How appropriate...

A day after Tim Hudson got his 12th win of the season against the NY Mets last night did 2 packages arrive sporting some new cards to add to the collection.  Outside the timing of their arrival the other thing that put a smile on my face was the fact I paid 2 bucks for them.  I love great pitchers and I love great deals!

1999 Bowman Chrome RC #375

2000 Pacific Vanguard #36

2006 Topps Finest Black Refractor #58 (30/99)

I love the Vanguard cards though I'm not sure why.  I always had a soft spot for most of Pacific's baseball card releases and Vanguard is no different.  Perhaps it's the card stock used for the set.  It almost seems as if the cards are printed on plastic.  While the design may leave a lot to be desired I still like it.  Perhaps one day I'll tackle the task of building the set.

The 2006 Finest Black Refractor is rather blah actually.  Part of the draw of refractors is the rainbow sheen they give off.  This black card might as well be a non-refractor as there is very little area on this card that "acts" like a refractor.  Good thing it was a cheap card too!