My card of the year - 2017

Thanks to P-Town Tom for once again running the Card of the Year Contest.

I was torn this year.

I really wanted to choose the 2017 Topps Jacoby Ellsbury Lightning Butt card. It's awesome. But Ellsbury and Yankee fans have a bit of a tough relationship, and while the photo is awesome, I'm not going to remember cards in 2017 because of him.

I'm going to remember cards in 2017 because of this guy, and because of how many Topps NOW cards I bought of him. So, my card of the year, is one of my newest additions: Aaron Judge Topps NOW Rookie of the Year.

Last year I chose a Topps NOW as card of the year - Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin homering in their MLB debuts. I didn't want to do it again, but it's really what my 2017 collecting was defined by. I bought a lot of Aaron Judge cards via the Topps NOW program, although most came from eBay versus directly from Topps.

It was hard to choose just one. There were many moments and instances to be commemorated, but on the whole, it was a record-breaking rookie season for Judge, and the card that simply states "Rookie of the Year" sort of encompasses all of that.

So here it is again, Rookie of the Year, and my Card of the Year.

And here is my Topps NOW Aaron Judge year in review. I spent a lot on Topps NOW cards this year. Sheesh.

Maybe I'll switch it up in 2018, but considering I already bought a Giancarlo Stanton Topps NOW from his press conference, I highly doubt that.

I want my buyby, buyby, buyby back

I don't think that post title worked. Baby back? Buy-by back? Buy back?

Oof. Lay off the spiked eggnog, Lost Collector.

Anyhow, my dude over at Collecting Cutch sent me a finder's fee for helping him track down that Andrew McCutchen card of the year he recently showed off.

It was a gesture he really didn't need to do. He's sent me far more Tino's that I need versus anything I've done to help his 2,000+ McCutchen collection along. Still, I very much appreciate it.

I'm not sure if he found these grouped together or what, but here are four Tino Martinez buy back cards from this year - 1 Rediscover Topps in blue, and then three Bowman 70th anniversaries. I believe two are gold and one is bronze.

 

 

From what I can gather, the blue buy backs from Topps are amongst the rarer ones. In terms of Bowman, the golds are rarer than the bronze.

And to top it off, there was also a Tino Martinez printing plate from 1998 Pacific Online! I think this is the second plate he has sent me. I don't have many Tino 1/1s at all, so this is quite special as well.

Brian, thank you for thinking of me and helping my Tino collection at all! I hope 2018 sees you add even more amazing McCutchen cards.

Secret San(ta) Jose Fuji

My Secret Santa gift from Bob Walk The Plank's second annual event arrived yesterday, and I was thrilled to see it was from my long-time blogging buddy San Jose Fuji. He's obviously one of the more established bloggers out there, so I knew there'd be something good awaiting me. And between P-Town Tom last year and Fuji this year, I've really drawn some lucky straws.

I know several bloggers have been waiting to open theirs on Christmas, but I have no restraint so I tore into Fuji's package.

There were seven cards total, but I saw the back of this first and was immediately excited:

And the front!

This is a card I've wanted for a really long time! 20 years to be exact. It's a 1997 Studio Derek Jeter Hard Hat. The set is one of my favorite inserts ever. I remember seeing them in Beckett and really wanting one. I eventually got the Bernie Williams, then last year picked up the Juan Gonzalez and had him sign it TTM.

I am particularly horrible at keeping want lists, but I was fortunate enough to have it on my "Ten Most Wanted" on the right-hand side of my blog. Most are generic wants - Derek Jeter auto, Robinson Cano auto, but this was one of the actual specific cards I've wanted, and Fuji was able to track one down. Amazing!

While they are numbered to 5,000, they are a lot tougher to actually find. I can't believe I finally own the Jeter!

Fuji also bundled up three Tino Martinez refractors for me. I am partial to the Bowman's Best. It looks awesome.

And three other shiny Tinos from his Mariner days.

Thanks again, Fuji. You really hit it out of the park! I'm very grateful for the cards, and hope you and your family have a great Christmas. And special thanks to Matt for organizing once again. It can't be easy!

Jolly 'ol Johnny Claus pays me a visit

Johnny of Johnny's Trading Spot might win the fictional award of blogger who sent me the most cards in 2017. It felt like I was regularly coming home to packages and found Johnny's name on the return address. He's always keeping a look out for cool Yankees for me.

John sent me one of his famous mailings a few weeks ago. Included in the most recent package was this cool mini pennant too.

My favorite card was quite easily this Yankees Postseason Celebrations card from 2017 Topps Update. It features the Yankees taking a victory lap after Game 6 of the 2009 World Series. I was at this game, so it holds a special memory for me. I was only a few rows up from left field, and I remember the victory lap well. I may send it off to Brian Cashman for a TTM signature.

I was really happy to see Ronald Torreyes get a Topps card this year. Right now he's probably penciled in as the Yankees starting 2B, but he's more valuable in a utility role. Still, he's a fun player and a guy you like having on your team.

It's funny how the hobby has cooled on these two guys since 2015. After Bird's 11 HRs in 46 games in 2015, his cards were very pricey. Then he missed all of 2016 and most of 2017. Still, his has a bright future and is a tremendous hitter when healthy, as we saw at the end of 2017 and during the Playoffs. I would love to see what we could do in 130-140 games.

Similarly, Luis Severino enjoyed a ton of success in 2015 as a 21-year-old, took a step back in 2016, then only finished 3rd in the Cy Young Voting as a old man 23-year-old. But he definitely does not generate the hobby buzz like he did in 2015. I guess it's because of Judge and Sanchez, but I find it surprising that his cards aren't gobbled up more than they are. It's good for me.

I was thrilled Johnny sent me this Jordan Montgomery RC. I know the Yankees are looking for another SP, but look what this guy did as a rookie: 9-7 record in 29 starts. 155 innings pitched. 3.88 ERA. 144 Ks. 24 years old. Throws with his left arm. I think a lot of teams would sign up for a 24-year-old southpaw with that sort of ability. He's not going to be a front of the rotation guy, but he can be super valuable and reliable in the back of the rotation.

A couple of shiny veterans! I love the beam of light coming from Betances' glove.

I hadn't seen this card but thought it was cool. PROtential. That's funny. Cool to see the old Thunder logo there too.

Johnny, thanks for all of the 2017 care packages, my friend. Happiest of holidays to you and your family!

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.