Last 2023 50-50s From Max

A box of cards came in from Max recently that had the rest of the 50/50s he was able to take for me toward the end of the season.  He knocked out a bunch of cards that I sent to him, starting with the above 2022 Topps Chrome MLB Logo refractor of Jackson Kowar that I found at the National. This card is really cool and turned out great.  I'm glad I was able to find it and send it along. 

Max got one of my 1991 Crown Orioles cards signed; this one being of Rex Hudler.  

Max took the A's, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Royals and a couple other teams.  It was cool that he got the two World Series teams.  The 2006 Topps Diamondbacks team card is signed by Denny Stark, by the way.

Max also hit the Rockes and got a few guys I'd probably never see.  The German Marquez Topps Archives (bottom, middle) looks great.  I was also glad to get some 2023 Topps signed.  Kyle Freeland had signed for me TTM, but it was nice to get a few more of his cards out of the boxes and into the album. 

The Paul Blackburn cards at the bottom of this scan had been in my to-be-TTMed box for a long time.  He stopped signing when I pulled them, so it was great that Max could fi ally get some ink on them for me.  I'm surprised I still had some Jerry DiPoto cards left, but I did, and they got done.

The Rodolfo Castro on the 87 Topps design was a cool card.  I'm glad Max sent that one back. He knows how much I like that set.  Jack Suwinski lives or grew up near Max, so I think he actually knows him personally.  I forget what he told me, so I'll have to check again with me how that works.  I've sent him a few Suwinski cards, and the 2022 Topps Update that I got back looks sharp.

A couple more Bob Brenly cards were taken care of this time around. I like the 2004 Topps, a set that I have been trying to get more of into the album.  Those mid-2,000s sets were some that I unloaded my bulk at past shows, so there aren't as many of those in my stash as there are other eras.

I'm always happy to add one of my Midwest League cards to the autograph album. I got this set a while back from an old friend, and have been chipping away at it over the years.  Alek Thomas was a guy who I thought may be tough to get from that set, but Max hooked it up.  He also got me Zach Davies, a former Oriole farmhand who I haven't been able to graph.

The above 2015 Topps is signed by Tuffy Goeswich; the 2019 Topps Rainbow Foil A's card is signed by Lucas Erceg, and the 2023 Topps Diamondbacks team card is signed by Scott McGough. Max always helps put with the team issue stuff, in case he is out of anyone.  I have been putting more of these aside for future use with him, myself and other 50/50 stuff.  These team cards do come in handy.

Thank you as always for the awesome stack of signed stuff, Max.  I'm excited to see what we can get out of the boxes in 2024!

Dylan D With the 50-50 Returns

My friend, Dylan, approached me early this year about sending him cards for 50/50s this season.  I was happy to oblige, since it helped me move a bunch of cards.  In the end, I sent him a ton of stuff (probably way too much), but I did get some nice signatures back.  The card that I wanted back more than any other was the above 2017 Bowman orange parallel of Scott Hurst.  I had this card in my Bowman box since I busted 2017 Bowman, and really wanted to get it signed.  Dylan was happy to help, and the card is now in my album.

Along with the 50/50s, Dylan sent me some extras that he accumulated along the way.  He hinted at this Sandy Alcantara a few months ago, and then I forgot that it was coming.  I was really happy to get it, though, along with another huge surprise.

Dylan helped me get some of my Jackson Kowars signed.  I missed him when he came through Kinston, so it was nice to get some of his cards done.  I was especially happy that his Carolina League All Star card got signed.

Here is an assortment of what Dylan was able to get signed for me.  The 2019 Topps Holiday Willians Astudillo is a really cool card.  I also like that he was able to get some of my 2019 Bowman Heritage cards done (by Brewer Hicklen and Luken Baker).

I completely missed Astudillo when I saw Jacksonville at Durham early this season.  He was on the taxi squad early that week, then showed up the next night.  This is after I took his cards out of my book, thinking he wouldn't be on that trip.

Here are some of the extras that Dylan included.  There might be a card or two from Drake, as the stacks got mixed up a bit.

I believe most of these are ones that Dylan sent back, since they still have my tags on the back of most of them.

Finally, here's the huge surprise that Dylan included in the package.  I was floored when I saw a Zack Greinke signed card included with my stuff.  I guess he had no problem signing for Dylan while he was on a rehab assignment, since Dylan isn't Pat Neshek.

Thank you so much for taking my 50/50s, and also for the extras, Dylan.  I regret not stopping in Memphis to say hello when we were on our graphing trip out west.  I will try to meet up next year.

Some Autos From Michael

My friend, Michael, sent me a package recently that had a good many autos from this season.  I really appreciated the package, and there was some really good stuff inside.

I missed seeing Jackson Kowar this season, as he wasn't with Wilmington for very long.  So, I was really glad Michael sent me this Pro Debut.

Chris Lee is no longer in the Orioles system.  Last I saw was that he was pitching for the Saint Paul Saints; this was when I was at the National.  I don't think Jonathan Villar will be with the Orioles next season, as he is having a great year and has built up some trade value.  He sure has been fun to watch.

Thanks for the cards, Michael!  I really appreciate it.