Mail Day! Some new Detroit Tiger pick ups

Stadium Club Members Only card of my 2 favorite players growing up. Only the club members got this card back in the day. I learned about this card from the Dub Mentality   blog. Check it out.

My blog is getting hot and heavy as I have reason and somehow time to post everyday. I got a great stack of bubblemailers and PWE's today and brought them inside safely from the monsoon outside. I will warn you now; I did get more Panini stuff. I already feel guilty as if I crossed the striking line but who knows how this autopen crap will play out?
Three thoughts I had today while ripping this stuff open:
1. Dudes are still not using painters tape or safer methods for sealing top loaders. If it happens to you, politely enlighten the sender. We can all make the hobby better with positive constructive feedback.
2. Every card transaction should contain bonus cards. I don't care if its eBay or a trade, when sending cards take an extra second to toss in something as a bonus. I did it when I was selling on eBay 100% of the time. Sometimes I'd send a auto or relic card to someone who bought a common from me for 99 cents. Most of the time it was a pleasant surprise for the recipient and it brought them back to me. If you enjoy receiving little bonuses, send them out.
3. Nick Castellanos is ONLY A MONTH older than Aaron Judge and has played in 508 career games. Now, I know Judge is tearing it up but Nick has been around for a long time already. One good rookie year doesn't get you in the Hall. If you are looking to invest in players, Castellanos is still crazy young (25 years young) and has an average players career numbers behind him. Just a thought.
Now the rest of the cardboard porn in order of opening:

Not numbered and pretty common but I needed something other than a basic bowman Manning.

Along the same lines, Burrows is gonna be something special.

Adding to my McCann collection.

Blastellanos is gonna have some great career numbers without showing up on anybody's radar.

/149, /149, /299 respectively

5X7 not numbered but begging for an autograph across it

/199 Once I get an auto from this dude I may hold off on buying him for a while until he shows something more.

/4000 Picked up for my bro.

Look at those good looks. No wonder supermodels flock to him.

Bonus Cards

Bonus Card

More unexpected bonus cards. Now I HATE Nelson Cruz and don't care for Ryan Braun but I do love the Topps Game Cards nonetheless.

Dunk You Very Much!

DC Sports has a few different locations here in Michigan and almost always has at least one signing going on or coming up. They had Detroit Pistons Reggie Jackson signing at their last one. Just like the Michael Fulmer signing, I couldn't attend but was able to submit a 5X7 card and had them send it to me after the event. I love these jumbo cards! I was holding my breath waiting to see if Reggie would be a Piston after the trade deadline. So glad we kept him.

Looks like a standard but this is a 5X7 and its AMAZING!

Ryan Raburn as the season comes to an end.

Got Ryan Raburn back as the Tigers make their way into the Post-season. Thanks Ryan good luck in the Playoffs.

Jim Leyland Masterpiece!

Received Mr. Leyland's signature today. Sent the card out on 4/11/2011 got back on 8/30/2011. Thanks Jim!

Schlereth Shows Some Love...

Daniel Schlereth completed this card I had Ryan Perry sign at Tigerfest. I sent it out on 4/11/11 and got it back today. He even signed in blue ink like Perry did. Thanks Daniel! Definitely an awesome Tigers Bullpen piece. Just need Boesch and Raburn back to complete all the Tigers I sent out. I also received a St. Louis Cardinals Fan Pack today as well. Darn good day for a slow month. I got turned down by Jacoby Ellsbury a week or so ago as my card was returned unsigned along with a small print and not saying he was too much mail like Pedroia. I'm now 6/56 returned signed so far, 10/56 returned including non-signed cards.

Returns from Elvis and Pedey.

I got my cards returned from Elvis Andrus and Dustin Pedroia along with printed pictures and notes saying they get a lot of mail and can't sign. Sent Pedroia on 5/25/2011 and Elvis on 4/4/2011 got both on 6/3/2011.

Don Kelly moistens a drought with wet ink...

Huge thanks to Don Kelly. I'm a huge fan of his, he is so versatile for us. Sent out on 4/18/2011 received signed on 6/2/2011, 63 Days!

More let downs...

Brady Anderson got RTS. They did forward it to an address in California for me though. Unfortunately, I guess he can no longer be found there.
Brandon Inge got RTS as well. I sent him out and the next day the Tigers updated their website saying its a $10 donation for his signature on a card. Oh well, I will probably send out a check next time. I did receive a Tigers fan pack along with it though containing a pic of Inge and a pocket schedule.

Fan Packs

I've been sending out for fan packs from MLB teams and pocket schedules for minor league teams. Yesterday I received pocket schedules from the Pawtucket Red Sox. Today I received a fan pack from the Cleveland Indians and pocket schedules from the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees. Haven't had any autographs come in for a while. Thinking about sending out a bunch more just have to buy more stamps. Interesting little tidbit: I saw that a guy got a LaRussa auto back after 12 days that he sent out on 4/20/2011. I sent to LaRussa earlier in April and have gotten nothing. So, hopefully mine is in the mail as well.