Halos From the Cheap Seats

Dan from Cheap Seat Saints recently contacted me about trading Halos for Indians and I'm glad I accepted. Dan sent along a number of Angels that now have a very loving home here in Southern California. Here's a small sampling of the goodies. Thanks again Dan.

The only non-Halo in the bunch, Johnny Mize.

I've already mentioned multiple times how much I like this subset from 2009 Topps, so it's nice to add another legend to the group.


A chromey Torii. I like the sorta candid feel of this card. Definitely suits the laid-back and enjoyable nature of Torii.


Dan sent along a few 2008 Topps Chrome refractors which are really nice cards in person. I didn't have any chrome from last year, so these additions were welcome. I chose the Figgins to show off because I like the uniqueness of the photo. Leaves you wondering if he made the reach or if the ball ended up 8 rows back.


The Weav. Another card from a set I never collect. This is easily the best part of the blog trading circuit. So many people collect so many different sets that you come across cards you'd never get otherwise.


What a putrid design. Percy near the end of his Halo days. A moment of sadness.


Another design I don't quite understand. "The Nationals" is plastered across the card, for what reason I don't quite know. The positive, it's Timmy Salmon.


This may be my favorite set out there. I wasn't collecting in 1999 and only recently came across the set, but i think the cards are absolutely beautiful. I really need to find a set of these somewhere. Dan sent along three Halos from the 1999 Topps Gold Label set and each one is perfection.


I bought very little 2008 Heritage and continually saw this card staring at me on eBay. Nice to actually bring it into the collection.


Topps Finest, the home of middle reliever autographs. On the bright side, Rich's wife is a blogger, Everyday Life.

Thanks again to Dan for all of the Halos, they are much appreciated. Hopefully you'll enjoy the Indians I've sent your way.

Go Halos!

Unexpected Awesomeness

After a long day of school today, I was really looking forward to getting away from students and coming home to relax. Sure, sitting on the couch watching King of Queens and waiting for the family to get home wouldn't cure all of my ills, but it was a start. I made the very wise decision of checking the mail on my way in and came across a bubble mailer. Happy happy, joy joy.

However, panic quickly sunk in. I haven't been on eBay in weeks, so barring a late night sleep walk purchase, it wasn't a card I bought. I've sent out some cards lately, but hadn't set up any trades, so again I was stymied. Perhaps I had set up a trade and completely forgotten about it. I would need to scour my e-mails and try to figure it out. In the end, a simple inspection of the mailer revealed that these cards were sent from the UK and that means one man. John from The Pursuit of 80's(ness).

What really made this package a bit of Unexpected Awesomeness is that it was completely unsolicited. John and I completed a trade back in February and this one was accompanied by a note telling me that he had accumulated another stack of Halos so he wanted to send them along. I of course, gladly accept.

Now just for you, here's an exclusive peak at the loot.


I love packages like this because I always end up with cards I don't have, but also cards from sets I've never gotten a card from. This Shawn Wooten Opening Day card is an example of that. I'm certain I've never opened a pack of Opening Day, mainly out of complete disinterest, but at the same time I really like getting these cards in trades and lots.


I've never really understood why a magazine gets its name slapped on a card like Sports Illustrated and Fleer did here or why ESPN had cards with Upper Deck. That being said, this is a pretty slick looking card, so I'm cool with it.


What was the obsession that Topps had with gold bordered cards for some time? I like the look of this, but that may be in part because of Percy's patented face clinch.


Seriously, the gold border thing was a little out of control. Awesome action photo of Jimmy Edmonds though.


Nothing brightens a day quite like floating heads.


This card is pure Mo. It combines his two loves, baseball and the shiny rainbow lights of a strip club.


This card is great on many levels. The high leg kick, the image being raised off the cardboard and the fact that I have no idea what Topps "tMB" is.


When did Bengie Molina transition from great defensive catcher who could hit for a decent average and was slower than a senior citizen to the best offensive player on his team?


I really, really, really miss Ersty. Really.

Thanks so much John for the Halos. After a long day, this was definitely a great way to soothe the pain.

Go Halos!