Secret Santa Hath Visited! Whoa...

MERRY BLOGGIN' CHRISTMAS!

There are a number of bloggers that I have immense respect for and see their blogs as integral pieces of our niche blogosphere. Bob Walk the Plank created by Matt was one of the first blogs I found when getting back into spewing about cards. He was also a huge influence in changing my blog name to something catchy. He is such an awesome guy for putting together Secret Santa for us. Thank you Matt!

Angus from Dawg Day Cards blog, and I am sure many other media places, got stuck with me for Secret Santa...and he crushed it! I have seen some posts that lead me to believe I am a part of a large number of us who feel like we suck at being Santa and received much better gifts than we gave out. Its most likely not true at all but I know my package wasn't as personalized and perfect as the one bestowed upon me. I hope, hope, hope he stayed within the price limit and if he did he is one of the best deal finders on Earth. I know I spent half a day shopping for my secret person but did not send a package that looks anywhere close to as thoughtful and as much time consuming as the was put into mine. For that, my gift person, I hope you enjoy the package and hopefully next year Angus draws you.
Anyway, like steroids shot into A-Rod's butt; here is the package that has beefed up my collection:

Angus sent this awesome card depicting old Yankee Stadium (which I was lucky enough to visit) with the scoreboard lit up with an afternoon matinee with the Tigers. So awesome! I'm probably going to try to get this autographed its so cool.

Angus visited Comerica Park and got these sweet Tigers sunglasses. I was hoping to keep them in the collection but they have been claimed.

Big time vintage with big names! The Gene Lamont RC has been on my wishlist forever.

More vintage gems and not just Topps! Luckily, Angus put notes on most of the items so I knew what I was getting, not everything is what it seems in this hobby.

The backs of these are cooler than the fronts!

The man!

The '73 Tigers had some big names!

Big Daddy could knock down some Grand Slams!

Super awesome Tram. The condition is amazing!

I have often thought about collecting a set of these, I may have gotten the trigger to do so now!

Okay Angus, where did you find this? I can't find anything about it anywhere! I haven't had a ton of time to research but all the easy searches came up with nothing.

I didn't realize until now, I bought Sugar Crisp while grocery shopping and my wife asked why. I guess this card stuck in my head.

Another new Willie Horton! I think hes doing a signing coming up. The next time you see this it will hopefully be scribbled on.

1993 Tigers Gatorade jumbo team set. 29 Cards! This team is the first team I really remember watching and following hard. I love this set!

I had no idea the Tigers had so many stickers in this set! Absolutely awesome.

NOW FOR THE REAL JAW DROPPER FROM THE PRESENT:

Come on Angus! There is no way all this kept you under budget dude. This should illustrate how much effort my man put into this gift. I hope you have an awesome Christmas Angus! Expect a thank you package very soon!
 These cards are amazing! I am going to get them framed after Christmas. They are the coolest fishing cards I have to date. I have to really research their existence as I have never seen them before. I love them, I get pumped every time I see them.

Card Show Spoils, Willie Horton Appearance

Detroit Tigers Legend Willie Horton made an appearance at a local card show and I was lucky enough to get a tiny chunk of time to go see him. I got a couple autographs, 2 for me because I couldn't decide on which card and one for my brother. I watched him sign and his signature was very strange. Instead of one fluid motion for first and last name, he signs a little of the first then throws in the big curve to the right then proceeds. Definitely doesn't look like what his supposed signature on the card below looks like.
I should have went home after that since that was the plan I told my wife but there was a hint of musty wax in the air and I followed my nose to a table of dime boxes and then nickel boxes. An hour and 276 cards later I was running for the door trying to come up with a story for my wife for my tardiness. Here are the spoils from the boxes which ended up being way cheaper with bulk deals. I didn't pay more than 5 cents for any of the cards and the nickel ones were even cheaper. I'll start with the other Horton autos.

Thanks Tom! The Angels, In Order.

I found a lot of Rey Ordonez!

I found this whole set of AL players. Palmiero and Buhner are not pictured.

Chapman for a couple pennies? Sure.

A bunch of PC guys from this Circa set.

Rainbow foil Rasmus.

I have only a handful of this set from my early years. It was my first run in with framed cards and I loved them. I pick them up from dimeboxes no matter who the player is.

This card for 3 cents in top loader condition?! Why not

I don't like the title "Late Bloomers" especially for Hall of Fame door knockers but these cards are cool looking.

The best part of digging in old boxes is the names you find. Randall Simon is a name I hadn't heard in forever and I was a big fan of his. He had some pop for sure.

Another Nolan to collect.

Two versions of Cal. Guillen RC that would cost you $2 at any other table in Detroit.

El Duque was the man.

This Magglio RC must have hidden itself from the owner as well. Kerry Wood and Todd Helton RC's for pennies!

Grand Slammer Fernando Tatis.

Some kids I had yet to have cards of.

If Delino Jr. ever figures it out at the plate; watch out.

Another Rey to add to the PC.

I can't pass up silver sigs. Ever.

This is the card on the top of my list. This guy's numbers in the minors are sick. He will be something special, mark my words. Invest now.

Thats about as cool as a Tim Salmon card gets.

Some Tig's.

Before they were stars.

The background on these is awesome.

NOW TO THE VINTAGE:

Spaceman!

I have more Dodger collecting trade partners than any other team so I always try to pick up some cheap vintage Dodgers whenever I see a deal. I have no clue who any of them are but figure I would be happy to get any pre-1980's Tiger cards so my Dodger dudes probably feel the same way.

I always try to grab some wax. This was $3. Can't beat that opening packs for $6 and not getting the whole set.

I've started cutting blister boxes in half and labeling them with my trade partners and their likes to help me sort. When the box fills, it ships. Works for me so far. As soon as I get some extra cash to ship that is.

I had the chance to visit my wife's grandparents yesterday and had forgotten her grandfather collected cards. He let me look through a book of old Tiger cards and it was awesome. You never know who you get to share in cardboard hoarding with. Definitely the highlight of a great weekend.