Night Owl: Collector, Educator, Gentleman

I recently sent over a few cards to Greg at Night Owl Cards and he sent over a package loaded with great Angel cards and paraphernalia. The best part about these cards, the variety. Cards from the 70s to today and even a card that helped me to learn a bit about a favorite Halo from the past.

Here's a small sampling of the Astonishingly Awesome Angelrifficness.

My first ever 1971 Topps Angel card. I've always loved the design and look of this set and I'm so glad to actually own one now.


Greg sent over a few 1974 Topps Halos, but this was my favorite. Vada had some awesome seasons with the Reds early on in his career and a couple of non-remarkable seasons with California, but this a very fun action shot and I'm always a sucker for the horizontal shots.


1984 Fleer Fred Lynn. Fred's got a nice chunk of hair sticking out his helmet here and on the back we learn just which record Fred broke. That would be the first person to hit a grand slam in the All-Star game. Night Owl the educator, but it doesn't end there.


Apparently, Chili Davis is Jamaican. I feel like I should have been aware of this. Thank you, Professor Owl.


Ironic that Schofield is pictured here with a bat as he was horrible with the stick, but a great glovesman.



I love these! 2 of the more unique items sent along by Greg. Jim Abbott and Tim Salmon cutouts from Sports Card Magazine. Extra points for the Salmon card being an imitation of the Burlap design as Night Owl has dubbed it.


1987 Sportsflics Hitting and Pitching Leaders neat-o-ness.

And finally,

A 2009 Upper Deck John Lackey triple jersey. I love anything Big John related, but this triple swatch from Upper Deck is very nice.

Thanks again to Greg, who more than outdid himself on this package. I look forward to a Freeway Series in 2009.

Go Halos!

The Angst of Baseball Card Trades

I used to loathe trading baseball cards. My friends and I would spend hours hammering out deals and negotiating these trades and in the end I'd end up with a new Mark Grace or Kirby Puckett and have to give up a Don Mattingly and Hensley Meulens. I'd spend hours afterwards trying to convince myself that I got the better end of the deal. We'd all spend hours studying our Becketts adding up book value and trying not to get ripped off. I had no need for a Kevin Maas card, but I felt like I needed to own it, so it was so hard for me to give one up, even if it meant a stack of Ruben Sierra cards that I really wanted.

Nowadays, trading has become a much more pleasant and freeing experience. I love it. I ship off some cards from teams I don't collect and players that aren't a part of my everyday baseball life and in return I get cards of players that hold a spot in my heart...and occasionally have broken that same heart.

I also love getting cards from sets I never collected and often have never even bought a pack or a single from. The best part however, no more angst. I used to worry about if what I was getting back was worth what I was sending out. Now, my favorite part is putting together a package that I hope my recepient will really enjoy. No more trying to win the trade, instead it's just collectors helping out other collectors. A truly cool experience.

Adam from Thoughts and Sox recently sent me a stack of Angels cards and I in turn sent him a stack of Red Sox cards. He sent me a great and varied stack of Halos and the best part of it was the variety. A few of the highlights follow, but it was all pretty sweet. Thanks again Adam.

VLADDY

The Gold Rare Version. Sweeeeet! Gotta love inserts.


Brick Wall...Check. Wild Hair...Check. Miniature Card...Check.


Heritage New Age Performers. Like the photo, love the set.

Old School Bowman

16 Games as an Angel in 2001. Cards like these only come from trades and they are gems. How else would I come across a Larry Barnes rookie card.


Ahh, Ramon. What could have been? I remember when we deluded ourselves into thinking you were the next Pedro Martinez. Hmmm, not so much.

*sniff* GA *sniff*

Adam sent more than a few Opening Day cards and I love it. This one is obviously my favorite, but it goes back to the idea that I've never opened a pack of this stuff, so it's great to get a bunch of Halos from the set.

And some more Heritage

2004 Bowman Heritage. The black and white photographs is a great throwback. Will the Angels ever replace Glaus?


Bart. I love this set. It's my favorite Topps design of all time and my favorite Heritage set as well. 2005 marks the Cy Young year of Bart...of course he was 7-13 after 2005 for the Angels, but that was still one hell of a year.

Thank you Adam for some great Halos.