The Legend

The Legend

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Gavin Hits a Homerun

The scanner is alive! It just needed a ton of updates that I had been ignoring so it decided to not scan until said updates were completed. Lets take a close look at the greatness that Gavin sent my way.

Gavin's note that accompanied the cards warned me that he pretty much unloaded every Pirate card at his disposal. Music to my ears! I consider it my job to provide safe haven to all Pirates cards no matter the year or condition.

This package had it all. No matter what your collecting habits are, you will find something that fits your style.


Managers autos are awesome! I've made it a point over the years to add many of the available autos on the market. The Topps Retired of Jim Leyland is among my all time favorites, because it may be one of the nicest auto sets of all time. I'm sure Gavin agrees. As far as I know the only other Pirates manager to have a certified auto that I'm missing is Gene Lamont from 2001 Topps. While not stated the supposed print run on that that card is crazy low.



Gavin went to the Topps Vault! I've ordered a few things over the years from Topps Vault. They always have interesting items like photo negatives and contracts. This is my first blank back. Melancon has been dominant during his tenure as a Pirate. He doesn't have a ton of high end cardboard so this makes an awesome addition to my collection.


The Pirates traded Rajai Davis in the horrible Matt Morris deal. At the time Davis wasn't getting much playing time, but Matt Morris was way past his prime and fizzled out immediately. Davis would go to be a fairly productive outfielder known for his speed. While he doesn't get as much playing time this day his services are still sought after. This Bowman uncirculated card is sweet!




I've been trying to round out my Aramis Ramirez collection. I had a accumulated a decent amount over the years, but it seems like something I haven't seen pops up every few weeks. Gotta love early 2000's card craziness.

/Cue tons more pictures

 Newer cards of older guys. I'm always a sucker for the Tribute cards like the Maz on the bottom left.

 Two nice gold parallels of the last two Pirate closers in Grilli and Melancon.

The Fleer Traynor is fantastic. One of my favorites from the entire package. 


This is actually a certified auto. Guillen was a super prospect for the Buccos, but they rushed him the majors and he was exposed. After he left Pittsburgh he would carve out a pretty decent career, but never come close to the initial hype. 


WVU!!!! Inception is a cool set. Too bad Geno's most famous for getting punched in the face this offseason. 

 The Grilli auto is pretty cool. His penmanship is always kind of all over the place. This is actually one of the better ones.

Fleer Hardball was definitely unique. This card is extra special because it the parallel numbered to /50!

 Some IP autos with the Jay Bell  and Pokey Reese being my favorite. Two favorites of mine!!!
 Some cool cards of a young Tim Wakefield.
 Heritage Buccos.
 Ugh...Bryan Bullington. This card was probably worth a fortune back when was a rookie. He fizzled out very quick. Gavin really helped the Pokey Reese collection!!!
 Some of the famous pre war Buccos lead by Honus and Big Poison.

 Sixto Lezcano has to be in the Pirates name Hall of Fame with Arquimedes Caminero.
 I'm assuming these are from Gavin's Bowman box breaks. Cool to get the base and parallel of Rajai Davis.

 Nice collection of vintage. My favorite is the Dick Cole who looks like one of the least intimidating athletes of all time.
 Gavin even threw in some Steelers.

Another custom to close things out.  How cool is this! Going through these cards really made my day Gavin. I was so pumped when I found out I won your contest. We are getting good at winning each others giveaways!

Thanks for reading






18 comments:

  1. Congrats on the Leyland auto.I always get a kick out of that spring training video of him chewing out Bonds.

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    Replies
    1. Bonds knew he was as good as gone from the team so he didn't give a crap.

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  2. Paul Waner, that guy needs more cards.

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    Replies
    1. Panini does a good bit of stuff with him. Topps is hit or miss.

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  3. Those Pie Traynors are awesome. What year is that one on the left never seen one like it

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    Replies
    1. I wish some of the lesser known greats of the game would garner more love from the cardboard manufacturers. Pie Traynor would definitely fit into that category.

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    2. He hasn't been in much. Some oddball sets and a few Panini sets come to mind.

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  4. Awesome custom Clementes and ditto on the Pie Traynor.

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  5. Glad ya like! It was a stockpile I was building up for.. geez.. since right after whenever the last time we traded was. Nice to clear it out.. and of course now I'll start a new one!

    And man, did I really miscut the Clemente custom that much, or is your scanner trying to make me look bad? haha

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    Replies
    1. We are mega traders. I do have one pretty cool card for you already put aside for our next trade. I'll probably send it to you before I have another contest!

      I don't have the card in front of me, but I'm guessing it was my cropping.

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  6. Wow, that's very impressive, great package put together by Gavin !
    Stupid question though : what exactly is a blank back ?

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    Replies
    1. Blank Backs are sold by the Topps Vault as 1/1's. Basically every set that comes out will have a blank back that goes along with it. As far as design they are exactly what the name entails. The backs are all white.

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  7. Young Tim Wakefield is the best Tim Wakefield. That was a heck of a trade package!

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    Replies
    1. He doesn't have a ton of Pirate cards.....I was hoping that a set would do some type of auto with him in a Bucco uniform.

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  8. So you take all Pirates cards? Hmmm...

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