Surprises

I've been fortunate in that I have had a great post holiday run of getting cards in the mail.  Some were expected while others such as my most recent package from Chris (The Collector) was a pleasant surprise.  Chris said that he found some cool cards on COMC that he wanted to ship my way.  No complaints here!

Leaf Certified is probably classified as one of those sets you either love or hate.  For Pirate collectors I think you have to love it.  The checklists were unique even if the parallels are maddening.  

I've been on a nice Craig Wilson kick lately.  Pirates aren't well represented in sets in the mid 2000's. Many are Jason Bay or bust so finding auctions for players like Wilson are few and far between. Thanks to Chris my hot streak continues! 

 Some Steelers love! I believe Smith-Schuster was the youngest NFL player this year.

 Leaf Limited cards do not scan very well.  Probably should have just taken a pic with my phone.  Either way Bay is one of my all time faves and I always welcome his cards.

 Supak is in the Brewers system these days, but has had a hard time getting above A ball. 

 Many of us long for another set like Topps Total.  I'm still convinced that this would be a great retail only set.  I miss getting cards of backup catchers and middle relievers. 

Of the more recent retired player oriented sets I would probably choose Greats of the Game as my favorite.  Clean design and perfect for autos. 

 Someone should research which "retired" player has appeared on the most cardboard.  Clemente is probably near the top. Eventually it will be Jeter for sure though......

I'm not sure if it is right to call the Topps 206 underrated, but I did like it a bunch. It seems like most in our community like it as well.  

This framed Giles auto is pretty sweet. 

 I love when people send me Pens cards.  I don't talk hockey too much on the blog, but I'm a big fan.  My brother and I frequent games and I watch most Pens games on tv if I'm home. 

Diamond Kings would likely be in my top 3 favorite sets of the 2000's.  I'm a fan of portrait/canvas cards and the set had the best Pirates checklist of any in the entire decade. Legend players like Parker are well represented, but obscure players like Rob Mackowiak also got cards.  Love it! Also, bonus points for gold swatch on the jersey.

Thanks so much for the cards Chris.  You cherry picked from some of my favorite sets of all time!

Thanks for reading.

Walk This Way

Chris aka "The Collector" and I have been following each others blogs for quite sometime but never pulled the trigger on a trade until now.  He reached out to me and said he had a stockpile of Buccos that needed a home so he shipped him my way.  I'm still working on the return shot, but will be hitting him back soon. 

He definitely knows how to get my attention.....

 Me likey

The look that has stole the hearts of millions.

 The man is an athlete.

 Pondering greatness

 Mid delivery in one of his 57 perfect games. 

 Unhittable heat.

 If I took this card to a pawn shop they would start drooling. 

 Beams of light shooting around him.  This is the view a batter has when trying to hit the great one.

 Picture perfect technique.

Chris didn't stop with Walk.

 A nice Heritage relic of Marte.

 Chris knows me! Former WVU great Jeff Hostetler!

 It would be fun to collect Kordell Stewart more actively.  He is featured in a ton of cool sets.

 This was probably one of the better rookies in recent memory for the Buccos.  Bell had a nice rookie season.....Glasnow not so much.  They really need him to be good.  His stuff is intoxicating, but he has the command of my 4 year old daughter.

 Some Heritage Buccos. Nice to get a Cervelli in the Bucco uniform.

 Are you a blue chip or warrior? That is what early Topps Finest wants to know.

 I've been showing a ton of Flair lately.  Here is one of the earlier installments of fancy Fleer.

Normally I would choose a Pirate Wakefield as my favorite of any bunch of cards, but SPANKY!!!!

Thanks for all the cards Chris.  This was a fun assortment to sift through.  I'll work on getting you something back soon enough.

Thanks for reading.