BIG Mike Pineda #100

Last week, I received my 99th different Michael Pineda. I knew that #100 was not far behind, since I had already won an auction for it. It arrived, and it's glorious.

"But Lost Collector, that looks like a regular 2015 Topps Pineda! Don't you already have that?"

No!

You see, disembodied voice, that is actually a fancy, 5x7 jumbo on-line exclusive Big Mike. These were released in Series One team sets of 99 for the massively under priced (based on what they are selling for) cost of $19.99. There are still a bunch of teams available, actually.

Anyhow, it's a very cool card. It's exactly the same as the normal-sized versions, except the logo is silver as opposed to foil. I believe the cardstock is the exact same as well. I don't have proof of this, but it feels the same, and certainly isn't thicker.

The back's are hand-numbered to 99 which is a cool touch as well.

Certainly an appropriate card of BIG MIKE for my 100th different one. For a guy who debuted in 2011, and didn't pitch in 2012 or 2013, I feel like 100 is a pretty good accomplishment. On to the next 100!

A TTM disaster

Last week, I received this envelope back in one of those USPS "we're sorry" envelopes. We've all gotten them. However, this was not the USPS' fault.

Whatever player this was did not use the peel and stick adhesive, and the envelope came back completely empty. How do I know? Well, the sticker was still on there, unpeeled.

I had always thought that these envelopes were far better than asking the player to lick or dampen the envelope. Simply remove the sticker, and you're done!

In fairness, I've had a great success rate with these. One time, Luis Torrens didn't seal, but the card make it back. This envelope was empty. I can understand a player who gets a lot of mail simply forgetting or overlooking this step. It happens.

What bums me out is that I have no record of who this was. I have heard of people initialing the return envelope, which I've always been reluctant to do. I like the surprise and the thrill of opening the envelope without knowing what is in it. However, instances like this really bum me out. I can't even re-try the player because I don't know who it was.

I think I will now start initialing the envelopes...maybe next to my name in the return address, or maybe inside the actual envelope. I am just so down about now knowing who this was, that I simply cannot let this happen again.

Winnings from @Draft2Dynasty

A few weeks back, Kevin of the famous @Draft2Dynasty Twitter handle and blog held a giveaway. Somehow, I was lucky enough to win, and Kevin was more than generous in what he sent, including the Ty Hensley pictured above.

Kevin not only sent a brick of cards (all alphabetized!), but also a nice chunk of signed Yankee cards, likely from his time patrolling Steinbrenner Field and the Himes minor league complex. It seems that he's a regular around there, and often has some great interaction with current and future Yankees.

Other than the Hensley, by far my favorite card is this Luis Sojo autograph. A Sojo auto is one of those that has escaped me forever, and I was thrilled to see that in there.

Here's just a small sampling of the many goodies Kevin sent. There was a TON of great stuff...major leaguers, minor leaguers, refractors, parallels, etc. If you like the Yanks or the minor leagues, go give Kevin a follow on Twitter @Draft2Dynasty. Thanks again for such a great prize package!

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!

On topper the hill

This past weekend, Judson of My Cardboard Habit reached out saying that he pulled both a Tanaka box topper and action variation, and asked if I wanted them. Um, yeeeah!

That's certianly something that is reiterated time and time again around these parts. How I can just be going about a normal day, check my email for a second, and come to find that someone pulled something that I might like, and that it's basically already in the mail for me.

My Tanaka collection is coming along nicely, and I've never pulled or bought one of his cards. Just goes to show how awesome guys like Judson are.

99

I just need one more Big Mike for 100 unique Pinedas in PC.

What surprised me about this card is that it's numbered "H540." The "H" stands for "high humbered"...apparently Heritage puts out a 100-card factory set that serves as an "update" set of sorts. Huh. I had no idea, which shows you how closely I pay attention sometimes.

Mark Hoyle POPS UP in my mailbox

Mark Hoyle sends some of the best packages out there. When he's not single-handedly doubling my vintage collection, he's sending along other completely cool items. Check out this blast from the '80s past:

Boom! Some Donruss oversizes cards and pop-ups. I feel like these pop-ups are all over the place now, but I love getting them fresh and unpopped. I'll probably give one or two of these to my son for him to play with.

With the NCAA Tourney starting tomorrow, I'm a bit depressed with no Syracuse to cheer for. They are banned from this year's post-season and got some major slaps on the wrists from the NCAA. However, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy some hoops cards. Mark knows I'm an SU guy, and frequently sends some cards of Orange greats.

 

Mark, thanks as always!