Sneak Peak

I wanted to give a quick sneak peak of one of the cards I received in a trade from my good pal Dennis from Too Many Verlanders.  This one will be hard to top when I send him a return package.

2004 Leaf Bill Mazeroski/Willie Stargell 1/1 Auto

Well done my friend.  I have my work cut out for me. Challenge accepted! 

My Best Jackie Robinson Card

2004 Ultimate Collection Jackie Robinson/Bill Mazeroski Dual Relic /60

I actually posted this card last year, but it is really my only significant card representing #42. It is always nice to see everyone wearing the #42 jerseys in honor of Jackie today.  A fitting tribute for a man who had to endure so much. 

Blockbuster Additions

I mentioned yesterday that I've been having a lot of contact from non bloggers looking to trade and sell.  Yesterday I featured some cards that I blind traded with a reader named Pete.  Today I'm featuring a major purchase from reader Nolan.

Nolan is a Pirates fan like myself, but was narrowing his collection to focus on Neil Walker and vintage needs.  It took us a while to come to a deal as we got held up because I left town for my brothers wedding.  As soon as I got back we hit the ground running and came to terms.  Check out the great cards.  As a side not Nolan's collection is top notch.  He sent some pictures of his vintage collection and it would make you drool.

2002 Topps Tribute Paul Waner Bat Relic

2008 SP Legendary Cuts Willie Stargell Cut Auto /15

2010 Topps Series 2 Steve Pearce Magenta Printing Plate 

2010 Topps Update Andrew McCutchen Manu Bat Barrel /99

2011 Topps Heritage Bill Mazeroski Stadium Memorabilia

2011 Topps Series 2 Willie Stargell Leather Nameplate

2011 Jose Tabata Topps Marquee Auto /570

2011 Topps Tribute Dual Jersey Willie Stargell /99

2010 Topps Chrome Aki Iwamura Yellow Printing Plate

2002 Fleer Willie Stargell Jersey

2012 Topps Heritage Willie Stargell Mint Coin Card

Nolan even threw in some freebies by giving me a handful of Bucco Vintage.  Also not pictured was an Al Oliver Topps Retired Auto. 

Thanks a ton Nolan for giving me the opportunity to add so many great cards.  I look forward to trading with you in the future.  You never know who might be checking out your blog on any given day.  

Thanks for reading!

Second Baseman Sixtuplet Auto

2012 Panini Signature Series 6 Autos /5

This is one of my favorite cards from the past few years.  It has a few flaws with the lack of license and stickers, but overall the card really pops in person.  This is probably my second best Maz auto next to a patch auto from one of the first Upper Deck Ultimate Collection sets.  Patches for the old time guys are hard to come by.  

I was watching this card for a long time thinking that it would go off high, but in the end I paid around $75 if my memory serves me correctly.  While that is a lot of money to pay for one card, I actually thought that was a reasonable price for such a high end card.  If this was a Topps product the price would have been way north of $100.

It was also exciting for me to obtain my first Sandberg auto.  Growing up Sandberg was one of my favorite players as I was able to watch him play on WGN.  Good memories of watching Ryno, Hawk and Mark Grace.

Hope everybody is having a good weekend.  I've enjoyed watching all the boxes of Allen & Ginter getting busted.  I may have to see if I can join in the fun next year.  Thanks for reading.  

A Nice Surprise From Reader Eric

Bill Mazeroski UD Premier Jersey /75

Last month I completed my first trade with Eric.  I thought we had made a nice trade, but he felt it was a little one sided and decided to surprise me one more card.  What a nice looking Maz!  Eric, I really appreciate your generosity.  I was perfectly happy with our original trade, but I happily accept this great card.  Look forward to future trades.  Let me know what Twins you are looking for and I'll keep my eye out.  

Ensemble Signatures

If you were a Pirate team collector in the mid 2000's Jason Bay was your guy.  He showed up in every set and was usually the main focus for any auto or relic card.  I don't have an actual tally, but I would be willing to guess that I have more Bay cards than any other Pirate. I probably have 6 months were of posts that I could dedicate to the former Bucco outfielder.  Here is one of my favorites...

2006 Ultimate Collection Ensemble Signatures /25

I know for some Bay kind of ruins this card, but I still love it.  Bay was one of the few reasons to pay attention to the Bucs during this time frame.  Hopefully he becomes Prime Minister of Canada or starts dating someone famous.  I will be in business value wise.  

The Buccos exercised their LA demons by taking 3 of 4 from the Dodgers.  It was the first time they have won a series in LA since 2006.  Hopefully this gets them going.  

Jackie and Maz

2004 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection dual jersey 12 of 60

In honor of Jackie Robinson day here is a dual relic featuring Mazeroski and Robinson.  Obviously Jackie went through more than anybody can comprehend to break the color barrier in baseball.  I can't even begin to fathom what a normal day was like for him during that time period.  

I've owned this card for almost ten years so I have no idea what I paid for it.  It has always been one of my favorites so what better day to show it off.  

Thanks for checking out the blog.

Maz Round 2 and the Gypsy Queen

When I was sorting through some of my retired Pirate autos one common theme kept occurring.  Most of them fell between 2003-2008.  I think the Pirates were so bad during that time period I sub conscientiously purchased a ton of Maz, Kiner and Dave Parker autos.  With no premium priced active players during that time frame I had expendable income to chase cards like this one.  

This Maz and Carew dual auto relic is from 2004 Ultimate Collection.  I've seen lots of fun combos in the Ultimate Collection sets.  Combos with Mazeroski included Sandberg, Joe Morgan and Bobby Doerr.  I have a few of these and will showcase at some point.  

Some of my friends are coming to the house tomorrow to bust a few boxes.  This has turned into a fun monthly treat.  Tomorrow we are each busting a box of Gypsy Queen.  I'll post some of the highlights tomorrow or Saturday depending on what time we get done.  Leave a comment if you are looking for any cards from the set.  

Maz

I love patch cards of the older players.  You usually have to pay a premium so I only own a handful, but I'm always looking to add more.  The card pictured is from 2004 SP Game Used Patch and it showcases a beautiful game used patch and auto of Bill Mazeroski.  I bought this card way back around the time this set came out so I have no idea what the heck I paid for it.  At the time I would have been in college so I'm assuming I got a good deal or used some Christmas money to pay for it.

I've mentioned before that one of the luxuries of collecting to Pirates is that a majority of the retired/legend players are easy on the budget.  It allows you to splurge every once in a while on a premium card such as this one.  Does anybody else have any cards from SP Game Used Patch?  I would love to see some other patch autos from this set.  Hard to believe that set is 10 years old.

*Really appreciate everybody linking up my page on their own blogs.  I'm so glad I decided to start the blog as it has paid dividends in a lot of different ways.  First and foremost it is refreshing to talk to people who are not interested in the financial aspects of collecting.  It is fun to have a connection to every team in the blog world.  When I open a pack of cards I instantly start thinking who might like what I pulled. Always feel free to shoot me an email if you are interested in trading.  I have many more cards that are not listed on the trade bait link.

Maz and Fisk

I love dual autographs because it allows me to venture away from the Pirates.  This is one of my favorite dual autos in my collection. 

I guess the link here is historic playoff homeruns with Fisk's wave it fair homer and Maz's game 7 World Series shot against the Yankees.  When I get some time I would love to write an article about Maz the hall of famer.  Some say he is one of the least deserving people in the hall of fame, so that would be fun to compare some stats. 

Do any of you have a favorite random dual auto?