Mail Day from Topps

I mentioned in my birthday post that I received a package in the mail a couple of days ago. Turns out the package was from Topps and it had my 2011 Topps Diamond Giveaway cards in it. I was surprised at the quick turn around as I had only requested my cards a week before. Here are the scans of what I received.

Well this first one isn't from Topps it's actually from eBay but it came the same day so I tossed it in just for fun. I think I paid $1 shipped for this card so I can't complain too much.

1977 Topps card of some Brewer I don't know? The only reason I requested this card from Topps was the fact that it would be the oldest card in my collection. This card is 10 years older than me. I have bad news for Mr. Tim Johnson from 1977. I recently won an even older card from Napkin Doon during the Big Fun Game. I'll post about that whenever I receive it sometime soon.

Easily one of my favorite Astros during my younger days. He played the position I loved so naturally I looked up to him. Maybe one day I'll be able to meet him or send him a TTM to add to my collection.

How bad ass does Jeff Bagwell look in this picture? Polarized lenses never get old to me and he is rocking the classic gold star uni! Houston kids these days aren't as lucky as my generation because we got to witness Mr. Jeffrey Bagwell hit bombs all day. Hands down my favorite Astro in the history of the franchise.

Finally, the best card of the order (no offense Baggie). I mentioned in a previous post that I traded a bunch of vintage for this guy and I don't regret it one bit. I love this card so much and I can't wait to display it around my room. That bottom left corner isn't bent it's just the clear protective sheet that came on the card. Hunter Pence may end up playing for another team by the end of this weekend but I'll be keeping this card forever.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the die cut cards and whether you think Pence gets traded before the deadline. Just leave a comment and let me know.

Diamond Die Cut Pence is Almost Home

 Photo Courtesy of Topps

I have only redeemed 21 codes in the 2011 Topps Diamond Giveaway so it's no surprise that I've yet to unlock a diamond die cut, much less the Hunter Pence die cut. Knowing I wasn't going to enter many more codes this year I decided to attempt a trade for the card. 

I ended up offering 12 (I don't remember the exact number but that's close enough) cards ranging from 1967-1987. Most of which were from 1967-1976. I don't have much interest in vintage at this time so I thought it'd be wise to give my best offer and hope it worked. I'm happy to say it did and last night I was surprised to log into my account and see the Pence DDC added to my collection.

I haven't requested shipping yet as I'm waiting on a few more trade offers before I do but I'm extremely excited to get this card. I know some of you may think I'm dumb for trading away vintage cards when I could have kept them and just bought the Pence on eBay for cheap. The truth is I wouldn't have cared much for those vintage cards and maybe by trading them they'll find a home that thinks the world of them.

Trade Time

I recently completed a trade with Chris over at Nachos Grande. I contacted him after noticing I had a few of his set needs and we worked out a pretty quick deal. I've been away from home for a couple of weeks so I'm just now getting to my mail. 

Disclaimer: Remember that just because I don't show a card doesn't mean I don't love it, because I love all of my cards ha. It's always so hard to narrow down which cards will be shown.

I'm still chasing the Astros complete Series 1 (just need some of the #'d blacks, Walmart blacks and a few diamond die cuts...excluding 1/1's). However I don't think I'll be going after too many parallels of Series 2 Astros.

You may not be able to tell very well from the scan but this is one of the foil cards from 2011 Attax. CJ may not be that great of a 3B but he's a real nice guy and is quite humorous. As far as Attax cards go... I'm not a huge fan of them but if they've got an Astro I'll collect it.

 

I enjoy the design of these cards and may consider collecting the set one day now that I've got a couple. I'm kind of sad to see Jeter get to 3000 as Biggio was the last to do it back in 2007. I was there for Biggio's 3000th and it was crazy so I can just imagine how crazy it'll be at Yankee Stadium.

I'm sure all of you can guess why I love this card. Not only is Drabek wearing the blue/gold but he's also rocking one of the sweetest mullets. I'm all for crazy hair, I'm looking at you Coco Crisp, and this hair is no exception. Can you imagine his son Kyle rocking a mullet with the Blue Jays?

Now I would like to show you a card that drove me crazy for a few hours. It's the 1997 Upper Deck Collector's Choice #120 of Bobby Abreu. I'll let you look at it first and then tell you why it drove me crazy. 

Does anyone else see what I see? I may be wrong but the front looks a lot more like Richard Hidalgo than Bobby Abreu. The back is obviously Abreu no doubt about it. I looked on the internet for awhile when I first saw the card and nowhere did I see any explanation on whether it was or wasn't Abreu on the front. 

I'd like to hear what you guys think. Am I dumb and that is Abreu on the front or am I completely justified in my questioning? I know most people don't care and I shouldn't care about it either but it has been driving me nuts.

Chris thanks again for such an awesome trade and hopefully we can work something out again soon. I hope you enjoyed your cards. Anyone else who may want to trade I promise I'll be getting my want list up soon so you can see what I do in fact need.