Late Night with.....

well, with me. And my buddy Night Owl. While we don't always see eye to eye on things, (I'm a lot taller) we do agree that the night time is the right time.

And that smoothly leads to a surprise envelope that landed in my mailbox this past week. From the previously mentioned owl.

In it were half a dozen needs from my 2015 Topps want list, (thanks to owl for actually looking at my list!) and a couple of other throw ins...

first up, we have the Pig. It's good to have owl looking at your lists when it's Dodgers you need.

case in point. Yimi? Really? I suppose Youppie was already taken. (props if you know who the heck I'm talking about.)

and being the secret Giant fan that we all know he is, he had extra Bumgarners too....

along with being a closet Rockie super collector...

and for this one I got nuthin'... just glad to have received it.

Here we have a card that I set my sights on as soon as I knew it was coming out, but not a single card shop in town brought in any Donruss baseball (can you blame them?) So no pack busting for me...
but like any good friend, he knew I'd give it a good home.

and the final card I'll show is this Chipper Jones mini from 2012 A&G.

it's an A&G back, but has no number on it. Did all the A&G backs have no number? I thought only the regular backs got the "no number whoops we accidentally goofed on purpose" treatment.
Am I wrong? What am I looking at here?
I suppose I could google, but that'll take something close to effort.

Thanks owl!

Now if only someone had the last four cards I need for my 2015 Topps set... #33, 113, 152, 312

Bueller?

Free diamonds! Kinda...

At the card show this past weekend, as soon as I walked in the door, two of the sellers called out my name and beckoned me over.

It's nice to be wanted.

Both had cards saved for me that they knew I would want. I'll show off the lone baseball card I managed to pick up over the weekend now.

I love me some Chippah!

This is one of those Hope Diamond things from Topps. Or is this the Blue Hope Diamond? Did they have other colours? Did the liquorfractors count?

Whatever. This one just happens to be numbered JerseyNumber/60

Yeah baby! 10/60. Ebay 1/1! Woot!

*cough*

Even better than acquiring this beauty was the price. Yeah. Free. All I had to do was answer a trivia question ... "What was Chipper's jersey number?"

BOOM!

I love this hobby.

Play at the Plate gets Ripped...

My good friend who runs the blog Play at the Plate sent me some cards the other day. I believe this was in response to me sending him some before that.

We kinda "trade" cards, but really, at least for me, it's just sending cards whenever I get a small stack ready to go.

He also has the advantage of being the only Rangers fan I've ever heard of, let alone know.

 

Onto the cards!

 

My boy J Hey from this year's Ginter. The back, of course, has been violated. but I don't care. It actually is still attached, and he looks good in my binder.

 

There was also a small stack of super shiny Chippers from the late '90's.... They all look a lot better in person, but I scanned a couple of my favourites anyway.

 This Chipper is made out of really thin steel. And is sharp as hell. I can't imagine kids opening packs of these without losing some digits.

A see through Chipper! Only you can't tell in the scan.... ah well, believe me, it's cool.

And no package between us is complete without at least one McCann. I'm going to miss this guy. Although I won't recognize him either. Never seen him without facial hair.

 

 

Thanks bud. But one last question, with the ridiculousness of the latest idiot offerings from MLB, does Play at the Plate now have to change it's name???

Wanted: A good home for Sammy Sosa.

one of the local card shops has giveaways at their version of trade night. It could be anything from boxes or packs of cards to autographed baseballs to licenced merchandise.

I've won a few of those prizes.... it's always nice to get free stuff. On one of those nights, I was handed a package and told, "Take this home.".

 

Upon opening it I found a McFarlane version of the one, the only, Chippah!

 

Very cool. I didn't have it already, so it now sits on my desk, proudly hitting a home run to beat the Mets in Shea every time I look at it.

The only problem, and it isn't really a problem at all, is that Chip came with a buddy.

Sammy Sosa.

Who knew at the time that the reason he was always hopping around was that he was hopped up on 'roids.
I always thought it was because of the cork. But whatever....

Long story short.... Sammy needs a good home. Is there any Sammy and/or Cubs fans out there who would like Sammy for their desk?

All it will cost you is at least one card off of my wantlist. That's it. AND... if you really want it, but can't find a card, I'll send Sammy your way for futures.

So speak up Sammy fans.... first come, first served.

a little '89 Bowman and some Cereal. Post cereal.

Oh boy. I bet the view counters are spinning overtime. 1989 Bowman. Nothing like showing off the latest and greatest in an attempt to gain viewers.

