Christmas Care Package From Daytons Cards

I just met Dayton over at Daytons Cards on Instagram a few months ago.  I found him some coaches for the minor league teams that he sees, and figured that would be all we interacted until the start of the season.  Dayton surprised me, though, with a Christmas care package that had a few autos in it, and the above 2013 Topps gold parallel of Wei-Yin Chen.  It has been a while since a Chen card appeared on the blog.

I liked the autos that Dayton sent along.  Even though I already had Rich Bordi in my album, I will put this one in there as well, since he gifted it to me.

I thought I already had the 2013 Miguel Gonzalez, but I guess I didn't, which was a nice surprise.  I also did a double take, because I thought the 2011 was Miguel, as well, but it was horrible Orioles relieved, Mike Gonzalez.  I shudder at the memories of him closing games.  Still, I needed the card, and I am happy to have it, no matter how bad Mike Gonzalez was.

Thank you so much for the care package, Dayton!

Care Package From Micah

I got a surprise care package in the other day from my little buddy from Instagram, Micah.  He sent the package as a birthday gift to my son, Chris, since they talk some on Instagram.  Micah had included some stuff in the package for me, as well.  The abve Alonzo Powell signed Stadium Club was one of the cards.

Micah also included one of his own cards, signed.  I think this card of him is from several years ago, since he looks so young in the photo.  I actually enjoy it when the folks I trade with include their own cards.  One of them is bound to hit it big, right?

Another of the cards he included in the package was this nice Bowman Sterling Dontrelle Willis relic.  I met Willis a few years ago at the National Card Show.  He was really nice in person, and I wouldn't mind meeting him again.

Thank you so much for the care package, Micah!

A Care Package From Gerard

I got a care package in the mail from my good friend, Gerard a while back that included this IP auto of Robert Andino on a 2013 Topps.  I only had two or three signed 2013 Topps, so this one helped the binder.  Andino is back in the Orioles organization, but was recently popped with a ampetamine suspension.  It is really unfortunate, because I like Andino, and he was having a decent year at Norfolk.

Gerard also hooked me up with this nice Chris Davis from 2016 Panini Diamond Kings.  I don't think I had this card yet, so it will be a nice addition to the PC.

Thanks so much for the care package, Gerard!

Surprise Care Package From Dan

Right around Christmas, I completed a trade with a kid on Instagram named Dan.  We had completed our deal, and right after, I received a care package from him that had a few Orioles cards in it, and this Matt Wieters post card.  From Dan's note, it looks like he included every Orioles card that he could find.  Also, judging by the pin hole in the post card, it looks like Dan also raided whatever he had posted in his room.

I think it is really awesome that Dan felt compelled to search his collection and send me some cards.  It was very unexpected, and I hope to return the favor to him sometime soon.

Thank you so much for the care package, Dan!

Care Package From Tom

I got a surprise care package in the mail recently from fellow blogger, Tom.  He writes the blog, The Angels, In Order, and the two of us have interacted a bit here and there via the blogs and Instagram.  Tom was making some room in his collection for more Angels stuff, and sent me a few Orioles goodies for my collection.

The above 1993 All Star ballot was something really awesome that I wasn't expecting to see.  1993 was the year when Camden Yards hosted the All Star Game, and having one of the ballots, in mint condition, is a really cool piece to my collection.  I think it was really awesome of Tom to include it!

Tom Also included a few Orioles post cards and these three signed baseball cards.  I recently sent to Leo Gomez, but thankfully, I didn't send this one.  I always enjoy a nice 1988 Topps signed and the Melvin Mora Cracker Jack is one I really would have loved to have gotten TTM if I had some of the cards available.  Thankfully, Tom hooked me up, and I can have one of these in my album!

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

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!

2016 Topps Chrome Chris Davis Pink From Instagram

Even though his bat is ice cold, and he was ejected today for the first time in his Orioles tenure, I wanted to show a nice Chris Davis card that a guy sent to me out of the kindness of his heart.  A guy with the handle @linklatercards messaged me a while back and asked if I had this Davis pink parallel.  I did not, and asked him his price.  He said no price, he just wanted it to go to someone who would want it.  I did, and he sent it on its way.

He didn't have to do that for me, but he did.  This is why I continue to love the card community, and the Instagram community.  I love the card and it is a welcome addition to the Davis PC.

Set Pickups - 2015 Stadium Club

I added a few more 2015 Stadium Club to my set recently with a Sportlots pickup and a nice care package from blog reader, Mark M.

Mark knocked four of the cards off of the list while I added ten from Sportlots.  I have been on Sportlots for probably 10 years (or very close to it) and have enjoyed using it as a tool to help complete sets.  I picked up the Stadium Club cards last week when I was working to complete the 1994 Topps set.

I also appreciate Mark helping me with this set.  He also was very nice to help with the 1994 set.

