The mission for the weekend was to sort cards and I have been doing it like crazy. I have scanned over 200 cards today so far. Many of them are for a Pack to be Named Later where I am keeping my pledge to post often, but some are trades that I do plan on posting before the World Series.
I have posted a few cards from this super generous collector before, but here are a few more from Jacobmrley. He was one of the ultra super kind collectors who sent me tons of cards after I posted regarding the loss of some of my collection. His contribution was super cool because he also included a two-page letter explaining a similar ordeal that he had gone through personally. I think everybody has "bought a $2,000.00 roll of tape" at some point in their life, but his story really helped me get back on the horse. The stack of Rays he sent was extensive and uber-generous. Here are a few samples of his kindness which are currently being sorted into the appropriate binders on sorting day... I tried to limit the giant stack of cards into just the best, but there is still a lot here and I have already posted a bunch of stuff from him before. Are you ready? Here goes! The first cards I am going to show off are a trio of Rocco Baldelis.
First up is a 2004 Fleer Ultra Performer, card #UP/RB with a white jersey swatch on it. Now that Rocco is somewhat retired, I am getting more into collecting his Rays cards. This one is serial numbered 062/500.
The next Rocco is a 2004 Fleer Skybox Autographics. It isn't actually autographed, but does have a low serial number of 083/150.
The final Rocco I am going to show off has the lowest serial number of the bunch. It is from 2008 Topps, the black parallel. This is my FIRST black parallel. I am a big fan of Topps flagship series, I love collecting the base, I chase the golds and I have always wanted a black. This is card #464 and is serial numbered 23/57.
I have since got a few more black parallels and am on a mission to get EVERY Crawford and Bartlett out there. The next card comes from 1998 Upper Deck, it is card #6 of original Devil Rays infielder Bobby Smith.
I initially scanned this card because it lists his name as Robert Smith, like the singer from the Cure. That made me chuckle. When I put this card on the scanner I noticed it was serial numbered, too. This card is a parallel of some sort and it is numbered 084/100. Back in the 90s they numbered cards to 10,000 so finding a card from '98 that is numbered to 100 is pretty awesome. From '98 up till '08 this next card is from 2008 Bowman of 6th round pick Shane Dyer.
Dyer is playing for my favorite minor league team, the Port Charlotte Stone Crabs. He is 2-1 in 3 starts for the Crabs this season. Did I mention I love X Fractors? I love refractors, too. I imagine that I would really love superfractors, but probably not enough to drop 16K on one. The Dyer card is numbered 032/199. I think that every card Mr. Mrley sent me was serial numbered... I am realizing that I still have quite a few more cards I wanted to post from him, but its almost time to leave for work, so I will end this post with a pair of BJ Upton cards. I will save the Crawfords, Penas and Longorias for tomorrow. First up is a weird one from 2005 Donruss Playoff.
It is weird because it isn't a normal card, I think it's a game piece of some sort, but it has a really low serial number on it and a classy looking design. The card is #PG-89 and the serial number on the front reads 33/45. Nice.
The last Upton card and final card of this post is from 2005 Fleer Patchworks. I have quite a few of this card already, but none of mine are numbered. This one is. The back of the card mentions Upton's MLB debut against Boston on 8/2/2004. He was 1-3 with a walk and a run scored. Right below that is the number 91/99. SWEET!
The only thing is I can't really tell the difference between this card and the non-numbered version. Okay, today's post ends here.After looking at all these great scans of tough pulls and serial numbered cards I can't believe that one person sent me all of this. If I got confused and mixed up stuff that someone else sent me, I am really sorry and PLEASE let me know. Otherwise,
Jacobmrley, I owe you a HUGE DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS!!! Thanks so much! Go Rays! troll out.
No, Izturis wasn't actually traded again. 6 teams in 7 years is enough for him for now... The title is somewhat relevant though. Since your here anyway, read on...Scouring the other blogs you see a lot of folks writing about Topps Series 2. I think most everyone has finished or forgotten about Series 1. I have yet to rip any Series 2. The main reason is that I am pretty broke right now, but also because I wanted to finish off Series 1. I moved through S1 pretty quickly thanks to my fellow bloggers who annihilated my want lists. I declared my set complete long before any of the cards had arrived. When the dust settled, everything arrived and I finally got a binder and some pages for the set I realized that I was one card short. A bunch of people commented that they had card #78 and offered to send it over. I took it off of my list, but the card never came. A few months have passed by with me sitting one-card short of finishing the set. Anyway, Cam from Collectable Cards wrote to me and said he had that elusive card. I told him I had heard that before, but was getting pessimistic about actually getting it. He promised he had the card and would send it and I got together a few cards from his list. 
I told him all I really wanted was that one card. Anyway, I guess he was pretty happy with what I had sent him because he did send me my most wanted card and a bunch of other stuff I needed. The most famous trade that journey man infielder Cesar Izturis was ever involved in was in 2006 when the Dodgers sent him to Chicago for 300+ game winner Greg Maddux. Our trade wasn’t as epic, but Cesar Izturis is all mine and that wasn’t all I got. I am thrilled to have the book (binder) closed on this set. I owe a huge thanks to Cam for hooking it up! He took some other shots at my want lists, too. I am time deficient right now, so I will only show a couple cards. He sent card #55 of Josh Beckett from 2008 Allen and Ginter. 
