2000 Upper Deck MVP Ken Griffey Jr. Batting Glove

I picked up a really cool card this weekend that I was excited to share on my blog.  The person trading the card wasn't asking for much in return, but I used to love this set back in the day and had to get this card.  It's a 2000 Upper Deck MVP Ken Griffey Jr. Batting Glove card.

2000 Upper Deck MVP Ken Griffey Jr. Batting Glove Card 

Scratches are on the screw down case, not the card

Upper Deck MVP was about the cheapest pack of cards available about ten years ago and they were pretty much exclusive to retail stores.  They had a few autographs and the what not, but I always thought this was a cool idea for a relics set.  If you search for these cards at your local store, Ebay, or trading partners they are very reasonable in value, but offer a cool and unique piece of memorabilia.  I actually own several of these cards and love the unique textures, cool colors and patterns, and genuinely used look to the relic.   Great pick up for any collector at an affordable price.  

New Gypsy Queen Cards

I've been working on putting together a set of Gypsy Queen, but I actually didn't buy a box.  I've been trading for lots and I've opened some retail packs, but those routes generally don't land you any autographs or materials cards from the set.  Since I am putting together the set through trades, I have had my eyes open for some cool autographs or materials cards to put together with the set.  Busting open wax is always fun, but it is also nice to have some control over what extra inserts, materials, and autographs.  I got my two primary autograph targets from the set in a trade last week.  I received a Jon Jay and Allen Craig autograph.  I particularly like the Craig autograph since the picture is from the last out of the 2011 World Series.  Craig caught the last out in left field.  I also picked up a Jeremy Hellickson jersey card from Gypsy Queen and a 2012 Museum Collection Longoria jumbo jersey card.  I have a few more cool Gypsy Queen materials cards coming later this week.

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Allen Craig Autograph 

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Jon Jay Autograph

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Jeremy Hellickson Jersey Card

2012 Topps Museum Evan Longoria Jumbo Jersey

1999 SP Signature Mariano Rivera Autograph

Spending a little time reflecting on the comings and goings of the week.  Spending most of my time growing up in St. Louis, I got to watch a lot of great players play the game in person.  One of the players that I missed a chance to watch in person was Mariano Rivera.  I have seen the Yankees in person, but they lost.  Go figure.  Anyway, I really enjoy this card.  Great player with a great autograph.  I hope Rivera isn't finished, but if he is I will feel like he is the one modern great whom I have missed in person.
Enjoy the card!

1999 SP Signature Mariano Rivera  

2012 Topps Golden Giveaway Die Cuts

I received my first three Golden Giveaway Die Cuts cards from Topps this week.  Last weekened, I posted the Die Cut cards I received from the Diamond Giveaway last year.  I mainly tried to trade away any regular Topps base cards for the Die Cuts.  I especially tried to focus on Cardinals or Rays.  This year I trying out the same strategy, but I am hoping to get a little further with completing a team set of both.  I am still a little short from last year.

Overall, the die-cuts aren't quite as appealing this year and the website Topps is using is still poorly run with lots of glitches.  I wasn't really sure the purpose of collecting rings last year and am equally uninterested in the coins this year.  Anyway, on to the good stuff.

I have three die-cuts so far this year and think I have a David Freese on the way in the next few days.  Don't worry, I will post it when it shows up.  In the meantime, enjoy!

2012 Topps Golden Giveaway Chris Carpenter Die Cut

2012 Topps Golden Giveaway Evan Longoria Die Cut

2012 Topps Golden Giveaway David Price Die Cut

Brock, Gibby, and a Sutter

A few new cards to show off this Saturday.  These cards came from Joshy who trades on Facebook and runs his own trading group.  Really easy to deal and very reliable.  I traded him a Stan Musial Forbes Field Relic card which had been featured in a post last month.  He traded me four cards and added some nice throw in Rays and Cardinals to finish out the trade.  

2005 Donruss Leather and Lumber Lou Brock Jersey 147/250

2001 Pacific Private Stock Darren Dreifort Bat Card

2004 Leaf Certified Cuts Bob Gibson Jersey 39/50

2010 Topps Tribute Bruce Sutter Jersey 24/50

I love the post office.

Some of the trades that are posted on here are trades that are consummated on Facebook.  I understand that people can be a little leery of trading there, but it is generally really safe.  There are some outstanding trade pages and individuals there who love cards and are safe reliable traders.  About a month ago, I made a trade with Bob Cruz, whom I have made several successful trades.  Usually, I flip him some Red Sox cards and he gives me back some Cardinals or Rays and we both walk away really happy.

The day of this particular trade he had posted a beautiful 2011 Topps Tribute Hanley Ramirez jersey/autograph and was in the market for a Josh Hamilton autograph.  Bob agreed to a 2007 Topps Co-Signers Josh Hamilton autograph.  I was out of town the week after the trade, but returned home to find the card wasn't there.  Being an excellent trader, Bob mailed out a few cool Rays and Cardinals cards to make up for the lost cards.  

2012 Topps Heritage Evan Longoria Bat Card

2011 Bowman Sterling Brandon Martin Autograph 

2012 Topps Series Kelly Shoppach 

2012 Topps 1987 Minis David Price and Evan Longoria

2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Minis Bob Gibson and Evan Longoria 

But, the story doesn't end there.  I was really grateful that Bob sent me the cards and happy to have something back in place of my lost mail.  However, today I was completely stunned by my mail.  I've been waiting for a package from Topps all week and was expecting to see it today when I opened my mailbox after work, but instead I saw......

Note the date on the package is April 3rd, 2012.  Exactly one month ago and the package has a tracking number, which the Post Office didn't use or update.  I opened the package and found.....

A big thank you to Bob for a great trade even if it took one month to turn around.  I love the post office.  

A Pair of Topps Tribute Cards

I am always looking for a way to rid my collection of those pesky Cubs cards and this past week managed to trade a lot of cards to a collector in Chicago for a pair of Topps Tribute cards.  I've had several other Tribute cards on my blog in the past weeks, but I really like the design of these two cards from the 2010 set.

2010 Topps Tribute Alex Rodriguez Triple Jersey Card 18/25

 2010 Topps Tribute Albert Pujols Quad Bat Card 04/25

These two cards kind of remind me a little bit of the 1998 Stadium Club Triumvirate cards from back in the day.  I really like the background design on the card, but sometimes wish that the Tribute cards didn't have the designs over the relic pieces.  Oh well, I guess it's better than branding them with a logo.