Suprise package from over yonder!

A few weeks back I received a surprise package from john over at the Pursuit of 80s Blog across the sea. John was kind enough to let go of a few Mets cards for my team collection. While there were a lot of cards in the lot I didn't have - Here are a few that I thought were extra awesome.First up anyone who has been reading this blog for a while knows that I love me some Robin Ventura (to the tune of him being my all time favorite player). Unfortunately - while Robin was playing I was not collecting (ahem, while he was playing for the Mets) so I don't have many cards of him in a Mets uniform. Now I have a 2000 Fleer Focus and a 1999 Topps Finest (with UV coating) to add to the player collection. Next up we have Mike Pizza chillin' in front of a scroll from 200 Fleer Showcase. This is really an ugly card. How does this happen? What does a scroll have to do with baseball? Because this a Consummate Prose card? The back calls mike a "Master of wooden Disaster" - hardly groundbreaking stuff there. I would like to relay a small Piazza story here if I could though. The singer Meatloaf is a huge Mets fan from all accounts I have heard. In an interview of Meat I read when he released Bat out of Hell III he stated that the first song "The Monster Is Loose" came to him while at a Mets game. Piazza was coming up to hit and was slumping when Meat heard the equipment manager yell to Mike "C;mon Mike, the Monster is loose!". Good stuffNext up is a 1999 Fleer Ultra John Olerud card. I am a sucker for the Ultra line and wish that UD would do something about bringing some Fleer back into our lives. Just a nice card of John at the plate doing what he did best. A fact about John that I did not know is that according to the back of his card, John never played in the minors after he was drafted. hmmm.Next we have a 2008 Bowman Fernando Martinez. Another player I am invested in due to his time here in Binghamton. It's been great to see him play up at Citi Field although i don't think he is destined to stay there this season - something tells me once Church is off the DL Fernando will find himself back in Buffalo.
Finally, we have a 2007 Bowman Heritage prospect card of mike Devaney - This card is going straight into my Bowman Heritage Binder as it was needed for me set.
So John - Thank you for the kindness of just sending these my way - I know my recent self well enough to say that I will get something back out to you - but it probably will be a bit of time until that happens. My card room right now is a mess and its a bit tough for me to get trades together unless its out of a se ttha tI have already in order and such - but I will keep ya in mind for any Jacoby's or other cool Red Sox stuff for you!

Rey Ordonez - 1999 Edition

There were only a few 99 Rey's included in the huge package from GCRL . Lets run through them.

1999 skybox Thunder- Everything about this card is ugly. The weird border on the top of the card is like a little boys bedspread. The blue/green/ tarp background is nasty. The back says something really stupid. "Man, your skillz on defense are intense. You'd be a better fielder with your bare hands than most are with a glove. Much Love" really fucking stupid - if you don't believe me, check out the small scan below. Oh - yes that is the way the spelled skills.

1999 Upper Deck - Now this is better - reminds me a little of the Topps Finest design without being too gaudy - straight lines, nice photo, clear back with photo - kudos.

1999 Upper Deck collectors Choice - This card strays from the designs of the last few years - this almost looks like they tried poorly for a retro look. Nice card, not remarkable.

Rey Ordonez - 98

At this point in his career everyone knew who Rey was - an all field no hit shortstop who had a severe propensity for multiple web gems per game. Not sure when in his career it happened, but he also punched teammate Luis Lopez in the face on the team bus. I always hated Lopez so I was still cool with Rey after that.

1998 Score - I love the picture on this card with Rey turning the double play while being taken out. As much as Score had done wrong, they certainly did a few things right. Clean design and a great photo. No photo on the back, but lots of stats/splits and a long paragraph about ole Rey Rey. ++

1998 Fleer sports Illustrated World Series Fever - Well - we all know by the time this card was printed, the Mets hadn't made any world series since Rey had hair on his crotch, so I am curious why the chose him in a World Series Fever set... This is super glossy and really boring. SO is the back.

