A Surprise from Sunrise

One of my oldest trading buddies from around here is Robert from $30 A Week Habit. He and I started blogging around the same time, and have exchanged many packages and envelopes over the years.

While the envelopes have slowed a bit - mostly on my end because I haven't been good about sending out cards - Robert was kind enough to shoot me a PWE recently.

The highlight for me was a Holo Red 2020 Donruss Gleyber Torres. This is one of the variations, as well. The holofoil looks nice, I admit.

I also think Donruss slander has gone overboard. The set is super weird, and the variations are silly. But the foils are really nice, and buying Donruss provides good value for the buck. In fact, at the beginning of the Pandemic, I found two hanger boxes of Donruss at Walgreen's and I was ecstatic, and they were fun to open.

I won't hold Donruss base set against Panini. I still think if they had a license they'd be kicking the shit out of Topps, from Optic to Prism to everything in between. And I don't think it'd be close, either.

I won't let a turd like Donruss speak for all Panini products, just like I won't let a turd like flagship speak for all of Topps.

The red foil really does stand out, and I'm happy that Robert thought of me when he came across this card.

I had seen this 2019 Topps Gallery a few times and have admired it. The shot of the Empire State Building in the background, with the stars flanked by other buildings, gives this card plenty of Big Apple flair.

I haven't been to NYC since March 9. That is unfathomable, especially after going into the city for work everyday since May of 2006.

The final card was a 2019 Topps Stadium Club of Gary Sanchez. Definitely a cool shot. Gary is such an enigma. The talent is endless. When he is hot, there is no better hitter in baseball. But the problem is when he is cold, he is basically a pitcher at the plate. There is no in-between. It does not make sense how extreme the extremes are.

Still, the pose on his card is pretty cool. A catcher making his way to the dugout, likely after a bullpen session. Gatorade towel soaking up sweat. Just a very cool card.

Robert, thanks for the surprise. Appreciate it, and glad we're still pals after all these years.

PWE Habit

A few days ago, I got a surprise PWE from my friend Robert over at $30 A Week Habit. It contained two cards, and both were new to me.

I'll start with a new Tino! Robert was kind enough to see this in a dollar bin at a show and snagged it for me. I didn't have it, and it becomes Tino #821. I am missing a ton of parallels from Tino's "lost years" with the Cardinals and Rays. This is a gold parallel from a pretty forgettable set, Upper Deck MVP. According to BaseballCardPedia.comhttp://www.baseballcardpedia.com/index.php/Main_Page, there are also silver and black parallels (#'d to 50). Looks like I need to track those down, although I could totally have the silver and just not know it, thinking it's the base.

One thing I really liked about 2017 Topps was the return of legends parallels. I enjoyed when Topps did this earlier in the decade, and was happy to see them come back. Some of the photos were really great too. This Babe Ruth is actually Series 2 #580. It's sister card in Series 2 is Matt Holliday. In searching for this card, it was tough to find info on it...it's actually the Super SP! WHOA! An SSP! Very rare card, indeed, and the first of it's kind that has ever been in my possession.

I literally had no idea it was an SSP, and I'm going to venture a guess that Robert might not of either. I think we're both "regular" collectors and things like this don't dawn on us. It's hard enough to keep up with the SP variations. Throw another "S" on there and how could you ever know?

Robert, thanks for looking out for me, pal!

Surprise mail is the best mail

Yesterday, I had a long day at work.

Part of it was my fault for refreshing Twitter non-stop from about 1pm-4pm leading up to the trade deadline. I definitely could have used that time more productively and done actual work.

When I finally got around to a stopping point around 7:15, I headed to Port Authority, hopped on my commuter bus, and walked in my front door at around 8:25. Thank goodness for Fox Sports Go, as I was able to watch the first few Yankees innings on my phone on the bus.

Side note - 2017 really is amazing. I can watch a baseball game live (well, with a slight delay) in HD on my telephone as I commute home from work.

Once I walked in, the dog attacked me, jumping all over me as a way to say hello. He needs to stop that.

I went upstairs and gave the kids a kiss, then made my way back downstairs to eat dinner and turn the game on. On the counter was a welcome site - a bubble mailer I wasn't expecting!

It was from my good buddy Robert of $30 A Week Habit. He sent me four cards, and it definitely was welcome when I was feeling pretty fatigued from a long day.

Apparently I commented on this Aaron Hicks card before. I'm glad Robert remembered, because I definitely did not.

This is my first in-hand 2017 Stadium Club. I've liked this Whitey since I saw it.

Jeter! What a great card. I liked how Series 2 showed All-Stars MVPs and HR Derby champs, although mad that Tino wasn't included. I don't think he has a current deal with Topps.

I'll end the package with this guy. Love getting cards of him!

Thanks, Robert!

A PWE from the Sunshine State

My buddy Robert of $30 A Week Habit was kind enough to drop me a PWE a couple weeks back. I feel like PWEs really go in waves. Sometimes they come in bunches, other times I go months without getting one. I'm going to try to get back in the PWE spirit once I ship out a few last SuperTraders packages.

