TTM Success - Richie Shaffer

I have to say, man Stadium Club looks nice when it is signed.  Those are some nice cards, and being able to get one of them signed is always nice.  The above 2016 Stadium Club is one of the two cards I got back from Richie Shaffer when I sent to him TTM.

I also got this 2013 Panini USA Baseball card signed.  This was back when Shaffer went to school with my good friend, Corbin.  I haven't talked to Corbin in forever, but every time I see one of Shaffer's cards, I always think of him.

Shaffer (b. 1991) played in the majors in 2015 and 2016 for the Rays.  He was a first round pick (25th overall) by the Rays in the 2012 June Amateur Draft out of Clemson.  Before that, he went to Providence High School in Charlotte.  He had 26 hits, 5 home runs and a .213 batting average.

I mailed to Shaffer on August 4 and got the cards back on September 3, for a 30-day TAT.

Graphing Recap of Somerset Patriots at High Point Rockers

Before Chris went off to camp for a week, he and I decided to take a mini-day trip across the state and catch a game at the new High Point Rockers stadium.  The Rockers are a new independent league team that has taken residence in High Point, just outside of Winston-Salem and Greensboro.

We saw them take on the Somerset Patriots, and I spent a good amount of time a few days prior by looking for cards of guys who we would see.  I did pretty well, and Chris even helped me search my Orioles boxes for the above 2015 Topps Update Chrome sparkle Jimmy Paredes.  I knew I had the card, and when I saw he was on the roster, that was the one card that I wanted to get signed.

 Between my box of older prospect cards and a trip to the new LCS in town (the one I have been going to for the last 10 years has been bought out and closed), I got a good many card signed at the game.

You have to pick a side at their stadium and go for one team at a time, so I made sure I hit Somerset first so I could get the Paredes done.

Luckily, I got most of the Somerset guys I needed, save for two, so I was hoping I would knock off the final two, then head to the Rockers side and grab some as well.  I saw that this idea wasn't going to work, but Chris spoke up and said he would go over to the Rockers side and try to get whatever he could done.  I didn't have his book along with us, so I had to hand him the individual players and tell him the numbers to remember.

Chris got all but one of the Rockers players taken care of, and that was because the guy wouldn't stop.  I got one of the players that I needed (Ryan Kussmaul) and the other player didn't stop for me, so he and I missed one guy each.  That isn't too bad.

The only problem I saw with the independent teams was that neither team had an updated roster posted that I was able to find online.  There were a few pitchers who were listed on each roster that I wanted to get, but they weren't there.  I don't know if there is a better way for me to figure out the rosters, but that would be nice.

Chris gets back from camp today; the week without him has been no fun, so he needs to get home.

Birthday Gift and Some Autos From Nick H.

My buddy, Nick H. has been doing some 50/50s for me this season, and has been talking with me for a couple years now.  He's a really great guy, who graphs the Columbus Clippers.  He surprised me with a nice little package for my birthday, which had a nice assortment of Orioles.

I didn't have this 1962 Topps Brooks Robinson All Star card, to my recollection.  It has seen a lot of love over the years, but will now be retired to a top loader and a home in my Brooks box.

I did have the above 1967 Topps Orioles champions card, but I took it and added it to my 1967 set.  I'm pretty sure I didn't have the 1968 Topps Frank Robinson All Star card.

These two Orioles relics were really nice.  I believe Nick had just recently went to a card show, which means that he was thinking of me while he was there, which is always a nice feeling.

I liked these Donruss Orioles as well.  Kind of odd seeing the last two posts showing the last two Orioles to wear #10.  Interesting, I suppose.

Nick has been getting me autos all season of Columbus players, as well as other guys who have come by.  These were the last of the cards that he was due to send me.  Jerry Owens is a coach for Columbus, and Nick has gotten his auto for me on some nice cards.

Finally, here is a Richie Shaffer that I had sent Nick a while back.  He was finally able to get it signed before the season ended.

Thank you so much for the birthday package, Nick.  I feel bad that it took me this long to get it posted, but I am slowly catching up on my stacks.

Some Recent Autograph Pickups

I picked up a few nice cards lately that other folks have gotten signed, starting with two Gerald Lairds that my buddy, Dylan, was able to get for me while he was graphing the Connecticut Tigers.  This 2008 Heritage Chrome RC of Laird turned out really nice.

