April 16-20, 2024, Graphing of the Shorebirds at Wood Ducks

This week's graphing of the Delmarva Shorebirds at the Wood Ducks was pretty much over right after the game on Tuesday.  I missed Wednesday since it was an 11AM game and Thursday was Chris's senior night for tennis.  With today's rain out, I only graohed three games of the series.  I also missed my friend, Ryan's cards because I put them in the wrong pile. 

The above 2022 Bowman Chrome ray wave parallel of Danyer Cueva was picked up at the National last year but ended up in a random box that I finally went through last week. It is finally signed and in the album. 

Delmarva had several guys with cards, however all but two of them were on the IL and didnt make the trip.  Jacob Cravey was really nice and signed everything I had.  A fellow graoher gave me the 2023 Bowman Chrome mojo Anderson De Los Santos so i could get him done, which was nice.

The Rangers had sent several rovers out to the park this week with Kenny Holmberg, Roy Silver and Matt Magill coming into town.  I was able to get a couple Silver cards in before the series ended.  I realized who Matt Magill was (by asking around; I'm not THAT good), and found two cards in my collection to get done.

My friend, Gerard hooked me up with this nice Marcus Smith Bowman Heritage gold parallel.  It's a pretty sweet card and looks great.

Alejandro Rosario made his professional debut for the Wood Ducks and went 4 innings with no runs allowed and 7 strike outs.  His fa.ily was there and we're really nice.  I was able to chat with his mom pre-game.

The highlight of Friday's game was when, around the 7th inning or so (I was talking and lost track), Jon (the Wood Ducks GM) came by where we were sitting and asked me to get up.  I had no idea why, but I got up and he said "we are honoring you for Season Ticket Holder Appreciation".

I was given a certificate, team signed baseball and a "golden" Bill Ellis bobble head.  Jon also gave me his hat, which was the Wood Ducks first Copa hat, the Patos Joyuyous.  I never got one for myself and had asked Jon if there were any more that he could find; I'd buy one.  He gave me his, instead, when he realized we wore the same hat size.

They also took a photo of me with Jon and DEWD.  I haven't seen the photo yet, but am excited to see how it turned out.  I was blown away by the gesture and it really meant a lot to me.  I've been very upset that the Woodies are leaving Kinston after this season.  I am so thankful that they took the time to recognize me.

In all, I got the following autographs: Danyer Cueva x 4, Marcus Smith x 1, Jacob Cravey x 9, Julian Brock x 1, Gleider Figuereo x 1, Alberto Mota x 1, Alejandro Rosario x 2, Roy Silver x 2, Matt Magill x 2 and Anderson De Los Santos x 1 (24 total autographs).

TTM Success - Nick Maronde

Here are some nice cards that I got signed TTM by Nick Maronde.  I've got a bunch of 2012 Topps Heritage Minors cards, and was able to get one of them out of the box and into the album with this success.

I also got a 2012 Bowman, 2013 Bowman and a 2013 Topps Crome signed.

Maronde (b. 1989) played in the majors from 2012 to 2014 for the Angels.  He had a record of 0-0 with 19 strike outs and a 7.13 ERA.

I mailed to Maronde on March 2 and got the cards back on March 27, for a 25-day TAT. 

TTM Success - Carter Capps

Here are a couple fairly recent cards that I was able to get signed TTM.  I liked how the 2013 Topps Chrome Carter Capps looked, but the scan doesn't really help it out at all.  It kind of magnifies the imperfections on the card, but it really does look good in person.

I also had Capps's 2013 Topps signed, and it looks really nice.

Capps (b. 1990) was born in Kinston, NC.  You know, the home of the Down East Wood Ducks.  Whom I miss terribly because of COVID.  Ugh.  Capps played in the majors from 2012 to 2015 and 2017 for the Mariners, Marlins and Padres.  He had a career record of 4-3 with 184 strike outs and a 4.21 ERA.

I mailed to Capps on May 9 and got the cards back on May 26, for a 17-day TAT.