 

But it's true. Someone sent me '89 Bowman. Night Owl in fact. But it's fine. Don't hate the bird. I asked for them.

 

No. Really.

 

Owl made some rambling mention of having old Bowman and not knowing what to do with it. I made a passing comment about wanting some of the Braves.

 

Well before I could get N.O. my wantlist, he flew, FLEW to the post office (see what I did there?) and mailed me a package before I could change my mind.

 

Okay. Survey says I need four more to complete my Braves team set. I received three from Owl. How did he do?

 

Dion James. Even Braves fans have a tough time remembering Dion James. Maybe because we try so hard to forget.

 Need it! 1 for 1.

2 time MVP, batting champion, and Hall of Famer Dale Murphy! We all love Dale Murphy!

 Need it! 2 for 2!

Holy fresh face Batman! Is that Tom Glavine?!?
Why yes, yes it is.

 NEED IT!!! N.O. went 3 for 3! Without even waiting or looking at my list. Now all I need is #266 John Smoltz.
I'm sure I have it somewhere.... but who knows? Someone send me one, k?

Owl took the opportunity to stuff in a few more cards as well to make it look like he just wasn't unloading old Bowman on me.

There's my boy! The best reliever in baseball. Craig Kimbrel.

 I now have Kimbrel, Uggla, Heyward, Medlen, Minor, Beachy, and Matthews from this year's Archives. Is there more?
Am I missing any??

A quick google check (seriously, does anyone anywhere use bing???) tells me nothing.

Opening up Zistle and I find that I'm still missing Hudson, McCann, Freeman, Darrell Evans and Otis Nixon.

Otis Nixon?

Nice to see the old leadoff dog getting some hobby love.

But crap. Still five to go.

Next, a really super shiny Panini Prizm Chipper Jones. Damn it is hard watching the Braves and no Chipper.

 Another Zistle check and I see that I'm down to needing three more Prizm cards.
#19 Michael Bourn
#164 Tyler Pastornicky
#182 Andrelton Simmons

Anybody got these kicking around? I got an extra Deon Sanders to trade!!!

*crickets*

Okay, enough begging. Time for some serious cereal.

Owl was playing with scissors again....

Beautiful.

Absolutely beautiful.

Thanks for the Bowman bud!!!

What's Old Is New Again....

After a very brief absence, the Braves are back in the pplayoffs again.

Chipper continues to set records.
Freddie becomes the latest hero.
Kimbrel strikes out 3 batters in two pitches.

I love this team.

That's gold, Jerry! Gold!

Fairly odd headline coming from a guy who has never seen a complete episode of Seinfeld. But with all of the Seinfeld/chicken references going around baseball this past week, I figured why not join the crowd? Be one of the 'in' people for once. Assert my individuality by being like everyone else. It's like being a teenager again.

Where was I? Oh, yes, cards. Of course. That is why most of you come here, isn't it? (those few not withstanding who are still checking out the hot soccer chicks. I'm over here.... hello?)

Moving on, they'll catch up later....

I bought a few baseball cards at the last card show. I'll show you these four now.... maybe the rest later if I ever find where I put them down.....

Four, count them, four outstanding Braves cards for the low, low price of $8.

You know any Braves post HAS to contain Chipper, right? Well here's mine...
2012 Heritage New Age Performers....

He also had a stack of these Gold Rush cards. Apparently you had to send in wrappers to Topps in exchange for these. Who knew? Not this boy. Yeah, I haven't been paying attention much.

I now own, Dan Uggla

recent number retired honouree and future Hall of Famer John Smoltz

and Warren Spahn.

Now these are pretty cool. I'm not going after the set or anything crazy like that... but I do want all the Braves. A quick check at Topp's website for a checklist....
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Looking at Topp's website for a checklist! That's gold, Jerry! Gold!
Anyways, if any of you know of, or have any Braves that I ain't got listed here (ther's only three to keep track of, it's easy) Please let me know and we'll get a deal done.

It was nice to be able to find time to write... thankfully Euro 2012 is almost over. I may get my life back again. Wait. What do you mean the Olympics are starting? When? Uh oh...........

Cardboard Ketchup

Like everything else, I'm waaay behind in posting some trade/gift packages. Some have evn been put away already. Whoops. But, I'll rectify some of that today, and hit some more up tomorrow. I'm not the one who scans every card.... it would take forever, and you would fall asleep at the keyboard. So I'll hit the highlights and move on. A huge thank you to all who have sent me cards over the last month or so.... During my last contest, participants had the opportunity to send over some cards in an attempt to bribe me, win bonus points.
dawgbones sent over a small stack of baseball flavoured cards... topped with Mr Teheran and his cherry border. Is this one of those Target things I keep hearing about but have never seen until now?

