Long Overdue Thanks To My BB4L!

Dennis from Too Many Verlanders fame sent along a great package of cardboard and non-cardboard during the holidays. Yes, I'm slow and well behind on things but I wanted to properly thank him for the awesome stuff he sent along.

Brand new additions to my Kemp, Kershaw, and Martin PCs kick things off.

Another new Mattycakes, who is matched with Martin and PTSIA favorite Chad Billingsley as well as old friend Hiroki Kuroda. Four Angels' swatches are on the back, but I wasn't wasting my time scanning in Halos. The most notable would be Long Beach State Dirtbag Jered Weaver and former Dodger Howie Kendrick. It's numbered 154/200.

A sweet quad relic, numbered 22/50, popped out next. Most notable among the Ducks are Hampus Lindholm and Emerson Etem, whom I saw drafted in-person and used to collect heavily.

The final card I scanned in features Dodger and Bruin Chase Utley. It's a gold parallel numbered 0297/2016 out of 2016 Topps Series 1 and I love that Chase is ending his career where it could have begun had he signed rather than choosing the collegiate route.

Thanks BB4L!!

Do You Need These Player Lots?

I've got many lots of hits/rookies/inserts/randomness of a number of guys I'm ready to move. If you see any names you're interested in, please let me know and I'll be in contact to see if we can work out a deal.

- Evan Longoria
- Troy Tulowitzki
- Ryan Braun
- Jered Weaver
- Jason Heyward
- Chad Billingsley
- Alex Gordon
- Jay Bruce
- Danny Espinosa

There are probably a few others so ask if you need anything.

All The Billingsleys Your Heart Could Desire: Chavez Ravining Loot Part 2

Here's the next installment of "stuff I bought from Chavez Ravining last year." Today's post will have a very distinct theme to it: long-time PTSIA favorite and underrated Dodger Chad Billingsley.

First up, five autos including a really cool in-person auto on a 2006 Fleer Blue Chip Prospects card. I remember Alex posting the card and I was captivated immediately. It looks like it's certified until you have it in-hand which is a cool touch and a credit to Fleer, really. The dual with Jon Meloan is numbered out of 35.

Jersey cards are still cool to me most of the time. I don't really chase them but I still find enjoyment in adding them to my various collections when the opportunity presents itself. Top left is /35 and top right is /50.

There was a small chunk of Bills base. My favorites are above. I feel like there are not nearly enough rosin bag-related shots of pitchers. Maybe. Maybe.

Finally, I'm sneaking in a pair of Hyun-Jin Ryu rookies. Because he's awesome.

Thanks Alex!

Trade With Nachos Grande: Chipping Away At My Plethora Of Set Needs

I completed my fourth trade with the legendary Chris from Nachos Grande. You can check out the first here, second here, and third here. Chris always has Ginter to spare and I've made a concerted effort to finish off the numerous A&G sets I'm still somehow working on. Chris, as always, did not disappoint.

Chris sent 26 needs, all from 2015, and in the process completed my Great Scott! insert set. He also included a 2011 Gypsy Queen I needed (Buster Posey, # 94).

Chris included some extras, highlighted by a cool Konerko and these custom Munnatawket Ginter-like minis his friend makes.

Thanks Chris!

Trade With My Cardboard Mistress: 38 Big Allen & Ginter Needs Are No More!

I completed my eighth trade with Adam of My Cardboard Mistress fame. You can check out our first trade here, second here, third here, fourth here, fifth here, sixth here, and seventh here. Adam has been one of my favorite trading partners and one of the best I've ever dealt with, but shockingly it's been almost two years since we've swapped cardboard.

I decided to change that after realizing I had a nice stack of cards set aside for him. I contacted Adam looking to see if he had any of my remaining Ginter set needs and thankfully he had a bunch he was willing to send my way. Adam was able to knock off 38 cards from my '13-'14 lists, including 5 subsets.

The three cards scanned in also found their way to me. That Tulo boxloader is a thing of beauty. I remain perhaps the only Dodgers' fan that loved Chad Billingsley, and the Kuroda 10th Anniversary parallel is pretty nifty.

Adam also tossed in a cool Dodgers' Hot Wheels truck. Thanks amigo!

