Cards From Mr. Scott

I meant to post this hours ago, but today has been pretty terrible so far, and I'm just getting around to it now. It all started this morning, at 6:07, when I woke up late for work. I was supposed to be in at 6. As I finally arrived at the office, 45 minutes late, without a shower, I witnessed a hate crime on my way in the door, as someone had defaced the sushi bar next door, and left some not so nice racial epithets scribbled on the front door. As if that wasn't bad enough, it's been insanely busy since I got here, and all I can think about is how much I'd rather be at Orioles Fan-Fest today, instead of being stuck at work. Saturday is typically the slowest day here, so typically that is when I catch up on posting. Not today. Not at all. At least not until just now.

In retrospect, that might not be such a bad thing, especially since Mr. Scott of Mr. Scott's Baseball Cards, sent me a couple of cards of a player who until a few hours ago was only a former Oriole. What was old is new again, and Miguel "B-12" Tejada is once again back in Charm City. This morning the Orioles and Tejada reached an agreement on a one-year deal, and he will most likely play 3rd base this time around.

The only Yankees fan I like is the one who is currently sending me O's cards. This rule currently applies to Mr. Scott, and Mr. Scott only. I am only capable of setting aside my hatred on an individual case-by-case basis.

2005 Leaf Certified Materials Miguel Tejada "Certified Skills" relic

Well isn't this card fancy. While I do not like Tejada, I am sort of happy to see him back in town, especially so because he's only here on a one year deal, and most likely won't be a payroll crusher. We do need someone to play third base, and Tejada, even at his worst still puts up decent numbers. After the season Melvin Mora had, I doubt the bar is set very high to begin with.

2008 Topps Lou Montanez "Red Hot Rookie" refractor

What a great looking card! Nice action shot, loads of shine, and a ton of color. Too bad Topps took the cheap way out in '09 and didn't make the rookie redemption cards with refractor technology. It still took them like 8 months to produce them....

2007 Bowman Chrome Miguel Tejada xfractor

It's still so busy here at work that I won't have time to write up a witty little editorial for each card.

2006 Bowman Chrome Brian Roberts xfractor

Do you think the Freemasons invented xfractors? Look at the angles.

1996 Flair Cal Ripken Jr. Promo

I wasn't collecting in '96, but the sheer beauty of these cards must have blown people's minds back then.

2008 Topps Finest Erik Bedard blue refractor

There has been some buzz about this guy possibly coming back to Baltimore as well.

2008 Topps Finest Erik Bedard green refractor

I'd be ok with it if he was willing to pitch more than 5 innings an outing, and could stay healthy for an entire season. Oh, and he has to be nice to the media as well. I work with a guy who used to be a cameraman for the O's broadcast network, and he has quite a few stories of nasty run-ins with Bedard the recluse.

2002 Topps Archives Frank Robinson refractor reprints

I've always been bothered by the fact that he is clearly wearing a Reds uniform in this photo. It bothers me so much that I don't own the original yet. Some things never change.

Thanks for the great cards Mr. Scott. Expect a return package chock full o' evil pinstripers some time next week.

To any O's fans out there who made it to FanFest, please post some pics or something. I'm literally green with envy right now.

Trades From Around the Blogosphere

It's a snowy, snowy day here in Baltimore. I have lived here for 23 years, and in all of that time do not recall a time where they were actually predicting twenty-four inches of the white stuff! We're absolutely getting pummeled right now, and there's already a good eight inches already on the ground. What better time than now to feature some trades that came in late last week. I'm always a week or so behind in posting everything, and right now the "to scan" pile is about as tall as the snow is deep.

First up we have some cards from Marie over at a Cardboard Problem. Her and I had a bit of an issue a while back, over a potential trade that had gone sour. Nothing squashes that quite like a great trade, and that's exactly what transpired. I sent over a Pujols Finest refractor, along with a few other cards, and in exchange received the following:

2009 Topps 206 Nolan Reimold Piedmont mini

2009 Topps 206 Nolan Reimold gold

2009 Ballpark Collection Quad Swatch Markakis/McLouth/Jones/Braun

Hatchet buried. This card features game-used swatches from my 2 favorite current Orioles, and it simply doesn't get much better than that. At least to me anyway.

2005 Donruss Zenith EPIX Cal Ripken Jr. blue #150/150

2005 Donruss Zenith EPIX Cal Ripken Jr. red #391/500

Next up are 2 random cards of what I have dubbed the "Brewtown Beardies". I don't remember who these cards came from, whether it was Night Owl, Ryan's Memorabilia, or Mark's Ephemera who sent them along, or why. My guess would be that they thought I collected cards of dudes with sweet beards, which I don't. Until right now that is. As of this moment, I officially collect cards of dudes with awesome beards, sports and non-sports alike.

