A Little Taste Of The National From Eric

I was unable to attend the National this year because of my extensive vacation to Michigan and Illinois.  I really wanted to go, but there was no way I was going to be able to afford it.  Luckily, my friend, Eric, sent a few things my way from his visit to the National.

Above is a really sharp looking Kevin Gausman 2014 Turkey Red auto that is numbered 454/499.  I hadn't had a chance to pick up any Turkey Red at all last year or this year.  I saw the Gausman before, but couldn't get my hands on it.  Thankfully, Eric thought of me when he saw it and grabbed it.

Eric told me he found this Jonathan Schoop auto in a $4 bin that was slammed full of cards.  What a deal!  The card didn't scan as good as it looks in person, but I assure you, it looks great.

Finally, Eric sent me 14 1969 Topps that I needed for my set.  Even better, 10 of them were high numbers, so that really helps me along with my set!  They are all in awesome shape, too!

Thanks for the cards, Eric.  Expect some great Twins cards in your mailbox real soon!

A Surprise Package From Alex

I got a surprise package in the mail recently from my good friend, Alex, over at the blog: Chavez Ravining.  Alex is an awesome guy who I have talked to quite a bit in the last year.  With his being a Dodger fan, I have been able to send him quite a bit of stuff since I no longer have a former friend around who was a Dodger fan.  Alex gets to cash in on that.

Alex sent me a really awesome package that had a ton of Orioles in it.  I really liked the 2014 Allen and Ginter Adam Jones relic.  Ginter has been around a while now and I feel like it has lost its luster, but this card is really sharp and I appreciate Alex including it in the package.

Another cool card was this blue parallel from 2014 Topps Opening Day.  This scanned really nicely and looks so awesome.

Thank you so much for the cards, Alex, I really appreciate it.  You'll see some more Dodgers in no time, for sure.

Some Surprise Reimolds From Matt

Recently, I got a couple 2014 Topps Nolan Reimold parallels in a surprise package from my buddy, Matt, a fellow Orioles fan on Instagram.

Matt sent me a 2014 Topps Nolan Reimold black parallel numbered 47/63 and the above green parallel.  I already had a black parallel, but since they are so tough to find, I was more than pleased to add another to my collection.  The shade of green used on the above card isn't the best known shade of green (looks kind of like pea soup, or something else...) but it actually looks really nice with the Orioles colors.  Not too bad, I guess.

Anyway, thanks for the surprise package, Matt, I really appreciate it!

A Surprise Package From Michael S.

Surprises make me happy. Surprise packages from fellow collectors whom I've built a great rapport with that include cards for my son make me even happier.  I've been talking with Michael S. since I was on my vacation and I picked him up some 1958 Topps set needs.  He's a really super guy who coaches football at a local high school in Texas.  An Astros and Rangers fan (mainly Astros), Michael has been talking to me via Kik messenger every day since our initial contact a month ago.

Michael sent me a really nice package of some Bowman Chrome Orioles (most notably this Nolan Reimold from the Futures Game) and a few other Orioles cards.

Additionally, Michael included some Giants cards for my son, Chris.  The above Pablo Sandoval Bowman Chrome rookie blew me away when I saw it.  This card is really awesome and I know Chris will feel the same when he sees it (he is at his grandparents' house right now).

So, thanks for the surprise, Michael.  I really appreciate it!  We'll have to continue to do more trading in the future as well as continue our conversations on sports, life and collecting.  Thanks!

Instagram/Youtube Trade With Jake

I have met a lot of interesting people while trading on Instagram since I started on there back in November.  A good many of them, I call friends.  Apparently, in my "just being me", I have earned a reputation as being one of the nicest traders on there.  I do my best, for sure, but I act on there the same way I act everywhere else, respectful, professional, friendly.  One of the guys I've met on there who has struck me as one of the most appreciative and genuine is a kid named Jake Ignaszewski.  He is primarily a YouTuber, but also does some trading on Instagram as well.  I traded with him before and got a Derek Jeter minor league card.  In return, I sent Jake some Red Sox and Astros cards, his favorite teams, along with a Bryce Harper RC (the original piece of my end of the deal).  Jake posted a really awesome YouTube video recap of the trade, which made me really happy.