2009 UD Baseball Signature Stars Trios Triple Auto: Kemp, Billingsley, McDonald

I secured the below triple auto featuring former Dodgers Matt Kemp, Chad Billingsley, and James McDonald for a very reasonable price. It's my newest Bison.

#'d 18/30, it hails from the Trios subset of 2009 UD Baseball Signature Stars.

Massive 4th Place Contest Winnings From The Legendary Fuji!

Fuji held a massive contest earlier this year and when the dust settled I found myself in fourth place, which in this case meant a prize package would head my way. Here's a handful of the cardboard that found its way to Southern California.

The hits, highlighted by a sweet Eric Gagne relic.

A new Kemp, a new Kershaw, and a new Russ Martin. The Martin serves as the 300th unique card in my PC of the former Blue Crew backstop.

Now here's an interesting card. Night Owl has written on many an occasion about people sending him Royals' cards because they thought they were Dodgers' cards, what with the Blue and all. Well, here's a case where it falls on the shoulders of the card company to have gotten the darn thing right. I pulled this out of the bubbler and said hmmm, I don't recall there being a prospect named Salvador Perez in the L.A. system. Because, you know, there isn't. It's Sal Perez, the Kansas City backstop who's a fantastic young player. Anyways, I quite like the card even though it erroneously says Dodgers on the front while the back does say Royals.

Some randomness to end things. Love the Billingsley rookie; lots and lots of Jered Weaver which just further emphasizes that Topps reuses the same photo over and over (Topps Chrome, top middle); Kirk and Orel are welcome sights; that Piazza is nails; and so many talented arms in recent years.

Thanks as always Fuji for your generosity!

Trade With ARPSmith's Sportscard Obsession: Chad Billingsley Was More Dominant Than People Think.

I completed my second trade with Adam from ARPSmith's Sportscard Obsession. Adam pulled a beautiful card numbered 10/10 from the Elite Dominator subset of 2014 Donruss Baseball. I inquired and thankfully we were able to work out a great deal. It helps to be the only serious Chad Billingsley collector in the blogging world.

The main crux of what is headed Adam's way is a Matt Cain autograph I traded for a while back. I enjoyed it for a time but like many cards I acquire simply because I "like them," it wound up sitting in a box and rarely saw the light of day. Adam will appreciate it far more than I ever could, and I greatly appreciate his willingness to part with this fantastic addition to my Chad Billingsley PC.

Thanks Adam!

Trade With The Dutch Card Guy: The Sickest Kershaw, Joc Pederson's Auto, and I WANT YOUR GINTER.

I completed my first trade with Jeroen from The Dutch Card Guy. After winning a card in a contest he held, I took a look at his trade bait and a number of Dodger goodies jumped out at me. We worked out a great deal which allowed me to add these beauts to my collection.

Kid K! It may be hard to see, but this beautiful patch/triple bat Quad Relic from 2013 Topps Museum Collection is numbered 22/25. Yes, that would be 22 as in Clayton's uniform number. I would have wanted the card anyways because, well, look at it, but the numbering did make it a tad more appealing.

Joc! The above REF RC auto, numbered 002/500, is my first hit of the Dodgers' top outfield prospect. I still think there's a fairly good chance Pederson is dealt before ever playing in a major league game with the club, but no matter what transpires, I'm glad to finally own his John Hancock after a few failed eBay attempts.

A brand new Russell Martin is up next. It's so nice of Upper Deck to put "CATCHER" in bold print, as I never would have guessed from the picture alone.

A bunch of random Dodgers were included, and I scanned in my favorites. The Kirk Gibson is of course legendary and spectacular.

Finally, Jeroen also knocked off six Across The Years I needed for my 2013 Allen & Ginter quest. I would love to finish off all of my Ginter needs soon, so if anyone has what I need please let me know and we'll work out a trade.

Thanks for the fantastic trade amigo!

It's Super Bowl Sunday, So Of Course I'm Posting Baseball and Hockey Cards.

It's Super Bowl time everyone! I'm looking forward to what should be a great game. With that in mind, I went the baseball and hockey route for today's post. Both pickups were cheap gets from my former LCS's eBay store.

First up, Chad Billingsley and James Loney are joined by former D-Backs Randy Johnson and Conor Jackson. Quad relics are just damn fine cards.