1998 Upper Deck - Ahh, upper Decks legacy of hard to read card fronts will always live o and here is another example. Sure, the design is nice and the player name on the banner on the left is very easy to read, but the team on the bottom is not. Almost makes the card look like an error in that it was printed dark enough - its like someone forgot to fill in the letters. Back has a large action photo. I don't know about you guys - I like a portrait on the back and action on the front... like a reverse mullet of a card if you will.

1998 topps - Gold. Ugly

1998 Score - yup another one, but this one is different. It looks like ray is playing pepper or getting ready for BP. I still like the design, but this shows you what the picture means to a card. The earlier card shown is much better because the photo shows a very exciting point in a play or ball game - this shows us that Rey practiced a bit before games. Boring.

1998 Upper Deck Collector's Choice - Did you know Rey signed with the Mets in 1993 after defecting from the Cuban National Team? Well thanks to UD Collector's Choice you do now! another "classic" or should it be expected design from Ud CC - nice but not exceptional by any means.

Rey Rey - 97 Edition

Here are a few more of the Rey Ordonez cards from GCRL - these are the ones from 1997 that were in the package. Again, I don't know a lot about many of these cards since I was too busy with power chords and getting my first blow j than little slabs of card board. Here they are.

1997 Topps - A fairly basic design sharing time with Brian McRae it looks like. Nothing special here design wise. The back of the card only mentions his fielding - which is really the only thing you can say good about Rey

1997 Donruss - This design I like much more than the Topps - I like the small borders that fade on the bottom and left of the card leaving a full bleed effect - I like full blood a lot - borders are for countries not cards. Another card with Binghamton on it, so I am pleased all the more along with comparisons to Ozzie Smith - I wish it worked out that well - I am happy with Reyes now though.

1997 Upper Deck Collectors Choice - Here we have Rey getting thrown out at first (put out by Joyner). This is your standard Collectors Choice design. I seem to remember these cards always being nice... but kinda boring - that remains true here. The back of this card makes mention of Rey giving Jeter a run for his money for NY SS supremacy - didn't really work out that way did it?


98 Tomorrow!

Rey Ordonez - The Mets Years - 1996

Rey Ordonez was featured a lot in the box that Jim @ GCRL sent over - so I will be taking you through a bunch of Rey Rey cards from his time with the Mets, year by year. First up is 1996 - The Rookie Cards! Keep in mind I was not collecting at all at this time - so I may not be too keen on what set is what - they may be base cards, they may be weird other sets I've never seen before - please don't judge me!

1996 Topps Rookie Prospects - Card shared with Tim Harkrider, Neifi Perez, and Enrique Wilson. A couple of these guys (Perez and Wilson) went on to have nice careers - I kind of like the multiple prospect cards - am I the only one?

1996 UD SP Premier Prospects - I really think this is a sharp card - I like the green/blue theme, the foil is there, but not gaudy at all. One of my favorite cards of the bunch.

1996 UD Diamond Destiny - Easily the ugliest card of this years lot. The circle in the upper right is a see through portrait of Rey's face. what the hell was Ud thinking when they designed this card? Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

1996 Ud Collectors Choice Rookie Class - Just a nice looking card - This card gets bonus points for name checking Binghamton on the back!

1996 Ud Global Impact (Special Report) - another great looking card - I would not mind seeing more like these - There is always a fine line between really neat and really ugly - This card fell on the right side of that debate.

1996 UD Defensive Gems - meh - its nice.

1996 Upper Deck Major League Debut - This card is great because it has a caption on the front "Shows intensity as he scores vs Astros 7/14/96" Wouldn't it be sorta neat if all cards had a short note somewhere on the front or back of at least the date or game the photo was from?


Well, that is all of them. I have a feeling that 1996 is going to be a tough year to beat in the battle for Rey Ordonez supremacy! Don't forget to play for the 24 body Count contest above this week!

Gifts from Duane

Recently reader Duane has been on a hot streak with the 24 Body Count contest, well the luck turned around my way a bit when I received a package from him last week.

