He Certainly is Average- Take My Word For It

So a few weeks ago - yes weeks - James Fuller of The Average Joe made good of his promise to help fill out some of my want lists - here are the spoils (if you can call these cards spoils - I'd like to think that I love All cards equally, but, I dont)

First we have 3 2008 Topps Series 2 cards - Brian Bass, JJ PUTZ (pronounced as in "he's a fuckin' Putz who is hurt all the time and cannot throw strikes), and Randy Winn - one laziness subsides - these will find their way into their respective pages - please if you have a moment - check out my 2008 Topps want lists because I am very very close t finishing those dudes out! Thanks!


We have some 1989 Donruss cards of Tommy Gregg and Keith Brown - They both suck!



Next up we have one of the ugliest sets ever, 1991 Fleer - they really did struggle in the early 90s didnt they? We have

Scott Bankhead
Bob Boone
Ken Oberkfell
Craig Wilson
Andy Van Slyke (ive always heard he's an asshole... is this true?
Ken Patterson
Beau Allred

Wow - I really meant to write more but its fucking hot up here - sorry kids - I'm far too obese for the upstairs w/o the AC these days

Some 92 UD - thanks dude!

Sweet Mail Day

A while back, reader Greg let me know he was interested in a 09 Ud Chase Utley that was numbered to 99 - although I do like Chase Utley (I like Victorino too - I know what kind of Mets fan am I?), I was willing to let him go when Greg let me know he had an Eddie Kunz Auto he wasn't too in love with. So I sent him some Phillies base cards and inserts along with the Chutley, and here are the highlights of what I received.

Here is the first card I own of the 09 O Pee Chee set - a New York New York insert of Jeremy Reed. I like it - this is my first Reed card as a Met that I can think of - anyone else think its weird that they dont have the pic of Citi Field behind him? He never played in Shea. Oh well - I'm diggin' it anyway.

Next is what looks like a 1999 Fleer Brilliants Shining Stars card of Mike Piazza - Man - I missed a lot not collecting this era of cards - I don't know if I think this card is awesome, or awful - at least there isn't a rap on the back.

A couple of chrome Jose Reyes cards - which poses the question - if you really love chrome cards are you a Chromo? I don't know if I am there yet - just chrome curious for now -

Here is the big gun of the trade - the Kunz career best auto with all minor league stats - what a lame idea to include him in this subset - but I am very glad to have the card - I met Eddie a few times last season while he was in Binghamton and was always very nice and very approachable.

A Topps Star of David Wright and a couple goldies!

Next up is a Gary Carter Hall of Fame Heroes card from 2005 Donruss Diamond Kings - anytime I come across these old Diamond Kings sets I want more more more... but I am too poor poor poor.

Finally - there were 2 complete minor league team sets - first up are the 1983 Lynchburg Mets - Here are some funny looking dudes - some stoned, some kid toucher-esque - some jolly

And the 1984 Jackson Mets! Now in color!

So all in all a really cool package of stuff I did not have before - lots of great stuff for the Mets collection too! Thank you very much my friend for a wicked rad and generous package! Make sure to go help him out in his search for Pat Burrell cards (god knows why) http://insearchofpatthebat.wordpress.com/

Presents from the Troll

A week back or so I received an email and subsequent package from Marck @ the Collective Troll. Mark was VERY generous in sending me a bunch of cards needed for my 2007 Bowman heritage, 2008 Topps Heritage, and 2007 Topps 52 Rookies Sets. Let's take a look.

First up for the original set that won't die - 2008 Topps Heritage We've got base cards of Preston Wilson, Dan Wheeler, and Phil Hughes. You will also see a New Age Performer of John Lackey (who is pitching really well as I type this - it's 6/4/09 as this is being written) and a Then and Now card featuring Orlando Cepada and Magglio Ordonez.



Next up was a group of 07 52' Rookies - This is a set that I am getting closer and closer to finishing - I would officially say that the end is in sight. Of the cards here, the only player of I have even really heard of is Jack Cassel - but I love them all for the spots in the binder they will fill.



Now Mark didn't only base cards - there were also a handful of inserts. There were 2 Diamond Flashacks - Maggiol Ordonez and Paul Lo Duca. I miss Paul as a Met if for no other reason than he was the only guy on the team you could always count on to play with a little fire. Next up there were some Dynamic Duo inserts. Lets pit them against each other.