1990 Upper Deck Bryan Clutterbuck

1991 Leaf Ron Robinson

Clutterbuck has nothing on Robinson. That is one sweet ginger beard right there. I heart 1991 Leaf, what a great set.

Next up are some cards I received from reader Shane. He was interested in a Steve Bechler autograph card that Old School Breaks had traded me a few months back. While I am not generally in the business of trading away Orioles cards, Shane is a Steve Bechler player collector, so I knew the card would be headed to the right place. To say I got a lot in return would be an understatement.

2001 Donruss Classics Frank Robinson Legendary Lumberjacks bat relic

2000 Ultimate Victory Cal Ripken Jr. Diamond Dignitaries

2008 Topps Heritage Brooks Robinson Clubhouse Collection relic

This appears to be that old woolen material they used to make jerseys out of. Score!

2000 Fleer Gamers Cal To Greatness Cal Ripken Jr.

Thanks for the great trades guys! Assuming I am not buried alive by an avalanche, there should most certainly be another post or two to follow today. After all, what else do I have to do aside from clean, which I'm currently on the lam from at the moment. I've gone AWOL from housework.

Last Week's eBay Haul

Despite my best efforts not to be, I've been "at it" again, and picked up a couple of nice cards on eBay last week. It's a modest haul by my standards, but still worth showing off.

Absolutely love those Topps 206 framed relics. Now if I could only get my hands on an auto...

2009 Topps 206 Nick Markakis Piedmont framed relic

2003 Playoff Portraits Frank Robinson dual relic #'d /25

All business on the front...

Party on the back!

That Frank Robinson card is the tits! About the only thing I don't like is the printed serial number. It seems so much less fancy than the stamped gold I've become so accustomed to seeing. TriStar did the same thing with Obak, and I know I commented on it then as well. Look at that sweet, old gray swatch! I'm a total sucker for that stuff.

More Cards From Check Out My Cards

I've been at it again, and here is another example of what $20 (including shipping) will get you on checkoutmycards.com. Whenever I get the urge to pick up some new cards (which is almost a daily occurrence), instead of paying shipping for each card on eBay, or dropping $75 on a box that will most likely yield junk hits anyway, I've instead been turning to Check Out My Cards. I got all of these cards for the price of a blaster, which is most likely what I would have spent my money on when the urge strikes me. Retail is so tempting because it is so easily acquired.

Speaking of acquired, here's what I picked up this time around, and all of it once again using the "make offer" feature. Most of them were had for around half of their asking price.

2007 Allen & Ginter's Nick Markakis black bordered mini

1967 Topps Frank Robinson

Awesome! Check out that cartoon? '66 was a big year for Frank, and the Orioles alike. A World Series ring and a Triple Crown in the same season? That has to go down as one of the best seasons in history.

2009 Topps Updates & Highlights Adam Jones All Star Jersey gold parallel #'d /50

Got outbid on this card a while back, and thought it might be awhile before there was another chance for me to get one. This card was the main reason I went on another COMC spree.

These next 4 are all from the same insert set. If you happen to have any, and want to trade them, I am officially collecting the 1994 Leaf Slideshow set.

1994 Leaf Slideshow David Justice

1994 Leaf Slideshow Ken Griffey Jr.

1994 Leaf Slideshow Juan Gonzalez

1994 Leaf Slideshow Tim Salmon

1968 Topps Frank Robinson game insert

Another card I kept getting outbid on at the last second. This one was less than $2.00, and looks great.

Last week I briefly mentioned completing the 2009 Allen & Ginter's base set. The last 7 cards I needed, all short prints, were purchased for a combined cost of $3.25. Here are a few of the final cards I needed:

And so concludes another post where I foolishly squander away my meager funds for some cardboard satisfaction. Hopefully you enjoyed it as much as I did. I think the next post will feature my flea market finds from yesterday. As always, it was a good day at the flea market, and great deals were had by all.

Some Cards From CheckOutMyCards

If you haven't checked out checkoutmycards.com as of yet, I suggest you finish reading this post, and then do so ASAP. The first few times I checked it out, it seemed like although there were some good deals to be had, a lot of the cards were still a little overpriced compared to what they sell for on eBay. There is a way around that however. Checkoutmycards has a best offer feature that I took full advantage of to score most of the cards below. You have to pre-load money onto your account (via paypal to be able to take advantage of the "make offer" feature, but in the end it is definitely worth it.