First up are 2 09 Heritage inserts I need towards my set. I really like the Rookie Performers set - I think that Samardizja is going to play a big role in that Cubs pen this year because Gregg is awful - and Heilman - well, lets say I have reasons to not have faith. Now, is it me, or does this Then and Now not make sense? Pitcher and a hitter? was that really the point of these? Could not find anyone comparable and really wanted these 2 players in the set?


Next up we have a 08 Heritage Jack Hannahan and 08 Masterpieces Al Kaline for my sets. Not much to say about Hannahan, but I really think that in annals of history - Kaline is overlooked as one of the most dominant power hitters ever. The dude was in-sane. Look it up on baseball reference.

Mex. I hate the Ring of Honor cards that dont feature Mets - and I only kinda like the ones that do. Its how I feel about Keith. Yes he was the heard of our last Championship. Yes he was a great fielder and very good hitter. But he's also a total jackass coke head. He knows a ton about baseball (his book was a very good one, learned a lot about baseball strategy) but I feel like he is socially challenged. Anyone else hear last year when he compared pitching in San Diegos Bullpen to being in a concentration camp? oh boy...

Next we have a nice bunch of Mets to add to add the collection. I really like this 93 Score Select design. I think the cards are very very sharp - who knows maybe in the next 20 yearsor so I may pursue the set.

Now we have another smattering of Mets - these mostly of the 92 Fleer Ultra variety. Again, this is another set that I was getting out of collecting right as this was coming out. I think these are very nice cards and its another long run set. Maybe one day I will look into it, maybe I wont - who knows. I just know its sharp.

Thank you kindly Duane - Good luck to everyone in the next body count contest!

Edit - It's Kaline up there - not Kiner - my bust - no excuses

GCRL Cards - HoJo

The next set of cards I am featuring from the super box received from Jim @ GCRL is a gaggle of Howard Johnson cards.

Below we have
1992 Topps Staduim Club Members Choice
1990 Topps All Star
1990 Fleer All Star
1993 Topps Stadium Club
1989 Topps All Star
A Different 1990 Topps All Star
1990 Topps Base

We all know of my affinity for Mets third basement - so I love me some HoJos and all of these cards are now proud members of the HoJo collection - thanks again Jim - dont know who is next yet!

GCRL Week Continues! - Dr. K

As mentioned a few days ago, Jim over @ GCRL sent me a herculean box of Mets for my team collection. I could not decide which ones to feature - so over the course of however long it takes - we will get to see them all, player by player. The first player we will feature is no doubt one of the premier players/names in Mets history - especially my era (80s and on) Dr. K Dwight Gooden.

Of the cards received - I already had the 89 Score, 90 Fleer, 90 Topps, both 87 Topps, and the 89 Topps flashback card. Now I always love getting Mets doubles because they are great for mailing off in hopes of getting signed so now I can send a few more risk free if I don't get them back, I have more!

Now, the best cards were all the odd ball cards I didn't have! The coolest was the 87 Fleer Mini - am I that out of touch that I thought the only minis made then was that Topps league leaders set?

Also new to me

- 1986 Granola Chewy
-1990 Topps All Star
-1992 Topps Stadium Club Member's Choice
- 2002 UD Piece of History
-1989 Baseball Magazine 59' Reprint
-1986 Fleer Limited Edition
-1986 Fleer Baseball's Best

So Jim - thank you very much for the cards - Tomorrow we will look at Gregg Jefferies!

Gifts from GCRL part 2 (of many)

First off - in my carelessness I called out 1 death in 24 this week in fact, the dude wasn't dead! So we have Duane winning AGAIN! the man is on fire, or has advance dvds.... maybe he's juicing... who knows for sure - but the cards are their way out - thanks for correcting me guys!

So while things are slow and motivation is low here in Binghamton NY (where I work just laid off 30 people in my office, I was fine, but one of my best friends got let go...pretty bummed for sure) I am just going to be featuring a lot of the Mets cards that Jim from GCRL sent over.

