Instagram Pickup - Willie Stargell Manufactured Patch

I don't know what it is, but I really like Willie Stargell cards.  Maybe it's the amazing yellow uniforms?  I'm not sure.  I shouldn't like him, since he beat the Orioles in two World Series that both went 7 games (1971 and 1979).  Still, he was a great player, and is widely respected as a Hall of Famer.

I got this card in a deal with a kid on Instagram who's name escapes me.  I don't remember what I traded for it, but I know he got the better end of the deal.  I was just glad to add this cool card to my collection.

I have quite a few Stargell Topps cards in my HOF collection, and I always am looking to add more.  I need to pick up his RC at some point, since it is on my Top 10 wishlist.  I might look for one at The National.

Belated Birthday Gift From Ryan E. - 2014 Topps All Star Rookie Manufactured Patch Cal Ripken

I got a surprise package in the mail yesterday from my friend, Ryan E. that had this really cool Cal Ripken manufactured rookie cup patch from 2014 Topps.  Ryan said that it was a late birthday present, which was really nice of him.  I chat with Ryan from time to time; he is the cousin of fellow blogger, Matthew.

I thought it was really cool of Ryan to think of me, regardless of the time of year.  The best part is that Ryan was able to find a Cal card that I didn't already have in my collection.  He definitely gets a gold star!

Thanks so much, Ryan.  I think these manufactured patch cards are cool, even though others hate them.  To each their own, I guess.

Surprise Gift From Michael A. - 2011 Topps Roberto Alomar Manufactured Patch

I got a nice surprise package in the mail today from my friend, Michael A., from Instagram.  We chat almost every day about baseball and I try to send him Justin Upton and assorted Diamondbacks cards when I can.  Recently, I sent him a decent-sized stack of Randy Johnson cards and as a thank you, he sent me this really cool Roberto Alomar manufactured patch card.

I like this patch on the card because it is the O's logo from when I started out as a fan.  I don't have a lot of Alomar hits in my collection, so this will be a nice addition.

Thanks so much for the card and letter, Michael!

Another Instagram Trade With Peter

One of the kids on Instagram that I talk to the most is a kid named Peter who lives in Wisconsin.  I have sent him a good bit of Brewers cards to help him build up his collection.  Recently, I traded him a Museum Collection Jean Segura relic/auto in exchange for this Cal Ripken manufactured patch and some of his vintage cards.

I really like the Ripken manufactured patch.  I needed it for my collection and Peter hooked me up.  I hope he liked all of the Brewers stuff I sent him.  The vintage ones are nice, too, and they included a 1978 Brooks Robinson and a couple more Orioles, among other things.

Thanks for the trade, Peter, I really appreciate it!

Instagram Trade With Max S.

I completed a trade with a young Cubs fan named Max recently when I sent him some Cubs cards and two Albert Almora Team USA cards in exchange for this Red Schoendienst manufactured patch card and a couple 2013 Emeralds.

I like this patch card in that is represents the Braves' 1957 World Series victory, their only one in Milwaukee.  I keep forgetting that Schoendienst was on that Braves team, as I always think of him as a Cardinal.

The patch itself is pretty cool, and I keep telling myself that I'll pick up the ones of Brooks Robinson, but I wanted to finish up my letter patches first.  Glad I wasn't holding my breath. Anyway, I appreciate the trade, Max, and I hope we can trade again!

Awesome Package From Wes

 

I got an email recently from a guy named Wes who reads my blog.  The email was quick and to the point, asking me for my address because he had some Orioles cards for my collection.  As you can see from the photo above, what he sent me was far more than I could have imagined.  It got better, too, when I flipped through the cards and saw a ton of Orioles that I needed and came upon some awesome relics and autographs.  I was amazed at the things I found in the pile.  Here are some of the highlights:

This Brian Matusz Razor Lettermen auto was so cool.  I had another of his, a Z, I believe, but this one was a different color and looks really awesome!

I don't believe former Oriole reliever Rocky Cherry has made it onto the blog before, but this Upper Deck Exquisite auto looks so cool.  It is also numbered 1/10.  Cherry didn't last long for the O's but this card is still really cool and I'm glad Wes included it.

Finally, I was really happy to get this Mike Wright Bowman Platinum auto, red parallel, which is numbered to 25.  I already had the base and now I have the red.  I like Wright because he went to nearby ECU and was really cool when Chris and I met him a few years ago.  I hope he makes it to the bigs and pitches as well as he is capable.

