Would You Say I Have a Plethora of Trades?

It's time to recap a plethora of awesome trades I recently completed. (Hefe, what is a plethora?)

I think it was around last Christmas that 2 by 3 Heroes was giving away some cards PWE style. I picked a pair, and they promptly arrived.

Two awesome cards: a numbered Topps Heritage Cabrera and a framed card of an epic catcher. Well, you just can't do much better than that for a PWE delivery, especially when the cards came completely free.

So, months later, I finally got the chance to send some cards back in an official trade. However, despite all the White Sox I could send his way, I think the man who always has the best music videos linked at the bottom of his posts still outdid me. 

This was the card that initiated the trade. Jeff was worried I wouldn't be interested because of the crease, but that doesn't scare me. I love all Cabrera jersey swatches regardless of battle scars. In fact, I think these kind of creases are very common from Heritage GU cards, which is unfortunate, if you were buying a box and this was your one hit, anyway.

Jeff also added in some great Pudges. Ivan in gear is only bested by Ivan as a floating head.

And to wrap up the trade, a few Tigers autos from Jeff's LCS' bargain box. Dig it. Great looking cards even if Tony Giarratano never panned out (anyone know what happened to him?) and Clete Thomas is now with the Twins, where he happens to be tearing it up in AAA. I knew he had too cool of a baseball name to quietly fade away from the game.

Thanks, Jeff, for a great trade, for a great blog, and for all the great You Tube videos. A while ago you sent me on an Oingo Boingo rampage.

Next up, I completed my first trade with a blog I've long admired: Foul Bunt. I think we're all aware of William's fantastic autograph collection, great writing, and generosity.

William sent me a Pudge the second Ginter GU I needed, and he tossed in a bunch of Pudge the first extras. These were a few of my favorites that I didn't have yet. The Vealtones love Pudges of all generations. 

Speaking of Pudge, of Dr. Fisk to be exact, Oscar over at All Trade Bait, All The Time had some cards to fill this collecting need.

Those are some beautiful Pudges. Best of all is the 1973 Topps card, Fisk's second-year card, his rookie cup card, and his first solo piece of cardboard. Oscar knew I would love this one, and he was right. This is one of my favorite Pudge cards now. 

But what would a trade be without Pudge Jr.? He was feeling left out until Oscar tossed in some sweet extras.

I think the Ripken Clippings card was what started this trade, and he came with a few friends. I'm slowly creeping toward that Ultra Iron Man set. Got anything to contribute?

Last up, some random awesomeness. I always enjoy some colored 2008 Heroes. Here we have fecal brown. Then some great minis and my first card from the 1961 Fleer set. 

I loved all of these cards, from Oscar and from everyone. Thanks for the slew of awesome trades, fellas. I look forward to our next bubble mailer exchanges. 

Now, in honor of 2 by 3 Heroes and the title of this post:

Acquiring Iconic Rookies: Second Best, eh!

Today's iconic rookie could be considered underrated or overrated, depending on what stats you're looking at. But, overall, he's a pretty consistent starter.

Here's Dempster's first Bowman card from 1996, which I consider his true rookie card. Why is it iconic? Because of Dempster's consistency, because he has a nice change-up, and, of course, he has the second most wins of any pitcher from Canada, eh, just after Fergie.

This is a much less embarassing '90s Bowman rookie card than many. I actually appreciate the composition, the way the shadows fall. Dempster looks dark and mysterious.

I snagged this card off eBay for less than a dollar shipped. Quite a steal for the rookie card of a player who likely won't have a Hall of Fame career, but has been a fan favorite and a national favorite for many years.

Trade Bait: Autos and GUs

Another batch of trade bait. Take a gander.

Matt Williams: 2001 Private Stock Game Gear

Trevor Crowe: 2010 T206 Mini Framed Autograph

Joey Devine: 2006 Bowman Autograph

Graham Stoneburner: 2010 Bowman Chrome Autograph

Matt Holliday: 2007 Ultimate Collection Star Materials

Tyler Colvin: 2006 Tristar Prospects Plus Farm Hands Autographs

Micah Owings: 2012 SP Signatures

Jason Kubel: 2006 Sweet Spot Sweet Beginnings Swatches

Angel Castillo: 2011 Topps Pro Debut Materials

Daniel Murphy: 2010 Topps Peak Performance Relics

Coco Crisp: 2007 Topps Turkey Red Relics

Richie Weeks: 2009 Upper Deck Game Jersey

Stetson Allie: 2011 Topps Heritage Minors Clubhouse Collection Relics

Michael Cuddyer: 2001 SP Top Prospects Bat

Jon Link: 2010 Topps Chrome Autograph

Zack Greinke: 2009 Sweet Spot Swatches

Roy Halladay: 2010 Topps Commemorative Patch

Nick Markakis: 2008 Masterpieces Captured on Canvas (jersey)

Diory Hernandez: 2009 Topps Silk 

 

Emilio Bonifacio: 2010 Upper Deck Signature Sensations

 

So, you know how it goes. Leave a comment or send me an email if you're interested in any of these and have something I'd dig. Check out my want lists. Also, peruse the archived trade bait for more good stuff.