Opening day is right around the corner
– well it's actually right around the corner behind us if you buy
into that whole “Opening Day Down Under” nonsense. Personally I
do not. There will be a baseball post on this site at some point,
hopefully in the next few weeks. For now, lets kill some time with a
trade post.
Due to an early work schedule this
weekend I missed out on the spring version of the Chicago Sun Times
Show. So I didn't get a chance to wander around the convention center
looking at the same dealer tables that I have seen several times over
the last few years. OK, so I wouldn't say I missed out on that.
What I did miss was meeting up with Sal, Tim and Nick and increasing
my collection through their generosity.
With the self-imposed budget (which
I've managed to eat up about ½ of three months into the year) I
haven't been buying that much either. One thing I have managed to
keep up with some online trading. Over the last three months I've
swapped out five or six trade packages, keeping the collection fresh
and the post office in business. Just this week a lovely white
postal envelope showed up from our neighbors in the True North.
He goes by the handle Rosenort, needed
some 2013-14 Upper Deck and runs a blog by the name of ConditionSensitive. I sent him a trade offer on Zistle and he accepted. In return for a handful of doubles that I had, the fine
gentleman of Watson sent back the following.
2013-14 O-Pee-Chee Matt Carle – For
the Lightning Collection
I often forget that Matt Carle is on
the Lightning. Not in a bad way, or in a “God, I wish he was
wasn't on the team” way. More like I'll be watching the game and
he'll do something and I'll think to myself. “Oh yeah, Matt Carle
is on the team.” That being said, he's had a decent year –
chipping in 27 assists from the blue line.
2012 Topps Heritage Josh Johnson –
Needed for a set
One of these days I'll finish this set.
And one day Josh Johnson will be healthy again.
2013 Topps Gypsy Queen Dealing Aces
Matt Moore and Roy Halladay – Needed for a set
At some point this season David Price
will be a former-Ray and I think Moore will be the one to step into
the number one starter role. If the Rays are in contention at the
trade deadline, Andy Friedman is going to have a huge decision to
make.
A few years ago I wrote that, among
active pitchers, Halladay had the best shot at winning 300 games. At
that point he was mowing people down like it was a video game. He
retired this winter with 203 career wins. Another great prediction
by Justin G.
A Trio of 1989 Upper Deck Orioles –
For the Orioles Collection
Oswald Pereza was acquired for Mike
Flanagan. Good for him. He was a highly touted prospect, but 1988
would be his only season in the minors. Arm injuries stalled his
career and he was out of baseball by 1992.
Tom Niedenfuer was a middle of the road
reliever who had numbers that weren't horrible for the Orioles. If he
was pitching today he'd probably only make $8 million a year.
Terry Kennedy was a veteran catcher who
came to the O's in a 1987 trade along with Mark Williamson. After
being the number one guy in '87 (hitting 18 home runs while playing
in 143 games) he lost the role in 1988 to a young switch hitter by
the name of Mickey Tettleton.
All three of these players had a role
in the horrendous 1988 Orioles team. A team that ranks as my second
favorite worst team of all-time. Surprisingly enough, none of these
guys would be involved in the “Why Not?” season of 1989.
1997 Fleer Ultra Eddie Murray –
Personal Collection
Murray hit the last three home runs of
his career in an Anaheim uniform. It's a toss-up between Anaheim and
the New York Mets for oddest uniform to see him wear. The rarely seen
double batting gloves for him.
1991 Donruss Eddie Murray – Personal
Collection
Murray during some more productive
years. He is so ingrained in my mind as an Oriole that it's hard to
remember that he grew up in California. All uniforms that aren't
orange and white look weird on him. Notice no batting gloves.
2011-12 Upper Deck Steven Stamkos –
For the Lightning Collection
The Bolts are rolling again and Stamkos
is scoring. With a relatively easy schedule remaining they can
hopefully hold onto the second spot in the division. Great photo of
the lightning bolts on the old uniform pants. I miss the lightning
bolts. (ed. note - after watching Monday's game I realized they still have the bolts on their pants. My bad. I'm old.)
1993-94 Leaf John Tucker – For the
Lightning Collection
The first trophy winner in Lightning
history. His 131 points in a Tampa Bay uniform is good for 19th
all time in franchise history, 2 points ahead of “The Captain”
Dave Andeychuck.
1995-96 Upper Deck Peter Bondra –
Personal Collection
Bondra scored 34 goals in 1994-95,
which is pretty impressive since this photo suggests he didn't play
with a hockey stick. In his career he scored roughly 674 goals
against the Lightning. I really like the simple layout of this set.
I'm tempted to go find a box of it and rip open some old junk wax.
1992-93 Topps Rob Dimaio – For the
Lightning Collection
Dimaio was an original Bolt who played
two seasons with the team in their infancy. He was traded to Philly
for Jim Cummins and a 4th round draft pick. The Lightning
then traded that 4th round pick back to Philly
for......... Alex Selivanov. DiMaio had a second stint with the Lightning, signing as a free agent in the summer of 2005. However, a concussion he suffered early in the season ended his career.
2013-14 Score Ondrej Palat – For the
Lightning Collection
Despite my undying love for Tyler
Johnson, I'm pretty sure that Palat has a better chance of winning
the Calder. He has been on fire since January.
2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Jake Arrieta –
For The Orioles Collection
Jake went from Opening Day starter to
Chicago Cub in the span of two seasons. I hope he gets a start
against the O's when they come into town this summer. As a matter of
fact, the O's could also face last year's opening day starter Jason
Hammel as well in that series. Chicago – where Baltimore pitchers
fade into obscurity.
2013 Topps Gypsy Queen Dylan Bundy –
For the Orioles Collection
It looks like the best case scenario
for Bundy's return from Tommy John surgery is June. Bundy's injury
shows that no matter how much care you take with your prospects it's
almost impossible to keep them from getting injured. The good news
is that (unless you are a member of the Braves organization) most
pitchers bounce back from Tommy John rather well these days.
A nice smattering of cards that hit
needs all over the board, from set needs to personal collection to
team collection. Not a bad return for some extra base cards, eh?
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