Mail Day (aka Plain Ketchup (Act II))

For the last month I have been inexcusably lax in honoring those who have seen fit to send me cards worth putting into my collection and in return taking on those cards which I have no desire to keep. Things creep up on you incredibly fast when it comes to bubble mailers and the next thing you know, you have to do a post like this just to cover what has been sent.

Let's get to it.

Firstly, I have begun to seriously focus on the players I collect. Putting sets together can really chew up the time and make it easy to neglect the supposedly simpler things in Cardworld. Four cards have been added to my Ricky Romero collection. One of them came from Chris over at 'Stale Gum' who gladly parted with some 2010 Heritage Chromero-Jo. I am still looking for the Refractor and Black-bordered version of these. Like I said, I have neglected my PCs.


The next two Romero cards were purchased as a lot on eBay for a VERY acceptable total. The 'SP Prospects' National Honors card is the first relic card I have added to the PC and the 'Bowman Heritage' is the first RC.


One of the things I like about Ricky Romero, aside from him being a Southpaw, a Blue Jay and quite possibly the future Ace of their staff, is his signature. It is clean and more importantly, legible. I received my first Romero auto last year, coincidentally, from Chris at 'Stale Gum' This auto I had seen sell several times and was happy to finally snag at a great price on eBay. A 2006 Bowman 'Signs of the Future'.


Yeah, I know its a sticker. On card would have been much better on this set but that is true for any set. No sense in complaining and it still has a home in my collection. This winter I am going to make a solid effort to build my Ricky Romero collection by at least a hundred cards or so. This thing needs to be shown some lovin'.

An even longer time ago, Chris over at 'Nachos Grande' posted some trade bait. I had a few things he was looking for so two of his cards came my way for a series of cards that were better served in Pennsylvania. Besides certain players I like to collect certain subjects that have been featured on cards. One of those subjects are authors. When those authors are featured on shiny cardboard it is even better.


The other card that caught my eye happens to be my first relic from the 2008 Allen & Ginter set. Some pin-stripey-Cubbie-goodness featuring Carlos Marmol.


The last card I want to feature in this post was an eBay purchase and one I decided to grab on a whim one night. If I ever get around to redeeming it I hope the card looks as good "in hand" as it does as a scan. More Cubbie-goodness, this time redemption-style. 2010 Topps Finest Rookie Redemption #7 for Andrew Cashner.

THIS......

...will eventually become, THIS.

Any opportunity to get an on-card auto of a Cub is one I cannot pass up.

Looking at my desk here I have managed to shrink my pile of envelopes by a total of five. I have a few group break envelopes to open and sort and share with you. It feels good to get through some of the clutter and it feels even better to properly thank those that took the time to trade me some of their discards.

As always, if you see anything you want on my "For Trade" lists or if you have anything from my "Want Lists" I would gladly work a deal to benefit us both.

Send me an e-mail.

Cheers,

Mail Day (aka Mmmmmmm......Nachos!!)

Chris, aka fanofreds from Nachos Grande and I recently worked out a trade for some 2010 Topps Baseball to help knock down our wantlists.

His portion of the trade arrived today.

The anchor of what I received was a generous helping of Series 2 'Turkey Red' inserts, 10 to be exact. It seems as though every year this set gets no love from collectors come review time, but, they also seem to be the one insert everyone tries to complete, making singles hard to find.

Chris sent along, Alexei Ramirez, Andrew McCutchen, Jimmie Foxx, Felix Hernandez, Nelson Cruz, Nick Markakis, Chad Billingsley, Kosuke Fukudome, Dustin Pedroia and Lou Gehrig.


Two of my favorite insert sets from Series 1 were also included in this package. Card #TOG-5 brought to a close my quest for the 'Tales of the Game' insert set and, for me, commemorates the greatest moment in World Series history. Even better than watching Joe Carter take Mitch Williams "yard".


The 'History of the Game' card fanofreds sent involved my beloved Jays, however, they played victim this time to the Strikeout King Nolan Ryan. Etched forever in my mind is Robbie Alomar reaching for strike three and sending this game into the history books.


The last two cards that I will show off came out of the envelope as a surprise, simply because I forgot they were a part of the trade. However, they are two key cards that will help me towards completing a couple team sets that will mean a great deal to me when finished. I like chasing parallel sets. I like the challenge and the work that goes into finding them. A gold Milton Bradley and a gold Adam Lind look great in their respective binders awaiting the arrival of their teammates, hopefully soon.


Chris also included a number of base cards that brought me closer to completion of a set as well. I have pledged to keep my wantlists up to date and I also pledge to check yours more often than I have in the past.

Thanks to Chris for the much desired additions to this years Topps quest and I hope your envelope arrives soon enough for you to enjoy. If you have any cards that need a good home, check out Nachos Grande's Wantlists and send them where they are needed. Of course, check out and make sure I don't need them first...lol.

Cheers,

Mail Day (aka FanofReds comes through with 'The Black')

A few days ago I was greeted by the always welcomed manila envelope on the kitchen table. It could only mean one thing. One step closer to another finished set.

Today's graciously appreciated package comes from FanOfReds over at Nachos Grande. Ever since I have started this whole blogging experience I have been repeatedly impressed with the camaraderie that is evident throughout. It has made my jump back into card collecting one of the best online experiences to date.

Thanks to the generosity of yet another collector I am 7 cards closer to finishing the Series 1 Topps Wal-Mart 'Blackout' parallel set. Leading the way out of the envelope is Alex Rodriguez;


following him was a foursome of David Price, ALROY Card of Evan Longoria, Ray Durham and Matt Kemp;


Perhaps the best utility/bench player in the majors right now, Juan Pierre;


And, of course what would a trade be without some "star power" to bookend it nicely, the only player who's name can still make my wife snicker, Albert Pujols;


Thanks again FanOfReds and your package went out in the mail today so hopefully you will be enjoying some additions soon as well.

As always check out what I have available for trade as well as what I am looking for and let's work a deal. Also, take the time to stop by FanOfReds Want List and knock a few off his as well.

Cheers,