From Hazel Peepers to Mine

This trade is from November...I'm catching up! I think I'm through with October and only about 10 or so behind at this point. These cards are from Lonestarr over at Behind These Hazel Eyes. If I not mistaken, this one is also a result of a card I claimed, but we may never know for sure.

We'll start with a little vintage goodness. I was going to put up a little info about Joe, but why try to top this post by the Night Owl. RIP Joe.

How about one of those darn "divisible by 3" 2008 Stadium Club cards.

Travis Hafner made his Major League debut in August of 2002 with the Rangers. He was such a highly regarded player the Rangers traded him to the Indians in December of 2002 for Einar Diaz and Ryan Drese. How's that workin' for ya Rangers fans? I saw Hafner play for the Round Rock Express somewhere in the distant past. At the time they were the Rangers AA affiliate located near Austin, TX. We saw him the day AFTER he hit three homeruns.

How about a little 2009 shininess? This trio of Topps Chrome cards fits in nicely with the collection. The photo is horrible however. Scanner, WHERE ARE YOU???!!

This is my third favorite card of the trade. It might be tops in many trades, but not this time. This 2006 Bowman Heritage Elvis Andrus is one I've never seen. I wouldn't know it was him if it didn't have his name on the back.

This 2007 Topps Chrome Joaquin Arias is my second auto of his. They are both terrible. Those of you with little kids could get a better "Joaquin Arias" sig out of them I'm sure. Still, it's one I didn't have so I'll take it!

This is sweet! Hank Blalock's 2008 Bowman Chrome Refractor #37/150. That is some rainbow shiny goodness. Thanks Lonestarr.

My very first Michael Young auto. This 2005 Topps Pack Wars auto is not a masterpiece of design, but it's on card and I really like it.

Lonestarr, thanks so much for the cards. I hope you enjoyed the ones I sent as much as I enjoyed these.

Drowning in Card Transactions

I almost went with an "Oops, I did it again" reference. But I didn't want you thinking of Britney Spears this close to Christmas.

Sometimes my "wants" get ahead of my capabilities to follow through when I claim something another blogger puts up for trade. The latest incident was Thoughts and Sox posting an 08 UDX Frank Catalanotto for trade. I don't have a Cat auto and he's in Ranger garb so I claimed it. Problem is, I don't have any Red Sox autos to trade him. Fortunately, Spiff over at Texas Rangers Cards made a request just in case I flaked, so I told T&S to let Spiff have a run at it.

I also claimed a couple of cards from Beardy's Unique break. I DID have something to offer Beardman and that one is pending.

Sometimes I get so many things going I just can't keep track of all of them. Here are a few I'm aware of....and I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

I need to send Troll some cards for his break. He's doing a "mid-90s" two box + break with just a couple of teams left so check that out if you're not already in it.

I need to send Cards on Cards a couple of cards he claimed from a pack break I posted.

Autographed Cards also claimed a couple of cards that I need to send out.

Let's not forget the Wicked One requesting a Greinke Polar Bear mini.

I think First Day Issues is sending me some trade-bait cards that I need to reciprocate on...

Same with GCRL who wants to do a Rangers for Dodgers swap.

I claimed a mis-cut Rangers card from Nachos Grande and need to send a card for it.

A fellow Rangers collector, Spiff from Texas Rangers Cards contacted me a while back about a Rangers for Rangers swap and I want to do it...as soon as I get organized. I haven't forgotten SPIFF!!

I think that's all...I think it is, I think it is. If I didn't mention you and we have a deal in the works, I may have forgotten about it. Please let me know! I may need a reminder whether it is a trade or a claim either one of us made. Thanks for your patience and help.

Oh, I don't want anyone to think I'm complaining about this. I love it. It's been a blast sending and receiving packages. I just need to be a little more organinzed about it!!

CORRECTION: In a post a couple of days ago I mentioned the Phungo Originals might have been the reward for a contest for guessing the total number of Home Runs hit in the World Series. Actually, that was a contest held by Condition: Poor and the prize was a few cards from each team in the 2009 playoffs. Sorry for mix up Condition: Poor and thanks for the cards.

