A Kind of Trade With Scott

I just got back into town from the Charlotte, NC Pearl Jam show that occurred last night.  It was freaking amazing.  Just saying.  We did have a blast.  I wanted to get a post done today since I'm pretty wore out and I still have to carve up two pumpkins.

I got a nice trade package from my good friend, Scott, the other day.  He sent me some Orioles, mostly 2013 Update stuff, in exchange for me picking up a Mike Napoli auto off of Ebay that he had been watching.

Scott's a great guy, so anytime I can help him out, I usually try to do my best.  I'm sure he is recovering from last night's Red Sox victory.  That was the first World Series in forever that I haven't watched the last out on TV.  Eddie Vedder gave an update during the concert, and I checked my MLB At Bat app on the way to my wife's parents' house to get the final score.  She and I have been together for the final out of the World Series since Luis Gonzalez got the winning hit in the 2001 series.  It's all good, though.  I missed it for a worthy reason, the Pearl Jam show was AWESOME.

Ebay Pickup - 2013 Topps Manny Machado Factory Set SP

Last night, Manny Machado won his first (of hopefully many) Rawlings Gold Glove Award.  He was the first Orioles third baseman to take home the award since 1975, the last of Brooks Robinson's 16 awards.  That's some pretty good company.  Manny was one of three Orioles to win the award last night, along with J. J. Hardy and Adam Jones.  Chris Davis, Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis were denied.  The Orioles tied the Royals with the most Gold Gloves this year with 3.

I saw this Factory Set variation/SP on Ebay and decided to grab it.  I got it for less than $10 as an auction, so my timing was pretty good.  I figure it couldn't hurt to add another Manny RC to my PC, since his stuff is jumping in price right now.  It definitely is a cool card.

Thoughts on 2013 Topps Update

It has been a couple weeks, but 2013 Topps Update is out.  Tell me if you already heard that.  I bought a box from my LCS and during my purchase, Wendell, the shop owner, had the above Chris Davis relic waiting for me.  I paid him $20 to take it off of his hands (I overpaid a bit, but since the money went to my LCS, I'm cool with that).  In my box, I ended up with some good inserts, autos and relics.  Mostly Cardinals, for some reason.  So, I have some money down between Andrew and Weston scrapping for the cards; winner take all...

I am really happy with Update, though, because one of my favorite Orioles was a part of the Home Run Derby (to which he has a card) and also, 5 Orioles were All Stars (each has a card for that).  Among other Orioles in the set are Zach Britton (yawn), Wilson Betemit (Zzz Zzz), Henry Urrutia RC (cool) and Darren O'Day (Woo Hoo!).

Also, are RCs of Yasiel Puig (something like 4 or 5 of them) and Michael Wacha (I'll be holding onto that one, I think).

I posted before, but the Blue Sapphire parallels (numbered to 25) are really cool-looking and the one I pulled was an AL pitching leaders card.

I took part in Andrew's jumbo box break, which, for me, was nicely successful.  If I had a little more cash, I'd probably buy one more box, but since I have a Pearl Jam concert coming up, and a trip to Columbia, SC to see my brother, I need to save some money.

Anyway, I really enjoyed Update this year and don't be surprised if you see me busting another jumbo box sooner, rather than later.  Oh yeah, there's also the inevitable rainbow chase of Davis cards in this set as well.  2 cards for him, whatever shall I do?

Trade With Andrew - 2012 Topps Chris Davis Black Parallel

I don't remember what I traded him, but I got this 2012 Topps black parallel Chris Davis in a trade with Andrew recently.  The card is numbered 39/61 and it was a lot easier for me to get than Davis's black parallel of this year.  Somehow, I thought I already had this one, but nope, it turned out that I didn't.

I'm really glad that Andrew found this one for me.  I need to get on the ball and find some more of his parallels.  I saw that during the season, his stuff jumped in value due to his breakout performance.  Thankfully, I had already gotten his 2013 Topps Silver Slate parallel cheaply.  Too bad I didn't get the other parallels as easily.  Oh well.  I'll keep looking for myself all the while, hoping my blogger buddies see some for me as well!

Ebay Pickup - 2013 Topps Update Blue Sapphire Chris Davis

Ok, so, just to start off...  This card scanned AMAZINGLY!  Oh man, look at all the colors that my scanner picked up.  This is a 2013 Topps Update blue sapphire parallel of Davis.  These are numbered to 25, and this one was numbered 5/25.  Davis has 2 base cards in this year's offering of Update, so that will give me an even bigger rainbow challenge.  I'm up to the task, though.  I actually busted a box of Update, but the blue sapphire I pulled was an AL pitching leaders card.  I would have much rather pulled a Davis or Machado.  Oh well.

These blue sapphire parallels are not to be confused with the blue sparkle parallels that were wrapper redemptions in Series 1 and HTA packs at hobby shops in Series 2.  Those are more sparkly and these, as you can see above are more like the golden parallels from last year, except they are blue.  I like the look, to be honest.  I'm also a fan of the numerous parallels.  It gives me something to search for on Ebay when I get bored.

A Just Because Package From Ryan

I got a nice package from Ryan recently that had a ton of Orioles and other PC needs in it.  Ryan always hooks me up with nice O's stuff, even though he has the 2013 Topps Factory Set Orange parallel of Nolan Reimold that I need.  Not that I'm bitter or anything, lol.  Ryan did, however, send me 20...  Yeah, 20 of the above 2005 Bowman Chrome Nolan Reimold RC.  20 of them.  That's a bunch.  I'm cool with it though, I'll keep every one of them!

I really liked this 2012 Gypsy Queen framed parallel (copper?) of Brooks Robinson.  I didn't have it yet, so that made it even better.

Finally, Ryan included 5 emerald parallels that I needed for the set.  I really need to get on these.  I haven't added too many lately.  These 5 will help, but I need to get off my butt and make some more trades happen.  Of course, I could buy some, too, but that would take the fun out of the hunt.  I have gotten most of the ones I have completely out of trades.

So, thanks for the stuff, Ryan!  I really appreciate it.  I'll be seeing you soon for Fan Fest, that's for sure!

Ebay Pickup - 2013 Bowman Red Ice Chris Davis

Last year, I saw a few examples of the Bowman Red Ice parallels and decided that they were pretty darn cool.  There weren't too many Orioles available that I could get my hands on; I had especially liked the Nick Markakis, but the only one I saw was somewhere around $25 on Ebay.  I did, however, end up with a J. J. Hardy.

This year, Bowman has the Red Ice parallels in their checklist yet again.  I saw this Chris Davis on Ebay for $17.99 and bought it on the spot.  It is numbered 15/25 and looks awesome, as you can tell.

I am really pleased with how the card scanned.  I might have to see what other Orioles are available and try to grab a few more.  They really do look great, I think.  If only I could pull one out of a pack.

They have purple ice parallels (numbered to 10) this year and the one Chris Davis that I have seen is listed as a buy it now on Ebay for $80.  That's a little pricey for my blood.  Maybe it'll come down.