Trip to the LCS (again), part 2

Besides buying the Pro Debut hobby box, I hunted through the Bowman boxes to fill player collection needs.  I bought some really cool refractors and colored cards!

Player collection:

Cubs:

Royals:

Back to the LCS (again) part 1

I was in the area of town where my local LCS is located.  Topps Series 2 came out and I was hoping to get a hobby box, however, they haven't received their shipment yet.  Instead, I was eyeballing the 2015 Topps Pro Debut last time I was there, and I decided to bite this time.  Topps Series 2 will have to wait.

Cub minor leaguers:

Royals minor leaguers:

Inserts & hobby box hits:

Keury is a wookie!

Blue Jays 2014 #1 Draft Pick

31/50 Giolito

Red cards:  Sisco 3/5 and Ervin 2/5 with an autograph!

Aplin autograph

Fragments of the Farm...Interesting

Gallo Patch

John Farrell

It was about a year ago, I sent a TTM request to John Farrell, manager of the Red Sox.  I read that he had been signing, however, a year later he's too busy.  I received my cards back and a letter and short note saying he's too busy to sign.  I guess he is too busy when he has to check to see if Pablo Sandoval is Instagramming!

John Farrell
Signed 0/2
Sent c/o Red Sox
352 days

Justin Nicolino

Justin Nicolino is currently with the Marlins AAA team in New Orleans.  He's the number 3 prospect in the Marlins system.  I received these cards back in a quick 12 days.  I love the Bowman Platinum!

Justin Nicolino
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o New Orleans Zephyrs
12 days

Trip to the local LCS, part 2

I picked up quite a few player collection needs on my trip, as well as buying the hobby box of Archives.

A few more for the 2015 Topps collection:

Bash Brothers.  I have never seen the McGwire chrome before:

Mets:

Orioles.  My first camo card!

My local LCS guy knows I love the Cubs, because I always leave with at least a handful.  He was nice enough to pull a few Cubs that he had just pulled out of boxes.  One of those Cubs was this sweet Kris Bryant card:

Mike Olt.  He broke his wrist and is currently on the DL.  It will be interesting to see what happens with him when he returns.

Ryne Sandberg.  I had never seen the Fleer mini, the Hot Shots, and the Ultra.

My local LCS loves Bowman, so he always has tons of Bowman singles to go through.  I also picked up several Chrome versions of these cards, as well:

Albert Almora:

Trip to the local LCS, part 1

Every year, I get so excited about Topps Archives.  The last couple of years, I have bought a hobby box, however, I always feel a little disappointed when I open the last pack of the box.  Unfortunately, I felt the same again this year.  Topps only chose 3 designs this year, instead of their usual 4.

Here are some player collection hits:

Token SP (bad scan job by myself):

A subset with 1990 Topps design: 

Other goodies from the hobby box:

I was hoping for the Will Ferrell Cubs card, but Will Ferrell in his catching gear will work, too.

No Purchase Necessary

I always send an envelope to the address on the back of the wrapper for a chance to win a free card (No Purchase Necessary).  I was successful last year, and I received a Donruss card of Erik Johnson.  I received another padded envelope recently and it was another free card.

Gavin currently plays for the Daytona Dragons, the Reds Single A team.

Glenn Hubbard

Glenn Hubbard is currently the bench coach for the Lexington Legends, the Single A team for the Royals.  I have always had a soft spot for 1988 Topps.

Glenn Hubbard
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Lexington Legends
10 days

Kyle Gibson

Kyle Gibson signed a 2013 Topps rookie card for me.  He currently has a 4-4 record, 3.24 ERA.  The Twins are giving the Royals a run for their money in the AL Central this year.

Kyle Gibson
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Minnesota Twins
38 days

Chris Parmelee

Chris Parmelee personalized this card for me.  I sent this to Spring Training, but he sent it back from the Orioles AAA club, the Norfolk Tides.

Chris Parmelee
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Orioles ST
98 days

Darin Erstad

Darin Erstad is the current head baseball coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  He played football and baseball at Nebraska.  He won a football National Championship in 1994.  He was also the number 1 overall pick in the 1995 MLB draft by the Angels.

Darin Erstand
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o University of Nebraska
38 days

 

Luis Gonzalez, part 2

I posted recently about finally receiving my cards back from Luis Gonzalez.  I received my initial request back, however, this was a long wait!

Luis Gonzalez
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Arizona Diamondbacks
1,037 days

Casey Blake

Casey Blake was kind enough to sign my Upper Deck card in 10 days from his home in Iowa.  I mentioned to Casey in my letter memories of the Wichita State baseball team playing in the College World Series in Omaha.  He wrote me a short note back, which is below.  Growing up in Iowa, I remember it seemed like Gene Stephenson took Wichita State to the College World Series every year.  Shortly after receiving this card, his father passed away.  Joe Blake was the pitching coach for the Simpson Storm in Indianola, IA.

Casey Blake
Signed 1/1
Sent c/o Home address
10 days

Joe Blanton

Joe Blanton was assigned to the Omaha Storm Chasers after the Kansas City Royals Spring Training. Joe was called up in May to Kansas City.  He's been pitching well since arriving in Kansas City.  Rumor has it he may be starting for the Royals soon because they just placed Jason Vargus on the DL.

Joe Blanton
Signed 2/2
Sent c/o Royals ST
65 days

David Nied

David Nied was the first pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 1992 Expansion Draft.  I remember when Nied and Nigel Wilson (Marlins first pick of the expansion draft) cards were IT.

David Nied
Signed 3/3
Sent c/o Home address
9 days