Holiday Gift From Scott

I got a really nice holiday package from my good friend, Scott not too long ago.  I feel bad that it has taken me this long to blog about it.  I have a ton of Christmas stuff piled up to talk about, so I should be good on blog posts for the time being.

Scott got me a few really nice cards as my gift.  The above Jonathan Schoop looks really great in person.  It is numbered 17/35 and is from 2013 Topps Tribute.  This is a really nice card, and I didn't have it in my collection yet.

Scott added this 2015 First Home Run coin card of Brooks Robinson that he has been sitting on for a little while.  He had originally wanted to trade it, but we never were able to match up.  I needed this for my Brooks PC, so I'm happy he ultimately added it.

Finally, Scott threw this Alfredo Marte 2013 Chrome Blue Refractor auto in as a kind of joke, since Marte was invited to Orioles spring training.  This is a really nice card.  I used to have one of these.  I have a sneaking suspicion that this used to be the one I had, but I haven't confirmed it with Scott.

Thanks for the awesome holiday package, Scott!  I loved everything that was in it!

Instagram Trade With Calicardz - 2013 Topps Chrome Orange Dylan Bundy

I completed a trade on Instagram recently when I sent a 2013 Topps Chrome Alfredo Marte auto to a kid named Ben.  Ben, who goes by the name of Calicards sent me this orange refractor of Dylan Bundy.  Also, its a RC!

I was a little worried during the trade when Ben closed his Instagram account, but the card came on time. I don't even know if I had the card already, but I loved the orange parallel and was glad to get it.  I had the Marte auto since I busted boxes back when 2013 Chrome came out, but had a hard time trading or selling it.  I hope Ben liked it, because I liked my end of the deal!

Christmas Gift From Sam

Not too long ago, I posted about completing my 1997 Topps set.  The post is right here.  The final card I needed for that set was sent to me in a Christmas package by my buddy from Instagram named Sam.  I talk to two guys named Sam on Instagram, this one is the Mariners fan.  Sam is one of the first few folks I dealt with on there, and I have been hooking him up with Mariners and Rangers cards for TTMs for a long time, now.

Sam was really generous when he sent me that card to finish my 1997 set, but also included a few other cards that he thought I would like.  The above manufactured patch of Chris Davis is one that I had been looking for to put into my PC for a while since it came out.  I think there are two versions of this patch, the above one and the cartoon bird.  So, I'll still have to pick up a cartoon bird one, which shouldn't be too hard.

Finally, I got this 2013 Topps Chrome LJ Hoes auto.  I used to have one, but I sold it on COMC.  I'm glad Sam sent me this one, because I feel like the auto is better, and I had seen Hoes play back when he was on the Keys.  I won't be trading this one away, since my buddy was kind enough to give it to me.

Thanks for the Christmas package, Sam!  I really appreciate it!

Set Complete - 2013 Topps Chrome

I completed a set, finally, that I have been working on for a while.  I got the last few remaining cards I needed off of Sportlots so I could finally put this one to a close.

Here is the completer card, a great shot of Josh Reddick,

I should be finishing up two other sets really soon (2014 Update and 1997 Topps), so be on the lookout for those.

Set Pickups From Sportlots

I knocked off a bunch of set needs from Sportlots recently when I picked up several cards for 1959 and 1997 Topps, 2013 Topps Chrome and 2014 Topps Update.

I made the biggest dent in my 1997 set (which I still haven't posted my needs on my wishlist, but I plan on getting around to it, I promise).  I got 40 cards that I needed, the most prominent ones being this Chipper Jones and also Greg Maddux.  I like this set, but I have really neglected completing it since I have been concentrating on 1959 and 1969.  I plan on finishing this up really soon so it will be out of the way, then all I will need to finish from the 90s will be 1994 and 1995.

Another set I completely neglected was 2013 Topps Chrome.  I just stopped looking for them right after they came out and the box has been languishing in my closet.  My intention was to complete this set (and also 2014 Topps Update), but one Sportlots seller apparently failed to send multiple orders so everything I requested from him was canceled.  This means that my 2013 Chrome and 2014 Update set completions will have to wait.

