Floating Heads and License Plates: Cards from Royals and Randoms!

Josh over at Royals and Randoms recently had some 2013 Topps trade bait up for grabs, and along with the couple of cards I requested, he sent a boatload of PC needs my way. Check them out!

What a way to start. A Matt Moore floating head for my Moore PC? Fantastic!

I'm learning quickly that the 2012 Triple Play puzzle piece cards, like the Halladay on the bottom here, are going to be the hardest finds. I'd really rather not buy a box if I don't have to, so if you have any of these off my wantlist, let me know! Maybe I can finish this set before the next presidential election.

Some Dale Murphy additions, including a neat oddball Rite Aid card. Any grammar police out there, please tell me: is the apostrophe in MVP's used correctly?

 I've had a couple of people ask me about whether I like Dale Murphy Phillies stuff. I have mixed feelings on them: I don't necessarily "like" them, but that doesn't mean that I won't take them.

Some Chili! Davis is still working as the Oakland A's hitting coach, and is trying to help Cuban OF Yoenis Cespedes this spring training.

I thought this Pinnacle write-up on Davis was pretty interesting...who know Chili Davis was the X-factor for Minnesota? I'll consider it catharsis that I, a Braves fan, collect the supposed player that propelled the Twins to beat my team back in 1991.

Josh also sent me some David Eckstein PC needs - these from his time with the Anaheim Angels.

And another floating head!

This Chipper Jones card reminds me of license plates that I've seen for bicycles - it's about the same size.

These were the two cards that I actually requested from Josh - everything else you've seen was what he generously threw in!

Here's a Chipper floating head...and shoulders.

Finally, a Chipper Jones painting on a modern-day Diamond King. Unlike earlier DK cards illustrated by Dick Perez, this was done by artist David Kramer, who still actively paints today. I wonder how much these baseball cards helped his portfolio...

Thanks so much to Josh for the cards!

Cards from Wes and CONTEST!

I think it's about time for a trade post. Contest too? Sure. Big 44 Sports Cards is throwing up a couple of jersey swatches: a Justin Upton relic and a Troy Tulowitzki card. There are lots of Tulo fans out there, right? Check it out: http://big44cards.blogspot.ca/2014/02/contest-tulo-and-j-upton-jerseys-up-for.html

Also, I'm currently vicariously living through the blog pack breaks of 2014 Topps. Anyone who has some extra Braves to throw my way, hook me up, as I really need to take a good crack at my 11-year-old 2003 Topps set wantlist before I get collecting this new-fangled stuff.

Wes of the great blog Fantastic Catch has probably sent me more card packages than any other blogger in my short time writing in this space. He did a great job recently with hooking me up with some new PC and Braves cards. Check these out:

First, some PC additions. Matt Moore is slated to be the number 3 in the Rays' pitching rotation, a strong option now that Jeremy Hellickson is out for the first few weeks. Chili Davis will enter his 4th season as the Oakland A's hitting coach this spring training; it seems he's doing mighty fine, as the A's ranked third in the AL in hitting last season.

 Some nice Bowman additions, including a gold Kris Medlen.

Here's Juan Francisco, now in Milwaukee, on a card from that Silver Slate Blue Sparkle Wrapper Redemption thing Topps did last year. Does anyone know of similar 2014 Topps plans?

Some 1963 Topps copycats, one from the Cards your mom threw out, and one from last year's Heritage rendition. By now I think probably everyone knows 2014 Heritage will have autos from Keith Olbermann included in the set...do we like this?

Some nice Walmart Blues from last year's Topps Series One. These look fantastic, and actually scanned pretty well. (What is this madness?)

Some nice 2011 Topps Chromes. These guys just got some nice new contracts, as the Braves outdid their mega-contract with B. J. Upton last season by signing Freeman an 8-year, $135 Million dollar deal, then signed Heyward for 13.3 Mil over two years.

Lastly, some nice Chippas, PC adds all. I love seeing some recent inserts, like that Superstar Celebrations card.

Wes included a great note with the package. To him, I say thanks so much for the cards and support! Till next post...

Having some fun, Lewis Carroll-style!

The time has come, good Chipper said,
To talk of many things:

Of farewell tours, and hunting-trips;
Of futures of the teams;

And why this background's maelstrom-like,

And whether Klesko [ate] too many wings.

"But wait a bit!!!" Bo Jackson cried,
"Before we have our chat;

For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!"

"No hurry!" said then Larry Wayne.

They thanked him much for that.

"A loaf of bread," Dale Murphy said,

"Is what we chiefly need:

Though it's no better than a Diamond

Skills entry card, indeed--

Now if you're ready, Chili dear,

We can begin to feed."

Hey, you didn't really expect anything to do with Carroll to make any sense, did you? Oh well. I had fun with it regardless.

These cards were from reader Scott in a recent trade. Scott doesn't have a blog, but is a Marlins fan, and so finding some cards to send his way was not *too* difficult. Thanks a million Scott!