Mail from 2x3 Heroes...

A few months back, Jeff over at 2 by 3 Heroes published a post that requested addresses from his followers so that he could send PWEs containing cards of that person's favorite team(s).
It was a few weeks after responding to that post that I received some mail from Jeff, and then I forgot to post about it… (Sorry Jeff!)

However, upon checking the mail the other day, I discovered another one!
Here is what I got this time:

 Washington spent almost 10 years with various MiLB teams before spending about a month at the pro level. Since then he has played in Japan and non-professional leagues. 

He'll go into my non-Topps rookies section. 

I'm still trying to decide how many pages in my player binder to dedicate to Pujols. I feel this one makes the cut, however. 

As far as Ludwick goes... 

Not really sure what to do with him. 

Maybe a "Best of the Number" section...

 Ozzie, Yadi, and Ray will all make it to their respective pages/sections. 

Great looking cards of Cards. 

Cards that are on cards. 

Cards of Cards. 

Cards.

Inception. 

Again, a big thanks to Jeff for the care package!

Glad to see see y'all have been doing well, my A&G post will be short and sweet when it happens. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Staying unabashed and interested, 

-Ruffin

Blogger Trade: NAPKIN DOON!

A few months ago, I saw the blogger known as Napkin Doon issuing out a call for some base cards from 2011 Gypsy Queen. I had given up on completing that particular base set (mere moments beforehand) and immediately informed him that I had the cards he needed.
I got the cards together, took them to work with me so I could mail them on my way home, and then promptly misplaced the package. I still have no clue where in the Prime 9 of collecting hell that those cards disappeared to. So after digging through some boxes, I found duplicates and sent them off to a home where they would be loved, appreciated, and scanned for posterity.

Doon then sent me a prize package, the contents therein I share with you now:

First up, some retail parallels from 2013 S1!

I have to say, the Target reds look really sharp...

But Wal-Mart blue with the red "diamond" makes me think of those powder blue uniforms...

And really Topps? Fuentes?!?! C'mon now...

 Next, we have some international parallels from 2013 Bowman!

Have I mentioned that I LOVE these cards?

I don't think I have...

But I do!

AND I DON"T KNOW WHY!!!!!

And finally, as Sir Doon is often known to do, there was a wax pack waiting to be cracked...

1990 Donruss!

Let's do this!

 I've got show my "cardboard casualty", which isn't as bad as some I've come across...

*I wonder if anyone is crazy enough to build an entire set of cards that are from the back of the pack?

I sure as heck am not going to descend into madness that way, no sir!

 Finally the cards of note out of the pack!

Okay so half those are noteworthy, the two are a Cardinal the brother of guy that was ridiculous on the mound. 

*Also, does anyone collect player cards of coaches for their team? 

You know, pitching coach, hitting coach, manager, etc.

I'm just wondering, cause I've considered it from time to time...

Again, a big THANK YOU to Mr. Doon for sending me this trade package!

Thanks for stopping by folks!

Staying unabashed and interested, 

-Ruffin

I love it when interests come together!

Here's an item that showcases two of my interests, one of which you are already familiar with:

 Batman Adventures #18

Mike Mignola Variant Cover!

*Mignola Trivia: Mike came up with the Mr. Freeze character design that was used in Batman: The Animated Series.

Not only is this a really cool picture, the interior of the comic is in German!

I really like foreign variants of comic books and cards, it's always neat to see what words or phrases you know look like in a language other than your native one. 

Also, this is not my first foreign comic book, I picked up this a few years ago and hope to have it signed by Mr. Mignola at some point: 

Hellboy: Almost Colossus (Part 1 of 2)

This one is in Polish!

Now, to fulfill a promise a made a few many months ago, here is the photobucket of my Mike Mignola Collection! I've still got plenty of books to get, and a little work to do on the album; so keep coming back to check it out! (Now if only the really nice people over at Sports Card Album would add a comic book section...)

*Seriously, if you haven't made a visit to SCA, then I strongly suggest you do so. They're making stuff happen over there!

Thanks for stopping by folks!

Staying unabashed and interested, 

-RUffin

A fantastic mail day!

Sorry to be gone so long folks, it's been a busy few weeks!

That being said, today's mail day was quite good.

First up, there's a birthday gift from my friend Andy over at The Wax Fantastic:

 A sweet, shiny Wainwright relic?

With a stitch on the left side?

WHOOP!

