Win A Contest, Win A Puig Chrome RC.

I won a "guess what I pulled" contest over at Play at the Plate, and for my prize Brian had me pick between two rack packs. I went with 2013 Topps Chrome. The highlight of my three packs and bonus pack was actually the final card I pulled, and boy is it ever a BIG ONE.

Such a great photo of #ManBearPuig. For a last card, it's hard to beat. Thankfully, I now don't have to chase this beauty, and I've been able to track down a number of Puig rookies on the cheap, which I never thought I would be able to do.

How about an orange refractor with a most excellent Rookie Cup of the best - and yes, most valuable - player in baseball, Mike Trout? Don't mind if I do. This baby was at the top of my bonus pack of orange refractors, which I opened up first.

We'll end it with the other two orange refractors I pulled, both of which feature former Dodgers: Shane Victorino and a RC of Allen Webster. I happened to pull a few other cards of note which will find their way into my collection and into trade packages for you wonderful people.

Thanks Brian!

Trade With Reader Austin: My First Vintage Newcombe, 1951 Bowman Style.

I completed my first trade with Austin, who commented on my post about Jackie Robinson Night earlier this year. In that post, I mentioned that I only had cards of note for two of the three guys on the statue that the Dodgers gave out that night. I was without anything of Don Newcombe, and Austin offered up a sweet vintage Newk. We met up yesterday and made the always enjoyable in-person trade.

It's about time I finally put in some effort to acquire a vintage Newcombe. From 1951 Bowman, it's an amazing piece of cardboard goodness. The picture of Don, the design of 50s Bowman offerings generally-speaking, and the great color make this an amazing addition to my vintage Dodgers' PC.

MIIIIIINNNNIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSS! Night Owl approved, though they're not '75-related. Victorino's face....good lord.

Thanks for the fantastic trade Austin, and it was a pleasure to meet you!

When I Bought This Card, Half Of The Players WERE NOT Dodgers. Oh Look, It's My 200th Kemp!

Matt Kemp cards are getting pricey, so when an affordable one is available, I can't jump on it quickly enough. This particular addition brought along a few friends that are new to my collection and otherwise wouldn't be in it if they weren't sharing a card with The Bison. Oh, it also happens to be my 200th Kemp!

Shane Victorino is a guy I don't hate, like a lot of Dodgers' fans do, but he certainly seems to be an irritant. Oh, and he's been god awful with the bat this year after a career year in 2011. So glad we gave away actual players to acquire him. Yadier Molina's bat, on the other hand, has really perked up in the last year or so and has aided in his 2012 campaign thus far checking in at a 6.5 WAR campaign. If "Gloves" seems like a weird thing for Topps to promote, it's only weird because you're seeing it without the below partner in crime.

Adrian Gonzalez needs to start hitting with some amount of consistency. Preferably in 2013 and beyond. Ryan Zimmerman is a guy I've always liked, and this is my second relic of his. I'm still in need of an auto. Jimmy Rollins....meh. That 2007 MVP should have gone to David Wright. Or any of like six other guys not named Jimmy Rollins.

Back to the title though. Through the magic of Ned Colletti's Bright Ideas, this card went from my favorite Dodger and five dudes to half of these gentlemen donning Dodger Blue. I'm apathetic to the whole trade thing, really.

Regardless, my first true Matt Kemp booklet - and booklet of any kind, with the exception of a mini Kemp/Justin Upton T206 booklet - for the price of a blaster? Yes please, and it's numbered 22/27 to boot. Click to embiggen to get a better look at the whole thing as one, since this card displayed on this blog, in the way I have it set up, just appears far too insignificant. The scan above is the seller's, which is cool, because my concern at the moment is finding a way to both house and display the card at the same time, if at all possible. I feel like I've seen one-touches/screwdowns big enough to hold the card while it's open. I think....