A 1/1 Splurge

2017 Stadium Club Willie Stargell 1/1

I guess it is not too much of a splurge when it only cost $26, but that still represents a pretty significant single card purchase for me. When this card popped up on eBay I thought it would be cool to own, but I didn't think my high bid of $23 plus shipping would hold. Surprisingly my bid held up and I'm the proud owner of a cool new 1/1. 

As for the card itself I was happy to see such a unique card of Pops. While his last few Stadium Club cards have been great I feel this is the best yet. You know your cool when you wear your own toboggan. 

Bring back Stargell Stars! 

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! 

Fusion

Do you remember Topps Fusion? It was one of those sets that will leave you scratching your head.  Basically the whole idea is that the set "fused" five Topps brands into one. You could get a card in the mold of Bowman's Best, Finest, etc.  Hard to believe it only lasted one year.....

As most of you know I'm a sucker for these obscure sets. Many were ahead of their time and are starting to see a nice rebound on the secondary market. Others like Fusion have long disappeared without anyone caring. 

With that being said even the worst of sets are not without their bright spots. 

2001 Topps Fusion Willie Stargell Bat Relic

Seems odd that a card from 2001 is 16 years old. The design gives this card a cool 70's retro vibe. With all the lines I feel like if you stare enough you will see a hidden Pirate ship or something. Kind of trippy. 

This card was made when relics were still a new and exciting.  The relics were actually more difficult to pull than the autographs. How times have changed. Unless the relic is a super premium patch many collectors have no use for them. Thankfully that leaves deals for people like me. If I recall this card set me back around $7 which is a nice deal for a 2001 Pops. 

Thanks for reading! 

I Pick Favorites

Whenever I start to organize cards I become sidetracked within about two minutes.  I'll either pick up my phone to read something about a player whose name I just saw, pull a bunch of cards out that are blog worthy or spend my time trying to jog my memory how I originally came to own a certain card.

Sure enough the other day I was looking through some autographs and I pulled this card out.

2000 Fleer Greats of the Game Willie Stargell Auto

I actually think I traded for this card when a card shop existed in Morgantown. It is rare for me to find cards that were made in the 2000's that I didn't utilize eBay. 

Greats of the Game is one of the more iconic auto sets ever created. The set featured some of the best players of all time, the autos were on card and the design was top notch.  It seems these have become even more popular as time went on.  I've actually read a few stories of people completing this set. 

I have a decent amount of Stargell autos in my collection, but this is my favorite. Mainly this due for the fact that it is an on card auto as Pops passed away in 2001. Pretty much everything you see now is a cut auto. 

Back to sorting......oh look a cool Kendall card.

Thanks for reading. 

Late Night Tribute

I'm getting a little behind on trade packages, but I hope to remedy that beginning tomorrow. So if you have sent me something rest assured a post will be coming soon. I've also started to send out a few packages with three heading out the door so far this week and bunch more planned on Monday.

Tribute Time

2003 Topps Tribute World Series Edition Team Tribute Stargell/Parker/Madlock Triple Relic /275

This card is almost perfect for a Pirates collector. In the 2000's this combo was used a lot for relics, but the Tribute version is one of my favorites. It just has a cool look. Late 70's Pirate uniforms are awesome! 

On a side note the seller I purchased this from left a comment on my eBay feedback thanking me for the purchase and that he follows my blog. Always cool when someone comes out of the woodwork and says he reads my cardboard ramblings and my dislike for John Lackey. 

Thanks for reading! 

A 1970's Flasback

After striking out on almost everything eBay related in March and most of April, I've started to win some auctions. As I've said before, I really haven't been chasing much in 2015 so my focus has been on the early 2000's. This time around I was able to nab this card which is full of star power.

2001 UD Decade Bench/Garvey/Stargell/Foster Bat Card

I rarely buy relic cards on eBay, but this one caught my attention. I have several of the single relics, but this is my first quad from this set. If I recall this set was more of a retail oriented set, but I may be messing that up with something else. 

This card cost me $16.50 shipped which is a little on the steep side for a relic purchase, but according to the odds these fell about 1:400 packs. You would figure they could find a color photo of Foster instead of making it look like he played in 1890. Other than that this card has a nice vibrant look. 

Hope everybody is enjoying some nice weather. 85 and sunny in my neck of the woods.

Thanks for reading.

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!

Canadian Club

Do you believe in miracles!  The Pirates actually beat Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals this afternoon.  I escaped from work and went home to watch a few innings on my lunch break and was pleasantly surprised.  The Pirates had two big series against the Brewers and Cardinals and responded by winning both.  Hopefully we are catching the Reds at the right time as Votto and Bailey are still out.

Canadian Club Classic Willie Stargell Auto

No license, no problem.  I've had this auto for several years, but recently added another copy thanks to a friend of mine.  I bought some cards off of him several different times and he threw this in as a thank you.  

The Canadian Club autos are nice options if you are looking to add some great names to your autograph collection and keep on a good budget. By no means the most stylistic card ever created, but you get a nice up close photo and a sharp auto.  

Pops 1/1

Tonight the Pirates are honoring the 1979 championship team as the Buccos host the Orioles.  The Bucs beat the O's in seven games.  Obviously the team was full of great players, but the heart and soul was Willie Stargell.

2004 SP Legendary Cuts Willie Stargell Jersey 1/1

I went through a big Stargell buying spree in the mid 2000's which included this card.  It's been fun showcasing the two Tekulve auto's and this Stargell piece.  I may have to have a throwback week every once in a while as I have fun showcasing the older players.  

Thanks for checking out the blog!

1976 Crane Potato Chip Discs

I love finding oddball Pirate items.  Recently I was able to purchase a bunch of 1976 Crane Potato Chip Discs.  Most of them cost a buck or less and the seller combined shipping so it made for a pretty reasonable deal.

 Doc Medich

 Rennie Stennett

 Jerry Reuss

 Al Oliver

 Manny Sanguillen

 John Candelaria

 Dave Parker

 Willie Stargell

Richie Zisk

Pops Round 2

Good patches of older Pirate players are hard to come by.  When you do find them you usually have to pay a premium.  This is my best Stargell patch and it is out of 2005 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia.  I have a pretty good Stargell collection so I will continue to periodically showcase some of my favorites.  I've owned this card a long time and I believe a received it in a trade with a friend.

*If I emailed you recently about sending you a package I imagine it will be delayed.  My area is getting blasted with another snowstorm and I expect the mail probably won't move for a few days.

Pops and Mailing

This is a Willie Stargell cut auto from 2005 Legendary Cuts.  I have several Stargell auto's but this one has always been my favorite.  One nice thing about collecting Pirates is that besides Clemente, autos and relics of the hall of fame/retired players are affordable.  Auto's of Mazeroski, Kiner and Dave Parker can all be had for $15-$30.  Stargell is usually a notch above that amount, but considering he passed away back in 2001, I still consider that pretty reasonable.

On a side note I continue to sort cards and continue to find a lot of good stuff that some of my new blogger friends are sure to like.  As a thanks for all of those who have helped me get this blog off the ground I just sent out a second wave of mail today.  Thanks again to everybody that continues to plug the blog and comment on my posts.  Remember always feel free to drop me a line as I love to work trades.

*****Baseball was on TV today!  I caught some of the Reds/Indians game.  The Pirates beat the Yankees today as well.  Before we know it will be opening day!