1994 Topps From PA and Mark M.

I got two care packages in recently that almost wiped out what I needed from my 1994 Topps set needs.  My friend, P. A., and blog reader Mark M., both attacked my needs list at the same time and sent me care packages.  I really appreciated both Mark and P. A. thinking of me.  I plan on hitting up Sportlots soon to wipe out what is left on the needs list, and also finish up some other outlying sets.

I also have a box of 1995 Topps that needs to be sorted so I can finally get to work on that set.  That project is going to happen very soon, I promise.  I really want to get these 90s sets done so I can fully focus on finishing 1969, and making a dent in 1967.

Thanks Mark and P. A. for taking a look at the needs lists and going out of your way to help me out.  It definitely doesn't go unnoticed, even though it might take me a while to get around to posting.

Set Needs Care Package From Mark

I got a care package in the mail the other day from blog reader, Mark M. who had a few 1969 Topps and 2015 Stadium Club for my sets.  Mark had commented on one of my Stadium Club posts recently, and was able to help me knock a few cards out of each want list.

Mark sent along 10 1969 Topps that I needed.  The cards were in decent enough shape for me to be able to cross them off of the list, just in time for the National.  I doubt I will pursue completing this set while at the show.  Completing the 1959 set last year was an expensive endeavor.  I may grab a few, though, enough to make a dent, I think.

Mark sent me three 2015 Stadium Club cards to cross off.  I do intend to finish this at the show.  I really want to put it behind me and move on to a more recent set.  I am excited to complete this one, since it is in an album.  I already enjoy flipping through it and looking at all of the photography.

Thank you so much for the cards, Mark!

Some Mail From Dylan

I got a couple nice cards recently from my buddy, Dylan the other day.  In it, he had this over sized Cal Ripken from 1995 Upper Deck.  This is a hand numbered limited edition card; numbered 4,622 of 5,000.  The card is still sealed in the plastic provided by UD with a "Certificate of Authenticity" sticker/seal.  Pretty cool card that I didn't have in the Cal PC.

Dylan also included this 2016 Bowman purple chrome refractor of Ryan Mountcastle.  This card is  numbered 44/250.  I don't have a lot of Mountcastle stuff yet, so it was nice being able to add this to the collection.

Thanks so much, Dylan!

Some Stadium Club For The Set

I got a surprise email recently from fellow blogger, Chris, from the blog "Nachos Grande".  He had a few 2015 Stadium Club for my set.  I really appreciated him sending them along, because these cards are beginning to be harder and harder to find.

One question I had for myself, though, was "Don't I already have this Frank Robinson?"  If I do, it is likely in my Orioles box somewhere.  Maybe it made its way in there before I decided to do this set.  Oh well.  The 7 cards that Chris sent along will help me fill some holes in the Stadium Club binder.  Maybe I can complete this set at the National?

Care Package From My Buddy, Josh F.

I got a nice care package back in June from my buddy, Josh F. after he had let me know I had something on the way.

He is a big Patrick Corbin and Jason Grilli fan, and I have sent him a bunch of their cards for his collection.  I was pleasantly surprised when Josh included one of the cards that he had signed by Grilli.

Josh had found this 1959 Virgil Trucks and remembered that I liked him, so he included it in the package.  I have the card already, but am always happy to take on another Trucks for the collection.

Josh also included a bunch of Orioles cards.  Among them was this Topps Coin of Brooks Robinson.  These are really cool, and I don't really see too many of them, these days.

Thank you so much for the care package, Josh.  I hope I can find more cards for your PC really soon!

Care Package From Jeff

I got a nice care package from a fellow instagrammer, Jeff back on May 5 and I finally am able to post about it.  I helped Jeff get some good cards recently, and he has helped me with some nice care packages.  I really appreciated the care package, and I wish I had gotten them posted sooner.

Thanks for the cards, Jeff!

Chrome Care Package From Nick C.

I got a nice care package in recently from my friend, Nick C. that had a few nice Chris Davis Bowman Chrome parallels, as well as a few other cards.  I have helped Nick's Maikel Franco PC quite a bit, and he finally got around to hooking me up with these cards.

The 2013 Bowman Chrome blue refractor at the top of the page is numbered 209/250.  The above purple parallel is numbered 147/199.  After consulting my Davis spreadsheet, I learned that I didn't have the blue parallel yet.  I do have another purple parallel, but extra numbered cards are always welcome.

I also have another of these 2014 Finest refractors somewhere in my box, but I failed to log the numbering on my spreadsheet.  I'll have to remember to figure that out sometime.  In the meantime, I will have this one logged and put in my box.

Chris Davis wasn't the only player in the package from Nick.  He also included this 2009 Bowman blue parallel numbered 372/500.

There was also this 2006 Bowman Chrome Nolan Reimold form the Futures Game.  I had one of these in my collection.  You would think that I would have had more of them, but I guess I never picked any other up.  This one will get logged in a few minutes as well.

