Cards from a Sox fan ahead of Yankees/Red Sox

With the Yankees and Red Sox facing one another tonight, it’s a good chance to show off some cards from one of the nicest Red Sox fans out there – Mr. Mark Hoyle. I’m not thrilled with the Yankees going into Fenway right now playing as poorly as they are, but they need to turn it around sometime. I don’t love the “it’s early” excuse. I think every game matters. When a team is fighting for a Playoff spot in September and is a game out, you better believe I’m looking back at losing two extra inning games at home to the Orioles in April.

Anyhow, maybe a road trip is what the doctor ordered to right the ship a little.

Back to the cards. Mark sent me a surprise package recently, and the highlight for me was definitely an unopened pack of Upper Deck cards from the 2006 National Convention. While tempting to leave them in the shrink wrap, that’s not how I roll, so I opened them:

Nice, three Yankees! I like the Jeter a lot. Scott Podsednik was an interesting inclusion. I figured each Chicago team had a card in the set because the National was in Chicago…but Google tells me it was in Anaheim. So I’m not really sure, other than those cards will go to those team collectors I trade with.

This was a cool item! A Mickey Mantle HOF postcard. I know I had this at one point of my life, but have no idea what happened to it. Glad to have it back!

Speaking of Mantle, a really nice Topps Chrome of “the next Mantle”, Ruben Rivera. Of course things didn’t pan out, but he really was featured on some nice cards as a prospect. I like the “new arrivals” logo on this card.

Mark also included these Clint Frazier promo cards. These totally count as a unique card in my small Frazier collection. Mark your calendars for June 13 when Series 2 comes out!

Mark, thanks for the kind package. Take it easy on the Yanks this week.

Thank you, JBF

In case you haven’t heard, Wes of Jaybarkerfan’s Junk is hanging up his blogging keyboard (?) for a while. There is an inkling that it might not be permanent, and let’s hope that is the case.

I know a lot has been said over the past few weeks (and years), but I wanted to reiterate what a generous and overall great dude Wes is. I am sure he’s given away far, far more cards than he has ever received in return. For every PWE I’ve sent Wes over the past few years, I’ve basically gotten a flat rate box back.

Wes also paid attention. I probably mentioned once or twice that I am a Bengals fan (long story), and he took note. Nearly every package since has included a few Bengals cards. While I’m not a football collector, per se, I do enjoy receiving cards of my favorite team. I know have a pretty sweet Bengals collection.

Beyond Bengals there always seems to be a Tino or a Pineda tucked into packages Wes sends as well.

It’s guys like Wes that really keep me interested in the hobby.

Wes, I’ll miss seeing your blog posts. You always tried new things, like The World Cup of Trading, and you always made for a fun read. Hope to read more of your stuff soon!

I am about three boxes behind in showing off some stuff Wes sent, but those will be shown in due time. Here’s a few sweet cards from a (not so) recent bubble mailer JBF sent me awhile back.

Let's start with some shiny. That Ruben Rivera Atomic Refractor is just sweet. The Bernie Williams Refractors are actually two cards that look exactly the same but are serially numbered to different print runs.

Moose batting! This is the first time I saw this Gold Label set. Always felt like a classy product.

Closter and Cumberland vintage! Two solid last names.

And the aforementioned Bengals. I’m a big David Pollack fan. He was a great Bengals draft pick, but suffered a neck injury in his second year that ended his career. Now he’s solid on ESPN.

Cards from the Most Interesting Blogger In The World

A few weeks ago, Jaybarkerfan caught me off guard and sent me TWO flat-rate boxes back with 16 team bags of cards. I need to show those off. However, the other day while scanning cards, I realized that I never scanned and showed off the previous package Wes sent me about a month before. I felt badly about that.

So before I get to those AWESOME two boxes he sent me, here’s some of the sweet stuff he sent me back in February.

First off, this post-it was in there. I actually do find Wes to be the most interesting (and mysteriou)s card blogger out there. He comes up with massive amounts of Yanks and sends them my way. Where does he get them? How? Why? The man is a mystery, but I’m thrilled he has chosen me to be the recipient of mysterious ways.

Now on to the cards. I’ll show off this football card first. A few times, I’ve mentioned I’m a Bengals fan. Long story as to why I like Cincy, but Wes took note and periodically sends me Bengals relics. I don’t actively collect football, but adding sweet cards from my favorite team is something I’ll always be up for. Take a look at this beautiful Tyler Eifert jersey/patch card #’d to 99. Whoa! Eifert is going to be a star, and I’m very lucky to have this in my collection now. 

Next up, two sweet green cards! This Mariano is just a classy card. Well, any card with Mo is classy, but the design and the vibrant emerald color really make this card special. Plus, #’d to 250. I don’t have many high end Mariano cards like this. 

And speaking of green, this awesome emerald refractor of the guy pitching for the Yanks tonight!

 

Here’s a random sampling of what else was in there. Is there any insert set over the years that is cooler than Flair Wave of the Future? I don’t think so.This card doesn't have water in it, but it's still fantastic.

All in due time I’ll show off the EPIC boxes sent by JBF.

Thanks, Wes.