Digging Deep

I think every team has that player that has been around for a long time, but for whatever reason lacks a decent amount of cardboard. For the Pirates this would be starting shortstop Jordy Mercer. He is well into his fifth season as a Pirate and other than some flagship cards here and there his card catalog is lacking.

2013 Topps Update Jordy Mercer Blue Sapphire /25

When I saw this parallel pop up on eBay I knew I wanted to grab it.  I also knew it would likely be one of those deals where I pay more in shipping than the actual card. I hate doing that, but the allure of adding a card of Mercer I didn't have was too much.  So here we are! 

Overall it is a pretty nice looking card. In hand the background doesn't look as green as it does in the scan.  Looks like he is playing in overgrown grass in that picture.  

Does your team have a guy that has been around for a long time, but lacks cards? Jordy's reason is that he wasn't a huge prospect. Those guys tend to not get the Bowman love. 

Thanks for reading. 

One of my Collecting Flaws

I've been collecting all my life.  Like with most things, if you do something long enough bad habits show up at some point.  Case in point.  I buy most of my singles on eBay.  I'm one of the unfortunate souls that doesn't have a local card shop so this is the easiest way to obtain cards I want.  For the most part I do a decent job in monitoring how I spend my money to make sure I'm getting a good deal. Lately my own unwritten rules have been biting me in the butt.

2013 Topps Update Triple Jersey McCutchen/Alvarez/Grilli /25

Not a bad looking card. I liked it so much this is my second copy.  See I bought this same card way back last winter.  I pulled the trigger at that point because the triple jerseys are a tough find.  No regrets, the card has a good home in my collection.

A few weeks back another issue of the card makes it way on eBay.  I bid on it like an idiot because the price is low and it my mind I'm getting a good deal. Sometimes the thrill of a good price gives you tunnel vision.  Of course I win the card and now have two copies.  Sure I could justify it as a player collection and a team collection piece, but I don't catalog like that.  I should be slapped in the back of my head for spending money on a card that I already own.

Thankfully now that I have a lot of established trade partners cards can be passed along for something I do need. I just need to realize what I'm doing before I bid. There was an episode of South Park where Cartman was pumped up that Walmart had a three pack of DVDs containing only the movie Time Cop for $18.  He was pumped that it was such a great price.  That was me this time.....

Anybody have similar stories?