Cards from Reader Joe

In mid-November, I received an email from a reader named Joe. He said he had Greers, Clarks and other Rangers if I was interested in shipping some Mets/Piazzas his way. That kind of email is alright in my book. Before I could even round up his cards I received a package in the mail. Here are some highlights of the package.

This 1997 UD Rusty Greer commemorates his second career grand slam. It also shows what a good season Rusty had in 1996. .332 average in 139 games. He had 180 hits, 41 doubles, 18 homers, 96 runs and 100 rbis. Not bad for a guy a lot of people didn't know about.

A little 1991 Fleer "Will crushes the ball with a devilish smirk on his face" card and one I never saw, 1999 Finest. I spent a ton of cash on cards that season and didn't know this card existed.

This is another card from one of the mass releases of the mid to late 90s. I know I bought some Aurora back in those days, but don't remember this Juan Gonzalez card. The white spaces are cut out of the card (that is the paper I put the card on for the pic).

A nice, thick 2006 Bowman Heritage Ian Kinsler parallel. This is a very nice addition to the collection.

Now we're talking. One for my favorite player list. This is a very nice 2006 Turkey Red RED Carl Yaztremski. Much like one blogger likes his Dodger parallels to have blue borders, red makes Yaz look even better.

Joe included the 2009 Turkey Reds for my son. That is much appreciated Joe. He loves getting stuff in my trade packages.

Every trade package has one or two cards that just make it special. This is that card. A sweet black bordered 2007 UD Masterpieces Carl Yazstremski Captured on Canvas jersey card. Complete with stitching holes.

Joe, I hope you enjoyed the package I sent you as much I enjoyed this one. Thanks for all the cards, especially the Turkey Reds for the kiddo.

Phungo Phabulosity

Saints of the Cheap Seats held a break of 2007 Ultimate and I received some fabulous cards. One of the cards I didn't get in the break went to Phungo. He and I made a trade so I could add that card to my collection as well. Paul threw in a big stack of Rangers as well as a bonus.

One of my favorite All-Time Rangers is Rusty Greer. This 1995 Fleer Ultra card is odd. The four corner background photos are just parts of the main photo. This card is way too busy for the eye, but I didn't have it and now I do. That makes the completist in me happy.

I was completely out of the hobby in 2006 when this Topps Updates and Highlights card of Michael Young was issued. The card recognizes Michael earning All-Star MVP honors for his 2-run triple off Trevor Hoffman in the 9th inning.

I always wanted Ripken to be a Ranger....Cal Ripken Jr. The back of this 1995 Score card mentions Bill Ripken hit over .300 in 1994 for the first time since his rookie season in 1987. Sounds nice, but a closer look reveals he only played in 32 games and had 25 hits.

This 2007 Fleer Ultra Ivan Rodriguez is a really nice shot. If you can't get a good shot of Pudge in his catcher's gear, this is the next best thing.

Don't recognize this Nolan Ryan card? It's directly from a 1989 Baseball Cards magazine. Envious aren't you? This will go nicely with the oddball collection.

This might be my favorite part of the deal. A slightly re-sealed pack of Phungo cards. Original Phungo cards!!!

We have Brian Roberts, Ryan Howard, Anibel Sanchez, Rollie Fingers, Jamie Moyer and Thomas Jefferson. Paul, thanks for the original creations. I think these may have been included as a prize for guessing closest to the total number of homeruns in the 2009 World Series.

Ignore the scratches...they are on the toploader. This is my first and only 2007 Topps Turkey Red Chrome card of any kind. There are "only" 1999 of these. I'm glad I have one of them.

This 2007 Ultimate Carl Yazstremski is the card that I really wanted. It's not a great shot of Carl. It's a plain grey swatch. And it's all mine!

Paul, thanks for a great trade and especially for including the Phungo Originals. I'll keep my eyes open for any Phillies for you.

Two Packs of Shiny Circa 2004

These are the two 2004 Topps Chrome packs I picked up at "the" card shop a few days ago. I picked up one pack each of series 1 and 2. They packs only have 4 cards so the chances of a great pull or even a Ranger aren't all that good. Let's see what was in the first pack.

2004 Topps Chrome Series 1 $3.99/pack, 4 cards

#102 Brad Ausmus--I pulled the Black Refractor of the last time I opened one of these packs.