Also included were a couple of cards off of my wantlists.... Chippah!

and a card of my Dirty Dozen most wanted list located off to the right. I'm glad someone reads that thing.... it's slowly diminishing. Time to replenish.

Casey from Drop the Gloves sent me a surprise hockey package, but tucked in the middle was this amazing card.

Chipper is so damn good, he can hit homeruns early in the morning, while facing the wrong way and standing in Section 17, Row 21 behind the dugout.
Yeah. He's that good.
The Angels in Order also sent over a 'potential start to a trade' package that had a card in it I've been passively chasing for over 20 years.

the no-numbered Joe Montana Heroes header card from the inaugural UD Football offering. I loved this set when it came out and bought a tonne of it. Now it's finally complete.

Of course very, very late in the year they came out with a high number series that had Joe Namath heroes cards......... Now I can begin to collect those. Anyone have any to spare?

all of the rest from Angels was hockey related, save for this odd shaped card. 1993 UD 600 Home Run Club.

How would you like to have those as your 3-4-5 hitters????? Of course, the Bambino would be peeved at not making his contract bonuses, having hit 60 home runs and only collecting 64 RBI's.

The last package I'll feature today from P.A.T.P. had a lot of fun items in it. Like stickers!

Everyone knows how I like stickers.
It also had blue bordered cards in it.
Active NL RBI leaders? Yeah, it's Chipper.

Active NL Home Run leaders? Yeah, it's Chipper. (The least Topps could do was put Andruw in a Bravos uni)

Speaking of home runs.... one of the most discussed photos from the 2012 Topps set, Huddy in his trot.....

and J-Hey in his, rounding third....

Craig has had enough of this home run talk. Strike three... game over.

Again, are these from Wally world? I know Topps does blue borders in it's Opening Day set... does the regular set do this, or do I have my first WalMart cards?

Let's end up with more fun.... mini's! Or as Owl says..... MINI'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think it's a new Topps rule that all Heyward cards must feauture that damn red jersey.

to end off, I go to my closer.

As Bill Paxton says..."Game over man! Game Over!

up tomorrow, a special Dodger edition.

Trade Night at the LCS - Freebie Edition.

This past Wednesday night was the monthly trade night at the card shop I go to. He had closed down his shop the week before, but it was only to move to a much larger location. Exciting news. So trade night was also opening night. I think it is safe to say that all went well. It's been awhile since I remember that many people still there at 9:30pm. It's been awhile since I've been there at 9:30pm.

Anyways, on with the cards. I got some freebies during the night. Remember Mike? The dude who pulled not one, not two, but three Bryce Harper autos? Well he gave me this sweet '77 Rob Belloir for my team set in progress.

He then proceeded to buy two 1982 Fleer cello packs and pull a Cal Ripken rookie card. A $6 Call Ripken rookie card.

I need mike to buy my lottery tickets. Or pick out my packs at least.

 Darren the owner handed me a few base cards for '08 Legendary Cuts, which included this sweet Dodger card.
Night Owl, if you need it for your PC, you get first dibs :)

I then got two more Braves from a guy whose name completely escapes me at the moment. I feel shame.

But not enough to not show off this sweet horizontal Chipper Jones. Love that swing.

 and my very first Fabulous Freddie Freeman card!!!

His walk up music needs to be Freebird. Just sayin'.

Some Fly Mail....

A wee while ago, Colbey, aka Flywheels commented on wanting a card I had posted. I said sure, no problem. I put it, aand whatever else I could find laying around in the numerous piles I have going on into an envelope and sent it off.

As usual, he did the same and then some. Among the huge stack of cards he sent, I pulled a couple of my baseball faves to share here. I say baseball faves because the swap initiated with football, and he sent some football cards as well, which I'll share later on....

Chipper! I got 4 or 5 Chippers I didn't already have, including this one. I really like this set and hope to finish it one day.

 A game used Jeffrey. I think he'll end up in Kansas City this year after hitting over .300 for Texas last season.

 A BMac Turkey Red. I have no idea if this is from the Turkey Red set, or one of the eleventeen Turkey Red insert sets they did. Could Topps publish a worse website?

 And a few shiny Topps Chrome to tell me once again it's time to clean my scanner. Tommy, which I had already, but dupes are welcome...

 and Chipper! Which I didn't have until now.....

the addition of Mr Jones means I now only need #174 Jason Heyward to complete my 2010 team set.

Thanks Colbey!