I was able to acquire all the cards you see below for a combined $30 shipped. If you notice that even after saying I wasn't going to be spending lots of money on cards anymore, I have been spending lots of money on cards. I worked 20 hours of overtime last week, and let's just say I decided to spend the money a little early.

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

Down to 3 on my want list. If you have any of the final 3, and are willing to trade, please contact me. Want list is HERE.

2006 Allen & Ginter's Brooks Robinson mini

Are there any modern cards more beautiful than Ginter minis?

2009 Upper Deck Ballpark Collection 6 Swatch Memorabilia Orioles/Red Sox

Markakis, Roberts & Jones on the back, Dice-K, Beckett & Youkilis on the front. I'm psyched to have a game used card featuring of the current Orioles I prominently collect.

2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces Brooks Robinson green framed parallel #'d /75

Another nice Brooksie

2008 Upper Deck Premier Stitchings Frank Robinson manu-patch #'d /35

Got a real good deal on this card. I had made the seller an offer 2 months ago, which he rejected. I made the same exact offer this time, and was surprised it was accepted. That is a really sweet Oriole patch, even if it is a manu-patch.

2001 Topps Archives Reserve 1962 Boog Powell refractor

I'm a sucker for refractor reprints, and this John Wesley Powell was a dollar. I don't even think I have any actual '62 Topps, but I have this refractor reprint of one, and that has to count for something.

2008 Topps Finest Ed Reed x-fractor #'d /25

My favorite Raven of all time. It looks like I am officially a football collector now. I probably won't bust football boxes the way I do baseball though. My wallet can barely afford to support my baseball habit as it is. Let's hope this guy has a big game tonight.


2006 Upper Deck Legendary Cuts Frank Robinson Legendary Materials bat

I may have missed out on any relic hits from I Am Joe Collector's group break, but that doesn't mean I have to go without one of these beautifully designed cards. Nice going on this one Upper Deck.

1969 Topps Boog Powell

Off-center, but with sharp corners.

2003 Topps Gallery Frank Robinson Artist's Proof refractor

This is a sweet card, and a nice elegant design.

2008 Triple Threads Frank Robinson sepia parallel #'d /150

I had a few cents to spend, and figured why not pick this one up too.


2008 Topps Heritage Brooks Robinson Stadium Seat Relic

I've now got a piece of Memorial Stadium, which is good, since they tore it down a few years ago.

Shipping was $6, so the grand total of all cards above was $24.00, and I didn't have to resort to eBay tactics. No card was more than $4.00, and the cheapest was the Brooks mini which ran me a whole quarter. I really like checkoutmycards, and have already made a few additional purchases that have yet to be shipped. I was able to purchase the last 7 '09 Ginter short prints needed to complete my base set for a measly $2.25, and picked up a '67 Topps Frank Robinson for $6.00, both of which are pretty good deals in my opinion.

Trade With Joe

This story starts the same as any trade story. One of my wonderful readers, Joe, contacted me about a potential trade. He was looking for some Blue Jays cards, Halladay in particular, and I was just looking to score some O's. Joe got himself a nice little stack of Jays, including a Halladay N43, and I was able to add the following shiny and fabric filled cards to my collection:

2004 Topps Chrome Jack Cust gold refractor

At least in Oakland they let him on the field. When I first got back onto baseball, the radio announcers were always trying to hype Cust as the next Oriole slugger.

2008 Topps Finest Ray Rice refractor

My very own Purple Jesus, and my new favorite Raven. I have him in a fantasy football keeper league, and will most likely be adding his name to the players I collect.

2009 Topps Chrome Willis McGahee refractor

I ordered these cards just like the Ravens depth chart, Rice first, McGahee second.

2001 Upper Deck Game Gear Jamal Lewis jersey relic

It doesn't matter to me that he's in Cleveland now, or that his career has been in obvious decline for 2 seasons now. There will always be a special place in my heart for Jamal. He was a beast of a back in his day, and propelled my team to it's only Super Bowl Championship the same year this card was released.

2009 Upper Deck Legendary Cuts Frank Robinson jersey relic green parallel

I think this gives me 2 of the color parallels now. I've got purple, and now green. As far as game-used cards go, the design really works here, and looks classy to boot.

Joe, thanks for the great cards, and if you ever want to trade again, don't hesitate to drop me a line. Since it took me nearly 2 weeks to actually get this trade posted, I'm sure your cards have already arrived.

If anyone else has Orioles cards to trade, the lines of communication are always open. Despite the rate at which I have been busting boxes, I really should be saving my money right now, and trades are my favorite way to get new cards without spending any money. Aside from theft, I believe it's the only way.