Trade Post: The Finest Queso from Nachos Grande

I sent some 2015 Allen & Ginter over to Chris at Nachos Grande and I got a nice stack of Twins in return . . .

 minis!

 I don't really know what these are... but they are a fun diversion!

 There's a missed opportunity here - Any Jim Thome card should result in Mashing Taters.

 Some fun Upper Deck Classics.

 Not sure what this, either... but I'm pretty sure "STVWHNNQG" is what hitters used to say after trying to hit Johan's Change-up.

 100 Points!

Here are a few of my favorites from the stack, big fan of Morneau's helicopter swing.

Thanks again, Chris!

Top Topps Traded (to me)

Just a short post today - showcasing some recent COMC pickups - all Topps Traded. I can find complete sets from time to time at shows, but sometimes a person just wants a few singles!

Having a hard time keeping a straight face looking at Kent Hrbek  and his teenager moustache.

Danny Ainge with the Marlboro ad in the background - take that, Fleer!

Dennis Eckersley and the awful airbrushing on the inset photo.

Of course Bert Blyleven and his orange beard is fantastic as well.

Let's make this a discussion post- what are some of your favorite Topps Traded cards?

I can picture the awesome Oscar Gamble card with the gigantic fro, the Keith Hernandez '83 Topps traded card with the Mets, Nolan Ryan's '89 Topps traded with the Rangers (maybe more memorable to me than the Griffey Rookie).

Or maybe this guy?

Trade Post: O-Pee-Chee and the North Star(s)

See what happens when you trade with Canadians? You get cool O-Pee-Chee cards in return!

 Chris From Diamond Cuts and Wax Stains put together a trade involving my 1965 O-Pee-Chee doubles. If you like Hockey, customs, and/or O-Pee-Chee, Chris is the blog to read!

 Oh Boy - now there's a good Hockey face!

"Gump Doesn't Wear A Mask."

 More greats from the Frozen Tundra...

These are great! Lots of fun facts on the backs, too:

 This was my favorite - I mean, Fleetwood Mac is pretty great!

 Baby Face Butch Wynegar! I think "Voltigeur" is the best translated position.

Here come the heavy hitters. The best part is the backs of the 1971 Topps.

Luis Tiant's floating head in a sunburst? Perfection!

Last but not least are these cards that traveled even farther to get to my door via Canada:

Superbia in Proelio (Pride in Battle) is their motto!

These are super cool - Topps football cards from England!

Chris, thanks so much for this awesome package!

My Twins Frankenset Page 7

I've seen a few FrankenSets out there - for example John has a Braves set and a Uniform Number Set, Tom has a Cubs set, Nick has the Dime Box FrankenSet, Robert has a serial numbered card set, Night Owl has a night card set. Jeff's got a White Sox FrankenSet. I'm sure there are many others. Tell me about yours in the comments!

I decided this would be a good way to at least start organizing my Twins cards.

My own "rules" for the set are pretty simple -
1. Each card should be a Twins player in a Twins uniform (and exclude multi-team cards)
2. If at all possible, each page should have 9 unique players and 9 unique sets
3. Have Fun (Mandatory)

Here's Page 7:

and the backs:

55 - Trevor May 2015 Topps Gold
56 - Kirby Puckett 1987 Leaf
57 - Johan Santana 2005 Donruss Triple Threads
58 - Michael Cuddyer 2007 Bowman Heritage
59 - Tony Oliva 1988 Pacific
60 - Justin Morneau 2006 Allen & Ginter's
61 - Dan Gladden 1990 Score
62 - Jim Kaat 1965 Topps (UER)
63 - Brad Radke 1996 Score Dugout Collection Artist's Proof

Gotta love the Jim "KATT" error card, and that's one of my favorite Kirby Puckett cards. The Trevor May card was added to make sure I don't forget the new guys!

Just One Pack of . . . 1983 O-Pee-Chee Baseball

At the National I was determined to find a vintage unopened pack of baseball cards. I was able to secure a sweet 1975 Topps Mini pack, and I will be opening that some time in the not too distant future.

In the meantime, there were lots of not so vintage, but still a bit older packs of cardboard. Much much more affordable, too.

One example is this awesome pack of 1983 O-Pee-Chee. I actually got two of these, so hopefully this one will be so good that I won't be tempted to open the other one.

Let see Tony Gwynn, Ryne Sandberg, and Wade Boggs in this pack, ok?

 Allons-y!

 Oh the dreaded gum/card hybrid- the gum was stuck pretty firmly on the card and my attempt to remove it put a crease on the card... oh well.

 First three in the pack - Bob Horner has a wax stain and a significant welt on the side of the card.

 Kitty Kaat! That's a fun card.

 We keep on Cruz-in' with Jose Cruz (senior)

 Last three in the pack - you can see that Hayes is on a bit of a pedestal - that's the gum still stuck to the back...

My favorite card of the pack. Tom Terrific is (Now with Mets). He's a heckuva Lanceur.