The Ultimate of Mail Days...

Wow, so yesterday was one hell of a mail day! Plus I picked up a blaster of Americana Heroes and Legends while we were out and about... we'll start with the blaster...

While I was hoping for an astronaut relic, I was really excited to get a Tuskegee Airman relic. #ed out of /299, these are a bit tougher to pull and being here in Alabama, it's another unique reminder of our 2+ year stay here. I am only about a dozen cards from a complete set, so if anyone has any base to trade on this set, let me know!

Next up, a big chunk of cards from COMC.com... dang I love this site...

I thought these were the last 4 mini's I needed for my 2012 Mini set (any back, wasn't going for just regular this time). But when I went to page them, I found that my list was wrong and I now have a duplicated Scutaro. So, the Morneau that I actually need is now safely on it's way. That will complete all the cards I'm looking for from the 2012 set, except for the SSP Yu Darvish that I will never get my hands on.

7 more mini's from 2013 Series 1, at this point I only need one more (#41) and I'll be done. I am not quite sure what my motivation is to complete these set, other than the whole, "You started this, now you'll finish it!" mentality. There's no way I'm going this gung-ho on Series 2 or Update... meh...


This is where the real fun begins! Astros!!!!

I got to the point with COMC where I needed base cards to fill my order to 25 cards so I could get free shipping... thus the Clemens, vintage and Berkman base/inserts. Not too shabby.

The Red Schoendiest gets me to 31 autos from 2011 Gypsy Queen... only 12 left to go... this includes 2 that are on their way from eBay! Kranz is a NASA pick up, I have the auto/relic, now I have the relic. Houser is an Astros prospect we may hear from in a couple years. Had to pick up Altuve Triple Threads at the price they were offering. Drabek's auto was one I wanted for a while too! The Fontana is the refractor version of the base auto I already have! 

Here's a card that I had wanted for a while on the site:

Biggio certified auto... these things are hard to come by as he apparently was not a big signer in his playing days or just didn't get asked to do so very often. Either way, this card looks great next to the big jumbo swatch!

Finally, I have to show off my greatest eBAY purchase EVER!!!! The Holy Grail of my collecting goals... the card, as a kid, that I thought was un-obtainable. I drooled over many in card shop display cases and tried to haggle a few at card shows... but finally I have it... I know this is all a little Gollum-ish, but I've waited for SOOOO long to have one of these in hand!

1968 Topps - Card # 177... Mets Future Stars! Jerry Koosman and NOLAN RYAN RC!!!!!

Those who are condition guru's will probably tell me I overpaid and blah blah blah... I don't care, I know it's not in perfect condition, but maybe some day I'll overpay for a graded 10. But for now, this is awesome. I have a card that I couldn't be happier about. Slightly off-center? Yes. Some staining? Yes. Dull Corners? Yes. Prominently displayed in my baseball man-cave. ABSO-FREAKIN'-LUTELY!

20 years ago, as a 12 year old, I would have never dreamed of owning this card. It was $1500 in Beckett! Might as well dream for a Mantle rookie. But alas, the market crashed and this beauty is in my hands for well less than $200. SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!

Opening Day everyone! The Astros are going to shock the world!!!!! I figure a .500 record at the end of the year will shock the world, so that's what I'm hoping for! Have a great day everyone!!!!