Cards From The Cheap Seats

An unexpected package of Orioles arrived earlier this week. I love it when that happens. These cards came courtesy of Dan from Saints of the Cheap Seats, who aside from running an excellent blog, also hosts an occasional group break. Here's what El Sainto Cheapo sent my way:

1981 Fleer sticker

Quite possibly the worlds most perfect sticker, and from my birth year no less. Look at their 1980 record. 100 wins? That must have been nice. I'd settle for 82 right now.

2004 Donruss Diamond Kings Mike Mussina Flashback

Oh Mikey. It's a shame you had to leave us for the evil ones. Sorry you weren't able to finally get that ring you always wanted. This is a pretty nice card, and it's nice to see licensed Donruss products every once in a while.

2001 Topps Gallery Albert Belle

Another nice card that looks like a painting. The artwork on both this card, and the Mussina is solid. The players are easily recognizable, which is more than I can say for some of the earlier Diamond Kings. Topps got it right with Gallery, and it's one of those products I'd love to bust someday. This card clearly features Albert Belle, and NOT Joey Belle. Joey Belle was a mild-mannered outfielder for the Tribe, Albert Belle was a maniacal DH for the Pale Hose & Birds.

1994 Stadium Club Brady Anderson

I've always liked how the last name on these cards looks like it popped out of one of those old-school label makers. I don't know which is more unbelievable, the 50 homers he hit in 1996, or the fact that he dated Ashley Judd. Nice going Brady.

2009 Topps David Hernandez gold parallel #'d /2009

This guy has one of those beautiful framed autos in the new Topps 206 release that I'd love to get my hands on. Hernandez is tough to project long term. While he has the skillset necessary to be a decent MLB hurler, he may get lost in the shuffle amongst all the other young guns in the Orioles organization right now. Sometimes it was fun to watch him pitch last season, other times it was torturous.

1994 Topps Gold Chris Hoiles

This is at least the 3rd or 4th copy of this card to find it's way into my collection. Black Gold cards were cool, especially in the early 90's. I tried 3 or 4 times to get a decent scan, where the text was readable, and the gold foil was shimmery, but it just wasn't happening.

2004 Topps Heritage Jay Gibbons Chrome #'d /1955

The resemblance that Jay Gibbons bears to Sloth from Goonies is uncanny.

1990 Topps Kevin Hickey custom mini

Custom mini is being incredibly kind. We all know this card was trimmed in an effort enhance it's already enormous book value. It obviously wasn't enough for Dan to have the ultra rare '90 Topps Kevin Hickey, he had to have the rarest one of all, even if he had to manufacture it himself. At least the corners are sharp. Oh, nevermind.

This concludes yet another wonderful trade post. Dan, thanks for the surprise, and be on the lookout for an envelope of Tribers headed your way early next week. It feels good to get back to posting some O's, after a few days chock full of Turkey Red & miscellaneous random crap.