More Trades From Around The Blogosphere

Another round of trades from across the blogosphere and beyond... The perfect way to start off a brand new year.

A month or so ago, reader Joe L. emailed me saying that he had gotten the wrong Topps 206 box, and that this particular hobby box should have been mine. Well... being the nice guy that he is, Joe sent me the 2 Orioles hits he pulled from his box, along with an AMAZING Ray Rice patch card. First up is the case hit...

2009 Topps 206 Nick Markakis Polar Bear framed relic

I'm not sure how I feel about relic case hits. The only thing that makes this card any different than the other Markakis relics in this set is the frame. I would be pretty bummed if I shelled out all that cash for a case, and this was the "big hit". C'mon Topps! These should at least be autographed or something.

2009 Topps 206 Koji Uehara Piedmont framed autograph

Welcome to my Orioles autograph collection Koji! You have an interesting signature, and I dig the exclamation points that look like they are supposed to be i's.

2008 Donruss Gridiron Gear Ray Rice 4-color patch #'d /50

This is officially the nicest patch card in my collection, and the only one featuring 4 colors. Joe swears he saw this card pulled in person, so I have confidence that this isn't a fake. Even if it is, aren't all "memorabilia" cards sort of fake in a way? There's no guarantee that the swatch on your card was ever actually touched by the player pictured.

Next up are a few cards from Duane over at Democratic Roadkill. Duane also emailed me about some cards he thought I might be interested in, and boy was he ever right. I am still rooting around for some Blue Jays cards to send back in return, and should have a package ready for mailing by Monday or Tuesday. Let's see what Duane sent!

2009 UD Ballpark Collection Stat Kings quad swatch

Ballpark Collection was yet another in a long line of overpriced sets featuring a gratuitous use of relics. All autographs are on stickers, and the price tag is upwards of $100/box. Pretty freakin' ridiculous if you ask me, especially since most of the relics (even the six & eight swatches) sell for right around the $5 mark on the secondary market. I'm still going to collect the Markakis & Adam Jones cards though. Being a player/team collector is such a pain in the ass sometimes, but such is life as a collector.

2005 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes Jim Palmer relic #'d /50

This card has some chipping on the right edge, which is pretty standard for Upper Deck. I really like artwork on this card, and being numbered to 50 certainly doesn't hurt either. Both '05 & '08 Heroes are great products, but for me, '05 takes the cake since all autographs are on-card.

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter's Creatures of Myth, Legend & Terror Hydra mini

I goofed up a bit and left this card on my want list, even though I've already got a copy. If anyone needs this card for their set, or happens to be a huge Hydra fan, this card is for trade. My Creatures want list is officially down to just TWO cards, LMT3 & LMT14. If you happen to have them, please contact me and I will make sure you are more than fairly compensated. At this point I'm soooooo close, and just want to knock this set out.

Next we have a card sent to me by Larry the SewingMachineGuy, who is not to be confused with Larry the Cable Guy. Larry just re-did the banner on his blog, and it looks great. If you've never been there, or haven't been there in a while, I suggest checking it out immediately. Much like Joe & Duane, Larry emailed me to say that he'd pulled a Nick Markakis relic from a pack of '09 Sweet Spot, and was wondering if I was interested. Naturally, I was, and quickly sent off a Maggs relic in return.

2009 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Nick Markakis Sweet Swatch Memorabilia

Finally, we have an amazing card from Jeff at I Am Joe Collector. Over the summer he busted a case (maybe 2) of 2008 Upper Deck Football Heroes, and happened to pull not one, but TWO Joe Flacco hard-signed rookie autos. I immediately emailed him about acquiring one, but didn't have anything in my collection that Jeff was interested in. Fast forward to late November, when the Darren Sproles black refractor auto from my 2005 Topps Finest Football mini box break caught his eye, and a comment appeared on my blog that simply read "Sproles for Flacco". In my mind, that is a no brainer, and here is the beauty that arrived early last week, just in time for Christmas.

2008 Upper Deck Football Heroes Joe Flacco rookie autograph #'d/ 250

Hot damn that is beautiful! "Joe the quarterback" had better bring it this Sunday, and every Sunday (or Saturday) from now until Super Bowl Sunday!

A big thank you to both Joes, Duane and Larry for the great cards! It was a pleasure trading with all of you. Oh, and Happy New Year to everyone out there in the great net of the inter.

Trade With The Drewmeister

Drew has already posted his half of the trade on his fabulous blog, drewscards, and now it's my turn. Over the past few months, Drew would see a card he liked, and would tall me to set it aside for him, and that one day we'd make a pretty substantial trade, where we'd both get some awesome cards. I thought he was just being a naive teenager, but continued to add to his pile of Yankees.

Well wouldn't you know Drew made good on his trade promise, and sent me over an impressive package of cards, including a bunch of vintage goodness.

I'll start out with the Boogs...

1975 Topps Boog Powell

This shot was actually taken in between innings. Boog is trying to catch a hot dog in his mouth that was tossed down from the upper deck.