#182 Duston Mohr

#197 Matt Clement

#153 Gold Refractor Jason Kendall (1:5) I like the picture, I like the gold, I don't like the Pirates or Jason Kendall

2004 Series Two Topps Chrome $3.99/pack

#371 Coco Crisp

#361 Sidney Ponson

#426 A.J. Burnett

Nothing to write home about in that pack.

PP 28 Presidential Pastime Refractor Warren Harding--I like these but I pulled a better one last time (JFK). This is the only card I want to keep.

If you want any of these just let me know. Maybe I'll have some "sick" mojo next time. Ha, I wouldn't count on it.

Reading..and Trading with No One is Going to Read This Blog

A while back, Jeremy over at No One is Going to Read This Blog posted a Topps Chrome card that I needed. No really, I needed it. Like a fish needs water. I sent over a few things he liked and we've since completed two trades. He's even got a link to a wantlist so check his blog out. He sent a few other cards along with the shiny Chrome so let's take a look at a few of them. As always, I received more cards than I'm able to show on the blog.

This 2006 Fleer Tradition Michael Young could have used a little less cropping, but it fills a nice empty spot in the Young binder.

I like these 2007 Goudey mini cards. Now if Hank would give a great big follow through on his swing...

I'm going to pass this 2009 UH Michael Young Gold #1969/2009 on to my son for his set. He's going to get my cards one day anyway so I'll just let him hold this one a little early.

This was the card that started it all. With the amazing debut Neftali Feliz had last season (August 3, 2 innings, 4 strikeouts, fastball at 101 and changeup at 91) it is only appropriate that he have a nice shiny 2009 Topps Chrome card. And now, thanks to Jeremy, I have it too.

Jeremy, despite your blog's title, I'm reading and I know others are too. Thanks for the Feliz as well as the other Rangers.

Last three hobby packs of Topps 206

A couple of days ago I bought 4 Hobby packs of 2009 Topps 206 from the my only local card shop. I used one pack in yesterday's Retro Pack War. I'm going to show you the contents of the other packs, but first another word about my local card shop.

I've mentioned before about the crazy prices at the only card shop in my area. When I went in the shop, the owner was helping some people look for a Christmas gift for their son. I knew what I wanted so I just wandered around the shop looking at things I wouldn't normally look at. I saw a Panini Dallas Mavericks Team set that my son had just purchased at Wal-Mart to give his friend for Christmas. He paid $4.98 for his and the shop had it for $9.99. That seems like a big difference. I then noticed a shelf with a row of autographed baseballs. I was a more than shocked at the prices he had on these. Pat Listach for $79.99! Koby Clemens for $129.99! That is just absurd. I found a Listach on ebay for $34.95 (still too much) and a Clemens from Tri-Star for $12.95. There was a Steve Carlton ball on the shelf for $250.00. I found several of those online for anywhere from $80 to $130. I'm still amazed this shop can stay open with prices so out of whack.

Alright, let me post the results of my other three 206 packs. At this shop, the packs are not sitting in boxes. He takes them out of the boxes and puts them in big plexiglass dividers. I took the top two packs off both sections.

Webb, Matsuzaka, Tejada, Bobby Scales, Andrew Bailey no-numbered SP,Molina parallel, Price and Kawakami.

I like the horizontal mini. This is a Piedmont Papelbon.

Big Papi, Cy Young (nice), Helton, Hawpe, Dye, Matsuzaka parallel, Campanella (also nice) and Derek Holland Rookie.

A Ranger mini! Piedmont Hank Blalock. This was a nice pack. A couple of legends and a couple of Rangers.

This is the last of the four packs. Hoffman, Saunders, Pierre, Gordon, Garland, Jackie Robinson (nice) and Tris Speaker (also nice). Throw in the Mantle Checklist and that leaves the mini and....?

This Josh Reddick is my first Cycle Back mini. It is #15/99

If you noticed above, I didn't get a parallel card in this pack. That is because I got this.

Vinny Mazzaro doesn't do anything for me personally, but these on card auto's look really nice. So that's it. I'll post the two packs of 2004 Topps Chrome I bought tomorrow and that will probably be all the last packs I open in 2009. Unless, I get surprised with cards for Christmas.