I had found four Laird cards, and I chose the Heritage Chrome and this 2005 Topps, while Dylan kept two other Topps cards.

My friend, Scott, from the Wood Ducks games hooked me up with this Richie Shaffer auto that he got IP for my help in getting him Triston McKenzie a while back.  I had this Schaffer already, but I was happy to take it, nonetheless.  Especially since the person who got me the previous one is now someone I won't be doing 50/50s with anymore.  I'd rather help Scott out.

Finally, I made a trade on Instagram using two of my extra Jamie Quirk IP autos for these two Orioles.  I definitely needed more 2009 Topps in my album, so I had to choose the 09 Jeremy Guthrie, and I didn't have McGregor yet, so I was happy with this 1986 Topps.

IP Autos From Nick

My good buddy, Nick, has been graphing in Columbus, and has hooked my up with a ton of autographs.  I lost count on all of the packages of cards that I have sent him, but he has come through by getting it all signed.

I was really glad to see that he got me this Nelson Rodriguez, because I love these cards.  I should be able to get at least one more of these cards signed this season.

Nick was able to get a few Richie Shaffer cards signed for me, most notably this 2016 Topps Chrome refractor.  It turned out really great, I think.

Nick also helped me with these two Shaffers, as well.  Here is a different Team USA card, but still a nice one.

He helped me get this Jerry Owens signed for my good friend, Josh.  Josh pulled this out of a repack box, and I told him I would try to see if Nick could get it signed.  Luckily, Nick came through, and hooked me up.  It looks nice; I wish I had one, as well, because deep down, I really like Fleer products.

These Owens cards also turned out really nice.  I liked the 2007 Topps Chrome.  The Upper Decks turned out great, as well.

I remember a time when I had no signed 2008 Topps, but now, I have a bunch.  This one is just the latest to make the list.

Here are some Steve Karsay cards that Nick helped with, also.  I added a nice 1998 Topps Chrome, along with the '98 base.  I also added another 2001 Topps to the album, another set that was really under-represented.

Finally, here are a few more cards that Nick got for me, that I really enjoyed seeing.  Karsay has a great signature, I think.

Nick is working on a few more cards for me, which I hope to see soon.  Thank you so much for the help, Nick!  I really appreciate it!

Dilan Comes Through Again

I meant to post this yesterday, but I was out of the house from 6:15 AM to 1:15 AM, and when I got home, all I wanted to do was go to bed.  Also, these cards kind of got shifted around on my desk, so they ended up not being posted when I got them, so this is long overdue.

My friend, Dilan, has helped me out by doing some 50/50s at Durham Bulls games this past season.  I sent him a bunch of Bulls cards, and he got me a few signed back in June, but I told him to hold the rest until the end of the season.  You know, just in case he was able to get more.

So, he was able to get some more signed, and the top two are of a guy I have followed a little bit.  Richie Shaffer went to high school in Charlotte with my good friend, Corbin.  I have followed his career since he was drafted and am happy to see that he has made it to the majors.  I was also glad to be able to add a couple 2016 Topps and Bowman to my album.

Finally, Dilan hooked me up with this 2014 Topps Danny Farquhar.  Here is another guy who has been in the majors, but was at Durham at the time.

Dilam also sent me back the extra cards that he wasn't able to get signed.  I'm hoping I can get him some more stuff for next season, when rosters are announced.

Thanks, Dilan!

My Thoughts on 2013 Panini Team USA

I went to the card shop recently and noticed some new stuff on the shelves in the form of 2013 Panini Team USA.  I bought something like 6 packs of them figuring that one of my good friends who loves Team USA would like them, even if I didn't.  Well, I was very pleased with Panini's offering this year (which seems to have become the norm).

They put in a good mix of past Team USA players in with some of today's prospects.  The above card of Richie Shaffer is significant because my good friend Corbin went to high school with Shaffer.  He is from Charlotte, NC and played at Clemson.  He was a first round pick (25th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012 and is playing for the High A Port Charlotte Stone Crabs.

I definitely will be picking up some more Team USA packs.  I might go for the set at some point, we'll see.  I might trade some of the cards I pulled.  There was a Barry Larkin in there that might be sent away.  Some other veterans as well.