Buck Showalter Auto From Jake

For a long time, my buddy, Jake, was someone I talked to pretty much every day.  I did some trades with him early in my time on Instagram, but as time went on, Jake outgrew collecting cards, then went off to college.  I've missed talking to him like we used to.  Jake messaged me out of the blue recently, and asked for my address.  He surprised me with this Buck Showalter auto inscribed to me.

I really appreciated the gesture from Jake.  It was really great that he still thought of me.  I am glad to see how he has grown and become an awesome young man.

Thanks so much, Jake.  It means a lot to me that you thought of me.

Christmas Gift From Jake

I've met a bunch of people while trading on Instagram.  Many of them that I now consider friends. Some of them text me and ask for advice on collecting, they ask if I can find cards of certain players, or which sets would be good to build.  Some of them follow this blog, others have subscribed to my YouTube, or friended me on Facebook.  Others even have my cell phone number and chat with me there from time to time.  I've made a lot of friends on Instagram....

One of the guys that I met on Instagram, Jake, is probably one of the friends who I would consider was among the upper echelon of those friends.  He is always a joy to talk to, and always comes to me when he needs collecting advice.  I've spent a great deal of time helping him grow his collection, and he has repaid me with some great YouTube videos that have recounted the numerous care packages that I have sent him.  You can check out Jake's YouTube page here.  He's a great kid, and surprised me with a really awesome Christmas gift a few weeks ago.

Jake sent me a few Orioles cards in a team bag, and this tin of 4 metal cards of Cal Ripken from 1995.  Over the life of my collection, I have received all kinds of Ripken stuff, especially from the mid-90s.  Of all of the Ripken stuff that I have received, I have never seen these.  Jake hit a home run, because, as you all know, it is terribly hard to come across Ripken stuff that I don't already have.

The tin is factory sealed, and at this moment, I think I will leave it sealed.  I might open it one day, but for now, I will leave it like this and remember that a really awesome guy gave it to me.  I really appreciate him, and all of the friends I have made throughout all of the card community.  It's guys like Jake who make me enjoy what I am doing here, and reactions like his are why I try my best to send good, free, care packages from time to time.  One of my favorite things is to brighten these kids' days by helping them grow their collections.

So, thanks so much for the Christmas gift, Jake.  Also, Jake's birthday was yesterday, so head over to his YouTube page and wish my buddy a happy (belated) birthday!

Birthday Gift and a Trade From Jake

I don't like ranking people that I know, but if I were to make a top 5 of people I've met while trading on Instagram, my buddy, Jake Ignaszewski, would be at or near the top.  He surprised me with a birthday package on Saturday that he really didn't have to send me.  In the package was a nice note from him thanking me for being a good friend to him and helping him with his collection.  Also in the package was every Orioles card that he had.  I had to chuckle a bit when I went through the cards because Jake sent me 11 copies of the above 1989 Mickey Tettleton.  In the past, one would say I had been Bipped.  I'm so glad that phase of the trading world has passed.  I know Jake included them all because he is a nice guy.

Also in the package were several different Orioles stickers from various sets over the years.  I didn't have this Fleer sticker, so I'll be putting this into my Orioles binder that I started putting together in 2005 and completely forgot about until now.

Jake and I also had completed a trade recently where I sent him back the Derek Jeter minor league card, since I had discovered that I already had one and he was having seller's remorse for letting his go.  He swapped it back for this Manny Machado RC, which I already had, but that's ok, because I don't mind hoarding Manny RCs.

I really appreciate Jake leaning on me for help with his collecting goals.  I'm hoping that I will continue to have the opportunity to help him out when I am able.  Thanks so much for the stuff, Jake, and thanks again for the trade!

Another Good Trade With My Buddy Jake

I got another deal done with my buddy, Jake Ignaszewski, when I sent him a couple more prospect cards for his collection and in return, he sent this 2014 Topps Allen and Ginter Jim Palmer, a couple Kyle Cricks (that I gave to Chris) and a couple 1989 Orioles.

If you get a moment, please check out Jake's YouTube channel.  He puts a lot of thought and time into making his videos, and I know he could use more subscribers.  Hook the guy up!

Check out his channel here, and thank for the trade, again, Jake, you're one of the best!

Another Trade With Jake - Early David Ortiz and Sammy Sosa Cards

It can be hard, sometimes, keeping track of all of the people I've met and traded with.  This is very true recently with all of the instagram and kik messenger deals that I have made.  One of the people I've met that I really have taken a liking to is Jake.  I've posted about him before, when I got a Jeter Minor League card in exchange for a Bryce Harper RC.  This time around, I sent Jake a couple 2014 Bowman Kris Bryant cards and in return, he sent me this early David Ortiz card, a 1998 Fleer Ultra.  This isn't (obviously) his David Arias RC, but it is still a cool card.

The other card Jake sent was this 1990 Star Minor League card of Sammy Sosa when he played for the Charlotte Rangers.  Look at his hair.  Gotta love the early 90s.

Anyway, Jake is a really awesome guy and I am glad to have completed another trade with him.  I know we will be doing some more, especially because we are in negotiations for one right now!