Hairston Brothers Signing With Jackson

When friends of mine message me and ask me to find all the cards I can find of a player, I actually really enjoy it.  It helps me move cards out of my boxes and almost always ensures that I will get a few back signed.  They aren't always free, but st least at some reduced rates.

My friend, Jackson, messaged me asking if I had any Scott Hairstons that I could send him, and I was able to find him quite a few.  After the initial package was sent, I found this 2013 Topps Update pink parallel in one of my plastic bins.  I was able to get the card to him before the signing, and got it back into my collection afterward.

I had no problem participating in Jackson's signing, so I went ahead and paid $20 to get the pink parallel and 3 other cards back, a 2012 Topps, 2013 Topps and 2013 Topps Update.

Hairston (b. 1980) played in the majors from 2004 to 2014 for the Diamondbacks, Padres, A's, Mets, Cubs and Nationals.  He had 589 hits, 106 home runs and a .242 batting average.

Jackson also had a signing going on for Jerry Hairston, and I missed the cutoff date to send anything in.  Jackson had leftovers, so I picked up two of the extra cards he ended up with.  The above card is a 2002 Topps 206 and the below card is a 2004 Bowman Heritage.

Hairston (b. 1976) played in the majors from 1998 to 2013 for the Orioles, Cubs, Rangers, Reds, Yankees, Padres, Nationals, Brewers and Dodgers.  He had 1,126 hits, 70 home runs and a .257 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Yankees in 2009.

The Hairstons are sons of former Major Leaguer, Jerry Hairston, Sr., and grandsons of former Major Leaguer, and Negro Leaguer, Sam Hairston.

Surprise Care Package From Michael

After the conclusion of Fan Fest in January, I figured Michael and I had exchanged all of the O's cards and items that we would be exchanging for a good while.  I was surprised to learn the Monday following Fan Fest, that Michael had dropped a package in the mail to me.

In the package were some Orioles autographs for my various albums.  A few cards for the card album and a couple post cards for the post card album (wherever I sat it).

I have had someone pick up a Dariel Alvarez auto for me, but I didn't have the 2015 Bowman Chrome.  Felix Pie would be a great TTM subject, but he doesn't sign, from what I can tell  I don;t know much about Chris Snyder, but the 2010 Topps is a nice card.

Here are the backs of the post cards that Michael sent; signed by Pat Hentgen and Jerry Hairston, Jr.  Hairston is someone I really would like to get TTM, but I know he doesn't sign.  Hentgen is someone I have sent to, but I havent gotten anything back as of today.

Thank you so much for the care package, Michael!  I appreciate it!

Hey Look! A Trade With Nick!

I got my first package from a fellow blogger in quite some time on Saturday; it was a package from my friend Nick over at 'Baseball Dime Box.'  Nick is a really good guy whose blog has quickly become one of the better ones around.  He has a ton of regular features and his writing style is simply amazing for a guy who is so young.  Head over there and check it out.

I send Nick packages of cards at random and the cards I send him are pretty random as well.  He enjoys the thrill of a good gem, found among a sea of 'junk wax' and I enjoy finding cards which I feel that he would enjoy.  In exchange for my many packages, Nick sent me a stack of Orioles cards that he found during some dime box digs.

This 1997 Topps Sweet Strokes Rafael Palmeiro is a really nice card.  It looks even better in person.  The cars actually looks as if it had come out of a more recent pack, instead of 1997 Topps. 

Here is a 1999 Bowman Chrome Jerry Hairston card.  Hairston has gone on to have a pretty decent career as a journeyman infielder, even winning a ring with the 2009 Yankees.  Hairston, you may remember, is the guy who Brian Roberts beat out to become the Orioles' starting second baseman beginning in the 2004 season.  Personally, I preferred Roberts back then and even today with all of his injuries, I still prefer Roberts.  Nothing against Hairston, but the North Carolina born Roberts will always be one of my favorite Orioles.

Nick also added a nice 2004 Upper Deck Bob Feller.  This is a really cool card that I did not yet have in my Feller PC.  I intend to expand my Feller collection and hopefully will build a page on here showcasing some of my Feller cards.  I'm getting there.  That will hopefully commence once I find my '51 set.  Yeah I haven't found it yet, still looking.

Finally, Nick included this 2012 Topps Gold Nick Markakis.  I love the gold cards from this year and the diamond ones from last year.  I'm hoping the 2013 flagship set can build on the quality of parallels that we have seen from the last few years because these are simply some nice cards.

Thanks again for the awesome stuff, Nick.  I'll hopefully find you some more cool stuff as I continue to purge my collection and as I head to some more shows.