1973 Topps Boog Powell

1968 Topps Boog Powell

Somebody get that man a sandwich

1969 Topps Deckle Boog Powell

These cards are sweet, and now I've got a Boog to go with Brooks.

And now some Belangers...

1975 Topps Mark Belanger

Gold Glove season

1969 Topps Mark Belanger

'69 Topps has such a simple design, yet it works so well. Another Gold Glove season

1970 Topps Mark Belanger

Gold Glove season. I'm just sayin that maybe Belanger is a little underrated.

Some other random vintage...

1973 Topps Johnny Oates

1972 Topps A.L ERA Leaders Jim Palmer

Jim Palmer says that this is one of the greatest Jim Palmer cards ever created.

1975 Topps Don Hood

And the award for most resembling Dennis Eckersley goes to...

1975 Topps Tommy Davis

1982 Topps Orioles Leaders Eddie Murray & Jim Palmer

Some Football...

2009 Topps Chrome Michael Oher refractor

How does this guy not have a million rookie autos in every football release? I don't care if he's a lineman, there making a movie about the kid for Matt Wieters sake! It's not like he was a first round pick or anything...

2007 Topps Willis McGahee Pro Bowl jersey

It's pretty cool to own a slice of Pro Bowl jersey, even if it's from a Willis McGahee jersey. This must have been from the Injury Pro(ne) Bowl. When is is healthy though, Willis is capable of putting up big numbers.

2009 Upper Deck Philadelphia Dwayne Bowe autograph

This was the card I coveted above all others. Bowe is an absolute beast of a man, and if can escape woeful Kansas City, could have a very prolific career. There were some trade rumblings about him becoming a Raven last month. Wishful thinking I guess.

2009 Topps Ravens Cheerleader Amanda

Helllllo Amanda!

And the Bird!

2007 Topps Opening Day The Bird

Is he covering his nose? You know it's gotten bad when even the mascot thinks you stink.

Drew, thanks for the great cards buddy. It was a pleasure trading with you, and I am always happy to dump my Yankees cards on someone else. Thanks for being that someone.

Wicked Cards From wickedortega

Since wickedortega, of My Past Time.... I Love It decided to post the cards I sent him, I figured why not return the favor? This is my second trade with Alredo, both of which have been solid. As per his usual, he blessed me with some outstanding Orioles cards.

1992 Kellogg's Corn Flakes Jim Palmer All Star

While all Kellogg's cards are cool, I've got to say that the '92 version just doesn't stack up against all the cool Kellogg's cards from the 70's & early 80's. It's ironic that this card was issued in '92, because I believe that's also the year Palmer tried to make a comeback, and attended spring training with the O's.

2006 Upper Deck Nick Markakis "Star Attractions"

Might have already had this card, but then again, I might not have. It's not like I have my Markakis collection organized or anything. Yes, I suck.

2008 Topps Ray Rice "Red Hot Rookie"

You can just tell this guy is about to have a breakout season. He's got that look about him, like he could score from anywhere on the field via the big play. I for one hope that's true, since I reached a bit and drafted him a bit early in a fantasy draft this season.

2009 Upper Deck X Nick Markakis die cut

Score another one for the player collection. I am not a fan of this set, and have not, nor will I purchase any of it. That fact makes receiving this card all the sweeter.

2007 Sweet Spot Classic Eddie Murray "Classic Memorabilia"

Here is Eddie rocking the ol' cap under batting helmet look. Somehow, he pulls it off, and still manages to maintain that all-business expression. Even though it's no big deal, I always like my relic to match the uniform pictured. Fail.

2009 Topps Ticket to Stardom George Sherrill deckle edge

My first Ticket to Retardom card, and it's of a guy who isn't even an Oriole anymore. We miss you Georgie, and I want you to know that the rest of the season wasn't the same without you, or your flat brim. Good luck in the playoffs!

2001 Topps Archives Reserve 1966 Jim Palmer refractor

Ooooh... shiny. This is a refractor version of Palmer's classic rookie card, and it looks great.

2005 Upper Deck Classics Brooks Robinson "Postseason Performer"

I'd never seen one of these before, but am glad I have now.

1978 Topps Eddie Murray rookie

Finally.... It's seriously about time I picked up an Eddie rookie. It's probably the most affordable of all the Orioles Hall of Fame rookie cards, but that doesn't diminish it's value in my eyes. As you can see, even as a rookie, Eddie was all business.

1997 Pacific Prisms Cal Ripken Jr.

Mario was sort of ripping on Pacific yesterday. If everything they designed looked this nice, perhaps they would still be around. It's hard to tell from the scan, but this card is translucent, with the white area surrounding Ripken's head being completely transparent.

2001 Post/Topps Frank Robinson "500 Home Run Club"

I had never seen one of these cards before either. Can it be considered an "oddball" even though it's made by Topps? The Frank Robinson collection continues to grow...

1996 Pinnacle/Denny's Cal Ripken Jr.

Well worth eating a Grand Slam breakfast to get your hands on this card.