Thank you so much for the package, Nick!  I enjoyed all of the cards.  I'll have to keep an eye out for some nice Phillies stuff for you.

Huge Care Package From Max

I haven't had a chance to talk to my good friend, Max, recently since he has been really busy with school and sports and I have just been busy.  I got a nice package in from him a couple weeks ago that was full of awesome stuff.  I needed this Adam Jones relic from 2014 Panini Classic.  It has a nice orange piece of jersey and is numbered 12/99.

I had send Max some cards for him to get signed at a game, and he surprised me with two of them.  These are 2015 Bowman and Bowman Chrome cards signed IP by Trace Loehr and Skye Bolt.  Bolt was a former UNC standout, so getting his auto is really nice.

This card might be one of the highlights, though.  It is a striking 2012 Bowman Sterling Dylan Bundy refractor numbered 103/199.  I don't recall ever seeing any of these, so this is a really cool addition to the collection.

Max also hooked me up with this emerald parallel of Brooks Robinson from 2013 Museum Collection.  I don't believe I had one of these.  This one is numbered 123/250.

Here is a Topps Finest refractor of Nolan Reimold numbered 175/199.  This is my second Reimold Finest refractor from that year.

Finally, among a ton of other cards, most of which will be used for TTM requests were a few playing cards like this Dave Parker.  Parker is an underrated player that I like a lot, so I was happy to add this to the collection.

Thanks so much for the care package, Max!  I really appreciate it, and am looking forward to being able to talk a lot more this summer!

Gift From Billy R. - Rick Dempsey Signed Baseball

I got a DM on Instagram a few weeks ago from a guy who was looking for some 1988 Fleer cards so that he could do some TTMs.  It just so happened that I had a broken set of them, so I was able to find every card that he needed.  I didn't think much of it, since the box was just taking up space, but the guy (Billy R.) insisted that he send me something in return for the cards I sent him.

A few weeks later, a box came from Billy and inside it was this signed baseball.  I have been needing a Rick Dempsey baseball for some time now, and didn't have to do a whole lot to get it, apparently.  Billy also included a card that he wanted me to send out TTM (Paul Noce), so I need to get on that, once I find a couple more of his cards.

Dempsey (b. 1949) played in the majors from 1969 to 1992 for the Twins, Yankees, Orioles, Indians, Dodgers and Brewers.  He had 1,093 hits, 96 home runs and a ,233 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Orioles in 1983 and the Dodgers in 1988.  He was the 1983 World Series MVP.  He is also one of the rare 4-decade players, having played in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.  Dempsey appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 1998 and received 0.2% of the vote.

Weston Returns

I got a care package in the mail recently that really took me by surprise.  Not so much that I got a care package in the mail, moreso because it came from my old friend, Weston.  Weston and I used to talk all of the time, and he is the one who introduced me to my good friend, Andrew.  However, Weston is a busy guy, so he has had to step away from the hobby on numerous occasions in order to tend to his other activities.  Thankfully, he never forgot me, and has tried to keep in touch.  He sent me this care package as a way to say hello and that he hadn't forgotten about me.  It was a really nice gesture that didn't go unnoticed.  Thanks, Weston!

Care Package From Caleb

I was skyping with my buddy Caleb when he saw that I was interested in getting some Seattle Pilots autographs TTM.  He jumped out of his chair and ran across his room to grab a set of cards that his uncle had given him, a 1983 Renata Galasso Seattle Pilots set.  He took the John Donaldson out of the set so he could get him TTM, and sent me a couple of guys that I could try.  I have already sent off a few of them; guys I already had a couple cards of, and held on to the above Wayne Comer and Rich Rollins.  I held on to them in case I found a couple other cards I could send, instead of just doing one card.  These should go out soon.

Caleb also sent a stack of Orioles cards.  This Frank Robinson manufactured patch card is pretty cool, and one I didn't have in my collection.  I was glad Caleb included it in the care package.

Thank you for the cards, Caleb!

A Nice Care Package From Patrick

I lent a hand to my good friend, Patrick recently when I saw a 2016 Twins printing plate at a good price on Ebay.  I let him know about it and learned that he didn't have any printing plates in his collection.  I picked it up for him, but being the great guy that Patrick is, he wouldn't let me buy it for him outright.  He insisted on paying me back, it just would take him some time.  So, a couple weeks ago, I got a nice package in the mail from him that had the money for the plate, and also a few Orioles cards that he was able to find.

He apologized for only including a few Orioles cards, but the note he wrote was the real prize in the deal.  The letters that people write are my favorite part of any trade, care package, etc.  Patrick took the time to thank me for being there for him and being someone he could talk to.  That, to me, is worth far more than some baseball cards.  I really enjoy helping people out, and I hope to be able to do it as long as time will allow.

Patrick, I sincerely am happy that we met, and I definitely appreciate the package.  I'll be sure to find some more awesome Twins cards to help boost your collection.