Let the Baseball Games Begin (JBF Appreciation Volume 7)

I've been really excited to get to the baseball portion of JBF's final bombardment posted.  While I loved every item sent my way, baseball is the bread and butter of the blog. My hope is to wrap things up over the weekend with a one card post that blew my freaking mind.

As I've been posting these I've been having some fun dialog with Hazel Green madman.  The premeditation that went into these packages was over the top.  Wes said that he had been accumulating an arsenal of cards for over 2 years!  

Before we get to the cards lets take a look back at some of the memorable items Wes has sent my way over the years that were baseball related.  

I mean this is not even close to all the non cards he has sent my way.  Freaking four jerseys! Trying to understand the madman's motives is a fools game.  You just shake your head and move on.  

Now lets show off some cards.  This first installment is all serial numbered cards.  I bet you he sent me over 100 in just baseball.  

One of my favorite modern sets that capture one of the greatest moments in team history.  Pretty cool card!

While the prospect shine is starting to fade on Craig, he will forever be one of my favorite Pirates to collect because of his Black Bears tenure.

When non licensed cards look ok.

Nice collection of early cards of now established Buccos.

Obviously I love this card as I have an unhealthy obsession with all things Pacific.

Kang is back in the US finally.  Interested to see if he has anything left in the tank after not playing for so long.

Heredia is one of the bigger misses in recent Pirate history.  The Pirates gave him at the time the most they had ever given an international prospect.

Another love of mine....obscure short lived sets.  Fleer had a ton of them.

One of if not the best of Panini's offerings in recent memory.

High end base!

The guy we got in a trade that sent Jose Bautista to Toronto.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I recall having a ton of Leather and Lumber cards.  Not sure if this was a fluke or if the Pirates were well represented.

It stings a little that Cole is breaking out for the Pirates.  Thankfully both Colin Moran and Michael Feliz have been very good.

Freddy is keeping pretty good company on this card.   Pujols was so dominant with the Cardinals that for a while he was on some of the top ten lists in offensive categories at PNC park.

Awesome card!

Lambo couldn't stay healthy as a Pirate which is a shame.  At one point he was in line for an extended look.

USA!

The Corey Dickerson signing has really helped the depth of the Pirates.  Meadows has really struggled to stay healthy the last couple of years so he needs a good bit of AAA time.

Another big fail by the Buccos brass.

Actual Pirate John Jaso.

Mcguire looked to be catcher of the future for a while with the Pirates, but he just never developed any type of offense.

Short term Bucco Corey Hart.  Too bad he couldn't capture some of that Brewers magic.  He tormented the Buccos for years.

This is the only Tom Hagen I know....

Elite cards were a favorite in the early/mid 2000's.

Tabata went from high end prospect, troubled prosect, good major leaguer and out of MLB in about two years.  It was true roller coaster ride.

SPx seemed so damn classy when I was young.

Studio had a ton of fun inserts.

Star power!

Not a bad start right! Business will only pick up we move to the big finish.  Thanks so much for sticking with me as the tribute continues.

See you tomorrow!