I completed another trade with my new friend Kalib over at "Cubs Cardboard" recently.  I sent him some random Cubs cards, including a couple vintage ones.  He recently posted some trade bait on his blog, so I had to ask for the above Tim Lincecum relic for my son, Chris, and the below Andrew McCutchen 2013 Topps Blue parallel for my own PC.

I think the blue and yellow on the McCutchen really pop off of the card as you may be able to see in the scan.  I think they go really well together.  I definitely need to get more parallels from 2013 Topps!

Finally, Kalib also included some random Orioles cards that he found in a few shoeboxes and one of which was the above 1992 Score No Hit Club featuring the combined no hitter that was thrown on July 13, 1991 (21 years ago!!!).  Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan, Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson combined to no hit the A's that night.  I really like this card because it features Mike Flanagan.  Flanny is still sorely missed by all Orioles fans, since he took his own life in August of 2011.  To me, that was probably the darkest of days for any Oriole fan in recent memory and it still is tough to think about.  I always feel bad for him and his family whenever I see his cards.  I plan on creating a PC of him sometime soon.

So, thanks again for the trade, Kalib!  I enjoy kalib's blog and I, again, recommend you all to follow it!

Another Trade With Weston

I got home yesterday and discovered a mailer in my mailbox from my buddy Weston.  In it was a multitude of cards of Orioles and a couple others for my player collections.  Above is a really nice 2012 Topps Heritage Chrome Mark Reynolds.  I really like it and it is unfortunate that Reynolds won't be with the O's this year, but I won't be missing his strikeouts and I think Nolan Reimold can stay healthy and contribute as big a bat as Reynolds with a higher average and less Ks.

Probably my favorite non-Oriole, Weston hooked me up with this 2012 TOpps Golden McCutchen.  McCutchen is a great player who I really hope can sustain his recent success.  He had a good year last year, but looked like he was gassed after the All Star break.

Weston's known me long enough to know that it is a special day when I can get a new Cal for my PC.  This one is the retail exclusive foil version of the Chasing History.  This was probably my favorite card from the package, but all of the cards were sweet.

Because Weston is a really nice guy, he hooked me up with 5 Emerald parallels.  Now I have 35 total of the 330 from Series One.  Over 10% complete.  Wooo!

Also, because Weston is a nice guy, he hooked me up with a parallel of Dylan Bundy, so I now have his base card, Emerald and Target Red Parallel.  Nice.

Did I mention that Weston was a nice guy?  He also included the Target Red parallel of Manny Machado.  I now have Machado's base, Gold parallel and Red.  Awesome.

Thanks for the trade Weston.  I hope you like the package I sent in return!

COMC Pickup - 2005 Topps Update Andrew McCutchen RC

It has been a struggle for me to file blog entries while I am at this conference for work.  I mean, I'm only in Las Vegas.  Yep, that's right, I am in Las Vegas for work.  Did I mention that I love my job?  Anyway, before I left, I scanned the cards I got from COMC from Black Friday that I hadn't already posted.  I also scanned a few extra 1951 Topps Red Backs so I would be able to file entries when I had the time.  I haven't had much time, yet, thanks to there being tons to do here.  I visited the sports book last night and bet on 5 NFL games.  I won on 3 of them, so I came out a little ahead.  Not bad.  I played some slots and didn't do too well.  No big deal, though, I only played quarter slots with a $10 that had been in my wallet for months.

Anyway, here is one of the cards I was able to pick up on Black Friday.  I have been wanting this 2005 Topps Update Andrew McCutchen RC for a while.  I have a completed set of these cards, so I did have it, but I didn't want to break the set for my PC.  I'm sure I had one at some point, but it was probably sold for some reason back in the day.  I mean, 2005 was a long time ago.  Now, I typically put all RCs I find in packs into a box and put them up.  This tactic has helped me retain some nice RCs over the last few years.

I think McCutchen is a heck of a player.  Both my good buddy Drew and I are big fans, so I know Drew will like to see this card.  Maybe one of these days, I'll throw down a little more money and get his gold parallel.  Hmmm, maybe I need to go downstairs and play a few hands and try my luck...

