Recently Acquired Phillies for Your Aesthetic Enjoyment

Sadly I sit here, all hope for the post season lost, sifting through cards. That's almost a lie; I couldn't tell you the exact moment I lost hope in a postseason, but it sure as heck wasn't too recent. Anyway, after two days of being sick, I think I've successfully infected every other person in the house. At this moment all other humans in the vicinity are taking a nap or watching cartoons, which means I should have about 15 minutes to update this poor excuse for a blog before someone needs something.

A few new cards have recently fallen into my possession. Really, you'd think it would be impossible to impulse buy via the internet. I mean, there is plenty of time with which to rethink a purchase. That being said, I am the Queen of internet impulse buying. That's how these cards came into my possession.

2013 Topps #26B Chase Utley SP

2013 Topps #6B Ryan Howard SP

Can I just say that I hate this "short print variation" garbage? As a collector on a budget, it usually means more cards that won't see the light of my collection as I typically don't have the money to buy a bajillion boxes and packs of cards. Sometimes I am lucky enough to find a person who is willing to trade these cards for one of my sad stacks of 1990 Donruss. Other times, I have to resort to trade sad stacks of money for these cards. That's what I did here, which means if anyone is still interested in 1990 Donruss, just let me know. On a lighter note, I love to see pictures of players signing for kids. It hits me right in the feels, ya know? Maybe because I know from my own kids how happy it makes them when someone takes the time to sign for them. Moving on.

2013 Topps Commemorative Patch 

Another fad I just don't understand is Commemorative Patches. Yeah, it's cool looking, I like the retro patch. But really, what's the point? Oh well, any Schmidt's a good Schmidt, as they say (I don't think anyone has ever really said that, but they should).

2012 Topps Black #259 Michael Stutes

I don't have the same disregard for serial numbered cards as I do for SPs and commemorative patches. I adore numbered cards. I can't explain it, really. Anyway, Stutes is one of the aforementioned players that signed stuff for my kids when he was with Reading back in 2009. If I remember I'll try to dig one of those things up and add it to my ever growing "To Scan" stack.

2012 Topps Tribute Tribute to the Stars #TSR-RHO 

2012 Topps Tier One Relic

The last two cards are fancy cards from fancy packs, i.e. packs I can't afford, so don't buy. I'll be honest with you for a minute -- even though "game-used" cards (and I use that term loosely) are over produced and a dime a dozen, I still get excited every time one falls into my possession. These two also happen to be low numbered, which makes me sqee a little inside. However, I don't understand why the Howard is encapsulated in 3 inches of plastic.

Oh yeah, and if anyone's interested, I guess I'll root for the Pirates. Because Pennsylvania and all that.

These Cards Are Dreamy...

If you didn't already know, Topps has a Twitter account (find it here). Yesterday they tweeted these drool-worthy cards from the upcoming Updates & Highlights set. I hope these translate well into cards because the pictures look stupendous. And just to let everyone know -- I will officially be chasing this set.

Recently Acquired Cards, part 2

I have a rapidly growing pile of cards sitting on my table that need to be accounted for, scanned, badly blogged about and put away. This would account for why I am actually posting 2 days in a row (yay, me!). Hopefully it's the start of a trend because even if no one actually reads my post it is very cathartic for me. No one in my house wants to hear about cards -- even my husband who does try his hardest to be interested. This is my outlet. Any way...

Mr. Night Owl himself sent me a nice stack of cards and all it cost me was some lousy Dodgers that were collecting dust here in Phillies country.
I love flashy 90's cards. They make me giggle in a little girl kind of way -- but I digress. Greg was nice enough to send me some stupendously shiny cards. I love the Burell ornament. I think I have one somewhere, but now I have one for my collection and one for my Christmas tree! This just might push my husband over the edge. The mid-90's Metal sets are so tacky that I can't help but love them to pieces.
More old stuff -- less shiny, but appreciated none-the-less. Looking at these cards, I just noticed that the Upper Deck Steve Jeltz has a fabulous mid-air moment on the back that the ladies over at Dinged Corners would be sure to appreciate. Another casual observation -- if you squinch your eyes and look at George Vukovich he bears a slight resemblance to Jack Black.
My first 2 Topps variations. I believe this is the Target variation. If I may make a suggestion to Topps... I think they should print all their cards on this thicker stock. It makes for a much nicer card.
Some 2009 Upper Deck. Insert your own witty comment here, I got nothin'.
A couple of 09 Goudey. I still find these cards mildly unnerving. But any Schmidt is a good Schmidt, I always say. (Actually that is the first time I've ever said that and probably the last.)
Love these almost as much as the original 1960 set. Partly, I think, because of the nice thick stock. That's the second time this post I've mention cardboard quality -- most newer cards feel so flimsy and cheap. I don't like.
Shiny, gold, and Chase. In that order. 09 Bowman.
And, finally, a couple for the minor league binder. I have had the pleasure of seeing Vance pitch in AA Reading this season. If I make it to another game, I just might try to get this one signed.

Send some Dodgers Greg's way and stay tuned for more recently acquired cards.

Recently Acquired Cards, part 1

I love when cards I have sitting in a box in the corner finally find a home that will love and appreciate them in ways I never could. This recently happened with a stack of Red Sox cards that I happened to have sitting around. In return, I received quite an assortment from Adam over at Thoughts and Sox.

Like everyone who has eyes, I love the 1960 Topps set. I love it more when it has a Phillie on it.
Keeping with the trend, he also sent some nice "retro" type cards. I like the OPC set, and the Bowman Heritage is a set I wish they would have continued, but Goudey is a bit scary. Mr. Rollins is not nearly as bad as some of the art I've seen though.
Wow, a Bowman card from waaaay back in 1997. For the life of me I had no recollection of Ryan Brannan, so I turned to the ever faithful Baseball Cube for some info. Apparently Ryan spent 3 seasons in the Phil's farm system, making it as high as Scranton/Wilkes Barre (AAA). And now you know...and knowing is half the battle.
Some 2005 Topps...
...and a couple 2009 Upper Deck.

But wait, there's more.

A nice jersey for my 2004 Cracker Jack set and, what I believe is, my very first Phillies patch card -- a magnificent piece from Mr. Jim Thome.

Thanks again for the trade, Adam! And if any of you have spare Red Sox you want to part with, be sure to head over to Thoughts and Sox.