Satisfying

Why do I keep flaunting recent ‘trade packages’ when I know interest is limited and opinions will be low, perhaps lower than ever?

A few reasons:

1. Easy content. I admit, it’s an easy post. Maybe that’s why people don’t read. They know I didn’t open a vein.

2. It’s the right thing to do. I’m pretty sure most people who send me cards would like some public recognition. I know from experience that it’s cool to see others write about the cards I send them (and I always try to comment). And it’s better than a thank you email, although that’s welcome too.

3. I am still grateful. Not nearly as many collectors send me cards as they did ten years ago. It could cause someone to walk away: “It’s just not worth it for me to write and write, and the only cards that come my way are the ones I bought.” Maybe now I appreciate it more when people send me cards. But honestly, I’ve always been grateful, whether I get three packs a day or three a month. Someone thought enough to take the time – collect cards that are important to me and wrap them – and spend the shipping costs. I want to write about that.

I’ll start with the best of the rest, which are good, old-fashioned, unmatched cards. I love the Koufax TCMA aliens from the 80s. And the Roki Sasaki Topps Now card is particularly current. The Todd Hollandsworth Laser card isn’t new to me, but the design is terrible for putting into pages – who would have ever thought of putting those light standards on a card? So I could definitely use a replacement.

Ha, another very timely card showing both World Series participants a day before the start of the Fall Classic.

A few IP or TTM signatures. I’ve seen Johnny sending these to other collectors lately. This is my second autographed card for each of these players.

Magazine cards from the late 80s/early 90s are something John has been dealing with a lot lately. I remember when Baseball Cards Magazine first started inserting its own cards into issues in the early 1980s. I thought it was really cool. I’m not that intrigued by it now (that Gibson card is definitely strange), but it’s a nice snapshot of the period.

Of course, night cards! Not the best topic right now with Machado and a guy I don’t expect to like much in the coming days (that would be Scherzer). Machado is the only one who (obviously) has an open door in the night card folder because there is an empty box. The other two will have to fight it out.

Eesh, modern Bowman. Yes…I need this.

CONTINUE!

Here we go, the return of the Gavin Lux cards! I started to worry a little that John was off his game. The map on the right is actually the base map, I think. And I’m not even going to try to explain it because I’ll just confuse myself and everyone else.

Because of my “advanced” collection, it’s often difficult to find basic Dodgers I need. Parallels were ultimately the cards that found their way into the collection and this pack was no exception.

2025 parallels

Topps had the brilliant idea this year to create about 5 or 6 parallels that look essentially the same. It could clear up the confusion by listing what kind there is on the back, or by making the parallels clear, but instead collectors like me have to do some fact-finding and determine which card is “sand glitter” and which is “confetti.” Sometimes I just give up.

2024 parallels

These are more clearly distinguishable from each other and yes, Optic is a parallel – not its own set – I think Panini finally admitted that last year.

2023 parallels

That Rafael Furcal Select card is a wild suit.

2022 parallels

In most cases Topps UK cards are parallels.

Here are some older parallels. As always, I prefer parallels to the color edge.

Johnny also ventured into some non-baseball with some Buffalo sports. The Bills cards work with what I collect: a legend and a current player. Also a signed card of a Sabers mainstay from the 90s/00s.

Johnny and I both love our Wacky’s!! These are early 80’s tributes to the 70’s Wackys that I love so much. I’m not sure what to do with these guys, but they are inspiration for grabbing some original songs I don’t have yet, like “Big Muck.”

That’ll about do it. As usual, quite a few cards were sent along. That wasn’t all, don’t you think?

Here are the dupes. These come just as I do my annual Dodgers dupe box update. Things get confusing when new dupes arrive in the middle. So anyone is welcome to take this off my hands before I embark on that endeavor!

Because I still send cards when I can. There are currently 3 or 4 stacks waiting to be shipped. And of course I have to see if the cards I put aside for Johnny haven’t already been taken by him.

As always, thanks to everyone who sends me cards after all these years. If you see a post about them here, it means I’m grateful.