Now to showcase two eBay purchases...

This was one BIN, for less than half of what most are asking for the Miller by itself. 

Now, this next item was something I had been eying for a few weeks; and given recent developments, I had to go ahead and pick it up:

A 2013 MSU team set!

 These are the four Bulldogs that got drafted this year:

Renfroe- Padres (1st)

Frazier- Pirates (6th)

Graveman- Blue Jays (8th)

Girodo- Blue Jays (9th)

This guy will be a senior next year, and I'm looking forward to see what he does:

6'5", 272 lbs. 

Rea was a highly recruited OL out of high school, 

he decided to play baseball instead. 

This fella has made some amazing defensive plays in the CWS. 

Seriously, his footwork is off the chain. 

I have to say, it was great to see three packages in the mail chock-full of keepers.

I hope all of you have been well, I've been enjoying keeping up with the posts. 

Staying unabashed and interested, 

Ruffin

 

Hobby in a half-shell...

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who has brought me 1000+ page views!
I'm grateful for y'all taking the time to stop by.

Now, on to my first completed twitter trade!

My twitter account had lain dormant for years, until I got back into it mainly to keep up with sports stuff.
Very soon thereafter, I started following hobby related accounts.
I'm not sure who followed who (first) but I met a fellow Cardinals fan from across the pond; Andy, author of The Wax Fantastic.(He's also an Orioles fan, but I'm alright with that)
Andy does a great job of keeping up with product reviews, and if you're not following his blog...
Well, I highly recommend it.

I sent some Cardinals his way (you can read the story here), he reciprocated with some cards of another variety:

 

I know you can't tell it from the scans, but all these cards are foil!

This 100-card set has foil parallels, and thanks to Andy; I'm only 9 cards away from completing that set!

(If you have some of these, and want to know which ones I need; check the "Wants" page in the top bar.)

When I was in college I got 100 booster packs for $25, and I've been working on trying to piece the set together ever since. 

Via some forums, I made trades with other collectors in Spain and New Zealand! 

Now I've added the UK to that list, my international stardom is growing! (Thanks Andy!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Staying unabashed and interested, 

-Ruffin

PS- For a record of hits I already have, there is a link on the right-hand side of the blog!

Turtle Power!

Hey. You. Wanna win stuff? I think you do...

So, I'm sure most of you have heard about these Fairfield Caches that can be found around the retail world.

Well, our friend Fuji is offering you a chance to win one that is geared to the team(s) you collect!

How great is that?

I tell ya, it's SUPER great!

All you have to do is head over to his BLOG (that's a link), and follow the instructions to enter!

Have I mentioned that I really like that he's doing monthly contests this time around?
Because I am.

Thanks for stopping by!
Staying unabashed and interested,
-Ruffin

Another trade completed...

Here's another trade recap, this time from Madding over at Cards on Cards!

I sent some 2013 emerald parallels of our favorite team his way, and in appreciation he sent the cards in the picture above.
There were three different packs in the mailer, and a whole flock of Cardinals cards to add to the PC.
Here are some of my favorites...

 I like the "picture-in-picture-in-picture" of Perez. How'd they do it?

I'm always a fan of the dark-blue BP jerseys. I miss them. 

Is that a pitcher at bat? He's bunting? Sounds like a new section in the binder to me!

The "Runnin' Redbirds" card has been featured on Madding's blog. I've wanted it ever since I first saw it, and now I have a copy! HAHAHA!

Oh, and I really like the Busch Stadium card, I wish they'd do those more often. 

(Though with Topps' tendency to re-use pictures, we know how that'd turn out.)

 Another pitcher laying down the bunt?! Oh, the PC lords doth smile on this day!

Psychedelic McGwires will always be welcome in my collection!

This is my first (full-sized) LaRussa card. Looks like the start of a "manger" section of the binder!

The scratch-off reminds me of similar cards I'd find in my elementary school lunches.

Can't complain about die-cuts! Still, it makes me sad we won't see Crown Royale baseball for a while.

Pagnozzi was the catcher I remember most from my younger days, and this card is pretty neat. I gives some Busch II facts, and even recommends the best seat in the house!

A nice team picture to rounds out this presentation, I prefer the modern "action" team shots.

Especially since I think they could've cropped in on this one a little more...

This was a much-appreciated haul, and it'll keep me busy sorting for quite a while!

Thanks for stopping by!

Staying unabashed and interested, 

-Ruffin