I also added 3 1959 Topps cards that I needed, bringing me down to 94 that I need for completion.  Those high numbers are still tough, but I got the biggest ones out of the way with the Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays All Stars.

Maybe in the coming weeks you'll see that I actually finished a couple of these sets.  Man, I hope so, because I need to relocate some of these set boxes so I can move others in their place.

Instagram Trade With Cade

I completed a trade recently with a guy named Cade on Instagram when I sent him some extra vintage cards he needed in exchange for some set needs.  He sent me 5 2013 Topps Chrome cards and 6 2013 Topps Emerald parallels.  Cade also threw in two Orioles cards: a Chasing History Dylan Bundy and a 2014 Opening Day Superstar Celebrations Chris Davis.

Thanks for the trade, Cade!

Some More Instagram Pickups

I completed a trade a few weeks ago with a guy on Instagram named Nick. He and his son have been following me for a while, so it was nice to finally pull off a trade.  I sent him a 2014 Topps Museum Collection Anthony Rizzo green parallel and he hooked me up with some nice Orioles stuff.  The key to what I got in return was this 2014 Topps Chris Davis blue parallel and the below 2013 Topps Chrome Manny Machado RC for my set.

I could have sworn that I had this Manny in my PC, but if I do, it is nowhere to be found, so I had to deal for this one so I could add it to my set  I'm glad I did because my 2013 Chrome set is winding down.  It'll be nice to put this one away and then I can maybe concentrate on something ese.

Thanks for the trade, Nick!

A Trade With Roger Helps My Chrome Set

I got a random email from a fellow blogger a couple weeks ago.  The blogger was Roger from the blog "Sports Card Mask-A-Rade" and he had a bunch of 2013 Chrome to help me with my set.

In all, Roger sent me 25 cards to help with my set, leaving me with only 27 to go before the set is complete. Not too bad.  When I finish this one, it'll be the third Chrome set that I've completed, along with 2010 and 2012.  I have grown to love Chrome recently, especially the color refractor parallels.

I figure I'll be able to make a few trades and buy some needs off of Sportlots to get this set done and out of my notebook.  Then, maybe I can add a few other sets to work on.

Thanks for the cards, Roger.  I hope you like the package I sent you.

More From Dana - Hakuna Machado

Dana sent me a bunch of different Orioles cards, all of which I needed, but none more so than the 7 Manny Machados that she sent along.  I've learned very quickly that any and every kid under the age of 14 has a Manny Machado PC and they are driving up the price of his cards everywhere.  So, it's really tough to get my hands on any of them, unless I pull them from a pack myself.  Thanks to Dana, I don't have to worry about a few of them, now that I have these.

I do have to saw WOW for the 2014 Panini Donruss.  They hit this one out of the park, in my opinion.  The design is fresh, but it also reaches back to Donruss of old and really makes you feel like they never left the market.  Well played, Panini!

Sticking with Donruss, here is a numbered Machado from the Elite Series subset.  Very sharp!  This one is nombered 320/999 and looks amazing.  I love it!

Finally, I wanted to show the X-fractor that she sent from Manny's 2013 Topps Chrome.  I didn't have this one either and she was gracious enough to send it along.

I appreciate the package so much, Dana.  Thanks so much.  I'm going to continue with probably 3 or 4 more posts from it, so you all stay tuned!

Trading With Blog Reader Dana - 2013 Topps Chrome Manny Machado RC Auto

I got an email from someone who has read my blog for a long time, Dana.  She used to frequent the card shop I helped out at and follows me on Facebook as well.  When she emailed me, I was happily surprised that the had contacted me to do a trade.  Braves stuff for Orioles stuff with the centerpiece being the above 2013 Topps Chrome Manny Machado RC Autograph.

I sent Dana a multitude of Braves stuff, including a SP and a relic from 2014 Topps, among other things. She sent a huge stack of recent Orioles stuff, way too much to justice with in one post.  So, I will break it up among many posts.