It is going to take me some time to go through all of these cards that Wes hooked me up with.  If you're reading this, Wes, thanks so much!  I really appreciate the package!

Card Show Pickup - Johnny Bench Patch

I'm still catching up on posts and one thing I really wanted to get on here is this 2010 Topps Commemorative Patch Johnny Bench.

I got this card at the last card show by trading with some young collectors. I believe I traded a Twins relic for it, but I really don't remember. I know the kid got a good card in return. I think Bench was an awesome player and I can't wait until I get an autographed baseball of his.

In my mind, Bench has to be at the top 5 of greatest catchers of all time. I'm sure people will be able to dispute that claim, but I would see both Pudges (Fisk and Rodriguez), Piazza and Berra on that list as well.

I have a good bit more stuff from that last show to catch up on, so hopefully I will be able to get it posted soon.

The Letter 'L'

Ladies and gentleman, brought to my blog all the way from Canada... The letter L! I'm knocking the letters off my list! If anyone wants to get me a 4th of July present, there are a few more that I need! Haha.

This blog is brought to you by the letter C (and Pete)

Thanks Pete (http://dropped3rdstrike.blogspot.com/) for knocking another letter off the list. The letter 'C'. This project is getting closer by the day, I think.

Pete also hooked me up with this really awesome Eddie Murray Sweet Spot Classic card. I gotta tell you, man its sweet. I don't believe I have posted any Murray's on here... For shame. He was a badass. Look at this card, if I were a pitcher and he was in the batters box, I'd be scared to death to hit the guy, he looks like he wants to take my head off right now....

Continuing the Brooks Patch Project:

I had this card waiting for me when I got home today: The letter E. I got this one as a 'trade' from Max for the Obama letter I got out of my series 1. My patch project is moving right along...

THANKS MAX!!!

The Brooks Robinson Patch Project

Pete at http://dropped3rdstrike.blogspot.com/ gave me an interesting idea; why not try to complete the 2009 Topps Legends of the Game Commemorative Patches of Brooks Robinson. Arranged properly, the letters spell out 'Vacuum Cleaner.' This is a reference to the 1970 World Series between the O's and Reds where, virtually any ball hit was caught by Brooks! There is an awesome autographed photo at AAA Collectibles in Matthews depicting Brooks laid out in the infield dirt robbing Johnny Bench of a base hit. Sit down Johnny. If anyone wants to pony up $200 for my 29th birthday in September, and make that picture mine... well... I'd love you forever hahaha.

Anyway, to begin this interesting process, I purchased 3 of the Brooks patches off of Ebay, all for under $15 each. I have, so far: N, U, U. Pete has a C coming my way i believe. Lets get MOVING! Go Brooks! Thanks for the idea Pete!!

2009 Topps Series II 3 Jumbo Box break by the numbers:

Yesterday, Max (http://maxscards.blogspot.com/), Pete (http://dropped3rdstrike.blogspot.com/) and I busted a case of Series II Topps at the card shop. I opened 3 of the jumbo boxes, Pete got 2 and Max got one. I'm sure each of them will be blogging on their finds shortly, but as far as what I ended up with, here is a breakdown of what I WENT HOME with (I traded out/for a few things to Max and Pete, so they will probably talk about them on their blogs).

27: Turkey Red Inserts

3: Career Best Legends- Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson and Mel Ott

3: Red Hot Rookie Redemptions - 1, 2, 10

3: Topps Black - Howie Kendrick, Jonathan Papelbon and Carlos Quentin

29: Ring of Honor

13: WBC cards (I did pull a sweet Russell Martin GU jersey card in the first pack I busted, but it went to Max immediately)

5: Career Best autos/relics

30: Topps Gold

31: Legends of the Game (I picked up a sweet Brooks Robinson)

29: Topps Town

3: SP Variations (Paul Molitor, Robin Yount and Carl Yazstrzemski)

3: Legends Commemorative Patches - George Sisler, Mickey Mantle and Lou Gehrig

Once again, I had a blast opening these boxes with my friends. I think I can speak for everyone there and say that a good time was had by all. This set will definitely go down for me as one of the most enjoyable that I have put together, not only because of the quality of cards, but the quality of people that were involved in the process of me working out this deal. For me to be able to sit around and bust wax with people who I can truly call my friends, well, this was a gratifying experience. I want to thank Pete, P.A. and Max for taking or maintaining an interest in something that interests me. I hope you guys can all go on this ride with me again soon when Allen and Ginter comes out!