So, I added Jake to my regular roster of trade partners and when he asked me for a couple Kris Bryant cards, I didn't hesitate to oblige him.  In return, he sent me some Orioles base cards from 2005 and the above 1991 Topps Frank Thomas second year card.  Jake mistakenly thought this was the Big Hurt's rookie card, but that card is 1990 Topps.  No big deal to me, I still like the card and am glad he sent it.

The monetary value of the card is probably far less than what I gave up, but that wasn't my reasoning behind making the deal in the first place.  Jake is a young guy who has a great enthusiasm for cards.  He might not be able to go out and buy cases of Topps, but the cards he has, he cherishes.  So, for me to be able to dip into my Bowman stash and give him a couple cards he was looking for, well, that was reward enough for me.

I really enjoy helping young folks grow their collections and I also enjoy being a mentor of sorts for them in the hobby.  I have been surprised by the amount of questions I get from people on a daily basis, from which sets to build, how to build sets, how to do TTM, who to send to TTM, etc.  I suppose you could call me a grizzled veteran of the hobby now, and I figure that's about right.  I started in 1990, stopped in 1996 and then started back up in 2005.  That makes about 15 years experience in the hobby, so I guess I know what I'm talking about from time to time.  I just enjoy helping people and making this hobby grow by providing a positive example, because, we all know there are bad elements in the hobby.  From certain card buyers who you see being used as the face of the hobby (you all know who I'm talking about) to some card/memorabilia shop owners who make you feel like you are inconveniencing them by setting foot in their stores, the hobby needs better people in it.

So, I appreciate Jake, and all of the other young folks I have met while trading on Instagram.  I feel like the hobby has a bright future.

Thanks for the trade, Jake, I know we will do many more.  Also, if anyone would like to check out Jake's YouTube, here is a link.

Ebay Pickup - 2014 Topps Chris Davis Clear Parallel

Ok, just so you all know, I love these clear acetate parallels.  I've loved them since Marvel started putting them in their cards back in 1993.  They just look so cool.  I was really into Upper Deck Element when they came out and I was really excited when I saw that Topps was doing the clear parallels in 2014.  I got so lucky on the Series One Chris Davis in that no one knew about the cards yet and I got mine for less than $10 on Ebay.  Unfortunately, word spread about them and they started going for $40 - $50 thereafter and became increasingly hard to find.

When Series Two came out, I had to be vigilant on grabbing a Davis because I knew that if I didn't grab one right away, I may never get another chance.  I searched and searched Ebay after Series Two came out, but hadn't seen a clear Davis show up until a month or so went by and I saw this one.  Numbered 1/10, I bid on it right away and waited.  I made sure that I bid high enough that no one could swipe it from me, and I ended up winning the auction for about what I expected, just above $40.  Ouch.

Well, I figured I would have to pay a premium this time around, and was prepared to do so.  I'm happy to have this card in my collection.  I still am PCing Davis, even though he has had a horrendous year.  My opinion is that he came back too soon from his oblique injury and hasn't fully healed.  I sure hope he can get his stroke back this season, because the Orioles offense is struggling.

Ebay Pickup - 2013 Topps Nolan Reimold Black Parallel

It has only been 6 games, but I wonder if the Orioles are regretting the fact that Nolan Reimold was claimed by the Blue Jays.  Nolan has 6 hits and 2 home runs in those 6 games and a .353 batting average.  His 2 home runs came in the same game (last night), which came as no surprise to me.  If Nolan can stay healthy, he will likely be a 30+ homer bat for whichever team he is on.  I hope that he can keep it up for the Jays (as long as it doesn't help them pass the Orioles in the standings, of course).

I got this card for a really good price (which I can't remember) on Ebay before I took my vacaton and it was here waiting for me when I got back.  I have slowed down on my rainbow pursuits, mainly because the completion of a rainbow is so dang impossible, with the 1/1s and blank backs, etc.  Uggh.

Anyway, I'm still going to get Nolan's cards, cause he's still one of my favorites.  Fingers crossed that he stays healthy and gets a good contract for next year.  Who knows, he may even be able to come back to Baltimore.  Oh, the card is numbered 2/62.