The card I enjoyed most was a this Luis Cessa Heritage High Number. There is a non-zero chance I'll be sending this card to Cessa in a TTM attempt next spring. He was pretty good in his debut season for the Yankees after coming over in the Justin Wilson trade. He went back and forth a bit between the rotation and the bullpen, but he's got a good arm and is really still learning to pitch after previously being an infielder.

I love the 1996 Yankees. The 98-00 teams were great, but that first title was so special, and Cone was a huge reason why. Cool set honoring some heroes of the postseason, and I think it's very nice looking to boot.

Speaking of World Series Heroes, Reggie! Reggie!

This orange refractor is really nice. The John Ryan Murphy for Aaron Hicks trade didn't go very well for either team. Maybe one of these guys will swing the balance one way or the other this season.

Robert, thanks for packing quite a punch in one envelope. Most appreciated!

Bloggers with a Habit

Recently, two bloggers I tend to get along very well with sent me some great Yankee cards. Not only do these two gentlemen send awesome cards, but both of their blog names include “Habit.” I’m talking about Robert from $30A Week Habit and Judson from My Cardboard Habit.

I think I’ve gotten to a point with both of these guys where we just kind of send each other cards back and forth and know that it’ll all even out in the end, although I always feel like what I send pales in comparison to what they send.

First up, here are a few goodies from Robert. Him and I have both gone through the difficult process of moving card collections over the last few months. It’s not easy! While mine are moved, they are still very boxed up and unorganized. I don’t love the feeling. Moving also makes you realizes how many damn pieces of cardboard you have. And let me tell ya, cards are heavy!

Robert happened to stumble upon this Michael Pineda 2016 Opening Day Blue Foil and asked if I needed it. Indeed, I did! I did not have this Pineda yet. It is #147 in my Big Mike PC. Pineda had a tough 2016, although he did become the first Yankees right hander to record 200 Ks in a season since Roger Clemens and Mike Mussina both did it in 2001. That was hard to believe.

Man, last year Luis Severino cards were H-O-T. This year, not so much. He had a pretty miserable year amidst some lofty expectations. I still think he’s too young to give up on and move to the ‘pen, although his stuff did play up well there. Hopefully he comes to spring training and wins a starting job. I’d also like to note that these blue-framed 2016 Gypsy Queen parallels were some of the nicest of the year.

I gotta say, I forgot how nice these were. I really came back into collecting in 2011, so these Diamond Anniversary parallels were pretty popular. But after not really thinking of them too much over the last few years, it’s nice to be reminded how striking they are.

The last card Robert sent was a Ty Hensley. I always appreciate you guys keeping an eye out for Hensleys for me!

Moving onto the man with a cardboard habit (don’t we all have one?!), Judson reached out about wanting to send me a few Dillon Tate autos after the Yankees acquired him in the Carlos Beltran trade. I thought that was super nice of him. Take a look at these beauties from Inception!

Other than the serial numbers and some purplish/blue hues, I’m not positive what the difference is. However, I like them and was thrilled to add some Tate autos. Inception cards always look a bit trippy (as was the movie), but I always end up liking them. I love the surface of the card, which is great for autographs. Overall, I think it's just a cool set, and the auto checklist is usually quite strong.

I love the gamble the Yankees took on Tate, the 4^th overall pick in the 2015 Draft. Although the Yankees had him work exclusively out of the bullpen after the trade, he seemed to pitch better than he did prior to the trade. I look forward to seeing if he can bounce back to being a top prospect.

Another Severino! This time a nice Topps Chrome Refractor. I think 2016 Topps Chrome looked a lot better than the flagship (which I liked, for the record), and the Refractor and Refractor parallels looked terrific.

I love this Heritage Chrome Refractor of Masahiro Tanaka. That Topps All-Star Rookie Trophy is pretty rad. Tanaka is the undisputed ace of the Yankees, and still finds himself a bit underrated. He’s probably going to just miss out on the ERA title this year, unless he ends up pitching on Saturday, which I doubt he will. With the Yankees out of it, there’s really no reason to bring him back from injury. He had a Cy Young-caliber year, and although he won’t win, he sure was a rock for the Yankees. Plus, look at this smile!

This is definitely my first 65^th Anniversary buyback. And you know what, I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever even seen this Reggie Jackson 1982 Topps card – buyback or not. I just do not recognize it. It wouldn’t be that surprising, although it’s not like Jackson has a ton of Topps cards from the ‘70s and ‘80s either. Hmmm. Well, I’m happy to have it, foil stamp or not!

Thanks again, guys! I really appreciate you thinking of me, as always.

Old Habits are the best

I think Robert of $30 A Week Habit and I have been around the blog world for about the same amount of time.

His his first post was in July of 2011, while mine was February of that same year. So we're about the same age around here.

Robert is one of those generous guys that sends 'just because' packages. I actually need to send him some Jays soon because I think he's pulled ahead of me in the 'just because' package unofficial race. Also, those pesky Jays.

Anyhow, Robert sent me these while the Yanks were cemented in first place and the Jays had a good offense but no pitching. So, in other words, he sent these several months ago. Times change, eh?

