Group Break Swag

 Sometimes I have trouble coming up with clever titles.  So yeah, I said "swag".  Not my proudest moment, but I'm pretty happy with my haul.  I'm even happier that it only cost me a bubble mailer full of Minnesota Twins to Brian of the new blog, Highly Subjective and Completely Arbitrary.

Brian was lamenting how he didn't have much wax from the late 90s and early aughts. So, he picked up some boxes, created the group break, and I jumped in without hesitation.

 Lots of good cards from some pretty sweet sets came from break.  The Beck and Clement are from '99 Fleer Ultra, and the Dunston is '96 Pinnacle.  They're all going in their respective player collections.  The Kerry Wood card at the top of the post and the Sammy card are from 2002 Stadium Club. I've always loved Stadium Club's photos.  You can't beat an action shot of Wood vs. Piazza, or Sammy's hop frozen in time.

My favorite set of the break was 2002 Topps Gallery.  If Topps ever revisited this idea I would be all in. Believe it or not, I think the Moises Alou card is my favorite from the group.  Has anyone ever claimed a Moises Alou card to be their favorite of anything?

The the last set to be included was Fleer Greats from 2002.  A little plain in design, but a killer checklist for sure.

Brian also "threw in some Cubs because the stack felt a little light."  Heck, who am I to argue?

 A couple of gold parallels of forgotten Cubs.  Nope, not true.  I don't think I'll ever forget how big Juan Pierre's helmet looked on his noggin OR how Theriot's last name actually spells "The Riot".  Good stuff.

 Player collection hits!  My 30th different card of Brooks Kieschnick and a mini Vogelmonster!

 Mini Vogelmonster?  That's an oxymoron if I ever heard one.

I love late 80's gloss.  Nice additions, Brian! 

How about a rare card of Ralph Kiner in a Cubs uniform.  I believe this is my first 1977 TCMA card. Score!

. . . and my card from Panini's most recent Golden Age set.  RIP, Ernie.

Lastly, an unexpected hit!  Micah Hoffpauir was the epitome of a AAAA player.  He could tear up AAA, but he could never really cut it in The Bigs.  

 That's an interesting signature.  I'm not sure I see the letter "I" in either his first or last name, but they must be there because he took the time to dot both of them.

Brian, thanks for the great trade/break!  You really hit some holes in my Cubs collection.  Welcome to the blogosphere!