1993 Upper Deck Eddie Murray "Then & Now"

Wow, this scan came out looking pretty awesome! I was still sort of collecting in 1993, but was never lucky enough to pull one of these cards, and if it weren't for wickedortega, I might never have owned one. I'm sure these cards were the bees knees in '93.

1993 Upper Deck Cal Ripken Jr. "Then & Now"

A tale of 2 scans. This one didn't quite turn out as well, but is no less awesome. I know a certain collector/blogger who would probably love to get his hands on this card...

Alfredo, thank you as always for the tremendous trade (I am a fan of alliteration)! If you haven't already checked out My Past Time.... I Love It, it's something I highly recommend doing. Few collectors are as passionate and enthusiastic as Mr. wickedortega, and it definitely shines through in his writing.

Catching Up On Trades Pt. 2

Ok, back to the trades. First up we have some great cards from Slangon, of the fabulously designed blog Condition:Poor. He emailed me a while back saying there were some Ginter needs of mine that could be filled, but as per usual, other cards were discussed, and I eventually ended up sending him over a nice stack of Mets, in exchange for a handful of Ginter need and some O's cards. Slangon also threw in some random cards, which is always a nice bonus.

Without further ado:

2009 Allen & Ginter Creatures of Myth, Legend & Terror Sphinx mini

This was the card that interested me the most, since I am working to complete this set. I'm not quite sure how an ancient Egyptian monument is a Creature of Terror, but it's a pretty cool looking card, so I wont ask.

1984 Topps Jim Palmer

A nice swan song Palmer card. 1984 was to be Cakes' last season, and he was released by the Orioles not long after the season began. Any Jim Palmer card is a good card to have, and this one is no exception. I didn't realize that his nickname, "cakes", comes from his love of eating pancakes.

2009 Upper Deck Starquest Nick Markakis Turquoise Common

A new addition to my player collection. There are a million different flavors of Starquest, and I now have 2, both of the "common" variety.

1986 Donruss Fred Lynn Diamond King

It's a Diamond King. Need I say more? Yeah, that's what I thought.

2009 Freedom Cardboard Prospects set Matt Wieters

Slangon actually sent me the entire 5-card set, but this is the card that matters most to me. I believe this is my first Wieters card, and for being an unlicensed set, these cards are pretty nice looking. They were given out at this year's National convention in Cleveland, and this particular set was given away by Voice of the Collector a few weeks ago, and has happily found it's way into my collection.

Now, I mentioned some random cards that were included as part of this trade. Here are 2 of my favorites:

1987 Topps Bo Jackson "Future Stars"

Who doesn't love Bo? Everyone knows that this guy had all the tools and skills to be one of the greats. Not just in baseball, but in pro football as well. It's really a shame that injuries seemed to plague him, and ultimately cut his career short. The "Future Stars" logo on this card reminded me of Bo's Saturday morning cartoon, ProStars, which I remember watching as a kid. If you don't remember the show, perhaps this will jog your memory:

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter's Travis Hafner relic

Here's another random card for you. This one will come in handy as trade bait, especially since there are certain people in Cleveland who have been very good to me in the past. Either of you guys want a Pronk relic?

There was one more card from Slangon I wanted to share with everyone. It's a redemption card, which is normally something I loathe, but in this case, it could end up being the coolest thing ever.
Sweet! I am due to receive a custom 1/1 Slangko Heroes of the Diamond card. If the design looks anything like Condition:Poor, or this redemption itself, I'm sure it'll be a thing of pure beauty. If you're a reader of this blog, you already know that I love retro/vintage themed sets, and Slangon appears to have it down to a science. I can't wait to see who/what arrives in the near future. You also can't beat any redemption card that requires you to do absolutely nothing to redeem it.

Thanks for all the awesome cards Slangon! If you haven't already checked out Condition:Poor, I suggest going there right now, and soaking up the Metropolitan goodness!

Next up are a few cards from the master codebreaker himself, Mike from JD's Wild Cardz. Mike and I have actually completed 2 trades in the past week, and here is what I received in exchange for some 2009 Hertiage cards from Mike's want list, as well as an Obama SP.

2009 Topps Chrome Nick Markakis blue refractor #'d/199

I'd been outbid on this particular card twice in the past few weeks, so when Mike offered it up in trade, I was thrilled. The Markakis collection grows!

2009 Topps Chrome Brian Roberts blue refractor #'d/199

I've got to find out where Mike buys his Chrome boxes, because he managed to pull 2 O's blue refractors from his boxes. Both of these are awesome, and definitely welcome additions.

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter's AGA-CK Clayton Kershaw autograph

Everyone else has one, and now I do too. Its not an Oriole card, but every collector sometimes has to make exceptions. This is a great autograph of a young pitching stud. Unfortunately it can no longer be used to drive Night Owl crazy, since I think he already has this particular card. Mike is soon going to have sooo many Ginter autos, I doubt he'll miss this one much.

Big thanks to Mike, and JD's Wild Cardz for the trade.

As always, if anyone is interested in trading me some awesome Orioles cards, don't hesitate to contact me, and we can work something out.

Well, that about does it. I am officially caught up on posting trades, and the mail isn't even here yet today. Score one for beardy!