When going through the package my wife came in the room and saw the 3 cards below and said

"Boy, these are stupid"

no no no honey - they certainly are not! We are looking at three Donruss big cards from 1986 of Ron Darling, Dwight Gooden, and Darryl Strawberry! and they are awesome....I've always wanted some BIG Mets but never came across any - I know that storing them is an issue, but I might get some kind of frame or something for them. I know that this is a 3some that any team would be happy to have in their heyday!

More Dr. K tomorrow!

Return Package from The Pettitte Pursuit

A while back I sent Eric... something - Either a Posada or Pettitte GU or both. Don't recall - I really forgot all about it. I do remember stating he was going to go buy something comparable to send back - told him not necessary but what he did do was great - got a 100 or someodd mets cards in my mail box last week! Here are a few quick highlights.

Of course we see many David Wrights here. The only one I did not already have was the star quest, but its nice to have doubles if I need to barter with another Wright fan!

The rest of the cards were a slew of goodies. There were a TON of hojos... we know I love my HoJos. Also some cards of new players - That Bobby Bo will be going out in the mail sooner or later to get scribbled on.. I've been waiting to get a Mets DK of him for a while.

So Thank you Eric - Hopefully your boy did not get short printed on you in Heritage this year - actually, hopefully it did, and I can sell it, then get cards I need. sorry

Thoughts and Sox and Bubble Mailers

This is one of the last three packages that I have gotten in the past few weeks that I am just getting the time to look through, organize and such. First up was a few Timelines cards I needed for my set. Chris from Nachos Grande sent me a hand full of these as well so between the two packages - this one coming from Adam over @ Thoughts and Sox - there were a few doubles - these two however I did need for my set - a few imports. One has proven to be a bonafide major leaguer. The other - well at least he probably doesn't understand most of what the Chicago fans yell to him in right field.

Next up is a Jay Payton certified auto from 2000 Fleer - This a cool card because even when the Mets were at their best or worst, I was always a Payton fan - I remember one summer before he got hurt he was the only guy on the team you could count on to always hit the ball hard and run hard too. It's too bad his career has stalled - I will always root for him.

Finally - what is a package from a team collector without a bunch of Mets? This was especially nice because I either did not have these cards, or they had counterparts as parts of sets - not in my separate David Wright or Mets collections. I love any Jon Niese cards I can get - as you know I get very invested in my former B Mets. And I don't know about anyone else - but I really like this years Starquest cards. You can put me on the record.

So Adam - Thank you kindly foryour generosity. It is much appreciated and I will see about reciprocating that generosity.

Music - MxPx

Relic Trade with the Cheap Seats

Recently, Dan over @ Saints of the Cheap Seats pulled this Jose Reyes card out of a box of 09 Topps I was quick to lay claim - all it cost be was a 07 Bowman Heritage - or was it regular Topps heritage - shit - I don't remember and its already been mailed. either way - here is Jose... the writing was on the sleeve - not the card - Lets not forget I have a pile of mail here and I am trying to get everyone up on on!

Gifts From Across the Pond

A few weeks ago I agreed to a trade with John of the Pursuit of 80's (ness) blog
and then subesquently totally forgot about it. Well about a week ago this package came in the mail and I remembered then that he had asked me to put a package together AFTER receiving this one - So here are some quick highlights from what he sent me, and I will be getting his package together later today!

First we have a 1999 Topps Auto card of Mo Bruce - this is a name I have not thought of in years... I just remember him being reasonable touted and then obviously since is a new name for even some Mets fans, he didnt do too much. But I love obscure Mets cards and I really like his auto too.

Next we have a2008 Heritage Mike Pelfrey. I think that Pelf is quickly becoming one of my favorite Mets and not for his play on the field (of course that helps) but its for being just a big dork. Lately in spring training he has been caught wearing a helmet due to his recent flipping of a golf cart, and has been relentlessly teased by teammates for crying at the end of Marely and Me (The dog dies). I like Big Pelf

Next we see a few 08 Topps all star rookies - I sometime wonder how they chose the players? were all of these guys Gold Cup Rookies in the past? Is that the obvious connection I never made? I didnt not like when Wiggy got traded, but it opened the door for D Wright, so I guess I really cannot be too upset. I am also very happy to get another one of these Ron Swoboda cards - I hope to get him to sign one TTM.