David Murphy and Jarrod Saltalamacchia - I'll take Salty for position scarcity
Alex Gordon and Billy butler - Again, I'll take Gordon for position scarcity - 1st baggers like Butler are a dime a dozen
Tim Lincecum and Nate Schierholtz - No contest gotta go with Lincey



Next there were a bunch of 07 Bowman Heritage cards - of the ones received I chose to highlight 3 pitching aces and some rookies.

Of the Rookies received 3 have come on to really make impacts for their teams - josh Hamilton, John Danks, and Glen Perkins - and actually Michael Bourne too - Dallas Braden and Curtis Thigpen are still working on sticking at the Big Show. Three pitchers who not only have stuck, but could be perennial Cy Young award winners are Roy Oswalt, Dan Haren, and Rich Harden - I would love to have any of these arms in a Mets uniform.



Finally, a bunch of prospects I don't know anything about - so I just scanned three of each color. Enjoy



So Marck - Thank you very much - some heritage and Rays are on their way to you!

Cards From Steve K!

A few weeks back I got a package from Steve K whom we all know and love. Mets fan from the garbage state who shares the same addictions as the rest of us. I sent him a few 09 Heritage and 08 Stadium Club he needed and he in turn took charge at my want lists!

First and foremost - a bunch of 09 Heritage - 49 cards in all - towards my set - I will continue to show the players I have rostered at any point this year.

Jay Bruce - Have him in 2 leagues... so in two leagues I have no production out of right field - Thanks asshole - start hitting....
Chad Billingsley - Man Crush alert - Love this guy - he;s been solid as expected
John Danks - Been great so far - looking forward to riding him all year if I can
Robinson Cano - This is what I was hoping for in the 8th round - Keep it up Robby
Taylor Teagarden - Fight for playing time... and losing
Ian Snell - Injury replacement du jour - forgettable thus far

Next up were 31 2007 Bowman heritage cards. do a lot of people not like this set or was it just that it came out before there were 100+ baseball card blogs? I dont really have anyone who i know who collected back then to get an opinion from on this set. Me - A fan.

John Lackey - and we wait...
Pat Burrell - I've been lucky on picking his spots to play this year - so I've gotten good production when I throw him out there
Robinson Cano - already discussed

Finally - 22 08 Stadium Club cards -

Prince Fielder - start hitting or eating cheeseburgers. Either way I will like you better

Nick adenhard - I did not have him rostered, but did last year. Rest In Peace kid.

There were also 7 07 52 Rookies in the box - great set fodder, not great fantasy fodder

09 Heritage Cards from Z-Man!

A while back Zach (or Z Man in the comments page) from Autographed Cards proposed a small trade of some royals he wanted to get signed for a what turned out to be a lot of heritage cards I Needed. Here is what was sent.

Base - 30
SPs - 4
Baseball Flashbacks - 2
News Flashbacks -2

I chose to feature the cards of players I have on my 3 Fantasy Teams. Lets take a look

Jason Giambi - Late round power/RBI grab - hes been decent.
Prince Fielder - Traded Jason Bay and Joel Hannahan for him - I needed 1B power. He was robbed of a granny last week (slam, not mother)
Travis Snider - Has been very streaky, but went deep twice yesterday! Have him in my standard Roto and Dynasty Leagues - my AL ROY pick
Dan Haren - My ace in my dynasty league - has pitched great but a hard luck loser so far
Mike Jacobs - Ugh - former Met bias? finally went yard
Chris Davis - Ugh again - keeper in my head to head league - finally did something good yesterday
Ichiro - Hasen't played yet

Want list has been updated and I am getting closer and closer! I've got a lot of doubles if anyone wants to work out a deal!

Cards from Brandon or Greg - I Dont Remember!

So here is the other package I received in the last week or so that I dont remember where it came from. This is either from Greg over @ Lake Effect Cards in thanks for the Gordons, or from Brandon paying for grad school. I still feel dumb for not remembering, but at least the Cardboard Junkie has had the same problem recently.

Here you see Adam Jones from 08 upper Deck. He is a guy who has tons of upside and is getting a lot of love from the prognosticators in the fantasy land. I did not end up with him in any of my three leagues and thats okay. I hope he does well, the Orioles are an easy team to root for after being bad for so long. This leaves me needing only cards 496 and 522 for this set. Anyone?

Next we have 6 more cards needed for my 08 Topps set. We have a nice mix of veterans, young stars, rookies, and a solid bench player. We also have the ugliest card ever probably -I'm looking at you BJ. This is what is left from Series 2 needed

363, 417, 421, 425, 449, 456, 476, 485, 496, 543, 615, 624, 647,

I know I got emails in the past from someone who said they had them, but they never came, so the pursuit is back on!

