Finding some bloggers on TCDB

The Trading Card Database continues to be my preferred method of trading right now. It has everything I need. It's easy way to track trades, and a good way for me send 5-6 cards away just for one or two back. Cutting down on some of the clutter, Zippy Zappy-style.

It can all be done via PWE (for the most part) as well, which suits my life because I don't have the opportunity to get to the post office during the standard work week. I hate relying on my rinky dink post office that is only open from 9-12 on Saturdays. So it's easy for me to pull cards for one or two trades at night time, stick a stamp on the envelope, and send off in the mailbox outside of my work.

What's also fun, besides all the new traders I've met, is that there are lots of familiar faces on there! I just completed a handful of swaps with some well-known bloggers.

The latest comes from Matt over at Summer of 74. I sent Matt a couple of Brewers and a Bo Jackson he needed from 2019 Archives, and got these two cards from 2019 Optic: Judge and Stanton. Very easy!

The awesome toy man Colbey from Cardboard Collections and I then engaged in a quick trade. I found a Gleyber Torres insert in exchange for four inserts from 2019 Topps Update. Even nicer, he sent a team bag of Pokemon cards for my son, which he absolutely loved. I really appreciated that!

Next is from Laurie of LV's TTM autographs and baseball cards, who is quite the prolific trader on the site! I found a Stanton and Gleyber I could user, and sent along a Jorge Polanco insert and a Nicky Lopez 150 Years stamped Topps card.

Lastly, although done via Twitter and not TCDB, my friend Paul of Scribbled Ink sent me these two Yanks for some Jose Cansecos. The Judge was a bonus throw in I wasn't expecting and it's a beaut.

I'm now up to 45 completed trades, which is bonkers. It's a blast making these quick swaps.

I'm glad I stopped being so stubborn and finally took the plunge!

O-M-Gio

When sophomore 3B Miguel Andujar went down with a shoulder injury at the beginning of the season, it was a tough situation for the Yankees. With Didi Gregorius already out recovering from Tommy John surgery, it looked like the left side of the infield that was so good offensively last year would take a hit.

The plan was for DJ LeMahieu to shift over to 3B. Giovanny Urshela, a light-hitting, excellent-fielding 3B was called up for depth, and made his Yankees debut on April 6.

From there, he didn't look back. He hit .345 in April while playing sparkling defense. He took the Yankees 3B job and ran with it, freeing up LeMahieu to focus on 2B until Didi was back. As if playing a Gold Glove-caliber 3B wasn't enough, he continued his offensive outburst, hitting in the .330s and developing unexpected power. Hitting .240 with little power and his defense would have worked. Hitting .330 with 20-HR power? Completely unexpected.

As of writing this, he's at .336 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs. He'll qualify amongst the batting leader soon. He's only 27, so perhaps he's put it together. Or maybe he's a one-hit wonder. Time will tell.

I first came across Urshela in-person at an Indians game in June, 2015. I remember chuckling at the name, as it reminded me or Ursula from The Little Mermaid.

I look forward to Urshela showing up in card products later in the year, but for now, Matt Prigge of Summer of 74 hooked me up with these two minor league Gio cards. I had a Gio 2015 Topps RC at some point, but I shipped it off to him in a TTM request earlier this season, and haven't received it back. Of course, that has become a card that now sells for a few bucks a pop.

Regardless, I love these minor league cards, and I thank Matt for sending them along!

If you are what they say you are, a Superstar

Back when 2019 Topps Series One came out, I pulled a Lorenzo Cain Brewers photo variation SP. Matt of Summer of '74  was interested in the card, so I shot it his way and told him to send me a Judge autograph in return...or at least something Yankee-related when he got to it.

A few weeks later he said he had something cool to send me, and he was right!

I opened his PWE to find these six cards. I had never seen them!

I consider myself somewhat capable of using Google, but all I can really find are that these are from 1980 TCMA. There are a few listed on COMC, including non-Yanks like Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, and Sandy Koufax.

I think they are great looking cards, and wasn't quite sure if they actually were vintage or a modern day reprint. For the record, I am one who does consider 1980 as "vintage."

Matt, these are really cool and I thank you. It's always fun to open up a card package and out fall cards you've never seen!