Regardless, here are a few of the goods, including a Nova relic, and a couple of 2015 GQs, a set which I've gotten very little of.  In fact, these might be the first I've gotten. Therefore, it is most appreciated.

This Walk-Off Winners set is pretty cool. I didn't know about it. These two in particular are really great memories of Yankees walk-off HRs in my lifetime. The Jeter is from the 2001 World Series when he became "Mr. November". Funny, I really do remember Clay Bellinger (#12) going crazy with that right fist in the air.

I remember this Giambi moment well too. In the rain, int he 14th inning, with the bases loaded and the Yanks down 3. That was a sweet moment in his first season in NY.

There are a few more I wish were in the set, including Aaron Boone's 2003 ALCS walk-off. I realize it can't be a Yankees-only set (or can it????), and there are probably a few notable omissions overall. I like that Raul Ibanez is in the set from the 2012 ALDS. I was at that game, so that make it extra cool.

Thanks, Robert, and good luck in the post-season. See you in the ALCS? (probably not)

Gold on a snowy day

Last Thursday we had another pretty big storm. My kids' daycare called at 6am saying they were closed for the day, even though the snow had barely started. However, the forecasters got this one right, we ended up with a good seven or eight inches.

In addition to working from home with my kids around, one benefit was getting to be first to the mailbox! I got one TTM success - the Chris Capuano from yesterday's post - and an unexpected PWE from Robert at $30 A Week Habit.

There were two 2015 Topps Gold cards inside. It's still a big deal for me to get a Masahiro Tanaka card. I think I have only five or six at this point. To get a Topps Gold Tanaka? Awesome!

The other was a Bryan Mitchell, a rookie who I believe will start a few games for the Yanks this season.

Robert, thank you so much for the unexpected gift!

Duke is everywhere

As a Syracuse fan, I've had a lot of Duke lately. Their football team beat us pretty good on Saturday. Then, our #1 nationally ranked soccer team beat Duke in the ACC Tournament yesterday.

And now, a contest for a different kind of Duke...Duke Snider! Robert over $30 A Week Habit is generously giving away the card above. Would be a great addition to Joey's HOF binder...so if you ended up winning instead of me, just remember that you are stealing a card from a two-year-old. Hope you can sleep at night.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Robert went to the #NSCCShow!

If you follow his blog, you know that Robert of $30 A Week (not Day) Habit attended The National. Besides picking up cards for himself, Robert kept in mind his fellow collectors who were not as fortunate to attend. Luckily, I was one of those collectors.

Robert sent me five really nice cards, along with a note that said, "You may not have gone to the National, but a piece of the National has come to you." So awesome!

First, a Tino! I admit, I do have this one, but a 1994 Finest is always welcome.It's cool to me that when someone comes across a Tino, they associate him with me.

Two really nice relics that I didn't have. Brett Gardner is having a terrific year and is making his contract look like a better deal by the day. Back in 2011 I tried to put this Topps 60 Yankees relic team set together. It's still on my wantlist, so I'll keep trying. And Cano...well, I miss him. But hey, at least he still looks like a Yankee on 2104 Heritage Clubhouse Collection cards.

Finally, two 2013 Topps Gold cards. I love the Mo. I can never get enough Rivera tribute cards. And CC! He was dominant in the 2012 ALDS...man, that feels like forever ago.

 

Robert, thank you so much for thinking of me!

Goodies from $30 A Week Habit

Robert from $30 A Week Habit is one of the good guys out there. Not that you all aren’t good guys, but few are as thoughtful as Robert. Back when Hurricane Sandy hit, Robert sent a kind email checking in on me and my family, as he knows from past trades that I lived in NYC, then in Hoboken, NJ – both areas that were greatly affected by the storm.

It’s things like that which really make an impact.

We haven’t made too many trades lately, but I do have a nice sized stack of Jays forming to send Robert. He surprised me with a package last week that included some truly awesome Yanks.

First off, a 2012 Topps Chrome Orange Refractor of Michael Pineda. I’m not sure, but I think I’m getting close to the rainbow here for these. I have to figure out what I have and what I need. I definitely didn’t have this one.

Bowmans! I love the Silver Ice cards. They are my current favorite. The purple parallel of Mark Montgomery is awesome too.

A Jeter Refractor never gets old. Honestly, I need to count my Jeter cards. I may now have more cards of him than I do of Tino. 

And a few 2013 Topps cards. Adam Warren has been a pleasant surprise this year. I like these WBC cards, despite not liking the WBC itself. 

 

Robert, thanks again!

Contest Winnings from Robert - Part 2

The second part of my prize from Robert at $30 A Week Habit was two packs of Series Two. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Robert picked these up at Walmart, as each pack contained a blue parallel.

I was happy to find this card as the blue parallel in the first pack. Yu Darvish! It’s my second Darvish, as I pulled a Bowman RC earlier this year.

I also received a Tim Lincecum A Cut Above insert, and a Golden Giveaway code which netted me a truly sweet, very rare Padres coin.