Jersey swatches from France

Last week, I was pleasantly surprised to see an international package arrive in my mailbox. Kevin from The Card Papoy was kind enough to send me a return package for a few cards I sent him earlier this spring.

The package and postage look so much different than what I'm used to, which makes it feel very exotic and special. Oh, what it must've seen on it's way to me!

Kevin was kind enough to send two cards featuring jersey swatches, both from 2002, and both featuring Jason Giambi.

Giambi joined the Yankees in '02, so both of these jersey pieces were of him with the A's. The gray one was a good choice for the dual-relic with Bernie, as it feels like a Yankees away jersey. It might have looked odd if a green one, like the card below, was included on there.

And man, Giambi was a monster his first year in pinstripes: .313/.435/.598 with 41 HRs and 122 RBIs. That was good for a 7.1 WAR. And that was considered a worse year than his previous two.

I very much appreciated this Stadium Club Gary Sanchez RC, which I didn't have. It's a little odd to see Stadium Club use a studio shot, although I guess they didn't have much to choose from for Sanchez. I expect a cooler shot in 2017.

Here are a few more cards I especially liked.

Thanks so much for the package, Kevin!

Pardon my french

Bad post title, I know. I tried lots of French puns, including "French Cardquistador." I know, I know.

Anyhow, I completed a trade with Kevin of The Card Papoy recently, my first ever time sending cards to France. I will tell you, my post-office had a difficult time with the concept of me sending a bubble mailer to France. They did not make it easy, but free trade prevailed.

Kevin sent me some awesome Yanks, especially from my '90s wheelhouse. My favorite of the lot was this colorful Derek Jeter, a Leaf card I had never seen.

This fancy Jason Giambi is numbered just 03/10. It has a very platinum-like feel to it.

I love this Hideki Irabu night card from his debut. I distinctly remember watching him pitch that night, as his acquisition was a very big deal.

I have a love/hate relationship with Upper Deck MVP. They were affordable, but for some reason Upper Deck rebranded "Collector's Choice." However, they kept the silver signature parallel. Why not just keep "Collector's Choice"?

A couple of forgotten Yanks of the '90s, especially Vander Wal. The Henson is super thick from Stadium Club.

 

Why, Kevin?! Why do you do this to all of us:

Thanks, Kevin! Hope we can trade again soon!