Like A Pack

 A nice PWE trade with TCDB member TheFOreverMan who sent me some wrestling cards - essentially a pack worth!

Sure, the insert isn't from the same set, but all good. I actually have 2/3 of the Corey Says insert set which is from 2019 Topps WWE Smackdown Live. A shame Corey hasn't had a chance to get in the ring a last time to get a last chance on his exit his way due to the health issues, but looks like Big E is suffering the same unfortunate fate. Luckily both seem to have taken it in stride and with a good attitude, though I am sure it isn't the way they wanted their respective careers to end.

As for the base cards, a bunch of 221 Topps WWE cards, however with a 200 card base set, getting up to 64 now, is just a bit into it. Still, getting the tribal chief is a good pick up as well as personal face The Miz.

Always up for a great wrestling card trade!

More McDs

 Not going to complain about having even more McDonalds cards to show from Jeff as we move on a few years and other than a couple stray cards, we have a bunch of cards from the 2002-03 year.

I only have about half of the set, so was happy to see a bunch of cards from this one. In short, I get over 75% now of the 42 card set. THe design isn't one of my favourites, but they are still pretty nice. A bit too shiny maybe on the front where an action shot in full may have done a bit better, but all good.

I did think that I had the full insert set for the Salt Lake Gold cards as per below, but in fact - only had 7 of the 10 cards and picked up a couple more!

Nice Leaf additional copy pick up with CuJo, but a nice bunch of cards to have duplicates for in order to trade. Still have a bunch of other hockey cards from Jeff to go through, but already so thankful for his generosity!

A Bunch of McD

 Early 90s McDonalds hockey card sets were cool. I mean, the All-Star uniforms were not my favourite, but at least had a classic look, and the players were many Hall of Fame names, so hard to make a bad set. Upper Deck did them well too.

Jeff passed on a bunch of cards from a couple of the years here, and though I didn't need any base cards, happy to send them off to someone willing to pass a Bruin or two Jeff's way.

Some of the cards seem to be trying to run away already.

Now, the holograms are something I only had one of over the two years here, so definitely keeping the newbies for my collection. They are really great quality too. Sometimes I found the hologram part would slide a bit off the back. I remember this most with the smaller logos from the Upper Deck baseball sets of the time, but they can all suffer from that fate slightly, but happily none here.

I didn't bother with scanning the rest of the 1992-93 base cards, but essentially, if it isn't a Bruin or Maple Leaf, I got some copies to spare!

The holograms sure do scan in an interesting way depending on how the light catches, but they come out pretty good overall. Actually a good job for the large and up close head shots.

Not Purposeful Set Help

 So a few hockey sets represented from Jeff's bunch of cards he provided me today and I don't think he was planning on helping me build these sets, but he was able to help with a few cards I needed on each. Here is what I am talking about being my keepers...

2003-04 Toronto Star set from In The Game, I am getting closer to finishing, and get a few more needs knocked off here, with the same being true for 2005-06 Upper Deck Victory which is now at 173 of 200 done.

The nice thing is - as much as these help with the set build, there were a few new to me inserts as well.

It's Victory, so nothing too snazzy for inserts, and not the 100 different insert sets or parallels, but still nice to get a few of the cards here from Jeff.

Plenty to trade in the bunch...

Unfortunately, the few 2023 Timmies Legends cards were not new for me, so no help there, but no worries, will find a good home for them!

Finishing With Jeff's Baseball

 Not to worry, there is plenty of hockey to go through from what I was given from local collector Jeff, but today, the rest of the odds and sods baseball cards which we will start with the keepers.

A few random base set helpers for various slow build sets, but I want to focus on the 2023 Stadium Club cards. I really like this set. I haven't seen a lot in hand as it is still very new, so not something I am out buying, but these cards are amazing. The quality of the pictures, the typical full picture fronts from Stadium Club, and both being needs for me - love them. I mean an A&G back mini is great also, but I mean, the Chapman and the perfect capture of the mid bath pose, wow.

A few random inserts that are new to me and great additions to the collection - especially another Topps Gold card is great, but not to worry, plenty of traders too...

Given the time range of most the cards, the Carlton's stand out a bit, but I should be able to find a home for them. As for the Star cards - minor league is not my thing, and the quality of Star is "ok", but it's like 7th Inning Sketch hockey cards, some look like they were too cheaply done.

I don't think I will be building 2023 Stadium Club as I don't expect to go out and find enough of it to make it worth while, but one complaint - foil parallels as I almost missed the red foil parallel Williams. I get it, it is different, but it's not like a border parallel than will stand out with the same treatment, it's just the foil.

At least I caught it before mis-entering it.

Baseball Guys to PC If You PC

 Today's cards from Jeff cover a bunch of baseball stars that would be player collection guys for many. It may not be my thing, but did give me some cards for my base set builds of stars and hall of famers.

Kirby, Cal, Randy and Roger are all guys that are solid player collector choices. Roger may be a bit more controversial given the steroid era issues, but still someone I expect many collect. As great as the play needs to be on the field to be someone that is a player collectors will collect, part of the draw is the person themselves.

Personally, I look back most fondly on Kirby and Cal. Kirby was always spoken of highly by his peers and had a love for the game, while Cal was Baltimore and the streak was something that all of baseball gathered around and celebrated.

As for the cards the above cards are all the keepers for me - and the Kirby inserts are pretty cool for early 90s inserts.

Many other cards which may generally be overproduced, but that doesn't make them any less cool.

McGwire would be another one to put in the same camp as Roger - sure many do player collect him still.

Talk of greats and guys to PC, Nolan Ryan would be a big one. He was a great pitcher as his no-nos can attest to, but dude was tough. One of my favourite Nolan moments was when Robin Ventura charged the mound after being plunked and Nolan quickly had him in a head  lock and first 6-7 punches off right into his face like it was nothing.

More no-brainer PC guys with Griffey Jr and Bonds.

May not be my thing to player collect, but if it's yours - who is your person?

Big Hitters From Jeff

 Back to more of the cards bestowed upon me from local Bruins collector Jeff. I think we can safely call some of these "the hits".

I really liked the Baseball Heroes insert sets from Upper Deck. They didn't have to be super flashy, they just starred, well, stars, and were tastefully done while being special enough - back when sets may have had two or three insert sets, that they felt really cool to pull.

Heck, I like that even Mark McGwire's 1987 Topps card was special enough to put in a top loader for someone. It didn't turn into a $100 card or anything, but I am still just shocked that some people sell the card for up to $5 on ebay.

Well slap me sideways - these are some pretty nice cards! By nice, I mean amazing!

I love the fact that all three autos are on card autos, and to go one better, Jonah Bride indented the heck out of the card pushing to do the signature, the pen mark is in one thick groove! I may not be a fan of the Bowman offerings in general, but the Inception cards do feel like something special. The thick cards and quality to them are fantastic.

Some will stay with me, others will try to magically turn into cards for Jeff, but either way, some dang snazzy cards that make for a fun bunch!