This is my third Kyle Palmieri auto, if I'm not mistaken. It's numbered 951/999, is an on-card John Hancock, and was a cool 99 cents. Palmieri got under Jonathan Quick's skin at the Stadium Series game at Dodger Stadium as Quick overreacted to contact initiated by one of the King goalie's own teammates; it was quite interesting to see in-person. I like Kyle's game and was happy to add another one of his signatures for the paltry sum it ran me.

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Don't forget to enter into Chavez Ravining's contest to follow Dodger Penguin and get him to 50 followers!

Trade With My Cardboard Habit: Die-Cut Puig RC, Blue Kershaw, C-Bills, Ginter.

I completed my second trade with Judson from My Cardboard Habit. Judson hit a number of my collecting interests with the bubblers that came my way, but I'm starting with a couple of items that arrived which were not part of the trade.

Yasiel! This arrived in a mysterious box which has a special purpose and will make its way through this stop and on to many more. In regards to the card, what can I say other than die-cut #ManBearPuig RC is pretty damn hard to top.

Although this might just do it. A fantastic action shot, a blue chrome parallel, and Kid K! That's a winning combination if I've ever seen one. It's numbered 157/250 and is a fantastic add to my Kersh Collection.

If you've been reading the blog for any length of time, you know how much I love Chad Billingsley. I'm happy to add to my Bills PC which hasn't seen anything new in a while, and the relic being a Ginter relic is even better.

#ManBearSeag! New Seagers are always welcome in my house. I already have the Kemp but couldn't help scanning it again as it's one of my favorites.

These patch reprints were also found in the mystery box and have that silk touch to them. Judson also sent along 13 new additions to my 2013 Allen & Ginter Quest.

Thanks for another great trade and the mysterious extras Judson, I appreciate it! I'm working on putting together a killer return package!

Gint-A-Cuffs V: The Results (Featuring MY BEST PULL EVER)

A big thanks once again to my parents for giving me the box for my birthday. It's my third time participating in Gint-A-Cuffs, but it certainly won't be my last. I prefer full-box recaps, so let's get to it.

I'll be putting together the Base Set, SPs included, as well as these inserts: Martial Mastery, Heavy Hangs The Head, Across The Years, Civilizations of Ages Past, One Little Corner, Curious Cases, Palaces & Strongholds, Peacemakers, Inquiring Minds, The First Americans, Famous Finds, and Codes, Ciphers, and Cryptographs.

What I need from 2013 Ginter can be found here.

Gint-A-Cuffs V is officially underway.

Boxtopper: WOW-21 Wonders of The World: Victoria Falls (+5 Wonders of the World)

Running Total: 5

Pack 1:

275 Josh Beckett (+1 FT)
10 Sandy Koufax (+1 FT)
213 Jim Bunning
263 Ralph Kiner
289 Edinson Volquez
OLC-NPT One Little Corner: Neptune (+3 One Little Corner)
267 Grand Central Terminal Mini
327 Yogi Berra SP (-1 Yankee, +2 SP = +1)
Ginter Promotional Colin In Time

Pack Total: 6
Running Total: 11

Pack 2:

117 Penny Marshall (+1 Penny Marshall)
RIP-104 Warren Spahn/Phil Niekro Double-RIP Card, #'d 01/10 (+35 Double RIP Card)
29 Jordan Zimmermann Mini
ATY-JHY Across The Years: Jason Heyward (+2 ATY, +2 OFP = +4)

I was absolutely set on selling it for the longest time after pulling it, but I eventually broke down and ripped both sides. Here's what I ended up with:

 

 

370 Jered Weaver EXT Mini (+10 Card in RIP, +5 EXT Mini = +15)
355 Justin Verlander EXT Mini (+10 Card in RIP, +5 EXT Mini = +15)

Pack Total: 70
Running Total: 81

Pack 3:

193 Josh Hamilton (+2 OFP)
73 Tim Hudson
166 Jim Johnson
40 Will Middlebrooks
233 Starlin Castro
MM-VK Martial Mastery: Vikings (+3 Martial Mastery)
279 Gio Gonzalez Mini A&G Back (+2 A&G Back Mini)
318 Eric Hosmer SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 9
Running Total: 90

Pack 4:

226 Willie Stargell
186 Andy Pettitte (-1 Yankee)
247 Ryan Howard (+2 OFP)
284 Will Clark
97 Tony Gwynn, Sr. (+2 OFP)
81 Al Kaline
334 Russell Martin SP Mini (+3 SP Mini)
ATY-MM Across The Years: Manny Machado (+2 ATY)

Pack Total: 8
Running Total: 98

Pack 5:

156 Jurickson Profar RC
191 Bryce Harper (+2 OFP)
184 Mike Joy
212 Barry Melrose
175 Monty Hall
PS-LC Palaces & Strongholds: Leeds Castle (+3 Palaces & Strongholds)
HHH-QE Heavy Hangs The Head: Queen Elizabeth (+3 Heavy Hangs The Head)
309 Mat Latos SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 10
Running Total: 108

Pack 6:

122 Jay Bruce
22 Bob Feller
127 Doug Fister
178 Carlos Gonzalez
19 Bobby Doerr
290 Eddie Murray
279 Gio Gonzalez Mini
ATY-RS Across The Years: Ryne Sandberg (+2 ATY)

Pack Total: 2
Running Total: 110

Pack 7:

174 Nate Eovaldi
196 Josh Willingham
75 Lou Gehrig (-1 Yankee)
53 Mark Teixeira (-1 Yankee)
137 Pedro Alvarez
CAP-OL Civilizations of Ages Past: Olmecs (+3 Civilizations of Ages Past)
116 Lindsey Vonn Mini Black-Border (+3 Black Border Mini)
304 Freddie Freeman SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 6
Running Total: 116

Pack 8:

243 Jason Dufner
219 Freddie Roach
68 Chrissy Teigen
299 Ryan Zimmerman
46 Colby Rasmus
18 Matt Harrison
57 Mike Olt RC Mini A&G Back (+2 A&G Back Mini)
ATY-TT Across The Years: Troy Tulowitzki (+2 ATY)

Pack Total: 4
Running Total: 120

Pack 9:

171 Chad Billingsley (+1 FT)
138 Anibal Sanchez
92 Paco Rodriguez RC (+1 FT)
111 Corey Hart
110 Daniel Murphy
287 Bill Mazeroski
112 Ziggy Marley Mini
ATY-BRT Across The Years: Babe Ruth (-1 Yankee, +2 ATY = +1)

Pack Total: 3
Running Total: 123

Pack 10:

51 Jason Kipnis
1 Miguel Cabrera
155 Austin Jackson
214 Alexei Ramirez
188 Bill Buckner
OLC-MN One Little Corner: Moon (+3 One Little Corner)
HHH-AUG Heavy Hangs The Head: Augustus (+3 Heavy Hangs The Head)
347 Stephen Strasburg SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 8
Running Total: 131

Pack 11:

160 Brian McCann
182 Cody Ross
84 Jason Vargas
293 Jim Palmer
AGR-DA Dustin Ackley Jersey Relic (Blue Swatch) (+10 Relic Card)
45 Shawn Nadelen Mini
ATY-LG Across The Years: Lou Gehrig (-1 Yankee, +2 ATY = +1)

Pack Total: 11
Running Total: 142

Pack 12:

99 Barry Zito
269 Tom Seaver
280 Kendrys Morales
52 Scott Diamond
86 Warren Spahn
MM-AMZ Martial Mastery: Amazons (+3 Martial Mastery)
PM-BC Peacemakers: Bill Clinton (+3 Peacemakers)
341 Ozzie Smith SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 8
Running Total: 150

Pack 13:

115 Stan Musial
189 David Freese
6 Chanel Iman
100 Bill Walton
176 Abe Vigoda (+1 Vigoda)
112 Ziggy Marley
223 Matthew Berry Mini
ATY-SKX Across The Years: Sandy Koufax (+2 ATY, +1 FT = +3)

Pack Total: 4
Running Total: 154

Pack 14:

264 Adam Dunn
218 Zack Cozart
109 Asdrubal Cabrera
32 Aaron Hill
203 Adam Eaton
PS-NC Palaces & Strongholds: Neuschwanstein Castle (+3 Palaces & Strongholds)
277 Paul Goldschmidt Mini Black-Border (+3 Black Border Mini)
345 Melky Cabrera SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 8
Running Total: 162