His parents' basement is now clean

Matt over at Summer of '74 recently held his version of the Big Fun Game, although in this instance the "B" stood for "basement". You see, Matt cleaned out some of his old stuff from his parents' basement and created a very unique BFG.

My prize ended up being two Sports Shots collectors books by Scholastic. I actually expected them to be a standard sized book, but they are actually quite small. They are barely bigger than an actual card, as you see here.

Impressive that Griffey was featured after just two seasons!

Matt was kind enough to throw in a few Yankees, as well!

I didn't know Danny Willett had a First Pitch card in 2017. The Yankees usually don't have many guys featured in these sets, so I don't keep a close eye on the checklist.

There was also a very, very shinny Mark Teixeira Heritage refractor. Pretty card!

Thanks, Matt! Hope the basement cleanup was as fun for you as it was for us.

Thanks, Jud(ge)son

I mentioned yesterday that bloggers came to the rescue when I mentioned I needed a 2017 Aaron Judge Topps RC.

Matt Prigge of Summer of '74 was the first hero, and then Judson of My Cardboard Habit came to the rescue, sending quite an Aaron Judge-centric package I was not expecting.

First, the reason for the mailer:

Lovely!

Then Judson sent even more Judge goods, starting with this 2017 Rookie of the Year Favorites insert from Bowman. I've wanted this card since I saw it! One thing I'm surprised with is how "RC" logos are appearing on insert cards. I thought non-base cards couldn't be rookie cards? Honestly, I have no clue about the rules around what is a rookie card and what isn't these days. I still sort of believe that the pre-RC is the real rookie card, which would make his 2013 Bowmans his RCs. I don't know. But I do know I like this card.

Judson must have broken a bit of Bowman, because he sent me not one, not two, but three Judge RCs from Bowman.

And if that wasn't enough, Gleyber! I will hoard any and all Gleybers I can these days, and I did not have this one yet.

Judson also gave me my first in-person look at 2017 Diamond Kings. I like these. They sort of remind me of the UD Masterpieces that had the borders around them, although the card texture is a little different. Still, I think they look great.

Lastly, just as P-Town Tom does, I love a nice, personal note. What a sweet guy!

Thanks for the cards, Judson! I'll hit you back soon whenever I get my act together.

A new trade partner to the rescue!

In a recent post, I mentioned that I stupidly did not have a 2017 Topps Aaron Judge RC. When I got my team set during spring training, I sent each card away for a TTM signature, and never replaced the Judge. I figured I’d get the Judge back in a trade package or two, but then something happened.

He became Aaron Freakin’ Judge.

Prices went up. Not crazy, but the card routinely goes for over $5, which is obviously quite a bit for a run of the mill base card. After eBay shipping and whatnot, I was probably going to end up dropping $7 or $8 on it.

Then you guys all came to the rescue.

The first was Matt from Summer of ’74, admittedly a blog I had just found out about. If you don't follow him, you should. He was kind enough to offer up the Judge, as well as some other Yanks. I’m always down for another trading partner, so I quickly said yes.

Matt delivered! And now I have this…again. But this time it’s not going anywhere.

Accompanying the Judge was a team bag loaded with Yankees.

While their drafts have been stellar, two of the Yankees top three picks from 2015 aren’t quite working out. James Kaprielian (Round 1, 16 overall), while tremendously talented, is on the shelf after TJ surgery shortly after Spring Training. Jeff Degano (Round 2, 57 overall) is a lefty from Indiana State who had a lot of success in college, but then seemed to develop a case of the yips and couldn’t find the plate last year. As far as I know, he is still back in extended spring training this year. I really hope Kaprielian is able to come back 100%, as he is a very likeable kid with a great make up and bulldog mentality, and someone who was close to being a major part of this new youth movement. He just might have to be a part of it a little later than planned, that’s all.

This Sparky Lyle is super cool. I don’t think I’ve seen that photo.

Speaking of unseen photos, I don’t recognize this one of The Mick either. It feels really clear and high quality compared to some of this other photos. He was a total badass, that’s for sure, and looks great on an ’87 design.

As does Jeter! I‘ll always add more Jeters to the collection.

Thanks, Matt! Really appreciate the cards. I’ll hit you back momentarily.