Surprise Christmas Care Package From Billy S.

It says something when someone you have never met before you is compelled to send you a Christmas gift.  When you pair that with the heartfelt note and kind words exchanged in addition to the gift, you definitely take notice.  I was approached through Instagram DM recently by a fellow who uses the handle "bscollectables".  He said that he had seen the things I did for the Instagram card community, especially helping kids get some help with their collections, and he felt the need to send me a little something for Christmas.

Well, the package arrived shortly after that, and I was blown away.  In the package was several chrome rookie cards of some pretty high-end stars: Kris Bryant, Manny Machado and Corey Seager.  Not only were those in there, but a base RC of Seager, two base rookies of Manny and a Cal I didn't have in my collection.

There was also a Dariel Alvarez auto from 2016 Chrome, as well. Billy also included a letter reiterating what he said in the DM about my helping the community and having a great passion for baseball cards.

I can't express how humbled I am that I had this impact on someone I hadn't even met before.  I sincerely appreciate Billy's kindness, and I plan on doing something for him in the future.

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

Congratulations Cubs Fans

I just watched a long drought in sports take a major dent tonight when the Cubs won the National League Pennant for the first time since 1945.  I couldn't help but think of my good friend, Max, who is a huge Cubs fan, and lives in Chicago.  He is an amazing guy, and deserves the amazing season that this team has given him so far.  I truly hope to see the Cubs win four more games so Max, along with Eddie Vedder, Bill Murray, etc etc etc can celebrate a World Series victory.  COngratulations, Cubs fans, this is a fun team to watch!

Fun fact, Wrigley Field opened in 1914 and the Cubs have played there since 1916, eight years after their last World Series victory.  This makes it by far the oldest baseball stadium to not hold a World Series Champion.

An Amazing Pull From 2015 Topps Chrome

I'm interrupting my regularly scheduled series of posts about what I got at the National to show what I pulled yesterday out of 2015 Topps Chrome.  I got a jumbo box in the mail from my supplier and busted it right before dinner last night.

I was very excited to pull this purple refractor of Kris Bryant that is numbered 211/250.  The card is amazing, no way around it.  I would normally keep something like this, but I already have a buyer lined up, and I doubt I would let it go to anyone else.

Still, though, this was a really awesome pull, and the box I bought it paid off and then some by just one card.  I wish I could be this lucky all the time.

A Gift From An Amazing Friend

One of my favorite parts of the National was that I was able to spend the 4 and a half days I was there with some of my closest friends in collecting.  I even made a couple new friends while I was there.  I've been friends with Max, now, for over a year and a half.  He is a really great guy, and is beyond generous.

Max is a huge Cubs fan, and living in Chicago, he goes to a bunch of games every year.  Recently, he picked up this baseball for me during one of his trips.  He had gotten the ball signed by none other than Cubs rookie, Kris Bryant.  The best part, though, is that Max didn't ask for anything in return for the ball.  Well, he did ask for a graded 10 Andre Dawson auto that was given to us when we entered the show, but I was going to give that to him anyway.

At Max's house, he and his family showed us great hospitality.  They held a cookout for us, and later in the evening, I played Pack Wars with Max and Andrew.  We had a lot of fun, and even got some trading done.

I was able to see Max's "Skype Studio" during my tour of his home, which was kind of weird.  It was just different seeing what was on the other side of the webcam.  He also showed me his collection, his card setup and "man cave."  It is always interesting to see how others have their stuff set up, and Max had one of the best setups I have seen.

Max has become one of my closest friends, in the community, and outside of it as well.  He has shown me his amazing generosity, to which I will always be grateful.  I'm very happy that we met and have traded, and now have met in person.

Max is an incredible athlete.  He has excelled in football and baseball.  He advanced to the National finals in football last year in Florida.  He has also won baseball tournaments in Cooperstown.  I know he is really proud of his accomplishments, and the awards he has won mean a lot to him.  That isn't lost on me at all.

Thanks so much for the ball, buddy, and the other stuff you have given me.  I cherish it all.