Out of the Woodwork with a Trade Post

G'evening everyone. It's been quiet around here lately. I myself haven't posted since what I think was December 21st. It had been quiet on most blogs until the past few days, where it seems posting is once again rampant.

Which is nice. It gives me something to do.

The recent posting spree spurred a trade between myself and Marcus of ...All the Way to the Backstop, a solid Padres-centric scroll with the most 70's of colour schemes. The boring Plain Gray Swatch approves.

In exchange for some cardboard with cut-up pieces of Padres jerseys, Marcus sent a couple team bags full of Blue Jays goodies, some set-building material, and some recent Puma Box collection needs.

So without further Apu, here's some pipin' hot Texas baseball cards:

I decided to start with the Pacific Coast League cards Marcus sent of ex-Blue Jay great Travis D'Arnaud and future Corey Patterson Anthony Gose. Unintentionally, I scanned these cards in such a juxtaposition to actually create a pretty awesome image. If only the railing and bunting in the background lined up...

It just wouldn't be a proper trade post without some John-Paul Arencibia cardboard. This is my second of the 2012 Bowman and yes, I do plan on hoarding these. Send 'em. The Archives is one of my favourite JPs. It featured the signature and his newly coloured 2012 Jays catching gear, which is way better than the gray/black angry Jay scheme. I already had the gold-foil parallel, which is a beaut, but the base is new to me. And I enjoy it.

As I mentioned prior, Marcus was the first to send some cards of my recently re-upped Puma Box collection, Joe Mauer. This is a Heritage sticker from I have no idea when and an O-Pee-Chee from an era of collecting which I was not involved in...so 2009 or so? Either way, some great Mauers here. Many,many more coming in the mail from COMC soon.

What's not to love about a favourite player, in a unique pose, being remember for destroying the Evil Empire with a 9-RBI night? Possibly the fact that the card commemorate a batting accolade, and Carlos is being shown fielding a ball....likely pretty poorly.

Set builders. Not too much to say here, but these were the cardboard meat of the sandwich in this trade. A contribution of 4% overall to my 2012 Allen & Ginter's woes is always appreciated (hint.) I'm a bit further off with the '12 Update Series, but that's okay. I know they're out there, and not short-printed.

This may be one of, if not my favourite Blue Jay card from 2012. I just love it. And of course, it comes out of the set which I loathed the most in 2012. Heritage...puke.

Still, love the cards, Marcus. Your's will hit the road soon once I can pad them with some more Friars.

First Trade in Two Years

...and it's a good one.

When I returned to card blogging....12 posts ago or so, I knew I wanted to get a quick trade off and maybe attract some new readers into trading and taking away some cards others may love more than I.

Once I saw Daniel from It's Like Having My Own Card Shop was still around, I knew he'd be a great counterpart for trade number one.

I sent an email his way about a Brandon Webb relic he may be interested in, and he countered with the final card in this post. However, he sent the package out, and it arrive here (across the entire country, almost, before I finished packaging his side of the loot.

So Daniel, sorry your package may be a bit lagging, but it's on it's way, and thanks for these beauties:

Sparkly Dotel

Believe it or not, this is my first Diamond Anniversary card. First! I left blogging and collecting at the end of 2010, so I pretty much missed everything from 2011. Here is an Octavio Dotel in full gaudy glory, sporting a truly dreadful photoshopping from a Pirates(?) Spring Training uniform to Blue Jays in-season away drag. Giveaways: undershirt, #35, cap. 

AlvaRED

Another example of Topps Photoshopping, or as I may begin to start calling it: PhotoToppsing. This is a Red parallel, which I am clue less to it's origin, I just know it's not a regular Topps card. I dig Alvarez, though, and the black undershirt actually looks kind of awesome. The Nue Jays logo on the black cap, however...well, they could have tried a little harder.

Bowman's Best, Travis d'Arnaud

This doubles (embarassingly) my Travis d'Arnaud collection, and it's a doosey. I would have accepted this outright for everything I plan on sending in return. Next up: refractor rainbow!

Goldmember YEScobar

I love me some Yunel Escobar. He's slick, streaky, moody, but really looks like he enjoys the game. He's like a diet Robinson Cano. And here he is, in gaudy Topps gold enshrinement. For some reason, Topps didn't PhotoTopps this uniform. So it goes. Yunel rocks the new digs, for what it's worth. Just ignore the eye black.