I scanned Mr Hundley in next because I guess when I was collecting in the 90s I must have LOVED Todd Hundley. When going through some old boxes of cards a few months ago I found a stack of what must have been 80 hundley (lots of doubels) all put together - I dont remember being a Hundley super collector, but maybe I am.... who knew?

Finally, I posted up a few Jose's for my wife. He has always been her favorite Met/Player because "He's fast and funny". I cannot argue

Thank you so much John, your cards will be allocated now!

Card Show Goodies - Mets GU Cards

All Right - here is part 2 of my card show goodies post - These are all Game used cards of current of former Mets that were picked up for $2 or less. So please ignore the sticker price listed - I promise I did not pay $10 for a Richard Hidalgo card.

So on that topic - we have Richard hidalgo - this is a game used bat card from 2005 Topps Bazooka - I see these cards a lot in bargain bins and think that they are super ugly - I don't ever really see myself buying anymore unless they are super cheap and Mets related. ugh.
Next up are 2 - thats right, I am now the proud owner of 2 Kaz Matsui game used cards. I think the screw cases these cards are in are worth more than the actual cards - maybe i should take them out? The first is from 2005 Donruss Playoff Prestige and the 2nd from what appears to be 2005 Upper Deck Origins. Neither one of these cards are too special - but I love them non-the-less.

Now we have a GU Jeromy Burnitz card from 2002 upper Deck. Jeromy was supposed to part of the new murderers row with line up mates Mike Piazza, Edgardo Alfonzo, Mo Vaughn, Roger Cedeno - yeah - sorta tails off there... he sucked but he played hard everyday. I remember everyone booing this guy because he wasn't hitting, but you could not watch him play everyday and not notice the all out effort you got in the field and the fact that the dude has heart.

Here is a Ty Wiggington Jersey card from 2003 Bowman Heritage - I hated to lose Ty - I remember him crying when he was told about the trade - but it was definitely the Wright move as David quickly stepped in and became one of the premier players in the game. I really do like these Bowman Heritage cards. Anyone have any other relics from these sets for trade?

2 more to go - here is another ugle Bazooka card featuring Carlos Delgado. If Carlos can string together just one or 2 more years like last season - then we are looking at a Hall of Fame player. Streakiness be damned!

Finally - this is a Carlos Beltran Relic from Heritage High Numbers. These relics are all right, but don't really excite me too much - I do think that Carlos is going to have a big year this year - as he seems to every other year as a Met.

Stay tuned tomorrow for some trade bait of some players I know you other bloggers out there are fans of - let me know if you need them!

Trade With Junkie Jeff!

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Trade with Chris @ Fan of Reds/Nachos Grande

Here are the rest of my goodies from my trade with Chris from Nachos Grane/Fan of Reds. Holy Hell is Chris a generous guy. As I posted with my want lists, Chris was kind enough to send a handfull of 08 Heritage cards (which completed 5 different pages - nothing is more satisfying than that completed page) and 60, yes 60 cards for my 08 goudey set.



However, on top of that, he threw some bonus cards in the form of a bunch of random Mets - my favorite kind of bonus! Of the 38 different Mets cards, all from the early 80s - early 2ks, here are the four highlights.

First we have a 98 topps Season Highlights card of John Olerud. Now if you are also a Mets fan you remember John as being a nice hitter at the plate, and wonderrul in the field - at one time, he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated along with Robin Ventura, Rey Ordonez, and Edgardo Alfonzo as the best infield ever. This isn't why I chose to write about this card. The following story is.

The story follows as such, and I have heard conflicing reports of its truthfulness, but we never let the truth get in the way of a good story do we? Here it goes, when Ricky Henderson was released from the Mets he caught on with the Seattle Mariners. While speaking with John Olerud, also with the Mariners at this time - he told him "I used to play with a guy who always wore his helmet in the field" - Of course Olerud replied, "yeah Ricky, that was me".