I thought the other day that I really needed to get something cooking as far as trades go, and lo and behold, a huge package from Dana and also several other trades came rolling in all at once.  I'm going to make time for each and every one, so if you sent me something, don't worry, it'll get posted.  Hopefully sooner rather than later.  I also want to take Fuji's idea and do a posting showing my top 5 Hall of Fame baseballs.  I haven't thought enough about it, but I will get one moving shortly.

So, that being said, please enjoy the Manny RC Auto that Dana sent me and stay tuned over the next couple days and see what else was in her padded mailer!

Thanks so much, Dana!

Two Trades in One

I completed two trades recently, both of which landed me the above Chris Davis 2013 Topps Update Chrome.  I originally traded something that I can't remember to my buddy, Kalib (you know, from CUbs Cardboard) and he sent me the Davis in return.

Then, I completed a trade with a guy named Shant.  He needed some Chrome refractors and in return he sent me some Chrome base and the Davis (along with a few other O's cards).  The trade with Shant and the one from Alex really put a dent in my 2013 Chrome needs.

Thanks for the trades, guys.  I really appreciate it!

Christmas Presents From Matthew

I have gotten a few Christmas presents in from some fellow bloggers recently and for those, I will be pausing my posts on my card show trip in order to show them off.  I'll also be taking tomorrow off from the blog, just so you all know.

So, here are a few of the cards I got in the mail from Matthew, over at Matthew's Baseball Cards, for Christmas.

I actually think I traded for the above Dylan Bundy, but I don't remember what I sent him.  I think it was an assortment of Chrome numbered parallels.  He also included the regular refractor Bundy in my Christmas package as well.

Matthew also included this 2013 Topps retail silk RC of Eddie Murray, showing a silk variation of his classic 1978 Topps RC.  I have always liked the '78 set and the Murray is a really nice card to have.  I only have the one RC in my set, so I would like to find another Murray RC for my Murray PC at some point.  Its not a pressing issue and I'm certain I can find one for a deal, so I'll be on the lookout for sure.

Anyway, the silk RCs were a pretty cool concept and I believe Jim Palmer and Eddie Murray were the only Orioles represented, but I could be wrong.  I do know that I haven't seen a Brooks one.  I really liked the cards, Matthew!

Merry Christmas, guys.  If you have to travel, please drive safe.  No texting and driving!

My Christmas Present From Andrew

My very good friend, Andrew, sent me a really awesome Christmas present that I got the other day.  It means so much to me that I'm interrupting my string of card show posts to show off two of the cards I got from him.

First up is this 2013 Topps Update Chris Davis Camo parallel.  I believe Andrew sent me an Ebay link of the Camo at one point, but I was tapped out on card money at the time and didn't buy it.  He came through for me, like he always does and surprised me with it for Christmas.

The card is numbered 69/99.

Next is this amazing Manny Machado 2013 Topps Chrome orange refractor parallel.  These parallels are retail exclusive and are not numbered.  I have to tell you, though, it looks awesome with Manny's Orange jersey.  It really pops!

I'm so excited to have these cards in my PCs now.  Thanks so much for the Christmas presents, Andrew, it means a lot to me!

My Second Trade With Matthew

I have no idea what I sent him in return, but I made a second trade with Matthew recently which landed me this 2013 Topps Chrome Yasiel Puig RC, which I will be needing to complete the Chrome set.  Yeah, I said it.  I'm going to try to put the set together.  It shouldn't be too hard, seeing as I have opened 3 boxes.  I bet I'm relatively close, but we'll see when I sit down and sort everything.  I haven't had much time for that recently.

I got a bunch of other cards in my package that Matthew was nice enough to throw in.  My package wasn't the best of the bunch, though.  Matthew included a bunch of cards for Christopher, and, well, he really blew him away with his generosity.  I was very impressed.  I will have to let Chris tell the story of what he got, though.

So, that's 2 trades I have done with Matthew.  He seems to be learning the ropes pretty well.  Head over to his blog and check it out.