Trade With Smed's Baseball Card Blog: Piazza, Utley, Kershaw, Carlos Santana, Heyward, 1989 Topps

Scott from Smed's Baseball Card Blog e-mailed me about helping me out with my 1989 Topps set quest. The box of cards I received had a ton of those (43 to be exact), and oh so much more.

Scott knocked off another card from my 2010 Ginter pursuit (a short print!), and sent cards from a ton of players I collect: David Wright, Cole Hamels, Jay Bruce, Tommy Hanson, Roger Clemens, and a pair of sweet Jason Heyward cards. He also included a stack of Dodgers from the '70s through the present, a pair of awesome hits, and enough cards that I've decided to actively collect two new players who I already liked, but had not actively pursued: Chase Utley and Ryan Braun. Both elite and awesome players of course, and ties to the area: Utley is from Southern California, was a 2nd round pick of the Dodgers (but didn't sign - lame) and attended UCLA, while Braun is also a Southern California native and has a ridiculously cool nickname - the Hebrew Hammer. Oddly enough, he is actually not Jewish. But I pretend he is.

First, the hits:

Oooh, pretty striations. My first relic or auto card of Piazza, my favorite player

as a young child. I do have other Piazza memorabilia, but getting a relic or auto

of him in card form was important.

Former 2nd round pick of the Dodgers and a UCLA alum? Score.

Next up, the first card that greeted me upon opening the box of cards Scott sent:

This officially doubles my collection of Carlos Santana cards. And I love each one. If anyone is too heartbroken over his departure to collect his cards, I'll trade ya for 'em.

The rest of the cards:

(Click to embiggen)

Included amongst the cards you see above are:

Kershaw!

A pair of Heywards, always appreciated.

A troika of new Piazzas. It's a Piazza-filled trade!

Hello there, new Dodger Leon. You have quite the beautiful facsimile autograph.

Clearly, I'll need a real auto of you at some point.

There was a #'d Tommy Hanson, nine Brauns and a bunch of Utleys I did not have, some '70s Dodgers. Lots of good stuff. It took me a while to get a return package together - I honestly had no idea what I'd be sending Scott's way - but thankfully I was able to put something together, something that hopefully knocks off a ton of his needs and helps with his set-building ways. Thanks for the great cards Scott, I really appreciate it!

------------------------------------------

And lastly, head on over to Community Gum and enter their contest! Free cards! FREE FREE FREE. If you're a good guesser, they could be yours.