Miss you, Dellin

One of the many. many things missing this baseball season for me is Dellin Betances in a Yankees uniform.

Dellin was a homegrown player who took quite a while to develop, but eventually became a 4x All-Star reliever. His career was a bit up and down, and the injury bug found him a few times as well. But when Dellin was going right - as John Sterling often reminds us - he was one of the best in the game.

Betances is a now a Met. which makes it even worse. He's also been injured, but he's pitched a few times against the Yankees. It was odd to see.

I didn't realize how much I missed him until this card showed up from Oscar aka Stealing Home over at All Trade Bait All The Time.

I have never counted my Dellin autos, but I must be in the teens somewhere (thanks to ZZ). It's a nice card, and a nice reminder of a guy who was a great Yankee for a while and didn't really get a proper goodbye or welcome back.

Oscar also threw in a nice assortment of Yanks, including something you don't see every day in card packages: Topps Embossed!

I also really liked this Score Summit Andy Pettitte. The gold team label always stood out to me.

Here's a few of the other goodies:

Thanks, Oscar!

The surprise PWE is the best

One of the best parts of our community here is the surprise PWE. It shows up out-of-the-blue, unannounced, packed with a few cards someone else thought that you'd appreciate more than they would.

It's easy to get excited about a trade package or an eBay purchase coming in, but when the unannounced PWE shows up, I get even more excited and certainly more appreciative.

Earlier this past week, a perfect 9-card PWE arrived from Oscar over at All Trade Bait, All The Time. Oscar, as many do (including myself), filled up row from a binder page, with three cards per row. Love this format.

Gotta start with Aaron Judge, as he doesn't show up much in packages anymore. We'll call it 2.5 Judges because one is a team card. I'm very happy to add the Superstar Sensations insert, as that is one I missed when I opened Series One.

I also didn't find much 2018 Donruss, so I appreciate a new Gary Sanchez. Hope he's back from injury very soon.

A pair of lefties! One who starts games, one who finishes them.

I absolutely love this 2018 Heritage Rookie Stars featuring two of the Yanks best young players. Miguel Andujar has been very good in his rookie campaign, and Clint Frazier just needs a chance to play. He's too good for AAA, and I really hope he's not traded unless it's from a top of the line starting pitcher.

I'm always willing to take these Jeters off anyone's hands!

Lastly, a surprise autograph from former Yankees prospect Mitch Jones. He was drafted by the Yankees, but never made it with them despite showing massive power, including 39 HRs in AA in 2004. He latched on with the Dodgers and had an 8-game cameo in 2009, his only MLB action. He hit .308 but didn't homer. In all, he hit 254 minor league homers. Sad he never got one in the Bigs.

Oscar, thanks so much for a great PWE and making my day.

Every time a PWE arrives, and angel gets its wings

Tis the season, and Oscar of ATBATT is spreading the holiday cheer across the card-blogging world.

I was the lucky recipient of one of his recent PWE splurge, and was really happy to get these 2017 GQ cards of Gary Sanchez and Phil Rizzuto.

I also plan on sending Paul Zuvella a TTM request soon, so this card will be part of that request.

And here’s the rest!

Thanks, Oscar, and a Merry Aloha Christmas to you and your family.

ATBATT's BFG

What a weird post title, but couldn't resist the urge to make it something completely incoherent. But some of you will get it!

I was fortunate enough to participate in Oscar's version of the Big Fun Game over at All Trade Bait All The Time.

I came away with a lot of football cards. The Mike Williams auto is cool since he's a Syracuse guy, although his off-the-field issues derailed his career - both collegiate and professional.

I'll likely use this Peyton Manning for a TTM request, as he signs for a small fee and I didn't have a card of him.

Here are the rest of the football cards, including an autograph of Pro Bowler Lavonte David. The HOF players will end up in my son's HOF binder.

I was also lucky enough to win two prizes during the contest. I didn't have this sweet vintage Yankee:

And then a bunch of packs of Babe Ruth cards. My 5-year-old loves The Babe from the movie Everyone's Hero, and often asks me for Babe Ruth cards. This helps replenish my stock to reward him!

Oscar, very generous of you to run the game. Thank you!

PWEs, I've missed you!

PWEs tend to come in bunches. Nothing for awhile, then Bam! Two in the span of two days. I love it.

First off, Oscar from All Trade Bait All The Time was kind enough to send one. I made a comment about a cool Brooks Robinson card he showed off, and Oscar, being the generous dude he is, sent me my own copy. Crazy! I never make comments like that thinking the card will end up with me, but nice people like Oscar go above and beyond.

And it is cool, right? There's just something about little Brooks with no one near him, committing robbery. Oscar filled the rest with some Yanks, including two personal favorites.

Next up, Chris from The Collector busted some serious Heritage, and set aside a few Yanks for me. I have to take inventory, but I must be close to the complete Yanks set, minus the SPs.

There was also a cool Jeter I didn't have.

Gentlemen, thanks for the PWEs. Much appreciated!

ATBATT PWE

I amused myself with the title of this post.

Anyhow, out of the blue, Oscar from All Trade Bait All The Time sent me a PWE bomb (err, might be time to stop with that term) filled with a few Yanks. Here are a few favorites below, all new cards for my collection.

Oscar, it was a great surprise. Thanks, bud!

A vintage trade with ATBATT

Recently, I posted a few vintage cards for trade (clickhere). I thought it would be fun for someone to claim a card, and send me a vintage in return. Just a card from around the same time.

Oscar from All Trade Bait All The Time claimed a 1974 Topps Bert Campaneris. I had no idea what he would send, so I was excited when his PWE showed up. The first card I saw was the 1979 Topps Bill North, which I would have been more than happy with on its own. But then I flipped over the top loader, and saw a 1979 Topps Catfish Hunter as well! Seriously, Oscar? Not necessary, my friend. But very much appreciated, and it will go straight into the HOF binder for my son.

I’ll post a few more vintage cards in the near future for trade, and if anyone wants to trade me any 70’s card for this Bill North, the door is open.

This Oscar is no Grouch - trading with ATBATT

Sorry for the awful title. I'm especially sorry to Oscar. He'll probably never trade with me again.

Anyhow, I recently made my first trade with Oscar of “All TradeBait, All The Time.” I had a ’58 Topps Carl Furillo he wanted. The centerpiece of the deal for me was this 1959 Topps Enos Slaughter. The card is a beaut and is in great condition:

Not far behind the Slaughter was this ’75 Topps Mickey Mantle/Maurey Wills MVP card. I have seen these cards a lot, but never pulled the trigger. I like how simple Topps celebration was for their 25^th anniversary. Could you image what they would do now? Of course you can. 

 Here are a few more sweet cards that Oscar threw in:

 

Oscar, thanks again!