 K'dro Relic

From the golden age of overproduced jersey cards, nameless rookie autos and parallels out the backside comes what we decided one for a trade centerpiece. In my return to blarging, I decided to pursue Expos cards rather than Rockies as before (except Dexter Fowler) and this is the first fruit of that labour, and a good one. This card is thicker than a Chicago pizza, and when I turned it over I was stunned to see that it was #ed/45! Thanks for digging this one out, Daniel!

If you're reading this, and are looking for someone to trade with, send some Brandon Webbs and miscellaneous Diamondbacks over to Daniel at It's Like Having My Own Card Shop. It's totally worth it.

Epic Mail Day (Volume I)

When I am expecting cards in the mail, I have a tendency to compulsively check order tracking on ebay, Sportlots, COMC, wherever throughout the day.

Today was no different, as after a staff meeting, a small morning job and a dead afternoon, I probably checked my shipping statuses on ebay roughly 25 times.

From what I was reading, one card had been delivered, 2-3 were sitting in Rochester sorting facility purgatory, and a few others had no tracking information.

What I saw when I got back to the house was astounding. We pay our bills online, sometimes get family party invitations and fliers, and thus rarely get mail. However tonight, in the light of the early evening, our mailbox was stuffed.

Stuffed to the point that the lid couldn't close...likely due to the box which contained my new (read: old) Washington Redskins belt buckle and a total of five manilla envelopes and packages.

In card blogger-speak, cards.

Now that I've whet your little card-devouring mouths, on the the good stuff: pictures!

2012 Bowman Platinum

Adeiny Hechavarria Autograph

Refractor

I'm really glad this card scanned in the yellow-pink range. You never know what you're going to get scanning refractors, and this one came out quite unique. Hechavarria will probably never tear the cover off the ball, but I like him. This is my first card of him at all, and a refractor auto to boot. All for ~$5 shipped. A little of an overpay.

2012 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues

Travis D'arnaud Clubhouse Collections

Red "Jersey?" Swatch

This is  another firstie. I've been putting off going hard on D'arnaud for a few reasons. One, JP Arencibia is my favourite active player, and D'arnaud is his direct competition. I'm afraid D'arnaud's emergence will mean the end of days of JPA (who just had a passed ball in Baltimore) in Toronto. Which would be devastating. Also, many of his cards are Phillies. Phillies annoy me. Red pinstripes remind me of the worst uniforms I ever wore while playing, and the gross #14 on my back at the time. However, D'Arnaud is likely going to be a great catcher and batter for the Jays in the future. And it's not a gray or white swatch, but a nice deep red from a New Hampshire Fisher Cats jersey, one of the best jerseys in ALL of the minor leagues (Montgomery Bisquits, you're on notice.) This was a ridiculous steal @ $1.80.

2012 Bowman Chrome

Brandon Morrow 

Red Ice Refractor 20/25

I wanted to pad my morrow collection a bit, and truthfully, nice Morrows are difficult to find. He's super awkward and had beady eyes. But damn, he's a good pitcher. And I wanted a sweet Red Ice Refractor, so back off. $4.

2011 Topps Chrome 

J.P. Arencibia Autograph

Blue Refractor 088/199

What a beauty. JPA's autograph is kind of boring, but recognizable. The Blue in the Jays uni is accepted by the blue border and lovely refractory-ness. Just a glorious card overall, and contribution #2 of 8 to my Magical JP Arencibia Autograph Rainbow Crusade. This was almost offensive how much of a steal it was. Ready? $5.88. SHIPPED.

And now...

For what may possibly be the best relic card.

Ever.

Wait for it.

Here it is:

2005 Donruss Prime Patches

Ivan Rodriguez Past & Present

Shoe, Glove, Chest Protector, Jersey Patch Relic 008/128

Deep breath. This one came all the way from Pudge-land itself, Puerto Rico. This card leaves me kind of speechless. I mean come on. 

Jersey  patch of Pudge? Awesome.

Fielding glove? Super awesome, couldn't ask for more.

CHEST PROTECTOR? FOR REALZIEZ?

Shoe? Sure, why the hell not at this point.

You cannot really ask for a better relic card. And I probably won't try and top this one. It's the pinnacle of my Pudge collection. Envy it.