Pack 15:

222 Andre Ethier (+1 FT)
273 Alcides Escobar
261 Dwight Gooden
134 Roy Halladay
142 Garrett Jones
241 Matt Cain
267 Grand Central Terminal Mini A&G Back (+2 A&G Back Mini)
ATY-JMT Across The Years: Jesus Montero (+2 ATY)

Pack Total: 5
Running Total: 167

Pack 16:

85 Phil Heath
223 Matthew Berry
33 Nana Meriweather
27 Shelby Miller RC
298 Evan Longoria
CAP-MY Civilizations of Ages Past: Mayans (+3 Civilizations of Ages Past)
243 Jason Dufner Mini
332 Cole Hamels SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 5
Running Total: 172

Pack 17:

252 Catfish Hunter
143 Mike Schmidt
101 Yonder Alonso
80 Willie McCovey
AGR-AW Adam Wainwright Jersey Relic (White Swatch) (+10 Relic Card)
Bill Walton Mini No # (+2 Walton #100 Mini, +11 No # Mini = +13)
ATY-SP Across The Years: Salvador Perez (+2 ATY)

Pack Total: 25
Running Total: 197

Pack 18:

180 Nik Wallenda
116 Lindsey Vonn
17 Roy Jones, Jr.
254 Lou Brock
23 Adrian Beltre
MM-AP Martial Mastery: Apache (+3 Martial Mastery)
42 Jackie Robinson Mini Black Border (+1 Mini FT, +3 Black Border Mini = +4)
333 John Kruk SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 9
Running Total: 206

Pack 19:

288 Chris Davis
239 Craig Kimbrel
129 Miguel Montero
253 Mark Trumbo
132 Ryne Sandberg
58 Shin-Soo Choo
223 Matthew Berry Mini A&G Back (+2 A&G Back Mini)
ATY-YD Across The Years: Yu Darvish (+2 ATY)

Pack Total: 4
Running Total: 210

Pack 20:

173 Coco Crisp
28 Paul O'Neill (-1 Yankee)
121 Hiroki Kuroda (-1 Yankee)
126 Jon Niese
238 Ryan Braun
PS-SP Palaces & Strongholds: Summer Palace (+3 Palaces & Strongholds)
85 Phil Heath Mini
324 Justin Morneau SP (+2 SP)
Ginter Promotional Colin In Time

Pack Total: 3
Running Total: 213

Pack 21:

245 Mark Buehrle
154 Mike Morse
179 Bonnie Bernstein
300 Bud Selig (-1 Selig)
185 Guillaume Robert-Demolaize
152 Anthony Rendon RC
IM-HA Inquiring Minds: Hannah Arendt (+3 Inquiring Minds)
ATY-KGR Across The Years: Ken Griffey, Jr. (+2 ATY)

Pack Total: 4
Running Total: 217

Pack 22:

240 Mike Leake
207 Troy Tulowitzki
144 Torii Hunter
181 Wade Boggs
54 B.J. Upton
CAP-SD Civilization of Ages Past: Shang Dynasty (+3 Civilizations of Ages Past)
333 John Kruk Mini SP (+3 SP Mini)
316 Hal Newhouser SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 8
Running Total: 225

Pack 23:

234 Death Valley
130 Pele (thicker card stock, blue tint, text on back)
279 Gio Gonzalez
24 Anthony Gose
190 David Murphy
OLC-SD One Little Corner: Scattered Disc (+3 One Little Corner)
243 Jason Dufner Mini A&G Back (+2 A&G Back Mini)
307 Darwin Barney SP (+2 SP)

Pack Total: 7
Running Total: 232

Pack 24:

258 Billy Williams
294 Johnny Cueto
107 Trevor Bauer (+2 OFP)
183 Ryan Ludwick
76 Jim Abbott
69 Jake Peavy
HHH-CLE Heavy Hangs The Head: Cleopatra (+3 Heavy Hangs The Head)
ATY-GG Across The Years: Gio Gonzalez (+2 ATY)

Pack Total: 7
Running Total: 239

All of the above yields: 239 points. This is easily the best I've done in my three years participating in Gint-A-Cuffs.

Final Score: 239 points