Hello! Is Anyone There?

It's been awhile since I've visited my own blog, much less posted anything. I am working on a new post however, but when I logged in this evening I couldn't help but notice the number of views on my last post.

Say what?! Almost 50K?! Well, if anyone deserves the views it's Larry "The Sewing Machine Guy". He's one of the best guys I've "met" in the Hobby and while he doesn't blog much either, we still stay in touch. In fact, I was just telling my wife the other day that I've met some cool people in person that I first ran across via blogging or the Hobby, but the one I would like to meet the most was Larry. Perhaps one day our real world paths will cross.

Until then, thanks to everyone that stopped by to read my last post. As Larry told me as I shared this info w/ him this evening, "People like to hear about and read about good news. That's our mission." I couldn't agree more Larry.

Stay tuned for a new box break review of 2025 Topps Allen & Ginter!

Surprise Package from "The Sewing Machine Guy"

 While I've been around the Hobby for some time now, I really haven't been very active in the Hobby outside the small breaks I run weekly over in my Facebook group. During the heyday of this blog, I would receive trade packages and care packages on a regular basis. Since this blog here doesn't see the activity that it once did and pulling back from doing trades via the Trading Card Database site, the only mail I get now is bills (ugh) and the cards I purchase on eBay. Well, to my surprise I received a small bubble mailer at the beginning of this week and it was simply addressed to "Hops". I knew immediately who the sender was without even looking at the return address.

Larry, affectionately known as the Sewing Machine Guy, sent a small package of cards my way for no known reason other than he's just a swell guy. Inside was an assortment of Braves, Panthers and a few others. Let's take a look, shall we?

I'm not the biggest fan of Panini's unlicensed baseball releases, but the Unleashed Acuna is a great looking card and I'm glad to have it. The rest of the cards were from 2024's A&G set, which is a perennial favorite of mine. The Austin Riley is a Chrome parallel, an insert of Hank and two minis - the Maddox is an A&G back parallel and the Chipper will look great in my new binder I just made for him.

The next lot of cards contained a few different Carolina Panthers, most of which were RCs! The one that got me most excited was the Goodwin Champions Bryce Young. I've always like that Upper Deck set, just not enough to buy packs/blasters so this card is a very welcomed addition to the collection. The Prizm Draft card of Xavier Leggette is also a nice treat. While I'm not the biggest college football fan, I do live in SC so with him being pictured in his Gamecock carb is pretty cool. Now I just hope he can put his game together and be that #1 receiver we hoped he'd be when he was drafted.

I was already thankful for the cards included in the package, then I noticed there was a One Touch on the bottom of the stack with this 2023 Topps Allen & Ginter Framed Mini auto of Tom Glavine! I don't have many autos of Glavine so this was a very nice surprise!! 

Larry is a great guy and while I know he sent these cards my way because he is a good guy, the Glavine seems a little much to send "just because". Needless to say, I'm very grateful for the gift. The timing was pretty good too because it came on a day that I was rather frustrated and in bad mood...so these little squares of cardboard helped turn around the day just a little bit. Thanks bud!

Care Package from SMG

The other day I had a package waiting for me in the mail box and it was simply addressed to "Hops". I knew immediately who the sender was without even looking at the return address. Larry, the Sewing Machine Guy had sent me a bubble mailer with cards for no other reason than him just being a cool guy.

Of course inside the bubble mailer were several Braves cards. This Detroit Tigers fan knows what I like after all! There were far more cards than the ones pictured, but these were some of my favorites. Dansby Swanson is one of my favorite Braves players so it was pretty sweet to get his Archives and Heritage RCs. Ian Anderson is another up and coming young player so finding another one of his RCs was also nice to see.

Thank you so much Larry for the nice little Braves care package...I'll make sure to put these cards to good use!

Steve Smith re-signs with Carolina through 2015 & a SMG sighting!

Earlier today it was reported that wide receiver Steve Smith has re-signed with the Carolina Panthers through 2015 with an option for 2016.  Steve Smith holds just about every team receiving record and has been the heart and soul of the team...even if he has let his anger get the best of him a time or two.  I'm sure having Cam Newton as the starting QB influenced his decision to stay in town and hopefully retire as a Panther.

Speaking of Steve a few weeks back I got a package in the mail from the sewingmachineguy.  In the past we've routinely exchanged cards with each other, but I was expecting anything from him so I was already surprised.  That surprised turned into glee when this card slid out of the bubble mailer.

2010 Topps Magic jersey (25/25)

I love this set.  2010 Magic was the first football set I wanted to build.  I stayed away from the relics because of their low numbering and high price, but the art on the base cards is just beautiful.  I knew that the sewingmachineguy had been breaking up parts of his collection to sell, but no way did I expect him to send me this card.  I know he could've sold this on eBay and it probably would've fetched a nice amount so I can't think him enough for his generosity. 

Trading w/ SMG

I offered up a Titus Young jersey card to the SewingMachineGuy awhile back for one of those manufactured patch cards from 2012 Topps blasters.  By the way I'll gladly trade you for any of the manu patches...

 

I was surprised the other day when I received a large kraft envelope from the SMG and an old Beckett slid out.

I love old Beckett magazines, especially when there is a story about a Braves player(s).  The new Becketts just don't have the same feel...you know what I mean?   He also tossed in a selection of Braves from 2012 Topps.  This was a cool gesture on the part of him...thanks buddy!

Trades Galore!

Wow, a lot has been happening over the last week and I've got stacks and stacks of cards laying around my laptop and printer/scanner.  I'm trying my best not to let things get behind too much, but it seems every day brings more and more mail with great new cards!

You'll have to forgive my shoddy recent memory but reader Johnny Robinson sent me a small stack of cards for my PCs featuring Franco, Glavine, Justice, Puckett, Smoltz as well as some random Atlanta Braves.  Down at the bottom of the stack however was this really nice patch card of Ichiro from 2008 Topps!

I have never seen a card like this so this was a really nice surprise.  Thank you Johnny!

Sewingmachineguy e-mailed me last week letting me know he could help me out with some of the cards from my Goodwin Champions want list.  He sent me 38 cards in total.  If it weren't for those stupid SPs I may actually be able to finish off this set before 2012 rolls around!  Thank you for helping me out with this awesome, yet frustrating set.

And finally (can I start a sentence w/ and?) Rhubard Runner from e rayhahn, rayhahn inquired about some random Twins he found on my trade list.  He asked me if my want lists was current and a few days later e-mailed with me several inserts off my 2010 Topps want list.

I believe my favorites are the 'Yo Mamma' cards - esp. the Gwynn.  Still looking for the real version of that card for my small PC.

Finally BA Benny from BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffet and I worked out a trade for a Luis Castillo autograph card I had posted from a recent box break.  He offered me up a Sean Casey jersey card from Topps Opening Day.  The odds on pulling anything good from any Opening Day product isn't very consumer friendly so we traded and now I can add the card to my PC.

He also threw in some Atlanta Braves for me and to my surprise a few packs work of WWE Heritage cards.  I have seen a few of these cards online before, but I wasn't buying cards at the time those were released so finding them in the stack was really cool.  Thanks Mike!