Ahhh - 92 Topps - For years me and my buddy Gavin have been joking about how funny it would be to be Dennis Eckersley for Halloween. We just dont have the commitment to grow our hair for a few years and think that wigs are a copout. This is a Post Joey Belle card. Dude could mash. Here is what I need from 92 Topps

315, 340, 357, 735, , 772, 790,

getting close!

Is 91 Fleer not the worst set from 90-94? God its ugly. Gotta love Griffey and Mad Dog though. You don't have to love Berryhill, but I recommend you do.

Here is whats left

6, 53, 86, 132, 138, 145, 189, 302, 329, 358, 395, , 442, , 480, 511, 551, 561, 588, 600, 61, 652,

This guy was a coke head. this set is now complete!

Finally - we have some cards from this years set pursuits. You know - I HATED the Turkey Red set as a stand alone. Thought it was ugly and not worth my time. But wow - how much do I like it as an insert? I'm not that close to finishing it so no want list posted up. Of all of these players, the only one I ended up with on a fantasy team is Mauer who I got in round 13 in a roto league - just couldn't let him sit there any longer.

Finally, we have a New Age Performer of Carlos Quentin. I dont know what it is, but this is a guy I just don't believe in. Maybe he does it again and I end up with egg on my face, but I'm not holding my breath.

So thank Greg - I'm pretty sure this was your package, you brought me closer to a lot of sets I am working on and thank you for it!

Random Set filler from Brandon or Greg - I dont know anymore

I dont know anymore - I have a few packages sitting on my desk - those I know who came from - others I have just stacks of cards - no marking and no memories - So these cards are either from reader Brandon who is earning some dough for grad school or Greg @ Lake Effect Cards . I hope neither of you are offended - I cannot keep anything together anymore- its been a weird few weeks.

Anyway, first on the list were a few 93 Donruss cards I needed towards my set. Who are 2 people who are more notable for their off the field behaviors than their skills - both are notorious assholes. One boned Madonna, the other threw a bucket of water on Tim McCarver... Honestly - I'd rather water Tim McCarver I think.

There was a good stack of cards for my 92 Topps set as well. I chose to feature Scott Radinsky since I was a big fan of his punk band in high school when I wasnt really following baseball as closely as I do now. Next we have a draft pick card of one of the few who worked out from this set, Calvin "Pokey" Reese. He had himself a nice career. Finally, we have a Alex Arias rookie card - and 3 scrubs.

Now with my 89 topps set, I dont think I ever realized that all I needed left were futher hall of famers. go figure. I love this set. I think I may like it more than 87 Topps the more I play with it. Also, the Steve Avery card is everything a baseball card that isnt an action shot should be.

Finally, we have a few 89 Donruss cards. I always liked Dunston - he was a "rifleman" for goodness sakes! I dont remember the year, but one time my boy scout troop took a trip down to Yankee stadium. My buddy Chris was a Roberto Kelly fan and he made a sign that said "Nobody Beats Roberto. Rocking Roberto". I still find that amusing.

well - gotta get ready for work now since ball games start at noon today! take it wasy! Also - Eliott Smith is overrated. I dont care if you died, that doesnt make you good - albums with more than 4 good songs do - god this stuff is boring.

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 Cards - Gregg Jefferies

Lately I have really been struggling to post - I'm sorry to those of you who look here regularly - between The Show, Fantasy Leagues, stress at work and such - really just dont have a lot of motivation. So I will be doing some posts here and there for a while until I get my groove back, but probably not daily until I really get back into the swing - but who knows, that could be Wednesday - we'll just have to wait and see.

The cards I am showing today are more from the bounty that Jim @ GCRL sent over. Below is the Great White Hope Gregg Jefferies. A very talented kid who just happened to be a complete asshole. A Couple of odd ball cards - all of these besides the Score card are new to me. I don't know why - but no matter what happens - I always find myself happy to find a Jefferies as a Met cards. This may be because he does sign cards through the mail (I'll post up my success at some point) so that does make me like him even more! Either way - Gergg went on to have a nice career - but was the never the superstar for us he was supposed to be.

Now, a set that I get cards of every now and again that I wish I was collecting when it came out is this Topps Fan Favorites set. I don't know what it is, but I absolutely love these cards. Does anyone really have info on what this set was all about? I did a quick search a few days ago and didnt find anything out really. But Jim - thank you again - next up will be HoJo!