My Thoughts on 2012 Bowman Chrome

I mentioned yesterday that I picked up some packs of cards from my LCS.  Today, I will discuss the two packs of 2012 Bowman Chrome.

I don't normally get all hot and bothered over Bowman Chrome, but I figured I'd see what I could pull from 2 packs and I wasn't disappointed, actually.  There are only 4 cards per pack, but I ended up with an Oriole, a Blue Parallel, a card for a PC and an autograph.  Not too bad, if you ask me.

 The design is pretty sharp.  I knew this year's Bowman offering would look good all chromed out, and I was not disappointed.  I pulled the above Manuel Hernandez out of my first pack.  He is the first Guatemala-born player signed by the Orioles.  This is cool for me because I remember the day that Roch Kubatko reported his signing on his blog on MASNSports.com.  I had forgotten the kid's name, but that is no longer the case.  I now have his first Bowman card.  YES!

I was able to add a McCutchen to the PC.  Not too bad.  'Cutch had a great year, but I think his fade down the stretch will cost him the NL MVP.

I got some COMC-bait in this Blue Parallel JP Arencibia.  It is numbered 159/250 and looks pretty sharp.  I might have to find out which Orioles are in this set and do a couple rainbows.

Finally, I pulled an autograph (on card) of A's prospect Miles Head.  It is too bad that this is a PG rated blog (is it?), because I can come up with some jokes as a play on poor Mr. Head's name.  Poor kid probably caught hell in middle school.  Anyway, I will take the high road on this and just say - Jeez kid, you need to work on that sig!

So, my thoughts are that Bowman Chrome is really nice and I definitely will be picking up some more packs in the coming weeks/months.

Cards From Checkoutmycards

So, I'm sure you all are wondering how I have been doing on COMC so far.  Well, I have sold 3 of the 50 cards that I had listed so far.  I like the site, so I sent them another box of 115 cards (mostly SPs and parallels - a lot less high end stuff this time) and one graded gem mint 10 Bowman Chrome card.  Maybe I can flip that stuff and get some needs met off of my want list again like I was able to with the cards below.

I can't believe I didn't own a single 1986 Fleer Cal Ripken card.  I had seen them plenty of times,  but for whatever reason, they didn't end up in my collection.  The above card is the base card for the year and below is his League Leaders card.

He was also featured on the below card with Alan Trammell; two of the best shortstops of their generation.  Why Trammell isn't in the Hall of Fame is anyone's guess.

I saw the below 2004 Delmarva Shorebirds Nick Markakis for $0.99, so I added it to my cart.  I hadn't seen any of them before, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to add it to my PC.

The below Nolan Reimold 2009 Topps Finest redemption RC is direct from my want list.  Apparently, there are a few harder to find parallels of this card, but I haven't ever seen them.  I intend to keep my eyes peeled for them, though, because the parallels I have of other players (notably, Brian Roberts) look pretty good.

I also knocked the 2009 Heritage SP RC off of my want list.  I still need the Chrome, though.

I got my first Kevin Gausman card.  Here's to hoping that the Orioles' pitching depth is finally significant enough that Gausman won't be rushed to the majors like Jake Arrieta and Brian Matusz were when they were brought up.  Give Gausman plenty of time to develop in the minors and then call him up when he is ready to join a rotation anchored by Dylan Bundy.

I don't know about you, but I thought the Bowman Ice parallels scanned really nice.  The below Markakis and McCutchen cards are really awesome.

I really wanted the red parallels, but those are commanding pretty hefty prices right now, so I am going to keep my eyes opened for them and hope to get a bargain later on.

Finally, I don't know how I missed it while I was there, but this is a 2012 National Show Leaf Brooks Robinson.  I love adding new Brooks cards to the collection, so this was a 'must have.'

Well, I think I was pretty successful in flipping three cards for 10.  I feel like I made an Andy MacPhail-type trade.  The cards I sold so far were a 2011 Topps Diamond Die Cut Reggie Jackson, 2008 Bowman Chrome no sig Kosuke Fukudome and a Topps Finest Yu Darvish RC.  Not a bad haul, I think.  Make sure you guys take a look at my wares and stay tuned for more cards to be added soon!