A Xmas Surprise

I really enjoy shopping for others when I hit a card shop or show. There are a few though who I have learned I can't find cards for this way. I can try, but I'll usually strike out. Thank goodness for the internet!

Greg, the author of The Collective Mind, is one such blogger. His want lists span multiple decades and are seemingly all encompassing, but I'm never lucky enough to find a dealer who caters to the set builder. Greg is THE ultimate set builder. He sent me a little surprise present the other day and I decided to be patient and hold off on showing the contents until now. 'Tis the Season and all that jazz. 

 Greg, for what it's worth, has a sick signature. Legible, but it also has flare!

For what it's worth, what I appreciate the most about this package were the words "Thanks" and "blogging in general." I go through a range of emotions and I often want to jettison the blog. Somethings really get me down from time-to-time, like counterfeit cards or forgeries on the market. Somethings just make me angry, like Topps giving Drew Smyly more Cubs cards than it gave Vogelbach this year. (Topps... Hello! Drew Smyly has never played for the Cubs and will not in the foreseeable future!) I've cut way back on the blogging the last couple of years and part of it is because my collecting styles have changed. To know someone out there appreciates my efforts is very nice.

Anyways, words. Words mean a lot. And, they mean a whole lot more when they come from a friend of cardboard.

I digress.

Greg also sent cards. Two to be exact. But I refuse to show the one. I'm sorry.

The first card is from the 2016 Topps Strata set and it's a thick relic card of a white Cubs home jersey with TWO pinstripes on it. It's a gorgeous looking swatch of jersey. It really is. It even has one of the those little MLB hologram authentication stickers on it, which links you to this game.  The Cubs won 1-0 in 11 innings and the player in question batted 8th, played SS, and went 0-for-3 in the game.

I actually wrote this post about a week ago, because I'm on winter vacation . . . gasp . . . without internet! Point being, I hope the Cubs have cut ties with the aforementioned player by now. I appreciate the card, but cards of this player will not be shown on this blog again.

Here's the other card. #JawDropping

I have a handful of Museum Collection base cards in my collection, but I'm fairly certain this is my first relic and it's GORGEOUS!

I miss Starlin. He drew the ire of Cubs fans from time-to-time, too, but it was always baseball related. Plus, he kept things interesting when the Cubs were finishing in 5th place five years in a row.  Yes.  That happened.

Greg. It is a stellar patch. I know exactly what it's from and I can't say that I've ever seen another one like it. So much cooler than a swatch of jersey.

Well, that was a most excellent and unexpected surprise!  Thank you, Greg!  I can't wait to cause some damage to that want list of yours!

Happy Holidays, everyone!