An Ultra Package from State on the Back

And with this post - I am caught up on incoming packages - So if you are waiting for something from me - (since I am writing this on 3/13) your package should be to you very shortly if not already.

Mark from Stats on the Back was kind enough to send me nearly every card I need for this 91 Fleer Ultra set - I now just need a few of the inserts and a few more base than I am done. Since I did not really know which cards to feature - I figured I would throw some mid air beauties up for the girls over at Dinged Corners.Here is Jose Lind, Jay Bell, and Bill Speiers (2 of the 3 I have gotten autos through the mail of) doing what they did best. Fielding.

And now that these are all put away - I am going to go do what I do best.

Napping.

Take it Easy

Music - Goldfinger

Jeff Comes Through Again

So, a few weeks ago an envelope with a few cards in it comes to my residence. I know just by the handwriting on the return address its from the junkie Jeff Wolfe. I don't know how he does it - but it seems that every few weeks, there are a few more cards knocked off my want list w/o any provocation. He might be the nicest dude out there.

So, I will be sending back some 09 Topps his way as I make my way through the pile - everyone -I'm working on it - had a sick wife for the last 2 days which meant no internetting.

So here are the first 2 cards that were sent over. I figured since he sent 2 Team checklists, 2 Team leaders, and 2 rookies I would pit them against each other. Unfortunately for the Reds here, they are going against my boys, the Metropolitans. I'll just take them left to right and see who wins. I'm going to do this by who I would rather build my team around. I know that there are a few bloggers who may not agree.

Edison Volquez wv. Jose Reyes. Volquez is nice and has crazy upside - but Jose is one of the 3 premier shortstops in the major leagues. I feel like he is the no brainer choice here.

Brandon Phillips vs. David Wright. C;mon... do I have to even say it? Wright by a landslide.

Edwin Encarnacion vs. Carlos Delgado. At least this one an argument can be made - Edwin's upside could someday match a Delgado down year - but he isnt yet the presence in the line up since he k's too often. Delgado it is.
For the team checklists we have 2 former division rivals. We have a slugger who we are about to see if he can make his own way leaving Coors field and entering the cavernous park in Oakland and a young righty who has taken the league by storm. Gun to my head - Lincecum. Bailey will be pleased I'm sure.

Finally we have a few rookies. Michael Bowdon of the Red Sox and Matt Antonelli from the Padres. Without doing much research, I recall Bowdon being a highly touted guy from Boston's system who doesnt really have lights out stuff. Just great control and good cunning. Antonelli shit the bed in his call up last year and good luck hitting in Petco. Bowdon it is.

Thanks Jeff - I'll be working on getting some of those 09 Topps to you stat!

Group Break from the Cheap Seats

So I got myself involved the Dan over at Saints of the Cheap Seats recent group break and this is what I came away with. 2007 ultimate Collection Jose Reyes game used card #'d 18/75. This really is a sweet card - As a Mets fan and B Mets guy - he is another player I will always root for. I will also tell you this story (albeit secondhand).

So here is the deal - This story was told to me and I cannot verify its truthfulness....however, I want to believe its true. So here goes. A buddy of mine's cousin was at one time a Mets farm hand for 1 season back in the early 2000's. I do not recall his name - but one time a bunch of the minor league guys got invited to a party some of the big leaguer's were having, this guy was one of them. They show up to the party with a bunch of guys standing around a pool table. They approach the table and Jose is filling out some girl like an application doggy style on the table with the toothiest grin you've ever seen. Sweet. Thats it. I just get a kick out of thinking about that smile we all see when hes goofing around in the dugout when hes also laying pipe.

while taking Jose out of his bubble mailer - I found something I was afraid I lost in the move - the other 2 cards that Jeff the card junkie sent me! Here are the 2 cards, a Legends of the Game Rogers Hornsby and a Turkey Red of Cole Hamels (see below for hot wife).

As Promised

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

I am a fan of FanofReds - Ie...Chris

So a while back now - geez - its weird to right like saying something happened in the past when it really just happened, bu the post isnt going up until next week).

duh

anyway

Chris from Nachos Grande did me a solid and knocked off some want list goodies. Here they are.

The Iron Man on a classic - yes totally classic Topps design.

Some beautiful Masterpieces. May they rest in pieces.

A bunch of timeline - only hundreds of cards to go!

So this was a nice package - I love when I get to take stuff off my want lists - I only have three more packages to go through now... slow and steady - slow and steady