I hope its true - because Ricky Henderson is in a class of his own as far as people skills and I think that this is just fantastic.

Comedian David Cross does a comedy sketch about Ricky Henderson that is pretty spot on, but I could not find it on youtube. Check out his album "Shut Up You Fucking Baby" to get the goods.



Next up is a top prospect card of Butch Huskey from 93 Upper Deck. Butch was one of my first favorite B-Mets to get to the big time. While he was a nice player, I liked him more because he (along with I think it was Tommy Allison) was the first B Met player that I ever met and had a chance to speak with.

The story is as follows - In Binghamton, we had a new movie theather, Lowes, open up in town and to celebrate they had all of their movies showing for 50 cents each. Having already seen In the Line of Fire (John Malkovich is king) I was in line the next night to go see Cliffhanger with Sly Stallone. Now, who is it that gets behind me in line? One Butch Huskey - Thank God the lines were long because it took me a while to get up the nerve to say anything, but when I finally did, he was super nice and thanked me for being a fan and even shook my hand. As a budding teenager and big baseball fan, you can imagine the thrill that this incounter with a local celebrity at that time made me feel. Thanks Butch.


Next up is Gary "Camera" Carter. Now, I know he was the main reason the Mets were able to dominate the league when they did, but I can't help feeling that he was just a big douche. I would love for my mind to change, but this man was just an asswipe. Attention staved, born-again, rightious douche. These are the things that happen when you read tell-all books about your heroes and then let that impact you when you read their lame autobiographies. Weak Gary, weak.

Finally - I dont have much to say about this card, but I love it. Mookie Wilson and Hubie Brooks rookie card from 1981 Topps! Mookie hit the grounder heard round the world that helped the Mets win it all in 1986. I'll never forget it.

Trade With Adam @ Thoughts and Sox

Well this package actually came on Monday, but like Adam, I too am late getting the post up. Along with 9 cards for my 08 Goudey set, he sent me a sweet stack of 50 Mets cards. Here are the highlights as far as I am concerned.

First up, is as someone who has only been collecting cards again since 2007 is a set that is new to me, is a David Wright card from 2005 Donruss Absolute Memrobilia. Here we have a picture of David and his worst habit, pounding his glove with the ball about 37 times before rushing a through to first that will sail towards the home side of first. Wow, that was written like a Braves fan. Long night at work. Nothing but love David, nothing but love.

Next up we have former Met/B-Met Grant Roberts from 1997 Bowman. Grant had a lot of potential, but it seemingly and literally went up in smoke. When pictures of him from what I believe was Newsday showed up on the cover with our man letting off some steam. I have a soft spot for the shitty pot Met years - Mark Corey, Tony Tarasco- you think they would realize the futility of their careers and tried saving a few bucks instead of rocking the ganja.

Next we have my two favorite cards received. These are from another set I have not seen before, but I would love to get more. it looks like these are from a set called Topps 2005 Fan Favorites. Well as a Met fan, they certainly are. You can never sleep on Straw, and while Jefferies was a little asshole not deserving of any respect from a veteran ballplayer, he was our asshole, and the reason I was never able to save my allowence money when his rookie cards hit stores in 1989.

Next is have Shawn bouman from 2005 Bowman. This guy was pretty much an afterthought of the Mets system until this year when his bat came together with his glove and hada good year in Binghamton once we lost Dan Murphy to the bigs. This one will be coming to the stadium with me this year if he makes another run through Bingo. He is currently hitting really well in the AFL.

Lastly is the big chip in the deal - A 2004 Bowman Heritage game used bat card #d 5/55 from 2004 Bowman heritage. As far as former Mets go, Mike is my 2nd favorite behind Robin Ventura. This is the first really nice Piazza card I have of him in a Mets jersey as I was not collecting in his heyday.

Please go check out Adam's blog and let him know what a good job he is doing. I feel a bit of a kinship with him as we are still both new to the scene and are both trying our best not to just showcase what we like, but help out our fellow bloggers and add a few minutes of fun reading to the day of anyone who wants it.