That was another set where my want list progress didn’t match reality. I thought it was done as well, but it turns out I was 12 cards short. Now I am just 8 cards away. If you have #43 of Rickie Weeks, 83 Kobayashi, 95 Garrett Atkins, 238 Todd Clever, 305 Randy Johnson, 315 Tom Glavine, 318 Andre Ethier or 341 of Ty Wiggington, let me know please! 
Cam also sent 14 cards I needed for 2010 Topps Heritage including this short print, card #464 of Albert Pujols. He hooked up a new card for Joe Kennedy personal collection-this card, #328 from 2005 Donruss Champions. 
I will end this post with another new card from 2010 Topps Turkey Red, card #TR9 of Josh Johnson. 
I will try and post the other gems he sent soon. Thanks so much to Cam from the Collectable Cards blog for finishing off my 2010 TS1 set!!! More thanks for all of the bonuses! I have quite a few completed pages and many great trades to post, plus I have that Carl Crawford contest to start, so stay tuned. I love this hobby!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Rays! Troll out.
I was going to wait until I had the set finished, but I want to get these posted before they win the 2010 Pennant! I still need a couple players to finish this. The list is getting smaller, but I do still need Gabe Gross, JP Howell, Cliff Floyd and Erik Hinske. 
I thought I would start with Carlos Pena. I own several autographs of his, but this is the first one in a Rays uniform. I suppose this will be post 1 of 25. The card is a 2008 Topps Moments and Milestones, card #MA-CP celebrating Pena's winning of the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award. Go Rays! troll out.
When and if I get the 4th one, expect a LONG and drawn out post about the mechanics of printing and methods of printing with metal plates. 
Something to look forward to? If anyone knows the whereabouts of the magenta plate, let me know please. Go Rays! Troll out.
Here is another piece to my Carl Crawford 2007 Topps Rainbow Collection. A Topps Chrome RED Refractor, numbered to 99. I have never pulled a refractor of my favorite team from a pack and the 2008 Hunter Pence black Heritage refractor I yanked two years ago still stands as the only limited refractor I have ever pulled. I really don't care if I ever pull one honestly. This is a new favorite card of mine and it shipped to me for the same price as a hobby pack of 2010 Heritage. Awesome. I have seen it as a BIN in the 10 and 20 dollar range, but I only bid on actual auctions and I got a STEAL (ha!) on this one. Incidentally the Perfect Storm is having a pretty year so far. 
He is a three time All Star, won the games MVP last year and it looks like he has a shot to start this year. I haven't even cast my 20 votes yet! I think this card will be this weeks blog header, I REALLY like it... By the way... I am ripping and scanning cards for a Pack to be Named Later and I have a question. I have two unopend rack packs. This one of '87 Topps and an '89 Fleer. I hate to rip something I have kept sealed for so long. Does anyone want them to save? 
I will trade either one for any single card from my wantlists or for a 2007 Carl Crawford Platinum... Go Rays! Troll out.
This is picked from one of the 2 two-hundred card count boxes that reader Noah from New York sent my way. 
I didn't even realize that these rookie cup cards were available in different flavors. I have had the base for a while, but now I have 4 colors of the rainbow. I would assume that there are more and naturally greed has taken over and I want them all. 
For now I am pretty happy with these 4. 
Another big group of cards he sent were these 6 different 2005 Donruss Crowning Moment cards. I remember when you had to be a legitimate star to have Dick Perez immortalize you in a Diamond King painting. I love all these players, but some of them are far from being Diamond Kings, at least Joey Gaithright is... The illustrations are really nice though and I really like this set. 
None of these were painted by Dick Perez, but by artists like Ron Adair who did Brazelton and Baldelli and Ron Stark who did Scott Kazmir. 
Now I am curious if Carl Crawford or Jonny Gomes appear in this set. 
If they do, I need 'em! Thanks so much for the great stuff Noah! 
I look forward to posting up the other goodies. Oh, the Carl Crawford related contest WILL happen. I will list the rules of engagement and prizes this weekend. Oh, as an end note. A few readers, most recently Ted, have sent me cards toward the forgotten 
Go Rays! troll out.
I have the base card, the retro card and now I have my first 1 of 1. The black printing plate arrived today. A gift to myself, from myself. I think I deserve it. I never really cared for printing plates much and I still don't, but when I get a crazy hair up my.... I just have to go with it. 100% Bowman domination is the mission, this is step one. 
Oh, I am planning a contest that involves my Crawford collection and as I think of prizes I am considering offering a Crawford rookie and a Crawford certified auto. Would anyone be interested in these as prizes? Just checking. Thanks for reading. If you have 2010 Bowman Crawford cards, send them to the Troll! Go Rays! Troll out!
My want list is up to date. Thanks for reading. Go Rays! troll out. 
